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ANJ: Summary of the Online gambling market for the first quarter of 2021: business continues to grow in all gambling segments

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After a singular year in 2020, which ended with a 22% increase in the sector’s turnover, the first quarter of 2021 confirms the very dynamic growth of the online gambling market, with a 35% increase in turnover compared to the same period in 2020. Sports and horse racing betting once again recorded record stakes, while poker, still on the rise, began to return to normal.

In the first quarter of 2021, the turnover of the online gambling sector is up 35% and amounts to 587 million euros. The business was driven by 3.1 million players on accounts, a player base that is up 19% compared to 2020. Each segment of online gambling opened to competition have seen further strong growth in activity this quarter. These performances illustrate the acceleration of the digitalisation of gambling practices, which is a consequence of the health crisis and whose structuring character will have to be confirmed over the long term. As such, the levels of growth recorded in the first quarter of 2021, which are measured in relation to the first quarter of 2020, should be viewed with a certain amount of caution since, on the one hand, they are influenced upwards, for the two online betting segments, by the loss of business linked to the suspension of French sports betting and horse racing betting and, on the other hand, they are oriented downwards for the online poker market, due to the peak of business recorded at the same period last year.

 

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Online sports betting: record stakes and new players

The online sports betting segment, which was the most affected by the first period of lockdown, is the one that has seen the most spectacular growth in stakes this quarter. 2.2 billion euros (+79%[1] compared to Q1 2020) were approximatively bet by the players on the competitions of the quarter, which corresponds to the highest amount of stakes recorded in a quarter. The number of sports bettors in the quarter increased by 29% to almost 2.5 million active player accounts (APA). It is very likely that the growth in activity will continue at a high rate this year due to the two major competitions, the European football championship and the Summer Olympic Games.

The FDJ reports a volume of sports betting stakes recorded on the two distribution channels equal to 1.1 billion euros in the first quarter of 2021, which corresponds to an increase of 46% compared to its results for the first quarter of 2020.

 

Online horse racing betting: growth continues and expands

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The growth dynamic of the online horse racing betting market observed in 2020 is also continuing at a very steady pace. The horse racing stakes, which amount to 481 million euros, increased by 60% compared to the first quarter of 2020, again the highest volume of stakes recorded in a quarter. At the same time, the turnover of the six licensed horse racing betting operators reached 110 million euros, an increase of 48% compared to the first quarter of 2020. Online horse racing betting also recorded a 13% increase in players, with a total of 402,000 active player accounts (APA) over the quarter.

The horse racing betting offer at points of sale remains affected by the health restrictions which, as revealed by PMU, led to the closure of almost 40% of the points of sale for several consecutive months. As a result, the operator posted a 23% drop in stakes placed in its network of sales outlets for a total of 1.3 billion euros.

 

Online poker: lower growth marks the beginning of a return to normality

Online poker, which recorded the highest turnover increase in 2020, continues to grow at a sustained rate but at a lower rate than in previous quarters. Thus, the sector’s turnover grew by 23% to 120 million euros. The number of online poker players grew by 9% (991,000 active player accounts, (APA)). The results of online poker for the next quarter should however interrupt this dynamic, since they will be calculated with regard to the 2nd quarter of 2020, which had shown an exceptional level of activity due to the first lockdown.

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Q1 2020
Q1 2021
Variation
TOTAL
 
 
Actives player accounts
2 598 000
3 078 000
+ 19%
Gross Gambling Revenue
435 m€
587 m€
+ 35%
Sports betting
Actives player accounts
1 915 000
2 466 000
+ 29%
stakes
1 220 m€
2 181 m€
+ 79%
Gross Gambling Revenue
263 m€
357 m€
+ 36%
Horse racing betting
 
 
Actives player accounts
357 000
402 000
+ 13%
stakes
300 m€
481 m€
+ 60%
Gross Gambling Revenue
74 m€
110 m€
+ 48%
Poker
 
 
Actives player accounts
906 000
991 000
+ 9%
Gross Gambling Revenue
98 m€
120 m€
+ 23%

 

For Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, ANJ’s Chairwoman“The online gambling dynamics goes on and is accelerating this quarter. It calls for a certain vigilance and must be accompanied in order to guarantee the protection of players, especially in the run-up to major sport events such as the EURO football tournament or the Tokyo Olympic Games. As such, the ANJ reminded operators of the need for their commercial communications to emphasise the importance of maintaining a moderate and controlled gambling practice and for bonuses or welcome offers to be sufficiently clear, enabling players to understand the commitments they underlie. Additionally, the ANJ will pay particular attention to tipsters’ Websites which have recently strongly developed. Some of these Websites are in fact involved in misleading practices and present a real danger for players.”

 

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Female Protea Team for the Counter Strike 2 esports title to do battle against Namibia – AEC25

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Mind Sports South Africa’s Protea Female CS2 team, led by captain Jess Greeff and featuring Avonique van Rooyen,  dominated IESF’s AEC24, and emerged undefeated, and punched their ticket to the world stage. The female Protea Team for the Counter Strike 2 Esports Title are trailblazers in female esports and are already making their mark internationally.

To qualify for IESF’s World Esports Championships 2025 (WEC25), South Africa’s Female Protea Team for the Counter Strike 2 Esports Title will be taking on Namibia at15H00 on 21 June 2025.

South Africa’s Female Protea Team for the Counter Strike 2 Esports Title has never lost to Namibia, and both MSSA and the team are confident that the result will be the same as all previous encounters.

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The team has shown a few changes from 2024. Jessica Greeff remains the captain, and Avonique van Rooyen and Megan van der Westhuizen too stay on the team with their vast international experience. The two new additions are Kiera McCullum and Kalee Ludick who further add to the team.

MSSA is of the belief that the 2025 Female Protea Team for the Counter Strike 2 Esports Title is the strongest female Counter Strike 2 team to ever represent South Africa.

The full team to represent South Africa at15H00 on 21 June 2025 is:

Name Club Nick Province
Jessica Eleez Greeff (Capt.) ZAG Academy heartjess KwaZulu Natal
Avonique van Rooyen ZAG Academy avo Gauteng
Kiera McCallum ZAG Academy queen KwaZulu Natal
Megan van der Westhuizen ZAG Academy m3gz Gauteng
Kalee Ludick ZAG Academy creative Gauteng

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Week 25/2025 slot games releases

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Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming

PG Soft has launched Jack the Giant Hunter – a cascading-style, 5-reel, 4-row video slot featuring expanding reels and a dynamic multiplier mechanic. Jack the Giant Hunter instantly plants players into an enchanted world where the path to riches is made perilous by a fierce giant. The action unfolds against a backdrop of mythical giants and golden treasure hidden in the clouds.

PG Soft releases fantasy-inspired Jack the Giant Hunter slot

Spinomenal has dropped its hot new slot, Westside Glory as part of its Adventure Series. Westside Glory is set on the West Coast streets where bling, bravado, and beats make for a platinum title. Framed by palm trees and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, this 5×3 slot takes players on the ultimate urban experience.

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Spinomenal drops Westside Glory slot

Betsoft Gaming has released Coins of Alkemor: Extreme Magic – Hold & Win, a fast-paced 3×3 slot packed with powerful features and mystical energy. The iconic wizard Alkemor returns in the game that elevates the popular Hold & Win mechanic with three explosive Extreme Features. Players can trigger the bonus with two or more BONUS symbols and at least one WIZARD BONUS—one of which must be EXTREME—awarding three respins and the chance to land magical golden coins.

Reflex Gaming is making waves once again with the launch of Big Game Fishing Golden Catch™, the latest online release in its hugely popular Big Game Fishing franchise, and proudly powered by Yggdrasil. This thrilling new slot reels players into a bright and breezy lake, where Reflex’s iconic fisherman, Fred, returns for another unforgettable adventure. With a 5-reel, 3-row layout, high volatility, and a max win potential of 5,000x the stake, Golden Catch is bursting with fun, flair, and fishy fortune.

Reflex Gaming hooks another hit with Big Game Fishing Golden Catch™

TaDa Gaming has released its latest slot Lucky Jaguar 2. This time, the Colourful Jaguar Wild is joined by a Gold Jaguar Wild to ramp up the wins with multiple multipliers, stunning graphics and a humorous soundtrack, alongside the original Lock & Respin bonus game feature. Designed specifically for the LatAm market, where earlier release Fortune Gems had held the record breaking top spot, Lucky Jaguar hit 33%+ of Fortune Gem’s DAU figures within one month.

 

Million Games and partner studio Black Cat are excited to announce the release of Island Ices, a vibrant 5×4 slot packed with tropical charm and rewarding mechanics. As the second game from Black Cat under the Million Star partner programmeIsland Ices brings a refreshing low-volatility experience with a polished aesthetic and summer-ready features. Designed for players who love quick-paced, feel-good gameplay.

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SlotMatrix is proud to announce the launch of an exciting new slot – Gold Pigger. This exclusive title introduces players to a fun-fuelled adventure starring Richie and Peggy, two funny piglets with a taste for fortune and a nose for cash prizes. With a 4×6 reel layout and 4096 ways to win, Gold Pigger blends light-hearted design with exciting gameplay mechanics to deliver an engaging slot experience with a win potential of up to 8,086.8X the player’s stake.

SlotMatrix brings players to the glitzy world of Gold Pigger

Dear passengers, welcome aboard Flight NLC25! Flight Mode is cleared for takeoff and let’s just say, it’s not a typical family trip to Hawaii. After delivering signature slots like Tombstone Slaughter: El Gordo’s Revenge and Duck Hunters, Nolimit City is now taking it to the skies with Flight Mode and definitely not in a boring way.

Nolimit City boards a wild ride at 35,000 feet in Flight Mode

Thunderkick has unveiled MeJUICEa, the latest addition to its content portfolio that breathes new life into a proven popular theme, reintroducing Greek mythology’s iconic Gorgon with a modern makeover. The 6×5 cluster pays title revolves around the Crush feature, a unique take on the fan-favourite avalanche mechanic.

Thunderkick reimagines Greek mythology theme in MeJUICEa

Push Gaming has launched Fang City, a sleek and suspenseful slot that combines ever-popular Push Gaming features. Set in a futuristic world, this game sees wolves with pointy teeth engaging in activities reminiscent of humans while featuring popular mechanics such as scatter pays, multiplier symbols, and cascading combos.

Push Gaming sinks its teeth into mystery in Fang City

Play’n GO steps into the underworld of Viper City with its new slot, Viper City Heist, where cunning strategy and raw firepower lead to big rewards. Combining visual flair with exciting mechanics, this 5×3 slot with 20 fixed paylines offers a potent mix of instant prizes and feature-rich gameplay that stays true to Play’n GO’s signature storytelling style.

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Viper City Heist brings a neon-soaked criminal caper to the reels

Evoplay has released Oath of Steel, a moody, battle-driven slot that captures the raw intensity of knights locked in combat beneath storm-filled skies. Set in a storm-soaked battlefield of iron masks and glowing castle windows, Oath of Steel brings players into a world where survival outweighs glory.

Evoplay strikes a darker tone with the launch of Oath of Steel

Get ready to run for cover as Peter & Sons latest release, Boom Farm, exploded onto the internet on June 19th, 2025. Set in the deceptively peaceful countryside, this is no simple farming game. The 6×6 scatter-pays video slot hides a dynamite twist—literally. With TNT barrels, Star Bombs, Scatter Pays mechanics and thrilling Cascades, every harvest can explode into serious wins.

Farming and explosives unite in this quirky new game from Peter & Sons

ELA Games invites players to step into a captivating world of mystery and mischief with its latest title, Tail of Crime. Tune into your detective instincts for big wins with thrilling mechanics. The 5×4 slot has 20 paylines and a 96.2% RTP, guaranteeing action in both the base game and lucrative bonus feature.

Join the Thrilling Chase With ELA Games’ New Title: Tail of Crime

Are you ready for the grand finale? That’s what in-demand content provider, ICONIC21, is asking players as it launches the final title in its Stellar Fruits series. Stellar Fruits 100 wraps up the iconic series with a bang, with the game being set across four reels and five rows with 100 paylines active.

It all comes down to this: ICONIC21 launches Stellar Fruits series finale

Stakelogic is reaching for the clouds with the launch of its newest high-rise slot game, Skyline Fortunes. This bold and eccentrically engineered title trades traditional reels for steel beams and skyscraper thrills, where every spin helps build a skyline packed with potential. At the heart of the action is Big Bruno, a gorilla with a serious work ethic and a knack for stacking wins.

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Skyline Fortunes takes slot action to new heights

Dive deep and double your fun with Fish Tales: Double Catch, from Booming Games, the thrilling sequel to Fish Tales: Monster Bass! This 5×3 reel slot brings exciting features like Barrel Boost, Big Net Modifier and Free Spins with Cash Collection, all designed to reel in those big wins. Keep an eye out for Fish Multiplier symbols to trigger massive payouts and enjoy the anticipation with every spin.

Booming Games Releases Fish Tales: Double Catch, The Anticipated Sequel to Monster Bass

Amusnet has released a new football-themed dice slot – 20 Wild Goals Dice. This 5-reel, 20 fixed paylines game brings the thrill of football to the reels, blending high-energy gameplay with iconic dice symbols. Watch for the Ball Wild symbol that appears on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th reels and expands, substituting for the rest of the symbols, except for the Scatter.

Playson, the accomplished digital entertainment supplier, invites players on a high-stakes safari in Lion Gems 3 Pots: Hold and Win, where Special Gems hold the key to lavish Bonus Game variants. A stunning African landscape plays host to the 5×4 slot as the reels blaze with powerful lions, radiant gems, and dazzling diamonds.

Venture into the heart of the wild with Playson’s Lion Gems 3 Pots: Hold and Win

Prepare to embark on an epic adventure where the power of the gods awaits in Unusual Suspects: Legends of Olympus from Northern Lights Gaming. This is the latest instalment in the studio’s hugely popular Unusual Suspects series and promises plenty of divine action. Players will marvel as Wilds unleash their celestial power, flying over the gods for a chance to trigger the Judgement Day Jackpot

Northern Lights Gaming launches Unusual Suspects: Legends of Olympus

 

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Northern Lights Gaming launches Unusual Suspects: Legends of Olympus

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The latest title in the studio’s popular slot series takes players to the realm of the gods, where the big win potential is mighty

Prepare to embark on an epic adventure where the power of the gods awaits in Unusual Suspects: Legends of Olympus from Northern Lights Gaming. This is the latest instalment in the studio’s hugely popular Unusual Suspects series and promises plenty of divine action.

Players will marvel as Wilds unleash their celestial power, flying over the gods for a chance to trigger the Judgement Day Jackpot. For those who ascend through the pearly gates, Free Spins await, where players ascend the trail to reach the Supreme Legend.

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Let’s get into the bonus features in more detail.

Divine Wilds land in the base game and Free Spins and are triggered by the Legend symbols, of which there are five. The Legend determines how the Wilds behave, including turning reels one to four Wild and turning the top and bottom of any reels Wild.

If a Legend symbol lands on top of another Legend symbol or a Wild, a Multiplier gets added up to a maximum of 4x. Boom.

Judgment Day Jackpot is a three-of-a-kind pot bonus triggered by collecting Wild symbols in the base game and Free Spins. Players then get to choose a land to smite, which in turn reveals a Jackpot – reveal three matching Jackpots to win the prize.

The gods are on the side of the player, and that’s why they offer a Bonus Boost. This happens when two Scatters land on reels one and three, adding two tokens into the Bonus Boost Bar. Collect 100 tokens to fill the bar and unlock the bonus, which is the second Landmark on the Free Spins Trail.

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Then there’s the Nudging Scatter Respins, which are also triggered when two Scatters drop on reels one and three. When this happens, reels two and four are held, with reels one and two nudging down one row. Reel five then Respins for the chance to hit a Legend symbol.

After each Respin, two tokens are added to the Bonus Boost Bar.

The real action takes place in the Free Spins bonus, which is triggered when two Scatters and a Legend symbol start the Bonus Respin. The Scatters and the Legend expand to cover the reel, and up to two Respins occur on reels two and four for a chance to award two more Scatters.

Two Scatters get the player 10 Free Spins, three Scatters get them 15 Free Spins, and four Scatters get them 20 Free Spins.

While the Free Spins play out, players work their way along a Trail with five Landmarks to uncover. As they hit each Landmark, they get five additional Free Spins plus an increasing Multiplier, up to a max of 10x.

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Better still, active Legends can land on the reels for subsequent spins, and each Legend that lands triggers Divine Wilds.

Chris Loftus, Commercial Director, at Northern Lights Gaming, said: “We’ve taken the Unusual Suspects series into the realm of the gods, a hugely popular theme among players in markets around the world.

“Players once again join our hero character, Max Spinwell, but this time on a quest to harness the power of the gods to potentially win big.

“Matching this epic theme is edge-of-the-seat gameplay, provided through a powerful line-up of bonus features including Wild, Multipliers, Jackpots, Free Spins and more. This is a great instalment in the Unusual Suspects franchise, and we can’t wait to see players fire up the reels”

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