Latest News
ANJ: Summary of the Online gambling market for the first quarter of 2021: business continues to grow in all gambling segments
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.
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
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
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Variation
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TOTAL
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|
|
|
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Actives player accounts
|
2 598 000
|
3 078 000
|
+ 19%
|
|
Gross Gambling Revenue
|
435 m€
|
587 m€
|
+ 35%
|
|
Sports betting
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|||
|
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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Bet Rite
Spintec Expands into Canada with Bet Rite
Spintec is expanding its footprint in North America by partnering with Bet Rite in the Canadian gambling sector. As a prominent developer of electronic table games, Spintec invested significant effort into locating a partner who comprehends the distinctiveness of the Canadian casino industry. Bet Rite is taking on the position of Spintec’s distributor in Canada, leveraging its established reputation and substantial industry knowledge. This collaboration combines global innovation with local expertise in a partnership that is helping Spintec advance its expansion objectives in North America.
Bet Rite’s establishment is rooted in years of industry expertise. The firm focuses on providing top-notch gaming solutions designed specifically for Canadian operators. They aim to provide a sole vendor connection that grants access to numerous top-tier product lines, establishing them as a reliable partner nationwide.
For Spintec, collaborating with a company that prioritizes service, product excellence, and enduring relationships is vital, and Bet Rite is dedicated to prioritizing customer needs. With a solid sales network and a reputation for dependability, their market stance is highly strong.
Through this collaboration, Spintec is guaranteeing that their creative products receive backing from an attentive, community-focused service. The initial product line to be launched in the Canadian market will be Spintec’s premier Charisma line. Charisma’s design, flexibility, innovation, and wide range of product customizations will undoubtedly make it a top seller in Canada as well.
Billy Maclellan, Bet Rite President, says: “Our company has grown by offering best-in-class suppliers the local support that they need. Spintec fits the mold perfectly and together we are well placed to make this partnership a glowing success”
Goran Sovilj, Spintec’s Chief Commercial Officer, agrees: “Bet Rite’s deep understanding of the Canadian market makes this alliance very promising. We are always excited to introduce innovative and exciting products to new markets, especially when our distributors are as experienced and knowledgeable as Bet Rite.”
The post Spintec Expands into Canada with Bet Rite appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Industry News
Ex-Paysafe VP Justin Fraser takes chief revenue officer role at Yaspa to drive global growth
Yaspa, the renowned fintech focusing on instant payments and identity solutions, today reveals the appointment of Justin Fraser as its Chief Revenue Officer.
Fraser becomes part of Yaspa’s executive team during a crucial period of global growth. He has more than 20 years of commercial leadership experience in the payments ecosystem, having occupied senior leadership positions at notable industry companies like Cybersource, Visa, and Paysafe.
Having a career centered on maneuvering through intricate payment environments, he offers knowledge in rapidly expanding, regulated sectors such as iGaming, cryptocurrency, and financial technology.
As the new CRO, Fraser will manage Yaspa’s worldwide commercial strategy, concentrating on expanding the company’s Intelligent Payment platform, which integrates open banking with AI-powered customer insights, throughout the UK, Europe, and North America.
Yaspa CEO James Neville said: “We are thrilled to welcome Justin to the team during this period of rapid acceleration. His deep expertise in navigating complex regulatory environments and his proven track record in scaling payment solutions are invaluable assets as we expand our footprint in the US and beyond. Justin’s appointment further strengthens our leadership as we continue to help businesses lower costs, grow revenues, and enhance financial compliance through open banking.”
Justin Fraser said: “Yaspa is at the forefront of the shift toward real-time payments. The company’s unique blend of open banking and AI-verified insights solves genuine friction for merchants, particularly in industries like iGaming. I am excited to join such an innovative team and look forward to driving the next phase of our commercial growth globally.”
Fraser will collaborate closely with the recently strengthened US team, which includes the newly appointed US Sales Lead, Peter Kula, and US Senior Solutions Manager, Jackson Esoda.
This statement comes after a year of significant growth for Yaspa, highlighted by increasing its workforce from 15 to 75 employees and successfully securing a $12 million investment round spearheaded by Discerning Capital. In this timeframe, the firm broadened its international presence with new ventures in Atlanta and Leeds, while winning esteemed honors such as the 2025 Payments Award for Real-Time Payments Innovation and a spot on the CB Insights Top 100 Fintech list.
The post Ex-Paysafe VP Justin Fraser takes chief revenue officer role at Yaspa to drive global growth appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
ELA Games
ELA Games Unveils Tea Party of Fortune — A Magical Multiplier Experience
The newest release from the studio offers a multi-faceted Hold & Win experience wrapped in a charming fairytale theme.
ELA Games has officially launched its newest slot, Tea Party of Fortune. Now accessible throughout the studio’s complete partner network, this story-driven title welcomes players into a Secret Garden where engaging mechanics blend with a beloved fairytale theme.
The studio is building a name for itself by creating games centered around a cohesive narrative, and Tea Party of Fortune aligns with that goal. Brought to existence by a delightfully quirky ensemble, featuring the Mad Hatter and the Red Queen, the game creates a richly layered ambiance resonating with the sounds of chiming china and intrigued laughter.
The game exemplifies ELA Games’ skill in merging high-quality art with clever game design. The core game is notable for its progression system, the Overflowing Teacup, which enables players to see the path to the bonus round with every spin.
The visual appeal embodies the enchantment of a traditional storybook, while the gameplay provides action rich in features. The title focuses on an engaging Hold & Win Bonus Game, crafted to provide greater complexity than typical games in this favored genre.
During this round, uniquely colored tea-coins activate the cup’s enchantment, enabling several features to trigger in one spin:
● Grid Expansion: The Curious Growth coin expands the reel set from 5×3 to 5×5.
● Win Boosting: Mad Multipliers increase the value of existing prizes.
● Bonus Round Extension: The Extra Respin coin prolongs the bonus round.
Game Stats:
● Reels: 5×3 (Expands to 5×5)
● Paylines: 10
● RTP: 93.75% / 95.73%
● Volatility: Mid (3/5)
● Max Win: x5,000 (€250,000)
● Buy Bonus: Yes
The post ELA Games Unveils Tea Party of Fortune — A Magical Multiplier Experience appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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