Canada
iOS Users Spent $1 Billion in Social Casino Apps Amid COVID-19 Pandemic, Says New Report from Liftoff and GameRefinery
The report also shows a 10% spike in cost-per-install on iOS following Apple’s IDFA privacy regulations
Liftoff, one of the world’s largest independent and privacy-friendly platforms fueling the entire mobile app growth cycle across user acquisition, engagement, monetization, and analytics, along with GameRefinery, a mobile games insight and analytics platform, today released its mobile social casino apps report, revealing unique trends in the mobile market. The report reveals record spend in social casino during the height of the pandemic, as well as shifts in platform engagement following Apple’s privacy regulations and key insights into the value of global regions.
This data draws on more than 83 billion ad impressions and 1.1 billion clicks across 12 million installs and 239 apps between August 1, 2020 and August 1, 2021, to find:
iOS users spent nearly $1 billion on casino apps during the peak of the pandemic
As the pandemic drove a decrease in foot traffic to in-person casinos, social casino titles hit the jackpot. Many consumers took to a new habit of online social casino games, which offer a gambling-like experience without the stakes. According to the report, iOS users in the U.S. spent a record $990 million in social casino apps during the height of the pandemic, Q3 2020 to Q2 2021. Even as vaccinations increased in the U.S. and real casinos in key states were already reopened, the success of social casino didn’t slow down. By Q2 2021, quarterly profits reached a new high of more than $260 million — a particular feat, as the category’s U.S. market share had dropped year-over-year, from 19.43% in Q3 2020 to 18.89% in Q2 2021.
Interestingly, social casino users are older than every other gaming genre — more than half are over 45. The user base is also split about 50/50 men and women, showing that the gaming category has broad appeal.
“As we examine the effects the pandemic has had on gaming, it’s no surprise casino apps are soaring in popularity around the globe,” said Joel Julkunen, Head of Game Analytics of GameRefinery. “Since we are seeing more movement in this market, it’s vital for mobile marketers and developers in this vertical to use these insights to inform long-term strategies.”
Apple kills the IDFA, leading Android to win this round of the “Platform Wars”
Amid Apple’s recent IDFA policy changes, the report sees Android edging out iOS as the leading platform for casino apps. As marketers adjusting to the post-IDFA landscape shifted their ad spend habits, cost-per-install (CPI) on iOS increased to 9.9% year-over-year, up to $11.09. Meanwhile, Android CPIs dropped 13.7% between August 2020 and August 2021, widening the affordability gap for Android — iOS install costs are now 122% higher than that of Android, compared to 2020’s 74%.
The report also shows Android edging out the competition in return-on-ad-spend (ROAS). While iOS takes the early lead over Android, Android pulls ahead 1.9% by Day 30.
Regional: Bet Big, Win Big
While North America (NAR) shows great engagement, reaching those engaged users comes at a cost. At $10.37, CPIs are the highest of all global regions. Asia-Pacific (APAC), meanwhile, offers a CPI half that of NAR, at $5.68. The regions aren’t far off on 30-day ROAS, with NAR (26.47%) only slightly outperforming APAC (21.8%). Marketers looking for great value may want to consider expanding their sights to gamers in APAC, as the up-and-coming market shows great promise.
For more details on Liftoff+Vungle and to download the full report, visit LINK.
Methodology
The 2021 Social Casino Report draws from Liftoff+Vungle and GameRefinery’s internal data from August 1, 2020 and August 1, 2021 — which spans 83 billion ad impressions, 1.1 billion clicks across 239 different apps, 12 million installs and 39 million events to deliver ad performance insights to show how marketers can get the most out of their games.
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Alberta
Peter & Sons Enters Alberta with Full Game Portfolio
Innovative iGaming studio Peter & Sons has entered Alberta with its full game portfolio, marking another major step in the studio’s regulated North American expansion.
The launch brings Peter & Sons’ complete catalogue to one of Canada’s most closely watched iGaming markets, as Alberta continues to develop its regulated online gaming framework. Following the growth of Ontario’s regulated model, Alberta represents an important new chapter for suppliers looking to build long-term presence across Canada.
Alberta offers a strong opportunity for Peter & Sons, combining a clear regulatory direction with a growing appetite for high-quality digital casino content. Players in the province will gain access to the studio’s full portfolio, from visually distinctive slots and recognizable characters from games like Barbarossa: Dragon Empire, The Soapranos, Greedy Alice and many others.
Renowned for its creative direction and distinctive approach to game development, Peter & Sons continues to expand across regulated markets worldwide. The Alberta entry reflects the studio’s commitment to growing its North American footprint while bringing its complete catalogue to markets where originality, performance, and player engagement all matter.
Lauryn Duncan, Head of Sales at Peter & Sons, said: “Alberta is an exciting new market for Peter & Sons and an important step in our North American growth. Launching with our full portfolio gives us the chance to introduce the complete Peter & Sons experience from day one, from the art and characters to the mechanics and worlds that define our games. It is a market with strong potential, and we are proud to bring our games to players there.”
The post Peter & Sons Enters Alberta with Full Game Portfolio appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Alberta
Gaming Corps goes live with bet365 in Alberta on day one of regulated market
Gaming Corps has launched its online casino content with bet365 in Alberta on the first day of the province’s regulated market opening on 13 July 2026, while also expanding its content distribution with the operator in Ontario and Spain.
The Sweden-based game developer said it is among the first wave of studios fully certified for Alberta’s newly regulated market. Gaming Corps will support bet365’s Alberta entry with more than 50 games at launch, spanning Slots, Table, Plinko, Mine Games and Instant Blitz.
As part of the expanded partnership, Gaming Corps said bet365 will also gain access to its football-themed titles, including Penalty Champion: Goals to Glory, and its 3 Pigs franchise, including 3 Pigs of Olympus, 3 Pigs of Olympus 2: Rise of the DemiHog, and 3 Pigs of the Caribbean.
The rollout also includes Gaming Corps’ Low RTP Blackjack titles, which the company said are designed around 93.57% RTP and approximately 6% operator hold, with flexible branding options and side-bet mechanics.
Graham Greensmith, Chief Commercial Officer at Gaming Corps, said: “Extending our partnership with bet365 across Spain, Ontario and Alberta is a major moment for Gaming Corps, but Alberta is the real statement here. Going live with bet365 from day one reflects the work our teams have put into certification, onboarding and ensuring we can move quickly and confidently with major operator partners.
“As one of the earliest studios ready for Alberta, we’ll be bringing more than 50 titles to the province. That breadth matters, because it gives operators like bet365 a single partner across multiple verticals, with content designed to support acquisition, engagement and retention across different player segments. Spain and Ontario are also important regulated markets for us and expanding with a global operator of this scale highlights how far Gaming Corps has come in a short period of time.”
Richard Graham, Associate VP of Gaming at bet365at bet365 said: “Gaming Corps has become a valuable content partner, combining recognisable game identities with formats that add variety across our casino offering. We are pleased to extend the partnership into Spain, Ontario and Alberta, with the Alberta launch particularly important as part of our day-one commitment to the market.
“Expanding the relationship across multiple territories in a relatively short period reflects the strength of the collaboration, as well as the Gaming Corps team’s clear product direction, commitment and continued development as a game vendor. We look forward to giving players access to a wide-ranging portfolio from the moment the market opens.”
The post Gaming Corps goes live with bet365 in Alberta on day one of regulated market appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Alberta
Gaming Corps goes live with bet365 in Alberta on regulated market day one
Deal expands bet365 casino rollout in Spain and Ontario, with 50+ Gaming Corps titles certified for Alberta from 13 July 2026.
Gaming Corps has launched with bet365 in Alberta on the first day of the province’s regulated iGaming market opening (13 July 2026), while also expanding its content footprint with the operator in Spain and Ontario.
The Sweden-based, publicly listed game developer said it is among the first wave of studios certified for Alberta, supporting bet365’s entry with more than 50 games available at launch. The day-one portfolio spans Slots, Table, Plinko, Mine Games and Instant Blitz.
Gaming Corps said the expanded partnership includes its football-themed titles, including Penalty Champion: Goals to Glory, plus the 3 Pigs series (3 Pigs of Olympus, 3 Pigs of Olympus 2: Rise of the DemiHog and 3 Pigs of the Caribbean).
The rollout also brings Gaming Corps’ new Low RTP Blackjack titles to bet365, which the supplier said are designed around 93.57% RTP and approximately 6% operator hold, with side-bet mechanics and flexible branding options.
Graham Greensmith, Chief Commercial Officer at Gaming Corps, said: “Extending our partnership with bet365 across Spain, Ontario and Alberta is a major moment for Gaming Corps, but Alberta is the real statement here. Going live with bet365 from day one reflects the work our teams have put into certification, onboarding and ensuring we can move quickly and confidently with major operator partners.
“As one of the earliest studios ready for Alberta, we’ll be bringing more than 50 titles to the province. That breadth matters, because it gives operators like bet365 a single partner across multiple verticals, with content designed to support acquisition, engagement and retention across different player segments. Spain and Ontario are also important regulated markets for us and expanding with a global operator of this scale highlights how far Gaming Corps has come in a short period of time.”
Richard Graham, Associate VP of Gaming at bet365 at said: “Gaming Corps has become a valuable content partner, combining recognisable game identities with formats that add variety across our casino offering. We are pleased to extend the partnership into Spain, Ontario and Alberta, with the Alberta launch particularly important as part of our day-one commitment to the market.
“Expanding the relationship across multiple territories in a relatively short period reflects the strength of the collaboration, as well as the Gaming Corps team’s clear product direction, commitment and continued development as a game vendor. We look forward to giving players access to a wide-ranging portfolio from the moment the market opens.”
The post Gaming Corps goes live with bet365 in Alberta on regulated market day one appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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