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SOFTSWISS Sportsbook: 2021 Recap
The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook is pleased to share insights and results of the past year. The online sports betting platform was launched by SOFTSWISS at the end of 2020 and has gained traction in its first year of operating performance.
According to the Sportsbook statistics, men are the top users of the platform. Men account for 97% of the sum of all bets, while women only account for 3%. The situation is similar with the number of bets made, or Bet Count. In 2021 men made 94% of of all bets recorded in the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, while women only made around 6%.
“Our product confirms the prevailing theiry that the sports audience is predominantly male. This pattern is easy to interpret and culturally related to spending time together watching sporting events, which is less characteristic of the female segment of gamblers. Men are more often interested in sports and consequently more likely to become betting site visitors,” commented Alexander Kamenetskyi, Product Owner at SOFTSWISS Sportsbook.
The analysis of the players age revealed that the users aged 41 to 50 years old provide the biggest contribution. More than 55% of Total Bet Sum is generated by this player group. Surprisingly, however, middle-aged players (31-40 years old) are the ones who make the most bets: they account for 37% of the Total Count of bets.
In 2021, people were more likely to use mobile phones to place bets – these made up 65.5% of all bets. However, when it comes to the Bet Sum, the picture changes dramatically. Players spent the most money from desktop devices (62.6% of Total Bets Sum). Tablets prove to be the least popular betting devices.
“Desktop devices tend to be an important tool for professional and VIP players, who use multiple monitors at once to simultaneously study statistics and analyse data in parallel with the game. It is the most advanced way to track changes in real time,” said Alexander Kamenetskyi, Product Owner at SOFTSWISS Sportsbook.
The most popular sports by Bet Sum in 2021:
- Soccer 38.14%
- Basketball 22.62%
- Tennis 16.11%
- Ice Hockey 9.01%
- American Football 8.95%
- Volleyball 5.17%
The top tournaments are as follows:
- NBA 28.32%
- NFL 18.13%
- Premier League 16.78%
- Serie A 13.35%
- La Liga 12.28%
- NHL 11.13%
“Football is the king of betting, as our statistics once again prove. Basketball and tennis, as usual, share second place depending on how well represented they are in client projects given the region of operation. The popularity of each particular sport affects the leading tournaments accordingly,” added Alexander Kamenetskyi, Product Owner at SOFTSWISS Sportsbook.
The most popular cryptocurrencies in sports betting turned out to be:
- Bitcoin 54.73%
- Litecoin 44.22%
- Ethereum 1.05%
An important achievement for the Sportsbook team has been the partnership with one of the leading providers of live odds for eSports, Oddin.gg. The new partnership has enabled Sportsbook to expand its offering with live streaming, multiple live markets and a wide range of eSport tournaments such as Counter-Strike, League of Legends, and Dota 2.
In addition, the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, together with N1 Partners Group, launched its first project on the Nigerian market under a local licence, which SOFTSWISS was granted in February 2021. N1Bet.ng was the first betting project launched by the Sportsbook Team on the African continent.
In terms of functional enhancements, the Sportsbook has significantly expanded the list of bonus offers available. In 2021, the team launched two new types of bonuses at once: Hunting and Freebets. The latest includes No Risk, AllWin and OnlyWin.
“All of the enhancements as part the Sportsbook’s development in 2021 were aimed at exploring new markets, expanding the gambling offering and attracting players. The partnership with new odds provider Oddin.gg will help attract a younger audience who are keen on eSports. The launch of new bonuses, in turn, was a great tool to build and strengthen the loyalty of existing players. Our clients have already been able to appreciate new Sportsbook features and put them into action. Despite last year’s achievements, our team has even more ambitious plans ahead,” concluded Alexander Kamenetskyi, Product Owner at SOFTSWISS Sportsbook.
ABOUT SOFTSWISS
Launched in 2020, the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook Platform offers a gaming experience that can be enjoyed by seasoned punters and a new generation of players.
SOFTSWISS is a widely-acclaimed iGaming expert, supplying certified software solutions for managing online gambling operations. The company has an international team, which counts 1,000+ employees and has an official presence in Malta, Belarus, Poland and Georgia. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences, including Curacao, Malta, Estonia, Belarus, Belgium, Sweden, Nigeria, Ghana, Serbia and Greece. The company has a vast product portfolio, which includes an Online Casino Platform, Game Aggregator with thousands of casino games, the Affilka affiliate platform, Sportsbook Platform and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013 SOFTSWISS was the first in the world to introduce a bitcoin-optimised online casino solution.
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Editor’s Take
Why this matters: Belatra has been a steady hand in the slots world for a long time, but 2025 marked a distinct shift in strategy. By entering the Crash vertical with Goose Boom Bang and winning big at SiGMA Africa, the studio is clearly pivoting to capture the high-growth, high-frequency players in emerging markets. They are no longer just a “classic slots” developer; they are diversifying the portfolio to ensure relevance in regions like LatAm and Africa.
The Full Story
Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, has issued a strategic review of its 2025 operations, celebrating a 12-month period defined by entry into new game verticals, significant franchise expansion, and high-profile industry recognition.
The year was characterized by a dual strategy: deepening engagement in established markets while aggressively expanding its content portfolio to suit local preferences in emerging territories.
Portfolio Evolution: Crash and Battles 2025 saw Belatra move beyond its traditional slot roots. The company made its debut in the high-demand Crash game vertical with the launch of Goose Boom Bang, a title designed to tap into the fast-paced gameplay preference of younger demographics.
Additionally, the studio introduced a fresh game concept with the launch of Battles, a new format unveiled for the first time in 2025, with further development planned for 2026.
The ‘Mummyverse’ Expands For fans of classic slots, the highlight of the year was the aggressive expansion of the Mummyverse. Belatra nearly doubled the size of this franchise over the year, making it the most extensive game universe in their entire catalog.
The developer also focused on B2B localization, releasing a number of exclusive bespoke games created specifically for selected operator partners to meet specific local market tastes.
Awards and Recognition The company’s strategic shifts were validated by industry accolades. Belatra secured over 30 nominations throughout the year, with standout wins including:
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Best Slot Provider (awarded by BitStarz).
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Most Played Game of 2025 for Make It Gold at the SiGMA Africa Awards.
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Player’s Pick Award.
Management Commentary Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, commented on the studio’s momentum:
“This year has truly defined who we are as a studio – ambitious, creative and focused on building long-term partnerships. We’ve expanded our universes, launched new ones and entered exciting new markets that will all help us carry this momentum into the New Year.”
The post From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
Editor’s Take
Why this matters: The “Instant Game” vertical (Crash, Plinko, Mines) is becoming crowded, but Ebaka Games is cutting through the noise with a distinct brand personality. By securing BMM Testlabs certification so quickly after launch, they are signaling to Tier 1 operators that despite their “chaotic” marketing vibe, the math underneath is solid and compliant. The backing of industry veteran Dmitry Belianin also adds immediate commercial credibility to the startup.
The Full Story
Ebaka Games, the fledgling studio that promises to bring “chaos and soul” to the iGaming sector, has outlined an aggressive growth strategy for 2026 following a landmark launch period in late 2025.
The studio, which officially debuted in November, reports that its initial rollout reached more than five million people worldwide. The launch saw its portfolio go live with the operator Menace, serving as the initial testbed for its mechanics and “Ebaka modes.”
The Product: Instant Games with Personality Ebaka is bypassing traditional slots to focus on the high-growth vertical of fast-paced, instant-win games. Their initial lineup includes:
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Plinko
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Mines
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Tower
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Limbo
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Crash
Differentiation is achieved through unique mascots and signature gameplay tweaks designed to offer high win potential and distinct visual identities, moving away from the generic interfaces often found in this genre.
Regulatory Milestone Crucially for its 2026 roadmap, Ebaka Games has confirmed it has secured certification from BMM Testlabs. This accreditation validates the fairness and integrity of its RNG (Random Number Generator) and game engines, removing a major barrier to entry for regulated markets. With this certification in hand, the studio plans to launch with a number of “major brands” in the coming year.
Management Commentary Vitalii Zalievskyi, CEO of Ebaka Games, commented on the studio’s unorthodox approach:
“It’s only been a few weeks since we first introduced Ebaka Games to the world. The feedback has been breathtaking, and it vindicates the decision for us to take a different path to the rest of the industry. You don’t need huge marketing budgets to grab people’s attention if you are building something truly innovative.”
Industry Backing The studio describes itself as being “created by players for players” but boasts significant industry firepower in its corner. The team includes Dmitry Belianin, a well-known figure in the sector who is the co-founder of Blask and Menace, as well as Managing Partner at Already Media.
The post ‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
Editor’s Take
Why this matters: British racing has a well-documented demographic problem; its core audience is aging. “Friday Night Live” is a direct attempt to fix this by blending high-stakes racing with the “experience economy” (DJs, nightlife vibes) that appeals to Gen Z and Millennials. Bringing SBK on board—a mobile-first, app-only sportsbook—is a perfect demographic fit, while the Racing Post adds the necessary credibility to ensure the actual racing product remains the focus.
The Full Story
Arena Racing Company (ARC) has unveiled the strategic commercial lineup for its upcoming Friday Night Live series, confirming SBK as the Exclusive Betting Partner and The Racing Post as the Official Media Partner.
Set to launch in January 2026, Friday Night Live is a new initiative created in collaboration with youth-focused events company INVADES. The series is designed to overhaul the traditional race day experience, featuring fast-paced fixtures under floodlights, DJ sets, and significant entertainment elements sandwiched between races.
The Commercial Deal
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SBK: As the exclusive betting partner, the Smarkets-owned sportsbook will take naming rights and on-course branding for all 35 races. Crucially, these races will be broadcast live on mainstream television via ITV Racing as well as Sky Sports Research.
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The Racing Post: As the Official Media Partner, the publication will provide content, coverage, and promotion across its digital platforms, aiming to bridge the gap between established racing purists and the new audience ARC hopes to attract.
A High-Stakes Experiment The series is not just a marketing exercise; it carries serious sporting weight. Each of the five scheduled nights will feature over £200,000 in prize money. The fixtures will rotate across three of ARC’s all-weather tracks: Wolverhampton, Newcastle, and Southwell.
Management Commentary David Leyden Dunbar, Group Director of Commercial Strategy at ARC, was clear about the target audience:
“We have been very clear that one of the aims of Friday Night Live is to engage the next generation of racing fans… Both [partners] have shown real enthusiasm to work with us… as well as using the platform that these fixtures will offer them to also engage with more established racing and sports fans.”
Adam Baylis, Marketing Director at SBK, added:
“Friday Night Live [is] a fresh and engaging concept that brings a new energy to British racing. SBK has always been built around sport… our focus is on enhancing the live race day experience in a fun, social and responsible way.”
The 2026 Schedule The series kicks off immediately in the new year:
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9th Jan: Wolverhampton
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6th Feb: Newcastle
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20th Feb: Southwell
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20th March: Wolverhampton
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27th March: Newcastle
The post Racing Meets Nightlife: SBK Backs ARC’s New ‘Friday Night Live’ Series appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
