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The ANJ publishes the results of the online gambling market for the 2nd quarter of 2020: the sectors are very differently impacted by the COVID crisis

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The ANJ publishes the results of the online gambling market for the 2nd quarter of 2020: the sectors are very differently impacted by the COVID crisis
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In the 2nd quarter of 2020, the online gambling market recorded a decrease of 6% of its GGR[1] and a decrease in active player accounts of 9%. It is the sports betting sector that has been the most affected by the effects of the health crisis with a decrease of 56% of its GGR. Conversely, the poker and, to a lesser extent, horseracing betting segments recorded a sharp increase of their GGR.

The lockdown (from 16 March to 10 May) was particularly handicapping for operators, who recorded a decrease of 24% over the period compared to 2019.

However, despite this health crisis, the GGR of the legal online market reached 758 million euros over the first 6 months of the year, an increase of 8% compared to the first half of 2019.

The collapse of online sports betting : -56% of the GGR

The online sports betting segment is generally the most dynamic part of the online gambling market. On the flip side of this trend, the sports betting offer for the quarter was profoundly altered by the massive cancellations or the delayed recovery of sporting events. With this reduction of the supply, and in order to support the market, the ARJEL Board authorized the add of 7 competitions to the list of sporting events, allowing them for sports betting in France (Australian football, 1st Australian soccer league, Hungarian football cup, 1st South Korea and China football leagues, baseball in Korea and hockey in Belarus).

These new competitions, while meeting ARJEL’s requirements regarding the fight against sports manipulation, have made it possible for operators to maintain a sports betting offer throughout the period of suspension of major competitions. All in all, operators’ GGR in the sports betting market amounted to 94 million euros in the second quarter, a decrease of 56% compared to 2019. The decline in operators’ turnover fell to 87% over the lockdown period.

As a result of this unprecedented situation, the number of active player accounts fell by 36%, albeit at a slower pace than the decrease of the GGR. The average spending per active player account over the quarter[2] amounted to 86€ compared to 126 € in Q2 2019 (-32%).

While operators had planned to make a significant marketing effort for EURO 2020, they sharply reduced their sports betting advertising spending during the 2nd quarter of 2020[3] in response to the decline in their activity.

The results provided by the FDJ demonstrate similar difficulties in the sports betting segment. The monopoly recorded indeed a decrease of 39% in sports betting stakes, all channels combined, in the first semester and up to around 61% in the second quarter alone.

An increase of online horseracing betting: +33% of the GGR

The horseracing betting offer was significantly affected this quarter following the interruption of French horseraces until 11 May 2020. However, the bets recorded during this period increased by 16%, in particular thanks to the maintenance and additions of foreign horseraces to the French horseraces betting calendar, approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food after an informal advice from ARJEL[4]. The increase of horseracing stakes is also due to the shift of some sports bettors to horseracing betting during the period. As soon as French races resumed, the market recorded an increase of the number of players, that accelerated the growth of the stakes over the quarter.

The online horseracing betting market activity is once again growing at a rate not observed since the market opened in 2010. The players’ stakes reached 362 million euros this quarter, up 35% compared to the second quarter of 2019. This volume of stakes also corresponds to the highest level generated over a quarter. At the same time, the GGR of the quarter increased by 88 million euros in proportions almost similar to stakes (+ 33%), its highest level since the opening of the market.

The PMU, operator under exclusive rights regarding offline horseracing betting, reported a decrease of 31% of the stakes in the 1st half of the year, all channels combined. However, business results improved at the end of the semester, thanks to the gradual reopening of points of sale and racecourses.

The booming of online poker: +126% of the GGR

The lockdown period has been very advantageous to the online poker segment. The popularity for this activity has led to the recruitment of many new players. As a result, nearly 1.100.000 active player accounts (APAs) participated in online poker games during the quarter, an increase of 68% relative to last year.

As a result, the poker GGR reached 142 million euros in the second quarter, its biggest result for a quarter and 44 million higher than the GGR of the first quarter of 2020. The growth of the poker GGR is of 126% compared to Q2 2020, which corresponds to the most significant increase recorded over a quarter.

This growth is due both to an increase in the number of active players (+ 68% compared to Q2 2019) and to the intensification of gambling. The average spending per active player account thus increased sharply in Q2 2020 (+ 34%), reaching € 134 compared to € 99 in Q2 2019.

The ANJ in brief

The “Pacte” Act and the ordinance of October 2, 2019 reforming the regulation of gambling have set up a new gambling regulatory authority (ANJ). It follows ARJEL with a significantly extended regulatory scope and enhanced powers.

 

The ANJ is now responsible for all components of the legal gambling market, both online andoffline:

  • online games that ARJEL regulated, such as sports betting and horse racing betting and poker offered by the 14 licensed operators ;
  • all the games of La Française des Jeux or the PMU sold in physical points of sale or online;
  • 237 racecourses;
  • 202 casinos, with the exception of anti-money laundering issues and the integrity of the games offered, which remain under the responsibility of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

 

Methodology

The following elements have been compiled using data provided by licensed online gambling and betting operators on a weekly and quarterly basis. The ANJ communications take account of statistical confidentiality. It cannot publish information relating to the activity of monopoly markets (FDJ and PMU) other than that already disclosed by operators under exclusive rights.

Complete report available here in French

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MGA Games presents Rainbow Gold Fortunes, a slot inspired by traditional Irish culture

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MGA Games, a leader in localised casino games for the iGaming industry, unveils a world of colour, excitement and riches in Rainbow Gold Fortunes, a casino game that immerses players in the essence of Irish culture. Starring a friendly Irish leprechaun, this new slot is filled with symbols typical of Irish culture, such as shamrocks, tankards, Celtic runes, pipes and mushrooms. Plus, traditional Irish music adds to the immersive experience.

This slot incorporates a 5×3 format with 20 paylines. Each win in the main game unleashes an explosion of excitement, replacing symbols and multiplying wins. Scatter symbols unlock access to the Free Spins screen, with even more powerful multipliers. Moreover, Rainbow Gold Fortunes features the exciting Cauldrons mini-game, which is accessed by landing three or more Bonus symbols in the main game. In this mini-game, 5 cauldrons filled with gold appear. The player must select cauldrons until all of them have been selected or Exit appears. The final prize is the sum of the accumulated prizes.

In MGA Games’ new release, the magic of Ireland and the excitement of a casino combine to deliver a unique, high-retention player experience with a variety of winning opportunities, whether in the main game, the Free Spins screen or its exciting mini-game.

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Kambi Group plc publishes 2023 Annual Report and Accounts

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Kambi Group plc, the world’s trusted sports betting partner, has today published its 2023 Annual Report and Accounts

This can be downloaded from the company website kambi.com or accessed via the PDF in this press release. The report is also available at .kambi.com/annualreport2023/.

Key highlights for Kambi during the year include:

  • A 13% increase in revenue to €173.3 million when excluding the one-off termination fee from Penn recorded in Q4 2022
  • €25.2 million in EBITA (acq)*
  • 10 new operator signings including Bally’s Corporation, LiveScore Group and Svenska Spel
  • Seven partnerships extensions including ATG, Betplay, LeoVegas Group and Rush Street Interactive
  • 60+ sportsbook launches across multiple markets in Europe, Latin America and the US
  • Repaid the full €7.5 million convertible bond previously held by Kindred Group to give Kambi full control over its future strategic direction

*EBITA (acq) = Earnings before interest, taxation, Items affecting comparability and amortisation on acquired intangible assets

The Annual General Meeting will be held on 21 May 2024 at 14:00 CEST in Birkirkara, Malta.

 

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SOFTSWISS and Evolution Launch Evo Prime Drop Campaign

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SOFTSWISS and Evolution Launch Evo Prime Drop Campaign
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The SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator, a multipurpose gamification system for managing promotional campaigns, launched the Evo Prime Drop campaign in partnership with Evolution Gaming Group AB in March. The Evo Prime Drop aims to enhance player engagement and highlight captivating games integrated with Evolution. 

Evolution is a leading B2B solution provider for casino operators offering live casino, live game shows, slots and more. The Evo Prime Drop leverages Evolution’s extensive portfolio, available through the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator, to feature premium games from such developers as NetEnt, Red Tiger, and Big Time Gaming (BTG). 

An exceptional aspect of the Evo Prime Drop is its accessibility to casino operators within the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator network at no extra charge. This arrangement between Evolution and SOFTSWISS supports their partners in enhancing player engagement and retention. 

The campaign’s jackpot prize pool is another highlight, featuring a generous 50,000 euro. The campaign is designed to be inclusive, allowing players to participate with a minimum bet of just 1 euro. The campaign started on 11 March and will conclude on 31 March. 

The prize distribution is thoughtfully structured to maximise the number of winners, with 20 top prizes of 1,000 euro each, 100 prizes of 100 euro, and 400 prizes of 50 euro. This tiered system adds to the appeal of the Evo Prime Drop, making it a highly anticipated event in the online gaming calendar. 

This inaugural campaign, launched in collaboration with a game provider, paves the way for further initiatives for SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator clients. The Jackpot Aggregator’s unique mechanics and the Game Aggregator’s user-friendly settings make the launch seamless and fast.

Aliaksei Douhin, Head of SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator, comments: “We see immense potential in such campaigns because they present a win-win solution for all parties involved. 

Beyond addressing the casino’s primary objective of retaining and attracting players, these mechanics offer providers additional opportunities to promote their games. Furthermore, players gain new experiences, exactly what draws them to us. 

Thanks to the quick and easy launch, we view these campaigns as a positive development for the industry. 

Special thanks to Evolution for their pivotal partnership in Evo Prime Drop. Evolution’s support is instrumental in bringing these gaming opportunities to life, showcasing the strength of collaborative efforts in advancing the gaming industry.”

Nicholas Peters, Chief Business Development Officer Europe at Evolution, adds: “We are excited to partner with SOFTSWISS in the Evo Prime Drop campaign. Collaborating with the expert team behind the Jackpot Aggregator, and given the excellence of SOFTSWISS’ software solutions and the premium games from providers integrated by Evolution, we are confident in the campaign’s success.

We are constantly looking for new technologies and mechanics to maintain a leading position in the market and provide innovative solutions to our customers. We are pleased that our collaboration with the SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator has proven to be mutually beneficial. “

 

About SOFTSWISS 

SOFTSWISS is an international tech company supplying software solutions for managing iGaming projects. The expert team, which counts over 2,000 employees, is based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides one-stop-shop iGaming software solutions. The company has a vast product portfolio, including the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with thousands of casino games, the Affilka affiliate platform, the Sportsbook Platform and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS was the first in the world to introduce a Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution.

 

About Evolution

Evolution Group is a leading B2B provider of online casino content. Evolution’s brands are synonymous with outstanding solutions and the widest choice in the online gaming world. As well as being a world-leader of live dealer gaming with its Evolution and Ezugi brands, the NetEnt, RedTiger, Big Time Gaming and Nolimit City studios produce some of the industry’s most innovative and commercially successful slots. The Digiwheel brand is the developer of the world’s first patented HD spinning gaming wheel, offering opportunities to bring the very best of wheel based online games to land-based casinos. Livespins is an innovative B2B social streaming game provider that enables.

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