Press Releases

Money Down The Rain: Brits Lose £100s Thanks To 2019’s “Sun-Predictable Summer”

Published

5 years ago

September 11, 2019

George Miller

PLAYOJO LAUNCH NEW #WEATHERTHEWEATHER CAMPAIGN

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Over a quarter (28%) admit to losing over £100 having cancelled plans due to the bad weather this summer
Almost a quarter of Brits (24%) have had to cancel holidays both home and abroad due to the poor weather affecting their travel plans
Report commissioned to launch PlayOJO’s ‘Winning in the Rain’ campaign – designed to compensate people who have had days ruined by the weather

Brits have lost hundreds of pounds this season as 2019’s ‘Sun-predictable Summer’ has taken its toll, laying waste to our best laid plans and causing increased expenditure on weather-related items.

The report commissioned by fair online casino PlayOJO revealed the economic impact of the weather on 2,000 Brits, as well as gathering their more emotive thoughts on the unpredictable summer. Financially, as Boardmasters Festivalgoers will attest, 56% of Brits have lost money as a result of weather affected cancellations and worse still, over a quarter of Brits (28%) admitted to losing over £100 as a result.

For most (49%), the cancellation of planned events was the biggest reason for the loss of money. The most cancelled event this summer was BBQs/Garden Parties with almost a third of Britons (32%) having to rearrange, sporting events (12%) and birthdays (10%) were also events that fell apart due to poor weather.

In addition to this, the volatile weather has also had a detrimental impact on the holiday plans of Brits as nearly a quarter (24%) revealed that they have had to cancel their trips either at home or abroad as they were unable to get to their destination due to weather related flights or trains cancellations

However, it is not just cancellation costs that have hit us in the pocket – but also spending more on weather-related consumer goods. As many as four in ten (40%) said they had to shell out for extra wet weather supplies to combat the summer’s chaotic climate. According to the report, 40% of Brits have spent an average of £39.15 this summer on additional wet weather supplies, equating to over £500m* spent nationally.

The report also suggests that Brits are not just suffering financially, but our relationships and well-being are also negatively impacted by the weather. Over two-thirds of Brits (71%) agreed that poor weather has a drastic effect on their mood with a further 50% noticing an increase in arguments with friends, family, or partners when the weather is bad.

The report was commission to launch PlayOJO’s ‘Winning in the Rain’ campaign – a month long campaign designed to compensate people who have had special days and events ruined by the weather.

The campaign has seen PlayOJO partner with Love Island and Reality TV personalities Olivia Buckland and Alex Bowen, two celebrities who are well accustomed to good weather having spent eight sunny weeks in Mallorca – but also are partial to having it destroy their social events, even very nearly their very own wedding!

Alex Bowen commented:” The wet weather this year has been so unpredictable, Liv and I can’t plan what we want to do this summer without the weather having a real impact, it’s been so frustrating.

“Although you’ll know us best for living in the sun, we’ve actually been really unlucky with the weather. Our wedding, and even a trip to Barbados has been met with rain. That’s why we’ve teamed up with PlayOJO to help to give back to others who have had their plans rained on this summer.”

So whether your wedding day was rained on, your holiday was cancelled or your barbecue got soaked – PlayOJOwants to hear from you. Simply visit https://www.facebook.com/PlayOJO/ or post on Twitter/Instagram with #WinningInTheRain and tell us the story of how bad weather ruined your day and PlayOJO will look to creatively compensate those stories most in need of a fix.

A spokesperson for PlayOJO, who are challenging the UK online casino by being fair and transparent said:

‘This summer may have given us our hottest day on record, but its inconsistency has also wiped out birthdays, barbecues and even whole festivals. After the consistently glorious summer of 2018, the summer of 2019 will be known as the UK’s ‘sunpredictable summer’.

‘It’s bad enough that our bank balances and relationships are affected by the weather, but now social plans are getting ruined at a rapid rate. As a result, PlayOJO are launching the ‘Winning in the Rain campaign – a month long campaign to compensate people who have had their plans ruined by the unpredictable weather. Be it reshooting your wet wedding pictures or providing all the food and drink for your next barbecue, we will endeavour to make wetter better for some of those affected.”

For more information on PlayOJO, please visit: https://www.playojo.com/blog/weather-the-weather/

Balkans

Expanse Studios Launches in Bulgaria with Inbet

Published

5 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Alan Campbell

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Expanse Studios, a leader in online gaming innovation, has secured a Bulgarian iGaming license and is now live on Inbet’s website. This expansion brings Expanse Studios’ popular game offerings including turn-based strategies gamified for iGaming, classic slots, traditional card games and the highly-acclaimed ones like Titan Roulette, Clown Fever Deluxe, Wild Icy Fruits, White Wild Whale and Joker Poker to Bulgarian players.

Diverse Gaming Portfolio Now Available to Bulgarian Players

With the Bulgarian market entry, Expanse Studios introduces a versatile gaming experience to Inbet’s platform. The offerings include a dynamic range of games tailored to diverse player preferences:

Turn-based strategy games: Leveraging gamification, these games transform traditional strategy gameplay into engaging iGaming experiences, suitable for both novice and experienced players.
Classic slots: Players will enjoy a variety of themed slots that combine traditional gameplay with modern graphics and sound.
Traditional card games: A selection of popular card games offer something for every card game enthusiast.
Titan Roulette: This standout feature, known for its immersive experience and innovative design, continues to be a favorite among roulette players.

Commitment to Quality and Compliance

Expanse Studios not only cultivates a diverse gaming library but also adheres to stringent regulatory standards to ensure a secure and fair gaming environment. The acquisition of the Bulgarian iGaming license is a testament to Expanse Studios’ commitment to compliance and excellence in the gaming industry.

The partnership between Expanse Studios and Inbet marks a significant milestone in Expanse Studios’ expansion efforts. By combining Expanse Studios’ innovative gaming solutions with Inbet’s established market presence, both entities are set to offer a superior gaming experience to players in Bulgaria and potentially beyond. As Expanse Studios continues to develop and release new games monthly, Bulgarian players can look forward to a continually evolving and enriching gaming landscape.

Conferences in Europe

CasinoBeats Summit 2024: Providing the Tools to Balance Innovation and Regulation in the Digital Age

Published

5 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Alan Campbell

Reading Time: 2 minutes

As the industry seeks optimal methods to responsibly integrate innovative technology, the upcoming CasinoBeats Summit will provide delegates with an exploration of the latest emerging technologies, regulatory frameworks and future trends to ensure a safe yet immersive gaming experience for players.

The Industry and Leadership track will take place across both core days of the CasinoBeats Summit, May 22 to 23 at the InterContinental Malta. Panel sessions will delve into key topics such as global gaming regulations, the evolving digital payment landscape and an in-depth exploration of the world of M&A.

The panel entitled Responsible Gambling in the Digital Age will delve into the latest responsible gambling initiatives influencing the digital landscape. Expert speakers Pedro Romero (RG Consultant and psychologist, University of Gibraltar), Matthew Curtis (Head of Responsible Gaming, L&L), Georgia Wise (Head of Responsible Gaming, PlayNorth), Eduards Jakubovs (Head of Responsible Gaming, Betsson) and panel moderator Maris Catania (Senior SG Consultant, SG: Certified) will analyse the impact of landmark regulatory guidelines such as the 3.4.3 regulation on remote customer interaction and the United Kingdom’s ‘white paper’ as well as discuss the latest distinctions between regulated, grey and black markets.

The Industry Trends and Future Predictions panel will look at the future of the casino sector, examining upcoming industry trends and their potential impact. Industry leaders Itai Zak (Executive Director, Digicode, and former/ex-Chief Executive Officer, SBTech), Matthew D’Emanuele (Chief Executive Officer, Yolo Entertainment), Alexander Martin (Chief Executive Officer, SKS365), Inesa Glazaite (Chief Commercial Officer, iGaming Platform), Dmitry Starostenkov (Chief Executive Officer, EvenBet) alongside panel moderator Martyn Elliott (Project Director, SBC Media) will offer insights into key emerging markets, innovative game formats and strategies to effectively cater to evolving player needs.

Commencing the second day is the panel entitled The Evolving Landscape of Gaming Sector Payments, which will explore the current state of the industry’s payment sector. Expert speakers Sean Spiteri (Head of Payment Solutions, PressEnter), Enrico Giancaterina (Managing Director, Funtech) and Ian Perrygrove (Chief Risk Officer, Kwiff) will discuss the current payment innovations driven by the casino sector, analyse the future of digital payment methods and the potential risks of such rapid innovations.

The Navigating the Future: Global Gaming Regulations panel will explore strategies to effectively address the challenges posed by current and future global regulations. Regulator representatives Aideen Shortt, (Advisor to the Minister, Curacao), Andrew Lyman (Gambling Commissioner and Executive Director, Gibraltar), Andrew Rhodes (Chief Executive, Gambling Commission) and Brandon Debattista (Deputy Chief Regulatory Officer, Malta Gaming Authority) will provide insights into their respective markets whilst assessing the possibility of a unified global regulatory standard and the importance of cross-market collaboration.

Additionally, track attendees will have the opportunity to garner insights into the world of acquisition and investment during an exclusive IMGL-led masterclass, Acquisition Strategy: Gearing up for Investment, which is set to take place on Thursday, May 23, the second core day of the event.

For groups of three or more, you can purchase the Group Pass Ticket and gain access to all three days of the CasinoBeats Summit for the discounted price of €400 per person (a saving of €200 per ticket). Additionally, operators and affiliates can apply for a free pass to the event.

You can keep up-to-date with the latest news, speakers and exhibitor additions and conference content by subscribing to the bi-weekly CasinoBeats Summit LinkedIn newsletter.

Latest News

Aristocrat Leisure Completes Acquisition of Neo Group Ltd. (f/k/a NeoGames) for $29.50 per Share

Published

7 hours ago

April 26, 2024

George Miller

Aristocrat Leisure Completes Acquisition of Neo Group Ltd. (f/k/a NeoGames) for $29.50 per Share

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Neo Group Ltd. (formerly known as NeoGames S.A.), announced today that Aristocrat Leisure Limited, an entertainment and content creation company delivering world-leading mobile and casino games, has completed the previously announced acquisition of all of the outstanding ordinary shares of Neo for $29.50 per share in an all-cash transaction, representing an enterprise value of approximately $1.2 billion for Neo.

“We are excited to have successfully closed this transaction and joined forces with the Aristocrat team to further drive our success across iLottery, iGaming, and online sports betting,” said Moti Malul, Chief Executive Officer of Neo. “We firmly believe that this Transaction represents a great outcome for all of Neo’s shareholders, customers and employees. We are very grateful to all our stakeholders who have supported us since our inception. I would also like to thank all our employees for their commitment in making Neo the great company it is today.”

The transaction was announced on May 15, 2023.