Enteractive

Reactivation and retention specialists Enteractive has bolstered its board of directors with two appointments with Enrico Bradamante and Christian Rajter strengthening the company’s ability to scale globally.

Bradamante has previous experience as the managing director of NetEnt and is currently CEO at Maverick Gaming, with Rajter’s experience gained as CEO of Expekt.com and founder and CEO of Mobenga.

“We’re really in the process of accelerating our scaling momentum with Enteractive. We’re seeing more operators than ever onboarding onto (Re)activation Cloud and we’ve never experienced this level of demand for our platform. 

“Enrico and Christian bring with them an amazing experience of global B2B go-to-market operations, and we’re honoured to have them both on our team.” – Marcus Krüger, Chairman of the Board at Enteractive

Holland Casino

State-run Holland Casino has extended the contract of current chief executive officer Erwin van Lambaart, recommending the renewal after the country’s gambling regulators gave positive feedback.

Set to serve for four more years, van Lambaart has been at the helm for the last three years and his original contract was due to expire next year.

“With the reappointment of Erwin van Lambaart, we ensure the continuity of Holland Casino’s successful strategy. In recent years, he has steered the company through turbulent times in a powerful manner and has ensured stability within the company.

“In addition, he has successfully managed to unite his team’s interests and the social role of Holland Casino through the ‘HC2020’ strategy, which has been implemented decisively. His knowledge and insights will be of great importance for the company in the coming period.” – Willem Bröcker, chairman of the supervisory board of the Dutch Ministry of Finance.

Betby

Sportsbook supplier Betby is targeting expansion across European jurisdictions after adding further strength via the appointment of Eva Berkova as chief operating officer.

Joining before this month’s SBC Awards, Berkova’s appointment comes as the firm generates consistent momentum since launching just over a year ago, with over 17 brands now live.

“We are pleased that Eva has joined the Betby team, and are eagerly looking forward to her bringing an analytical and innovative approach to a number of our processes.

“We have built a motivated, talented group at Betby and as we continue to bring in top-tier talent, we become more confident that we will enjoy a very successful 2020.” – Chris Nikolopoulos, CCO at Betby.

Gaming Laboratories

Gaming Laboratories International has promoted Lynda Hartzell, who holds accreditation as a CPA, CFF, CFE, CIA, and CPM. to audit director.

Previously occupying the position of chief of the audit division for the Nevada Gaming Control Board, since joining the firm Hartzell has been overseeing GLI’s Nevada audit process, lauded as a critical step for a company to obtain certification by the NGCB.

GLI supports industry suppliers and operators with guidance on new gaming landscapes and precision testing and certification to mitigate risk and ensure gaming innovations meet regulatory standards with confidence.

“Her knowledge, experience, integrity, and leadership have helped to create a team of professionals whose dedication and expertise have contributed to our mission of providing world-class testing, certification, and professional services, and we are thrilled to promote her to Audit Director,” – Tina Kilmer, senior director of engineering at GLI.

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Cactus Gaming’s platform will look to tap into a shared API framework in a significant boost to the platform’s time-to-market efficiency.

Chris Nikolopoulos, Betby’s CCO, commented: “We are thrilled about our collaboration with Cactus Gaming, which reaffirms Betby’s dedication to partnering with industry frontrunners. 

“This strategic alliance enables us to extend Betby’s sportsbook solution and services to Cactus Gaming’s partners, enhancing their betting experiences by granting seamless access to the most current and exceptional sports content alongside cutting-edge technology. I am confident that both companies will realise substantial long-term advantages from this partnership.”

The collaboration has underlined aspirations to ‘redefine the landscape of igaming by setting new benchmarks’.

Tiago Silva, Cactus Gaming’s CRA, added on the deal: “We are thrilled to initiate this partnership with Betby. This collaboration empowers us to harness Betby’s vast expertise and state-of-the-art sportsbook solution, enabling us to deliver the ultimate sports betting experience to our partners in Latin America and worldwide. 

“We anticipate that this partnership will set the stage for further innovative collaborations in the future.”

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Rank

Rank Group has confirmed the forthcoming appointment of Andrew Peat as Managing Director of its interactive business.

Peat, who is expected to assume the leadership role later this year, will join the company’s executive management team from William Hill, where he most recently served as Sportsbook Director from 2018 to 2023.

He will be based in Gibraltar and gain responsibility for developing and executing Rank’s UK-facing digital strategy, reporting directly to Group COO Jon Martin.

“Securing an operator of Andrew’s calibre is great news for Rank,” Martin said. “His experience in sports and gaming, along with his track record in delivering cross-channel improvements at one of the biggest sportsbook brands in the UK, bodes well for the important job he will soon undertake in Gibraltar.

“Rank Interactive has enjoyed significant growth recently, and Andrew’s appointment aims to capitalise on the momentum we have in the business. I look forward to welcoming him when he joins us later this year.”

HappyHour

Ben Clemes is being tasked with accelerating the growth of current investments at HappyHour, while also spearheading the expansion of its portfolio with “promising startups poised to shape the future of the industry”.

This came as the igaming investment vehicle appointed Clemes, who boasts 16 years of experience across various aspects of the casino ecosystem, as Investment Portfolio Partner.

He joins the group from Gaming Innovation Group, a company he co-founded alongside Robin Reed, Managing Partner of HappyHour

In this past role, he held an array of positions, including Chief Commercial Officer, Chief Business Officer, and General Manager of GiG North America. 

“Working with Ben again is immensely gratifying, given his remarkable track record of growing startups into robust and prosperous businesses,” Reed commented.

“With his vast experience and deep understanding of the industry, coupled with his visionary outlook, Ben is the ideal custodian for our current investments and future portfolio companies. His addition to the HappyHour.io team is warmly welcomed.”

Aviatrix

Gabriela Novello has joined Aviatrix as an Account Manager to accelerate overarching ambitions of expansion across the Latin American region.

In the role, Novello, who will focus on Brazil and other key markets in the region, will be tasked with supporting Aviatrix’s increasing number of partners. She has previously held senior sales and business development roles at the likes of Playtech and Altenar

Vladislav Artemyev, CEO at Aviatrix, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Gabriela to Aviatrix. With demand for the game on the rise across Latin America, and particularly in Brazil, it was important we strengthen our account management team to provide additional support to both new and existing partners. 

“Aviatrix is a perfect match for casino players across LatAm, where many are looking for intuitive and rewarding titles that go beyond traditional table games and slots. We have big plans over the coming months, and Gabriela will be an important part of our work.”

Table Trac

Table Trac has named Thomas Florio as the head of Business Development for the Eastern US & new territories as the group looks to make further progress on an “aggressive expansion plan”.

Boasting in excess of 35 years of experience across casino operations and manufacturing, previous executive positions have been held at the likes of Caesars Entertainment, Wynn and Penn (Argosy), as well as various tribal casinos in the US and Canada

Chad Hoehne, President of Table Trac, said, “gaining the benefit of Mr. Florio’s experience and industry knowledge has immediate impact for CasinoTrac’s expansion plan. I am pleased to welcome Tommy to Table Trac”.

Svenska Spel

Svenska Spel has hired Frank Hojem as Head of Communications and Sustainability, with the new addition to its senior management team due to assume duties later this year.

Sweden’s state-owned betting, gaming and lottery operator highlighted Hojem’s political experience as being of particular significance to the role, which will commence on August 14 when he begins reporting directly to CEO and President Patrik Hofbauer.

“I look forward to working with communication and sustainability at Svenska Spel, which has a unique position as the entire Swedish gambling company, as an important partner to Swedish sports, with a strong focus on sustainability and where the surplus goes back to society,” the new hire noted.

“It will be exciting to change industries and work with Svenska Spel, which has both a strong group brand and well-known product brands. I hope to contribute to further strengthening Svenska Spel’s trust among all our stakeholders and push our sustainability agenda forward.”

Playbook Engineering

Ivo Doroteia has assumed CEO responsibility at Playbook Engineering, as the betting platform provider looks to enter a wave of new markets, with the US and Latin America, specifically Brazil, highlighted.

Doroteia boastss a wealth of experience in the igaming industry after previously working as CEO at Sportingtech and Betomall, as well as Chief Strategy Officer at iGaming Platform.

“I am delighted to join such a prestigious group and impart my knowledge across the company to ensure our product drives change into the industry, remaining world-leading and focused as an igaming leader,” Doroteia stated.

“With the help and expertise of our amazing team and cutting edge technology, Playbook is sure to have a bright future and I am really looking forward to representing the company as its CEO.”

BETBY

BETBY has followed up the recruitment of Stefanos Karakidis as Senior Business Development Manager earlier in the month by naming Viki Vitanyi to the position of Head of Client Success.

Main responsibilities in the role, which will be based out of Malta, will include developing and implementing a customer experience strategy, improving the customer journey and relationship, and exploring technology and innovation to maximise the customer experience for our clients.

Chris Nikolopoulos, Chief Commercial Officer at BETBY, said: “We want to attract the top talent in the industry to push us to new heights, and this is evident with our latest hire. Viki brings a wealth of experience, and we’re confident she’ll be a fantastic asset for BETBY.”

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Esports Entertainment Group

Damian Mathews has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer of Esports Entertainment Group, retaking a role that was departed in December 2022.

As well as currently serving as a member of the Company’s board of directors, a position he has held since June 2020, Matthews previously held Chief Financial Officer duties from April 2022, before adding COO just two months later. Both were vacated in December.

He brings over 25 years of experience in senior finance positions within investment management, banking and accounting to the position.

“I am delighted to announce that Damian Mathews has agreed to rejoin the senior management team as Chief Operating Officer of Esports Entertainment Group,” said Alex Igelman, Chief Executive Officer of Esports Entertainment Group. 

Adding: “In his prior, albeit short tenure as COO/CFO, he played an integral role in streamlining the company’s operations and advocating for critical changes within the organisation. Importantly, his decision to rejoin the team reflects his complete alignment with the new direction of the company and the promising future of the esports industry. 

“Moreover, he has the full support of the board, which believes his experience in global business operations and the gaming industry makes him ideally qualified to help lead the company in our next phase of growth, with a laser focus on profitability and driving shareholder value.”

Table Trac

Table Trac is aiming to forge ahead with an “aggressive expansion plan” after confirming the latest addition to a team that boasted record breaking revenue through 2022.

This has seen the developer and provider of casino information and management systems confirm that Jeff Baldi has joined the company as Senior Vice President of Commercial Strategy.

Building on more than 27 years of casino operations and manufacturing experience, in the role Baldi will gain responsibility for Table Trac’s Sales & Marketing strategies.

“Bringing Jeff Baldi into CasinoTrac to lead the company’s expansion plans demonstrates our commitment to increase brand awareness and bring our value, quality and service to the larger casino industry”, said Chad Hoehne, President of Table Trac Inc.

Rightlander

Sarafina Wolde Gabriel has become Chief Strategy Officer at Rightlander, where she will work alongside Founder Ian Sims and the wider management team to accelerate the company’s growth on a global scale.

In the position, she will be charged with expanding the advertising and affiliate compliance monitoring specialist’s reach into new markets and verticals.

In addition, Gabriel will also be responsible for evaluating potential new product opportunities, and building strategic partnerships to boost business growth

“Sarafina brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success in strategic planning and business development,” noted Sims. “We are confident that her innovative thinking and strategic approach will be instrumental as we continue to grow our business and enter new markets.”

Scientific Games

Christine Wechsler has joined Scientific Games as Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Government Affairs, where she will support the businesses global growth efforts.

Furthermore, the role will also see Wechsler charged with establishing the company as “the partner of choice for government-regulated lotteries” to help drive maximum proceeds for beneficiary funding.

She boasts in excess of 20 years experience in navigating complex legal issues for government clients and businesses

Jim Schultz, Executive Vice President, Global Public Policy and Government Affairs, commented: “Scientific Games is dedicated to building and maintaining positive relationships with every governing body we serve. Christine’s understanding of public policy from both the government and business perspectives will help maintain our industry-leading reputation. 

“She brings legislative and advocacy expertise to the team that will help foster further growth in the iLottery space across the country.”

BETBY

Sportsbook supplier BETBY has strengthened its senior sales team via the addition of Stefanos Karakidis as Senior Business Development Manager.

In the position, the group noted that Karakidis will “have a big focus on researching new markets” as well as gaining lasting relationships with brands that operate in these jurisdictions. In addition, making sales projections and forecasting revenues will also be key responsibilities.

Karakidis  added: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to join BETBY’s family and I am looking forward to the exciting journey ahead.

“The company is continuing to grow at a strong pace, and as we expand our footprint around the world, I can’t wait to contribute to BETBY’s ongoing success.”

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Novibet

Novibet has appointed Giannis Papastamou as head of customer compliance, where he will be responsible for providing strategic guidance on compliance throughout the organisation, with a dedicated focus on anti-money laundering and upholding responsible gambling standards.

In his remit, Papastamou will take the lead of group compliance procedures and overall strategy to balance the operator’s multi-market regulatory requirements, risk assessment and business objectives.

“We are very pleased to be welcoming Giannis Papastamou to our team. At Novibet, we embrace and apply the highest standards of integrity and responsibility in all areas of business,” stated George Athanasopoulos, CEO of Novibet.

“In our industry, this commitment incorporates an additional promise to our members: to ensure that we always safeguard and protect them, so that they experience a safe, seamless, and unique entertainment experience with us.”

FSB

Kyle Brady has become the latest addition to the FSB business development team, where he will be charged with supporting the sports betting and igaming provider’s pre-sales solutions team.

Brady, appointed pre-sales engineer, will be responsible for orchestrating and illuminating the depth of the group’s proprietary technology stack and trading options to new customers and those being on-boarded. 

Ian Freeman, chief revenue officer of FSB, said: “Kyle is another outstanding hire to our growing business development team. His top-class, top of the market tier one operator experience with SkyBet and PA adds even more depth, dynamism and passionate expertise to our team.

“After a 2021 characterised by global growth, Kyle’s arrival will help us build on this momentum and propel us forward onto another successful year in 2022. We’re thrilled to have him on board.”

Betby

Betby has confirmed the appointment of Ilze Ramolina as senior lawyer, which is designed to assist the firm’s expansion efforts across an array of jurisdictions.

Ramolina boasts 20 years of experience in the gambling industry, across both B2C and B2B, and is charged with utilising thus expertise to ensure the group can navigate the compliance, certification and licensing landscape flawlessly. She will be based in Betby’s Latvian hub.

Eva Berkova, COO at Betby, noted: “We’re delighted to welcome Ilze to the Betby team. Boasting an incredible track record and great experience across all aspects of the gambling industry, we’re very hopeful that she can apply her expertise to allow us to reach new heights in regulated markets.”

BetMakers

Christian Stuart has been recruited by BetMakers Technology Group as CEO of North America, with the group is looking to utilise his “significant gaming expertise and experience”.

Boasts 16 year experience, Stuart has held a number of executive positions at Caesars Entertainment, including SVP of business development of Caesars Digital; and head of Caesars sports and online gaming, where he oversaw the expansion of sports betting, online gaming and poker.

“We have been investing heavily in the US market for the past three years while at the same time building up a US-focused management team,” commented Todd Buckingham, BetMakers CEO and MD.

“As a next milestone in these efforts, I am excited that Christian is joining the BetMakers leadership team as CEO of North America, given his vast leadership experience in the US gaming industry. 

“North America is a critical market for our company with its potential for significant growth on the back of the widespread US sports betting expansion and the potential growth of fixed odds wagering.”

Danske Spil

Danske Spil has confirmed the inbound appointment of Malene Mølgaard as the new managing director of the Lotteri Spil (lottery) unit.

The appointment sees the board end its executive search to find a successor to Pernille Mehl, who ended her seven-year tenure as chief executive of Lotteri Spil last November.

A fresh appointment to the gambling sector, Mølgaard joins Danske Spil from Scandinavian insurance provider Tryg, where she formally led the firm’s commercial strategy and business development.

“I am very happy to be able to hire such a strong profile as Malene as director of Danske Lotteri Spil,” said Nikolas Lyhne-Knudsen, Danske Spil CEO. 

“During her time at Tryg Forsikring, Malene has delivered great results in areas such as online and digitalisation, and is also an experienced and well-liked director with a great drive.”

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As part of the deal, Hero Gaming brands Simple Casino and Boom Casino will take on Betby’s products across a range of key emerging markets. 

Sam Brown, Hero Gaming’s chief commercial officer, noted: “Continuing our impressive growth trajectory is a crucial goal for us in the year ahead, and expanding into sportsbook is one way that we can achieve this.

“The inclusion of Betby’s esports and virtual titles adds an entirely new dynamic to our portfolio, and we can’t wait to see how our customers react to these products.”

Moreover, the operator will have access to the sportsbook supplier’s end-to-end, AI-driven solution, with markets on over 900,000 live events a year, along with its Betby.Games range of esports titles. 

Chris Nikolopoulos, chief commercial officer at Betby, added: “We’re delighted to enter this agreement with Hero Gaming, one of the industry’s most exciting operators whose passion for creating great betting experiences is clear to see, and we look forward to rolling out our full solution with them.”

The agreement follows on from several major deals signed by Betby in 2021, as the company looks to further strengthen its strategy and international scope for the next 12 months. 

Notably, the firm entered into an agreement with Groove Gaming towards the end of last year, to leverage the aggregator and platform’s services across igaming verticals in line with its own 2022 strategic goals.

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This latest integration will bolster the breadth of betting options available per event via Groove and allow its operator cluster to offer its customers an expanded market offering.

Yahale Meltzer, COO at Groove, said: “We’re excited to be able to provide our operator cluster with this new sports betting technology developed by Betby, which will further help to enhance our relationships. 

“The team at Groove take great pride in delivering the best service possible, so tying up with Betby will give us greater service scope than ever before on the sports betting front.”

Groove’s platform includes thousands of casino games as well as a wealth of aggregated content ranging from slots, online casino and live casino, to poker and table games, that operators can access via easy integration to drive player engagement and revenue.

GrooveOn, an easy-to-use multifunctional back-office, powers performance. GrooveOn has been developed to create a valuable environment for online casinos: a place where entertainment is customisable, secure and stable.

Groove provides solutions for multichannel B2B igaming covering online and mobile gaming across all devices, operates as a content provider for over 70 industry names and has now brought more content to the global market under its partnership with Betby.

CEO at Betby, Leonid Pertsovskiy, added: “To extend our international reach by the end of 2022 we need partners like Groove, who have an established international network and presence. 

“Our goal in the sports betting industry is constant innovation and the flexibility to respond to operator needs, so having access to a cluster of over 70 operators with Groove takes us a step closer towards our goal.”

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The question was always whether the spike in player volumes these verticals experienced during the height of lockdown would sustain once normality returned. Six months on, with sports fixtures now almost back in full swing and retail gradually reopening, it is clear alternative products will not be relegated to the back benches.  

Steven Spartinos, co-CEO of Kiron, a virtual sports provider which experienced a 200 per cent increase in online business during peak, said that although activity has decreased since the market has stabilised, volumes remain higher than pre-pandemic averages. 

He added that since a large proportion of customers who switched in the absence of sports betting and retail have now been converted to long-term players, online virtuals have “edged their way into the mainstream” and are now considered as a “standalone vertical”. 

The significance of this alternative content as a lifeline during lockdown is stark. For platform provider Betby, the range of esports titles available through its portfolio was at one point responsible for up to 80 per cent of betting activity.  

This “significant uptick” allowed the firm to continue its rate of product development and growth in a sports-less environment whilst also growing a fanbase, the firm’s head of sportsbook, Sergey Tsukanov, said. However, he added that it has been difficult for virtual alternatives to contend with real sports since their return, with slots also making for tough competition.  

For sportsbook and online casino platform provider Soft2Bet, esports and virtuals continue to “remain a strong priority”. CEO Boris Chaikin highlighted that these verticals and sports betting are not mutually exclusive, with both, particularly the former, having established a growing following even before lockdown hit. 

“Furthermore, the pause on live fixtures enforced by COVID-19 caused an exponential increase in demand for virtuals and esports products,” he said. “And for that reason, now more than ever, whether its esports, virtuals or sports betting, it’s crucial to offer content which stands out from the crowd.” 

Given the “short notice” at which operators had to integrate alternative products, without time or experience to develop in-house, Chaikin pointed out the value of “trusted partners with bespoke, ready-to-go solutions”. 

But it is not only esports and virtuals that saw an uptake during the sporting and retail shutdown. Dmitry Starostenkov, EvenBet Gaming CEO, said that lockdown was “the ideal time for bettors to learn how the online poker vertical has evolved, with technology driving a new and improved experience”. 

“The way in which poker is offered to players has changed and we know that the new model has been able to retain a number of new customers in the following months when national lockdowns were eased,” he said. 

EvenBet’s revenue grew by 100 per cent year-on-year in 2020 as the popularity of online poker soared. Starostenkov added that interest in its products “remains very strong”, with operators recognising the “longevity” in the company’s offering and the way in which poker “can engage with customers for the long term”.

He said: “Whether operators are preparing for further disruption or are simply looking to broaden their offering with quality content, online and mobile poker is now regarded as an important part of the product mix.” 

Kiron’s Spartinos gave a similar outlook for virtual content. He noted that “interest from operators in our virtual content has remained healthy” since the return of live sports and land-based casino, adding that the company has been working to ensure they are “prepared for all eventualities” if further disruption was to hit over the winter months. 

“One important learning highlighted by the pandemic was the necessity of variety. By extending product portfolios, operators were able to satisfy existing customers whilst also attracting new ones in spite of the extraordinary challenges,” he said. “Even with the return of live sports and retail openings, this message still holds true.”   

As the COVID-19 situation worsens across the globe, the threat of a second wave looms. This is partly the reason why ‘emergency content’ is still a focus for sportsbook and online casinos.  

From the perspective of a sportsbook supplier, Betby’s Tsukanov said that in light of the shocks experienced at the start of 2020, it is now paramount that alternative content is quickly available. The company is seeing increased interest in what it is doing if another global lockdown were to occur and is therefore continuing to expand the Betby games range. 

With the increased importance on the retention of players amid the renewed competition, accelerated investment in both quality and product development is a common theme among providers. 

Kiron’s portfolio enhancements include the introduction of new betting options and increased variety of game formats, and it is also working to provide additional promotional tools for operators to better market games to their players. 

“We are always working to advance our offering, not just by developing new and exciting games to add to our existing 24 game strong portfolio, but by also expanding our full services to better supply our customers,” the Spartinos added. 

EvenBet, meanwhile, has introduced new products, such as its mini-games function and sports-betting widget, to complement its core poker product and attract new players, with a commitment to quality running consistent throughout. 

Starostenkov, said: “This year has paved the way for players to experience new products, and those that offer a slick and fun experience across desktop and mobile will be in a stronger position to maintain the interests of a wide audience.” 

Ensuring quality is another consistent theme. Soft2Bet’s Chaikin added that the company’s success in retaining customers is owed to “the high-quality content” and “variety of new brands and features” it has created in recent weeks.

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As part of the launch, Betby’s AI-driven sports betting infrastructure, which includes markets on over 600,000 events a year, will now be supporting the operator’s sportsbook platform.

Leonid Pertsovskiy, chief executive officer at Betby, said: “WeAreCasino are a dynamic, disruptive partner with goals that closely align to our own.

“We look forward to an exciting future with them as our sportsbook solution continues to expand with new markets and products.”

Moreover, WeAreCasino customers will have access to the supplier’s portfolio of esports titles, available in its Betby.Games collection, which features FIFA, NBA, and Rocket League options, with Tennis to be launched in the near future. 

Shaham Avraham, head of account management at WeAreCasino, commented: “Innovative solutions help any company stand out in the market and we’re thrilled with the quality of Betby’s product.

“With an intuitive backend and a smooth UI, their solution will differentiate our brand from the competition and we are very excited for the path ahead.”

This deal marks the latest expansion for the sportsbook supplier, which has experienced growth of almost 300 per cent year-on-year since launch, while also receiving its MGA licence in August.

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Since the outbreak began the sporting sector has seen a rise in esports viewership and betting, with sportsbook suppliers hastily aiming to utilise the sector’s markets. Betby are one such example which, at the start of April, announced it had expanded its platform offering with the addition of more than 1,000 live daily esports events.

Additionally, it agreed a ‘significant’ extension to its agreement with Pomadorro, which will see the online gambling firm offer Betby’s new esports offering with its new portfolio, including a variety of FIFA esports fixtures, CS:GO tournaments as well as a CyberSport package.

Chris Nikolopoulos, CCO of Betby, spoke to CasinoBeats on the struggles currently facing the sports betting industry and how we can rise above any uncertainty with calm heads.

Chris Nikolopoulos: It is well known that across the globe, from all major US sports to European football leagues to golf and tennis worldwide, sporting events and competitions have been cancelled or postponed at an unprecedented rate. To add to the uncertainty, nobody is quite sure when and if they will start again, or how big the knock-on effect will be.

The escalation of cancellations and postponements happened extremely quickly and at the Do you worst time for a lot of sportsbooks, as the European football leagues headed into its climax and several US sports were all set to get the ball rolling. 

With such a limited amount of live sport to sate public appetite, it is inevitable that interest will turn to any other sporting products available, such as virtual sports, esports and fantasy sports, among others. 

While these verticals may not necessarily appeal to all sports fans, we’re likely to see an uptick in revenue, despite turnover dropping as a whole for sports betting. 

While it is undoubtedly a stressful time for all businesses in our sector, we believe as a provider we have a good idea what is expected to come over the next few weeks, and have tweaked our offering accordingly. 

Our aim is still to provide the widest possible coverage of sports, including a big selection of virtual sports and an enhanced esports experience. Already, we have seen significant traction in FIFA video game esports battles with over 7,500 games from professional esports players streamed, offering more than 12 betting markets and a 24/7 service.

The gambling industry is incredibly resilient and strong and although the current crisis is significant, it will provide yet another opportunity for us to reinvent what we believe is possible and create new experiences for customers. It is a time for companies to be proactive rather than reactive, and to become stronger and wiser when the period is over.

Above all else, it’s incredibly important to keep an eye on the well-being of our staff during what is undoubtedly a difficult time. We have a home-working protocol in place across the business, as we take social responsibility very seriously. However, allowing flexibility for employees to get adjusted to home working should be encouraged. 

This is a strange and concerning period for the gambling industry, however it is also a time of significant introspection and possibilities. Sport will restart at some point soon and when it does as an industry it is our duty to be ready to continue delivering exciting experiences to operator partners and consumers alike.

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