Category Archives: Press Releases

Finnplay Introduces Innovative Player Engagement Tool

HELSINKI, 27th April 2020 – Finnplay, the Nordic-based iGaming platform provider and gaming group announced the introduction of a powerful new tool, the Engagement Manager which intelligently segments players, automates campaigns and optimises return on investment. In spite of the global Covid19 crisis, Finnplay is still experiencing positive growth and continues developing important new features for its operators. This new tool combines smart player segmentation with campaign automation and real-time analytics. iGaming operators create custom player groups, segmented by behaviour and deliver timely messages, campaigns and bonuses via automated actions. It’s a novel approach to a long-standing challenge for operators. The messages are delivered via email, SMS and push notification using integrated service providers. Operators also set up graphical dashboards fed by real-time data to analyse results and improve future campaigns, player segments, triggers and bonus offerings.

This new feature has been long in development and was greeted with significant demand from the market. Finnplay and its customers anticipate the Engagement Manager will generate substantial revenue growth in the short term. Finnplay has partnered with Gaming Crafts Oy, a fellow Finnish iGaming software specialists company, with its flag ship product OptiKPI, the next generation marketing automation tool to implement the exciting new feature.

Erkki Nikunen, CMO of Finnplay says: “We are very pleased to release this important new tool to our customers to stimulate player activity and profitability. Operators are always looking for more focused ways to motivate their players, and the Engagement Manager provides an intelligent new approach to managing player segmentation, bonusing and campaign automation.”

About Finnplay

All eyes on the casino industry, payments and compliance, among the topics at MBGSVE2020 (Virtual Conference)

The casino industry, payments industry, and future compliance to be in the spotlight on the 7th of May during virtual conference.

Big names of the casino, payments, and gambling compliance industry are joining the discussions at European Gaming Media’s (part of Hipther Agency) first virtual conference this year which will take place on the 7th of May.

You can register on this link to save your seat (no travel needed, you can attend from the comfort of your home or office)

PLEASE NOTE: If you are already a registered delegate of MARE BALTICUM Gaming Summit, you don’t have to purchase a new ticket!

Inspired to provide “the most exciting two minutes in virtual sports”

“The Kentucky Derby: Triple Crown Showdown” to be Televised as Part of Churchill Downs’ Nationwide Virtual ‘Kentucky Derby at Home’ Party Featured on NBC

NEW YORK, April 24, 2020 –Inspired Entertainment, Inc. (“Inspired”) (NASDAQ: INSE) announced today that it has created ‘The Kentucky Derby: Triple Crown Showdown’ for Churchill Downs Racetrack’s nationwide virtual ‘Kentucky Derby at Home’ party to be televised on NBC on May 2 from 3:00 -6:00 p.m. EDT. During the broadcast, Derby fans will witness Inspired’s ultrarealistic 3D CGI representation of the Kentucky Derby featuring the 13 Triple Crown winners from the past century in an ultimate face-off. Viewers will get to experience the magic of the Derby with a stunning, fully accurate re-creation of the Twin Spires of Churchill Downs and the atmosphere of Derby Day on the first Saturday in May.

‘The Kentucky Derby: Triple Crown Showdown’ is a computer-simulated version of a race at Churchill Downs Racetrack. Historical information about these horses and their racing records has been utilized in the software, which helps to determine the probability of their potential finishing positions. This probability is based on their past form and performance in other races.

“We are very excited about this opportunity to showcase our Virtual Sports on a much larger scale in the U.S.,” said Brooks Pierce, President and Chief Operating Officer of Inspired. “Churchill Downs is the world’s most legendary racetrack and the Kentucky Derby is the premier event in horse racing. We are honored to be a part of this special tradition and support Churchill Downs in this endeavor, as we work together to help fill the gap of live sports and bring people together for some relief during these difficult times.”

UltraPlay reports a record-breaking increase in eSports betting

Advanced betting solutions provider UltraPlay has reported a record-breaking increase in the eSports betting volume and turnover after COVID-19 hit the sports sector.

The company has reported a 500% turnover growth since mid-March 2020 compared to an average yearly increase of 30% by the end of 2019. Bets’ growth, including the number of bets, reached 450% growth for the same period. There is a 22% increase in the number of bets per player daily, according to UltraPlay. The reported data is accumulated by the coverage of 34 eSports, 16 of them offered with live odds on the leading eSportsbooks powered by UltraPlay.

With traditional sports events canceled or postponed, eSports stepped up and offered many new opportunities for its fans and bettors. UltraPlay increased its CS:GO events by 15%, all offered with pre-match and live odds, while Dota 2 events’ coverage was increased by 20%. League of Legends continues to be offered with its previous number of events. By the end of 2019, LoL recorded a turnover increase of over 65%. The three main eSports titles continue to be responsible for 60% of the betting volume, but this percentage is gradually going down due to a recent spike in interest in sports simulators.

UltraPlay also reports another promising trend related to the games that simulate sports such as football, basketball, and hockey – FIFA, NBA2K, and NHL. Due to the gap in the sports bettors’ previous choices, there is an increase in FIFA’s and NBA2K’s percentage in the overall eSports betting turnover.

Play A Darts Pro” Live on Youtube!

This weekend sees one betting platform supplier bring punters and professional players closer together than ever before. The Remote Darts League (RDL), a new events arm set up by FSB, is offering darts fans a unique chance to play against an RDL professional of their choice. They’re also streaming it live on youtube.

“We all need to adapt during these difficult times and providing new live and remote content for sports fans works”, says Dave McDowell, CEO of FSB. “In two short weeks, we’ve been able to produce a professional event, live streaming plus data and odds feeds for bookmakers end to end.”

We’re now on day 7 of the first 10-day league, which includes some top professional players such as Jim Williams.  After deciding the final four this weekend, they will run two semis and a final match on Monday 27th. Live action will be streamed from professional players’ homes to the homes of their fans. But just beforehand, one lucky promotion winner will be playing their very own pro-am match.

“Remote sports allows us to bring fans closer to players”, notes Kevin Dale, Producer and CEO of Farawaysports, the host organisation set up by FSB for the event.

Connect through the crisis – Exacta launches re-vamped site

Social distancing shouldn’t come between you and your next career move. The relaunched Exacta Solutions website was purposefully designed to be a one-stop recruitment portal for job applicants and employers looking to make quality connections within the iGaming industry.

Exacta Solutions is a Malta-based recruitment and consultancy agency spearheaded by Chris Vella and Anthony Hennessy. With over 25 years of combined experience, the Exacta team has acquired invaluable first-hand expertise and weathered many an industry storm. This places Exacta in a unique position to confidently assist candidates during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

‘We wish to assure applicants that we are making a concerted effort to represent them throughout these difficult times,’ comments Chris Vella. ‘This unprecedented situation, more than ever, demonstrates why our boutique service is superior. With us, candidates are not another number. We get to know them personally. We discuss their goals and ambitions. And we guide them through the entire recruitment process, ensuring we find the right fit.’

As well as featuring a continually updated list of vacancies, the Exacta Solutions website also provides tips and best practices on how applicants can tailor their CVs and prepare for the crucial interviewing stages.

SportsGrid and Sportradar Announce Multi-Year Agreement to Provide Sports Gaming & Daily Fantasy Real-Time Data & Statistics

SportsGrid, the nation’s leading streaming video platform dedicated to the sports betting and daily fantasy audience, reached a multi-year agreement with Sportradar to power its real-time data, statistics and analytic solutions.

Under the terms of the agreement, Sportradar is providing the tools, data products and machine learning technology to enable SportsGrid to provide real-time in-game odds and digital analytics combined with statistical data and graphical visualizations. The Sportradar tools and data products furnish SportsGrid with access to new functionality, robust deep data sets, and comprehensive major sports league coverage within Sportradar’s cutting-edge research platform, Radar360.

With these tools and products, SportsGrid is taking storytelling around betting and fantasy sports to the next level. With access to real-time data in addition to Sportradar’s historical data, consumers can expect exciting, new storylines to emerge from SportsGrid on a regular basis.

“In an age of real-time connections and analysis, the Sportradar agreement broadly expands the capabilities and functionality of the production staff, talent and operational management team. Radar360 reduces the analytic workloads and creates more opportunities for compelling insightful storylines and maximizes our fan engagement across the SportsGrid distribution platform,” said Lou Maione, founder and President of SportsGrid. 

“We are pleased to be working with SportsGrid to bolster its content offerings and increase fan engagement,” said Dave Abbott, MD of US Media, Sportradar. “By adding our real-time data and products like Radar360 to the mix, SportsGrid is supercharging the betting and fantasy content that its consumers already love.”

Strat-O-Matic Baseball Selected By People.com as ‘Best Board Game for Sports Lovers’ For 2020

Strat-O-Matic Baseball

Strat-O-Matic (www.strat-o-matic.com), the market leader in sports simulations, continued an unparalleled month of growth and recognition this week, being selected by People.com as “Best Board Game for Sports Lovers” amongst their list of iconic games that have gained steam during these unusual times. The list includes other classics such as Monopoly, Candor, Scrabble and Candy Land. The entire list can be seen here https://people.com/entertainment/best-board-games/

“While the events of the last six weeks are certainly not what anyone wanted or expected, we continue to forge ahead by providing quality and engaging content on a daily basis, not just for our traditional players, but for thousands of new consumers of every demographic who have found us for the first time or returned to us after time away,” said Hal Richman, Strat-O-Matic founder and president. “We are honored to make this list. and are continuing to find new ways to have consumers connect not just with us but with each other; a connection that we believe will continue into the future.”

Strat-O-Matic is also continuing to run daily MLB 2020 season simulations at http://www.strat-o-matic.com/2020-season-simulation/ as well as full simulations of the NBA Playoffs. Basketball results and boxscores can be seen at http://www.strat-o-matic.com/2020-basketball-playoffs/

In addition to the recognition, the increased interest is also reflected in sales, traffic and social numbers, which continue on the upswing. Board and Windows games, digital platform Strat-O-Matic Baseball 365, Website traffic, new users and social media have all seen significant boosts over comparable time periods as fans continue to satiate their thirst for baseball, Strat-O-Matic style, connecting with the game and each other across all of these areas.

Some Strat-O-Matic by the numbers highlights include:

  • Baseball Board and Windows platform sales from March 15-31, 2020, are more than 50% higher compared to the same time period in 2019
  • Baseball Board game product sales are more than 60% higher comparing second half of March 2020 to first half of March 2020
  • Baseball Windows platform sales are more than 45% higher comparing second half of March 2020 to first half of March 2020
  • New Members on Strat-O-Matic Baseball 365 are more than 75% higher between March 17-31, 2020, compared to the same time period in 2019
  • Traffic on Strat-O-Matic.com from March 27, 2020, was 472% higher compared to March 27, 2019
  • Since MLB’s scheduled March 26 Opening Day, traffic on Strat-O-Matic.com has been 380% higher compared to the same time frame of 2019
  • Since MLB’s scheduled March 26 Opening Day, new users on Strat-O-Matic.com have been 781% higher compared to the same time frame of 2019

Fans with questions about any facet of the Baseball Daily and Basketball simulations can contact Strat-O-Matic at 2020season@strat-o-matic.com.

Cross-sell casino games on your sportsbook with Spearhead’s Slider Games

Spearhead Studios, EveryMatrix’s gaming development company, helps bookmakers optimize their revenues by launching the instant cross-selling opportunity Slider Games. By adding the new feature on their sportsbooks, operators can experience up to 20% increase of their casino revenue, without lengthy and time-consuming development.

Slider Games are classic casino games, such as roulette, videopoker, blackjack, and slots, aimed at sportsbook players who only have short but frequent windows of opportunity to play. Slider Games are specifically designed to be presented outside of the standard casino lobby and accessed via a rapid ‘swipe’ motion on mobile. For the best user experience, games served via the slider are 20% less in size compared to standard mobile versions.

Mathias Larsson, Managing Director of Spearhead Studios, comments: “Sports operators need to focus on tactical and proven measures which can stop them from bleeding revenue. With no extra technical developments required, a fast and easy integration, and top user experience, Slider Games represent an excellent option for sports players.

“We already launched on several operators, and their revenues went up in just a couple of weeks. Bottom line, Slider Games are keeping players on the website by providing real, fun and quick entertainment bites.”

X-Bet.co and BUFF.bet merge and fuel eSports betting IPO

The two eSports betting brands are merging due to a signed deal at the end of February between XB Systems, a start-up organization managing X-Bet.co and one of the strongest white labels of UltraPlay – BUFF.bet.

Since XB Systems operations began in May 2017, the company has grown rapidly within the eSports betting sector under the brand name X-Bet.co. BUFF.bet, on the other hand, is a standalone business affiliated with UltraPlay and powered by its advanced betting solutions.

For over three years XB Systems has been working closely with its platform provider UltraPlay. The effective management team of XB Systems and the surging growth rates on X-Bet.co in terms of betting volume and user numbers encouraged UltraPlay to take the next step and initiate talks to merge BUFF.bet with XB Systems operations and management. Due to the signed agreement, X-Bet.co effectively and fully takes over the management and operations, as well as the domain and all assets of the merged business. UltraPlay will remain the platform provider for the newly formed venture for the foreseeable future.

Mario Ovcharov, CEO of UltraPlay commented: “We believe that X-Bet.co and BUFF.bet will form a great synergy together. With the two sites joined forces and the experienced management team of XB Systems firmly in place, BUFF.bet will undoubtedly go from strength to strength becoming one of the leading eSports betting operators worldwide”.

EvenBet to host online poker tournament at SBC Digital Summit

Award-winning developer confirmed as sponsor for upcoming online conference

April 2020 – EvenBet Gaming has agreed a deal with SBC to become an official sponsor of the SBC Digital Summit, which includes the leading online gaming software developer hosting an exclusive poker tournament for delegates.

EvenBet will be giving attendees the chance to go head-to-head in the digital competition, which will be powered by the company’s industry-leading poker platform.

Starting on the Tuesday, summit delegates will be able to enter a multi-table Hold’em tournament via a password that can be retrieved from EvenBet’s virtual booth in the exhibition hall.

Sportradar delivers sports content and coverage above 2019 levels

Innovative approach to sports products and tournaments drives surge in coverage despite lack of traditional sports

23 April 2020, London – Sportradar, the global provider of sports content and intelligence, today released figures showing that they had sustained their delivery of sports content and coverage despite the lack of live sports globally due to COVID-19, even managing to increase the overall coverage levels compared to the same period last year .

So far in the month of April, there has been an 11% increase in its available sports content compared to April 2019, with coverage of approximately 24,000 matches in total worldwide. In a typical month, Sportradar provides live coverage for approximately 20,000 matches. As a result, Sportradar’s Live Odds coverage is up 30%, while Live Data is up 20% compared to this time last year.

This significant achievement reflects Sportradar’s rapid response to the current absence of live sports and increased appetite for alternative content from customers. The company has pivoted its business to focus on developing a range of innovative and non-traditional sports products, in addition to continuing to partner with leagues around the world.

Calvin Ayre Foundation donates millions in Personal Protective Equipment to help fight Covid-19

St. John’s, Antigua – Tuesday, April 21, 2020: The Calvin Ayre Foundation (CAF), announced today, that over EC$4 million worth of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), is en route to Antigua and Barbuda from The People’s Republic of China, to assist the government in its fight against Covid-19.

According to Chairman of the Ayre Group, Ambassador Calvin Ayre: “As Antigua and Barbuda and many other small island developing states struggle to protect their citizenry from this highly contagious and deadly coronavirus, it is becoming painfully obvious that we cannot look to the traditional donors and trading partners for assistance in providing urgently needed PPEs.”

For example, effective Friday, April 10, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), issued a temporary rule stating that it would be allocating “certain scarce or threatened materials for domestic use, so that these materials may not be exported from the United States without explicit approval by FEMA.” The rule covers five types of protective equipment including N95 masks, surgical masks and gloves. This decision leaves vulnerable countries like Antigua and Barbuda with no choice but to seek to acquire supplies from other source markets.

“Thankfully,” Ayre said, “we were able to procure the desperately needed protective equipment from China for our front-line workers in Antigua and Barbuda.”

SiGMA Group announces 3-day Digital Conference

Live conference will run from June 8-10 2020

SiGMA Group has announced the launch of SiGMA-ICE Asia Digital, which will run June 8-10 2020 for 3 hours daily, from 10AM – 1PM GMT+1.

Together with Clarion Gaming’s ICE Asia, the three-day conference will cater for both gaming and tech audiences, with free-of-charge content geared towards bringing the industry together in what has been a difficult time for businesses. Participants can expect land-based content on the 8th, while online gaming and emerging tech will cover the next two days respectively.

Founder and CEO of SiGMA Group, Eman Pulis said, “It is now more vital than ever to stay informed and connected, the digital conference will embrace the difficulties we are facing at a time when working together has never been more important. COVID-19 has provided a unique opportunity to stand together and rethink how we live and work.”

Presenting the “What to Expect Webinar Series”

Expect to profit from our “What to Expect Webinar Series”

As part of our ongoing sequence of webinars, the Eventus International team is launching the “What to Expect” series, kicking off on 13 May 2020.

The range of pre-event webinars is designed to offer attendees an illuminating preview of our live events lined up for later in 2020 and 2021.

The series as a whole will provide expert insights into current topics of significance in the gaming industry across Europe, Asia, North and South America, the UAE and Africa.

Lagos is home to SBWA+ 2020

In anticipation of SBWA+ 2020 which has been rescheduled to 19 to 20 August 2020, we would like to look back on the last five years, from where SBWA+ started, to where it is now.

The sixth edition of the renowned Sports Betting West Africa+ summit will take place in Lagos, Nigeria. SBWA+ has consistently proved to be not merely an esteemed gaming summit and exhibition, but also a vital focus for African operators, regulators and others in the gaming ecosystem. Each former edition of the summit has been marked by great success and SBWA+ 2020 will be no exception.

The previous five editions provided invaluable cutting edge industry knowledge and networking opportunities for our attendees. Network at this massive gathering of gaming professionals and stakeholders, coming together to hear the latest about the sports betting industry from key industry leaders.

SBWA+ 2020, the 6th Annual Edition of SBWA+ is set to offer:

European Gaming set for blockbuster virtual conference

Networking platform to open in advance for delegates from April 23rd

Tuesday, 21st April 2020: European Gaming, Central and Eastern Europe’s leading betting and gaming media platform, is gearing up for next month’s widely acclaimed MARE BALTICUM Gaming Summit.

The CEE gaming scene’s first ever virtual conference is set to take place on May 7th, the date of the original event, with its much-anticipated business development and networking platform set to open in advance on April 23rd.

The full day’s event, set to tackle the latest in global challenges, will feature panel discussions and presentations via live stream, with registered attendees also able to network through online meetings, using European Gaming’s cutting-edge conference platform technology.

Upcoming EI ONLINE Webinars

Catch this week’s webinar!

The past few weeks have been filled with very successful webinars and this week Eventus International continues their series of industry-relevant sessions.

We once again bring you engaging topical discussions led by world-class experts in the gaming sector. This week we focus on the US gaming market as a pre-event to the All American Sports Betting Summit taking place 14 to 15 September 2020 in San Francisco.

THE LAS VEGAS LESSON: Making marketing work with product and calendar changes

Sportsbook Rhode Island Unveils Enhanced Digital Wagering Experiences

IGT and William Hill provide Ocean State Sports Fans with Elevated Interface and More Ways to Bet on New Sportsbook Rhode Island Mobile App and Website

IGT Global Solutions Corporation and William Hill U.S. today announced the release of enhanced versions of both the Sportsbook Rhode Island mobile app and website.

The new app, available for iOS and Android devices, and website (sportsbetrhodeisland.com) provides sports fans in the Ocean State a more streamlined experience featuring an elevated interface, an expanded wagering menu, and an additional way for patrons to fund their accounts.

The elevated user interface, powered by IGT PlaySports technology, offers an improved navigation design for both live and upcoming sporting events and a more efficient wagering process with significantly fewer steps, from start to finish, to place a bet. 

“Recent IGT PlaySports technology updates for the Rhode Island Lottery provide Sportsbook Rhode Island users an elevated player experience,” said Enrico Drago, IGT PlayDigital Senior Vice President. “These updates also position the Rhode Island Lottery for success when professional sports return in full force.”

Sportsbook Rhode Island users can now wager on a wider selection of futures and prop bet options on popular sporting events.  For example, pro football fans can pick “Which team will have more regular season wins in 2020 – New England or Tampa Bay?” The expanded wagering menu, powered by William Hill Sports Book, has been adjusted with the pause of US sports. The menu now features new international sports including Russian Table Tennis, Taiwanese Basketball, and Nicaraguan and Belarusian Premier League Soccer.   

“We are excited to continue to innovate with the Rhode Island Lottery and IGT. We are adding alternative sports and additional prop bets to our wagering menu now and look forward to supporting Rhode Island even more when sports return to the U.S.,” added Ken Fuchs, William Hill US President of Digital.

In addition to E-Check, users of the Sportsbook Rhode Island app and website now have the option to fund their accounts electronically with Debit Cards.   

In November of 2018, IGT and William Hill partnered with the Rhode Island Lottery to open New England’s first sports books at Twin River Casino and Tiverton Casino. The debut version of the Sportsbook Rhode Island mobile app went live in September of 2019.   

Classic Sports Betting Alternatives, Latin America and the Affiliate/Marketing Industry also among the topics at MBGSVE2020 (Virtual Conference)

Virtual conference analyses the classic sports alternatives, the Latin American market, and the Affiliate Industry during COVID-19 on the 7th of May.

European Gaming Media and Events, (part of Hipther Agency) has always been among the top quality providers of content and interesting discussions and this hasn’t changed in the new era of virtual conferences. The team is bringing together an extensive list of gambling industry experts who will join several special panel discussions at their first virtual conference this year which will take place on the 7th of May.

You can register on this link to save your seat (no travel needed, you can attend from the comfort of your home or office)

PLEASE NOTE: If you are already a registered delegate of MARE BALTICUM Gaming Summit, you don’t have to purchase a new ticket!