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There is Plenty of Great Cricket to Look Forward to in 2021

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2020 was a very bad year for sports as many events were postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic that is currently hitting the world. The lack of sports meant that sports betting fans all over the world had to occupy themselves by other means and many turned to online casinos and eSports to get their gambling fix. However, things are looking up in 2021 and most sporting events have returned, albeit many with no fans in attendance. Now there is a backlog of cricket events to be played and betting sites are anticipating a huge year for cricket betting, and this is what we are going to look at in this article.

Indian Premier League

The Indian Premier League took place in 2020, but instead of taking place in India during March and April it was postponed until September and was played out in the United Arab Emirates. While it was great that cricket fans across the world got to watch some great cricketing action, it felt like a bit of an anticlimax which probably had something to do with the fact it was being played outside of India for the first time, was being played during a different time of the year, and because there were no fans present in the stadium.

Now, the 2021 edition of the IPL will not have any fans either, but at least it will take place during the usual months and will be played in India. There is definitely a lot more hype surrounding this year’s competition and that will be music to the ears of bookmakers across the world as this is expected to lead to a lot more online cricket betting on the event.

The IPL has become a cash cow for bookies and while the amount that was bet on the 2020 IPL was not small by any stretch of the imagination, it was not as much as it usually is. However, bookies expect that this was just a one off and believe that more will be bet this year on the IPL than ever before.

T20 World Cup

The T20 World Cup was supposed to be held in Australia in 2020, but it had to be postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The ICC then announced that it would be held in October and November of this year, but instead of being played in Australia, it is now going to be played in India. Then, to add to the delight of cricket fans all over the world, they announced that there would also be a T20 World Cup held in Australia in 2022.

This tournament gets a lot of attention because which cricket fan does not like the idea of watching the best limited-overs cricketers in the world battle it out to be crowned the champions of the world? There is nothing better than watching wily bowlers try to outsmart batsmen who are trying to deposit them outside the stadium.

It is not yet known whether fans will be allowed in the stadiums to watch the matches, but as this competition is still six months away, we are hopeful that this will be the case. It is good that we have some cricket back to enjoy, but all cricket fans will agree when we say that a cricket game is just not the same when there are no fans in attendance. In fact, it is fair to say that no sports are the same without a crowd in to build up the atmosphere.

However, fans or no fans, the show, as Queen once said, must go on and bookmakers are expecting there to be plenty of money bet on this prestigious tournament, especially by Indian cricket fans. Although cricket was created in England and was spread across the world during the time of the British Empire, it is fair to say that Indians are the most passionate about the sport. This is highlighted by the fact that they bet hundreds of millions on every match that the Indian national team takes part in.  No other nation comes anywhere close to these betting figures. Therefore, it is really no surprise that bookmakers are expecting to make a pretty penny off the T20 World Cup later this year.

ICC Test Championship

There were plenty of Test series cancelled in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and a lot of these were part of the inaugural ICC World Test Championship. For example, in March, the second Test between Bangladesh and Pakistan was postponed as well as the two-Test series between England and Sri Lanka. Then, in May, Australia’s tour of Bangladesh and West Indies’ tour of England were put on hold. Then, in June, the series between New Zealand and Bangladesh and Bangladesh and Sri Lanka were postponed.

In July, the ICC declared that their main priority was to find new dates for all the Test series that had been postponed due to the pandemic. However, despite putting in a lot of effort, they ultimately accepted defeat and declared that it was not possible to play a number of the postponed series as part of the competition. Therefore, they amended the points system to account for the different number of series that each team played.

There are still two Test series left to be played in this tournament and these are between the West Indies and Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. However, these games do not have any bearing on the competition at all as New Zealand and India have qualified for the final already. The fact that India have made it to the final is something that will bookmakers around the world rubbing their hands together since millions and millions of Indian cricket fans will be lining up to put bets on their team being victorious.

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GR8 Tech Launches CRM Bonus Shop to Boost Player Engagement and Retention

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GR8 Tech has rolled out CRM Bonus Shop—a fully integrated player-facing feature designed to drive engagement, increase retention, and optimize bonus budgets through gamified rewards.

The Bonus Shop enables operators to offer various virtual and real rewards, including free spins, free bets, gamification items, even physical items, spins in Wheel of Fortune, and more, in exchange for custom-branded artificial currency. Players earn coins through behavioral triggers like deposits or email verification, then choose their preferred rewards from a personalized shop interface.

Built directly into GR8 Tech’s CRM, the Bonus Shop offers full back-office control, real-time player wallet tracking, and complete front-end customization to match any brand’s tone, style, and language.

Key Benefits of GR8 Tech’s Bonus Shop for Operators

  • Enhanced Player Choice & Satisfaction: Players select rewards they actually want, increasing perceived value and engagement compared to traditional fixed bonuses.
  • Cost-Effective Bonus Management: Artificial currency provides greater value to players while reducing operator costs compared to traditional cash bonuses.
  • Behavioral Motivation: Automated currency distribution encourages specific player actions, improving key performance indicators.
  • Strategic Flexibility: A/B testing capabilities enable operators to compare traditional bonuses against gamified approaches and optimize strategies across different markets.

“Personalization is at its core. By tailoring offers to custom player segments, we ensure every user sees and can purchase the bonuses they truly want, boosting engagement significantly,”  said Kateryna Schevchenko, CRM Product Manager at GR8 Tech. “Additionally, the platform gives operators full control over the in-game economy by allowing them to set custom ‘prices’ for products using virtual currencies. This flexibility helps optimize retention costs, manage bonus budgets effectively, and maximize ROI.”

With advanced segmentation tools and engagement elements like gamification, GR8 Tech’s CRM transforms player interactions into engaging, value-driven experiences. The company’s approach has led to impressive results, including a 25% uplift in first-time deposits, an average 80% retention rate, and 75% monthly active users interacting with gamified tools. GR8 Tech’s CRM is a strategic asset for operators aiming to deliver highly personalized and performance-oriented player journeys.

 

GR8 Tech. Platform for Champions

GR8 Tech is an award-winning provider, delivering high-performance sportsbook and iGaming solutions that empower operators to lead and win in competitive markets. Key elements of GR8 Tech’s comprehensive portfolio include the Hyper Turnkey solution, ULTIM8 Sportsbook iFrame,  Infinite Casino Aggregation, and Platform Acceler8 suite, featuring its proprietary affiliate management platform, Aff.Tech.

With a geo-specific approach to solutions, a focus on practical innovations, and an operator-first mindset, GR8 Tech helps its clients achieve measurable results in their target markets quickly and efficiently. Trusted by top operators worldwide, GR8 Tech has over 100 successful cases and earned multiple recognitions, including the title of the Best Sports Betting Provider in CEE by GamingTECH Awards 2025.

The post GR8 Tech Launches CRM Bonus Shop to Boost Player Engagement and Retention appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Chris Barranco Joins Quick Custom Intelligence as Director of Business Development

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Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI), a leading provider of AI-driven analytics and enterprise solutions for the gaming and hospitality industry, today announced the addition of Chris Barranco as Director of Business Development.

Barranco brings 25 years of experience leading high-performing teams, driving revenue, and building durable client relationships. He is adept at solution-selling methodology and full sales-cycle management, with a proven track record of mentoring top-tier account executives, delivering high-impact presentations, and retaining key accounts. Known for a tenacious approach to new-business development and customer loyalty, Barranco will focus on expanding QCI’s market footprint, strengthening the partner ecosystem, and advancing go-to-market execution across QCI’s product portfolio.

“I’m excited to join the clear market leader and work with the exceptional team at QCI,” said Chris Barranco, Director of Business Development at QCI. “QCI’s commitment to turning data into action aligns perfectly with my approach to helping customers achieve measurable revenue impact. I look forward to working closely with our clients and partners to accelerate growth and deliver exceptional outcomes.”

We’re delighted to welcome an industry veteran of Chris’s caliber to the QCI team,said Andrew Cardno, CTO and Co-Founder of QCI. “His leadership, mastery of solution selling, and passion for customer success will further strengthen our ability to scale, deepen client relationships, and deliver the operational results our customers expect.”

As Director of Business Development, Barranco will lead initiatives to expand QCI’s presence across key markets, refine sales enablement programs, and collaborate with product and customer success teams to ensure a seamless path from discovery to measurable value realization.

The post Chris Barranco Joins Quick Custom Intelligence as Director of Business Development appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Be Heard Above the Noise: Booming Games’ Dorota Gruszka on Standing Out in the Crowded Slot Studio Market

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With over 600 online slot studios competing for operator attention, cutting through the noise has never been harder. In this exclusive article, Booming Games’ Head of Marketing, Dorota Gruszka, shares her strategy for building a distinctive brand, forging lasting operator relationships, and creating campaigns that resonate in a crowded iGaming marketplace.

There are now more than 600 online slot studios, with each vying for operator attention and a solid position for its titles within casino lobbies. These 600+ studios are making a lot of noise, and this makes it incredibly difficult for individual studios to be heard.

But it is possible, requiring a clear strategy, creativity and consistency. Being loud is important – it’s the only way you’re going to be heard – but you also need to be relevant and authentic. And this requires a strong understanding of self.

Studios absolutely must know who they are and what they bring to the table, and ensure that these values are reflected in everything they do, from the games themselves to how they are launched and the nature of the partnerships forged with operators. It even extends to events and social media.

A sharp brand, meaningful relationships and marketing collateral that not only engages but also connects are critical to success. Of course, this is easier said than done, but when you have a strong team, defined goals and a product you believe in, it can be achieved.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the challenges studios face when it comes to marketing their brand and games.

 

There are plenty of hurdles to clear

The biggest challenge is, of course, standing out in the market, but second to that is navigating the complex and ever-changing regulatory landscape. Providers need to demonstrate compliance and responsible gaming practices, which means marketing must be transparent and aligned with operator expectations.

Another challenge is building and maintaining trust. Operators demand reliable partners that deliver quality products on time while supporting them beyond the initial sale. That means marketing needs to focus on relationship building, not just quick wins.

Then there’s flexibility, which has become a major differentiator. Operators look for partners that can adapt to their needs – the more flexible and collaborative a partner can be, the more value they bring, and this is a message that needs to come across clearly in B2B marketing activity.

 

Take a multi-layered approach

At Booming Games, we have taken a multi-layered approach to marketing our studio and the games we produce. This includes combining creativity, strategic planning and consistency. Brand awareness isn’t gained overnight – it’s an ongoing process across all channels and touchpoints.

Tactically, we have invested in strong PR and media partnerships and maintain a presence at major industry events. We also leverage social media, posting high-quality content across various channels and digital platforms.

We always go big with our game launches and invest in creative campaigns that showcase each title and ensure it gets noticed by casino managers. This is combined with tailored client communications and eye-catching merchandise that reinforces our visual identity.

 

The power of LinkedIn

One of the most effective marketing channels for a slot studio is LinkedIn, and we have focused a lot of our efforts on the platform. Since joining Booming Games in 2023, we have grown our follower base from 5,000 to almost 18000.

This growth has given us a much stronger platform from which to showcase our games, share company updates and connect directly with industry professionals. This, in turn, has driven exposure, engagement and, ultimately, led to additional operator partnerships.

Thinking outside the box is also important, especially in such an overcrowded industry.

A good example of this is our Ronaldinho Mascot campaign, which was a huge hit across the expos and saw thousands of people taking and sharing photos with the mascot across various social media channels.

But just as important is to listen carefully to partners, players and the wider market to ensure your brand, values and campaigns evolve and remain relevant and interesting. It’s about creating a brand people recognise, trust and enjoy interacting with.

 

Brand ambassadors are an important piece of the puzzle

Increasingly, studios are turning to brand ambassadors to help them do this. But it’s important to make sure the ambassador is the right fit – it’s about more than just attaching a famous name to your brand.

At Booming Games, we know first-hand just how effective brand ambassadors can be off the back of our highly successful partnership with footballing legend, Ronaldinho.

We struck a partnership with him just as the Brazilian market was moving toward regulation, and I truly believe it has allowed us to establish a strong foundation and presence in the region.

Ronaldinho is still relevant and popular, and having him associated with Booming Games has given us exposure, recognition and trust. It has also helped us become one of the first game providers to get certified in Brazil, allowing us to leverage the first-mover advantage.

That said, not all brand ambassador deals are as successful as ours with Ronaldinho. Sometimes, they require a lot of effort, coordination and investment and the return might not justify this. That’s why it’s important to evaluate every potential partnership carefully.

Ultimately, the brand ambassador must genuinely resonate with your audience, complement your brand values and support your long-term goals. When done right, it can be a game-changer.

Driving awareness for a studio is harder than ever, but there are plenty of tactics to turn to that can deliver results while having plenty of fun in the process. Being heard is important, but you must be making the right noise in the first place.

The post Be Heard Above the Noise: Booming Games’ Dorota Gruszka on Standing Out in the Crowded Slot Studio Market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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