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ECA Says European Casino Revenues Down 50%

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The European Casino Association (ECA) has said that the European land-based casino sector has been hard hit by the pandemic.

ECA this week released statistics that show a devastating year for the bricks-and-mortar gambling industry through a poll of members.

The European casino industry was closed for an average of 136 days in 2020 and most operators have been closed for the first quarter of 2021. Seventy percent of casinos are currently shut down, with some exceptions this year, including Luxembourg, Spain and Monaco, but with restrictions.

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The industry lost an average of over 37% of normal operating days last year and revenues have fallen by over 50%. The majority of ECA members do not have a clear schedule for the official reopening in 2021. Before the pandemic members employed 70,000 staff in their 900 casinos, an employment number that is likely to fall to 50,000 when reopening is allowed.

ECA chairman Per Jaldung said: “This is the deepest trough the European land-based casino industry has ever experienced. The financial impact of the pandemic on the land-based casino sector has been extreme and these numbers show the economic realities of Covid-19 on the European land-based casino sector.

“Some casinos have closed permanently and many casino employees have lost their jobs. We are under no illusion that the industry can return to ‘business as usual’ any time soon. We are, as a matter of fact, very far from business as usual.”

Restricted opening hours, maximum occupancy and amenity limitations, social distancing protocols, restricted gaming offers, protective measures including plexiglass, masks and on-site testing are just some of the hurdles that the land-based casino business is currently facing.

Country to country variations in the restrictions and mandates have also been compounded by regional variations within national borders. These restrictions are the next major challenge for a sector that the pandemic has hit the hardest.

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ECA secretary-general Hermann Pamminger said: “Guests want to visit casinos again. The relaxation and tightening of numerous lockdowns in 2020 demonstrated the ability of the land-based sector to safely and responsibly return to business.

“Guest registration has enabled quick and practical social distancing measures and casinos have implemented comprehensive hygiene initiatives, far exceeding local requirements, ensuring that our guests feel comfortable and safe.

“Our industry is part of the service and tourism sector in which we employ a large number of highly trained and motivated people. The closures affected 130,000 direct and indirect employees, not only across our gambling facilities but also in our restaurant and entertainment areas.

“Our employees cannot wait for the day business is back to normal and they can once again welcome guests to their casino and entertainment venues, but our industry continues to need support to achieve this during an extraordinarily challenging period.”

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Public Voting Starts for Ortak x B.F.T.H. Arena Awards 3.0

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The highly anticipated Ortak x B.F.T.H. Arena Awards 3.0 has officially entered the public voting phase as submissions are closed.

More than 70 game providers have turned in over 160 submissions, including Tom Horn Gaming, Pragmatic Play and RubyPlay. Public voting involves enthusiasts casting their votes to pick the winner of the Game of Public Choice category.

The Public voting phase ends on December 1st 23:59 GMT+4.

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Concurrent to public voting, the first phase of private voting also starts during which all participants who have submitted entries get the chance to vote for one favourite in each category. An international auditing company oversees this phase to eliminate duplicate votes and self-votes. This phase ends on November 19, 23:59 GMT+4.

The second phase of private voting will also take place with a jury of industry experts making their decisions based on the shortlist picked by participants during the first phase.

The post Public Voting Starts for Ortak x B.F.T.H. Arena Awards 3.0 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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BC.GAME Launches Exclusive Airdrop for Polymarket Users, Rewarding Participation in U.S. Election Prediction Markets

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Following the frenzy surrounding the 2024 U.S. presidential election, global leading crypto igaming platform BC.GAME has officially announced an exciting airdrop campaign aimed specifically at Polymarket users. This initiative will bring BC.GAME’s gaming entertainment together with the wisdom of Polymarket users, offering a much-needed opportunity for those who actively participated in the election prediction market.

Airdrop Frenzy Amid the Hype: Special Rewards for Polymarket Users

Following the intense activity during the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Polymarket saw an unprecedented surge in user participation. Thousands of individuals placed bets on the election results, turning this prediction market into a major financial event.

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To capitalise on this momentum, BC.GAME is launching an exclusive airdrop for Polymarket users. The campaign will reward active participants with exclusive prizes and access to BC.GAME’s expansive gaming ecosystem, creating an exciting opportunity for those who took part in one of the most talked-about prediction markets in history.

Exclusive Airdrop: A Chance to Turn the Tide

The BC.GAME airdrop campaign will offer Polymarket’s active users unique rewards, creating an exciting and unparalleled experience in the crypto gaming space. By leveraging the buzz surrounding Polymarket, BC.GAME aims to bring its innovative gaming ecosystem to more users, giving them the opportunity to earn substantial rewards through this airdrop. Polymarket users will not only enjoy exclusive games on the BC.GAME platform, but also have the chance to claim specially designed rewards. The BC.GAME team guarantees a transparent and fair process throughout the event, ensuring that every participant receives maximum benefits.

BC.GAME: Igniting the Future of Crypto Communities

BC.GAME has always been at the forefront of innovation, providing users with a never-before-seen gaming experience. According to data from 1ml .com, BC.GAME is ranked 14th globally in the crypto gaming space and supports hundreds of cryptocurrencies, including Poly, providing users with diverse payment and gaming options.

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In addition, BC.GAME actively participates in the development of the crypto community by investing in NFTs and supporting the growth of the metaverse. For example, BC.GAME has invested 700 ETH into various NFT projects to foster growth in the metaverse and iGaming sectors. By engaging with Polymarket users, BC.GAME is lighting up new possibilities in the crypto world and paving the way for the future of digital entertainment.

The post BC.GAME Launches Exclusive Airdrop for Polymarket Users, Rewarding Participation in U.S. Election Prediction Markets appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Double win for Kaizen Gaming at the SBC Awards Latinoamérica 2024

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Kaizen Gaming, one of the biggest GameTech companies in the world, had an impressive double-win at the SBC Awards Latinoamérica 2024 on the 31st October in Miami, Florida. Awarded ‘Brazilian Market Entrant of the Year’, and ‘Marketing Campaign of the Year’, the two wins follow an impressive year of growth and exposure for Kaizen Gaming, as well as its premium brand Betano, across Latin America and globally.

Betano is rapidly growing its user base and presence in Brazil, serving as the main and title sponsor of Brasileirão Betano and Copa Betano do Brasil. As a founding member of the ANJL and IBJR regulatory bodies, Betano is recognised for its dedication to upholding the highest standards of responsible gaming and integrity. Furthermore, the Betano brand has launched multiple CSR initiatives across the country in partnership with sponsored team, Clube Atlético Mineiro. It also recently launched the “Juntos em Campo” long-term program in cooperation with CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) to promote initiatives focused on gender equality.

Awarded for the results and creativity of its innovative “Football in America” marketing campaign, Betano successfully introduced Latin America to its “Confia” brand platform by leveraging on its CONMEBOL Copa America™ 2024 sponsorship. The campaign chimed with the spirit of fans across the continent by celebrating Latin America’s rich football heritage, playfully responding to Kylian Mbappe’s 2022 comments questioning the region’s football quality.

Vangelis Skarkalis, Kaizen Gaming Senior Commercial Director LATAM, said: “Latin America is one of the world’s most dynamic and exciting regions for i-gaming. Being recognised as a leading player in this important market with two wins at the prestigious SBC Awards Latinoamérica is a great honour – especially on the heels of our recent double-win as ‘Operator of the Year’ at both the EGR Operator Awards and SBC Awards. Achieving this success requires an exceptional team of dedicated, ambitious professionals. This award honours everyone’s hard work and commitment to always going above and beyond in delivering the best experiences for our customers not only in Latin America, but worldwide too.”

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