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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.

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.

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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Allwyn Launches Player Protection Lab

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Allwyn, the lottery-led gaming entertainment company, has announced the launch of Allwyn Player Protection Lab, a global responsible gaming initiative aimed at supporting novel research and innovation to advance player safety.

Opening immediately for applications, the programme will support academics and experts working in the field of responsible gaming to explore new ideas, concepts and perspectives. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals focusing on one of three key areas: digital innovation; using messaging to drive positive play; and developing effective safety tools.

Following the open call for applications, awards will be made for successful projects of up to €100,000, dependent on the scope of the prospective proposal.

The project demonstrates Allwyn’s commitment to developing global leading practice in responsible gaming. The call for applications will ensure Allwyn is casting the widest net and has the best chance to uncover new and interesting approaches to protecting players.

Nicole Garrett, Head of Responsible Gaming at Allwyn, said: “The Player Protection Lab is an exciting new avenue for Allwyn. Our responsible gaming team is seeking proposals that will encourage progress in player safety and break new ground in our industry. We hope that by opening the application process, we will have the opportunity to explore genuinely new ideas and draw lessons from other sectors.”

The call for proposals will run until 14 November.

The post Allwyn Launches Player Protection Lab appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Creedroomz Introduces Cashout Blackjack

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Creedroomz has launched Cashout Blackjack, a new version of its popular Live Blackjack game designed to redefine player engagement. This major update features a groundbreaking Side Bet Gamble mechanic, a completely redesigned UI and other key enhancements that deliver a new standard of excitement.

The Side Bet Gamble is an industry-first feature that gives players total control over their side bet winnings. Unlike traditional bonus rounds that are passive or tied to specific game events, this optional decision occurs only for players who have won a side bet, right at the end of the round after the last dealer card has been dealt. Players are given a choice: Gamble their winnings for a chance to double their payout, or Skip and keep their original amount. This high-stakes, real-time decision point transforms every win into an exhilarating risk-reward moment.

Cashout Blackjack also includes a suite of powerful updates:

Sleek New UI: A fully redesigned interface built for seamless usability on all devices.

Rebalanced Side Bets: Payouts have been rebalanced to make side bets more compelling and rewarding.

Auto-stand applied on hard / non-splitable scores of 17, 18, 19 and 20.

The new Cashout Blackjack, complete with the Side Bet Gamble feature, is now available to all Creedroomz partners. This launch underscores Creedroomz’s strategic vision to provide partners with groundbreaking tools that ensure they remain at the forefront of the competitive iGaming market.

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Onlyplay Releases Gold Oktoberfest Video Slot

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Onlyplay has released its latest game Gold Oktoberfest! This vibrant video slot takes you straight into the heart of the world’s most joyful celebration, where laughter fills the air, the smell of grilled sausages drifts through the crowd and every corner glitters with the promise of unexpected treasures. From the very first spin you are no longer just a player – you are a guest of honour at the grand Oktoberfest, with reels that shine like freshly polished beer mugs and symbols that dance with colour and flavour.

The reels are alive with frothy mugs of beer, golden pretzels, hunter hats with bright feathers, shining hops and bursting wursts, each symbol bringing a little more of that irresistible Bavarian charm to your screen. The mascot himself, a cheerful fellow in traditional costume with a hearty laugh and a stein in his hand, welcomes you into the game with warmth and good fortune, reminding you that this is not just a slot – this is a festival of joy, risk and reward. Every spin feels like another toast, another clink of mugs, another chance to step closer to the treasure hidden beneath the foam.

As the game unfolds, the atmosphere grows more intense. You feel the adrenaline rush with every coin that lands, the suspense when the reels slow down, the electricity of risk turning into triumph when the screen lights up with a jackpot win. Mini, Major or even Grand – each prize feels like the ultimate cheer from the crowd, a standing ovation of golden confetti and roaring applause. And when the bonus round begins, it’s like the music swells, the lights grow brighter and the party rises to a whole new level, carrying you on a wave of excitement that never seems to end.

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