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The Evolution of Sports Betting – What are UK Punters Looking for in 2021?
With the delayed Euro 2020 tournament now well underway across the continent, sports betting brands are bracing themselves for a huge increase in demand and revenues.
This is definitely one of the safest predictions for the gambling industry in 2021, particularly after betting during Euro 2016 saw brands like Unibet deliver record-breaking numbers in terms of gross winnings revenue.
But what else should we expect from sports betting in the UK through the next six months, and which trends are having the most significant impact on individual punters?
Leveraging Date to Create Betting Systems
If the big data evolution has achieved anything, it has been to place huge swathes of organised data at everybody’s fingertips.
Make no mistake; we now have access to technology that can analyse huge databases and gather detailed insights across a range of applications, and online sports betting is no exception to this rule.
Of course, UK betting sites have used big data for a while now, particularly when formulating market odds and developing the most competitive (and ultimately rewarding) welcome bonuses.
While this application of big data is considered slightly controversial given the competitive advantage that it affords to operators (who already retain a clear house edge), punters are at least starting to leverage this technology to benefit themselves.
More specifically, players can now deploy algorithms to devise a data-driven betting system, with some capable of delivering a 77%-win rate.
Even on a fundamental level, the basic analysis of broad datasets pertaining to specific markets can create more informed wagers and betting systems, which in turn translates into a higher win rate over time.
In certain markets, it’s now also possible to track the performance of specific players, particularly with regards to fitness statistics and long-term form.
This is especially effective when wagering on individual sports such as tennis, and it can definitely help to inspire more scientific decision-making.
The Rise and Rise of eSports
The eSports market will also continue to offer opportunities to operators in 2021, having recently grown at an annual average rate of 8.5% between 2016 and 2019.
This sector also supported an impressive £111.5 million in terms of Gross Value Added (GVA) in 2019, while the market was also one of the few to thrive despite the coronavirus pandemic last year.
Make no mistake; eSports is already an incredibly popular market amongst players and fans alike, but last year saw it also experience a considerable spike in global viewership figures across all major platforms.
What’s more, it’s thought that the global games live-streaming audience will peak at 728.2 million by the end of this year, with this having grown by more than 10% in relation to 2020’s already impressive figures.
This is significant for the iGaming sector (especially in developed economies such as the UK), as a larger and more engaged eSports audience provides a captive market for established operators. The only obstacle that remains here is lack of awareness and understanding amongst mainstream bettors, but we’re likely to see this challenge overcome in 2021.
In fact, we should expect sports betting brands to utilise their large social platforms to educate punters about eSport wagering and the various markets on offer, while also promoting prominent events and providing access to live streams where possible.
The Increased Popularity of Live Streams
There’s no doubt that members of the Gen Z and Millennial demographics are more likely to wager on their smartphones, with this having also driven a rise in the demand for in-play betting.
Similarly, it has encouraged some operators to offer live streams of various events to their customers, with this feature having been widely available for years now.
However, 2021 will see bookies continue to tailor and improve their service, initially by increasing the number of live transmissions and covering more niche sporting events from across the globe.
What’s more, brands are improving the process of facilitating in-play betting through live streams, so that players can wager while they watch without having to transition from one screen to another.
In addition to enhancing (and modernizing) the typical sports viewing experience nationwide, this will also enable operators to optimize their earning potential and fully leverage the value of in-play betting.
Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming
BGaming invites players to roll back the years and turn up the heat with the all-new Hot Chilli Bells slot. The game combines the best-performing features of previous hits like the Wild from the Elvis Frog Series, the Expanding Wild from Fruit Million, and the ability to choose your paylines from the popular Burning Chilli X slot.
Kendoo, has launched its most feature-rich title to date with the release of jungle adventure slot Wild Cats Fire: Hold and Win. Set against an exotic jungle backdrop teeming with hidden treasures, the game delivers a visually stunning and immersive slot experience. Wild Cats Fire offers untamed excitement with 20 pay lines, a jackpot accumulation mechanic, and engaging features that keep players entertained with every spin.
Betsoft has released Fury Dragon – Hold & Win, a thrilling new video slot that brings the power and mystique of the East to life. This 5-reel, 3-row slot game immerses players in a fiery world of golden riches and fierce dragons, offering an exciting gameplay experience with every spin. Set against a backdrop of burnished gold and imperial red, Fury Dragon – Hold & Win invites players to seek the legendary Golden Dragon, whose fiery power can bring about incredible rewards.
El Gordo is dead—long live the slaughter. Nolimit City is back in the wild, wild west with Tombstone Slaughter, the latest chapter in the beloved Tombstone Universe a sequel to the wildly popular Tombstone R.I.P and Tombstone No Mercy. This one is slightly more special with its record breaking Max Win potential—the highest ever seen on a Nolimit City slot! This is yet another sequel that Nolimit City has decided to bless their fans with, following the release of xWays Hoarder 2 in 2025. And this is only the beginning..
As Chinese New Year approaches, Zillion Games is proud to present a selection of games that reflect the richness of this celebrated holiday: Golden Dragon Deluxe. Golden Dragon Deluxe invites you to meet the majestic Golden Dragon, a symbol of fortune and prosperity, in this thrilling slot with 25 win lines and a 95.25% RTP. Snow Dragon. Snow Dragon offers 25 paylines and three types of wild symbols, with thrilling features like Hold and Ring Mode, where respins lock valuable symbols for big rewards. During free spins, a giant shifting wild moves across the reels, activated by collecting 3 scatters in the base game!
Step into a land of magical thrills and captivating rewards in Mystic Multipliers, the latest slot game launch from Slammer Studios. Mystic Multipliers is packed full of Druid-enhanced slot game features including Cascading Reels, Free Spins and of course, enchanting Progressive Multipliers. This spell-binding slot invites players to explore a world of magic and mystery where eight or more matching symbols pay anywhere on the reels.
“Geilomat” is already available, an intentionally horrendous looking 5×4, 25 payline slot and the latest title from Hölle Games. A Geilomat (in German) is a machine that’s absolutely over the top bonkers, crazy, and yet somehow cool. It also must be completely tacky and very loud (colour and noisewise), so the Hölle team spent a lot of time making sure it looks appropriately awful- and they have really succeeded.
TaDa Gaming is rounding up the year with pots of gold and a wealth of wins in Money Pot. The feature loaded slot offers Scatters, Multipliers, Mystery Symbols, Jackpots and the Golden Lock & Respin feature, in a three reels, three rows, three fixed paylines release. Traditional Yuanbao ingots bring multipliers from 0.5x to 10x depending on their colour.
Booming Games are signing off the first month of the New Year in spectacular style, thanks to the launch of the brand spanking new slot: Jester Bells Bonanza. The latest arrival comes hot on the heels of this month’s Wild Wings of Phoenix Deluxe’s release, and the results are just as spectacular. Jester Bells Bonanza is a 6×5 game that pays anywhere, with plenty of tricks up its sleeve.
Gaming Corps is excited to announce the launch of the Gates of Hellfire slot. Prepare for a journey into the underworld’s darkest depths in a game, unlike any other slot on the market. The Gates of Hellfire slot uses a unique payment system, requiring players to defeat a sinister selection of demon enemies on the reels to secure wins, with a maximum prize of 5,000x the player’s stake up for grabs.
Scorching gameplay awaits in Blueprint Gaming’s latest instalment to its beloved game series, Cash Strike Hotstepper Megaways™, offering an array of mechanics further boosted by expanded reels, increasing the chance of lavish wins up to a fierce 50,000x the original bet. Returning to a classic 3×3 grid, a feast of fruit symbols adorn the matrix alongside iconic flaming gold coins, with each of the three reels showing up to five symbols at once and offering as many as 125 different wins per spin.
Red Rake Gaming presents Hawaiitopia, its new and exciting video slot that transports players to a tropical island full of excitement and wins. With innovative features, big multipliers and delightful fruits, Hawaiitopia provides a unique gaming experience. Thanks to its 7×7 format, Cascading Reels and Cluster Wins, each spin presents a chance to win. By lining up 5 or more consecutive identical symbols, either horizontally or vertically, players can land successive wins that gradually accumulate to make up the final win.
Right in time for the Season of Love, Amusnet is glad to unveil its newest Online Casino portfolio addition, Diamond Plus – Valentine’s Edition. The game offers a different perspective on one of the company’s most popular video slots, Diamond Plus. It will be available throughout the entire year, ready to bring some romance to everyone who needs it. The dazzling new game release combines a visually pleasing environment, enchanting ambient music, and a variety of vibrant symbols across the 5 reels and 10 fixed paylines.
The post Week 5/2025 slot games releases appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission paves the way for Kambi to provide its premium sports betting solutions in Las Vegas and across the Silver State
Kambi Group plc (“Kambi”), the home of premium sports betting solutions, has received approval for its Nevada gaming licence applications, marking a significant step towards launching in one of the world’s most iconic betting markets. The Nevada Gaming Commission approved Kambi’s application for Manufacturer & Distributor Licenses and an Information Services License, following a unanimous recommendation by the Nevada Gaming Control Board (“NGCB”) earlier this month.
The licences will enable Kambi to provide its industry-leading sportsbook technology and services to nonrestricted gaming establishments in Las Vegas and across the state of Nevada for the first time. With limited B2B competition in the state due to the high regulatory requirements, Nevada presents Kambi with future growth opportunities in line with its strategy to expand its footprint across the Americas.
Kambi has been at the forefront of the regulated US sports betting industry since 2018, processing the first legal online wager outside of Nevada following the repeal of PASPA. This latest achievement underscores the company’s dedication to delivering world-class sportsbook solutions while adhering to the highest standards of regulatory compliance and corporate probity.
Werner Becher, CEO of Kambi, said: “Securing approval for our licences in Nevada is an important milestone for Kambi and a testament to our market-leading technology, regulatory expertise and corporate integrity. Nevada is widely known as the gold standard for betting and gaming regulation, insisting on a standard that few companies can meet, and is therefore recognition of Kambi’s unwavering commitment to excellence. We would like to thank both the Commission and NGCB for their thorough review and approval of our applications.”
The post Kambi Group plc secures licensing approval in Nevada appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Red Desert Games content developed by leading industry veterans set to further add to Light & Wonder’s innovative offering.
Red Desert Games launches its new and innovative slot content via the Light & Wonder content marketplace, through the Light & Wonder
Spark studio partner program.
Red Desert Games is an emerging slot studio founded by land-based and iGaming industry veterans. The young studio team members have over 100 years combined experience in the global slot industry and are now applying their substantial knowledge, experience, and deep passion for slots to create innovative and engaging content to delight and excite.
As part of this new agreement, iGaming content developed by Red Desert Games will be distributed exclusively across Canada and the USA to Light & Wonder’s extensive operator network and elsewhere around in other key regulated markets via Light & Wonder’s Infinity aggregation platform.
The addition of Red Desert Games to the Light & Wonder Spark studio partner program’s roster of premium game studios further cements Light & Wonder as one of the world’s leading content marketplaces. It demonstrates once again Light & Wonder’s ongoing commitment to diversifying its content offering, as well as providing an opportunity for independent studios to significantly boost their international reach.
Edgar Pau, Co-Founder of Red Desert Games said: “We are extremely excited to be selected by Light & Wonder to join their partnership program. Light & Wonder has an unrivalled footprint and is the perfect fit to distribute our range of innovative and engaging games to its global network.”
“We have been extremely impressed by the whole Light & Wonder team and our interactions to-date. Their product feedback, enthusiasm to work with us and recognition of the uniqueness of our content has given us encouragement that they are the right partner to launch us into the global market.”
Steve Mayes, Senior Director of Partners at Light & Wonder, added: We are delighted to welcome Red Desert to the Light & Wonder Spark studio partner program. Our program is committed to collaborating with the most forward-thinking and innovative new studios, and Red Desert’s distinctive game concepts, inventive mechanics, and meticulously crafted, visually captivating titles truly embody these values. We are excited to support their global expansion and look forward to a promising and successful journey together.
The post Red Desert Games Signs Deal with Light & Wonder appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Week 5/2025 slot games releases
Kambi Group plc secures licensing approval in Nevada
Red Desert Games Signs Deal with Light & Wonder
Michigan Lottery Achieves iCAP Re-certification for Responsible Online Gaming Practices
Playson Signs Agreement with Light & Wonder in Global Distribution Deal
WA.Technology makes its debut in Brazil’s regulated market
Saracen Casino Resort Chooses QCI Chatalytics to Enhance Casino Operations with Integrated AI Solutions
EGT Digital’s top-performing titles are live on the leading Colombian betting site Betplay
BETBY TO INTRODUCE INDUSTRY-FIRST AI-BASED FEED AT ICE BARCELONA
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