News
Will The Coronavirus Lead To More Legalized Online Casinos?
The Coronavirus has affected the gambling world in a drastic way. Sports betting has effectively been halted in the United States, with all major sports postponing their seasons. Las Vegas and every other land-based casino in the country have also shut their doors.
Instead of March being the massive wagering month that Nevada and sportsbooks around the country are used to, the cancellation of March Madness led to the worst sports betting handle since 1993 in the Silver State.
However, there has been one sector of gaming that has been flourishing in a big way, and that is legit online casinos.
Online Casino Revenues Explode Amidst COVID Pandemic
Although gambling revenues are down for states across the board, one area that is exploding is online casino gambling. Poker has seen a surge as well, but nowhere near where casino gambling has gone in the past two months.
For example, with Atlantic City casinos closing their doors, revenues have skyrocketed for online casinos in the month of March in New Jersey. Gambling sites took in $64.8 in revenue that month. It was a near 25 percent increase from February and over a 65 percent increase from March 2019 numbers.
In Pennsylvania, we see similar numbers for online play. Though overall gaming revenue was down 51 percent, the state set new records for online casinos, bringing in over $24 million in revenue, setting records for monthly revenue, and the total amount wagered.
There are states around the country with similar marks for revenue and amount wagered.
Will This Spur Online Gambling Legalization Across the US?
It’s possible, but just because it becomes more economically viable or the opportunity presents itself, it doesn’t mean states will act.
One could draw the comparison to sports betting legalization, which has happened rapidly in the country after the Supreme Court overturned the Federal sports betting ban in May 2018. Since then, 16 states have regulated and legalized recreational betting in some form in their states.
However, we have to remember that the green light for legal online casinos and poker sites has been around since 2011.
The Wire Act Flip Flop
After much of the online poker world got wiped out by the US Department of Justice, in what became known as the “Black Friday” of poker, the online gambling world changed dramatically.
However, the DOJ quickly changed course on the legality of online poker and casino gambling. They stated in December of the same year that only sports betting fell under the scope of the 1961 Wire Act.
That was changed with the 2018 decision for sports betting, but the ability for states to legalize online casino gambling has been around since 2011. However, only 13 states have decided to tax and regulate the activity within their borders.
Will More States Act Now On Online Casino Gambling?
It’s possible but still seems unlikely. Most states that have legalized sports betting often don’t have an online component for wagering sports, making online gambling an afterthought.
As it stands now, only three of the 16 states that have regulated sports betting have also legalized online casinos. So, even though states are moving quickly with sports betting, casino gambling has not been a part of these gambling expansions.
Don’t Worry, Players Still Have Options
Regardless of how states act in regards to online gambling expansion – players have all sorts of options for online casino gambling. There are lots of legal online casinos operating that accept players from all 50 states and across the globe.
Their games offered, bonuses and casino software are also better than land-based options. Most of them also offer sports betting and poker from the same account.
Players may be moving towards online casinos because of the Coronavirus, but it’s been the better choice, all along.
News
LEONBET and Simon Msuva Continue the Journey with a Nationwide Media Tour Following The Msuva Story
Following the release of The Msuva Story documentary, LEONBET and its brand ambassador, Simon Msuva, are continuing the campaign with a nationwide media tour to share the footballer’s inspiring journey and encourage young Tanzanians to pursue their dreams with determination and confidence.
The media tour saw Msuva visit leading radio stations across Tanzania, where he discussed his football journey, the challenges he overcame, and the message behind the documentary. Through these conversations, LEONBET and Msuva encouraged young Tanzanians to believe in their ambitions, work hard, and never give up on their dreams.
The documentary chronicles Msuva’s rise from a young football enthusiast to one of Tanzania’s most recognisable professional players, highlighting the determination, discipline, and resilience that shaped his career.
“As someone who started with a dream, I want young people to know that every challenge can become an opportunity if you keep believing in yourself,” said Simon Msuva. “I hope my story inspires the next generation to pursue their goals with confidence and determination.”
As part of the campaign, LEONBET and Msuva also hosted a special community football event featuring local teams Taifa King (Temeke) and Wekewa FC (Kinondoni). Held at Mwembe Yanga Grounds, the friendly match brought together football, entertainment, and community engagement, with Simon Msuva attending as the guest of honour and meeting young fans throughout the day.
The initiative reflects LEONBET’s ongoing commitment to supporting sports development and creating opportunities that inspire young talent across Tanzania. Beyond sponsoring professional athletes and sporting initiatives, the company continues to invest in projects that strengthen local communities and promote positive role models.
Through The Msuva Story and the accompanying media tour, LEONBET and Simon Msuva hope to remind young Tanzanians of one simple message:
“Every dream is possible if you believe.”
Affiliate Success
ReferOn Wins “Best Affiliate Management Platform” at the iGB Affiliate Awards 2026
ReferOn has been named the Best Affiliate Management Platform at the prestigious iGB Affiliate Awards 2026, marking another major milestone in the company’s growth. Announced live at iGB LIVE, the recognition follows a year of relentless product innovation, customer growth, and a continued focus on simplifying affiliate operations.
Turning Complexity into Clarity
Managing high-volume affiliate programs requires processing millions of data points every day. ReferOn was built to eliminate that complexity through automation, real-time insights, and streamlined workflows.
This year also marked the introduction of Refie, ReferOn’s integrated UX layer. Instead of forcing affiliate managers to navigate complex backend data, Refie turns raw operational data into clear, actionable insights. From onboarding to daily performance tracking, it helps teams spend less time on administration and more time driving strategic growth.
Alex Bukin, CEO of ReferOn, commented: “Winning the iGB Affiliate Award is a remarkable achievement for our entire team. As affiliate programs grow, so does the complexity behind them. From day one, our ambition has been to remove that complexity, so operators can focus on growth instead of operational friction. This recognition reinforces our belief that great B2B technology should be simpler, more intuitive, easier to work with, and built around the people who use it”.
Having secured major industry awards over the past 18 months, — including ‘Affiliate System of the Year’ at AffPapa and ‘Best Affiliate Software’ at SiGMA — ReferOn looks ahead with a roadmap that remains focused on making affiliate management even more intelligent, transparent, and effortless. Our upcoming developments will continue to simplify complex workflows, expand AI-powered assistance, and provide operators with even greater visibility and control over their affiliate operations.
Affiliate Success
Kongebonus becomes first Norwegian affiliate to win Best Casino Affiliate at iGB Affiliate Awards 2026
Kongebonus has become the first Norwegian affiliate to win Best Casino Affiliate at the iGB Affiliate Awards 2026, a landmark recognition that names the independent Norwegian guide as the world’s leading casino affiliate for 2026.
The award was presented on 2 July during iGB L!VE London, where the iGB Affiliate Awards celebrated the affiliates, programmes, networks, suppliers and individuals helping to drive the iGaming sector forward.
iGB Affiliate described first-time contestant Kongebonus as a “Norwegian local hero”, noting that the platform claimed the award in a close race and ended Gambling.com Group’s two-year reign in the highly competitive category. Independent judges praised Kongebonus’ “super smart” approach, highlighting its combination of innovation, engaged player community, and strong editorial presence across Google News and the media.
The recognition reflects Kongebonus’ focus on detailed operator testing, transparent casino reviews, community-led content and player protection. The platform tests casinos with its own money before reviewing them, publishes its full methodology and continues to invest in responsible gambling resources, including practical guidance and support signposting for players.
David Nilsen, Editor-in-Chief at Kongebonus, said: “Winning Best Casino Affiliate at the iGB Affiliate Awards is a huge moment for Kongebonus and for everyone who has helped build the platform. To be recognised in a category alongside some of the biggest and most respected names in the affiliate industry is something we are incredibly proud of.
“I’ve spent more than ten years on the inside of this industry, and I’ve seen how big the gap can be between what a casino promises and what the player is actually left with. Closing that gap is the whole reason we test the way we do.
“What this award tells us is that being the most trusted guide matters more than being the biggest one, and that’s the only thing we’ve ever set out to build.”
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