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Casinos around the world cautiously reopen to a new normal

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Given how devastatingly hit the casino business has been in the past few months, it should come as little surprise that casino operators around the world are hurriedly reopening their doors at the first opportunity.

Revenue reports from March to July – effectively when the novel coronavirus had spread across the planet and forced countries to impose severe lockdown measures – made for grim reading in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, and Asia.

In Nevada and New Jersey – the biggest casino hotspots in the US – recorded losses of up to and more than 90 percent compared to the same months in 2019. In the UK and mainland Europe, the figures were similar, while Macau – the gambling capital of the world – saw three successive months of revenue drops over 90 percent.

While online operations have seen a surge as millions of people have been forced to stay at home, that makes no difference to the many people whose livelihoods depend on land-based casinos opening their doors and welcoming customers. Indeed, thousands of jobs have been lost and thousands more are still at risk.

So even as Covid-19 continues to plague many countries, casinos have understandably started to open their doors once again.

The United States – the country where the pandemic has hit harder than any other – has allowed casinos to reopen, even as new cases cross more than 50,000 per day. In Las Vegas, Nevada and Atlantic City, New Jersey casino floors are once again welcoming guests, while casinos across the United Kingdom reopened on July 4.

Las Vegas has also reopened its sportsbook operations, so guests can visit to get the latest Kentucky Derby odds (although you can find them online easier through TwinSpires.com). You can place wagers on races and sports that, like the casino business, also went into lockdown but are now re-emerging.

Meanwhile, in Macau, casinos have also reopened but the mandatory 14-day quarantine for foreign visitors has severely limited foot traffic. The same applies to other countries like Singapore, South Africa, and Monte Carlo.

While casinos have resumed operations in an attempt to bounce back from a financially damaging few months, they do so amid a new normal for operators and visitors alike.

Strict rules and health measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of guests and staff and to limit the potential spread of the coronavirus.

Maximum capacity limits range between 20 and 30 percent and face masks must be worn at all times. Drinking, eating, and smoking have been banned for the time being, while temperature check points and hand sanitizer stations have been placed all around casino floors. Glass barriers have also been placed around table games in some casinos to prevent the spread of germs between players and dealers.

Those guests returning to casinos may also notice higher gambling minimums or at least fewer options of lower minimum games. This is thought to have been introduced for two reasons. Firstly, it is viewed as an attempt by many casinos to drive revenues up as quickly as possible and secondly, to deter some players to ensure going over the imposed limited capacities.

Even with the many restrictions in place and the pandemic still raging on, the economical decision to reopen has helped to address growing unemployment in casino-focused cities and towns.

For instance, the union representing casino workers in New Jersey reported that in the first few days of reopening, between 20 and 30 percent of union members got their jobs back.

As measures loosen and capacities gradually increase, more people will be able to return to work after months of struggle and uncertainty.

It had been deemed callous to talk about reopening economies and getting people back to work during the early stages of the pandemic and when the death toll was rapidly increasing. But as the crisis continued and there was a realization that ‘normal’ would not return for the foreseeable future, then tackling increasing poverty as a result of the outbreak has become an inevitable priority.

The casino business is just one of many industries that rely heavily on visitors and tourism, and its cautious reopening shows that life must go on in the current climate, even if ‘normal’ is some way away from returning.

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Affiliate Announcements

Affiliate Leaders Summit Grows 40% as Global Operators and Affiliates Flock to Lisbon

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Affiliate Leaders Summit Grows 40% as Global Operators and Affiliates Flock to Lisbon

 

Following a successful run, the Affiliate Leaders Summit will make its return to the Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL) this September, now expanded to a three-day format and featuring the debut of the Affiliate Leaders Awards.

Taking place from 16–18 September, the Affiliate Leaders Summit runs alongside SBC Summit as a focused, standalone platform for affiliates, affiliate managers, and enabling suppliers. It also delivers a more targeted networking and learning experience, with a dedicated content stage and curated audience of 8,000 operator representatives and 3,500 affiliates.

Affiliate Leaders Summit delegates will also enjoy full access to wider SBC Summit features, including evening socials, the main expo floor, and Super Stage keynotes from leading voices such as Gary Vaynerchuk.

Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC, said: “Last year’s launch of the Affiliate Leaders Summit was a big milestone for us. The response was incredible, but we knew we could do even more. That’s why this year, we’re giving it the time it deserves; three full days to ensure attendees can take in everything this event has to offer.

“We’re also introducing the Affiliate Leaders Awards, which I’m personally very excited about. Affiliates play a vital role in this industry, and it’s time we had a platform that truly celebrates their work alongside the operator programmes and suppliers who help make it all happen.”

A 40% expansion of the 2025 show floor also underscores the event’s rising influence, following 2024’s debut that earned standout NPS ratings—79 from affiliates and 68 from operators. This year’s exhibitor list is stacked with leaders of the field, including Catena Media, Clever Advertising, Evoke, Flashscore, Kaizen Gaming, Medier, Megapari, Novibet, and Shake, offering attendees direct access to key players across the affiliate and operator landscape.

On the conference side of things, the Affiliate Leaders Stage at this year’s summit delivers a powerful three-day journey through the evolution of affiliate marketing,  starting with the martech tools redefining performance and partnerships, moving into audience-focused strategies that tap into community-driven SEO and smarter collaboration, and culminating in a forward-looking exploration of AI, diversification beyond Google, and the future role of affiliate managers.

With debates, CEO insights, hands-on workshops, and panels tackling everything from automation and CRM to content authenticity and deal transparency, this stage arms attendees with the ideas, tools, and strategies needed to thrive in a rapidly shifting digital landscape.

The conference sessions will bring together some of the biggest names in affiliate marketing, including Jonathan Edelshaim (CEO, Natural Intelligence), Elaine Gardiner-Ruddock (Managing Director, TAG Media), Peter Gunni (CEO, Traffic Lab), Filip Komljenovic (Head of Sales, Sofascore), Deb Lee (Director of AI & Data Operations, CILA, Entain), Andre Machado (CCO, Clever Advertising), Leanne Muleba (Chief Operations Officer, Matching Visions), and Johan Styren (CEO & Co-founder, Dilanti Media).

Those joining the Affiliate Leaders Summit will benefit not only from the tailored content on the dedicated stage and Super Stage but also from the addition of the Global Markets and Emerging Markets stages. With affiliates and operators among the most curious about cross-border growth, these new stages provide an ideal opportunity to explore regional strategies and understand new audiences.

Affiliate and operator attendees can expect the VIP treatment at the Affiliate Leaders Summit, with complimentary access to the event’s premium evening networking lineup. That includes the high-energy Opening Party with Joel Corry and Imanbek, and the return of INFINITY Lisbon, featuring electrifying performances from Alok and Timmy Trumpet.

Sojmark added: “The Affiliate Leaders Summit is designed to make networking and easier by giving you a dedicated space to connect. But the hospitality doesn’t stop there. You’re part of the full SBC Summit experience. With access to all six stages, complimentary food and drinks at the Food Festival, and the freedom to explore every area of the event, you’re welcome to engage as widely as you like. The Affiliate Leaders Summit simply helps you focus your efforts where they matter most.”

Affiliate or operator? Get your free pass now.

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iGaming.Com joins QMRA & More News

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iGaming.Com joins QMRA & More News

 

The Quality Mark Responsible Affiliates (QMRA) initiative is pleased to announce that iGaming.com has officially joined its growing network of compliant affiliate partners. The partnership starts with the inclusion of iGaming.com’s Danish portfolio, which will now be reviewed and monitored under the QMRA compliance framework.

This move follows earlier commitments by other major players in the iGaming affiliate industry, including Gentoo Media, Leadstar Media, GameLounge, and as a QMRA Operator, LeoVegas. With iGaming.com now joining their ranks, QMRA continues to build a stronger foundation for responsible and transparent affiliate marketing practices in Europe and beyond.

As part of the onboarding process, QMRA’s compliance team will assess the participating iGaming.com website against the established QMRA Code of Conduct. The partnership reflects mutual confidence and a shared objective: raising the standard of regulatory compliance and responsible marketing in the affiliate sector.

“We are very pleased that iGaming.com has chosen to partner with us. Their decision shows continued momentum in the industry towards credible, structured compliance. It also strengthens QMRA’s ability to advocate for a safe and transparent online gambling environment,” said Steven Vrolijk, spokesperson for QMRA.

 

Google Core Update: Optimized QMRA Member Certificates

In other news, following the latest Google Core Update, which emphasized the importance of E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness), QMRA is further optimizing its certification standards. Specifically, QMRA certificates will now include a new section titled Company Verification and Relationship with QMRA.

 

This section confirms that:

QMRA has verified the identity of the organization behind [Website Name] and confirmed that it is an established, demonstrably reliable entity with a registered business. QMRA maintains direct contact with the management of this organization regarding the operation of the website. A contractual relationship exists between QMRA and this company, under which periodic compliance checks are carried out and clear agreements have been made concerning adherence to applicable laws and regulations.

This added transparency helps reinforce the credibility of certified affiliate websites, not just with regulators and partners, but also with search engines increasingly focused on authoritative sources.

 

German Deposit Limits

Recently, QMRA specialists conducted research related to the overarching deposit limits in Germany: https://qmra.eu/online-gambling-deposit-limits-in-germany/

Germany’s strict deposit limit policy aims to reduce gambling harm, but its rigid framework, exemplified by a €1,000 monthly cap and technical restrictions, may unintentionally drive players toward illegal markets, highlighting the need for data-driven, flexible regulation that balances consumer protection with market realities.

 

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Amusnet Partners with Leading Affiliate CasinoFreak

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Amusnet Partners with Leading Affiliate CasinoFreak

 

Amusnet is excited to announce a new partnership with CasinoFreak, one of the most trusted and comprehensive online casino affiliate platforms. This collaboration supports our ongoing efforts to expand global reach and deliver high-quality gaming experiences to a broader audience. The affiliate is renowned for its reliable casino reviews, in-depth game insights, and player-first approach. This partnership will focus on providing in-depth coverage of Amusnet’s diverse portfolio of top-tier casino titles to CasinoFreak’s global user base – launching with a spotlight with the standout release, Sparta Legend.

“Working with CasinoFreak aligns perfectly with our vision of reaching players who value quality and amusement. Their commitment to up-to-date information and user-focused service makes them an ideal partner to showcase Sparta Legend’s unique gameplay and thematic appeal.”, comments Liliya Chatalbasheva, Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer at Amusnet.

“Sparta Legend by Amusnet is a bold step into the heart of ancient Greece, where polished visuals meet deliberate, focused gameplay. Its Free Spins feature with stacked Wilds creates steady momentum, and the Buy Feature allows immediate access to the core mechanics. As April’s Editor’s Choice, the game earns its place through consistency, clarity, and a theme that never strays from its mark.”, said Bogdan Romedea, PR Specialist at Casino Freak.

As we begin this exciting partnership, we invite gaming enthusiasts to explore CasinoFreak’s comprehensive reviews. With Sparta Legend and other Amusnet titles in focus, this collaboration marks an important step in enhancing the online casino experience and deepening community engagement. It reflects Amusnet’s commitment to partnering with top affiliates to deliver exceptional gaming worldwide.

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