News
Casinos around the world cautiously reopen to a new normal
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.
“I personally think the industry should view this as a positive chance to work hand-in-hand with the NHS, charities and government as all stakeholders pull together to minimise gambling harm. Gambling is meant to be fun and entertaining and the industry must ensure that it is responsible, so that those in need can gain access to properly funded support as and when they need it.”
Affiliate Compliance
Rightlander and RavenTrack Partner to Boost Affiliate Marketing Compliance and Advertising Opportunities
Leading iGaming compliance and tracking platforms unite to bolster affiliate marketing integrity.
Rightlander, a leading provider of marketing compliance and intelligence solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with RavenTrack, a prominent affiliate tracking platform. This collaboration aims to enhance marketing compliance and risk management for Raven Track clients and help identify untapped advertising opportunities with affiliates across global markets.
The partnership will offer access to Rightlander’s comprehensive suite of innovative marketing compliance solutions, including web, search, and social media monitoring to track affiliate promotional activities, content compliance scanning to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements and monitoring services.
RavenTrack’s diverse client base spans established and emerging markets, and this partnership addresses the growing need for robust compliance measures in regions with evolving regulatory landscapes.
Sarafina Wolde Gabriel, CEO of Rightlander, commented on the partnership: “We’re excited to partner with RavenTrack to offer our cutting-edge compliance and marketing solutions to their global client base. As marketing regulations tighten in established and emerging markets, our tools will help brands and affiliates navigate the complex landscape of marketing compliance and capitalise on advertising opportunities.”
RavenTrack is a leading affiliate tracking platform specialising in providing advanced tracking and analytics solutions to help brands optimise their affiliate marketing programs. Its client base includes prominent brands such as Jumpman Gaming, Betfred, Bet9ja, and Mr. Q, to name a few.
Adam Rowley, RavenTrack’s Managing Director, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “At RavenTrack, we understand the critical importance of marketing compliance. Our collaboration with Rightlander represents a significant step forward in our mission to provide our clients with robust, innovative and effective tools for managing their affiliate programs.”
“By integrating Rightlander’s advanced compliance solutions with our cutting-edge tracking platform, we’re empowering our clients to navigate the complex regulatory landscape with confidence while maximising their marketing potential.”
This partnership represents a significant step forward in promoting responsible and compliant marketing practices in the rapidly evolving affiliate marketing industry. By combining RavenTrack’s expertise in affiliate tracking with Rightlander’s advanced compliance tools, the collaboration aims to set new standards for transparency and regulatory adherence in the sector.
Affiliate Announcements
Raise your Game with BoostBox by MyAffiliates: a new AI-Driven must-have iGaming Affiliate ace, for instant wins and real results
Jackpots just got closer for iGaming affiliate marketers with the launch of BoostBox by MyAffiliates — a new AI-driven tool designed to unlock new levels of affiliate potential. With a simple touch of a button iGaming affiliate partners can now access:
- Instant Updates: up-to-date product and promotional information
- Increased Productivity: easy access to brand resources, whilst reducing support queries by up to 40%
- Streamlined Research: brand and product information in an instant
- Quality Content: resources to produce consistent, on-brand promotional content
Boostbox by MyAffiliates is not just a game-changing upgrade — it’s a leap forward in affiliate marketing, setting a new standard in the industry for speed, relevance, impact and results.
iGaming affiliate marketing has long faced recurring obstacles that impact performance potential – delays in accessing information, time-consuming research, content inconsistencies, and resource limitations. BoostBox by MyAffiliates is an innovative AI-driven solution to these challenges, enabling affiliates to stay competitive and focused, taking results to a new level.
Clemence Dujardin, Group CEO at MyAffiliates, “BoostBox is redefining iGaming affiliate support and is the ultimate affiliate marketing solution. By maximising the capabilities of AI to bring real-time information to affiliate partners, programmes and content are guaranteed to be as impactful and as engaging as possible. MyAffiliates is at the forefront of affiliate marketing, and using the latest technology to launch BoostBox today, our users can enjoy the very best available affiliate marketing experience and strengthen their potential overnight.”
Roo Wright, Founder of BoostBox added, “Having built a number of affiliate businesses over my 18 years in the industry, I know firsthand the challenges affiliates face. BoostBox was born from that experience, and our partnership with MyAffiliates will help take affiliate marketing to the next level.”
MyAffiliates has long been a powerhouse in affiliate marketing software, empowering iGaming operators to bring all their brands and products together under one seamless affiliate system. Since its launch in 2007, MyAffiliates has set the standard in the industry, becoming the go-to platform for iGaming operators. In fact, StatsDrone recognised MyAffiliates in April 2024 as the most-used affiliate marketing software in the gaming industry—solidifying its role as a trusted leader and innovator in the space.
Statutory levy affiliate reaction
Below the latest reaction from QiH Group CEO Jamie Walters on the UK government’s statutory levy announcement: Jamie Walters,...
Rightlander and RavenTrack Partner to Boost Affiliate Marketing Compliance and Advertising Opportunities
Leading iGaming compliance and tracking platforms unite to bolster affiliate marketing integrity. Rightlander, a leading provider of marketing compliance...
Raise your Game with BoostBox by MyAffiliates: a new AI-Driven must-have iGaming Affiliate ace, for instant wins and real results
Jackpots just got closer for iGaming affiliate marketers with the launch of BoostBox by MyAffiliates — a new AI-driven...
Game Lounge Acquires Two Kings Consultants B.V., Owner of Leading Dutch iGaming Affiliate Meneer Casino
Game Lounge, a leading iGaming affiliate company, announced the acquisition of Two Kings Consultants B.V., the owner and operator...
ReferOn Partners With Italy’s MicroGame to Boost Affiliate Marketing in the Region
ReferOn, the state-of-the-art affiliate management system, announces its strategic partnership with MicroGame, Italy’s leading iGaming provider. MicroGame is Italy’s...
NetRefer to Showcase CoPilot AI at SiGMA Malta 2024
Earlier this year at iGB London, NetRefer, a leading provider in affiliate marketing platforms, introduced its groundbreaking AI solution,...
Omni Casino Launches Convert Stars Affiliate Program, Targeting Streamers and Influencers in the iGaming Space
Omni Casino (omnicasino.com), a legendary iGaming brand operating globally since 1997, proudly announces the launch of its new affiliate...
Online Slots beyond 2024: What does the future bring?
As we move beyond 2024, the online gambling world is set to evolve rapidly, and slots online are no exception....
How live streaming impacts sports betting
The rise of live streaming has significantly impacted the world of Sports betting, offering bettors new ways to engage with...
ClickOut Media prepare for ‘monstrous’ edition of iGB Affiliate Barcelona as registrations show 86.7% uplift
With the volume of registrations for iGB Affiliate tracking nearly 87% ahead of the same stage last year Neil...
