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.
News
N1 Puzzle Promo by N1 Partners Named Best Advertising and Marketing Campaign at the European iGaming Awards
N1 Partners is proud to announce that N1 Puzzle Promo has been awarded Best Advertising and Marketing Campaign at the European iGaming Awards, recognizing the campaign as one of the most impactful and innovative marketing initiatives in the iGaming industry.
The European iGaming Awards celebrate excellence across the European iGaming industry, honoring companies and projects that demonstrate outstanding performance, creativity, and contribution to the sector.
N1 Puzzle Promo stood out as a large-scale global affiliate marketing campaign that became one of the most visible and performance-driven initiatives in iGaming in 2025. Built around a competitive, leaderboard-based mechanic, the campaign featured a total prize pool of €500,000, with a Robinson R22 helicopter as the ultimate reward. This ambitious concept motivated affiliates worldwide to actively scale traffic and compete for top positions across multiple Tier-1 markets.
The campaign was supported by a strong and continuous online presence throughout the year. N1 Puzzle Promo was actively promoted via leading iGaming media, digital advertising, and social media channels. This ensured consistent 360-degree exposure across all key touchpoints, keeping both existing partners and new affiliates highly engaged. The campaign drove sustained activity across Tier-1 and growth markets, with affiliates increasing their monthly FTD volumes by 150% in 2025 compared to the previous year.
The campaign culminated in a grand final party and winner announcement event in Barcelona, where top-performing partners gathered to celebrate the results together. This transparent and public conclusion reinforced trust, credibility, and community within the affiliate network, transforming months of competition into a shared industry milestone.
“Winning Best Advertising and Marketing Campaign at the European iGaming Awards is a powerful validation of our vision for N1 Puzzle Promo,” said Alexa Bond, Head of Affiliates at N1 Partners. “This wasn’t just a promo, it was a global journey that united partners and drove strong, measurable growth. We’re grateful to our partners and proud to set a new benchmark for affiliate marketing in iGaming.”
This award further strengthens the position of N1 Partners as a team that consistently delivers bold, high-impact marketing solutions and continues to set new benchmarks for affiliate campaigns in the iGaming industry.
Awards
2RBO Affiliates Secures Affiliate Marketing Campaign of the Year at International Gaming Awards 2026
2RBO Affiliates has been named Affiliate Marketing Campaign of the Year at the 19th edition of the International Gaming Awards (IGA), one of the most respected global events recognizing excellence across the gaming and gambling industry.
The award ceremony took place on January 18, 2026, at the Intercontinental Hotel in Barcelona, welcoming senior leaders and professionals from both online and land-based gaming sectors.
Recognizing innovation and performance in affiliate marketing
The Affiliate Marketing Campaign of the Year category is among the most competitive at the IGA, highlighting affiliate programs that demonstrate outstanding creativity, measurable commercial impact, and strong brand development.
In selecting the winner, the judging panel evaluates campaign execution, audience engagement, scalability, and the ability to drive sustainable growth for both operators and partners.
2RBO Affiliates stood out through its data-driven approach, modern campaign structure, and focus on long-term affiliate value rather than short-term performance spikes.
Commitment to transparency and scalable growth
Commenting on the recognition, Aviv Rosenblit, Head of Affiliates at 2RBO, said:
“We are extremely proud to receive this award from industry peers. It confirms our commitment to innovation, transparency, and delivering sustainable growth for our partners. Our goal has always been to build long-term relationships supported by technology, trust, and measurable results.”
A high-performance affiliate ecosystem
2RBO Affiliates operates a comprehensive affiliate platform supporting several established iGaming brands, including Betinia, Swiper, CampoBet, and ToonieBet.
The program combines:
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advanced gamification tools
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flexible commission models
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real-time performance analytics
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proactive compliance monitoring
This integrated approach enables affiliates to maximize engagement, improve retention, and optimize revenue across multiple regulated markets.
Strengthening its position in the global affiliate market
The International Gaming Awards, supported by leading industry publication The iGaming Post, are widely regarded as one of the most prestigious charity-driven events in global gaming.
By securing this award, 2RBO Affiliates further reinforces its position as a high-performance affiliate program focused on sustainable partnerships, innovation-led marketing strategies, and long-term value creation.
About 2RBO Affiliates
2RBO Affiliates is a global affiliate program representing premium iGaming brands. The platform is designed to support affiliates through modern gamification mechanics, flexible commercial structures, detailed performance tracking, and strong compliance standards — enabling partners to scale efficiently in competitive markets.
About the International Gaming Awards (IGA)
The International Gaming Awards celebrate excellence across the global gaming industry, bringing together stakeholders from mobile gaming, online casinos, sportsbooks, and land-based operators. In addition to recognizing leadership and innovation, the IGA supports charitable initiatives worldwide.
Conferences
Mondoplay to sponsor Gamblers Connect at ICE and iGB Affiliate Barcelona
Gamblers Connect, the award-winning iGaming media and affiliate platform, has revealed that Mondoplay will be the official conference sponsor of its delegation at the upcoming ICE and iGB Affiliate Summit in Barcelona, Spain.
This sponsorship marks a significant collaboration between two innovative forces in the iGaming sector as the industry gathers for its most prestigious annual event. This partnership serves as another prime example of how strategic alliances can amplify impact within the community.
Both Gamblers Connect and Mondoplay share a unified vision of prioritising quality and user experience above all else. This sponsorship perfectly reflects that shared belief and commitment to excellence.
The summit in Barcelona represents a new chapter for the industry, and this partnership ensures Gamblers Connect can connect directly with operators, affiliates, and industry leaders from across the globe with greater resources and presence.
Mondoplay has established itself as a dynamic operator brand known for its comprehensive sportsbook and casino offering. Its platform is built on delivering seamless player experiences, a philosophy that aligns perfectly with the editorial standards of Gamblers Connect.
Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder of Gamblers Connect, said: “By supporting our delegation, Mondoplay is directly investing in independent media coverage and the fostering of transparent industry dialogue. This partnership is more than just a sponsorship agreement. It is a celebration of shared ambition and mutual growth. Together, we can continue to prove that meaningful collaboration and genuine value creation are what truly move the iGaming industry forward.”
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