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Sports Betting Thriving Despite Lockdown
Wanna Make a Bet?
The global pandemic put North American professional sports on the shelf for nearly five months but bettors soon found leagues that they never knew existed and, well, if you’re dying of thirst in the desert and someone offers you water, you don’t ask if it’s Fiji. Soon there were millions of experts on Belarusian soccer and Taiwanese paddle ball willing to put up or shut up. Even eSports became a mainstream betting vehicle with everything from League of Legends to Madden NFL simulations.
Sports betting may not be the oldest profession but it is quickly becoming one of the most compelling. After decades in the shadows, it has recently been legitimized due to it finally being legalized in many parts of the United States. But gambling, whether it be legal or illegal, will always be pervasive because it’s fun, and potentially profitable if you know what you’re doing.
Adam Burns, an industry sportsbook director, stated, “Business is booming. “We probably took in 10 times more money than last year on the 2020 NFL Draft. It goes to show people are looking for something to bet on. The draft is always big, but I couldn’t believe how much money [was bet] when I woke up the next morning.”
In April of this year, betting was up 50 percent at New Jersey sportsbooks over last year on sports other than basketball, football, and baseball, to the tune of $21.7 million.
Prior to the reopening of sports in North America, Dustin Gouker, lead analyst for PlayUSA.com network, stated, “The rise in bets on nontraditional sports has been interesting, and with auto racing and golf closer to starting, that trend could increase.”
Books are Booming
Now that the NBA, MLB, and NHL are in full swing, business is booming even more as evidenced by reports from the best online sportsbooks in the industry. But with the king of kings, the NFL, drawing closer, the numbers are expected to soar as long as the leagues can remain open for business.
In August of 2019, a total of $744,065,765 was legally wagered in the United States and $61,762,233 in revenue was hauled in as a result. But industry experts are nearly unanimous in declaring that this August will dwarf last year’s take, not to mention what the offshore books will do as well.
But few believe the take this month will beat the record-breaking month of November 2019, when U.S. sportsbooks handled over $1.8 billion, due to the fact there is no preseason football. “It’s a reach,” opined ESPN gambling writer David Purdum when asked by US Bets whether the month that starts Saturday can break the November ’19 record, “especially without preseason football, which accounts for more than most would believe. Last August, around 25% of the total handle bet in Nevada sportsbooks was attributed to football wagers. The NBA will probably make up for the lack of football, but even then, eclipsing a regular-season football month seems unlikely.”
As Purdum noted, the NBA and NHL are both playing in August which is a first for both leagues and will only add to what should be a robust betting handle this month. SportsHandle Editor-in-Chief, Brett Smiley, echoed Purdum’s sentiments regarding his skepticism of a record handle in August of 2020, “There are so many moving parts here, including players going in and out of quarantine. Over/under on games played for any of these leagues, I mean, who knows? We’re in completely uncharted territory here and there’s too many unknowns in the equation. I think people may watch in record numbers, but hopefully people who have taken a serious economic hit — and that’s an awful lot of Americans — are not using limited resources to gamble on sports. Betting 10 bucks is fine, but that doesn’t impact handle much.”
Purdum referenced the uncertain economic times and the looming election as another hurdle to climb for a record-breaking month, “The U.S. betting market is expanding and growing. We have more visibility than ever at how much is being wagered, which may lead to some record-setting numbers in some states. Records seem to be set routinely these days. But, to me, the pandemic, the pending election, and uncertainty surrounding the economy and sports in general will, at some point, have a negative impact on the betting market.”
Whatever happens this month, one thing we do know is that Americans have a growing passion for the action. Sports betting is now mainstream and records will be routinely shattered for several years to come as more states enter the fray and become beneficiaries of all that additional tax revenue. Legalized sports betting in the USA has been a long time coming but at long last, we’re glad it’s arrived.
N1 Partners turned its presence at SiGMA Central Europe 2025 into a full-throttle hub for business and networking — reconnecting with partners, solidifying collaborations, and expanding shared strategies at N1 Partners’ booth. The event became another major milestone in the journey toward the grand finale of the flagship N1 Puzzle Promo campaign.
This stop followed London and Lisbon earlier in the year, where each event revealed a new chapter of the promo’s story. London introduced the branded iconic double-decker Wealth Bus activation, Lisbon added the “Surfing on the Waves to Success” experience, and Rome brought an Italian racing-spirit pit-stop concept, fueling the next pace of the competition.
“Our road to the N1 Puzzle Promo final in Barcelona is made up of many milestones, the brightest of which are London, Lisbon, and now Rome,” says Alexa Bond, Head of Affiliates at N1 Partners. “Each point isn’t just an event. It’s where we meet partners in person, plan new steps together, and keep moving forward. Rome felt like a ‘pit stop’ in the best sense – a moment to refuel, check the direction, and continue the race toward the helicopter.”
A Booth That Never Stopped Moving
The N1 Partners stand became one of the most vibrant spots of the exhibition floor, drawing continuous attention from attendees and media alike.
- 500+ productive meetings were held with major affiliates and key iGaming players.
- 600+ portions of gelato were served — a crowd favorite symbolizing the Italian touch.
- 200+ N1-branded merch packs were handed out, quickly becoming recognizable visuals across the venue.
- 300+ participants took part in the HeliRun Challenge, the bespoke mechanical time-trial maze where accuracy, speed, and focus count.
- 250+ took part in the LEGO Ferrari giveaway, with the lucky winner describing their prize as “an everyday reminder of how competition keeps you moving.”
The booth aesthetic took inspiration from Italian racing culture – not flashy but clear, focused, and energetic, reflecting the push toward the finish line of the campaign.
Spotlight and Media Presence
Throughout SiGMA Central Europe, N1 Partners engaged in multiple media interviews and appearances across leading affiliate-industry platforms and podcasts. Discussions focused on the evolution of affiliate marketing, the mechanics behind N1 Puzzle Promo, and how tailored offers and transparency continue to reshape the multi-brand affiliate model.
Next Stop: Barcelona 2026 — The Grand Finale
The journey continues to Barcelona, where during iGB/ICE Europe 2026 N1 Partners will host the grand finale celebration of the N1 Puzzle Promo.
- Grand prize for winners – a Robinson R22 Beta II helicopter.
- Premium gifts for the top 10 winners: Porsche eBike Sport, Cartier Santos Medium watch, MacBook Pro, Leica Q2, Apple Vision Pro, and more.
- Exclusive prize draw for ceremony guests.
- Full entertainment show with top artists and a headliner.
“We look forward to celebrating with our partners who’ve been part of this journey. It’s our shared moment to enjoy,” said the N1 Partners team.
Join the Race
Want to accelerate your affiliate performance? Join N1 Partners and become a driver in the race to win.
Visit n1.partners for details.
About N1 Partners
N1 Partners is a multi-brand affiliate program and direct advertiser, uniting 14+ casino and betting brands.
Operating across 10+ Tier-1 GEOs, the company delivers high-conversion traffic and flexible terms for partners worldwide. With Reg2Dep rates of up to 70% and a trusted network of 10,000+ affiliates, N1 Partners offers competitive deals for top partners — CPA up to €700 and RevShare up to 45% — ensuring that partners always stay ahead in the game.
Be number one with N1!
Since 2018, one of the iGaming affiliate leaders, AskGamblers, has been partnering with N1 Partners, right from the beginning of the affiliate program’s rise. This collaboration has evolved into a proven growth engine for both brands.
Partnering for Scale: Why AskGamblers Chose N1 Partners
Working together, AskGamblers and N1 Partners have leveraged data-driven optimisation across GEOs. This lets AskGamblers scale traffic and conversions while N1 Partners deepens its footprint across key markets.
When the N1 Puzzle Promo was announced, the AskGamblers team shared their reaction:
“We received exciting news from our esteemed N1 Partners affiliate manager regarding this promotion. We are particularly thrilled about the grand prize – a helicopter – and are fully committed to participating with the goal of winning it!” said the AskGamblers team.
Driving SEO Traffic: The AskGamblers Formula
The AskGamblers’ focus is on providing genuine value and a high-quality user experience, so that visitors don’t just arrive, but return. That aligns seamlessly with N1 Partners’ philosophy of not just driving volume, but building players with retention and lifetime value.
“Secrets and tips exist in every domain. Still, great things are accomplished through hard work, an open mind, adaptability, and curiosity. Users will come back because of the added value and the best experience,” the AskGamblers team emphasised.
Stepping into the Race: AskGamblers Joins the N1 Puzzle Promo
When N1 Partners launched its huge-scale promotion campaign, the N1 Puzzle Promo, AskGamblers was quick to take a leading position. This promo offers a global affiliate competition with standout luxury prizes, including a grand prize – Robinson R22 Beta II helicopter – and a leaderboard structure that drives performance.
As soon as the promo launched, the AskGamblers team decided to go for the grand prize and dominate the leaderboard. With the guidance and support of N1 Partners’ affiliate team, the AskGamblers team selected several brands from the N1 portfolio, prioritising high-converting brands within the network, pivoted resources, and increased focus on SEO and long-term traffic value.
Leaderboard Mindset: Motivation, Competition & Expectations
AskGamblers is a highly competitive team, and the N1 Puzzle Promo format hits the mark. For N1 Partners, this speaks directly to our goal: bringing top-tier affiliates into big campaigns where they can shine and scale.
As participants get closer to the final stage of the N1 Puzzle Promo, the competition becomes even more intense, with the AskGamblers team confidently maintaining its position in the top 10 and actively moving towards the prize-winning places.
Beyond Traffic: What Success Looks Like
If AskGamblers wins the helicopter, the vision is as bold as it is fun.
“Wouldn’t it be great to skip notorious traffic and take a helicopter ride to the next iGaming event?” said the AskGamblers team.
Such an approach shows that this is about partnership, performance, and flair — not just metrics.
The N1 Puzzle Promo runs through the end of 2025, giving you a live chance to climb the leaderboard, win luxury prizes, and capture the grand prize: a Robinson R22 Beta II helicopter.
Don’t wait, sign up now, drive high-quality traffic and earn puzzle pieces! With N1 Partners’ multi-brand affiliate program, dedicated support, and global reach, your chances of rewards are streamlined. Join the race, collect your puzzle pieces, and hit the top!
Plus, there is a special bonus activity to earn even more puzzle pieces, and premium prizes. From September 1 to November 30, enter the 2nd lottery of the N1 Puzzle Promo with a fresh set of luxury prizes.
The race for the grand prize of N1 Puzzle Promo – a real Robinson R22 Beta II helicopter – is entering the final stretch! Just two months left until the promo ends on December 31, and only two weeks to earn extra puzzle pieces and get a chance to win the exclusive “Pilot Course” VR set by completing special missions.
Deadline: November 15
How to join the final challenge and get +3 bonus puzzles (+ an automatic entry into the VR set draw):
- Be an active participant of N1 Puzzle Promo and earn at least one puzzle for your traffic.
- Share positive feedback about your experience with N1 Partners on four platforms:
- Follow N1 Partners on social media:
- Complete a short N1 Partners feedback survey.
What’s inside the “Pilot Course” VR set:
- Meta Quest 3 (128 GB)
- Licensed VR simulator
- PC-compatible cable
Time is running out – this is your moment to break into the leaderboard and boost your chances to take home the helicopter!
Don’t wait – complete your special missions before November 15 and get closer to the sky.
Find full details on our official website.
Be number one with N1!
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