News
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.
Affiliate Announcements
Casumo Renews its Partnership with NetRefer for its Affiliate Marketing Platform
Casumo, the award-winning online casino and sportsbook operator, has renewed its longstanding partnership with NetRefer, the industry’s leading data-driven, AI-powered affiliate marketing platform, extending a collaboration that has supported the operator’s affiliate programme for over a decade.
Founded in 2012, Casumo has established itself as a recognised name in the global iGaming industry, operating across multiple regulated markets, including the UK, Canada, New Zealand, and key European markets, with a strong presence across the Nordics. With a strong focus on user experience, innovation, and player engagement, the brand has built a reputation for delivering a dynamic and high-quality gaming environment tailored to a diverse international audience.
Casumo’s offering spans both casino and sportsbook, supported by a broad portfolio of over 3,500 games, live casino experiences, and a continually evolving product ecosystem. The operator’s approach combines engaging gameplay with a structured and intuitive user journey, underpinned by a commitment to fairness, security, and responsible gaming across all markets in which it operates.
Affiliate marketing has played a central role in supporting Casumo’s growth over the past decade. Through its continued partnership with NetRefer, the operator benefits from a platform designed to deliver performance clarity, reliable tracking, and efficient partner management, enabling the team to optimise affiliate activity and maintain strong relationships across its global partner network.
Alongside these core capabilities, NetRefer continues to evolve its platform with a broader set of technologies that support affiliate programme performance at scale. This includes enhanced reporting through NetRefer’s BI Analytics solution, the Report Builder, deeper visibility into traffic quality via Enhanced Tracking, intelligent assistance through NetRefer CoPilot AI, and flexible integration through its API technology, all forming part of a scalable ecosystem designed to support operators as their requirements grow.
Reflecting on the renewal, Madeline Liautaud, Head of Affiliates at Casumo, said, “Over the years, NetRefer has consistently provided the reliability and flexibility we need to manage affiliate performance across multiple markets. Having confidence in the accuracy of our tracking and reporting is essential, not only for our internal teams but also for maintaining trust with our affiliate partners. Tools like NetRefer CoPilot AI and the Report Builder have also helped streamline day-to-day operations by making data more accessible and easier to work with, allowing our team to focus more on optimisation and strategic decision-making.”
Amanda Camenzuli, NetRefer’s Manager of Account Management, commented, “A 14-year partnership is a strong reflection of the trust and collaboration built between our teams. Casumo is a well-established and forward-thinking operator with a clear focus on user experience and long-term growth. We are proud to continue supporting their affiliate programme with scalable technology and the data visibility needed to manage performance with confidence across multiple markets.”
As Casumo continues to strengthen its presence across international markets, the renewed partnership with NetRefer reinforces a long-standing collaboration built on performance, transparency, and trust. With a shared focus on long-term growth and continuous optimisation, both teams look ahead to the next phase of their partnership.
News
N1 Partners’ Knowledge Base keep up with iGaming Trends
How do you choose the right affiliate program? Which GEOs currently offer the strongest potential? What should you focus on when scaling traffic? And how do you cut through the constant stream of news to find insights that actually matter for your work?
N1 Partners is launching Knowledge Base – a new hub of content for webmasters, affiliate teams, and everyone working with iGaming traffic.
Over the years in the industry, the N1 Partners team has developed deep expertise in affiliate marketing, products, GEOs, traffic acquisition, and partner management. Now, all that knowledge is gathered in one place to share experience, support the community, and help partners navigate the market faster and more effectively.
What’s inside the Knowledge Base?
The N1 Partners Knowledge Base will feature content for both beginner webmasters looking to better understand the affiliate industry and experienced affiliates searching for fresh strategies, trends, and scaling opportunities.
The focus isn’t on short-lived news but on evergreen insights and practical knowledge that stay relevant over time.
Inside the Knowledge Base, you’ll find:
- market analysis;
- industry trend reports;
- guides for affiliates;
- articles on choosing affiliate programs;
- answers to the most common questions;
- practical tips and educational content.
The new section is designed to help affiliates better understand the market, stay ahead of industry changes, assess risks in advance, and spot new growth opportunities early.
Explore the N1 Partners Knowledge Base — and stay one step ahead in the iGaming industry!
Why N1 Partners?
- 14+ casino and betting brands with high Reg2Dep rates;
- 10+ Tier-1 GEOs;
- CPA up to €700 and RevShare up to 55% + NNCO for top partners.
Be number one with N1!
News
LEONBET LAUNCHES A WORLD CUP 2026 RAFFLE CAMPAIGN GIVING OUT A NEW MAZDA CX-3 AND OTHER AMAZING PRIZES
LEONBET LAUNCHES A WORLD CUP 2026 RAFFLE CAMPAIGN GIVING OUT A NEW MAZDA CX-3 AND OTHER AMAZING PRIZES!
LEONBET, Tanzania’s leading betting company known for its exciting odds and daily promotions, has officially launched another major campaign ahead of the 2026 World Cup season, which will officially begin on May 15, 2026.
LEONBET has always been committed to rewarding Tanzanians through different promotions. Before the launch of the WORLD CUP 2026 RAFFLE campaign, the company successfully introduced promotions such as MAGIFTI BAMPA 2 BAMPA, COMBO-HELA, and many others. These promotions are aimed at making sure customers benefit and win every day, which is why LEONBET is known as a company that creates winners daily.
The 2026 WORLD CUP RAFFLE campaign officially starts on May 15, 2026, and ends on July 20, 2026. The campaign aims to give customers a chance to win exciting prizes while enjoying the entertainment and excitement of the World Cup tournament.
Through this campaign, LEONBET customers will be required to place bets worth at least TZS 3,000 or more on any sport to receive coupons that will allow them to participate in different prize draws during various stages of the World Cup competition.
Participants in the campaign will have a chance to win prizes including:
- Mazda CX-3
- Luxury Ngorongoro trip for two
- PlayStation 5 (PS5)
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
- TZS 10 million cash prize
- And many more prizes
The prizes will be awarded during different stages of the tournament, including:
- Group Stage
- Round of 16
- Quarter Finals
- Semi Finals
- Final
Speaking about the promotion, LEONBET Director Jérôme Dufourg said:
“We are excited to bring Tanzanians this big campaign aimed at increasing entertainment, competition, and winning opportunities for our customers during the World Cup tournament. We believe this campaign will bring happiness to many participants across the country.”
LEONBET ambassador Baraka Mpenja also said:
“I continue to enjoy working with LEONBET because it is a trustworthy company with no tricks. It is one of the best companies in Tanzania, offering regular promotions to make sure Tanzanians have a chance to win. I encourage everyone to participate by playing more with bets starting from only TZS 3,000 to win many prizes, including the Mazda CX-3.”
LEONBET continues to strengthen its commitment to providing reliable and high-quality services to all customers while improving the sports betting experience in Tanzania.
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