News

Is Investing in Online Gambling Still Viable?

Published

4 years ago

November 30, 2020

Photo by Adeolu Eletu on Unsplash

It is not hard to realize why many have noticed the online gambling industry when it comes to investments. With growth over 224% in the US, it is hard to miss such a boom. But, many people question if investing in online gambling is still viable or has the train passed for the biggest winners.

The answer mainly depends on if the investor is planning to get rich quick or to establish him or herself in the industry. For the former, regretfully the peak has already passed if doctors and governments are to be trusted.

But, if you want to make a high-quality business that will bring regular growth and pay regular dividends, the so-called iGaming industry is the place to be right now. Even if the growth of the market slows down, it will not stop.

This is because the three main comparative advantages of online gambling will still be present even after people are allowed to visit brick and mortar establishments:

Low regular overhead
Access to global markets
Ensured advantage

And the last point might be the most important if you are a concentrated investor. The superior stability of online gambling compared to regular casinos makes it much easier to plan your business, as well as borrow against the company.

Don’t Expect 2020 to Repeat

Investing now and expecting to triple your investment by this time next year would be very unwise. While substantial growth is possible, some normalization of the curve is to be expected.

By all accounts, a vaccine against the current pandemic is expected to arrive in early 2021, with the effects taking in by the spring of next year. This will mean that fewer people will spend time indoors, thus less time gaming on phones, tablets, and computers.

Still, most of the current user base is expected to remain and new users will join in as the word of mouth spreads globally. This makes a perfect chance for someone, especially if offering niche-specific services, to swoop in and fill that market.

Enough Players for Everybody

There is no territorial competition when it comes to online gambling. With the number of players entering and the demand for online gambling rising, the competition is very fair and very open between casino operators. This makes a very relaxed atmosphere if you are a new investor in the industry. Of course in some markets like Australia the players spend more on average than in markets like Romania so competition there is a bit more saturated.

But, keeping players on your platform as well as standing out will be difficult. Finding modes to increase your offering and improve your services will be crucial if you want to remain relevant and growing.

High-Entry / Low-Maintenance

With some new legislation that will be affecting both Malta and Curacao, the industry will probably become even cleaner. But, the licenses will become more expensive, which may dissuade smaller investors from chipping in.

Namely, the old Curacao license, usually taken out by new operators, will now cost roughly $120.000, which is a steep increase from the $35.000 which was the price so far and will be until January 1st, 2021.

But, for those who have the funds, this is where major expenses end and where income begins. As the costs for operations, security, services, and technical support all scale with the level of business, you will rarely find yourself bleeding funds in any way.

Generally, if you can make an arrangement with game developers for pay-to-play terms, you can have a very secure income with minimal expenses and only a basic payroll staff.

New Curacao License

While still being valued as a license that ensures trust and safety from the operator, Curacao has been seen as the ‘second-best’ for a very long time. This is because the rules for obtaining, as well as oversight, was much more relaxed than for the Malta GC license.

But, with the new deal made between Curacao and the Dutch authorities back in Europe, the value and price of this license will rise quite a bit.

For those who had the papers this year, the ~$85.000 increase won’t be an issue, but it might be for new operators looking to open an online gambling business in 2021.

Malta is the Gold Standard

A license provided by the Malta Gaming Commission is still the golden standard when it comes to online gambling. The rules now planned by Curacao have been enforced in Malta since 2009, and even new players are familiar with the significance of having such a document.

But, for many operators, this type of clearance is not necessary. If you don’t want to market towards EU players and don’t plan on predatory tactics in the first place, you may use the Curacao license and save some money initially.

Later, when you have your business established and your investment relatively secure, you can always take the Malta license as well and try to reel in some bigger whales that are hiding all over the world.

News

Raketech Chairman Ulrik Bengtsson to Step Down Following New CEO Appointment

Published

13 hours ago

March 20, 2025

George Miller

Raketech Chairman Ulrik Bengtsson to Step Down Following New CEO Appointment

Raketech has been informed that Ulrik Bengtsson has accepted a role as full-time CEO of an international company. Ulrik has consequently informed the Board that this new role will eventually require him to step down from Chairman and Board member, but Ulrik remains available for re-election at Raketech’s AGM in May and is committed to stay on up until July 30th to assisting Raketech in the transition period. The nomination committee has started the process of finding a new board member, who may also assume the role of Non-Executive Chair. A further update will be provided in due course.

The Company appreciates this is an opportunity for Ulrik and thanks him for his contribution and dedication to the Raketech board since joining in May 2021.

“Stepping back into a full-time CEO role feels like the right professional move for me, and the opportunity I have been presented with is compelling. I am confident that the entire Raketech board and executive team remain dedicated to strengthening the balance sheet and shaping an exciting strategy that I expect will be unveiled to investors in the coming months. I firmly believe Raketech has the potential to be a key player in the global iGaming ecosystem, both now and in the future, and that the company is well-positioned to generate substantial returns for all shareholders over time.”

News

Amusnet Joins Forces with Prominent Affiliate Chipy

Published

7 days ago

March 14, 2025

George Miller

Amusnet Joins Forces with Prominent Affiliate Chipy

Amusnet announces its partnership with Chipy, a leading affiliate platform dedicated to providing comprehensive insights into the online gaming industry. The collaboration will focus on delivering in-depth reviews of the casino provider’s extensive selection of top-notch casino titles to its large-scale of worldwide users.

“Joining forces with one of the most valuable affiliate platforms in the industry brings new opportunities to expand our reach and enhance the visibility of our games,” said Lillya Chatalbasheva, Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer at Amusnet. “We are excited to work with Chipy to showcase our innovative casino titles, especially our standout Coin Gobbler game, and can’t wait to bring even more engaging content to elevate the player experience.”

“I believe that partnering with Amusnet willadd significant value to our content, providing access to high-quality gaming content from a casino provider that is internationally recognized,” said Bogdan Romedea, PR Specialist at Chipy. “This collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission to enhance the player experience and expand our vibrant community.”

Chipy.com provides a comprehensive database of over 2,000 online casinos, exclusive bonuses, and the latest gambling insights. Its mission focuses on maintaining up-to-date information, delivering genuine user reviews, and offering a customizable experience with advanced search filters. Beyond listings, the platform showcases games from top software providers and features over 15,000 games.

As we embark on this exciting partnership, we encourage gaming enthusiasts to explore the comprehensive reviews available on Chipy’s platform. With the spotlight on Coin Gobbler and other exciting Amusnet products, this collaboration promises to elevate the gaming experience and drive engagement in the online casino community. Stay tuned for more updates!

News

ICE and iGB Affiliate Barcelona are in top 5% of business events in the world

Published

1 week ago

March 13, 2025

George Miller

ICE and iGB Affiliate Barcelona are in top 5% of business events in the world

ICE and iGB Affiliate Barcelona have been recognised as global leaders by event industry experts Explori. The agency, which collaborates with over 7,000 global events and conferences across a broad range of industry sectors, has ranked both ICE and iGB Affiliate Barcelona in the top 5% based on their Net Promoter Scores (NPS). This metric evaluates attendee satisfaction and their likelihood of recommending an event to colleagues and industry peers.

Using the findings of research conducted with attendees in the weeks immediately following the conclusion of the historic editions which were the first to be held in Barcelona, Explori calculated a net advocacy of +67 for ICE, up from the 2024 figure of +50, with iGB Affiliate recording an NPS of +68 compared to its 2024 score of +62

Ben Haley, Senior Research Manager, Explori Media Ltd stated: “The transition of ICE and iGB Affiliate from London to Barcelona has been a big success from an attendee advocacy perspective.

“With the Net Promoter Score improving notably year-on-year from +50 to +67 (ICE) and +62 to +68 (iGB Affiliate) both scores over index against Explori’s 36-month rolling tradeshow benchmark for attendee NPS, which sits at +29, and put both ICE Barcelona and iGB Affiliate Barcelona 2025 in the top 5% of events.”

Impressive customer satisfaction ratings were also recorded for both brands with ICE 2025 registering 4.45 out of a maximum of 5 up on the 2024 figure of 4.3. The figure for iGB Affiliate remained constant at 4.46 across both 2024 and 2025.

The research findings have been reflected by the sentiment of major stakeholders including the European Casino Association. Secretary General Hermann Pamminger confirmed: “The European Casino Association (ECA) is delighted to report that ICE 2025 Barcelona surpassed all expectations, showing a new era for this prestigious industry event. We want to congratulate Clarion Gaming for successfully moving the world’s biggest gaming shows to their new home in Barcelona.”

He added: “ICE 2025 in Barcelona showcased a masterful approach to event planning, with strategically separated conference facilities on the first floor and cutting-edge conference technology that significantly enhanced the overall experience. Thoughtfully designed common spaces in front of the conference rooms fostered valuable networking opportunities, allowing industry professionals to forge connections and exchange ideas effortlessly. The choice of Barcelona as the host city proved inspiring, with its compact nature and efficient transportation system making it incredibly easy for attendees to navigate between the Fira and other key locations.

“This perfect balance of professional development and cultural exploration added an extra layer of value to the event, making it a truly memorable experience for all involved. By combining state-of-the-art facilities, strategic planning, and the inherent appeal of one of Europe’s most vibrant cities, ICE 2025 in Barcelona set a new standard for industry events.”