News

Casinos around the world cautiously reopen to a new normal

Published

5 years ago

July 13, 2020

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.

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News

InOut Games drop their first-ever slot: meet Chicken Royal!

Published

6 days ago

October 1, 2025

TheVoice

InOut Games, the studio behind the viral hit Chicken Road, is taking the next big step by entering the slot market with the release of Chicken Royal. Inspired by the iconic crash game that captured millions of players worldwide, the new release brings the beloved chicken into a brand-new format designed to engage both operators and players.

This marks the company’s first slot release, expanding InOut Games’ portfolio beyond crash mechanics and reinforcing its commitment to innovation in online entertainment.

“Chicken Road became a global sensation because of its simplicity, thrill, and universal appeal. With Chicken Royal, we’re transforming that same DNA into a slot experience that’s fresh, dynamic, and full of potential. We are confident this launch will not only resonate with players but also open new earning opportunities for affiliates and partners,” said Vladislav Snak, CEO of InOut Games.

Beyond the launch, InOut Games has ambitious plans for ongoing promotion and brand support around Chicken Royal, ensuring strong visibility across global markets. For affiliates and webmasters, the slot represents a new avenue to drive engagement and revenue, backed by the company’s proven track record of creating games that go viral.

You can reach out to the InOut team for integration inquiries by clicking onto this link.

About InOut Games

INOUT Games is a licensed B2B provider specializing in the development of high-quality gaming solutions for online casinos. With a diverse portfolio of 34 games, the company focuses on delivering unique and engaging player experiences tailored to meet the needs of operators. Its approach combines innovative game design, robust technical support, and comprehensive platform integration to ensure optimal performance and user satisfaction. Each game is designed with both players and operators in mind, featuring short betting cycles, high retention, and high LTV (Lifetime Value), delivering commercial success for operators.

Conferences

EEGS Affiliate Conference 2025 Moves to New Date and Venue

Published

6 days ago

October 1, 2025

George Miller

EEGS Affiliate Conference 2025 Moves to New Date and Venue

Organizers of the EEGS Affiliate Conference are excited to announce an important update for the upcoming 4th edition of the event. Originally scheduled for 25 November, the conference will now take place on 26 November 2025 at the Inter Expo Center (IEC) in Sofia, Bulgaria, and will be held during the BEGE Expo.

This strategic move creates an even stronger platform for affiliates, affiliate managers, operators, and industry stakeholders across the Balkans and Eastern Europe. By aligning with BEGE Expo and the main EEGS Conference, the Affiliate Conference will provide unparalleled opportunities for learning, networking, and brand exposure.

Expanded Benefits for Attendees and Sponsors

One Pass – Full Access: Affiliate Conference passes now include entry to BEGE Expo and the EEGS Conference, offering a comprehensive experience across all three events.
Unmatched Networking: Attendees will connect with thousands of professionals from the gaming, affiliate, and entertainment industries.
Increased Brand Visibility: Sponsors and partners gain exposure not only at the Affiliate Conference but also throughout the region’s largest gaming and entertainment exhibition.

“By bringing all the events under one roof, we are creating the ultimate meeting point for affiliates and industry leaders in the Balkans. This change adds tremendous value for participants and sponsors alike,” said Nino Berezhiani, Marketing Manager at BEGE Expo and EEGS.

As the only affiliate-dedicated event in the Balkans, the EEGS Affiliate Conference continues to build its reputation as a must-attend gathering for strategic minds in gaming, entertainment, and digital marketing. The new date and venue will ensure even more impactful discussions, trend exploration, and partnership opportunities in one of the fastest-growing regions in the industry.

Conferences

Aff.Tech at SBC Summit Lisbon 2025: Dozens of Meetings, Packed Booth, and Silver Award Recognition

Published

2 weeks ago

September 25, 2025

George Miller

Aff.Tech at SBC Summit Lisbon 2025: Dozens of Meetings, Packed Booth, and Silver Award Recognition

At SBC Summit Lisbon 2025, Aff.Tech showcased why it stands as the Affiliate Platform for Champions. Over the three-day event, booth C350 (shared with GR8 Tech) became one of the busiest spots of the exhibition, filled with operators and platform providers eager to discover how Aff.Tech drives affiliate management with automation, scalability, and precision.

The results spoke for themselves: constant traffic at the booth, dozens of productive business meetings, and a strong pipeline of new opportunities. This overwhelming interest confirmed the growing demand for Aff.Tech’s technology among operators seeking to streamline affiliate programs and unlock new levels of performance.

Aff.Tech’s impact was further validated at the Affiliate Leaders Awards, where the company proudly took Silver in the “Affiliate Management Platform of the Year” category—a recognition of its innovation and growing influence in the market.

As part of its presence at SBC, Aff.Tech also introduced its Aff Yourself campaign—a movement to empower operators to take control of their affiliate business, set their rules, and grow without limits.

Mariia Shmelova, CEO of Aff.Tech, said, “The energy around our booth proved that operators are actively searching for solutions like Aff.Tech. Our platform is built to give them complete control, transparency, and automation so they can scale faster and focus on what really drives growth. Getting Silver “Affiliate Management Platform of the Year” shows that the industry recognizes our progress and direction.”

Valerija Reca, Business Development Manager at Aff.Tech, added, “For three days, our team was engaged non-stop in high-quality discussions with operators from around the world. They see Aff.Tech as a partner that combines reliability, flexibility, and scalability—exactly what’s needed to manage affiliates effectively in today’s competitive environment.”

With a packed booth, dozens of successful meetings, and award-winning recognition, Aff.Tech closed SBC Summit Lisbon 2025 as one of the exhibition’s standout success stories. The company left Lisbon with a clear message: affiliate management is evolving, and Aff.Tech is leading the way as the Affiliate Platform for Champions.