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.
Affiliate Success
Casino Guru secures SiGMA Central Europe B2C Awards’ Best Affiliate 2025 distinction
Casino Guru has won the “Best Affiliate 2025” category at the SiGMA Central Europe B2C Awards, distinguishing the company’s efforts in delivering the best online casino database and guiding players to the safest casinos of their choice.
Via Tuscolana hosted the ceremony on Tuesday, November 4, in Rome, Italy, distinguishing a number of companies, among which was Casino Guru, which secured the landmark accolade for itself.
Commenting on the win, Casino Guru’s Head of Casino Research, Matej Novota, said: “Winning the Best Affiliate 2025 award at the SiGMA Central Europe B2C Awards is a meaningful milestone for us as we approach the end of the year. At Casino Guru, we are honored to be recognized in this category. Our mission has always been to build the world’s most comprehensive online casino database and to offer impartial insights that empower players to make informed decisions. This award strengthens our resolve to continue serving as a trusted bridge between players and operators, while upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and fairness in everything we do.”
Casino Guru has been awarded for its unflagging commitment to providing players with the most reliable up-to-date information about casinos and bonuses.
At its core, Casino Guru is committed to making the gambling industry safer and promoting best practices in Responsible Gaming. The company plays an active role in shaping these standards, drawing on its extensive experience, expertise, and firmly held values of fairness, integrity, and transparency.
Platforms such as the Global Self-Exclusion Initiative and Casino Guru Academy have been created to foster a better understanding of Responsible Gambling and how players and industry professionals can leverage it to their benefit.
Notably, the Casino Guru Awards have become a trend-setter in actively encouraging change on the part of industry stakeholders, and distinguishing deserving individuals and companies across numerous categories, such as Rising Star in Responsible Gambling, Most Impactful Social Responsibility Initiative, Fairest Bonus Policy, Industry Culture Shaper, and more.
Casino Guru has worked tirelessly, developing the world’s most complicated ranking system, the Safety Index, which carefully examines each casino’s offer, focusing on criteria favored by players, and issues an objective score that is also regularly updated.
Besides the Safety Index, Casino Guru has launched and maintains a world-beating independent adjudication service, the Complaint Resolution Center, which has returned more than $50m to players, including closing cases that involved more than $1m disputed by a single player.
Casino Guru is proud to receive the latest accolade from the SiGMA Central Europe B2C Awards, celebrating the company’s commitment to making gambling safer and better for everyone out there.
Conferences
Palms Bet Takes Center Stage as General Sponsor of the EEGS Affiliate Conference
The Eastern European Gaming Summit (EEGS) is proud to announce Palms Bet as the General Sponsor of this year’s Affiliate Conference, taking place alongside EEGS 2025 – where innovation, regulation, and strategic collaboration converge.
As one of Bulgaria’s leading gaming and entertainment brands, Palms Bet has played a pivotal role in shaping the local and regional iGaming landscape. Its continued investment in digital innovation and affiliate partnerships reflects a deep commitment to responsible growth and industry excellence.
The Affiliate Conference at EEGS will gather affiliate leaders, operators, digital marketers, and regulators to explore the evolving landscape of player acquisition, data-driven marketing, and compliance in regulated markets.
Through its support, Palms Bet reinforces the mission of EEGS — to create a dynamic space for learning, networking, and advancing the future of the gaming and affiliate ecosystem across Europe.
🎯 Save the date:
🗓️ 26 November 2025
📍 Inter Expo Center, Sofia
Join us for an inspiring edition of EEGS and the Affiliate Conference, powered by Palms Bet!
Let’s shape the future of iGaming together – where innovation meets collaboration, and affiliates lead the way!
News
N1 Partners at SiGMA Central Europe 2025 Results: A Key Pit Stop on the Road to the Helicopter
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!
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