Month: 2026-04

(AsiaGameHub) - Betsson AB has released a preliminary alert regarding its Q1 2026 financial results, highlighting margin performance strains across its key markets. The Stockholm-listed gaming operator projects group revenue will hit €285 million (£248.2 million), a 3% drop from the €294 million recorded in Q1 2025. Meanwhile, EBIT is predicted to plummet to €34 million, marking a 47% decline compared to the €64 million from Q1 2025. This reflects the impact of a shifting revenue mix and rising cost pressures, which are largely tied to higher tax burdens. Breaking down its regional performance, Betsson’s Q1 results posted growth in Latin America (€93 million, up from €75 million) and Western Europe (€61 million, up from €56 million). However, this market expansion was offset by steep drops in CEECA (€96 million, down from €122 million) and the Nordics (€31 million, down from €38 million). While sportsbook revenue stayed flat year-over-year at €80 million, casino revenue fell by €8 million to €204 million. The company’s B2B division also experienced a notable downturn in performance, with revenue falling sharply to €51 million versus the €90 million logged in Q1 2025. The B2B segment’s share of total group revenue has dropped to 18%, a trend Betsson says reflects broader industry-wide adjustments, as noted in the statement that “the gross margin amounted to 57.6% (64.0) during the quarter.” In the first 10 minutes following the 4pm CET announcement, Betsson’s stock tumbled from 104.8 SEK (£8.37) to 81.95 SEK. It has since rebounded over the following hour, and as of the time of this report (5:21pm CET) it was trading at 91.30 SEK, which still marks a daily decline of more than 13%. Betsson’s CEO Stays Optimistic Even with the downturn in the company’s B2B segment — which appears to be one of the factors worrying investors — President and Chief Executive Officer Pontus Lindwall stayed confident in the business’s trajectory while recognizing the existing concerns. Pontus Lindwall, Chief Executive Officer of Betsson AB – Source: Betsson AB / SBC Leaders “Our B2B business is still being held back by reduced revenue from one of our clients,” he explained. “That said, since the beginning of December, this B2B client has seen steadying average activity levels. “Looking further ahead, I am enthusiastic about expanding our B2B revenue through both current and new partners, as we stick to our strategy of creating long-term shareholder value.” Lindwall expressed a similarly positive outlook in his comments about Betsson’s B2C operations. He stated: “Our B2C business is still performing strongly overall, with solid growth and a meaningful contribution to operating income. “That being said, we are investing in multiple B2C markets that have not yet turned a profit, which is lowering overall EBIT by roughly €10 to €15 million each quarter. “We remain confident that these markets have the potential to become profitable, and we will continue to regularly assess their performance and outlook.” Looking back at the full previous year, FY2025 saw Betsson post 8% revenue growth to reach €1.197 billion, but group earnings stagnated, falling 1% to €313.7 million (2024: €316.0 million). The flat earnings were linked to the start of higher taxes hitting bottom-line results starting in Q4. Company leadership noted improved trends, with early Q2 trading seeing average daily revenue rise 9% year-over-year through April 8, while sportsbook margins are outperforming the eight-quarter average. Betsson will release its Q1 2026 interim report on Friday, 24th April at 07.30 CEST. As of April 2026, the company has not issued formal full-year financial guidance for FY2026. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - With AI and shifting industry power dynamics continuing to reshape modern affiliate marketing, SBC Summit Malta will launch a dedicated Affiliates Reinvented track, examining how stakeholders can adapt and unlock new growth opportunities in an increasingly complex landscape. Held on Thursday, 30 April at the InterContinental Malta, this track will gather leading affiliates, marketing specialists, and industry experts for a mix of workshops and panel discussions centered on how the sector can adapt to a changing operating environment. Sessions will examine how evolving relationships with operators are reshaping the affiliate business model, the growing need to diversify customer acquisition channels beyond search, and the rising trend of taking affiliate businesses public. AI will also be a core theme throughout the day, with sessions exploring its impact on partnership management, content creation, and customer acquisition. “Affiliates are operating in a far more complex environment than they were even just a few years ago,” said Rasmus Sojmark, chief executive officer and founder of SBC. “Operators are growing more selective in their partnerships, search is becoming more competitive, and AI is changing how online visibility is earned. This track focuses on making affiliates aware of what strategies are working right now, and how they can implement those approaches in their own businesses.” The track will open with the workshop ‘How affiliate managers can use AI to stay ahead of the competition’, led by Stephen Clibbon (head of affiliates, VL Partners) and Elaine Gardiner (managing director, TAG Media). This session will illustrate how affiliate marketers can leverage AI to work faster and more efficiently, with practical strategies covering outreach, performance analysis, and partner optimisation, helping attendees maximize both their time and profitability. As major operators scale back their affiliate partnership programs, ‘The affiliate fallout: Survival in a shifting landscape’ will explore what this industry shift means for the future of affiliates. Featuring Vadim Aidlin (CEO, Mamuta Media), Emma-Elizabeth Byrne (head of publishing, Gentoo Media), Victoria Buttigieg (marketing and social media manager, Marlin Media), Clinton Cutajar (CTO, MediaTroopers), and Brendon Spiteri (head of commercial, Routy), the panel will unpack the impact of this shift on affiliate business models and what it takes to stay relevant in a rapidly changing industry. The discussion will also examine how affiliates can build more sustainable long-term strategies, whether operators risk losing audience reach by pulling back on partnerships, and what the next phase of the affiliate-operator relationship could look like. Delegates will explore how AI is being used to manipulate search results in the workshop ‘AI manipulation – how machines are rewriting the SERPs’, led by SEO expert Alan Cladx (co-founder and CEO, AquaPony). Cladx will demonstrate how AI models are now influencing authority signals and rewriting search ranking logic at scale. This session will equip affiliates with a clear understanding of how these strategies work, the risks involved in deploying them, and how they can stay competitive in an increasingly complex search environment. Also featured on the track is the workshop Inside black-hat SEO – how it’s done (and how safe it really is), led by Daniel Lux (SEO strategist), which will walk delegates through how black hat SEO actually works, and the risks associated with using these tactics. Get Your Tickets to SBC Summit Malta Reserve your spot at SBC Summit Malta with our exclusive VIP Event Pass. Priced at €600, the pass gives you full access to everything SBC Summit Malta has to offer, including three days of networking, conference programming, and exhibition access. Looking for an Expo+ Pass? The pass is available for just €150. If you are an operator or affiliate, you are eligible to apply for a free complimentary pass! Operators can apply for a complimentary pass here. Affiliates can apply for complimentary passes here. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - GR8 Tech has launched a major update for its ULTIM8 Sportsbook in advance of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This update delivers enhancements across the full scope of GR8 Tech’s flagship sportsbook product, with the first being a revamped design that creates a more intuitive experience for players. It splits Live and Pre-Match user flows apart, adds dedicated Sport and Tournament Lobbies, and creates multiple entry points that direct players straight to the content they came for – effectively boosting conversion rates and cutting the gap between a player’s betting intent and placing their wager. Another user-focused improvement sees ULTIM8 Sportsbook’s widget-based architecture now fully extend across the new navigation infrastructure, which gives operators full CSM control over layouts, campaigns, and featured markets, all of which can be managed entirely in-house. Next, GR8 Tech’s Bet Builder tool has been expanded to add Corners, Cards, and Player Props options to its football offering, creating a more diverse selection of markets for every match, aligning with the increased number of teams and games in this year’s World Cup tournament. An entirely new feature is the Enhanced Prices market for football, which is separated from the standard winner market that carries promotional mechanics like early payout and accumulator bonuses. The key difference is that while the standard market remains fully ready to support promotions, the Enhanced Prices market offers improved odds without those promotional tools attached. A majority of the upgrades are already live on ULTIM8 Sportsbook, while the remaining updates will be rolled out just in time for the tournament’s kickoff. Dinos Doxiadis, Head of Sportsbook Business at GR8 Tech, concluded: “No matter what any single operator does, the World Cup will drive a huge volume of betting activity. The real question is how much of that revenue operators can retain. “Operators that treat this as just a traffic event rather than a product opportunity will see the impact in their retention data three months later. A player who enjoys a smooth experience finding and placing a bet during the group stage is a player you have a chance to keep long-term. That is what we are building toward.” Want to enjoy more stories like this? Check out the new SBC Media YouTube Channel, the new home for all multimedia content from SBC, where our team takes deep dives into the biggest stories across the sports betting, iGaming, affiliate and payments industries. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - Genius Sports recruits ‘engagement expert’ Tony Marlow as new CMO Genius Sports has announced the appointment of Tony Marlow as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), who will join the executive leadership team of the NYSE-listed sports technology, media, and data group. Marlow comes to Genius from LG Ad Solutions, where he served as CMO and played a key role in establishing the business as a leader in connected TV and digital entertainment ecosystems. Genius highlighted his extensive industry experience, which includes prior CMO roles at Integral Ad Science and Data Axle, as well as leading B2B marketing at Yahoo. In his new role, Marlow will oversee Genius Sports’ global marketing, communications, and brand strategy. CEO Mark Locke commented: “We are the operating system of sport, with the infrastructure to create value across every part of the ecosystem. As the industry converges across data, media, betting, and advertising, our focus is on scaling that platform globally. Tony’s appointment strengthens our leadership team and our ability to execute against that vision and accelerate growth across the business.” Marlow joins at a critical moment for Genius Sports, as the company enters the final stages of its proposed $1.2bn (£900m) acquisition of Legend Media—set to be the largest transaction in its history. The deal will support the launch of a new media division, expanding Genius’ data services and reinforcing its position in sports content syndication for partners and clients. For sportsbook partners, Genius is also preparing 2026 upgrades to its BetVision product, with coverage set to extend into basketball and tennis. Marlow will lead global go-to-market efforts targeting core audiences, including leagues and federations, broadcasters and streamers, betting operators, advertisers, and brands. “I’m thrilled to join as CMO at such an exciting juncture. The live moment economy is here, and the sports category can now deliver even more value to fans and brands by helping them engage during the moments that matter most,” said Marlow. That creates value across the entire ecosystem while delivering a better experience for fans. Genius has built the infrastructure to make that possible. Our opportunity now is to bring that to the market in highly visible ways.” This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - A new protocol has been communicated to licensed gambling operators in Spain, mandating enhanced customer identity verification and the confirmation of players' tax statuses. This initiative was launched by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, which holds federal responsibility for Spain's gambling industry. The Directorate General for Gambling Regulation (DGOJ) will lead the implementation, working in conjunction with the State Tax Agency (AEAT). The protocol is a direct countermeasure to a rising trend of identity theft associated with online gambling, where winnings are fraudulently reported using stolen personal details. Data from 2025 shows the DGOJ received 8,675 complaints concerning impersonated taxpayers, a figure that represents a 12% increase from the previous year and highlights the growing severity of the problem. Anxieties among regulators were compounded by amendments to Spain's tax reporting rules, which took effect in 2025. The AEAT reduced the reporting requirement for gambling winnings from €1,000 (£871) down to €300 for individuals with an annual income exceeding €22,000. Although the goal was to boost fiscal transparency, this adjustment has heightened the risk of fraudulent claims, as even small wins can now create tax obligations under a stolen identity. Within the reported incidents, over 7,600 cases implicated people listed on Spain's self-exclusion registry. Regulators also identified situations where minors circumvented age controls by using the identities of others, frequently family members. The new framework obligates operators to adopt more rigorous verification procedures and to assist authorities in detecting suspicious account behavior. The protocol aims to simplify the process for victims to report issues and to facilitate the swift rectification of fraudulently incurred tax debts. To aid in implementation, the DGOJ has rolled out the PACS (Automated Case Management System) and a specialized online portal. This portal offers instructions on reporting identity theft and resolving tax status with the AEAT, while the system improves coordination between regulators, police, and tax officials to speed up investigations and resolutions. According to the regulator, identity fraud tactics are growing more advanced, with criminal groups employing automated tools to mass-produce accounts and take advantage of promotional offers like welcome bonuses. Sports betting remains the primary source of most incidents, but a significant surge in online casino-related fraud points to a widening of the issue across the gambling market. Authorities will keep assessing the protocol's performance as a component of Spain's broader regulatory approach, and additional actions are anticipated if identity misuse and related tax threats continue within the licensed sector. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - 2RBO Affiliates is excited to introduce Lodur, a new casino and sportsbook brand that brings Norse mythology to life through an immersive, gamified experience. Inspired by the Viking era, their conquests, legends, and spirit of exploration, Lodur invites players into a world where every bet contributes to continuous progression. At the heart of the experience is the Island System, a persistent progression layer that evolves across sessions. Alongside sports betting and casino play, players build and upgrade their own island settlements, unlock new territories, and voyage through more than 110 uniquely themed islands — ranging from Nordic-inspired landscapes to cyberpunk enclaves and eerie cemeteries. Progression is fueled by Elixir, a resource earned through every deposit and wager. Players use Elixir to access the Lodur Slot game, where they can win the coins needed to build and upgrade their settlements. Beyond building, landing the right symbols can trigger the Attack feature, allowing players to breach a rival’s defenses and claim their coins. This interactive layer introduces a fierce rivalry that fuels long-term engagement. Whether attacking an opponent or defending their own settlement, players must constantly evolve their tactics to grow. With a vast world to conquer, Lodur offers a deep and rewarding journey – a high-stakes loop of building and competing that drives continuous player loyalty and forges a lasting bond with the saga. Aviv, Head of 2RBO Affiliates, commented: Lodur is a product where entertainment and progression go hand in hand. For players, there is always a new island to conquer and new land to explore, ensuring the hunt for glory never ends and the next horizon is always within reach. For affiliates, this creates a high-retention ecosystem where players stay invested in their journey, remain active, and scale in value over time. For partners, Lodur is a powerful retention machine. By merging a premier sportsbook and casino with an adventurous Viking world, the brand creates a thrilling journey accessible via both iOS and Android apps. This seamless ecosystem of high-action gaming and continuous progression transforms standard traffic into a loyal, high-value player base, ensuring steady growth and maximum LTV for partners. Lodur is now live and ready to fuel your profitability. Be among the first to drive traffic to Lodur and unlock a treasury of opportunities with 2RBO Affiliates! This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - WowPartners, a leading affiliate program, is excited to announce the launch of the WonderPot Jackpot, an innovative progressive feature now available on the AllySpin platform. This special feature enables players to win prizes as large as 1 million euros while enjoying their preferred slot games, offering a significant opportunity for affiliate growth. WonderPot turns ordinary slot play into a more captivating and dynamic experience, encouraging longer play sessions and increased player retention. The feature is already showing success, with the inaugural WonderPot Jackpot having been won by a fortunate AllySpin user. Getting started with WonderPot is straightforward. Players can locate WonderPot games in the Jackpot area or launch any of the 1,000+ eligible games and select ‘Opt in’. By choosing a contribution rate of 10%, 20%, or 30% — an amount added to every wager that builds the collective prize pool — each spin provides an opportunity to land one of four jackpot tiers: Flash, Boost, Ultra, and WonderPot. A larger contribution percentage enhances a player's odds of winning a jackpot. The unique appeal of WonderPot lies in its trigger mechanism. Winners are chosen at random through a certified process. Each round has a concealed target value. Without set schedules or a visible timer, the jackpot can be awarded at any instant for any sum up to 1 million euros. As players add to the shared pool, the prize is granted to the participant whose bet pushes the total to that hidden target figure. This fosters a continuous feeling of anticipation, where every spin counts and any second could lead to a major payout. To improve your winning prospects, remain engaged, contribute a higher percentage, and continue playing — though the final result is always determined by chance. For affiliate managers, the WonderPot Jackpot serves as a powerful tool for boosting performance. It inherently extends playing time, encourages repeat visits, and heightens overall engagement by pairing a visibly growing jackpot with entirely random award times. The multi-tiered prize system offers extra incentive, and the effortless opt-in process allows for easy expansion to a broad player base. This is the ideal moment to incorporate the WonderPot Jackpot into your promotional efforts and direct traffic to AllySpin, where this feature is already demonstrating its effectiveness at attracting, keeping, and growing a player audience! This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - The Aintree Festival, featuring the Grand National, is on the verge of beginning. Following the end of the Cheltenham Festival a few weeks back, horse racing has remained in the headlines for various reasons. Now, a major calendar highlight for many is drawing near. Despite significant regulatory scrutiny facing both horse racing and betting, there remains strong optimism for what is arguably the UK's most significant race taking place this Saturday. As the festival begins today, Ben Cullen, Head of Risk at Midnite, discussed the expanding UK operator's strategy for Aintree with SBC News’ Bookies Corner, focusing on ‘the race which captures a nation’. What marketing or promotional strategies do you have in place for the Aintree Festival and Grand National? Our promotional approach for the Aintree Festival and Grand National aligns closely with our general strategy, maintaining a sharp focus on both customer acquisition and retention. During the initial two days of the Festival, we will highlight prominent Bet & Get offers, complemented by an Extra Place strategy and a range of Super Boosts. These tactics aim to draw in new sign-ups while sustaining engagement throughout the week. Ben Cullen. Credit: Midnite On Grand National Day specifically, our tactics will be more restrained. Although we will provide an Extra Place promotion for the main race, we will refrain from Bet & Get offers or excessively aggressive deals. This acknowledges the event's character, as many customers are annual bettors who participate solely for the Grand National and rarely return to the sportsbook regularly. Consequently, we aim to strike a balance between being competitive and ensuring promotional efficiency, rather than being overly generous in this area. What distinguishes Aintree – specifically the Grand National – from other events throughout the year? The Grand National stands out as a singular occasion in racing. For three days, Aintree holds the nation's attention. Individuals who haven't wagered all year suddenly find themselves analyzing form, selecting horses, and hoping for a major win. The race represents the ultimate challenge, featuring 34 runners, 30 fences, and four miles of excitement. This unpredictability defines its appeal and, quite frankly, makes it incredibly compelling for betting as well. Given the recent challenges facing the sport, how significant is horse racing for your brand? Has its priority diminished? Horse racing remains a central focus at Midnite, and we have dedicated substantial resources over the past 18 months to enhance the product we offer customers. Our client base continues to enjoy betting on horse racing, particularly during major events, and we do not anticipate this changing in the near future. Does the Grand National continue to draw in punters? Do you still consider it the year's largest horse race for your business? It is undoubtedly the year's most significant race, drawing in experienced gamblers as well as those for whom this might be their sole annual wager. The race often becomes a communal event, with families participating and watching the action unfold together. What trading patterns have you observed leading up to the festival? Are punters supporting any specific horses? It is slightly premature to answer fully, as 95% of our volume typically arrives on race day rather than beforehand. However, historically, we see wagers placed on horses that performed well at Cheltenham or in this race previously, so we anticipate needing contenders like I Am Maximus to be defeated! Have any trends from Cheltenham persisted? Are punters anticipating repeat victories? As noted earlier, I believe I Am Maximus will be a strong favorite among punters, and I expect its odds to shorten as post time approaches. We have witnessed some substantial bets in recent years, so our focus is on monitoring them closely and managing our risk effectively. Some intriguing statistics emerged from last year’s Aintree Festival, showing few Cheltenham winners also triumphed at Aintree. Are punters backing Cheltenham champions, or is there more interest in fresher horses? Since the majority of bets are placed on event day, it is too early to detect clear patterns. Nevertheless, we consistently observe trends involving horses that excelled at Cheltenham and are competing again at Aintree. Cheltenham winners remain vivid in punters' memories, and given the brief interval between meetings, there is no reason for bettors to doubt they can succeed again. What measures do you plan to implement to ensure punters remain engaged after Aintree? We will adhere to the standard practices that define our customer treatment. This involves providing an excellent user experience, easy access, rapid withdrawals, fast settlements, and fulfilling our commitments. Boasting one of the industry's most extensive content schedules also aids retention, ensuring customers have ample racing content to enjoy once the festival concludes. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.