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Entain credits ‘Wrexham Effect’ and blockbuster docuseries for attracting new and engaged sports fans
Wrexham AFC is making its debut in League Two of the English Football League this weekend, after scoring a promotion from the National League and climbing to Hollywood fame with the docuseries, Welcome to Wrexham. To mark this milestone, Entain, the global sports betting, gaming, and interactive entertainment group, reveals the ‘Wrexham Effect’ in sports betting.
After Hollywood icons Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over Wrexham AFC in November 2020, Entain’s Ladbrokes and Coral brands in the UK recorded an increase of 59% in the number of bets placed during the National League’s 2021/22 season from 2017/18. This far outpaces that of the Championship League, League One and League Two, which saw a 15%, 32% and 24% increase respectively, and demonstrates the powerful impact that the docuseries has had on the popularity of non-league football.
Other non-league clubs have seen the impact too – including Wrexham AFC’s previous rival, Notts County FC, who finished in second place in the 2022/23 National League season and saw an 89% increase in the number of bets on the team from 2021/22.
The ‘Wrexham Effect’ has also taken over on the other side of the world, with Entain Australia recording an increase of 781% on the number of bets placed on Wrexham AFC football games, from 2019/20 to 2022/23. And across the pond in the US, the number of BetMGM bets placed on any Wrexham game has increased a staggering 3818% from the 2020/21 season to the 2022/23 season. Thanks to the celebrity status of the new owners, Wrexham AFC has seen a surge of popularity in the US, with Google Trends data even revealing that the Red Dragons have become one of the most searched for teams, more than the nation’s top soccer league, Major League Soccer (MLS).
It is not just football that has benefited from the boom in sporting docuseries, with the NBA experiencing a surge in popularity following the release of The Last Dance on Netflix in April 2020, which followed the success story of the Chicago Bulls’ dream team:
- Data from Entain’s global brands reveals that the number of bets placed on NBA games increased by 46% from the 2019/20 season to 2020/21.
- In the home of the NBA league, data from BetMGM evidences growing interest in the sport, with a 61% increase in the number of bets from 2021 to 2022.
Likewise, Formula 1 has attracted a cohort of new fans, spearheaded by the popularity of the Drive for Survive series on Netflix. Viewership figures for the docuseries get better every season, with the debut of season five seeing nearly 570,000 viewers over its first week, a 40% jump over 2022’s season four debut:
- Data from Entain’s global brands reveals that the number of bets placed on Formula 1 races increased by 16% in 2022 compared to the year prior, and by 63% compared to 2019, when the first season of Drive for Survive aired.
- Mirroring this growth, data from BetMGM in the US shows a 142% increase in the number of bets placed on Formula 1 in 2022, versus 2021.
Dominic Grounsell, Chief Commercial Officer at Entain, said: “We’ve seen a huge step change in the way fans engage with their favourite sports, and behind-the-scenes access in sporting docuseries has only heightened this further. They highlight the importance of finding new and innovative ways for fans to interact with sports and support their favourite teams, but also attract new fans to the sport – and they want to extend their entertainment by backing a team with a bet.
“At Entain, we’re constantly monitoring how this movement is evolving, listening to our customers, and creating content that resonates with them. Coral’s ‘Taking the Reins’ documentary series is a prime example of this and reinforces our commitment to bringing moments of excitement to fans beyond the track, pitch, or court.”
Entain Australia, in collaboration with Racing Victoria, has also produced a sport docudrama based around the running of the All-Star Mile in Melbourne. The documentary plans to give viewers a behind-the-scenes perspective in the lead-up to the running of one of Australia’s richest races. It will air later on this year.
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Meridianbet (GMGI) Listed on Oracle’s Global Tech Reference Page
Among the Select Few European Operators Listed on Oracle’s Global Tech Map
Meridianbet, the sports betting and iGaming division of Golden Matrix Group (NASDAQ: GMGI) has been featured on Oracle’s Global Reference Page—a dedicated platform showcasing the most advanced, high-impact projects implemented with Oracle technology, a global leader in enterprise tech powering the world’s top businesses.
This makes Meridianbet the first and only betting company from Southeast Europe to receive this recognition for its AI-driven approach to customer engagement, automation, and scalable marketing solutions. Oracle’s Global Reference Page serves as a benchmark for enterprise success stories, listing only the most innovative and effective deployments of Oracle’s elite technology worldwide.
The complete story is available at: oracle.com/customers/meridianbet/
Oracle Puts Meridianbet on the Global Stage of AI-Driven Gaming
Oracle’s Global Reference Page is a curated selection of the best client projects worldwide, highlighting innovation, scalability, and real-world impact. Meridianbet’s inclusion places it alongside major global enterprises leveraging AI to optimize business operations.
This recognition underscores Meridianbet’s leadership in AI-powered marketing, automation, and player engagement—setting a new benchmark for sports betting and iGaming operators worldwide.
Meridianbet Player Engagement Systems: Scalable, Precise and Real-Time
Meridianbet turned to Oracle tools to create a fully integrated real-time marketing and player engagement systems. This setup allows for instant customer segmentation, AI-driven personalization, and automated customer re-engagement campaigns. By analyzing player activity and response patterns, Meridianbet’s system identifies optimal moments to engage users, significantly improving retention and marketing efficiency.
Instead of mass promotions, Meridianbet’s AI model adapts in real time, sending highly targeted offers to players based on their habits and preferences, maximizing impact while controlling costs.
Precision-Driven Growth Through AI and Automation
Oracle’s tools have enabled Meridianbet to streamline marketing, optimize automation, and improve predictive analytics, making customer retention more efficient than ever. By segmenting players based on key behavioral indicators—such as last login, wagering patterns, and deposit history—the system automatically deploys personalized incentives at the right time.
The data-driven approach has improved customer lifecycle value, lowered acquisition costs, and increased engagement efficiency while ensuring strict compliance with industry regulations.
B2B and B2C Expansion: Strengthening Market Leadership
Meridianbet’s AI-powered engagement model doesn’t just enhance its direct-to-consumer business—it also reinforces its B2B partnerships. The company provides scalable, technology-driven solutions for operators seeking AI-backed marketing automation and real-time engagement tools.
Being featured on Oracle’s Global Reference Page further validates Meridianbet’s standing as a technology-first company in the gaming sector, making it a high-value partner for operators looking to enhance engagement through enterprise-grade AI.
A Tech-First Operator in the 5% Club, Also Licensed in Brazil
Meridianbet has built and owned its technology from day one, a distinction shared by only 5% of gaming companies. This full control ensures faster innovation, seamless AI integration, and long-term cost efficiency. The company recently secured a Brazilian operating license, passing one of the industry’s toughest and longest tech certification processes. The company’s AI-driven customer acquisition and retention tool are a core part of its long-term strategy to keep operational costs in check while scaling efficiently.
The post Meridianbet (GMGI) Listed on Oracle’s Global Tech Reference Page appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Game Nation add to team with Compliance and Marketing appointments
Game Nation, the UK’s third largest high street gaming machine operator has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of experienced industry executive Eric Howell to the post of Compliance and Audit Director alongside Sharon Lewis who joins as Marketing Development Manager.
Mark Jepp, who was named Game Nation CEO in September 2024, believes the two new appointments will add both experience and creativity to the business. He stated: “Eric Howell began his gaming industry career with Coral Social Clubs in 1989 and has gained hands-on experience working across the Bingo, Casino and Licensed Betting Office sectors.
“His most recent post was with Mecca where he was instrumental in the revitalisation of the brand’s slots operation. With a commitment to the delivery of ethical, customer-focussed entertainment he brings huge credibility to the Game Nation business.”
He added: “Sharon has over a decade of experience working in the sector and is someone who really understands machine players. Her creativity and passion for the business will be key in helping Game Nation to achieve its full potential on the high street.”
“Every business that I have been involved with has been built around a strong team ethic and bringing the right personalities and skill-sets to the mix are essential.”
The post Game Nation add to team with Compliance and Marketing appointments appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Atlaslive Shortlisted for “Best Sports Provider 2025” at SiGMA Eurasia Awards
Atlaslive, a global leader in iGaming solutions, has been shortlisted for the prestigious “Best Sports Provider 2025” award at the SiGMA Eurasia Awards 2025. This nomination recognizes Atlaslive’s commitment to innovation, technological excellence, and delivering top-tier sportsbook solutions that redefine the industry.
The AIBC Eurasia Awards celebrate pioneering projects and game-changing ideas that shape the future of iGaming. Being named a finalist is a testament to Atlaslive’s continuous drive to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the sports betting sector.
Atlaslive’s exclusive, in-house-developed Sportsbook is a standout in the industry, designed to offer a seamless and highly customizable experience for operators. Built on a foundation of scalability, flexibility, and cutting-edge live technology, the solution enables rapid growth and market adaptability. Key features include:
- Seamless API integration for effortless platform connectivity
- Advanced customization to meet operator-specific needs
- A powerful bonus engine to drive player engagement
- Real-time data analytics for strategic decision-making
- State-of-the-art risk management ensuring optimized margins
- Innovative Bet Builder feature for enhanced user interaction
With these capabilities, Atlaslive empowers operators to stay ahead in an evolving global market, driving engagement, boosting retention, and maximizing growth opportunities.
Lidiia Vakulenko, COO of Atlaslive, expressed her excitement about the recognition: “Being shortlisted for ‘Best Sports Provider 2025’ validates the hard work and dedication of our team in developing one of the most advanced sportsbook solutions in the industry. Our innovation, unique features, and technical excellence continue to set us apart, and we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in sports betting technology.”
Atlaslive continues to innovate, offering operators unparalleled technology and seamless integration to enhance their business success. This recognition by SiGMA Eurasia underscores the company’s mission to revolutionize the iGaming industry with state-of-the-art sportsbook solutions.
About Atlaslive
Atlaslive, formerly known as Atlas-IAC, underwent a rebranding campaign in May 2024. It is a B2B software development company that specializes in creating a multifunctional and automated platform to optimize the workflow of sports betting and casino operators. Key components of the Atlaslive Platform include Sportsbook, Casino, Risk Management and Anti-Fraud Tools, CRM, Bonus Engine, Business Analytics, Payment Systems, and Retail Module. Follow the company on LinkedIn to stay updated with the latest news in iGaming technology.
The post Atlaslive Shortlisted for “Best Sports Provider 2025” at SiGMA Eurasia Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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