Connect with us

Powered

728x90 banner available here

Latest News

Thanos Marinos (MD Greece at Betsson Group) explains Betsson’s strategy in Greece

Published

on

Reading Time: 4 minutes

 

Today we also sat down with Athanasios-Thanos Marinos – MD Greece at Betsson Group, and talked about the Greek gambling industry.

Betsson has been active in the Greek market for 12 months now. Has the market performed in line with expectations?

We launched Betsson in Greece on 11 June, 2021, and since then we have gained incredible traction in the market. This is because we have leveraged the tremendous experience we have gained in other jurisdictions and used it to deliver a superior player experience in Greece. This includes providing players with access to a wide range of casino games and a compelling sportsbook product, underpinned by award-winning customer support. This has enabled us to gain a significant share of the market in a short space of time and this is something we will now build on as we continue to improve the product and experience we offer to players in Greece, and as the market continues to mature and grow.

 

What drew Betsson to Greece in the first place?

Greece is one of the largest markets in Europe, so it was a natural step for Betsson to apply for a licence from the Hellenic Gaming Commission when it moved to a regulated model in 2021. To not only secure this licence but to be the first operator to do so was an incredibly proud moment for us and is evidence of our position as a leading regulated markets operator. Today, we hold licences in 19 jurisdictions around the world with an ambitious strategy to enter even more regulated markets over the coming months and years.

 

What are the key challenges faced when entering a newly regulated market? How are these challenges overcome?

There are always plenty of challenges faced when entering new markets and this is why it is incredibly important to carry out thorough research before applying for a licence. Operators must understand what players are looking for from an online casino and/or sportsbook and then determine whether they are able to offer this or not while being fully compliant with the regulations in place. This research also helps when it comes to localisation and understanding what it will take to not only compete with but stand out from other brands in the market.

Understanding the regulations is also a must. This is the only way to ensure that the licensing process is smooth and seamless, and that time is not lost going back and forth with the regulator over issues that can be avoided by simply following the rules that are in place. It must be said that the Hellenic Gaming Commission was incredibly professional in this regard and went to great lengths to support operators throughout the process while also ensuring its standards were being met and that players were protected.

Of course, we had to make sure that we had the necessary resources and infrastructure in place to overcome any challenges faced – from regulation to tax to compliance – in order to secure our Greek licence and successfully enter the market.

 

The market is growing quickly. What is driving this growth and what role is Betsson playing in this? 

The market is growing incredibly quickly, and we expect this to continue for several years to come. This will be driven by more players becoming aware that online sportsbook and casino is legal and regulated, and available to them. This will see many consumers shift away from playing at land-based venues to playing on their laptops, tablets and smartphones. We plan to spearhead this growth by continuing to deliver a superior experience to our players.

 

What player trends are emerging? How do these preferences compare to other regulated markets in Europe? 

Due to the pandemic and the lack of sporting events we saw an uptick in online casino play and also in the popularity of virtuals. While the return of sports has seen many players transition back, virtual  games and in-play are still incredibly popular across both sports betting and casino. What’s more, mobile is very much the dominant channel of play, and we are capturing a huge share of the mobile market in Greece and right across Europe thanks to the Betsson Native Mobile App which has won several industry awards.

 

Is live casino popular with players? If so, what makes it so popular?

Live casino is actually one of the best performing verticals in Greece, both for Betsson and the wider market. That is why we have partnered with innovative live dealer providers who continue to launch new games and features that ensure our players can enjoy the most engaging and entertaining live experience with Betsson. In terms of what makes it so popular, it is the combination of the thrilling gameplay, the authentic casino environment and the interaction with the dealer and other players.

 

How have you localised your brands for the Greek market?

Localisation is absolutely key in Greece. We are competing with retail brands that have been active in the market for more than a decade and know exactly what players are looking for. For Betsson, we are firm believers that a one-size-fits-all approach is very much a thing of the past and that is why we see localisation as an ongoing task with us always looking at new ways of offering a more personalised player experience.

Of course, it is just as important to gain brand awareness and engage with players and to do that we have rolled out a number of marketing initiatives. This includes sponsoring the SuperLeague2, which was renamed the Betsson SuperLeague2. The goal here was to be present at all of the 32 football grounds in Greece rather than just supporting one or two of the big teams.

Other sponsorship agreements entered include the Rally Acropolis WRC and the International Cycling Tour of Greece. These agreements around high-profile sporting events allow us to generate brand awareness both locally and internationally, so they deliver huge value.

 

What will the Greek market look like in another 12 months’ time? 

It will look a lot more competitive, that’s for sure. We expect to see more operators enter the market over the next 12 months and that will undoubtedly lead to some level of consolidation. The market itself will grow and evolve and we expect the Hellenic Gaming Commission to roll out several important initiatives that will help the land-based sector develop and become more involved with the online market.

 

Is Betsson committed to Greece for the long term? What plans do you have for the market? 

Betsson is here to stay, and we have high expectations for the Greek market. We are a challenger brand right now but very soon, with hard work and commitment, we plan to become one of the top brands in the country. We have even opened a tech hub in Athens and have a number of Betssonites working in Greece to ensure that we really understand the market and what players are looking for. There is no better way of doing this than having boots on the ground.

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Latest News

Business Press Release (The Guardian, Gambling Commission, TalkSport)

Published

on

Reading Time: 3 minutes

SSC Napoli, Champions of Italy, Aligns with Rabona in Long-Term Strategic Partnership

Rabona, a leading international sportsbook brand, has been named the Official Regional Betting Partner of SSC Napoli — the reigning champions of Italy and one of Europe’s most prestigious football clubs. This long-term partnership is set to commence on July, 2025.

The collaboration marks a significant alignment between two ambitious organizations, each known for their commitment to excellence, digital innovation, and loyal fan engagement. Following Napoli’s historic fourth Serie A title win in the 2024-25 season, this partnership comes at a high point for the club, offering Rabona access to one of the strongest brands in modern football.

We are proud to welcome Rabona as SSC Napoli’s new European Betting Partner. This partnership marks an exciting chapter for our club, as it brings us even closer to the millions of Napoli fans across Europe,” stated Leonardo Giammarioli, Chief Global Business Officer at SSC Napoli. “We’re particularly enthusiastic about the spirit of innovation Rabona brings, and we look forward to exploring creative and engaging activations together that reflect the passion and ambition of our club and supporters.”

For Rabona, the partnership is a chance to put its full digital toolkit to work — supporting a world-class club that’s eager to deepen its bond with fans. This is exactly the kind of challenge the brand is built for. With powerful engagement tools, a tech-first mindset, and a passion for the game, Rabona is ready to deliver smart, high-impact solutions that match Napoli’s ambition — and bring real value to their community.

We are genuinely excited about this partnership, it’s such a huge deal for us. Why? Because we’re fans too! Just look at the name of our brand. ‘Rabona’ refers to a unique football move, famously loved by the legendary Neapolitan captain No. 10. We are very happy to be able to share our digital solutions with Napoli’s supporters. Our mission is to connect fans with their idols, and we have all the tools. You’ll love our fresh ideas — from launching live streams with built-in interactivity to facilitating special moments IRL. Getting to bring the football community even closer is a dream come true.”

Rabona’s strategy is rooted in technology and innovation. Together with SSC Napoli, the brand is rolling out a suite of interactive experiences and activations designed to turn passive viewership into active engagement. These include:

  • Real-time Q&A sessions with the players via interactive video streams
  • Exclusive promotions and betting opportunities connected to club milestones
  • Behind-the-scenes content and team insights distributed through Rabona and Napoli channels
  • Localised campaigns tailored to European markets with strong fan engagement

This partnership also presents significant upside for Rabona’s affiliate and business networks. Associating with SSC Napoli — a club with global recognition and on-field momentum — enhances Rabona’s credibility, boosts brand equity, and creates a powerful narrative for audience acquisition in competitive betting markets. With a growing presence in key global markets and a digital-first product offering, Rabona will use this collaboration to deepen engagement with football audiences across Europe, elevate its brand profile, and deliver measurable business outcomes.

Beyond customer-facing gains, the deal positions Rabona as a case study in how sports betting brands can engage with top-tier clubs in ways that create long-term business value. This partnership goes beyond banner space and impressions, focusing instead on technology-led brand-building that respects the integrity of sport while delivering measurable returns.

The collaboration arrives at a time when both parties are accelerating their growth. For Napoli, it’s about maintaining momentum and increasing international reach. For Rabona, it’s an opportunity to anchor its presence in football culture while scaling its operations with authenticity and precision.

Rabona continues to demonstrate that it is more than just a sportsbook — it’s a digital partner capable of shaping the future of fan engagement and sports entertainment. With SSC Napoli by its side, the brand enters a new chapter defined by connection, creativity, and commercial potential.

Expressed through the slogan “Be Napoli. Play with Rabona,” the partnership celebrates the identity and passion of Napoli supporters, offering new ways to deepen their connection to the club they love.

Eager to find out more? Visit Rabona.com for full details.

The post Business Press Release (The Guardian, Gambling Commission, TalkSport) appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Integrated Resorts’ 1H GGR hits Php93.36-B GGR, PAGCOR says

Published

on

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The country’s integrated resort casinos generated Php93.36 billion in gross gaming revenues (GGR) in the first half of 2025 to sustain the momentum of the local tourism and gaming sectors, according to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

In his welcome address at the Philippine Hotel Connect 2025 on Thursday, July 24, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said the country’s IR casinos accounted for nearly half of the local gaming industry’s total GGR of Php215 billion from January to June this year.

“Of the Php93.36 billion generated by the integrated resort casinos, Php16 billion was paid to PAGCOR as license fees, ensuring funding for government social services and driving the country’s economic growth,” Chairman Tengco said.

The PAGCOR chief noted that aside from contributing to government revenues, integrated resort casinos also helped position the Philippines as a competitive tourism destination.

“We have seen time and again how a thriving hospitality sector can drive employment, fuel trade, revive local enterprises, and bridge communities,” he said. “And nowhere is this more evident than in the huge tourism contributions from our licensed integrated resort casinos within and outside Metro Manila.”

Aside from paying billions in license fees, the country’s integrated resort casinos also provide significant funding support to key government institutions – including the health, education, and military sectors – through their cultural foundations.

“Their contributions are concrete examples of how tourism, hospitality, and gaming – when aligned and responsibly managed – become a catalyst for national resilience and progress.”

But alongside the gaming industry’s strong performance, Mr. Tengco emphasized the need to safeguard its growth through effective regulation and responsible gaming practices.

He underscored PAGCOR’s recent move to remove gambling advertisements from areas frequented by minors and its memorandum of understanding with the Ad Standards Council to implement stricter gaming advertising guidelines.

“As the gaming industry expands, so must our safeguards,” he said. “Hence, we have taken a firm stance against the proliferation of illegal and unregulated gaming operations that offer no safety nets or protection to players and, more importantly, no remittance or any form of revenue to the government.”

Mr. Tengco called for continued collaboration between government and the private sector to maintain the momentum of tourism recovery and long-term economic gains.

“The success of Philippine tourism is a shared journey between regulators and investors, between public ambition and private innovation,” he said. “PAGCOR will continue to walk side by side with our partners in building a globally competitive yet distinctly Filipino tourism and gaming industries.”

Organized by the Philippine Hotel Owners Association, the Philippine Hotel Connect 2025 gathered tourism and hospitality leaders to foster collaboration, discuss global and regional tourism insights and opportunities, emerging trends, among others.

The post Integrated Resorts’ 1H GGR hits Php93.36-B GGR, PAGCOR says appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Alea doubles down on cybersecurity with Continent 8’s full-spectrum assessment solutions

Published

on

Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

Continent 8’s Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing, Security Audit and Vulnerability Scan services enable Alea to further strengthen the security and resilience of its iGaming platform

Continent 8 Technologies, the leading provider of global managed hosting, connectivity, cloud and cybersecurity solutions for the iGaming and online sports betting industry, announces that it has expanded its cybersecurity collaboration with Alea.

Building on its current programme of Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) services with Continent 8, Alea – the award-winning casino game aggregator – has deepened its partnership with Continent 8 and its cybersecurity division, C8 Secure, by integrating Security Audit and Vulnerability Scan (V-Scan) services. This strategic initiative further enhances Alea’s cybersecurity posture and underscores the company’s ongoing investment in the resilience and integrity of its infrastructure.

The expanded cybersecurity assessment programme delivers a wide range of benefits for Alea and its operator network, including:

  • Identifying, assessing and mitigating vulnerabilities in IT infrastructures, applications and networks
  • Ensuring compliance with industry best practises and cybersecurity frameworks by evaluating security policies, procedures and governance
  • Recognising new vulnerabilities, highlighting areas for improvement and prioritising remediation efforts
  • Developing a customised roadmap for ongoing improvement to enhance cybersecurity posture and maturity
  • Enhancing the trust and confidence of customers and partners by implementing industry-best cybersecurity measures

Eduard Fumás, CTO at Alea: “Security is built into everything we do at Alea. We’ve always believed that operators and their players deserve the highest level of protection. This is why we’ve invested in strong encryption, fraud prevention tools and a robust infrastructure from day one.

“Working with Continent 8 has helped us put that commitment to the test. Their expertise allows us to validate and strengthen our systems with confidence. We’re proud of how far we’ve come together, and even more excited about what’s next as we keep raising the bar and building a platform that our partners can trust completely.”

Patrick Gardner, Chief Security Officer at Continent 8 added: “As Alea continues to grow and expand, its proactive commitment to maintaining a secure iGaming aggregator platform becomes paramount. In our ongoing collaboration with Alea, we remain dedicated to fostering and supporting their cybersecurity initiatives – ensuring that both Alea and its extensive partner ecosystem stay protected, resilient and prepared.”

Continent 8 will be exhibiting at SBC Summit Lisbon, from 16-18 September at Stand C80.

The post Alea doubles down on cybersecurity with Continent 8’s full-spectrum assessment solutions appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Trending

EEGaming.org is part of HIPTHER, parent brand of various prominent news outlets and international conferences. These platforms and events span a wide range of industries, including Entertainment, Technology, Gaming and Gambling, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, Quantum Technology, Legal Cannabis, Health and Lifestyle, VR/AR, eSports, and several others. This indicates that EEGaming.org is part of a larger network that focuses on a diverse array of sectors, particularly those related to cutting-edge technology and modern lifestyle trends.

Contact us: [email protected]

Editorial / PR Submissions: [email protected]

Copyright © 2015 - 2025 HIPTHER. All Rights Reserved. Registered in Romania under Proshirt SRL, Company number: 2134306, EU VAT ID: RO21343605. Office address: Blvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr.5, Targu Mures, Romania

We are constantly showing banners about important news regarding events and product launches. Please turn AdBlock off in order to see these areas.