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How did COVID-19 impact on online casinos in the world
Content:
Afloat: which areas remained “in the black”
The epidemic of gambling: how online casino traffic has changed
Where is the highest traffic?
High attendance, but low revenue?
Gambling іsolation
Casino content strategy
Final word
As sociologists and economists continue to make predictions for life after the COVID-19 pandemic, the middle class is already faced with the unexpected economic challenges that the new disease has brought. And the poorer the country, the more painful the consequences for the middle class.
Today the epidemic has tied people’s hands even tighter: incomes have declined or frozen, the shopping opportunities have become smaller, and small and medium-sized businesses are calculating losses. Nonetheless, not all niches were affected by the epidemic. And some are even experiencing highs in terms of revenue and traffic.
Afloat: which areas remained “in the black”
As long as many people are forced to stay at home, as the WHO and the government ordered, the only “window to the world” remains the Internet. With it, users communicate each other, have fun, develop themselves… and work. Just look at these figures: in recent months, the number of visits to online resources has increased by 50-70%. At the same time, the commercial income of companies providing such resources increased 5 times.
And given the increased demand for online services, it’s logical to assume that companies of various Internet platforms will be in trend. And of course, online platforms will take advantage of this and will attract new users. What sources began to enjoy huge popularity:
- Online learning platforms and courses
- Online dating
- Adult industry
- Online games
- Webcam
- Gambling
- Online cinemas
Interest in cryptocurrency exchanges and trading platforms has also grown. And of course, this affects the traffic. In particular, on the traffic of online casinos.
The epidemic of gambling: changes in online casino traffic
As many people stayed home, online traffic quickly rushed up. All Internet resources felt change. Gambling platforms began to attract hundreds and thousands of new visitors. The boom in online casinos is also explained by the fact that many land-based casinos haunters have switched to online platforms. More players began to appear in poker rooms, at the same time, online poker tournaments are held more often. Some countries decided to take advantage of this: Belarus officially legalized the online casinos, and Armenia decided to wait with the prohibitions on gambling on the Internet yet.
According to some reports, the traffic of gambling resources increased by 10-15%. And in March, the traffic of online casinos and poker rooms surpassed even the highest jumps in the last three years. But a gradual decline is expected in April. Someone will just get tired of playing, and somewhere will be more stringent online gambling rules.
Where is the highest traffic?
If land-based casinos are faced with serious challenges, then online gambling allows them to level losses and equalize their position. However, much depends on the state and the rules for online gambling. And if some countries limit the work of an online resource, such as Latvia or Austria, then others regulate and establish new rules. In which countries are the most favorable conditions for the growth of gambling resources traffic:
- Italy
- Spain
- India
- Philippines
- Belarus
- Georgia
- USA
No less positive dynamics in terms of growth is observed in the CIS countries, in particular Russia and Ukraine. But other countries, on the contrary, have greatly blocked the air of Internet platforms. A striking example is Latvia. This country, not only declared war on online gambling but also created a stalemate with jobs in this industry: many people have already lost their jobs. Anyway, as in other business areas. Georgia also stated that online casinos will be limited, and although in Armenia didn’t begin to close online casinos, the authorities say that it’s wrong and gambling resources should be banned.
High attendance, but low revenue?
While the attendance of online resources goes off scale, the financial aspect has not so positive changes. Especially for countries with an unstable dollar course. The situation looks like this: the price of oil is falling, and the dollar is growing, against the pandemic. This can provide good opportunities for those who receive income in dollars, but cause difficulties in costs. For example, on the gambling platforms of post-Soviet countries, players make deposits in rubles or hryvnias. But marketing costs are priced in dollars. And this causes problems.
Analysts from H2 Gambling Capital predict that global revenues of gambling operators may fall to the level of 2016. This is due to the closure of many operators, the restriction of the online casinos by the authorities and the crisis with dollars course. In general, the situation with the profitability of online gambling amid a pandemic is ambiguous. On the one hand, the dollar threatens the gaming industry with new losses. On the other hand, the operators of the top online casinos, like Queenofluck, note an increase in the number of players by 40%, and the number of bets by 20%. However, the gross income of operators remains at the same positions.
Gambling іsolation
Coronavirus affected all areas of society. Including gambling, of course. And we can’t forget about many cases of speculation on pandemics and marketing strategies. Operators are trying to attract more new players. For instance, by a variety of tournaments, promotions. At the same time, some platforms increase the bonus program, others promise more opportunities for betting. And it works.
Interest in gambling has already skyrocketed due to the pandemic. People sit at home, many of them are bored, they try to distract themselves or even try to increase their income through online games. Especially if the casino offers interesting content and reasons for a good mood, like bonuses, for example. Some operators try to interest visitors more.
Casino content strategy
Affiliates take advantage of the epidemic. In particular, thanks to the keywords associated with the epidemic and thereby improve the ranking of their web resources. Affiliates play one of the key roles in promoting online platforms. But far from all operators will like the speculation strategy amid the crisis. Gaming Innovation Group has even developed special software to track the activities of affiliates.
An important factor was the theme of the games and the casinos. The fact is that with the isolation and disturbing events, people subconsciously look for something action-packed that would add adrenaline. Therefore, the developing games are aimed at plot, extraordinary and relevance today. Slots on the theme of the apocalypse, bacteria and viruses, blockades and other anti-utopian motifs are becoming more and more interesting. And this means that the classical approach is losing its relevance. Users come to online casinos for new experiences. And the game developers, as well as the casinos, have a new task: to create truly fascinating content. It’s worth noting that many have already succeeded.
Final word
Coronavirus launched a chain of irreversible changes in all areas of society. And many of them brought crisis consequences, in particular for the middle class. Some areas of the business were in severe stagnation with enormous losses. But some online platforms, on the contrary, have experienced a serious rise. Educational content, insurance, as well as adult and gambling industry turned out to be in the wake of popularity. Gambling deserves special attention. People want at least a little distraction from problems for a couple of gambling sessions.
Companies providing such entertainment also try to follow trends and increase their audience. Someone does this through a new marketing strategy, someone develops topical games, and someone uses the popularity of coronavirus queries to their advantage. Honest casinos increase their audience due to a thoughtful bonus program. An important factor is the attitude of the state to online gambling. And despite the growing popularity of online entertainment, online gambling is also going through hard times in some places.
Latest News
Law enforcement officers from Kazakhstan eliminated the organized financial criminal group organized by Vadim Gordievsky, Larisa Ivchenko, and Alyona Suvorova from Ukraine
The law enforcement agencies of Kazakhstan have effectively eliminated the organized criminal group created by Vadim Gordievsky from Ukraine and his accomplices, Larisa Ivchenko and Alyona Suvorova. Even though the law enforcement agencies managed to block accounts and payments of the Marginplus Company, key employees and management are still hiding.
According to the media, just a few days ago, the Financial Monitoring Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan revealed a large-scale shady scheme of cross-border transfers that involved numerous payment organizations and providers. The funds were disguised as legal transactions and withdrawn to the accounts of online casinos. The total volume of illegal transactions exceeded more than $1 billion.
According to law enforcement authorities in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the key organizer of the miscoding scheme, which involved bookmakers, online casinos, payment organizations, and bank employees, is Vadim Ivanovich Gordievsky from Ukraine, who was born in 1974. He was the leader of the organized criminal group and used the local Marginplus Company for these purposes (official website: marginplus.kz). In addition to companies from Kazakhstan, Gordievsky also worked with illegal Russian online casinos while helping them to facilitate illegal payments.
According to new information from law enforcement agencies in the Republic of Kazakhstan, banks and bookmakers, including the local PIN-UP bookmaker, have already terminated all cooperation with Gordievsky’s Marginplus company.
According to informburo.kz, the local licensed Pin-Up.Kz bookmaker (legal entity: Bonami LLP) declares that it has nothing to do with transactions carried out by individual payment organizations. Judicial and criminal proceedings have already been initiated against these structures, and the company itself is fully cooperating with law enforcement agencies to establish all the circumstances and identify fraudulent, shady schemes.
According to unofficial information, the Pin-Up management provided the law enforcement agencies of the Republic of Kazakhstan with all the data related to the Marginplus company belonging to Vadim Gordievsky.
As of today, all financial activities of Marginplus have been paralyzed. In addition, large amounts of money have been blocked in its bank accounts. This money should have been paid to partners, contractors, and providers, including the local Parimatch betting company. Ordinary employees of Vadim Gordievsky’s company are already looking for new work while its management, including Larisa Vladimirovna Ivchenko (listed as the head of Gordievsky’s FC Alta Capital from Ukraine), is still hiding. Alyona (Elena) Suvorova has already closed and renamed her social media profiles a few days ago. In addition, she does not respond to messages and is trying to evade responsibility.
We would like to remind the audience that Alyona Suvorova positions herself “as an entrepreneur, investor, and a crypto trader with 5+ years of experience.” According to Suvorova herself, she has been developing payment technologies in the field of FinTech for 10 years. In 2021, she opened her own business for international crypto transfers. In addition, she is the founder of the Lemoncoin Crypto Academy.
According to investigators, Gordievsky’s partner, Mikhail Kovalev (Mykhaylo Kovalov), who is a citizen of both Ukraine and Israel, as well as an owner of a number of companies in the EU, in particular, in Poland, and who has a residence permit in Spain, was closely working with Gordievsky. By using the STABLEX SOLUTION Sp. z o. o fictitious company (official website: solvexs.pl) in Poland, he was engaged in illegal payments and withdrawal of cryptocurrencies into fiat money.
At the same time, as the source notes, the mentioned management and the people involved in the money laundering of Marginplus Company will be added to the wanted list of Interpol in the nearest future. The National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan has also announced that it’s going to closely monitor this case. According to local laws, participants of this shady scheme face up to nine years in prison. Information on Vadim Gordievsky’s companies and connections in other countries is also being checked.
After the initiation of criminal cases for financial crimes, fraud, and the announcement of his wanted list by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Vadim Gordievsky left Ukraine on forged documents. Before diving into the world of financial fraud, he was involved in land and property issues in the Kyiv region. As of today, numerous criminal cases have been initiated.
The post Law enforcement officers from Kazakhstan eliminated the organized financial criminal group organized by Vadim Gordievsky, Larisa Ivchenko, and Alyona Suvorova from Ukraine appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
As online gambling continues to grow rapidly in South Africa, players are increasingly seeking reliable, transparent and trustworthy information to guide their choices. With new casinos launching and bonus offerings constantly changing, having a solid, expert-backed source is more important than ever. These are the top no-deposit online casinos for South African players in 2025, carefully selected for their reputation, player safety, and quality of offer.
Top No-Deposit Casinos in South Africa for 2025
Here are the no-deposit casinos that stand out this year, and what makes each of them good:
| Casino | What Makes Them Good |
| Springbok Casino | Well-known brand with a strong track record in customer service and fast payouts. Its no-deposit bonus is attractive, and the game selection is broad, especially in slots and live dealer games. |
| Yebo Casino | Exceptional localised experience — supports ZAR transactions, offers bonuses tailored to South African players, and provides strong mobile compatibility. |
| ZARbet | Regulated and licensed, with solid game variety, clear terms and conditions, and no-deposit offers that are easy to claim. |
| 10bet | International pedigree, reliable software providers, frequent promotions, and a reputation for fairness and security. |
| Punt Casino | Unique bonus structure, good welcome no-deposit offer, and a clean, user-friendly website interface. |
| Hollywoodbets | Very popular in SA, known for its excellent sports betting offering and casino routines. No-deposit bonuses are backed by high trust and local support. |
| Silver Sands Casino | Offers generous free spins or no-deposit bonuses, with attractive slot titles and smooth customer support. |
| Thunderbolt Casino | Strong in game diversity and theme variety; no-deposit offers are well-promoted and integrate well with regular bonuses. |
| Lucky Fish Casino | Light, fast-loading site with a good range of games; no-deposit promotions that don’t hide conditions, making them transparent. |
| Pantherbet | Royal feel, premium software titles, reliable payment methods and a no-deposit bonus that works for real players (not just marketing). |
How We Vet These Casinos
At SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za, we use strict criteria to determine which casinos make the list. Our vetting process includes:
- Licensing & Regulation: We only include casinos that are properly licensed and regulated by recognised authorities.
- Safety & Security: Encryption, data protection, and fair gaming audits are essential.
- Fairness of Terms & Conditions: No-deposit offers are checked for reasonable wagering requirements, transparent withdrawal rules, and clear bonus expiry.
- Payment Methods & Localisation: Support for ZAR, local banks, and trustworthy deposit/withdrawal methods.
- Game Variety & Software Providers: A rich selection of games, including slots, live dealers, table games—powered by reputable software developers.
- Customer Support: Responsive, helpful support channels available during hours convenient for SA players.
- User Reviews & Reputation: We monitor actual player feedback and complaints to ensure the casinos maintain good standing.
How Players Can Choose a Good No-Deposit Casino
When choosing a no-deposit casino, South African players should consider:
- Reading the fine print on wagering requirements and withdrawal rules
- Checking for transparency–-hidden fees, bonus expiry, and valid licence info
- Verifying payment options in ZAR and ease of cashing out
- Looking at game selection especially games you enjoy; diversity is a sign of quality
- Testing customer support — good support often indicates how the casino treats its players
Expert Insight
“Our goal is to take the guesswork out of choosing a no-deposit casino in South Africa,” says Damien Valler, senior analyst at SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za. “We spend hours vetting each operator so players don’t have to. If an online casino makes our list, it means it has passed strict checks on fairness, security, and overall player value. South Africans can sign up with confidence knowing we’ve done the homework for them.”
Why SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za Is the Most Trusted Source for SA Players
SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za is fully focused on the South African market. We understand local regulations, banking systems, and what players here want from a casino. Our editorial team is independent and committed to giving accurate, up-to-date information. We frequently re-review listed real money casinos to ensure bonus terms haven’t become unfavourable, licences are current, and player feedback remains good.
For any question about online casino south Africa safety, no-deposit bonuses, or how to pick the right casino in South Africa, SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za is the go-to destination.
Contact:
SouthAfricancasinos.co.za
https://www.southafricancasinos.co.za/
The post The Top South African No-Deposit for 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
Latest News
Law enforcement officers from Kazakhstan eliminated the organized financial criminal group organized by Vadim Gordievsky, Larisa Ivchenko, and Alyona Suvorova from Ukraine
The law enforcement agencies of Kazakhstan have effectively eliminated the organized criminal group created by Vadim Gordievsky from Ukraine and his accomplices, Larisa Ivchenko and Alyona Suvorova. Even though the law enforcement agencies managed to block accounts and payments of the Marginplus Company, key employees and management are still hiding.
According to the media, just a few days ago, the Financial Monitoring Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan revealed a large-scale shady scheme of cross-border transfers that involved numerous payment organizations and providers. The funds were disguised as legal transactions and withdrawn to the accounts of online casinos. The total volume of illegal transactions exceeded more than $1 billion.
According to law enforcement authorities in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the key organizer of the miscoding scheme, which involved bookmakers, online casinos, payment organizations, and bank employees, is Vadim Ivanovich Gordievsky from Ukraine, who was born in 1974. He was the leader of the organized criminal group and used the local Marginplus Company for these purposes (official website: marginplus.kz). In addition to companies from Kazakhstan, Gordievsky also worked with illegal Russian online casinos while helping them to facilitate illegal payments.
According to new information from law enforcement agencies in the Republic of Kazakhstan, banks and bookmakers, including the local PIN-UP bookmaker, have already terminated all cooperation with Gordievsky’s Marginplus company.
According to informburo.kz, the local licensed Pin-Up.Kz bookmaker (legal entity: Bonami LLP) declares that it has nothing to do with transactions carried out by individual payment organizations. Judicial and criminal proceedings have already been initiated against these structures, and the company itself is fully cooperating with law enforcement agencies to establish all the circumstances and identify fraudulent, shady schemes.
According to unofficial information, the Pin-Up management provided the law enforcement agencies of the Republic of Kazakhstan with all the data related to the Marginplus company belonging to Vadim Gordievsky.
As of today, all financial activities of Marginplus have been paralyzed. In addition, large amounts of money have been blocked in its bank accounts. This money should have been paid to partners, contractors, and providers, including the local Parimatch betting company. Ordinary employees of Vadim Gordievsky’s company are already looking for new work while its management, including Larisa Vladimirovna Ivchenko (listed as the head of Gordievsky’s FC Alta Capital from Ukraine), is still hiding. Alyona (Elena) Suvorova has already closed and renamed her social media profiles a few days ago. In addition, she does not respond to messages and is trying to evade responsibility.
We would like to remind the audience that Alyona Suvorova positions herself “as an entrepreneur, investor, and a crypto trader with 5+ years of experience.” According to Suvorova herself, she has been developing payment technologies in the field of FinTech for 10 years. In 2021, she opened her own business for international crypto transfers. In addition, she is the founder of the Lemoncoin Crypto Academy.
According to investigators, Gordievsky’s partner, Mikhail Kovalev (Mykhaylo Kovalov), who is a citizen of both Ukraine and Israel, as well as an owner of a number of companies in the EU, in particular, in Poland, and who has a residence permit in Spain, was closely working with Gordievsky. By using the STABLEX SOLUTION Sp. z o. o fictitious company (official website: solvexs.pl) in Poland, he was engaged in illegal payments and withdrawal of cryptocurrencies into fiat money.
At the same time, as the source notes, the mentioned management and the people involved in the money laundering of Marginplus Company will be added to the wanted list of Interpol in the nearest future. The National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan has also announced that it’s going to closely monitor this case. According to local laws, participants of this shady scheme face up to nine years in prison. Information on Vadim Gordievsky’s companies and connections in other countries is also being checked.
After the initiation of criminal cases for financial crimes, fraud, and the announcement of his wanted list by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Vadim Gordievsky left Ukraine on forged documents. Before diving into the world of financial fraud, he was involved in land and property issues in the Kyiv region. As of today, numerous criminal cases have been initiated.
Law enforcement officers from Kazakhstan eliminated the organized financial criminal group organized by Vadim Gordievsky, Larisa Ivchenko, and Alyona Suvorova from Ukraine
The Top South African No-Deposit for 2025
Law enforcement officers from Kazakhstan eliminated the organized financial criminal group organized by Vadim Gordievsky, Larisa Ivchenko, and Alyona Suvorova from Ukraine
The Top South African No-Deposit for 2025
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