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Bookies Rejoice with Planned Return of the PL

Published

6 years ago

June 8, 2020

To the supreme joy of UK bookies, punters, and football fans alike, The Premier League (PL) has been given the green light to resume after its multi-month-long hiatus. Beginning on 17th June, teams will once again hit the field with the goal of finishing off the rest of the season before 2nd August, a deadline set by the Uefa.

Finally, with major questions being answered – including a frenzy of televised games – sportsbooks can breathe a collective sigh of relief that the football betting market will soon be back in action. Of course, the 92 remaining fixtures (all clubs playing 29 games each) will need to playout according to pandemic rules, which means matches will take place in empty stadiums and mostly at the stadiums of the home team. Every match will be shown live on TV, with 64 of the 92 games on Sky and 25 of the 92 games to reportedly be free to air.

The Return of Football Could Give Bookmakers a Much-needed Profit Boost

COVID-19 has devastated economies across the globe and few businesses can claim that they haven’t suffered a loss in revenue since the novel coronavirus tightened its hold. Gambling operators, particularly sportsbooks, are not among these lucky few.

Even social-distance friendly online and mobile bookies have felt the crushing blow with football being the main income source for these apps; an income that quickly dried up when professional sports were suspended across the board in March.

But is canceling football really such a loss to these brands that have so many other sports markets? Indeed, it is. According to a 2018 UK Gambling Commission survey, 73% percent of gabling participants engage in sports betting online and football is the most popular betting activity followed closely by horse racing.

Even in Germany football is usually the top choice among bettors but COVID has been affecting major markets. This has resulted in either German punters choosing to pause betting activities (85.1%), or those who continue to bet to turn their attention to the likes of virtual sports and eSports. In fact, eSports events have actually done very well at German sportsbooks, taking 75% of bets in recent months versus the mere 7.1% on football.

However, with the Premier League returning, online bookies are likely to see a return of some of their bettors. What’s more, even land-based bookies may finally catch a break after being forced to shut their doors for nearly three months, as physical shops are also set to open 15th June.

The Future Remains Uncertain

Still, while some bookies may be ready to breathe a collective sigh of relief, others are holding their breath because dates of reopening shops and resuming PL matches could be pushed back if infection rates rise.

Moreover, although the Premier League has resolved what it will do next, this doesn’t mean that other clubs and leagues are in the same boat. On the contrary, at the time of this writing, League Two clubs voted to end the season, League One has yet to reach a decision about what it will do, and the Championship continues to hope it will resume.

Also, let’s not forget that even if the Premier League and other clubs and leagues restart, this doesn’t mean that all will go according to plan. Without a vaccine, medical protocols still need to be stringently followed. Any players or staff member who tests positive for COVID-19 will be required to isolate for seven days. While this may not be a problem if only one or two become infected, if multiple players test positive, this – or a wide-scale resurgence of the virus in the country – could, yet again, bring the season to a standstill.

For now, bookies, punters, and football fans can only hope the new normal will kick-off for the PL without a hitch.

Related Topics:football fans Premier League (PL)punters Uefa UK bookies

Zoltan "Hawkie" Tundik

With an experience of over 8 years in the online gambling industry, as an affiliate, later affiliate manager and consultant, I consider myself a veteran of the industry and can guarantee that you will be served with the most accurate information.

Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)

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Meridianbet Doubles Down on Belgium: New Casino License Unlocks €455m Market Segment

Published

5 hours ago

December 22, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: This is a classic “Cross-Sell” play. Meridianbet has already spent seven years building a sports betting database in Belgium. By securing this B+ license, they can now monetize those same users with higher-margin casino products (slots, table games) without needing to acquire new traffic from scratch. With the Belgian casino sector growing at 20% year-over-year, this is a significant revenue unlock for the GMGI portfolio.

The Full Story

Meridianbet, the sports betting and gaming operator owned by Golden Matrix Group Inc. (NASDAQ: GMGI), has successfully expanded its regulatory footprint in Europe by securing a B+ online gaming license in Belgium.

The new license (B+ 4016) authorizes the company to launch a comprehensive online casino platform—featuring slots, table games, and automated live games—starting in January 2026. This move significantly broadens the operator’s capabilities in the country, complementing its existing sports betting operations which have been active in the Belgian market for seven years.

Targeting the Largest Market Segment The strategic rationale behind the license is clear: Casino is now the dominant force in Belgian gambling. According to the Belgian Gaming Commission, the online casino vertical generated €455 million in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) in 2023, representing a 20.2% year-over-year increase.

By entering this vertical, Meridianbet gains access to the largest and fastest-growing segment of a market that generated a total of €944.6 million last year.

Tech-First Entry Meridianbet plans to deploy its proprietary AI Casino Recommender technology for the Belgian launch. This system analyzes player behavior and preferences in real-time to deliver personalized game suggestions, a crucial differentiator in a highly concentrated market where just ten operators account for 94% of all online wagers.

Regulatory Context Belgium is known for having one of Europe’s strictest regulatory frameworks, characterized by rigorous compliance standards and player protection protocols. Securing this license validates Meridianbet’s operational standards and deepens its foothold in a “mature” market that is notoriously difficult for new entrants to penetrate.

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Latest News

LinkDataMedia Drops ‘Startup’ Look with Major 5th Anniversary Rebrand

Published

9 hours ago

December 22, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: In the iGaming affiliate space, the five-year mark is a critical survival threshold. Many media startups fade away before reaching it. LinkDataMedia’s decision to rebrand now is a classic “graduation” signal. By shedding their startup skin for a more corporate, “blue-chip” aesthetic (the stability-focused blue triangle), they are telling operators and partners that they are no longer just an affiliate project, but a stable infrastructure partner ready for larger commercial deals.

The Full Story

LinkDataMedia, the parent company behind the popular affiliate portal Gamblers Connect, has announced a comprehensive corporate rebrand to coincide with its fifth anniversary.

The overhaul includes a completely refreshed brand identity, a redesigned logo, and a fully revamped website, all of which are now live. The move is described by the company not as a mere cosmetic update, but as a strategic pivot designed to distance the business from its “startup roots” and reflect its current status as an established player in the competitive iGaming media landscape.

Visualizing Maturity The new visual language features a modernized blue triangular logo, a shape chosen to represent “stability and forward momentum.” The digital user experience has also been streamlined, offering partners a cleaner interface that aligns better with the company’s matured operational capabilities.

Management Commentary Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder and CEO of LinkDataMedia, commented on the significance of hitting the half-decade milestone in such a volatile industry:

“Surviving the first five years in business takes more than luck. It takes belief, resilience, and the right people around you. This milestone, and the rebrand, reflect exactly that.”

Implementation The new branding has already been deployed across the main corporate website and is currently being rolled out across LinkDataMedia’s social media channels and internal communication platforms. As the company enters its sixth year, the refreshed identity aims to set the stage for a new phase of expansion and innovation.

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Latest News

Win Systems to Debut New ‘Gold Club Colors’ and WIGOS Upgrades at ICE Barcelona

Published

9 hours ago

December 22, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: As ICE makes its historic move to Barcelona, established tech providers like Win Systems are under pressure to bring their “A-game” to the larger venue. The focus here isn’t just on cabinets; it’s the ecosystem. By highlighting WIGOS (their CMS) alongside WIN PAY, Win Systems is positioning itself as an infrastructure partner, not just a hardware supplier. The debut of the Gold Club Colors roulette specifically targets the growing demand for visually customizable electronic table games (ETGs).

The Full Story

Win Systems, the global provider of technology for the gaming and entertainment industry, has confirmed its product roadmap for ICE Barcelona 2026, the sector’s most significant international event taking place from January 19 to 21.

Exhibiting at Stand 3M30 at the Fira Barcelona Gran Via, the company will leverage the new venue to showcase a broad portfolio designed to cover the entire casino floor—from management systems to the gaming floor itself.

Systems and Fintech At the core of the showcase is WIGOS, the company’s flagship Casino Management System (CMS). WIGOS is widely recognized for connecting thousands of machines across multiple countries, and the Barcelona display will focus on advanced tools that streamline daily operations and optimize player retention.

Complementing the CMS, Win Systems will present WIN PAY, its secure transaction platform. As cashless and seamless payment solutions become standard requirements for operators, WIN PAY offers the necessary efficiency and security controls for modern gaming environments.

Hardware: Roulette and Slots On the hardware side, Win Systems is refreshing its electronic table game offering with the new Gold Club Colors electronic roulette. The Gold Club line has long been a staple in the company’s portfolio, known for its compact footprint and reliability; the “Colors” iteration promises to maximize visual impact on the floor.

Alongside the roulette, the company will display its latest slot hardware, including the Sublime and Rhapsody cabinets. These units are designed to house the company’s extensive game library, which has been adapted to suit diverse market profiles from Europe to Latin America.

Strategic Goals Win Systems aims to use the three-day event to reinforce its 30-year legacy in the industry. The company described its participation as a commitment to “continuous innovation,” inviting operators and regulators to explore how their integrated solutions can improve in-room performance.

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