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“It is going to be a slow process – but great things take time”: Exclusive interview with R Franco Digital on the return of sports betting in Spain

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After notching up a series of high profile deals with the likes of Dafabet and BetConstruct, we sat down with R Franco Digital’s Chief Commercial Officer, Mario Benito to talk Spain’s return to sports betting and his outlook for the market as the lockdown is lifted.
R Franco Digital has certainly signed a couple of notable deals recently, can you give us the lowdown?
It has been a busy few weeks as we get back on track in Spain! All in all, we’ve already signed agreements with several of the Spanish market’s leading tier one operators and will be announcing additional partnerships in further markets in the very near future.
Key to this has been our industry-leading portfolio of supporting products; including our IRIS Platform, as well as our Wallet, online games and renowned IRIS Power Vault – developed in tandem with the Spanish regulator, the DGOJ.
In terms of what we’ll be doing, R Franco Digital will be providing three major international operators with these tools to enter the Spanish market – as well as signing a succession of aggregator partnerships to further boost the reach of our fantastic collection of games.
We’re also expecting plenty of developments on the LatAm front (which is our second home), as well receiving our MGA Critical Gaming Supply licence in the very near future.
Is this a vote of confidence for the Spanish market returning to normal? What’s happening on the ground there?
There’s no question that the entire industry has felt the impact – with Spain (as you may have seen from the headlines) being no different. Given the need for entertainment under lockdown, there has been a considerable uptick in iGaming, despite the Spanish government’s two-month suspension on promotional activity.
Since the resumption of Europe’s most popular sporting tournaments, the sports betting vertical is gradually returning to full strength, although this process will not be complete until the new season. Given our home market is both dynamic and resilient, we are confident that the commercial landscape in Spain will return to its pre-COVID trajectory soon enough.
Having said that, land-based will likely take longer to re-emerge to full strength given it has received the brunt of the impact from COVID. To persevere, operators who have not already done began to diversify through digital channels. We set up R Franco Digital a decade ago with this role in mind – and it’s certainly proved instrumental for our local partners during this time.
What do you forecast for the first few week’s betting activity once La Liga has returned?
The resumption of Europe’s top football leagues, particularly La Liga, have seen dormant sports bettors return to the vertical en-masse. However, I do not believe activity will revert to its previous level until the new season begins. The numbers certainly back this up, and from what we’ve seen so far, the total amount wagered in the Spanish market has fallen by 40% compared to the week before La Liga was cancelled.
Plenty has been said around the cross-sell between sportsbook and casino in the past few months – has it rang true in Spain?
It’s been invaluable – and for many operators, turned from a promise to a reality. However, we shouldn’t get too carried away with the hype; we have not seen a whole legion of sports betting fans converted to slots in three short months.
To build a pandemic-proof portfolio, operators (and platform providers) need to take a long, careful look at what disciplines lent themselves well to sports bettors betting behaviours during lockdown (such as live casino) and capitalise on it moving forward.
What other alternative sporting markets have proven popular during the lockdown?
The most successful markets have been Table Tennis, and football leagues in more ‘exotic’ countries such as Belarus, that did not see their sporting calendar hindered by lockdown. Esports and virtuals have also experienced a similar spike activity as sports betting enthusiasts look to get in on alternative entertainment, although these disciplines are likely to attract a more niche type of player, especially in the case of esports, which has become a bastion of the millennial demographic.
And finally – how fast do you see retail betting returning in Spain?
It is going to be a slow process – but great things take time. The decision to re-open now falls under the mandate of Spain’s regional authorities, and it will be at their discretion. We can see this happening in real time – as although the state of emergency has ended, not every region has yet allowed betting shops to reopen. Along with land-based casinos, retail is by far one of the most severely affected sectors of the market, and I anticipate it will be a long road to recovery for many that had to endure three months of closure. Of course, we’ll be there to help.
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: “It is going to be a slow process – but great things take time”: Exclusive interview with R Franco Digital on the return of sports betting in Spain
Latest News
13 gambling company executives in appeal against ATG’s proposal to raise gambling tax in Sweden
BOS – The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling – is today submitting a letter to the government. The letter is signed by 13 gambling company executives and BOS’s secretary general. In the letter, the signatories urge the government not to support the gambling company ATG in their proposal to raise the general gambling tax in favour of a reduction in the tax on horse racing.
As a main argument, the signatories highlight the fact that the level of the gambling tax affects the proportion of consumers who choose to gamble on the legal licensed gambling market, and that too many consumers are already opting out of the safety of the licensed market with its extensive consumer protection.
“Horse betting has a channelisation rate of between 98-99 percent. Online casino, according to the most optimistic estimates, has a channelisation rate of between 72-82 percent. The higher the tax, the greater the risk that the consumer will choose unlicensed gambling, where neither gambling tax nor consumer protection exists. To then lower the gambling tax for horse betting, which already has a very strong channelisation, and raise it for online casino, which has a very weak channelisation, would be completely incomprehensible. At least for those who prioritize consumer protection,” says BOS Secretary General Gustaf Hoffstedt.
You can read the full letter here: Letter to Government on ATG gambling duty
The post 13 gambling company executives in appeal against ATG’s proposal to raise gambling tax in Sweden appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
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Momentum Series: A Crash Gaming collection crafted for emotions in your online casino
FBMDS proudly unveils the Momentum Series, a crash gaming collection built to deliver fast-paced thrills, immersive visuals, and strong retention for online casino operators worldwide with the Piñata Rush, Magical Garden and Arctic Jumper titles.
Designed “for emotions” and “born to captivate”, the Momentum Series includes three high-performing titles — Piñata Rush, Magical Garden, and Arctic Jumper — that redefine the crash genre with dynamic gameplay, deep personalization, and stunning 3D environments.
The Momentum Series was created to give players more control, excitement, and emotional connection while providing operators with games designed for longer sessions and better retention metrics. Each title combines intuitive gameplay with high volatility, 97%+ RTP, and a responsive, mobile-first design, ensuring performance across devices and browsers. Players can personalize their experience with auto bets, double bets, and auto cashouts, adapting each round to their individual risk strategy.
Piñata Rush offers a colorful, multiplayer crash gaming experience set in lively Mexican-inspired streets. Players can track others’ progress in real time and enjoy a community-driven atmosphere that keeps engagement levels high. With 97.06% RTP and features such as Multiplayer, Auto Play, Auto Cash-Out, and a configurable Max Bet from 100x to 1000x, this crash game provides vibrant entertainment across Android, iOS, Mac OS, and Windows.
Magical Garden immerses players in a lush 3D fantasy world where serenity meets suspense. This single-player experience blends calm and thrill through Auto Play and Auto Cash-Out functions, allowing personalized strategies and a Max Bet configurable from 100x to 1000x. With 97% RTP, it offers operators a high-performing product with wide cross-platform compatibility.
Arctic Jumper brings adrenaline to the frozen north with a fully 3D single-player experience. Its immersive visuals and smooth performance are enhanced by Auto Play, Auto Cash-Out, and customizable betting options that match each player’s risk profile. Operating at 97% RTP, this title delivers consistent engagement and retention potential for competitive markets.
“The Momentum Series represents FBMDS’ evolution into crash gaming — a genre built on emotion, timing, and control,” said Renato Almeida, Director at FBMDS. “With Piñata Rush, Magical Garden, and Arctic Jumper, we’re delivering fast, flexible, and emotionally charged experiences that empower both players and operators.”
FBMDS brings a winning portfolio of innovative iGaming solutions, blending tradition with cutting-edge technology to deliver engaging, reliable, and profitable gaming experiences for operators worldwide. With a focus on slots, table games, video bingo, and now crash games, FBMDS empowers partners to scale and succeed in competitive markets.
The post Momentum Series: A Crash Gaming collection crafted for emotions in your online casino appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
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Cozy Coast Launches Worldwide: Beach Adventure from InnoGames Now Available
- Sunny feel-good vibes for everyone: Cozy Coast now available for iOS and Android
- New trailer highlights entertaining storytelling, merge-2 puzzles, and diverse gameplay elements
- Upcoming updates with new events and challenges for long-lasting fun
A beach adventure with heart: InnoGames, one of Germany’s leading developers and publishers of mobile and browser games, today launches Cozy Coast worldwide, bringing sunny feel-good moments to smartphones and tablets. The game is now available for free on the App Store and Google Play Store. Players in selected regions have already explored the Mediterranean island of Calista and experienced the captivating story of the two protagonists Mia and Elara. The unique mix of merge-2 puzzles, exploration, and heartfelt moments is clearly resonating with players, earning 4.8 on the App Store and 4.6 on Google Play out of 5 stars.
With today’s launch, InnoGames expands the game’s language support. Alongside the existing languages German, English, and French, Cozy Coast is now also available in Italian, Polish, Portuguese, and Spanish.
New Features, More Events: Regular Updates for Lasting Fun
In Cozy Coast, players accompany best friends Mia and Elara on a journey across the picturesque Mediterranean island of Calista. For Mia, the island is filled with childhood memories, but its former charm has faded. Together, they set out to restore the island. The gameplay centers on merge-2 mechanics: By skillfully combining items, players fulfill the wishes of island residents, collect resources, and restore buildings to unlock new areas of Calista. Along their journey, Mia and Elara encounter interesting characters, discover secrets, and explore the environment.
Check out the trailer on youtube: youtube.com/watch?v=hpacBlPfio4
Since the initial launch of Cozy Coast in selected regions, the development team has steadily expanded the merge-2 adventure. Customizable portraits, 3D decoration events, special quests with unique rewards, and advanced challenges for experienced players ensure there’s always something new to discover. The holiday season has also arrived: players can earn daily rewards, including the festive avatar “Winter Elara”.
Key Features of Cozy Coast
- Merge items: Strategically combine items to create new and higher-value objects
- Restore the seaside promenade: Renovate abandoned buildings to unlock new areas
- Adventure in paradise: Follow best friends Mia and Elara as they discover hidden places and uncover the secrets of a corporation with questionable intentions
- Characters with personality: Meet fascinating characters. Every encounter comes with a story – sometimes touching, sometimes mysterious, but always full of emotion
- Fresh challenges every day: Participate in competitive, daily, weekly, and seasonal events like exploration quests, puzzle collections, decoration and special story-driven missions to receive exciting rewards and enjoy lasting gameplay
- A personal touch: Use portrait customization to bring individuality and personality to every adventure.
- Unwind in a Mediterranean setting: Experience stress-free gameplay paired with a captivating story of friendship, courage, and hope
- Free to play without restrictions: Available worldwide on iOS and Android (except in Russia and China)
Cozy Coast is available on the App Store for iOS and on Google Play for Android.
For the latest news about the game, visit the official website or follow Cozy Coast on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
The post Cozy Coast Launches Worldwide: Beach Adventure from InnoGames Now Available appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
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