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“BetGames is a great acquisition tool for new players” – Exclusive interview with BetGames.TV Head of Sales
Reading Time: 5 minutes
Having proven itself as one of 2020’s standout industry performers, BetGames has not been one to rest on its laurels in the first six months of 2021, launching a host revamped games, as well as establishing its Malta hub with plans to expand the company by 100+ members by the end of the year.
We caught up with BetGames’ Head of Sales, Thomas Aigner, to talk through the studio’s latest moves and plans for continued global expansion.
Looking back at the last six months for European markets, how can we assess performance and what we’ve seen as an industry?
There’s been two main stand-outs that we’ve witnessed: the increasing player preference for low-stakes entertainment and the popularity of live gaming generally as a remedy for quarantine. As lockdowns have continued in the first half of this year, our games have retained a wealth of players since we intrinsically attract a lower spend with far more regular play – as well a fixed-odds betting format that has ensured we’re a welcome home for sportsbook customers looking to try something new.
In light of what has been effectively an ongoing recession, we’ve also learned that the key to player engagement is a low-spend proposition without the risk of big losses, combined with simplicity in gameplay and the high-frequency in sessions. Given that the majority of players the world over have been observing social isolation, this makes perfect sense – with a strong preference for pick-up-and-play products that offer live entertainment for hours without emptying their wallet. The live experience has been a well-placed antidote to the seclusion that many have experienced over the last 12 months or so.
I think one of the biggest lessons learned has been that diversification is imperative. Pre-Covid, we’d expect operators to be focusing up to 70% of their spend on promoting sports and little else. Those who continued with that approach through 2020 and indeed, the first six months of this year, given the lack of retail environments in Europe, have really felt the pinch.
Moving forward, there needs to be far more focus on alternatives such as ours, as we’ve clearly learned that sports fans are unaccustomed to the majority of casino, or indeed the playing format available, even with Live Casino. It is essential that suppliers take onboard the lessons learned from betting activity, especially when it comes to providing the low-spend, extended sessions that have proven to work so well, and adapt accordingly.
When it comes to BetGames, what regions have been key in Europe so far? Where have you been focusing your energy?
Europe is an incredibly diverse continent when it comes to playing styles, and the BetGames customer certainly varies between markets. On the whole, we attract sports bettors, which is particularly the case in Eastern Europe, where we know that 70-80% of our returning customers are sports fans – and this is one way we really differentiate ourselves as a supplier against our competitors.
For mature markets, such as Scandinavia and the UK, products such as Bet on Poker have performed particularly well, as they offer a playing format that resonates very strongly with players, delivering a winning combination of both poker, which is a continental favourite, alongside the fixed-odds betting format we are famous for.
Looking to new entrances, expansion in Greece, Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, Ukraine and Georgia are top of the agenda for us, with this summer’s sporting calendar likely to give a welcome boost for all. Having said that, we’re aware that is hard to bring in new game types that can resonate with established players – this requires significant time and resources. We’ve revamped our commercial department accordingly to handle both expansion and our existing partners, which means we have close to triple the resources from last year to have the helping hands in place to support the day-to-day.
As has been evident from many of our recently agreed partnerships, We’re set to work together on pushing and promoting our products with the operator group, dedicating a separate category for our games. This kind of approach will be particularly effective as we differ from traditional Live Dealer and Live Casino Games – which means our target demographic is different. This means that together we can focus on particular player segments that we can engage and retain.
Tell us about the launch of your Malta Hub – that’s certainly big news for BetGames – that must be big news for your recruitment plans?
To keep pace with our rapid recent growth, we realised that we had to expand our capacity and we’re planning to greatly increase our headcount. Opening the Malta office was a logical step in that roadmap, not only to cater for the extra bodies but also to position ourselves closer to the heart of the igaming industry.
Looking at the numbers, we have incredibly ambitious plans to increase our 200-strong team by more than 50%, with our Malta hub ready to provide a platform for attracting the best of the industry’s talent. It will also be a hugely convenient place to meet our clients and friends, and while we understand the way that businesses and people have evolved in the last 12 months, we recognise the need to have that base where our colleagues can be inspired and productive – offering a home, a meeting place, and a space where we can collaborate and innovate.
The long-term strategy we’re currently on course with is set to change our operations as we know them. By planting our flag in Malta, I see it as an excellent chance to transform the company to a new level of growth that will help us to increase in size and revolutionise the way we deliver service to our partners.
When looking at Europe – how would summarise the changing trends of player demand? What products do you plan to offer accordingly?
Increased regulation in Europe is also going to have plenty of influence on shaping player demand over the year ahead. In my view, the key to success if going to be offering regulation-friendly, low-stakes, simple and easy extended entertainment that can keep players engaged without emptying their wallet.
Economic circumstances (as well as lockdowns) demand this – and players want an easily accessible experience that can be enjoyed in a low-spend format. This is especially going to be the case this summer – and our approach is to always offer complementary products that can boost engagement and sportsbook spend, rather than drain it.
BetGames is a great acquisition tool for new players – while also broadening the target group for live content because of the simplicity and availability of content, odds and betslip format, attracting sports bettors. Accordingly, our partners need content that can fit in seamlessly alongside a sports betting offering, and we’ve specifically designed our catalogue to work in this way. Sports betting margins will always be inherently higher for operators as they don’t carry the cost of using a third-party, making us one of the few suppliers globally that can truly offer a partnership that can boost both sides of the coin.
Last but not least – where are the key markets in Europe for growth our readers should be watching over the next 12 months? Where has BetGames got its eye on?
We’ve got our eye firmly fixed on Greece at the moment, as already mentioned, but looking further afield, Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, Brazil, Ukraine and Georgia are other territories that we see plenty of potential in, as I’m sure most of our fellow European suppliers and operators see too.
In evaluating where’s best for us, there’s a host of regulated markets available and we’ve got to make sure that we’re entering the regions best suited to us and our portfolio. We’ve significantly changed our assessment criteria to make it a far more comprehensive process to apply due diligence. This means that we’ve now got our own taskforce dedicated to performing key market analysis with a criteria that encompasses both qualitative and quantitative data. This now totals 14 different key factors that we analyse to work out where our products will work best – and we’re very excited for the bringing our unique catalogue to more players than ever before!
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Red Bull WOLOLO 2026 Takes Over London As Tickets Go On Sale For Eighth Edition: ‘Londinium’
Reading Time: 2 minutes
- Red Bull Wololo returns for its eighth edition, Red Bull Wololo: Londinium, taking place from April 1st – 6th, 2026.
- The tournament brings together elite Age of Empires strategists from around the globe to battle across Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition and Age of Empires IV.
- London itself has been transformed into a living Age of Empires spectacle today, with a citywide takeover that lets fans experience the spirit of Age of Empires firsthand.
- Tickets for the Playoffs are available on eventbrite.co.uk/e/red-bull-wololo-playoffs-tickets-1974965913211?aff=oddtdtcreator,
- Tickets for the Grand Final are available on royalalberthall.com/tickets/events/2026/red-bull-wololo-londinium, giving fans the chance to witness the world’s top Age of Empires players compete in iconic London venues.
The call of “Wololo” rings across the capital of the UK today as tickets officially go on sale for Red Bull Wololo: Londinium, the grandest chapter in Age of Empires competitive history. Taking place from April 1st – 6th, 2026, the renowned esports tournament will not only bring elite RTS competitors to London but transform the city itself in a landmark takeover celebrating the return of Red Bull Wololo for its eighth edition.
To mark the launch of ticket sales, Red Bull Wololo has staged a special takeover across London today, bringing Age of Empires to life in three iconic locations. From Leicester Square and Tower Bridge, to Hyde Park with the Royal Albert Hall rising in the distance, the streets have come alive with performers dressed as iconic characters from the game. Wielding medieval-style flags emblazoned with the Red Bull Wololo emblem, they offered passersby and fans a glimpse into the tournament and the chance to join the action as London beheld the spirit of Age of Empires.
In 2026, across six days of competition, Red Bull Wololo: Londinium will see the world’s best Age of Empires strategists battle for supremacy in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition and Age of Empires IV, culminating in a historic Grand Final at the Royal Albert Hall – the first-ever Age of Empires orchestrated esports final, with a 40-piece orchestra performing the game’s legendary soundtrack live for over 2,500 fans.
Red Bull Wololo: Londinium Key Dates
- Group Stages: April 1st – 3rd, 2026 – Red Bull Gaming Sphere, Shoreditch
- Playoffs: April 4th – 5th, 2026 – The Odeon Luxe Cinema, Leicester Square
- Grand Final: April 6th, 2026 – Royal Albert Hall
The action kicks off at the Red Bull Gaming Sphere with the Group Stages before moving to the Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square for the Playoffs, where top competitors from the Age of Empires II and Age of Empires IV qualifiers battle under the spotlight in one of London’s most iconic entertainment venues. The tournament will then reach its crescendo within the historic walls of the Royal Albert Hall, where players who have proven themselves worthy will face off for ultimate glory and a place in Age of Empires competitive history.
Tickets are now on sale for the Playoffs and Grand Final of Red Bull Wololo: Londinium. Secure your Playoff tickets (eventbrite.co.uk/e/red-bull-wololo-playoffs-tickets-1974965913211?aff=oddtdtcreator) and Grand Final tickets (royalalberthall.com/tickets/events/2026/red-bull-wololo-londinium) . Don’t miss the chance to see elite esports players from around the world compete across Age of Empires titles in historic venues, as London itself becomes a stage for strategy and conquest.
Fans across the globe will be able to tune into the action for every stage of the tournament via the Red Bull Gaming Twitch and YouTube channels.
The post Red Bull WOLOLO 2026 Takes Over London As Tickets Go On Sale For Eighth Edition: ‘Londinium’ appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Konami Digital Entertainment and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Have Signed a Partnership Agreement
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Konami Digital Entertainment pleased to announce the signing of a partnership agreement with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. (Konami) announces a partnership agreement with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has been signed. CAF is the continental federation governing football associations in the African region, currently comprising 56 member countries and regions. CAF organises numerous tournaments, including the Africa Cup of Nations, which determines the continent’s top football team, significantly contributing to the sport’s development.
In recent years, football has enjoyed overwhelming popularity in Africa, with interest in national and club teams rapidly increasing. Furthermore, interest and enthusiasm for eFootball are also growing, leading to the signing of this new licensing agreement with CAF.
To commemorate this partnership, a special AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS 25 Campaign will be held within eFootball. Tournament events and African star players will appear in the game, allowing players to experience the excitement of the actual tournament.
Koji Kobayashi, Senior Executive Officer, Konami Digital Entertainment commented: “We are delighted to announce the establishment of a partnership with the Confederation of African Football (CAF). This partnership brings new possibilities to the gaming experience, and we are truly excited to deliver the passion of the African region-home to some of the world’s most powerful footballing nations – to fans around the globe through eFootball, and this partnership opens up exciting new possibilities for the gaming experience. Through this initiative, we look forward to adding new African star players and tournament licenses such as TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, further enhancing the realism and excitement of eFootball.”
Véron Mosengo-Omba, General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) adds: “The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 will be one of the most exciting and widely followed editions of our flagship competition. Our partnership with KONAMI reflects CAF’s commitment to innovation, global fan engagement, and creating new opportunities for African youth in both football and digital spaces.”
Konami Digital Entertainment will continue to expand its licenses and provide authentic soccer experiences to fans worldwide through eFootball.
The post Konami Digital Entertainment and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Have Signed a Partnership Agreement appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Reading Time: 2 minutes
- G2 has named Betpanda, a leading online crypto casino, as its official CS global betting partner
- Starting in 2026, Betpanda will appear on G2’s CS2 team jerseys
- Throughout the year, fans can take part in tournaments, giveaways, sweepstakes, and a variety of video and social content designed to enhance the fan experience
G2, one of the world’s leading entertainment and esports brands, has entered into a partnership with Betpanda, a leading online crypto casino, as the official global betting partner for the organisation’s Counter-Strike team. The collaboration will roll out a series of initiatives worldwide, including giveaways, sweepstakes, content, tournament activations, and more. As part of the collaboration, Betpanda branding will appear as the main logo on G2’s CS team jerseys from 2026.
Throughout 2026, fans will be able to experience the partnership first-hand at multiple esports tournament activations throughout the year, featuring creators and teams, offering exclusive in-person opportunities.
With a shared commitment to innovation and community, G2 and Betpanda aim to provide engaging experiences for fans throughout the year. The partnership will also extend to a range of digital activations, featuring exclusive video and social content, giveaways, and other initiatives.
“Betpanda joins us at an exciting moment for the organisation,” said Alban Dechelotte, CEO of G2. “This alliance allows us to build fresh, meaningful touchpoints for our fans throughout the year. We hope to create moments that will entertain and connect with fans all around the world.”
“G2 has set the standard for excellence in esports, and we’re proud to collaborate with a team that consistently pushes the boundaries of what the industry can be,” says Betpanda. “Their view on innovation and creativity goes perfectly hand-in-hand with our way of breaking boundaries and reaching new fans and audiences. Thank you to EMW Global for helping us to make this partnership possible. We’re excited to see the impact we can create alongside G2 in 2026”
The post G2 Announces Betpanda as Official CS Global Betting Partner Ahead of 2026 Season appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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