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Latest Online Betting Trends: Insights from SOFTSWISS

Published

4 years ago

September 30, 2021

Reading Time: 4 minutes

In its first report, the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook has compiled unique insights based on a detailed study of user behaviour in the first half of 2021. The information in the report reflects aggregated anonymous results across all brands powered by the Sportsbook Platform.

The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, launched in December 2020, has gathered quite a few useful and interesting insights, which it is now ready to share. To find more detailed stats visit a special section on the SOFTSWISS website.

TOP DEVICES BY BET SUM AND BET COUNT

Although the use of mobile phones in online gambling has been increasing in recent years, by a huge margin among all devices used for fixed-odds betting, desktops dominate. Their share is three times that of mobile devices. However, the statistics change dramatically when it comes to the number of bets placed. In this case, users favour mobile devices, which lead with 77.16% compared to desktops (22.64%). It is typical for desktop users to place larger bets, but less often. In turn, betting from mobile devices is more frequent, but smaller.

Alexander Kamenetskyi, Product Owner at SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, comments: “Our clients’ big players trust desktops more. One reason is the convenience of getting information, as well as the greater trust in this format of interaction when large sums are involved. On the other hand, the greater bet count made via mobile devices is due to the accelerating pace of life. The mobile phone allows us to stay up to date regardless of time or place. This is reflected in the statistics. We see this trend and understand that mobile devices are the future. So one of our main objectives for the years to come is to make sure that the share of bets placed across mobile exceeds 80% and that we aim for 100% overall.”

TOP 3 CURRENCIES BY GGR SHARE

One of the main KPIs in the gambling business is GGR. This indicator reflects the amount remaining in the casino as a result of visitor play, before operational costs are deducted. It is calculated as total bets less total wins.

The US Dollar is the principal currency used by punters and is responsible for 61.15% of all sports betting GGR. The Euro comes in second place with approximately half that share (30.37%).

You’ll be surprised to learn that Bitcoin is not the top crypto by GGR share. Which cryptocurrency came in third place at 8%? See in the Sportsbook Insights Report.

TOP SPORTS BY GGR SHARE

The three most popular sports based on GGR share:

Alexander Kamenetskyi, Product Owner at SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, notes: “This prize trio is not at all surprising for those with a long-standing interest in betting. Football, as the most popular sport, takes the top place.It is suitable for all types of betting, including live betting in the form of a pre-match.

If football is the most popular kind of sport, tennis is one of the most elite ones with an off-season period of less than a month. Its popularity is also influenced by the fact that it is an individual sport and not a collective one. Dozens of tournaments can take place in a week with very detailed statistics, allowing the player to always have enough information to analyse events. Additionally, quick points are available in tennis, where a player bets on the winner of a game, for example, and can win within a minute.

Second place is always claimed by basketball along with tennis. There, too, you can bet on a fast game and get a win here and now. What else might be of interest to professional players is the possibility to catch the bookie at a mistake more easily. However, basketball is very much tied to the market where it is popular, such as in Lithuania.“

GENDER BY BET SUM AND BET COUNT

This data takes into account the distribution of the bet sum and bet count in the following groups: women, men and gender-neutral people who, for whatever reason, chose not to indicate their gender.

In this case, the statistics are fairly expected. Men are still betting more frequently than women or gender-neutral players: 73.06%, 12.60% and 14.34% of the total respectively.

At the same time, over 70% of all money spent on bets is accounted for by players who did not indicate their gender or chose to remain gender-neutral. Of the remaining two groups, women accounted for only 3.45% of the total betting and 24.05% for men.

Alexander Kamenetskyi, Product Owner at SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, explains: “There is probably no particular reason why players do not specify their gender. Perhaps it is because the player who wants to play is keen to start the playing session as soon as possible. But when they get their winnings, they are willing to take some time and fill in the necessary details. And even then, the gender column is not mandatory, so it is simply skipped.”

If you would like to see the full report from the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, follow this link.

About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international tech brand supplying widely acclaimed, certified software solutions for managing iGaming operations. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licenses, providing a “one-stop-shop” white label solution by taking care of all technical, legal, and financial processes on behalf of its customers. The company has a vast product portfolio, which includes an Online Casino Platform, Game Aggregator with thousands of casino games, the Affilka affiliate platform, and a sportsbook software platform. In 2013 SOFTSWISS was the first in the world to introduce a bitcoin-optimized online casino solution. The company has thus been regarded as the leading technical expert when it comes to the use of cryptocurrencies in online gaming.

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From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025

Published

1 day ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: Belatra has been a steady hand in the slots world for a long time, but 2025 marked a distinct shift in strategy. By entering the Crash vertical with Goose Boom Bang and winning big at SiGMA Africa, the studio is clearly pivoting to capture the high-growth, high-frequency players in emerging markets. They are no longer just a “classic slots” developer; they are diversifying the portfolio to ensure relevance in regions like LatAm and Africa.

The Full Story

Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, has issued a strategic review of its 2025 operations, celebrating a 12-month period defined by entry into new game verticals, significant franchise expansion, and high-profile industry recognition.

The year was characterized by a dual strategy: deepening engagement in established markets while aggressively expanding its content portfolio to suit local preferences in emerging territories.

Portfolio Evolution: Crash and Battles 2025 saw Belatra move beyond its traditional slot roots. The company made its debut in the high-demand Crash game vertical with the launch of Goose Boom Bang, a title designed to tap into the fast-paced gameplay preference of younger demographics.

Additionally, the studio introduced a fresh game concept with the launch of Battles, a new format unveiled for the first time in 2025, with further development planned for 2026.

The ‘Mummyverse’ Expands For fans of classic slots, the highlight of the year was the aggressive expansion of the Mummyverse. Belatra nearly doubled the size of this franchise over the year, making it the most extensive game universe in their entire catalog.

The developer also focused on B2B localization, releasing a number of exclusive bespoke games created specifically for selected operator partners to meet specific local market tastes.

Awards and Recognition The company’s strategic shifts were validated by industry accolades. Belatra secured over 30 nominations throughout the year, with standout wins including:

Best Slot Provider (awarded by BitStarz).
Most Played Game of 2025 for Make It Gold at the SiGMA Africa Awards.
Player’s Pick Award.

Management Commentary Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, commented on the studio’s momentum:

“This year has truly defined who we are as a studio – ambitious, creative and focused on building long-term partnerships. We’ve expanded our universes, launched new ones and entered exciting new markets that will all help us carry this momentum into the New Year.”

The post From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Latest News

‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch

Published

1 day ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: The “Instant Game” vertical (Crash, Plinko, Mines) is becoming crowded, but Ebaka Games is cutting through the noise with a distinct brand personality. By securing BMM Testlabs certification so quickly after launch, they are signaling to Tier 1 operators that despite their “chaotic” marketing vibe, the math underneath is solid and compliant. The backing of industry veteran Dmitry Belianin also adds immediate commercial credibility to the startup.

The Full Story

Ebaka Games, the fledgling studio that promises to bring “chaos and soul” to the iGaming sector, has outlined an aggressive growth strategy for 2026 following a landmark launch period in late 2025.

The studio, which officially debuted in November, reports that its initial rollout reached more than five million people worldwide. The launch saw its portfolio go live with the operator Menace, serving as the initial testbed for its mechanics and “Ebaka modes.”

The Product: Instant Games with Personality Ebaka is bypassing traditional slots to focus on the high-growth vertical of fast-paced, instant-win games. Their initial lineup includes:

Plinko
Mines
Tower
Limbo
Crash

Differentiation is achieved through unique mascots and signature gameplay tweaks designed to offer high win potential and distinct visual identities, moving away from the generic interfaces often found in this genre.

Regulatory Milestone Crucially for its 2026 roadmap, Ebaka Games has confirmed it has secured certification from BMM Testlabs. This accreditation validates the fairness and integrity of its RNG (Random Number Generator) and game engines, removing a major barrier to entry for regulated markets. With this certification in hand, the studio plans to launch with a number of “major brands” in the coming year.

Management Commentary Vitalii Zalievskyi, CEO of Ebaka Games, commented on the studio’s unorthodox approach:

“It’s only been a few weeks since we first introduced Ebaka Games to the world. The feedback has been breathtaking, and it vindicates the decision for us to take a different path to the rest of the industry. You don’t need huge marketing budgets to grab people’s attention if you are building something truly innovative.”

Industry Backing The studio describes itself as being “created by players for players” but boasts significant industry firepower in its corner. The team includes Dmitry Belianin, a well-known figure in the sector who is the co-founder of Blask and Menace, as well as Managing Partner at Already Media.

The post ‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Latest News

Racing Meets Nightlife: SBK Backs ARC’s New ‘Friday Night Live’ Series

Published

1 day ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: British racing has a well-documented demographic problem; its core audience is aging. “Friday Night Live” is a direct attempt to fix this by blending high-stakes racing with the “experience economy” (DJs, nightlife vibes) that appeals to Gen Z and Millennials. Bringing SBK on board—a mobile-first, app-only sportsbook—is a perfect demographic fit, while the Racing Post adds the necessary credibility to ensure the actual racing product remains the focus.

The Full Story

Arena Racing Company (ARC) has unveiled the strategic commercial lineup for its upcoming Friday Night Live series, confirming SBK as the Exclusive Betting Partner and The Racing Post as the Official Media Partner.

Set to launch in January 2026, Friday Night Live is a new initiative created in collaboration with youth-focused events company INVADES. The series is designed to overhaul the traditional race day experience, featuring fast-paced fixtures under floodlights, DJ sets, and significant entertainment elements sandwiched between races.

The Commercial Deal

SBK: As the exclusive betting partner, the Smarkets-owned sportsbook will take naming rights and on-course branding for all 35 races. Crucially, these races will be broadcast live on mainstream television via ITV Racing as well as Sky Sports Research.
The Racing Post: As the Official Media Partner, the publication will provide content, coverage, and promotion across its digital platforms, aiming to bridge the gap between established racing purists and the new audience ARC hopes to attract.

A High-Stakes Experiment The series is not just a marketing exercise; it carries serious sporting weight. Each of the five scheduled nights will feature over £200,000 in prize money. The fixtures will rotate across three of ARC’s all-weather tracks: Wolverhampton, Newcastle, and Southwell.

Management Commentary David Leyden Dunbar, Group Director of Commercial Strategy at ARC, was clear about the target audience:

“We have been very clear that one of the aims of Friday Night Live is to engage the next generation of racing fans… Both [partners] have shown real enthusiasm to work with us… as well as using the platform that these fixtures will offer them to also engage with more established racing and sports fans.”

Adam Baylis, Marketing Director at SBK, added:

“Friday Night Live [is] a fresh and engaging concept that brings a new energy to British racing. SBK has always been built around sport… our focus is on enhancing the live race day experience in a fun, social and responsible way.”

The 2026 Schedule The series kicks off immediately in the new year: