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Will Bitcoin Halving Influence iGaming? SOFTSWISS H1’2024 Overview

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The second quarter of 2024 was marked by a historical event: the Bitcoin halving. Did this event affect the iGaming market? SOFTSWISS shares insights in its quarterly “State of Crypto” overview.

What is Bitcoin Halving?

The Bitcoin halving occurs approximately every four years or every 210,000 blocks, reducing the reward for mining new blocks by 50%. Since Bitcoin’s launch in 2009, there have been four halving events: in 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024. These events are crucial for maintaining Bitcoin’s scarcity and controlling inflation, ensuring the total supply never exceeds 21 million coins. Historically, each halving has been followed by a rise in Bitcoin’s price due to reduced supply and increased scarcity.

According to blockchain experts the recent halving may lead to new regulations that ensure fairness, responsible gambling, and anti-money laundering measures in the crypto-driven iGaming sector. The halving is also expected to increase Bitcoin’s value, potentially benefiting Bitcoin-friendly iGaming brands. The adoption of crypto-friendly solutions can enhance player trust and transparency.

Post-Halving iGaming Market Overview

SOFTSWISS experts analysed the data gathered from around 250 crypto-friendly brands powered by the company that engaged in crypto transactions during the first half of 2024. The index increased by 13% since the beginning of the year. 

In absolute terms, the Total Bet Sum, encompassing both fiat and crypto, grew by 46.6% in the first part of 2024 compared to the same period of the previous year. The Total Bet Count showed an even greater increase, surpassing 51.7% in H1 2024 compared to H1 2023.

Ongoing analysis since early 2022 indicates that fiat bets are experiencing more growth compared to crypto bets. Comparing the first half of 2024 to the same period in 2023, the Fiat Bet Sum increased by 65.2%

Andrey Starovoitov, Co-CEO at SOFTSWISS, shares his opinion: “The increasing wealth of the middle class boosts disposable income and spending on entertainment. Technological advancements make online games and various payment methods more and more accessible. The expansion of regulated markets where iGaming is being legalised provides a stable and secure environment for both operators and players. These elements together foster a thriving industry, encouraging innovation, competition, and a broader reach to diverse audiences.” 

Cautious Approach to Crypto Gaming

In the first half of 2024, the Crypto Bet Sum shows a modest 2.3% increase compared to the same period of the previous year. As fiat rates grow much faster than crypto rates, the share of crypto bets noticeably decreased in 2024, settling at 20.6%.

 

At the same time, the H1 2024 Crypto Bet Count shows a decrease of more than 20% year-on-year. Notably, the review of the first quarter of the year showed a relatively stable position of the Crypto Bet Count.

Andrey Starovoitov, adds: “The anticipated impact of the Bitcoin halving on the market, coupled with the strengthening of the Bitcoin exchange rate in the first half of the year, may lead to a more cautious attitude among players towards using cryptocurrencies. However, the average crypto bet is increasing, positively impacting the overall Crypto Bet Sum. As Bitcoin’s exchange rate fluctuates, we expect some players to adopt a more careful approach to using their Bitcoins.”

Analysing crypto bets reveals that around 93% are facilitated via the in-game currency conversion tool, which allows operators to engage players with cryptocurrency assets in games originally designed for fiat. The proportion has remained stable through the first half of the year. The operators who adopt the tool are gaining a competitive edge in the market.

Bitcoin’s Share Drops

Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Tether, and Dogecoin create the top five most popular cryptocurrencies in iGaming. This list has remained stable over the years, with some shifts in their rankings.

Bitcoin experienced a decline of around 23 p.p. in the first half of 2024 compared to the first half of 2023. This could be attributed to the strengthening Bitcoin exchange rate and players’ commitment to save it.

The shares of other cryptos, on the other hand, have significantly increased in H1 2024 compared to H1 2023. Litecoin and Tether demonstrated growth of 8.9 p.p. and 7.1 p.p., respectively. Tether climbed to fourth place in the ranking, overtaking Dogecoin behind.

 

Andrey Starovoitov, Co-CEO at SOFTSWISS, summarises: “Confirming experts’ anticipations, the iGaming industry is experiencing active growth, with a fifth of all bets coming from the crypto segment. The intriguing fluctuations in Bitcoin’s position promises both increased profits and a more cautious attitude toward spending. However, every challenge brings its own opportunities. The key to success lies in adapting by investing in employee training and software development, integrating crypto processing, and ensuring your platform remains secure throughout the process.”

 

 

About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 23,500 casino games, the Affilka affiliate platform, the Sportsbook software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.

 

 

The post Will Bitcoin Halving Influence iGaming? SOFTSWISS H1’2024 Overview appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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Week 40/2024 slot games releases

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Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming

Amusnet has released 40 Bulky Dice – a classic video slot full of lucky dice symbols with a modern twist, which tempts with lots of entertainment and fantastic prizes. This 5-reel, 40 fixed paylines slot game offers vivid gameplay, epic sound effects and an easy-to-use interface. Watch out for the colourful Joker, which is the Wild symbol and appears on the second, third and fourth reels.

 

BGaming has teamed up with famous rapper and record producer Snoop Dogg to create an iconic new slot, Snoop Dogg Dollars. The themed game is BGaming’s first branded content in collaboration with a celebrity and was exclusively launched with Roobet on 25th September, before going live across the wider network on 30th October.

 

Relax Gaming has delivered a knockout blow with its latest release, Feather Fury. Fists are flying in this 3×2 boxing-themed slot, where players can win up to 5,000x their stake thanks to a truly unique mechanic that awards respins following dead spins. Every dead spin that is registered automatically adds a notch to the bar, with 10 dead spins being enough to trigger Feather Fury’s respin feature.

 

Reel Rabbit” from Hölle Games is already live, a new entry in the Reel franchise. This 5×3, 25 payline slot continues in the footsteps of furry friends Fox, Tiger and Wolf, and while it might be the most mild-mannered mammal of the bunch, Reel Rabbit still packs a hefty punch!

 

Step into the vibrant world of Muertos Fortuna, an exciting slot game from Zillion Games, featuring 3D animation and engaging features. Muertos Fortuna, inspired by Día de los Muertos and Halloween, brings vibrant animations and the unique presence of Catrina Muerte, who may appear during gameplay to interact and cheer you on with fun phrases, adding an engaging element to the experience.

 

Play’n GO invites players to revisit the mystical world of the beyond in Lady of Fortune Remastered, where the future holds untold riches and mysterious revelations. Venture where the veil between our world and the unknown is thin, and fortunes await those who dare to look. This 5×3 video slot revisits the popular title, Lady of Fortune, now with enhanced visuals and enriched gameplay.

 

 

Belatra Games has released its latest hot shot, Lucky Bandits. This exhilarating escapade launches players into the lawless lands of the Wild West that are brought to life with stunning visuals, immersive soundscapes, and thrilling gameplay. The game is bursting with engaging features such as Free Games, Hot Mode, and the intense Shot and Dynamite Bonuses.

Intrepid players are being given the chance to venture back in time to a land ruled by the great Pharaohs where they can uncover relics, treasures and big wins in Gold of Egypt, the latest slot from Silverback Gaming. In Gold of Egypt, players find themselves in a hot and arid desert at the entrance to a secret tomb. As the reels spin, ancient symbols land on the reels including a Cat, Snake, Scorpion and Scarab, as well as different hieroglyphics.

 

They say Rome wasn’t built in a day, but in Swintt’s all-new slot sensation, Hidden Treasures of Rome, players’ fortunes can certainly be built up in seconds thanks to the presence of Free Spins, a rewarding tumble feature and random multipliers that offer a maximum payout of up to 5,000x the stated win.

 

On October 2nd Endorphina, released its newest slot game, Panda Strike, now available for play in most online casinos. Panda Strike is a 5-reel, 4-row oriental slot with 40 fixed paylines. Set in a small Chinese town, the slot encourages players to master concentration and self-discipline, leading them to face the legendary panda, a master of the martial arts.

 

Amusnet has released its new online slot game, 10 Vampire Bites. The game has 11 symbols scattered across 5 reels and 10 paylines. The video slot game also showcases a hauntingly beautiful gothic design that immerses players in a world of mystery, while the atmospheric soundtrack further enhances the eerie experience, drawing players deeper into the chilling narrative.

 

 

The post Week 40/2024 slot games releases appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Blask expands coverage with new European and Asian markets

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Blask, the AI-driven market analytics ecosystem, continues its rapid expansion towards the goal of providing high-quality iGaming data for the entire world, with the addition of 10 major new markets.

All Blask users now have access to real-time data, including estimates of GGR, FTDs, Blask Index, and Relative market share by brand, for the new markets, which include the Philippines, the Netherlands, Poland, Serbia, Bulgaria, Malaysia, and North Macedonia.

“As we onboard more users to Blask, we are listening to them closely and adding new markets based on demand,” said Blask CEO and co-founder Max Tesla. “This latest Europe and Asia-focused update provides the most accurate, real-time data available for some of the most important iGaming jurisdictions in the world. Blask is already providing a data-driven edge to users, and we’ll continue to deliver on our roadmap to make it a must-have for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of our industry.”

Blask now offers data from a total of 34 global iGaming jurisdictions. In August, the team rolled out several new Latin American and African markets to meet the demand for accurate data in emerging regions.

As well as new markets, additional functionality is also being added to Blask. This includes a recent update that brings comprehensive customer profiling to the platform.

The company recently announced the appointment of Greg Penkov as Chief Revenue Officer to help bring Blask to new customers.

The post Blask expands coverage with new European and Asian markets appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Record Number of Host City Applications for IESF’s Events

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The International Esports Federation (IESF) is pleased to announce the conclusion of the bidding process for hosting the 2025 and 2026 IESF Events – the World Esports Championship and Regional Qualifiers. For the first time in our history, we have received a record number of applications, with over 30 cities from across all continents submitting their bids to host our signature Esports events.

The increased interest in hosting IESF events reflects the expansion of the Esports community and the impact these tournaments have had on the intern ational esports scene. From Europe to Asia & Oceania, Africa to the Americas, cities are making significant efforts to develop their local Esports ecosystems while also presenting their capability to host nations from around the world. The opportunity to serve as the home of Esports for a year is seen as a meaningful step forward, with long-lasting benefits in both the local and international growth of Esports.

“Over the last five years, IESF events have grown rapidly, and so has the excitement around hosting one of the world’s biggest esports events. IESF events are truly one-of-a-kind and bring huge value to our host nations – or as we like to call them, the “Esports capital of the world.’ It’s amazing to see this growing interest, and we can’t wait to continue bringing the global Esports community together through these incredible events.”- stated Boban Totovski, the General Secretary of IESF.

We are now thoroughly reviewing the applications to determine which cities meet our criteria and requirements and align with IESF’s core mission of developing Esports in a sustainable and inclusive manner.

IESF is dedicated to ensuring that every event we host leaves a meaningful and lasting impact. The upcoming selection of our host cities will shape the future of many Esports communities across the globe and redefine the Esports landscape by supporting new emerging regions and strengthening the existing ones.

The post Record Number of Host City Applications for IESF’s Events appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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