Press Releases
70% of UK Punters Have Continued To Bet Throughout Lockdown, Freebets.com Survey Finds
Horse racing was by far the most popular sport to bet on, despite the closure of UK and Irish racecourses; 40% said they bet on Esports and Virtual Sports
Freebets.com, a leading UK betting comparison site, owned and operated by XLMedia today released an informative survey outlining the state of the UK’s online betting market during the COVID-19 lockdown.
The report reveals intriguing insights into the areas that have continued to thrive, with over 70% of British bettors continuing to place bets despite the temporary suspension of almost all major professional sports.
The survey questioned visitors to the freebets.com site between April 6 and April 26, 2020 and found that horse racing was by far the most popular sport to bet on, with 34.5% of respondents saying they were still placing wagers on international racing.
Despite UK and Irish courses being closed as of mid-March, racing carried on in countries including Australia, the US and Sweden.
The survey also showcased the rise in prominence of Esports and virtual sports, as betters embraced these new categories. A significant 40% of players said that they have now betted on these computer-based sporting options.
Stuart Simms, XLMedia PLC Group CEO said, “The results of this survey have been particularly encouraging, illustrating how our customers have continued to enjoy betting on sports at this time. The popularity of Esports and Virtual Sports stand out as the data suggests that these new categories have begun to cement their position as viable betting options.”
Somewhat surprisingly, football also remained an attractive proposition for betting fans as 25% said they were continuing to bet on the beautiful game, even though the only live games were from less popular leagues such as the Belarusian Premier League and Nicaraguan Primera Division.
The full survey results can be found at https://www.freebets.com/freebets-com-survey-online-betting-during-the-covid-19-crisis/.
Altenar
Altenar extends Major League Baseball coverage

Leading sportsbook provider grows US sports offering with addition of in-play Bet Builders and expanded prop betting
Altenar has expanded its portfolio of US sports by adding more Major League Baseball (MLB) content for the 2025 season.
As part of the enhancement, Altenar has added in-play Bet Builders to allow live betting during MLB games, offering operators the chance to benefit from a surge in the bet type’s popularity. There is also an expanded range of prop betting available on both pre-match and live games, with a vast range of odds now offered on player, team and game props.
Altenar already offers fast markets and micro-betting options, along with same-game parlays, player specials and pitcher lines for the popular league.
An official distributor of MLB data since 2019, Swish Analytics delivers rich, reliable and fast information that enables the development of highly engaging user markets, which are now available to Altenar’s operator partners.
These additions reinforce Altenar’s commitment to delivering relevant and tailored content for US-facing partners, while continually striving for excellence as a sportsbook provider.
Antonis Karakousis, Director of Operations at Altenar, said: “Altenar is driving innovation in US sports by pushing the boundaries of what is possible with our offering. We will continue to grow our presence in this vertical and ensure that our full suite of pre-match, in-play, and at-bat betting products defines the next generation of engagement for our operators’ MLB fans.
“In addition to the above, the development of our MLB Live Bet Builder is another strong statement that reflects our commitment to listening to users’ needs. Enhancing the Bet Builder experience remains a key focus and a central part of our product strategy.”
Altenar will showcase its enhanced terminal at SBC Summit Americas 2025 from May 13–15. Attendees can visit the stand or book a demo to explore the terminal’s new capabilities first-hand here.
The post Altenar extends Major League Baseball coverage appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Greece
Playzia Strengthens Presence in Regulated Markets Through Strategic Partnership with Novibet

Playzia, a rapidly growing force in the iGaming industry, is excited to announce a strategic partnership with Novibet, a leading international operator. This collaboration significantly extends Playzia’s footprint in the regulated Greek market and other key regions where Novibet operates.
The expansion marks another milestone in Playzia’s commitment to regulated markets, as it continues to broaden its reach while reinforcing its position as an innovator in the iGaming sector.
As part of this agreement, Novibet players will now have access to Playzia’s extensive and engaging catalog of in-house developed games. The lineup includes fan-favorites such as Billionaire Rhino and Cosmos Cash, as well as recent top-performing releases Medusa Mystic Reels Megaways™, Zeus’s Thunderstrike, and T-Rex Treasure Hunt Megaways™. With focus on innovation, Playzia continues to introduce groundbreaking game mechanics such as Hold and Win & Hold and Win Jackpot, Retrigger & Stacked Wilds in Free Spins, Bonus Hold and Win, Persistent Collection & 50 Symbols, and its highly anticipated Love Island content.
Vlad Modorcea, CPO at Playzia, shared his thoughts on the partnership: “Teaming up with Novibet is a significant milestone for Playzia as we continue to grow our presence in regulated markets. Novibet has a stellar reputation for delivering top-tier gaming experiences, making them an ideal partner for us. We are eager to see players engaging with our games and experiencing the unique entertainment Playzia brings to the table.”
Foteini Matthaiou, Casino Product & CRM Director at Novibet commented: “At Novibet, we are committed to elevating the player experience through strategic alliances. Welcoming Playzia’s dynamic game portfolio is a natural next step in delivering innovative, high-quality content that resonates with our players in Greece and beyond.”
This latest agreement further strengthens Playzia’s standing as a premier game supplier, offering a diverse mix of game formats, including crash, table, instant, and probability-based games. With an exciting roadmap ahead, players can look forward to innovative features, engaging gameplay, and thrilling jackpot opportunities.
The announcement follows Playzia’s recent nomination in two key categories at the prestigious EGR B2B Awards 2025: Slot Supplier (Under 5 Years) and Software Rising Star, further underscoring the company’s momentum and industry recognition.
Playzia is also making waves in the branded content space. The company has secured an exclusive content partnership with ITV, the UK’s leading commercial broadcaster, to develop online games inspired by the global phenomenon Love Island. This upcoming series will blend the excitement of reality TV with Playzia’s signature gaming innovations.
The post Playzia Strengthens Presence in Regulated Markets Through Strategic Partnership with Novibet appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Press Releases
Relax Gaming adds fast-paced Daily Jackpots to its Dream Drop network

Relax Gaming, the iGaming aggregator and supplier of award-winning content, has raised the temperature of its record-breaking Dream Drop Jackpot by introducing Daily Jackpots across the entire network.
The latest evolution of the red-hot jackpot product will see players benefit from three guaranteed Daily Jackpots every day, adding a fresh layer of excitement and more frequent must-drop moments.
Alongside this, the Mega Jackpot has been fine-tuned with an adjusted must-drop value, delivering a smoother, more engaging jackpot experience.
This network-wide update applies to all Dream Drop titles, including the highly anticipated release of Bonsai Dragon Blitz Dream Drop, which arrives on 21st May 2025.
Launched in 2022, the Dream Drop Jackpot has already created millions of euros in prizes across more than 20 lucky Mega Jackpot winners. Today’s update marks the next stage in its evolution, offering players the same beloved product with a hotter-than-ever format.
Alastair Smith, Jackpot Business Owner at Relax Gaming, said: “We’ve listened to player and partner feedback and turned up the heat with a new twist on Dream Drop. The introduction of Daily Jackpots ensures excitement at all hours of the day and builds on what makes Dream Drop the most thrilling jackpot experience on the market.”
Martin Stålros, CEO at Relax Gaming, added: “Dream Drop has revolutionised jackpots since day one, and we’re not slowing down. With Daily Jackpots added into the mix, we’re delivering more value, more often, while continuing to lead the way in jackpot innovation. This is a natural next step for a product that’s all about pushing boundaries.”
The Dream Drop Jackpot is available across the Relax Gaming portfolio, with smash-hit titles such as Temple Tumble 2, Wild Chapo 2 Dream Drop, The Great Pigsby Dream Drop, and the upcoming Bonsai Dragon Blitz Dream Drop all boasting access to its six-tiered prize pool.
The post Relax Gaming adds fast-paced Daily Jackpots to its Dream Drop network appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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