Cloudbet maps regional betting trends in August–September 2025

Elsewhere

AGBrief Editorial

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September 9, 2025

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Cloudbet maps regional betting trends in August–September 2025

Leading crypto sportsbook and casino Cloudbet has released the first edition of Cloudbet Snapshot: Regional Crypto Betting Trends, a new series designed to track how bettors worldwide engage with their favorite sports.

This inaugural snapshot, covering August to September 2025, analyzes betting activity across 12 of the most popular competitions—a curated slice from the thousands of events available on Cloudbet every day.

The findings provide one of the clearest looks yet at regional betting behaviors during a peak period spanning the start of European soccer seasons, the US Open tennis championships, and the MLB playoff race.

Set against a global online gambling market valued at $87.69 billion in 2025 and forecast to hit $153.57 billion by 2030 (11.9% CAGR, Grand View Research), the results reveal a telling divide: while soccer remains the backbone of crypto betting worldwide, regional favorites like baseball, UFC, and Argentina’s Liga Profesional are reshaping the landscape.

“We took each region’s top five competitions and built a composite set to show where local favorites overlap or diverge globally,” said John, a Cloudbet spokesperson. “This snapshot gives a clean view of how bettors engage across regions, without drowning in the thousands of markets we host every day.”

Soccer dominates, but rivals (Grand Slams, MLB) break through

Globally, soccer accounted for 57.1% of activity in the sample, led by the Premier League (15.57%), La Liga (12.78%), and UEFA Champions League (10.08%). A London derby between Chelsea and Crystal Palace was among the top draws, underscoring soccer’s ability to anchor engagement across markets.

Tennis also stood tall. The US Open men’s and women’s singles combined for over 20% of activity, with high-profile matches in New York driving late-summer betting volume. MLB contributed 9.73% globally, a figure lifted by pennant-race rivalries such as Yankees v. Red Sox, which pulled bettors well beyond North America.

Regional snapshots:

Latin America: Copa Libertadores (8.98%) and Liga Profesional de Fútbol (LPF) (8.53%) underlined local loyalties, with MLB making inroads at 10.89%.
North America: MLB towered at 22.78%, supported by college football’s return (10.62%) and UFC (10.21%). The Du Plessis v. Chimaev bout captured enough attention to rival soccer, which managed only 10.42% in the region.
Asia & Middle East: Soccer led, with Serie A (9.75%) joining global heavyweights, while UFC climbed to 5.98% — evidence of a growing combat-sports appetite.
Europe: Soccer stayed dominant, but bettors also looked to the UEFA Europa Conference League (9.93%) and US Open Women’s Singles (10.03%), showing a taste for variety alongside the main football calendar.

Figure 1 note: The chart reflects a combined set of 12 competitions drawn from each region’s top five by engagement. It is not a global “top 12,” but rather a mix of favorites that surfaced across Latin America, Asia/Middle East, North America, and Europe.

Liga Profesional de Fútbol’s surprising global reach

Argentina’s Liga Profesional de Fútbol (LPF) emerged as a standout. While commanding 8.53% in Latin America, it also posted 3.59% in Europe and 3.07% in Asia/Middle East, both just nominally higher than its 3.06% in North America.

Beyond diaspora ties and broadcast reach, analysts believe the LPF benefits from time-zone dynamics: evening kickoffs in South America align with late-night hours in Europe, giving bettors fresh live action after local leagues wrap up. By contrast, Copa Libertadores (8.98% in Latin America, 1.53% in North America) remains a more appointment-driven event, commanding big moments but not the same nightly presence.

“Bettors don’t switch off when the last whistle blows in London or Madrid,” added John, the Cloudbet spokesperson. “They roll straight into Buenos Aires or Montevideo, because those games are still live, the streams are cheap, and the action feels real. It’s the same reason a Yankees–Red Sox series or a UFC title fight can pull people in from outside North America — rivalries and timing matter as much as the sport itself.”

Cloudbet Snapshot methodology and context

Scope: 12 most engaged competitions, selected by pooling each region’s top five during August 5 – September 4, 2025.
Metric: Share of unique bettors per competition relative to the 12 listed, not sitewide volume.
Timing: Coincided with European soccer kickoffs, MLB pennant races, and the US Open.
Exclusions: Other competitions available on Cloudbet were not included, meaning sports like NBA, NFL, or niche leagues may be underrepresented, likely due to seasonal variability.

As a result, all cases related to the new law will now be heard exclusively by the apex court, with the high courts of Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Delhi barred from hearing these petitions. According to Mint, the Supreme Court will now have the final say on the constitutional validity of the online gaming law.

The law, passed in August, bans all real-money games and online games involving monetary transactions. It has triggered multiple legal challenges, with petitioners seeking to halt its implementation. The central government argued that consolidating the petitions would expedite the legal process, as the issues involved had already been extensively discussed in a separate case concerning the 28% GST levy on online gaming.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, emphasized the time-saving benefits of transferring the cases to the Supreme Court. He pointed out that the issues raised had already been debated in earlier proceedings before Justice J.B. Pardiwala’s bench. This move could potentially lead to a faster resolution.

A recent ruling by the Madhya Pradesh High Court had already rejected an appeal from Clubboom11 Sports & Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., a Gwalior-based gaming firm, which sought a stay on the government’s notification of the new law. Similarly, the Karnataka and Delhi high courts denied interim relief in the matter.

NOVOMATIC completes ADMIRAL Austria sale, accelerating its growth strategy

Europe

AGBrief Editorial

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September 9, 2025

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NOVOMATIC completes ADMIRAL Austria sale, accelerating its growth strategy

Europe’s leading gaming technology group, NOVOMATIC, has announced that it has completed the sale of ADMIRAL Austria to Tipico.

This transaction strengthens NOVOMATIC’s long-term focus on global expansion and marks another important milestone in its international growth strategy.

ADMIRAL Austria will remain an important technology partner under its new owner Tipico and will continue to rely on NOVOMATIC’s innovative technology solutions in the future.

Commenting on the successful transaction, Stefan Krenn, Executive Board Member of NOVOMATIC AG, emphasized: “The completion of this transaction marks an important step in our global expansion strategy with a clear focus on international growth markets. ADMIRAL has developed into an established market leader over the past decades, and we thank all ADMIRAL employees for their great commitment. We are pleased to have found a strong and reliable technology partner in Tipico, who will successfully continue the company’s operations in Austria.”

Axel Hefer, CEO of the Tipico Group, stated: “We are delighted about the successful completion of this transaction. ADMIRAL is a leading Austrian company with a strong legacy, and clear potential for future growth. Both companies are synonymous with state-of-the-art technology, innovative products and a high focus to player protection. Our future collaboration is very good news for our customers.”

This collaboration will see Playnetic’s high-performing game portfolio seamlessly integrated into Groove’s expansive platform, enriching its offering with cutting-edge titles and reinforcing its position as a leader in the iGaming industry.

Through Groove’s single, streamlined API, operators worldwide will gain access to Playnetic’s adrenaline-fueled games, combining fast-paced thrills, captivating gameplay, and unmatched player engagement. This partnership underscores Groove’s commitment to delivering premium content that drives operator success and player retention.

With the addition of Playnetic’s standout titles including fan favourites like Sweets & Hits, Osiris Fortune, and Thor’s Wild Power; Groove further enhances its robust portfolio of over 15,000 games from 150+ top-tier providers. This integration ensures operators can leverage the most innovative and high-performing content to stay ahead in a competitive market.

Rachel Tourgeman, Head of Partnerships at Groove Technologies, shared: “At Groove, we are relentless in our pursuit of delivering the highest-calibre gaming experiences to our partners. Playnetic’s track record of crafting deeply engaging, premium content makes them an ideal strategic addition to our platform. This partnership underscores our commitment to curating a best-in-class game library, one that not only meets but anticipates the evolving demands of players and operators worldwide.”

Playnetic’s inclusion in Groove’s ecosystem not only diversifies its content offering but also strengthens its ability to fuel operator growth through unmatched variety and quality. As Groove continues to release over 100+ premium games monthly, this partnership ensures partners maintain a competitive edge with an ever-evolving selection of world-class entertainment.

Julian Borg-Barthet, Chief Commercial Officer at Playnetic, said: “Collaborating with Groove represents a pivotal moment in Playnetic’s global growth strategy. Their platform’s sophistication, combined with their dedication to operator success, aligns perfectly with our vision of creating immersive, player-centric entertainment. By integrating our portfolio into Groove’s ecosystem, we’re unlocking new opportunities to delight players while driving measurable value for our shared partners.”

Yahale Meltzer, Co-Founder and COO at Groove Technologies, added: “This partnership is a testament to our shared ambition: to redefine excellence in iGaming. Playnetic’s innovative approach to game design complements our mission to equip operators with transformative technology and content. Together, we’re not just expanding a portfolio, we’re shaping the next generation of player engagement, ensuring our partners lead rather than follow in an increasingly competitive landscape.”

The ruling stems from the so-called “14th floor case,” which relates to Thaksin’s controversial hospital stay following his return to Thailand in 2023. According to a BBC report, after spending years in self-imposed exile, Thaksin was immediately tried and sentenced to eight years in prison for corruption and abuse of power during his time in office. However, he spent only a few hours in a jail cell before claiming heart issues, which led to his transfer to a luxury wing of Thailand’s Police General Hospital, located on the 14th floor.

The Supreme Court judge stated that Thaksin “knew or could reasonably perceive that he was not in a critical or emergency condition” and could have been treated as an outpatient. The court ruled that his six-month hospital stay was unlawful, despite his chronic medical conditions. Following a royal pardon request, the Thai king had previously commuted his original eight-year sentence to one year.

The case has drawn significant criticism from many Thais, who argue that the wealthy and powerful are granted privileged treatment in the justice system. Prior to Tuesday’s ruling, Thaksin had flown to Dubai last week in a private jet, claiming he was seeking medical treatment but returned to Thailand for the court hearing, as he had promised on social media.

Thaksin and his family have dominated Thai politics since his first election as prime minister in 2001. His political dynasty suffered another setback last month when his daughter, Paetongtarn, was removed from office after the constitutional court found her guilty of violating ethical standards following a leaked phone call with Cambodian leader Hun Sen concerning the Thai-Cambodia border conflict.

Following the ruling, Thaksin released a statement on social media saying, “Even though I lose my physical freedom, I will still have the freedom of thought for the benefit of my country and its people.” He vowed to maintain his strength to serve the monarchy, Thailand, and its people.

Paetongtarn told reporters after the ruling that she was “worried” for her father but that the family remained in “good spirits.” She indicated she would lead the family’s Pheu Thai party forward as an opposition party following their recent political setbacks.

The decision comes at a time of significant political turmoil in Thailand. Last week, anti-casino advocate Anutin Charnvirakul was elected as the new prime minister, adding further uncertainty to the debate over casino legalization. This marks the third leadership change in two years, after his Bhumjaithai party broke away from the Pheu Thai-led coalition.

Mikko Hoglund, Partnership Manager at Eeze, said: “This partnership marks an exciting milestone in our global growth journey. SpinOro is an ideal collaborator with a strong presence and proven track record in aggregation and platform delivery. Together, we’re laying the groundwork to bring our innovative live casino content and slots portfolio to a wider audience across key international markets.”

Jeff Letlat, COO at SpinOro, added: “We’re pleased to welcome Eeze’s high-quality content to our aggregation platform. Their live casino suite adds real value to our offering, and we look forward to the second phase with their upcoming slots. This collaboration supports our shared goal of offering operators a premium, fully compliant, and engaging gaming experience.”

Good Morning. Quality over quantity. Macau is honing in on higher-spending clientele, with new analysis showing that premium mass drop is on the rise. While customer numbers are down, the improved spending is energizing, particularly for a slower month like September. Looking to new and exciting horizons, Wyn n appears to have larger plans for the UAE, with a second plot already designated to house an IR with a casino, highlighting the group’s fandom of casino strips like Las Vegas and Macau.

What you need to know

Macau’s premium mass market shows resilience, with rising average wagers offsetting fewer players; whale activity lifts confidence.
Wynn Resorts plans a second casino resort in Ras Al Khaimah, expanding its UAE hub with a 1.5M sq ft plot, aiming to replicate Vegas success.

On the radar

PAGCOR: improve online gaming regulation instead of banning the industry.
HK’s CE supports HKJC’s efforts to promote horse racing tourism.
NZ online casino bill critics worried about gambling adverts.
Powerhouse of players to headline first NBA House in Macau in October.
Sri Lanka targets half a million Indian tourists in 2025.

AGB Intelligence

MACAU

Premium mass spending up; player numbers down

While the overall number of punters is not increasing, the quality of premium mass play in Macau is on the rise, according to new analysis by Citigroup. Average wagers are up, even though September tends to be a slower month, with a significant number of high-rollers seen at Macau’s premier venues. New incentives by operators, including mini Labubu collectibles, appear to be having success, further driving gaming spend by higher echelon patrons.

Corporate Spotlight

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SEON,Winning Trust, Stopping Fraud: Why Asia’s iGaming Operators Must Rethink Risk Strategy

Winning Trust, Stopping Fraud. Asia Pacific’s iGaming market is expanding extremely fast, and a new wave of digital-savvy players is pushing demand through the roof. But the rise in adoption has outpaced regulation in many markets, and fraudsters have taken notice.

Industry Updates

SOFTSWISS launches global survey to define iGaming Trends 2026 report.
Genius Sports delivers innovation to Hard Rock Bet with BetVision rollout.
Creedroomz rolls out Side Bet Gamble feature in Cashout Blackjack update.

INTELLIGENCE | ASEAN | CAREERS

This tourism push comes as Sri Lanka seeks to increase the average spend per tourist from the current $170 per day to $180 this year. The focus on wedding and MICE tourism aims to attract higher-spending visitors who will contribute more significantly to the economy’s recovery following the devastating debt crisis of 2022.

For the first time, Sri Lanka is conducting multi-city roadshows across India to promote itself as a wedding destination. The country is leveraging its advantages, including easy connectivity, free visas, cultural connections, and budget appeal, to attract Indian couples and event organizers.

Sri Lanka Tourism will assist travel agents with venue sourcing, coordination with local event planners, and special packages to facilitate the wedding tourism segment, Hewawasam explained.

The tourism initiative is part of Sri Lanka’s broader economic recovery strategy. After receiving 2.05 million overseas visitors in 2024, the country is targeting 2.6 million foreign visitors in 2025. Tourism receipts, along with worker remittances, are crucial sources of foreign exchange for the island nation as it rebuilds its economy.

Tourism has gained increased importance for Sri Lanka’s economy due to ongoing competition and challenges in traditional revenue earners, such as apparel and tea exports. As reported previously by AGB, the government hopes tourism will eventually account for 10 percent of GDP, up from approximately 4 percent last year.

Also, in August, City of Dreams Sri Lanka fully opened, with the property expected to attract affluent Indian tourists. The Sri Lankan government is betting on casinos and enhanced tourism infrastructure to achieve its goal of raising tourist arrivals by 50 percent, potentially lifting industry revenues to $5 billion from $3.7 billion in the previous year.

Wynn reserves land for second UAE IR in Ras Al Khaimah expansion

UAE

Viviana Chan

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September 9, 2025

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Wynn reserves land for second UAE IR in Ras Al Khaimah expansion

Wynn Resorts and its partners have designated land for a second integrated casino resort in Ras Al Khaimah.

That’s according to a shareholders’ agreement obtained by Arabian Gulf Business Insight (AGBI).

This move signals the American gaming giant’s long-term strategy to establish a casino hub in the United Arab Emirates, similar to its successful developments in Las Vegas and Macau.

The agreement, dated June 21st, 2024, and filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission in February, was signed by Wynn Resorts, RAK Hospitality Holding, and Al Marjan Island LLC. It outlines several development sites on Al Marjan Island, in addition to the flagship Wynn property currently under construction. The flagship resort will house the Gulf region’s first legal casino when it opens in early 2027.

Multiple development plots identified

The shareholders’ agreement details several designated areas within a comprehensive master plan, including a “Second Integrated Resort Plot,” a “Janu Plot,” a “Luxury Hotel and Apartments Plot,” and a broader “Land Bank.” The second integrated resort site covers 593,870 square feet of existing land, with an additional 892,306 square feet to be reclaimed from the sea, bringing the total area to nearly 1.5 million square feet.

According to the agreement, if a casino is developed on this second plot, Wynn or its affiliate will serve as the sole operator. However, Wynn’s Chief Communications Officer, Michael Weaver, stated in a response to AGBI that no decisions regarding the second plot would be made until after the first property opens in 2027.

The Janu plot encompasses approximately 542,680 square feet of existing and reclaimed land. Industry observers speculate this could refer to the Janu hotel chain, a sister brand of the ultra-luxury Aman Group, in which Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund Mubadala holds a stake. The Luxury Hotel and Apartments plot covers 439,190 square feet of existing land and 254,653 square feet of reclaimed area.

Strategic expansion plans

CEO Craig Billings discussed the expansion potential during the August 8th, 2025 earnings call, emphasizing that the UAE project remains the company’s primary focus. He noted that construction is progressing as planned and highlighted Wynn’s substantial land bank in the region, which the company expects to begin utilizing over the next year.

The original Wynn Al Marjan Island integrated resort represents a $5.1 billion investment, with Wynn Resorts holding a 40 percent equity stake and securing a $2.4 billion construction facility for development funding. The company has obtained an exclusive 15-year gaming license for Ras Al Khaimah.

Company projections for the flagship property anticipate annual gross gaming revenue between $1 billion and $1.67 billion, with total operating revenues expected to range from $1.38 billion to $1.88 billion annually. International VIP clients are projected to account for 37 percent of the resort’s gross gaming revenue, leveraging Wynn’s existing database of high-net-worth clients globally.

Wynn Al Marjan Island project, Wynn Resorts, UAE — Wynn Al Marjan Island construction works

Potential IPO

The shareholders’ agreement also outlines provisions for a potential public listing, which could involve converting the company into a public joint-stock company or implementing a new holding structure. Weaver clarified that no decision regarding an initial public offering has been made at this time.

To protect the joint venture, Wynn and its affiliates are prohibited from opening any other Wynn-branded hotel, casino, or residential property in the Gulf Cooperation Council region for 10 years after Wynn Al Marjan Island launches, unless other shareholders consent.

When Wynn first announced its UAE project in early 2022, the company registered trademarks for “Marjan Strip” and “Arabian Strip,” indicating long-term ambitions to replicate successful casino districts like the Cotai Strip in Macau or the Las Vegas Strip. The operator has also secured the “Encore Marjan Island” trademark, suggesting the possibility of a sister hotel similar to the Wynn and Encore properties in Las Vegas.

Wynn estimates the UAE gaming market could be worth between $3 billion and $5 billion, equivalent to approximately 1 percent of the UAE’s GDP. The report also cites that Bloomberg Intelligence projects revenues could reach $6.6 billion, while CBRE suggests the market could generate as much as $8.5 billion.

Hub88 adds Expanse Studios’ cutting-edge content to strengthen portfolio

Elsewhere

AGBrief Editorial

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September 8, 2025

0

Hub88 adds Expanse Studios’ cutting-edge content to strengthen portfolio

Hub88 has reinforced its market-leading aggregation offering after entering a partnership with Expanse Studios, the dynamic game development subsidiary of NASDAQ-listed Golden Matrix Group (GMGI).

Through the deal, Hub88 will deliver Expanse Studios’ high-performing slots, crash games, video poker, and gamified traditional classics to its wide international operator network. Players will gain access to titles such as Wild Icy Fruits, Super Heli and Titan Roulette.

Expanse Studios, known for its proprietary tech stack and next-generation casino content, has built a reputation for creating immersive experiences that engage modern, mobile-first players. The studio is now set to accelerate its reach through Hub88’s powerful aggregation ecosystem.

This collaboration supports Hub88’s commitment to empowering operators with best-in-class content, while providing growing developers with efficient, scalable routes to market.

Ollie Castleman, Managing Director at Hub88, said: “We’re excited to welcome Expanse Studios to our platform. Their forward-thinking approach aligns perfectly with our goal of delivering premium experiences to diverse players across the globe, making their ever-evolving offering a strong addition to our portfolio.”

Damjan Stamenković, CEO at Expanse Studios, added: “Partnering with Hub88 gives us a significant advantage in expanding our global footprint. The platform’s fast integration, robust back-office tools and extensive operator reach provides the kind of distribution partnership we are focused on. We’re thrilled to join their ecosystem and bring our games to new audiences around the world.”

Leading crypto sportsbook and casino Cloudbet has released the first edition of Cloudbet Snapshot: Regional Crypto Betting Trends, a new series designed to track how bettors worldwide engage with their favorite sports.

Soccer dominates, but rivals (Grand Slams, MLB) break through

Regional snapshots:

Liga Profesional de Fútbol’s surprising global reach

Cloudbet Snapshot methodology and context

Table of Contents

India’s Supreme Court has granted the Central government’s request to transfer all petitions challenging the constitutionality of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, from various high courts to itself.

Europe’s leading gaming technology group, NOVOMATIC, has announced that it has completed the sale of ADMIRAL Austria to Tipico.

Table of Contents

Groove Technologies, a premier iGaming aggregator and platform, has forged a strategic partnership with Playnetic, the globally acclaimed B2B iGaming content provider renowned for its immersive gaming experiences and exceptional service.

Table of Contents

Thailand’s Supreme Court has ruled that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra must serve a full year in prison, marking a significant blow to the influential political figure, who is widely recognized as a strong advocate for legalizing casinos in the country.

Table of Contents

Eeze, the next-generation casino supplier, has announced its latest partnership with SpinOro, a leading game provider and aggregator, to boost its global presence with the addition of its live dealer titles and upcoming slot content.

Table of Contents

What you need to know

On the radar

MACAU

Corporate Spotlight

Industry Updates

Table of Contents

Sri Lanka is targeting 500,000 tourists from India in 2025, focusing on wedding destinations and meetings, incentives, exhibitions, and conferences (MICE) tourism to boost foreign exchange earnings

Wynn Resorts and its partners have designated land for a second integrated casino resort in Ras Al Khaimah.

Multiple development plots identified

Strategic expansion plans

Potential IPO

Hub88 has reinforced its market-leading aggregation offering after entering a partnership with Expanse Studios, the dynamic game development subsidiary of NASDAQ-listed Golden Matrix Group (GMGI).

Table of Contents

ENQUIRIES & SUBSCRIPTIONS

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