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Pronet Gaming: Why cultural nuance is the hidden driver of campaign success

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In a dynamic industry and globally interconnected such as iGaming, one reality has become impossible to ignore: there is no one-size-fits-all approach to marketing. At Pronet Gaming, working with operators across regulated and emerging markets, from Europe to Asia and beyond, has shown us that cultural nuance and local behaviour directly influence campaign performance.

Operators and platform providers expanding across regions must embrace market diversity not as a complication, but as a strategic advantage. Understanding these factors isn’t just gravy; it’s fundamental to building campaigns that convert, retain, and scale.

Moving beyond surface-level localisation

Effective campaigns start with insight, not translation. While language is important, true localisation goes far deeper than copy. It’s about understanding how players think, how they interact with products, and what they value at each point of the user journey.

A campaign that performs well in one market may fail in another simply because it doesn’t align with local habits or expectations. Player motivations differ by region, whether it’s the trust in new platforms or sensitivity to design and messaging. 

Brand clarity as a campaign multiplier

Strong campaigns don’t exist in isolation; they are amplified by brand clarity. A clear, confident brand identity gives campaigns credibility and consistency, especially when operating across multiple markets.

Our refreshed brand, unveiled recently at ICE Barcelona 2026, was designed to reflect who we are today: a performance-driven B2B partner with deep B2C operator roots. This wasn’t simply a visual update. It was a strategic step to ensure that every touchpoint, from campaigns and content to product demos and sales conversations, communicates our core values: growth, localisation, and measurable performance. When brand and campaign strategy align, messaging becomes more effective.

Performance and experience drive engagement

In today’s iGaming landscape, players engage in micro-moments. They expect platforms to load instantly, markets to update in real time, and experiences to feel seamless – particularly in live betting and in-play environments.

This has direct implications for campaign design. No matter how strong the creative or messaging might be, a campaign will fail if it leads players into a slow or confusing experience. That’s why performance is not just a technical consideration; it’s a marketing one. Campaigns succeed when the frontend supports them, turning attention into action rather than frustration into churn.

Designing for growth across regions

Scalability today isn’t only about volume; it’s about diversity. As operators expand into new territories, campaigns must adapt to different languages, devices, and regulatory realities.

A flexible, modular frontend allows campaigns to be tailored market by market without reinventing the entire platform. This flexibility enables faster launches, more effective testing, and continuous optimisation – all while respecting cultural and commercial nuances. For marketers, it means greater confidence that campaigns will land as intended, regardless of region.

Aligning campaigns with real product value

Marketing only works when it’s anchored in product reality. Campaigns should highlight genuine platform strengths, whether that’s localisation tools or performance-driven design, rather than relying on generic promises.

At Pronet Gaming, the marketing strategy is tightly aligned with product development. This ensures that campaigns don’t just attract attention but clearly communicate value to both operators and players. 

Turning complexity into opportunity

Crafting campaigns for diverse markets is complex, but that complexity is also where opportunity lies. Operators that succeed are those willing to listen, adapt, and design with local relevance in mind.

Global expansion is not about copying success from one region to another, but rebuilding it intelligently each time. At Pronet Gaming, diversity is not a barrier to scale: it’s what enables it. By combining deep market insight with performance-led design and genuine localisation, campaigns can move beyond reach to deliver trust, engagement, and sustainable growth.

Sportradar launches ‘hybrid’ iGaming brand Playradar, with table games, arcades, slots, and virtual sports

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Sports technology firm Sportradar is launching its own iGaming brand, Playradar, a ‘fully-integrated ecosystem of cross-vertical gaming experiences’ for global operators.

Edo Haitin, EVP of iGaming, Sportradar
Edo Haitin, EVP of iGaming, Sportradar

In preparation for the launch, Sportradar recently hired former Playtech Live CEO Edo Haitin, to lead its iGaming business.

Haitin, EVP of iGaming, noted that “We’re uniquely positioned to seamlessly blend live and historical sports events, innovative gaming mechanics, and casino content and have the advantage of being able to distribute games to an already licensed portfolio of operators.”

Company founder and CEO Carsten Koerl highlighted that “iGaming represents a natural and scalable extension of our business, and a strategic acceleration of our long-term growth roadmap. Playradar content is designed to provide optimized cross-sell between the worlds of sport and casinos, helping operators to increase player value and session length at a time when engagement and retention are key to operational sustainability”.

Hybrid products

Transforming sports betting AI and the future, insights by Behshad Behzadi, Chief Product, Technology, and AI Officer at Sportradar

The group notes that its new iGaming brand will ‘leverage life and historical sports data and AV streams, combined with casino games, to create unique, proprietary, hybrid products’.

This includes a live 24/7 ‘experience center’, where players are offered a game and a live stream to watch simultaneously on the same screen, ‘blending sports viewing and gaming for pure engagement or betting real money’.

It will also feature live and historical streaming of sports/casino hybrid content, defined as ‘transforming real sporting moments into interactive event-driven gameplay by blending live and historical sports streaming with casino mechanics’.

In addition, ‘premium iGaming content’ will be part of Playradar, encompassing ‘virtual sports and a full suite of casino games, from slots and table games to arcade and crash’.

Integrating verticals

The group notes that ‘the majority of Sportradar’s clients already operate’ across both betting and iGaming verticals, with the company set to leverage its player behavior insight from its marketing, acquisition and retention technologies to reinforce its ‘relationships with sportsbook and casino operators worldwide’.

‘iGaming is a natural channel to drive long-term monetization and lifetime value alongside betting,’ highlights the release.

Playradar will operate solely in regulated markets, with game releases scheduled ‘throughout 2026’, starting with an initial roll-out across the UK, North America and Latin America. The group notes that ‘the full product range will span classic table games, arcades and slots, as well as virtual sports’.

Solid financial backing

Sportradar recently reported very solid results for FY25, with revenue of €1.29 billion ($1.5 billion), a 17 percent yearly increase and a yearly record. Adjusted EBITDA grew 33 percent yearly to €297 million ($344.86 million), with a significant increase of €67 million ($77.8 million) in profit for the full year, totaling €100.32 million ($116.5 million).

In early March, the group’s CEO expressed “confidence in our long-term trajectory”, indicating the group remains “committed to relentlessly creating value for our partners, clients, and shareholders”.

As of end-2025, the group had cash and cash equivalents totaling €365 million ($423.83 million), up by €21 million ($24.38 million), and total liquidity (including an undrawn credit facility) of €585 million ($679.28 million) – with no outstanding debt.

STS enhances betting integrity by integrating the IBIA monitoring platform

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STS, a leading Central European sports betting operator and part of Entain Group, has partnered with the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA), further strengthening its dedication to robust integrity standards across its betting operations.

STS becomes the latest major regulated operator to feed into IBIA’s Global Monitoring and Alert Platform (Global MAP), which includes over 200 betting brands monitoring over $300bn in sports betting turnover annually. 

Founded in 1997, STS has grown into a dominant omnichannel betting operator, offering digital and retail betting services. As the number one sportsbook operator in Poland and one of the most prominent betting brands in Central Europe, STS’s integration strengthens IBIA’s global monitoring capabilities and expands its coverage across the European market.

Radim Haluza, CEO of STS, said: “Collaborating with the International Betting Integrity Association reflects STS’s long-standing commitment to protecting the integrity of sport and ensuring a secure betting environment for our customers. We recognise the importance of proactive integrity monitoring and close cooperation with stakeholders across the regulated ecosystem. Through IBIA’s Global MAP, we are strengthening our ability to identify and report suspicious activity and contribute to the wider fight against betting-related corruption.”

Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA, added: “We are delighted to welcome STS to IBIA. The operator brings significant scale and expertise to our Global MAP and reinforces IBIA’s position as the leading integrity body for the regulated betting industry. We look forward to working closely with STS to safeguard sport, protecting customers and support regulated betting markets.”

IBIA monitors over 1.5 million matches across more than 80 sports each year, with its operator intelligence playing a crucial role in supporting sporting, regulatory and law-enforcement investigations. Sanctions announced in 2025 involving IBIA data included 54 matches proven to have been corrupted, with sanctions subsequently imposed on 24 players, teams and officials across five sports.

IBIA’s 2025 Sports Betting Integrity Report highlights the ongoing impact of its Global MAP in identifying suspicious betting activity and supporting investigations and sanctions against corruption in sport.

MGM China unveils 100% card recycling system, handles 3,000 tons yearly

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MGM China has launched Macau’s first fully localized playing card recycling and upcycling system, with an annual capacity of about 3,000 tons and a 100 percent recycling rate, according to a company announcement on Tuesday.

The initiative establishes a complete, end-to-end recycling process within Macau, eliminating the need for cross-border waste handling. It is designed to reduce solid waste and lower carbon emissions associated with transportation, while supporting the city’s broader green transition and economic diversification strategy.

Developed in collaboration with local firm Fnetlink Technology Company Limited, the system builds on a smart, automated card-shredding solution first introduced in 2023, the company said. Used playing cards are processed on-site through an intelligent shredding system and converted into recycled fibers without the use of water. These fibers are then repurposed into eco-friendly materials such as packaging fillers and recycled boards.

MGM China Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Feng said at the launch ceremony that the program demonstrates the company’s efforts to enhance resource efficiency through innovative technology and support sustainable development. “This program not only reflects our efforts to enhance resource efficiency through technology, but also highlights our determination to collaborate with local tech enterprises to turn research and development into practical applications,” said the executive.

The company said the program aligns with China’s “Dual Carbon” targets, the 15th Five-Year Plan’s emphasis on green and low-carbon development, and the Macau government’s long-term decarbonization strategy. 

Officials from multiple government departments, including the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) and the Environmental Protection Bureau (DSPA), attended the launch ceremony.

Macau gaming revenue set for 12% YoY rise in March: Citigroup

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Macau’s gross gaming revenue (GGR) for March is expected to reach MOP22 billion ($2.74 billion), representing a year-on-year increase of about 12 percent, according to an investment memo released by Citigroup on Monday. 

The forecast reflects stable demand trends despite softer VIP performance.

Based on industry sources, GGR for the first 22 days of March reached approximately MOP15.6 billion ($1.94 billion), implying a daily run rate of about MOP721 million ($90.1 million) in the most recent week. This was roughly 3 percent higher than the prior week and 14 percent above the same period last year.

Citigroup analysts George Choi and Timothy Chau maintained their full-month estimate, projecting average daily GGR of roughly MOP711 million ($88.9 million) for the remainder of March. They noted that entertainment events could help sustain momentum, specifically pointing to concerts by ATEEZ at the Venetian Arena and Mark Tuan of GOT7 at Studio City Event Center over the coming weekend.

Segment performance remained mixed. VIP volumes declined by approximately 10 to 12 percent month-on-month, while mass GGR was broadly flat, down between 0 and 2 percent. 

VIP hold rates were also lower than the previous week, suggesting continued volatility in the high-end segment.

Despite these headwinds, Citigroup said overall GGR trends remain stable, supported by steady mass-market demand and event-driven visitation.

RWS 2.0 set to reshape demand profile at Resorts World Sentosa: Chairman

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Genting Singapore has positioned its multi-year RWS 2.0 transformation as a key driver of broader demand growth from 2026, as the company seeks to expand Resorts World Sentosa’s (RWS) appeal beyond traditional gaming segments and strengthen its competitive positioning in the region.

Lim Kok Thay, Genting Hong Kong
Lim Kok Thay, Genting Singapore

According to its latest annual report, Chairman Lim Kok Thay said 2025 marked the starting point of the group’s transformation strategy, describing it as a structural repositioning rather than a conventional expansion. He added that RWS is “in a stronger position to welcome more visitors and appeal to a broader spectrum of guests in 2026”, signaling a shift toward wider demographics and experience-led tourism.

The RWS 2.0 initiative, backed by an estimated SG$6.8 billion ($5.0 billion) investment, is designed to transform the integrated resort into a lifestyle-driven destination. The strategy focuses on enhancing offerings across attractions, hospitality, lifestyle, and marine experiences, with the aim of increasing length of stay and diversifying revenue streams beyond gaming.

Entertainment and lifestyle

Genting Singapore framed the transformation as a long-term upgrade of its integrated resort ecosystem, targeting international and lifestyle-oriented visitors. The repositioning comes amid intensifying regional competition and evolving travel preferences, with the company seeking to capture new demand segments through non-gaming and experiential offerings.

Execution of the strategy is already underway, with several developments launched in 2025. These include the opening of Illumination’s Minion Land at Universal Studios Singapore, the introduction of WEAVE as a new retail and dining lifestyle hub, and the unveiling of the expanded Singapore Oceanarium. The company also highlighted new hospitality offerings and asset enhancement works aimed at elevating the overall guest experience.

‘These developments expand operational capacity and deliver sought-after new-to-market experiences that invite guests to stay, play, dine, discover and return,’ the chairman said in the report, adding that the initiatives are intended to ‘strengthen our capacity for long-term, sustainable growth.’

Genting Singapore also pointed to ongoing large-scale projects under RWS 2.0, including a waterfront lifestyle development scheduled for completion by 2030, featuring new hotels, retail spaces, and immersive attractions.

The company indicated that 2026 will serve as an inflection point, when the transformation begins translating into measurable outcomes across visitation, spend mix, and market positioning. “We are confident in our ability to execute with discipline and realise the full potential of RWS 2.0,” Lim said.

SOFTSWISS hosts exclusive sports betting track at BiS SiGMA South America 2026

SOFTSWISS is set to take centre stage at the BiS SiGMA South America Summit on 7 April 2026 in São Paulo, Brazil, where the B2B provider will host an exclusive expert block, SOFTSWISS Track: Sports Betting Strategy, Integrity & Speed, on the main ITAIM Stage from 14:15 to 16:55.

As Brazil‘s newly regulated betting market approaches its first major global event – the 2026 FIFA World Cup – the track brings together top-tier regulators, legal experts, and industry veterans to discuss the strategies that define the future of the Latin American betting landscape.

The program opens with a high-level Fireside Chat featuring Plínio Lemos Jorge, President of Brazil’s National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL), and Carla Dualib, Regional Business Development Manager (Latin America) at SOFTSWISS and Communication Direсtor at ANJL. They will discuss the rapid growth of the Brazilian market and the immense responsibility that comes with operating at such a significant scale.

  • The Fan Economy: Industry leaders will examine how clubs and operators can transform fan passion into a strategic asset through responsible engagement and ethical partnerships.
  • Integrity on the Field: With the World Cup approaching, Caio Porto Ferreira (Federal Police/ STJD) and Carla Dualib will join other experts to discuss safeguarding the legal market, protecting bettors, and ensuring football’s integrity amidst record-breaking betting volumes.
  • The final session, Beyond the Screen, features Dario Leiman, Head of Business Development (Latin America) at SOFTSWISS, and Natalia Nogues, CEO of ControlF5. The discussion will highlight how technology, interactivity, and multi-platform experiences are evolving to enhance player retention and responsible gaming during major global sporting events.
Carla Dualib, Regional Business Development Manager for Latin America at SOFTSWISS
Carla Dualib

Carla Dualib, Regional Business Development Manager for Latin America at SOFTSWISS, said: “We aren’t just hosting a session; we are consolidating the brightest minds in the industry to set the gold standard for Brazil. In my dual role at SOFTSWISS and ANJL, my mission is to foster a unified voice between technology, regulation, and sport. This track is an open invitation for everyone – operators, authorities, and clubs – to move past generic discussions and commit to the hard strategies of integrity and speed that will protect our market’s future.”

Following the sessions, delegates and partners are invited to SOFTSWISS booths M80 & M85 to explore the SOFTSWISS Casino Platform, Game Aggregator, and Sportsbook. All products have received Brazilian regulatory certification and are designed to meet current compliance requirements, supporting a secure and compliant entry into this high-growth market. 

Tequity partners with Hub88 to boost operator access to Originals & Crypto Trading games

The fast-growing iGaming software pioneer Tequity has expanded its reach by onboarding its content portfolio to Hub88’s aggregator, opening a streamlined pathway for operators worldwide to access its cutting-edge titles.

The agreement allows Hub88’s extensive network of operators to bolster and differentiate their lobbies with Tequity’s high-performance titles via a single API, ensuring that operators can quickly release content to the market.

Through the partnership, Hub88 clients can now access Tequity’s Originals portfolio of 17 fast, streamer-friendly, and fully customisable house games, alongside the new Crypto Trading games range designed to bring crypto market-style gameplay into the casino lobby.

Additionally, the onboarding includes Tequity’s Publishing vertical, with Mirror Image Gaming’s Royal Drop the first third-party title available via Hub88 distribution.

The deal offers Hub88’s operator partners a broader content mix with strong advantages in brand control and delivery confidence. Operators can utilise extensive customisation options across look, feel, and UI treatments, supported by an engineering-led infrastructure built for global performance and scale.

Dominic Sawyer, VP Growth at Tequity, said: “Hub88 is a strong distribution partner for operators and studios building for scale. This onboarding makes it easier for Hub88’s operator clients to access Tequity content across Originals, Crypto Trading games, and Publishing. We are launching with a clear focus on fast rollout and brand control, with a number of partners scheduled to onboard over the coming weeks.”

The latest collaboration reinforces Tequity’s position as the go-to partner for studios and operators prioritising speed and technical stability

Ollie Castleman, Managing Director of Hub88, added: “We are pleased to onboard Tequity to Hub88. Their combination of Originals, new Crypto Trading titles, and Publishing content gives our operator partners more choice in differentiated games, supported by a streamlined route to launch.”

Wynn Macau upgraded on strong dividend yield and disciplined strategy

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Wynn Macau has been upgraded to ‘overweight’ by Morgan Stanley, with analysts citing the company’s sector-leading dividend yield, expected market share gains, and disciplined reinvestment strategy as key drivers behind the rating change.

According to a research report released on Monday, the brokerage also raised its price target for Wynn Macau. The upgrade comes despite a more cautious broader outlook for Macau’s gaming sector, where Morgan Stanley expects gross gaming revenue growth to moderate to single digits in the second half of 2026 amid margin pressure and persistent earnings downgrades.

Morgan Stanley said Wynn Macau stands out within the sector due to its high and sustainable dividend yield, estimated at around 8 percent, the highest among global gaming peers. The bank noted that the company’s dividend policy is supported by cash flow generation and is not directly dependent on earnings, with annual payouts expected to remain stable in the coming years.

The upgrade is also supported by expectations of market share gains in the first quarter of 2026. Wynn Macau is projected to record one of the strongest quarter-on-quarter increases in market share, driven by improving gaming volumes and the opening of new premium facilities ahead of the Chinese New Year period.

In addition, analysts highlighted Wynn Macau’s more disciplined approach to reinvestment. The company reduced its mass market reinvestment ratio through 2025, in contrast to peers that increased spending, suggesting stronger returns on invested capital and a more favorable margin outlook over time.

In Macau, reinvestment—particularly in the premium mass segment—is widely seen as a key driver of player acquisition and revenue growth. However, higher reinvestment levels have also weighed on margins across the industry, making Wynn Macau’s more measured approach a relative advantage.

Morgan Stanley also pointed to valuation support, noting that Wynn Macau remains attractively valued compared with its historical levels and peers.

The positive view follows Wynn Macau’s announcement of a higher final dividend for 2025 last Friday, even as net profit declined by 49 percent year-on-year to HK$1.63 billion ($208 million), reflecting rising operating costs. The company reported total operating revenue of HK$28.99 billion ($3.7 billion), up 0.9 percent year-on-year.

Internet Sports International unveils next‑gen retail and mobile sportsbook innovations at IGA 2026

Internet Sports International (ISI), a global leader in race and sportsbook technology, will showcase its premier retail and mobile sportsbook solutions at the Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention (IGA).

The event takes place April 1–2, 2026, at the San Diego Convention Center, where ISI will highlight its cutting-edge innovations designed to elevate the gaming experience.

Attendees can discover ISI’s solutions in the IGA Digital Play Summit, located on the tradeshow floor right next to the DigitalPlay Summit Theater – Booth K3.
 
“Whether retail, mobile, or iGaming, ISI solutions provide tribal operators of all sizes with a quick, easy, affordable solution to bring the fun and excitement of sports and mobile gaming to their casino floors,” said ISI President Bill Stearns. “The ISI solution is between 10 to 20 times more affordable than competing offerings, while providing a superior experience for the end user.”

ISI’s award-winning wagering kiosks empower casinos of all sizes and budgets to quickly and seamlessly offer the excitement of sports betting to their guests in the sportsbook, on the main casino floor, in a sports bar, or anywhere on property. ISI’s kiosks are fully automated and occupy an efficient 3 ft by 3 ft space per unit, enabling easy placement in virtually any area of the property.

ISI’s kiosks offer patrons a thrilling experience to wager on their favorite sporting events with real-time odds and live-action updates. ISI’s automated sportsbook kiosks are powered by its award-winning, proprietary, and GLI-certified sportsbook system and feature a broad range of betting propositions suitable for both novice and veteran bettors alike.

ISI Mobile

ISI Mobile is a best-in-class software solution that enables ISI to deliver a complete, customizable white-label online solution that encompasses both sports betting and iGaming, including Class II and Class III games. ISI Mobile’s platform is both modular and scalable and enables prop bets, in-game bets, parlays, and has an in-house player account management (PAM) system.

The ISI mobile sports betting app has earned GLI Certification, and the testing process included a detailed geolocation review to ensure highly accurate location verification. This geolocation technology guarantees that wagers can only be placed when users are physically on tribal land, ensuring compliance with all regulatory standards.