Fresh Insights on Traffic, Sports Peaks & Emerging GEOs

According to internal research by PropellerAds, some regions saw traffic growth of up to +117% compared to 2023.

📱 iGaming app installs increased by +97% (source: AppsFlyer).

💰 BRC forecast: the market volume is expected to reach \$ 618.69 billion in 2025.

⚙️ 2024 was a turning point — many countries began introducing regulations, paving the way for white-hat media buying and affiliate marketing.

⚽️ What do users watch by GEO?

📈 Top GEOs by traffic and engagement:

The traditional leaders — Brazil, India, South Africa — remain strong, but USA, UK, Spain, Italy, and Germany surged in 2024.

📍 iGaming Traffic by Tier Levels:

Bayesian Analysis in Betting: How to Find Value Bets?

Bayesian analysis is a method that allows you to assess the probability of an event while taking new information into account. In betting, this could be data about player injuries, weather changes, or other circumstances that may affect the outcome of a match.

💡 Why is this important?

Bookmakers might not immediately reflect these new facts in their odds, creating opportunities for players to bet on overpriced odds. This allows bettors to benefit from situations where bookmakers haven’t yet adjusted.

🔍 How does it work?

🧮 Bayesian Formula

Formula: (X * Z) / Y = Updated probability of the event.

🔑 Conclusion

Bayesian analysis helps identify value bets — when odds are higher than the real probability. It’s one of the key tools for successful betting!

TOP 5 Most Unusual Casinos in the World: From Underwater Wonders to Ice Palaces

Casinos aren’t just about thrills and winnings—they’re also about stunning locations that can amaze even the most seasoned players. Around the world, there are establishments that stand out with their bold architecture and unique concepts. Let’s take a look at the most extraordinary casinos and maybe borrow a few creative ideas for the online market!

1. Atlantis Casino, Bahamas 🌊🐠

Imagine an underwater kingdom with transparent aquarium walls where exotic fish and sharks swim right next to the gaming tables. Atlantis Casino is located on Paradise Island and is part of a massive resort. The atmosphere blends luxury with a marine theme, making you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairytale.

Highlight: Surrounded by one of the world’s largest aquariums.

2. Casino de Sal, Chile 🧂🏜

This one-of-a-kind casino is located near the famous Atacama Salt Flats. Much of the building is constructed from salt blocks. Guests can enjoy breathtaking views of the desert and starlit skies, while the interior immerses them in South American culture.

Highlight: Spectacular sunsets over the salt desert are a main attraction.

3. Ice Hotel Casino, Sweden ❄️🏔

Built entirely from ice and snow, this unique casino reinvents its architecture every year. From the walls to the gaming tables—everything is made of ice. You’ll need to bundle up, but the experience of playing in an ice palace is well worth it.

Highlight: Rebuilt each winter using natural ice and snow, with ever-changing interiors.

4. The Venetian Casino, Macau 🎭🌉

A replica of Venice in the heart of Asia? Yes! The Venetian in Macau features canals with gondolas, bridges, and lavish Italian-style interiors. One of the largest casinos in the world, it combines the elegance of Europe with the scale of modern Asia.

Highlight: Gondoliers sing Italian songs under a Renaissance-painted ceiling.

5. Sun City Casino, South Africa 🐘🏜

Nestled in the African savannah, Sun City is an entertainment empire. In addition to gaming, guests can go on safari to see elephants, lions, and rhinos. The casino is part of a large resort where exotic scenery meets five-star service.

Highlight: Combine gaming with real safari adventures in African nature reserves.

These extraordinary casinos offer more than just games—they deliver unforgettable experiences. Here, gambling becomes part of an adventure.

What kind of experience do you want your online casino players to have?

What’s Happening with Crypto Casinos?

Crypto casinos have been around since 2012, but the real hype began after the pandemic. Today, crypto gambling is a $ 250 million market and continues to grow alongside the iGaming sector, which is expected to reach $ 150 billion by 2030.

📈 Key Stats

💡 What Do Players Prefer?

Sports betting leads (43% of iGaming revenue), followed by casino games (32%). While fiat still dominates, crypto is steadily gaining ground.

📉 However

Dynasties, bans, and lotteries: how china fought gambling

Today, China is one of the countries with the strictest gambling laws in the world: virtually all forms of gambling, except lotteries, are prohibited under severe penalties. However, the history of gambling in the country spans over 3,000 years.

🔙 THE PAST OF GAMBLING IN CHINA

THE PRESENT OF GAMBLING IN CHINA

Macau, often referred to as the gambling capital of the world, has become a true magnet for gamblers from mainland China. Since the legalization of gambling in 2002, when the Macau government opened its doors to foreign casino operators, the region has experienced a real boom. Casinos such as the Venetian Macao and Wynn Macau attract millions of tourists and locals, offering a wide range of games — from traditional poker to modern slot machines.

However, Chinese authorities continue to maintain strict control over their citizens’ gambling activities. In 2024, the government strengthened its measures against cross-border gambling tourism, announcing its intention to increase inspections and crack down on Chinese citizens traveling abroad for gambling. This decision is driven not only by the desire to protect citizens from potential financial losses but also by concerns over criminal networks that may use gambling as a tool for money laundering.

The Chinese government is also actively working to raise public awareness about the risks of gambling. As part of this campaign, educational programs targeting youth and vulnerable groups are being conducted. The program includes lectures, seminars, and even online courses that help people understand the consequences of gambling addiction and how to prevent it.

Despite strict bans, gambling remains a part of Chinese culture. Many people play mahjong and card games in informal settings, especially during holidays and family gatherings. These traditional games are often seen as a way to socialize and strengthen bonds between family members and friends.

Thus, gambling in China is in a complex state: on one hand, there are strict laws and regulations; on the other, there are deep cultural roots and traditions that cannot be ignored. The government continues to seek a balance between control and understanding the needs of its people. In the future, further legislative changes can be expected, aimed at adapting to new realities and the challenges of modern society.

In this way, gambling in China remains a multifaceted issue that requires careful study and understanding — both from the authorities and from society. It will be interesting to see how this situation develops in the coming years!

Dynasties, bans, and lotteries: how china fought gambling

Today, China is one of the countries with the strictest gambling laws in the world: virtually all forms of gambling, except lotteries, are prohibited under severe penalties. However, the history of gambling in the country spans over 3,000 years.

💭 THE PAST OF GAMBLING IN CHINA

It is believed that the first form of gambling in China appeared during the Xia dynasty (c. 2070−1600 BC) and was known as 博 “bo” or 六博 “liu bo.” It was a board game involving 12 pieces, which some researchers consider to be a precursor to chess. As the game’s popularity grew, the character 博 (“bo”) gradually became a general term for all types of gambling in China.

During the Spring and Autumn period (770−476 BC) and the Warring States period (475−221 BC), new types of gambling emerged. Animal competitions and betting on them gained particular popularity. Horse race betting was especially common among the wealthy, as mentioned in “Records of the Grand Historian” by Sima Qian. Less affluent people preferred dog races and cockfights.

However, the negative impact of gambling on people became increasingly evident, attracting government attention. During the Warring States period, the Canon of Laws of the state of Wei prescribed fines for those caught gambling. Under the Qin dynasty (221−206 BC), gamblers were punished by being tattooed on the forehead.

Despite these measures, gambling continued to evolve. In the later years of the Han dynasty, a game called 樗蒲 “chu pu” emerged, where players threw five wooden dice, and the winner was the one with the most black sides showing. This game remained extremely popular until the beginning of the Song dynasty (960−1279).

During the Tang dynasty (618−907), cricket fights became fashionable and remained popular throughout the subsequent Song and Ming (1368−1644) dynasties. Emperor Daozong of the Liao dynasty (907−1125) was also known as an avid gambler, and according to the “History of Liao”, he even ordered officials to throw dice to determine their promotions.

During the Ming and Qing dynasties (1616−1911), card games gained popularity, and Mahjong—a Chinese gambling game using tiles—was invented.

Thus, gambling persisted in China throughout the reigns of all dynasties despite legal bans. The negative effects of gambling were noted by educated people, leading to further restrictions and prohibitions on gambling in modern China.

🔜 THE PRESENT OF GAMBLING IN CHINA

iGaming in Europe: The Online Market Reaches a New Milestone

The European gambling market continues its steady growth. According to the latest report by the EGBA (European Gaming & Betting Association) in collaboration with H2 Gambling Capital, the industry’s total gross gaming revenue (GGR) reached € 123.4 billion in 2024 — a 5% increase compared to the previous year.

Key Figures

Main Growth Drivers

Country Breakdown

Outlook

By 2029, Europe’s gambling market could reach € 149.2 billion, with iGaming expected to grow faster than the land-based sector (6.9% vs. 1.8% annual growth).

Comparing Market Depth: How Many Markets Do Bookmakers Offer for Eastern Europe?

Online Gambling Quarterly conducted a benchmarking study to compare how many markets (not events) top bookmakers offer on the English versions of their websites. They measured the data daily over a week and averaged the results over 7 days.

The findings were quite revealing 👇

⚽️ Football: Which Leagues and How Many Markets Do Bookmakers Offer?

Poland — Ekstraklasa

Romania — Liga 1

Hungary — NB1

Czech Republic — First League

Slovakia — Superliga

UEFA Champions League

🏀 What About Other Sports?

🔸 NHL — average of 1,884 markets, max 3,099

🔸 NBA — average of 2,037 markets, max 4,715

📊 Overall View: Who Offers the Broadest Football Coverage?

Across all key Eastern European leagues, bookmakers offer an average of 5,623 football markets.

🏆 The undisputed leader in market depth — William Hill UK, consistently ranking at the top across almost all leagues.

📌 Why Does This Matter?

The number of markets isn’t the only marker of a “strong” betting line — odds, depth of selections, and live betting are also crucial.

But in an increasingly competitive landscape, broad product variety becomes a powerful tool for differentiation.

iGaming in Brazil: How the Market Changed in 2025

The Brazilian iGaming market continues to evolve amid new legislation, tighter regulations, and increasing competition. The year kicked off with operator licensing, a crackdown on illegal platforms, and a major shift in traffic distribution.

🎰 Regulatory Changes and Their Impact

As of January 1, 2025, only licensed bookmakers are allowed to operate in Brazil. This led to a short-term decline in player activity and revenue in January. However, the market began recovering by February as operators secured licenses, users completed re-verification, and seasonal factors reignited interest in betting.

📈 Market Trends: The Numbers Speak for Themselves

🌎 Winners: Local or International Brands?

Local operators continue gaining ground: their share of the Blask Index rose from 94% in January to 95% in February, and their CEB share grew from 91.28% to 92.96%. Market leaders like Betano and Bet365 have obtained licenses and resumed active operations.

Influencer Marketing in iGaming: Stats, Trends, and Limitations

Strict regulations, bans, and platform blocks are making traditional advertising in iGaming less and less effective.

At the same time, user trust in banners and promo campaigns is declining, while audience acquisition costs are rising.

The solution? Influencer marketing. With the right strategy, creators can bridge the gap between brands and users, build trust, and keep audiences engaged.

How it works

Influencers act as guides in the iGaming world, creating a direct connection with players:

Where to find your audience

Targeting is key for better results. For example:

ROI of Influencer Marketing

Challenges

If “Ocean’s Thirteen” Were Filmed Today…

Illegal gambling and betting websites are rapidly expanding in India. In 2023, the Parliamentary Committee on Finance identified them as key tools for money laundering and terrorist financing.

🔍 Why Are They Still Operating?

Despite government attempts to block these sites and issue warnings, illegal operators continue their activities. They use:

📊 Scale of the Problem

In just three months, four major platforms (Parimatch, Stake, 1xBet, Batery Bet) amassed 1.6 billion visits. Moreover, only three mirror sites of Parimatch generated an additional 266 million visits — showing that the true scale is even larger.

📈 Growing Interest in Betting

Google data reveals a sharp increase in searches for popular platforms (Dafabet, 1xBet, Parimatch, and others) between February 2021 and December 2024. The spikes in interest align with the Indian Premier League seasons (March-April) in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.

💡 How Do They Attract Users?

Illegal bookmakers use multiple channels to attract customers:

💸 How Are Payments Made?

Operators offer various payment options, including:

If “Ocean’s Thirteen” Were Filmed Today…

If the iconic casino heist movie “Ocean’s Thirteen” were made today, the director would likely choose Macau instead of Las Vegas — the new gambling capital of the world, where truly massive amounts of money are in play. Once the undisputed king of gambling, Las Vegas has now become more of a family resort, with non-gaming entertainment generating far more revenue than the casinos themselves.

Interestingly, even the numbers in the movie were a bit exaggerated. For instance, Danny Ocean claims the ultra-luxury casino makes up to $ 3 million a day — which, back then, was quite an overstatement.

Still, Las Vegas remains a major gambling hub with a rich history and countless fascinating facts.

🏙 A BIT OF HISTORY

Nevada has always had a wild reputation. As early as 1915, local saloons featured poker and roulette for money. When gambling was banned nationwide, the industry went underground — but in 1931, it was re-legalized. Since then, Vegas’s gambling scene has only grown.

🌟 TOURISM & CASINOS

In the 1950s, Las Vegas attracted tourists with nuclear test viewing near a nearby test site. The second half of the 20th century saw brilliant marketing: artificial volcanoes, aquariums, fountains, and a range of entertainment turned the city into a magnet for wealthy tourists.

By 1940, around 9,000 gamblers had visited Vegas. By the 1960s, that number had risen to 64,000. New casinos opened one after another, offering ever more exciting attractions.

📈 WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?

By 1975, gambling revenues surpassed $ 1 billion annually. But with the legalization of gambling in Atlantic City, Nevada lost its monopoly. In the early 2000s, gambling spread across the U.S.

Las Vegas adapted with the now-famous line: “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” The city regained popularity among young people thanks to its world-class nightclubs and restaurants.

🔄 DOWN AGAIN, THEN BACK UP

The COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 brought Vegas to its knees once more. But as history shows, this city always finds a way to bounce back.

Las Vegas is more than just a place for gambling — it’s a cultural phenomenon with a one-of-a-kind vibe and a story worth telling.

🌟 Share your thoughts on Vegas! What’s your favorite moment from Ocean’s Thirteen? 🍸💰