Ahead of SiGMA East Europe, SiGMA has published its latest Market Report, focused on East Europe, with insights into the most active operators, affiliates, and their performance on various platforms. The report includes data collected from the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Romania.
Who are the operators dominating affiliate sites in Europe?
In affiliate marketing, leading operators vary by country. Betting-specific affiliate benchmarking data places Tipsport, Betclic, and Unibet at the top of the rankings. Casino-specific affiliate benchmarking reveals different operators in each country:
The top advertisers (gambling websites) on affiliate websites – Eastern Europe – July 2024.
Who are the industry SEO benchmarking leaders?
Ranking in search engines is a crucial success factor in iGaming. The SiGMA Market Report looked at which online gambling operators are doing the best job in SEO in Romania and Poland:
Online operators leading SEO rankings in Romania and Poland.
ESPN Bet leads the pack on Instagram with over 2.3 million followers, setting a new standard for digital engagement.
Market capitalisations and recent M&A deals
Flutter leads the market capitalisation rankings with GBP 27.6 billion, emphasising the financial strength required to lead in this competitive market. It is followed by Evolution (GBP 18.0 billion) and Entain (GBP 4.3 billion). The average market capitalisation of the companies analysed is GBP 3.7 billion.
Mergers and acquisitions, such as EveryMatrix’s acquisition of FSB Technology and Gambling.com’s purchase of Freebets.com, indicate a trend towards consolidation and market expansion.
P/E ratios and market cap / revenue ratio.
The East Europe Market Report offers a concise overview of the industry’s current status within the region. The industry is poised for growth due to technological progress and evolving consumer preferences, yet it must navigate a complex regulatory landscape. The outlook for online gambling in Eastern Europe is optimistic, with prospects for market expansion and innovation. However, achieving success hinges on operators’ capacity to handle regulatory hurdles, sustain a robust online presence, and foster consumer trust. The full report (available here) is the result of a partnership between SiGMA Group and MECN’s Online Gambling Quarterly (OGQ).
Disclaimer: The facts provided are believed to be correct at the time of publication but cannot be guaranteed. Data, findings, and recommendations are based on the best available information at the time of publication and are subject to change over time.
SiGMA East Europe – September 02 – 04
Find all the details of the upcoming SiGMA East Europe summit happening in Budapest here.
Earlier today “one of the strikers who has very low blood sugar needed medical attention”, explains Giorgi Diasamidze, head of the Georgian Trade Union Confederation. “There is no difference between being part of the strike or not – we the employees of Evolution Georgia all want the same outcome from the company administration, ” he added.
Over the past few months, SiGMA News has been inundated with concerns from employees, union leaders, and strike representatives about the ongoing dispute in Georgia involving Evolution. The situation has escalated, with the industry now questioning how long this standoff will persist.
In an exclusive interview this week, SiGMA News spoke with Giorgi Diasamidze, Chairman of LABOR and head of the Georgian Trade Union Confederation, Makhare Patashuri, and Tamar Ansiana, a representative of the Trade Union, to gain deeper insights into the matter.
The strikers, who are stationed in the same building as Evolution’s senior management, have reported an increase in the number of hunger strikers. They feel secure in their position at the entrance of the company’s main building, where their visibility is high. This strategic location not only ensures their safety but also amplifies their message.
The Union has also initiated a petition for support from non-strikers, aiming to escalate their resolution in this dispute. The growing support, they believe, reflects the widespread discontent within the company and the urgent need for a resolution.
LH: Can you elaborate on the primary issues that initiated the strike at the Tbilisi office of Evolution?
Diasmidze, Patashuri, Ansiana: There are a number of factors which initiated the strike. But the main and initial thing that triggered the strike were the leaked screenshots of Evolution’s team managers . The team managers wrote comments that were in very bad taste. In our opinion they were racist, sexist and discriminated comments about the dealers who were employees of Evolution. There were other problems that included lower wages, in our opinion unnecessary breaches and violations to the dealers, health and sanitary issues. Overall, employees, in particular dealers were not being treated with respect by our employer.
LH: How would you react to Evolution’s assertion that the strike has inflicted irreversible harm to its operations?
Diasmidze, Patashuri, Ansiana: The company has a solution at this stage, it can sort out the relationship with the strikers and union which means meeting the demands that have been made. Damages can be recovered after the strike is over.
“The strike will not stop and will continue until the fair demands of the employees are met “
It is true that the strike has caused a lot of difficulties to a lot of people including the strikers themselves and it’s not just the dealers and team managers who are currently working who are suffering. Some employees who are on strike have been living outside the offices of Evolution for days and there are people who lost their homes, single mothers who are currently on strike because of the unjustified treatment they believe they received from the company.
From our point of view, extreme measures had to be taken since Evolution was not ready to listen to the strikers and hear about their problems, We believe that the company was not willing to negotiate with the strikers.
The strike has also affected Evolution’s operations. It is a difficult situation for both the strikers and the non strikers but as I said earlier, extreme measures had to be taken by the strikers for the company to listen to the strikers and their problems. It has been over a month since the beginning of the strike and the company are doing everything in their power, trying to manipulate the dealers working inside to hate the strikers and so on but negotiate with the strikers and address the issue and come to a mutual agreement.
LH: Could you specify the working conditions that the employees are seeking to improve?
Diasmidze, Patashuri, Ansiana: One of the main issues is the working environment inside Evolution. Some tables are dirty and sometimes there is an infestation of mosquitoes. Some of the dealers were severely affected with skin conditions, infections and allergies. Another major issue is low remuneration. The employees are not paid enough for the work they put in. Some employees work so hard to support their families and settle for a mediocre salary and this is one of the issues we are trying to address. Some employees are disrespected with what we believe to be unjustified break of our contract. There is a list of 45 demands from the strikers. The workers had 21 days of mediation with heads of Evolution in Georgia but this was of no help so far as out of the 40 requests made by the workers, almost none were accepted. Only after this did the workers at Evolution Georgia decide to go on strike. All ministry agencies were informed about the strike. After the 21 days of silence during which the workers lived in a tent around the close and Evolution ignore the situation, and were covered extensively in the local media, did the strike actions commence. Police were present and Evolution lawyers too 24/6, but the strikers’ actions remained within the limits of the law. Evolution brought in additional security who were rude to the strikers. Some employees were afraid of losing their jobs because the company leaders had no idea what to do.
LH: Tell me more about the layoffs.
Diasmidze, Patashuri, Ansiana: Evolution frequently targets employees who are still in their probation period which is six months. They recently fired 900 people without any reason . During the strike, Evolution hired many new employees, using new hires to fill gaps during the strike. We started a hunger strike on 13 August. This decision comes after a month of protesting without any response form Evolution Georgia. Despite the Ombudsman of Georgia urging the company to engage in negotiations Evolution Georgia has taken various steps, both legal and illegal to avoid conversations with the strikers. The decision to start a hunger strike was not made lightly but it has become the only option left to draw attention to our cause. The strikers are open to negotiations with company leaders. Using such a hard form of protest and risking health is not our desired decision. For more than a month we have been trying and waiting for steps to be taken.
LH: What is the current count of employees participating in the strike, and how has this figure evolved since the strike’s inception?
Diasmidze, Patashuri, Ansiana: Several thousand workers have gone on strike since the strike began. Their number is constantly changing. Some of the employees returned temporarily and then rejoined the strike, some continue to work and some joined the ranks of the strikers during the strike. The figure is constantly fluctuating but it has never fallen below 2000.
LH: Could you detail the union’s attempts to negotiate with Evolution prior to and during the strike?
Diasmidze, Patashuri, Ansiana: During the strike period we did not make any attempts at negotiation based on the fact that both parties know that this time the initiative of negotiation should be initiated by the employer. The trade union has now been negotiating for the last two years, but Evolution has never expressed its desire to resolve the main issues. The last negotiation was conducted with the involvement of a mediator where we agreed on only one of the 39 critical issues presented. Specifically, the company only agree to the Union’s request to add a covered smoking area to the yard.
LH: How would you respond to Evolution’s claim that the strike actions were illegal?
Diasmidze, Patashuri, Ansiana: Law enforcement and police have been present since the beginning of the strike and have acted accordingly to ensure that everything being done is within legal parameters. The necessary conditions stipulated by the law for a legal strike have been observed by the trade union.
From left to right: Giorgi Diasmidze, Tamar Ansiana and Makhare Patashuri.
LH: What is the union’s position on Evolution’s decision to terminate 1,000 employees?
Diasmidze, Patashuri, Ansiana: Evolution has employed additional personnel to replace those who went on strike. When the strike ends, these replacements will logically be threatened with dismissal on the grounds that they will no longer be needed. Evolution has been hiring people on an initial 6-month trial period, clearly to replace the strikers. This is why, as Evolution stated in their August 5 announcement, the company has been able to function smoothly until now.
However, realising that it could not break the strike action with these replacement hires and that an agreement to end the strike is inevitable, the company is now firing those who were hired to replace the strikers and blaming it on the union. Article 68 of the Labour Code prohibits this. Dismissal during the probationary period is possible for the employer because both the Labour Code and the court do not require the employer to provide justification, payment of compensation, or advance warning (Article 17 of the Labour Code).
At the same time, if the employer plans mass layoffs, it is obliged to start consultations with the union of employees in a reasonable time with the intention of reaching a possible agreement. At a minimum, the consultation should include ways and means of avoiding mass layoffs or reducing the number of workers to be laid off, and the possibility of supporting the re-employment or retraining of the laid-off workers.
The strike will not stop and will continue until the fair demands of the employees are met. From the beginning of the strike until now, Evolution has been hiring people on a 6-month trial period to replace the strikers. This is why, as Evolution stated in their announcement of 5 August, the company has been able to function smoothly until now. Realising that it could not break the strike with the replacements and that an agreement to end the strike is inevitable, the company is now firing those who were hired to replace the strikers and blaming it on the union.
LH: How has the strike affected the morale of the employees and their perception of the union’s actions?
Diasmidze, Patashuri, Ansiana: Each person reacts differently. Confidence in the trade union has increased among strikers and their level of awareness of the situation has also increased. However, Evolution is conducting an active campaign to discredit the trade union and we think that that has managed to aggressively motivate the trade union going forward.
LH: What are the union’s planned actions if Evolution fails to meet the demands of the employees?
Diasmidze, Patashuri, Ansiana: The Union will continue to fight in strike mode until the demands are met.
Seeking a resolution
SiGMA News strives to provide a platform for all parties involved.
Recognising that there are always two sides to every story, SiGMA News has made several attempts to contact senior officers at Evolution via email, phone, and third-party intermediaries, offering an exclusive interview. Evolution has yet to accept the offer for an exclusive interview, which remains open. This would certainly shed light on the complexities faced by both employers and employees in support of a conflict resolution, possibly serving as a catalyst for calming tensions.
SiGMA East Europe Summit powered by Soft2Bet, happening in Budapest from 2 – 4 September
The highly anticipated 2024-25 NBA season kicks off on 22 October with a classic rivalry matchup between the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics. This opening game will not only set the tone for the season but also feature the Knicks’ newest addition, Mikal Bridges, (pictured above) as they attempt to spoil the Celtics’ championship ring celebration in Boston.
The NBA revealed its full schedule last week, highlighting the Knicks-Celtics game as the season opener. Following this exciting matchup, Olympic teammates LeBron James and Anthony Edwards will face off when the Los Angeles Lakers host the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Last season, the Knicks finished second in the Eastern Conference, trailing the Celtics by 14 games. However, their postseason run was marred by injuries, leading to a loss in the conference semi-finals to the Indiana Pacers, who were subsequently swept by the Celtics in the conference finals. In a bold move to close the gap with the reigning champions, the Knicks executed their first trade with the Brooklyn Nets since 1983, acquiring Mikal Bridges in exchange for five first-round draft picks, a first-round pick swap, and a second-round pick.
Season of high stakes
The Knicks are optimistic that Bridges, reuniting with former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo, will improve their chances of winning the Eastern Conference. The Celtics, who finished last season with the NBA’s best record (64-18) and clinched their 18th championship, are expected to defend their title.
Meanwhile, the Timberwolves, led by Anthony Edwards, aim to build on their success from last season, which saw them reach the Western Conference finals. The Lakers’ opener will also be a significant moment for rookie Bronny James, selected 55th overall out of USC, as he makes his NBA debut.
The excitement continues on the second night of the season with a marquee matchup between two Eastern Conference powerhouses. The Philadelphia 76ers, featuring their new big three of Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey, will take on the Milwaukee Bucks, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
On the West Coast, the Los Angeles Clippers will inaugurate their new state-of-the-art Intuit Dome with a game against the Phoenix Suns, featuring Olympians Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. This venue will also host a highly anticipated game two weeks later when Paul George returns to face his former team, the Clippers, after signing a four-year, $212 million deal with the 76ers.
Another major storyline this season is Klay Thompson’s move to the Dallas Mavericks. Thompson will debut alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving against the San Antonio Spurs and their rising star, Victor Wembanyama, on 24 October. Thompson’s return to Golden State on 12 November to face Stephen Curry and Draymond Green will undoubtedly be an emotional and highly watched event, as he seeks to prove his enduring prowess after contract negotiations with the Warriors fell through.
The 2024-25 NBA season promises to be filled with thrilling matchups as teams vie for supremacy on the court.
SiGMA East Europe Summit powered by Soft2Bet, happening in Budapest from 2 – 4 September.
According to the notice, MacDonald is “prohibited from entering or remaining on any part of Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort premises, including but not limited to the Hotel, Mall, Convention Center and Casino.” The notice also said that the ban will stay in effect until further notice, with potential legal consequences if MacDonald attempts to access the property.??
In a message to SiGMA News, MacDonald said he will no longer do interviews on this topic. Earlier media reports quoted MacDonald denying any wrongdoing, stating that his visits to MBS were purely social. He revealed that he had been in the company of a close friend, former Crown Melbourne executive Mike Sugrue, and claimed that all interactions with MBS staff and players were coincidental. MacDonald acknowledged speaking with two “high-value” players but insisted that these encounters were not premeditated.
Concerns of poaching alleged by MBS??
Reports also suggest that MBS issued the PNG notice due to concerns that MacDonald was attempting to poach MBS customers and staff during a series of visits to the property in July. Having worked at MBS for nearly 12 years as Corporate Senior Vice President and Chief Casino Officer before leaving in 2021, MacDonald took on the role of Chief Casino Officer at Resorts World Sentosa around a year later.
An unusual move in Singapore’s casino sector??
While MBS has refrained from publicly discussing the specific reasons for the notice, a spokesperson was quoted saying that the decision was not made lightly and followed thorough internal protocols. ??
