Fanatics Betting and Gaming, a subsidiary of Fanatics Holdings Inc, a global digital sports platform, signed a partnership agreement with golfer Justin Thomas, one of the most popular golfers in the world.

“I am excited to be the first official partner of the Fanatics Sportsbook,” said Justin Thomas. “Whether it’s football, basketball or golf, I’m a big sports fan. So I’m looking forward to getting involved in the world of Fanatics and engaging with their customers.”

As an Official Sports Betting Partner of Fanatics Sportsbook, Thomas will highlight new product enhancements, create social content and engage with the Fanatics community over the course of the next year.

“Justin Thomas is one of the biggest names in golf and an amazing ambassador for the game,” said Ari Borod, Chief Business Officer at Fanatics Betting and Gaming. “With him coming home to Kentucky to try to win his third PGA Championship, the Fanatics family couldn’t be more excited to partner with him.”

The Justin Thomas signing comes on the heels of new enhancements to golf offerings at Fanatics Sportsbook. The Fanatics Sportsbook is available on iOS and Android and makes being a fan easy with fast signup, easy betting, and transparent withdrawals. The new golf features at the Fanatics Sportsbook include:

Data Visualization: Fanatics Sportsbook now offers an enhanced live event center with shot-by-shot data, leaderboard tracking and course maps directly in the app.

Odds Factory: Fanatics Sportsbook has fully integrated Odds Factory from Banach Technology to enhance our golf offerings, which means more betting markets, improved uptime and faster settlement speeds.

Coming Soon: Customers will be able to stream select Par 3 holes in the app.

Fanatics Sportsbook will also have a special FanCash for Birdies offer for golf customers this weekend. To earn FanCash, customers will simply need to opt in and place a qualifying wager on any golfer to win this weekend’s championship outright. Those customers will earn FanCash for every birdie the golfer they bet on to win records in Round 1.

Soft2Bet, a leading casino and sportsbook platform provider, displayed its Motivational Engineering Gaming Application (MEGA) last week at SBC Summit North America 2024, one of the preeminent conferences for the online betting and gaming industry in the U.S. and Canada.

Soft2Bet Chief Business Development Officer (CBDO) Martin Collins gave a keynote presentation to a crowded room on driving increased engagement and ROI across Casino and Sports Betting brands. He described we are currently “in a race-to-the-bottom with unsustainable acquisition, engagement, and retention strategies of high-cost CPAs and bonuses that do not create customer loyalty.” During the presentation, Martin shared insights on how personalized gamified experiences can reduce costs and increase profitability for operators in tightly regulated markets.

“There’s a lot of chatter about the lack of new favorable regulation for the industry in 2024,” said Collins. “So in order to stay afloat in this environment, you need to get sticky to your consumer, and you do this by adding some spice to your platform. MEGA is the spice that will give operators a huge advantage when it comes to engagement, screentime, and overall loyalty.”

In addition to Collins, Soft2Bet executives including CEO and founder Uri Poliavich, CFO Max Portelli, and General Counsel David Yatom Hay, met with regulators, operators, and other industry partners to discuss Soft2Bet’s launch in North America, as well as its MEGA solution, which can be integrated seamlessly into operators’ platforms and customized for local markets. Soft2Bet has submitted for both operating and supplier licenses in New Jersey, with plans to use its innovative technology and MEGA solution to revolutionize the online gambling market in the U.S.

Soft2Bet, which offers an extensive suite of iGaming products is now making off-the-shelf and unique casino gamification mechanics available to any operator, all via a seamless API integration. MEGA combines online casino and sportsbook solutions with casual gaming narratives and has proven to increase Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) by 45% and Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) by 60%. These gamification features can be personalized to the needs of any individual consumer and have demonstrated an increase in screen time by 4X, and increased deposit amounts by 50%.

With a pending launch in Ontario in the coming weeks, and work being done to gain a license in New Jersey, the Soft2Bet team intends to remain focused on the North American Market and to dedicate its resources to complete these launches. The team will be back in the US to meet with partners and showcase MEGA at Global Gaming Expo (G2E) on October 7-10 in Las Vegas, Nevada.‍

Key trends include the fast-growing mobile gaming segment, the impact of recent regulations, the integration of blockchain and AI, and the investments in equity and inclusion across the gaming industry.

Xsolla, a global video game commerce company, published the Spring 2024 edition of “The Xsolla Report: The State of Play” today. Launched on the heels of the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2024, this extensive report provides invaluable insights into the emerging trends and pivotal shifts impacting the gaming industry in the short and long term. ​ It sets the stage to significantly shape the future of mobile gaming, deepen academic connections within the gaming ecosystem, and redefine investment patterns.

In an era where mobile gaming commanded a 49% share of the global market in 2023, this edition of “The State of Play” sheds light on the evolving landscape of mobile gaming. The report navigates through the advancements in global compliance and regulation, including the Digital Markets Act in Europe’s new player engagement strategies, offering a glimpse into the potential future of mobile gaming monetization and distribution. It discusses the impact of cross-platform play and the importance of innovative monetization models, providing actionable insights for developers and industry stakeholders.

“The State of Play” emphasizes the importance of academia in the growth and diversification of the gaming industry. It explores how educational programs and initiatives develop talent and promote diversity and inclusivity within the gaming community. This edition underlines the symbiotic relationship between the gaming industry and academic institutions, highlighting programs that significantly impact students and the industry.

Berkley Egenes, Chief Marketing and Growth Officer at Xsolla, comments: “As we introduce the latest edition of ‘The State of Play,’ we’re not merely sharing industry insights but advocating for a transformative vision: Equal Access for Everyone. This initiative goes beyond our commitment to innovation and growth within the gaming industry. It’s about breaking down barriers to ensure that every developer, regardless of company size, has the opportunity to showcase their creativity and reach a global audience. Our focus is on providing platforms and tools that foster creative opportunities, international exposure, and the development of unique projects, ensuring that the future of gaming is accessible to all. We aim to empower every player and developer worldwide, ensuring the gaming landscape is as diverse and dynamic as its community.”

The report offers an in-depth analysis of the gaming industry’s current investment climate, including funding trends, mergers, and acquisitions. It outlines the shifts in investment patterns, from the heights of the pandemic-induced boom to a more measured approach in 2024. “The State of Play” provides a roadmap for navigating the industry’s financial aspects, offering insights into strategic investment opportunities and forecasting future trends.

Featuring expert commentary from industry voices like:

• Mukul Aurora, Co-founder of Appsoleut Games;
• Mariusz Gasiewski, CEO of Mobile Gaming and Apps Lead at Google;
• Karla Reyes, Founder and Studio Director,

Anima Interactive, the Xsolla Report: The State of Play is now available for complimentary download. To secure your copy and gain invaluable insights into the gaming industry, visit our website.