Latest News
Virtuals and the TikTok Effect: How Short-Form Play is Redefining the Sportsbook
Kiron Interactive’s Head of Marketing, Patrick Eriksen, on why the future of sports betting isn’t long-form odds and live matches. It’s short-form, always-on, instant-return gameplay.
Short-form content has changed everything. We no longer wait for results, we scroll, we swipe, we move on.
Yet, most sports betting still takes 90 minutes to settle.
Most sportsbooks still rely on long-form bets, match winners, final scores, total points, with outcomes that take an hour or more to resolve.
That may suit traditional punters, but for modern players it’s increasingly out of step.
Virtual sports flip the script. Matches play out fast, bets settle in minutes, and the action never stops. They offer the sports betting equivalent of short-form video.
Operators who have added virtuals are already seeing the benefit. They’re gaining faster engagement, a wider player base, and stronger retention. For those who haven’t, the opportunity remains wide open.
Fast by design. Ready for now.
Today’s audiences are used to fast-moving, always-available entertainment. Whether it’s videos, games or live streams, the expectation is instant access and quick outcomes. Virtuals deliver both.
Players engaging with virtuals tend to prefer faster outcomes and simpler formats. Many are looking for quick resolutions and low-friction experiences. They don’t want to sit through a full match. Virtual matches last just a few minutes, with a wide range of betting markets to explore.
And it’s not only about speed. Simplicity matters too. There’s no fixture list to follow, no downtime between games, and no dependence on real-world scheduling. Players can place a bet, get a result, and move on. All of this takes less than five minutes.
That’s why virtuals align so well with how players consume content today.
Short sessions. Easy returns. Ongoing engagement.
Unlike traditional sports, virtuals aren’t restricted by time zones, calendars, or matchday delays. They run 24/7, all year round.
We regularly see player activity climb when real events are off the board, whether that’s during the off-season or on a quiet weekday afternoon.
Because matches are short and always available, virtuals invite casual, repeat engagement. Players dip in for a quick play, try new markets, and often come back for more.
This leads to higher bet frequency and longer session times. It gives players more reasons to stay and explore. And in today’s landscape, where acquisition costs are rising, that kind of stickiness is key.
Like short-form media, virtuals offer fast, familiar loops that players can jump into anytime. They’re fast, easy to understand, and satisfying to return to. That’s how today’s audiences engage with content across the board. And that’s why this format feels familiar to digital-first players.
The next wave of virtuals
In regions where virtuals are already well established, we’re seeing a new phase of innovation.
This includes live-style virtuals with in-play markets, branded leagues with recognisable identities, and hybrid formats that combine sports with game mechanics.
At Kiron, we’re building visually rich, quick-play virtual formats that reflect how audiences already consume mobile and interactive content.They give operators a new way to deliver something fresh and distinctive. And in a category where standing out matters, that’s a big advantage.
A proven way to meet the moment
As always, the best results come when content is engaging, responsible, and designed with the player experience in mind. Virtuals aren’t throwaway content. They’re a core pillar of the modern sportsbook experience.
They work alongside live sport by keeping the lobby active when real matches aren’t taking place. They’re easy to access, simple to understand, and always available.
Virtuals aren’t just catching up with the way people play. They’re meeting it head-on.
Latest News
Nordic Gaming Company Paf Continues Annual Climate Financing – Supports Hydropower Project in Peru
The Nordic gaming company Paf has once again demonstrated its strong environmental commitment by fully climate financing its measured carbon footprint for 2024. This year’s contribution supports the development of a certified hydropower project in the Monzón district of Peru.
Paf has engaged in climate financing every year since 2017, when the company began systematically measuring its climate impact. The company now tracks over 95% of its emissions – both direct and indirect – and works actively to reduce them throughout its operations and value chain. Paf’s Net Zero 2040 target has been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
“Paf is a strong company with the resources to contribute to the transition the world needs. That’s why we choose to climate finance our entire measured footprint – every year,” says Ludvig Winberg, Corporate Communication & Environmental Manager at Paf.
Climate financing – a global responsibility
Climate financing, also known as offsetting, means that Paf funds certified climate projects that reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions. Over the years, Paf has supported projects around the world – mostly in countries that lack resources to invest in climate action, but also in places like Iceland, where advanced technology enables direct air capture of carbon dioxide.
“This is not a substitute for reducing emissions, but a way to take responsibility for what we haven’t yet been able to reduce – while supporting global sustainable development,” says Ludvig Winberg.
The hydropower project in Peru, which Paf supports in 2024, has an installed capacity of 20.58 MW and is located along the Aucantagua River, a tributary of the Monzón River. The project is listed on the United Nations Carbon offset platform.
“The SBTi does not require companies to finance climate projects while striving towards Net-Zero, but they strongly recommend that companies with the ability to do so contribute to broader environmental efforts. We then rely on the UN platform that the projects we support are impactful and credible,” says Ludvig Winberg.
The three Detroit casinos collectively reported $114.0 million in revenue for May 2025. Of this total, table games and slot machines generated $112.7 million, while retail sports betting contributed $1.3 million.
Market Share Breakdown for May 2025:
• MGM Grand Detroit: 47%
• MotorCity Casino: 30%
• Hollywood Casino at Greektown: 23%
Table Games, Slot Revenue, and Taxes
Revenue from table games and slots at the three Detroit casinos increased 1.2% in May 2025 when compared to the same month last year. May’s revenue also showed a 3.0% increase compared to April 2025. From January 1 through May 31 of this year, table games and slots revenue decreased by 0.2% compared to the same period in 2024.
In comparison to May 2024, the revenue for each casino was as follows:
• MGM Grand Detroit: Up 2.4%, totaling $53.1 million
• MotorCity Casino: Up 0.6%, totaling $33.9 million
• Hollywood Casino at Greektown: Down 0.2%, totaling $25.7 million
In May 2025, the three casinos paid a total of $9.1 million in state gaming taxes, compared to $9.0 million in the same month last year. Additionally, the casinos submitted $13.4 million in wagering taxes and development agreement payments to the City of Detroit in May.
Retail Sports Betting Revenue and Taxes
The three Detroit casinos reported a total retail sports betting handle of $9.2 million in May 2025, with total gross receipts amounting to $1.3 million. Retail sports betting’s qualified adjusted gross receipts (QAGR) decreased by 31.1% compared to May 2024 but showed an increase of $964,701 over April 2025.
QAGR by casino for May 2025 was as follows:
• MGM Grand Detroit: $72,060
• MotorCity Casino: $684,821
• Hollywood Casino at Greektown: $524,358
In May, the casinos paid $48,431 in state gaming taxes and reported submitting $59,193 in wagering taxes to the City of Detroit based on retail sports betting revenue.
International Game Technology PLC announced that its spectacular RISE55 cabinet is now live on casino floors across the US. With robust, performance-focused content roadmaps for the premium-leased and for-sale game segments, IGT’s RISE55 cabinet debuted with the highly entertaining Magic Treasures Gold game. The RISE55 cabinet features a 55-inch ultra-HD curved display that delivers crisp graphics, enhanced audio technology, and remarkable player comfort.
“The RISE55 cabinet was crafted with the highest considerations for performance, comfort and serviceability, and is supported by a strong portfolio of multi-level progressive games. The U.S. market arrival of IGT’s RISE55 cabinet marks an exciting expansion of our hardware portfolio, providing our customers with a highly anticipated cabinet for engaging players and showcasing hot new IGT games such as Magic Treasures Gold,” said Nick Khin, IGT President, Global Gaming.
The RISE55 cabinet first hit casino floors in late May, with additional deployments planned through the summer. As the hardware’s Class III premium launch title, Magic Treasures Gold is a visually stunning multi-level progressive (MLP) game with features that build upon the success of IGT’s award-winning Magic Treasures game, including a leveled-up version of the Money Ball feature. Magic Treasures Gold has two base game themes, Emperor and Empress, each with a unique bonus event, free games and cash spins respectively, and five compelling jackpot levels.
This month, IGT also released for-sale core titles on the RISE55 cabinet including much-anticipated games Treasure Blast and Wolf Run Wild Moon.
-
Latest News7 days agoWA.Tech Launches Pick’Em Player Props Tool To Enhance Player-Focused Betting Experience
-
Compliance Updates6 days agoZimpler Becomes Certified Payment Institution in Brazil, Strengthens Local Open Finance Ecosystem
-
Latest News6 days agoNFL Announces Partnership with ICRG
-
Latest News6 days agoAristocrat Interactive Secures Landmark iLottery Contract with the Michigan Lottery
-
Latest News6 days agoAGS Interactive Makes Market Debut in Connecticut
-
Interviews3 days agoCurated for impact: How Infingame is redefining games aggregation
-
Latest News3 days ago
Casino Kings Announces £4000 Giveaway when You Download Their Brand New App
-
Latest News2 days agoBlokotech partners with Pateplay to enhance LatAm-focused slot content