Most of the world would love to forget 2020. However, it was one of the biggest years for online poker. As the world went on lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, online activity surged, players flocked to online poker rooms, with operators holding tournaments after tournaments, most, if not all, had been record-breaking.
The massive growth was likened to a “mini boom”, and many in the industry believe it will continue through to 2021. Among those who have expressed confidence that online poker will continue to grow this year is Dmitry Starostenkov, Chief Executive Officer of EvenBet Gaming, one of the world’s leading poker solutions provider.
EvenBet’s Revenue Up 200% in 2020
Starostenkov said 2020 provided them with a huge opportunity to attract new partners and expand their reach. The busy year meant more poker rooms utilized their services, establishing their reputation for being the top choice for dozens of poker rooms operating in different countries all over the globe.
So far, EvenBet has successfully launched more than 100 poker rooms which are operating in 38 countries. The company has developed 33 poker games for its partners, and over 5 million users are playing on its servers. Revenue-wise, the company enjoyed a 200% year-on-year growth in 2020, and Starostenkov expects the trend to continue this year.
Months after the lockdown period, with some live venues beginning to reopen, online traffic remained high, and according to Starostenkov, the numbers had been remarkable even during the autumn months when growth is expected to decline. Additionally, the company managed to keep new customers from the live scene who shifted to the virtual space when quarantine measures were still in place.
Online Poker Growth To Extend Through to 2021
Starostenkov has high hopes for the months ahead. While he acknowledged that achieving a similar level of growth in 2020 is unlikely this year, he is confident that there will still be enough online activity to drive more revenue. Growth will be boosted by relevant progress in poker regulations in several territories, as well as the possible launching of new markets, including Brazil, Argentina, and potential new hotspots in Asia.
EvenBet is also keeping an eye out for significant regulatory developments for online poker in the US, especially as more states are now considering making the game legal in their respective jurisdictions. If 2021 proves to be a great year for online poker in the country, it will bring in more growth opportunities for EvenBet.
Starostenkov also said the industry is set to pull in a new generation of players, majority of whom will be heavily inclined to mobile platforms, and this is one area that the company will focus on going forward. They will continue to come out with fresh offerings and will remain committed to enhance their products, especially their mobile features.
To stay on track for their goals in 2021, Starostenkov said they’re planning to launch a host of new features on the social and entertainment side of poker, including the addition of live chat, improving side games functions, as well as creating new promotions. The EventBet CEO said they’re well-prepared to cater to the demands of the modern players and have the capability to accommodate the requests from new emerging markets.
EvenBet Eyes Global Expansion
One of the company’s main goals is also to expand internationally, and its recent acquisition of an MGA B2B license, which covers their poker product, will help them do that. Right now, one of the company’s unique offerings is enabling operators to customize their poker rooms to better-establish their respective brands.
The company also provides a localized user interface which receives constant updates. This makes their software and platform more stable and reliable, which has been one of their main selling points.
For Starostenkov, the key to consistent growth in online poker is to remain focused on improving the product, being open to innovation and always prioritizing customer experience. They will stick to this principle as they aim for more growth in 2021.