### Roobet
Roobet, a prominent name in the fast-paced world of cryptocurrency casinos, deserves recognition as it approaches its fifth year. Noteworthy for its rapid growth, Roobet has become a potential contender in the EGR Power 50 list of influential operators. Despite the controversy over being banned on Amazon’s Twitch for streaming, Roobet’s expansion has been undeterred. Its micro-influencers seamlessly transitioned to Twitch’s competitor, Kick, and the endorsement by hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg has further fueled its popularity. The casino even offers Snoop-inspired games and maintains a robust social media presence, boasting 457,000 followers on platforms like Instagram and X.
### KTO Group
Founded in 2018, KTO Group is a self-funded enterprise steered by a seasoned leadership team, including CEO Andreas Bardun, a veteran in the industry. The group has made significant strides in Brazil, focusing on their KTO brand and tailoring services to the local market. As Brazil nears new regulatory changes, Bardun recently claimed in an EGR interview that KTO ranks between the eighth and tenth positions in market share. Highlighting KTO as one of Brazil’s top performers, Bardun attributes part of the success to effective marketing strategies, influencer alliances, and local sponsorships. While initially 80% focused on sports betting, the casino segment has now taken precedence, partly due to the rising popularity of crash games in Brazil.
### Coolbet
Coolbet, launched in 2016 with its distinctive multi-colored polar bear logo, aimed to differentiate itself in the uniform landscape of sports betting, according to founder Jan Svendsen. Based in Tallinn, Coolbet quickly established a reputation in Estonia and Scandinavia by leveraging proprietary technology developed in-house. Noticing its growth and unique assets, GAN acquired Coolbet in early 2021 for nearly $176 million. Currently licensed in Estonia, Sweden, and Malta, Coolbet is now extending its success from Northern Europe to the Latin American markets.
### WPT Global
By partnering with the World Poker Tour, WPT Global has ascended to be one of the largest poker sites globally. Hiring poker icon Phil Ivey, an 11-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner, as an ambassador has significantly bolstered its appeal. Despite staying away from regulated markets like the US, UK, France, and Italy, WPT Global has secured the second spot in the industry, with a seven-day average of 2,300 players at cash game tables, surpassing PokerStars at 1,800, according to Poker Scout. In October, WPT Global became the official sponsor of the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series and expanded into casino games and sports betting.
### Apuesta Total
With Peru set to become a newly regulated online market in March 2024, Apuesta Total is at the forefront from a domestic standpoint. This brand enjoys widespread recognition through its network of over 500 retail outlets. It was the most visited gambling site in October, reporting over 18 million hits, significantly outperforming the combined traffic of the other top four sites. In July, Cirsa, owned by Blackstone, acquired a 70% stake in Apuesta Total and has plans to potentially own the entire business. At the announcement time, Cirsa revealed Apuesta Total’s 2023 gross gaming revenue exceeded €100 million, encompassing retail activities.
### Betika
Operating within Kenya’s challenging tax environment, where the government taxes player winnings, Betika has emerged as a leading bookmaker in the country with a population exceeding 55 million. Some companies have left the East African market due to these hurdles, but Betika has thrived. The Nairobi-based operator has leveraged its market success to expand into other African countries, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Zambia, and Mozambique. Its comprehensive ‘The Home of Champions’ campaign, launched towards the end of 2023, has fortified its presence in the region.
For more information, read the full article titled “EGR Power 50 2024: Ones to Watch” on EGR Intel’s website.