COVID-19: Holding the line against the coronavirus

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• COVID-19 cases top 14 million worldwide with a confirmed case fatality rate of ≈4.3% and an estimated infection fatality rate of ≈0.65%.
• Asia and Europe ‘flatten the curve’ as hotspots ignite in the US, Brazil, and India.
• EU reopens its borders to travelers from 14 nations but not to US tourists.
• Economies restart as parts of Europe and the US cautiously emerge from lockdown.
• Global output in 2020 projected to decline 4.9% globally and 8% in advanced economies as world enters worst recession since Great Depression.
• Cumulative loss to global economic output across 2020–2021 now put at USD 12 trillion.
• More than 50 million Americans file initial unemployment claims in 17 weeks as extended unemployment insurance is set to expire.
• Lotteries in China, Europe, and the US start the shift in earnest from retail to online.
• Sportsbooks begin to recoup as German Bundesliga, English Premier League, and Italian Serie A return.
• Las Vegas strip reopens with 21 of 35 resorts having returned by the 4th of July weekend.
• H2 Global Gaming's 2020 total gambling forecast now downgraded 24.0% on pre-outbreak estimates with lottery products' global gross win downgraded 14.4%.

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Hong Kong Jockey Club: Global is the future of horse racing pools

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The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) has been pioneering something of a revolution in pool betting. The WLA Magazine explains the pros and cons of the World Pool.

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COVID-19: Lotteries in recovery mode

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Like the global financial crisis of 2008, or the 9/11 terror attacks, the coronavirus pandemic has proved to be an earth-shaking event. The full magnitude of its consequences will likely be felt for years to come. Now, emerging from the pandemic lockdown, we are faced with many uncertainties. True to its nature, the world lottery community is collectively working to seek clarity in the wake of the crisis.

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Using AI to Deliver a Better Player Experience

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Now more than ever, lotteries can put data to powerful use in reinvigorating and growing the player base.

As the lottery industry looks ahead to recovery from recent global events, there are untapped opportunities that can help to restore and grow playership along with much-needed revenues to beneficiaries. Since the stay-at-home and social distancing restrictions have been implemented across many jurisdictions globally as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, lotteries that offer products digitally are experiencing significant growth in this area. It is expected that the implications from the pandemic will result in true digitization across the channels of consumer interaction. Digitization would mean more data, and using Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities, lotteries can harness their data to better understand individual player needs and requirements. Armed with those insights, operators are better equipped to make decisions and take actions to attract, engage and retain players.

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