COVID-19: Holding the line against the coronavirus

virus with lottery ball illustration

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%.

28Apr2020

Digital transformation in the time of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown has forced us to adapt many aspects of our daily lives. Prolonged indoor stays are accelerating the evolution of eCommerce, have made home office the current standard working model for many, and have brought the classrooms of our school children into our homes. But what will remain of this adaptive behavior once the lockdown has been lifted?

07Jul2020

COVID-19: Lotteries in recovery mode

photo lottery POS during corona

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.

06Apr2020

Lottery, sports betting, and gaming sectors battered by coronavirus

virus with lottery ball illustration

COVID-19 cases top 1.25 million as one-third of the world goes on lockdown
Lottomatica, SELAE, and ONCE suspend all sales as China Sports and China Welfare resume operations on a rolling basis
North American lotteries suspend VLT operations and close prize redemption claim centers
Sports betting hit by adjournment of major events and competitions including the English Premier League, Italy’s Serie A, Euro 2020, and the 2020 Summer Olympics
All casinos in Las Vegas close as Macau casinos cautiously reopen
Major turf events including the Kentucky Derby and the Grand National postponed as horse racing is cancelled or moved behind closed doors
US congress approves USD 2.2 trillion relief package as 10 million Americans file for unemployment
H2 Global Gaming's 2020 total gambling forecast now downgraded 12.1% on pre-outbreak estimates.