New COVID-19 Lockdowns Could Result In “Second Boom” For iPoker

Last Updated on November 9, 2020 Author:Stefan Nedeljkovic

Coronavirus LockdownThe first coronavirus lockdown period which began in mid-March hurt most industries, with the exception of online poker. iPoker operators reported record revenues, owing to a massive surge in online traffic.

The top iPoker rooms took advantage of the worldwide trend by hosting massive festivals; quite a few of them have made history in terms of player turnout and the size of guarantees on offer.

Across the world, COVID-19 restrictions have been eased in recent weeks and the live poker scene is slowly getting back to life.

However, online poker traffic continues to remain strong. iPoker figures could once again reach record levels, with some countries currently enforcing a second wave of lockdown due to a resurgence in COVID-19 cases.

EU Market Records Increase in Cash Game Traffic

In the segregated European online poker market, cash game traffic is slowly returning to the Feb-March levels, during which governments across Europe were still preparing to implement COVID-19 lockdowns. Latest figures show Spain, France, and Portugal enjoying an almost 30% rise in cash game traffic, with Italy also recording an 18% increase.

These countries, including the UK and Germany, have recently implemented a fresh wave of local lockdowns due to a spike in COVID-19 cases. This led to another surge in online traffic, which could extend to 2021. The international market is also recording an upward trend, though it has yet to reach the same rate of increase. In the US, the regulated online poker market is showing positive signs as well.

iPoker Operators Enjoy Year-On-Year Increase

As land-based casinos and poker rooms struggle to get back on their feet after being closed for months, the story is very different in the online poker market. Major online poker operators have recorded year-on-year increases, with GGPoker leading the pack.

Year-on-year figures for the up-and-coming online poker site increased by an incredible 208%, while partypoker and PokerStars both enjoyed increases of 30% and 7% respectively. Unibet Poker is up 11%, while 888poker jumped by 2% based on year on year revenues.

During the last two months of the year, the online poker market usually records strong figures. This seasonal trend has contributed to the latest growth in numbers aided by the fact that several European countries have implemented localized lockdowns. There is high chance that traffic will once again catapult to record levels in the weeks and months ahead, an indication that the iPoker industry could be up for a second boom in 2020.

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Stefan nicknamed "El Kepa" he has been a passionate gamer and online poker player for more than fifteen years after realising Biology was no longer his thing...

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