Following positive results across three locations in Saint-Ghislain, Aubenge and Oostende
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elgian casino operator Golden Palace will launch sportsbook software from Altenar in 200 more terminals across Belgium after just a few months of testing.
The move will place the operator in more direct competition with major retail brands such as Ladbrokes.
Altenar COO Dinos Stranomitis told SBC News that this decision is proof of the software’s positive results in the select number of terminals it was originally rolled out for across three locations in Saint-Ghislain, Aubenge and Oostende.
Stranomitis noted that Golden Palace is “very happy” with the performance of the terminals, despite the pandemic-related problems as the venues have not always been open, and were not able to generate massive volumes for that reason. “It’s good recognition for Altenar that Golden Palace, a land-based operator established as far back as 1960, believes that software from Altenar can help them compete in the retail sports betting market,” he said. Altenar started working with Golden Palace on the online market five years ago.
As for the COVID-19 pandemic impact on the retail gambling sector, Stranomitis said the terminal business is “huge”, though the online and mobile sectors are growing faster. “It might appear that the timing is not the best but there is huge potential,” he said. “We believe that lots of companies want to provide the same extensive sports betting offering across online and retail, which is where the Altenar software comes in – an omnichannel system where one communicates with the other.”
As Golden Palace intends to increase its focus on sports, the dual approach offered by Altenar becomes more relevant. Stranomitis pointed out that this expansion will provide increased revenues and better opportunities to bring players online. But as the pandemic keeps affecting revenues globally, he said this year the company has to be “modest about how much the terminals will produce.”
Stranomitis also sees “massive potential” for Altenar’s partnership with Golden Palace given its strong presence in Belgium, with Dutch betting regulation becoming effective this summer and the operator’s plans to enter other neighboring countries.
