About this app
What is Sleeping Dragon?
Retail betting diverged significantly from the wider market, with non-remote betting GGY falling 3.3% to £2.4 billion ($3.2 billion). The number of betting shops dropped for a 12th consecutive reporting period to 5,617 premises—a 3.6% annual decline (down 208 shops from March 2025).
Other retail sectors performed better. Bingo GGY increased 8.2% to £703.8 million ($941.8 million), while arcade GGY rose 10.7% to £800.1 million ($1.07 billion).
While the new figures underline the sheer scale of Britain’s regulated market, leading operator Entain is pressing the government for tougher action against black-market platforms.
About Sleeping Dragon
That’s where I am now, having accepted the fact that the CalvinAyre and CoinGeek chapters of my life are coming to a close. For the past three years, I have been part of a unique and incredible group that has worked tirelessly to spread the word on the gaming and cryptocurrency industries that we felt would provide a positive impact for our readers. I, like everyone else, have always endeavored to be consistent and factual with the words I put on virtual paper, even though I know, based on some of the emails I have received, that I have also ruffled a few feathers. At the end of the day, though, I can rest easy in the knowledge that I was always transparent and factual.
I would be lying if I said it’s going to be easy to accept this transition and to refocus my efforts elsewhere. However, I am eternally grateful for having been given this excellent opportunity and have enjoyed every aspect of being involved in the Calvin Ayre organization. What is coming next may still not be defined, but that’s what is going to make the next chapter exciting; it can bring essentially anything and everything. What I know, regardless of what happens next, is that I will continue to be who I am and will continue to provide the same level of professionalism and integrity that have brought me this far, and which are paramount for everyone involved with Calvin Ayre. I thank everyone at the organization for their undeniable commitment to excellence and thank all of our supporters and readers for allowing us to share with them our experiences and knowledge.
If anyone wants to reach out to me, I can always be found on LinkedIn.
About Sleeping Dragon
For now, the growth provides room for multiple market makers. Marantelli expects margins to “stay good during the growth period” before contracting as competition intensifies. The more complex RFQ and parlay markets may offer the best protection against that compression.
The result is an emerging ecosystem that looks less like millions of customers casually trading predictions with one another and more like an outsourced sportsbook trading room. Exchanges own the platform and recruit the customers; specialist firms price the risk and provide the money needed to make those markets function.
As Marantelli says: “Let’s call a spade a spade.”
