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Longlist Revealed For The William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2023 Award – and £30,000 Top Prize

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  • 18 books selected for the longlist including current professional snooker player Ronnie O’Sullivan, and three-time winner Duncan Hamilton 
  • 13 different sports featured including two fiction books
  • 100% growth for longlisted female authors

The longlist for the 35th William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award – the world’s most valuable literary sports-writing prize – has been revealed today (Thursday 28th September), featuring a diverse selection of sports from squash and snooker to swimming and surfing.

The 18-book longlist was selected from more than 150 entries following a rigorous judging process from a panel with expertise in both sports and literature including The Athletic’s Nancy Froston, sports presenter Matt Williams and William Hill’s Neil Foggin.

Books making this year’s longlist celebrate a diverse world of sports literature, covering tales and insight from 13 different sports. From gripping memoirs to thrilling narratives and insightful analysis from some of the most compelling sporting stars, the longlisted books have one common thread: a profound passion for sports and sporting literature.

Six female authors make this year’s cut, doubling the number from previous years.

Three-time William Hill Sports Book of the Year winner Duncan Hamilton is in the running for this year’s Award, alongside arguably one of the greatest snooker players of all time, Ronnie O’Sullivan.

The William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2023 Longlist (alphabetical by author surname):

  • 1923: The Mystery of Lot 212 and a Tour de France Obsession by Ned Boulting
  • Hope and Glory: Rugby League in Thatcher’s Britain by Anthony Broxton
  • Inshallah United: A Story of Faith and Football by Nooruddean Choudry  
  • Unfair Play: The Battle for Women’s Sport by Sharron Davies with Craig Lord
  • Good for a Girl: My Life Running in a Man’s World by Lauren Fleshman
  • The Silence of the Stands: Finding the Joy in Football’s Lost Season by Daniel Gray
  • Answered Prayers: England and the 1966 World Cup by Duncan Hamilton
  • Tinseltown: Hollywood and the Beautiful Game – a Match Made in Wrexham by Ian Herbert
  • Althea: The Life of Tennis Champion Althea Gibson by Sally H. Jacobs
  • Nazaré: Life and Death with the Big Wave Surfers by Matt Majendie 
  • Western Lane by Chetna Maroo

 

  • The Hard Parts: A Story of Courage and Triumph by Oksana Masters 
  • Unbreakable by Ronnie O’Sullivan  
  • Concussed: Sport’s Uncomfortable Truth by Sam Peters
  • On Days Like These: The Lost Memoir of a Goalkeeper by Tim Rich
  • Nowhere to Run: The Ridiculous Life of a Semi-Professional Football Club Chairman by Jonathan Sayer
  • Kick The Latch by Kathryn Scanlan
  • The Tour: The Story of the England Cricket Team Overseas 1877 – 2023 by Simon Wilde 

 

Award panellist and renowned sports broadcaster, Matt Williams said: “This year’s longlist showcases the diversity of sports and the many ways in which they inspire, entertain, and unite communities.

“We received an unprecedented number of outstanding entries from talented authors this year, including a high volume of contributions from both female authors and international writers. Whittling these down was no small feat, resulting in an historic moment for the Awards as we reveal a list of 18 longlisted books, which encompasses fiction and non-fiction.

“These remarkable titles explore the depths of sportsmanship, triumphs and challenges across the sporting industry including sexism, and the devastating effects that head injuries have on sportspeople. All the longlisted books not only have a great story to tell but their writing captivates the reader and is the best in sporting literature.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading so many inspirational books from the most talented of authors and I’m excited to see which of the 18 books comes out on top.”

Now in its 35th year, the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award is dedicated to rewarding excellence in sports-writing and provides authors and publishers a platform to showcase and promote their book. The first William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award took place in 1989, earning it the title of the longest-established competition in the industry.

The shortlist for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2023 Award will be unveiled on 26th October, with the winner declared on 30th November 2023 at an official award ceremony at BAFTA 195 Piccadilly, London. The Award has a £30,000 cash prize for the winner and the shortlisted authors will each receive £3,000 and a leather-bound copy of their book.

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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LinkDataMedia Drops ‘Startup’ Look with Major 5th Anniversary Rebrand

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Editor’s Take

Why this matters: In the iGaming affiliate space, the five-year mark is a critical survival threshold. Many media startups fade away before reaching it. LinkDataMedia’s decision to rebrand now is a classic “graduation” signal. By shedding their startup skin for a more corporate, “blue-chip” aesthetic (the stability-focused blue triangle), they are telling operators and partners that they are no longer just an affiliate project, but a stable infrastructure partner ready for larger commercial deals.

The Full Story

LinkDataMedia, the parent company behind the popular affiliate portal Gamblers Connect, has announced a comprehensive corporate rebrand to coincide with its fifth anniversary.

The overhaul includes a completely refreshed brand identity, a redesigned logo, and a fully revamped website, all of which are now live. The move is described by the company not as a mere cosmetic update, but as a strategic pivot designed to distance the business from its “startup roots” and reflect its current status as an established player in the competitive iGaming media landscape.

Visualizing Maturity The new visual language features a modernized blue triangular logo, a shape chosen to represent “stability and forward momentum.” The digital user experience has also been streamlined, offering partners a cleaner interface that aligns better with the company’s matured operational capabilities.

Management Commentary Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder and CEO of LinkDataMedia, commented on the significance of hitting the half-decade milestone in such a volatile industry:

“Surviving the first five years in business takes more than luck. It takes belief, resilience, and the right people around you. This milestone, and the rebrand, reflect exactly that.”

Implementation The new branding has already been deployed across the main corporate website and is currently being rolled out across LinkDataMedia’s social media channels and internal communication platforms. As the company enters its sixth year, the refreshed identity aims to set the stage for a new phase of expansion and innovation.

The post LinkDataMedia Drops ‘Startup’ Look with Major 5th Anniversary Rebrand appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

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Win Systems to Debut New ‘Gold Club Colors’ and WIGOS Upgrades at ICE Barcelona

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Editor’s Take

Why this matters: As ICE makes its historic move to Barcelona, established tech providers like Win Systems are under pressure to bring their “A-game” to the larger venue. The focus here isn’t just on cabinets; it’s the ecosystem. By highlighting WIGOS (their CMS) alongside WIN PAY, Win Systems is positioning itself as an infrastructure partner, not just a hardware supplier. The debut of the Gold Club Colors roulette specifically targets the growing demand for visually customizable electronic table games (ETGs).

The Full Story

Win Systems, the global provider of technology for the gaming and entertainment industry, has confirmed its product roadmap for ICE Barcelona 2026, the sector’s most significant international event taking place from January 19 to 21.

Exhibiting at Stand 3M30 at the Fira Barcelona Gran Via, the company will leverage the new venue to showcase a broad portfolio designed to cover the entire casino floor—from management systems to the gaming floor itself.

Systems and Fintech At the core of the showcase is WIGOS, the company’s flagship Casino Management System (CMS). WIGOS is widely recognized for connecting thousands of machines across multiple countries, and the Barcelona display will focus on advanced tools that streamline daily operations and optimize player retention.

Complementing the CMS, Win Systems will present WIN PAY, its secure transaction platform. As cashless and seamless payment solutions become standard requirements for operators, WIN PAY offers the necessary efficiency and security controls for modern gaming environments.

Hardware: Roulette and Slots On the hardware side, Win Systems is refreshing its electronic table game offering with the new Gold Club Colors electronic roulette. The Gold Club line has long been a staple in the company’s portfolio, known for its compact footprint and reliability; the “Colors” iteration promises to maximize visual impact on the floor.

Alongside the roulette, the company will display its latest slot hardware, including the Sublime and Rhapsody cabinets. These units are designed to house the company’s extensive game library, which has been adapted to suit diverse market profiles from Europe to Latin America.

Strategic Goals Win Systems aims to use the three-day event to reinforce its 30-year legacy in the industry. The company described its participation as a commitment to “continuous innovation,” inviting operators and regulators to explore how their integrated solutions can improve in-room performance.

The post Win Systems to Debut New ‘Gold Club Colors’ and WIGOS Upgrades at ICE Barcelona appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

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bet365 Brings Popular ‘Over/Under’ F2P Game to UK Market with LOW6

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Editor’s Take

Why this matters: The UK betting market is mature, but the appetite for US sports (NFL in particular) is growing rapidly. By porting this specific “Over/Under” prop format—which has already succeeded in North America—bet365 is engaging a specific sub-segment of UK bettors who prefer the player-prop style of betting common in the US, rather than the traditional match-winner markets. It’s a smart retention play that uses “free-to-play” fun to educate users on complex prop markets.

The Full Story

bet365, the world’s leading online betting brand, has announced the UK launch of its popular Over/Under free-to-play (F2P) game, developed in partnership with gamification specialist LOW6.

This rollout follows successful deployments of the title in Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and multiple U.S. states, where it has already generated millions of prop picks. The move signals bet365’s intent to deepen engagement with UK-based fans of major American sports leagues.

How the Game Works Designed specifically for followers of the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL, the Over/Under game offers a fast-paced, prop-based format.

  • The Mechanic: Users select “Over” or “Under” on specific player performance stats (e.g., passing yards, points scored).

  • The Strategy: Players can choose between 3 to 10 markets per entry. The more selections they combine, the higher the potential prize.

  • The Bridge to Betting: Once an entry is confirmed, the game features a one-click integration that allows players to instantly port their F2P selections into a real-money bet slip on the bet365 platform.

Management Commentary Jon Riley, PR Operations Lead at bet365, highlighted the rising popularity of US sports across the Atlantic:

“The growth of sports betting in the US has been remarkable – fans are engaging with their favourite leagues, teams and events like never before… That passion for the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL has grown globally, and at bet365 we’re delighted to launch such an exciting and entertaining free-to-play game this side of the Atlantic.”

Jamie Mitchell, CEO of LOW6, emphasized the data-backed success of the format:

“The feedback from users, as well as the player numbers and underlying player engagement data shows this game has been a perfect fit. To see bet365 now making it available in the UK is testament to the success of the partnership.”

Josh Turk, Chief Strategy Officer at LOW6, added that the “slick” user journey from free-to-play to real-money wagering is a key feature driving the product’s retention value.

This launch further solidifies the relationship between bet365 and LOW6, leveraging F2P mechanics not just for acquisition, but to increase “player lifetime value” (LTV) by educating casual fans on prop betting markets.

The post bet365 Brings Popular ‘Over/Under’ F2P Game to UK Market with LOW6 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

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