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British Bookmakers Set to Make Record Contribution for Rights to Show Horse Racing
British bookmakers are on track to make a record contribution to horse racing next year – with the bill for media rights forecast to increase by nearly £30m.
The Betting and Gaming Council’s five biggest members for horse race betting, Entain, Flutter, bet365, 888/William Hill and Betfred, expect to see a record cost increase to broadcast races.
In 2022, BGC members paid £270.1m for the rights to live stream races for customers and show them in bookmakers.
But that cost is forecast to rise to £285.3m this year, an increase of 5.6%, with members estimating a further increase to £315.2m in 2024, a further bump of 10.5%.
The combined increase for media rights costs is now expected to rise by 16.7% between 2022 and 2024.
The figures are based on data supplied by the Betting and Gaming Council’s five biggest members for horse race betting, then adjusted to include smaller operators, who must also pay for media rights.
Michael Dugher, CEO of Betting and Gaming Council, said: “BGC members are already making a record contribution to horse racing and these figures show that is only going to increase.
“This comes despite a reduction in betting turnover on racing in the last five years and a worrying decline in participation in horse race betting overall.
“Horse racing remains a hugely important, world-leading sport, enjoyed by millions of fans and like the betting industry it continues to support large numbers of jobs.
“I know racing is trying to modernise and reach out to new fans, while also trying to bounce back from the Covid pandemic and deal with some difficult economic headwinds, plus deal with the hit on its funding caused by the Government. The betting industry is dealing with many of the same pressures on our revenues and costs.
“The BGC and our members remain fully committed to working together with the leadership of the sport, including the BHA and others, to ensure a better future for racing. But the fact that we are making a record and growing contribution to the sport cannot be ignored.”
The forecast costs come after the BGC announced their members directly contributed £384m to British horse racing last year in levy, media rights and sponsorship deals.
These figures showed an increase on previous estimates for the regulated sector’s contribution, which had placed it at around £350m a year.
In addition, bookmakers spent £125m on marketing to promote racing and betting through advertisements and partnerships, which helps secure vital terrestrial coverage of the sport and raise revenue for print newspaper titles.
As well as the increased costs for media rights, levy payments are projected to be £99m in 2022/2023, according to the Horserace Betting Levy Board.
This record investment also enabled horse racing to use some of these revenues to deliver record prize money of £179.3m in 2022.
Horse racing is the second biggest sport in the UK, second only to football, with more than five million people attending around 1400 fixtures annually across 59 racecourses.
However, its popularity is in decline. In 2007, 17% of the population participated in horse race betting in the previous year, but that fell to 10% in 2018.
Meanwhile football overtook horse racing betting around the same time between 2017/2018.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has committed to reviewing the Horseracing Levy by next year.
The Horseracing Levy, which is administered by the Horserace Betting Levy Board, goes towards improving the sport, breeding and boosting veterinary care.
Betting operators are working closely with the British Horseracing Authority and racing stakeholders on much needed reforms to the fixture list and race programme which should increase commercial returns from the levy and media rights.
The regulated betting industry fully supports this once-in-a-generation opportunity to modernise horse racing so it can realise its full commercial potential.
The BGC is also working closely with the government on the proposed reforms from the White Paper to ensure those who enjoy betting can continue to do so without unnecessary intrusion, while introducing improved safeguards for the minority who struggle.
Betting shops currently support around 42,000 jobs, contribute £1bn a year in tax to the Treasury and another £60m in business rates to local councils.
The wider regulated betting and gaming industry contributes £7.1bn to the economy, generates £4.2bn in tax and supports 110,000 jobs.
In April DCMS unveiled the Government’s new White Paper on gambling reform, including a number of key measures the BGC had campaigned for.
Those included a new mandatory Ombudsman for the regulated sector, enhanced spending checks online and a new mandatory levy to fund research, education and treatment to tackle gambling related harm and problem gambling.
Each month in Great Britain around 22.5m adults have a bet and the most recent Health Survey for England estimated that 0.4% of the adult population are problem gamblers.
Meanwhile the unsafe, unregulated gambling black market online is growing in the UK, with the numbers betting on these sites doubling in recent years, and the amount staked in the billions.
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TCSJOHNHUXLEY Captivates at ICE Barcelona 2025 with a Showcase of Innovative Solutions
TCSJOHNHUXLEY, a global leader in live gaming products and solutions, was delighted with the successful outcome of its participation at the recent ICE Gaming Expo, held from January 20-22 at the Fira Gran Via in Barcelona. The company showcased a range of innovative products and technologies, captivating the attention of industry professionals and reaffirming its position as a leading force in the live gaming sector.
A key highlight of the event was the launch of the Supernova Progressive Jackpot System on the new Qorex 2 Electronic Gaming Terminals. This groundbreaking feature marks a significant advancement in the gaming industry, offering players the chance to win life-changing jackpots across both live and electronic tables. Qorex 2 itself, featuring enhanced multi-game functionality, customisable side bets, and a strong focus on player experience, proved a major draw, showcasing TCSJOHNHUXLEY’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge electronic gaming solutions.
Further enhancing the digital gaming experience, Roulette Xtra was introduced to the Qorex 2 platform, bringing the thrill of this popular live table game to the digital realm for the first time.
Demonstrating its commitment to innovation across its entire product portfolio, TCSJOHNHUXLEY unveiled Velocity, its latest automated Roulette wheel. Inspired by the success of its predecessor, Velocity sets a new industry standard for speed, enabling casinos to offer more games per hour, maximising table turnover and revenue. Powered by powerful brushless motors, it ensures continuous, reliable operation without the need for noisy air compressors. First showcased at G2E Las Vegas 2024, the Velocity Auto Wheel incorporates the user-friendly Wheelmate console, empowering casinos with effortless maintenance and peak performance.
TCSJOHNHUXLEY also showcased the next generation in chip handling technology with the introduction of Chipper Champ 3. Featuring an updated aesthetic and a space-saving design, the Chipper Champ 3 boasts a groundbreaking innovation with the ability to sort clay chips, a feature unmatched by any other chipper on the market. This revolutionary capability will significantly enhance efficiency and streamline casino operations. Intelligent chip recognition, intuitive software, and real-time performance data translate to faster processing, reduced errors, and enhanced productivity. The Chipper Champ 3 generated significant interest from attendees, demonstrating the strong demand for innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency and player experience.
The new Blackjack Display captivated players with its real-time data and insights. Seamlessly integrated with TCSJOHNHUXLEY’s acclaimed Ora Luxe Winning Number Display, this innovative solution utilises advanced camera technology for automatic card recognition, eliminating the need for manual entry. By showcasing key game information, including dealer hand history, live dealer odds, and historical stats, this new dynamic Blackjack Display empowers both novice and experienced players to make more informed decisions and enhance their gameplay.
Furthermore, TCSJOHNHUXLEY showcased its unparalleled craftsmanship with a stunning display of custom Roulette Wheel Turrets, demonstrating the company’s ability to create truly unique and captivating gaming experiences.
“We are incredibly pleased with the response we received at ICE Barcelona,” says Tristan Sjöberg, TCSJOHNHUXLEY Executive Chairman. “The show provided a valuable platform to showcase our latest innovations and engage with industry leaders and the feedback we received on our new innovations was particularly encouraging. TCSJOHNHUXLEY looks forward to continuing to push the boundaries of gaming technology and delivering innovative solutions that enhance the player experience and drive success for our valued partners.”
The post TCSJOHNHUXLEY Captivates at ICE Barcelona 2025 with a Showcase of Innovative Solutions appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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ONE MONTH LEFT TO SUBMIT NOMINATIONS FOR SELECT CATEGORIES AT THE CASINO GURU AWARDS 2025
Time is running out! Casino Guru is reminding industry professionals and stakeholders that there is just one month left to submit nominations for select categories in the prestigious 3rd annual Casino Guru Awards 2025. As the deadline of February 28, 2025, approaches, we encourage all eligible participants to seize this final opportunity to be recognized for their contributions to the iGaming industry.
This year’s awards bring added prestige with the introduction of an exclusive live ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in St. Julian’s, Malta. As always, Casino Guru remains committed to honoring transparency, social responsibility, inovation and ethical leadership within the industry.
Categories with open nomination
Nominations remain open for a range of categories, including our two newest additions that emphasize public engagement and individual industry impact:
- Players’ Choice – This category gives players the power to vote for their favorite game provider from a handpicked shortlist, ensuring a winner truly selected by the public.
- iGaming Changemaker of the Year – Recognizing individuals who have demonstrated exceptional influence and leadership, driving positive change through innovative projects and initiatives.
The complete list of award categories includes:
- The Fairest Bonus Policy
- The Fairest General Terms & Conditions
- The Most Impactful Social Responsibility Initiative
- The Best Implementation of Responsible Gambling Tools
- The Most Transparent Casino
- The Most Effective Handling of Complaints
- The Most Ethical Approach to Marketing
- Players’ Choice
- iGaming Changemaker of the Year
- Voice of the People
A night of celebration in Malta
Following the nomination period, voting for the “Players’ Choice” and “Voice of the People” categories will open as shortlisted nominees move forward. The final awards ceremony on June 6, 2025, will be a night to remember, bringing together top industry professionals, esteemed judges, and media representatives at an invite-only gala at the Hilton Hotel, St. Julian’s, Malta. The evening will feature a three-course dinner, complimentary drinks, and a grand celebration at Level 22, a stylish wine lounge and club with stunning city views.
Submit your nomination today
With the deadline fast approaching, Casino Guru encourages all industry players to put forward their nominations before February 28, 2025. Don’t miss this opportunity to be recognized among the best in iGaming!
The post ONE MONTH LEFT TO SUBMIT NOMINATIONS FOR SELECT CATEGORIES AT THE CASINO GURU AWARDS 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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At Least $5M To Be Won In GGMasters 5th Anniversary Edition
GGPoker, the World’s Biggest Poker Room, today announces details of its upcoming GGMasters 5th Anniversary Edition, a $150 buy-in tournament running February 23 and boasting a guaranteed prize pool of $5M. The 5th Anniversary Edition is the highlight of an entire series celebrating the success of GGPoker’s signature freezeout events, with the festival running from February 9 through February 24.
In the five years since their introduction in 2020, the GGMasters freezeouts have become firm favorites of the GGPoker community; daily and weekly events with buy-ins starting from $25 and each featuring a juicy prize guarantee. Headlined by the weekly $150 GGMasters tournament, players appreciate the simplicity involved – each participant has one shot at winning the event and knows that once all their chips are gone, there are no rebuys available.
Players can satellite into GGMasters 5th Anniversary Series events or snag tickets via the $200K GGMasters Ticket Drop, which takes place throughout the series. Tickets will be randomly awarded to players participating in GGMasters 5th Anniversary Series events, with a total of $200K in tickets valued at $15, $25 and $150 awarded.
“The GGMasters 5th Anniversary Edition is all about taking that one shot at a mouth-watering prize pool,” said Sarne Lightman, Managing Director of GGPoker. “This unique single entry-only event is one of the highlights of our annual tournament schedule – buy in directly or win your way in and play for a share of at least $5M!”
Players can join the action by downloading the GGPoker app, creating their account and registering for their favorite tournaments or playing their favorite cash games. New players can also claim GGPoker’s Welcome Bonus and join the rewards-rich Fish Buffet loyalty program.
The post At Least $5M To Be Won In GGMasters 5th Anniversary Edition appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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