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British Bookmakers Set to Make Record Contribution for Rights to Show Horse Racing

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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.

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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Hub88 adds Solidicon’s visually striking portfolio to aggregation platform

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‘World-first’ racing crash game Quackinator among high-performing titles made available

Hub88 has partnered with Solidicon, the Swedish game studio famed for creating bold, artistic casino experiences that bring a fresh wave of excitement to players.

Founded in 2006 by ‘a collective of nerds and dreamers’, Solidicon has earned a reputation for crafting games that combine technical precision with playful creativity.

The developer’s portfolio, now available via Hub88’s seamless API, includes standout titles such as Navigator, Supershoot Crash and the world’s first-ever racing crash game Quackinator.

This collaboration strengthens Hub88’s catalogue of content, reinforcing its commitment to delivering in-demand, novel and creatively distinctive experiences to audiences worldwide.

Jess Inglott, Head of Supplier Relations at Hub88, said: “Solidicon’s games bring a bold, unforgettable touch to the casino experience.

“Adding their titles to our platform allows operators to offer visually striking, memorable content that stands out in a crowded market.”

Robert Ackerman, CEO of Solidicon, said: “Partnering with Hub88 provides a practical way to broaden distribution of our games and simplify access for operators.

“Their platform is well regarded for its stability and ease of use, which makes this partnership a strong fit for us.”

The post Hub88 adds Solidicon’s visually striking portfolio to aggregation platform appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

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Greentube expands Latin American footprint with Brazino777 partnership

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Greentube, the NOVOMATIC Digital Gaming and Entertainment division, has strengthened its presence in Latin America after partnering with Brazino777, an online casino and sports betting brand known for its player-first experience and fast withdrawals, to roll out a selection of its top-performing titles to the Brazilian market.

Following the agreement, Greentube’s platform is now live with Brazino777 in Brazil, marking an important milestone in the supplier’s regional growth strategy and reinforcing its commitment to delivering market-relevant content in newly regulated jurisdictions.

As part of the collaboration, Brazino777 players can enjoy some of Greentube’s most popular new releases, including Piggy Prizes:Wand of Riches 2, Trinity Treasures Wukong Buy Bonus, and Caichen Triple Blossom.

Alongside these titles, a curated selection of Greentube’s iconic classic games have also been integrated, including Book of Ra deluxe, Diamond Link: Mighty Sevens, and Cash Connection – Golden Sizzling Hot.

These games were selected for their proven performance in regulated markets and their strong appeal to Brazilian players, making them an ideal fit for Brazino777’s growing casino offering.

Now, with Brazil’s regulated online gaming landscape offering fresh opportunities, the collaboration is well positioned to reach new heights as the region continues to thrive.

Greentube’s latest Brazilian partnership further reinforces its strategic focus on Latin America as a key growth market. With a diverse portfolio of innovative slots and well-established fan favourites, the company continues to strengthen its position as a leading supplier worldwide.

Wilson Francisco, Sales and Key Account Manage at Greentube, said: “Our launch with Brazino777 is a major step forward for our strategy in Brazil. Their deep understanding of the local audience, paired with Greentube’s commitment to delivering top-performing, culturally relevant content, is a powerful combination.

“We’re confident that this partnership will elevate the player experience and help set new standards in the market.”

Andre Medeiros, Country Manager for Brazilat Brazino777, said: “Greentube’s portfolio is recognised globally for its quality, performance and player appeal. As a brand rooted in Brazilian culture, Brazino777’s focus is simple: a fun, smooth experience our community can enjoy every day.

“Partnering with Greentube reinforces that promise by expanding the entertainment options available to our players in Brazil.”

The post Greentube expands Latin American footprint with Brazino777 partnership appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

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Yggdrasil strengthens YGG Masters roster with Nordic game provider Lakka Studios

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Yggdrasil has expanded its standout YGG Masters program with the addition of Nordic independent game studio Lakka Studios, introducing fresh concepts to its premium global content portfolio.

As the 20th studio to join the YGG Masters family, Lakka Studios aligns with Yggdrasil’s vision of elevating the iGaming landscape through innovative, high-quality content from the industry’s most exciting creators.

Steeped in Nordic spirit, Lakka Studios introduces a refreshing blend of clever mechanics, polished visuals, and player-first design. Its approach to light-hearted and engaging gameplay adds a new dimension to the YGG Masters catalogue, enhancing the variety of games available to Yggdrasil’s operator partners and players worldwide.

Lakka Studios will be another early adopter of Yggdrasil’s cutting-edge Game in a Box platform, created to streamline the end-to-end development process, as well as offering a ready-made path to market through its distribution network.

Zoe Bird, Head of Masters at Yggdrasil, at Yggdrasil, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Lakka Studios as the 20th studio to join our Masters community.

“The studio brings a familiar Nordic identity that complements the broad range of studios within our network. We have every confidence that Lakka Studios will quickly build a devoted following across our global operator partners.”

A spokesperson for Lakka Studios added: “Joining the YGG Masters program marks an exciting step in our journey, and we’re incredibly proud to collaborate with a partner that shares our passion for quality and innovation.

“Yggdrasil’s support and technology provide the ideal foundation for us to bring our creative vision to life.”

The post Yggdrasil strengthens YGG Masters roster with Nordic game provider Lakka Studios appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

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