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Julie Harrington to Step Down as BHA Chief Executive at the End of 2024

Published

6 months ago

June 13, 2024

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Julie Harrington has announced that she will leave her job as Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) at the end of the year after four years in the role.

Julie has overseen significant changes to the BHA and British Horseracing including a new governance structure, achieving cross-industry support for the sport’s long-term Industry Strategy and setting its underpinning architecture securely in place, structural and operational changes at the BHA itself, work on a new People Strategy with the introduction of the Horseracing Industry People Board, and a renewed focus on improving commercial opportunities.

Commenting on her decision to step down, Julie said: “With so much now in place to develop and grow the Industry Strategy, which will secure a brighter future for British horseracing, it felt like the right time to move on and let someone else steer the sport through its next exciting phase.

“It has been a huge privilege to lead the BHA during what has been a period of real change as the sport has developed and implemented shared strategies for a sustainable future, and an ability to speak with one united voice.

“I love working in horseracing, it is an amazing sport to be involved in. I will always be a fan and you can expect to see me at the races in the years ahead. I am proud of the progress the industry has made over the past three years, especially in improving the governance structure, and I hope that racing’s stakeholders will continue to work together cooperatively to attract new audiences, further improve the customer experience and grow the sport.

“I am confident that if the sport continues to foster the sense of unity and shared purpose that we have developed over the past few years then great things can be achieved.

“My future plans are likely to include a move to a varied non-executive career. Although I took the decision to stand down some time ago, I have agreed to stay on until the end of year to allow a smooth transition to a new CEO.

“The BHA Board is already engaged in the search for Joe’s successor as Chair and informing the Board of my intentions now gives the nominations committee the opportunity to plan an orderly handover, consider the complementary skills of candidates and allow the new Chair to be part of the final stages of CEO recruitment.

“British Horseracing is one of the cornerstones of our sporting and cultural heritage. I will be forever thankful to have had the opportunity to be a part of it, both during my tenures at Northern Racing, on the BHA Board and most recently as CEO of the BHA. I wish it every success in the years to come.”

Joe Saumarez Smith will step down as Chair of the BHA at the end of May 2025 and the recruitment process for his replacement commenced last month.

Joe Saumarez Smith said: “Julie has been a fantastic chief executive for the BHA and has done a huge amount for the industry since her appointment. We have been lucky to have her in charge and she will be difficult to replace. I am grateful she has agreed to stay on to the end of the year to allow us to recruit her replacement and to ensure a smooth transition.

“During Julie’s tenure we have completely changed the governance of the sport and the BHA’s role within it. Her influencing skills, often behind-the-scenes, have been key to that change and also in the positive adjustments made to the Gambling Act White Paper that posed such a threat to our sport.

“Four years at the top of any sport demands total focus, concentration and enormous amounts of energy and Julie has delivered all of these, in what at times has been a challenging stakeholder and political environment. I, and the BHA Board, fully understand why she has taken this decision now and wish her every success in her future roles.”

Julie also paid tribute to her executive team and the BHA staff, stating: “We have a hugely talented and passionate team at the BHA. From the executive leadership team, those working day in, day out on course or from our new smaller HQ in Holborn Gate, it really is a team effort. It is a team that has undergone a great deal of change in the past few years and one that is dedicated to delivering for our sport. With a busy period ahead, the whole BHA will remain focused on delivering a great service.”

The post Julie Harrington to Step Down as BHA Chief Executive at the End of 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Stretch Network announces Black Friday Weekend Tournament

Published

6 hours ago

November 27, 2024

George Miller

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Black Friday Weekend is here! Stretch Network introduces another player-focused initiative – the Black Friday Weekend promotion. Running from November 29th to December 1st, this event offers up to 90% discounts on buy-ins for the World Poker League tournament series.

Here’s how it works:

Players register for special phase tournaments at a reduced cost.
These 2-minute events don’t require player actions and provide the same starting stack as the target tournament.
After the phase tournament ends, players are automatically registered for the main event.
Players already in the target tournament will have their stacks combined for added excitement.

Raise with us to go all-in on player satisfaction.

The post Stretch Network announces Black Friday Weekend Tournament appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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SOFTSWISS Integrates Jackpot Aggregator with RedStar Casino

Published

6 hours ago

November 27, 2024

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

SOFTSWISS has announced the integration of its Jackpot Aggregator, a cutting-edge player engagement solution, with RedStar Casino, a secure and reliable gaming platform. This partnership demonstrates the seamless integration capabilities of SOFTSWISS products with third-party casino platforms, further solidifying the versatility of the Jackpot Aggregator.

Previously, the SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator team primarily worked with clients using the SOFTSWISS Casino Platform and the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator, delivering efficient and seamless engagement tools. The collaboration with RedStar Casino highlights the product’s ability to integrate effortlessly with external platforms, showcasing its adaptability beyond the SOFTSWISS ecosystem.

To support smooth onboarding, the SOFTSWISS team provides comprehensive API integration documentation and dedicated Technical Account Manager support, addressing any potential queries in real time.

Angelina Stasiuk, Head of Business Line at SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator, shared: “The SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator is constantly evolving. In addition to expanding engagement mechanics such as jackpots, drops, multi-prizes, and Prime Network Jackpot campaigns, we are also broadening our client base and market reach. Regardless of their casino platform, any client can integrate the SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator and easily launch diverse engagement campaigns.”

RedStar Casino representatives added: “We appreciate the professionalism of the SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator team and the simplicity of the product’s integration process. We have already launched a three-level progressive jackpot campaign and are thrilled to offer our players a diverse and engaging gaming experience.”

This successful integration marks a milestone in the SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator’s mission to deliver innovative and adaptable engagement solutions, ensuring seamless functionality and exceptional value for operators and players alike.

Recently, the SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator announced the improvement of its product by introducing a multi-prizes feature. This new functionality enables operators to split winnings among several players or groups, offering customisable distribution methods tailored to various engagement strategies.

About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 23,500 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.

The post SOFTSWISS Integrates Jackpot Aggregator with RedStar Casino appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

Starburst Galaxy Ushers in NetEnt’s New Era

Published

6 hours ago

November 27, 2024

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Starburst Galaxy, a sequel to the iconic Starburst that reshaped the online slot market, is propelling veteran NetEnt to new heights. The game takes players on a cosmic journey and launches NetEnt into the next phase of its evolution.

As players blast off into a stellar adventure with this dazzling sequel, NetEnt enters a new era. The revolutionary developer’s Phase 1 brought online slots to desktops without cumbersome downloads and allowed players to trial games through free play. Phase 2 brought players’ favourite slots to their mobile screens so they could play anytime, anywhere. Now, Starburst Galaxy stands as a testament to NetEnt’s new Phase 3, where many new features and mechanics await players.

Starburst Galaxy builds on the success of its predecessor, embracing NetEnt’s signature Avalanche™ mechanic, where winning symbols vanish, allowing new ones to fall into place and creating opportunities for consecutive wins from a single spin. Adding to the excitement, the new Feature Generator lets each win contribute to unlocking five dynamic features: symbol destroy, random wilds, expanding wilds, line transform, and symbol upgrade.

The Galaxy Star feature introduces a thrilling twist with an expansive 7×7 grid and a dazzling 3×3 Starburst Wild that activates additional wilds and unique features. Landing three scatters fires up the Mega Star feature, summoning a 2×2 Starburst Wild and introducing powerful multipliers throughout the round, while a retrigger remains possible by refilling the Galaxy Metre with each win.

An exciting new addition introduced in Starburst Galaxy, the Elevate Feature will be rolled out across all NetEnt slots moving forward. Elevate gives players the power to customise their gameplay by activating various game features and add-ons directly from a list, using base bet multipliers to enhance the experience. (The availability of the Elevate Feature varies by region.)

The new era of NetEnt will also feature upgrades across its product offerings, including new robust multi-level jackpots and more big wins through the GigaMath Model. Classic games will receive visual and UX enhancements, and new Speed Spins and Super Speed Spins options will allow players to play at their own pace. Additionally, operators can customise their own Starburst slot with the introduction of Starburst Brandable.

Todd Haushalter, Chief Product Officer at Evolution, said: “This is a defining moment for NetEnt as we enter a new era with the launch of Starburst Galaxy. The game introduces innovative features, stunning visuals, and advanced technology while honouring the iconic classic that transformed the online video slot market. I’m incredibly proud of our team’s hard work—from the enhanced gameplay to the refreshed brand design, which marks another milestone and a new direction in NetEnt’s evolution. We’re excited for players to experience Starburst Galaxy, and this is only the beginning of what’s to come.”

The post Starburst Galaxy Ushers in NetEnt’s New Era appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.