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Double trouble: Veloce Racing’s biggest-ever weekend to feature non-stop Extreme E and W Series action

Published

4 years ago

August 25, 2021

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Jamie Chadwick, Bruna Tomaselli, Stéphane Sarrazin and Emma Gilmour gunning for glory in Belgium and Greenland

Veloce Racing’s busiest weekend to date is on the horizon (27-29 August) as the London-based squad is set to compete in Extreme E (Kangerlussuaq, Greenland) and W Series (Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium) across three days of non-stop action.

The weekend will arguably be the team’s biggest challenge yet, as the stars and cars from both championships return from the summer break refreshed and ready for the second half of the season.

Veloce Racing is on something of a hot streak in both series’, as reigning champion Jamie Chadwick claimed a dominant W Series grand slam last time out at the Hungaroring, while the #5 Extreme E car – with Chadwick and Stéphane Sarrazin at the wheel – recorded the team’s first podium in the all-electric championship on the beaches of Senegal.

The W Series title fight now resumes at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps with Chadwick leading the overall standings by one point from rival Alice Powell, whilst Veloce rookie Bruna Tomaselli will be looking to add to her recent points tally.

Practice kicks off proceedings at the legendary Grand Prix circuit on Friday followed by qualifying, before the all-important race commences on Saturday afternoon.

With Chadwick continuing her W Series commitments there will be an exciting change to Veloce Racing’s Extreme E line-up this weekend, as the experienced Emma Gilmour is set to make her first appearance for the squad.

Extreme E will make history as Greenland hosts its first-ever motorsport event – the Arctic X Prix – with an updated race format including a mouth-watering five-car final. Qualifying 1 and 2 are scheduled for Saturday while the finals are set for Sunday.

Fans can watch all of the action unfold with both series’ enjoying live television coverage – for more information visit the Extreme E and W Series websites.

Jamie Chadwick, W Series Driver, Veloce Racing commented:

“I can’t wait to get back to racing this weekend. As always, it’s been nice to enjoy some time off over the summer break but now I’m feeling the need to get back behind the wheel.

“Spa is such a legendary circuit, it’s one of those places that every driver loves just because it’s so challenging and when you get it right it feels amazing. Obviously, the last race was the best result we could’ve asked for so I’ll definitely be targeting more of the same, but I know Alice [Powell] and the rest of the field are going to put up a good fight.”

Stéphane Sarrazin, Extreme E Driver, Veloce Racing added:

“As is often the case with Extreme E locations, Greenland is unlike anywhere I’ve been before so I’m excited to see the location and what they have come up with for the course – they’ve been a good mix of flat-out and technical sections so far this season.

“Obviously the aim is another podium. The strategy we used work perfectly in Senegal, but each event is different so we will have to see how we feel after shakedown and as the weekend progresses. It is so important in this series to know when to push and when to hold back.”

Bruna Tomaselli, W Series Driver, Veloce Racing said:

“It’s been nice to recharge my batteries over the summer break and I’m heading to Spa feeling refreshed and ready to get more points on the board – and maybe even a podium – in the second half of the season.

“These next four races are going to fly by so I want to make sure I maximise each one, learn as much as I can from Jamie [Chadwick] and the rest of the team, and above all else I want to enjoy myself while visiting these amazing locations.”

Emma Gilmour, Extreme E Driver, Veloce Racing commented:

“It is hugely exciting to be stepping into the car for the first time in Greenland, but it’s also going to be a test of my skills and experience. I’m going to have to get up to speed very quickly, but luckily each event is a bit of a reset for all of the drivers as no one has any experience of the next venue, so I think that works in my favour.

“I’m really grateful to Veloce for giving me the opportunity and I hope Stéphane [Sarrazin] and I can get another great result for the team after that amazing podium in Senegal.”

Mariella Bailey, W Series Team Principal, Veloce Racing said:

“What a first half of the season we’ve had. Two wins and the championship lead for Jamie, a good haul of points and lots of experience gained for Bruna [Tomaselli] and I’m learning a lot too during my first season as Team Principal.

“We’re going to some amazing tracks over the next four rounds and Spa is the perfect way to kick things off. It is undoubtedly one of the greatest tracks in the world and always produces amazing action for the fans – I can’t wait for practice to get underway on Friday!”

Rupert Svendsen-Cook, Extreme E Team Principal, Veloce Racing added:

“What an incredible opportunity for Veloce to be racing in two such revolutionary championships on the same weekend. It’s going to be a massive test for the entire team, but I think we’re up to the challenge.

“We’re all excited to see what Emma [Gilmour] can achieve in the car with her wealth of rally experience. Extreme E’s new five-car Final format is an interesting addition as well so I think if we play our cards right, we could be on for another brilliant result for the SW6 squad.”

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From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025

Published

7 hours ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: Belatra has been a steady hand in the slots world for a long time, but 2025 marked a distinct shift in strategy. By entering the Crash vertical with Goose Boom Bang and winning big at SiGMA Africa, the studio is clearly pivoting to capture the high-growth, high-frequency players in emerging markets. They are no longer just a “classic slots” developer; they are diversifying the portfolio to ensure relevance in regions like LatAm and Africa.

The Full Story

Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, has issued a strategic review of its 2025 operations, celebrating a 12-month period defined by entry into new game verticals, significant franchise expansion, and high-profile industry recognition.

The year was characterized by a dual strategy: deepening engagement in established markets while aggressively expanding its content portfolio to suit local preferences in emerging territories.

Portfolio Evolution: Crash and Battles 2025 saw Belatra move beyond its traditional slot roots. The company made its debut in the high-demand Crash game vertical with the launch of Goose Boom Bang, a title designed to tap into the fast-paced gameplay preference of younger demographics.

Additionally, the studio introduced a fresh game concept with the launch of Battles, a new format unveiled for the first time in 2025, with further development planned for 2026.

The ‘Mummyverse’ Expands For fans of classic slots, the highlight of the year was the aggressive expansion of the Mummyverse. Belatra nearly doubled the size of this franchise over the year, making it the most extensive game universe in their entire catalog.

The developer also focused on B2B localization, releasing a number of exclusive bespoke games created specifically for selected operator partners to meet specific local market tastes.

Awards and Recognition The company’s strategic shifts were validated by industry accolades. Belatra secured over 30 nominations throughout the year, with standout wins including:

Best Slot Provider (awarded by BitStarz).
Most Played Game of 2025 for Make It Gold at the SiGMA Africa Awards.
Player’s Pick Award.

Management Commentary Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, commented on the studio’s momentum:

“This year has truly defined who we are as a studio – ambitious, creative and focused on building long-term partnerships. We’ve expanded our universes, launched new ones and entered exciting new markets that will all help us carry this momentum into the New Year.”

The post From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

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‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch

Published

7 hours ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: The “Instant Game” vertical (Crash, Plinko, Mines) is becoming crowded, but Ebaka Games is cutting through the noise with a distinct brand personality. By securing BMM Testlabs certification so quickly after launch, they are signaling to Tier 1 operators that despite their “chaotic” marketing vibe, the math underneath is solid and compliant. The backing of industry veteran Dmitry Belianin also adds immediate commercial credibility to the startup.

The Full Story

Ebaka Games, the fledgling studio that promises to bring “chaos and soul” to the iGaming sector, has outlined an aggressive growth strategy for 2026 following a landmark launch period in late 2025.

The studio, which officially debuted in November, reports that its initial rollout reached more than five million people worldwide. The launch saw its portfolio go live with the operator Menace, serving as the initial testbed for its mechanics and “Ebaka modes.”

The Product: Instant Games with Personality Ebaka is bypassing traditional slots to focus on the high-growth vertical of fast-paced, instant-win games. Their initial lineup includes:

Plinko
Mines
Tower
Limbo
Crash

Differentiation is achieved through unique mascots and signature gameplay tweaks designed to offer high win potential and distinct visual identities, moving away from the generic interfaces often found in this genre.

Regulatory Milestone Crucially for its 2026 roadmap, Ebaka Games has confirmed it has secured certification from BMM Testlabs. This accreditation validates the fairness and integrity of its RNG (Random Number Generator) and game engines, removing a major barrier to entry for regulated markets. With this certification in hand, the studio plans to launch with a number of “major brands” in the coming year.

Management Commentary Vitalii Zalievskyi, CEO of Ebaka Games, commented on the studio’s unorthodox approach:

“It’s only been a few weeks since we first introduced Ebaka Games to the world. The feedback has been breathtaking, and it vindicates the decision for us to take a different path to the rest of the industry. You don’t need huge marketing budgets to grab people’s attention if you are building something truly innovative.”

Industry Backing The studio describes itself as being “created by players for players” but boasts significant industry firepower in its corner. The team includes Dmitry Belianin, a well-known figure in the sector who is the co-founder of Blask and Menace, as well as Managing Partner at Already Media.

The post ‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

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Racing Meets Nightlife: SBK Backs ARC’s New ‘Friday Night Live’ Series

Published

7 hours ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: British racing has a well-documented demographic problem; its core audience is aging. “Friday Night Live” is a direct attempt to fix this by blending high-stakes racing with the “experience economy” (DJs, nightlife vibes) that appeals to Gen Z and Millennials. Bringing SBK on board—a mobile-first, app-only sportsbook—is a perfect demographic fit, while the Racing Post adds the necessary credibility to ensure the actual racing product remains the focus.

The Full Story

Arena Racing Company (ARC) has unveiled the strategic commercial lineup for its upcoming Friday Night Live series, confirming SBK as the Exclusive Betting Partner and The Racing Post as the Official Media Partner.

Set to launch in January 2026, Friday Night Live is a new initiative created in collaboration with youth-focused events company INVADES. The series is designed to overhaul the traditional race day experience, featuring fast-paced fixtures under floodlights, DJ sets, and significant entertainment elements sandwiched between races.

The Commercial Deal

SBK: As the exclusive betting partner, the Smarkets-owned sportsbook will take naming rights and on-course branding for all 35 races. Crucially, these races will be broadcast live on mainstream television via ITV Racing as well as Sky Sports Research.
The Racing Post: As the Official Media Partner, the publication will provide content, coverage, and promotion across its digital platforms, aiming to bridge the gap between established racing purists and the new audience ARC hopes to attract.

A High-Stakes Experiment The series is not just a marketing exercise; it carries serious sporting weight. Each of the five scheduled nights will feature over £200,000 in prize money. The fixtures will rotate across three of ARC’s all-weather tracks: Wolverhampton, Newcastle, and Southwell.

Management Commentary David Leyden Dunbar, Group Director of Commercial Strategy at ARC, was clear about the target audience:

“We have been very clear that one of the aims of Friday Night Live is to engage the next generation of racing fans… Both [partners] have shown real enthusiasm to work with us… as well as using the platform that these fixtures will offer them to also engage with more established racing and sports fans.”

Adam Baylis, Marketing Director at SBK, added:

“Friday Night Live [is] a fresh and engaging concept that brings a new energy to British racing. SBK has always been built around sport… our focus is on enhancing the live race day experience in a fun, social and responsible way.”

The 2026 Schedule The series kicks off immediately in the new year: