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Matchbook’s £100,000 bonus boosts EBF race series to further enhance the stayers’ programme
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A series of races created in 2015 by the BHA and the British European Breeders’ Fund to boost the stayers’ programme, has been provided with a huge financial boost. Matchbook Betting Exchange have teamed up with the EBF to match the EBF’s prize money contribution and put in place a £100,000 bonus for any winner from the series who goes on to win a Group 1 race over 10 furlongs or more in the UK and Ireland in their three year old year.
The Matchbook EBF Future Stayers’ Series consists of 16 races, all with an increased minimum prize value of £14,000, are open to the progeny of stallions and mares that had won over distances of 10 furlongs or more. The series begins at Yarmouth on August 7 and runs through to Chelmsford on December 13. Each of the races, to be run over at least 7f, will be worth a minimum of £14,000 and the series has a total value of £283,000.
The facts
• 16 races run across 13 racecourses from August to December over a minimum distance of 7 furlongs.
• First race run at Yarmouth on the 7th of August.
• Minimum prize value £14,000 and a total series value of £283,000.
• £100,000 bonus for any winner in the series who goes on to win a Group 1 in the UK or Ireland over 10 furlongs or more in their three-year-old year.
• £100,000 split as follows – £70,000 owner, £10,000 breeder, £10,000 trainer, £10,000 stable staff of trainer’s yard, at least £1,000 of which to go to the winning groom.
• Star graduates include Cracksman, Stradivarius, Across The Stars, Royal Marine and Line of Duty.
Philip Mitchell, Chairman of the EBF said: “The bonus is eminently winnable – if it had been in place in the 2016 season for example, Cracksman would have been the first recipient. He won an EBF sire/dam restricted race at Newmarket towards the end of the 2016 season and then went on to win the Champions’ Stakes (Gr.1) at Ascot over 1m2f at the end of his three-year-old career.”
Matchbook CEO Mark Brosnan said: “Matchbook are extremely passionate about the future of horse racing and we want our sponsorships to make a difference, whilst also providing exposure for our brand. We are incredibly excited to partner with the EBF on this innovative initiative, which we believe supports the grassroots of the sport. Horses like Stradivarius and Dee Ex Bee exemplify how this series provides an insight into the staying stars of the future.”
Charlie Appleby, Trainer of Line Of Duty, a star graduate of The Matchbook EBF Future Stayers’ Series, said: “It is fantastic to see the EBF supporting and promoting a better programme for middle distance and future staying type horses. The sire/dam restricted races are a great initiative and provide an excellent platform for potential top class horses of this type.”
Classic winning trainer, Hugo Palmer said: “The Matchbook EBF Future Stayers’ Series will further help promote middle-distance and staying horses, which can only be a good thing for our sport. With 16 series races per season worth a minimum of £14,000 and an attractive potential bonus on offer the following year, it is an exciting time for trainers, owners and breeders alike.”
Ruth Quinn, Director of International Racing and Racing Development: “The Future Stayers project is a superb initiative which plays into the ever-evolving focus on developing and retaining staying talent here in Britain. There are now valuable incentives at multiple ages to encourage horses with an aptitude for stamina, and it is pleasing to see how the industry has come together to address an important challenge for the future of the sport and the breed.”
About Matchbook:
Matchbook is a peer to peer betting exchange focused on giving customers low commission, best prices and best liquidity. The exchange launched its horse racing product in 2016 and has been gradually expanding its sponsorship portfolio over the past 3 years. The key point of difference between Matchbook and other exchanges is that the platform is developed in house by their own technology team and constantly being evolved and improved to provide the best customer experience. Matchbook is also the highest rated exchange on TrustPilot.
About EBF:
Under the guidance and jurisdiction of the EBF Co-Ordinating Committee, the British EBF’s mandate is:
• To provide funds to support races of value to the thoroughbred that may otherwise be lost due to a lack of commercial attractiveness to racecourses.
• To implement new races that may be of benefit to the breed.
• To promote and support organisations whose purposes include assisting and
improving the breeding of thoroughbred horses.
• To provide financial support for equine research beneficial to the thoroughbred horse
• To ensure a minimum of 70% of 2yo maiden/novice races in GB carry EBF conditions are confined to EBF eligible runners.
What the British EBF does:
Since 1983, the British EBF has contributed over £34.5 million to prize money in British Racing and supports over 600 flat races and 80 national hunt races each season.
• British EBF currently invests over £1.7 million per year directly in to the prize money of races in GB and provides strategic support for races that promote the diversity of the breed and the race programme.
• Around 74% of this investment comes from contributions made by stud farms whose stallions stand in Great Britain.
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Matchbook’s £100,000 bonus boosts EBF race series to further enhance the stayers’ programme
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Betandyou shortlisted for three international awards
Despite the cold winter, the iGaming industry is entering its hottest season — awards season. This is the time when international experts evaluate the most innovative products, technologies, and services, highlighting the companies that set the standards for the year ahead. This season, Betandyou is kicking off with a strong start, making it onto the shortlist of several prestigious international awards.
Betandyou has been named a finalist at the European iGaming Awards in the category Sports Betting Platform of the Year, which recognizes brands delivering exceptional innovation, operational excellence, and user experience. At the same time, the brand has been shortlisted in the same category at the International Gaming Awards, one of the most influential global iGaming awards, where judging focuses on technology, UX, responsible gaming, and platform reliability.
Additionally, Betandyou has made it to the finals of the LCB Awards, earning recognition in three separate categories. This award is particularly meaningful because it combines expert evaluation with feedback from the real user community, reflecting both industry acknowledgment and players’ trust.
The Betandyou team commented on these nominations:
“This is an important milestone for us and a sign that our approach to product and service resonates with both the professional community and our users. We are grateful to the experts, partners, and players for their trust. Being shortlisted is already an achievement, and the wins are just the next step.”.
The team would like to thank partners, industry experts, and users for their support and high evaluation of the project. Awards season is just beginning, but Betandyou is already gaining international recognition as a strong player in the sports betting market.
Betandyou is a next-generation sports betting platform offering a seamless and secure experience for players worldwide. With a focus on innovation, fast payouts, and user-friendly design, Betandyou continues to set new standards for the online betting industry.
The post Betandyou shortlisted for three international awards appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
Latest News
Betandyou shortlisted for three international awards
Despite the cold winter, the iGaming industry is entering its hottest season — awards season. This is the time when international experts evaluate the most innovative products, technologies, and services, highlighting the companies that set the standards for the year ahead. This season, Betandyou is kicking off with a strong start, making it onto the shortlist of several prestigious international awards.
Betandyou has been named a finalist at the European iGaming Awards in the category Sports Betting Platform of the Year, which recognizes brands delivering exceptional innovation, operational excellence, and user experience. At the same time, the brand has been shortlisted in the same category at the International Gaming Awards, one of the most influential global iGaming awards, where judging focuses on technology, UX, responsible gaming, and platform reliability.
Additionally, Betandyou has made it to the finals of the LCB Awards, earning recognition in three separate categories. This award is particularly meaningful because it combines expert evaluation with feedback from the real user community, reflecting both industry acknowledgment and players’ trust.
The Betandyou team commented on these nominations:
“This is an important milestone for us and a sign that our approach to product and service resonates with both the professional community and our users. We are grateful to the experts, partners, and players for their trust. Being shortlisted is already an achievement, and the wins are just the next step.”.
The team would like to thank partners, industry experts, and users for their support and high evaluation of the project. Awards season is just beginning, but Betandyou is already gaining international recognition as a strong player in the sports betting market.
Betandyou is a next-generation sports betting platform offering a seamless and secure experience for players worldwide. With a focus on innovation, fast payouts, and user-friendly design, Betandyou continues to set new standards for the online betting industry.
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MENA Emerges as Global Growth Engine for Blockchain Gaming, BGA 2025 Report Finds
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has emerged as the fastest-rising region in blockchain gaming, now representing nearly one-fifth of all industry professionals surveyed by the Blockchain Game Alliance (BGA), according to the newly released 2025 BGA State of the Industry Report.
The findings were unveiled on stage at the Global Blockchain Show Abu Dhabi 2025 by Sebastien Borget, Co-President of the BGA and Co-Founder of The Sandbox, during a panel discussion titled ‘Web3 Gaming’s Big Bet’ with Yat Siu, Chairman of Animoca Brands, and Cathy Hackl, CEO of Future Dynamics, moderated by Wissam Younane, CEO, Entrepreneur Middle East.
“Sharing this year’s BGA State of the Industry Report in Abu Dhabi shows the promise and huge potential of blockchain gaming’s next phase, and MENA’s rapid growth is a big signal that new regions around the world are stepping into leadership roles,” said Borget. “What we’re seeing in the data is an industry becoming more global, more disciplined, and more focused on building great games for real players.”
MENA’s representation has surged from virtually no presence in the survey sample just five years ago — under 1% in 2021 — to 19.8% of respondents in 2025, marking the most pronounced regional shift since the survey began. When combined with Africa’s steady growth, rising from 0.5% in 2021 to 5.5% in 2025, the two regions now account for more than a quarter of all global responses to the survey.
This momentum reflects a broader realignment in the gaming and technology landscape. MENA has become one of the world’s fastest-growing gaming markets, underpinned by a youthful, digitally-native population and extensive government investment into gaming, esports, and digital infrastructure. As global capital increasingly flows into the region through strategic acquisitions, large-scale development initiatives, and major esports events, blockchain gaming’s rising professional footprint signals that MENA is actively shaping the future of the sector.
The BGA’s growth across MENA and Africa has been strongly attributed to the leadership and regional advocacy of Yasmina Kazitani, who was elected by the BGA membership as the organization’s first female Co-President in March 2025.
An Algerian-born ecosystem builder with deep ties across both regions, Kazitani has focused on community partnerships and grassroots outreach in emerging markets, broadening participation while championing access for previously underrepresented groups. She is also a long-standing advocate for gender diversity and inclusion as Co-Founder of the Women in Web3 Alliance, working to reduce barriers to entry and elevate female leadership within the industry.
“The survey results reflect what we see on the ground: new communities with new talent and stewardship,” said Kazitani. “With more voices entering the conversation, we are reminded that diverse representation is essential because this is what influences the ideas, products, and priorities that will define our industry’s next phase. A broader range of perspectives strengthens decision-making, contributes to a more resilient ecosystem, and ultimately underpins a global industry that better reflects its players and creates games that resonate across cultures.”
This increasing focus on diversity and broader participation was reflected directly in the survey methodology itself. For the first time, the BGA survey was offered in multiple languages beyond English, resulting in nearly a quarter of responses being submitted in other languages including French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Japanese, with the majority received in Arabic. This expansion has provided a more accurate picture of industry participation while lowering barriers to inclusion in non-English-speaking markets.
Beyond its geographic findings, the report provides a comprehensive snapshot of a maturing industry navigating a challenging market environment. Respondents highlight rising confidence in regulatory clarity as a key driver of growth, alongside an increasing focus on high-quality game development and sustainable business models. At the same time, industry professionals identify scams and fraud as the greatest threats to credibility, funding scarcity as the most pressing operational constraint, and AI-enabled exploitation as a growing concern.
Key takeaways from the BGA 2025 State of the Industry Report are highlighted below:
Respondent Demographics
-
19.8% of respondents come from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), up from under 1% in 2021.
-
22.7% female participation marks the highest level recorded in the survey’s history.
-
32.6% of respondents work in studios or publishing, dominating industry representation.
Industry Drivers
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64.4% expect policy and regulation to have a positive impact on industry development.
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29.5% cite high-quality game launches as the primary driver of future industry success.
-
27.5% point to sustainable, revenue-driven business models as a key growth factor.
Industry Challenges
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36.0% view scams and fraud as the greatest threat to industry credibility.
-
32.6% report lack of funding or investment as their company’s biggest operational challenge.
-
38.9% fear AI-enabled cheating, bots, and exploits as the largest risk of AI adoption.
The post MENA Emerges as Global Growth Engine for Blockchain Gaming, BGA 2025 Report Finds appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
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