Latest News

BRIT & IRISH WORLD POOL BETTING DAYS GROW 44% IN 2022

Published

3 years ago

October 19, 2022

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Great Britain and Ireland’s 17 World Pool days grew 44% in 2022 with a Gross Turnover of £521 million, up from £363 million in 2021.

Each of the World Pool racedays, commencing with QIPCO 2000 Guineas Day and running through the major summer festivals, concluding at QIPCO British Champions Day, have enjoyed significant double-digit growth. The final World Pool day of the year was QIPCO British Champions Day which saw Gross Turnover growing 43% to £27.9 million compared to 2021 levels.

The growth in World Pool has been generated through more bet types being available, along with closer collaboration on optimising the race programme to ensure strong field sizes of 7+ horses wherever possible. This ensures all bet types are available to racing fans around the globe which, combined with more investment in marketing and production, has grown turnover and increased the financial returns World Pool makes to the sport.

World Pool was created by the Hong Kong Jockey Club and is a collaboration of over 20 pool betting operators from around the globe. The result is huge liquidity, and a multi-million pound betting experience for racing fans. Not only does World Pool help further internationalise the sport and shine the global spotlight on participating racecourses, but it also generates critical betting revenue and increased media rights for the underlying racing industry.

Exceptional Value for British and Irish Tote customers on World Pool days

In the UK and Ireland, World Pool is accessed via the Tote. Bets can be placed on World Pool events at the racecourse, online at tote.co.uk (or tote.ie for Irish customers), as well as at the Tote App or via bookmakers, the majority of whom accept Tote bets online and in shops.

All customers betting with the Tote, both online or at the racecourse, not only benefit from World Pool, but also benefit from Tote Guarantee which ensures all Win bets will always match the Starting Price, or exceed it if the pool price is bigger. Customers betting directly with the Tote online receive an extra 10% boost on winning bets via Tote+.

The Tote once again offered customers exceptional value across the six races at QIPCO British Champions Day:

Tote+ Win beat SP in 4 of the 6 races (and matched on the remaining 2 with Tote Guarantee in place)
Tote+ Win overround was 107% vs the industry Starting Price overround of 121%
Tote+ Exacta beat Forecast on 5 out of 6 races
Tote+ Trifecta beat Tricast on 2 out of 6 races, with the Tote+ Trifecta paying £39,094 versus a Tricast of £10,659 in the final race

Across the summer World Pool has provided unique and exceptional value to British and Irish customers:

Tote+ SP has beaten industry SP 73% of the time
A £10 bet on all winners across the 17 World Pool days with Tote+ would generate £2,333 more than placing those bets at Industry SP
Tote+ overround was 104% compared to 121% industry SP
The Tote+ Exacta has beaten the Forecast 85% of the time
The Tote+ Trifecta has beaten the Tricast 74% of the time

Annabel Willis and Alpinista crowned World Pool “Moment of the Year”

On QIPCO British Champions Day, Annabel Willis was presented with a cheque for £34,000 in the paddock at Ascot ahead of racing for her to share with her colleagues at Sir Mark Prescott’s yard.

After thousands of votes, Annabel and Alpinista were the most popular choice with racing fans for the filly’s stunning performance in the Group 1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks at the Ebor Festival in August.

The other three finalists, as decided by an industry panel, were all presented with a memento at Ascot:

Reg Todd who led up Dark Shift to win the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot. Reg has worked for Charlie Hills for over 30 years – and this was his first time leading up a Royal Ascot winner.
Ricky Hall who led up Baaeed when he recorded his stunning 10^th consecutive win in the Juddmonte International at York.
Satrejeet Jhingree who led up Highfield Princess when she landed her second Group 1 in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York.

All 16 members of racing staff who won World Pool Moment of the Day through the season received £1,000 and a bottle of champagne.

Global collaboration continues to grow World Pool

Michael Fitzsimons, Executive Director Wagering Products of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “We are delighted to see British and Irish World Pool days grow so strongly this year with the sporting action proving increasingly popular with racing fans, who appreciate seeing the best horses and jockeys competing at a wide variety of fantastic racecourses. We have enjoyed working in collaboration with our racecourse partners, Racecourse Media Group and the UK Tote, and we look forward to continuing to work together as we make plans for the 2023 season.”

Alex Frost, Chief Executive of the UK Tote Group, said: “Everyone at the UK Tote is enormously proud to be part of World Pool as it continues to grow, thereby increasing both the financial return it contributes to British and Irish racing and the excellent value it creates for racing fans betting with the Tote. The implicit ambition of World Pool is to ensure an additive and more sustainable funding mechanism for horseracing, with wagering customers enjoying an improved value proposition.

“I would like to thank the teams at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, our racecourse partners and Racecourse Media Group for ensuring the 2022 World Pool season was such a success in Britain and Ireland. I would also like to offer my appreciation and thanks to the connections of horses who have won and competed in World Pool races this year given the support of owners, trainers and jockeys is an essential part of World Pool’s growth in 2023 and beyond.”

Latest News

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

Published

1 minute 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.

Latest News

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

Published

1 minute 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.

Latest News

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

Published

1 minute 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: