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RACING POST ANNOUNCES RESULTS FROM ‘THE BIG PUNTING SURVEY’ OF MORE THAN 10,000 HORSERACING BETTORS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND IRELAND
Spotlight Sports Group (SSG), a world-leading technology, content and media company, has announced the results of a major betting survey conducted by the Racing Post, the undisputed home of horseracing content.
The Big Punting Survey received responses from more than 10,400 respondents in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland. The survey is believed to be one of the largest surveys of sports bettors ever carried out, and revealed detailed views relating to the current state of horseracing, betting activity and affordability checks.
This unique survey revealed that 17% of UK-based respondents and 13% of Ireland-based respondents have been asked to undertake an affordability check, whereby bettors are asked to provide bookmakers with bank statements and payslips. Of those, 55% refused to provide the financial documentation, and even of those who did provide documents, less than half (38%) were given what they regarded as a satisfactory deposit limit.
Discussing the results of the survey, Racing Post Editor and Group Racing Director, Tom Kerr said: “These results offer startling evidence of the degree to which affordability checks are already affecting a wide range of racing bettors and how few are willing to provide the sensitive financial documents requested by bookmakers. Even when some punters do reluctantly engage with the checks, less than one in two is left satisfied by the process.”
The participants almost uniformly (97%) said that they, rather than the government, regulator, or their bookmaker, are best placed to determine what is affordable to spend on gambling. Of those who haven’t yet been asked to undertake an affordability check, just 12% indicated they would comply with one.
When asked about the utilisation of black market bookmakers, almost 4% of the participants said they had used one in the past 12 months and another 11% know someone who has.
Tom Kerr added: “If you extrapolate these results across the wider racing audience, it creates an ominous picture for the sport and the regulated betting market in Britain. It’s clear bettors are increasingly turning to the black market, where onerous affordability checks are as absent as all other forms of player protection. Based on these findings, it’s likely that tens of thousands of bettors and hundreds of millions of pounds in betting turnover have already shifted to unregulated and untaxed offshore bookmakers.
“Next month’s Cheltenham Festival will see hundreds of thousands of racing fans increase their betting budget for one incredible week of sporting action at the home of jumps racing. However, that increased betting activity will almost certainly result in many of these bettors being subjected to affordability checks, which our polling indicates very few will comply with.
“As such, it’s likely that the 2023 Cheltenham Festival will prove an unprecedented bonanza for black market operators, but a black week for racing, which is seeing its revenue streams dry up as its customers stop betting.
“Under current Gambling Commission guidelines betting operators have no choice but to continue subjecting their customers to these incredibly unpopular affordability checks. It’s critical that the government steps in to provide common sense clarity on what is and isn’t expected by bookmakers before we end up driving yet more customers into the hands of black market operators, doing catastrophic damage to horse racing in the process.”

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Evoplay stokes the flames with Belfry Bliss Hold and Win
Evoplay, the award-winning game development studio, has launched Belfry Bliss Hold and Win, a fiery 5×3 slot that blends retro-inspired visuals with a darker twist on the fan-favourite Hold and Win mechanic.
Set against a backdrop of flames and ringing bells, the game reintroduces Evoplay’s mischievous Devil character, not as a foe, but as a Wild symbol, lighting the way to potential wins. Classic slot icons like sevens, bars and cherries return, but the real action begins when the bells drop.
Landing six or more bonus symbols triggers the Hold and Win Bonus Game, initiating three spins, where the goal is to collect 15 special symbols to win the ULTRA jackpot, offering 1,000x the bet.
Additionally, the title comes with two smaller jackpots, SUPER and MINOR, adding to the excitement and win potential.
For those eager to jump straight into the action, a Bonus Buy feature provides direct access to the Bonus Game.
With its bold design, atmospheric soundtrack and fast-paced gameplay, Belfry Bliss Hold and Win adds a distinctive edge to Evoplay’s growing Hold and Win portfolio.
Ivan Kravchuk, CEO at Evoplay, said: “Belfry Bliss Hold and Win takes the familiar charm of classic slots and turns up the heat. We’ve given it a bold, fiery personality that blends nostalgia with a darker, more playful twist.
“The Hold and Win mechanic coupled with the three jackpots takes this game to the next level, with all features designed to keep the energy high and the experience engaging.”
The post Evoplay stokes the flames with Belfry Bliss Hold and Win appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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NOVOMATIC Africa Launches Local Assembly for Panther LPMs, Driving Innovation and Growth
NOVOMATIC Africa has announced that it has reached a major operational milestone: the local assembly of its popular Panther FV623D and FV624D Limited Payout Machines (LPMs) is now fully underway in South Africa. This strategic development marks a critical step in the company’s commitment to regional growth, operational agility and technological excellence.
The initiative was born out of post-pandemic global supply challenges, where machine delivery lead times were significant. To address this, NOVOMATIC Africa made the strategic decision to localise certain production capabilities—shortening timelines, reducing dependency on international shipments, and contributing to the local economy and empowerment.
At the helm of the project is Mohamed Abdullah, Technical & Operations Manager, who leads a team of highly skilled, internationally trained technical professionals.
After extensive planning and cross-border collaboration, NOVOMATIC Africa equipped a dedicated assembly area within its new Midrand facility. The space was enhanced with the necessary tooling, shelving and safety systems to handle high-volume pre-assembly processes, including monitor and bill validator modules.
This ambitious three-year journey—culminating in South Africa’s first locally assembled Panther LPMs—was not only a triumph of logistics and innovation but also a testament to human expertise, resilience and visionary leadership.
To ensure full compliance and alignment with both NOVOMATIC AG (Austria) and local regulatory standards, the project included:
• Acquisition of an Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Safety Test Machine
• Establishment of robust quality control protocols
• Integration with the NAG central database
• Development of a structured pre-assembly line for key components
• Empowering Local Talent
“Investing in people has been the most important part of this journey. Yes, we’re building machines. But more importantly, we’re building capability—equipping our team here in South Africa with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to meet global benchmarks,” said Mohamed Abdullah.
NOVOMATIC Africa’s investment in local production is more than a tactical solution—it’s a long-term strategic move aimed at strengthening the company’s footprint across the continent.
As demand continues to grow, the company remains focused on building a resilient, skilled local workforce and continuing its mission to deliver high-quality, technically advanced gaming machines for Africa’s evolving gaming landscape.
The post NOVOMATIC Africa Launches Local Assembly for Panther LPMs, Driving Innovation and Growth appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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TaDa Gaming Releases Golden Bank 2
TaDa Gaming has released Golden Bank 2, a sequel to the popular Golden Bank slot. With a 10,000x max win and exciting features, Golden Bank 2 engage players with its immersive gameplay and the potential for substantial payouts.
Set in a golden vault, Golden Bank 2 combines the simplicity of classic slots with the thrill of modern mechanics. With vibrant graphics and a dynamic soundtrack, the game immerses players in an exciting, high-stakes atmosphere. Players can take advantage of Unlimited Bonus Game, expanding wilds and Super Bonus Features to boost their chances of winning big.
Golden Bank 2 offers players thrilling opportunities with its Wild High Rewards, Unlimited Bonus Game and Super Bonus features. Wild symbols appear on all reels, substituting for all symbols except the Bonus and can transform into 2x, 3x or 5x multipliers, up to 625x when multiple Wilds land on the same payline. The Unlimited Bonus Game is triggered by three Bonus symbols, unlocking the Bonus Accumulation Box where prizes accumulate based on Bet x Total Multiplier. Super Bonus symbols boost the multiplier of all accumulation boxes by up to 10x. With a 10,000x max win, medium volatility and unlimited bonus gameplay, Golden Bank 2 offers thrilling rewards and big win potential.
Sean Liu, Director of Product Management at TaDa Gaming, said: “Golden Bank 2 takes the best elements of classic slots and amplifies them with new, innovative mechanics, which offer players multiple ways to win while keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging. We’re excited to see how our clients respond to this high-reward game.”
The post TaDa Gaming Releases Golden Bank 2 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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