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New individual World Pool race turnover record and exceptional value at Royal Ascot

Published

2 years ago

June 27, 2023

Reading Time: 5 minutes

World Pool, the globe’s largest commingled horse racing pools developed and run by the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), delivered value for customers around the world like never before, with Tote+ Win beating SP in 83% of the 35 races across the five-day meeting.

Saturday’s highlight, the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, broke the record for single race turnover in a World Pool race. A total of HK$66.2 million (£6.6m) was bet into the pool, eclipsing the HK$66.1 million in the 2022 Derby.

The other two biggest pools of the week were in Friday’s Commonwealth Cup and the Ribblesdale Stakes on Thursday which both turned over HK$50.5m (£5.1m).

Saturday’s total turnover of HK$323.4 million (£32.5m) rates as the third highest World Pool day of all time, behind the Friday (HK$351.8m) and Saturday (HK$340.9m) of Royal Ascot 2022.

Total World Pool turnover for Royal Ascot 2023 hit HK$1.5 billion (£154m), only fractionally down on last year’s total of HK$1.6 billion, which was an increase on 2021’s figure of 35%.

Exceptional Value for Tote customers at Royal Ascot

As a collaboration of global Totes, with customers from an expanding list of 28 countries betting into it, World Pool creates huge liquidity and excellent value for racing fans.

The Tote offered customers exceptional value across the 35 races at Royal Ascot:

Tote+ Win beat SP in 29 of the 35 races (and matched on the remaining 6 races with Tote Guarantee in place online)
Tote+ Win overround was 106% vs SP overround of 125%
Tote+ Exacta beat the Forecast (1-2) in 32 out of 35 races, and averaged an 85% better payout
Tote+ Trifecta beat Tricast (1-2-3) in 29 out of 32 races, paying more than double the Tricast on average

£20,000 won by World Pool “Moment of the Day” winning grooms at Royal Ascot

At each World Pool event there is a “Moment of the Day” which is awarded by an industry representative, with the moment decided by a standout performance.

The prize fund was significantly increased this season with each winning groom receiving £4,000 for their Moment of the Day prize, up from £1,000 in 2022, as well as being entered into the World Pool “Moment of the Year” where they could win a VIP trip to Hong Kong in 2024.

The winners were:

Tuesday: Sydney Cale, groom of Bradsell, who won the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes, making Hollie Doyle the first female jockey to win a Group 1 at Royal Ascot.
Wednesday: Viktor Konya, groom of Mostahdaf, the impressive winner of the Group 1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes.
Thursday: Jack Abbey, groom of Desert Hero, winner of the King George V Stakes, who gave The King his first ever Royal Ascot winner.
Friday: Page Harrison, groom of Shaquille, who won the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup, giving trainer Julie Camacho her first ever Group 1 and first win at Ascot.
Saturday: Babu Singh, groom of Pyledriver, who landed the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes, becoming the first horse to win the World Pool Moment of the Day for a second time, having been named the winner after his success in the 2022 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club partners with Ascot Racecourse and UK Tote for another five years

On Saturday, the HKJC announced that it has renewed a five-year World Pool partnership agreement with Ascot Racecourse to continue to promote racing as a global sport.

The HKJC and Ascot Racecourse initiated the first World Pool partnership, with the UK Tote, in 2019 and the renewal agreement, signed at Royal Ascot on Friday 23 June, will run from 1 July 2023 until 2028.

This followed on from the UK Tote signing a new five-year agreement with the HKJC at the start of the week, which sees the UK Tote become the exclusive partner for World Pool in the UK and Ireland.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “Royal Ascot produced exceptional racing once again and it is clear that international racing fans have embraced the quality and depth of fields across the five days. World Pool offers the best international racing for customers across the globe. In the four years since we launched World Pool at Royal Ascot, the Hong Kong Jockey Club has forged – and enhanced – a host of World Pool partnerships around the world and we are delighted at the significant progress achieved so far.”

Michael Fitzsimons, Executive Director, Wagering Products, at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “Royal Ascot delivered an unforgettable five days of world class sport for racing fans all over the world and we are absolutely delighted with the turnover figures and clear value proposition that World Pool has offered. Thursday will live long in the memory with Their Majesties The King and The Queen enjoying their first Royal Ascot winner and our very own World Pool ambassador Frankie Dettori winning the Gold Cup in his final ride in the race.

“The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes produced a record turnover figure for a World Pool race, and we were thrilled to see Wellington take up the challenge in addition to strong representation from other countries around the world. That is what World Pool is all about. It was launched to show how successful international collaboration can be for the very best international racing around the globe. We couldn’t be happier with how World Pool has progressed, and we would like to sincerely thank and congratulate Ascot Racecourse for putting on such a wonderful five days of racing.”

Alastair Warwick, Chief Executive at Ascot Racecourse, said: “Having announced our five year World Pool renewal with The Hong Kong Jockey Club this week, it was tremendous to end Royal Ascot with record breaking turnover in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. That race really emphasised the impact that overseas challengers can have. It was a wonderful week of racing, with strong fields and intense competition which is what punters around the world want to see.

“Our grateful thanks to the Hong Kong Jockey Club, who we were delighted were so well represented at Ascot, and our colleagues at the Tote.”

Alex Frost, Chief Executive at the UK Tote Group, said: “Once again Royal Ascot proved to be five days of incredible racing with both popular and surprising results each day. There were many highlights, but a winner for Their Majesties The King and The Queen, along with four for Frankie Dettori and more success at the highest level for Pyledriver were particular standout moments. With deep pools of over £30 million a day for customers to bet into, the Tote provided incredible value throughout the Royal meeting with 29 winners paying bigger than the industry Starting Price and the Tote operating with an overround of 106%, compared to 125% with bookmakers.

“We saw UK digital volumes into the pool double as racing fans recognise the exceptional value available on the Tote. This creates fantastic momentum for the rest of the 2023 World Pool season in the UK and Ireland as we continue to grow the Tote which is such a vital element to ensure a financially sustainable sport in the UK.

“We remain incredibly grateful to the Hong Kong Jockey Club for their global leadership of World Pool and support for the racing industry. On the back of signing our new five-year agreement we will be continuing to work together to grow World Pool and develop the pool betting experience for the betterment of the whole sport.

“Finally, congratulations to Alastair Warwick and the whole Ascot team for delivering a truly magical five days.”

Please visit https://worldpool .hkjc .com/ for full details about World Pool and follow @WorldPool on Twitter for all the latest news.

Latest News

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

Published

2 days 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

2 days 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

2 days 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: