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Ground-Breaking Study on Women’s Sports and Sports Betting to be Launched at iGB L!VE

Published

2 years ago

July 3, 2023

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA), All-In Diversity Project (AIDP), Entain, Flutter and Stats Perform will unveil the results of a ground-breaking study on women’s sports and women in sports betting, ‘Breaking Barriers: Assessing Women’s Sports Growth, Betting Trends and Integrity Challenges’, during the 2023 edition of iGB L!VE in Amsterdam on July 12.

The study, conducted by the German Sport University Cologne, analyses the economic development of five women’s sports: soccer, tennis, basketball, cricket and volleyball. For the very first time it also takes a deep dive into the betting trends in women’s sports and examines the integrity of women’s sports.

“Women’s sport has moved from the margins to the mainstream; it is the future of sport and sports betting,” the Chief Executive Officer for the IBIA, Khalid Ali (pictured), said. “That is why understanding the transformation of women’s sports and what it means for the sports betting market and sports integrity is so important. With the Women’s Football World Cup due to start in July, this is a great moment to kick-off the conversation about women’s sports, betting and integrity. We look forward to presenting the results of the study at iGB L!VE.”

The data confirms that the last five years have seen a dramatic rise in the popularity of women’s sports across the world. For example, last’s year’s Women’s Euros final set a new record for attendance of 87,192 for any Euros final, men or women, and the 2019 Women’s World Cup was also watched by 1.12 billion people across all platforms. One million tickets have already been sold for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and it is to set new records for attendance and viewing.

The growth of women’s sports is not just visible in soccer. Both women’s rugby and cricket are seeing similar popularity surges, with both World Cups attracting record crowds and viewers as mainstream broadcasters wake-up to the massive potential of women’s sport.

Sponsorship and investment are also on the rise. Women’s sport is attracting prestige brands such as Visa and in 2023 the Women’s Premier League saw one of the largest financial injections in the history of women’s cricket when five teams were auctioned for more than $570 million.

The study also analyses how the rapid growth of women’s sport is impacting on the number of bettors, bets placed and betting volume and assesses whether there are particular characteristics to women’s sports betting. Additionally, the study provides an assessment of the potential integrity threats to women’s sports including the type of match-fixing, level of play, involved stakeholders and financial and sports consequences.

“As women’s sports continue to gain popularity, so does the expansion of sports betting within this domain,” professor at the German Sport University Cologne, Dr. Sören Dallmeyer, said. “One of our roles as a research institution is to study this rapid growth closely. Based on existing scientific evidence and data, we aim to identify where threats to the sport’s integrity may arise and determine the most effective strategies to counteract these challenges.”

“The rise in women’s sport is bringing in a new, younger and more female generation of sports bettors whose attitude and approach to betting is very different to male bettors,” Co-Founder of All-In Diversity, Christina Thakor-Rankin, said. “This has implications not just for sports integrity, but also trading practices, market-making and safe gambling. By understanding what this new and rapidly evolving landscape looks like we put ourselves in the best possible position to keep customers, sports betting operators, athletes and sport safe for all. Thank you to the IBIA, German Sport University Cologne, Stats Perform, Entain and Flutter for their support in helping the industry to take this very important first step.”

The results from the study will be presented by Henry Steinfeldt, professor at the German Sport University Cologne, followed by a discussion around the impact on the industry with Vasileios Bountzouklis, Commercial Manager Betting, Stats Perform, Silvia Paleari, Director of Public Affairs, IBIA, chaired by Christina Thakor-Rankin, Co-Founder, All-in Diversity Project.

iGB L!VE is cementing its status as the unmissable mid-year European-based event for the global iGaming community. The show, which takes place across July 11 to 14 at the RAI Amsterdam will comprise 14,805 gross sqm dedicated to product, learning and networking. The net figure that reflects the space occupied by exhibitors stands at 5,870 sqm making it 30% bigger than the previous high of 4,513 sqm recorded last year. The increase in floor space is reflected in the number of exhibitors who will have a presence in Amsterdam: that figure stands at 207 compared with the previous high of 173; an increase of 20%. iGB L!VE: July 11 to 14, RAI Amsterdam, www. iGBLive.com.

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

Published

1 day 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

1 day 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

1 day 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: