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Five Startup Finalists Announced For The Second Edition of SBC First Pitch Barcelona
Five innovative industry start-ups have been selected as finalists for the second edition of SBC First Pitch Barcelona at this month’s SBC Summit Barcelona. The finalists will compete for an exclusive prize package valued at over €60,000, to aid in the growth and development of the winning company.
The competition, powered by Yolo Investments, will serve as a platform for the five aspiring companies to present their products and business plans in front of a live audience of industry leaders. The winner will be chosen by a judging panel consisting of venture capital and investment experts.
The First Pitch Competition will be hosted at the Fira de Barcelona Montjuïc, on Wednesday 20th September, and will feature as part of the ‘Future of Technology’ conference track.
Rasmus Sojmark, CEO & Founder of SBC, said: “As event organizers, we believe that SBC First Pitch Barcelona occupies a central role in facilitating innovation in the industry. Competitions like this serve as a platform for emerging talents to showcase their groundbreaking products and services, whilst also gaining invaluable experience presenting in a public space and networking with industry elite.”
“SBC First Pitch is essentially about innovation meeting opportunity, ultimately encouraging the industry to grow, welcome new ways of thinking and foster an environment that nurtures innovation and collaboration.”
The five finalists of the SBC First Pitch Barcelona are:
- We are the Bookie: an online B2C sports betting platform with a 50% monthly Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) rebate for losing customers.
- Rdentify: a platform that identifies vulnerable customers during customer conversations in real-time and flags them to the safer gambling team and triggers customisable interventions as soon as behavioural risk has been flagged
- Snap Screen: Leveraging the user’s mobile camera to recognise live events on TV and streaming, Snap Screen is akin to a ‘Shazam for sports betting,’ allowing operators and affiliates to integrate SnapOdds into their websites.
- SQR Group: simplifies compliance and reduces fraud by enabling seamless identity verification without storing sensitive documents, using Secure QR Code® technology.
- Sport Exchange Market: a web app platform where fans can trade virtual shares of football teams, experiencing the same adrenaline as when they are betting or playing fantasy sports games
The First Pitch competition will be hosted by Anton Kaszubowski, (Managing Director, SBC Advisory Partners) and feature a star-studded judging panel of industry experts. The panel consists of Adam Rosenberg (Senior Advisor, Gaming & Leisure. Blackstone), Evert Einroos (Partner, Yolo Investments), Peter Heneghen (Senior Associate, Bettor Capital), Hilary Stewart-Jones (Independent Consultant, Harris Hagan) and Claudia de la Riva (Angel Investor, Various), who will each cast their vote to determine the winner.
The winning start-up will receive a prize package comprised of:
- A two-day workshop trip to Tallinn with Yolo Investments Founder Tim Heath, including flights, hotel, and covered expenses – valued at €25,000.
- An SBC Media promotional package including a magazine ad in SBC Leaders Magazine, two featured editorials promoting the business and a guest appearance on the iGaming Daily Podcast – valued at €7,000.
- A prize pack from Receptional, in which a dedicated team will collaborate with the winning company to provide a tailored digital marketing package – valued at €10,000.
- A Square in the Air press pack that includes a corporate video filmed on-site at the event, two press releases distributed on the Square in the Air social channels, a free social media audit, competitor analysis and a strategy guide to help build the company’s profile – valued at £5,000.
- An exclusive brand or web design package from Vegas Kings, the leading iGaming design and development agency – valued at €2,500.
- A 3x3m booth, including a turnkey standbuild, sponsorship mention, and 4 complimentary tickets for the SBC Summit 2024 – Valued at €15,000.
Last year’s edition of SBC First Pitch Barcelona saw Kero Gaming, an in-game micro-betting and interactive social platform, crowned the winner. Paradox, a parimutuel betting protocol where all the commission charged is distributed proportionally to the people who bet before you, was the runner-up.

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FDJ UNITED Confirms Strong Half-Year Progress and Maintains 2025 Guidance
FDJ UNITED, a leader in lottery, betting and gaming in Europe, announced its results for the first half of 2025.
• First-half revenue of €1867m: up +31% compared with H1 2024 reported and down -2% on a restated basis
• Buoyant performance by the French lottery and retail sports betting BU with revenue of €1290m, up +4% on a restated basis
• Lottery revenue rose by +6% to €1065m. This performance can be attributed to the whole range of games and all distribution channels, particularly digital, which rose by +16% to €160m
• Point-of-sale sports betting revenue fell by -6% to €225m. This change reflects unfavourable sports results for the operator, despite stakes boosted by an attractive football offering (+4%)
• Online betting and gaming BU2 revenue of €466m, down -12% on a restated basis
• This change reflects a very unfavourable 2024 comparison base, due in particular to the Euro football tournament, as well as tax and regulatory impacts in 2025, particularly in the Netherlands and the UK. Excluding these two markets, revenue would be up 5% thanks to the performance of other countries, including France
• Second-quarter revenue came to €235m, up +2% compared with the first quarter of 2025
• Recurring EBITDA of €441m, representing a margin of 23.6%, or 24.4% excluding the cost of the employee share ownership plan (€14m)
• Adjusted net income of €222m
• This reflects the impact of the financing of the Kindred acquisition on the financial result and the one-off tax contribution on the profits of large French companies
• 2025 objectives reiterated: stable revenue versus 2024 pro forma, with a recurring EBITDA margin of over 24%
• Successful employee share ownership plan bringing the share of capital held by employees to 4.6%
• Taken up by more than half of employees and largely oversubscribed
“2025 stands as a transition year for FDJ UNITED, with the integration of Kindred well on track. In this context, our first-half performance is in line with the expected full-year trajectory. Besides, we are pleased by the success of the employee share ownership plan launched by the Group, reflecting our long tradition of sharing FDJ UNITED’s value creation with all stakeholders,” Stéphane Pallez, Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of FDJ UNITED.
The post FDJ UNITED Confirms Strong Half-Year Progress and Maintains 2025 Guidance appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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SYNOT Games Announces New Partnership with eBingo
SYNOT Games, a well-established provider of online games and retention tools, has announced a new partnership with eBingo, marking a significant step forward in the company’s expansion within the Spanish iGaming landscape. The first batch of SYNOT Games’ titles is already live in eBingo’s lobby, with full access granted to the supplier’s complete portfolio.
This partnership reflects SYNOT Games’ strategic commitment to working exclusively with trusted operators in regulated markets, placing a strong emphasis on transparency, responsible gaming and long-term value for players and business partners alike.
Spain remains one of the most dynamic regulated iGaming markets in Europe. Through this new integration, SYNOT Games strengthens its local presence, offering games tailored to the preferences of Spanish players and fully aligned with all relevant compliance standards.
As part of the collaboration, eBingo now has access to the entire SYNOT Games portfolio of more than 200 games, including popular titles such as Respin Joker, Volcano Explosive or Money Vaults. All games have been tested, certified and optimised for the Spanish market and delivered following technical and regulatory requirements.
Martina Krajčí, Chief Commercial Officer at SYNOT Games, said: “Spain is a key market for us, and the partnership with eBingo is another important milestone in strengthening our footprint in Western Europe. We only collaborate with operators who share our values when it comes to quality, transparency, and responsibility. We are pleased that eBingo’s players can already enjoy our titles.”
Aurelio Campo, Operations Manager, eBingo ES, said: “We are proud to partner with SYNOT Games, a provider known for delivering consistently high-quality, certified content tailored to regulated markets. Their diverse portfolio and technical reliability align perfectly with our commitment to offering the best gaming experience to our players in Spain. We look forward to a successful and long-lasting collaboration.”
This agreement forms part of SYNOT Games’ broader 2025 expansion strategy, which focuses on increasing its presence in regulated markets and providing localised, high-performance content to operators across Southern Europe and beyond.
The post SYNOT Games Announces New Partnership with eBingo appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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GBGB Appoints Sir Philip Davies as its New Chair
The Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) has appointed Sir Philip Davies as its New Chair.
Sir Philip, who is also Chair of Star Sports, will take up post on 1st September 2025. Sir Philip served as MP for Shipley in West Yorkshire between 2005 and 2024 during which time he sat on the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee as well as the Panel of Chairs.
Commenting on the appointment, outgoing Chair Jeremy Cooper, said: “Throughout the appointment process, Sir Philip showed himself to be a fervent supporter of licensed greyhound racing. He demonstrated a strong understanding of our sport and is clear on its future direction. I know that this appointment will be welcomed across the licensed racing community and I wish Sir Philip all the very best as he begins his tenure.
“As I conclude my time as Chair, I would like to thank the entire industry for their support during the last seven years. In particular, I would like to both thank and congratulate the GBGB Board for their ongoing commitment and support of many beneficial initiatives that we have introduced. Licensed greyhound racing is a superb sport and I am very proud to have overseen the significant progress that has been achieved around welfare. Thanks to the Greyhound Commitment and our long-term welfare strategy, animal welfare has been placed at the very heart of the sport and our greyhounds now receive higher standards of care and attention than ever before. This has only been possible as a result of the combined efforts of the greyhound community and I would like to acknowledge the part everyone throughout the sport has played in driving up standards right across the sport.”
Commenting on his appointment, Sir Philip Davies said: “I am honoured to have been appointed Chair of GBGB. Licensed greyhound racing is a fantastic sport which has held an important place in the fabric of our country for almost a century. Greyhound and horseracing have been an integral part of my life since my childhood when my mother ran a betting shop in Doncaster. As such, I know just how important greyhound racing is to local communities and what an important contribution it makes – both economically and socially.
“The sport has a very bright future ahead and I would like to thank the GBGB Board for putting their faith in me. I look forward to working with tracks, owners, trainers and our wider stakeholders as we safeguard the future of our sport and ensure it thrives for many years to come.
“Thank you to Jeremy Cooper for his leadership and stewardship over the past seven years. Thanks to his drive and ambition, welfare standards are greater than ever and, importantly, improving still.”
GBGB has also announced that Mark Bird will remain as Chief Executive for a further two years. Mark had previously announced his intention to step down but has been invited by the Board to remain as CEO to support Sir Philip and the Board which has recently welcomed Tony Brealey as Owner Practitioner Director as well as Dave Baldwin, Katie Bennison and Kim Sanzone.
Mark Bird said: “This is an important and exciting time for GBGB and licensed racing and it is vital that there is as much stability and continuity as possible within the organisation. Our sport faces a number of opportunities as well as challenges and, with Sir Philip at the helm, I believe we are very well placed to take advantage of these opportunities and address the challenges head on.
“I look forward to working with Sir Philip as we take the sport forward. Securing long-term, sustainable funding from the betting industry remains a priority and I am confident that under Sir Philip’s leadership we can make significant progress together.”
Sir Philip Davies added: “I am very pleased that Mark has agreed to remain at GBGB. He is much respected across the sport and by our many stakeholders in Government and the betting industry. I look forward to working with Mark as we continue the work he and the rest of the Board have begun.”
The post GBGB Appoints Sir Philip Davies as its New Chair appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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