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From Track to Triumph: Ex-Professional Runner Lauren Fleshman’s Good For A Girl Wins Best Sports Book of 2023
- Lauren Fleshman is crowned the William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2023, taking home a £30,000 cash prize
- In the Award’s 35-year history, Good For A Girl marks the first women’s memoir to receive the prize
Lauren Fleshman’s book, Good for a Girl: My Life Running in a Man’s World has been crowned the 2023 winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award, picking up a prize of £30,000 at an official ceremony today (30 November), at BAFTA, 195 Piccadilly, in London.
The announcement makes history as it is the first book about women in sport, authored by a woman, to receive the world’s most prestigious sports writing prize.
The US champion’s part memoir, part manifesto documents Fleshman’s story of falling in love with running as a girl, battling devastating injuries and self-doubt, and daring to fight for a better way for female athletes. Drawing not only on her own story, but also on emerging research on the physiology and psychology of young athletes, Fleshman gives voice to the often-silent experience of the female athlete and argues that the time has come to rebuild our systems of competitive sport to allow women to perform at their best.
A panel of independent judges from the world of sports and journalism, chaired by author and journalist, Alyson Rudd, undertook a rigorous judging process, reviewing more than 150 entries down to the winning book.
The Judges praised Good for a Girl for its “heartfelt narrative” and “compelling writing”, as well as its crucial advocacy for reform in sports for young women. Renowned sports broadcaster, Matt Williams, declared Fleshman’s book “not just one of the best sports books that I’ve read this year, but one of the best books full stop.”
Receiving the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award trophy and a £30,000 cash prize today, Lauren Fleshman said: “Having a woman being elevated for telling her own story is rare, and we need a lot more of that. That’s why awards like this are so important. I came here optimistic, but then convinced myself I had no chance when I looked at the shortlist.
“I am delighted to be the winner of this prestigious award. I hope it makes sport better for the future of women and girls.”
Alyson Rudd, Chair of the Judging Panel for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award, said: “We had such an exceptionally high-quality shortlist this year, and selecting a winner was no small feat. For the first time, women’s books dominated, showing that more women are being commissioned to tell their stories, with many bravely tackling challenges within the sporting world.
“Good for a Girl is not only a must-read book on the challenges that women face in sport but a moving and informative memoir that will grip those who are not athletics fans. Lauren Fleshman exposes and shatters myths with disarming honesty and exceptional writing – it is a wonderful read and thoroughly deserving of the title William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2023.”
The New York Times Bestseller, and now William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award winner, highlights the challenges women face in competitive running, exposing the flaws in the sports structure that is failing young women as much as empowering them. Through her drive for change, Fleshman confronts the misogynistic origins of sports, and even her sponsors, and addresses the concerning decline in girl’s participation once they hit puberty. The narrative also explores the struggles faced by female collegiate athletes, such as injuries, eating disorders and mental health issues.
The five authors on the shortlist, alongside Lauren Fleshman, receive £3,000 and a leather-bound copy of their book. They are:
- Althea: The Life of Tennis Champion Althea Gibson by Sally H. Jacobs
- Concussed: Sport’s Uncomfortable Truth by Sam Peters
- Kick The Latch by Kathryn Scanlan
- Unbreakable by Ronnie O’Sullivan
- Unfair Play: The Battle for Women’s Sport by Sharron Davies with Craig Lord
Having secured the 35th winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award, Lauren Fleshman joins an impressive list of previous winners, including last year’s champion Jeremy Wilson. For the second consecutive year, a book centred on women’s sports clinches the award. Fleshman becomes the third woman to be awarded the prestigious prize joining former winners Anna Krien and Laura Hillenbrand.
The William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award first took place in 1989 and is now the longest-established competition in the industry. It is dedicated to rewarding excellence in sports writing and is the world’s most prestigious award in the sector.
Entry to the 36th William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award is now open. For more information about the Award and to enter, please visit: https://news.williamhill.com/sport/sports-book-of-the-year/

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AI-Powered Gamification Arrives on Vegangster Platform via Smartico
iGaming operators can now access CRM automation, hyper-personalisation, and engagement tools to maximise player lifetime value. Platform provider Vegangster has partnered with Smartico, a multi-channel engagement marketing platform, to integrate AI-powered gamification and CRM technology across its ecosystem.
The partnership equips Vegangster’s operator clients with a complete suite of retention tools, including missions, leaderboards, loyalty funnels and mini-games. Powered by AI-driven automation and segmentation, these tools enable operators to deliver personalised campaigns in real-time and build stronger player loyalty across casino and sportsbook brands.
“We build our platform to give operators the sharpest tools to launch quickly and scale with confidence. Partnering with Smartico takes that further, as our clients can now set a new standard for retention with AI-powered automation and gamification,” said Michael Oziransky, Chief Product Officer at Vegangster.
Smartico’s integration with Vegangster enables operators to run engagement campaigns seamlessly. Predictive analytics, personalised messaging, and gamified features provide direct control of the player journey and deliver measurable impact on lifetime value.
“Vegangster’s forward-looking approach makes them an ideal partner,” said Yuval Mechoullam, Co-Founder at Smartico. “Together, we’re equipping operators with solutions that elevate engagement and translate it into lasting business growth.”
About Vegangster
Vegangster provides a full-stack iGaming platform engineered for speed, scalability, and operator control. Its turnkey, white-label, and sweepstakes solutions integrate casino and sportsbook content, payments, CRM, compliance, and social features into a single mobile-first system. With Vegangster, operators can launch quickly and scale with confidence.
About Smartico
Smartico is a multi-channel engagement marketing solution redefining CRM automation and gamification for iGaming operators. By combining real-time automation, gamified mechanics, and AI-driven insights, it enables brands to personalise every stage of the player journey. With a global client base and dedicated team of experts, Smartico helps operators boost engagement, improve retention, and drive sustainable growth.
The post AI-Powered Gamification Arrives on Vegangster Platform via Smartico appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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1spin4win unveils Beersburg Fest Hold and Win slot inspired by Oktoberfest
Beersburg Fest Hold and Win recreates the joyful energy of Europe’s most iconic beer festival with bright symbols, playful animations, and upbeat music. From smiling waitresses with frothy mugs to sizzling bratwurst and vibrant Bavarian decoration, every detail adds to the immersion.
On the gameplay side, the online slot features a 3×3 grid with 27 paylines, optimized for smooth play on any device. Beer mugs act as Wilds, while lining up nine identical symbols instantly doubles the payout. Landing three or more Coins triggers the Hold and Win round with three respins and a chance to collect jackpots — the x100 Mini and the x1,000 Mega.
As with all 1spin4win releases, the game is built around fair balance, fine-tuned volatility, and user-focused design. The clean interface, subtle sound, and carefully calibrated RTP create an irritation-free experience for players and strong retention potential for operators.
Olga Bogdanova, the Art Director at 1spin4win, commented, “Festivals have a special kind of spirit. They bring people together and celebrate tradition. We designed Beersburg Fest Hold and Win to capture that feeling, letting players step into the Oktoberfest festival, enjoy its sights and sounds, and experience the joy of the Bonus round.”
About 1spin4win
1spin4win is a fast-growing game provider founded in May 2021 by ambitious developers with over 15 years of experience in the gambling industry. Since its inception, the company has expanded its portfolio to include over 150 classic online slots, all characterized by quality mathematics, transparent mechanics, and well-balanced gameplay — key factors that drive strong player retention. The studio aims to release an average of four new games each month in 2025 and offers effective promotional tools for casino operators to help them enhance player loyalty.
The post 1spin4win unveils Beersburg Fest Hold and Win slot inspired by Oktoberfest appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Mancala Gaming Revolutionizes iGaming with Diego’s Spicy Truck
Mancala Gaming proudly announces the launch of Diego’s Spicy Truck, a bold new game with innovative features. It’s designed to captivate both players and operators, pushing boundaries in interactive gaming.
In a recent interview with Jekaterina Dubnicka – Head of Marketing and Communications at Slotsjudge, Pantelis Spyrou – Head of Game Studio at Mancala Gaming revealed how Diego’s Spicy Truck redefines engagement. Players run a food truck business, collecting spicy rewards while navigating a fast-paced environment. The game’s dynamic rewards and quirky storyline keep players engaged. Operators will see strong performance with a multi-layered gameplay experience that appeals to both seasoned and casual gamers.
Diego’s Spicy Truck is set to be a key player in the iGaming world. Mancala Gaming invites operators to explore its potential and take part in this exciting journey.
The post Mancala Gaming Revolutionizes iGaming with Diego’s Spicy Truck appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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