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BHA Appoints Katie Carr as Head of Environmental Sustainability and Tom Baker as Head of Social Impact

Published

1 year ago

July 30, 2024

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has announced the appointment of Katie Carr as Head of Environmental Sustainability and Tom Baker as Head of Social Impact.

Funded by the Racing Foundation and overseen by the Industry Programme Group, the new roles will support British horseracing’s long-term strategy by enhancing racing’s positive role in local communities and strengthening the sport’s response to environmental challenges.

Katie Carr joins the BHA from the Goodwood Group, where she was responsible for planning and delivering the sustainability strategy across the 11,000-acre estate. She also held various commercial, partnership and community engagement roles within the Goodwood Group, having previously spent five years at The Jockey Club.

Building on the findings and recommendations from the sport’s environmental audit and current best practice, Katie will lead on developing an industry-wide approach to future-proofing racing and breeding against existing and emerging environmental challenges.

This includes how racing mitigates the risks presented by a changing climate, adapts operations in line with evolving legal responsibilities and public expectations, and harnesses existing expertise, particularly in managing the natural environment, to shape a positive future for our horses and people.

Head of Social Impact, Tom Baker, joins on a year-long secondment from The Jockey Club, where he has been responsible for developing the group’s community and social impact strategy. Prior to this he spent a decade working in Olympic and Paralympic sport, building partnerships with charities and sponsors to create programmes for positive change.

Tom will work with those already playing a leading role in this area, including Racing Together and Racing to School, to agree what British racing collectively wants and needs from its social and community activity and where the sport can have the most positive impact.

With a focus on racing’s role as a force for good, both in local communities and across wider society, the work will consider the moral, reputational and commercial benefits of a socially responsible approach, especially as the sport looks to attract the next generation of employees, investors and fans.

Tom will join the cross-industry Racing Together sub-committee group and work alongside the Racing Charities Group.

The Environmental Sustainability and Social Impact projects have been funded by the Racing Foundation, with the latter being supported the Racing Post and Godolphin, on an initial one-year basis. They will be based in the BHA’s Strategy and Change directorate, and the work will be overseen by racing’s Industry Programme Group.

BHA Director of Strategy and Change, Alison Enticknap, said: “I’m very pleased to welcome Katie and Tom to their new positions. Both bring subject-specific knowledge, understanding and expertise, alongside valuable experience of working in the racing industry – essential qualities for these cross-industry coordination roles.

“Environmental sustainability and social impact have been identified as priority areas for British racing as we continue to develop the industry’s long-term strategy. There are many people, organisations and charities doing a huge amount of good work in this space and, thanks to support from the Racing Foundation, we can work to establish what needs to be done at industry level to bolster and accelerate progress.”

Katie Carr said: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to help shape British racing’s approach to addressing and adapting to the various environmental challenges we face.

“Racing and breeding have a direct relationship with the natural environment and I know how much activity is already underway in this space, as well as the extensive expertise that exists.

“I’m looking forward to working with stakeholders as we continue to make progress, building on the initiatives already in place and sharing best practice to help ensure the long-term sustainability of our sport.”

Tom Baker said: “From initiatives that open up development opportunities in our sport to underrepresented groups, to partnerships that help address loneliness in our communities, British racing and breeding already has a positive impact across the country. These are activities that have a direct benefit, but also help us attract the more purpose-driven recruits, participants and fans into the industry.

“I’m very grateful for this opportunity to work with individuals, organisations and volunteers to agree our social impact priorities and help drive positive change at an industry level, so that we can continue to showcase our sport as a force for good.”

The post BHA Appoints Katie Carr as Head of Environmental Sustainability and Tom Baker as Head of Social Impact appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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

Published

5 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

5 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

5 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: