Latest News

How Horse Race Betting Has Galloped Into The Online Era

Published

1 year ago

August 19, 2024

Reading Time: 4 minutes

With the popularity of horse race betting steadily on the rise as the sport spreads to new markets and platforms, we sat down with BETBAZAR’s Chief Operating Officer, Max Sevostianov, to discuss everything sportsbook operators should know before they attempt to tap into this emerging online trend.

Despite horse racing being one of the world’s oldest and most historied forms of betting, wagering on the sport is virtually unrecognisable today even when compared to just a few decades ago.

Rapid advances in betting technology and data analytics, increased internet and smartphone penetration and a wider availability of horse racing events all over the globe have all undoubtedly changed the face of the sport – and this has in turn dramatically altered the ways in which online betting operators have had to market their horse racing product to attract and retain customers.

Indeed, you don’t have to cast your mind back all that far to recall a time when horse racing meets were largely confined to the U.K., Ireland and a handful of marquee events in the U.S.A. These days, however, the sport has become an essential part of the betting landscape in countries like the United Arab Emirates and Japan, presenting new challenges and opportunities for operators.

The impact of horse racing’s growing popularity in the U.A.E. and east Asia is two-fold – not only has greater event choice and frequency reduced betting downtime for customers all over the world and created a more consistent revenue stream for operators, but it has also significantly diversified the audience they target and changed how they communicate from market-to-market.

Having these new countries in the horse racing picture means that a blanket way of promoting the sport is no longer a viable option. Instead, operators should be monitoring the customer data they have in each market very closely to try and identify ways in which they can tailor their offering so that it caters to local tastes. This could, for example, involve creating targeted promotions that tie in with local holidays and specific regional events or partnering with race providers and other associated businesses in the market that can enhance brand awareness and bettor engagement.

Of course, the data operators have on each market should also inform whether or not horse race betting is a viable product to push in the first place. Though – as outlined previously – the popularity of the sport is increasing globally, horse race betting is still a very region-specific vertical and needs an existing audience and infrastructure that operators can target. Potential customers need at least some prior understanding of the sport and the betting product that caters for it, so successfully penetrating a market where horse racing isn’t popular is very unlikely.

The change in the number of countries that host horse racing events, however, pales in comparison to the impact technological innovation has had when it comes to betting on the sport. Again, you don’t have to think back very far to remember a time where the two main ways that customers bet on horse racing were either at the track or at their local high street bookmaker and the only data they had at their disposal was the form guides in publications like Racing Post!

These days, it’s a totally different story. Ever-increasing levels of internet penetration across the globe coupled with wider smartphone adoption has meant that customers can now access and bet on races no matter where they are in the world. While this has alleviated the need to travel to retail betting locations and driven more revenue to online wagering platforms instead, so too has it increased the importance of live streaming to a point that it’s now basically a must-have feature.

As online operators have picked up more and more of the traffic that had previously flown to retail betting locations, the onus on them to provide a similarly engaging experience has also increased. Thankfully for them, technology has now advanced to a point where they’re able to reliably stream races from virtually any track on the planet directly to computers or smartphones, with this effectively opening the door to events that bettors may otherwise never have witnessed.

Of course, one of the keys to providing this level of coverage is operators having the necessary partnerships in place with the rights holders in each market that they operate in, as not only does this provide access to all the races they want to feature, but also to the official data that comes with them. Given that we live in an information age where having access to fast and reliable data is an absolute cornerstone when it comes to making informed betting decisions, the fact that online operators can provide this in greater depth than their offline counterparts is very important.

By collating all the relevant information about how certain horses, jockeys and stables have performed on specific tracks in the past and making this available to customers in real time, operators can enhance the betting experience for both horse racing experts and newcomers to the sport alike. For precisely this reason, BETBAZAR has chosen the most accurate and advanced horse racing product for its marketplace in order to give customers access to detailed statistics from truly trustworthy providers – with this information in turn being used to power all manner of useful graphics and widgets for an even more dynamic user experience.

While these geographical and technological factors both mean that the popularity of horse race betting is likely to increase in the coming years, both will count for nought if the industry doesn’t continue to behave in a responsible and sustainable manner. Luckily, these days virtually every aspect of horse racing is totally regulated and necessary steps have been taken to improve horse welfare and other ethical concerns; all of which is vital to the long-term sustainability of the sport.

Alongside this operators must continue to promote responsible gaming practices in all markets that they service and provide further education and insight to both their clients and customers. In doing so, not only will they build trust within the horse racing community and cement the integrity of their product, but they’ll also set themselves up for more success as the sector grows.

About Betbazar
Betbazar is a B2B worldwide iGaming marketplace which has set a new sales standard, sourcing specialist iGaming products and advising on their role within existing strategies to deliver growth to our partners. The company’s ambition is building a digital iGaming marketplace that connects creators with buyers to accelerate growth powered by best-in-class products.

Website: https://betbazar.com/en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betbazar

The post How Horse Race Betting Has Galloped Into The Online Era appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

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

Published

11 hours 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

11 hours 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

11 hours 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: