Press Releases
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/
Press Releases
Clarifying Our Editorial Policy on Non-Gamstop Gambling Content

In response to recent questions around the presence of non-Gamstop casino content on our platform, HIPTHER would like to clarify its editorial stance. While such articles were accepted as part of past collaborations, we do not endorse gambling among self-excluded individuals, and these posts do not reflect our future publishing direction. As a global B2B media company, our commitment remains firmly rooted in ethical content, industry transparency, and responsible gambling advocacy.
A Note on Our Editorial Policy Regarding Non-Gamstop Content
Recently, we published a limited number of articles that referenced non-Gamstop casinos — platforms operating outside the UK’s regulatory framework. While these were accepted as part of wider editorial collaborations, we want to clarify our stance.
HIPTHER does not promote gambling to individuals under self-exclusion, nor is our target audience UK-based players. We are a global B2B media organization covering international markets and industry developments.
That said, we recognize the sensitivity around content related to non-UKGC platforms — particularly in the context of responsible gambling. We’ve reviewed the matter internally and have decided:
✅ We will not be publishing similar content in the future.
✅ We will be updating any existing articles with clear disclaimers and responsible gambling resources.
✅ We remain committed to ethical coverage and transparency in everything we publish.
Our focus continues to be on highlighting innovation, regulation, and forward-thinking trends in the gaming industry — across Europe, the Americas, and beyond. Player safety matters, and we believe media has a role to play in setting higher standards.
—
The HIPTHER Editorial Team
We Welcome Dialogue
We remain open to feedback and collaboration with partners, readers, and stakeholders who share our values around ethical industry coverage and player protection. For comments or inquiries, please contact us.
The post Clarifying Our Editorial Policy on Non-Gamstop Gambling Content appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Russell Ferris appointed Managing Director at Racecourse Media Group

Racecourse Media Group (RMG) has appointed Russell Ferris to the new role of Managing Director.
Russell, currently CEO of Weatherbys Ltd, will be joining RMG on August 18.
He can count on more than 20 years of senior management and directorial experience in the racing industry, including as Managing Director of Limerick Racecourse and Director, Ireland for At The Races. He joined Weatherbys Ireland in 2016 and was promoted to Weatherbys Ltd Group CEO three years later.
Nick Mills, CEO of RMG, said: “Russell is highly regarded within the industry and will bring a wealth of expertise, experience and enthusiasm to RMG. Russell will oversee and further align the Commercial and Broadcast departments and help take the business to new levels in terms of innovation, engagement and revenues. I very much look forward to welcoming Russell to RMG in August.”
Russell, who also sits as a Non-Executive Director on the Boards of Racing Digital and Venture Bio, said: “I am delighted to be joining a great team at RMG and very much looking forward to the new challenge. RMG play a pivotal role within the industry both domestically and internationally, and I am excited by the company’s vision to further enhance the sport’s appeal, reach and engagement to ensure a bright future for all.
“I’d like to thank the Weatherbys family for the opportunity provided to me. It has been fantastic to see the business develop and diversify in recent years, and I know that I leave it in great hands with Sharon O’Regan and a talented team across the business.”
The post Russell Ferris appointed Managing Director at Racecourse Media Group appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Industry Awards
SOFTSWISS Named Online Casino Innovator in CEE 2025

SOFTSWISS, a global tech provider, won the Online Casino Innovator in CEE title at the GamingTECH CEE Awards 2025 with its forward-thinking Game Aggregator. The award celebrated companies that drive innovation, excellence, and leadership in the iGaming and tech landscape across Central and Eastern Europe.
SOFTSWISS continues to lead online casino innovation in the CEE region with its Game Aggregator – one of the largest and most advanced game hubs in the iGaming industry. The solution offers over 27,800 exclusive games from 280+ leading providers, supporting more than 1,250 brands. Operators can integrate it via a one-time API as a standalone product for any third-party platform or as part of the SOFTSWISS Casino Platform.
The Game Aggregator offers a vast portfolio of RNG and live games for desktop and mobile, including slots, table games, crash, and casual games – many optimised for crypto gameplay. The content is fully localised to suit operators’ target markets, supporting multiple languages, currencies, and regional preferences.
The Game Aggregator is certified to operate across key markets in Europe, Africa, and Latin America, with licenses or compliance in countries like Greece, Romania, Spain, Brazil, Nigeria, and South Africa. The platform provides powerful innovations that help operators grow their business effectively:
- Tournament Tool: A versatile tool that enables operators to launch custom competitions in five simple steps. With mechanics like total bets, highest multiplier, and total wins, this solution saw an 80% growth in adoption by operators in 2024.
- Crash Games in Tournaments: A new integration that elevates engagement.
- Non-Monetary Prizes: Enhances reward variety with trips, gadgets, and more.
- GGR Report Builder: Aggregates performance data across all games and providers.
- Jackpots for Crash and Live Games: Implemented via the Jackpot Aggregator integration, leading to over 50% growth in average total player value.
Alena Bekus, Deputy Head of SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator, comments on the win:
“This award is a meaningful recognition of our team’s continuous efforts to build not just a product, but a powerful ecosystem that supports our partners’ growth. We constantly listen to our clients, innovate based on their needs, and work to deliver a flexible, scalable, and forward-thinking solution that meets the evolving demands of the iGaming market.”
By focusing on operator success, player engagement, and industry adaptability, SOFTSWISS continues to deliver forward-thinking solutions that set new benchmarks. Winning this award reaffirms the company’s role as a true innovator in iGaming.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 27,800 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
The post SOFTSWISS Named Online Casino Innovator in CEE 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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