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Julie Harrington to Step Down as BHA Chief Executive at the End of 2024
Julie Harrington has announced that she will leave her job as Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) at the end of the year after four years in the role.
Julie has overseen significant changes to the BHA and British Horseracing including a new governance structure, achieving cross-industry support for the sport’s long-term Industry Strategy and setting its underpinning architecture securely in place, structural and operational changes at the BHA itself, work on a new People Strategy with the introduction of the Horseracing Industry People Board, and a renewed focus on improving commercial opportunities.
Commenting on her decision to step down, Julie said: “With so much now in place to develop and grow the Industry Strategy, which will secure a brighter future for British horseracing, it felt like the right time to move on and let someone else steer the sport through its next exciting phase.
“It has been a huge privilege to lead the BHA during what has been a period of real change as the sport has developed and implemented shared strategies for a sustainable future, and an ability to speak with one united voice.
“I love working in horseracing, it is an amazing sport to be involved in. I will always be a fan and you can expect to see me at the races in the years ahead. I am proud of the progress the industry has made over the past three years, especially in improving the governance structure, and I hope that racing’s stakeholders will continue to work together cooperatively to attract new audiences, further improve the customer experience and grow the sport.
“I am confident that if the sport continues to foster the sense of unity and shared purpose that we have developed over the past few years then great things can be achieved.
“My future plans are likely to include a move to a varied non-executive career. Although I took the decision to stand down some time ago, I have agreed to stay on until the end of year to allow a smooth transition to a new CEO.
“The BHA Board is already engaged in the search for Joe’s successor as Chair and informing the Board of my intentions now gives the nominations committee the opportunity to plan an orderly handover, consider the complementary skills of candidates and allow the new Chair to be part of the final stages of CEO recruitment.
“British Horseracing is one of the cornerstones of our sporting and cultural heritage. I will be forever thankful to have had the opportunity to be a part of it, both during my tenures at Northern Racing, on the BHA Board and most recently as CEO of the BHA. I wish it every success in the years to come.”
Joe Saumarez Smith will step down as Chair of the BHA at the end of May 2025 and the recruitment process for his replacement commenced last month.
Joe Saumarez Smith said: “Julie has been a fantastic chief executive for the BHA and has done a huge amount for the industry since her appointment. We have been lucky to have her in charge and she will be difficult to replace. I am grateful she has agreed to stay on to the end of the year to allow us to recruit her replacement and to ensure a smooth transition.
“During Julie’s tenure we have completely changed the governance of the sport and the BHA’s role within it. Her influencing skills, often behind-the-scenes, have been key to that change and also in the positive adjustments made to the Gambling Act White Paper that posed such a threat to our sport.
“Four years at the top of any sport demands total focus, concentration and enormous amounts of energy and Julie has delivered all of these, in what at times has been a challenging stakeholder and political environment. I, and the BHA Board, fully understand why she has taken this decision now and wish her every success in her future roles.”
Julie also paid tribute to her executive team and the BHA staff, stating: “We have a hugely talented and passionate team at the BHA. From the executive leadership team, those working day in, day out on course or from our new smaller HQ in Holborn Gate, it really is a team effort. It is a team that has undergone a great deal of change in the past few years and one that is dedicated to delivering for our sport. With a busy period ahead, the whole BHA will remain focused on delivering a great service.”
The post Julie Harrington to Step Down as BHA Chief Executive at the End of 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The iGaming industry got a taste of heavyweight ambition at iGB L!VE London 2025, where GR8 Tech unveiled its Heavyweight Club—an exclusive community that takes domination in iGaming markets as seriously as world champion Oleksandr Usyk takes defending his undisputed heavyweight title.
“iGB L!VE London was the ignition point for the Heavyweight Club. We showcased top-tier tech and connected with operators ready to lead, scale, and dominate. The energy, the conversations, the demand for real performance confirmed what we’ve always believed: the iGaming industry is hungry for heavyweight solutions and GR8 Tech is here to deliver,” said Sergey Ghazaryan, GR8 Tech’s CRO.
Industry Response Points to Market Appetite
With increased competition making differentiation more challenging, speed-to-market pressure intensifying as new markets emerge, and technology debt from legacy systems hindering operators’ growth, the industry is at a critical juncture. In 110 meetings with the sales team and over 65 conducted demos, operator feedback consistently centered on these exact challenges.
This shift is evident across the ecosystem. Mariia Shmelova, CEO of Aff.Tech—GR8 Tech’s proprietary affiliate management platform—observed similar patterns: “One major trend is the demand for greater transparency and performance accountability. Operators want to see exactly what’s driving traffic, conversions, and ROI. That’s why we’ve been doubling down on data—not just analytics, but actionable insights that affiliates and operators can use in real time. We’re also seeing growing interest in multi-geo, multi-brand campaigns, and our platform is built to support those kinds of complex setups with ease. Flexibility, automation, and smart integrations are the future.”
The conversations revealed a clear understanding: champion ambitions require champion tools. Operators emphasized the need for high-performance solutions that deliver geo-specificity for local market domination and margin mastery that turns competitive pressure into profit advantage. The response highlighted how operators are seeking partners who understand that every champion needs exactly the right tools for their specific fight.
GR8 Tech’s approach resonated because it addresses this reality with three key solutions designed for different use scenarios:
- Hyper Turnkey, which delivers fully managed casino and sportsbook operations that scale with ambition;
- ULTIM8 Sportsbook iFrame with its lightning-fast integration and market-specific customization capabilities;
- Infinite Casino Aggregation, offering premium gaming experiences with an operator-first flexibility.
This comprehensive approach ensures every operator gets precisely what they need to overcome their unique market challenges and achieve championship-level performance.
Heavyweight Club Momentum Builds Toward Next Championship Round
The “Fight for Greatness” collection drew significant attention on the show floor. Attendees’ enthusiasm for the showcased apparel and accessories, paired with strong performance of the online store, confirmed that the Heavyweight Club resonates far beyond technology—it’s a mindset people want to embody and a philosophy they want to wear.
GR8 Tech’s AR experience featuring Oleksandr Usyk became a magnet for attendees, with over 80 participants stepping into the champion’s world in one of the most memorable activations on the show floor. Winners of the AR experience didn’t just walk away with impressive pictures—they earned tickets to witness Usyk defend his undisputed heavyweight title against Daniel Dubois this July.
Just as Usyk will defend his title at Wembley, the Heavyweight Club will continue its championship journey beyond iGB L!VE. The next epic edition awaits at SBC Summit in September, where the movement will expand with new challenges and opportunities for operators ready to dominate their markets.
Ready to fight for greatness? Connect with GR8 Tech and step into the ring.
GR8 Tech. Platform for Champions
GR8 Tech is an award-winning provider, delivering high-performance sportsbook and iGaming solutions that empower operators to lead and win in competitive markets. Key elements of GR8 Tech’s comprehensive portfolio include the Hyper Turnkey solution, ULTIM8 Sportsbook iFrame, Infinite Casino Aggregation, and Platform Acceler8 suite, featuring its proprietary affiliate management platform, Aff.Tech.
With a geo-specific approach to solutions, a focus on practical innovations, and an operator-first mindset, GR8 Tech helps its clients achieve measurable results in their target markets quickly and efficiently. Trusted by top operators worldwide, GR8 Tech has over 100 successful cases and earned multiple recognitions, including the title of the Best Sports Betting Provider in CEE by GamingTECH Awards 2025.
The post Heavyweight Club by GR8 Tech Signals New Era of Operator Ambition at iGB L!VE appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Booming Games is pleased to announce the successful integration of its slot titles with Ivy Casino, one of the UK’s fastest-rising online gaming brands. The partnership marks an exciting milestone as Booming Games continues to gain traction across the UK market.
Ivy Casino players now have access to a growing portfolio of Booming Games’ titles, including the standout hit 64 Gold Coins Hold & Win. Known for its engaging mechanics and strong performance on some of the UK’s biggest platforms, Booming Games is quickly becoming a go-to provider for UK players seeking fresh, high-quality content.
Matt Attard, Account Management Team Lead at Booming Games, commented: “We’re thrilled to see our games now live on Ivy Casino, a brand that’s already establishing itself as a serious player in the UK market. Our titles, especially 64 Gold Coins Hold & Win, are designed to deliver excitement and engagement, and we’re confident Ivy Casino’s players will respond well to our growing portfolio.”
Mark Good, representing Ivy Casino, added: “Booming Games brings a fresh and exciting addition to Ivy Casino’s growing library. Their titles, especially 64 Gold Coins, have been getting great exposure across established UK brands, and Ivy Casino is pleased to now offer them directly to its players. It’s a great fit as Ivy Casino continues expanding the premium content available to its users.”
The integration is now live, with more titles expected to follow in the coming months as both teams collaborate to bring even more variety and innovation to UK players.
The post Booming Games Goes Live on Ivy Casino, Strengthening UK Market Presence appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Kambi Group plc and LeoVegas Group sign Turnkey Sportsbook extension and new Odds Feed+ agreement
Turnkey Sportsbook partnership extended until end of 2027 as LeoVegas Group continues gradual migration to in-house sportsbook, which now has access to Kambi’s premium Odds Feed+ solution
Kambi Group plc, the home of premium sports betting solutions, and LeoVegas Group have signed a multi-year Turnkey Sportsbook partnership extension, alongside a new agreement for Kambi’s cutting-edge Odds Feed+ product.
The Turnkey Sportsbook partnership will now run for an additional two years, through to the end of 2027, during which time LeoVegas will continue its migration to its proprietary sportsbook platform. In addition, LeoVegas and its stable of brands — LeoVegas, BetMGM, BetUK and expekt — has secured access to Kambi’s Odds Feed+, the industry’s premium odds feed solution. LeoVegas can now complement its in-house offering by selecting from Kambi’s full library of traded odds, which are delivered via a single API.
The Odds Feed+ agreement is set to run beyond 2027, enabling Kambi and LeoVegas to continue to build upon a partnership first formed in 2016.
Werner Becher, CEO of Kambi, said: “Our valued partnership with LeoVegas dates back almost 10 years and we are proud of the success we have achieved together. While we look forward to another two years of Turnkey provision, it speaks to the quality of our trading capabilities that LeoVegas also secured access to our Odds Feed+ solution, taking our partnership into a new phase.”
The post Kambi Group plc and LeoVegas Group sign Turnkey Sportsbook extension and new Odds Feed+ agreement appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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