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The Betting and Gaming Council Appoints Entain’s Simon Clare to the Horserace Betting Levy Board
The Betting and Gaming Council has aappointed Entain’s Simon Clare to the Horserace Betting Levy Board.
The HBLB administers a proportion of profits from bookmakers to improve breeding, advance veterinary science in the sport and contribute to the wider improvement of horseracing. It is administered by a board of seven members, including one appointment from the BGC, to represent bookmakers.
Entain Customer Communications Director Simon Clare formally replaced Mike O’Kane on October 7.
BGC members are expected to contribute to £105m in Levy payments to the HBLB for last year, according to figures released in May. The contribution, provided by the independent HBLB, is an increase of £5m on the previous year. As a result of this additional funding, the HBLB announced an increase of £3.2m in its prize money contribution for 2024 versus 2023, from £67.3m to £70.5m.
It is the third year in a row that Levy contributions have increased, from £97m in 2021/22, to £100m in 2022/2023 and now £105m in 2023/2024.
Grainne Hurst, CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council, said: “We’re delighted Simon is joining the HBLB.
“He brings an unrivalled wealth of experience from his many years with Ladbrokes and Coral, where he has become respected as a vocal and passionate champion of the sport.
“I know his wisdom and knowledge will be crucial assets to the HBLB over the coming years. I would also like to pay tribute to Mike O’Kane who has been an excellent representative to the HBLB on behalf of BGC members.
“Over his time with the HBLB Mike has brought a strong voice for the sector to the Board at a time of significant change for racing and also record Levy contributions. We wish Mike well in the future and are delighted to welcome Simon to the HBLB.”
Simon has spent close to three decades in the betting and horseracing sectors. After graduating with a Degree in Politics at Liverpool University in 1992, he was accepted on The Jockey Club Graduate Scheme, where he had a placement with the Horserace Betting Levy Board.
After a spell at the Jockey Club, and then the newly formed British Horseracing Board in an Executive Assistant role, Simon then joined Ladbrokes as a PR Manager in 1996, before joining Coral in 1997 to become their Racing PR Manager.
Following the merger with Ladbrokes in 2016, Simon became responsible for PR, Sponsorship and Social Media for both brands, and is now the Customer Communications Director for Entain UK Brands – responsible for PR, Sponsorship and Social Media for Ladbrokes, Coral, Gala, Foxy and Partypoker.
He has been a longtime, passionate supporter of horse racing, and even learned to ride in 2014 before taking part in a charity race at the 2015 Cheltenham Festival.
Entain Customer Communications Director Simon Clare, said: “I am extremely honoured to be joining the Horserace Betting Levy Board as the betting representative.
“Mike O’Kane will be a hard act to follow, and I would like to thank him for the great contribution he has made in his time in the role.
“I have been fortunate to have enjoyed a long and varied career within the betting industry with Coral, now Entain, alongside a lifelong passion for horse racing and all major sports, so will hopefully be able to make a valuable contribution to the Board.”
The post The Betting and Gaming Council Appoints Entain’s Simon Clare to the Horserace Betting Levy Board appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The leading online slot provider, Endorphina, has recently partnered with Casino.ua, a licensed Ukrainian online casino. This collaboration brings Endorphina’s innovative slots to Casino.ua’s platform, expanding its game portfolio and offering more variety for players.
This partnership signifies Endorphina’s continued focus on expanding its reach in regulated markets and making its games accessible to a broader audience. With a strong track record of partnerships in 2024, Endorphina is confident this collaboration will further their goals.
“This partnership with Casino.ua is a great opportunity for Endorphina to expand as a slot game provider in Ukraine and grow in a highly competitive market. We’re very excited about this collaboration and grateful for this wonderful opportunity to partner with such a prominent Ukrainian online casino,” said Maryna Iliukhina, PR Manager at Endorphina.
Casino.ua is a licensed Ukrainian online casino offering over 7,000 online entertainment options, including instant games, slots, table games, live games, tournaments, and promotions. The platform values the safety and comfort of its users, striving to create a high-quality gaming experience.
“We are thrilled to partner with Endorphina, a top software developer in the gaming industry. Their games blend innovation, quality, and immersive gameplay, seamlessly aligning with our vision. Together, we’re committed to delivering outstanding experiences and exciting opportunities for Casino.ua players,” said Casino UA’s team.
The post Endorphina Announces Partnership with Ukrainian Online Casino Casino.ua appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
1spin4win, a fast-growing slot games provider, is excited to announce a new partnership with SoftGamings, a leading B2B casino platform provider and gaming systems aggregator.
This collaboration signifies a major leap forward for 1spin4win, expanding the studio’s global footprint. Through SoftGamings’ platform, a wider audience will now have access to 1spin4win’s growing collection of over 100 classic slot games. With more than three new releases every month and a solid client base of 400+ operators, 1spin4win is poised to further strengthen its presence in the iGaming industry.
SoftGamings is well known for its versatile iGaming solutions, including Turnkey and White Label platforms, Self-Service solutions, and Bitcoin casino options. Their platform offers an advanced loyalty system, gamification features, and customization options, providing operators with everything they need to offer a world-class gaming experience. Now, 1spin4win’s slots are integrated into the SoftGamings platform, expanding its availability to a larger network of operators and players.
Tanya Pisarchuk, Sales Manager at 1spin4win, commented: “Partnering with SoftGamings will help us grow into new markets and reach more players. We’re truly excited that this collaboration will make it easier for online casinos to bring our classic and well-balanced games to their users.”
Anna Kiselova, Head of Partnerships at SoftGamings, added: “Our platform is growing with the addition of 1spin4win’s classic slots, now available through the SoftGamings API. This partnership is part of our mission to bring the best gaming experiences to our clients. 1spin4win offers a mix of traditional fruit and themed slots with bonuses and solid RTPs, and we’re excited to offer their games as part of our ever-expanding catalog.”
The post 1spin4win joins forces with SoftGamings to bring classic slots to new markets appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
Octoplay kicks off expansion into the US by obtaining a Michigan provisional license
Octoplay continues its expansion in North America by obtaining its provisional license for Michigan, marking the beginning of the company’s highly anticipated entry into the United States.
The Michigan provisional license is a key first step in Octoplay’s introduction of its innovative slot games to the American market, starting with operators in the Great Lakes State. This move into the US follows Octoplay’s recent successes in Europe, where the company has rapidly expanded its presence in Italy, Slovakia, Denmark, and Ontario over the past few months.
Gavin Hamilton, Chairman at Octoplay said: “Obtaining the Michigan provisional license marks the beginning of our entry into the United States, a key market for our future growth. We look forward to bringing our premium products and games to American players, starting in Michigan.”
“While we’ve seen great success in European markets recently, our entry into the US represents a new chapter for Octoplay,” Hamilton added. “We’re committed to establishing a strong presence in the American iGaming landscape, leveraging our experience in regulated markets to deliver exceptional gaming experiences to US players and operators.”
Octoplay’s expansion into new markets, including the US, allows more operators to access its popular slot games. This provisional license will not only extend Octoplay’s reach but also enable Michigan operators to offer the high-quality content their players seek.
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