Latest News
ENHANCING COMMUNITY SPIRIT: SKY BET EFL BUILDING FOUNDATIONS FUND PROVIDES FIRST LOOK AT SOUTHLANDS HUB IN MIDDLESBROUGH
Sky Bet and the Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund proudly marked a significant milestone with the first visit to the construction site of the Southlands Community and Sports Hub in Park End, Middlesbrough.
The event, held on Wednesday, welcomed media representatives and key stakeholders to witness the early progress of a transformative development for East Middlesbrough.
The Southlands Hub, currently being built on the site of the former Southlands Centre on Ormesby Road, is a flagship initiative led by Middlesbrough Council in partnership with the Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation. The project received a £100,000 grant from the Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund, alongside support from the UK government.
From left to right: Vicky Allday (Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation volunteer), Charlotte Dinsdale (Head of Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation), George Elek (co-host of NTT20 podcast), Chris Kamara, Chris Cooke (Middlesbrough Elected Mayor), Ali Maxwell (co-host of NTT20 podcast), Andy McDonald (MP for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East)
The Building Foundations Fund was established by Sky Bet and the EFL to support grassroots initiatives that strengthen local communities through sport, education, and social engagement. The Southlands Hub exemplifies this mission, aiming to provide top-class facilities for grassroots football, youth programmes, mentoring, and employability training.
Among those in attendance were former professional footballer and broadcaster Chris Kamara, who grew up in the area and played much of his early football in Park End; Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke; and Charlotte Dinsdale, Head of the Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation. Their presence underscored the importance of the project and its potential to uplift the local community.
Stage one of the development includes the construction of the hub building, featuring community meeting rooms, a social area, upgraded 3G and grass pitches, and new open spaces for sport and recreation. Stage two is expected to bring further enhancements to the site. The site is scheduled to open in early summer 2026.
Kieran Forde, Head of Sponsorship and brand at Sky Bet said: “We’re incredibly proud to support the Southlands Community and Sports Hub through the Building Foundations Fund. This project reflects everything the fund stands for – empowering communities, creating opportunities, and using sport as a force for good. This visit shows just how impactful this development will be for Middlesbrough.”
Ex-footballer and broadcaster Chris Kamara commented: “Growing up in Park End, I know first-hand how much this community loves its sport and deserves top-class facilities. Seeing the Southlands Hub take shape is emotional and exciting – it’s going to be a game-changer for people here.”
Charlotte Dinsdale, Head of Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation, added: “The Southlands Hub is more than just bricks and mortar – it’s a commitment to the future of East Middlesbrough. It will be a place where young people can learn, grow, and thrive. We’re thrilled to be part of a partnership that’s delivering real change for the community.”
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said: “It’s fantastic to see the progress being made on site and it was great to welcome Chris Kamara back to an area he knows so well. This will be a brilliant venue for our town and we’re excited to partner with MFC Foundation to help create the facilities and opportunities that local people deserve.”
The post ENHANCING COMMUNITY SPIRIT: SKY BET EFL BUILDING FOUNDATIONS FUND PROVIDES FIRST LOOK AT SOUTHLANDS HUB IN MIDDLESBROUGH appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Haaland
International bettors back Haaland’s Norway to beat England in World Cup Quarter Final Clash
Kaizen Gaming shares Betano users’ predictions on teams heading to the World Cup semi-finals
As the World Cup moves into the last eight stage, Kaizen Gaming unveils exclusive proprietary data from its Betano platform, which reveals Argentina, Norway, Spain and France as the most backed teams by users globally to progress into the semi-finals.
Predicting the teams to qualify to the semi-finals (selections from the “To Qualify” market):
- Norway backed by 75% of users to qualify over England
- Argentina favoured by 80% of users to win over Switzerland
- Spain narrowly predicted to come out on top over Belgium with 55% of users’ bets
- France has been selected by 67% of users to pass through Morocco
With regards to two of the biggest surprises of the tournament this far, Brazil’s defeat to Norway and Germany’s elimination by Paraguay, it seems that for Betano users the shock wasn’t that big. In fact, 42% of users had seen Paraguay’s qualification coming, and 45% had predicted Norway getting through Brazil to reach the quarterfinals.
*The data shared has been extracted on the morning of July 8, 2026 from across 18 markets, excluding the UK. The international data sources may vary according to betting option availability per market.
The post International bettors back Haaland’s Norway to beat England in World Cup Quarter Final Clash appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Latest News
PG Soft names Hugo Baungartner as General Manager LatAm
PG Soft, a world-class digital mobile games company, has appointed Hugo Baungartner as General Manager LatAm to accelerate its continued success across the region. Baungartner will be responsible for driving PG Soft’s commercial expansion across Latin America, while leading the games provider’s strategy in Brazil where it has already captured a significant share of the market. Brazil continues to enjoy strong growth and is entering a pivotal phase in the regulation of its gaming sector, with the latest election on the horizon. With over 29 years in technology and gaming, Baungartner has previously held leadership roles at Grupo Aposta Ganha, RCT Gaming, Prohards and most recently Esportes Gaming Brasil.
During his time in the industry, Baungartner has built an extensive network across Latin America’s regulatory landscape, forging strong relationships with key regulators, industry associations and public bodies, including Brazil’s Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA/MF), the Federal Revenue Service, and COAF, as well as Mexico’s Dirección General de Juegos y Sorteos and AIEJA (the Mexican Gaming Association).
PG Soft’s continued support of major regional events, including its sponsorship of BiS SiGMA South America earlier this year in São Paulo, further highlights the company’s long-term commitment to Brazil and the wider Latin American market.
Hugo Baungartner, General Manager LatAm at PG Soft, commented: “PG Soft’s brand needs no introduction in Latin America thanks to its extensive portfolio of world-class, mobile-first games that resonate strongly with players. The company is only just getting started in the region, and I look forward to building on its success in Brazil while expanding PG Soft’s presence across regulated markets throughout Latin America.”
The post PG Soft names Hugo Baungartner as General Manager LatAm appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
BC.GAME
BC.GAME signs Guillermo Ochoa to support Mexico growth strategy
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Partnership supports BC.GAME’s continued investment in the regulated Mexican market
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Ochoa will front football-led brand activity, local promotions and fan engagement for BCGAME.mx
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Agreement comes during a landmark summer for football across Mexico, the United States and Canada
BC.GAME has announced the signing of Mexican football legend Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa as brand ambassador, as the global online entertainment platform continues to build its presence in Mexico through BCGAME.mx.
The partnership represents a significant step in BC.GAME’s localised growth strategy, with Ochoa set to support football-led brand communications, promotions and fan engagement activity designed specifically for Mexican audiences.
As one of the most recognisable figures in Mexican football, Ochoa brings strong local credibility and international profile to BC.GAME at a time when football culture in Mexico is attracting heightened global attention.
For BC.GAME, the agreement is intended to strengthen brand awareness and trust around BCGAME.mx, its licensed platform for the Mexican market, while supporting the company’s wider strategy of building closer connections with users in regulated markets through sport, esports and entertainment partnerships.
Kar Kheng Giam, CEO of BC.GAME, said: “Mexico is an important market for BC.GAME, and localisation is central to how we build meaningful relationships with users.
“Guillermo Ochoa is more than an outstanding goalkeeper. He is a figure who genuinely connects with Mexican football fans across generations, and that makes him an ideal ambassador for BCGAME.mx.
“As we continue to invest in our platform for the Mexican market, we want to work with partners who understand the culture, passion and community around football. Ochoa’s profile, professionalism and connection with fans make him a natural fit for BC.GAME.”
Known to fans as “Memo”, Ochoa has been one of the defining Mexican footballers of his generation. His long-standing role with the national team, standout performances in major international tournaments and club career across Mexico and Europe have made him a familiar name to football fans around the world.
Through the partnership, Ochoa will appear across BC.GAME’s Mexican market activity, including football-themed content, localised promotions and fan engagement campaigns for BCGAME.mx.
Guillermo Ochoa said: “I am very happy to partner with BC.GAME at such a special time for Mexican football.
“Football has always been about passion, community and shared experiences. I look forward to working with BC.GAME and BCGAME.mx to connect with fans in new ways.”
The signing adds to BC.GAME’s growing sports entertainment strategy, which has seen the brand expand its presence through football, esports and wider entertainment partnerships.
BC.GAME continues to develop its brand in markets where it is permitted to operate, with responsible gaming remaining an important part of its platform experience.
The post BC.GAME signs Guillermo Ochoa to support Mexico growth strategy appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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