Press Releases
Racing Post and SIS cancel 2020 Betting Shop Manager of the Year

Racing Post and SIS have cancelled this year’s Betting Shop Manager of the Year competition due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the retail bookmaking industry. The event, the nomination and judging process for which was due to begin last week, normally runs throughout the summer with 48 candidates whittled down to a final eight with the winner crowned at an awards ceremony in November.
Due to the current shutdown, all non-essential shops, including high street betting outlets, across Britain and Ireland are currently closed.
Both Racing Post and SIS, who have sponsored the event for over 30 years, have furloughed large numbers of employees as a consequence of the lack of racing and sport around the world. The shutdown has resulted in Racing Post temporarily stopping the publication of the industry’s daily newspaper.
Sandra Gilmartin was named 2019 Racing Post/SIS Betting Shop Manager of the Year last November, giving Paddy Power their first success in the competition. Sandra will continue her ambassadorial role throughout 2020 in the absence of a new winner.
Explaining the cancellation and the uncertainty the industry faces, Racing Post Chief Executive and Editor-in-Chief Alan Byrne said: “It is hugely disappointing that we have to cancel this year’s Betting Shop Manager of the Year. However, our first thought is the safety of those involved. With the current restrictions in place, including betting shop closures, it is simply not feasible to run a competition that also involves shop visits and one-to-one interviews.
Byrne continued: “When the various government measures are lifted, the first focus of retail bookmakers will be on the health and wellbeing of staff and customers alike. It is important that we all work together to ensure everyone in our industry is safe, and then we can begin to get all our businesses back to their best. Once we come out the other side of this pandemic, we will be in a better place to celebrate the people who are the backbone of the retail bookmaking industry.”
Echoing Alan Byrnes words, SIS Chief Executive, Richard Ames said: “The opportunity to help stage the competition and annual awards is one of the highlights for everybody here – it is particularly disappointing not to be able to look forward to that this year.
“Of course, we all hope our staff, customers and friends can safely emerge from this challenge and I know there will be huge enthusiasm to resume Betting Shop Manager of the Year come 2021. That will indeed be something to look forward to.”
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Jeff Letlat COO SpinOro
KingMidas Games and SpinOro Announce Strategic Partnership to Expand Global Reach

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KingMidas Games, a leading iGaming provider, has announced a strategic partnership with SpinOro, a trusted and innovative content aggregator and game provider. The collaboration will see SpinOro take up KingMidas Gamesâ portfolio of high-quality and cutting-edge titles, and distribute them to operators across Europe, Latin America, and other key markets worldwide.
Through this partnership, operators connected to SpinOroâs aggregation platform will gain access to KingMidas Gamesâ diverse catalogue of immersive experiences, ranging from next-gen titles and exclusive IP-driven content to classic and feature-rich slot offerings. The integration is expected to go live in late 2025.
âThis partnership with SpinOro reflects our shared ambition to connect global operators with premium and differentiated gaming experiences,â commented Sean Auret, Global Head at KingMidas Games. âSpinOroâs reputation for trust, reliability, and innovation makes them an ideal partner as we continue expanding our presence across key markets. Together, weâre creating opportunities for operators to deliver content that speaks to local audiences while maintaining global appeal.â
Jeff Letlat, COO, SpinOro, added: âKingMidas Gamesâ reputation for bold ideas and next-generation creativity complements our own commitment to bringing operators a portfolio that feels both innovative and commercially impactful. By adding their unique style and forward-thinking titles, weâre not only enriching the variety available to our partners but also ensuring players gain access to experiences designed for the digital-native generation. Itâs exactly the kind of collaboration that keeps our platform fresh, diverse, and future-ready.â
The collaboration highlights both companiesâ dedication to quality, innovation, and growth in an increasingly competitive iGaming landscape. By combining KingMidas Gamesâ creative game development with SpinOroâs extensive distribution network and technical expertise, the partnership aims to bring players around the world closer to the next generation of entertainment experiences.
The post KingMidas Games and SpinOro Announce Strategic Partnership to Expand Global Reach appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Digital Footprints
Digital Footprints Pays-it-Forward with ÂŁ50,000 Accelerator Fund to Fuel iGaming Startups

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To mark its 15th anniversary, Digital Footprints is proud to announce the Digital Footprints Accelerator Fund, a bold new initiative offering ÂŁ50,000 in marketing resources to a deserving iGaming startup. The programme embraces a âpay it forwardâ philosophy, investing in the next generation of ambitious brands in iGaming and helping them scale with best-in-class marketing support.
Fueling Growth in iGaming Innovation
As an agency that has driven growth for operators, affiliates, and suppliers across competitive markets, Digital Footprints now turns its resources toward nurturing future challengers. The Accelerator Fund is open to iGaming startups less than two years old (pre-launch or early growth stage) that operate responsibly and with compliance at their core. The winning entrant will receive a bespoke digital marketing package valued at ÂŁ50,000. Services may include:
- SEO and content strategy
- Social media & influencer campaigns
- Creative branding and design
- Analytics & performance dashboarding
- Sponsorship sourcing & activation
- UX & conversion optimisation with compliance in mind
Additional benefits include exposure through Digital Footprintsâ channels, press coverage, and advisory support from industry specialists.Â
Key Dates
- Applications open: 13 October
- Deadline to apply: 10 November
- Shortlist announced: 24 November
- Pitch date: 1 December
- Winner announced: 8 January
âWe believe that success should create opportunity,â said Sharon McFarlane, Managing Director of Digital Footprints. âAfter 15 years in the digital and iGaming space, we recognise that we definitely had help along the way from an amazing community, and this fund is our chance to pay that forward. Itâs our chance to create our own community to fuel innovation, champion responsible growth, and give a deserving startup a genuine launchpad. We canât wait to see who steps forward.â
Â
About Digital Footprints
Digital Footprints is a specialist iGaming digital agency, partnering with operators, affiliates, and suppliers to deliver strategic, compliant, and performance-driven marketing solutions. Over the past decade and a half, the award-winning agency has built an enviable track record in web development, SEO, branding, content, and audience growth across regulated markets.
For more information about eligibility or to apply for the Accelerator Fund, please visit:Â https://www.digital-footprints.co.uk/df-accelerator-fund/
The post Digital Footprints Pays-it-Forward with ÂŁ50,000 Accelerator Fund to Fuel iGaming Startups appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Angela Martin Head of Marketing UK & Ireland at GGPoker
JOHNNY VEGAS LEADS GGPOKERâS BOLD NEW âFACE-OFFâ PROJECT TO BRING THE DRAMA, TENSION AND THRILLS BACK TO BRITISH POKER

Reading Time: 2 minutes
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GGPoker has launched the âFace Offâ, fronted by comedy legend Johnny Vegas, celebrating the drama, tension, and humour of live poker with a bold, cinematic creative approach.
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The campaign repositions GGPoker.co.uk as the home of âreal players and real emotionâ, combining offbeat British comedy with high-impact visuals to shake up a stagnant gambling marketing space.
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Marking a renewed commitment to the UK market, âFace Offâ spans digital, broadcast, and live-event activations, signalling GGPokerâs ambition to lead the next era of poker entertainment and brand storytelling.
GGPoker, the Worldâs Biggest Poker Room, has reignited the UK poker scene with the launch of âFace Offâ, a new project which celebrates the drama and pure entertainment of live poker, fronted by comedy legend Johnny Vegas.
The campaign marks GGPokerâs most ambitious UK marketing push to date, shining a light on the human side of the game: the bluffing, bravado, rivalry and emotion that make poker far more than just a hand of cards.
Brimming with Vegasâs trademark humour and offbeat British charm, âFace Offâ delivers a cinematic look and feel rarely seen in poker advertising. The creative mixes character-driven comedy with moments of high-stakes intensity, capturing the personality and unpredictability that define real poker.
Developed with leading creative partners, the campaign sets out to reimagine how poker is portrayed in the UK, positioning GGPoker.co.uk as the home of genuine competition and real players. Itâs designed to connect with everyone from casual fans to seasoned grinders, and to show poker as something social, human and alive with character.
The rollout will span digital, broadcast and live activations across the UK and Ireland, with exclusive content, social challenges and player-focused experiences bringing the âFace Offâ world to life:
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Digital: Search, SEO, META, Snap, X, PGM, YouTube
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Audio: talkSPORT, ACAST, Sports Social
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TV: BVOD, Cinema, CTV
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Outdoor: High-impact displays and standard BAU executions
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PR: Stunts and live events with celebrity involvement, WSOP Poker Event coverage, and story seeding to highlight real player experiences
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CRM: Email, SMS, and retargeting campaigns, all optimised to enhance the player experience.
Angela Martin, Head of Marketing UK & Ireland at GGPoker said: âWith âFace Off,â we wanted to remind people why they fell in love with poker in the first place. Itâs not just about the cards; itâs about the tension, and the moments of genius (or madness) that make it such a uniquely human game.
âJohnny Vegas is not just a legend of comedy, his name says it all. It brings a touch of Vegas flair to the UK poker scene, while keeping it witty and completely human. âFace Offâ is our way of saying that poker should be fun, social, and full of personality again. This is GGPoker doubling down on the UK and on the players who make the game what it is.â
The post JOHNNY VEGAS LEADS GGPOKERâS BOLD NEW âFACE-OFFâ PROJECT TO BRING THE DRAMA, TENSION AND THRILLS BACK TO BRITISH POKER appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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