Industry News
Andrew Black – the mastermind behind Betfair
This is not just another success story for online gambling – it is the story of the man who created a different bookmaker, different from other companies on the market! Andrew Black has laid the foundations for the best sports betting market around the world – Betfair, a company that has learned to be a leader since its founding.
Andrew Black’s early years
Born in 1963, Andrew Black graduated from King’s College School in London and decided to continue his studies at Exeter University, and his major was computer science. However, his university training was not finished as Andrew was passionate about betting and spent most of his time at local betting points rather than listening to his lecturers.
One interesting fact is that Mr Black’s father was an outspoken opponent of gambling and participated in many campaigns against this activity and the laws that allowed it. If Andrew had followed his father’s views, he might not have been able to deliver one of the best business ideas.
Before the idea was born
Andrew was forced to work for years as a regular employee for various companies.
In one of them, the US company Track Data, he was employed in customer service and development.
However, this job did not bring him the desired revenue and after a while he turned to betting again. The sport he was betting on was horse racing, and after his colleagues saw that Andrew was a pretty good expert, they even began to follow his predictions. It is known that in 1992 Andrew Black won £ 25,000 with a stake of just £ 20 after correctly guessing the winners of 2 of the big horse races in the UK.
These profits allowed him to fulfill one of his dreams – to buy a racing horse! After Andrew’s prognosis continued to be quite successful, he chose to leave his permanent job, earning less than £ 30,000 a year.
Black continued to develop his skills as a bettor but at one point the losses began to spin out of control and he had to find permanent employment again. He started out as a trader at Boxall but stayed there for only a year. It was also one of the turning points in Andrew’s life, because after that moment, he began his own career.
The idea behind Betfair
Andrew Black’s life was full of ups and downs. After many career changes, after the successes and failures of being a professional bettor, Andrew Black took action and set up his own software company, which won partnerships with many other organizations.
By experimenting with different betting software, Andrew began to refine the idea of a bookmaking business. At some point he decided to take the risk and put all his savings into his idea, the so-called Sports Exchange. However, his £ 50,000 could not be enough, so Black sought out other investors.
And he found one in Edward Ray – brother of Andrew’s best friend, Jeremy. Edward was an investment banker and could definitely help develop the idea. After creating their business idea project, they sought new funds from venture capital funds. Also the two of them had some wealthy relatives and friends, from whom they raised quite a large sum, which with their funds totaled 1 million pounds! This amount was enough to allow the Betfair project to see the light of day in 2000!
What exactly is the sports exchange?
At that time, people had the opportunity to bet on the various sports events and markets that certain bookmakers offered them.
The idea of Andrew Black and Edward Ray was to create a different betting model. The Sports Exchange is an online platform that allows different people to offer markets and odds. That way, other people can bet their money on these odds and markets.
To a large extent, the model was borrowed from the financial exchanges, but implemented in sports betting. This model offered people a new way of betting that, in many cases, allowed them to bet better and get higher odds than the various bookmaking companies offered them.
Betfair’s profit came from the commissions it collected on every settled bet. This business model works the same way today, with Betfair continuing to be the leader and offering the best Sports Betting Exchange.
A very important strategic step
At the same time that Betfair was created, another company, Flutter, appeared on the market, which uses a similar method of taking bets. A very successful move for Andrew Black and his colleague, Ed Ray, was to acquire Flutter in 2001, which gave them great power over the Sports Exchanges with 90% market share!
Andrew Black’s life after the creation of Betfair
Only 2 years after the company was created, the two founders Andrew Black and Edward Ray received the Young Entrepreneur of the Year title.
Over time, the company began to offer casino-type bets as well as bets on multiple sports and, in the traditional way, with fixed odds.
In 2010, the company was listed on the London Stock Exchange, with a share price of £ 13. This means that its total value is £ 1.4 billion! Andrew himself owned 15% of the stock, providing him nearly £ 200 million.
And when Betfair was excluded from the stock market, after its acquisition by Paddy Power in 2016, one share of the company was worth £ 44! Andrew Black created but also helped tremendously in the development of Betfair over the years. Out of this sphere, he maintained his interest in horse racing.
Black is investing in various technology areas in the UK and is also emerging as a professional bridge player. Created by him, Betfair is currently one of the world’s leading bookmaking companies and the sole leader in Sports Exchange betting. The company continues to grow and, after being acquired by its new owners, continues to innovate in the field of sports betting. It is one of the founding bookmakers of the Cash Out option and also implements features like ACCA EDGE and Price Rush!
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Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.
Latest News
Jackpot Digital Inc. has announced that it has been granted a Manufacturer and Distributor License by the Mississippi Gaming Commission. This approval authorizes Jackpot Digital to supply gaming equipment to licensed casino operators throughout Mississippi. This marks the Company’s second state-level manufacturer’s license in the US. Additional licensing applications are currently pending in other jurisdictions as part of the Company’s ongoing growth strategy. Mississippi is one of the nation’s premier destination gaming markets, generating over $2.4 billion in gross gaming revenue in 2023. The state’s Gulf Coast and Biloxi regions are particularly well known for their vibrant casino tourism and established gaming brands.
iDEA (iDevelopment and Economic Association), the leading trade association representing the U.S. online gaming industry, launched the definitive online destination for all things online gambling: ideagrowth.org. The new website provides the media, and U.S. legislators and regulators, a comprehensive resource for data-driven research, policy insights, and responsible gaming resources. The new website provides the industry’s most vital statistics and research — from consumer protections to economic development — in an engaging, accessible format designed for maximum impact.
CT Interactive has further strengthened its international presence by expanding its certified game portfolio on the regulated Peruvian market with 20 new titles. This milestone underscores the company’s commitment to delivering high-quality, engaging gaming content tailored specifically to regional markets. The newly certified portfolio features titles from CT Interactive’s popular Buy Bonus product line, including fan favorites such as Duck of Luck, Fruits & Sweets, Doctor Winstein, and Nanook the White Ghost. These enhanced editions deliver dynamic gameplay with one- or three-level Buy Bonus options, giving players new tools for diverse strategies and greater control over the game’s pace and excitement. A highlight of the newly certified titles is the launch of Lucky Clover 10, the latest addition to the acclaimed Clover-themed series.
Partnerships
CT Interactive has entered a new phase of its Latin American growth by launching its complete portfolio of games on Rushbet in Mexico and Peru. This collaboration with Rush Street Interactive—one of the region’s leading online casino and sportsbook operators—marks a significant step in the company’s international expansion. Players on Rushbet now have access to proven favorites like Lucky Clover, 40 Treasures, Win Storm and Big Chilli, along with the engaging Hot Luck three-level jackpot, designed to enhance player excitement and retention. This partnership underscores CT Interactive’s commitment to long-term collaboration and delivering tailored gaming solutions across diverse Latin American markets.
Hard Rock International has announced its 26th annual PINKTOBER campaign in partnership with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit ahead of this Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As a global entertainment and hospitality brand guided by the principle “All is One,” Hard Rock is leveraging every touchpoint to support the cause throughout October, from a limited-edition retail collection to special menu items and events. A portion of proceeds from PINKTOBER sales each year are donated to the Hard Rock Heals Foundation, the charitable arm of Hard Rock, to support breast cancer awareness and research worldwide. The program has raised over $13 million for breast cancer research since its inception.
The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – September 29-October 5 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Amusnet’s latest Live Casino portfolio addition, Candy Wheel, invites players on an unforgettable journey where every spin bursts with excitement. Candy Wheel dazzles with its vibrant gameplay centered around a colourful wheel divided into 50 dynamic sectors, each packed with unique payout possibilities. Players can jump into the action by placing their bets on six exciting sectors — also known as tickets — and predicting where the wheel will land next.
Led by a charismatic live presenter, every moment unfolds in real time with crystal-clear video streaming and multiple camera angles that capture each thrilling spin. The host keeps the energy sky-high — announcing results, chatting with players and turning every round into a full-on celebration.
And just when you think it can’t get any sweeter, Candy Wheel introduces a couple of special features to spice things up even more:
Candy Ticket
The Candy Ticket feature appears randomly during gameplay and rewards players with a free re-bet on one of the six tickets available. If you’ve placed a bet on the chosen ticket, you’ll automatically receive a free bet for the next round – same ticket, same value. Watch as your chip transforms into a candy-themed version and slides to the side, leaving you free to place new bets and double the fun.
Dynamic Multipliers
Dynamic Multipliers is a thrilling feature that can boost players’ payout up to 25x. Similar to the Candy Ticket feature, a multiplier and а sector are randomly selected and revealed on the circular screen. If you’ve placed a bet on that sector, your winnings will be multiplied by 2x, 5x, 10x or 25x. An electrifying twist that adds a whole new layer of suspense – and serious reward potential brought to every spin.
Jackpot Cards
The Jackpot Cards Bonus game is triggered at random during the gameplay to allow players to win impressive Jackpots.
The post Amusnet Releases Candy Wheel appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Amusnet has released Golden Goal Roulette, the latest title in its new generation of virtual roulette games. Blending the elegance of classic roulette with the electrifying energy of football, this release transforms the iconic casino experience into a matchday celebration.
Set against the backdrop of a vividly designed football stadium, Golden Goal Roulette creates an immersive environment that transports players right into the heart of the game. From the realistic ambient sounds of cheering crowds to the sleek design of the roulette wheel, every detail is crafted to heighten the atmosphere and capture the excitement of sport.
What sets Golden Goal Roulette apart is its interactive gameplay mechanics. Unlike traditional versions, this virtual roulette allows players to control the start of each spin, introducing a fresh and dynamic twist to the experience. The result is a modernised game that blends tradition with innovation while keeping the familiar structure of European-style roulette.
Golden Goal Roulette supports a wide variety of betting options to suit every preference:
Inside Bets: Straight up, Split, Street, Corner, Line bet
Outside Bets: Column, Dozen, Low/High, Even/Odd, Red/Black.
With its authentic football theme, versatility and interactive features, Golden Goal Roulette adds a new layer of energy and entertainment to Amusnet’s growing Live Casino portfolio. It’s a title designed for both roulette enthusiasts and football fans alike — an engaging blend of two worlds that never fails to capture attention.
Auto Rebet
The Auto Rebet function allows players to repeat a selected bet. When enabled, the game enters automatic mode, where bets are placed automatically for a set number of games.
Favourite Bets
This function allows players to save up to 10 personally tailored bets or bet combinations for quick access during gameplay.
Jackpot Cards
The Jackpot Cards Bonus game is triggered at random during the gameplay to allow players to win impressive Jackpots.
The post Golden Goal Roulette – Where Football Meets the Thrill of the Wheel appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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