Latest News
William Hill to Permanently Close 119 Betting Shops in the UK
William Hill PLC has announced that it will not re-open 119 shops due to the Covid-19 impact on the UK retail environment, as the bookmaker swung to an interim profit on a value added tax refund.
The company also said that it has made a “robust” recovery in the opening weeks of the second half because of the resumption of sporting activities and re-opening of shops. As a result, the company has decided to repay GBP24.5 million to the UK government received under the coronavirus job retention scheme.
For the 26 weeks ended July 2, the company recorded pretax profit of GBP141.1 million compared with a loss of GBP63.5 million a year ago. The profit figure includes a GBP201.6 million tax refund, which was partially offset by GBP81.9 million non-cash intangible store impairment charge.
Stripping out exceptional gains and charges, William Hill’s operating profit fell 85% year-on-year to GBP11.8 million, ahead of the company’s expectations.
The H1 2020 revenue declined 32% to GBP554.4 million from GBP811.7 million. The drop was attributed to Covid-19 disruption to sporting events and temporary closure of retail activities, partially offset by favourable sports results and resilient gaming performance.
“Our trading was strong before Covid-19, we controlled costs effectively during lockdown and we have recovered well post-lockdown with good performances in our online businesses throughout the first half,” Ulrik Bengtsson, Chief Executive Officer of William Hill, said.
Bengtsson added that William Hill remains confident in pursuing its growth agenda, taking advantage of its market-leading position in sports betting in the US.
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casino games
F*Bastards says it now distributes content via 400+ operators worldwide
F*Bastards says its casino content is now available through more than 400 operators worldwide, marking a distribution milestone for the iGaming supplier as it continues to expand its portfolio and partner network.
In a company statement outlining its background, Co-Founder Ugnius Seskas said the team’s earlier attempt to build a game studio fell short due to positioning rather than production capability. “Looking back, we realised we weren’t missing talent. We were missing identity. We could build games, but we hadn’t built something people could remember. That lesson became the starting point for everything F*Bastards would later become.” says Co-Founder Ugnius Seskas.
The company said it intentionally built its brand around differentiation, including the decision to use the name F*Bastards despite the expectation it would split opinion among potential partners. The founders described early progress as incremental, driven by game releases, industry events, operator feedback and relationship-building, rather than a single breakout moment.
F*Bastards also pointed to a fundraising milestone in 2026, saying it secured its first seven-figure investment. The company positioned the round as validation of execution rather than an early-stage concept.
“From day one, the goal wasn’t to become the biggest supplier. It was to build something people would remember. We’ve come a long way, but in many ways, it still feels like we’re only getting started” says Co-Founder Ugnius Seskas.
The post F*Bastards says it now distributes content via 400+ operators worldwide appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
API integration
Belatra signs cooperation deal to distribute slots via VeliGames
Belatra has signed a cooperation agreement with VeliGames to distribute its online slots to operators across Latin America, Africa and Asia. The deal was announced Tuesday 7th July 2026.
VeliGames is a game aggregation platform by VeliTech. The companies said the platform is designed for operators in Latin America, Africa and Asia, with architecture optimised for unstable internet connections and low-cost devices.
Under the expanded agreement, VeliGames will gain access to Belatra’s portfolio through a single API integration, giving operators access to Belatra’s slots via the aggregator.
Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra said: “Our integration with VeliGames through a single API opens a direct route for our slots to reach operators in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Our mathematical architecture and character-based IP are focused on long-term player retention, and VeliGames’ technology ensures stable operation of content in these markets regardless of the quality of communication.”
Revaz Janelidze, Operations Lead at VeliGames, added: “Belatra’s award-winning portfolio and proven mechanics are just the kind of dependable content our operator partners are looking for across multiple regions. Bringing the games into our ecosystem through a single API makes it simple to deliver, even on lower spec devices and slower connections.”
The post Belatra signs cooperation deal to distribute slots via VeliGames appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
GCGRA
UAE Lottery names second AED 30m Lucky Day jackpot winner in five weeks
The UAE Lottery has confirmed its second AED 30 million Lucky Day Grand Prize winner in five weeks. The operator said Sunil Kumar Sadasivan, a 52-year-old Indian resident of Abu Dhabi, matched all seven winning numbers in the Wednesday, July 1 draw.
The company said the Wednesday Lucky Day draw has now produced two AED 30 million Grand Prize winners and one AED 5 million Second Prize winner “in a span of a few months.” Lucky Day draws run every Wednesday and Saturday at 9:30 PM.
Speaking about the win in a statement included by the operator, Sadasivan said: “When I first looked at it, I couldn’t believe it. Then I looked again and saw the full number. That’s when I realized I had won.”
The UAE Lottery said each draw offers an AED 30 million Grand Prize and an AED 5 million Second Prize, as well as three guaranteed AED 50,000 Lucky Chance prizes. Tickets cost AED 50, according to the operator.
The company said its games are regulated by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) and reiterated its commitment to responsible gaming.
The post UAE Lottery names second AED 30m Lucky Day jackpot winner in five weeks appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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