Latest News
William Hill Profits Drop by 91% Due to Covid-19 Crisis
William Hill has reported that its annual profits dropped by 91% after the pandemic forced the closure of its betting shops and saw live sports events cancelled. The group saw underlying pre-tax profits slump to £9.1m in 2020 from £96.5m in 2019.
Its betting shops were hit hard by repeated lockdowns and restrictions, with the retail arm slumping to a £29.5m loss as like-for-like revenues plunged 30%. William Hill’s online business delivered a 3% rise in earnings to £121.9m, but this was not enough to offset the retail woes.
Ulrik Bengtsson, CEO of William Hill, said: “In what was an extraordinary year I am immensely proud of how the group has responded and the resilience we have seen in our performance.
“We prioritised the protection and safety of both our colleagues and our customers, and our employees went above and beyond for which I thank them.
“In 2020 we put our strategic plans firmly into action, diversifying our geographical footprint, expanding our team’s capabilities and rebuilding our technology.
“We are embedding proprietary components across the platform architecture and are delivering a constant flow of new features including faster product experience, improved navigation and greater protection to our customers around the world.
“The performance in the second half is clear testimony that our strategy is bearing fruit. In the UK, the competitive position of our online offerings for both gaming and sports has been materially strengthened, and our omni-channel product is delivering encouraging early results.
“Retail has undergone regional disruption although where stores did re-open, they quickly traded towards pre-Covid levels.
“We are delighted with our international online performance, where our investment in our product and technology is producing clear benefits, particularly in light of the regulatory headwinds in Germany and temporary restrictions elsewhere.
“We will continue to benefit from our agile marketing engine, and the recent agreement to acquire Alfabet S.A.S. in Colombia and our licence in Argentina both offer further promising growth opportunities in Latin America.”
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EPIC agree
Onrise and EPIC agree strategic partnership for gambling harm prevention
Onrise, the trusted mental health platform for athletes across the US, has entered a strategic partnership with EPIC Global Solutions, a leading consultancy in gambling harm prevention. The collaboration aims to enhance support services for athletes and coaches at professional and collegiate levels amid growing concerns around sports wagering and gambling-related risks.
EPIC Global Solutions brings expertise grounded in lived experience of gambling addiction. Through this partnership, EPIC will provide education and training—both face-to-face and digital—to supplement Onrise’s network of over 250 peer support experts. These services are designed to help sports organizations promote safer relationships with gambling products.
The Onrise platform already offers a comprehensive support system, including licensed therapists, psychiatric care, sports performance coaching, and retired athlete peer support, all delivered securely through one-on-one sessions with flexible scheduling.
Kim Quigley, Founder and CEO of Onrise, commented:
“Student-athletes live in a time where gambling and sport intertwine in so many ways, with significant wagering interest in collegiate sport. This partnership with EPIC Global Solutions is about getting in early, before a bet becomes a burden carried in silence. By pairing world-class gambling education with Onrise’s athlete-specific mental health care, we can spot risk sooner, intervene faster, and protect their health, future, and the team communities depending on them.”
Paul Buck, CEO of EPIC Global Solutions, added:
“This partnership arose from a shared alignment of values. Gambling and sports wagering is growing fast in the US, particularly in sports and college sectors. Together, we can provide stronger, athlete-focused support to promote mental health, wellbeing, and performance.”
The partnership coincides with Problem Gambling Awareness Month in the US, running throughout March to raise awareness of early identification and prevention of gambling-related harms.
The post Onrise and EPIC agree strategic partnership for gambling harm prevention appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Dota 2 Team
LEON Esports Expands its Partnership with GamerLegion to Include a Dota 2 Team
Online casino and sportsbook LEON has strengthened its esports involvement by extending its partnership with the organisation GamerLegion to cover the team’s North American Dota 2 roster.
Previously sponsoring GamerLegion’s Counter-Strike 2 team, LEON’s expanded collaboration marks the next step in the brand’s growing esports strategy.
GamerLegion’s Dota 2 squad, formed in late 2025, played its first official match on November 15th and is currently ranked approximately #17 globally. The team has already competed in major tournaments, including PGL Wallachia, DreamLeague, and BLAST Slam.
As part of the extended partnership, LEON and GamerLegion will introduce exclusive giveaways, fan activities, and collaborative content for the esports community, further strengthening engagement across both teams and their audiences.
The post LEON Esports Expands its Partnership with GamerLegion to Include a Dota 2 Team appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Colombian market
GoldenRace reinforces leadership in the Colombian market alongside Olympia Apuestas Virtuales
GoldenRace, a global leader in Virtual Sports and the first and only ACDV-certified provider in Colombia, has signed a partnership with Olympia Apuestas Virtuales. This collaboration expands GoldenRace’s footprint in the Colombian retail sector while raising standards for virtual gaming.
Colombia has long been a strategic market for GoldenRace, and its compliance with Coljuegos regulations ensures operators can run certified, fully transparent products. Olympia’s terminals now feature GoldenRace’s full virtual sports portfolio, demonstrating how advanced technology can seamlessly adapt to local legal and operational requirements. Since November 2025, Olympia has successfully deployed multiple terminals, highlighting growing player demand for fast, secure, and accessible gaming experiences.
GoldenRace virtual betting delivers instant excitement, with events every five minutes and betting options across football, horse racing, dog racing, motorcycling, and more. The platform requires minimal registration while offering immediate results, catering to players seeking quick, adrenaline-filled entertainment.
Martin Wachter, CEO and Founder of GoldenRace, commented:
“Our track record in Colombia has allowed us to understand what operators need and what players love. Partnering with Olympia lets us expand in the retail sector, bringing certified virtual games to physical points of sale where trust and immediacy are crucial.”
David Cadavid, Betting Coordinator at BetPlay and Olympia Casinos, added:
“This partnership is central to our diversification and growth strategy. Virtual betting represents both fast, accessible entertainment and a contribution to the national economy. GoldenRace’s certified products are a clear opportunity for innovation, development, and profitability in Colombia.”
The GoldenRace–Olympia alliance is set to continue transforming the virtual betting landscape in Colombia, offering players instant action while supporting sustainable business growth.
The post GoldenRace reinforces leadership in the Colombian market alongside Olympia Apuestas Virtuales appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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