Latest News

Jeremy Wilson’s Book About Cycling Great Beryl Burton Scoops World’s Most Valuable Literary Sports-Writing Prize

Published

3 years ago

December 2, 2022

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Jeremy Wilson’s book, Beryl: In Search of Britain’s Greatest Athlete, Beryl Burton, has been crowned the 2022 winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award at an official ceremony today (1December), at BAFTA, 195 Piccadilly, in London.

Wilson, whose book pays homage to the remarkable life of champion cyclist Beryl Burton, capturing her life through family, friends and fellow competitors to reveal an incredible story about one of the greatest cyclists of all time, collected the Award trophy and a £30,000 prize.

A panel of judges from the world of sports and journalism, chaired by author and journalist, Alyson Rudd, concluded a four-month judging process, whittling a record 158 entries down to the winning book.

The Judges praised the book for its “exhaustive research” and “superb writing” including its opening paragraph “laced with righteous fury” on why the public has not heard more about Beryl Burton. The cyclist dominated her sport as much as her male contemporary Eddy Merckx, but with added longevity that surpasses sporting legends like Muhammad Ali, Serena Williams and Sir Steve Redgrave.

On receiving the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award, Jeremy Wilson said: “I followed this award in the 1980s and 90s and must have half the previous winners on my book shelves. It’s inspired me to read sports books and write one. I felt such a responsibility to tell this story, Beryl made history and delivered this incredible story and I was fortunate to tell it. I share this award with her.”

Alyson Rudd, Chair of the Judging Panel for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award, said: “Too few biographies focus on sports women, but this book helps to alter the balance. It is quite simply a tour de force and leaves the reader emotionally drained but also uplifted. Beryl deserved for her story to be told in style and Jeremy Wilson achieves that while also charting the more controversial elements of her extraordinary life.”

“This was a tough year for the judges, having had a record 158 entries. We had five incredible books on the shortlist, and selecting a winner was no mean feat. Congratulations to our other shortlisted authors and everyone who entered.”

The four authors on the shortlist , alongside Jeremy Wilson, receive £3,000 and a leather-bound copy of their book. They are:

• Be Good, Love Brian: Growing Up with Brian Clough by Craig Bromfield

• God is Dead: The Rise and Fall of Frank Vandenbroucke, Cycling’s Great Wasted Talent by Andy McGrath

• My Hidden Race by Anyika Onuora

• Expected Goals: The Story of how Data Conquered Football and Changed the Game Forever by Rory Smith

Jeremy Wilson is the 34^th winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award and joins an impressive list of past winners, including last year’s champion Michael Holding, three-time winner Duncan Hamilton, as well as the likes of Nick Hornby, Brian Moore and Marcus Trescothick.

The Award, which first took place in 1989 and is now the longest-established competition in the industry, is dedicated to rewarding excellence in sports writing, providing authors and publishers with a platform to showcase and promote their books.

Entry to the 35^th William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award is now open. For more information about the Award and to enter, please visit: https://news.williamhill.com/sport/sports-book-of-the-year/

1spin4win

1spin4win partners with OdiBets to strengthen its presence in Africa

Published

5 hours ago

April 28, 2026

Wladimir P.

1spin4win-partners-with-odibets-to-strengthen-its-presence-in-africa

For the studio, the collaboration marks another step in expanding across Africa. Between the end of 2024 and the end of 2025, 1spin4win increased the number of partnerships in the region by 1.7 times, significantly cementing its local position.

The deal comes at a time of strong growth for the African iGaming industry. According to H2 Gambling Capital, the region’s sports betting and iGaming market could reach $22bn in GGR by 2029, highlighting significant opportunities for operators and providers looking to scale their international reach.

Through the agreement, 1spin4win’s portfolio of more than 200 classic online slots will become available to OdiBets players. The provider’s content is well-suited to local audiences, combining simple gameplay, recognizable mechanics such as Hold and Win, and timeless fruit- and coin-based formats. Additionally, the studio’s titles are optimized for mobile devices, ensuring fast load times and uninterrupted gameplay even on weaker internet connections.

Founded in 2018, OdiBets has grown into a major name in East Africa, offering sports betting and casino entertainment through a clear, user-friendly platform. The operator is known for its focus on responsible gambling, accessible player experience, and strong customer support.

Jaime Carvajal, Business Development Manager at 1spin4win, shared, “Teaming with OdiBets is an exciting opportunity for 1spin4win to introduce our classic portfolio to broader audiences across African markets. We believe our straightforward, mobile-friendly slots are a strong match for players who value reliable, clear, and engaging gameplay.”

Benedict M, Country Marketing Manager at OdiBets added, “At OdiBets, we are always looking to bring our players the very best in gaming content, and partnering with 1spin4win is a natural step in that journey. Their dedication to crafting high-quality, immersive slot experiences aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver world-class entertainment to players across Africa. We are excited about what this partnership means for our platform and even more excited for our players to get their hands on what we are building together.”

About 1spin4win

1spin4win is an established game provider founded in May 2021 by ambitious developers with over 15 years of experience in the gambling industry. Since its inception, the company has expanded its portfolio to include over 200 classic online slots, all characterized by quality mathematics, transparent mechanics, and well-balanced gameplay — key factors that drive strong player retention. The studio aims to release an average of four new games each month in 2026 and offers effective promotional tools for casino operators to help them enhance player loyalty.

The post 1spin4win partners with OdiBets to strengthen its presence in Africa appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Eastern Europe

Soft2Bet launches Zinx iGaming and sportsbook brand in Romania

Published

5 hours ago

April 28, 2026

Wladimir P.

Soft2Bet has launched Zinx in Romania, rolling out a new digital platform that combines online casino content and sports betting for local players.

Soft2Bet said Zinx was built with localisation in mind, with product design and marketing tailored to Romanian player preferences. The company positioned the brand around “safe, transparent play,” but did not share launch timing beyond the announcement or provide performance targets.

The platform includes a retention mechanic called MEGA Round, a prize-wheel feature integrated into Soft2Bet’s MEGA gamification engine. Soft2Bet said players can earn spins through deposits, with prizes awarded at random.

Yoel Zuckerberg, CPO at Soft2Bet, stated, “With Zinx, we are bringing an incredibly competitive and relevant digital product to Romania, perfectly balancing thrilling, electric gameplay with safe and transparent operations. Our powerful dragon mascot and the innovative MEGA Round gamification engine help define the Zinx experience across both casino and sports betting. We are confident Zinx will set a new benchmark for Romanian players seeking a modern, diverse and secure entertainment platform.”

Soft2Bet said the Romania launch supports its broader strategy of building localised iGaming brands that combine product features with targeted local marketing.

The post Soft2Bet launches Zinx iGaming and sportsbook brand in Romania appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.