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BGC Members Made Record Contribution to British Horseracing Last Year

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Betting and Gaming Council members directly contributed £455m to British horseracing last year in levy, media rights and sponsorship deals, new BGC figures reveal.

In addition, bookmakers spent £125m on marketing to promote racing and betting through advertisements and partnerships, helping secure terrestrial coverage of the sport, support two racing channels and raise revenue for print newspaper titles.

Showing a significant rise on previous estimates, media rights payments alone have increased by around £45m since the previous year, totalling £340m in 2022.

Meanwhile, levy payments are projected to be £99m in 2022/2023 – up from £50m in the year 2016/2017, according to the Horserace Betting Levy Board.

These new figures dwarf previous estimates on the regulated sector’s direct contribution to horseracing, which had placed the figure at around £350m a year.

This record investment also enabled horseracing to use some of these revenues to deliver record prize money of £179.3m in 2022.

Michael Dugher, CEO of the BGC, said: “BGC members in the regulated betting industry are now paying more towards British horseracing than ever before, despite a 10.3 percent reduction in betting turnover on racing in the last five years.

“These huge sums also come at a time when the regulated betting sector is under enormous pressure, not least in the form of recent measures unveiled in the Government’s White Paper.

“As well as being a world-leading great British sport, enjoyed by millions, just like the betting industry, horseracing is a vital pillar of the economy, important to countless communities across the country and supporting tens of thousands of jobs.

“There has always been a symbiotic relationship between betting and racing. Our two industries can only succeed and prosper in the future if we work in unison towards a shared goal of growing the sport as a product – especially in the face of a recent decline in betting on racing.

“These figures show that betting continues to bankroll the sport but it is not a bottomless pit. I know racing, just like any other sport and indeed our own land-based betting and gaming industry, is trying to bounce back post-covid in the face of seriously challenging economic headwinds – a task made even harder for racing and betting because of the decisions the Government deliberately chose to make in its recent White Paper.

“That is why BGC is fully committed to working together with the leadership of the sport, including the BHA and others, to ensure racing not only survives but thrives. Anyone who cares passionately about the sport, as I do, understands that racing must change. Future investment must come with reform.

“It is also important to note this funding to racing only comes from licensed bookmakers. The unsafe, unregulated gambling black market is a growing threat, and it makes no contribution whatsoever to horseracing.”

The figures are estimates covering the 2022 calendar year based on exact data supplied by the BGC’s largest members, which account for around 85% of all GGY on horserace betting.

Horseracing is the second biggest sport in the UK, second only to football, with more than five million people attending around 1400 fixtures annually across 59 racecourses.

Compliance Updates

Merkur Group Strengthens Global Compliance Strategy

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Under the theme “Perspectives,” a total of 43 compliance staff members from the Merkur Group across various countries gathered from 30 June to 1 July to further develop compliance processes in a sustainable manner. Colleagues from Germany, Spain, England, Malta, Australia and the US traveled to the two-day meeting at Benkhausen Castle, the in-house training centre of the Merkur Group. The workshop set the stage with expert presentations on global and digital topics such as cybersecurity, risk management and artificial intelligence. A panel discussion featuring representatives from various international companies within the Merkur Group, as well as a digital quiz, rounded out the programme.

In keeping with its guiding principle, the workshop focused on sharing experiences, fostering global networking and providing impetus for the further development of compliance processes. Because informal exchanges are also key to close cooperation, the evening programme created a relaxed atmosphere and gave participants the opportunity to continue their conversations, make new connections, and further strengthen team spirit across company and national boundaries.

“The ideas and diverse perspectives gained during the workshop will now be incorporated into our day-to-day work and help us to continuously improve collaboration and existing processes,” said Ludwig Beckmann, Chief Compliance Officer of the Merkur Group.

The concluding feedback session also highlighted just how valuable the international exchange is. The term “collaboration” came up particularly often, a clear indication of how highly the participants value working closely together within the international compliance network.

The post Merkur Group Strengthens Global Compliance Strategy appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Anne Marie Caulfield

GRAI Launches New Campaign Helping Parents to Spot the Signs of Underage Gambling

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The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) is encouraging parents and guardians to be alert to the signs of gambling among young people and to intervene early to prevent gambling harm.

The signs of gambling aren’t always visible, the GRAI in partnership with the Health Service Executive Addiction Services have developed dedicated advice on www.grai.ie to equip families with the knowledge to recognise the signs, advice on how to start the conversation with their children about gambling, and where to seek help if required.

To support the guidance, the GRAI has launched a national public awareness campaign across video on demand, radio, digital audio, and social media platforms, bringing this message directly to families across Ireland.

With the lines between entertainment and gambling increasingly blurred, especially online, what may look like harmless fun can still involve risk, money and chance in ways that affect young developing brains. Research commissioned by the GRAI and conducted by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) found that children who gamble are twice as likely to develop a gambling problem as adults.

Anne Marie Caulfield, CEO of the GRAI said: “We have launched this campaign to help parents start an important conversation about the risks of underage gambling. Children and young people are among the most at-risk members of Irish society when it comes to gambling exposure and harm. Children’s brains are still developing the judgement and impulse-control systems used to weigh up risk, which makes gambling appealing to them.

“With online gambling available at any time of the day, it is easy for the warning signs to be hidden. The guidance the GRAI developed with the HSE Addiction Services sets out some of the key behavioural signs to look out for in your child.”

The post GRAI Launches New Campaign Helping Parents to Spot the Signs of Underage Gambling appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Amusnet

Amusnet Launches VIP LIVE Roulette, Bringing a Refined Experience to Live Casino Players

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Amusnet has launched VIP LIVE Roulette, a new addition to its Live Casino portfolio, offering a premium European roulette experience designed for players who prefer higher stakes, greater comfort and a sophisticated gaming environment.

Created for those who appreciate a more considered approach to live roulette, VIP LIVE Roulette combines elegant studio production with elevated table limits and an extended betting window. The additional betting time allows players to place larger, more strategic wagers at a comfortable pace, creating a smoother and more engaging experience without changing the familiar flow of the game.

Built on the classic European roulette format, the game enhances traditional gameplay with a range of intuitive features that support both convenience and strategic play. Players can personalise their sessions using Favourite & Special Bets, quickly repeat previous wagers with Auto-Rebet and follow live Statistics to inform their decisions throughout the game.

Set in a dedicated VIP studio, the game delivers a polished live presentation with professional dealers, high-definition streaming and a clean, modern environment that recreates the atmosphere of an exclusive casino floor. Every element has been designed to combine the authenticity of live roulette with the expectations of today’s premium player segment.

VIP LIVE Roulette joins Amusnet’s growing Live Casino portfolio, further strengthening the company’s offering with a title that balances timeless gameplay with contemporary player preferences. As operators continue to expand their live casino proposition, the game provides an opportunity to appeal to high-value audiences looking for an elevated roulette experience that combines premium presentation, seamless gameplay and greater flexibility at the table.

History Re-bet feature

Pick again the lucky numbers for the last spins.

Favourite Bets

This function allows players to save their personally tailored bets or bet combinations for quick access during gameplay.

Game Statistics

Make the strategy with statistics for the last spins.

Jackpot Cards

Once the Jackpot Cards Bonus game is triggered, impressive Jackpots are revealed.

The post Amusnet Launches VIP LIVE Roulette, Bringing a Refined Experience to Live Casino Players appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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