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National Lottery Heritage Fund Supports Dean Heritage Centre
A collaborative project involving University of Gloucestershire, the Dean Heritage Centre and local volunteers and schools to establish a unique literary collection, has been awarded £133,8867 by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The literary papers of past Forest of Dean writers will be conserved and made available to researchers, schools and the public.
The new project will bring together a unique collection of material spanning more than 200 years, some written in local dialect, that reflects the landscape, people and places of the Forest of Dean.
The Forest of Dean Writers Collection will complement Dean Heritage Centre’s archive of British television playwright Dennis Potter (1935-1994), which was also the product of previous work with the University.
The two-year-long project will see the original handwritten manuscripts, including poems, novels, play scripts, notebooks, drawings and photographs held by descendants from all over the UK and the US, become part of the Forest community museum’s permanent collection.
Specialists from University of Gloucestershire will work with museum staff and local volunteers to research and catalogue the more than 400 unique items making up the new collection, while a series of events and exhibitions will showcase the fascinating new material.
Schools will have access to the collection’s literary, historical and dramatic content, to give their cross-curriculum work a local flavour and raise literary aspirations.
Unique Material
Among the unique material making up the new collection are previously unknown poems by “Forest Poetess” Catherine Drew (1784-1867); work by poet, biographer and literary editor Leonard Clark OBE (1905-1981); books once belonging to war-poet FW Harvey (1888-1957; a never-before seen novel by Valerie Grosvenor Myer (1935-2007) better known as an academic and biographer; a memoir by former collier and farmer Fred Boughton (1897-1985) written in Forest dialect with parallel “Queen’s English” translation.
Many of the papers were discovered by Dr Jason Griffiths and Dr Roger Deeks during their research for the University’s “Reading the Forest” project that was launched in 2015 to engage the public with the work, life stories and achievements of writers and poets from the Forest.
Dr Jason Griffiths said: “We’re so thrilled to hear we’ve received this support from the Heritage Fund. Thanks to The National Lottery players, more people will learn about the Forest of Dean’s rich and distinctive literary heritage.
“The work of these authors is of intense local interest, but it is also part of a much wider national body of work that captures the rich texture of this country’s fascinating places and people.”
Dr Roger Deeks said: “The literary heritage of the Forest of Dean is an important part of its wider cultural heritage. Many of these writers overcame economic hardship and class prejudice to achieve what they did. The story of their lives and careers will inspire young Foresters.”
Creative Talent
Dean Heritage Centre manager, Mark George, said: “This new collection plays an important part in our plans to diversify the museum’s displays and the new stories we tell about the Forest’s history. It will bring new visitors to the Centre too.”
Nicola Wynn, head of collections at Dean Heritage Centre, said: “This is fantastic news. I am so looking forward to working with this new collection. Alongside our existing Dennis Potter archive, this new material demonstrates the incredible depth of creative talent that has come out of the Forest of Dean over the years.
“Engaging young people with this work could create a whole new generation of Forest writers and poets.”
Betting.za.com, one of South Africa’s leading resources for legal online betting information, has published its 2026 guide to online betting, aimed at helping local punters navigate licensed bookmakers, understand regulatory requirements, and make more informed betting decisions.
As South Africa’s betting market continues to expand, players are faced with more options than ever—alongside increasing confusion around legality, payments, and withdrawals. Betting.za.com’s updated 2026 hub focuses on a simple principle: online betting in South Africa should only be done through provincially licensed operators that offer transparent terms, secure banking, and responsible gambling tools.
A Legal-First Focus for South African Bettors
At the core of the 2026 update is an emphasis on regulation. Betting.za.com explains that online sports betting and horse racing betting are legal in South Africa when offered by bookmakers licensed by a provincial gambling board. These regulated platforms are required to meet minimum standards around player protection, payments, and responsible gambling.
To reduce misinformation, the site has expanded its Online Gambling Law section, breaking down how South Africa’s betting regulation works, the role of provincial authorities, and what players should check before registering—such as licence details, terms and conditions, and payment safeguards.
What’s New in the 2026 Betting.za.com Update
The 2026 guide is structured around three areas most important to everyday South African bettors.
1) Improved comparisons of licensed bookmakers
Betting.za.com’s updated bookmaker comparison pages focus on South African-facing operators, with each review built around the same practical checklist. Brands covered in the 2026 comparisons include:
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Hollywoodbets, highlighted as a well-established local bookmaker with strong horse racing coverage, major sports markets, and regular promotions for South African players.Plus free no deposit bonus offer on sign up.
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ZARbet, presented as a locally built bookmaker offering a streamlined betting experience and support for popular payment methods such as Ozow and SiD.
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10bet, noted for its broad sports coverage—particularly football—alongside a wide range of pre-match and in-play betting markets.
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JabulaBets, positioned as a multi-product platform combining sportsbook, casino-style games, and esports, with frequent promotions and loyalty-style incentives.
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Lucky Fish, profiled as a newer option offering a low-commitment welcome experience that combines sports betting with casino-style entertainment.
Each profile covers licensing details, trust signals, available sports and markets, promotions where applicable, local payment options, withdrawal expectations, and key terms players should review—allowing readers to compare bookmakers on substance rather than marketing hype.
2) A clearer “how to bet” guide for new players
The 2026 update strengthens Betting.za.com’s step-by-step walkthrough for first-time bettors. The guide covers the full betting journey, including choosing a licensed site, registering (and completing FICA checks where required), making a deposit, selecting a market, placing a bet, and withdrawing winnings.
To help beginners, the site also explains common betting terminology and formats—such as match results, totals, handicaps, accumulators, and odds—along with how returns are calculated. Practical considerations like minimum odds requirements on promotions, bet settlement rules, and the difference between bonus bets and withdrawable cash are also clearly outlined.
3) Local banking and payout expectations
Betting.za.com’s 2026 hub places strong emphasis on South African-friendly banking options, including EFT, debit and credit cards, and eWallet services such as Ozow and SiD. The guide explains what typically affects withdrawal timelines, including verification checks, banking cut-off times, and first-time withdrawal reviews.
Players are encouraged to review a bookmaker’s banking and payments page before depositing, paying close attention to supported methods, processing windows, and any limits or conditions that may apply.
How Betting.za.com Evaluates Betting Sites
Rather than simply listing operators, Betting.za.com outlines a 10-step review process designed to assess compliance and player experience. Key evaluation areas include:
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Provincial licensing and regulation
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Site security and transparent terms
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Registration and FICA requirements
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Support for local banking methods
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Promotions and sign-up offers (where applicable)
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Betting markets and odds depth
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Website and app performance
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Customer support responsiveness
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Withdrawal speed and reliability
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Responsible gambling tools such as limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion
Helping Players Avoid Illegal or High-Risk Platforms
A major theme of the 2026 guide is consumer protection. Betting.za.com highlights the distinction between licensed betting and activities not regulated under South African law. The site notes that while sports and horse racing betting are licensed, online casino-style interactive gambling is not regulated locally, and warns against offshore platforms due to risks such as delayed or frozen withdrawals and limited consumer recourse.
Players are advised to verify provincial licence details, confirm secure payment methods, and look for responsible gambling measures as key trust indicators.
Industry Comment
“South Africans shouldn’t have to guess whether a betting site is legal, or only discover the rules when it’s time to withdraw,” said Dennis Kumar, Chief Editor at Betting.za.com. “Our 2026 focus is clarity—reviewing licensed bookmakers, explaining how betting works in plain language, and helping players bet safely and responsibly.”
The updated 2026 guide, along with bookmaker reviews, betting tutorials, and legal explainers, is now available on Betting.za.com.
18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. Terms and conditions apply.
The post Betting.za.com Publishes its 2026 Guide to Online Betting in South Africa appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
The Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) is officially returning to France, with Major 2 of the 2026 season set to take over Paris’ iconic La Défense Arena. Tickets for the live audience days will go on general sale Thursday, February 12.
Running from May 20–24, RLCS Major 2 will bring the world’s best Rocket League teams to the French capital. The final three days of competition will be played live in front of fans at Paris La Défense Arena, the largest indoor arena in Europe, promising a blockbuster esports experience on a massive stage.
France has rapidly cemented its reputation as one of Rocket League’s most passionate strongholds. Last September, the Rocket League World Championship 2025 concluded in spectacular fashion in Lyon, where NRG Esports lifted the trophy in front of nearly 10,000 fans at the LDLC Arena. With 20 elite teams and 60 players representing every major region, the event showcased France’s electric atmosphere and growing influence as a global hub for top-tier Rocket League competition—momentum that now carries straight into Paris.
Following Major 1 in Boston, the world’s top teams will arrive in Paris to battle for a share of the $345,000 prize pool, along with crucial RLCS points that count toward qualification for the Rocket League World Championship later this year.
Tickets go on general sale Thursday, February 12 at 1 AM PT / 10 AM CET, with presale access opening on Wednesday, February 11. Fans can sign up through official Rocket League Esports channels to receive an exclusive presale link.
For full event details and ticket updates, visit the official Rocket League Competitive website.
The post Rocket League Major Set for Paris’ La Défense Arena; Tickets On Sale February 12 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Betting.za.com, South Africa’s leading source for legal online betting information, has released its 2026 update aimed at helping local punters find licensed online betting options, compare reputable bookmakers, and understand what South African online gambling law does (and doesn’t) allow.
With South Africa’s betting market continuing to grow, players face more choice than ever — but also more noise. Betting.za.com’s 2026 hub is built around one simple idea: if you’re betting online, you should be doing it through bookmakers licensed by provincial gambling boards, supported by clear terms, secure payments, and responsible gambling tools.
A Legal-First Approach for Everyday Bettors
Betting.za.com positions its core content around regulated betting, highlighting that online betting is legal in South Africa when the operator is licensed by a provincial board. The site’s updated guidance explains that online sports betting and horse racing betting are legal when done through licensed operators, with clearer safeguards and standards associated with regulated platforms.
The platform also publishes an “Online Gambling Law” guide intended to reduce confusion and misinformation, breaking down how regulation works and what players should check before placing a bet (including licence details and the role of provincial authorities).
What Betting.za.com is Bringing to the Table in 2026
The 2026 update centres on three practical things South African bettors tend to care about most:
1) Better comparisons of licensed bookmakers
As part of the 2026 update, Betting.za.com’s bookmaker comparison pages include dedicated coverage of well-known South African-facing brands. Below are examples of brands covered in the 2026 comparisons, each profiled using the same checklist:
- Hollywoodbets is positioned as a trusted local name with especially strong horse racing coverage, alongside major sports markets and regular promotions for South African punters. Plus also free no deposit bonus offer on sign up with hollywoodbets.
- ZARbet is presented as a proudly South African bookmaker built around a simple, low-friction betting experience, with support for popular local payment options like Ozow and SiD.
- 10bet is highlighted for deep coverage across major sports — particularly football — plus a strong range of pre-match and in-play markets and a competitive welcome offer for new customers.
- JabulaBets is covered as an all-in-one platform combining sportsbook, online casino and esports, with a heavy emphasis on promotions, tournaments and VIP-style perks for active players.
- Lucky Fish is profiled as a newer entrant with a “try it first” style welcome, combining sports and casino-style entertainment and a no-deposit sign-up incentive.
Each operator profile is structured around the same practical checkpoints — licensing and trust signals, key sports and markets, promotions (where relevant), local payment options, withdrawal expectations, and the terms players should read before placing a bet — so readers can compare like-for-like instead of relying on hype.
2) A clearer “how to bet” path for new players
The 2026 update strengthens Betting.za.com’s step-by-step walkthrough for new users: choose a licensed site, register (including potential ID/FICA steps), deposit, pick a sport and market, place a bet, and withdraw. To reduce confusion for first-time punters, the guide also unpacks the betting language that frequently trips people up — covering common bet types and market formats such as match results, totals, handicaps, and accumulators, along with how odds translate into potential returns.
In addition, Betting.za.com highlights practical “first-bet” considerations, including minimum odds requirements on certain promotions, how bet settlement works, and the difference between bonus bets and withdrawable cash. The result is a clearer, more structured starting point designed to help new players move from registration to placing their first wager with fewer surprises.
3) Local banking and payout expectations
Betting.za.com’s 2026 hub highlights South African-friendly deposit routes — including EFT, cards, and eWallet options such as Ozow and SiD — while setting expectations around withdrawals and encouraging players to use trusted, regulated payment methods. The update adds more context around what typically affects payout timelines in real-world use, including verification requirements, banking cut-off times, first-time withdrawal checks, and the policies that can vary between operators.
Betting.za.com also emphasises the importance of reviewing a bookmaker’s banking and payments information before depositing, with a focus on supported methods, typical processing windows, and any common limits or conditions that may apply. By setting out these practical checkpoints in plain language, the guide aims to help players choose deposit and withdrawal methods with greater confidence and fewer friction points.
How Betting.za.com Rates Betting Sites
Rather than simply listing operators, Betting.za.com describes a 10-step evaluation process designed to separate reputable, compliant brands from those that fall short. The checklist includes:
- Licensing and regulation
- Security (such as SSL encryption) and transparent terms
- Ease of registration and FICA process
- Support for local banking methods (including SiD, Ozow, and EFT)
- Promotions and “no deposit” style offers (where applicable)
- Betting markets and odds depth across popular sports
- Site/app performance
- Customer support responsiveness
- Withdrawal speed (with reviewers claiming they confirm payout times)
- Responsible gambling tools such as deposit limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion
Spotlighting Popular SA Bookmakers and Key Trust Signals
In its “Best Sports Betting Sites in 2026” section, the site presents a short list of featured operators and includes trust markers such as licensing authorities and headline promo information. Examples on the page include operators regulated by bodies such as the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator, the Gauteng Gambling Board, and the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board, depending on the brand.
Helping Punters Avoid Illegal or Risky Options
A major theme of the platform’s legal content is helping players understand the line between regulated betting and activities that South African law does not license. For example, Betting.za.com’s law guide states that while licensed sports betting is legal, online casino real money style “interactive gambling” products are not licensed in South Africa, and it warns against offshore casino sites due to risks such as frozen withdrawals and lack of consumer protection.
It also advises players to check for provincial licence details (often in a site footer or terms), verify secure payment methods, and look for responsible gambling measures as compliance signals.
Comment
“South Africans shouldn’t have to guess whether a betting site is legal, or learn the hard way which rules matter when it’s time to withdraw,” said Dennis Kumar, Chief Editor at Betting.za.com. “In 2026, we’re focused on clarity — reviewing licensed bookmakers, explaining how betting works in plain language, and pointing players to the information that helps them bet safely and responsibly.”
The updated 2026 guide, bookmaker reviews, betting how-tos, and legal explainers are available now on Betting.za.com.
18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. Terms and conditions apply.
About Betting.za.com
Betting.za.com is a South Africa-focused information platform that publishes bookmaker reviews, betting guides, promotions coverage, and educational content designed to help players choose licensed options, understand key terms, and bet responsibly.
The post Betting.za.com Publishes its 2026 Guide to Online Betting in South Africa appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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