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BGC Members Make Record Horserace Betting Levy Contribution

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Betting and Gaming Council members are expected to contribute a record £105m in levy payments to the Horserace Betting Levy Board for last year, new figures reveal.

The figure, provided by the independent Horserace Betting Levy Board, is an increase of £5m on the previous year.

As a result of this record additional funding from bookmakers, the HBLB announced an increase of £3.2m in its prize money contribution for 2024 versus 2023, from £67.3m to £70.5m.

It is the third year in a row that Levy contributions have increased, from £97m in 2021/22, to £100m in 2022/2023 and now £105m in 2023/2024.

According to the Horserace Betting Levy Board, the £105m total is derived from the receipt of provisional end of year submissions from most Levy-paying bookmakers.

Michael Dugher, Betting and Gaming Council CEO and Acting Chair, said: “This record contribution to the Levy is extremely welcome news and demonstrates once again the enduring, mission critical support regulated betting provides British horseracing.

“Despite a double digit decline in horserace betting turnover over the past five years – and a double digit decline in racecourse attendances – this shows that levy contributions and prize money are both up, and it once again provides a timely reminder that racing could not survive without the record financial support that is flowing from betting.

“Our members remain committed to the long-term success of horseracing, and the huge economic contribution it makes across the country, especially in rural communities.

“Attention must now turn to how we challenge vested interests, introduce real change and reform the sport, ensuring we reverse the current decline and provide racing with a genuinely long term sustainable future.”

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

However, the sport has been in decline in recent years. In 2007, 17% of the population enjoyed horserace betting the previous year, but that fell to 10% in 2018, while racecourse attendances have dropped by 14% since 2019.

Meanwhile, horserace betting turnover for April to December 2023 is down 17% vs the average for the same period across the last five years.

The BGC has made significant efforts to lessen the impacts on racing as a result of the Government’s White Paper on gambling reforms, particularly on the issue of affordability.

Earlier this month the BGC announced a new voluntary industry Code on Customer Checks which raises standards, while reducing the need for requests for private financial documents.

Developed jointly with the Gambling Commission and backed by Government, this Code will operate as a voluntary interim scheme – bringing consistency across the regulated sector for operators who adopt it – until the frictionless financial risk assessments set out in the Government’s White Paper can be developed, tested and implemented.

While this Code delivers progress on resolving the issue of intrusive document checks, it does not offer a complete solution. So, the BGC and GC are now actively working on a new Code on Anti-Money Laundering checks, which also trigger requests for documents.

The BGC is currently working with the British Horseracing Authority and government to resolve a settlement on a new voluntary Levy to support horseracing.

It is estimated BGC members contribute around £350m a year to British horseracing in Levy, media rights and sponsorship deals.

Meanwhile the wider regulated betting and gaming sector supports 110,000 jobs, generates £4.2bn in tax and contributes £7.1bn to the economy.

Each month around 22.5m adults in Britain enjoy a bet, whether it’s buying a lottery ticket, having a game of bingo, visiting a casino, playing online or having a wager on football, horseracing and other sports.

The most recent NHS Health Survey for England estimated that 0.4% of the adult population are problem gamblers.

The post BGC Members Make Record Horserace Betting Levy Contribution appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Betting.za.com

Betting.za.com Publishes its 2026 Guide to Online Betting in South Africa

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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:

  • 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.

  • ZARbet, presented as a locally built bookmaker offering a streamlined betting experience and support for popular payment methods such as Ozow and SiD.

  • 10bet, noted for its broad sports coverage—particularly football—alongside a wide range of pre-match and in-play betting markets.

  • JabulaBets, positioned as a multi-product platform combining sportsbook, casino-style games, and esports, with frequent promotions and loyalty-style incentives.

  • 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:

  • Provincial licensing and regulation

  • Site security and transparent terms

  • Registration and FICA requirements

  • Support for local banking methods

  • Promotions and sign-up offers (where applicable)

  • Betting markets and odds depth

  • Website and app performance

  • Customer support responsiveness

  • Withdrawal speed and reliability

  • 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.

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Rocket League Major Set for Paris’ La Défense Arena; Tickets On Sale February 12

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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.

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Betting.za.com Publishes its 2026 Guide to Online Betting in South Africa

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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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