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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.

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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.

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“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.

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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.

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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.

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iGaming Express integrates iDenfy to improve the security of remote ID verification in regulated markets

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iDenfy’s biometric and document verification tools will help iGaming Express maintain KYC requirements while improving conversions for its clients who operate in high-risk industries

iDenfy, a global RegTech leader in identity verification and fraud prevention solutions, announced a new partnership with iGaming Express, a trusted consultancy company specializing in high-risk industries with a strong focus on the iGaming sector. By integrating iDenfy’s AI-powered identity verification software, iGaming Express will help its clients improve their verification flows through better conversions and complete compliance with Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations on a global scale, no matter the industry or jurisdiction.

iGaming Express is a consultancy known for its deep expertise in helping clients navigate the complexities of international regulations, especially in heavily regulated, high-risk industries, such as iGaming. The company offers a comprehensive suite of services, including licensing support, strategic business planning, and legal advisory on various compliance matters, including KYC regulations, all tailored to its clients’ industry specifics. 

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As businesses operating in highly regulated sectors face rising scrutiny from global regulators, identity verification has emerged as a crucial element in maintaining compliance and protecting against fraud. With the increasing shift of high-risk industries to digital platforms, iGaming Express team’s main goal is to strengthen client trust and compliance through innovative and more precise technologies. Due to this factor, and the need to scale on a global level while catering to different clients’ needs, the consultancy platform decided to integrate iDenfy’s identity verification solution and improve remote onboarding for its partners. 

iGaming Express looked for a fully automated KYC solution to meet these challenges without sacrificing customer experience. Currently, with iDenfy’s cutting-edge identity verification software, the company can provide its clients with real-time biometric authentication and document verification across more than 200 countries. This shift has enabled iGaming Express to onboard clients seamlessly and securely. According to Domantas Ciulde, the CEO of iDenfy, businesses that deal with high-risk clients, for example, fintech or crypto platforms, including other industries like iGaming and sports betting, need to have specific licenses in line with their operating country and jurisdictional requirements. iDenfy has partners all around the world, with expertise in helping onboard such high-risk clients. “Our ID verification solution detects risks in real-time, preventing bad actors from accessing services in the very first step of the customer journey,” explained Domantas Ciulde. 

The integration of iDenfy’s verification technology into iGaming Express’s digital infrastructure has already yielded significant improvements. The automated system validates user identities through secure facial recognition and cross-referenced document checks, helping eliminate the possibility of fraud through fake as well as duplicate identities. As part of their roadmap, iGaming Express plans to incorporate iDenfy’s AML screening and Know Your Business (KYB) tools to further enhance their due diligence processes.

“When one of my trusted partners recommended iDenfy, the decision was clear. Our operations are fully remote, and until now, verifying a client’s identity without face-to-face interaction was challenging. iDenfy brings us a level of assurance and efficiency we couldn’t find elsewhere. It allows us to verify identities instantly, while reducing risk and ensuring we meet our regulatory obligations,” noted Alex Szilaghi, the CEO of iGaming Express.

“At iDenfy, we understand the unique compliance and fraud prevention needs of high-risk industries. Our collaboration with iGaming Express ensures that they can remotely verify client identities with accuracy and speed. This is about more than compliance; it’s about enabling safer digital interactions and protecting both the business and its customers,” added Domantas Ciulde, the CEO of iDenfy. 

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In industries like online gambling, where fraud schemes can involve complex identity manipulation and cross-border financial crimes, reliable identity verification becomes essential. According to industry research, identity fraud contributes significantly to global financial losses, with the projected cost of online fraud expected to surpass $100 billion by 2029. Regulatory bodies worldwide are mandating tighter controls, and businesses are under pressure to implement reliable onboarding processes that prevent misuse while maintaining a smooth user experience.

As more high-risk sectors digitize their operations, collaborations like this serve as an example of how identity verification technology can drive both operational efficiency and long-term trust. With iDenfy’s scalable RegTech solutions, iGaming Express is well-positioned to continue delivering compliant, secure, and client-focused services in the evolving digital age.

The post iGaming Express integrates iDenfy to improve the security of remote ID verification in regulated markets appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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GeoGuessr Joins the Esports World Cup Festival 2025

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The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) and GeoGuessr announced that GeoGuessr will join the Esports World Cup Festival tournament program, a new series of competitive events held alongside the Esports World Cup 2025 (EWC). The Esports World Cup and its accompanying EWC Festival will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 7 through August 24.

The EWC Festival will play host to a Last Chance Wildcard Tournament for the 2025 GeoGuessr World Championship. Taking place during Week 3 (July 21–27), the last chance tournament will feature a $20,000 prize pool and award two spots for the GeoGuessr World Championship later this year in Copenhagen on August 29–30. 16 of the top ranked GeoGuessr players will be invited to compete for the final two places on the global stage.

Celebrated for transforming online exploration into a competitive experience, GeoGuessr joins the EWC Festival as a global fan favorite. Launched in 2013, the geography-based guessing game gained worldwide momentum in 2020, similar to Chess, which also debuts at EWC 2025 this year. Since then, GeoGuessr has attracted millions of players to its browser-based and Steam platforms, connecting players through exploration of countries, continents, and cultures. Using the widely recognized Google Street View, GeoGuessr makes exploring the world accessible to all.

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“We’re excited to welcome GeoGuessr to the Esports World Cup 2025 as part of our EWC Festival tournament program,” said Fabian Scheuermann, Chief Games Officer, Esports World Cup Foundation. “Few games have captured the imagination of players around the world quite like it – its blend of exploration, puzzle solving, and fast-paced competition has turned it into a global phenomenon. Together, we are bringing GeoGuessr’s official tournament to the Middle East to grow global ecosystems, expand opportunities for players and fans, and showcase the diversity of modern competitive gaming on the world’s biggest stage.”

Since launching the official GeoGuessr World Championship in 2023, the game has further elevated itself into a professional esport, with elite players and creators drawing global audiences across competitive circuits and livestreams.

The inclusion of GeoGuessr at EWC represents a major milestone for the game’s competitive scene, placing it alongside iconic titles and opening new opportunities to reach players and fans worldwide. The EWCF remains committed to providing games with strong communities and competitive potential the platform to grow and thrive.

The Esports World Cup Festival is a global celebration of gaming and esports culture. From esports tournaments and live music stages to retro arcades, anime cafes, cosplay shows and creator studios, the EWC Festival invites millions to explore and play together in the heart of Riyadh during the Esports World Cup.

The Esports World Cup 2025 will feature 2,000 elite players and 200 Clubs from over 100 countries, competing in 25 tournaments across 24 games for a record-breaking $70+ million prize pool.

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The post GeoGuessr Joins the Esports World Cup Festival 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Esportes Gaming Brasil, the group behind Esportes da Sorte and Onabet, announces Hugo Baungartner as Executive Director for Institutional Relations and Partnerships

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The executive will focus on expanding the group’s presence in Brazil’s regulated market, with an emphasis on institutional engagement, new business, and compliance.

Esportes Gaming Brasil, the group composed of Esportes da Sorte and Onabet, announces the appointment of Hugo Baungartner as its new Executive Director of Institutional Relations and Strategic Partnerships (Chief Business Officer – CBO). He joins the company’s leadership team with the mission of strengthening institutional engagement with public authorities, regulatory bodies, and strategic partners, as well as driving the continued expansion of the group in Brazil.

Baungartner will be responsible for liaising with institutions such as the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA/MF), the Federal Revenue Service, the Central Bank, and COAF, as well as certification bodies and accredited laboratories. His responsibilities also include preparing the company for developments in the regulatory landscape.

“Hugo’s arrival strengthens our ability to act strategically in a constantly evolving sector. He brings an experienced, technical perspective aligned with the principles of governance and innovation that guide our group’s companies,” said Darwin Filho, CEO of Esportes Gaming Brasil.

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“Brazil is going through a crucial moment in regulating the sector, and being at the forefront of this movement with such a relevant group is a challenge that truly motivates me. Our goal is to ensure our operations not only meet legal requirements but also serve as a benchmark for best practices, innovation, and sustainable growth,” said Hugo Baungartner.

With over 28 years of experience in the technology and gaming sectors, Baungartner will also be responsible for developing partnerships with global providers, evaluating merger and acquisition opportunities (M&A), and structuring new projects with full legal and regulatory compliance. He previously held leadership roles at companies such as Grupo Aposta Ganha, RCT Gaming, and Prohards.

The post Esportes Gaming Brasil, the group behind Esportes da Sorte and Onabet, announces Hugo Baungartner as Executive Director for Institutional Relations and Partnerships appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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