Latest News
BGC Members Make Record Horserace Betting Levy Contribution
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.
Armenia
TaDa to Participate in MAC Yerevan Summit
TaDa Gaming is going to participate in MAC Yerevan summit, one of the industry’s most influential gatherings for affiliate marketing and online gaming professionals, this 26-27 May.
With a strategic plan to: expand its footprint in Eastern and Eurasian markets; strengthen its partner and affiliate network; and demonstrate its 240+ portfolio of performance-driven content and award-winning gamification tools, TaDa will host live demonstrations, interactive play and one-to-one meetings at Stand G10.
In addition, the team will reveal TaDa’s seamless API integration capabilities, data-driven performance insights across key markets and the flexible collaboration models that make TaDa a valuable partner.
Speeding up successful outcomes in the conversion funnel is also critical. TaDa’s approach to Eastern and Eurasian markets has seen the provider expand from a supplier role into a “Growth Partner” for operators.
This has turned TaDa products into high-performance engines for traffic acquisition and business results and seen the company take the award for Game Studio of the Year 2026 at AIBC Eurasia.
Access to high growth markets across the region has been further enhanced by TaDa’s raft of gaming licences including the Romanian ONJN, UKGC and MGA and new player acquisition channels have already opened up for the ambitious content provider.
Visitors to Stand G10 will also be able to discover how TaDa combines its premium product content with integrated marketing strategies to optimise this traffic to amplify brand recognition and player engagement and retention; and to scale affiliate revenue engines.
Ray Lee, Director of Business Development at TaDa Gaming, said: “Our focus is on delivering content that performs. MAC Yerevan provides the ideal environment to connect with forward-thinking operators and affiliates who are looking for scalable, revenue-generating solutions.
“From our unique fish-shooting titles, trademarked slot series and award-winning Crash games, we are delivering next gen gaming that is shaping the future of iGaming. We welcome everyone to visit Stand G10 and find out more.”
The post TaDa to Participate in MAC Yerevan Summit appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
AI
MGA Launches Consultation on AI Gaming Charter
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has launched a public consultation on a proposed AI Gaming Charter on the Ethical and Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence.
The Charter has been developed in collaboration with the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA) and is intended to provide voluntary, principles-based guidance to support the responsible and transparent use of AI within the sector. It is designed to complement existing legal and regulatory frameworks, including the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, while reflecting the specific operational context of the gaming industry.
The post MGA Launches Consultation on AI Gaming Charter appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Admiral Bet
Amusnet Italy Announces New Strategic Partnership with Admiral Bet
Amusnet Italy has announced a new strategic partnership with Admiral Bet, marking another important milestone in the company’s expansion across key regulated European markets. By collaborating with a trusted and well-established operator, the provider continues to strengthen its presence in Italy.
Through this partnership, Admiral Bet players will gain access to a selection of Amusnet’s most iconic titles, known for their seamless gameplay, high-quality graphics and engaging mechanics. The integration is set to enhance Admiral Bet’s premium casino offering with content that has already proven highly popular among Italian players.
The initial rollout includes several flagship titles, such as the refined appeal of Shining Crown and Extra Crown, the dynamic rewards of 20 Golden Coins and the enduring favourite 20 Super Hot.
“Our collaboration with Admiral Bet represents a valuable opportunity to further strengthen our presence in Italy. It reflects our strong commitment to the market and our ambition to deliver top-tier entertainment to local players,” said Polina Nedyalkova, Director at Amusnet Italy.
“We are delighted to introduce Amusnet’s portfolio on Admiral Bet, further enhancing our content offering with a selection of titles that successfully combine the appeal of classic slot gameplay with refined visuals and intuitive mechanics. This integration represents another step forward in strengthening our product portfolio, allowing us to deliver a well-balanced and high-quality gaming experience that caters to a wide range of player preferences,” said Paolo Marchi, Managing Director of Admiral Bet.
This partnership further underscores Amusnet’s dedication to strengthening its footprint in regulated European markets, combining its leading game development expertise with Admiral Bet’s strong market reach and operational capabilities.
The post Amusnet Italy Announces New Strategic Partnership with Admiral Bet appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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