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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.
Kick and TikTok stream runs June 11–July 19, covering 15,000 miles and promoting fundraising for Prostate Cancer UK.
Paysafe (NYSE: PSFE) and its digital wallet Skrill are sponsoring a 39-day US “In A State” soccer road trip led by creators Woody & Kleiny, with live coverage starting June 11 from Jacksonville. The tour is set to run 15,000 miles and stream 24/7 on Kick and TikTok.
Paysafe said the tour will include creator-led content and in-person activations designed to spotlight payment processing for local merchants—such as bars, restaurants, hotels and retailers—along the route. The company is positioning its merchant acquiring and POS-related offerings alongside Skrill consumer wallet use cases during match-day and fan events.
The trip also includes fundraising for Prostate Cancer UK, with donations directed to the official Woody & Kleiny GoFundMe page. The press release notes prostate cancer is “now the most common cancer in the U.K. and the only major cancer without a screening program.”
“This tour puts Paysafe and Skrill at the heart of the action, powering the moments that matter most,” said Alisa Barber, Chief Marketing Officer at Paysafe. “Woody & Kleiny have an extraordinary ability to turn everyday life into must-watch content and combining that with our technology demonstrates how seamless payments can lift every experience.”
Stops listed include Los Angeles (June 12), Arlington, TX (June 17), Boston (June 23) and East Rutherford, NJ (June 25 and 27), with additional cities planned as the tournament progresses. Paysafe said the livestream will be supported by daily YouTube recaps and short-form social content.
The post Paysafe and Skrill sponsor Woody & Kleiny’s 39-day US soccer road trip livestream appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Latest News
Paysafe and Skrill get on board with Woody & Kleiny’s Outrageous US Soccer Road Trip: 39 Days, 15,000 Miles, Streamed Live 24/7
Spotlighting business payments and consumer digital wallet experiences for soccer fans, the ‘In A State’ tour brings viral creators together for a live celebration of soccer and fundraising for Prostate Cancer UK
Paysafe (NYSE: PSFE), a global payments platform, is taking its technology to the heart of America’s biggest soccer summer, fueling a 39-day, 15,000-mile streamed road trip powered by viral creators Woody & Kleiny.
Known as the ‘In A State’ tour, this record-breaking journey streams live on Kick and TikTok from June 11, as Woody & Kleiny tear through major cities including Los Angeles, Arlington, Boston and East Rutherford, engaging soccer fans and shining a spotlight on the businesses that make these places tick. The tour will also raise awareness and funds for Prostate Cancer UK, supporting life-saving research, earlier diagnosis and better outcomes for men affected by prostate cancer, which is now the most common cancer in the U.K. and the only major cancer without a screening program.
Paysafe is the payments engine sponsoring the tour, putting its processing solutions for businesses and its consumer facing digital wallet, Skrill, center stage. Through 24/7 live streaming, in-person activations and creator-led content, Paysafe’s technology will come to life in the most authentic setting imaginable: the real-world energy of America’s biggest soccer tournament.
Woody & Kleiny have built one of the world’s largest creator communities, reaching more than 50 million followers across online platforms and generating over 45 billion views.
Paysafe Spotlights Local Businesses
Paysafe will spotlight local businesses, including bars, restaurants, hotels, and retailers, across the route. Woody & Kleiny will showcase Paysafe-powered payment solutions for local merchants via live interactions.
As part of its broader commitment to supporting businesses, Paysafe provides integrated payment solutions tailored to the needs of local merchants. This includes POS technology such as payment devices, competitive payment processing offerings, and value-added services designed to help businesses operate more efficiently. Through these activations, Paysafe will demonstrate how its solutions enable businesses to streamline operations, manage peak demand, and deliver seamless payment experiences.
Skrill: The Wallet That Moves at the Speed of the Game
Paysafe’s digital wallet Skrill will be front and center across the entire ‘In A State’ tour. From fan giveaways to real-time digital payments, Skrill will enable fast, secure transactions within high-energy environments. Fans will interact with Skrill through on-the-ground activations, digital rewards, and integrated content moments — proving that a great digital wallet doesn’t just make payments easier, it makes every experience better.
Through these activations, Skrill will play a visible role in powering fan engagement, from rewarding participation to enabling seamless transactions in real time, demonstrating how the digital wallet can enhance every moment of the fan journey.
“This tour puts Paysafe and Skrill at the heart of the action, powering the moments that matter most,” said Alisa Barber, Chief Marketing Officer at Paysafe. “Woody & Kleiny have an extraordinary ability to turn everyday life into must-watch content and combining that with our technology demonstrates how seamless payments can lift every experience.”
The stream will be complemented by daily YouTube recaps, short-form social content, celebrity appearances and real-time fan engagement — reaching audiences across the globe. Paysafe branding will be unmissable throughout: on the tour bus, across activations, and at the center of every major match-day moment.
For Paysafe, this tour shows how world-class payment technology, the right partners and the biggest sporting event of the decade can come together to create something genuinely extraordinary, while also raising vital awareness and funds for prostate cancer. Fans can donate to Prostate Cancer UK via the official Woody & Kleiny GoFundMe page.
Follow, watch and engage with the tour across Woody & Kleiny, Paysafe and Skrill’s social channels.
Tour Route and Key Stops
Woody & Kleiny will travel through major U.S. cities, where soccer fans will be gathering throughout the tournament.
Key stops include:
- Los Angeles (June 12),
- Arlington, TX (June 17),
- Boston (June 23)
- East Rutherford, NJ on June 25 and 27
Other cities as the tournament unfolds.
The post Paysafe and Skrill get on board with Woody & Kleiny’s Outrageous US Soccer Road Trip: 39 Days, 15,000 Miles, Streamed Live 24/7 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Deal covers travel and hospitality packages across BLAST’s event slate, starting with BLAST Premier Hong Kong Rivals in November.
BLAST has signed a one-year partnership with MATCH to develop premium fan travel experiences and related commercial opportunities across BLAST events in 2026 and 2027, including the BLAST Premier Hong Kong Rivals 2026. The companies said the work will start immediately, with an initial focus on the BLAST Premier Hong Kong Rivals event in November.
BLAST VP of Destinations and Market Development James Woollard said: “We’re thrilled to partner with MATCH, a company with an unrivalled track record in delivering top-tier fan travel experiences at the biggest sporting events in the world. As BLAST continues to grow globally and attract growing numbers of travelling fans, this partnership represents an exciting opportunity to further elevate the live event experience for fans and audiences across esports.”
MATCH is best known for hospitality and accommodation programmes at major sports events, including four consecutive FIFA World Cups
from 2010 to 2022, as well as Ryder Cup tournaments, Formula 1 Grands Prix and ATP tennis tournaments. MATCH Director of UK Events and Business Strategy Richard Parker said: “Esports is one of the most exciting growth frontiers in live entertainment, and BLAST stands out as a world-class platform with incredible potential. At MATCH, we see a tremendous opportunity to bring our expertise in creating premium fan experiences into the esports arena. We are very enthusiastic about the possibility of working together with BLAST to deliver innovative, unforgettable experiences for esports fans worldwide.”
BLAST said MATCH will also bring its network of clients, sponsors, federations, agents and media partners to support international attendance and partner activation, alongside MATCH’s technology and operational infrastructure. The announcement follows BLAST’s 2025 live events activity, where the organiser said it delivered 15 arena shows across 10 countries spanning five titles and sold 194,421 tickets.
The post BLAST partners with MATCH on premium fan travel for 2026-27 events appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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