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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.

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QTech Games lights up its live casino offering with Live Vegas

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QTech Games, the leading game aggregator for emerging markets, has launched a partnership with leading live-casino provider Live Vegas, adding further depth to its product portfolio and giving platform clients access to a multifaceted live-dealer catalogue.

The global live-dealer sector continues to grow, and Live Vegas’s authentic and innovative digital table games provide a standout example. Its suite includes popular live casino titles such as Blackjack, Roulette, Texas Hold’em, and Baccarat, designed to deliver the thrill of Vegas to players worldwide.

As part of the studio’s mantra to “capture the thrill of Vegas,” Live Vegas is also elevating the VIP experience. Single players can now enjoy one-on-one live video sessions with dedicated dealers, offering a personalised, social, and engaging gaming experience. Players can seamlessly switch tables or dealers, ensuring smooth gameplay while keeping the focus on the action.

These games now form part of QTech Games’ diverse portfolio, which is localised for each region and supported by native mobile apps, powerful reporting and marketing tools, and 24/7 local-language assistance. The partnership also extends Live Vegas’s international reach, unlocking new opportunities in emerging regions, especially Africa and Latin America.

Philip Doftvik, CEO at QTech Games, said:
“Live Vegas is an eye-catching studio, renowned for delivering immersive entertainment experiences to players, who can now enjoy these engaging, real-time table games (from classics like blackjack, roulette, baccarat and Texas Hold’em to more regional favourites) via the flexible QTech Games platform which offers the fastest integration on the market.

“Over the past few years, they have developed an array of exciting live-casino products, designed to boost retention and deliver a memorable user experience that players return to, while attracting new players as well. They’re the first provider to really ramp up the VIP-room experience, too—creating a warm, engaging experience which doesn’t fall far short of Vegas’s real-world customer service! Our combined aim is to empower operators with reliable technology and innovative solutions, making it easy to channel the excitement of Vegas to every player.”

Tigran Zaqaryan, CCO at Live Vegas, added:
“We’re thrilled to put our key piece in place in the all-encompassing QTech Games jigsaw, and we look forward to their platform taking our games to new, untapped audiences across emerging markets. Live Vegas’s unrelenting commitment to delivering engaging live-player experiences affords customers the visceral thrill of playing in a real-world casino, while QTech’s know-how made them a perfect partner for us. They understand that there’s no chance of cracking emerging markets without delivering the best localised games that truly connect with varied cultural proclivities in iGaming.

“At Live Vegas, our commitment to innovation and delivering the highest-quality experiences informs everything we do. QTech’s emerging markets platform now offers the perfect new proving ground through which to showcase our content. We blend industry-leading expertise with advanced technology to deliver exceptional services. And our focus is on creating a uniquely tailored gaming experience, ensuring a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for every player.”

The post QTech Games lights up its live casino offering with Live Vegas appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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LCKY Group announce Alex Manning as Group CTO

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LCKY Group has announced the appointment of Alex Manning as Group Chief Technology Officer, marking the first major leadership hire since the company’s strategic rebrand earlier this year.

Previously known as Glitnor Group, the entrepreneurial-led organisation entered a new phase of its development in January when it adopted the name LCKY Group. The rebrand was designed to better reflect the strong portfolio of brands operating under the group while also positioning the business for future expansion.

Alex’s appointment as Group CTO represents a significant step in this next stage of growth. With more than 25 years of experience across the fintech and iGaming sectors, Alex brings deep expertise in scaling businesses and leading complex digital transformations.

Prior to joining LCKY Group, Alex served as CTO of iGaming at Light & Wonder, where he led a major engineering transformation. During his four-year tenure, he transitioned the team to a product-led, cross-functional delivery model, oversaw the development of several first-of-their-kind products, and supported the company’s expansion into new regulated markets.

Richard Brown, Group CEO at LCKY Group, said:
“Everyone at LCKY Group is delighted to welcome Alex at what is a defining moment in the company’s evolution. He brings extensive experience across regulated fintech and iGaming markets, and his proven ability to guide organisations through successful scale-ups and digital transformations makes him an ideal fit for the role of Group CTO.”

Alex Manning, Group CTO at LCKY Group, added:
“I’m excited to join LCKY Group at a time when the business is focused on strengthening its international presence and growing its influence across key regulated markets. My priority will be to build on the strong culture that already exists within the group, creating a high-performance environment where teams can thrive, innovation is encouraged, and each of our brands is given the platform it deserves.”

The post LCKY Group announce Alex Manning as Group CTO appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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CasinoCanada.com Launches Revamped Bonus Cards

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CasinoCanada.com has revamped its bonus display, introducing a new Bonus Card system that makes it easier to understand, compare, and claim offers.

The recently launched Bonus Cards offer an organized and efficient method for discovering bonuses.

This update addresses ongoing problems with messy and uneven bonus information. In the past, diverse naming methods, extensive explanations, and concealed special offers complicated the process for users to find pertinent deals.

Neat, uniform cards

Every bonus now follows a distinct standardized format with straightforward names and essential information displayed prominently. The straightforward, easy-to-read design removes confusion and enables users to swiftly grasp every offer.

Exclusive bonuses highlighted prominently

CasinoCanada.com now showcases its exclusive offers – bonuses that can only be accessed through the site. A new Exclusive toggle enables users to quickly display these deals without going to a different page or completing extra tasks. With one tap, special deals rise to the top of the list.

Expandable information for enhanced understanding

Every card now features an expandable area containing essential terms, advantages and disadvantages, and qualification criteria. This assists visitors in swiftly locating the specific promotion they seek, minimizing search duration and enhancing overall navigation.

The revamped system simplifies the reading, comparing, and claiming of bonuses. This update increases CasinoCanada.com’s value to its audience by minimizing friction and showcasing exclusive offers.

CasinoCanada.com will persist in broadening and improving the product, with forthcoming visual upgrades and extra features already being developed.

The post CasinoCanada.com Launches Revamped Bonus Cards appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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