Latest News

BHA Appoints Katie Carr as Head of Environmental Sustainability and Tom Baker as Head of Social Impact

Published

2 years ago

on

July 30, 2024

By

Niji Narayan

bha-appoints-katie-carr-as-head-of-environmental-sustainability-and-tom-baker-as-head-of-social-impact

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has announced the appointment of Katie Carr as Head of Environmental Sustainability and Tom Baker as Head of Social Impact.

Funded by the Racing Foundation and overseen by the Industry Programme Group, the new roles will support British horseracing’s long-term strategy by enhancing racing’s positive role in local communities and strengthening the sport’s response to environmental challenges.

Katie Carr joins the BHA from the Goodwood Group, where she was responsible for planning and delivering the sustainability strategy across the 11,000-acre estate. She also held various commercial, partnership and community engagement roles within the Goodwood Group, having previously spent five years at The Jockey Club.

Building on the findings and recommendations from the sport’s environmental audit and current best practice, Katie will lead on developing an industry-wide approach to future-proofing racing and breeding against existing and emerging environmental challenges.

This includes how racing mitigates the risks presented by a changing climate, adapts operations in line with evolving legal responsibilities and public expectations, and harnesses existing expertise, particularly in managing the natural environment, to shape a positive future for our horses and people.

Head of Social Impact, Tom Baker, joins on a year-long secondment from The Jockey Club, where he has been responsible for developing the group’s community and social impact strategy. Prior to this he spent a decade working in Olympic and Paralympic sport, building partnerships with charities and sponsors to create programmes for positive change.

Tom will work with those already playing a leading role in this area, including Racing Together and Racing to School, to agree what British racing collectively wants and needs from its social and community activity and where the sport can have the most positive impact.

With a focus on racing’s role as a force for good, both in local communities and across wider society, the work will consider the moral, reputational and commercial benefits of a socially responsible approach, especially as the sport looks to attract the next generation of employees, investors and fans.

Tom will join the cross-industry Racing Together sub-committee group and work alongside the Racing Charities Group.

The Environmental Sustainability and Social Impact projects have been funded by the Racing Foundation, with the latter being supported the Racing Post and Godolphin, on an initial one-year basis. They will be based in the BHA’s Strategy and Change directorate, and the work will be overseen by racing’s Industry Programme Group.

BHA Director of Strategy and Change, Alison Enticknap, said: “I’m very pleased to welcome Katie and Tom to their new positions. Both bring subject-specific knowledge, understanding and expertise, alongside valuable experience of working in the racing industry – essential qualities for these cross-industry coordination roles.

“Environmental sustainability and social impact have been identified as priority areas for British racing as we continue to develop the industry’s long-term strategy. There are many people, organisations and charities doing a huge amount of good work in this space and, thanks to support from the Racing Foundation, we can work to establish what needs to be done at industry level to bolster and accelerate progress.”

Katie Carr said: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to help shape British racing’s approach to addressing and adapting to the various environmental challenges we face.

“Racing and breeding have a direct relationship with the natural environment and I know how much activity is already underway in this space, as well as the extensive expertise that exists.

“I’m looking forward to working with stakeholders as we continue to make progress, building on the initiatives already in place and sharing best practice to help ensure the long-term sustainability of our sport.”

Tom Baker said: “From initiatives that open up development opportunities in our sport to underrepresented groups, to partnerships that help address loneliness in our communities, British racing and breeding already has a positive impact across the country. These are activities that have a direct benefit, but also help us attract the more purpose-driven recruits, participants and fans into the industry.

“I’m very grateful for this opportunity to work with individuals, organisations and volunteers to agree our social impact priorities and help drive positive change at an industry level, so that we can continue to showcase our sport as a force for good.”

The post BHA Appoints Katie Carr as Head of Environmental Sustainability and Tom Baker as Head of Social Impact appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

blask

When LATAM gambles: Blask reveals seasonality patterns across six countries

Published

36 minutes ago

on

February 12, 2026

By

Wladimir P.

when-latam-gambles:-blask-reveals-seasonality-patterns-across-six-countries

Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Peru and Colombia represent six distinct iGaming markets — each with its own regulatory framework, player base and cultural rhythms. Yet beneath these differences lie powerful shared drivers: domestic football seasons concluding in Q4, mandatory year-end bonuses injecting billions into local economies, and national holidays that stretch into multi-day celebrations.

Using Blask’s Seasonality feature, player activity across all six countries was analyzed to map engagement peaks by month, day and hour. While regional trends are visible, the execution varies sharply at the local level.

Here’s what the data reveals.

Brazil: The Q4 Convergence Effect

In Brazil, November and December form a clear peak driven by three converging factors.

The Brasileirão season concludes in early December, with title races and relegation battles intensifying betting activity. At the same time, the Copa Libertadores semifinals and final fall in October and November — and Brazilian clubs’ recent dominance has kept engagement high.

The economic boost comes from the décimo terceiro, Brazil’s mandatory 13th salary paid in two instalments by November 30 and December 20. In 2024 alone, it injected R$321 billion into the economy, increasing disposable income during football’s decisive phase.

Saturday edges out Sunday as the top-performing day, reflecting the league’s fixture concentration. Weekends dominate overall, with a pronounced spike between 1 AM and 5 AM on Friday-to-Saturday nights — a sign that late-night casino sessions complement live sports betting.

Argentina: Aguinaldo and League Finals

December leads the calendar in Argentina, driven by the Liga Profesional’s mid-December conclusion and the aguinaldo, the country’s mandatory 13th salary paid by June 30 and December 18.

Sunday ranks highest for engagement, closely followed by Saturday, aligning with concentrated weekend fixtures. The peak activity window — midnight to 3 AM on Saturday-to-Sunday nights — reflects pre-match anticipation and late-night casino play following the workweek.

The pattern closely mirrors Brazil’s Q4 surge, but with a stronger Sunday bias.

Mexico: Liguilla and Late-Night Culture

December again stands out, coinciding with the Liga MX Apertura playoffs (Liguilla) and the championship final in mid-December. The aguinaldo — at least 15 days’ salary, paid by December 20 — provides additional liquidity at the same time.

Sunday leads weekly activity, with Saturday close behind. However, Mexico’s most distinctive feature is its consistent 2–3 AM activity peak across all days, amplified on weekends.

This pattern suggests a strong late-night gambling culture, where casino verticals such as slots, crash games and live dealer experiences drive engagement alongside sports betting.

Chile: September Over December

Unlike its regional peers, Chile’s biggest month is September — not December.

The surge is powered by Fiestas Patrias (September 18–19), the country’s most significant national celebration. When calendar alignment allows, festivities can stretch into a full week, with fondas, music and social gatherings creating a nationwide party atmosphere that extends into online gambling.

Saturday is the dominant day, with activity elevated throughout. Peaks occur around midnight on Friday-to-Saturday nights and again during Saturday afternoon (3–5 PM), indicating a blend of late-night casino play and daytime sports betting.

Peru: The Purple Month Effect

October and November represent Peru’s peak period, with November slightly ahead.

The Clausura tournament reaches its decisive stretch in early November, while October is dominated by Señor de los Milagros — the country’s largest religious festival. Celebrations extend into All Saints’ Day (November 1) and Day of the Dead (November 2), creating a sustained festive period.

Unlike Brazil and Mexico, Peru’s engagement is concentrated during daytime weekend hours, particularly morning and afternoon. This suggests a stronger alignment with live Liga 1 fixtures rather than late-night casino sessions.

Colombia: Primetime Precision

In Colombia, November leads, with October close behind.

The Torneo Finalización enters its cuadrangulares (semifinal group stage) during this period, building toward a December final. Anticipation around the prima de servicios — a mandatory half-month salary bonus due by December 20 — also supports late-year liquidity.

Sunday is the clear weekly leader, with evening primetime activity standing out. Engagement closely mirrors Liga BetPlay broadcast schedules, indicating sports betting is the primary driver rather than late-night casino behaviour.

The Bigger Picture: Regional Liquidity, Local Execution

Across LATAM, the Q4 bonus cycle — décimo terceiro, aguinaldo, prima de servicios and similar payouts — represents a predictable liquidity event spanning six major markets within an eight-week window. Crucially, it coincides with domestic football seasons reaching their climax.

However, peak timing differs significantly:

Mexico’s engagement spikes at 2 AM, while Peru’s is daytime-focused.
September outperforms December in Chile.
Colombia revolves around Sunday primetime broadcasts.
Brazil peaks on Saturday nights.

The takeaway is clear: while seasonality patterns are regional, execution must be hyper-local. Campaigns, product pushes and marketing spend need to align not just with the right month — but the right day and even the right hour in each individual market.

The post When LATAM gambles: Blask reveals seasonality patterns across six countries appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.