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Betfred Officially Re-opens its Head Office in Warrington

Published

1 year ago

November 25, 2024

betfred-officially-re-opens-its-head-office-in-warrington

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Betfred, one of the UK’s leading bookmakers, has officially re-opened its Head Office in Warrington after a multimillion-pound investment, underscoring a new era of innovation, employee collaboration and commitment to the region.

The plaque was officially unveiled on Friday 22 November, by Betfred boss Fred Done, and the Speaker of the House of Commons the Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle. Sir Lindsay Hoyle is also the President of the Rugby Football League. Betfred is the sport’s biggest supporter and the headline sponsor of the Betfred Super League and the Challenge Cup for the men’s, women’s and wheelchair game.

Betfred first moved into the Spectrum arena from their Salford base in 2004 and decided to embark on this hugely ambitious refurbishment project in September 2021.

The revamped 50,000-square-foot Spectrum building now stands as a vibrant workspace for over 450 Betfred employees. This modern transformation marks a departure from its roots as a former arena that famously hosted concerts by the likes of Status Quo, New Order and Atomic Kitten, and also hosted major snooker tournaments.

Fred Done said: “Reopening our Spectrum HQ is a very proud moment for me and my family. We’ve come a long way since having one shop in Salford in 1967 and I’m delighted that because of our close association with Rugby League that Sir Lindsay Hoyle has kindly agreed to officially open the building.”

Betfred CEO Joanne Whitaker added: “The reopening of the Spectrum marks a fresh chapter for us. This redesign is more than just a new look—it’s about building an inspiring, collaborative environment that reflects our bold ambitions. We’ve created a dynamic space where ideas can flourish, and our teams can come together. We’re excited about the possibilities this new headquarters will open up and are looking forward to the journey ahead. Although we are an international company, it was very important to us we remained in the Northwest and close to our roots.”

A highlight of the newly revamped headquarters is the state-of-the-art “Nifty 50” studio, the new home of Betfred’s own numbers game offering a top prize of £5 million, hosted live by two brand new presenters.

Another standout feature of the refurbishment is the “Immersion Tunnel,” a stadium-inspired space that is bold, high-tech and designed to connect employees across the building. Spanning the tunnel is a striking, larger-than-life display showcasing Betfred’s sporting heritage and milestone moments. The tunnel delivers a powerful experience, bringing Betfred’s legacy very much to life.

This ambitious refurbishment was project managed internally by Betfred’s Head of Asset Management Peter Buckles and Betfred’s Senior Project Manager Helen Haworth.

Peter Buckles added: “The key to the project was understanding Betfred’s business requirements and that helped guide the delivery including elements which are unique to a betting business. With the support of the IT team, we also kept the data centre for over 1400 shops and our website still running during this major refurbishment. We are all very proud of what we have delivered for our colleagues.”

The construction side of the redevelopment was supported by Domis Construction and their Managing Director Kingsley Thornton said: “It was fantastic to work on such a unique project and completely modernise and redevelop the Spectrum Arena to make an exciting headquarters for Betfred.”

The interior design was completed by Jackson Downes, with their founder previously working with top brands such as JD Sports, Muse Developments and Accor Hotels.

Kate Jackson, founder and director of Jackson Downes, said: “Spectrum has always been a special building, so when tasked with redesigning this space for Betfred, we made it our mission to honour its rich history in the design. We’ve crafted a bespoke environment that not only meets Betfred’s unique needs but also motivates and supports the next generation of growth.”

The post Betfred Officially Re-opens its Head Office in Warrington appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Belatra Games

From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

Wladimir P.

from-‘mummyverse’-to-crash-games:-belatra-reviews-a-landmark-2025

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: Belatra has been a steady hand in the slots world for a long time, but 2025 marked a distinct shift in strategy. By entering the Crash vertical with Goose Boom Bang and winning big at SiGMA Africa, the studio is clearly pivoting to capture the high-growth, high-frequency players in emerging markets. They are no longer just a “classic slots” developer; they are diversifying the portfolio to ensure relevance in regions like LatAm and Africa.

The Full Story

Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, has issued a strategic review of its 2025 operations, celebrating a 12-month period defined by entry into new game verticals, significant franchise expansion, and high-profile industry recognition.

The year was characterized by a dual strategy: deepening engagement in established markets while aggressively expanding its content portfolio to suit local preferences in emerging territories.

Portfolio Evolution: Crash and Battles 2025 saw Belatra move beyond its traditional slot roots. The company made its debut in the high-demand Crash game vertical with the launch of Goose Boom Bang, a title designed to tap into the fast-paced gameplay preference of younger demographics.

Additionally, the studio introduced a fresh game concept with the launch of Battles, a new format unveiled for the first time in 2025, with further development planned for 2026.

The ‘Mummyverse’ Expands For fans of classic slots, the highlight of the year was the aggressive expansion of the Mummyverse. Belatra nearly doubled the size of this franchise over the year, making it the most extensive game universe in their entire catalog.

The developer also focused on B2B localization, releasing a number of exclusive bespoke games created specifically for selected operator partners to meet specific local market tastes.

Awards and Recognition The company’s strategic shifts were validated by industry accolades. Belatra secured over 30 nominations throughout the year, with standout wins including:

Best Slot Provider (awarded by BitStarz).
Most Played Game of 2025 for Make It Gold at the SiGMA Africa Awards.
Player’s Pick Award.

Management Commentary Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, commented on the studio’s momentum:

“This year has truly defined who we are as a studio – ambitious, creative and focused on building long-term partnerships. We’ve expanded our universes, launched new ones and entered exciting new markets that will all help us carry this momentum into the New Year.”

The post From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

BMM Testlabs

‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

Wladimir P.

‘chaos-and-soul’:-ebaka-games-plots-global-expansion-after-viral-launch

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: The “Instant Game” vertical (Crash, Plinko, Mines) is becoming crowded, but Ebaka Games is cutting through the noise with a distinct brand personality. By securing BMM Testlabs certification so quickly after launch, they are signaling to Tier 1 operators that despite their “chaotic” marketing vibe, the math underneath is solid and compliant. The backing of industry veteran Dmitry Belianin also adds immediate commercial credibility to the startup.

The Full Story

Ebaka Games, the fledgling studio that promises to bring “chaos and soul” to the iGaming sector, has outlined an aggressive growth strategy for 2026 following a landmark launch period in late 2025.

The studio, which officially debuted in November, reports that its initial rollout reached more than five million people worldwide. The launch saw its portfolio go live with the operator Menace, serving as the initial testbed for its mechanics and “Ebaka modes.”

The Product: Instant Games with Personality Ebaka is bypassing traditional slots to focus on the high-growth vertical of fast-paced, instant-win games. Their initial lineup includes:

Plinko
Mines
Tower
Limbo
Crash

Differentiation is achieved through unique mascots and signature gameplay tweaks designed to offer high win potential and distinct visual identities, moving away from the generic interfaces often found in this genre.

Regulatory Milestone Crucially for its 2026 roadmap, Ebaka Games has confirmed it has secured certification from BMM Testlabs. This accreditation validates the fairness and integrity of its RNG (Random Number Generator) and game engines, removing a major barrier to entry for regulated markets. With this certification in hand, the studio plans to launch with a number of “major brands” in the coming year.

Management Commentary Vitalii Zalievskyi, CEO of Ebaka Games, commented on the studio’s unorthodox approach:

“It’s only been a few weeks since we first introduced Ebaka Games to the world. The feedback has been breathtaking, and it vindicates the decision for us to take a different path to the rest of the industry. You don’t need huge marketing budgets to grab people’s attention if you are building something truly innovative.”

Industry Backing The studio describes itself as being “created by players for players” but boasts significant industry firepower in its corner. The team includes Dmitry Belianin, a well-known figure in the sector who is the co-founder of Blask and Menace, as well as Managing Partner at Already Media.

The post ‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

ARC

Racing Meets Nightlife: SBK Backs ARC’s New ‘Friday Night Live’ Series

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

Wladimir P.

racing-meets-nightlife:-sbk-backs-arc’s-new-‘friday-night-live’-series

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: British racing has a well-documented demographic problem; its core audience is aging. “Friday Night Live” is a direct attempt to fix this by blending high-stakes racing with the “experience economy” (DJs, nightlife vibes) that appeals to Gen Z and Millennials. Bringing SBK on board—a mobile-first, app-only sportsbook—is a perfect demographic fit, while the Racing Post adds the necessary credibility to ensure the actual racing product remains the focus.

The Full Story

Arena Racing Company (ARC) has unveiled the strategic commercial lineup for its upcoming Friday Night Live series, confirming SBK as the Exclusive Betting Partner and The Racing Post as the Official Media Partner.

Set to launch in January 2026, Friday Night Live is a new initiative created in collaboration with youth-focused events company INVADES. The series is designed to overhaul the traditional race day experience, featuring fast-paced fixtures under floodlights, DJ sets, and significant entertainment elements sandwiched between races.

The Commercial Deal

SBK: As the exclusive betting partner, the Smarkets-owned sportsbook will take naming rights and on-course branding for all 35 races. Crucially, these races will be broadcast live on mainstream television via ITV Racing as well as Sky Sports Research.
The Racing Post: As the Official Media Partner, the publication will provide content, coverage, and promotion across its digital platforms, aiming to bridge the gap between established racing purists and the new audience ARC hopes to attract.

A High-Stakes Experiment The series is not just a marketing exercise; it carries serious sporting weight. Each of the five scheduled nights will feature over £200,000 in prize money. The fixtures will rotate across three of ARC’s all-weather tracks: Wolverhampton, Newcastle, and Southwell.

Management Commentary David Leyden Dunbar, Group Director of Commercial Strategy at ARC, was clear about the target audience:

“We have been very clear that one of the aims of Friday Night Live is to engage the next generation of racing fans… Both [partners] have shown real enthusiasm to work with us… as well as using the platform that these fixtures will offer them to also engage with more established racing and sports fans.”

Adam Baylis, Marketing Director at SBK, added:

“Friday Night Live [is] a fresh and engaging concept that brings a new energy to British racing. SBK has always been built around sport… our focus is on enhancing the live race day experience in a fun, social and responsible way.”

The 2026 Schedule The series kicks off immediately in the new year: