Press Releases
Racing Post and SIS cancel 2020 Betting Shop Manager of the Year

Racing Post and SIS have cancelled this year’s Betting Shop Manager of the Year competition due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the retail bookmaking industry. The event, the nomination and judging process for which was due to begin last week, normally runs throughout the summer with 48 candidates whittled down to a final eight with the winner crowned at an awards ceremony in November.
Due to the current shutdown, all non-essential shops, including high street betting outlets, across Britain and Ireland are currently closed.
Both Racing Post and SIS, who have sponsored the event for over 30 years, have furloughed large numbers of employees as a consequence of the lack of racing and sport around the world. The shutdown has resulted in Racing Post temporarily stopping the publication of the industry’s daily newspaper.
Sandra Gilmartin was named 2019 Racing Post/SIS Betting Shop Manager of the Year last November, giving Paddy Power their first success in the competition. Sandra will continue her ambassadorial role throughout 2020 in the absence of a new winner.
Explaining the cancellation and the uncertainty the industry faces, Racing Post Chief Executive and Editor-in-Chief Alan Byrne said: “It is hugely disappointing that we have to cancel this year’s Betting Shop Manager of the Year. However, our first thought is the safety of those involved. With the current restrictions in place, including betting shop closures, it is simply not feasible to run a competition that also involves shop visits and one-to-one interviews.
Byrne continued: “When the various government measures are lifted, the first focus of retail bookmakers will be on the health and wellbeing of staff and customers alike. It is important that we all work together to ensure everyone in our industry is safe, and then we can begin to get all our businesses back to their best. Once we come out the other side of this pandemic, we will be in a better place to celebrate the people who are the backbone of the retail bookmaking industry.”
Echoing Alan Byrnes words, SIS Chief Executive, Richard Ames said: “The opportunity to help stage the competition and annual awards is one of the highlights for everybody here – it is particularly disappointing not to be able to look forward to that this year.
“Of course, we all hope our staff, customers and friends can safely emerge from this challenge and I know there will be huge enthusiasm to resume Betting Shop Manager of the Year come 2021. That will indeed be something to look forward to.”
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The Free Bet Wheel: Betting.bet Increases Player Engagement with New Gamification Tool

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One of the UKâs leading betting aggregators, betting.bet, has introduced the Free Bet Wheel, a new free-to-play tool designed to increase user retention and interaction. Tied to the weekendâs Premier League football, this gamified feature offers users the opportunity to earn free bets and a weekly ÂŁ100 cash reward.
At a time when most iGaming affiliates are focused on developing foreign markets such as Latin America and Africa, the function illustrates betting.betâs ongoing commitment to the UK.
About the Free Bet Wheel
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Weekend Availability: The Free Bet Wheel runs every weekend, aligned with major Premier League and international football matches.
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Multiple Chances to Win: Players receive up to four spins to try their luck each weekend.
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Winning Free Bets: Match three free bet colours within five spins to win a free bet on the featured match.
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ÂŁ100 Cash Jackpot: Land on the jackpot segment five times consecutively to win ÂŁ100 in cash.
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Loyalty Rewards: Players also collect bCoins, Betting.betâs exclusive loyalty currency, which can be redeemed for a range of prizes, vouchers and rewards.
Strengthening Operator Partnerships Through Enhanced User Experience
By launching the Free Bet Wheel, betting.bet is not only elevating the player experience but also delivering tangible benefits to its network of partner operators. The feature offers a new avenue to profile selected betting partners, direct qualified traffic to safe free bets and reinforce affiliate partnerships through increased user activity and conversions.
Steve Gummer, Director of Betting.bet, stated: âWe at betting.bet are dedicated to developing products and experiences that not only interest players but also provide clear value to our partners. Designed to benefit our UK community in a fun, frictionless manner, the Free Bet Wheel also supports important weekend traffic and sportsbook conversions.â
Driving Retention Through Gamification
This launch is part of a broader strategic focus on gamification and loyalty at betting.bet, aligning user enjoyment with commercial objectives. As the UK version of the platform continues to grow, features like the Free Bet Wheel are designed to support player acquisition, maximise LTV and drive weekend re-engagement.
The Free Bet Wheel is now live at betting.bet and available to all UK users aged 18+,
The post The Free Bet Wheel: Betting.bet Increases Player Engagement with New Gamification Tool appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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GR8 Tech Powers Smarter Betting with New Match Trackers

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GR8 Tech has unveiled a powerful new upgrade to its high-performance sportsbook platform: high-quality, real-time Match Trackersâdesigned to bring more action, insight, and excitement to players. Match Trackers are available across all of GR8 Techâs sportsbook solutions, including iFrame and the Hyper Turnkey.
âWeâre always looking for ways to elevate the player experience and give our partners a competitive edge,â said Denys Parkhomenko, CPO at GR8 Tech. âMatch Trackers have smart features that drive engagement, boost retention, and power faster betting decisions in real-time.â
With broad coverage across football, basketball, tennis, hockey, volleyball, and handball, the trackers are live for pre-match analytics and in-game updates. Key features include:
- Detailed Stats: From xG in football to rebounds in basketball and aces in tennis, players get live and historical stats tailored to each sport.
- Key Moments & Summaries: Goals, assists, red cards, substitutions, and more delivered in real-time.
- Pitch Animation: A dynamic, visual alternative to video streaming, showing key moments as they unfold on the field.
- Lineups & Live Updates: Full team sheets, coaches, and live substitutions, so players are always in the know.
- Live Standings: Updated rankings and tournament tables across all supported sports.
By providing operators with the tools to deliver everything players need in one place, GR8 Tech enhances the sportsbook user experience, enabling more confident betting and driving longer player sessions.
The launch of Match Trackers marks another step in the companyâs long-term strategy to deliver a best-in-class, sportsbook-driven platform and become the leading sportsbook provider by 2028. Coverage will soon expand to even more sports to meet operatorsâ needs.
The post GR8 Tech Powers Smarter Betting with New Match Trackers appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Midnite creates free limited-edition beer for fans to enjoy at World Snooker Championship

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Midnite is the new official UK betting and casino partner of the World Championship, Snookerâs greatest event, which will run from April 19 to May 5.
To celebrate the partnership, Midnite has created a FREE limited edition lager â with one free beer available per person â which will be served at a local pub throughout the tournament.
The one-off lager will be served at The Graduate, an iconic Sheffield pub a short walk from The Crucible, with fans able to enjoy a new beer on tap while the World Championship comes to the city.
Midnite has partnered with London-based brewery Drop Project to bring the concept to life. Drop Project creates the freshest, premium flavoursome beers with consistent high-quality results, and pushes creative boundaries and brews the beers that both inspire their passions for the industry and our lifestyles.
A Midnite spokesperson, commented: âWe have worked with Drop Project to bring fans a Midnite lager that they can enjoy throughout the whole tournament. We wanted to create something tangible that snooker fans can enjoy throughout, and to have been able to create our own beer is something weâre pleased with.
âThe World Snooker Championship brings real excitement to the city, and fans can head straight from The Crucible, to The Graduate and enjoy a pint or two of our specially brewed lager, just for the occasion.â
Midnite is providing the beer free of charge â one free drink per person of Midnite Lager Only and for ticket holders to the Snooker World Championship (18+). Redeem by showing your matchday ticket at The Graduate. While stock lasts.
The post Midnite creates free limited-edition beer for fans to enjoy at World Snooker Championship appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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