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SAZKA Group teams up with Sir Keith Mills in bid for Fourth UK National Lottery Licence

Published

6 years ago

November 3, 2020

Reading Time: 4 minutes

SAZKA Group, Europe’s largest lottery operator, today announced it has appointed Sir Keith Mills as Bid Chair of the UK team for the Fourth National Lottery Licence Competition. Sir Keith, a successful entrepreneur whose creative talent conceived the loyalty programmes so ubiquitous today, brings a wealth of experience from his roles across sport, charities, and business. He played a pivotal role in London’s successful bid to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and subsequently, their successful staging. For the past six years he has chaired the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, a role he hands over to Lord William Hague next month. He is also Chairman of the Invictus Games, the international adaptive multi-sport event created by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.

Commenting on the announcement, Sir Keith said, “I am driven by organisations that make a real contribution to society. I chose to team up with Sazka for the Fourth National Lottery Licence Competition because I believe the UK National Lottery needs to grow and be engaging if it is to continue to fund the thousands of good causes every year. Our lottery is a national treasure with nearly 26 years of history; however, the landscape has changed immeasurably since it was first launched back in 1994. The challenge now is to ensure the lottery connects with people right across the country, making it fresh and exciting as it once was, bringing new ways that are relevant for today and tomorrow’s generation. I feel passionately that it needs to be restored to the nation’s hearts, especially in these difficult times. I teamed up with Sazka because they have a proven record of taking established lotteries, growing them and evolving them to be relevant for the future. I am cognisant that much has to be done for us to make a winning case in this competition, but I believe that over the course of this process we will be able to demonstrate how Sazka’s expertise coupled with the experienced British team that we are building in the UK will offer the right stewardship for the UKNL for 2023 and beyond.”

As Bid Chairman, Sir Keith will lead a team with world-class bidding and delivery experience, including for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Comic Relief. Sazka has appointed former London 2012 employee, Alastair Ruxton, as the Bid Director, together with British experts in key areas such as Player Protection, Good Causes, Innovation, Digital, Retail and Customer Experience.

Commenting on the agreement, SAZKA Group CEO Robert Chvátal said, “We are thrilled to be partnering with Sir Keith Mills and have him lead our entry in the Fourth National Lottery Licence Competition. We are hugely excited to be participating in this competition and for the chance to take stewardship of the National Lottery, helping the UK to fall back in love with this vital institution. Operating in five different national markets (Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, Greece, and Cyprus) has given us an unprecedented level of insight and experience in running lotteries. In addition, we have consistently increased participation and revenues for the lotteries we operate. We want to bring this deep knowledge and customer insight to revitalise the UK National Lottery increasing sales and money raised for good causes, thereby providing a much-needed long-term boost to community, arts, sports and heritage institutions across the UK.”

After submitting the Selection Questionnaire earlier this month, SAZKA Group has been accepted into the competition by the Gambling Commission, the body running the Competition. The team will now review the final bid application documents and continue to assemble a strong consortium capable of submitting a winning bid in 2021.

About Sir Keith Mills
Sir Keith Mills GBE DL is a British business entrepreneur who founded the Air Miles and Nectar customer loyalty programmes and has established numerous businesses, both in the UK and internationally. In September 2003, Sir Keith was appointed International President and CEO of London 2012 established to bid for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Having won the bid, he established LOCOG to organise the Games, where he was Deputy Chairman alongside Lord Sebastian Coe. In 2007 Sir Keith established an Olympic related charity, International Inspiration, which he chaired, and in 2008 he established a UK charity, Sported, which he funded and chaired for 10 years. In 2014 Sir Keith established, and was Chairman of, the Invictus Games, working with Prince Harry to deliver a new major international sport event for wounded servicemen and women. Sir Keith Chairs the Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and the Invictus Games Foundation. Sir Keith is also a Director and an investor in a number of private companies.
Sir Keith has received numerous awards including: Master Entrepreneur of the Year, Chief Executive of the Year, and the Sports Industry Businessman of the Year, and was knighted by The Queen in 2006 and again in 2013 when he received the Grand Knight Cross for his services to sport.

About SAZKA Group
The SAZKA Group is a national lottery, instant lottery and digital gaming operator, with our trusted brands and industry-leading technology delivering over €17bn in annual sales. Established in 2012, SAZKA Group is already one of Europe’s largest and fastest growing lottery companies and our strong performance across our markets is helping to fund good causes in the Czech Republic, Greece, Cyprus, Austria, and Italy.
Since entering the lottery market in 2012, SAZKA Group has quickly expanded from the Czech Republic into four other European markets. SAZKA Group has consistently taken on established lotteries and made them better, while also expanding into new market segments through market-leading technology platforms. The Group’s unique experience of operating in different jurisdictions enables it to adopt a tailored approach to customer experience in each market, helping to increase sales and returns to good causes.
Responsible gaming and funding good causes are at the heart of SAZKA Group’s business and culture. it promotes responsible gaming in all of its markets and is committed to having a positive impact where it operates. From building children’s hospitals in Greece to support for the Czech Olympic Foundation, SAZKA Group has put its business skills to the benefit of the local community.

Dmitry Starostenkov

EvenBet Gaming Launches its Turnkey Casino Platform and Game Aggregator

Published

43 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Wladimir P.

evenbet-gaming-launches-its-turnkey-casino-platform-and-game-aggregator

EvenBet Gaming, a global card games and poker software provider, has expanded its product portfolio with the launch of its Turnkey Casino Platform and Game Aggregator, marking its formal expansion into the casino vertical.

With more than 20 years of experience in the poker industry, the move marks the next phase of growth for the company, bringing together its proven poker software and advanced casino solutions into a single framework.

At the core of this expansion is the Turnkey Casino Platform, designed to minimise launch friction and provide a structured and accessible entry into the market, supported by scalable infrastructure to facilitate long-term growth.

The ecosystem combines a ready-to-launch casino platform with EvenBet’s Game Aggregator, comprising over 15,000 titles from more than 230 providers. It also includes an advanced promotional and bonus toolkit, payment infrastructure, KYC tools, an internal revshare affiliate module and external CPA service integrations, enabling operators to launch and scale efficiently without needing extensive technical resources.

EvenBet’s strategy is designed to support a seamless product journey, accommodating both new market entrants seeking an efficient launch and established operators looking to expand their portfolio. Underpinned by a single player account and shared balance, the platform is built to drive cross-vertical engagement, enabling a natural transition between casino and poker.

Supporting this approach is its suite of purpose-built hybrid games tailored to casino players. One Click Poker removes the traditional poker lobby, eliminating a common barrier to entry, while Spins Poker blends player-versus-player gameplay with fast-paced, slot-style mechanics.

Additional casino side games and rewards within the poker lobby play a vital role in supporting the transition of poker players into casino, further optimising the two-way conversion pipeline.

With a track record of delivering first-class poker solutions to tier-one operators worldwide, the expansion positions EvenBet to unlock previously untapped revenue streams as it targets further global growth.

Dmitry Starostenkov, CEO at EvenBet Gaming, said: “The integration of our Turnkey Casino Platform and Game Aggregator into the EvenBet ecosystem represents a natural evolution of our offering.

“The modular platform has been engineered to remove the complexities typically associated with launching a casino, while also providing a clear pathway to a full-scale poker product.

“By leveraging two decades of industry experience and deep technical expertise, we are well equipped to support operators at every stage of their journey, from initial launch to global scale.”

The post EvenBet Gaming Launches its Turnkey Casino Platform and Game Aggregator appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Amusnet Italy

Amusnet Italy Announces Strategic Partnership with StarVegas

Published

43 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Wladimir P.

amusnet-italy-announces-strategic-partnership-with-starvegas

Amusnet Italy has announced a new strategic partnership with StarVegas, a prominent operator in the Italian iGaming landscape. This collaboration represents another step in the company’s mission to deliver top-tier gaming content to local players.

Under the agreement, StarVegas will integrate a selection of Amusnet’s some of the most successful titles, known for combining the nostalgic appeal of classic slot design with cutting-edge technology. The partnership aims to enhance the operator’s premium casino offering, delivering a more diverse and high-quality entertainment experience to its established player base.

The launch features some of the market’s top-performing titles, such as Extra Crown and Shining Crown, the engaging mechanics of 20 Golden Coins, and the fan-favourite 20 Super Hot. These games are recognised for their seamless performance, intuitive gameplay and high-quality graphics.

“Partnering with StarVegas is a significant milestone for our growth in Italy. We are confident that our iconic portfolio will bring strong value to their players and further reinforce our position as a leading provider in the region,” said Polina Nedyalkova, Director at Amusnet Italy.

“We are proud to welcome Amusnet to StarVegas, enriching our portfolio with a curated selection of titles inspired by traditional slot gameplay and enhanced with modern visuals and streamlined mechanics. This partnership reflects our commitment to delivering a diverse and engaging gaming environment, where accessibility, variety, and quality remain central to the player experience,” said Paolo Marchi, Brand Manager at StarVegas.

This agreement highlights Amusnet’s continued commitment to expanding its footprint in the Italian market, bringing its high-performing portfolio to an even broader audience.

The post Amusnet Italy Announces Strategic Partnership with StarVegas appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Andrew Kong

REEVO Announces New Partnership with Pitta+

Published

43 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Wladimir P.

reevo-announces-new-partnership-with-pitta+

REEVO has announced a new partnership with Pitta+, an emerging iGaming content provider focused on delivering engaging slot titles and interactive gaming experiences to operators worldwide. This collaboration further strengthens REEVO’s aggregation ecosystem, expanding its content offering with dynamic titles designed to appeal to a broad range of player preferences.

Through this partnership, Pitta+’s portfolio is now available on the REEVO aggregation platform, giving operators seamless access to fresh and engaging content through a single, efficient integration. The addition of Pitta+ reinforces REEVO’s commitment to continuously enhancing its platform with diverse and high-performing content that supports operator growth.

For REEVO, this partnership reflects its ongoing strategy to collaborate with innovative studios that bring creativity and performance to its growing aggregation platform.

Daniel Cuc, Head of Account Management at REEVO, said: “Partnering with Pitta+ is another exciting step forward for REEVO as we continue to grow our aggregation platform with diverse and engaging content. What stands out is their ability to deliver accessible gameplay combined with strong themes that resonate across different player segments. At REEVO, we focus on building an ecosystem that helps operators succeed, and this partnership strengthens our ability to offer content that drives engagement and long-term value.”

Andrew Kong, Head of Business Development at Pitta+, said: “We are very excited to partner with REEVO and bring the Pitta+ game portfolio to their extensive network. This collaboration represents an important milestone for us as we continue expanding our global distribution. REEVO’s strong aggregation platform and global reach make them an ideal partner, and we look forward to building a successful and long-term collaboration together.”

The post REEVO Announces New Partnership with Pitta+ appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.