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

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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.

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$1.5 Billion: PokerStars Iconic Spring Championship of Online Poker Hits Historic Milestone in Prizes Awarded to Players

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PokerStars’ prestigious Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) has officially surpassed $1.5 billion in total prize money awarded to players over its 17-year legacy, marking a historic milestone for one of the richest and most iconic championship series in online poker.

Since its inception in 2009, SCOOP has grown into the ultimate proving ground in online tournament poker, where both established stars and rising talents battle for prestige, prize money and a place in the game’s history.

The major $1.5 billion landmark was hit during this year’s SCOOP series, which kicked off on March 1 and runs until March 25, in Event 40-M: $109 NLHE [Progressive KO Sunday Million], which saw “nomalice” beat a field of 8,017 players to win $85,597,11 and the coveted SCOOP title.

Prior to the start of the 2026 event, SCOOP had awarded a total of $1,485,704,101 in prizepools, $227,004,607 in first place prizes, and attracted 144,715,424 in total entries across 1,231 events with 3,680 tournaments. Sweden’s Simon “C. Darwin2” Mattsson is the greatest player in SCOOP history having earned 14 titles, followed by the UK’s Benny “RunGodlike” Glaser who now has 12 titles, having earned another SCOOP title last week in Event 12-H: $320 Fenomeno HR Turbo. Benny is the most decorated player in COOP history also having a record-leading 16 World Championship Of Online Poker (WCOOP) titles.

“SCOOP awarding $1.5 billion in total prizes is an incredible moment for online poker,” said  Steve Clarricoats, Associate Director of Poker Operations at PokerStars. “It’s a powerful reminder of the scale, history, and prestige of this series. But the true value of SCOOP isn’t just measured in dollars, it’s measured in players earning their greatness and winning a SCOOP title. Winning a SCOOP title remains one of the biggest ambitions in online poker and we’re excited to see which players join the history books this year.”

This year’s 136-event SCOOP schedule (with a total of 400 tournaments) is awarding over $45 million in guaranteed prizepools, and features low, medium, and high buy-in levels from $5.50 to $15,000. The flagship Main Events will be a schedule highlight and will award a total of $5.5 million across the NLHE Main Events on March 22, and $550,000 across the PLO Main Events on March 23.

Players can qualify through satellites from just $0.55, and the SCOOP Lucky Dip where over $500,000 in SCOOP tickets are up for grabs.

For more information about SCOOP head to the PokerStars Blog.

 

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The ongoing TIME TO WIN tournament by Boomerang Partners offers affiliates access to rewards connected with AC Milan.

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The exclusive TIME TO WIN affiliate tournament, organised by Boomerang Partners – an Official Regional Partner of AC Milan – is gaining momentum, with dozens of affiliate teams from across the globe already competing for valuable prizes and once-in-a-lifetime AC Milan experiences.

The Clock Is Ticking

With the tournament closing on March 31, 2026, every day counts. Affiliates who delay risk losing ground to competitors, as points accumulate quickly and unique experiences, including a behind-the-scenes visit to AC Milan’s Milanello Sports Centre powered by Clivet, will not be available after this activation. The call to action is clear: act now, complete tasks, and accumulate points to qualify for prize draws featuring a range of AC Milan-related rewards.

How Affiliates Earn Points

Participants in the TIME TO WIN tournament complete structured tasks across five key segments. Each task earns a fixed number of points:

  • Generate new sports users for Boomerang’s client portfolio (10 points per qualified action)

  • Complete the survey (25 points)

  • Contribute expert commentary (30 points)

  • Showcase creativity via a dedicated social media challenge (25 points)

  • Leave a review on a selected platform (20 points)

As affiliates reach specific point thresholds, they unlock entry to one of five prize draws. Higher scores give access to more draws, creating a competitive and rewarding environment for active participants.

Exclusive AC Milan Experiences Await

The tournament’s prize structure is designed to reward top-performing affiliates with increasingly prestigious AC Milan experiences:

  • 150 points – Entry to the TIME TO WIN Merch Pack draw (3 sets of 5 kits each)

  • 250 points – Entry to the draw for official AC Milan jerseys signed by players (3 sets of 5 jerseys each)

  • 350 points – Entry to the draw for a trip for five to attend AC Milan vs Cagliari

  • 550 points – Entry to the draw for a trip for five to attend AC Milan vs Juventus, including behind-the-scenes access, pre-match tunnel experience, and pitchside viewing of team warm-ups

  • 750 points – The ultimate tier, granting entry to the draw for a trip to AC Milan’s legendary Milanello Sports Centre powered by Clivet. Two prizes are available for five guests each, offering exclusive behind-the-scenes access, a tour of the facilities, and the opportunity to witness the Men’s First Team training in action – a truly rare and unforgettable experience.

Affiliates Share Their Experience

Participants are actively sharing their enthusiasm. Sports influencer Firo Orakel said:
“Being part of the TIME TO WIN tournament truly means a lot to me, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to participate. The prizes are a strong motivator, and I love being able to share them with my community. I promote the campaign on my Discord server and during my streams to keep momentum going.”

The Rossoneri Hub – Central Platform for Engagement

All tournament activities are coordinated through the Rossoneri Hub, Boomerang Partners’ central platform for AC Milan-related activations. This hub serves as a one-stop destination for affiliates, providing updates, guidance, and resources to maximise performance and engagement.

Strategically Timed During the Peak Sports Season

The tournament’s timing in February–March 2026 is deliberate, coinciding with a peak moment in the football season, including the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds. Boomerang Partners supports affiliates with a detailed guide offering market insights, expected player activity shifts, practical tips, and data-driven strategies to navigate these high-stakes periods effectively. TIME TO WIN is built for moments like this, when the competitive landscape is at its peak.

About Boomerang Partners

Boomerang Partners is a rapidly growing global marketing agency delivering a wide array of services. As an Official Regional Partner of AC Milan, the agency is uniquely positioned to create sports-focused activations that combine strategy, technology, and engagement. In 2024, it launched the Golden Boomerang Awards, a global tournament for affiliate teams, which saw over 400 teams participate in its 2025 second season.

The agency manages 10+ brands across 40+ regulated markets, offering affiliate and entertainment services with personalized bonuses and 24/7 multilingual support. Between 2024–2025, new product launches from partner brands contributed to a nearly 1.5× increase in product users, highlighting Boomerang’s ability to deliver measurable growth through data-driven affiliate campaigns.

The post The ongoing TIME TO WIN tournament by Boomerang Partners offers affiliates access to rewards connected with AC Milan. appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Boomerang Partners

The ongoing TIME TO WIN tournament by Boomerang Partners offers affiliates access to rewards connected with AC Milan.

Published

on

the-ongoing-time-to-win-tournament-by-boomerang-partners-offers-affiliates-access-to-rewards-connected-with-ac-milan.

The exclusive TIME TO WIN affiliate tournament by Boomerang Partners, an Official Regional Partner of AC Milan, is gaining momentum. Dozens of affiliate teams worldwide have already joined the race to compete for valuable prizes and unique AC Milan-related experiences.

Don’t miss your chance

The clock is winding down. With the tournament closing on March 31, every day you wait is a point a competitor earns. Competition is intensifying, and access to unique experiences – including a behind-the-scenes visit to AC Milan’s training base, Milanello Sports Centre powered by Clivet – will not be available beyond this activation.

The time to act is now. Participants can access the tournament page, complete the tasks, and accumulate points, securing a place for prize draws featuring AC Milan-related experiences.

How affiliates earn points

The TIME TO WIN tournament participants complete clearly structured tasks across five segments. Each completed task brings a fixed number of points:

  • Generate new sports users for brands within Boomerang’s client portfolio (10 points per qualified action)
  • Take the survey (25 points)
  • Share your insights by contributing expert commentary (30 points)
  • Prove your creativity through a dedicated SMM challenge (25 points)
  • Leave a review on a selected platform (20 points)

As soon as affiliates reach specific point thresholds, they unlock access to prize draws. There are five in total, and the higher the score, the more draws a team qualifies for.

Exclusive AC Milan experiences

By reaching specific point thresholds, affiliate teams will gain access to the corresponding prize draws linked to exclusive AC Milan experiences. The structure is clear:

  • 150 points – qualify for the TIME TO WIN Merch Pack draw (3 sets of 5 kits each)
  • 250 points – enter the draw for official AC Milan jerseys signed by players (3 sets of 5 jerseys each)
  • 350 points – secure a place in the draw for a trip for five persons to attend AC Milan v Cagliari
  • 550 points – become eligible for the draw for a trip for five persons to attend AC Milan v Juventus, including exclusive behind-the-scenes access with pre-match access to the tunnel area, and pitchside viewing of the teams’ warm-up.

The ultimate tier requires 750 points and unlocks access to the draw for an exclusive trip to AC Milan’s legendary training base, Milanello Sports Centre powered by Clivet. Reserved for top-performing teams (2 prizes for 5 guests each), this experience offers behind-the-scenes access to the Club’s inner environment, including a tour of the facilities and the opportunity to see the Men First Team training. This is a rare behind-the-scenes experience offering a unique glimpse into AC Milan’s daily routine.

Affiliate teams participating in the TIME TO WIN tournament actively share positive feedback. For example, sports influencer Firo Orakel highlighted his experience: “Being part of the TIME TO WIN tournament truly means a lot to me, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to participate. The prizes are a strong motivator – I want to share them with my community as well, as it gives them a chance to benefit too. I actively support the campaign through my Discord server, where I engage directly with my audience, and I also promote it regularly during my streams to keep the momentum going,” said Firo.

The Rossoneri Hub as the central platform

All activities related to the TIME TO WIN tournament are featured on the Rossoneri Hub portal, the main platform where Boomerang Partners centralizes its AC Milan-related activations. This is a unique web resource that Boomerang Partners launched as an Official Regional Partner of AC Milan.

A strategic moment within the sports season

Boomerang Partners’ decision to hold the TIME TO WIN tournament in February-March 2026 is no coincidence. This period marks one of the peak moments of the sports season, alongside major international competitions and football tournaments, the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds. The company is ready to actively share its sports expertise, including through an exclusive guide which provides affiliates with information on expected shifts in player activity by competition stage, market insights, practical recommendations, and data-driven guidance for navigating the sports peak.

TIME TO WIN was built for moments like this – when the sports calendar is at its peak. Join now and compete for unique AC Milan experiences.

About Boomerang

Boomerang Partners is a rapidly growing global marketing agency offering a wide range of services. Boomerang Partners is an Official Regional Partner of AC Milan. In 2024, it launched the inaugural Golden Boomerang Awards – a global tournament for affiliate teams. More than 400 affiliate teams participated in the second season of the tournament in 2025. Partners of the Agency launched six new products in 2024-2025, contributing to a nearly 1.5-fold increase in product users.

The agency’s client portfolio contains 10+ brands offering affiliate and entertainment services across 40+ markets in compliance with local regulations. These products provide personalized bonuses and 24/7 multilingual support.

The post The ongoing TIME TO WIN tournament by Boomerang Partners offers affiliates access to rewards connected with AC Milan. appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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