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William Hill Reveal: Winter hacks for improving performance in sport!

Published

5 years ago

January 28, 2021

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

A new study by William Hill reveals winter hacks to improve performance in a variety of sports including rugby, football, tennis and more.
Discover how to adapt tactics in the winter months

Whether you’re a cyclist, runner, triathlete, or just trying to hit your 2021 fitness goals, training and nutrition must stay consistent throughout the seasons for optimal results. However, variables that are completely out of your hands – like the weather – can massively impact your performance and motivation.

Nights are long, days are short and the UK’s winter weather certainly isn’t inviting, so there is no denying that even the more committed among us find these conditions challenging. But, on a positive note, the shortest day this winter is now well and truly behind us and therefore this is a brilliant opportunity to look to the future, set new goals and adapt training to truly get ahead of the curve and achieve your personal best.

To help you reach your personal best and hit those fitness goals, William Hill has revealed winter hacks for a variety of sports including cycling, football, rugby, and tennis. As the saying goes, ‘winter miles turn to summer smiles’!

And for more tips and to find out how professionals adapt to different conditions, visit https://news.williamhill.com/weather-effect/

The top tips per sport are detailed below:

Football:

When it comes to training in colder conditions, the body’s centre competes with the muscles for blood flow, which – for multiple reasons – can hinder performance and even cause unwarranted muscle strain. Also, people often dehydrate in colder conditions, so to overcome this drink 8 ounces of water every 15 minutes and wear clothing which keeps your body at a comfortable temperature.

Cricket:

Cricket is prominently a summer sport, so when cold spells do appear, use this time to go to the gym and build strength, power, endurance, and technique.

Regardless of it being wet, snowing, freezing, or raining, all of these conditions affect visibility which can lead to accidents. With low visibility also comes thicker air density, this will impact how the ball moves through the air.

Cycling:

In crisp and bitter weather, Just one degree in muscle temperature leads to a 10% drop in performance, wear several layers and gloves when it’s cold to prevent heat loss.

Golf:

Freezing temperatures lead to greater air density, so the ball needs more velocity than it would if the conditions were warmer, keep this in mind when taking your shot.

Horse Racing:

In Winter temperatures go for a warm-up jog and drink a hot drink to keep heat levels up prior to horse riding and choose clothing wisely so wear plenty of breathable layers. Also, keep your horse warm by blanketing them, this will ensure their muscles remain loosened up and perform better.

Wet weather can affect the horse’s footing and lower visibility. Notice how your horse is responding underfoot and decide what is best for you and your horse on that day. Be sure to keep both you and your equestrian partner as visible as possible.

Rugby:

Training in wet weather isn’t always a hindrance in rugby, but it can cause the body to drop in temperature rapidly, so make sure you have dry clothes to change into during half time.

Tennis:

The wind can throw off the toss on serves, which makes it harder to control and reduces the chances of a successful serve. Shots require more power to cut through the wind, so keep this in mind when taking your shot.

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Meridianbet Completes Fairbet Acquisition, Expanding Malta Retail Gaming Network Under Golden Matrix Group

Published

8 hours ago

January 30, 2026

Wladimir P.

meridianbet-completes-fairbet-acquisition,-expanding-malta-retail-gaming-network-under-golden-matrix-group

Meridianbet, a leading global sports betting and gaming operator and a subsidiary of Golden Matrix Group Inc. (NASDAQ: GMGI), has completed the acquisition of Fairbet Ltd., a licensed retail gaming operator in Malta.

The transaction significantly expands Meridianbet’s physical retail footprint in one of Europe’s most tightly regulated gaming jurisdictions.

Fairbet operates under Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) license B2C/195/2011, and the acquisition grants Meridianbet 100% ownership of Fairbet’s retail operations across Malta and Gozo, the archipelago’s second-largest island. The deal expands Meridianbet’s presence beyond its existing locations and further consolidates its position within the Maltese retail gaming market.

As part of the transaction, nine additional retail locations will be integrated into the Meridianbet network, increasing the company’s total number of storefronts in Malta to 20. The enlarged retail estate is expected to operate more than 60 sports betting terminals and over 120 slot machines, significantly boosting Meridianbet’s land-based gaming capacity.

The companies’ previous technology partnership will now transition into full operational integration, with Meridianbet assuming complete operational control of Fairbet’s retail network. All locations will be rebranded under the Meridianbet name, ensuring unified technology, compliance, and customer experience across the portfolio.

Malta’s retail gaming sector is governed by one of the most restrictive regulatory frameworks in Europe, with only three licensed operators permitted to operate retail betting locations: Meridianbet, Izibet (the National Lottery operator), and Fairbet. With Fairbet now wholly owned by Meridianbet, the company effectively controls two of the three retail gaming licenses in the jurisdiction.

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) enforces strict licensing criteria, substantial capital requirements, and rigorous compliance standards that create significant barriers to market entry. These conditions limit competition and create long-term scarcity value for licensed operators that meet the regulatory threshold.

“Completing the acquisition of Fairbet strengthens our position in a market where regulatory barriers create inherent scarcity value,” said Zoran Milosevic, CEO of Meridianbet. “This transaction allows us to expand our retail infrastructure in Malta, while our technology now supports the majority of licensed retail gaming in the country. It reflects our disciplined M&A strategy, targeting high-barrier markets where limited licensing creates durable competitive advantages.”

The Fairbet acquisition aligns with Meridianbet’s broader growth strategy, which combines organic expansion with selective mergers and acquisitions in jurisdictions where regulation encourages consolidation. Malta has been a core operational hub for Meridianbet since 2008, with the company ranking among the country’s originally licensed gaming operators during the early development of the MGA framework.

Malta’s gaming industry benefits from a regulatory regime widely regarded as one of Europe’s most credible. The MGA’s oversight framework emphasizes investor protection, technical compliance, and financial stability, positioning Malta-licensed operators for trust and recognition across international markets.

Meridianbet’s expanded retail footprint across Malta and Gozo enhances its ability to serve both local customers and the island nation’s strong tourism sector. According to Malta’s National Statistics Office, tourist arrivals exceeded three million visitors in 2024, reinforcing the strategic value of a broad, well-positioned retail gaming network

The post Meridianbet Completes Fairbet Acquisition, Expanding Malta Retail Gaming Network Under Golden Matrix Group appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Atlaslive

Atlaslive Reaches Final Shortlist for Best Live Platform Provider at SiGMA Eurasia 2026

Published

15 hours ago

January 30, 2026

Wladimir P.

atlaslive-reaches-final-shortlist-for-best-live-platform-provider-at-sigma-eurasia-2026

Atlaslive, a provider of B2B iGaming platform technology, has earned a place on the shortlist for the BEST LIVE PLATFORM PROVIDER 2026 category at the SiGMA Eurasia Awards 2026.

The SiGMA Eurasia Awards spotlight excellence across the iGaming, affiliate, and online entertainment industries, honoring companies and solutions that drive innovation, sustainable growth, and measurable impact. The shortlist is announced as part of the SiGMA Eurasia Summit, taking place February 9–11, 2026, at Dubai Festival City in the United Arab Emirates.

“Platform performance is measured in milliseconds, uptime, and player trust. Being shortlisted in this category reflects the technical discipline and delivery standards our teams bring to operators every day.”
—Anastasiia Poltavets, CMO at Atlaslive

Partners, supporters, and members of the community can participate in the awards process through public voting by submitting their support using the following form:
https://share.hsforms.com/11aCinm5wS92yCSiAtXDGUg3s9oo

Taking place during summit week, the awards ceremonies create a key moment for industry professionals to connect, share insights, and celebrate innovation at one of the year’s most prominent gaming events.

About Atlaslive

Atlaslive delivers flexible, scalable iGaming platform technology to operators in regulated markets. Focused on performance, reliability, and continuous product development, Atlaslive enables sportsbook and casino operations aligned with diverse business models.

This document is provided to you for your information and discussion only. This document was based on public sources of information and was created by the Atlaslive team for marketing usage. It is not a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any gambling-related product. Nothing in this document constitutes legal or business development advice. This document has been prepared from sources Atlaslive believes to be reliable, but we do not guarantee its accuracy or completeness and do not accept liability for any loss arising from its use. Atlaslive reserves the right to remedy any errors that may be present in this document.

About Atlaslive

Atlaslive is a B2B software development company that specializes in creating a multifunctional and automated platform to optimize the workflow of sports betting and casino operators. Key components of the Atlaslive Platform include Sportsbook, Casino, Risk Management and Anti-Fraud Tools, CRM, Bonus Engine, Business Analytics, Payment Systems, and Retail Module. Follow the company on LinkedIn to stay updated with the latest news in iGaming technology.

The post Atlaslive Reaches Final Shortlist for Best Live Platform Provider at SiGMA Eurasia 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Atlaslive

Atlaslive Reaches Final Shortlist for Best Live Platform Provider at SiGMA Eurasia 2026

Published

15 hours ago

January 30, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

Atlaslive, a provider of B2B iGaming platform technology, has earned a place on the shortlist for the BEST LIVE PLATFORM PROVIDER 2026 category at the SiGMA Eurasia Awards 2026.