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Rolling In It: Most Profitable Racehorse

Published

5 years ago

February 26, 2021

George Miller

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Leading race horses earned £126,093 on average per minute in 2020
Top 20 earning thoroughbreds took just 11.05 minutes to surpass the £1 million-mark last year
Arrogate remains the all-time leading earner with £12,718,498.00 prize money, or £635,924.90 per minute
2020’s top 20 horses passed the £1million-barrier 65.42% quicker than sport’s top earning athletes
Authentic picked up £402,623.08 for every 60 seconds raced last year, more than Cristiano Ronaldo (£18,782.16) and Lionel Messi (£19,926.51)

Horse racing’s class of 2020 pocketed £126,093.67 per minute of action, a new study into the value of racehorses has revealed.

The top 20 earning racehorses last year took 11.05 minutes of racing, on average, to break the £1 million-barrier, 59.56% quicker than global sports’ top earning athletes, across the same 12-month period.

However American great Arrogate still tops the all-time charts, having banked £1 million for every 1.57 minutes raced.

Exactly half of last year’s leading thoroughbreds pocketed six-figure sums for a mere 60 seconds’ work, according to OLBG’s Most Profitable Racehorse report.

Arrogate, bought by Juddmonte Farm for a meagre £408,000.00, landed three of the planet’s richest races within the space of four months, amassing as yet insurmountable career earnings of £12,718,498.00; £462,490.84 per minute on the dirt. The Breeders’ Cup Classic netted his camp £2.24 million, the Pegasus World Cup £5.69m and the Dubai World Cup £4.88m.

The Bob Baffert-trained phenom won on seven occasions in total, earning more than his keep in just 20 minutes.

That ‘time to £1 million’ figure dropped to 5.66 minutes, when you assess the financial vitals of the top 20 earning racehorses of all time. This elite group earned an aggregated £160,446,327.70 across collective careers comprising 229 starts, and a win percentage of 52, to boot.

The stats for the class of 2020 are quite remarkable too, with a combined 69 wins from 117 starts; landing each of their respective owners a sizable share of £23,847,336.32.

There are some exceptionally wealthy racehorses out there, or there would be if they got to keep the cash.

Recently retired Authentic, the sport’s top earner in 2020, added a further £402,623.08 to his owners’ coffers for every single minute he ran.

Winner of the 2020 Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic, setting a new track record at Keeneland in the latter, he took home a cool £5,234,100.00, in just seven starts and recently began his stud career in central Kentucky, having retired last November.

That comes against the backdrop of prize purses for the top 10 most expensive horse races on the planet surpassing the £50 million-mark for the first time in 2020, the collective fund up 28.74% year-on-year.

Disappointingly, but understandably due to the pandemic, the cumulative total prize money available for the 489 races staged across the world last year finished at £322,187,199.00, down 19.09% from 2019 (£398,218,061.00), with the available funds in Europe taking the biggest hit, falling by a jaw-dropping 58.82% year-on-year.

Across the rest of the sporting world, Cristiano Ronaldo, who plys his trade in Serie A for Juventus, cleared £76,650,000.00 through salary, bonuses and endorsements in 2020, banking £18,782.16 per minute in the 2019-20 season, 60.08% less than 18th-ranked horse Mr Freeze (£34,911.89).

Footballers Messi (£19,926.51) Neymar (£29,218.36), Basketball’s Le Bron James (£27,774.14) and F1’s Lewis Hamilton (£26,384.38) also failed to trouble Mr Freeze, purchased in 2016 for £54,750, in the earnings per minute stakes, based on 2020 income.

Tyson Fury meanwhile was the most lucrative earner. Despite fighting just once last year he averaged £2,117,557.25 per minute – 248% more than the next highest earner which was Irish racehorse Tarnawa, who also only competed once.

Commenting on the findings, OLBG’s Richard Moffat said: “We’ve always known about the huge sums of money involved in racing horses, both on the betting exchanges and the business side of it too, but to see the figures in black and white and compare what racehorses earned versus sport stars really does make you sit up and take notice.

“It’s the fine margins between winning and losing, and the colossal financial incentives on offer, that add to the drama and intrigue of the sport. It also gives you a feel for why major bloodstock operations such as Godolphin, Zayat, Juddmonte, to name but a few, exist and take the creation of future leading thoroughbreds so seriously.

“When you microanalyse it to the point where Authentic earned £402,623.08 for every 60 seconds’ work in 2020, the lucrativeness of the sport is plain to see.”

Dota 2 esports

Esports Nations Cup 2026 Announces $45 Million Prize Fund for Players, Clubs, and National Teams

Published

1 hour ago

January 29, 2026

Wladimir P.

esports-nations-cup-2026-announces-$45-million-prize-fund-for-players,-clubs,-and-national-teams

The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has officially announced the inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC) 2026, bringing a new national team-focused layer to the global esports calendar.

Set to debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from November 2–29, 2026, the ENC will feature elite competition across 16 esports titles, emphasizing national pride, iconic rivalries, and global fan engagement.

The ENC 2026 introduces a $45 million funding commitment to empower players, coaches, clubs, and national teams through a structured and sustainable prize model. This investment supports the growth of esports globally and ensures fair, performance-based rewards for all participants.

Three-Part Prize Model: Players, Clubs, and National Teams

The ENC 2026 prize framework is designed to promote equality, transparency, and long-term growth across the esports ecosystem:

$20 million directly awarded to players and coaches across 16 esports titles
$5 million in club incentives for teams releasing players to participate, tied to player performance
$20 million via the ENC Development Fund to support national team operations, logistics, travel, marketing, and program development

“National teams add a compelling layer to esports, rooted in identity and pride,” said Ralf Reichert, CEO of EWCF. “Our prize model rewards performance, supports clubs, and strengthens the long-term pathways for players and national programs.”

Player-Centric and Transparent Prize Structure

ENC 2026 guarantees all qualified participants at least three matches, with equal placement earning equal pay across all titles. Coaches are rewarded alongside players for the same placement. Key prizes include:

First place: $50,000 per player
Second place: $30,000 per player
Third place: $15,000 per player

For team titles, payouts scale with roster size, ensuring consistent and fair distribution.

Global Growth and Rotating Host Cities

The ENC will rotate to major international cities after the Riyadh debut, establishing a biennial esports tournament that provides reliable structure for long-term planning by players, partners, and national federations.

Confirmed titles for ENC 2026 include Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Trackmania, and Dota 2, with additional games to be announced soon.

A New Era for National Esports

By combining national representation with global esports professionalism, the ENC offers players a chance to compete for national pride while connecting fans to elite-level esports. Clubs benefit from performance-linked incentives, and national teams receive long-term support to expand development pathways and enhance competitiveness.

For updates and further information on the Esports Nations Cup 2026, visit esportsnationscup.com and follow ENC on X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, and the Esports World Cup Foundation on LinkedIn.

The post Esports Nations Cup 2026 Announces $45 Million Prize Fund for Players, Clubs, and National Teams appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

casino operator growth

Groove Shines at ICE Barcelona 2026 as the Go-To Growth Partner for iGaming Operators

Published

2 hours ago

January 29, 2026

Wladimir P.

groove-shines-at-ice-barcelona-2026-as-the-go-to-growth-partner-for-igaming-operators

Groove, the award-winning iGaming platform and aggregator, has emerged from ICE Barcelona 2026 as the definitive growth partner for ambitious operators in 2026.

The event marked a milestone for the brand, generating high-value partnerships and demonstrating strong market demand for an integrated, scalable, and commercially strategic platform.

Over the three-day summit, Groove positioned itself at the heart of strategic conversations with operators and providers seeking solutions for sustainable growth, market diversification, and deeper player engagement. With an unprecedented volume of meetings, a clear trend emerged: operators are moving beyond basic content access, seeking a collaborative, technology-driven partner to navigate global expansion.

“The energy and focus at ICE 2026 validated our core why: aggregation has evolved into a strategic growth discipline,” said Yahale Meltzer, Co-Founder and COO of Groove.

“Operators aren’t coming to us just for games—they are looking for a roadmap. They want a partner who can provide content, technology frameworks, and commercial tools, like Instant Tournaments, as a seamless growth engine. In a fragmented market, Groove’s integrated approach is not just an advantage—it’s a necessity for serious operators in 2026.”

Groove’s Strategic Edge: Global Content and Localized Growth

Groove’s unique ability to act as a single conduit for global content and localized strategy was a central theme at ICE. The platform’s agility enables operators to thrive in established regulated markets while tapping into high-potential verticals such as Sweepstakes and Crypto gaming. This differentiation empowers operators to diversify portfolios, increase revenue, and streamline operational efficiency.

“We engaged with operators who have concrete 2026 plans, from new entries in Latin America to strategic European expansions,” explained Giusy Campo, Business Development Director at Groove.
“My role is to translate platform capabilities into commercial velocity. At ICE, we moved decisively from concept to pipeline execution. The market recognizes Groove as a partner that delivers with precision.”

Partnerships and Collaboration: Driving Innovation

Groove strengthened its global network by connecting with game studios and exploring exclusive content and technical collaborations designed to deliver innovative gaming experiences faster.

“ICE is ultimately about partnership in its truest sense,” said Rachel Tourgeman, Head of Partnerships at Groove.

“The quality of dialogue with existing and potential partners was exceptional, covering hyper-localized game curation, tournament tools, and strategies for player retention. Groove’s model of acting as an extension of our partners’ teams—providing tools and strategic insight—is exactly what the market needs now.”

Looking Ahead: Defining Growth for 2026

Groove exits ICE Barcelona 2026 not merely as a platform provider, but as the go-to growth partner for the iGaming industry. With a fortified pipeline, strategic market mandate, and a focus on turning aggregation into accelerated growth, Groove is set to define the iGaming landscape in 2026, helping operators expand globally and engage players meaningfully.

For more information, visit groovetech.com.

The post Groove Shines at ICE Barcelona 2026 as the Go-To Growth Partner for iGaming Operators appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

betting app engagement

Inside NFL Stadiums: How Fans Are Driving Record Sports Betting Engagement During Live Games

Published

2 hours ago

January 29, 2026

Wladimir P.

inside-nfl-stadiums:-how-fans-are-driving-record-sports-betting-engagement-during-live-games

During the latest NFL season, one of the most valuable arenas for sports betting engagement wasn’t online or at home—it was inside the stadium itself. Using insights from GeoComply Edge Stadium Data, analysts examined how fans interacted with betting apps while attending live NFL games, revealing a powerful convergence of fandom, technology, and real-time wagering.

From the season opener at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia to the final Wildcard Weekend matchup at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on January 12, GeoComply analyzed in-stadium activity across every NFL venue located in US states with legal sports betting. The findings provide a clear, data-driven picture of how live attendance influences digital betting behavior.

The result is a uniquely detailed view into in-stadium engagement, customer acquisition, and long-term bettor value, offering operators critical insight into where and when fans are most likely to engage.

GeoComply Edge Stadium Data: Visibility Others Don’t Have

GeoComply Edge is purpose-built to measure fan acquisition and betting engagement within precise stadium-level geofences. This advanced location intelligence allows sportsbooks and operators to identify which teams, games, and venues generate the strongest engagement, turning live events into actionable growth opportunities.

Rather than tracking generic app usage, GeoComply Edge delivers insights into:

Which NFL games drive the highest in-stadium betting activity
How frequently fans check betting apps during live action
Where new sportsbook accounts are created inside stadiums
How engagement varies by venue, team performance, and market maturity

This season-long data view highlights how in-person fandom directly translates into digital wagering behavior, offering a deeper understanding of the customer journey.

Growth Leaders: Stadiums Where Betting Engagement Is Accelerating

Five NFL stadiums stood out for year-over-year growth in geolocation checks and active betting accounts—two strong indicators of in-stadium betting engagement.

In many cases, increased engagement closely followed on-field success. Teams such as the Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, and Carolina Panthers returned to playoff contention after turnaround seasons, reigniting fan excitement and digital interaction.

The Las Vegas Raiders emerged as a notable outlier. Allegiant Stadium continues to function as a destination venue, attracting traveling fans from across the country and creating a uniquely strong in-stadium betting environment, independent of team performance.

Engagement Rate Leaders: Quality Over Volume

While total geolocation volume remains important, the most telling metric this season was engagement rate—the percentage of fans inside the stadium actively using betting apps during games.

Top-performing venues recorded 10% to 13% engagement, meaning nearly one in every eight fans accessed a sports betting app at least once while attending a live NFL game. This highlights the growing normalization of in-game wagering as part of the live sports experience.

New User Acquisition: Stadiums as Sportsbook Growth Engines

One of the most compelling insights from GeoComply Edge data is the consistent creation of brand-new betting customers inside NFL stadiums.

Leading venues generated new sportsbook sign-ups at rates between 0.2% and 0.7% of total attendance per game. For a typical 65,000-seat stadium, that translates to 130 to 450 new accounts per game.

GEHA Field, home of the Kansas City Chiefs, led all venues in new customer creation, benefiting from Missouri’s launch of mobile sports betting on December 1, 2025, during the Chiefs’ final three home games.

Reducing Friction with Compliant Onboarding

GeoComply supports operators at every stage of the customer journey. Through IDComply®, the company enables a fully compliant KYC process that delivers 95%+ onboarding success rates, while GeoComply Edge pinpoints where and when these high-value acquisition moments occur.

This dual approach allows sportsbooks to engage fans in a way that is timely, targeted, and non-intrusive, enhancing both compliance and customer experience.

Doing More With “Where” at Live Sporting Events

NFL stadiums have evolved into digital engagement hubs, where live entertainment, mobile technology, and sports betting intersect in real time.

GeoComply Edge Stadium Data brings clarity to this intersection by providing:

Actionable insights into in-stadium betting behavior
Clear visibility into acquisition and engagement trends
A season-long perspective beyond single-game analysis

As the NFL continues to grow and fan experiences become increasingly digital, one conclusion is unmistakable: the future of sports betting is already unfolding inside the stadium.

The post Inside NFL Stadiums: How Fans Are Driving Record Sports Betting Engagement During Live Games appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.