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Onionsack and PMU cement partnership with three-year extension
Leading French operator signs long-term renewal with tech trailblazer in natural-language processing
In less than five years Irish technology company Onionsack has become one of PMU’s most trusted technology partners; and this week they announce an extended three-year deal, worth around €150m in stakes annually to the French horse racing authority.
The only platform to understand and process bets written or spoken in a natural language, Onionsack provides a simple and high value opportunity for betting operators to engage with customers in the way people prefer to communicate in 2021. Onionsack lets a customer place a bet by sending a message using their preferred channel, such as Telegram, Viber or SMS. In 2016 Onionsack and PMU got together to launch PariSMS. It has been such a hit with punters that, on average PMU users place 160 bets each per month using Onionsack – a higher frequency than other channels. Close to 1.5m bets are placed through the platform each month.
Onionsack’s platform is fast becoming an essential tool for betting operators in today’s messaging-app centred world. Thanks to the expertise developed from the machine-learning of millions of bets per month, Onionsack understands what a customer wants to bet on via messages written or spoken and then places the bet on behalf of the customer.
Onionsack’s first customer was the UK Tote Group, but since then has been working with brands such as Paddy Power and William Hill, in territories from UK, France and Germany, to USA and South Africa. But it’s the technology partnership with the ever-innovative PMU, launching PariSMS together in 2016, that has really caught the eye. This link up has showcased the most successful and scalable business use-case to date.
Jonathan Power, CEO of Onionsack said: “The PMU are leaders in the field of customer-centric horse racing betting, and have embraced the technological advantages that the Onionsack platform can bring. Betting by natural language is getting bigger and bigger”.
Emmanuelle Malecaze Doublet, Chief Marketing, e-commerce and International officer of PMU said: “PMU is always looking to innovate and to improve the customer betting experience. We are focused on the digital transformation of our company and through this partnership with Onionsack the convenience we can offer to our customer is always being renewed. PMU and Onionsack have developed a partnership that is delivering to our customers a simple, easy way to place bets that fits in with today’s lifestyles”.
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brand-ambassadors
BOYLE Sports names Olivia Buzaglo as football ambassador ahead of 2026 World Cup
The talkSPORT and TNT Sports presenter will front BOYLE Sports’ World Cup content and continue through the 2026/27 season.
BOYLE Sports has appointed talkSPORT and TNT Sports presenter Olivia Buzaglo as its new football ambassador, starting with the operator’s 2026 World Cup coverage. The announcement was made on June 4, 2026.
BOYLE Sports said Buzaglo will serve as its “face of football” across video and social channels, alongside hosting events tied to major football moments. The partnership is set to run through the 2026/27 season and beyond.
Commenting on her new role, Olivia Buzaglo said: “I’m delighted to be joining BOYLE Sports as its new ambassador, especially ahead of such a huge period for the game with the World Cup on the horizon. I’m really looking forward to hosting events and creating content with BOYLE Sports that brings supporters closer to the biggest moments in the game.”
Gill Blake-Swift, Director of Brand at BOYLE Sports, added: “Olivia is the ideal fit for BOYLE Sports as we continue to strengthen our football content and ambassador portfolio. Her broadcasting career has been hugely impressive, and she has built a brilliant connection with football fans across TV, radio, digital and social channels. We’re excited to see Olivia bring her energy, insight and personality to BOYLE Sports customers throughout a major year for football.”
The post BOYLE Sports names Olivia Buzaglo as football ambassador ahead of 2026 World Cup appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Allwyn
Scientific Games wins 12-year scratchcard supply deal with Hellenic Lotteries
14 new games launched in May as Hellenic Lotteries begins its new Greek State Lotteries concession.
Scientific Games has signed a new 12-year agreement to supply scratchcard games to Hellenic Lotteries, part of Allwyn Hellas, the companies said on June 8.
Hellenic Lotteries selected Scientific Games through a competitive procurement process. The operator recently secured the exclusive right to run and manage passive lotteries and scratchcard games for the Greek State for 12 years, following an international tender and the end of its previous license.
The partnership begins with 14 new scratchcard games that launched in May. The agreement also includes the option for the parties to explore digital lottery propositions in the future.
“At Allwyn Hellas and Hellenic Lotteries, we put players at the center of everything we do, emphasizing their entertainment experience. Therefore, we’re delighted to collaborate with Scientific Games as our instant game provider to deliver exciting scratchcard games to players in Greece,” said Matthaios Mattaiou, Chief Sales & Marketing PLAY Stores/HL and Operations Officer at Allwyn Hellas. “Beginning with new games launched in May, we look forward to engaging players with fresh propositions.”
Scientific Games said it will produce Greek scratchcards at its European Center of Game Production Excellence in the UK and provide a sales support team for delivery. “Our instant game innovators will continue to apply Scientific Games’ 53 years of analytics and game design best practices working to provide a portfolio of innovative scratchcards that drives responsible growth in Greece,” said Matthias Müller, Senior Vice President, International Sales for Scientific Games.
The post Scientific Games wins 12-year scratchcard supply deal with Hellenic Lotteries appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
content strategy
ELA Games reports Romanian growth as bet counts rise 239.74%
Studio says classic-styled slots with modern mechanics drove a 244.52% jump in active users led by Joker Winpot.
ELA Games says it has expanded in Romania after leaning into classic slot aesthetics while adding modern features, reporting a 244.52% increase in active users and a 239.74% rise in bet counts in the market.
The supplier positioned Joker Winpot as a key title for the approach, aiming to keep a traditional look while introducing feature-led mechanics.
Managing Director Marharyta Yerina said: “It is great to see how Romanian players are enjoying the way we combine classic symbols with modern features. Joker Winpot works well for those who love the traditional look but actually want more excitement from their play. We also see that once players feel comfortable with these mechanics, they are happy to explore our other top titles which have proved to be successful in Romania like Cash of Gods and Flames Fruit Frenzy. It proves that respecting what players like is the best way to introduce new ideas to the market.”
ELA Games also reported a 160.62% increase in turnover and a 33.71% boost in GGR across the region, naming Joker Winpot and Cash of Gods as top-performing titles. The company said Flames Fruit Frenzy also contributed to performance in Romania.
The studio framed the results as evidence that Romanian players are responding to modernised classic formats, including high-volatility gameplay and expanding reels. ELA Games said the mix is helping operators retain traditional audiences while introducing newer mechanics through familiar presentations.
The post ELA Games reports Romanian growth as bet counts rise 239.74% appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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