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Racecourse Media Group results return to pre-Covid levels
Racecourse Media Group (RMG) has revealed its payments to racecourses have returned to pre-Covid levels, with £110m forecast to be paid to its shareholders for 2021.
The payments, earned through racecourses’ media and data rights, are expected to exceed 2019’s pre-Covid payments of £107m, and have been a contributory factor to many racecourses being able to return prize money to its pre-pandemic levels.
RMG is 100% owned by its racecourse shareholders and pays 100% of operating profit back to racecourses. This collective and collaborative ethos has seen RMG’s businesses become the biggest single funder of British horseracing. The 2021 results follow a hugely challenging year in 2020 when, due to the pandemic, RMG payments to racecourses fell by 25.9% on the previous year.
Chairman Roger Lewis said: “I thank and congratulate everyone involved in racing for their herculean efforts in 2021. The RMG racecourses ensured that horseracing continued for a second year in the most demanding of circumstances, which allowed RMG to deliver as great a return as possible for racing. The RMG model was again tested in 2021 and again proved to be resilient and reliable.
“The investment in, and development of, our media assets and new innovative products – such as the Watch & Bet service, ultra-low latency, on-screen timing data, the exploration of in-play opportunities, and enhancements on Racing TV, headlined by the stunning Virtual Studio – aided our recovery.
“These initiatives all contribute to the RMG strategy of attracting more eyes on to our racing which, in turn, drives betting turnover, subscriptions, and sponsorship opportunities in the sport. And this all feeds into the RMG vision of increasing returns to our racecourses for the benefit of the industry.
“The 2021 performance will mean that RMG will have delivered £1bn to racecourses since the start of the business in 2004. This is a testament to our racecourses’ dedication and commitment to working together for the greater good of racing.”
Lewis steps down from his role at the end of 2022 and the search for a new Chairman is underway.
He joined the Board of RMG in 2012 and was appointed Non-Executive Chairman on January 1, 2019. Over a 40-year career in sport, media and business, Lewis has held senior positions at the BBC, ITV, Classic FM, EMI and Decca, and was GCEO of the Welsh Rugby Union for nine years.
Lewis continues as Chair of the Churchill Lines Foundation, a military charity, a Director of Festival UK 2022 and President of the National Museums of Wales. He also sits on The Platinum Jubilee Civic Honours Panel.
He added: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my decade at RMG and have been humbled by the boundless enthusiasm and support that we receive from our shareholder racecourses.
“I am particularly pleased RMG was able to announce last July that our British racecourses agreed a media rights renewal extension until December 31, 2028.
“This was a pivotal moment for British racing. The RMG racecourses have created business clarity and confidence for years to come. The certainty which this landmark, long-term agreement provides is very special for everyone involved in British racing.
“I pay particular tribute to the outstanding leadership of the RMG CEO, Martin Stevenson, who together with his great team of RMG executives navigated this complex and detailed process with rigour, patience and clear focus and who continue to lead the business with dynamism.
“I have been very fortunate to have worked alongside an outstanding Board of Directors and I sincerely thank them for their friendship, help and support and their incredible insight into the business.”
The business is aiming to exceed 2021’s forecast payments of £110m for the year ahead.
Lewis continued: “RMG can now look forward to serving its shareholder racecourses, which, in turn, benefits the sport of racing for the foreseeable future.
“The unity of purpose which the RMG racecourses have created over the past 18 years, to build an evolving yet sustainable and secure financial business, is a rare and precious thing. It has been a privilege and an honour to have served racing for the past ten years. It’s been one hell of a ride!”
Martin Stevenson, CEO of RMG, paid tribute to Lewis, saying: “I would like to pay tribute to Roger, who during his tenure as first Board member and then Chairman, has been instrumental in the development and success of RMG and its businesses over the last decade.
“In particular, Roger has helped steer RMG through the pandemic, and all the huge challenges it presented, to the point where the business is now producing results, which were on a par with pre-covid payments to racecourses. That is a terrific outcome.
“I thank Roger for his leadership and friendship and for all that he has done for horseracing. We wish him all the best for the future once his tenure comes to its conclusion at the end of the year.”
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Pragmatic Play, a leading provider of iGaming content, has launched Sugar Rush Super Scatter, the latest installment in its multi-award-winning candy-themed slots series.
This exciting new release offers players the chance to win up to 50,000x their stake, adding even more sweetness to the beloved franchise.
Following the success of the original Sugar Rush and Sugar Rush 1000, this newest release introduces the Super Scatter feature, adding high-volatility thrills to the popular 7×7 grid. Players collect clusters of 5–15+ matching sweet symbols to score base game wins up to 150x, while the tumbling feature and multiplier spots return, applying multipliers from 2x up to a staggering 1,024x on consecutive tumbles.
The Super Scatter bonus game is the highlight, awarding instant cash prizes when one to four special symbols land on a triggering spin. Sticky marked spots and multipliers remain active during the feature, with 3–7 additional scatters retriggering 10–30 extra spins, significantly boosting winning potential.
Select markets also enjoy three ante bet options and two bonus buys, which guarantee multipliers across the grid, ensuring players can maximize their chances of landing massive wins.
Sugar Rush Super Scatter follows Pragmatic Play’s proven formula for fan-favorite slots enhanced with Super Scatter mechanics, joining previous hits such as Gates of Olympus Super Scatter, Sweet Bonanza Super Scatter, and Starlight Princess Super Scatter.
Irina Cornides, Chief Operating Officer at Pragmatic Play, said: “Sugar Rush Super Scatter takes one of our most successful titles and sweetens it further with a 50,000x max win. The release highlights our commitment to creating diverse games designed for long-term player engagement and strong commercial impact.”
With its colorful candy graphics, high-energy gameplay, and record-breaking multipliers, Sugar Rush Super Scatter is poised to be one of the hottest Pragmatic Play slots of 2026.
The post Pragmatic Play Sweetens Slots with Sugar Rush Super Scatter and Massive 50,000x Wins appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Affiliate Succes
Free Bets Appoints The Racing Blogger as Exclusive Horse Racing Brand Ambassador for 2026
Freebets.com, the leading U.K. sports betting affiliate, has announced an exclusive partnership with Stephen ‘The Racing Blogger’ Power, the renowned horse racing influencer.
This collaboration will run throughout 2026, positioning Stephen as the official brand ambassador for Free Bets and delivering expert insights across the National Hunt calendar.
The partnership will see Stephen cover all major racing events, including the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National, sharing his unique, energetic analysis with fans via Free Bets’ digital platforms and social media channels. Known to his 300,000+ followers as Blogger or Bloggsy, Stephen will provide betting previews, tips, and expert commentary on both horse racing and football.
Additionally, Stephen will promote Free Bets’ soon-to-launch free-to-play games, offering users a dynamic and engaging betting experience on the Freebets.com website.
Dominic Celica, Head of PR at Free Bets, said: “The Racing Blogger has built an incredible following across X and Instagram and is a leading voice in horse racing content. We’re thrilled to collaborate with him and have an exciting pipeline of content planned for racing fans in 2026.”
Stephen Power added: “I’m delighted to work with Free Bets to bring engaging, insightful content during the biggest race meetings of the year. Together, we’ll provide racing enthusiasts with expert tips, exclusive offers, and a deeper connection to the sport.”
With this partnership, Free Bets aims to strengthen its position as a go-to destination for horse racing fans in the U.K., combining expert insights, exclusive content, and interactive betting experiences.
The post Free Bets Appoints The Racing Blogger as Exclusive Horse Racing Brand Ambassador for 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
casino floor management
Win Systems Showcases Cutting-Edge WIGOS Casino Management System Upgrades at ICE Barcelona 2026
Win Systems, a global leader in casino technology solutions, is set to showcase its latest innovations at ICE Barcelona 2026, one of the premier international gaming industry events, held from January 19 to 21 at Fira Barcelona – Gran Via.
Visitors can explore Win Systems’ groundbreaking solutions at booth 3M30, where the company will highlight the newest enhancements to its WIGOS casino management system (CMS).
Installed in over 660 casinos worldwide, WIGOS CMS empowers operators to manage gaming floors in real time, optimize slot and table performance, improve operational efficiency, and enhance player loyalty. By delivering strategic insights, WIGOS helps casinos maximize profitability while maintaining a superior gaming experience.
At ICE Barcelona 2026, Win Systems will introduce several key upgrades to WIGOS, designed to elevate casino operations and player engagement:
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Advanced Table Games Player Development Tools – These new features track and analyze player activity in real time, enabling operators to strengthen relationships, increase loyalty, and tailor experiences for high-value players.
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Multi-Vault Management – A flexible solution for interconnected vaults, allowing casinos to efficiently manage cash operations, scale according to operational needs, and streamline workflows.
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InTouch Pro Communication Platform – This innovative tool facilitates direct interaction with players via gaming machines, offering personalized promotions, enhanced engagement, and loyalty-building opportunities.
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Player Rewards Enhancements – Featuring new Bonusing game themes and real-time Fun Play promotions, this feature instantly refunds bets, encouraging interaction and creating a more engaging and rewarding experience for players.
“ICE Barcelona is the ideal platform to demonstrate our commitment to innovation in casino management technology,” said Eric Benchimol, CEO of Win Systems. “Our WIGOS CMS solutions simplify operations while generating measurable value for operators, tailored to the unique demands of each market. We invite all industry professionals to visit booth 3M30 and discover how our technology continues to set new standards in efficiency, engagement, and profitability.”
For more information on Win Systems’ participation in ICE Barcelona 2026 and its comprehensive solutions for casino operators, visit winsysgroup.com.
The post Win Systems Showcases Cutting-Edge WIGOS Casino Management System Upgrades at ICE Barcelona 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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