Latest News

Total Performance Data signs landmark multi-year deal with Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia

Published

4 years ago

March 2, 2022

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Tracking system launched for last weekend’s $20m Saudi Cup, the world’s most valuable race

The world’s largest and fastest source of live horse racing data, Total Performance Data (TPD), has signed a multi-year deal with the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA).

TPD and the JCSA jointly launched the tracking system at last weekend’s two-day Saudi Cup meeting and that begun a partnership that will see every runner at every meeting in the country tracked, meaning the world’s most valuable race, The $20m Saudi Cup, will benefit from TPD’s in-running data.

The tracking software recorded some intriguing pace conundrums from the King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh over the weekend where despite many front runners emerging victorious across the card, the data points to the reverse happening in The Saudi Cup itself. John & Thady Gosden’s Mishriff came unstuck by being up with the pace early on, while the winner, Emblem Road, came from last to first. More information can be found in the attached table.

The agreement, TPD’s first in the Middle East, means the data specialists now operate in five countries throughout the world, with the two racecourses in the territory, the King Abdulaziz Racetrack and King Khalid Racetrack, the 42^nd and 43^rd tracks they have a presence at globally.

The new deal also means that both on-course and off-course broadcasters will have access to TPD’s live in-running graphics like those seen during the Racing League and at Ascot.

Will Duff Gordon, CEO of Total Performance Data, said: “We are honoured to have gone live with the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia in what is very exciting deal for us as we continue to expand our global footprint.

“Racing in the territory is getting bigger every season and you just have to look at the calibre of horse that ran there over the weekend for evidence of that. It’s a very exciting time to be involved with racing in Saudi Arabia and it’s fantastic that our offering will be part of the world’s richest race, The Saudi Cup, every February.

“Looking at the data behind this year’s Saudi Cup, and it looks like a classic pace burnout, with shock winner Emblem Road coming from last to first and defending champion Mishriff tailing off after setting the fastest second quarter sectional. We’ve already had enquiries from connections of horses in the race, who clearly want a bit more insight as to why things may have panned out as they did.”

Tom Ryan, Director of Saudi Cup, said: “We are very pleased to have TPD’s tracking technology in place for all our racedays and were impressed by how quickly the service was up and running. Our local audience enjoyed the big screen graphics and we know that horsemen will appreciate access to the pace data to review their performances.”

eSports

Esports Foundation names Faker Game Ambassador for EWC and ENC through 2028

Published

32 minutes ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

esports-foundation-names-faker-game-ambassador-for-ewc-and-enc-through-2028

Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok joins Cristiano Ronaldo and Magnus Carlsen in the Esports Foundation’s Ambassador Program.

The Esports Foundation (EF) has appointed Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok as a Game Ambassador for the Esports World Cup (EWC) and Esports Nations Cup (ENC) through 2028, the organization said on July 15, 2026 in a statement issued from Riyadh and Paris.

EF said Faker joins Cristiano Ronaldo, listed as the Foundation’s Global Ambassador, and Magnus Carlsen as part of the Esports Foundation Ambassador Program. The Foundation said Faker will represent “the perspective of esports players” across its international events, athlete initiatives, media engagements and leadership forums.

“You can’t talk about esports without mentioning Faker. He is the defining athlete of competitive gaming: a champion whose excellence, discipline and longevity have inspired an entire generation,” said Ralf Reichert, Chief Executive Officer of the Esports Foundation. “As our Game Ambassador, Faker represents something fundamental to the Ambassador Program: esports creates its own global sporting icons. Across EWC, ENC and NGSC, he will help ensure that the players who built this sport have a voice in shaping where it goes next.”

Faker said: “Competition has shaped my life, and I am proud to join the Esports Foundation as Game Ambassador. I want to continue competing for the biggest titles with T1 while representing the players and fans who have helped esports grow worldwide. Through the Esports World Cup, Esports Nations Cup and the Foundation’s wider platforms, I hope to inspire the next generation to pursue excellence, remain resilient and believe in how far competitive gaming can take them. There is still much more to achieve.”

EF highlighted Faker’s competitive record, describing him as a six-time League of Legends World Champion, EWC 2024 winner, two-time MSI champion and ten-time domestic champion with T1. The Foundation also said Faker became the first esports athlete to receive the Blue Dragon Medal in 2026, describing it as the Republic of Korea’s highest sporting honor awarded by President Lee Jae-myung.

The post Esports Foundation names Faker Game Ambassador for EWC and ENC through 2028 appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Brand Partnerships

Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season

Published

8 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

midnite-signs-as-middlesbrough-fc-principal-partner-for-2026/27-season

Midnite has agreed a partnership with Middlesbrough FC that will see the UK bookmaker become the club’s principal partner and front-of-shirt sponsor for the 2026/27 campaign, which Middlesbrough describes as its landmark 150th season.

The companies announced the deal alongside a fan activation at Riverside Stadium on Thursday, July 9, branded “This Season’s On Us”. The initiative offered supporters prizes including 2026/27 season tickets, 2026/27 shirts, match tickets, or a £25 club shop voucher, with fans required to answer Middlesbrough trivia and complete a football challenge.

Middlesbrough former players Craig Hignett and David Wheater attended the event, and, according to the company, took bonus attempts on behalf of participants who missed out.

Andrew Mook, Midnite’s Head of Brand Marketing, said:

“Middlesbrough have a storied history and we’re delighted to announce this partnership during such a monumental year with the club celebrating their 150th anniversary.

“It was great to see so many Middlesbrough fans at the “This Season’s On Us” activation, we hope they enjoyed taking part and meeting club legends, with David Wheater hitting top bins on several occasions and allowing fans to win big with season tickets.

“We can’t wait to get to Riverside Stadium in August to kick-off a new season and we’re excited to say that we have plenty of new and captivating campaigns planned.”

Lee Fryett, Middlesbrough FC Chief Commercial Officer, added:

“We’re delighted to welcome Midnite as our new Principal Partner.

“We’re looking forward to working closely with Midnite to develop engaging campaigns, content and unique experiences that bring our fans even closer to the club.

“We’re confident this partnership will provide real value for our supporters while supporting our ambitions both on and off the pitch.”

The post Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

AGCO

ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch

Published

8 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

thrilltech-secures-agco-supplier-licence-for-ontario-launch

ThrillTech has been awarded a Gaming-Related Supplier licence by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), clearing the company to launch in Ontario’s regulated market.

The licence allows ThrillTech to deploy its opt-in side bet jackpots technology with regulated online casino, sports betting and lottery operators across the province.

Benjamin Bradtke, Co-Founder of ThrillTech, said: “Securing our AGCO licence is a major step in our mission to transform how jackpots are delivered at scale across regulated markets. This latest certification is testament to our robust technology and trusted compliance frameworks, allowing us to continue our global growth trajectory. We are thrilled to bring our proven, compliant jackpot technology to Ontario, empowering locally licensed operators to uplift revenue without cannibalising existing spend.”

The company said its “ThrillPots” mechanics sit as an independent, player-funded side bet and do not alter the underlying game’s return-to-player mathematics.

ThrillTech said the Ontario approval enables its existing multinational partners that also operate in the province to launch its side bet jackpots locally, while it also holds talks with potential new operator partners. The company lists its regulated footprint as including the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Romania, Malta, Gibraltar, Brazil and Peru.

The post ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.