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CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL ‘DEAD CERTS’ SUPPLIED BY PADDY POWER EXPERTS RUBY WALSH, TONY MULLINS, LYDIA HISLOP AND FRANK HICKEY

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Panel discusses the tips and tricks when fluttering during the festival, with one horse tipped to “walk to the line” in Tuesday’s Champion Chase

Ahead of the Cheltenham Festival next week, Paddy Power brought together some of the sports’ biggest names to discuss their favourites and tips for each day during the Ultimate Cheltenham Preview Night.

The Paddy Power panel included:

  • Cheltenham’s most successful jockey, Ruby Walsh
  • Group one trainer, Tony Mullins
  • Journalist and broadcaster, Lydia Hislop
  • Paddy Power trader, Frank Hickey

With a full week of jam-packed racing on the cards, the racing experts gave a race-by-race breakdown of the ones to watch, including for main event, the Gold Cup.

CHELTENHAM DAY ONE TIPS:

Expect an open race for Tuesday’s Supreme Novice Hurdles. Tony Mullins, tips this to be “the most informative race for the next three of four years”

 

Tony Mullins says…

“This is a hell of a race, it’s the best Supreme Novices Hurdle that I’ve ever seen. Not just in a few years, but ever. You have Sir GerhardConstitution HillDysart DynamoJonbon and Kilcruit.”

“There’s five top class horses unexposed. It doesn’t get any better than that. I’ve never seen a bunch of horses like it.”

“This race is going to tell you a lot about the top-class horses for the next for the next few years.”

“I’d find better bets [to place money on] during the week, because this is a race [the Supreme Novices Hurdle] that’s going to benefit Paddy Power far more than the punters.”

“I’m most looking forward to the Supreme [Novices Hurdle]. If they [the horses] all turn up, it’s going to be the most informative race for the next three or four years.”

Ruby Walsh says…

Dysart Dynamo and Sir Gerhard are the two that are deadly split, they are the ones to ride, and they will be split.

“I believe whichever one goes to the Ballymore [Novices Hurdle] will win it. But whichever one runs here [at Cheltenham] might win. They Ballymore is much weaker race.”

“I think this is a cracking race, as people have already said.”

“I think if Dysart Dynamo were to run here, this race is made for him.”

Lydia Hislop says…

“For the Supreme Novice Hurdles, I’d also throw in Mighty Potter [as a potential winner]. In a strongly run race, I think he could be finishing off very strongly.”

Frank Hickey says…

Constitutional Hill had looked very good, and times are good. But on a heavy testing ground, it doesn’t always work out.”

“For me, Sir Gerhard will win. He blew me away, even with his sloppy jumping at Leopardstown. He is by far the most interesting of them all.”

“If he [Sir Gerhard] runs in the Supreme Novices Hurdle, he will win it and then Dysart Dynamo will win the Ballymore Novices Hurdle.”

Ruby Walsh predicts Stormy Island to take the Mares Hurdle after returning to Willie Mullins’ stable…

 

Ruby Walsh says…

It’s Stormy Island that will win it for me, she was very good at Fairyhouse last year.

“She was brought back to Willie Mullins’ stable this year then was great at Fairyhouse, won at Punchestown and she’s run well at the festival in the past. I do think this is the weakest Mares Hurdle she’s run in.”

CHELTENHAM DAY TWO TIPS:

Ruby Walsh and Tony Mullins both earmark Shishkin as the banker of the week at Wednesday’s Champions Chase…

Ruby Walsh says…

Shishkin will win this race.”

 

Tony Mullins says…

Shishkin will walk up to the line again [and win]. There’s no evidence to say that anything different could happen.”

Tiger Roll actually might not will be calling it a day at Cheltenham’s Cross Country…

 

Frank Hickey says…

“This race is probably the one to sweeten Tiger Roll up for the Grand National. That must be the thinking.”

 

Tony Mullins says…

“Could you imagine if Tiger Roll runs here, but not in the Grand National? I’ve seen crazy things, but that would have to be the craziest move of all time to do so.

“We have the next potential Red Rum. Can you imagine having the only horse [Tiger Roll] for 40 years, who could potentially win a treble Grand National not running because he has a lighter weight? It’s very funny [to think about].”

CHELTENHAM DAY THREE TIPS:

Mares Novice Hurdle splits the opinions of all four experts…

Lydia Hislop says…

“At his very best, Klassical Dream is the best horse in the Paddy Power Stayers Hurdle and he’s going to either completely blow out or run really well. He’s at a reasonable price at 4/1. If he turns up and runs a good race, he wins but there is a possibility he completely blows out.”

MARES NOVICE HURDLE – THE EXPERTS HAVE THEIR SAY…

Ruby Walsh predicts… Champ

Tony Mullins predicts… Paisley Park

Frank Hickey predicts… Sporting John

Lydia Hislop predicts… Klassical Dream

CHELTENHAM DAY FOUR TIPS:

Ruby Walsh and Tony Mullins earmark last year’s Gold Cup runner-up to win this time around…

 

Frank Hickey says…

“I don’t think A Plus Tard will turn it around. I’ve never been a fan of him to be honest and he wasn’t good enough last year.”

Lydia Hislop says…

“I don’t see why I just can’t have Protektorat. He’ll make mistakes in the early stages and he won’t be able to hold his position.”

“I like Galvin at 6/1, not so much at 7/2. In the back of my mind, I’m worried about the toll that the Gold Cup takes on horses that are coming back.”

Tony Mullins says…

“I’m going for A Plus Tard for all the reasons that Frank says he can’t win. I thought he was brilliant in Haydock, he was beaten at Shorthill by the joint favourite, he was very unlucky last year. Everything points to A Plus Tard.”

“Frank is a very good analyst but everything he says about why A Plus Tard will get beaten, is why I think he will win! One of us will be wrong.”

Ruby Walsh says…

“I agree with Tony, I’d ride A Plus Tard. Galvin had a brilliant run at Christmas and A Plus Tard was in the wrong place the whole time and it’s very easy to turn that result around.”

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Brazil advances integrity agenda amid strong market growth

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Brazil’s regulated betting market continues to gain structure and momentum, as the country balances regulatory consolidation, integrity safeguards, and commercial growth.

Over the past week, key developments, from federal policy implementation to strategic partnerships and product innovation, highlight how the ecosystem is maturing ahead of major global sporting events.

Government launches national policy to combat match-fixing

A major regulatory milestone was reached with the creation of the National Policy for the Prevention and Combating of Sports Manipulation (PNPEMR). Established through a joint ordinance by the Ministries of Sports, Finance, and Justice, the policy introduces a comprehensive national framework designed to address integrity risks in sports.

The initiative is structured around four central pillars: regulation, prevention, monitoring and enforcement, aiming to protect the credibility and unpredictability of sporting competitions in Brazil.

The policy emphasizes interinstitutional cooperation, bringing together public authorities, sports organizations, betting operators and international bodies.

Among its key measures are:

  • Standardization of reporting flows for suspicious betting activity
  • Continuous education programs for athletes, referees and sports officials
  • Protection mechanisms for whistleblowers
  • Strengthening of criminal investigations targeting organized match-fixing networks

Under the framework, the Ministry of Sports will coordinate implementation, while the Ministry of Finance will oversee betting regulation and operator compliance. The Ministry of Justice and Public Security, alongside the Federal Police, will lead intelligence-sharing and enforcement efforts, particularly in cases with interstate or international scope. See DOU

A multi-stakeholder governance committee will be responsible for monitoring progress and proposing adjustments, ensuring that the policy evolves alongside the market.

This move reinforces Brazil’s intention to align regulatory oversight with global integrity standards, particularly relevant as the country prepares for high-volume betting scenarios during major international competitions.

Sportradar expands iGaming strategy with Playradar launch

On the corporate front, Sportradar announced the launch of Playradar, a new brand dedicated to its iGaming vertical, signaling a strategic shift toward more integrated and immersive betting experiences.

The new offering is built around hybrid gaming concepts, combining real-time and historical sports data with live streaming and casino content.

Among the key features is a 24/7 live experience hub, where users can engage simultaneously with sports events and interactive gaming formats.

The initiative will be led by Edo Haitin, a seasoned executive with over two decades of experience in live gaming and product development.

The company plans to roll out Playradar starting in 2026, initially targeting regulated markets in the UK, North America and Latin America.

According to CEO Carsten Koerl, the move represents a natural evolution of the company’s capabilities, leveraging its existing infrastructure in data, streaming and user behavior analytics to enhance engagement and monetization across the player lifecycle.

Haitin also emphasized the strategic vision behind the launch, highlighting the ability to combine technology and content in line with evolving market demands, particularly as operators look for differentiated and immersive user experiences.

Importantly, Playradar will operate exclusively in regulated environments, maintaining a strong focus on responsible gaming and integrity, aligning with broader industry and regulatory trends.

Playson strengthens Brazilian footprint through Betnacional partnership

Further reinforcing Brazil’s position as a high-growth market, Playson expanded its regional presence through a new partnership with Betnacional, a leading local operator owned by Flutter Entertainment.

The agreement will see a portfolio of Playson’s top-performing titles integrated into Betnacional’s platform, including 4 Pots Riches, Diamonds Power, and Sugar Teddy x1000, all recognized for their strong performance in regulated markets and engaging gameplay mechanics such as Hold and Win.

The partnership reflects a broader industry trend toward localization and mobile-first strategies, as operators seek to better align content with regional player preferences.

Cristhian Zito, Head of LatAm at Playson, highlighted the strategic importance of the deal:

Partnering with Betnacional is an important milestone for us in Brazil. It is a highly respected local brand with a deep understanding of its audience, and we are confident our content will resonate strongly with its players.

This launch further strengthens our position in the market and reflects our commitment to delivering engaging, high-performing games to operators across Latin America.”

From the operator’s perspective, Frederico Cunha, Head of Commercial at Betnacional, also emphasized the value of the collaboration:

We are delighted to welcome Playson’s portfolio to Betnacional. Their games are recognised for their quality, strong mechanics, and consistent performance, making them a valuable addition to our offering.

We look forward to working closely together and bringing an enhanced entertainment experience to our players.”

A market balancing integrity and growth

Taken together, this week’s developments illustrate a clear dual trajectory in Brazil’s betting sector: strengthening institutional and integrity frameworks while simultaneously attracting investment, innovation and international partnerships.

As regulatory structures become more sophisticated and collaboration between stakeholders deepens, Brazil is positioning itself not only as a compliant and secure market, but also as a central hub for growth in Latin America’s gaming industry.

SportyBet appoints DJ Khaled as global ambassador to expand connection between sports, culture and entertainment

SportyBet has announced DJ Khaled as its new global ambassador, strengthening its positioning at the intersection of sports, music, and contemporary culture.

He joins a global roster that includes José Mourinho and Éder Militão, reinforcing the company’s strategy of connecting with audiences through entertainment. The partnership will roll out across key markets such as Brazil, the United States, Mexico, and parts of Africa, supporting SportyBet’s expansion as an experience-driven platform.

According to Elias Gallego, Vice President of Sporty Group, the collaboration reflects the company’s focus on partnering with culturally relevant figures to engage diverse audiences, particularly in markets like Brazil where sports and lifestyle are closely linked.

Deeper push into music and entertainment

The move also signals a broader effort by Sporty Group to integrate music into its entertainment ecosystem. Earlier this year, the company partnered with Burna Boy on the “For Everybody” project, blending music, football, and global culture.

In this context, DJ Khaled’s appointment further strengthens a strategy centered on storytelling and fan engagement, especially in regions where sports and music are deeply connected.

Global mindset and brand evolution

DJ Khaled highlighted the shared vision behind the partnership, emphasizing mindset, authenticity, and global connection with fans.

The agreement reinforces SportyBet’s evolution beyond sports betting, positioning the brand within a broader entertainment ecosystem. In Brazil, it aligns with the company’s ongoing growth and its focus on delivering integrated experiences that combine content, culture, and user engagement.

The post Brazil advances integrity agenda amid strong market growth appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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ReferOn Shortlisted for “Best Affiliate Software 2026” at SiGMA Awards South America

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ReferOn, the next-generation affiliate management platform, has been shortlisted for the “Best Affiliate Software 2026” category at the upcoming SiGMA Awards South America.

The nomination recognises ReferOn’s continued growth and the platform’s ability to support operators with scalable, transparent, and efficient affiliate management solutions in increasingly complex markets.

ReferOn has become a trusted foundation for businesses worldwide looking to scale their operations. With rapid adoption across the globe, the platform is now the go-to choice for companies that need to scale quickly and reliably. Because the platform handles large volumes of data with ease, it is a vital tool for teams that need speed and precision. In such a competitive market, we provide the accuracy and simplicity required to stay ahead, allowing our users to focus on their goals without the technical stress.

A New Chapter: The Era of “Refie”

This nomination arrives at a defining moment for the company, after the 2025 launch of Refie, the latest evolution of ReferOn. We have humanized B2B software with Refie, an integrated assistant that acts as a helpful navigation layer for our users. This milestone completely removed the struggle of getting started on the platform by visually guiding people through complex steps, making sure everyone can find their way without any stress or confusion.

Refie transforms repetitive daily tasks into an engaging experience that actively minimizes human error. It was specifically designed to eliminate the manual bottlenecks affiliate managers have traditionally faced, making their daily operations much faster and more efficient.

Alex Bukin, General Manager at ReferOn, commented: “Being shortlisted for the SiGMA Awards South America is a strong recognition of the progress our team has made. We are focused on building technology that simplifies affiliate management and gives operators clearer, faster access to the data they need to grow. With Refie and our upcoming developments, we’re continuing to move in that direction”.

Ambitious Plans for 2026

In 2026, ReferOn will upgrade Refie with sophisticated gamification to boost user engagement and streamline daily tasks for affiliate managers. These updates will introduce personalized, smart features, establishing a new industry benchmark for affiliate technology.

Cast Your Vote

We invite all industry peers and partners to support the work we’re doing. If you are a registered delegate attending SiGMA South America 2026, your voice matters.

  • Award Category: Best Affiliate Software 2026
  • How to Vote: Voting is open exclusively to delegates who hold valid event tickets. Please visit the official SiGMA Awards portal to cast your vote for ReferOn.

The post ReferOn Shortlisted for “Best Affiliate Software 2026” at SiGMA Awards South America appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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ELA Games Contributes to Discussions on Scalable iGaming Ecosystems and Studio Innovation at HIPTHER Prague Summit

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ELA Games recently took the stage at the HIPTHER Prague Summit, joining top industry leaders to discuss the rapidly evolving landscape of the iGaming sector. Represented by Yaroslav Soloshenko, Head of Business Development, the studio participated in a forward-looking panel focused on building a more scalable iGaming ecosystem and advancing game innovation for 2026 and beyond.

Rather than just looking at incremental changes, the panel challenged speakers to envision an ideal, universal platform of the future before tackling everyday industry challenges. From there, the conversation shifted to real-world strategies, exploring how enhanced operator-supplier collaboration, gamification, and advanced platform architecture will shape the next generation of iGaming.

One focus of the session was the ongoing evolution of game development and distribution. The group highlighted the necessity of building bespoke, trust-based relationships with operators to secure the best visibility in increasingly crowded game libraries. Tied to this was the critical importance of early operator feedback and MVP (Minimum Viable Product) testing, with panelists noting that smaller studios often have a distinct advantage in implementing operator-driven changes faster than larger competitors.

The topic of artificial intelligence was also raised, with the point made that some studios already have proof-of-concept for fully AI-generated slots. This led the panelists to tackle the relationship between AI and traditional game design, weighing the balance between mass-produced, AI-generated content and the slower, human-led craftsmanship required to build higher-value games.

Addressing the realities of market distribution, the panel discussed how operators are becoming much stricter about the number of games they release to prevent market oversaturation. They also examined how rigorous testing rules in regulated regions can significantly delay product launches. Weighing in on these challenges, Soloshenko brought ELA Games’ forward-thinking perspective to the table, advocating for the ideal of a single global license to reduce regulatory barriers and accelerate market entry.

During the session, Soloshenko emphasized the necessity of uniting departments to achieve complete, A-to-B game design. He stressed the fundamental alignment required between product and business teams, noting that because the business division operates on the frontline of the market—tracking industry changes and operator demands—they must actively help guide the product’s direction. To achieve this, he advocated for transitioning away from a factory-line style of production in favor of a “boutique” approach, where all teams collaborate intimately from the initial project kick-off all the way to release day.

“Participating in the HIPTHER Prague Summit gave us a great opportunity to explore how development strategies must adapt to current industry realities,” said Yaroslav Soloshenko, Head of Business Development at ELA Games. “The foundation of our approach is continuous collaboration, both internally and externally. By working as closely as possible with operators to share early MVPs, we gather invaluable feedback. When those insights are handed directly to a unified development team, it allows us to consistently develop titles crafted exactly for what the market needs at any given time.”

Being a part of these high-level industry talks is part of ELA Games’ strategy to remain closely aligned with operator needs and player expectations as the market evolves.

Play the demo and other games here: www.elagames.com/our-games

The post ELA Games Contributes to Discussions on Scalable iGaming Ecosystems and Studio Innovation at HIPTHER Prague Summit appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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