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CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL ‘DEAD CERTS’ SUPPLIED BY PADDY POWER EXPERTS RUBY WALSH, TONY MULLINS, LYDIA HISLOP AND FRANK HICKEY
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 Gerhard, Constitution Hill, Dysart Dynamo, Jonbon 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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Spin Genie has revealed the exclusive debut of Cash Eruption The Western, the newest slot game from worldwide gaming supplier IGT.
The western-themed slot is now accessible to Spin Genie players, offering expanding wild features and an exciting respin bonus.
Located in a setting of frontier towns, safes, and money bags, Cash Eruption The Western operates on a 5-reel, 20-payline structure and features expanding Wild symbols.
The main attraction of the release is the Triple Cash Eruption Bonus, a hold-and-respin element activated by colored Cash Bag Scatter symbols. The bonus gives players an opportunity to earn Coin prizes, jackpot rewards, and strong modifiers, such as multipliers, collection features, and a Double Reels mode that operates on two reel sets at the same time.
Spin Genie, a prominent slots casino in the UK, is part of Kinetic Digital and with this release enhances its online slots collection from IGT that already features popular games like Magic of the Nile, Enchanted Lamp, and Pharaoh’s Fortune.
Kinetic Digital Head of Brand Marketing Dom Aldworth said: “Cash Eruption The Western is a fantastic addition to the Spin Genie portfolio, combining a hugely popular mechanic with a strong, immersive theme. IGT has elevated the Cash Eruption series with exciting new modifiers and features, and we’re delighted to bring this latest release to our players as part of our continued commitment to delivering the very best slot experiences.”
The post Spin Genie unveils exclusive new western slot adventure from IGT appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
“Movers and Shakers” is a dynamic monthly column dedicated to exploring the latest trends, developments, and influential voices in the iGaming industry. Powered by GameOn and supported by HIPTHER, this op-ed series delves into the key players, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes shaping the future of online gaming. Each month, industry experts offer their insights and perspectives, providing readers with in-depth analysis and thought-provoking commentary on what’s driving the iGaming world forward. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the scene, “Movers and Shakers” is your go-to source for staying ahead in the rapidly evolving iGaming landscape.
Charles Mott, Founder and CEO of S Gaming, says finding success in the US is a tough task, but that studios who can replicate the magic of the casino floor have what it takes to make it stateside
There are plenty of European studios that have set their sights on finding success in the US, but very few have actually managed to achieve it. This is because they are making a common mistake, and that’s failing to translate the preferences of US slot players into their games.
For more than a decade now, the UK and European markets have been defined by “the chase” – high volatility slots with massive, infrequent max wins and jackpots that deliver anticipation and thrills, but that also exhaust the player’s balance in minutes.
But if you walk on to the floor of any Las Vegas casino, the atmosphere is different. It’s about “time at machine”. It’s the neon, the regular dopamine hits of smaller wins and the ability to make $100 provide an entire evening’s worth of entertainment.
As the US market increasingly moves to online, with more states embracing regulated iGaming, it’s no longer finding its feet with players now actively looking for a digital version of the land-based soul they have loved for many years.
Moving away from the “big win” to the “long session”
US players have been culturally conditioned by the physical casino experience. Unlike the high-stakes digital environment of Europe, the American player often views slots as a leisure activity rather than a jackpot hunt.
This is why S Gaming has focused on fun, entertainment and sustainability, with our games matching the “steady tortoise” cadence of land-based slot machines. They still deliver lots of big win potential, but across longer and more engaging sessions.
For operators like BetMGM and Fanatics, both of which we’ve recently partnered with, it’s not just about fun, it’s about retention.
A player who loses their balance in three minutes is a churn risk, but a player who wins small, frequent prizes stays in the ecosystem for longer and ultimately generates a much higher lifetime value.
Efficiency over ego
But it’s not just about having the right games, distribution is also key to cracking America. This is a notoriously difficult market because it’s not one jurisdiction, it’s five (and counting) regulatory islands and in each, you need to secure regulatory approvals.
This is actually a moat that keeps many smaller studios out. It’s an issue we had to overcome, and ultimately looked for a partner that could help us bridge the gap. Our agreement with Gaming Realms allows us to use its remote game server and licences to launch into US states.
This “Infrastructure-as-a-Service” model allows a studio to focus on “game grammar” (math and art) while the partner handles the “plumbing” (compliance and connectivity). It’s the leanest way to hit the ground running with a tier-one operator across multiple states simultaneously.
Why tier ones are buying in
You might be wondering why a tier one giant like BetMGM has joined forces with a boutique UK studio and facilitated its launch into the US.
But the reality is that operators are fighting soaring acquisition costs right now and this means they no longer want more games, they want differentiated games that reduce churn and keep players coming back for more.
Our focus on sustainable entertainment aligns with current US regulatory requirements and the focus on responsible gaming. Games designed for longer, lower stakes sessions are inherently “safer” and more palatable to regulators and risk-averse operators alike.
And they just hit the mark more with players. Sure, winning is a big part of playing online slots, but how you get to the win and the perceived entertainment value is now just as if not more so important – not just in the US but in the UK and Europe, too.
The data-driven evolution
Success does not come from a single launch – it comes from having a feedback loop. We now have a handful of games live in the US market, including our flagship Triple 7 Jackpot title, from which we are gathering real-time data on player behaviour.
This is allowing us to move from “what we think players want” to “what the data tells us they love” and this in turn is allowing us to refine our product roadmap and the games we are producing for the US market, ensuring each title is more culturally resonant than the last.
The new era of transatlantic growth
Cracking America in 2026 isn’t about having the loudest brand of the biggest marketing budget – it’s about understanding the psychology of the casino floor.
The studio’s that succeed will be those that realise the US player isn’t looking for a new way to gamble, they’re looking for a digital version of the “Vegas” feeling they’ve known and loved for decades.
The post Movers and Shakers: The blueprint for boutique studios looking to crack America appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
When Africa Gambles: Seasonality Patterns Across Five Markets Revealed by Blask , Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Egypt operate under diverse regulatory regimes and follow different domestic sports calendars — Egypt also observes a Friday–Saturday weekend. Yet, across these markets, gambling activity exhibits a shared rhythm: engagement climbs into Q4 and remains elevated through the year-end, with softer periods either mid-year (Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, DR Congo) or late winter (Egypt). Peaks broadly coincide with the European club season, while in some markets domestic leagues run in parallel.
Blask’s Seasonality feature, drawing on data from January 2016 to February 2026, allows mapping engagement by month, day, and hour, revealing nuanced patterns in each market:
Nigeria: The Long Saturday
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Annual curve accelerates into Q4: October is the top month, followed closely by September, November, and December. June marks the low point, with a modest rebound in July before the late-summer climb.
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Weekly cycle is weekend-led: Saturday dominates, Sunday and Friday show smaller peaks, weekdays are quieter.
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Hourly pattern forms a broad plateau on Saturday, with elevated activity from early morning to late evening (5am–9pm Lagos time). Weekday engagement is lower, concentrating in the late afternoon and evening.
Tanzania: Saturday as a Corridor
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Annual rhythm mirrors Nigeria: softening in June–July, rising from August into a Q4 plateau. Top months are November–December, with October close behind.
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Weekly cycle hierarchy is clearer: Saturday is strongest, Sunday elevated but lower, Friday leads weekday peaks.
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Saturday functions as a corridor rather than a sharp spike: activity stays high from 7am–11pm Dar es Salaam time, peaking mid-afternoon to early evening (3pm–7pm). Weekday activity tilts toward evening post-work.
Kenya: Two Clocks in One Market
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Annual curve rises from August into Q4, with December at the peak, October and November following. Low points in June–July.
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Weekly peaks favor the weekend: Saturday #1, Sunday #2.
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Hourly pattern shows dual peaks: a primary late-afternoon to evening spike (3pm–9pm Nairobi time) and a secondary pre-dawn rise (3am–7am), particularly visible on weekends.
DR Congo: The Morning Market
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January remains unusually strong alongside December, which is the top month.
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Weekly cycle follows the familiar weekend pattern: Saturday leads, weekend days generally brighter.
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Hourly peak occurs in the morning, roughly 5am–9am Kinshasa time, shifting an hour later in eastern regions. Weekdays maintain the morning lift, with Saturday adding extra intensity.
Egypt: Friday Leadership and After-Midnight Play
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Annual curve climbs steadily to year-end: December tops, followed by November and October. Softest periods are February and March.
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Weekly cycle differs: Friday peaks, Thursday and Saturday slightly behind, reflecting Egypt’s Friday–Saturday weekend.
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Nighttime engagement is strongest in the group, concentrating after midnight (2am–5am Cairo time), consistently across all days of the week.
The Bigger Picture
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Q4 is peak season across all five markets. Nigeria peaks earliest (October), while Tanzania, Kenya, DR Congo, and Egypt maintain high engagement through November–December. Four markets soften mid-year, Egypt peaks late winter.
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Weekend structures explain weekly splits: Saturday for Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, DR Congo; Friday for Egypt.
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Hourly patterns diverge: Nigeria and Tanzania show broad Saturday blocks, Kenya focuses on prime time with pre-dawn tails, DR Congo peaks in the morning, Egypt peaks after midnight. Cross-market scheduling without these insights risks missing most demand.
The post When Africa gambles: seasonality patterns across five countries revealed by Blask appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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