Press Releases

UK betting technology supplier 20SHOTS accelerate funding with £400,000 raise at £5m valuation

Published

3 years ago

August 15, 2022

Zoltan Tundik

Reading Time: 3 minutes

20SHOTS have geared up for the new football season in the UK by securing additional investment in a second funding round, including securing the backing of US VC Animal Capital
New season will see new product rollout for popular Fantasy5 free-to-play fantasy football game, covering Champions League, Europa League and other European top flights
Current growth trajectory sees Fantasy5 on course to recruit half a million players this season

20SHOTS, the UK technology supplier behind fast-growing free-to-play fantasy football game Fantasy5, have secured an additional £400,000 of investment at a £5 million valuation, with backers including Gen-Z focused US Venture Capital fund Animal Capital.

The American fund that counts social media stars Josh Richards, Griffin Johnson and Noah Beck focus on products that reach a new generation of customers. They have invested an undisclosed sum in 20SHOTS for the new football season, which will see the platform roll out its largest range of products added to its Fantasy5 game to date.

Fantasy5’s Premier League product, which uses a unique points system developed in-house based on fantasy football, offers cash prizes to winners who can successfully predict how well players will perform per gameweek.

Using their own risk management system and algorithmic trading software, the company will now look to supplement this with additional games covering the Champions League, Europa League and other top European leagues.

The roll out of additional leagues coupled with Fantasy5’s existing growth – bolstered last season by the recruitment of BoyleSports as its first tier one UK & Ireland bookmaker partner – keeps the game on course to break the 500,000 player mark.

Prizes for the additional leagues will remain at the standard £10,000 mark, as offered to Premier League players, and offer partners an increase in engagement and retention. 83% of players who played in the last four rounds last season have made an entry in the first two weeks. The investment in Fantasy5 also comes in advance of the Government’s highly-anticipated White Paper review of the gambling industry, which is likely to see traditional marketing practices come under scrutiny, creating additional need for operators to engage customers beyond traditional channels.

Jacob Kalms, co-founder and CEO of 20SHOTS said: “We’re pleased to welcome Animal Capital as investors as part of our most recent founding round which has raised £400,000 in capital.

“As demand grows in the ultra-competitive free-to-play space, we’re investing in our ability to quickly and seamlessly roll out products and games on a white label basis for a number of different partners across multiple divisions and competitions – with the ultimate objective of using the technology seamlessly across the most popular sports worldwide.

“Our growth model forecasts we will break the half a million player mark this season, with our scaling driving down the cost of acquisition for partners whilst maintaining our engagement, dwell and retention rates considerably above industry averages.”

He added: “Operators should also be considering how free-to-play and softer marketing funnels like those offered by games like Fantasy5 will help them navigate any changes thrust upon them by the upcoming gambling review. Whilst our audience is ultimately commercially valuable to any operator or affiliate, Fantasy5 remains a sustainable way to build a loyal audience over time.”

Marshall Sandman, Managing Partner of Animal Capital said: “In a crowded market of fantasy, free to play, and pay-to-play sports betting, 20SHOTS distinguishes itself with a best in class team and direction that has allowed the product to stand out distinctly and early.

“Their flagship game Fantasy5 is an early hit, their B2B relationships are uniquely positioned to make this an exciting asset and their ability to resonate and be sticky with a younger audience are all reasons why we were excited to be on the journey.

“Jacob the CEO and his team have conviction and direction, and they will continue to prove why they deserve to be big fish in this pond!”

California

CGCC Gaming Policy Advisory Committee (GPAC) Meeting: Jan 20, 2026

Published

2 hours ago

January 6, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

cgcc-gaming-policy-advisory-committee-(gpac)-meeting:-jan-20,-2026

The California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) has scheduled a meeting of the Gaming Policy Advisory Committee (GPAC) for 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

The committee is established under Business and Professions Code Section 19817 to provide advisory recommendations to the Commission on regulatory policy, with a specific focus on integrity and problem gambling.

Meeting Attendance Information

The meeting will be conducted in a hybrid format, allowing for both in-person and remote participation.

In-Person Location: 2399 Gateway Oaks Drive, Hearing Room 100, Sacramento, CA 95833.
Virtual Access: Zoom Meeting Link
Phone Access: 1-888-475-4499 (Toll-free) | Meeting ID: 285 757 8614

Key Agenda Items

The agenda focuses on internal governance, regulatory controls for third-party providers, and administrative updates:

GPAC Roles and Responsibilities: A review of the mission statement, adherence to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, and expectations for member conduct and responsiveness.
Current Projects: Update and discussion on Third-Party Providers of Proposition Player Services (TPPPS) – Internal Controls, led by subcommittee members Kirill Yermanov and Michael Hill.
New Discussion Items:
- Third-Party Provider Employee Table Coverage.
- Procedures for Lost or Damaged Employee Badges.
Administrative Updates: An update on the Category G vacancy (Public Member with accounting/business background).

2026 Committee Composition

The committee consists of 10 members (expanding to 12 if pending legislation like AB 77 is finalized), split equally between the cardroom industry and the public.

Member Name	Category / Role	Term Expiry
Trevor Dewar	Category A (Bureau of Gambling Control)	12/31/2026
Sosha Marasigan-Quintero	Category B (Problem Gambling/Addiction)	12/31/2026
Michael Hill	Category C (TPPPS Representative)	12/31/2027
David Fried	Category D (Cardroom with 25+ Tables)	12/31/2026
Michael Koniski	Industry Representative	—
Emmanuel Macalino	Industry Representative	—
Linda Ng	Public Representative	—
John Stacy	Industry Representative	—
Kirill Yermanov	Public Representative	—

Advisors: Lisa Wardall (Executive Director) and Jason Pope (Chief Counsel).

The post CGCC Gaming Policy Advisory Committee (GPAC) Meeting: Jan 20, 2026 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Alexander Stevendahl

Immense Group and Coast is Clear: A Three-Year Commitment to a Greener Malta

Published

3 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Wladimir P.

immense-group-and-coast-is-clear:-a-three-year-commitment-to-a-greener-malta

Immense Group, the corporate powerhouse behind leading iGaming brands Mr Vegas, Videoslots, and DBET, has reaffirmed its dedication to environmental sustainability by extending its partnership with the Maltese NGO Coast is Clear.

Marking their third consecutive year of collaboration, the initiative highlights Immense Group’s transition from corporate sponsorship to active, community-led participation. Unlike traditional CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) models that focus on one-off donations, this partnership is built on the principle of ongoing stewardship.

Practical Action for the Maltese Coastline

Malta’s unique coastal ecosystem faces significant pressure from plastic pollution and urban development. Coast is Clear, founded by Mark Galea Pace, specializes in “practical environmentalism”—relying on a dedicated truck and a personal family boat to access areas of the island that are otherwise unreachable by land.

The 2026 roadmap for the partnership includes a structured schedule of events designed to provide both immediate and long-term ecological benefits:

Beach Clean-ups: Two major coastal operations are planned for the first half of the year, focusing on removing microplastics and “ghost nets” from sensitive marine habitats.
Tree Planting: Two afforestation initiatives will see staff volunteers planting indigenous Maltese trees, contributing to the NGO’s goal of exceeding 1,000 trees planted across local valleys and nature reserves.

Leadership Perspectives on Community Impact

For Immense Group, the initiative is a way to give back to the island that serves as a primary operational hub for its global workforce.

“Malta is home to many of our people,” said Alexander Stevendahl, CEO of Immense Group. “Encouraging our teams to take part in initiatives like beach clean-ups and tree planting is a practical way to contribute to the communities we’re part of. It reflects a shared commitment to keeping Malta cleaner and greener over the long term.”

Mark Galea, Founder of Coast is Clear, emphasized the value of long-term corporate allies: “Support from companies like Immense Group helps us keep our work going. Having people turn up, get involved, and stick with us over time makes a real difference when it comes to protecting Malta’s coastline.”

The post Immense Group and Coast is Clear: A Three-Year Commitment to a Greener Malta appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Andrew Harding

World Pool 2025: Record HK$10.9bn Turnover Signals Global Racing Maturity

Published

3 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Wladimir P.

world-pool-2025:-record-hk$10.9bn-turnover-signals-global-racing-maturity

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) has reported a spectacular 2025 for World Pool, confirming its status as the premier liquidity hub for international horse racing. With a 20% surge in overseas turnover and a series of history-making betting handle records, World Pool is effectively globalizing the sport’s revenue streams.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) 2025

The numbers for 2025 reflect a strategic expansion into new jurisdictions and a focus on high-quality IFHA-rated races.

Metric	2024 Result	2025 Result	Growth
Overseas Turnover	HK$7.8bn	HK$9.3bn	+20%
Total Global Turnover	HK$7.8bn	HK$10.9bn	+40%
Single Race Record	HK$66.2m	HK$83.0m	+25%
Groom Awards	HK$1m	HK$1.2m	+20%

The “Ka Ying Rising” Phenomenon

The standout moment of 2025 occurred on The Everest Day at Randwick. The appearance of the world’s highest-rated sprinter, Ka Ying Rising, drove a wagering surge that redefined modern betting records.

New Single Race Record: HK $83.0 million was wagered on The Everest, shattering the previous high held by the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (HK$ 66.2m) at Royal Ascot.
Jurisdictional Reach: Betting was commingled from 27 different jurisdictions, ensuring massive pool depth and stable dividends for punters worldwide.

Global Scale: 10 Jurisdictions and IFHA Quality

World Pool didn’t just grow in volume; it grew in quality. Of the 329 races run under the banner in 2025, 70 featured in the IFHA Top 100 rankings within the last three years.

For the first time, all of Hong Kong’s Group 1 contests were commingled as World Pool races, adding HK$1.6 billion in liquidity to the local fixtures.

Supporting the Sport: Moment of the Year

World Pool’s commitment to stable staff saw HK$1.2 million awarded to 30 grooms.

The 2025 Moment of the Year went to Kevin Daffy, the trainer-owner-groom of the Australian “fairytale horse” Oh Too Good. Daffy beat out international heavyweights like Forever Young and Via Sistina in a public vote, securing a VIP trip for four to Hong Kong in 2026.

2026 Outlook: Expansion and Innovation

Andrew Harding, Executive Director of Racing at the HKJC, highlighted that 2026 will focus on further “globalization of racing.”

Next Fixture: World Pool returns on 10 January 2026 with King’s Plate Day from Kenilworth, South Africa.
Strategy: Expect an expansion of fixtures and deeper integration into North American and Middle Eastern racing calendars.

The post World Pool 2025: Record HK$10.9bn Turnover Signals Global Racing Maturity appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.