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!”

Arizona Benefits Fund

Arizona Department of Gaming Reports $44.9 Million in Tribal Gaming Contributions for Q2 FY 2026

Published

3 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Wladimir P.

arizona-department-of-gaming-reports-$44.9-million-in-tribal-gaming-contributions-for-q2-fy-2026

The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) has officially announced a total of $44,891,270 in tribal gaming contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund for the second quarter of Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. This performance marks an approximate 5.6 percent increase compared to the same period in FY 2025, signaling continued strength in the state’s tribal gaming sector.

These contributions are vital to the state’s infrastructure, supporting everything from classroom improvements to emergency medical services.

“The financial support that tribal gaming provides the state of Arizona continues to power local and statewide needs that are vital to healthy and safe communities,” said Jackie Johnson, Director of the ADG. “With nearly $45 million in tribal gaming contributions in the most recent period, the Department is proud to ensure the continuation of important revenue streams that positively impact Arizonans.”

Where the Money Goes: The Arizona Benefits Fund

Under the Arizona Tribal-State Gaming Compact, 88 percent of all tribal gaming contributions are directed into the Arizona Benefits Fund. This revenue is strictly allocated to high-priority state initiatives.

The Q2 FY 2026 distribution breakdown is as follows:

Fund Category	Contribution Amount
Instructional Improvement Fund (Education)	$22,373,810
Trauma and Emergency Services Fund	$11,186,905
ADG Operating Costs	$4,040,214
Arizona Wildlife Conservation Fund	$3,196,258
State Tourism Fund	$3,196,258
Problem Gambling Education & Treatment	$897,825
Total to Arizona Benefits Fund	$44,891,270

Local Community Impact

Beyond the state-level funds, the remaining 12 percent of tribal contributions are distributed directly by the tribes to specific cities, towns, and counties. these funds are often used for local community services and public safety programs.

Since FY 2004, cumulative contributions from Arizona’s tribes have surpassed $2.5 billion, demonstrating the long-term economic impact of the partnership between the state and its 22 federally recognized tribes.

Regulatory Oversight and Growth

Currently, the ADG regulates 26 Class III casinos across the state in close partnership with tribal authorities. This regulatory framework ensures the integrity of the games while maximizing the benefits delivered to the public.

For those interested in exploring historical data, the ADG maintains a comprehensive archive of cumulative tribal gaming contributions by year.

To learn more about the current landscape of gaming in the state, visit the official Tribal Gaming webpage.

The post Arizona Department of Gaming Reports $44.9 Million in Tribal Gaming Contributions for Q2 FY 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

AI in iGaming

SCCG Management and Golden Whale Extend Partnership to Drive AI-Led iGaming Optimization

Published

4 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Wladimir P.

sccg-management-and-golden-whale-extend-partnership-to-drive-ai-led-igaming-optimization

SCCG Management, a premier global gaming advisory firm, has officially announced the extension of its strategic partnership with Golden Whale Productions. This collaboration is set to redefine how iGaming operators handle data, moving away from traditional rule-based decisioning toward a future powered by AI and machine learning (ML).

The extension follows a successful initial phase focused on optimizing player engagement, retention, and monetization through predictive intelligence.

Moving Beyond Traditional CRM

Golden Whale’s technology is designed to solve one of the industry’s biggest challenges: the reliance on reactive, manual decision-making. By leveraging the LOOPS iterative machine learning system, operators can now forecast player behavior with unprecedented accuracy.

Key features of the Golden Whale integration include:

Predictive Modeling: Advanced tools for churn risk, lifetime value (LTV), and player behavior forecasting.
Seamless Integration: The platform connects directly to existing PAM, CRM, and marketing tools without requiring a complete system overhaul.
Full Model Control (FMC): Moving iGaming systems closer to autonomous operation by automating engagement and incentive levels.

“Golden Whale Productions brings a rare combination of deep gaming expertise and advanced data science that operators can deploy quickly and effectively,” said Stephen A. Crystal, Founder and CEO of SCCG Management.

Strategic Global Expansion

With a strong foundation already established in Europe, Golden Whale is looking to SCCG to support its commercial expansion across the Americas and other high-growth global markets. SCCG’s 30+ years of expertise and international office network make them the ideal partner for this scale-up.

Eberhard Dürrschmid, CEO of Golden Whale, commented:

“Extending our partnership with SCCG is a natural next step in Golden Whale’s global growth. Together, we’re focused on helping operators apply AI-driven optimization and automation in practical ways, improving incentive efficiency and decision-making without overhauling existing operations.”

The Future of Incentive Efficiency

At the core of the offering are the Foundation optimization modules. These allow operators to determine:

Who to engage.
When the optimal time to reach out is.
What incentive will drive the most value.
How much to invest, while measuring impact against control groups in real-time.

By focusing on “forward-looking intelligence,” the partnership ensures that operators are no longer just looking at past data, but are actively shaping future player journeys.

The post SCCG Management and Golden Whale Extend Partnership to Drive AI-Led iGaming Optimization appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Alex Gitsik

Diego Simeone Joins Soft2Bet’s Betinia and CampoBet as Global Brand Ambassador

Published

4 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Wladimir P.

In a move that unites footballing excellence with cutting-edge iGaming innovation, Betinia and CampoBet—the premier sportsbook and casino brands of Soft2Bet—have officially named Diego Simeone as their global brand ambassador.

The partnership brings the “Cholo” winning mentality to the digital arena, focusing on authenticity, high-intensity engagement, and a player-focused journey.

The Synergy of a Winning Mentality

Diego Simeone is widely regarded as one of the most decorated and defining coaches of the modern era. Since taking the helm at Atlético de Madrid in 2011, he has secured two LaLiga titles, two UEFA Europa League trophies, and two UEFA Super Cups. His playing career was equally illustrious, earning 108 caps for Argentina and two Copa América titles.

“Simeone is one of this era’s defining football managers, recognised for high intensity and an uncompromising drive for progress,” stated a representative for Betinia. “That same mindset sits at the heart of our brand, turning a player’s journey into a growth story with progression and rewards.”

A Revolutionary In-Platform Football Manager

This partnership goes beyond traditional marketing. As part of the collaboration, Soft2Bet is launching a proprietary in-platform football manager game. This feature allows players to mirror Simeone’s own rise to the top:

Progression System: Players earn points to advance from “Beginner” to “Legend.”
Personalized Rewards: Unlocking bonuses and perks tailored to local market habits.
Online Fantasy Matches: Players can face off in head-to-head strategic battles.
Unique Rosters: Every user manages their own signature lineup and tactics, bringing a deep level of personalization to the sportsbook experience.

Bridging the Gap Between Fans and the Game

By leveraging Simeone’s influence, CampoBet and Betinia aim to build long-term connections with their audiences through localized content that resonates with regional football cultures.

Alex Gitsik, CMO of Soft2Bet, commented on the milestone:

“His leadership and dedication to excellence reflect the values we uphold across all our gaming platforms. Through this unique collaboration, we are excited to bring fans closer to the game they love, blending strategic gameplay with engaging gaming experiences.”

Looking Ahead to 2026

Throughout 2026, Diego Simeone will be the face of exclusive digital campaigns and promotional activities across both brands. The partnership signals a major step forward for Soft2Bet as it continues to evolve its “Platform for Champions” philosophy, ensuring that every player feels like a manager of their own success.

The post Diego Simeone Joins Soft2Bet’s Betinia and CampoBet as Global Brand Ambassador appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.