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The Saudi Cup becomes highest World Pool turnover race of 2023
World Pool’s first meeting in Saudi Arabia on Saturday was greeted by globally commingled turnover of HK$197,800,886 (approx. $25.2m) across the six Group races offered via pari-mutuel organisations from over 20 countries.
The world’s most valuable race, The Saudi Cup (G1), plundered by Japan’s Dubai Turf winner Panthalassa, was the most bet on contest at HK$48,388,160 (approx. $6.2m), higher than any race commingled at either of the first two World Pool racedays of the year in South Africa and Australia.
The fourth World Pool race of the night, the Saudi Derby (G3), was won by the locally-trained King Commissioner and saw $HK34,632,172 (approx. $4.1m) bet, the second highest turnover race of the night, while the Red Sea Turf Handicap was the other race to come in over HK$30million at HK$30,448,420 (approx. $3.9m).
Newly-announced World Pool ambassador Frankie Dettori rode Elite Power to victory in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G3), where turnover hit HK$29,332,759 (approx. $3.7m).
Panthalassa’s wire-to-wire victory in the US$20million feature, his first success on dirt, was also chosen as the World Pool Moment of the Day, meaning groom, Yasuhiro Ikeda, will receive a cheque for HK$40,000 (approx. $5,100).
Ikeda will now have the chance to win a VIP trip to Hong Kong next year should Panthalassa’s Saudi Cup triumph be named World Pool Moment of the Year.
Sam Nati, Head of Comminging at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “Hitting almost HK$200million on a six-race card is really positive, particularly with The Saudi Cup itself generating the highest single-race turnover of 2023 so far. The combination of good field sizes, competitive races and a great mix of horses and jockeys from across the globe made the meeting a real spectacle for punters.”
World Pool’s next stop is Meydan Racecourse for the Dubai Super Saturday meeting on Saturday 4th March.
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bet365
Octoplay launches with bet365 in the UK
Octoplay has gone live with bet365 in the United Kingdom, adding the operator to its roster of tier-one partners in the regulated UK market.
The supplier said the bet365 rollout follows recent UK launches with Virgin Bet and BetVictor as it expands distribution with major local brands.
Outside the UK, Octoplay pointed to recent go-lives with Paf in Finland, PokerStars in Spain and Italy, and Superbet in Brazil.
“Our partnership with bet365 represents another step in our accelerating UK expansion,” says Ralitsa Georgieva, CEO at Octoplay. “Working with one of the industry’s most recognized operators validates our approach and builds on the momentum we’ve established through successful integrations with leading UK brands throughout 2025.”
“We are pleased to partner with Octoplay and introduce their game portfolio to our UK players,” says Clement Le Scanff, Head of Gaming at bet365. “Their focus on quality content and player engagement aligns with our commitment to providing the best entertainment to our customers.”
Octoplay said it holds active licenses in 17 jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, Malta, Romania, Sweden, Slovakia, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Greece, Spain, Finland, Brazil, New Jersey, Michigan, Ontario, and Georgia.
The post Octoplay launches with bet365 in the UK appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Barcelona Technology Campus
Zitro Achieves ISO 27001 Recertification at its Barcelona Technology Campus
Zitro has successfully renewed its ISO 27001 certification for the Information Security Management System (ISMS) at its Barcelona Technology Campus. This achievement, framed within the company’s ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) commitments, reinforces its ongoing commitment to cybersecurity and ensuring the confidentiality, integrity and availability of sensitive customer and employee data.
ISO 27001 is part of the ISO 27000 family of international standards for information security. This framework enables organisations to identify risks, implement effective controls and ensure information protection in line with global best practices, while also ensuring compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
For Zitro, this recertification confirms the rigorous and continuous work the company carries out in the field of information security. The Barcelona Technology Campus—dedicated to the development of software and hardware for the gaming industry—maintains the highest standards, and this recognition reflects the level of commitment embedded across all its processes.
The post Zitro Achieves ISO 27001 Recertification at its Barcelona Technology Campus appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Asia
Kazakhstan Orders Telecom Providers to Block Illegal Online Casino Payments via Mobile Balances
Kazakhstan authorities have moved to tighten controls on illegal online gambling payments after uncovering schemes that use mobile phone balances to fund unlicensed casino activity.
The Financial Monitoring Agency (FMA) issued instructions to telecom providers to strengthen monitoring and introduce systems to detect and block suspicious transactions.
According to the FMA, mobile operators including Tele2, Altel, Beeline, Kcell and Activ were called to a working meeting where regulators demonstrated how illicit payment flows to online casinos are being processed.
To verify the issue, the FMA carried out test purchases across 10 illegal online casino websites using services from all major mobile operators. The tests confirmed that payments via mobile balances were possible.
The agency stated that the goal is to cut off financial access to illegal operators and reduce public exposure to unregulated platforms. Further enforcement actions are expected as monitoring continues.
Meanwhile, Kazakhstan is preparing to significantly tighten rules on the promotion of illegal gambling. A group of senators is advancing an initiative to introduce criminal penalties for influencers who advertise online casinos and organise “giveaways.”
In related developments, a Kazakhstani influencer has recently been arrested in Vietnam on suspicion of running an illegal gambling operation.
Furthermore, the country is also restricting citizens’ access to legal gambling options, indicating a broader anti-gambling stance towards locals while still pursuing gambling tourism.
Lawmakers introduced rules restricting access to casinos, slot machine halls and betting venues in several regions to foreign nationals only. The changes will take effect on 17 May.
In March, President Tokayev signed a law establishing four new gambling zones for foreigners in the country.
The post Kazakhstan Orders Telecom Providers to Block Illegal Online Casino Payments via Mobile Balances appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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