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Sky Bet signs five-year title partnership extension with the English Football League

Published

3 years ago

June 8, 2023

sky-bet-signs-five-year-title-partnership-extension-with-the-english-football-league

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Sky Bet – part of Flutter Entertainment – has signed a record five-year partnership extension with the English Football League (EFL) that will see Sky Bet continue as the League’s title partner until the end of the 2028/29 campaign.

Building on a decade-long partnership, the new rights fee represents a 50% increase from Sky Bet, providing significant revenues for EFL Clubs and support for the League’s overriding objective to make Clubs financially sustainable across all divisions.

The deal will also see Sky Bet invest £1 million per season and £6 million in total into a Community Fund held by the EFL to be invested into communities across England and Wales where EFL Clubs are located. Sky Bet and the EFL will use the funding to deliver activity via the EFL Trust and the network of Club Community Organisations (CCOs), with the initiatives in focus to be mutually agreed by the organisations.

Having first been agreed in 2013, the partnership – one of the longest and most significant in UK professional sport – is centred around a clear Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two organisations that sets out how to deliver our joint objectives in a socially responsible way. This has always and rightly placed safer gambling at its heart, while also establishing a framework that allows us to engage the millions of EFL fans and connect them with the teams, players, and communities that they passionately support.

The MoU will continue to put the protection of children and other vulnerable individuals at its heart with both Sky Bet and the EFL making a renewed commitment to its approach in the promotion of the product.

Examples within the MoU include:

Sky Bet will not actively market themselves or their products in family areas of club stadiums or advertise to young fans
The EFL will dedicate a proportion of its central inventory to promote safer gambling messaging and support Sky Bet’s safer gambling campaigns
Sky Bet will fund a player education programme across the EFL’s 72 clubs that will focus on the potential dangers of gambling and provide support and advice

Both Sky Bet and the EFL will share learnings and insight from the partnership with Government, other sports and sector stakeholders to help inform the new sports sponsorship Code of Conduct which is being developed in accordance with the Gambling Act Review White Paper’s proposals.

Flutter recently welcomed the publication of the Gambling Act Review, which we see as a significant positive moment for the UK gambling sector, raising standards and bringing the regulatory framework into the digital age.

As part of the agreement, Sky Bet will continue as Official Title Partner of the Sky Bet EFL and Sky Bet Play-Offs on a worldwide basis. Sky Bet will also have rights to award the official Manager, Player and Goal of the Month awards as well as the seasonal ‘Golden Boot’ and ‘Golden Glove’ awards in each division.

Commenting, Steve Birch, Sky Bet Chief Commercial Officer, commented: “I’m extremely proud of Sky Bet’s ongoing partnership with the EFL and delighted to have reached today’s agreement. Football is central to who we are and it’s great to be able to support the game and provide investment for Clubs across the Pyramid.

I’m particularly delighted that we can go one step further today with the announcement of our Sky Bet EFL Community Fund, seeking to make a real difference for people across England and Wales.

As the recent Sky Bet Play-Off Finals demonstrated, the EFL is going from strength to strength with packed grounds and millions watching games here in the UK and around the world.

We are absolutely committed to Safer Gambling, and I’m delighted that our partnership with the EFL shows how responsible betting and gaming operators, and sporting organisations can work together to promote safer gambling and tackle the issue of gambling harm.”

Commenting, Trevor Birch, EFL Chief Executive said: “For over a decade, Sky Bet has been a valuable partner for EFL Clubs, offering sustained investment to help Clubs navigate a volatile financial landscape and ensure fans can enjoy fantastic footballing entertainment in every corner of the country.

We have consistently seen our partnership evolve to move with the times and with community at the heart of the EFL, a new community investment fund is perfectly aligned and will help strengthen the partnership’s commitment to social responsibility.

The Government’s recent Gambling White Paper highlighted the social responsibility measures that have accompanied our partnership with Sky Bet as being an example of good practice for the wider sports sector to learn from and we will look to deepen our commitment to the promotion of safer gambling as part of this extension.

On behalf of our Clubs we thank Sky Bet for its ongoing support to English football and we look forward to seeing our much-loved competition develop yet further with the additional certainty this investment provides.”

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gross gaming revenue

Groupe Partouche Publishes its Consolidated Turnover for the First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2026

Published

37 minutes ago

March 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

groupe-partouche-publishes-its-consolidated-turnover-for-the-first-quarter-of-fiscal-year-2026

Groupe Partouche has published its consolidated turnover for the 1st quarter of fiscal year 2026 (November 2025 to January 2026).

The Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) totalled €189.0M at 2026 1st quarter compared to €182.9M a year earlier, up by +3.4%.

In France, the 1st quarter 2026 GGR increased by +2.2 % to €166.4M compared to €162.8M a year earlier, driven by all forms of gaming: +0.5 % for slot machines, +3.1 % for non-electronic table games and +11.8 % for electronic forms of gaming.

Abroad, the GGR is up +12.3 % compared to the 2025 1st quarter, at €22.6M, compared to €20.1M in N-1. The GGR of Swiss online games continues to grow reaching €8.1M (+23.6% over one year).

At a constant scope of consolidation, excluding the acquisition of Casino Partouche Cannes 50 Croisette that took place on 28th February 2025 together with the opening of Casino Cotonou (Benin) on 28th January 2025, GGR increased by 1.1 % at €185.0M (compared to €182.9M in 1st quarter 2025).

In total, after levies, Net Gaming Revenue (NGR) increases by +3.2 % to €105.5M in 1st quarter of 2026 (compared to €102.2M in Q1 2025).

The 1st quarter 2026 turnover reached a satisfactory increase of + 3.5 % over the year, reaching €130.8M compared to €126.4M a year earlier. This includes casinos turnover for €122.1M (+3.8 %), hotels for €6.4M (-1.4 %) and other activities for €2.3M (+1.7 %).

Furthermore, the city of Berck-sur-Mer has taken possession of the casino building, in the context of ongoing asset-protection litigation.

At the Annual General Meeting to approve the financial accounts for 2025 fiscal year, to be held on Wednesday 25th March at 10:00 a.m., shareholders will be able to vote on the distribution of a dividend of 12,033,793 € (i.e. €1.25 per share). Said dividend will be paid no later than 31st July 2026.

The post Groupe Partouche Publishes its Consolidated Turnover for the First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

CULT.

Pragmatic Play Earns a Spot in Cult’s Inner Circle

Published

37 minutes ago

March 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

pragmatic-play-earns-a-spot-in-cult’s-inner-circle

Pragmatic Play, a top content provider for the iGaming sector, has launched CULT., allowing players to discover winnings of up to 10,000x via potent multiplier wilds.

Loyal adherents congregate around their wise leader on the 5×4 grid, where aligning five symbols on a payline can yield base game victories of up to 20x, and multiplier wilds reaching 100x can enhance winnings.

Obtaining 3-5 all-seeing eye scatter symbols activates the bonus game, granting an initial 10-20 free spins. In this feature, multiplier wilds that help create winning combinations are accumulated into a total multiplier, enhancing all following wins that involve a multiplier wild.

In certain markets, unique wagers allow players to personalize their gaming experience, with a 5x Ante Bet enhancing the chances of triggering free spins and a 10x Super Spin ensuring a multiplier wild on each spin.

Two bonus purchases offer instant access to either Free Spins or Super Free Spins, with the latter enhancing the probability of landing a multiplier wild on each spin.

CULT. indicates a fresh thematic shift for Pragmatic Play’s premium collection, succeeding the recent launch of the mining-themed slot Rolling in Treasures and the arcade game Spire+.

Sharon McHugh, Director of Public Relations at Pragmatic Play, said: “There is a growing appetite for more unconventional themes in iGaming. CULT. leans into that trend with a bold theme and exciting gameplay, delivering special bets, multiplier wilds, and 10,000x win potential for the initiated.”

The post Pragmatic Play Earns a Spot in Cult’s Inner Circle appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BETBY

BETBY Expands E-Sim Portfolio with Three Industry-First Titles: eHockey, eMMA and eTeqball

Published

37 minutes ago

March 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

betby-expands-e-sim-portfolio-with-three-industry-first-titles:-ehockey,-emma-and-eteqball

Tier 1 sportsbook supplier BETBY has expanded its proprietary esports feed, Betby.Games, with the launch of three industry-first e-sim titles: eHockey, eMMA and eTeqball. The new releases further strengthen BETBY’s high-frequency betting content portfolio, introducing new sports verticals while continuing to deliver fast-paced, always-on content designed to maximise engagement for operators and players worldwide.

Each of the new titles debuts as a first-of-its-kind esports simulation in the betting industry, reinforcing BETBY’s reputation as a pioneer in developing original betting content.

eHockey launches with four tournaments representing the NHL’s divisions: Atlantic, Metropolitan, Central, and Pacific. Each match follows a format of three periods lasting three minutes each, delivering uninterrupted action with no stoppages. Designed to replicate the intensity of real hockey, the title offers 15+ betting markets and is expected to generate over 11,000 matches per month, ensuring a constant flow of high-frequency betting opportunities. Arriving just ahead of the Stanley Cup playoffs next month, the new title allows hockey fans to stay immersed in the sport 24/7, extending engagement beyond real-world fixtures.

eMMA introduces a fast-paced combat sports experience featuring two tournaments: UFC Legends and UFC Women Legends, where some of the sport’s most iconic fighters face off in simulated matchups. By bringing together well-known names from MMA history, the title creates an instantly familiar environment for fans and bettors alike. The format focuses on quick fights, with each matchup consisting of a single round lasting around one to two minutes on average. Events begin every five minutes, ensuring continuous action throughout the day. Betting markets focus on the fight winner, creating a simple yet highly engaging wagering experience. Combined, the two tournaments are expected to deliver around 15,000 events per month.

Completing the trio is eTeqball, which introduces a brand-new sport to the Betby.Games portfolio. Combining elements of football and table tennis, the rapidly growing discipline brings a unique dynamic to esports simulations. The title launches with the TQX Cup Hungary – Double Mixed tournament, generating around 1800 matches per month. Each match consists of two games played up to 12 points, with over 20 betting markets available.

Kirill Nekrasov, Head of Innovation & R&D at BETBY, said: “Creating original content has always been at the core of the Betby.Games vision. With Hockey, MMA, and Teqball, we’re introducing three industry-first titles that further diversify our portfolio and bring new experiences to esports betting. Each of these games offers fast gameplay, clear betting mechanics, and a constant stream of events, helping operators keep players engaged 24/7.”

The post BETBY Expands E-Sim Portfolio with Three Industry-First Titles: eHockey, eMMA and eTeqball appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.