Catalist Sports, a licensed supplier of sports betting content to the regulated U.S. market, has strengthened its North American presence with newly secured supplier licenses in Arkansas and Nebraska, alongside fresh applications submitted in Ontario and Alberta, Canada.

Arkansas is expected to see significant growth in its regulated sports betting market, with major operators such as DraftKings and FanDuel set to enter in March 2026. Alongside this, Catalist Sports has also successfully obtained a supplier license in Nebraska, further extending its reach across key U.S. jurisdictions.

Following its recent approval in Missouri—the latest state to regulate online gambling—Catalist Sports is now licensed in 30 U.S. jurisdictions, with Canadian expansion expected to follow pending approvals.

These developments reinforce the company’s commitment to delivering compliant, high-quality betting content and services across regulated markets in both the U.S. and Canada.

“Securing licenses in new jurisdictions and strengthening our regulatory position is essential to supporting our operator partners,” said James Monk, Vice President and General Manager of Catalist Sports. “Arkansas represents an exciting opportunity, particularly as major brands prepare to enter the market. Combined with our Nebraska license and Canadian applications, we are well positioned to deliver scalable, compliant, and differentiated services.”

Catalist Sports’ continued expansion supports its broader strategy of providing operators with premium data, live streaming, and advanced trading capabilities, helping to drive in-play engagement, product innovation, and long-term growth.

The company distributes official data and live streaming rights from a wide portfolio of events to licensed U.S. sportsbooks, including leading tennis competitions such as the Australian Open, ITF World Tour, Davis Cup, and Billie Jean King Cup, alongside coverage across soccer, basketball, and ice hockey to power year-round betting engagement.

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Midnite and the World Snooker Tour (WST) have combined to deliver a standout campaign moment for snooker, using an April Fool’s stunt to build anticipation ahead of the 2026 Halo World Snooker Championship, before expanding into a broader fan engagement programme in Sheffield.

Earlier this week, the partners revealed that the sport’s iconic white cue ball would be replaced with a neon green version in Midnite’s signature colour, aligning with its role as the tournament’s official UK betting and casino partner.

The announcement quickly gained traction, sparking debate across social media and drawing reactions from players before being confirmed as an April Fool’s joke. While the cue ball will remain unchanged, the stunt successfully generated conversation without compromising the integrity of the sport.

Andrew Mook, Head of Brand Marketing at Midnite, said the goal was to “spark conversation and shine a light on everything happening around the tournament,” noting that the response highlighted the passion of snooker fans.

From attention to engagement

Rather than altering the game itself, Midnite’s strategy focuses on extending the fan experience beyond the table, turning awareness into active participation across the 17-day event.

At the centre of this is the return of the Midnite Lounge in Sheffield, a dedicated fan activation space running throughout the البطولة. Building on its debut at the 2026 Masters, the venue will host exhibition matches, amateur competitions featuring local snooker clubs, free-to-play sessions, and appearances from current and former professionals.

The brand is also reviving its “Midnite Maximum” mechanic—a giveaway that previously awarded £25,000 to a fan following a maximum break. For this year’s championship, the prize pool has been increased to as much as £100,000, reinforcing engagement across the tournament.

Respecting tradition while building the brand

For WST, the campaign highlights how commercial partnerships can enhance the fan experience while preserving the heritage of the sport.

World No.2 Kyren Wilson emphasised that “snooker doesn’t need to move away from the traditions it’s built on,” while welcoming initiatives that give fans more ways to engage beyond the matches.

WST Chief Commercial Officer Peter Wright added that Midnite’s activations will “add to the experience for anyone coming to the Crucible,” pointing to interactive formats such as amateur competitions and exhibition play as key to broadening appeal.

A modern sponsorship playbook

The campaign demonstrates how brands can use cultural moments—even light-hearted ones—to capture attention before converting it into meaningful engagement.

By combining a high-impact stunt with on-the-ground activations and repeatable mechanics like Midnite Maximum, Midnite and WST have created a layered approach that blends awareness, participation, and reward.

As competition for audience attention intensifies, this kind of integrated strategy—merging social-first creativity with real-world experiences—is becoming central to modern sports sponsorship.

For Midnite, the message is clear: the game remains the same, but how fans experience it is evolving.

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The HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026 has officially concluded, marking not only the end of another exceptional edition, but the celebration of a defining milestone: 10 Years of Impact.

Bringing together nearly 400 professionals from across iGaming, technology, fintech, compliance, AI, and blockchain, this year’s summit stood as the most ambitious and dynamic edition to date — two days of high-level insights, meaningful connections, hands-on learning, and unforgettable experiences.

From early-morning wellness sessions to late-night celebrations, HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026 delivered a complete, immersive industry experience — one that will be remembered as a benchmark moment for the European Gaming & Tech ecosystem.

A Summit Designed for Insight, Strategy & Real Connections

Held on 24–25 March 2026 at OREA Hotel Andel’s Prague, the summit once again proved why it remains a cornerstone event where technology, compliance, and innovation converge.

The 10th Anniversary edition expanded into its full-scale format featuring:

• Three core conference stages
• The hands-on HIPTHER Academy
• The GamingTECH CEE Awards 2026
• Curated networking experiences across every touchpoint

The result? A boutique, high-impact environment where conversations weren’t just happening — they were shaping the next decade of the industry.

Four Stages. One Unified Vision of the Future

The summit unfolded across four stages, bringing together compliance, regulation, business strategy, and innovation into one cohesive narrative. From regulatory deep dives and enforcement trends to cross-industry discussions spanning iGaming, fintech, AI, and media, the agenda balanced specialization with meaningful dialogue between operators, suppliers, and advisors.

A standout element was the dedicated Responsible Gaming & Player Safety focus on Day 2, curated by the Institute for Gambling Regulation (IPRH). This track placed player protection and sustainable industry growth at the forefront, addressing emerging risks, early detection mechanisms, and the need for greater cross-border regulatory alignment through expert-led panels and case-driven discussions.

Elevating the conference, the HIPTHER Academy further expanded the summit’s scope into a practical learning environment, offering hands-on workshops and certifications across AI, compliance, marketing, and leadership. With a clear emphasis on real-world application, the Academy positioned itself as a platform for professionals looking to strengthen both their expertise and strategic impact.

Networking: From Morning Energy to Nights of Excellence

At HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026, networking extended far beyond the conference floor, shaping the experience from early morning and delicious breaks, to late-night celebrations.

The days began with intention, from a calming yoga session on Day 1 to the Morning Networking Run on Day 2 — blending wellness, movement, and connection in true #hipthers style.

As evening fell, the spotlight turned to recognition and celebration. The GamingTECH CEE Awards 2026 honoured the industry’s standout performers, announced in the exciting Endorphina Club Party & Awards Ceremony at Buddha-Bar Prague. As the official Awards Ceremony & Party Sponsor, Endorphina delivered a premium networking experience where prestige met Asian culture and vibrant energy.

The momentum continued with the Closing Party at Reduta Jazz Club, while the now-traditional Unofficial Karaoke Afterparty added a final, memorable touch — proving once again that the strongest connections are often built beyond the stage.

Powered by Industry Leaders: Our Sponsors

The success of HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026 was made possible thanks to the incredible support of its partners and sponsors:

• Grand Stage Sponsor: Tom Horn Gaming
• Grand Quality & Compliance Sponsor: Gaming Laboratories International (GLI)
• Silver Sponsor & Badge/Bracelet Sponsor: Kanggiten
• Awards Ceremony & Party Sponsor: Endorphina
• Lanyard Sponsor: DSTGAMING
• General Sponsors: Gaming in Poland, RM Legal, WinSpirit Casino

Their continued support reflects a shared commitment to advancing innovation, compliance, and collaboration across the industry.

A Decade of Impact — And the Next Chapter Begins

Under the theme “Decoding the Future: 10 Years of Impact,” the 2026 edition didn’t just celebrate the past — it set the tone for what comes next.

Zoltan Tündik – HIPTHER Co-Founder & Head of Business stated: “Reaching the 10-year milestone with the HIPTHER Prague Summit is a proud moment of reflection for us. With 19 years of navigating the ever-evolving media and news landscape, we have seen firsthand how vital authentic connection is to industry progress. This edition was a celebration of a decade of impact, but it was also a launchpad for our next chapter. Over the next five years, our focus is on consolidation. We are deepening our roots in the CEE, D-A-CH, Baltic, and Nordic regions. However, we aren’t standing still. We are thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of the HIPTHER Balkans Summit in 2027, and we are keeping a very close watch on North America. The market there is ripe for the unique ‘HIPTHER-style’ of boutique, high-value networking, and I suspect we may have some surprises in store for that region very soon.”

Get ready for the next great chapter starting next year — Save the Date & Join us:  23–24 March 2027

Over the last decade, HIPTHER Prague Summit has grown into a trusted platform for knowledge-sharing, cross-border dialogue, and real business connections, bringing together regulators, operators, innovators, and decision-makers shaping the future of Gaming & Tech .

And if this edition proved anything, it’s that the next decade will be even bigger.

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