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Betclic announces four strategic sports partnerships
Betclic, France’s leading online sports betting operator, announces its partnership with the Arkema Première Ligue (APL), the highest level of women’s football in France. Already a partner of the French Women’s National Teams, Betclic confirms its commitment to becoming a strong ally of women’s football.
A league on the rise
For several seasons, the Arkema Première Ligue has been experiencing exceptional momentum. A significant milestone was reached in 2024 with the creation of the Ligue Féminine du Football Professionnel (LFFP), marked by a record 220 players under contract, a highly competitive league, and record attendance and viewership figures. The FFF, which aims to reach 500,000 licensed female players by 2028, has launched an extensive feminization plan, enabling an entire ecosystem to rapidly structure itself, and one Betclic is pleased to be associated with.
A new dimension in the Betclic App
Since its opening to betting in May 2024, the Arkema Première Ligue has risen to first place among national women’s competitions on the Betclic app. Open matches, unpredictable scenarios: women’s football is an exciting new playground for bettors, with live betting accounting for the majority of wagers placed. With around fifty odds available per match, enhanced gaming offers, and numerous activations around championship fixtures, the Arkema Première Ligue will benefit from strong exposure in Betclic’s communications, particularly through the App which is used by more than 3 million players each month.
A commitment supporting the diversity of French football
Women’s football is not just a performance field, it’s also a lever for transformation. By supporting the Arkema Première Ligue, Betclic aims to encourage equal opportunities, access to sport for all, and
defend a more inclusive vision of sport. “The APL is a reference championship, where clubs that matter in major competitions compete. We want to be where sport is advancing, where audiences are evolving, where passions are growing. Women’s football ticks all the boxes, and we are proud to contribute to its development alongside Jean-Michel Aulas (President of the LFFP) and Philippe Diallo (President of the FFF),” says Nicolas Béraud, CEO of Betclic.
Jean-Michel Aulas, President of the LFFP: “All indicators are green for the Arkema Première Ligue, which has experienced considerable growth this season. After Arkema’s renewal of its naming partnership, it’s now Betclic’s turn to commit to our championship. The arrival of top-tier economic partners demonstrates the enthusiasm generated by French women’s football and validates the FFF’s commitment to it. Our ambition is to make the Arkema Première Ligue one of the best championships in the world. Support from companies like Betclic helps us greatly in this endeavor.”
Philippe Diallo, President of the FFF: “I am very pleased with Betclic’s commitment to our elite women’s championship. The FFF has high ambitions for the Arkema Première Ligue. Receiving support from a brand as powerful as Betclic is an extremely encouraging sign. This partnership will contribute to the development and recognition of high-level women’s football. The FFF has made feminization an
important axis of its policy. Our partners, like Betclic, fully embrace this. I am delighted by this.”
Betclic and FFHandball: a major alliance to make French Handball shine
Betclic and the French Handball Federation (FFHandball) seal their first partnership running until 2028. An unprecedented alliance to usher handball towards new heights. French handball on top of the world With 9 world crowns and 4 Olympic titles, French handball is the most successful team sport in the world. This enthusiasm for handball is materializing on amateur courts with a record number of licensed players in 2025 (more than 600,000), and behind screens, where the EHF EURO 2024 final was watched by more than 6.5 million viewers.
Betclic bettors increasingly fans of handball
Number one in sports betting in France, Betclic aims to support the world’s best teams and promote French sporting excellence. This partnership will strengthen handball’s visibility among the 3 million monthly players who use the Betclic application, thus offering this sport very strong visibility. Driven by its suspenseful matches and an evolution of betting offers recently validated by the National Gaming Authority, handball is attracting more and more players and now ranks 8th among the most bet-on disciplines on the application, especially thanks to the major events of 2024. While two-thirds of bets are placed on match results, other types of bets are emerging, such as the number of goals scored or the goal difference between teams. And to meet the growing demand from bettors who enjoy live betting, Betclic streams around ten tournaments directly on its application (over 2,000 matches per year), including the Champions League and major handball competitions.
Education and prevention
With the French national teams and French handball training centers, wherever stakeholder responsibility is involved, awareness-raising initiatives that have been carried out for several years will continue in the coming seasons.
Betclic: New headquarters for handball fans
“Handball embodies everything we love about sport: intensity, collective passion and repeated exploits. With this partnership, Betclic will become a major meeting point for handball fans. By supporting the French national teams and partnering with a modern, popular and high-performing federation, we are commited to sustainably supporting the exceptional momentum that has been initiated by Philippe Bana and his team” confirms Nicolas Béraud, CEO of Betclic.
FFHandball: a strategic partnership to propel French handball
“The French Handball Federation is pleased to announce a partnership with Betclic, Official Supporter of our French national teams until 2028. This partnership is built for the long term and addresses shared challenges: supporting the development of handball and strengthening its visibility among an ever-wider audience. The growing enthusiasm for sports betting on handball demonstrates the increasing appeal of our sport. This partnership allows us to accompany this momentum by creating positive synergies to grow our community together and amplify the visibility of French handball” commented Philippe Bana, President of FFHandball.
Betclic and the French Volleyball Federation: The Smash Continues Until 2028!
Betclic, France’s leading sports betting operator, renews its collaboration with the French Volleyball Federation for four new seasons (2025-2028). This renewal marks Betclic’s reinforced commitment to a sport that is growing in popularity.
French volleyball on the rise
Led by its President, Eric Tanguy and his staff, the French Volleyball Federation has achieved great success in recent years, with two Olympic medals (2021 and 2024) and an historic growth in membership (240,000). The national championships (Men’s and Women’s Ligue A) are gaining momentum, with major transfers and record streaming audiences. Driven by charismatic figures like Earvin Ngapeth or Jenia Grebennikov among the men, and Lucille Gicquel or Héléna Cazaute among the women, volleyball is now establishing itself as a popular phenomenon that thrives on international stages.
A winning bet on the Betclic app
Volleyball is also attracting an ever-growing number of Betclic players. It now ranks 6th among the most bet-on disciplines on the app, particularly thanks to the 2024 Olympic Games, where the France- Poland final rose to become the second most bet-on event of the Games (excluding major sports). It is the Top 10 sport that has experienced the best betting momentum over the past two years, and more than 15% of Betclic players now bet on this discipline. With its suspenseful matches and dynamic betting offer (betting possible on each point of the match, such as on the player who will score the next point…), volleyball lends itself easily to live-betting, a growing practice among bettors. This partnership will further strengthen volleyball’s visibility among the 3 million monthly Betclic players, thus granting it very strong exposure, particularly through the in-App streaming of around twenty competitions, from the Polish PlusLiga to Marmara Spike League matches, or the Nations League, where our French national team shines.
Three years to make French volleyball shine
In-app campaigns, contests, editorial content, enhanced visibility around key fixtures… All resources will be activated to support the growth of French volleyball and accompany it on the path to true
European recognition. Nicolas Béraud, founder and CEO of Betclic: “French volleyball is experiencing a silent but spectacular revolution, and we are proud to support this beautiful adventure. By partnering again with FFVolley, Betclic reaffirms its lasting commitment alongside a federation in full momentum, driven by historic results and an ambitious vision for the 2028 Olympics”. Eric Tanguy, President of FFVolley: “The renewal of our partnership confirms the growing collaboration in recent years. Volleyball is advancing not only in sports but also in media presence with the French and global public through Betclic’s involvement and investment. Four rich seasons are ahead, the Federation is proud and delighted to be able to experience this alongside Betclic”.
Betclic and the Ligue Nationale de Rugby extend their partnership for the next two TOP 14 seasons!
Betclic, France’s #1 online sports betting operator, and the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) announce the renewal of their TOP 14 partnership until 2027. Initiated in 2021, this renewed cooperation confirms the shared commitment to elevate French rugby to the highest level.
A partnership with the world’s most competitive championship
For the past four years, Betclic and the LNR have joined forces to promote the TOP 14 to an ever-growing audience. Full stadiums, rising viewership, French clubs leading the way in Europe, star players: rugby has never been more captivating. With 9 different clubs reaching the playoffs over the last 5 seasons, the TOP 14 continues to enchant the public, with 71% of French people describing it as “spectacular”. Intensity, suspense, drama: the championship thrills both fans… and bettors!
Greater visibility for rugby and for Betclic
With over 3 million users on the Betclic application each month, the TOP 14 enjoys exceptional exposure, now firmly established within the platform’s universe. Betclic users can experience everything that makes rugby so special, with the added bonus of winning tickets to the biggest matches, right in the heart of the stadiums. With more than 300 odds available per match, Betclic offers an unrivalled range of betting options, so much that one in every two bettors now bets on rugby, with the TOP 14 as a major driver. Betclic will also continue to enjoy prominent visibility across all official media in TOP 14 stadiums and throughout the finals.
Supporting excellence, shaping the future
International reach, a broader audience and a sense of responsibility: Betclic is committed to helping to achieve the ambitious goals set by the LNR’s new president, Yann Roubert. As official partner to f the French National Rugby Teams until 2028, Betclic is more than just a rugby sponsor: it’s a committed player, with a strong DNA.
“The TOP 14 is one of the most beautiful championships in the world. This partnership is a source of pride for Betclic and an essential lever to satisfy rugby fans, in France and beyond. Renewing our commitment alongside the LNR means reaffirming our position as a major partner of French sport and participating in writing the next chapter in the history of modern rugby” confirms Nicolas Béraud, CEO of Betclic.
“This renewed partnership with Betclic is a mark of trust and a clear signal of the TOP 14’s appeal. We share the same ambition: to help French rugby grow, reach new audiences and keep innovating to make the TOP 14 ever more spectacular and demanding. This extended partnership is a real opportunity for rugby, for its influence and for all those who love the game” says Yann Roubert, President of the Ligue
Nationale de Rugby.
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Belatra Games
From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025
Editor’s Take
Why this matters: Belatra has been a steady hand in the slots world for a long time, but 2025 marked a distinct shift in strategy. By entering the Crash vertical with Goose Boom Bang and winning big at SiGMA Africa, the studio is clearly pivoting to capture the high-growth, high-frequency players in emerging markets. They are no longer just a “classic slots” developer; they are diversifying the portfolio to ensure relevance in regions like LatAm and Africa.
The Full Story
Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, has issued a strategic review of its 2025 operations, celebrating a 12-month period defined by entry into new game verticals, significant franchise expansion, and high-profile industry recognition.
The year was characterized by a dual strategy: deepening engagement in established markets while aggressively expanding its content portfolio to suit local preferences in emerging territories.
Portfolio Evolution: Crash and Battles 2025 saw Belatra move beyond its traditional slot roots. The company made its debut in the high-demand Crash game vertical with the launch of Goose Boom Bang, a title designed to tap into the fast-paced gameplay preference of younger demographics.
Additionally, the studio introduced a fresh game concept with the launch of Battles, a new format unveiled for the first time in 2025, with further development planned for 2026.
The ‘Mummyverse’ Expands For fans of classic slots, the highlight of the year was the aggressive expansion of the Mummyverse. Belatra nearly doubled the size of this franchise over the year, making it the most extensive game universe in their entire catalog.
The developer also focused on B2B localization, releasing a number of exclusive bespoke games created specifically for selected operator partners to meet specific local market tastes.
Awards and Recognition The company’s strategic shifts were validated by industry accolades. Belatra secured over 30 nominations throughout the year, with standout wins including:
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Best Slot Provider (awarded by BitStarz).
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Most Played Game of 2025 for Make It Gold at the SiGMA Africa Awards.
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Player’s Pick Award.
Management Commentary Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, commented on the studio’s momentum:
“This year has truly defined who we are as a studio – ambitious, creative and focused on building long-term partnerships. We’ve expanded our universes, launched new ones and entered exciting new markets that will all help us carry this momentum into the New Year.”
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BMM Testlabs
‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch
Editor’s Take
Why this matters: The “Instant Game” vertical (Crash, Plinko, Mines) is becoming crowded, but Ebaka Games is cutting through the noise with a distinct brand personality. By securing BMM Testlabs certification so quickly after launch, they are signaling to Tier 1 operators that despite their “chaotic” marketing vibe, the math underneath is solid and compliant. The backing of industry veteran Dmitry Belianin also adds immediate commercial credibility to the startup.
The Full Story
Ebaka Games, the fledgling studio that promises to bring “chaos and soul” to the iGaming sector, has outlined an aggressive growth strategy for 2026 following a landmark launch period in late 2025.
The studio, which officially debuted in November, reports that its initial rollout reached more than five million people worldwide. The launch saw its portfolio go live with the operator Menace, serving as the initial testbed for its mechanics and “Ebaka modes.”
The Product: Instant Games with Personality Ebaka is bypassing traditional slots to focus on the high-growth vertical of fast-paced, instant-win games. Their initial lineup includes:
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Plinko
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Mines
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Tower
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Limbo
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Crash
Differentiation is achieved through unique mascots and signature gameplay tweaks designed to offer high win potential and distinct visual identities, moving away from the generic interfaces often found in this genre.
Regulatory Milestone Crucially for its 2026 roadmap, Ebaka Games has confirmed it has secured certification from BMM Testlabs. This accreditation validates the fairness and integrity of its RNG (Random Number Generator) and game engines, removing a major barrier to entry for regulated markets. With this certification in hand, the studio plans to launch with a number of “major brands” in the coming year.
Management Commentary Vitalii Zalievskyi, CEO of Ebaka Games, commented on the studio’s unorthodox approach:
“It’s only been a few weeks since we first introduced Ebaka Games to the world. The feedback has been breathtaking, and it vindicates the decision for us to take a different path to the rest of the industry. You don’t need huge marketing budgets to grab people’s attention if you are building something truly innovative.”
Industry Backing The studio describes itself as being “created by players for players” but boasts significant industry firepower in its corner. The team includes Dmitry Belianin, a well-known figure in the sector who is the co-founder of Blask and Menace, as well as Managing Partner at Already Media.
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ARC
Racing Meets Nightlife: SBK Backs ARC’s New ‘Friday Night Live’ Series
Editor’s Take
Why this matters: British racing has a well-documented demographic problem; its core audience is aging. “Friday Night Live” is a direct attempt to fix this by blending high-stakes racing with the “experience economy” (DJs, nightlife vibes) that appeals to Gen Z and Millennials. Bringing SBK on board—a mobile-first, app-only sportsbook—is a perfect demographic fit, while the Racing Post adds the necessary credibility to ensure the actual racing product remains the focus.
The Full Story
Arena Racing Company (ARC) has unveiled the strategic commercial lineup for its upcoming Friday Night Live series, confirming SBK as the Exclusive Betting Partner and The Racing Post as the Official Media Partner.
Set to launch in January 2026, Friday Night Live is a new initiative created in collaboration with youth-focused events company INVADES. The series is designed to overhaul the traditional race day experience, featuring fast-paced fixtures under floodlights, DJ sets, and significant entertainment elements sandwiched between races.
The Commercial Deal
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SBK: As the exclusive betting partner, the Smarkets-owned sportsbook will take naming rights and on-course branding for all 35 races. Crucially, these races will be broadcast live on mainstream television via ITV Racing as well as Sky Sports Research.
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The Racing Post: As the Official Media Partner, the publication will provide content, coverage, and promotion across its digital platforms, aiming to bridge the gap between established racing purists and the new audience ARC hopes to attract.
A High-Stakes Experiment The series is not just a marketing exercise; it carries serious sporting weight. Each of the five scheduled nights will feature over £200,000 in prize money. The fixtures will rotate across three of ARC’s all-weather tracks: Wolverhampton, Newcastle, and Southwell.
Management Commentary David Leyden Dunbar, Group Director of Commercial Strategy at ARC, was clear about the target audience:
“We have been very clear that one of the aims of Friday Night Live is to engage the next generation of racing fans… Both [partners] have shown real enthusiasm to work with us… as well as using the platform that these fixtures will offer them to also engage with more established racing and sports fans.”
Adam Baylis, Marketing Director at SBK, added:
“Friday Night Live [is] a fresh and engaging concept that brings a new energy to British racing. SBK has always been built around sport… our focus is on enhancing the live race day experience in a fun, social and responsible way.”
The 2026 Schedule The series kicks off immediately in the new year:
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9th Jan: Wolverhampton
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6th Feb: Newcastle
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20th Feb: Southwell
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20th March: Wolverhampton
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27th March: Newcastle
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