Immense Group, the corporate powerhouse behind leading iGaming brands Mr Vegas, Videoslots, and DBET, has reaffirmed its dedication to environmental sustainability by extending its partnership with the Maltese NGO Coast is Clear.

Marking their third consecutive year of collaboration, the initiative highlights Immense Group’s transition from corporate sponsorship to active, community-led participation. Unlike traditional CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) models that focus on one-off donations, this partnership is built on the principle of ongoing stewardship.

Practical Action for the Maltese Coastline

Malta’s unique coastal ecosystem faces significant pressure from plastic pollution and urban development. Coast is Clear, founded by Mark Galea Pace, specializes in “practical environmentalism”—relying on a dedicated truck and a personal family boat to access areas of the island that are otherwise unreachable by land.

The 2026 roadmap for the partnership includes a structured schedule of events designed to provide both immediate and long-term ecological benefits:

• Beach Clean-ups: Two major coastal operations are planned for the first half of the year, focusing on removing microplastics and “ghost nets” from sensitive marine habitats.

• Tree Planting: Two afforestation initiatives will see staff volunteers planting indigenous Maltese trees, contributing to the NGO’s goal of exceeding 1,000 trees planted across local valleys and nature reserves.

Leadership Perspectives on Community Impact

For Immense Group, the initiative is a way to give back to the island that serves as a primary operational hub for its global workforce.

“Malta is home to many of our people,” said Alexander Stevendahl, CEO of Immense Group. “Encouraging our teams to take part in initiatives like beach clean-ups and tree planting is a practical way to contribute to the communities we’re part of. It reflects a shared commitment to keeping Malta cleaner and greener over the long term.”

Mark Galea, Founder of Coast is Clear, emphasized the value of long-term corporate allies: “Support from companies like Immense Group helps us keep our work going. Having people turn up, get involved, and stick with us over time makes a real difference when it comes to protecting Malta’s coastline.”

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The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) has reported a spectacular 2025 for World Pool, confirming its status as the premier liquidity hub for international horse racing. With a 20% surge in overseas turnover and a series of history-making betting handle records, World Pool is effectively globalizing the sport’s revenue streams.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) 2025

The numbers for 2025 reflect a strategic expansion into new jurisdictions and a focus on high-quality IFHA-rated races.

The “Ka Ying Rising” Phenomenon

The standout moment of 2025 occurred on The Everest Day at Randwick. The appearance of the world’s highest-rated sprinter, Ka Ying Rising, drove a wagering surge that redefined modern betting records.

• New Single Race Record: HK$83.0 million was wagered on The Everest, shattering the previous high held by the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (HK$66.2m) at Royal Ascot.

• Jurisdictional Reach: Betting was commingled from 27 different jurisdictions, ensuring massive pool depth and stable dividends for punters worldwide.

Global Scale: 10 Jurisdictions and IFHA Quality

World Pool didn’t just grow in volume; it grew in quality. Of the 329 races run under the banner in 2025, 70 featured in the IFHA Top 100 rankings within the last three years.

For the first time, all of Hong Kong’s Group 1 contests were commingled as World Pool races, adding HK$1.6 billion in liquidity to the local fixtures.

Supporting the Sport: Moment of the Year

World Pool’s commitment to stable staff saw HK$1.2 million awarded to 30 grooms.

The 2025 Moment of the Year went to Kevin Daffy, the trainer-owner-groom of the Australian “fairytale horse” Oh Too Good. Daffy beat out international heavyweights like Forever Young and Via Sistina in a public vote, securing a VIP trip for four to Hong Kong in 2026.

2026 Outlook: Expansion and Innovation

Andrew Harding, Executive Director of Racing at the HKJC, highlighted that 2026 will focus on further “globalization of racing.”

• Next Fixture: World Pool returns on 10 January 2026 with King’s Plate Day from Kenilworth, South Africa.

• Strategy: Expect an expansion of fixtures and deeper integration into North American and Middle Eastern racing calendars.

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QTech Games, the premier game aggregator for emerging markets, has announced a new strategic partnership with Speedy Tomatoes. This collaboration integrates the studio’s innovative video poker and card game catalogue into QTech’s platform, providing global operators with fresh, high-engagement content designed to diversify the traditional casino experience.

Speedy Tomatoes, an emerging force in the non-slots vertical, is on a mission to rejuvenate classic card games for the mobile-first generation. Their approach combines nostalgic gameplay with disruptive technical features that cater to both recreational players and high-value strategy enthusiasts.

PowerPoker: A New Era of Video Poker

At the center of this integration is the PowerPoker collection. This isn’t just a visual upgrade; it is a fundamental shift in how video poker is played and monetized.

• Innovative Mechanics: Classic games like Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild are enhanced with the PowerPoker engine, which introduces features such as Swap-A-Card and Side Bets.

• Mobile-First Design: All titles are optimized for mobile portrait mode, ensuring an intuitive, thumb-friendly game flow that maximizes “time-on-device” and engagement metrics.

• Skill & Strategy: By emphasizing decision-making moments and rewarding paytables, these games appeal to high-value player segments who value control and strategy over pure chance.

Strategic Growth in Emerging Markets

For QTech Games, adding Speedy Tomatoes provides a powerful cross-selling tool for operators in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. In regions where user engagement can be elusive due to tightening regulations, high-retention card games offer a reliable path to sustainable revenue.

“Speedy Tomatoes is on a mission to rejuvenate the online video poker and card-game scene,” said Asko Heiskanen, CEO & Founder of Speedy Tomatoes. “This deal with QTech Games naturally broadens our geographic footprint… targeting emerging markets where their platform is proven to perform.”

Philip Doftvik, CEO of QTech Games, added: “We can’t wait to see how this new breed of card game performs. They appeal to players who care about skill and strategy, and who historically represent the deepest pockets in online gambling.”

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