Author: Charles Shephardson

The British Horseracing Authority is navigating one of its most turbulent political periods in recent memory, as a new Chair steps in during a fierce industry-wide battle. Simon Cox was appointed the BHA’s new chair amid growing concerns within the body. The BHA has declared itself “hugely disappointed” following the Gambling Commission’s decision to confirm that Financial Risk Assessments will be implemented across the gambling sector. The racing body has warned that the introduction of affordability checks carries “severe financial implications” for the sport, adding urgency to its political campaigning efforts. Racing Post journalist Lee Mottershead penned a notable op-ed…

BETBY has recorded a solid quarterly performance, with the FIFA World Cup and its expanding esports portfolio identified as the primary drivers of that success. The supplier launched a dedicated World Cup package that proved popular with operator partners looking to capitalise on one of sport’s biggest global events. Central to that offering was an eWorld Cup simulator, designed to keep players engaged during off-hours when live FIFA World Cup matches were not being played. The eWorld Cup product reflects a broader strategic push by BETBY to blend traditional sportsbook content with esports simulation to maintain round-the-clock betting activity. This…

Bulgaria’s Finance Ministry has pushed back against calls for a complete ban on gambling advertising, rejecting opposition demands that would have significantly tightened marketing restrictions. The decision came amid a broader parliamentary debate over gambling regulation and tax reform that has made gambling marketing a deeply divisive topic in the country. Opposition politicians had pushed for sweeping measures, including a near-doubling of operator fees alongside the introduction of a comprehensive advertising ban across the country. Parliament ultimately approved only minor additional taxation focused on a specific niche, falling well short of the more aggressive regulatory overhaul that critics of the…

The British Horseracing Authority has appointed a new Chair while simultaneously fighting a fierce political battle over the Gambling Commission’s affordability measures. The BHA’s concerns centre on Financial Risk Assessments, the more extensive of two affordability tools being rolled out, with the lighter version being Financial Vulnerability Checks. The Gambling Commission’s decision to press ahead with FRAs has drawn significant criticism from racing and betting industry figures across the country. BHA’s Acting Chair David Jones contacted the Gambling Commission directly, requesting data from the regulator’s pilot of Financial Risk Assessments ahead of the decision being finalised. Jones also used that…

Kambi has reported a strong second quarter of 2026, with revenue climbing 13% to €45.9 million on the back of a record FIFA World Cup trading period. The B2B sportsbook technology provider credited the expanded 48-team tournament with driving unprecedented volumes across its global partner network throughout the competition. Kambi and its Turnkey Sportsbook partners collectively surpassed 100 million bets placed during the FIFA World Cup, marking a significant milestone for the business. Data from Kambi’s global partner network also pointed to a continued shift in player behaviour, with growth in higher-margin products reducing dependency on traditional core markets. Player…

Allwyn has officially launched Powerball in the United Kingdom, marking the first time the iconic American lottery format has ever been offered outside the United States. The launch forms a central part of Allwyn UK’s broader strategy to revamp and significantly expand the National Lottery offering for British players. The operator has set an ambitious target of doubling weekly returns to good causes by 2034, with the Powerball launch representing a major step toward that goal. The first retail ticket was sold at the Sewell on the Go shop in Pocklington, Yorkshire, just after 5am on Tuesday, 21 July 2026.…

FIRST.bet has completed a major technology and commercial integration with Pragmatic Solutions, embedding its full-service sportsbook platform into the Pragmatic PAM ecosystem. The deal makes FIRST.bet the second proprietary sportsbook platform to be integrated by Pragmatic Solutions, following the company’s initial sportsbook partnership with Altenar back in 2023. Through the agreement, FIRST.bet’s complete sportsbook engine, trading stack, risk management tools and managed services are now accessible to operators running on the Pragmatic Solutions platform. The Pragmatic Solutions PAM platform is built to support end-to-end player journeys, multiple brands and flexible operations through a stable and scalable central infrastructure layer. Operators…

SBC Summit’s newly launched AI Academy will take delegates well beyond theoretical discussions of artificial intelligence and into genuinely practical, hands-on application of the technology. The academy forms part of the event’s premium Education+ programme, bringing together technology specialists, cybersecurity experts, and AI leaders under one roof. It is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 29 September at Sala Tejo, MEO Arena, and is designed for professionals ready to move past AI headlines. Delegates will participate in live demonstrations, ask-me-anything sessions, case studies, and hands-on workshops covering everything from data analysis to AI-driven fraud defence. John Caldwell, Co-Founder of i3Soft,…

GR8 Tech has emerged as a key voice in post-tournament analysis, revealing that seasoned industry professionals had Spain marked as favourites from the very start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The platform, which provides sportsbook and iGaming solutions to operators worldwide, has built a reputation for deep market intelligence throughout major sporting events. The 2026 FIFA World Cup proved to be one of the most significant betting events in the history of the industry, generating enormous handle volumes across global sportsbook markets. GR8 Tech’s data and commentary suggest that sharp bettors and industry insiders were aligned on Spain well…

FeedConstruct has signed an exclusive deal securing both streaming and data rights for Nicaragua’s Liga Primera and Copa Primera competitions. The agreement covers whistle-to-whistle live broadcasts of every match played across both tournaments, delivering comprehensive coverage to FeedConstruct’s global network of partners. The deal significantly expands FeedConstruct’s Americas-focused content offering, providing sportsbook operators with fresh sports activations from a rapidly developing football market. Ani Isakhanyan, Head of Rights and Content at FeedConstruct, stated: “Securing these exclusive rights is a highly valuable addition to our portfolio. Liga Primera and Copa Primera deliver the consistent football content that the global iGaming industry…