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Flutter’s Sky Bet and EFL Launch Transformational “Building Foundations” Football Fund
Flutter Entertainment’s leading UK sports betting brand Sky Bet, the title partner of the English Football League (EFL), and the EFL are launching the “Building Foundations” Fund to provide £6m of vital funding for community projects across England and Wales.
The “Building Foundations” Fund represents the largest multi-year sponsor-backed fund dedicated solely to community activity and will give the 72 EFL clubs a chance to bid for grants of up to £100,000 to invest in ongoing programmes or to develop new initiatives.
From the current 2023/24 season, Sky Bet will invest £1 million per year into the Fund. A panel of industry experts, including Sky Bet ambassador Jeff Stelling, will agree the winning bids across a range of categories, such as improving local sporting facilities or promoting the physical and social benefits of the game. To mark the start of the “Building Foundations” Fund, Club Community Organisations (CCOs) at each of the 72 EFL Clubs will have the opportunity to spend an initial £10,000 grant.
Dan Colton, Managing Director at Sky Bet, said: “We’re incredibly proud of our long-standing partnership with the EFL – it’s a relationship that has gone from strength to the strength over the past decade and we wanted to raise the bar further still with the ‘Building Foundations’ Fund. The Fund is a core pillar of our new agreement with the EFL and we’re very excited to see the impact the £6 million will have on such important projects across England and Wales.”
EFL chair Rick Parry said: “Unrestricted funding for community activity on this scale is hard to find and presents an exciting opportunity for EFL clubs to further enhance the impact in the areas they are located. We are extremely grateful to Sky Bet for its ongoing support to the professional game in this country and this new investment via the ‘Building Foundations’ Fund will create a long-lasting legacy for the EFL and Sky Bet partnership.”
Jeff Stelling, former Sky Sports Soccer Saturday lead presenter, said: “Everybody knows my love of the English Football League. I also know all too well how lower league clubs and the communities around them struggle for financial support. I’m delighted to play a part in the ‘Building Foundations’ Fund and I truly believe it presents a great opportunity to make a real difference.”
Former Leicester City, Liverpool and England star Emile Heskey joined Sky Bet Managing Director Dan Colton and EFL chair Rick Parry at Barnsley’s 3G pitch to meet participants from its walking football programme, an existing community scheme for over 35’s that will benefit from the 2023/24 funding.
Blackburn Rovers plan to use the initial £10,000 to grow its “Remember the Rovers” programme which holds weekly sessions at Ewood Park, bringing people living with dementia together, who may otherwise be in social isolation, through the power of footballing memories.
Latest News
Comprehensive Guide to Online Casino Payment Methods for NZ Players

Playcasino.co.nz has published a new comprehensive guide to payment methods for New Zealand online casino players. The guide highlights the growing popularity of mobile casino payment solutions among New Zealand players and provides detailed information about the various options available in the market.
According to industry observations, mobile payment solutions are becoming increasingly popular choices for online casinos transactions in New Zealand. This trend appears to align with the wider adoption of smartphone technology across the country and growing consumer demand for convenient, secure payment options.
“We’ve created this guide to help New Zealand players navigate the complex landscape of online casino payment options,” said Terri Radford, Content Director at www.playcasino.co.nz. “Payment methods like PayforIt and Zimpler are gaining traction because they align with how Kiwis prefer to manage their online entertainment spending—directly from their mobile devices, with enhanced security and spending controls.”
The guide emphasises that choosing the right payment method significantly impacts player experience, affecting everything from transaction speed to financial security. With online gambling continuing to grow in popularity in New Zealand, understanding available payment options has become essential for players seeking both security and convenience.
Payment Options Explained
The guide provides information on several payment methods currently available to New Zealand players:
- Mobile Solutions: PayforIt and Zimpler offer convenient mobile-based payment options. These services are particularly popular among younger players who prefer managing their gaming expenses directly through their mobile devices.
- E-Wallets: PayPal and Skrill are noted for their quick processing times, with PayPal being one of the few e-wallets supporting both deposits and withdrawals in New Zealand. E-wallets typically process deposits within minutes, which is considerably faster than traditional bank transfers.
- Traditional Methods: VISA/MasterCard remain widely used options, available at virtually all online casinos. Card payments continue to be a preferred method for many New Zealand players, particularly those who value familiarity and ease of use.
- Local Favourites: POLi has maintained strong usage among New Zealanders due to its immediate transaction times and absence of currency conversion fees. As a locally-developed solution, it has gained the trust of many New Zealand players.
- Cryptocurrency: Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies offer benefits for players who value transaction speed and withdrawal flexibility. While still considered alternative payment methods, cryptocurrencies like Ethereum and Litecoin are gaining acceptance at many online casinos serving the New Zealand market.
- Prepaid Options: Paysafecard and Neosurf provide prepaid voucher systems that are popular among players who prioritise privacy and spending control. These methods are particularly useful for players who wish to maintain strict budget limits on their gaming activities.
According to industry feedback, transaction speed and security measures are important considerations for New Zealand players when selecting a payment method. Many players also indicate a preference for payment methods that support both deposits and withdrawals, eliminating the need to register multiple services.
Understanding Player Preferences
The guide acknowledges that personal preferences significantly influence payment method choices, with factors such as spending habits, withdrawal frequency, and security concerns playing key roles in decision-making.
“Every player has unique requirements when it comes to managing their funds,” Radford noted. “Some prioritise absolute privacy with methods like Paysafecard, while others value the convenience of integrated solutions like POLi. Our goal is to help players make informed decisions that enhance their overall experience while practising responsible gaming.”
The guide also highlights several notable trends in the online casino payment landscape:
- Enhanced Security Features: Many payment providers now implement additional security measures like two-factor authentication and biometric verification, offering players greater peace of mind.
- Regional Solutions: Payment options specifically designed for the New Zealand market continue to be popular choices among local players who appreciate services tailored to their needs.
- Faster Withdrawals: Many online casinos now emphasise the speed of withdrawals as a key selling point, with some offering same-day or instant withdrawals for certain payment methods.
- Responsible Gaming Tools: Some payment methods now offer built-in spending limits and tracking features, which can be valuable tools for players committed to responsible gambling practices.
“The payment landscape for online casinos continues to evolve,” said Daniel Williams, Managing Director of Playcasino.co.nz. “Our observation is that successful online casinos in New Zealand tend to be those that offer a diverse range of payment options while prioritising both security and user experience. We’re also noticing increased interest in payment methods that support responsible gaming practices.”
Regional Considerations
The guide notes that preferences may vary across different regions of New Zealand. Urban players might have access to and comfort with a wider range of digital payment options, while players in rural areas might rely more heavily on traditional banking methods.
“These regional differences highlight the importance of offering a diverse range of payment options,” noted Radford. “The online casino market in New Zealand is not monolithic, and player preferences vary significantly based on location, age demographics, and technological comfort levels.”
About Playcasino.co.nz
Playcasino.co.nz is a leading online casino affiliate website that offers comprehensive guides, reviews, and the latest news tailored for New Zealand’s real money casino players. The site adheres to responsible gambling principles and provides resources to help players make informed choices.
In addition to payment method information, Play Casino offers detailed reviews of online casinos available to New Zealand players, up-to-date information on no deposit bonuses and promotions, and comprehensive guides on casino games and strategies. The site’s team regularly publishes informational content on various aspects of the online gambling industry, with a particular focus on the New Zealand market.
The post Comprehensive Guide to Online Casino Payment Methods for NZ Players appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Karnataka Govt to Introduce New Law to Regulate Online Betting and Gaming

The Karnataka government has announced that it will introduce a new law to regulate online betting and gaming.
Home Minister G Parameshwara said a committee of senior officials and industry representatives has been constituted and it has been given a month’s time to submit a draft of the proposed bill.
“I chaired a meeting regarding online betting and gambling yesterday along with the IT Minister. Representatives from the industry were called. There is nothing to regulate them so far. They have agreed to the introduction of a licence system and a regulation as per law,” he said.
The state government held a high-level meeting to discuss a legal framework for regulating online gaming.
IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge said that the intent of the legislation is to curb online gambling, betting and games of chance, and protect consumers from fraud while supporting innovation and the sustainable growth of the skill-based gaming industry.
Karnataka is set to introduce a legal framework to ban gambling while permitting skill-based games following a model similar to that of Chhattisgarh.
Kharge said he held a detailed meeting with the state home minister, senior government officials, members of online gaming federations, and industry experts to discuss the proposed framework.
“The legitimate online skill-based gaming industry in India is a sunrise sector worth USD 4 billion, contributing Rs 12,000 crore in taxes and creating over 1.5 lakh jobs. Karnataka alone accounts for 25 percent of the market and contributes Rs 1350 crore annually in taxes, making it a key hub,” he said.
The minister also raised concerns over the growing underground market of offshore gambling and illegal betting.
“Alongside the legitimate sector, there is a parallel underground market that is expanding rapidly, posing risks such as predatory money collection practices, dubious shell companies, financial fraud, data breaches, and cybercrimes,” he said.
Kharge also held discussions with representatives of the E-Gaming Federation (EGF), the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF) and the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS) regarding their collaborative “Code of Ethics” for the industry.
The post Karnataka Govt to Introduce New Law to Regulate Online Betting and Gaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Flutter Entertainment Receives Regulatory Approvals for Snai Acquisition

Flutter Entertainment has announced that it has received all necessary antitrust, gaming and regulatory confirmations to acquire Snaitech S.p.A. (Snai), one of Italy’s leading omni-channel operators.
The acquisition of Snai fully aligns with Flutter’s strategy to invest in leadership positions in attractive international markets, creating value through providing access to Flutter’s market leading products and capabilities. Adding Snai to the Flutter portfolio will consolidate Flutter’s leadership position in Italy and create a position of increased scale to capitalise on the growth opportunity in Europe’s largest regulated market.
As previously announced, Flutter will acquire Snai from a subsidiary of Playtech plc, for cash consideration based on an enterprise value of €2.3b. Flutter expects the transaction to be completed by the end of April and will provide a further update as part of is first quarter results on May 7, 2025.
The post Flutter Entertainment Receives Regulatory Approvals for Snai Acquisition appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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