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IHRB and BHA Confirm New Equine Anti-Doping & Medication Control Initiative
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) and British Horseracing Authority (BHA) announced a new equine anti-doping & medication control initiative, underpinning their common commitment to the regulation of medicine use and zero tolerance of doping in horseracing on both sides of the Irish Sea.
Out of Competition Testing (OOCT) is a critical component of an effective, modern anti-doping strategy in sport. Both jurisdictions have increased OOCT in recent years, increasing access to and testing of Thoroughbreds at all stages of their careers. Building on this and reflecting their shared focus on participant safety and wellbeing, and the integrity of horseracing, the IHRB and BHA are now formally conducting joint OOCT operations across both jurisdictions. The inspections commenced last week with almost 250 samples taken from more than 120 horses that are entered for the upcoming Cheltenham Festival in an operation across 14 training premises in Ireland over the last two days, which saw the Head of Equine Regulation, Safety and Welfare and a Senior Veterinary Officer from the BHA join forces with the IHRB’s Deputy Heads of Veterinary Operations and Policy and other IHRB Authorised Officers.
The IHRB and BHA have agreed that when working jointly in Ireland, they will be operating under IHRB Standard Operating Procedures, and all samples will be considered as IHRB samples. When IHRB Veterinary Officers operate in Britain, it will be under BHA protocols and BHA jurisdiction. In both instances, there will be transparent exchange of any adverse results or screening findings that arise from these tests, with all samples being tested by LGC Laboratory, one of six laboratories worldwide which is recognised as a referenced laboratory by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.
Dr Lynn Hillyer, Chief Veterinary Officer for the IHRB, said: “The IHRB Strategy 2024-2027 commits us to close engagement with international horseracing bodies and benchmarking ourselves against best international practice. This new venture shows stakeholders and the racing public that we collaborate as professionals across both sides of the Irish Sea, sharing best practice and resources and demonstrating equally stringent regulatory processes and standards to the extent that our anti-doping and medication control programmes are interoperable.
“We are delighted to be collaborating with our BHA colleagues in this way and see it as a positive step forward that reinforces the point that there is no room for anything other than the highest standards of integrity and welfare in either jurisdiction.”
James Given, Director of Equine Regulation, Safety and Welfare said: “The BHA welcomes the collaboration with the IHRB to demonstrate to stakeholders and the public that horses running from either side of the Irish sea in each other’s races do so under the same level of scrutiny.
“Not only will our Medication Control and Anti-Doping (MCAD) team have access to more information about visiting horses, but there will be opportunities for our wider team to share ideas and best practice in other areas of our work.
“Like the IHRB, this is aligned with our aims around international collaboration, the response to racecourse accidents and the overall improvement of equine safety and welfare.”
SOFTSWISS, a global tech provider with over 15 years of iGaming expertise, is preparing the new edition of its flagship industry research – iGaming Trends 2026 – and invites experts worldwide to contribute their insights. The upcoming report is written in collaboration with NEXT.io, the world’s iGaming community, and will spotlight the key tendencies set to shape the industry in the year ahead.
The previous edition, iGaming Trends 2025, became one of the most influential industry resources. With over 100 pages of insights covering regulation, marketing, responsible gambling, innovation, and fraud prevention, the report had over 13,000 downloads . This strong reception confirmed the importance of having a trusted knowledge hub – and set the stage for an even more ambitious 2026 edition.
The iGaming Trends 2026 report is being developed jointly with NEXT.io, the world’s iGaming community, bringing additional depth and diversity of perspectives to the research. By combining the expertise of both teams with insights from the industry at large, the new edition will offer an unparalleled overview of the forces driving iGaming forward.
“The iGaming industry is changing faster than ever, and foresight comes from collective expertise. The strength of iGaming Trends lies in the community behind it. By partnering with NEXT.io, we are making iGaming Trends 2026 the most forward-looking edition yet, built directly on the voices of industry leaders,” added Max Trafimovich, International Non-Executive Director at SOFTSWISS.
Pierre Lindh, Co-Founder and Managing Director of NEXT.io shared: “The iGaming Trends report has become a cornerstone resource for our industry, and this year’s edition will be the most collaborative yet. We’re truly excited to be working alongside SOFTSWISS to bring iGaming Trends 2026 to life, ensuring it reflects the voices, insights, and ambitions of the people shaping the future of our sector. At NEXT.io, we believe foresight comes from community, and this partnership embodies that vision.”
The iGaming Trends 2026 report will be built on the contributions of industry experts worldwide. The survey is anonymous, but participants may leave contact details if they wish to be quoted. In appreciation of the participation, a few lucky winners will receive Apple AirTags, and one special winner will score a unique one that comes with an exclusive SOFTSWISS merch bundle.
Why Take Part?
- Co-create a leading industry resource – Your insights will directly influence one of the most widely read iGaming reports.
- Strengthen your professional visibility – A chance to share your perspective with thousands of peers across the industry.
- Be part of a collaborative effort – For the first time, the report is being developed together with NEXT.io, raising its scope and relevance.
Take the survey here: https://softswiss.typeform.com/to/AMCd3VcT
The SOFTSWISS Team will be at SBC Lisbon 2025, Stand B160, a perfect chance to connect and talk about iGaming Trends 2026.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 35,000 casino games, Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Platform and the Jackpot Aggregator. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
The post SOFTSWISS Calls on Industry Leaders to Join the iGaming Trends 2026 Survey appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Downtown Grand Casino
IGT Wheel of Fortune Big Money Spin Electronic Table Game Makes Global Debut in Las Vegas
IGT announced that its much-anticipated Wheel of Fortune Big Money Spin electronic table game (ETG) recently made its world debut at Downtown Grand Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. The vibrant standalone ETG game includes many of the attributes that have propelled the success of the Wheel of Fortune slots franchise for nearly three decades including word puzzles, wheel spins and exciting jackpot rewards. The game is accompanied by an attention-grabbing, 9-plus-feet upright video wheel that stands independent of the ETG terminals and entertains casino guests with the famous “WHEEL-OF-FORTUNE!” chant.
“Downtown Grand was delighted to have the world premiere of IGT’s Wheel of Fortune Big Money Spin ETG solution on our gaming floor. Our guests instantly connected with the Wheel of Fortune brand and are eager to try their favorite slots brand in a new format. The stature and appeal of game’s accompanying ‘Big Wheel’ is inspiring a wide range of players to give the new game a try,” said Paul Phillips, Director of Casino Operations at Downtown Grand Las Vegas.
“Building on the continued success of IGT’s GameAce Roulette and Mesa4K terminals across North America, we are thrilled to introduce Wheel of Fortune Big Money Spin to ETG players. The successful launch of Wheel of Fortune Big Money Spin at Downtown Grand Casino speaks to the excitement that we can bring to a gaming floor, the universal appeal of the Wheel of Fortune brand, and IGT’s commitment to delivering game-changing innovation,” said Nick Khin, CEO of Gaming at IGT.
IGT’s Wheel of Fortune Big Money Spin game is enjoyed on the Company’s GameAce ETG offering and features an intuitive gameplay design. To make a wager, players select a color-coded bet amount that corresponds with the colored wedges on the game’s digital Wheel of Fortune wheel. Players win when their wager matches the digital spin outcome, filling in letters in the game’s iconic puzzle board. The game’s Fortune Spin Bonus and Jackpot Bonus activate the solution’s large physical wheel, delivering a highly visible and recognizable win celebration on the gaming floor.
The post IGT Wheel of Fortune Big Money Spin Electronic Table Game Makes Global Debut in Las Vegas appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has issued cease-and-desist letters to four unlicensed online casinos—Betty Wins, Orbit Spins, Pacific Spins Casino, and Yabby Casino—all operated by Tech Zone Inc., a company registered offshore in the Union of Comoros.
The enforcement action is part of the MGCB’s ongoing commitment to protect Michigan residents from illegal gambling platforms that lack oversight, player safeguards, and responsible gaming protections.
“These offshore operators lure players with flashy ads and promises of big winnings, but in reality, they put consumers at serious financial and personal risk. We will continue to take strong action against unlicensed sites to ensure gambling in Michigan is legal, fair, and secure,” said Henry Williams, Executive Director of MGCB.
Under Michigan law, only MGCB-licensed operators are authorized to offer internet gaming and sports betting. Tech Zone’s four brands were found to be illegally targeting Michigan residents, violating the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act, and sections of the Michigan Penal Code.
“Illegal operators may use familiar branding or social media ads to appear trustworthy. But if the site isn’t licensed by the MGCB, it isn’t safe. We encourage all players to check before they bet,” Williams said.
The post MGCB Orders Four Offshore Online Casinos to Cease Operations in Michigan appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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