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SAZKA Group teams up with Sir Keith Mills in bid for Fourth UK National Lottery Licence
SAZKA Group, Europe’s largest lottery operator, today announced it has appointed Sir Keith Mills as Bid Chair of the UK team for the Fourth National Lottery Licence Competition. Sir Keith, a successful entrepreneur whose creative talent conceived the loyalty programmes so ubiquitous today, brings a wealth of experience from his roles across sport, charities, and business. He played a pivotal role in London’s successful bid to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and subsequently, their successful staging. For the past six years he has chaired the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, a role he hands over to Lord William Hague next month. He is also Chairman of the Invictus Games, the international adaptive multi-sport event created by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.
Commenting on the announcement, Sir Keith said, “I am driven by organisations that make a real contribution to society. I chose to team up with Sazka for the Fourth National Lottery Licence Competition because I believe the UK National Lottery needs to grow and be engaging if it is to continue to fund the thousands of good causes every year. Our lottery is a national treasure with nearly 26 years of history; however, the landscape has changed immeasurably since it was first launched back in 1994. The challenge now is to ensure the lottery connects with people right across the country, making it fresh and exciting as it once was, bringing new ways that are relevant for today and tomorrow’s generation. I feel passionately that it needs to be restored to the nation’s hearts, especially in these difficult times. I teamed up with Sazka because they have a proven record of taking established lotteries, growing them and evolving them to be relevant for the future. I am cognisant that much has to be done for us to make a winning case in this competition, but I believe that over the course of this process we will be able to demonstrate how Sazka’s expertise coupled with the experienced British team that we are building in the UK will offer the right stewardship for the UKNL for 2023 and beyond.”
As Bid Chairman, Sir Keith will lead a team with world-class bidding and delivery experience, including for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Comic Relief. Sazka has appointed former London 2012 employee, Alastair Ruxton, as the Bid Director, together with British experts in key areas such as Player Protection, Good Causes, Innovation, Digital, Retail and Customer Experience.
Commenting on the agreement, SAZKA Group CEO Robert Chvátal said, “We are thrilled to be partnering with Sir Keith Mills and have him lead our entry in the Fourth National Lottery Licence Competition. We are hugely excited to be participating in this competition and for the chance to take stewardship of the National Lottery, helping the UK to fall back in love with this vital institution. Operating in five different national markets (Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, Greece, and Cyprus) has given us an unprecedented level of insight and experience in running lotteries. In addition, we have consistently increased participation and revenues for the lotteries we operate. We want to bring this deep knowledge and customer insight to revitalise the UK National Lottery increasing sales and money raised for good causes, thereby providing a much-needed long-term boost to community, arts, sports and heritage institutions across the UK.”
After submitting the Selection Questionnaire earlier this month, SAZKA Group has been accepted into the competition by the Gambling Commission, the body running the Competition. The team will now review the final bid application documents and continue to assemble a strong consortium capable of submitting a winning bid in 2021.
About Sir Keith Mills
Sir Keith Mills GBE DL is a British business entrepreneur who founded the Air Miles and Nectar customer loyalty programmes and has established numerous businesses, both in the UK and internationally. In September 2003, Sir Keith was appointed International President and CEO of London 2012 established to bid for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Having won the bid, he established LOCOG to organise the Games, where he was Deputy Chairman alongside Lord Sebastian Coe. In 2007 Sir Keith established an Olympic related charity, International Inspiration, which he chaired, and in 2008 he established a UK charity, Sported, which he funded and chaired for 10 years. In 2014 Sir Keith established, and was Chairman of, the Invictus Games, working with Prince Harry to deliver a new major international sport event for wounded servicemen and women. Sir Keith Chairs the Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and the Invictus Games Foundation. Sir Keith is also a Director and an investor in a number of private companies.
Sir Keith has received numerous awards including: Master Entrepreneur of the Year, Chief Executive of the Year, and the Sports Industry Businessman of the Year, and was knighted by The Queen in 2006 and again in 2013 when he received the Grand Knight Cross for his services to sport.
About SAZKA Group
The SAZKA Group is a national lottery, instant lottery and digital gaming operator, with our trusted brands and industry-leading technology delivering over €17bn in annual sales. Established in 2012, SAZKA Group is already one of Europe’s largest and fastest growing lottery companies and our strong performance across our markets is helping to fund good causes in the Czech Republic, Greece, Cyprus, Austria, and Italy.
Since entering the lottery market in 2012, SAZKA Group has quickly expanded from the Czech Republic into four other European markets. SAZKA Group has consistently taken on established lotteries and made them better, while also expanding into new market segments through market-leading technology platforms. The Group’s unique experience of operating in different jurisdictions enables it to adopt a tailored approach to customer experience in each market, helping to increase sales and returns to good causes.
Responsible gaming and funding good causes are at the heart of SAZKA Group’s business and culture. it promotes responsible gaming in all of its markets and is committed to having a positive impact where it operates. From building children’s hospitals in Greece to support for the Czech Olympic Foundation, SAZKA Group has put its business skills to the benefit of the local community.
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ACR POKER’S FLAGSHIP ONLINE SUPER SERIES LAUNCHES THIS MARCH WITH $25 MILLION IN GUARANTEED PRIZE POOLS
Climb the OSS Leaderboard to win a share of $35,000 in cash and tournament tickets
Building on the momentum of its revamped tournament schedule, which features expanded events, bigger guarantees, and faster gameplay, ACR Poker is rolling out its flagship Online Super Series (OSS) with $25 million in guaranteed prize pools from March 16th to 31st.
“Playing in the Online Super Series is always a great experience, and this time, it’s back with $25 million in guarantees across a diverse range of tournaments and buy-ins, ensuring there’s something for every player to enjoy,” said ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker.
Players can get ready for an action-packed OSS, headlined by two Main Events starting on Sunday, March 23rd: the $1.5 million guaranteed ($1,050 buy-in) and the $750,000 guaranteed ($215 buy-in). Adding to the excitement, the $1 million guaranteed ($630 buy-in) Main Multiflight Event kicks off on Sunday, March 16th.
In addition, this year’s OSS lineup features three Mystery Bounty Multiflight events, including a supersized $500,000 guaranteed tournament with a $109 buy-in. For players seeking more budget-friendly options, the $200,000 guaranteed ($33 buy-in) and the $75,000 guaranteed ($5.50 buy-in) events are also on offer. Day 1 flights for these events begin this Sunday.
What’s more, ACR Poker is bringing back its OSS Leaderboard Contest. Players can compete for a share of over $35,000 in cash and tournament tickets, spread across two separate leaderboards with high ($44 and over) and low ($33 and under) buy-in levels.
Players can keep track and add their favorite OSS events to their calendar easily with ACR Poker’s online tournament schedule.
Online Super Series highlights:
- $25 million in guaranteed prize pools
- $35,000 Leaderboard Contest
- Small, medium and large buy-ins
- $1.5 million guaranteed Main Event, $1 million guaranteed Main Multiflight Event
- Three Mystery Bounty tournaments (including $500,000 guaranteed)
Beyond the OSS, ACR Poker is just getting started with its turbocharged poker offerings. Players can jump into the revamped tournament schedule, take their shot in the Punta del Este Satellites on March 9th and 16th to win one of 16 packages ($5,500 value each) to the Enjoy Poker Tour in Uruguay, and prepare for a massive April lineup featuring two Venom tournaments.
For more information on the $25 million guaranteed Online Super Series, read the ACR Poker blog or visit ACRPoker.eu.
The post ACR POKER’S FLAGSHIP ONLINE SUPER SERIES LAUNCHES THIS MARCH WITH $25 MILLION IN GUARANTEED PRIZE POOLS appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
BitLine
Bitline and Everi Announce Crypto Liquidity for Choctaw Casinos & Resorts in Industry First Development
Bitline, the only provider for casino chip access directly from cryptocurrency, has announced its first major collaboration in the U.S. casino market, teaming up with Choctaw Casinos & Resorts through its collaboration with Everi’s CashClub, the leading financial access services suit for casino payments. This collaboration introduces cryptocurrency and digital assets as a new source of liquidity for casino patrons and marks the first time that such a functionality has been enabled within the American gaming industry.
Leveraging Everi’s CashClub’s comprehensive payment infrastructure, Bitline’s solution is able to efficiently board, screen and verify patrons looking to leverage their digital assets whilst also allowing patrons to move screened assets into custody within minutes. Bitline’s integration with Everi’s CashClub, will enable the technology for the benefit of Choctaw Casinos & Resorts, and is the first time that such a functionality has been possible in the U.S. regulated casino market.
The collaboration works to cater to the growing demand for greater cryptocurrency and digital asset integration within the casino industry. The collaboration between Bitline and Everi’s CashClub forms a transferable blueprint that offers casino operators and their patrons an alternative way to manage funds, access liquidity, and leverage the benefits of cryptocurrency and other digital assets.
This milestone reflects a strategic shift in how casino operators view and manage financial interactions with their guests. The introduction of cryptocurrency as a liquidity solution provides additional options for guests and lays the foundation for Choctaw Casinos & Resorts as it looks to the future of gaming sector finance, setting a new standard in financial accessibility and convenience.
“Working with Choctaw Casinos & Resorts and Everi’s CashClub to make this a reality is a historical moment for both the casino and blockchain industries. Bitline was conceptualized to advance the gaming sector and offer a wider variety of financial options for the casino industry,” said Richard Jones, CEO at Bitline. “We’re entering an era where digital assets can fundamentally enhance the gaming experience, providing casino operators with a future-ready financial framework that can expand and evolve as the industry does. This collaboration is just the beginning of our vision to modernize casino payment capabilities on a global scale.”
“We are excited to be the first casino in North America to offer our guests another way to play,” said Thomas McDonald, Senior Director of Cage and Credit at Choctaw Casinos & Resorts. “Through our long-term relationship with Everi, a leader in fintech solutions, we will continue to invest in innovative offerings that provide the discerning gaming VIP access to funds in a safe and secure manner.”
The Choctaw Casinos & Resorts integration represents only the first phase of Bitline’s broader mission to bring cryptocurrency solutions to casinos and casino patrons worldwide. As cryptocurrency and digital assets continue to gain traction in the gaming sector, Bitline’s easy to integrate and patented payment model stands poised to become a key player in transforming gaming finance. Future plans include expanding services across other major casinos and gaming markets, both domestically and internationally, establishing cryptocurrency as a new standard feature of the gaming experience.
The solution is to be formally rolled out on March 7, 2025, with the first transaction taking place at Choctaw’s Durant, Oklahoma, location.
The post Bitline and Everi Announce Crypto Liquidity for Choctaw Casinos & Resorts in Industry First Development appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Another step in expanding into this dynamic market
DATA.BET strengthens its foothold in the Latin American market with its presence at BiS SiGMA Americas 2025. This marks the provider’s debut with the booth at Brazilian’s show, highlighting its ambitious plans to present its premium esports betting and virtual content solutions.
At the stand E140, DATA.BET’s team will connect with current and potential clients and partners to introduce esports betting and data products enhancements. Visitors can explore technically upgraded Single Page Application (SPA) and interactive widgets designed to optimize the betting experience, especially for mobile devices, and operational efficiency. In addition, the company offers extensive esports coverage with 35+ disciplines and over 12,500 live events monthly. Together with its virtual sports lineup that features 600,000 events yearly, DATA.BET provides a broad spectrum of betting content.
“As the industry evolves, we remain focused on equipping operators with comprehensive solutions needed to succeed,” said Otto Bonning, Head of Sales at DATA.BET. “LatAm represents a key market for many betting companies. Our presence at BiS SiGMA Americas 2025 underscores the dedication to this region and businesses that aim to develop it, and we can’t wait to connect with leading professionals and partners.”
The post DATA.BET Joins BiS SiGMA Americas 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
ACR POKER’S FLAGSHIP ONLINE SUPER SERIES LAUNCHES THIS MARCH WITH $25 MILLION IN GUARANTEED PRIZE POOLS
Bitline and Everi Announce Crypto Liquidity for Choctaw Casinos & Resorts in Industry First Development
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