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BRIT & IRISH WORLD POOL BETTING DAYS GROW 44% IN 2022

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Great Britain and Ireland’s 17 World Pool days grew 44% in 2022 with a Gross Turnover of £521 million, up from £363 million in 2021.

Each of the World Pool racedays, commencing with QIPCO 2000 Guineas Day and running through the major summer festivals, concluding at QIPCO British Champions Day, have enjoyed significant double-digit growth. The final World Pool day of the year was QIPCO British Champions Day which saw Gross Turnover growing 43% to £27.9 million compared to 2021 levels.

The growth in World Pool has been generated through more bet types being available, along with closer collaboration on optimising the race programme to ensure strong field sizes of 7+ horses wherever possible. This ensures all bet types are available to racing fans around the globe which, combined with more investment in marketing and production, has grown turnover and increased the financial returns World Pool makes to the sport.

World Pool was created by the Hong Kong Jockey Club and is a collaboration of over 20 pool betting operators from around the globe.  The result is huge liquidity, and a multi-million pound betting experience for racing fans. Not only does World Pool help further internationalise the sport and shine the global spotlight on participating racecourses, but it also generates critical betting revenue and increased media rights for the underlying racing industry.

Exceptional Value for British and Irish Tote customers on World Pool days

In the UK and Ireland, World Pool is accessed via the Tote. Bets can be placed on World Pool events at the racecourse, online at tote.co.uk (or tote.ie for Irish customers), as well as at the Tote App or via bookmakers, the majority of whom accept Tote bets online and in shops.

All customers betting with the Tote, both online or at the racecourse, not only benefit from World Pool, but also benefit from Tote Guarantee which ensures all Win bets will always match the Starting Price, or exceed it if the pool price is bigger. Customers betting directly with the Tote online receive an extra 10% boost on winning bets via Tote+.

The Tote once again offered customers exceptional value across the six races at QIPCO British Champions Day:

  • Tote+ Win beat SP in 4 of the 6 races (and matched on the remaining 2 with Tote Guarantee in place)
  • Tote+ Win overround was 107% vs the industry Starting Price overround of 121%
  • Tote+ Exacta beat Forecast on 5 out of 6 races
  • Tote+ Trifecta beat Tricast on 2 out of 6 races, with the Tote+ Trifecta paying £39,094 versus a Tricast of £10,659 in the final race

Across the summer World Pool has provided unique and exceptional value to British and Irish customers:

  • Tote+ SP has beaten industry SP 73% of the time
  • A £10 bet on all winners across the 17 World Pool days with Tote+ would generate £2,333 more than placing those bets at Industry SP
  • Tote+ overround was 104% compared to 121% industry SP
  • The Tote+ Exacta has beaten the Forecast 85% of the time
  • The Tote+ Trifecta has beaten the Tricast 74% of the time

Annabel Willis and Alpinista crowned World Pool “Moment of the Year”

On QIPCO British Champions Day, Annabel Willis was presented with a cheque for £34,000 in the paddock at Ascot ahead of racing for her to share with her colleagues at Sir Mark Prescott’s yard.

After thousands of votes, Annabel and Alpinista were the most popular choice with racing fans for the filly’s stunning performance in the Group 1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks at the Ebor Festival in August.

The other three finalists, as decided by an industry panel, were all presented with a memento at Ascot:

  • Reg Todd who led up Dark Shift to win the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot. Reg has worked for Charlie Hills for over 30 years – and this was his first time leading up a Royal Ascot winner.
  • Ricky Hall who led up Baaeed when he recorded his stunning 10th consecutive win in the Juddmonte International at York.
  • Satrejeet Jhingree who led up Highfield Princess when she landed her second Group 1 in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York.

All 16 members of racing staff who won World Pool Moment of the Day through the season received £1,000 and a bottle of champagne.

Global collaboration continues to grow World Pool  

Michael Fitzsimons, Executive Director Wagering Products of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “We are delighted to see British and Irish World Pool days grow so strongly this year with the sporting action proving increasingly popular with racing fans, who appreciate seeing the best horses and jockeys competing at a wide variety of fantastic racecourses. We have enjoyed working in collaboration with our racecourse partners, Racecourse Media Group and the UK Tote, and we look forward to continuing to work together as we make plans for the 2023 season.”

Alex Frost, Chief Executive of the UK Tote Group, said: “Everyone at the UK Tote is enormously proud to be part of World Pool as it continues to grow, thereby increasing both the financial return it contributes to British and Irish racing and the excellent value it creates for racing fans betting with the Tote. The implicit ambition of World Pool is to ensure an additive and more sustainable funding mechanism for horseracing, with wagering customers enjoying an improved value proposition.

“I would like to thank the teams at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, our racecourse partners and Racecourse Media Group for ensuring the 2022 World Pool season was such a success in Britain and Ireland. I would also like to offer my appreciation and thanks to the connections of horses who have won and competed in World Pool races this year given the support of owners, trainers and jockeys is an essential part of World Pool’s growth in 2023 and beyond.”

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Take Aim at Mega Wins: ELA Games Unleashes Chaos With New Shooter Game “Shoot Happens”

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A chaotic jungle journey with big, bad foes and insane riches.

Welcome to the jungle, where Shoot Happens! Face your opponent, take aim, and fire your way to riches.

ELA Games unveils its boldest title to date, a combination of decision-making and narrative progression where every shot counts.

In Shoot Happens, you’re not just a player. You’re the main character who has to fend off waves of increasingly dangerous (and valuable) monsters. Armed with 3 shots per round, you’ll need precision and calm nerves to take down the reward and add it to your Winpot. Hit the target for riches. Miss… and it’s back to the beginning.

The Choice Is Yours

Each round is in the hands of the player. Do you cash out now? Or keep slashing through the jungle for bigger and better rewards? Decision-making, timing, and a whole load of guts go a long way.

Expect the Unexpected

Random projectile bonuses can appear in any round, boosting your rewards massively. And just when you thought your journey through the treacherous jungle was over, the final boss appears. While the other monsters may have been a piece of cake, he doesn’t stay down. Each time you defeat him, he respawns for juicier and recurring payouts. Keep going as long as you can handle it, and you might walk out as the top dog of the jungle.

Marharyta Yerina, ELA Games’ Managing Director, commented on the game’s release, “With Shoot Happens, the team ventured outside of conventional game formats, and we wanted to give players a super engaging experience where they’re in control. This title is a bold approach to game design in this industry, as we’re empowering players with choice and enriching the gameplay experience with strong visuals, narratives, and plenty of replayability.”

Play how you want. The Winpot is yours

Shoot Happens is the perfect blend of fast-paced action, bold decision-making, and interactive gameplay. Whether you’re a cautious player or a complete daredevil, the game is an enticing experience for all.

How deep into the jungle are you willing to go?

The post Take Aim at Mega Wins: ELA Games Unleashes Chaos With New Shooter Game “Shoot Happens” appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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American Gaming Association

AGA Research Reveals Consumers Know Sweepstakes Casinos are Gambling

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As gaming regulators, state Attorneys General, and state legislatures continue to scrutinize the business practices of online “sweepstakes” casinos, new research shows that consumers overwhelmingly use these platforms to gamble – and that sweepstakes operators are heavily targeting players in key states. By exploiting loopholes in the law, these operations undermine the integrity of the legal, regulated gaming marketplace.

According to Sensor Tower data compiled by the American Gaming Association (AGA), half of all online, real-money casino advertisements seen by consumers in early 2025 promoted offshore “sweepstakes” casinos. The data shows these unregulated operators concentrate their advertising in populous states.

“These operators present themselves like legal, regulated platforms – but they operate outside the law and regulation. There are few if any responsible gaming tools, no regulatory oversight, and no consumer protections. It’s a dangerous subterfuge that puts players at real risk,” said AGA Vice President of Government Relations, Tres York.

Despite operating outside the regulated gaming market, “sweepstakes” casinos are widely perceived by players as gambling platforms, with 68% of users saying their primary reason for playing is to win real money. This confusion is no accident – many of these sites mimic the look, feel, and language of legal operators, blurring the line for consumers and reinforcing the need for clearer enforcement and public education.

Key findings include:

• 90% of sweepstakes casino users consider the activity to be gambling.

• 69% describe sweepstakes casinos as places to wager real money.

• 80% of sweepstakes players spend monthly, and nearly half spend weekly, without the safety nets offered by regulated operators.

The number of monthly sweepstakes casino players is twice as high in states lacking sweepstakes prohibitions.

“Sweepstakes” casinos aggressively market on popular digital platforms throughout the country. Legal, regulated gaming operators, by contrast, advertise responsibly in legal states where consumer protections and regulatory oversight are in place.

“The data is clear. Consumers see right through the ‘sweepstakes’ casino facade and they’re calling it what it is: gambling. We look forward to policymakers continuing to enforce their laws and create clarity through new policy measures to protect their residents,” added York.

The post AGA Research Reveals Consumers Know Sweepstakes Casinos are Gambling appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Compliance Updates

MGCB Issues Cease-and-Desist Orders to Six Illegal Gambling Sites Targeting Michigan Players

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The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has issued cease-and-desist letters to six unlicensed online gambling platforms attempting to target Michigan residents without state authorization. The action underscores the MGCB’s relentless, ongoing efforts to shut down illegal gambling operations and protect Michigan consumers from financial risk, identity theft, and unfair play.

The targeted sites—Crypto Slots, NitroBetting, NewVegas, Las Vegas USA Casino, Grand Rush Casino, and Slotgard Casino—were found to be operating in violation of Michigan laws that require licensure for internet gaming and sports betting.

“These sites were attempting to exploit Michigan players while operating outside the law. We take this seriously. When unauthorized operators offer games without regulation, Michigan players are left exposed—and we will not tolerate it,” said Henry Williams, MGCB Executive Director.

This enforcement action is part of the MGCB’s larger crackdown on illegal online gambling platforms. In recent months, the agency has issued numerous cease-and-desist letters, with additional investigations currently underway.

The MGCB continues to monitor online gaming activity and urges the public to be cautious when engaging with gambling content on social media or through digital advertisements.

The post MGCB Issues Cease-and-Desist Orders to Six Illegal Gambling Sites Targeting Michigan Players appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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