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Longlist Revealed For The William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2023 Award – and £30,000 Top Prize
- 18 books selected for the longlist including current professional snooker player Ronnie O’Sullivan, and three-time winner Duncan Hamilton
- 13 different sports featured including two fiction books
- 100% growth for longlisted female authors
The longlist for the 35th William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award – the world’s most valuable literary sports-writing prize – has been revealed today (Thursday 28th September), featuring a diverse selection of sports from squash and snooker to swimming and surfing.
The 18-book longlist was selected from more than 150 entries following a rigorous judging process from a panel with expertise in both sports and literature including The Athletic’s Nancy Froston, sports presenter Matt Williams and William Hill’s Neil Foggin.
Books making this year’s longlist celebrate a diverse world of sports literature, covering tales and insight from 13 different sports. From gripping memoirs to thrilling narratives and insightful analysis from some of the most compelling sporting stars, the longlisted books have one common thread: a profound passion for sports and sporting literature.
Six female authors make this year’s cut, doubling the number from previous years.
Three-time William Hill Sports Book of the Year winner Duncan Hamilton is in the running for this year’s Award, alongside arguably one of the greatest snooker players of all time, Ronnie O’Sullivan.
The William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2023 Longlist (alphabetical by author surname):
- 1923: The Mystery of Lot 212 and a Tour de France Obsession by Ned Boulting
- Hope and Glory: Rugby League in Thatcher’s Britain by Anthony Broxton
- Inshallah United: A Story of Faith and Football by Nooruddean Choudry
- Unfair Play: The Battle for Women’s Sport by Sharron Davies with Craig Lord
- Good for a Girl: My Life Running in a Man’s World by Lauren Fleshman
- The Silence of the Stands: Finding the Joy in Football’s Lost Season by Daniel Gray
- Answered Prayers: England and the 1966 World Cup by Duncan Hamilton
- Tinseltown: Hollywood and the Beautiful Game – a Match Made in Wrexham by Ian Herbert
- Althea: The Life of Tennis Champion Althea Gibson by Sally H. Jacobs
- Nazaré: Life and Death with the Big Wave Surfers by Matt Majendie
- Western Lane by Chetna Maroo
- The Hard Parts: A Story of Courage and Triumph by Oksana Masters
- Unbreakable by Ronnie O’Sullivan
- Concussed: Sport’s Uncomfortable Truth by Sam Peters
- On Days Like These: The Lost Memoir of a Goalkeeper by Tim Rich
- Nowhere to Run: The Ridiculous Life of a Semi-Professional Football Club Chairman by Jonathan Sayer
- Kick The Latch by Kathryn Scanlan
- The Tour: The Story of the England Cricket Team Overseas 1877 – 2023 by Simon Wilde
Award panellist and renowned sports broadcaster, Matt Williams said: “This year’s longlist showcases the diversity of sports and the many ways in which they inspire, entertain, and unite communities.
“We received an unprecedented number of outstanding entries from talented authors this year, including a high volume of contributions from both female authors and international writers. Whittling these down was no small feat, resulting in an historic moment for the Awards as we reveal a list of 18 longlisted books, which encompasses fiction and non-fiction.
“These remarkable titles explore the depths of sportsmanship, triumphs and challenges across the sporting industry including sexism, and the devastating effects that head injuries have on sportspeople. All the longlisted books not only have a great story to tell but their writing captivates the reader and is the best in sporting literature.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading so many inspirational books from the most talented of authors and I’m excited to see which of the 18 books comes out on top.”
Now in its 35th year, the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award is dedicated to rewarding excellence in sports-writing and provides authors and publishers a platform to showcase and promote their book. The first William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award took place in 1989, earning it the title of the longest-established competition in the industry.
The shortlist for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2023 Award will be unveiled on 26th October, with the winner declared on 30th November 2023 at an official award ceremony at BAFTA 195 Piccadilly, London. The Award has a £30,000 cash prize for the winner and the shortlisted authors will each receive £3,000 and a leather-bound copy of their book.
2025 USA TODAY Top Workplaces USA Award
AGS Wins 2025 USA TODAY Top Workplaces USA Award

AGS has announced that it has been named a 2025 USA TODAY Top Workplaces USA Award winner. Recognized for its commitment to fostering an exceptional, people-first culture, AGS ranked in the Top 28% of companies in the 500-999 employee category, placing the company in the Top 100 of companies in this size category across America.
The USA TODAY Top Workplaces USA Award is a prestigious honor that recognizes organizations for their commitment to creating outstanding workplace environments that prioritize employee engagement and satisfaction. AGS’ strong performance in this year’s awards is based on authentic employee feedback gathered through a confidential survey conducted by a third-party, HR research and technology company.
“We’re really proud to be recognized as a Top Workplace. What makes this award so meaningful is that it comes from feedback directly from our employees across all of our U.S. offices. It shows the commitment, passion, energy and teamwork they bring every day. At AGS, we’re all about creating a culture where people can thrive, grow, and be themselves—and this award just proves that we’re doing something right. I couldn’t be prouder of the team we’ve built and the culture we’ve created together,” said David Lopez, CEO of AGS.
The 2025 USA TODAY Top Workplaces USA Award adds to AGS’ impressive list of accolades, including being recognized as a Top Workplace in 2024 for Oklahoma, Las Vegas, and Atlanta, as well as earning the prestigious Best and Brightest Companies to Work For 2024 award both nationally and in Atlanta.
AGS’ dedication to its people-first culture is reflected in its ongoing focus on employee engagement, professional development opportunities, competitive benefits, and work-life balance. These efforts have helped AGS create an environment where employees are motivated and empowered to perform at their best.
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BCLC
BCLC Launches “What’s played here stays here” Campaign

BCLC’s new “What’s played here stays here” campaign is issuing an important reminder to British Columbians who choose to gamble – specifically that all net profit its operations generate stays in B.C. to help fund critical services like education, health care and community programs.
The campaign also reinforces that all other gambling websites operating in B.C. are illegal and take away funds from critical community programs and services.
“Across B.C. and Canada, we’ve seen incredible groundswell around the importance of buying and supporting local, and that’s no different for British Columbians who choose gambling for their entertainment. We want our B.C. players to know they can find a world-class gambling experience in their own backyard, whether it’s at one of our 33 casinos, 3,400 lottery retailers, or online at PlayNow.com, and that the proceeds from their play with BCLC make a positive impact at home in their community,” Pat Davis, President and CEO of BCLC, said.
Along with illegal online gambling websites, BCLC also competes with Washington State and Las Vegas casinos, all of which aggressively market to B.C. residents.
“BCLC continues to raise awareness that these gambling options do not support B.C.’s economy and take away funds from vital provincial and community-based programs and services. In a time when British Columbians are standing united, we want to reinforce that playing together with BCLC helps make B.C. even better,” Pat Davis added.
The post BCLC Launches “What’s played here stays here” Campaign appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
AGS
AGS – Pioneering the future of omni-channel gaming

Zoe Ebling, VP of Interactive at AGS
In today’s rapidly evolving gaming landscape, the potential to deliver entertaining experiences across both digital and physical platforms has become a real advantage, especially in markets where land-based still reigns supreme. Suppliers that operate both in the land-based and online sphere, have a real competitive edge. This is something that AGS has recognised and therefore positioned itself at the forefront of omni-channel gaming. By combining the best of both worlds, innovative online offerings with the proven success of land-based gaming, AGS is setting new industry benchmarks that many competitors have yet to achieve.
Unique capability
Omni-channel gaming isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It requires a specialized approach that bridges the gap between online players and brick-and-mortar players in environments where both exist. AGS’s strategy is built on the understanding that while many suppliers excel in either digital or land-based sectors, very few can successfully merge the two.
Having a portfolio that spans both realms allows suppliers to blend time-tested content with innovative digital features, resulting in a richer, more dynamic experience that drives player loyalty and boosts in-game engagement.
Traditional gaming floors have long been a cornerstone of player engagement, and AGS has built on this foundation by adapting its best-selling titles for the digital space. This approach is working particularly well in North America, where players are often already familiar with the games offered on the casino floors, and appreciate a similar experience on their digital devices. But the portfolio is also performing well in mature European markets where video slots are more prominent, highlighting the appeal that the flair of Vegas has around the globe.
Merging innovation with expertise
At the heart of AGS’s omni-channel evolution is its forward-thinking interactive studio. Operating as a distinct entity while enjoying robust support from the broader AGS infrastructure, the interactive team embodies the agile startup mentality that fuels rapid innovation.
This dedicated division has been instrumental in orchestrating coordinated efforts between online and land-based teams to deliver integrated solutions. One such example is the first-of-its-kind simultaneous launch of its Rakin’ Bacon Odyssey® game at Caesars Atlantic City and Caesars Palace Online Casino in 2024. This pioneering move has been followed by additional omni-channel event opportunities with other operators, underscoring the appeal and strength of having games live in both verticals at the same time.
Through regular cross-departmental collaboration, the studio has now refined processes that allow for synchronised development timelines and optimised game placement strategies, ensuring that every launch not only meets but exceeds player expectations.
Shaping the future of gaming
The success of AGS’s omni-channel initiatives is more than just a series of isolated achievements, it signals a broader shift in the industry. As player preferences evolve and technology continues to advance, the integration of online and physical gaming experiences will become an increasingly important tool for operators and suppliers alike.
Despite hundreds of new online games being launched every week, many with innovative mechanics and features, there is still great value in the more traditional content offered on casino floors.
A large demographic of online players prefer this type of content, cementing the opportunities presented for land-based suppliers to venture into the digital realm, by bringing their proven classics to online casinos.
Although it still has its challenges, the expertise, time and resources invested into developing a game for cabinets indicates that the supplier really believes in the content and porting it online should be a natural part of that process.
For game developers operating in both the online and land-based spheres, the advantages are significant. This dual-market approach not only offers a competitive edge over online-only studios, but also ensures that titles originally popular in casinos continue to dominate the slot rankings for years to come.
The post AGS – Pioneering the future of omni-channel gaming appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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