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British Bookmakers Set to Make Record Contribution for Rights to Show Horse Racing
British bookmakers are on track to make a record contribution to horse racing next year – with the bill for media rights forecast to increase by nearly £30m.
The Betting and Gaming Council’s five biggest members for horse race betting, Entain, Flutter, bet365, 888/William Hill and Betfred, expect to see a record cost increase to broadcast races.
In 2022, BGC members paid £270.1m for the rights to live stream races for customers and show them in bookmakers.
But that cost is forecast to rise to £285.3m this year, an increase of 5.6%, with members estimating a further increase to £315.2m in 2024, a further bump of 10.5%.
The combined increase for media rights costs is now expected to rise by 16.7% between 2022 and 2024.
The figures are based on data supplied by the Betting and Gaming Council’s five biggest members for horse race betting, then adjusted to include smaller operators, who must also pay for media rights.
Michael Dugher, CEO of Betting and Gaming Council, said: “BGC members are already making a record contribution to horse racing and these figures show that is only going to increase.
“This comes despite a reduction in betting turnover on racing in the last five years and a worrying decline in participation in horse race betting overall.
“Horse racing remains a hugely important, world-leading sport, enjoyed by millions of fans and like the betting industry it continues to support large numbers of jobs.
“I know racing is trying to modernise and reach out to new fans, while also trying to bounce back from the Covid pandemic and deal with some difficult economic headwinds, plus deal with the hit on its funding caused by the Government. The betting industry is dealing with many of the same pressures on our revenues and costs.
“The BGC and our members remain fully committed to working together with the leadership of the sport, including the BHA and others, to ensure a better future for racing. But the fact that we are making a record and growing contribution to the sport cannot be ignored.”
The forecast costs come after the BGC announced their members directly contributed £384m to British horse racing last year in levy, media rights and sponsorship deals.
These figures showed an increase on previous estimates for the regulated sector’s contribution, which had placed it at around £350m a year.
In addition, bookmakers spent £125m on marketing to promote racing and betting through advertisements and partnerships, which helps secure vital terrestrial coverage of the sport and raise revenue for print newspaper titles.
As well as the increased costs for media rights, levy payments are projected to be £99m in 2022/2023, according to the Horserace Betting Levy Board.
This record investment also enabled horse racing to use some of these revenues to deliver record prize money of £179.3m in 2022.
Horse racing is the second biggest sport in the UK, second only to football, with more than five million people attending around 1400 fixtures annually across 59 racecourses.
However, its popularity is in decline. In 2007, 17% of the population participated in horse race betting in the previous year, but that fell to 10% in 2018.
Meanwhile football overtook horse racing betting around the same time between 2017/2018.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has committed to reviewing the Horseracing Levy by next year.
The Horseracing Levy, which is administered by the Horserace Betting Levy Board, goes towards improving the sport, breeding and boosting veterinary care.
Betting operators are working closely with the British Horseracing Authority and racing stakeholders on much needed reforms to the fixture list and race programme which should increase commercial returns from the levy and media rights.
The regulated betting industry fully supports this once-in-a-generation opportunity to modernise horse racing so it can realise its full commercial potential.
The BGC is also working closely with the government on the proposed reforms from the White Paper to ensure those who enjoy betting can continue to do so without unnecessary intrusion, while introducing improved safeguards for the minority who struggle.
Betting shops currently support around 42,000 jobs, contribute £1bn a year in tax to the Treasury and another £60m in business rates to local councils.
The wider regulated betting and gaming industry contributes £7.1bn to the economy, generates £4.2bn in tax and supports 110,000 jobs.
In April DCMS unveiled the Government’s new White Paper on gambling reform, including a number of key measures the BGC had campaigned for.
Those included a new mandatory Ombudsman for the regulated sector, enhanced spending checks online and a new mandatory levy to fund research, education and treatment to tackle gambling related harm and problem gambling.
Each month in Great Britain around 22.5m adults have a bet and the most recent Health Survey for England estimated that 0.4% of the adult population are problem gamblers.
Meanwhile the unsafe, unregulated gambling black market online is growing in the UK, with the numbers betting on these sites doubling in recent years, and the amount staked in the billions.
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Portuguese start-up FootAR is enhancing the Euro 2024 experience with AR tracking and smart data
With the summer of football heating up, FootAR is showing how live sports can be enhanced with augmented reality. It has created a real-time companion that gamifies the sports experience and emulates player movements with 3D foosball-like figures, adding smart stats and prizes for fans.
FootAR has already made its mark in Portugal, where two notable media organisations have integrated it into their coverage. GMG (Jornal de Notícias) and SportsMultimedia (VSports) use FootAR to bring a 3D experience to Euro 2024 fans.
FootAR is one of 22 companies in the Portuguese games development and creative industries cluster eGamesLab. This ambitious R&D project led out of Madeira aims to attract and develop new talent and technology focused on the growing national video game industry.
FootAR’s platform went live earlier this year. The initial rollout covered Portuguese league games, partnering with some of the biggest Portuguese clubs like SC Braga and CD Nacional before expanding to cover all the matches at Euro 2024. It offers real-time statistics, in-depth analysis, and seamless integration for news outlets covering live games on their websites.
Fans can relive every goal, track every pass, and stay connected to the game with real-time updates and AR-enhanced visuals. The technology allows fans to rewatch the most significant moments in a live game and view them from multiple angles, together with an accompanying audio commentary.
“We understand the insatiable appetite for football data and the desire to go beyond the final score,” says David Olim, Co-Founder of FootAR. “FootAR empowers fans to delve deeper into the action, following their favourite players, teams, and leagues, and is the perfect way for enthusiasts to analyse the beautiful game – but that’s just the start. As a father of two young children, my goal is to shape how younger generations immerse themselves in these communal experiences. Looking to the future, our interests go way beyond sports. We are starting with football, but within five years, we will have personalised experiences for clubs, artists, and brands to build their own interactive events.
Key Features:
Augmented Reality – relive the match’s key moments from multiple angles through 3D AR visuals, and get closer to the action with real-time data overlays to follow the game how you want to.
Custom Data Suite – access in-depth statistics for players and teams such as expected goals, pass accuracy and tackles lost. In-game notifications can be customised, ensuring key moments in the game are never missed..
Audio Commentary – FoorAR can sync with local radio broadcasts, creating a combination of live commentary and live data which really brings events to life.
With FootAR, new avenues for monetizing audience engagement and sponsors are available to media companies and clubs looking for a solution to drive greater fan engagement, as well as opening up new revenue streams through in-game activations.
Fans can transform their football experience today by downloading FootAR for free on Android and iOS and using the Web/Desktop app. Apple VisionPro and Meta Quest versions of the experience are also being developed and will be released in Q3 2024.
The post Portuguese start-up FootAR is enhancing the Euro 2024 experience with AR tracking and smart data appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming
Evolution announced the launch of Balloon Race, its latest-generation online slot game that brings together traditional, much-loved slot features with the excitement of a live game-show-style bonus round featuring a ball drawing machine. Balloon Race, in which players soar high and accumulate multipliers in Qualification and Top-Up phases, follows on from the likes of Evolution’s hugely successful Crazy Coin Flip and Crazy Pachinko slot games with live bonus rounds.
Blueprint Gaming’s renowned folklore series returns in style as a host of thrilling mechanics lead the way including the lavish Cash Strike Bonus round and the studio’s brand-new Rapid-Fire Jackpots™ in Luck O’ The Irish Cash Strike. The classic 3×3 grid takes its place under a true Irish rainbow in the countryside as a feast of fruits is accompanied by diamond and golden coin symbols in the base game.
Booming Games launches yet another instalment in its buffalo migration adventure with its latest game – Buffalo Hold and Win Extreme. This is a stunning 5×3, 25 payline slot which is set against the stunning backdrop of grasslands and canyons where players will experience the most thrilling and hazardous part of the buffalo trek.
The team at Blue Guru has paid homage to this unpredictability and insanity in St. Louis 1904 which is packed with bonus features that will keep players pounding the dusty tracks of Missouri in search of victory and potentially big wins. This includes Instant Money Medal Symbols and a Progressive Multiplier Free Games Bonus. Free Spins are triggered when three or more Scatter symbols land on the reels – in the base game, if two Scatters land a second chance feature can trigger.
The post Week 27/2024 slot games releases appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The global company offering a wide range of iGaming products becomes Rossoneri’s Official Regional Betting Partner in Europe
AC Milan is delighted to announce a new partnership with Boomerang, which will see the company become the Official Regional Betting Partner of the Rossoneri in Europe.
Boomerang, a global company founded in 2021, has rapidly established a strong worldwide presence. Its portfolio features a diverse range of sports betting products, including the flagship brand – Boomerang Sportsbook. The company has demonstrated a commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, underscored by numerous industry awards.
This partnership represents a significant milestone for both AC Milan and Boomerang. Both organizations are dedicated to building solid brand credibility and creating an innovative, long-term vision. Boomerang’s rapid growth and dynamic approach align perfectly with AC Milan’s commitment to excellence, strategic global growth, and fan engagement.
Maikel Oettle, Chief Commercial Officer of AC Milan, commented: “We are excited to team up with Boomerang, as this partnership holds great value for our fans. Together, we aim to enhance fan engagement across Europe, offering unique experiences that celebrate our shared passion for sports. By working closely with Boomerang, we look forward to creating memorable moments and strengthening our connection with sports enthusiasts in Europe.”
Ivan Kraynov, Co-Founder of Boomerang, added: “We are incredibly excited to become the Official Regional Betting Partner of AC Milan. This collaboration with the Rossoneri marks a significant milestone for Boomerang. We join forces with the team with which we share our commitment to winning, bravery, and innovation. Together, we’ll strive to drive sports trends and deliver an exclusive experience to fans, partners, and users.”
The post AC MILAN AND BOOMERANG SIGN A NEW REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP DEAL appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Portuguese start-up FootAR is enhancing the Euro 2024 experience with AR tracking and smart data
Week 27/2024 slot games releases
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