Connect with us
world-pool-returns-to-uk-and-ireland-with-launch-of-50,000-jockeys’-charity-prize world-pool-returns-to-uk-and-ireland-with-launch-of-50,000-jockeys’-charity-prize

Latest News

World Pool returns to UK and Ireland with launch of £50,000 jockeys’ charity prize

Published

on

Reading Time: 4 minutes

 

World Pool, the largest globally commingled horse racing pools created and powered by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, will make its UK seasonal bow at Newmarket Racecourse on Saturday 4 May, where a brand new £50,000 initiative is being launched for jockeys.

For the first time the opening two Classics of the UK Flat season will both be World Pool events, with the QIPCO 1000 Guineas on Sunday 5 May becoming a new World Pool race this year and joining the 2000 Guineas run the day before.

Guineas weekend will also see the start of a new World Pool initiative, the World Pool UK & Ireland Jockeys’ Championship, where jockeys will compete to accumulate points across World Pool fixtures in the UK & Ireland.

For the winning jockey of every World Pool race in the UK and Ireland, points will be awarded based on the World Pool win dividend. The concept of this point system offers a level playing field for all jockeys, from leaders to rising stars, and their chances of winning are dictated by the public as reflected by their World Pool odds.

Beginning with the QIPCO 2000 Guineas, the competition will conclude on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on 19 October, with the winner receiving £50,000 to be donated to a charity of their choice.

A further new addition to the World Pool calendar this year will be the Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas on Sunday 26 May. The Tattersalls Gold Cup, run on the same day, will also be a World Pool race for the first time, with prize money increased from €450,000 in 2023 to €500,000 this year.

Following the successful introduction of World Pool Moment of the Year in 2022 in Great Britain and Ireland, this will continue in 2024 covering all full World Pool meetings and will reward stable staff with cash prizes, as well as a VIP trip to Hong Kong for four people in 2025 to the overall winner.

One World Pool Moment of the Day will be selected at each full World Pool meeting with the winning groom receiving HK$40,000 (or equivalent – £4,000 in the UK and €4,000 in Ireland).

Michael Fitzsimons, Executive Director, Wagering Products of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “It’s fantastic to be returning to the UK and Ireland with an extended World Pool fixture list this year now featuring the English and Irish 1000 Guineas, and we look forward to making these historic fillies’ Classics available to customers from around the world.

“In addition to the popular World Moment of the Day initiative, we’re excited to announce the new World Pool UK & Ireland Jockeys’ Championship, which will provide a different dimension and further competition to World Pool racedays right up until QIPCO British Champions Day in October.

“It’s a unique competition, with a jockey’s points being determined by World Pool win dividends, and a great initiative as there’s £50,000 up for grabs for the leading rider to donate to a charity of their choice. We are committed to giving money back to racing and good causes, and this seemed the perfect way to do that.”

Alex Frost, Chief Executive of the UK Tote Group, said: “It’s always an exciting time of year as the Flat season gets underway and we’re delighted that both the UK’s first Classics are World Pool events. City Of Troy has the potential to be a global superstar and we look forward to his seasonal reappearance being watched and bet on by 28 countries who play into the UK’s first World Pool event of 2024.

“Racing fans in the UK and Ireland will be able to access the huge global pools at tote.co.uk, on the Tote App and at racecourses which means excellent value is on offer, while the sport benefits from this increasingly important revenue stream.”

Martin Stevenson, Chief Executive Officer of Racecourse Media Group (RMG), which represents the media interests of The Jockey Club, Goodwood, and York Racecourses, said: “RMG looks forward to another exciting World Pool season in UK and Ireland, and will continue to work closely with the Hong Kong Jockey Club, UK Tote and our racecourses to grow both the sport’s revenues and global appeal.”

Amy Starkey, Managing Director, Jockey Club Racecourses, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with the Hong Kong Jockey Club, and thank them for their support as we deliver three exciting World Pool days across the QIPCO Guineas Festival and the Betfred Derby Festival.

“For the first time in the UK, we have worked alongside World Pool to host a nine-race card on QIPCO 2000 Guineas Day. This will include the first Classic of the season, whilst we are also delighted to feature the following day’s three-year-old Classic Fillies’ race, the QIPCO 1000 Guineas, as a World Pool race for the first time.

“World Pool enables strong reinvestment back into British racing and working alongside them to secure these additional races is an important step as we continue to strengthen links with Hong Kong, engage more fans with British racing and strive to grow our sport.”

Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of the Curragh Racecourse, said: “We are delighted to extend our relationship with World Pool in 2024 with the Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas and the Tattersalls Gold Cup on 26 May and the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby meeting on 30 June included in the programme.

“We had a very positive first experience with World Pool last year and look forward to building on it this year, bringing our racing to a wider audience. Irish horses have enjoyed great success internationally in recent years and we are delighted to be showcasing our best races through World Pool.

“Inclusion in World Pool has enabled us to increase prizemoney at the Curragh in 2024 and we look forward to developing this relationship further in the future.”

 

Upcoming UK and Irish World Pool events in first half of 2024: 

 

May

Saturday 4: 2000 Guineas Day – Newmarket Racecourse (F)

Sunday 5: 1000 Guineas Day – Newmarket Racecourse (S)

Saturday 18: Lockinge Stakes Day – Newbury Racecourse (P)

Sunday 26: Irish 1000 Guineas Day – Curragh Racecourse (P)

 

June

Saturday 1: Derby Stakes Day – Epsom Racecourse (F)

Tuesday 18: Queen Anne Stakes Day – Ascot Racecourse (F)

Wednesday 19: Prince of Wales’s Stakes Day – Ascot Racecourse (F)

Thursday 20: Gold Cup Day – Ascot Racecourse (F)

Friday 21: Commonwealth Cup Day – Ascot Racecourse (F)

Saturday 22: Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes Day – Ascot Racecourse (F)

Sunday 30: Irish Derby Day – Curragh Racecourse (F)

 

*F: Full meeting – World Pool coverage on all races in the relevant meeting
P: Part meeting – World Pool coverage only on selected races in the relevant meeting

S: Single race – World Pool coverage only on this race in the relevant meeting

The post World Pool returns to UK and Ireland with launch of £50,000 jockeys’ charity prize appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Baltics

HIPTHER Joins Forces with Ace Alliance as Strategic Media Partner – Kicking Off with Ace Alliance Riga 2025

Published

on

hipther-joins-forces-with-ace-alliance-as-strategic-media-partner-–-kicking-off-with-ace-alliance-riga-2025
Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

HIPTHER proudly announces its Strategic Media Partnership with Ace Alliance, the dynamic iGaming media hub under the Revpanda Group. This new collaboration begins with the highly anticipated Ace Alliance Riga 2025, taking place on August 14–15 in the heart of the Baltics.

Ace Alliance has quickly emerged as a force in the iGaming community, connecting professionals through curated events and immersive experiences. HIPTHER, the parent brand behind several of Europe’s most respected media outlets and boutique conferences in Gaming and Technology, is excited to support and amplify Ace Alliance’s vision through its online media outlets.

 

Supporting Real Connections at Ace Alliance Riga 2025

Ace Alliance Riga 2025 is designed for real conversations, real experiences, and real growth. With over 500 iGaming professionals expected, this two-day summer getaway in Riga offers a refreshing approach to networking – blending business and leisure for lasting impact.

From a private Daugava River cruise and executive business brunch to guided cultural walks and legendary parties, VIP ticket holders are treated to high-value interactions in an unforgettable setting. Keynotes from respected industry voices like Alexandre Tomic will further fuel strategic thinking and innovation.

HIPTHER will actively support the visibility and promotion of Ace Alliance’s events – beginning with this Riga edition – across its expansive global media network. In return, Ace Alliance becomes an official Media Partner for HIPTHER’s lineup of exciting conferences.

Zoltán Tűndik, Co-Founder and Head of Business at HIPTHER, stated about the partnership: At HIPTHER, we thrive on identifying and supporting meaningful movements in the industry, and Ace Alliance is exactly that. Their community-first approach, creative event format, and focus on authentic connections make them a standout new player in the media and events space. We’re thrilled to support their growth and extend the experience to our audiences across Europe and beyond.”

 

Get Ready for a Summer to Remember

With limited VIP passes still available and sponsorship spots quickly filling up, now is the time to secure your place. Stay tuned to HIPTHER’s channels for upcoming announcements, featured stories, and an exclusive discount code for our audience.

Join the experience at Ace Alliance Riga 2025:
👉 https://acealliance.com/events/riga-2025/

Let the networking begin!

The post HIPTHER Joins Forces with Ace Alliance as Strategic Media Partner – Kicking Off with Ace Alliance Riga 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Mr Vegas becomes Sheffield Wednesday’s new Principal Front-of-Shirt Sponsor

Published

on

mr-vegas-becomes-sheffield-wednesday’s-new-principal-front-of-shirt-sponsor
Reading Time: < 1 minute

 

Immense Group, the iGaming company behind the fast-growing Mr Vegas brand, is proud to announce that Mr Vegas has been named the Principal Front-of-Shirt Sponsor of Sheffield Wednesday Football Club for the 2025/26 season.

This marks Mr Vegas’s first-ever front-of-shirt football sponsorship in the UK, representing a major milestone for the brand and further cementing Immense Group’s growing footprint in the market. After a successful season as Sheffield Wednesday’s back-of-shirt sponsor in 2024/25, Mr Vegas now takes centre stage in a new agreement that reflects a deepened partnership with one of England’s most iconic football clubs.

Marco Trucco, Chief Marketing Officer at Immense Group, commented: “Last season, Mr Vegas had the players’ backs. This year, we’re proud to be front and centre on Sheffield Wednesday’s shirts. We’re deepening our partnership with the club at a time when Mr Vegas is becoming the online casino of choice for many customers.

We particularly applaud Sheffield Wednesday for partnering with a fully licensed and responsible operator. It’s a decision that reflects the club’s values and ensures fans engage with a trusted, secure platform.

We’re excited to bring ‘that Vegas feeling’ to Hillsborough once again, with thrilling promotions and exclusive experiences planned throughout the season.”

With fan-focused activations at its core, the Mr Vegas x Sheffield Wednesday partnership has already delivered memorable moments – from season ticket raffles and VIP matchday experiences to unique campaigns like the head coach’s darts faceoff with world champion Michael Smith. The new season promises even more engagement, with responsible entertainment and brand trust as key priorities.

MrVegas.com is licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission under Account Number 39380. The partnership between Mr Vegas and Sheffield Wednesday will continue to operate in full alignment with the Gambling Commission’s codes of practice.

The post Mr Vegas becomes Sheffield Wednesday’s new Principal Front-of-Shirt Sponsor appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Betclic announces four strategic sports partnerships

Published

on

betclic-announces-four-strategic-sports-partnerships
Reading Time: 7 minutes

 

Betclic, France’s leading online sports betting operator, announces its partnership with the Arkema Première Ligue (APL), the highest level of women’s football in France. Already a partner of the French Women’s National Teams, Betclic confirms its commitment to becoming a strong ally of women’s football.

A league on the rise

For several seasons, the Arkema Première Ligue has been experiencing exceptional momentum. A significant milestone was reached in 2024 with the creation of the Ligue Féminine du Football Professionnel (LFFP), marked by a record 220 players under contract, a highly competitive league, and record attendance and viewership figures. The FFF, which aims to reach 500,000 licensed female players by 2028, has launched an extensive feminization plan, enabling an entire ecosystem to rapidly structure itself, and one Betclic is pleased to be associated with.

A new dimension in the Betclic App

Since its opening to betting in May 2024, the Arkema Première Ligue has risen to first place among national women’s competitions on the Betclic app. Open matches, unpredictable scenarios: women’s football is an exciting new playground for bettors, with live betting accounting for the majority of wagers placed. With around fifty odds available per match, enhanced gaming offers, and numerous activations  around championship fixtures, the Arkema Première Ligue will benefit from strong exposure in Betclic’s communications, particularly through the App which is used by more than 3 million players each month.

A commitment supporting the diversity of French football

Women’s football is not just a performance field, it’s also a lever for transformation. By supporting the Arkema Première Ligue, Betclic aims to encourage equal opportunities, access to sport for all, and
defend a more inclusive vision of sport. “The APL is a reference championship, where clubs that matter in major competitions compete. We want to be where sport is advancing, where audiences are evolving, where passions are growing. Women’s football ticks all the boxes, and we are proud to contribute to its development alongside Jean-Michel Aulas (President of the LFFP) and Philippe Diallo (President of the FFF),” says Nicolas Béraud, CEO of Betclic.

Jean-Michel Aulas, President of the LFFP: “All indicators are green for the Arkema Première Ligue, which has experienced considerable growth this season. After Arkema’s renewal of its naming partnership, it’s now Betclic’s turn to commit to our championship. The arrival of top-tier economic partners demonstrates the enthusiasm generated by French women’s football and validates the FFF’s commitment to it. Our ambition is to make the Arkema Première Ligue one of the best championships in the world. Support from companies like Betclic helps us greatly in this endeavor.”

Philippe Diallo, President of the FFF: “I am very pleased with Betclic’s commitment to our elite women’s championship. The FFF has high ambitions for the Arkema Première Ligue. Receiving support from a brand as powerful as Betclic is an extremely encouraging sign. This partnership will contribute to the development and recognition of high-level women’s football. The FFF has made feminization an
important axis of its policy. Our partners, like Betclic, fully embrace this. I am delighted by this.”

Betclic and FFHandball: a major alliance to make French Handball shine

Betclic and the French Handball Federation (FFHandball) seal their first partnership running until 2028. An unprecedented alliance to usher handball towards new heights. French handball on top of the world With 9 world crowns and 4 Olympic titles, French handball is the most successful team sport in the world. This enthusiasm for handball is materializing on amateur courts with a record number of licensed players in 2025 (more than 600,000), and behind screens, where the EHF EURO 2024 final was watched by more than 6.5 million viewers.

Betclic bettors increasingly fans of handball

Number one in sports betting in France, Betclic aims to support the world’s best teams and promote French sporting excellence. This partnership will strengthen handball’s visibility among the 3 million monthly players who use the Betclic application, thus offering this sport very strong visibility. Driven by its suspenseful matches and an evolution of betting offers recently validated by the National Gaming Authority, handball is attracting more and more players and now ranks 8th among the most bet-on disciplines on the application, especially thanks to the major events of 2024. While two-thirds of bets are placed on match results, other types of bets are emerging, such as the number of goals scored or the goal difference between teams. And to meet the growing demand from bettors who enjoy live betting, Betclic streams around ten tournaments directly on its application (over 2,000 matches per year), including the Champions League and major handball competitions.

Education and prevention

With the French national teams and French handball training centers, wherever stakeholder responsibility is involved, awareness-raising initiatives that have been carried out for several years will continue in the coming seasons.

Betclic: New headquarters for handball fans

“Handball embodies everything we love about sport: intensity, collective passion and repeated exploits. With this partnership, Betclic will become a major meeting point for handball fans. By supporting the French national teams and partnering with a modern, popular and high-performing federation, we are commited to sustainably supporting the exceptional momentum that has been initiated by Philippe Bana and his team” confirms Nicolas Béraud, CEO of Betclic.

FFHandball: a strategic partnership to propel French handball

“The French Handball Federation is pleased to announce a partnership with Betclic, Official Supporter of our French national teams until 2028. This partnership is built for the long term and addresses shared challenges: supporting the development of handball and strengthening its visibility among an ever-wider audience. The growing enthusiasm for sports betting on handball demonstrates the increasing appeal of our sport. This partnership allows us to accompany this momentum by creating positive synergies to grow our community together and amplify the visibility of French handball” commented Philippe Bana, President of FFHandball.

Betclic and the French Volleyball Federation: The Smash Continues Until 2028!

Betclic, France’s leading sports betting operator, renews its collaboration with the French Volleyball Federation for four new seasons (2025-2028). This renewal marks Betclic’s reinforced commitment to a sport that is growing in popularity.

French volleyball on the rise

Led by its President, Eric Tanguy and his staff, the French Volleyball Federation has achieved great success in recent years, with two Olympic medals (2021 and 2024) and an historic growth in membership (240,000). The national championships (Men’s and Women’s Ligue A) are gaining momentum, with major transfers and record streaming audiences. Driven by charismatic figures like Earvin Ngapeth or Jenia Grebennikov among the men, and Lucille Gicquel or Héléna Cazaute among the women, volleyball is now establishing itself as a popular phenomenon that thrives on international stages.

A winning bet on the Betclic app

Volleyball is also attracting an ever-growing number of Betclic players. It now ranks 6th among the most bet-on disciplines on the app, particularly thanks to the 2024 Olympic Games, where the France- Poland final rose to become the second most bet-on event of the Games (excluding major sports). It is the Top 10 sport that has experienced the best betting momentum over the past two years, and more than 15% of Betclic players now bet on this discipline. With its suspenseful matches and dynamic betting offer (betting possible on each point of the match, such as on the player who will score the next point…), volleyball lends itself easily to live-betting, a growing practice among bettors. This partnership will further strengthen volleyball’s visibility among the 3 million monthly Betclic players, thus granting it very strong exposure, particularly through the in-App streaming of around twenty competitions, from the Polish PlusLiga to Marmara Spike League matches, or the Nations League, where our French national team shines.

Three years to make French volleyball shine

In-app campaigns, contests, editorial content, enhanced visibility around key fixtures… All resources will be activated to support the growth of French volleyball and accompany it on the path to true
European recognition. Nicolas Béraud, founder and CEO of Betclic: “French volleyball is experiencing a silent but spectacular revolution, and we are proud to support this beautiful adventure. By partnering again with FFVolley, Betclic reaffirms its lasting commitment alongside a federation in full momentum, driven by historic results and an ambitious vision for the 2028 Olympics”. Eric Tanguy, President of FFVolley: “The renewal of our partnership confirms the growing collaboration in recent years. Volleyball is advancing not only in sports but also in media presence with the French and global public through Betclic’s involvement and investment. Four rich seasons are ahead, the Federation is proud and delighted to be able to experience this alongside Betclic”.

 

Betclic and the Ligue Nationale de Rugby extend their partnership for the next two TOP 14 seasons!

Betclic, France’s #1 online sports betting operator, and the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) announce the renewal of their TOP 14 partnership until 2027. Initiated in 2021, this renewed cooperation confirms the shared commitment to elevate French rugby to the highest level.

A partnership with the world’s most competitive championship

For the past four years, Betclic and the LNR have joined forces to promote the TOP 14 to an ever-growing audience. Full stadiums, rising viewership, French clubs leading the way in Europe, star players: rugby has never been more captivating. With 9 different clubs reaching the playoffs over the last 5 seasons, the TOP 14 continues to enchant the public, with 71% of French people describing it as “spectacular”. Intensity, suspense, drama: the championship thrills both fans… and bettors!

Greater visibility for rugby and for Betclic

With over 3 million users on the Betclic application each month, the TOP 14 enjoys exceptional exposure, now firmly established within the platform’s universe. Betclic users can experience everything that makes rugby so special, with the added bonus of winning tickets to the biggest matches, right in the heart of the stadiums. With more than 300 odds available per match, Betclic offers an unrivalled range of betting options, so much that one in every two bettors now bets on rugby, with the TOP 14 as a major driver. Betclic will also continue to enjoy prominent visibility across all official media in TOP 14 stadiums and throughout the finals.

Supporting excellence, shaping the future

International reach, a broader audience and a sense of responsibility: Betclic is committed to helping to achieve the ambitious goals set by the LNR’s new president, Yann Roubert. As official partner to f the French National Rugby Teams until 2028, Betclic is more than just a rugby sponsor: it’s a committed player, with a strong DNA.

“The TOP 14 is one of the most beautiful championships in the world. This partnership is a source of pride for Betclic and an essential lever to satisfy rugby fans, in France and beyond. Renewing our commitment alongside the LNR means reaffirming our position as a major partner of French sport and participating in writing the next chapter in the history of modern rugby” confirms Nicolas Béraud, CEO of Betclic.

“This renewed partnership with Betclic is a mark of trust and a clear signal of the TOP 14’s appeal. We share the same ambition: to help French rugby grow, reach new audiences and keep innovating to make the TOP 14 ever more spectacular and demanding. This extended partnership is a real opportunity for rugby, for its influence and for all those who love the game” says Yann Roubert, President of the Ligue
Nationale de Rugby.

The post Betclic announces four strategic sports partnerships appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Trending