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Bookmakers to Donate Britannia Profits to Top UK Charities

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A host of British bookmakers will donate all profits from this year’s Britannia Stakes race at Royal Ascot to a raft of top UK charities.

For the fifth year running profits from the world famous feature handicap on June 20 will be split between a new group of good causes, Prostate Cancer UK, Ascot Racecourse Supports, Missing People, Heros, GoRacingGreen and the Churchill Lines Foundation.

Betting and Gaming Council members Flutter (Paddy Power, Betfair, Sky Bet), Entain (Ladbrokes, Coral), Evoke (888 William Hill), Kindred (Unibet), Betway, Rank Group (Grosvenor Sport), Virgin Bet, LivescoreBet, Fitzdares, Star Sports, QuinnBet, Tote and Bet with Ascot have all signed up to the fundraising initiative.

They will hand over all profits made from win and each-way bets, after levy and duties are deducted, on the iconic big-field heritage handicap.

And if bookmakers fail to make a profit on the race, they have agreed to make a combined donation of £200,000 to be split among the nominated charities.

Since its launch the Britannia Stakes initiative has raised just under £3 million from BGC members for a host of worthy causes.

In total, since 2019, BGC members have raised in excess of £6 million for a range of health, sport and veterans charities including Prostate Cancer UK, Sue Ryder, NHS Charities Together, the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity, ABF the Soldier’s Charity and the RAF Benevolent Fund.

Michael Dugher, CEO and Acting Chair of BGC, said: “I am absolutely delighted that BGC members are once more raising vital funds at the Royal Meeting for some of the country’s top charities.

“To date, the BGC’s Britannia Stakes Charity Bet campaign has raised nearly £3 million for a host of good causes, and on behalf of the BGC and our members, we are proud to once more celebrate this iconic race, and raise vital funds along the way.

“Tens of millions of people up and down the country enjoy a flutter each month and I’m delighted that some of the country’s biggest bookmakers will once again donate their profits from one of Royal Ascot’s top races, the Britannia Stakes. I am once again indebted to everyone at Royal Ascot for their continued support.”

Laura Kerby, Chief Executive of Prostate Cancer UK, said: “I would like to thank everyone at the Betting and Gaming Council and their betting operator members for their wonderful gesture in once again helping donate vital funds to Prostate Cancer UK.

“As a charity, we want all racing fans to be aware of their risk of prostate cancer and major events like the Britannia Stakes help us increase awareness within the racing community. 1 in 8 men will be affected by prostate cancer, it’s the most common cancer in men, and an early diagnosis can save your life.

“Money raised by this brilliant incentive will fund ground-breaking research towards a screening programme, so we can catch prostate cancer early and save lives.”

Alastair Warwick, Chief Executive at Ascot Racecourse, said: “We are hugely grateful once more to the members of the Betting and Gaming Council involved in this generous initiative which has raised so much money for worthwhile causes since 2020.

“We are thrilled that Ascot Racecourse Supports will be a beneficiary again and look forward to being able to further support our community programme in 2024 and beyond.”

Betting shops support 42,000 jobs on the UK’s hard pressed high streets, contribute £800 million a year in tax to the Treasury and another £60m in business rates to local councils.

Meanwhile, the entire regulated betting and gaming industry in the UK supports 110,000 jobs, generates £4.2bn in tax and contributes £7.1bn to the economy.

BGC members also help fund horseracing to the tune of £350m a year through sponsorship, media rights and the betting levy.

Each month in Britain around 22.5m adults have a bet and the most recent NHS Health Survey for England estimated that 0.4% of the adult population are problem gamblers.

The post Bookmakers to Donate Britannia Profits to Top UK Charities appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Caesars Entertainment

Red Rake Gaming expands into New Jersey through Caesars partnership

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Red Rake Gaming, a leading developer of premium online casino content, is excited to announce its launch with Caesars Entertainment in the state of New Jersey, further expanding its presence in the regulated U.S. market.

Red Rake Gaming’s top-performing titles are now available across Caesars’ major online casino brands in New Jersey, including Caesars Sportsbook & Casino, Caesars Palace Online Casino, and Horseshoe Online Casino.

This partnership marks a major milestone in Red Rake Gaming’s U.S. expansion strategy, aligning with one of the most iconic and trusted brands in the global gaming industry.

Nick Barr, Managing Director for Red Rake Gaming Malta, commented: “We’re incredibly excited to partner with Caesars Entertainment for our New Jersey . Caesars’ strong brand recognition and extensive reach provide the perfect platform to showcase our diverse content.

We are confident that our titles will deliver a thrilling experience for players in the Garden State.”

This collaboration highlights Red Rake Gaming’s commitment to providing innovative, compliant content tailored to regulated markets. U.S. players can enjoy a wide range of feature-rich slots, interactive bonus games, and immersive gameplay experiences.

The post Red Rake Gaming expands into New Jersey through Caesars partnership appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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1/ST and Goodwood Racecourse stage a new round of Group 1 pathways between the UK and North America

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A notable pair of Group 1 turf stakes at Goodwood Racecourse in England this week will earn the winners an automatic berth on the 2026 Pegasus World Cup Day program January 24 at Gulfstream Park.

The one-mile Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes for three-year-olds and up on Wednesday July 30 will serve as a qualifier for the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1), while the 1 1/4-mile Visit Qatar Nassau Stakes for fillies and mares of three years and older on Thursday July 31 will also act as a qualifier for the $500,000 Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf Invitational (G2).

Held in late January on a card headlined by the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) for older horses on dirt, the Pegasus Turf is contested over 1 1/8 miles, whereas the Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf is run at 1 1/16 miles.

Among the contenders for the Sussex is millionaire five-year-old Carl Spackler, winner of eight of 12 races in the U.S. including three Grade 1 stakes before being sold privately to China’s Yulong Investments to race overseas. Carl Spackler made his first two career starts at Gulfstream, the second a maiden triumph in February 2023. He was sixth in the June 17 Queen Anne Stakes (G1) in his European debut. He now takes on the best of the British and Irish in a clash of the generations, headed by leading three-year-old miler, Field Of Gold, and last year’s Irish Guineas (G1) victor, Rosallion.

The Nassau has also drawn a competitive field, spearheaded by Aidan O’Brien’s Whirl, winner of the recent Pretty Polly Stakes (G1), and See The Fire, third in a white-hot Prince of Wales’s Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot.

European-based horses have made their mark in the Pegasus Turf since its debut in 2019. Magic Wand ran second in both 2019 and 2020 before Warm Heart captured the 2024 edition in a track-record time of 1:44.45 in the finale of her esteemed career. Both Irish-bred mares were trained by the aforementioned O’Brien.

This partnership creates an easily accessible pathway for horses to compete both in North America and the United Kingdom, and helps to encourage top-tier racehorses to travel and increase international participation at both fixtures – while also bolstering elite fields for global audiences and deeper fan engagement.

Aidan Butler, President of 1/ST, said:
 Thanks again to our friends at Goodwood Racecourse, with our ongoing partnership now in its second year. We look forward to welcoming the victors of the Sussex Stakes and Nassau Stakes back to Gulfstream Park in late January 2026 for one of the most lucrative racedays on the East Coast.

“These reciprocal pathways mark the latest strides in 1/ST’s bid to broaden the appeal and international participation in the world’s major races. We’ve already seen such incentives reap immediate rewards when Crimson Advocate won at Royal Ascot in 2023, having punched her automatic spot via our Royal Palm juvenile series at Gulfstream Park. Now, Miami can hopefully work its magic again with the Qatar Goodwood Festival! I look forward to seeing the stellar action unfold in person on the South Downs this week.”

Wednesday, July 30: Qatar Sussex Stakes – Pegasus World Cup Turf
Race 4: 10:05 (ET); 15:05 (BST)
The winner of the Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes (G1) receives an automatic invitation into the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) on January 24, 2026, at Gulfstream Park plus a $25,000 travel allowance and VIP hospitality for the winning connections.

Thursday, July 31: Qatar Nassau Stakes – Pegasus World Cup Filly $ Mare Turf
Race 4: 10:05 am (ET); 
15:05 (BST)
Winner of the Visit Qatar Nassau Stakes (G1) receives an automatic invitation to the Pegasus World Cup F/M Turf (G2) on January 24, 2026, at Gulfstream Park plus a $25,000 travel allowance and VIP hospitality for the winning connections.

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Accor Arrives on The Strip with Treasure Island – TI Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, Handwritten Collection

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Accor, in partnership with businessman and casino owner Phil Ruffin, announced the signing of Treasure Island – TI Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, Handwritten Collection. The salient 2884 key property overlooks the city’s premier racing circuit and features some of the best panoramic views of Las Vegas. To be operated under a franchise agreement with Accor when it officially debuts later this year, Treasure Island – TI Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, Handwritten Collection joins a global portfolio of carefully curated hotels and becomes the second Handwritten Collection address in the US, following Hotel Stratford San Francisco – Handwritten Collection last year. The signing further increases Accor’s presence in the Americas region, with more than 550 hotels open and operating, and reflects the Group’s growing presence across North America.

“The city’s tagline is ‘What happens here, only happens here’, and certainly there is no other place in the world where a collaboration of this scale and significance could come together. The union of Treasure Island and Handwritten Collection creates a one-of-a-kind guest journey, where connections are treasured, wonder is discovered, and every stay is a narrative waiting to unfold. We are incredibly proud to partner with Mr. Ruffin and confident that together we can create a bigger and bolder future for this iconic hotel now that it sits within the Handwritten Collection portfolio and part of the Accor network,” said Camil Yazbeck, Global Chief Development Officer at Accor.

With more than 40 million visitors drawn to Las Vegas each year, Treasure Island – TI Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, Handwritten Collection is set to offer a truly memorable stay for those seeking genuine hospitality in the heart of the world’s entertainment capital. The franchise partnership between Accor and Treasure Island includes Handwritten Collection brand support, along with Accor’s full global array of services, including sales & marketing, distribution, and loyalty. The hotel will benefit from exposure to the ALL Accor loyalty program – one of the largest and most globally diversified loyalty databases in the world, with 100+ million members and growing.

“Treasure Island has long held a special place in the story of Las Vegas, and I am certain that Accor and Handwritten Collection will further enrich its legacy and attract new generations of guests and visitors. This next chapter brings new energy to the resort while preserving its unmistakable spirit. We are proud to align with Accor – a global leader in hospitality whose values resonate deeply with ours, and we look forward to a successful and long-lasting partnership,” said Phil Ruffin, owner of Treasure Island – TI Las Vegas Hotel & Casino.

As the newest entrant to Handwritten Collection, Treasure Island – TI Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, Handwritten Collection joins over 25 hotels now open and more than 35 addresses in the pipeline. Standing as a beacon of individuality in the global hospitality sector, Handwritten Collection properties weave character and personality into the guest experience, making every stay unique.

At Treasure Island – TI Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, Handwritten Collection, the distinct design and whimsical personality of the hotel, inspired by the classic tale by Robert Louis Stevenson, carries through the guest experience, inviting travelers to rediscover their childhood spirit. Many of the hotel’s best-known features and perks, as conceived by Mr. Ruffin, will continue to be honored, such as free valet and self-parking.

The hotel has also recently been transformed by a multi-million-dollar refresh, blending contemporary comfort with thoughtful design elements, ensuring the energy of Las Vegas shines through in every detail. A breezy, sociable lobby overlooks a tropical pool, where intuitive self-check-in is complemented by a 24-hour guest relations team ready to offer a warm welcome. The resort features 10 diverse dining venues and eight upscale lounges and bars, including beloved options such as Phil’s Steak House, Golden Circle Sports Bar, and the popular Gilley’s Saloon, Dance Hall & Bar-B-Que.

The luxurious Oleksandra Spa & Salon is a favorite among guests and residents, part of the resort’s tapestry of experiences filled with local flair. Lively entertainment venues, elegant wedding chapels, state-of-the-art event spaces, and 90,000 sq. ft. of casino and gaming add to the attractions, while the hotel connects to Fashion Show Las Vegas, the largest mall in the city. The famed Mystère – the original Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas – performs at the Treasure Island theatre, having been honored eight times as ‘Best Production Show’ and continues to enchant audiences, underscoring the property’s connection to the city’s enduring sense of wonder.

Guestrooms and suites at Treasure Island – TI Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, Handwritten Collection offer breathtaking views of the famed Las Vegas Strip, Sphere Las Vegas, and the stunning Spring Mountains that encircle the Nevada horizon. Signature SensaTIonalTM pillowtop beds, generous soaking bathtubs or whirlpools, marble finishes and upscale amenities ensure stays are as restorative as they are inspiring.

Aligning with Accor’s sustainability commitments, the hotel was awarded a Four Green Globes certification by the Green Building Initiative. The certification reflects meaningful improvements in energy and water efficiency, air quality and resource management – further aligning the hotel with conscientious travelers.

“We are thrilled to bring Accor to Las Vegas and to provide our ALL Accor members and guests here in the United States, as well as those visiting from around the globe, with an incredible opportunity to stay at this emblematic property – now the largest Accor hotel in the world. The addition of Treasure Island – TI Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, Handwritten Collection is a milestone achievement, not only for our Handwritten Collection portfolio, but for Accor’s growing presence of exclusively selected properties in the U.S. market,” said Thomas Dubaere, CEO PM&E, Accor Americas.

The post Accor Arrives on The Strip with Treasure Island – TI Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, Handwritten Collection appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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