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BHA Appoints Katie Carr as Head of Environmental Sustainability and Tom Baker as Head of Social Impact

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1 year ago

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The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has announced the appointment of Katie Carr as Head of Environmental Sustainability and Tom Baker as Head of Social Impact.

Funded by the Racing Foundation and overseen by the Industry Programme Group, the new roles will support British horseracing’s long-term strategy by enhancing racing’s positive role in local communities and strengthening the sport’s response to environmental challenges.

Katie Carr joins the BHA from the Goodwood Group, where she was responsible for planning and delivering the sustainability strategy across the 11,000-acre estate. She also held various commercial, partnership and community engagement roles within the Goodwood Group, having previously spent five years at The Jockey Club.

Building on the findings and recommendations from the sport’s environmental audit and current best practice, Katie will lead on developing an industry-wide approach to future-proofing racing and breeding against existing and emerging environmental challenges.

This includes how racing mitigates the risks presented by a changing climate, adapts operations in line with evolving legal responsibilities and public expectations, and harnesses existing expertise, particularly in managing the natural environment, to shape a positive future for our horses and people.

Head of Social Impact, Tom Baker, joins on a year-long secondment from The Jockey Club, where he has been responsible for developing the group’s community and social impact strategy. Prior to this he spent a decade working in Olympic and Paralympic sport, building partnerships with charities and sponsors to create programmes for positive change.

Tom will work with those already playing a leading role in this area, including Racing Together and Racing to School, to agree what British racing collectively wants and needs from its social and community activity and where the sport can have the most positive impact.

With a focus on racing’s role as a force for good, both in local communities and across wider society, the work will consider the moral, reputational and commercial benefits of a socially responsible approach, especially as the sport looks to attract the next generation of employees, investors and fans.

Tom will join the cross-industry Racing Together sub-committee group and work alongside the Racing Charities Group.

The Environmental Sustainability and Social Impact projects have been funded by the Racing Foundation, with the latter being supported the Racing Post and Godolphin, on an initial one-year basis. They will be based in the BHA’s Strategy and Change directorate, and the work will be overseen by racing’s Industry Programme Group.

BHA Director of Strategy and Change, Alison Enticknap, said: “I’m very pleased to welcome Katie and Tom to their new positions. Both bring subject-specific knowledge, understanding and expertise, alongside valuable experience of working in the racing industry – essential qualities for these cross-industry coordination roles.

“Environmental sustainability and social impact have been identified as priority areas for British racing as we continue to develop the industry’s long-term strategy. There are many people, organisations and charities doing a huge amount of good work in this space and, thanks to support from the Racing Foundation, we can work to establish what needs to be done at industry level to bolster and accelerate progress.”

Katie Carr said: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to help shape British racing’s approach to addressing and adapting to the various environmental challenges we face.

“Racing and breeding have a direct relationship with the natural environment and I know how much activity is already underway in this space, as well as the extensive expertise that exists.

“I’m looking forward to working with stakeholders as we continue to make progress, building on the initiatives already in place and sharing best practice to help ensure the long-term sustainability of our sport.”

Tom Baker said: “From initiatives that open up development opportunities in our sport to underrepresented groups, to partnerships that help address loneliness in our communities, British racing and breeding already has a positive impact across the country. These are activities that have a direct benefit, but also help us attract the more purpose-driven recruits, participants and fans into the industry.

“I’m very grateful for this opportunity to work with individuals, organisations and volunteers to agree our social impact priorities and help drive positive change at an industry level, so that we can continue to showcase our sport as a force for good.”

The post BHA Appoints Katie Carr as Head of Environmental Sustainability and Tom Baker as Head of Social Impact appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Bragg Gaming

Bragg Confirms Cyber Attack – Hackers Access Internal IT Systems

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2 hours ago

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August 18, 2025

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Bragg Gaming Group, a leading online gaming technology provider, has confirmed a major cybersecurity incident that compromised its internal IT infrastructure in the early hours of Saturday, August 16, 2025.

The company detected unauthorized intrusion attempts that successfully breached its internal network, triggering an immediate and comprehensive incident response.

Key Takeaways

  • Bragg Gaming Group experienced a cybersecurity breach involving access to internal IT systems.

  • No customer personal data or payment information appears to have been compromised.

  • The company has enacted full containment and investigation protocols.

Details of the Breach

According to a preliminary forensic analysis by Bragg’s internal security team, the attack was a targeted breach aimed at the company’s internal computer environment. While the exact method of intrusion is still under investigation, early indicators suggest a sophisticated exploit of internal network vulnerabilities.

Fortunately, the company’s customer-facing systems, including sensitive user data and financial information, appear to have been unaffected. Bragg’s existing encryption protocols and access control systems successfully prevented the attackers from accessing customer information.

Immediate Response Measures

In response to the breach, Bragg launched a multi-tiered containment strategy, including:

  • Network Segmentation to isolate affected systems

  • Enhanced Monitoring of data flows across its Remote Games Server (RGS) platform

  • Security Audits of critical infrastructure, including the Bragg Hub and PAM systems

  • Engagement of Independent Cybersecurity Experts to assist in incident analysis and system hardening

Bragg’s Security Operations Center has also elevated its alert level, initiating 24/7 monitoring across all server clusters and network endpoints. In addition, company-wide penetration testing is now underway to proactively identify any residual vulnerabilities.

Business Continuity Maintained

Despite the severity of the breach, Bragg reports that its operations remain unaffected. All gaming services, including iCasino and sportsbook offerings across regulated markets, continue to function without disruption.

“While this incident is deeply concerning, we are confident in the rapid and thorough response initiated by our team,” a company spokesperson stated. “We remain committed to protecting our infrastructure, our partners, and most importantly, our players.”

Looking Ahead

As part of its response, Bragg has also launched mandatory security awareness training for all employees to reinforce best practices and prevent future incidents.

Cybersecurity analysts will continue working with Bragg to determine the full scope of the attack, improve system resilience, and maintain the trust of its users and stakeholders.

Bragg’s handling of the incident highlights both the evolving nature of cybersecurity threats and the importance of robust, responsive defense systems in the digital gaming sector.

Source: cybersecuritynews.com

The post Bragg Confirms Cyber Attack – Hackers Access Internal IT Systems appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Slovakia Publishes Groundbreaking Report on Illegal Online Gambling

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4 hours ago

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August 18, 2025

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The Institute for Gambling Regulation in Slovakia (IPRHH) has published the country’s first comprehensive report dedicated to illegal gambling. The study, titled The Black Book of Illegal Gambling, was officially presented at Bratislava’s Einpark and is now publicly available online.

The landmark publication explores the structure, mechanisms, and social impact of illegal gambling operations in Slovakia, with a particular focus on unlicensed online platforms. According to the report, these operators bypass national regulations, exploit vulnerable groups, and deprive the state of hundreds of millions of euros annually in lost tax revenue.

Key Findings From the Report

The study is based on a nationally representative survey conducted by IPRHH in cooperation with the Slovak Academy of Sciences. Among the most striking results:

  • 23.7% of players – nearly 296,000 Slovaks – admitted to gambling on unlicensed platforms.

  • 24.1% of players could not determine whether the sites they used were legal.

  • Younger users and those with lower levels of education were the most likely to engage in illegal gambling.

  • 13.1% of users admitted to gambling illegally because they were listed in the national Register of Excluded Persons (RVO), which should block them from licensed gambling.

“These sites ignore every safeguard that licensed operators must follow,” explained Dávid Lenčéš, Executive Director of IPRHH. “There are no limits, no identity checks, and no protection against addiction. And if you lose money, you have no legal recourse.”

Why Players Choose Illegal Platforms

Survey respondents highlighted several reasons for using unlicensed gambling sites:

  • Higher bonuses (32.5%)

  • Better odds (29.5%)

  • Easier registration (29.1%)

  • Wider game selection (27.4%)

Shockingly, only 42.2% of players actively check for a Slovak license, while 43.2% cannot distinguish between legal and illegal gambling advertisements.

Policy Recommendations

The IPRHH warns that illegal gambling costs Slovakia hundreds of millions of euros each year, money that could otherwise support healthcare, education, and addiction prevention programs.

The institute recommends a multi-pronged strategy to combat illegal operators, including:

  • More effective blocking of unlicensed websites

  • Stronger cooperation with banks and payment providers to block transactions

  • A national public awareness campaign

  • Stable conditions for licensed operators who contribute to the economy

Lenčéš also cautioned against excessive taxation of legal operators:
“If governments dramatically increase taxes on licensed operators, they risk pushing players further into the illegal market. Regulation should protect the public, not unintentionally support criminal ecosystems.”

About IPRHH

The Institute for Gambling Regulation (IPRHH) was founded in 2024 to promote effective, transparent, and responsible gambling regulation in Slovakia. Led by Executive Director Dávid Lenčéš, former Chairman of the Slovak Gambling Regulatory Authority, the organization works to address modern challenges such as digitalization, illegal gambling, and player protection.

The full report, The Black Book of Illegal Gambling, is available for free download (in Slovak) here: Download Report. An English version is currently in preparation.

For international inquiries or interview requests, contact: [email protected]

The post Slovakia Publishes Groundbreaking Report on Illegal Online Gambling appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Red Rake Gaming strengthens its expansion in Switzerland through partnership with 7Melons.ch

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5 hours ago

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August 18, 2025

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Red Rake Gaming, a leading provider of premium online casino content, announces its partnership with 7Melons.ch, the official online casino of the prestigious Grand Casino Bern, further strengthening its position in the regulated Swiss market.

7Melons.ch, launched in 2020 following the legalisation of online gaming in Switzerland, operates under an official Swiss concession (Konzession) and offers an authentic, safe, and fully licensed local experience. Backed by the strong reputation of Grand Casino Bern, the platform stands out for its commitment to player protection, secure transactions, and a mobile-optimised gaming environment.

As part of its growth strategy, 7Melons.ch is focusing on CRM automation, localised acquisition campaigns, and enhancing its VIP experience. The operator is investing in performance marketing, expanding its game portfolio, improving platform features, and building long-term brand equity, with the goal of becoming one of the leading names in Swiss online entertainment.

Nick Barr, Managing Director at Red Rake Gaming Malta, commented: “We are delighted to collaborate with 7Melons.ch and Grand Casino Bern to bring our top content to Swiss players. The platform combines the trust of a historic brand with a modern and secure digital experience, making it the ideal partner to expand our presence in this region. We are confident our games will deliver added value and exciting experiences for players in Switzerland.” 

This collaboration reinforces Red Rake Gaming’s commitment to creating innovative content tailored to local regulations and designed for highly regulated markets. Players in Switzerland will have access to a wide and diverse game portfolio, featuring standout functionalities, interactive mini-games, and a safe, immersive gaming experience.

The post Red Rake Gaming strengthens its expansion in Switzerland through partnership with 7Melons.ch appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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