Spotlight Sports Group announce inaugural community partner

One big story

Autism in Racing confirmed as community partner of Spotlight Sports Group

Spotlight Sports Group (SSG) has confirmed Autism in Racing as its inaugural annual community partner. As part of the sports betting media, content and technology group’s growing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, SSG will work closely to raise awareness of autism in elite sport.

Autism in Racing was established in 2021, following a collaboration between Bobby Beevers, Racing Together and the Racecourse Association.

Simon Winder, group finance director and chair of SSG’s CSR working group, said the committee was unanimous in partnering with Autism in Racing to raise awareness and funding for an organisation which aligns closely with its focus on diversity, inclusivity, and the world of horseracing.

Click here to hear more from Bobby Beevers on the value SSG can give to the charity in the coming year.

What you need to know

Commercial

• Betfred has announced the doubling of its online revenues in 2022/23, aided by its majority 51% shareholding in South African operator, LottoStar. However, write-downs in the U.S. have indicated its North American operations aren’t going quite as swimmingly. More  
• The parent company of Betway, Super Group, has confirmed its intention to withdraw from the US sports betting market. A comprehensive internal review has led to this decision, with CEO, Neal Menashe, struggling to visualise a route to long-term profitability across the nine states in which it operates. More  
• EveryMatrix has closed its boldest acquisition so far with the purchase of betting and iGaming platform supplier, FSB Technology. In doing so, its OddsMatrix sportsbook subsidiary now has a vital foothold in the highly competitive UK, Irish and African sports betting markets. More  
• Kaizen Gaming’s online sportsbook, Betano, has been named as the most recognisable sports betting brand in the Brazilian market. Following a recent survey by Env Media, Betano outperformed the likes of global powerhouses, Betfair and bet365, in the exposure stakes. More

Regulation

• Stephanie Peacock MP has been named as the UK’s new Gambling Minister. Following Labour’s landslide victory last week, Peacock replaces the outgoing Conservative MP, Stuart Andrew, who held the post under the last two Conservative governments. Peacock’s number-one remit will be to enforce the changes outlined in the Gambling Act white paper. More

Technology

• Entain’s advanced player protection tool, Advanced Responsibility and Care (ARC) experienced a 98% year-on-year rise in bettor uptake in 2023. The tool was rolled out in 27 of Entain’s 34 active markets in 2021, with a retail version launching last year in Entain-owned betting shops in the UK and Ireland. The tool uses a trio of AI-led models to monitor player risk levels. More

People news

Flutter Entertainment’s co-founder David Power dies aged 77

The co-founder of Flutter’s Paddy Power, David Power, passed away on 8th July, surrounded by his loved ones. The Power family have been synonymous with the world of betting for generations. David led the family bookmaking business for several years before expanding in 1988.

He joined forces with Stewart Kenny and Vincent O’Reilly to launch Paddy Power. David served as the company’s CEO between 1998 and 2002, remaining on the board of directors until 2013.

Flutter acknowledged Power’s sharp eye for sports betting odds and his invaluable insights that gave successive management teams food for thought in the ever-expanding industry.

Click here to learn more about Power and his influential role in Paddy Power’s meteoric rise.

This week’s talking point

UK horse racing needs to build on the early positivity from new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer

Fresh from the positivity surrounding last weekend’s Coral-Eclipse, the warm words towards the British horseracing industry from new Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, will give stakeholders hope for the future.

Starmer insisted during his election campaign that he often bets “on the horses”. He also reinforced his passion for the sport to Racing Post, speaking of its “significant” contribution to the economy, as well as popular culture.

Starmer even revealed that his wife had the sport “in her blood”. To that end, Racing Post’s senior writer, Lee Mottershead, believes the horseracing industry needs to build on this momentum with the appointment of a Labour-leaning figure at the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) as Julie Harrington’s successor.

Click here to read more from Mottershead, who said that the new Labour government will have many important decisions to make on regulatory and levy reform.

This week’s insight

Uncovering the concept of social betting exchanges

Billy Gowing, founder of the Fairplay Exchange, has been pushing the benefits of social betting exchanges with SBC News, insisting it can appeal to an entirely fresh bettor demographic.

Gowing believes social betting exchanges can fill a glaring gap in the market, offering something serious for the recreational punter to immerse themselves in. Platforms like Fairplay allow users to make bets with their friends or work colleagues on anything they wish, with the wager paid in full and on time when the outcome is closed.

According to the UK Gambling Commission’s recent survey in December 2022, the UK’s sports betting market is plateauing. Gowing feels social betting exchanges can offer a fresh dimension to conventional sportsbook operators, since they’re not restricted by the live sports calendar.

Indeed, Gowing feels social betting exchanges like Fairplay may be able to tip the scales by reaching out to a demographic that’s yet to acknowledge the benefits of betting with licensed operators.

Click here to learn more about the social betting exchange concept and the rise of Fairplay to date.