Latest News
Paddy Power unveils 10ft retirement card to Tiger Roll as bookie reveals he earned punters over £500m
Irish bookmaker Paddy Power estimates that Cheltenham Festival hero Tiger Roll has earned punters in the region of half a billion pounds over the course of his career.
The mega sum was revealed as the racehorse – owned by Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary – was primed to land one final blow against the bookies in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (4:10pm) at Cheltenham this afternoon, ahead of his anticipated retirement from racing.
To celebrate Tiger Roll being put out to pasture, the cheeky bookie sent a special delivery to Cheltenham Racecourse in the form of a GIANT retirement card, created on behalf of all the happy punters he won money for over the course of his career.
Fans will have the opportunity to say farewell to Tiger Roll by personally signing the enormous card, which stands at 10ft in height and 14ft wide, as they make their way to the track for day two of the action in the heart of the Cotswolds.
Those who can’t be there can contribute their message via Twitter (@paddypower) using the hashtag #FarewellTigerRoll.
Having been purchased as ‘an afterthought’ for £10k by trainer Gordon Elliott, Tiger Roll went on to win the Aintree Grand National twice, earned over £1.4m in prize money over the course of his career, and secured five back-to-back wins at the Cheltenham festival.
He had been due to have a crack at equalling Red Rum’s record hattrick in the English National, but a row with the UK handicapper saw owner O’Leary pull his horse out of contention for what is considered the biggest race in the world, next month.
The upshot means that his swansong will instead occur at The Cheltenham Festival this afternoon, where he bids to equal a record set by wonder mare Quevega, who made it six-in-a-row with Ruby Walsh onboard back in 2014.
Speaking about the prospect of his achievement on Quevega being equalled, record-holding Cheltenham champion jockey and Paddy Power ambassador Ruby Walsh said: “It would be great to see it. He’s a wonderful horse.
“He’s won two Grand Nationals. He’s won a Triumph Hurdle, a National Hunt Chase and now he’s trying to win his fourth Cross Country Chase. Whatever accolades have been thrown at the horse, you’d have to say his trainer deserves them every bit as much.”
A new poll commissioned by Paddy Power revealed Tiger Roll was voted Ireland’s No.1 horse when measured against racing greats like Red Rum (17%), Hurricane Fly (14%), Desert Orchid (9%), Arkle and Kauto Star (6%) and Istabraq (5%).
UK racing fans put him in the No. 2 spot with 18% of votes, behind Grand National hattrick winning racehorse, Red Rum (28%).
Paddy Power, spokesman for the Irish betting firm of the same name, said: “He might have cost us dearly over the course of his career, but it was worth every penny to see how this horse captured the hearts and imaginations of racing fans.
“The famous Cheltenham roar we heard earlier this week will sound like a whimper compared to the cheers we expect to hear when Tiger Roll comes up the famous Cheltenham hill in front.
“But I must confess, while his retirement is a bittersweet day for most, it can’t come quick enough for us bookies. So, we sent him this supersized special delivery in the hope his connections won’t have any second thoughts!”
Tiger Roll remains the firm favourite to win the Cross Country Chase at odds of 6/4 and punters are so confident the superstar racehorse will pull it off, that Paddy is offering odds of the distance he will win by when it does.
Asia
Goa Introduces an Entirely Online Lottery Platform
In a move towards modernising India’s lottery sector, the state of Goa has introduced an entirely online lottery platform, sanctioned by the Directorate of Small Savings and Lotteries. This initiative, known as Great Goa Games, aims to bring transparency and convenience to an industry that has long grappled with allegations of mismanagement and fraud.
Ticket sales commenced Monday, with the inaugural draw set for Sunday. Rhiti Group, led by founder Arun Pandey, was granted the license to operate and market the platform. “Our mission is to democratize opportunities through technology,” Pandey stated, emphasizing the secure and user-friendly nature of the app-based system.
Goa government official Narayan Gad lauded the move as a step forward for the Indian lottery sector. “With our online lottery streamlining processes through technology, we are setting a new standard in the lottery industry,” Gad remarked. “The technology-based product will enhance transparency and ensure improved monitoring and regulation of operations.”
This development follows new rules governing online lotteries, introduced by the Goa directorate in February 2023. Currently, 13 states in India, including Goa, allow lottery games, though others have banned them due to concerns over gambling addiction and operational irregularities.
Latest News
Catena Media Announces Board Changes
Catena Media’s board of directors announced the appointment of Stephen Taylor-Matthews as non-executive director and the departure of Øystein Engebretsen from the board of directors.
Based in London, Stephen Taylor-Matthews is a tech entrepreneur, executive advisor and investor with over two decades of experience in online gaming, sports betting and data analytics.
He is the founder of Polynate, an AI-first company delivering next-generation sports engagement solutions, and has worked at Underdog Fantasy, GoatGaming and Betgenius in previous roles.
Stephen Taylor-Matthews commented: “Catena Media is in a transformation phase and I’m excited to be joining the board at this juncture and to contributing my industry expertise and insight.”
The appointment coincides with the departure from the board of Øystein Engebretsen, who has served as non-executive director since September 2018.
Erik Flinck, Chairman of the Board of Directors, said: “Øystein has made a valuable and important contribution to Catena Media for more than six years. I warmly thank him for his efforts and wish him well in his current and future ventures. At the same time, I am delighted to welcome Stephen Taylor-Matthews to the board. His experience and expertise will be a valuable asset for Catena Media as we move forward.”
Stephen Taylor-Matthews’ appointment will become effective once all necessary filings are made with the Malta Business Registry, and his term will run up until the end of the next annual general meeting, in accordance with the Maltese Companies Act and Catena Media’s articles of association.
Latest News
Endorphina Partners with R. Franco Digital to Expand Reach
The leading online slot games provider, Endorphina, has announced a brand-new partnership with R. Franco Digital, a renowned manufacturer of AWP machines. This collaboration allows Endorphina to expand its reach in the Spanish and Latin American markets.
Endorphina is one of the top iGaming software providers for the B2B market, developing online slots that cater to a wide range of slot enthusiasts. Over the years, the provider has established itself as one of the most innovative slot suppliers in the industry, dedicated to expanding its products to players worldwide.
Zdenek Llosa, Senior Partnership Manager at Endorphina, said: “We are genuinely excited to join forces with R. Franco Digital, a trusted name with a rich legacy in the Spanish and Latin American gaming world. Partnering with a platform that shares our passion for quality and player satisfaction is truly inspiring. Together with the R. Franco team, we look forward to creating memorable, fun experiences that bring joy and excitement to our shared communities across Spain and LATAM. This collaboration feels like the beginning of something truly special.”
Franco Digital, a subsidiary of the Recreativos Franco Group, has been known for providing its customers with the best turnkey solutions for over 50 years. As a pioneering manufacturer of AWP machines, R. Franco Digital is founded on an innovative company culture that uses the best methodologies and technologies available, working with talented and disruptive people to deliver the best solutions.
“At R. Franco Digital, we are always striving to enhance our platform with innovative, top-quality content that resonates with our audiences, particularly in Spain and Latin America. Partnering with Endorphina allows us to bring a fresh, engaging catalog of games to our players, combining our platform’s power with Endorphina’s creativity and expertise. This collaboration underscores our commitment to delivering premium gaming experiences tailored for Spanish-speaking markets,” said Javier Sacristán, International Business Director of R. Franco Digital.
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