Kindred Group plc (Kindred) has announced a multiyear renewal as an Official Partner of the NHL. Through the partnership, Kindred’s flagship brand Unibet will continue to have access to a variety of marketing rights in Sweden, including digitally enhanced dash boards (DEDs). The partnership will also focus on driving fan engagement through tailored content to enhance the ice hockey betting experience for Swedish customers.

“We are incredibly proud to extend our partnership with the NHL. Together, we will continue to showcase the excitement and energy of the league, bringing fans even closer to the game. This season will be pivotal for ice hockey in Sweden, with the NHL bringing back its international hockey events and the 2025 IIHF World Championship being hosted by Sweden and Denmark. We anticipate heightened fan interest, and we’re thrilled to be part of this journey,” said Philip Lagström, General Manager Kindred Group Sweden.

“Unibet has been a dedicated partner in helping us increase our engagement with passionate hockey fans in Sweden. We are thrilled to renew our partnership and look forward to their activation plans for our slate of signature international events,” said NHL Vice President of NHL Business Development and Partnerships International John Lewicki.

EveryMatrix has finalised a multi-year agreement with rapid-growth operator BetGoodwin to power its UK business with the Tier 1 provider’s award-winning turnkey technology.

The turnkey sportsbook driven partnership will see BetGoodwin unlock access to an end-to-end suite of advanced OddsMatrix digital sports betting software solutions including comprehensive coverage from more than 100,000 live monthly matches, empowering Odds Management control tools and a suite of player focused front end features. This includes an 11-sport strong Bet Builder, multi-layered Cash Out engine, Early Payout, Odds Boost and much more.

In tandem with its upgrade to OddsMatrix sportsbook technology, BetGoodwin will also expand its core turnkey platform services by integrating several of EveryMatrix’s leading platform products.

This includes casino productivity platform CasinoEngine, player management platform GamMatrix and payments platform MoneyMatrix enabling it to increase revenues and everyday efficiencies.

BetGoodwin becomes the latest FSB Technology client to commit to EveryMatrix technology since its acquisition by the Tier 1-provider earlier this year.

By partnering with EveryMatrix, the industry’s fastest growing iGaming technology supplier, BetGoodwin will have access to the tier-1 provider’s 1,100+ experts across 14 global offices, including the UK, and its comprehensive modular product suite. This will enable it to supercharge its product performance, develop advanced features in record time and access round-the-clock support.

Launching on the FSB sportsbook platform in 2022, BetGoodwin is a rapidly growing UK brand with an expanding client base, portfolio of key horse racing sponsorships and a programme of brand ambassador partnerships including jockey Tom Cannon and media personality Mike Cattermole.

Ebbe Groes, CEO and co-founder, EveryMatrix, said: “We are proud to welcome BetGoodwin onto the EveryMatrix platform. The growth journey they have experienced in the UK over the last two years has been great to see and we look forward to elevating this ambitious operator to the next level.

“It is a fantastic endorsement of our turnkey technology that this flourishing brand has committed to a long-term agreement.

“This partnership underlines our commitment to offering world-class software products and services within highly competitive, global regulated markets such as the UK.”

Julian Head, CEO, BetGoodwin, said: “This agreement demonstrates the trust we have in the EveryMatrix technology and team. We have been impressed by the game-changing capabilities of their comprehensive turnkey platform services and are confident their technology can be the catalyst for our future growth in the UK.

“Horse racing is an integral part of our brand proposition and the forthcoming launch of OddsMatrix’s proprietary racing product will provide our growing player base with a standout service.”

The Pools has appointed Sharon Wright, an award-winning marketing strategist with extensive experience at global brands such as Nike, Adidas and Reebok, as its new Marketing Director. Wright is set to lead a significant growth initiative for The Pools in 2025, launching a high-profile, multi-channel marketing campaign aimed at elevating the brand’s presence.

Wright brings a wealth of expertise in finance, customer experience, sales and marketing, having held substantial roles in renowned sports companies. She joined The Adidas Group in 2009 and later became Reebok’s Global Go-to-Market Director in 2013, where she spearheaded the successful launches of the Reebok-Crossfit partnership in the UK and the Reebok-Les Mills partnership globally. Her efforts significantly expanded Reebok’s presence in the studio category, further solidifying its global market position.

Earlier in her career, Wright played a pivotal role in growing Nike and Adidas’ women’s business to become the leading segment in the UK and Ireland. In 2017, she founded her own consultancy, Sports Business Growth, focusing on the intersection of sports and technology, specifically apps and subscription models.

Wright is also Chair of Powerplay The Future, a platform connecting investors with female-led startups, and serves on the Advisory Board for Everything in Sport, a global network of top executives in the sports industry.

In her new role at The Pools, Wright will collaborate closely with CEO James Arnold and report to COO Steve Talbot as she drives the brand’s strategic marketing initiatives into the future.

Sharon Wright, The Pools Marketing Director, said: “I came to The Pools as a consultant and I always knew the value of this iconic brand. The immense amount of potential I could see to help take this back to where it belongs was an opportunity I could not resist. Coupled with the fact I get to work with James and Steve who I greatly admire. They are a dynamic force, proven in the industry and their energy and drive is infectious and something I wanted to be part of.

“It’s an exciting moment for us as we relaunch this iconic brand with a campaign that celebrates its timeless appeal while connecting with today’s audience in new and engaging ways. It showcases our investment in our products and customer experience.”

James Arnold, The Pools CEO, said: “The Pools is a British institution. We celebrated our 100-year anniversary last year and there just aren’t brands out there in our industry with the same history and heritage.

“We’ve been working hard to modernise our technical infrastructure and improve the wider product portfolio, culminating in the move to a new gaming platform and the relaunch of a new website at the end of this year. We have high expectations in 2025 as we rebrand, relaunch, and reintroduce The Pools to a new audience.

“We wanted some fresh thinking when it comes to marketing, and with Sharon’s experience at such global sporting brands, combined with her outstanding background in growth strategy, it was clear she was the ideal candidate for this position. We are excited she is joining the team and look forward to her integral role in the future of our successes.”