Latest News
Betfred Officially Re-opens its Head Office in Warrington
Betfred, one of the UK’s leading bookmakers, has officially re-opened its Head Office in Warrington after a multimillion-pound investment, underscoring a new era of innovation, employee collaboration and commitment to the region.
The plaque was officially unveiled on Friday 22 November, by Betfred boss Fred Done, and the Speaker of the House of Commons the Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle. Sir Lindsay Hoyle is also the President of the Rugby Football League. Betfred is the sport’s biggest supporter and the headline sponsor of the Betfred Super League and the Challenge Cup for the men’s, women’s and wheelchair game.
Betfred first moved into the Spectrum arena from their Salford base in 2004 and decided to embark on this hugely ambitious refurbishment project in September 2021.
The revamped 50,000-square-foot Spectrum building now stands as a vibrant workspace for over 450 Betfred employees. This modern transformation marks a departure from its roots as a former arena that famously hosted concerts by the likes of Status Quo, New Order and Atomic Kitten, and also hosted major snooker tournaments.
Fred Done said: “Reopening our Spectrum HQ is a very proud moment for me and my family. We’ve come a long way since having one shop in Salford in 1967 and I’m delighted that because of our close association with Rugby League that Sir Lindsay Hoyle has kindly agreed to officially open the building.”
Betfred CEO Joanne Whitaker added: “The reopening of the Spectrum marks a fresh chapter for us. This redesign is more than just a new look—it’s about building an inspiring, collaborative environment that reflects our bold ambitions. We’ve created a dynamic space where ideas can flourish, and our teams can come together. We’re excited about the possibilities this new headquarters will open up and are looking forward to the journey ahead. Although we are an international company, it was very important to us we remained in the Northwest and close to our roots.”
A highlight of the newly revamped headquarters is the state-of-the-art “Nifty 50” studio, the new home of Betfred’s own numbers game offering a top prize of £5 million, hosted live by two brand new presenters.
Another standout feature of the refurbishment is the “Immersion Tunnel,” a stadium-inspired space that is bold, high-tech and designed to connect employees across the building. Spanning the tunnel is a striking, larger-than-life display showcasing Betfred’s sporting heritage and milestone moments. The tunnel delivers a powerful experience, bringing Betfred’s legacy very much to life.
This ambitious refurbishment was project managed internally by Betfred’s Head of Asset Management Peter Buckles and Betfred’s Senior Project Manager Helen Haworth.
Peter Buckles added: “The key to the project was understanding Betfred’s business requirements and that helped guide the delivery including elements which are unique to a betting business. With the support of the IT team, we also kept the data centre for over 1400 shops and our website still running during this major refurbishment. We are all very proud of what we have delivered for our colleagues.”
The construction side of the redevelopment was supported by Domis Construction and their Managing Director Kingsley Thornton said: “It was fantastic to work on such a unique project and completely modernise and redevelop the Spectrum Arena to make an exciting headquarters for Betfred.”
The interior design was completed by Jackson Downes, with their founder previously working with top brands such as JD Sports, Muse Developments and Accor Hotels.
Kate Jackson, founder and director of Jackson Downes, said: “Spectrum has always been a special building, so when tasked with redesigning this space for Betfred, we made it our mission to honour its rich history in the design. We’ve crafted a bespoke environment that not only meets Betfred’s unique needs but also motivates and supports the next generation of growth.”
Latest News
Sweepstakes Casinos Sweep the World
GiG (Gaming Innovation Group) has reported significant growth in its media division, Gentoo Media, marking a successful year of transformation following a series of strategic acquisitions. The company’s performance in the second quarter of 2024 highlights a period of expansion, with revenue reaching €30 million, a 39% increase from €22 million in Q2 of 2023. This milestone marks the 14th consecutive year of record revenue for the company, reflecting the positive impact of its ongoing transformation and the continued growth of its rebranded standalone media business.
Group CEO Richard Carter shared with investors that the company’s strategic enablers, including successful mergers and acquisitions (M&A), have been key to its growth trajectory. Notably, the acquisitions of AskGamblers and KaFe Rocks have provided a significant boost to the company’s position in the online gambling space. These deals, alongside other strategic expansions, are set to keep the momentum going, especially in the second half of the year as GiG benefits from the ongoing contributions of Titan SEO and the CasinoMeister community.
As sweepstake casinos’ popularity spread, they are becoming popular worldwide. Everyone can now enjoy the unique aspects of an online sweepstake casino (source: https://listofsweepstakescasinos.com). Gamers cannot wager real money on these sites, which eliminates the financial risk normally associated with online casinos. Instead, these platforms give gamers a place to practice casino games and socialize with other players.
CEO Carter emphasized that this opportunity is not limited to North America, with potential markets in Europe and beyond beginning to show interest in this new type of digital gaming.
A core part of this growth strategy has been GiG’s investment in new technologies and platforms, such as the SweepX social casino platform. According to Carter, SweepX has played a crucial role in expanding the company’s addressable market and is expected to begin contributing to revenue in the latter part of 2024. The platform has already seen success in the US and is positioned to capitalize on a growing appetite for sweepstake-style gaming.
GiG’s Chairman, Mikael Riese Harstad, also addressed the market’s growing interest in sweepstakes, revealing that the company has signed a partnership with one of the largest land-based casino operators to bring its SweepX platform to a broader audience. Harstad expressed confidence that sweepstake opportunities would continue to expand beyond the US, signaling the potential for international growth in this segment. The company’s belief in the potential of the sweepstakes market aligns with its broader strategy to move away from reliance on “exotic markets” and focus more on the stable and rapidly growing North American and European sectors.
In addition to the success of its media business, GiG is in the process of completing a strategic split into two independent, publicly listed entities: Gentoo Media and GiG Platform. This restructuring, set to be finalized by the end of September 2024, is intended to streamline operations and allow each entity to focus on its respective core markets. Despite some challenges faced by GiG’s Platform & Sportsbook division, which saw a 21% decline in revenues to €7.3 million for Q2, the company remains confident that both Gentoo Media and GiG Platform will continue to thrive as separate entities moving forward.
The restructuring process follows a series of changes in both external market conditions and internal organizational shifts. However, GiG Media remains steadfast in its commitment to long-term success. Ever since Richard Carte became CEO, he highlighted the company’s focus on data-driven strategies, cutting-edge technical infrastructure, and deep expertise in the iGaming sector as key drivers for future growth. As the company continues to expand its presence in global markets, it is poised to take advantage of the growing demand for new types of gaming experiences, particularly within the sweepstake and social casino sectors.
With its growing portfolio of brands and platforms, GiG is positioned to maintain its role as a major player in the global iGaming industry, with a particular focus on leveraging new technologies and acquisitions to expand its market reach and revenue potential.
Compliance Updates
CT Interactive Achieves A1 Certification for Greece
CT Interactive has achieved A1 Supplier Certification in Greece, awarded by the Hellenic Gaming Commission. This significant milestone underscores the company’s strategic commitment to expanding its presence in regulated European markets. The A1 certification enables CT Interactive to offer its top-tier gaming portfolio to licensed operators across Greece.
Focused on enhancing the player experience, CT Interactive delivers a meticulously curated selection of games that have proven successful in the market, including titles like Win Storm, Lucky Clover, The Big Chilli, Chilli Fruits and many others. By prioritising quality and player satisfaction, each game is designed to provide immersive, engaging experiences.
Continuously evolving to meet player preferences and utilising cutting-edge technology, CT Interactive ensures a seamless and rewarding gaming journey. This commitment not only fosters long-term player loyalty but also reinforces the company’s dedication to creating lasting value while maintaining the highest standards of performance and entertainment.
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Betsoft Unveils Exclusive Adventure in Coins of Slotshammer – Hold & WinTM for SlotsHammer
Betsoft Gaming has released Coins of Slotshammer – Hold & Win, a new 3×3 video slot crafted specifically for SlotsHammer. This branded title invites players to explore the mysteries of ancient Egypt, where treasures and timeless beauty come to life with dynamic spins and rewarding gameplay.
Featuring Betsoft’s enhanced Hold & Win mechanic, players can unlock exciting features by collecting BONUS and RA BONUS symbols. The RA BONUS symbols lock in place during the Hold & Win feature, while additional symbols reset the respin counter, creating extended opportunities for rewards. WILD symbols, appearing across all three reels, help complete symbol combinations, while the Chest of Gold offers a chance to activate the Hold & Win rounds during the base game, making every spin an engaging experience.
Fernando Van Velzen, Head of Account Management at Betsoft, said: “Coins of Slotshammer – Hold & Win showcases Betsoft’s dedication to delivering high-quality, exclusive branded content. It’s been a pleasure to collaborate with SlotsHammer to create a game that captures both the excitement of exploration and the innovation our players expect. We’re confident this release will resonate deeply with their audience.”
George Merodoulakis, Group CCO of Campeόn Gaming, said: “We are thrilled to announce our latest project with Betsoft, underscoring the power of collaboration in driving innovation. Partnering with industry leaders like Betsoft enables us to deliver engaging, customized content to our players. By combining our strengths, we’re not only addressing the evolving demands of the market but also setting new standards for entertainment. We look forward to the exciting opportunities this collaboration will bring to our customers and partners.”
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