Latest News
Conor Niland’s The Racket Wins William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2024
Former Irish tennis professional Conor Niland has won the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2024 with his memoir The Racket: On Tour with Tennis’s Golden Generation.
The Racket becomes the first tennis book to clinch the world’s longest established and most valuable literary sports-writing prize in its history and Niland is the first author from the Republic of Ireland to win since Paul Kimmage’s Rough Ride: Behind the Wheel with a Pro Cyclist in 1990.
Niland’s autobiography describes the highs and lows of his career on the ATP Tour, revealing the hardships of the majority of players struggling to balance the books as they seek to breakthrough against the game’s best.
The Racket is an underdog story that lifts the lid on the perils of match-fixing and doping in tennis, while also sharing light-hearted tales of Niland’s seven years on the road.
The debut release from the 43-year-old was one of six books shortlisted for this year’s award, which was decided by a six-person judging panel, with Niland beating off competition from the likes of double Olympic champion Kelly Holmes and Afghanistan women’s football captain Khalida Popal.
Niland’s memoir was crowned the winner by a judging panel comprising chair Alyson Rudd, Clarke Carlisle, Gabby Logan, Dame Heather Rabbatts, Mark Lawson and Michelle Walder. In addition to the prestigious trophy, Niland also claims the winning £30,000 prize.
Alyson Rudd, Chair of the judging panel, said: “We are delighted to present Conor Niland with the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2024 for his astonishing autobiography, The Racket.
“This prize seeks to highlight the best in sports writing and there is no doubting the fact that Conor’s work is of the highest calibre, offering a fascinating insight into his career as a tennis professional.
“The book brings the reader into the world of elite sport, but also emphasises the relatable underdog story of an everyman fighting against the odds to fulfil their dreams.
“The panel wishes to praise all six nominated authors and another year of stunning releases, showcasing the rich diversity of perspectives and experiences.”
Winning author Niland said: “I accept this award with a lot of humility. The other shortlisted books are incredible stories so I feel very fortunate to have won and so grateful.
“This is all pretty improbable. My brother told me I would win the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award when he read this last Christmas, I took that with a pretty large pinch of salt, but he was right. It’s amazing.
“The pro tennis tour is a little bit of a misunderstood sport, we were able to show what the world is really like, for the guys a little bit further down the rankings.”
Endorphina Press Releases
Endorphina Unleashes Bear Spirit to Double Winnings
In the misty forest at dawn, a mysterious howl pierces the silence. What mysteries does the seemingly ordinary forest hide? And what is the source of that howl?
Big Brown is an online slot from the provider Endorphina featuring 6 reels, 4 rows, and 4096 fixed pay ways. The slot takes players through the beaten forest pathways, introducing them to different woodland creatures. By befriending the animals players will summon the strength and wisdom to track down this mysterious creature and uncover secrets deep in its lair.
As a mix of mystic and animal slots, Big Brown provides an unparalleled gaming experience that immerses players in an entirely secluded world. Big Brown features Scatters and two different Expanding Wild symbols – the Brown Bear and the Raging Bear. In this slot, the Raging Bear can double winnings and multiply multipliers! Furthermore, Big Brown also features Free Spins where an Expanding Wild symbol is guaranteed to appear.
Dedicated to innovation and unparalleled gaming experiences, Endorphina provides players with award-winning slots that instantly grab attention. At Endorphina, we supply player favorites and best-in-class games, constantly raising the bar in game development. Take a sneak peek at our multi-product portfolio and explore the endless possibilities with Endorphina slots!
Latest News
Marina Nahhas Celebrates 8 Years of Growth With ProgressPlay
As ProgressPlay marks its 12th anniversary, the company reflects on a journey defined by resilience, innovation, and remarkable leadership. At the heart of this transformation is Marina Nahhas, whose inspiring career trajectory exemplifies ProgressPlay’s core values of excellence and customer focus.
Marina Nahhas joined ProgressPlay in 2016, stepping into the dynamic iGaming industry with a passion for building relationships and driving results. Her expertise in customer service, team building, and strategy quickly became apparent, earning her recognition and steady promotions within the company.
By 2019, Marina took on a pivotal role in the B2B division, a move that not only marked a milestone in her career but also set the stage for ProgressPlay’s rapid growth. Her transition into B2B sales and account management brought a fresh vision to the company, reinforcing its position as a trusted partner for online gaming operators.
Marina’s tenure in B2B has been marked by outstanding achievements. Between 2019 and 2023 as Head of Sales, she led the addition of over 90 new brands to ProgressPlay’s platform, a testament to her ability to identify opportunities, onboard new partners, and foster long-term loyalty.
Her strategic initiatives underpinned several groundbreaking innovations that solidified ProgressPlay’s industry leadership:
Standalone Platform Services: Offering unparalleled flexibility for clients to customise their offerings.
Compliance Leadership: Navigating the complexities of regulatory landscapes to ensure safe and legal operations globally.
Enhanced Gamification Features: Boosting player engagement with innovative tools such as points, badges, and rewards.
In 2024, Marina stepped into the role of Head of B2B Sales & Marketing, cementing her status as a trailblazer in the iGaming industry. Her responsibilities now extend to managing a global sales pipeline, negotiating partnerships, and representing ProgressPlay at flagship events such as ICE London, SiGMA Asia, and SiGMA Europe.
With Marina’s guidance, ProgressPlay has not only expanded its portfolio to include thousands of games but also refined its reputation for delivering tailored solutions that empower its clients to succeed.
Marina’s journey from a VIP Account Manager to a pivotal leadership role showcases her resilience and dedication. Her Master’s degree in Medical Microbiology from Queen Mary University of London has equipped her with a sharp analytical mindset, further enhancing her ability to strategise and lead.
Marina’s philosophy centres around empowering ProgressPlay’s partners, fostering trust, and ensuring operational excellence. Her unwavering commitment has made her a linchpin in ProgressPlay’s continued success and a source of inspiration for colleagues and industry peers alike.
As ProgressPlay celebrates this milestone, the company looks to the future with optimism. With Marina Nahhas at the helm of its B2B division, the company is poised to maintain its upward trajectory, staying ahead of industry trends and driving innovation.
“Innovation, integrity, and customer focus are at the heart of everything we do,” Marina says. “ProgressPlay’s journey is only just beginning, and I’m excited to continue driving our growth alongside our amazing team and partners.”
As ProgressPlay celebrates its anniversary, it does so with gratitude for the visionary leaders who have shaped its story and excitement for the opportunities that lie ahead.
Reflecting on Marina’s contributions, Itai Loewenstein, ProgressPlay’s CEO, shared, “With Marina Nahhas steering ProgressPlay’s B2B future, the company is well-positioned to remain a dominant force in the ever-evolving iGaming industry.”
Latest News
EGT’s “Bell Link 2” made its debut in Germany as a special wide-area installation
EGT’s “Bell Link 2” linked-progressive multigame made its German debut in all four sites of the Casino SH Group. The latest addition of the bestseller “Bell Link” series went live on October 1, 2024 as a very special wide-area linked-progressive edition, called the “Schleswig-Holstein Jackpot”.
A total of 16 premium G 50 J2 St cabinets located in Casino Schenefeld, Casino Kiel, Casino Lübeck and Casino Flensburg, are offering a first ever globally-linked GRAND level progressive jackpot with a guaranteed starting value of 100.000,00 EUR, which can be won in any casino, at any time and with any bet.
Additionally, the concept offers a locally-linked MAJOR level progressive jackpot and two bonus prizes in each individual casino, which also can be won at any time and any bet.
Emilia Tomachinska, Managing Director of the E-Systems GmbH, EGT’s distributor in the German speaking regions of Europe, commented: “I am very proud that Casino SH once again trusted us and we were able to launch this captivating product, which will hopefully be a great addition to their gaming floors. After 13 years, in which a number of EGT products have been constantly demonstrating a rock-solid performance, the time was finally right for a very special product like the “Schleswig-Holstein Jackpot”. I believe that this installation will further strengthen our fruitful partnership and I hope that it will open the door for even more interesting and high-potential collaborations like this in the future.”
Rainer Schepull, CEO of the Casino SH Group, shared: “We are very glad to have realized this idea together with our long-term partners E-Systems and EGT. Our cooperation with them has always been on the highest level, and with this project – from start to finish – they both proved their professionalism once again. The new ‘Schleswig-Holstein Jackpot’ immediately caught the attention of our visitors and now we can’t wait for our first 6-digits GRAND JACKPOT WINNER! We all here at the Casino SH Group are very excited to find out when, in which casino location and who will hit it!”
-
Latest News6 days ago
Make every pixel personal: Opera GX facelift lets you match your browser to your setup down to the smallest detail
-
Latest News6 days ago
Casino Management System Market to Reach USD 29.09 Billion by 2032 | Enhanced Security and Operational Efficiency Drive Growth | Research by S&S Insider
-
Latest News6 days ago
Fast Track Celebrates Third Year as a Great Place to Work Certified™ Tech Company
-
Latest News6 days ago
IBIA Upgrades Technology Platform to Strengthen Global Betting Integrity Efforts
-
Latest News6 days ago
Crypto Sportsbook, Sportsbet.io’s player wins huge $3.2m jackpot from $5 spin
-
Latest News6 days ago
ACR POKER ADDS BLITZ BONUS BOOST TO NOVEMBER CALENDAR AS $20 MILLION GTD WINTER OSS ENTERS FINAL DAYS
-
Africa5 days ago
Punt Casino Voted as “Best No Download Casino 2024” by Popular Guide SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za
-
Asia6 days ago
Natural8 India gives poker enthusiasts across the country a chance to become Asian Poker Tour (APT) champions from the comfort of their homes!