Due to the fact that an obligation has been introduced in the gambling regulation for license holders to continuously report suspected match-fixing to the Gambling Inspectorate, the authority has decided to suspend the requirements in the regulations that license holders must report such suspicions to the authority annually. In connection with this, the title of the regulation has also been given a new wording.

The changes relate to the Swedish Gambling Authority’s regulations and general advice (SIFS 2020:2) on restrictions and prohibitions on certain betting to counter manipulation of results (including match fixing) in sports and reporting of suspected manipulation.

The changes will enter into force on 1 January 2025.

Betfair will be back at Cheltenham racecourse as a sponsor for two days of top class horse racing in the New Year.

Punters can enjoy a thrilling line-up of Betfair-sponsored races at Cheltenham’s New Year’s Day meeting and Festival Trials Day on 25 January.

On New Year’s Day, Betfair will partner with Cheltenham for The Betfair Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 2), The Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase (Class 1) (Premier Handicap) and The best odds on the Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle Race (Class 2).

On Saturday 25 January, for Festival Trials Day, Betfair will sponsor The Betfair Exchange Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 1) (Premier Handicap) and The Betfair Cotswold Steeple Chase (Class 1) (Grade 2).

The latter race is the feature race of Festival Trials Day. It boasts a rich history, producing fantastic renewals over the years with strong winners such as Neptune Collonges, Frodon, and 2024 winner Capodanno for the Willie Mullins team.

Both meetings will be fascinating in their own right but they will also set the stage for the drama and excitement of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.

Richard Hayward, Managing Director Betfair, said: “It’s great to see Betfair back sponsoring at the Home of Jump Racing. This sponsorship is part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the racing industry and adding these races to our existing portfolio helps us create a well-defined sponsorship story throughout the National Hunt season. Starting with the G1 Betfair Chase in November, we now have major racedays every month up to the Festival in March.”

Dan Glavin, Bookmaker Partnerships Manager for The Jockey Club, said: “It’s fantastic to have Betfair back at Cheltenham as the sponsor of these two racedays. Flutter has an ongoing commitment to racing and we’re delighted that they have continued to show their support with these popular fixtures.”

Playtech has announced the launch of Live Casino under its agreement with Veikkaus, the Finnish state-owned and monopoly operator.

Building upon their successful existing relationship, which encompasses online casino, online poker, retail VLT machines and a casino management system, Playtech was selected as Veikkaus’ first Live casino supplier, following a rigorous public procurement process.

Playtech and Veikkaus have now completed the integration and regulatory approval process of Playtech’s Live games, and following a successful launch, a first range of games are now available to Veikkaus’ players – with many more to be launched in the following months.

Playtech Live games include popular network games such as Mega Fire Blaze Roulette and game shows like Adventures Beyond Wonderland, Spin a Win, The Greatest Cards Show, as well as exclusive Blackjack and Roulette tables from a newly designed and Veikkaus branded studio. This modern studio features Finnish-speaking dealers who are representing Veikkaus brand values to their players, offering an authentic and engaging gaming experience.

Fredrik Sylvander, Commercial Director at Playtech, said: “We are thrilled to have completed the launch with Veikkaus, marking a significant milestone in our successful partnership. We take pride in supporting Veikkaus in delivering a premium live gaming experience through our state-of-the-art studio and exclusive game offerings. Leveraging our expertise and market knowledge, we have crafted a tailored Live offering that meets the needs of the Finnish market and provides an unparalleled gaming experience for Veikkaus’ customers. We are excited to have started this new chapter and to continue supporting Veikkaus in achieving their vision in Live casino.”