Press Releases
World Pool contribution to British and Irish racecourses hits £50 million
The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s (HKJC) contribution to British and Irish racecourses generated by World Pool since its inception in 2019 has surpassed £50 million.
A total of 580 races across nine different tracks in the UK and Ireland have been globally commingled by the HKJC since the World Pool’s inaugural fixture at Royal Ascot in 2019, with the Curragh, Epsom Downs, Goodwood, Leopardstown, Newbury, Newmarket, Sandown Park and York all hosting World Pool racedays.
Since its inauguration, the number of World Pool races has increased dramatically, from 30 races held at Royal Ascot in 2019, to 135 races, held across the nine different racecourses this year.
In 2024, the English and Irish 1000 Guineas were added as World Pool races for the first time, along with the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup. The landmark £50 million figure comes as World Pool builds towards its final fixture of the 2024 UK and Irish Flat season at Ascot this Saturday on QIPCO British Champions Day.
World Pool commits over £300,000 to Moment of the Day and Jockeys’ Championship
In addition, the Hong Kong Jockey Club and partners have helped fund the exciting World Pool Moment of the Day initiative for the past three seasons, which supports racing’s grassroots by giving back to grooms, who are often the unsung heroes behind great equine champions. Each Moment of the Day winning groom receives a £4,000 cash prize and is also in with a chance of a VIP trip to Hong Kong.
The inaugural World Pool UK & Ireland Jockeys’ Championship was launched this year with the winning rider receiving £50,000 to donate to a charity of his or her choice, underlining the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s continued commitment to supporting the community through charitable donations. Points are awarded based on the World Pool win dividend for every World Pool race in the UK and Ireland, offering a level playing field for all jockeys with their chances of winning being dictated by the public as reflected by their World Pool odds.
With one meeting left to go, Billy Loughnane has a commanding lead of over 90 points, after three incredible big-odds victories, during Royal Ascot aboard Rashabar (129.90) on Queen Anne Stakes Day and Soprano (19.65) on Commonwealth Cup Day, and then aboard Canoodled (37.95) on Nunthorpe Stakes Day during York’s Ebor Festival. Those three successes leave Loughnane on a total of 187.50 points, clear of his nearest pursuer Oisin Murphy (97.25).
Michael Fitzsimons, Executive Director, Wagering Products at the HKJC, said: “World Pool has come such a long way since we first launched at Royal Ascot in 2019. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see how much it has grown over the past six years and everyone at the Hong Kong Jockey Club is thrilled to see so much money going back into racing in so many different ways.
“As World Pool continues to grow its presence and popularity, further investment will flow back into the sport, continuing to boost prize money, which in turn should have a positive impact on the size and quality of fields. Healthy field sizes and high-quality racing is what grabs the attention and interest of punters across the globe.”
Alex Frost, Chief Executive, UK Tote Group, said: “In only six years, World Pool has moved from a concept to an initiative that is having a significant impact on supporting the financial ecosystem of racing in the UK and Ireland. It is testament to the vision and leadership of the Hong Kong Jockey Club that we have all been able to make this much progress together.
“Under our long-term contract, everyone at the Tote is very excited to continue our work with the Hong Kong Jockey Club and all our partners to grow World Pool, both for the benefit of racing fans who want an exciting and competitive betting options and to help support the future financial sustainability of the sport.”
World Pool in the UK & Ireland:
| Year | UK/IRE Races | UK/IRE host tracks | Non-UK/IRE Races | Non-UK/IRE host tracks |
| 2019 | 30 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 42 | 1 | 7 | 1 |
| 2021 | 121 | 7 | 32 | 2 |
| 2022 | 121 | 6 | 33 | 3 |
| 2023 | 131 | 8 | 91 | 12 |
| 2024 | 135 | 9 | 94 | 15 |
World Pool in 2024 by country:
| Country | Races | Racecourses |
| Australia | 35 | 5 |
| Germany | 17 | 5 |
| Ireland | 24 | 2 |
| Saudi Arabia | 7 | 1 |
| South Africa | 27 | 3 |
| UAE | 8 | 1 |
| UK | 111 | 7 |
The final World Pool fixture of the 2024 British & Irish Flat season takes place at Ascot for QIPCO British Champions Day this Saturday.
For all World Pool fixtures, please visit: worldpool.hkjc.com/full-fixture.aspx
The post World Pool contribution to British and Irish racecourses hits £50 million appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
SolutionsHub is pleased to announce the appointment of James O’Kelly as Head of Corporate Development, a newly established role that underscores the company’s commitment to strategic growth, innovation, and excellence in client service.
Since joining SolutionsHub, James has been instrumental in driving key initiatives across the organization. Over the past 18 months, James has headed high-impact growth intiatives, managed treasury and led sucessful licensing for clients. His contributions have also extended to representing SolutionsHub on the international stage, enhancing the company’s global presence.
In his new role, James will take the lead on a range of high-impact strategic initiatives in close collaboration with the Board of Directors. His primary focus will be on identifying and cultivating key partnerships, as well as spearheading the development of innovative product lines that align with the company’s long-term vision. To fully dedicate his efforts to these forward-looking priorities, James will be transitioning responsibility for day-to-day operations and compliance to other senior members of the leadership team. This shift will enable him to concentrate on shaping the company’s future growth trajectory and ensuring its continued success.
“James has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership and a deep understanding of our business and industry,” said Lee Hills, CEO of SolutionsHub. “His appointment as Head of Corporate Development is a natural evolution that aligns with our long-term strategic goals and further reinforces the strength of our leadership team.”
James will continue to play a pivotal role in advising and supporting clients through increasingly complex regulatory, licensing, and jurisdictional considerations. Leveraging his extensive experience and strong track record of delivering innovative, compliant, and forward-thinking solutions.
The post James O’Kelly Appointed Head of Corporate Development at SolutionsHub appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The studio is shortlisted for the “Brand of the Year – B2B” category
ELA Games, an innovative game development studio, has been shortlisted for the “Brand of the Year – B2B” category at the upcoming EGR Marketing & Innovation Awards 2025.
The EGR Marketing & Innovation Awards is an event that celebrates key figures and innovative brands within the iGaming industry. The ceremony recognises companies that demonstrate commercial success through game-changing creativity and contributions to the improvement of the industry. It gathers the brightest and most influential minds to reward those who have helped the online gaming sector grow.
ELA Games’ nomination for the “Brand of the Year – B2B” category highlights the company’s efforts in creating a portfolio that balances operator-centric growth with player-friendly gaming experiences. The studio has demonstrated a commitment to helping operators improve player acquisition and retention metrics through data-backed performance, making it a beneficial partner.
Marharyta Yerina, ELA Games’ Managing Director, commented on the nomination, “The ELA Games team is proud to receive a nomination for a significant category at a prestigious event. We’ve made considerable strides in 2025 to develop our portfolio and create games that both help operators grow and provide fun for players. We look forward to networking with all our peers at the ceremony, and congratulations to all nominees!”
The EGR Marketing & Innovation Awards 2025 will take place on June 19, 2025, at The Mermaid, London. The ELA Games team will attend the ceremony for a night of excitement, networking, and celebration.
The post ELA Games Receives Key Nomination at EGR Marketing & Innovation Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Giorgia Kasat
Reals Appoints Giorgia Kasat as New Head of HR, Strengthening Organizational Strategy in the Betting Industry
Leading Brazilian Betting Brand Reals Welcomes Former Itaú and Votorantim Executive to Drive Human Capital Development
Reals, one of Brazil’s leading regulated online betting and gaming platforms, has announced the appointment of Giorgia Kasat as its new Head of Human Resources. With over 20 years of experience in strategic people management, organizational transformation, and leadership development, Giorgia brings a wealth of expertise from her roles at major corporations such as Votorantim, Banco Itaú, Duratex, Capgemini, and Munksjö.
Recognized as a finalist in the 2024 “Most Admired CEOs and HR Leaders” awards by Grupo Gestão RH, Giorgia also holds an Executive Business degree from Fundação Dom Cabral, an MBA in Business Management from Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV), and certification in Group Psychodrama from PUC-SP.
“We believe that a company’s success is directly linked to its ability to foster the best in its people within a healthy, growth-oriented environment. Giorgia’s human-centered leadership style drives engagement and positive results. As a serious and regulated company, professionalism is a core value for us, and her arrival is a strategic step in our organizational growth,” said Hilton Andrade, CFO of Reals.
Giorgia expressed enthusiasm about joining Reals at a pivotal moment for the company and the industry: “I’m excited to take on this new challenge with a major player in the betting and online gaming industry. My passion lies in developing people who go on to inspire and empower others. Together, we’ll build a strong culture of growth, diversity, and performance in a sector that is rapidly consolidating in Brazil and globally.”
Reals Expands Workforce and Strengthens Market Presence
Amid rapid expansion, Reals is in the process of hiring approximately 1500 new employees and preparing to move into a new 6,000 m² headquarters in São Paulo. Already a standout in the market, Reals made headlines earlier this year by becoming the first Brazilian betting operator to sponsor a major European football club, AC Milan, as its Official Regional Betting Partner for Latin America.
Reals also holds a master sponsorship with Coritiba Foot Ball Club in Brazil and boasts an all-star ambassador roster led by TV personality Rodrigo Faro, alongside popular influencers Ítalo Sena, Edu Primitivo, and Gabi Nery.
With a 9.5 rating on Reclame Aqui, Reals is among the top-rated licensed betting operators in Brazil, reinforcing its reputation for reliability and customer trust.
The post Reals Appoints Giorgia Kasat as New Head of HR, Strengthening Organizational Strategy in the Betting Industry appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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