partnerships
AFC Wimbledon Become the Latest Club to Back The Big Step Campaign

AFC Wimbledon has become the fifth English league club to take a stand against gambling advertising in football by signing up for The Big Step campaign.
Johnnie Jackson, manager of AFC Wimbledon, said: “If you look at gambling and the damage it causes – the stats around suicides in particular – it’s touched a lot of people and probably more than we realise.
“The fact that so many people voted it through shows just how prevalent the problems around it are and how much people are affected by it, whether it’s themselves or the people around them. The more awareness around gambling you can create, the better.”
Tom Fleming, Communications Manager at Gambling with Lives and The Big Step, said: “We’re thrilled to have the backing of Wimbledon and their owners – the fans. Gambling advertising is unhealthy and unpopular so the Club’s decision is welcome good news, following the sharp rise in high-profile players harmed by gambling. We’re sure that if it were down to the fans of each club, no club would partner with a gambling company.
“Despite young fans being bombarded with relentless gambling adverts while watching their heroes, this year has shown that football is incapable of self-regulating. We still hope the government will take control and end gambling advertising in football, but in the meantime it’s so important that clubs like AFC Wimbledon have taken a stand to protect their fans.”
The announcement comes at a time when gambling’s relationship with football is under increasing scrutiny, following the high-profile cases of players including Ivan Toney, Harry Toffolo, Sandro Tonali and Lucas Paqueta – all are either under investigation or serving a ban for breaking gambling regulations.
Michele Little, Dons Trust Board member, said: “As a club at the heart of our community, we are committed to being a force for good. We took the decision some time ago not to accept gambling advertising or sponsorship as a club. Now with the backing of our owners – the fans – we’re signing up to The Big Step and saying that it’s time to end the harm that gambling advertising in football causes.”
The Big Step campaign is part of Gambling with Lives, a charity set up by families bereaved by gambling-related suicide. A 2023 Office for Health Improvement and Disparities study estimated there are up to 496 suicides related to gambling every year in England alone.
Earlier this year, the Premier League announced it will phase-out front-of-shirt gambling sponsors by the 2026/27 season. But a government whitepaper on gambling reform, published in April, took no action on gambling advertising in football despite a recent study finding that up to 3500 gambling logos were visible during a single televised Premier League game – only 7% were on the front of shirts.
Another study found that fans received 11,000 gambling messages during the opening weekend of the Premier League season in August.
The Club will work in partnership with Gambling with Lives to promote preventative messages and information, as well as provide training and education about the risks of gambling in the community.
partnerships
BOYLESPORTS TO SPONSOR GROUP 1 LOCKINGE STAKES AT NEWBURY RACECOURSE

Newbury Racecourse is delighted to announce that Ireland’s largest independent bookmaker, BoyleSports, is to be the title sponsor of the Lockinge Stakes until 2027. BoyleSports will become a Principal Partner of Newbury Racecourse with the sole Group 1 fixture of the Flat season at Newbury renamed as The BoyleSports Lockinge with Ladies Day.
The three-year agreement will see BoyleSports sponsor two races on the card on Saturday, May 17, which features eight World Pool races in collaboration with The Hong Kong Jockey Club. The Group 1 BoyleSports Lockinge Stakes run over the straight mile at Newbury Racecourse, open to horses aged four years and above, is worth a total prize fund of £400,000. Last year’s renewal produced a shock result with the John and Thady Gosden trained 22/1 shot, Audience, recording a dominant victory. Early entries for the 2025 renewal will be announced on Tuesday, April 1. BoyleSports will also sponsor the seventh race on the card, the BoyleSports Handicap Stakes, a Class 2 Handicap run over 1 mile for a total prize fund of £75,000.
BoyleSports already possesses an extensive sponsorship portfolio in Ireland through their partnership with Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) Racecourses, including being the existing Principal Partner of one of the most prominent races in the Irish National Hunt calendar, The BoyleSports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on April 21. The new sponsorship of the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury Racecourse marks an extension of their support of British racing and an inaugural sponsorship of a Group 1 Flat contest.
Shaun Hinds, Chief Executive Officer at Newbury Racecourse commented: “We are delighted to announce the new partnership with BoyleSports and extend our thanks for their support of the Lockinge Stakes. This Group 1 race is the feature of our Flat season and a clear highlight in our racing year here at Newbury and we are pleased to welcome BoyleSports as the new headline partner for this incredibly important and popular fixture. BoyleSports is a big supporter of Irish racing, and we are very proud to be able to work alongside them to extend their sponsorship portfolio in Britain.”
Vlad Kaltenieks, CEO of BoyleSports said: “We are delighted to be announced as the new Principal Partner of the Lockinge Stakes. This prestigious race has a rich history in Flat racing, and we are thrilled to play a part in supporting its continued success. At BoyleSports, we are passionate about bringing exciting and world-class racing experiences to fans, and the Lockinge Stakes perfectly aligns with our commitment to the sport. We look forward to an exciting partnership and a thrilling race ahead.”
The post BOYLESPORTS TO SPONSOR GROUP 1 LOCKINGE STAKES AT NEWBURY RACECOURSE appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Brad Thompson
Pollard Banknote Partners with Maryland Lottery to Launch First Back to the Future-inspired Scratch-off Game
Pollard Banknote Limited has congratulated the Maryland Lottery on the launch of its Back to the Future-inspired $2 scratch-off game. The lottery industry’s inaugural game featuring this licensed brand, available exclusively through Pollard Banknote, offers Maryland Lottery players a top prize of $10,000 and the opportunity to win cash prizes through second-chance draws.
Back to the Future is a legendary film from Amblin Entertainment and Universal Pictures that has remained immensely popular since its release in theaters in 1985. To celebrate this timeless film, the Maryland Lottery timed the launch of its scratch-off game to coincide with the film’s 40th anniversary, incorporating the commemorative “40” logo into the design. The ticket additionally features multiple iconic references to the trilogy, such as The Time Machine, OUTATIME license plate, and Doc Brown’s loyal dog, Einstein, evoking memories of these films among fans of all generations.
The Lottery’s comprehensive marketing campaign likewise leverages highly recognizable themes from the franchise to generate some serious gigawatts of excitement about the Back to the Future scratch-off, including point-of-sale posters, billboards, digital and social media ads, and radio spots. To make the most of this significant landmark, other lotteries are lacing up their high-tops and following in the Maryland Lottery’s footsteps by launching Back to the Future scratch-off games this year.
“Back to the Future hits a sweet spot for anyone who remembers the 1980s — or the 1950s, for that matter. It’s a timeless franchise that really resonates with Lottery players because it taps into the fondness for the past, but it can also help to engage people with the novelty of a new game. We’re thrilled to bring that nostalgia to life with the Back to the Future ticket,” Solomon Ramsey, Managing Director of Sales and Marketing at Maryland Lottery, said.
“Back to the Future is one of the most iconic franchises of all time and will help lotteries maximize player engagement and proceeds for good causes. We’re incredibly excited for the Maryland Lottery to launch the first scratch-off game based on this storied franchise, and the 40th anniversary is the perfect chance to reawaken the excitement of the original film,” Brad Thompson, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Pollard Banknote, said.
The post Pollard Banknote Partners with Maryland Lottery to Launch First Back to the Future-inspired Scratch-off Game appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
bet365
St. Louis Cardinals Announce Marketing Partnership with bet365

The St. Louis Cardinals and bet365 announced that they have entered into a multi-year marketing partnership that makes the leading sports betting brand the first-ever Official Mobile Sports Betting Partner of the St. Louis Cardinals.
The new sponsorship agreement includes advertising rights on the Cardinals radio broadcasts, Cardinals Insider TV show, cardinals.com, and signage at the ballpark that will be visible on television broadcasts, along with the use of the team logo and sponsorship of the team’s starting lineups at Busch Stadium.
As part of the new agreement, bet365 will also receive naming rights to the all-inclusive bet365 Bridge located on the second level in right-centerfield. The ticketed, outdoor seating deck includes reserved seats and an all-inclusive menu featuring ballpark fare, plus complimentary Budweiser, Bud Light and Coca-Cola products. Tickets to the bet365 Bridge for the upcoming season are on-sale now at cardinals.com/allinclusive.
“bet365 is proud to announce our partnership with the St. Louis Cardinals, one of the most storied franchises in Major League Baseball. We are excited to bring a world class mobile sports betting experience to the Show-Me-State,” a bet365 spokesperson said.
“We are thrilled to welcome bet365 as the club’s official mobile sports betting partner. This partnership adds a new and exciting element to the fan experience which can be activated at Busch Stadium or any place that fans watch and follow Cardinals baseball,” Bill DeWitt III, President of the St. Louis Cardinals, said.
The post St. Louis Cardinals Announce Marketing Partnership with bet365 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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