Burton Road, Gedling 26 February – 01 March Roadworks, Delays likely next to the crossing point Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council
Carlton Hill, Carlton 01 March – 02 March Road closure Responsibility for works: Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure
Frederick Avenue, Carlton 01 March – 02 March Road closure Responsibility for works: Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastru
Gedling Road, Arnold 27 February – 02 March Roadworks, Delays likely Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council
High Street, Arnold 26 February – 27 February Roadworks, Delays likely
Mapperley Plains, Mapperley 26 February – 27 February Roadworks, Delays likely Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council
Oxclose Lane, Arnold 28 February – 28 February Roadworks, Delays likely with lane closure Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water
Cavendish Road, Carlton 26 February – 26 February Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water
Churchmoor Lane, Redhill 25 February – 26 February Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council
Church Street, Lambley 27 February – 02 March Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council
Haddon Road, Ravenshead 25 February – 27 February Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Openreach Ltd
Lambley Lane, Gedling 27 February Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water
Longdale Lane, Ravenshead 26 February – 27 February Roadworks, Delays possible just before the junction with The Heyes Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council
Nottingham Road, Ravenshead 01 March Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Openreach Ltd
Park Lane, Lambley 25 February – 02 March Roadworks, Delays possible from Grange Close to just before Lambley Road Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council
Ravenswood Road, Arnold 27 February – 02 March Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council
Sidlaw Rise, Arnold 25 February – 26 February Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water
Woodthorpe Drive, Woodthorpe 27 February – 02 March Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council
Gedling councillors have slammed their authority’s decision to exclude a long-standing bowls club in leisure centre redevelopment plans and called for a pause on decisions.
The group of Conservative councillors have called on Labour-run Gedling Borough Council to reconsider keeping the club in plans by ensuring the decision is re-assessed by a committee.
Gedling Borough Council has plans in the pipeline to build a brand-new ‘Carlton Active’ leisure centre on the site of the existing Richard Herrod Centre in Carlton.
This project will involve demolishing and replacing the Richard Herrod Centre and Carlton Forum Centre with the new, singular facility – but it will come at more than one cost.
Last Thursday (19), the council’s cabinet re-confirmed its stance that Gedling Indoor Bowls Club, based at the Richard Herrod Centre, would not be included in the Carlton Active scheme due “significant” design and money risks – leaving the club’s future vulnerable and members ‘angry and distressed’.
PICTURED: Members outside Gedling Borough Council’s head office (PHOTO: LDRS)
Gedling Indoor Bowls opened in 1987 and has around 320 members aged between 25 and 92, running 2,200 sessions each month, including for bowlers with disabilities. Members have been protesting for months to safeguard its future.
The authority said it would be continuing its offer of “non-financial” support to the club to help it look for relocation options.
Now, a group of authority’s Conservative councillors – Cllr Mike Adams, Cllr Martin Smith and Cllr Sam Smith – have triggered a “call-in” on the council’s decision to exclude the club from plans, meaning the decision is expected to further examined by its Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Cllr Sam Smith said: “It’s an absolute disgrace the council has decided to close one of the only indoor bowling greens in the county on what seems to me is done on the back of a flawed process.
“There is a petition signed by hundreds of people [to reinstate the club in plans] that just seems to have been totally ignored by the cabinet – we’re asking for that to be reviewed and taken into account.”
Cllr Smith said the incoming reorganisation and merging of Nottinghamshire councils – meaning the borough council will not exist as it is in future – is another issue to consider.
He said: “Gedling is at a high risk of [merging with] Nottingham city. You’ve got the council who are about to spend millions of pounds building a new leisure centre that they’re going to hand the keys to the new authority for.”
In a statement announcing the ‘call-in’, Cllr Mike Adams said: “Residents engaged in good faith with this process, yet the strength of feeling from the community does not appear to have been properly recognised in the final decision – that is deeply concerning and warrants full scrutiny.”
Cllr Martin Smith said the club was “a lifeline, not a luxury” for many residents, with the Conservative councillors calling for the implementation of the council’s decision to be paused while the situation is re-examined.
Responding to the efforts to pause the council’s decision, Jenny Higgins, a director at the bowls club, told the LDRS it “welcomes” the step.
She said: “Indoor bowls is not a -‘nice to have’ – it is a lifeline.
“The depth of support shown is matched only by the depth of feeling in the community to save this much-needed and deeply loved sport, and to stop the displacement of the member and community bowlers without sufficient mitigation.
“This decision must now be paused and properly scrutinised. Anything less would ignore the people whose lives and wellbeing depend on this facility.”
Ian Summerscales, a fellow director at the club, told the LDRS it had been a “tough few days” for the club since the council’s decision but thanked the councillors who are showing their support.
He said: “The level of support we have received has at times felt overwhelming, but it shows the depth of feeling among not only club members but the wider community.”
Speaking at Thursday’s meeting, Councillor Henry Wheeler (Lab), portfolio holder for lifestyles, health and wellbeing, called the club “part of the fabric” of the community but reiterated the council’s financial risk.
He added: “The equality impact assessment recognises the importance of provision for older residents and those with conditions.
“Carlton Active responds with a fully accessible design and a dedicated exercise suite which uses power-assisted equipment, designed to support all adults, those with long-term health conditions, those undergoing rehabilitation.
“[The club’s] lease comes to a scheduled end on the 30th April, 2026, which has been known to the club for some time – this is not sudden or premature termination, it is not an eviction, it is a natural point of transition.”
Council leader, John Clarke (Lab), spoke of applying pressure, including to Nottinghamshire County Council, to find the bowls club a new home saying “we owe the bowls club”.
Two petitions have been set up since September to protect the club’s future, with one having more than 1,000 signatures.
Earlier council documents said both existing leisure centres faced more than £2 million in backlog works and require a yearly subsidy of around £545,000. The new wider project is currently estimated to cost just under £30 million.
A former Arnold care home is set to be demolished to make way for new supported living and affordable homes.
The former Leivers Court Care Home, based at the end of Douro Drive in Killisick, has been vacant and boarded up since 2019, despite a petition attracting hundreds of signatures for it to stay open.
Nottingham Community Housing Association applied to Gedling Borough Council back in 2024 to bulldoze the site to make way for 30 new homes, split between supported living and affordable family homes.
The plans went through the council’s planning committee in February 2025 where they were approved, although it wasn’t until Friday, February 20 they were given the final seal of approval.
The empty care home can now be knocked down to make way for 22 one-bedroom apartments in a three-storey block, designed as supported living homes for young people.
The block will have a private, secure courtyard garden area, along with a staff office and communal area.
Separate to the supported living apartments, eight affordable rent family homes will be built on the site, including six two-bed properties and two three-beds.
Plans say the scheme will be managed by Nottingham Community Housing Association and will “contribute towards the demand for much-needed affordable housing in the East Midlands”.
The revamped space will use the existing access off Douro Drive and a new shared access road will be made.
Only eight parking spaces will be provided for the supported living apartments, mainly to be used by support staff and visitors, as plans say the residents are not expected to own cars.
For the family homes, 16 spaces will be provided along with three spots for visitors.
A 2.99 per cent council tax rise has been proposed for Gedling borough residents to help the authority ‘ensure financial sustainability’.
The increase was approved by Gedling Borough Council’s cabinet in a meeting on Thursday (19).
For the 2026/27 financial year, beginning on April 1, council tax for the borough is planned to increase by 2.99 per cent, which is £5.82 more a year for a Band D property. Around half of council tax payers in Gedling borough live in Band A or Band B properties.
With the rise, Band A properties will pay £3.86 more a year, with Band B paying £4.51, Band C paying £5.15, Band D paying £5.82, Band E paying £7.08, Band F paying £8.37, Band G paying £9.65 and Band H properties paying £11.58.
The final local government settlement – detailing how much funding councils will receive – was announced on February 9 by the Labour Government and is the first multi-year settlement in a decade, covering the period between the 2026/27 and 2028/29 financial years.
Speaking at Thursday’s meeting, finance officer Tina Adams described it as “like wading through treacle” due to changes to funding formulas.
The council’s increase in core spending power – money available for councils to fund their services- has risen by 6.4 per cent for 2026/27 compared to the current financial year but Ms Adams stated: “Whilst this is an increase, a number of grants previously received have been rolled into this new calculation.”
The final settlement also brought “significant changes” to business rates pooling, an area where Gedling is projecting funding losses in the hundreds of thousands in 2027/28 and 2028/29.
The council is expecting “quite a lot of pressures” in 2026/27, including a reduction in investment income by £300,000 due to falling interest rates, an ongoing £100,000 cost for local government reorganisation and a £250,000 budget for a food waste collections pilot scheme.
It also needs to find around £2.53 million in savings “in the next few years” as part of its money-saving programme.
Despite these challenges, the council is still expecting financial sustainability over the next few years.
Ms Adams said to councillors: “I am duly advising cabinet the estimates are sufficiently robust and we do have a level of reserves forecast for March 2027 which I professionally consider to be adequate to ensure financial sustainability while still recognising the increasing risk we are currently facing over the medium term.”
Cllr David Ellis (Lab) said: “I think [officers] described it as wading through treacle – I think it’s more smoke and mirrors than treacle, trying to make sense of any of this.
“The only bottom line is austerity continues. Whatever extra money is available is going to upper-tier authorities for roads, social care and SEND, not for services we provide.
“We’ve still got a robust financial position which is bottom line for us.”
While not bound by any regulations, many councils, including Middlesborough and Nottingham, consider 7.5 per cent of the authority’s entire revenue budget to be a good amount of reserves. Gedling’s council has the same goal.
This money is kept for unforeseen costs and emergencies and for Gedling this figure would be £1.26 million in 2026/27.
But the authority is projected to exceed this in 2026/27 at £5.72 million, meaning it has a surplus of £4.46 million as usable, spare money.
This surplus sits at £2.57 million in 2027/28 and just under £500,000 in 2028/29.
Online casinos continue to gain popularity, and the online casino landscape is forever changing thanks to the latest technological innovations. One of the most captivating developments has been the emergence of feature-rich online slot machines that now provide more intricate storylines, captivating themes, and likeable protagonists than ever before.
These stories not only enhance the gaming experience but also immerse players in a world beyond mere spinning reels. With that in mind, let’s now delve deeper into the significance of storylines found in many of the iGaming industry’s most iconic slots and how they shape player experiences today.
How Slots Became Experience-Led
Gone are the days when slot machines were merely about landing three or more matching symbols across any of the active payline to win prizes. Today, online slots are designed with the player experience in mind, intertwining gameplay with narrative and character development.
Modern players seek an engaging atmosphere where they can escape reality, and the creative developers behind the games have risen to the occasion, producing new and interesting games that offer multi-layered narratives.
Themes in online slots have become increasingly diverse, ranging from Leprechauns and the Luck of the Irish to the grandeur of Ancient Greece and Egypt. These themes serve as backdrops for the narratives players can immerse themselves in.
For example, a slot based on Norse mythology may allow players to encounter legendary figures such as Odin and Thor while revealing story elements as they progress through the game. Each spin tells a part of a larger tale, which draws players deeper into the adventure. Even online slots without characters are proving to be just as popular, such as Pragmatic Play’s fishing-themed Big Bass Bonanza slot series.
According to a study conducted by Gambling Zone*, the original Big Bass Bonanza online slot machine was the most played slot in 2025, with more than 20% of gamers playing it at some point.
When Slot Characters Become Brands
Character development is a vital aspect of the storyline in modern online slots. Likeable characters can create emotional connections, making the gaming experience more memorable.
For example, NetEnt’s Gonzo’s Quest features the charming Gonzo, an adventurous conquistador exploring the riches of South America. Players not only engage with the gameplay mechanics but also root for Gonzo in his quest, creating a sense of camaraderie.
Similarly, characters such as John Hunter from Pragmatic Play and Rich Wilde from Play’n GO have transcended their games, becoming recognizable figures within the casino community.
These protagonists navigate through various challenges and mythical landscapes, inviting players to join their journeys. Even antagonists are well-crafted to add depth to the stories, making the game more dynamic and engaging.
How Themes Influence Retention
Today’s slots offer a wide array of themes, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Whether a player is interested in the Wild West’s rugged adventures, the mysterious allure of horror elements, or the dazzling luxuries of a wealth-themed game, the options are plentiful.
Slots with classical themes, such as Ancient Egypt entice players with hieroglyphics and pharaohs, while fantasy themes dive into imaginative realms filled with magical creatures. Sports-themed slots attract fans with imagery from their favorite events, whereas sugary delights feature vibrant fruits and candy motifs that appeal to those with a sweet tooth.
These thematic variations are crucial as they cater to different player preferences and help to ensure wider appeal across demographics. As players become more selective, the presence of rich storylines enhances engagement by providing not just gameplay, but a narrative journey.
How Technology Enables Deeper Narratives
Technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence and graphics, have revolutionized how stories are told in online slots. Sophisticated algorithms analyze player behavior, allowing developers to tailor story experiences that resonate with audiences.
Stunning visuals, high-quality animations, and carefully crafted soundtracks create an atmosphere that draws players in.
As new titles are released, they often push the boundaries of storytelling even further. Games now incorporate interactive elements where players can influence the storyline by allowing them to choose which bonus round they would prefer to win prizes from or choose different paths, which adds a layer of personalization and unpredictability.
This innovative approach to storytelling makes each session unique, enhancing replay value and player satisfaction.
Has Narrative Become a Competitive Edge?
The integration of storylines in online slot machines has transformed the way players interact with games. This evolution has made slots more immersive and engaging, turning them into intricate narratives filled with captivating characters, rich themes, and innovative gameplay.
As players explore these feature-rich environments, they are not just seeking monetary rewards. They are participating in an unfolding adventure. The pursuit for engaging gameplay will continue to thrive, particularly at platforms where you can play online slots for free to experience all the narrative-driven excitement.
With advanced technologies paving the way, the future of online slots promises even more engaging stories for players to explore.
Online casino rules have become stricter over the years. As things stand, not only do casino players face stake limits, but they are also dealing with limits as to how much time and money they can spend on online casinos. For these and other reasons, many players have opted to try their hand at non gamstop casinos as these are not subject to the same requirements. But what about at the local level? Are local councils also changing their approach when dealing with casinos? We look at how Gedling Borough has taken charge of this emerging issue and what this means for its residents.
Are There Casinos in Gedling Borough?
While many boroughs have opened their doors to fully-fledged casinos, Gedling is yet to do the same. Instead, residents are able to access the following alternatives:
Adult gaming centres. These venues, which boast amenities such as high-payout gaming machines, are quite close to casinos. However, they do not host live table games, which is their main takeaway.
Betting shops. While these are not casinos per se, they cater to casino players who also dabble in sports betting. And with a majority of UK residents doing so, these shops get quite a lot of traffic.
In addition to these options, residents of Gedling Borough can travel to nearby locations with fully-fledged casinos. Nottingham city centre is a good example of this. Only about 20 minutes away, it is an ideal spot for casino players who want the full experience. Of course, these players can also go online and access hundreds of casino games without leaving their homes, which is another reason online casino gambling has become a mainstay in this region.
So, Why Did The Borough Review Casino Venue Tax Contributions?
While Gedling may not be home to the typical casinos, it still collects the equivalent of casino venue tax contributions. These are essentially the premise licence fees from operators such as the adult gaming centres and the betting shops. This money covers the costs of inspections while also providing the council with revenue, which is essential in funding public projects.
Given the importance of these fees in the council’s financial health, it reviews its casino venue tax policies every few years. Its last review, which took place in 2024, was brought on by the following factors:
The statutory requirement. Per the Gambling Act, Gedling must update its Statement of Gambling Policy every three years. As such, with the 2025 to 2028 period coming up, the council needed to determine where it stood on the same and what changes would take place before communicating its stance to its residents and other stakeholders.
The need for more scrutiny. For a couple of years, Gedling Council was the subject of controversy after findings revealed that a council employee had made away with up to a million pounds. The said employee had been using council revenue to fund a gambling addiction, and this resulted in uproar from the rest of the council and the residents at large. With such a high-profile fraud case, the council had to review its casino licensing fees while also tightening its grip on how it handles its finances.
But what about online casinos operating in the area? While these operators are subject to taxes and other fees, they direct these funds to the Gambling Commission, as it is in charge of these casino operations.
Factors Considered in the Review.
Reviewing casino venue taxes is not an easy decision. After all, if the council is too restrictive, then the adult gaming centres and betting shops can take their business elsewhere, which can result in lost revenue. At the same time, if a council is too liberal, it opens itself up to an environment where the betting shops and adult gaming centres may make choices that harm the residents. Thus, to ensure that a balance exists, the council considered the following factors in its last review:
The vulnerability of its residents. Some residents, such as children, are more vulnerable to making poor decisions when it comes to gambling. As such, the council had to think of these people, which is why they came up with local area profiles that mapped these vulnerability zones.
The administrative costs. The council charges its adult gaming centres and betting shops a fee that covers its administrative costs. They had to weigh whether the existing fees were adequate to meet their enforcement costs.
The council also had to think about whether it would change its position on casinos, as it had not issued new casino licenses in its past reviews.
What Was the Way Forward?
After much deliberation, the council came to the conclusion that they would not be permitting any new casinos within the borough, citing that the area did not need one because nearby locations, like Nottingham, already served this need quite well. However, while they were not going to welcome any new players, they had some changes for their existing licensees, which revolved around their new vulnerability zones, and they came up with new policies for any venues that were within 400 meters of any of these zones.
And in line with its changing operational costs, the council revised its licensing fees to ensure that they could meet all its administrative costs without losing money or passing the cost to its taxpayers.
A registered sex offender is back behind bars after threatening a BBC radio presenter and breaching a strict court order that prohibited him from deleting messages on his phone without permission.
Michael James, aged 57, has convictions for sexual offences dating back to 1993 – including against children – and been subject to multiple Sexual Harm Prevention Orders.
PICTURED: Michael James (IMAGE: Notts Police)
In April 2021, he was jailed for two-and-a-half years for sending his probation officer a video of a sex act and committing an act outraging public decency at a bus stop in Nottingham.
Upon his release, he was made subject of a prevention order with 11 strict conditions, with one stating he “must not delete any electronic messages from any electronic communication device without the express permission of a representative of the Chief Constable for the respective police area”.
On November 21 last year, officers visited his address after it was reported he had sent a threatening and offence message into BBC Radio Nottingham that had been racially aggravated and aimed at one of the station’s presenters.
He was arrested and taken into custody, where checks found he had deleted a number of WhatsApp messages sent to the radio station from his device.
James, of Frobisher Gardens, Daybrook was subsequently charged with sending a communication threatening death or serious harm and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
He pleaded guilty to both offences and was jailed for 40 weeks after appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday (17).
Sergeant Elizabeth Williams, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “James has an appalling criminal record and had multiple spells behind bars.
“As a result, he is on the sex offenders register for life and made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which are designed to protect the public from individuals like James.
“As he has just found out to his cost, these orders have real teeth, and the courts take a very dim view of those who flout them in any way.
“The judicial system has also made it clear that the right to freedom of expression does not extend to sending grossly offensive and threatening messages and the abuse James subjected the presenter to was simply unacceptable.
“I am pleased James is back behind bars and he should be in no doubt about what will happen to him if he commits any further offences of this kind in the future.”
Gedling MP Michael Payne has joined the fight to save an Arnold pub after staff got in touch to share fears about its future.
Mr Payne took to social media over the weekend to share the news that The Ernehale pub is facing the threat of being sold and closed by owners Wetherspoons.
He has now written a letter to brewery bosses calling for a meeting to discuss their proposed closure plans and ‘explore any alternatives to avoid the closure’.
PICTURED: Gedling MP Michael Payne
The MP said: “Losing Arnold’s Wetherspoons would result in job losses for local families, leave yet another vacant building in the heart of Arnold and our local community would lose an affordable venue where many elderly residents come together to meet friends.
“I’ve now written to the Chairman and Chief Executive of JD Wetherspoon plc urging them to reconsider any decision to sell off and close The Ernehale in Arnold.”
The MP has also created a petition and has called on the public to back the campaign to save the pub from shutting its doors for good.
He wrote: “Let’s send a strong message from Arnold’s community to JD Wetherspoon plc urging them to reconsider their decision and keep Arnold’s Wetherspoons open.”
Devastated members of a long-standing bowls club are fearing for its future after a council refused to U-turn on plans to exclude it from a new leisure centre.
Gedling Indoor Bowls Club’s future has been vulnerable since September 2025 after Gedling Borough Council decided to no longer include it in its plans for a new leisure centre in Carlton.
This ‘Carlton Active’ project involve a new centre being built on the Richard Herrod site and could include an eight-lane swimming pool and teaching pool, a 100-station gym, community rooms and a café.
Members of the bowls club – which opened in 1987 and is based in the Forum Leisure Centre – have been protesting for months to safeguard the club’s future. But in a meeting on Thursday (February 19) the council has confirmed its stance to exclude the bowls from the new centre remains unchanged.
The decision, the authority says, is due to “significant affordability, design and deliverability risks” and a required “significantly larger” footprint would likely result in the “highest-demand” facilities such as the swimming pool or gym being removed or reduced.
The council is continuing its offer of “non-financial” support to the club to look for relocation options.
But the club’s board of directors plans to continue fighting to ensure the bowls club has a secure location from which it can continue to operate. Its current lease runs out on April 30.
Speaking to the local democracy reporting service (LDRS), Jenny Higgins, a director at the club, said it would be taking a “two-pronged” approach going forward, putting pressure on the council to help find the group a new spot and work with their legal advisers.
She said: “A lot of people are very angry. A lot of people are completely and utterly distressed about it.
“I know myself and fellow directors will continue to fight – we’re not going to give up.”
Ms Higgins says the cost to refurbish a venue to accommodate a bowls hall is around £3 million.
She said: “The biggest issue is time and money we don’t have. The time we’ve got to [find the money] isn’t there.
“If they’d been open and honest with us back last February when we asked the question whether indoor bowling was still an option we could have probably got some grants, fundraising and sponsorship by then.”
The director added that because of this, she was “not very confident” about the club’s future at this stage.
The bowls club has around 320 members aged between 25 and 92 and runs 2,200 sessions each month, including for bowlers with disabilities.
Group members are “devastated” at the prospect their club could cease to exist, where it has acted as a “lifeline” for members who experience mental health difficulties and isolation while promoting physical activity for older members and those with disabilities.
Ms Higgins was diagnosed with cancer in 2024 and missed most of the 2024/25 season as she was receiving treatment.
While her diagnosis is “looking positive” now, she told the LDRS: “One of the things that’s helped me recover was being determined to get back onto the green in September 2025 as I finished chemotherapy.
“Knowing I could try get back to some sort of level of bowling ability, play with my friends, be competitive, have a laugh and not think about the fact I’ve had this diagnosis hanging over my head.
“Without that to come back to, I don’t think my health would have improved as much as it has, physically and mentally.”
The long-standing club has offered mental respite for some players, with 65-year-old Len Knight, who has been a member for 25 years, previously telling the LDRS in September it was an “outlet” for his depression and anxiety.
He said: “The people at the bowls club understood my problem. They would listen to me. I could talk to them. It was more of a community that brought me back.”
Speaking at Thursday’s meeting, Councillor Henry Wheeler (Lab), portfolio holder for lifestyles, health and wellbeing, called the club “part of the fabric” of the community but reiterated the council’s financial risk.
He added: “The equality impact assessment recognises the importance of provision for older residents and those with conditions.
“Carlton Active responds with a fully accessible design and a dedicated exercise suite which uses power-assisted equipment, designed to support all adults, those with long-term health conditions, those undergoing rehabilitation.
“[The club’s] lease comes to a scheduled end on the 30th April, 2026, which has been known to the club for some time – this is not sudden or premature termination, it is not an eviction, it is a natural point of transition.”
Leader of the council, John Clarke (Lab), questioned whether Nottinghamshire County Council could help find a new home for the bowls, adding: “I think we do owe the bowls club… this game is disappearing across the country and we don’t want to be part of that, but we can’t finance this.
“If there’s any way forward we can apply pressure to get somewhere, there must be buildings, then we can assist Gedling bowls to carry on.”
Two petitions have been set up since September to save the club in council plans, with one having more than 1,000 signatures.
Earlier council documents said both existing leisure centres faced more than £2 million in backlog works and require a yearly subsidy of around £545,000. The new wider project is currently estimated to cost just under £30 million.
If you’re tired of waiting days for sportsbook payouts or dealing with blocked bank transfers, crypto casino platforms have changed the game completely. The best sites in 2026 now combine full-service sportsbooks with huge casino game libraries, letting you bet on 30 to 50+ sports using Bitcoin, Ethereum, or dozens of other cryptocurrencies. Your deposits land instantly, and withdrawals clear in minutes instead of the week-long wait you’d face at traditional bookmakers.
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Welcome Bonus: 150% match up to 1,500 USDT on first deposit; promo code WO; 40x wagering within 14 days
Casino Library: 5,800+ games from 50+ providers, including Pragmatic Play, Evolution, Play’n GO, and NetEnt; 350+ live dealer tables
Cryptocurrency Support: Crypto-exclusive platform; 11 major cryptocurrencies (BTC, ETH, USDT, LTC, DOGE, XRP, ADA, BNB, TRX, BCH, USDC); instant deposits and withdrawals; zero transaction limits; Anjouan Gaming Commission license
Company Overview: BiggerZ opened in 2025 as a crypto-exclusive casino and sportsbook run by CDK PLAY INC Limitada under an Anjouan Gaming Commission license. Built mobile-first, every sportsbook feature runs smoothly on smartphones without losing functionality. BiggerZ applies 5% daily rakeback automatically to all casino and sports wagers with no opt-in or threshold needed, making it rewarding for regular sports bettors. Combined with weekly and monthly bonuses, players access up to 1,500 USDT in monthly bonus potential on top of daily rakeback.
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Best For: Mobile-first sports bettors who want automatic daily rakeback on every wager without opt-ins or complex promotion requirements
Standout Feature: 5% daily rakeback on all sports and casino bets applied automatically, plus up to 1,500 USDT in combined monthly bonus rewards
BC.Game
Sportsbook Coverage: Full sportsbook with pre-match and in-play betting across major sports, including football, basketball, tennis, cricket, MMA, and eSports; one unified wallet across casino and sportsbook
Odds and Features: Competitive odds with bet builder tool, cash-out options, and combo bets; live match tracker and real-time statistics on major events
Welcome Bonus: 470% up to $4,000 + 400 free spins across four deposits; 40x wagering; 30-day expiry; separate sports-specific promotions available
Casino Library: 10,000+ games including provably fair BC Originals (Crash, Plinko, Dice, Limbo, Blackjack); Zero Edge program returning 100% house edge as wagering-free $BC tokens
Cryptocurrency Support: 150+ cryptocurrencies accepted; withdrawals in 5 to 10 minutes; Curaçao eGaming license (No. OGL/2024/1353/0918); active since 2017
Company Overview: BC.Game has run since 2017 under a Curaçao eGaming license and delivers one of the most established integrated casino and sportsbook experiences in crypto gaming. The platform covers major sports with pre-match and live in-play betting through a single wallet system that lets players switch between casino games and sports wagers without friction. BC.Game’s provably fair BC Originals and Zero Edge program, which returns 100% of house edge as wagering-free $BC tokens, adds extra value for players who split time between sports betting and casino gaming.
Best For: All-round crypto gamblers who want a unified wallet for casino and sports, backed by 150+ cryptocurrencies and eight years of operation
Standout Feature: Single-wallet pairing across 10,000+ casino games and a full sportsbook, plus the Zero Edge program returning house edge as wagering-free $BC tokens
CasinOK
Sportsbook Coverage: 32+ sports, including football, basketball, tennis, American football, golf, ice hockey, snooker, badminton, and water polo; eSports covering League of Legends, Dota 2, and Counter-Strike; live betting section with multi-view for following multiple events at once
Sports Welcome Bonus: 125% match up to $2,000 in free bets on first deposit; minimum $20 deposit; 20x wagering requirement with 3 selections per ticket at minimum odds of 1.40
Unique Features: StreamBet feature allowing live betting during slot streams; up to $20,000 cashback; Boss Club loyalty program with 10 levels offering up to $100,000 in cash at the top tier
Casino Library: 7,000+ games from providers including Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw Gaming, Nolimit City, Play’n GO, NetEnt, Betsoft, and Evolution
Company Overview: CasinOK opened in 2025 as a crypto-only casino and sportsbook run by Ryker B.V. under a Curaçao Gaming Authority license. The platform covers 32+ sports with competitive odds (football margins 6.4 to 8.3%, basketball around 7%) plus a live betting section with multi-view for tracking several events at once. CasinOK’s StreamBet feature lets players place live bets during slot streams, bridging casino and sports entertainment uniquely. The Boss Club loyalty program rewards dedicated players across 10 levels, with the top tier offering up to $100,000 in cash.
Best For: Sports bettors who value deep market coverage across 32+ sports with unique engagement features like StreamBet and a highly rewarding loyalty program
Standout Feature: StreamBet feature for live betting during slot streams, combined with a 10-level Boss Club loyalty program offering up to $100,000 in cash rewards
JackBIT
Sportsbook Coverage: 30+ sports plus eSports and virtual sports; 75,000+ pre-match events and 82,000+ live events; bet builder, cash-out, and live HD streaming on selected matches; Twitch pairing for eSports
Sports Welcome Bonus: 100% no-risk first bet up to $100; minimum $20 parlay with 4+ selections at odds of 1.40+ each; free bet stake not returned, but winnings are cash; 3+1 FreeBet ongoing promotion (place 3 combo bets, get 1 free bet worth 15% of total value); 10% bet insurance on losing parlays
Rakeback System: VIP rakeback from 5% up to 30% based on tier level; no wagering requirements on rakeback; 500-point minimum threshold to claim
Casino Library: 7,000+ games from 90+ providers, including Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw Gaming, Evolution, and NetEnt; 200+ live dealer tables; daily slot tournaments with 1,000 free spins prize pool
Cryptocurrency Support: 20+ cryptocurrencies accepted (BTC, ETH, USDT, SOL, DOGE, LTC, XRP, BNB, ADA, XMR, SHIB, and more); instant withdrawals typically under 10 minutes; no KYC for standard transactions; Curaçao eGaming license (No. OGL/2024/1800/1049); operated by Ryker B.V.; launched 2022
Company Overview: JackBIT opened in 2022 and runs under Ryker B.V.’s Curaçao eGaming license, the same operator behind CasinOK. The sportsbook covers 30+ sports with 75,000+ pre-match and 82,000+ live events, making it one of the most comprehensive crypto sportsbooks around. JackBIT’s no-KYC registration and instant crypto withdrawals (typically under 10 minutes) appeal to privacy-focused bettors, while the wager-free rakeback system rewards sports activity at up to 30%. Native Twitch pairing for eSports betting and a bet builder added in 2025 strengthen the sports experience.
Best For: Privacy-focused sports bettors who want no-KYC access, wager-free rakeback up to 30%, and one of the largest live event counts in crypto sports betting
Standout Feature: 82,000+ live betting events with Twitch-paired eSports streaming, wager-free rakeback up to 30%, and no-KYC instant crypto withdrawals
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Crypto Casino for Sports Betting
Odds Margins and Pricing
Crypto sportsbooks don’t all price their odds the same way. Margins range from 4.7% up to 8% or more, depending on the sport and platform. Lower margins translate to better value on every bet you place, so take time to compare odds across several sites before settling on one. Even a 1 to 2% difference adds up over hundreds of wagers.
Live Betting and Streaming Quality
Live in-play betting is where crypto sportsbooks really shine. Odds refresh every few seconds, and bet settlement happens instantly. Look for platforms offering live match trackers, real-time stats, and HD streaming on selected events. The best sites let you cash out on live bets and provide multi-view options for monitoring several matches at the same time.
Sports-Specific Bonuses vs Casino Bonuses
Many crypto casinos focus their welcome offers on casino play rather than sports betting. Check whether the platform offers dedicated sportsbook bonuses like free bets, risk-free first wagers, or sports-specific rakeback. Confirm how sports bets contribute to wagering requirements too, since some bonuses only count casino wagers toward clearing.
Withdrawal Limits and Processing Speed
Crypto payouts beat fiat hands down for speed, but withdrawal limits vary quite a bit between platforms. Some cap weekly withdrawals at $5,000 to $25,000, while others offer unlimited options. If you’re a high-volume bettor, go for platforms with higher limits and instant processing so your bankroll doesn’t get stuck waiting.
Unified Wallet and VIP Program Access
The best integrated crypto casinos let you fund both casino games and sports bets from one wallet, with a single VIP program tracking all your activity. Platforms with separate wallets or split loyalty systems cut down the main benefit of an all-in-one site. Make sure sports wagers contribute fully to VIP progress and rakeback calculations before you commit.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right crypto casino for sports betting in 2026 comes down to matching platform strengths with your betting style. Compare odds margins across the sports you bet on most, since even small differences compound dramatically over time. Check whether the sportsbook offers dedicated sports bonuses and confirm your preferred betting markets get solid coverage with live in-play options and cash-out features.
Start with smaller deposits to test payout speed and reliability before you scale up your bankroll. Go for platforms offering a unified wallet for both casino and sports betting, with one VIP program rewarding all your activity. Read bonus terms carefully to understand exactly how sports wagers contribute toward clearing requirements. The five platforms covered here all deliver on speed, odds quality, and crypto convenience, but your best choice depends on which features matter most for your betting approach.
