Facing mounting criticism and in-party fighting regarding the 2016 Budget George Osborne presented to the House of Commons last Wednesday, bookmaker William Hill has shortened the odds (from 6/1 to 7/4) on the Chancellor of the Exchequer stepping down by the end of the year. The controversial Budget plan which saw the Tory government propose cuts on UK disability benefits …

Industry marketing and player acquisition consultancy TAG Media has announced that it will provide affiliates with M&A support and acquisition advisory services. TAG Media announces its new service in partnership with Isle of Man based corporate services advisor SMP Partners. Together the companies’ will advise industry focused affiliates seeking potential acquisitions and exit opportunities. Led by Managing Director Tom Galanis, …

Having been selected by Manila and Isle of Man bookmaker Dafabet as core igaming platform, SBC interviews Steven Valentine Comtrade Director of Interactive Services on the changing partnership dynamic between suppliers and operators. Valentine details how platform customisation and flexible infrastructures are leading operators’ supplier demands, as the industry moves away from standalone turnkey solutions. __________________________ SBC: Hi Steven, congrats on Comtrade …

Presenting its audited full-year 2015 results (period ending 31 December 2015), the governance of FTSE listed igaming operator 888 Holdings (888) has described 2015 corporate performance as resilient in facing imposed regulatory impacts. Outlining 2015 core metrics, 888 would post group revenues of $462 million (£320 million), 2% up on 2014’s $455 million. The operator noted that on a like-for-like …

Bookmakers have placed Russia’s Sergey Lazarev as early favourite to win Eurovision 2016 (Stockholm Globe Arena 14 May). Desperate for victory at the 61st edition of the Pan-European song contest, Russia announced Lazarev as its official Eurovision contestant last December. Since the announcement, the 32-year-old Muscovite has been touring Russia performing Eurovision entry ‘You Are the Only One’. The extensive …

Leading European betting player portal bettingexpert.com has analysed the four days of Cheltenham Festival 2016 wagering, in what has been dubbed ‘the worst ever Cheltenham’ by UK bookmakers. Publishing detailed analysis of betting trends at Cheltenham 2016, bettingexpert has estimated that bookmakers were approximately down £3.21 per punter. With tens of millions of wagers taken over the course of the …

Ladbrokes has unveiled legendary champion jockey and TV personality Frankie Dettori as its new brand ambassador. Popular sporting figure Dettori will become the face of Ladbrokes new marketing and brand initiatives. Ladbrokes marketing stated that it wanted to fully integrate Dettori’s unique character and personality within its brand. The operator is aiming to create a distinct ambassador partnership with higher …

Declaring its full-year 2015 results (period ending 31 December), interactive gambling operator NetPlay TV posted net revenues of £26.4 million down 4% on FY 2014’s £27.4 million. The London AIM-listed operator who in 2015 had undertaken a corporate restructure focusing on cost savings and operational efficiencies, reversed its FY earnings results posting corporate profits of £600,000 (FY 2014: – £100,000). NetPlay …

As Cheltenham Festival organisers clean the stands and pull-down the hospitality tents, UK and Irish bookmakers have left this year’s racing spectacle bruised and battered. Returning to their offices, bookmakers will have to fork out an expensive festival tab of + £60 million as punters cashed in on multiple favourites. Suffering a severe post-festival come-down, nearly all bookmaker PR teams have …