UK newspaper The Sunday Times has reported that the merged enterprise of Paddy Power – Betfair will look to implement £25 million in cost savings in 2016 by significantly reducing headcount. In September Paddy Power and Betfair governances’ had outlined a co-synergies’ savings target of £50 million, should their proposed merger receive its approval. A circular published this weekend details …

Fredrik Burvall, CEO of European igaming operator Cherry Group AB has announced the appointment of Jonas Wåhlander as Chief Executive of its digital gaming division ‘Cherry Online’. Cherry Group governance stated that the appointment had been made to support its ongoing aspirations to drive digital growth and profitability. Wåhlander has 15 years’ experience in senior positions within online entertainment businesses, …

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has invited industry stakeholders and members of the public to have their say in a new consultation about where gaming machines can be played.  The Commission considers that the current licence conditions and codes of practice and the accompanying guidance to licensing authorities are in need of revision in order to ensure that the following underlying …

Updating the market Toronto listed igaming platform provider Contagious Gaming has announced the appointment of Craig Loverock as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Corporate Secretary effective immediately. Loverock joins Contagious, as the company looks to complete its CAD $7.2 million (£3.6 million) acquisition of Digitote (first announced in September). Contagious governance updated that it had entered a definitive …

Officials of Aintree Race Course have confirmed that the 2016 ‘Crabbies Grand National’ will be run at 17:15 UK Time – 9 April. The one hour push back will aim to help TV scheduling for the race during a busy UK sporting weekend.  Having examined 2015’s  Grand National audience figures, Aintree officials and UK broadcaster Channel 4 decided to push back …

Social sports and gaming platform provider Oddslife Ltd has announced the appointment of Alexandru Teodorescu as its Chief Product Officer (CPO). Teodorescu joins Oddslife from online betting software and platform provider EveryMatrix (2005 – November 2015) where he held a number of senior management roles focusing on both strategic and commercial initiatives. Reporting to Oddslife Founder and CEO Rasmus Sojmark, …

As with comedy, timing is everything in business. While there is a logic to the recent outbreak of consolidation within the gambling industry, for two of the mega-deals currently underway – the Paddy Power Betfair and Ladbrokes Coral mergers – the coincidence of the deals is providing onlookers with some choice compare and contrast examples. ____________________________ Last week was an …

As Australian regulators undertake a review of the 2001 Interactive Gambling Act (IGA), the Coalition of Major Professional and Participation Sports (COMPPS) which represents leading national sports bodies has urged the government to lift its ban on in-play betting. COMPPS, seven members include the codes of Australian Football, Cricket Australia, NetBall Australia, Tennis Australia and the National Rugby League. The …

BetVictor has teamed up with digital content sports network Ball Street to boost its social media profile amongst UK football fans. London based Ball Street is set to produce ‘The Weekender’ football show for BetVictor’s YouTube channel. Utilising multiple social media channels, The Weekender will produce original video content for the operator as the Ball Street platform aims to cultivate …

Carl Leaver CEO of Gala Coral Group has dismissed claims that the creation of Ladbrokes-Coral will only favour Coral stakeholders. Having announced Gala Coral’s year to date performance which saw the operator record EBITDA earnings of £205 million, Leaver dismissed the recent criticisms of Ladbrokes investor Dermot Desmond. The Irish investment magnet had made scathing criticisms regarding Ladbrokes governance woeful …