Asia

The popularity of the ICC Cricket World Cup, has seen a rise in virtual betting sites targeting cricket mad Indian consumers, reports the Indian Economic Times. Whilst all forms of online sports betting remain illegal in India, Virtual sports betting sites which offer prizes and pooled jackpots offer Indian sports enthusiasts an alternative. The rising popularity of these sites has …

The first ever China Equine Cultural Festival Singapore Cup (CECF Singapore Cup) was held this weekend at the Kranji Racecourse. The Sg$3.05 million ($2.44 million) nine horse race was won by US-based Parranda, ridden by Belgian rider Christophe Soumillon. The event hosted by China Horse Club was deemed a great success, as a total of 12,000 people attended the inaugural …

Targeting further expansion in the Australian online sports betting market, William Hill is set to rebrand its Sportingbet Australia business (sportingbet.com.au) to WilliamHill.com.au this week. Existing Sportingbet clients will be migrated to the global betting giant’s new local website, WilliamHill.com.au. New clients will also be able to sign-up through the site. William Hill acquired the Sportingbet Australia business, which included Centrebet, …

Pinnacle Sports one of the oldest online betting operators has been sold to undisclosed buyers. The sale of the Curacao licensed sportsbook was overseen by Las Vegas based M&A firm Alternative Trading Partners (ATP), who advised shareholders on the sale of the controlling interest in the business. ATP have not disclosed any information regarding the buyers or the deal value …

 Warwick Bartlett, CEO of Global Betting and Gaming Consultants, discusses how government’s approach taxation means that rates are more likely to go up than down. The most pleasing sight at ICE 2015 was to see some of the younger companies which two years ago took the smallest booths are now spending upward of £250,000 on impressive stands.  Such companies have …

Malaysia and Singapore Hong Leong Co investment subsidiary Guoline Overseas Ltd has today reduced its stake in gambling operator Rank Group Plc. The investment firm confirmed that it had sold 50 million shares at 185 pence in a rapid sale of shares for investment purposes (financial term -accelerated bookbuild). Business news sources report that Guoline Overseas has managed to raise …

FIFA match data and analysis subsidiary Early Warning System (EWS) and the Japan Football Association (JFA) agreed on 16 February 2015 to extend a monitoring service agreement in order to protect the integrity of football competitions in Japan. EWS will continue to work alongside the JFA to protect the integrity of football in the region by assisting the JFA with specific services, knowledge transfer and …

ICC Cricket officials have banned a group of men from attending 2015 One Day Cricket World Cup matches (Australia/New Zealand) after they were suspected of being involved in illicit betting, undertaking a practice known as ‘courtsiding’. Courtsiding involves people at a game relaying information via smartphones or mobile communications devices to betting syndicates to take advantage of broadcasting time delays. The practice …

500.com Ltd, the NYSE-listed online sports-lottery operator in China, has reported a 44% drop in operating profit and warning that ticket purchases may decline further this quarter. Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Man San Law commented: “We finished the year on a strong note with net revenues increasing 52.1% year-over-year. Total purchase amount during the quarter increased 63.7% from …

Ed Pownall, global PR director for Bodog Brand, believes there is mileage in being innovative, and that in-house product development can provide games with a bigger customer base. Speaking in the latest issue of Betting Business interactive, Pownall said differentiation is achievable even using ubiquitous slot games. He explained: “There has to be a balance between ‘parity products’ and ‘exclusive …