Europe

UEFA is due to launch an investigation into the ongoing partnership between footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic and online betting operator BetHard. The European football governing party has announced that an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been appointed to lead the investigation into the Swedish player, to assess whether his collaboration with BetHard violates codes of ethics. The AC Milan striker’s ‘alleged …

Entain Plc has this morning confirmed that it has revised its bid to acquire the TAB unit of Tabcorp Holdings, offering the ASX gambling group AUS $3.5 billion (€2.2bn) for its wagering and media division.  The revised bid is increased from Entain’s opening offer of AUS $3 billion, proposed on 2 February – with the FTSE100 firm seeking to become …

Samaritans has published its best practice guidelines for the gambling industry, to assist operators with understanding and updating their corporate policies regarding suicide-prevention. The charity has undertaken a programme of work to enable better understanding of gambling as a suicide risk factor, and how this can be prevented, based on research demonstrating ‘a clear association between gambling and suicide’. Underscoring …

The deal makers pushing for Betway owner Super Group to merge and list on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) have outlined the firm’s objectives to dominate US sports ‘entwined media and wagering-related future’.  Alongside its SPAC partner Sports Acquisition Corp (SEAH), Super Group’s executive team presented the firm’s NYSE IPO ambitions pursuing a minimum corporate valuation of $4.75 billion. …

Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded the €500 million and $300 million instrument senior secured notes of Codere SA, following a restructuring agreement reached between the Spanish operator and its creditors last week. The ratings agency has made the decision to downgrade the two aforementioned senior secured notes from Caa3 to Ca, in addition to a €250 million super senior note, …

Allwyn, the new UK corporate identity of Czech gambling conglomerate SAZKA Group, has confirmed that Twitter UK MD Dara Nasr has joined its advisory board to guide the firm’s strategy for the Fourth UK National Lottery Competition.  Recognised as one of UK tech’s highest-profile executives, Nasr will serve as a strategic advisor on digital commercial strategies for Allwyn’s National Lottery …

Betclic Group has optimised trading provisions across its US sports inventory by integrating the odds maker and customised trading solutions of Sports IQ. The pan-European betting group has agreed terms on a multi-year arrangement, which will see its sportsbook teams supported by Sports IQ’s automated trading suite, covering all major US sports events. Operating since 2018, Montreal-based Sports IQ is …

Flutter Entertainment’s Paddy Power has announced the reopening of its English and Welsh high street betting shops, although Irish outlets will remain closed. Setting out social distancing measures and COVID-19 safety guidelines, only two gaming machines will be operational in each outlet whilst a maximum capacity of eight customers has been established. Bettors can only visit a shop for no …

Scottish retail betting shops are reopening their doors to customers today (26 April) after four months of inactivity due to COVID-19 lockdowns. The safe reopening of Scotland’s high street betting outlets has been described as ‘another step towards normality’ for the industry, its employees, bettors and the British economy in general by Michael Dugher, Chief Executive of the Betting and …