Europe

Mark Bird, GBGB: The closure of Belle Vue ‘would be a huge loss for the sport’

SBC News Mark Bird, GBGB: The closure of Belle Vue 'would be a huge loss for the sport'

The future of Manchester’s Belle Vue Greyhound Stadium is to be decided today, which could see the track demolished and the site redeveloped to build 247 houses. The proposals made by Countryside Properties were recommended for approval by the local officer at Manchester’s Planning and Highways Committee earlier this week after a consultation report highlighted the track’s decline in revenues …

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SAZKA CEO confirms 2020 National Lottery bid

SBC News SAZKA CEO confirms 2020 National Lottery bid

SAZKA Group Chief Executive Robert Chvátal has confirmed that the growth-hungry gambling conglomerate will launch an official 2020 bid competing to win the UK’s fourth National Lottery contract starting in 2023. Stating SAZKA’s intent, Chvátal underlined that ‘investing in the UK is the next stop’, following a busy 2019 in which the Czech gambling fund secured majority shareholdings in OPAP …

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BHA and HRI to carry out non-standard race times trial

SBC News BHA and HRI to carry out non-standard race times trial

In collaboration with Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) will carry out a four-week trial of non-standard race times which will be held in February 2020. Non-standard race times refers to races not programmed on the standard 5-minute marks (e.g. 3:08pm). The trial seeks to explore the potential benefits to the sport and its customers of adopting …

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bet365 results – in numbers

SBC News bet365 results - in numbers

Today saw the release of the financial results for bet365, comfortably perceived as the leader in online betting and gambling in the industry and winner of SBC’s Sportsbook of the Year award for the last five years. The report covers the 53 weeks to 31 March 2019 and so takes in figures from the 2018 World Cup in Russia. As befits …

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Veikkaus to strengthen responsible gambling strategy in 2020

Finnish flag

Finnish gambling monopoly Veikkaus has outlined plans to strengthen its responsible gambling strategy in 2020, which will include a reduction in the number of slot machines it operates across Finland. Having gained approval from the Veikkaus board of directors, the gambling monopoly could cut the number of slot machines by an estimated 3,500, as well as pushing for compulsory identification …

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Khalid Ali, IBIA: Tackling sports betting corruption

SBC News Khalid Ali, IBIA: Tackling sports betting corruption

Tackling issues such as match-fixing and betting corruption has been a priority for regulators and betting operators alike, with more and more operators signing up to global monitoring and alert platforms such as those offered by the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA). Speaking to Khalid Ali, CEO of the IBIA, at Betting on Sports he explained that regulators have identified …

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Tote will return to Chester and Bangor-on-Dee

SBC News Tote will return to Chester and Bangor-on-Dee

The Tote will make a return to Chester Racecourse in 2020, after the UK Tote Group and Chester Race Company agreed a four-year partnership. The return of the pool betting operator will supplement the existing on-course betting provision from Chester Bet and will see the Tote assume the sponsorship of the Chester Cup as part of an exclusive Boodles May …

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Betby names Eva Berkova as its new Chief Operating Officer

SBC News Betby names Eva Berkova as its new Chief Operating Officer

Sportsbook supplier BETBY has strengthened its leadership team after naming Eva Berkova as its new Chief Operating Officer. The appointment comes as the supplier seeks to pursue its expansion across European markets. Berkova brings with her a wealth of leadership experience across multiple sectors, including Human Resources, Marketing and IT aspects. Celebrating her appointment, Berkova said: “I am delighted to …

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René Jansen sheds light on Dutch age verification framework

SBC News René Jansen sheds light on Dutch age verification framework

Chairman of the Dutch gaming authority Kansspelautoriteit, René Jansen, has emphasised that he believes the country’s Remote Gaming Act will be introduced on 1 January 2021 rather than the original target date of 1 July 2020. Speaking at a Gaming in Holland meeting in Amsterdam, Jansen shed some light on advertising and age verification framework which will come into play, …

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