UK

England’s racecourses are preparing to reopen their doors to spectators next week, an event described as a ‘huge milestone’ by the Racecourse Association (RCA). Up to 4,000 racing fans will be able to reenter the racecourses as of 17 May,  under the government’s official roadmap for the easing of the UK’s national lockdown. Further lifting of restrictions will take place …

GamCare has argued there is an ‘imminent need’ to discuss gambling-related harm among young people, with more than 7 in 10 (71.5%) calls to the National Gambling Helpline from under-18s being from those directly experiencing an issue with gambling These calls came from young people struggling with a gambling-related issue personally, as opposed to 20% expressing concern about a friend …

Begbies Traynor, the insolvency practitioners for BetIndex, initiated the process of allocating funds to former Football Index customers at a hearing in the Royal Court of Jersey today. The company was initially appointed as BetIndex’s insolvency practitioner in late March following the initial collapse of Football Index and began processing customer claims against the company in April. In a statement …

An extended video deal between Spotlight Sports Group and bet365 will see the Stoke-based betting and gaming operator retain exclusive sponsorship of the Cheltenham Festival series, ‘Upping the Ante’, hosted by Racing Post’s David Jennings and Gavin Lynch. In addition to the successful Cheltenham series, bet365 will also continue as exclusive sponsor of ‘What A Shout’ – a weekly Friday …

National gambling support charity GamCare has partnered with suicide prevention group Samaritans, to develop a new range of awareness raising training materials for betting and gaming operators. The training tools will focus on developing awareness of gambling-related suicide and assist betting company staff with enhancing the skills and confidence needed to support at-risk customers. GamCare also emphasised that 11% of …

Camelot, the incumbent operator of the UK National Lottery, has initiated a new advertising campaign emphasising the positive impacts the group’s Good Causes funding has on different aspects of British society. Voiced by veteran TV personality Dermot O’Leary, the campaign first aired on 1 May with a 60-second spot during a broadcast of ITV’s Game of Talents, and will run …

The Racecourse Association (RCA) remains in talks with the UK government’s Events Research Programme (ERP) regarding the return of spectators for the Royal Ascot meeting between 15 and 19 June. As reported by the Racing Post, David Armstrong, Chief Executive of the RCA, confirmed that the organisation is still in discussions with the government ahead of the easing of national …

Data and technology provider Genius Sports has entered into a ‘definitive agreement’ to acquire Second Spectrum, an official analytics partner of several high-profile professional sports leagues and teams, for a purchase price of $200 million. As a data tracking and analytics partner of the English Premier League, National Basketball Association (NBA) and Major League Soccer (MLS), Second Spectrum will significantly …

Forest Green Rovers FC has become the first professional English football club to call for a ban on gambling sponsorships, joining national campaign The Big Step. Part of the Gambling with Lives charity, the Big Step calls for an end to sponsorship promotion and advertising of gambling in football, and was founded to raise awareness of the ‘growing dependence’ of …