UK

William Hill Plc has branded 2020 as a ‘challenging but transformative year’, as the heritage bookmaker moved to finalise its £2.9 billion takeover by US partner Caesars Entertainment. Adjusting for the H1 closure of its UK retail betting estates, William Hill recorded a full-year net revenue decline to £1.3 billion, down 16% on corresponding 2019 results of £1.5 billion.  Nevertheless,  …

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has joined wider leisure and hospitality trade bodies in welcoming Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s COVID business support and economic measures.  This lunchtime’s Budget announcement saw the government extend its much-needed rates relief on highstreet retail and hospitality venues – a decision welcomed by the BGC on behalf of England’s betting shops. Also positively received was …

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has cited a successful first meeting of its Lived Experience Advisory Panel, which will maintain a prominent role in how the Commission reshapes its public policies.  This week, panel members held their first meetings with the Commission’s Experts by Experience Group, providing first-hand accounts of lived consequences of gambling harms and addiction. Established as a …

Online casino operator Casumo has enhanced its responsible gaming framework via a multi-year partnership with technology and data science company beBettor. By integrating beBettor’s Affordability API into its platform, Casumo will be better equipped to gauge the initial affordability of its UK customers and construct automated decisioning for personalised interactions with players. In addition, beBettor will also provide Casumo with …

Asian sportsbook Nova88 has named former England international Joe Cole as its new brand ambassador. Welcoming Cole as ambassador, Nova88 stated that the former Premier League star had the ‘perfect pedigree and experience to give his expert insight on domestic, European and international football’ through the collaboration. Nova88 will release a series of video content to mark the partnership, featuring …

Playtech Plc has announced Brian Mattingley as its new company chairman, bringing its near two year search for a successor to Alan Jackson to a close.  Mattingley, who is in the final days of his 15 year tenure as Executive Chairman of 888 Holdings, has agreed to join FTSE250 Playtech. Mattingley is due to leave 888 this May, having announced …

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has backed the UK and Ireland’s proposed bid to jointly host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, pledging £2.8 million to the cause, which is expected to be confirmed at tomorrow’s Budget. The football associations of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland came together to put together a proposal to host the 2030 edition of the World …

Scientific Games (SG) has reported improved year-end group trading against continued COVID-19 headwinds, impacting the performance of its global commercial pipeline.    The Nasdaq gambling technology group has reported consolidated revenues of US$762 million during Q4 2020 – down 11.7% year-on-year but 8.4% higher than revenue of US$698 million recorded during Q3 trading. A breakdown of business units sees SciPlay, Digital …