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UK News

UK watchdog opens Sportsradar and IMG Arena to competition and market concerns

Concept of competition, symbolising the Competition and Markets Authority and its investigation into the Sportradar IMG Arena M&A

Sportradar has come up against a regulatory obstacle in its takeover of fellow sportstech and data rights firm IMG Arena, with the acquisition coming under a competition investigation. The deal, announced in March 2025, has come under scrutiny of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), who are assessing whether Sportradar’s takeover of IMG Arena would violate the Enterprise Act 2002 …

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France: Are pro-iCasino arguments recognised & accepted?

SBC News France: Are pro-iCasino arguments recognised & accepted?

French Senate hearing enabled online leaders to clearly spell out case and context for the much needed regulation of online casino, benefitting the state and protecting consumers The Senate’s Financial Committee hearing that featured France’s leading gaming companies two weeks ago saw senior executives spell out the context and factors impacting their specific verticals. Although the arguments have been aired …

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Ex-Shrewsbury striker who placed over 6,000 football bets banned

Shrewsbury football ground

The FA has handed a three-and-a-half-year ban to former Shrewsbury and Cheltenham striker Ryan Bowman for gambling-related offences. The 33-year-old confessed to placing 6,397 bets between 15 June 2022 – 13 September 2023. A total 108 of these bets were linked to matches involving Exeter City during the time he was playing for the team.  Similarly, an additional 243 bets …

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Rank Group makes revenue gains amid UK casino regulatory changes

A Grosvenor Casinos venue, operated by Rank Group

Rank Group has provided a snapshot into its commercial performance for the 2024/25 financial year amid a regulatory overhaul of the UK’s casino regulatory framework. The firm, operator of Grosvenor Casinos and Mecca Bingo, shared that net gaming revenue (NGR) grew 11% to around £795m between 30 June 2024 and 30 June 2025, leading the group to project underlying profit of …

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Gambling ad ban rejected amid Lib Dem football reform push

Premier League football in a net

Liberal Democrat MPs’ proposal to ban all gambling-related advertising and sponsorship in English football has been overwhelmingly rejected in the House of Commons. The Football Governance Bill passed the House of Commons yesterday (8 July) with 415 voting in favour and 98 against. A Liberal Democrat proposal to write a ban on gambling ads into the bill was not included, …

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Paddy Power Betfair attack shows extent and boldness of UK cybercrime

A Paddy Power betting shop

Flutter Entertainment confirmed yesterday (8 July) that its Paddy Power and Betfair UK brands had been subject to a heavy cyber attack. The respective sportsbook and betting exchange brands were targeted by cyber criminals who were able to access information like emails and account names. It is understood that a significant number of customer accounts were targeted. However, Flutter stated …

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Psychiatric survey notes the comorbidity of problem gambling and mental health

SBC News Psychiatric survey notes the comorbidity of problem gambling and mental health

The Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (APMS) has published trends and insights on mental health and common disorders impacting the treatment of adults in the UK. Commissioned by NHS England and Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) the study provides insights and the prevalence of the UK’s nine most common mental health disorders including, depression, bipolar, psychosis, ADHD, OCD, trauma, …

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