UK

Regulatory developments in the European sports betting gaming sector have created both hurdles and opportunities for the continent’s operators, as the UK and Germany implement restrictions while the Netherlands opens its doors. Publishing its latest report, ‘European Sportsbook Opportunities in an Increasingly Complex Scenario’, BtoBet highlighted the potentially lucrative market of the Netherlands – where football and other sports have …

Lee Willows has ended his seven-year tenure as Founder and Chief Executive of YGAM – The Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust. This morning YGAM issued a statement confirming that Willows would be leaving the charity at the end of the month. A former teacher, Willows founded YGAM in 2014 with lived experience partners Anne and Keith Evans, establishing the …

888 Holdings cites confidence in achieving its full-year 2021 financial objectives, as the FTSE250 group readies its business for a transformative end-of-year trading period finalising its acquisition of William Hill Plc. Publishing its Q3 trading statement, 888 maintains its strong trading momentum against tough period comparatives, reporting group revenues of $230 million up 7% on 2020 corresponding results of $216 …

Entain has moved to significantly boost its standing in esports, having successfully completed its acquisition of esports betting and skill-based wagering platform Unikrn. The takeover will see the FTSE100 firm incorporate Unikrn’s brand, products, platform and technology, as well as its 50-strong team, into its own operating capacity by 2022, with the goal of launching ‘innovative new esports products for …

SpringOwl, the independent buyout firm of activist gambling investor Jason Ader, has outlined its support for Aristocrat’s $3.7 billion (£2.7bn) takeover of Playtech Plc.  This morning, Playtech confirmed that it had approved Aristocrat’s 680 pence per share (58% premium) offer to be recommended to investors of the FTSE250 technology group. SpringOwl is listed amongst Playtech’s private investors that will vote …

Sisal SPA has announced the formation of a UK Advisory Board that will be led by Baroness Karren Brady (CBE).  Competing in the UK government’s Fourth National Lottery competition, Sisal has formed a high-profile advisory to provide its bid team with expert oversight on the management of raising money for good causes via the National Lottery. A Conservative Party life-peer …

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has suspended the operating licence of BGO Entertainment effective immediately – citing concerns that the operator may be unsuitable to carry out licensed activities. Issuing a statement, the Commission confirmed that BGO had been placed under its licensing review in accordance with Section 116 of the 2005 Gambling Act.  BGO’s immediate suspension has been authorised …

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has replaced its long-running ‘When the Fun Stops, Stop’ campaign with a new safer gambling slogan, ‘Take Time to Think’. A series of TV advertisements depicting customers paying mid-play before considering the use of safer gambling tools will kickstart the campaign, the messaging of which will be adopted across operator’s online and retail channels. …

888sport has secured sponsorship of four race meetings at the two-day Cheltenham Showcase meeting, becoming the official betting partner of the event. The agreement will see 888sport sponsor the What’s Your Thinking Novices Hurdle and Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase on the opening Friday, followed by the 14:20 handicap Chase and the feature event at 15:30. “The Showcase meeting at Cheltenham …

Total Performance Data (TPD) will trial its in-running graphics on-course visualisation solution at this Saturday’s ‘QIPCO British Champions Day’ hosted at Ascot (16 October).  Spectators of European racing’s most valuable raceday will be amongst the first to see TPD’s in-running graphics visualisation, which follows successful trials by Sky Sports Racing during its broadcast of the William Hill Racing League. The …