UK

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has committed to supporting the racing industry during the UK lockdown, after agreeing an ‘emergency financial plan to cut its costs to the industry by up to a million pounds a month’. Under the plan, agreed by the BHA Board, nearly 80% of staff will be temporarily stood down from work using the government’s Coronavirus …

Following the cancellation of next week’s Randox Health Grand National due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, ITV Racing has confirmed that it will broadcast a virtual simulation of the race. The race, which will be broadcast at 17:00 on 4 April, will include the 40 runners who would have been most likely to take part using CGI technology and special …

Michael Dugher, Chief Executive of single industry representative body the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), has stated that UK gambling will support the government in a time of national crisis. On Friday, the BGC published its ‘compulsory action plan‘ outlining 10 measures strengthening industry social responsibility and consumer standards, which all BGC members will adhere to during the COVID-19 pandemic. …

With the suspension of almost all live racing worldwide, Sports Information Services (SIS) has confirmed that it will be closing down ‘all non-essential services and to furlough a significant number of staff effective immediately’. The racing content and data services provider has explained that the decision has been made to ‘protect its long-term future’. Richard Ames, CEO of SIS, said: …

GVC Holdings has underlined its support for the Betting and Gaming Council’s (BGC) ‘coordinated approach’ to provide consumers with the safest gambling environments during the current Covid-19 pandemic and beyond.  The FTSE250 betting group has emphasised the need for greater responsibility during a period in which a ‘quarter of the global population in some form of lock-down’. This could lead …

Arena Racing Company (ARC) has revealed that it will offer financial support to greyhound trainers based at its five stadia during the period of suspension for racing. Following the suspension of greyhound racing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ARC will offer £5 per dog per week to trainers from Belle Vue, Newcastle, Nottingham, Perry Barr and Sunderland. The funds will …

Research commissioned by industry charity GambleAware has led to a number of recommendations as to how operators can reduce the risk of gambling-related harms. The programme of research was conducted by two separate consortia, led by Ipsos MORI and the Institute for Social Marketing at the University of Stirling. The research found that ‘regular exposure to gambling promotions can change …

A new bespoke Esports Hosted Solution from EveryMatrix can be integrated within existing sportsbooks and mobile apps in just two weeks, said the company. The solution, delivered through OddsMatrix, will increase the video streaming capabilities for sportsbooks, while also doubling the number of esports events available for betting. This big focus on OddsMatrix esports services, first launched by EveryMatrix in …

The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) will hold emergency meetings next week assessing its options with regards to maintaining UK tennis’ 2020 schedule.  Updating stakeholders, AELTC detailed that it is evaluating all potential scenarios, including the postponement of the Wimbledon 2020 Championships (29 June – 12 July) as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.   AELTC confirmed that it …