UK

The racing industry’s concerns over the impact of affordability checks on the sport’s finances have been re-raised by a group of eight stakeholders, who have written to the government. Affordability checks proved to be one of the most contentious issues of the two year Gambling Act review. Advocates argued that measures were essential were customer protection, whilst critics – with …

Fitzdares has extended its partnership with Fulham FC as the bookmaker continues as the official UK betting partner of the South West London club.  Fitzdares will bring its ‘unique style’ to the club’s new lounge where the company has commissioned art by Sports Illustrator Bill Butcher for the walls, to go along with ‘distinctive’ designs from Interior Designer Rossana Bossom. …

The Jockey Club has announced sweeping changes to the Randox Grand National to improve safety measures for participating riders and horses. From 2024 onwards, the field size of UK racing’s most prestigious race will be reduced from 40 to 34 runners, as announced by the Jockey Club, the owner of Aintree Racecourse. Further decisions taken to ‘reduce risk’ will see …

The Global Gaming Expo (G2E) has witnessed a call for greater international cooperation by regulatory authorities led by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). Yesterday, Tim Miller, the Executive Policy Director of the UKGC, addressed G2E delegates, outlining the entwined realities and responsibilities of governing gambling as a globalised marketplace. The executive provided an overview of the Commission’s regulatory actions governing …

SIS (Sports Information Services) has signed a new deal with Betfred, ensuring that the operator retains access to its global, round-the-clock greyhound racing content. The latest extension provides Betfred’s online and retail estate with long-term access to a wide range of greyhound racing events from the UK, Ireland, and Mexico. This is in the aim of increasing engagement levels and …

GambleAware has published new ‘data maps’ indexing problem gambling harms across UK local authorities and parliamentary constituencies, to help the stakeholders of the National Gambling Support Network (NGSN). The maps, produced by PoliMapper, reveal regions with high levels of gambling harm and increased need for support and treatment. The data is based on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) to …

A number have tried, but only a select few have succeeded. The convergence of sports betting and media has proven a tricky discipline, with LiveScore Group and Sky Bet two names consistently cited as examples of success. Representing their respective companies and offering an intersection of viewpoints on betting and media, several high-profile names in sports business attended the Unofficial …

The ‘substantive changes’ of the Gambling Act review White Paper can be expected to come into play ‘as we move into the new year’, UK Gambling Commision (UKGC) Director of Policy, Ian Angus. Angus informed assembled delegates at the Lotteries Council this week that White Paper changes will likely come into effect in 2024 as responses to the UKGC and …

The financial contribution made to British racing by the country’s largest bookmakers is set to rise in 2024, according to the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC). Payments from Entain, Flutter Entertainment, bet365, 888/William Hill and Betfred will increase by £30m, the standards body and trade association revealed today. This ‘record cost increase to broadcast races’ will see the total payment …

Recognised as the most stable and ever-present business segment in global gambling, 2023 has seen the lottery sector undergo a tectonic shift in its competitive makeup. A playfield reserved for giants has evolved. Across European markets, lottery operators have emerged from a period of profound reflection, prompted by changing consumer demands after two years of pandemic-induced adjustments. Consequently, new perspectives …