UK

Payment processing firm Worldpay is predicting a bumper weekend for online bookmakers, as Britain welcomes the 2018 Grand National. With internal research revealing that 45% of over-65s prefer placing bets on a mobile device as opposed to in-store, Worldpay is expected this to be the year that numbers for mobile gaming surpass its counterpart for punting pensioners. Data also shows …

Bringing its racing policy in line with that of Coral’s, Ladbrokes has extended its ‘lay to-lose’ horse racing bets guarantee, which will be spread across all the operator’s retail outlets. As first reported by the Racing Post, The group had already put in place a policy to lay bets to lose no less than £5,000 per capita on all races …

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has this morning confirmed the appointment of Neil McArthur as Chief Executive. Since March, McArthur has been acting as UKGC interim CEO, following the departure of former Commission leader Sarah Harrison MBE. In previous executive roles for UKGC McArthur has served as the Commission’s General Counsel, leading the regulatory body’s legal oversight on licensing, enforcement …

William Hill has revealed that it has recorded significant pre-event wagers on Israel’s Netta Barzilai winning the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest (Lisbon -12 May). The bookmaker details that Barzilai’s song ‘Toy’ has been its early Eurovision market maker, revising Israel’s pop entry from 50/1 to its current market price of 5/4. Barzilai seeks to become Israel’s fourth Eurovision winner, as …

Major industry supplier Playtech has pulled off an audacious move with an agreement to purchase Italian bookmaker Snaitech. The initial deal will see Playtech acquire 70.6% of the operator after which it will be compelled to make a mandatory takeover offer for all the remaining shares. Commenting on the transaction, Mor Weizer, Chief Executive Officer of Playtech said: “The acquisition …

Harry Kane and Tottenham have gone to extreme lengths to prove the England forward did get a touch for the second goal against Stoke last weekend, and Paddy Power are upping the ante in the Golden Boot betting markets. After Kane remained adamant that the goal was his, the bookmaker are offering odds on the goal making all the difference …

The seven year partnership between online sportsbook and casino operator, Bodog and Scottish League one leaders Ayr United has come to an end, as Bodog will step aside allowing CoinGeek.com take over the shirt branding of the club. Supporter of both The Honest Men and Bitcoin Cash (BCH), CoinGeek.com is the backer behind the deal but the club shirt will …

Stockholm-listed Kindred Group Plc has detailed its concerns related to Svenska Spel’s potential influence on the future dynamics of a newly regulated Swedish gambling market. Last week the Swedish government published the updated provisions for its long-awaited revamped national gambling framework. In its update the Swedish government will split the gambling sector into three business compartments; Open/Competitive – For new licensed …

BoyleSports and Ladbrokes Coral are the first operators to stream Inspired Entertainment’s Virtual Grand National, as well as its Virtual Grand National Race of Champions. Set to be broadcast on Friday April 13 at 8pm on ITV4, the Virtual Grand National is to be presented as a dedicated channel of content, “allowing for a unique virtual racing experience as 40 …

The Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) has announced a strengthening of its investigative, intelligence and educational capabilities, with the addition of a new trio of staff members. Responsible for enforcing the zero tolerance policy on betting related corruption encapsulating all professional tennis on a worldwide basis, the TIU states that the fresh appointments add greater depth, expertise and capability to the …