UK

Team and players statistics are playing an increasingly integral role within the global sports wagering sphere, with the changing role of fans and the rising need for a deeper level of data seemingly having a direct knock-on effect. With a major change being undertaken in recent years, sports analytics firm Opta are one of the driving forces behind sports data …

As we approach the business end of the football season, it’s still all to play for in the always exhilarating Sky Bet English Football League. In the second tier, the promise of Premier League football is still in reach for a host of teams, with Millwall, Derby and a handful of others all desperately vying for a spot in the …

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has suspended the right to withdraw horses via self-certificate of 13 flat trainers, as a result of relatively high non-runner rates. A number of trainers were warned in August that they had until an April 1 cut off to ensure rates were below the prescribed threshold, currently set at 14% on the flat and 12% …

Bitcoin-centric online sportsbook Sportsbet.io (a subsidiary of Coingaming Group), has appointed Odds On Marketing as its new brand agency, as the operator seeks to expand its profile and coverage for World Cup 2018. Sportsbet.io appoints the specialist sports marketing agency Odds On, with the key initiative of driving its new brand identity during a critical period for the sports betting …

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has ruled that a television advert used by PokerStars must not be broadcast again, warning the company to ensure that it doesn’t portray gambling in a socially irresponsible manner or in the context of recklessness. The two complaints that were received about the advert challenged whether it sought to exploit inexperienced poker players by suggesting …

An increase in investment and prize money is set to be felt, following the establishment of a new partnership between the Arena Racing Company (ARC) and the British arm of the European Breeders Fund (EBF). One such benefit is the creation of new races for two-year-olds at both the Newcastle and Great Yarmouth racecourses, with the latter, a £15,000 Class …

Nathan Rothschild, partner and co-founder at iSport Genius, looks into the data challenges that face operators and punters alike at the upcoming World Cup. With the tournament taking place in a new country and with historical head-to-head data somewhat limited, advanced methodologies are needed to factor in the new elements and ensure that no data goes to waste. ___________________ We …

Former Head of Drugs Policy at the Department of Health, John McCracken has been appointed by GambleAware as the Director of Commissioning (Treatment Services) as of 3 April 2018. The role will involve leading, developing and evaluating services within the context of a public health approach, including engagement with the NHS and with primary care and social care. Furthermore, GambleAware …

Ladbrokes’ retail division has moved towards installing ‘paperless betting’ across its UK high street portfolio, by announcing the launch of its new ‘betslip generator’ functionality. The betslip tool forms part of Ladbrokes’ Football Buddy feature made available through its omni-channel ‘Grid App’. Utilising the Football Buddy feature to build bets, Ladbrokes customers will now be able to generate an instant …

The long mooted takeover of the Ladbrokes Coral Group by GVC Holdings has finally reached completion, in a deal that could eventually be worth up to £4bn, just days after the High Court of England and Wales sanctioned the deal. With its shares now delisted from the London stock exchange, as part of the agreement the admission of 271,816,558 ordinary …