UK

Most start-up businesses share a common expectation of commercial success. Whilst wholly admirable in terms of optimism, a danger nevertheless exists that this can on occasions border on misplaced over-confidence in what they perceive to be the inevitable consequence of their earnest endeavours, without there necessarily having been adequate advance focus on their advertising and marketing strategies. In the gambling …

The UK Competition & Markets Authority (UK CMA) has granted approval to the proposed fast-track of the planned Ladbrokes-Coral merger. The agreed deal which gained a 96% investor backing in December, will now be forwarded for an in-depth phase 2 investigation of Ladbrokes merger with Gala Coral assets, which includes Coral UK, Eurobet Retail and Gala Coral’s digital division. The …

A Sky Bet customer was in a jubilant mood on January 9th following a win on the bookmaker’s Super 6 competition.   Owen Burrows, a 25 year old from Cambridge, correctly predicted the scores of six FA cup third round ties to win the £250,000 jackpot. Burrows said of his win: “I genuinely can’t believe I’ve won, it feels like a dream.” The …

Organisers of London Baby, the best attended networking party on the first night of ICE, are advising people to sign up sooner rather than later if they want to join the crowd at Café de Paris. Last year the demand for the event was so high that Sports Betting Community (SBC) and iGaming Business (iGB) had to close off registration …

Another year, another example of the famed ‘magic of the cup’ during this weekend’s third round action. League 2 side Oxford overcame Swansea, whilst minnows Eastleigh drew with Championship Bolton Wanderers. Elsewhere Wycombe drew 1-1 with Remi Garde’s struggling Aston Villa. With numerous chances of a thrilling upset, generous odds in hand, the third round weekend is a popular one …

Interactive gaming operator NetPlay TV has confirmed that it has ended its pursuit of Sportech asset The Football Pools (UK). Issuing a short corporate update, the operator confirmed that it had ‘terminated talks’ with Sportech governance regarding its interest in the division. “After careful consideration the company has decided not to enter into this process and has therefore terminated discussions,” …

This morning London AIM listed betting operator GVC Holdings (GVC) issued a corporate trading update for its full year 2015 performance (period ending 31 December) Ahead of its merger with bwin.party Entertainment, GVC reported Net Gaming Revenues (NGR) of €247 million (£184 million) up 10.2% on FY 2014’ €224 million (£167 million). The operator further detailed that during 2015 it …

British slots and table games provider Realistic Games has moved to strengthen its commercial team with the appointment of Robert Lee as Commercial Manager.  The former Gala Coral and Ladbrokes employee will work alongside the Berkshire-based company’s commercial director Andy Harris. His recruitment from fellow supplier IGT, where he managed their bingo product, will help Realistic ahead of next month’s …

SBC correspondent Scott Longley examines why the online bingo industry has returned to basics and placed greater focus on content marketing, as operators and affiliates look to strengthen brand and product propositions in a highly saturated market.  ________________________________- You might be forgiven for thinking that the only lessons bingo can teach any sports-betting professionals is some handy rhyming slang for …

UK marketing news source The Drum has reported that Toronto listed operator Amaya Inc has appointed Crispin Porter + Bogusky (CP+B Group) as its lead creative marketing agency for new sports betting brand BetStars.com The appointment of CP+B Group as lead agency, follows last December’s soft launch of the BetStars Version 1 client by subsidiary PokerStars. Amaya governance has continually …