UK

Reporting on its half year 2015 performance (period ending 30 June), FTSE250 betting operator Ladbrokes Plc posted group operating losses of £41.4 million (after tax). As expected by business analysts Ladbrokes’ retail betting division had been hit by a £51.8 million impairment charge, following a strategic review of its 2169 betting shop portfolio. The write-down of retail assets, would form …

Betway’s new ‘Bring the Game to Life’ TV campaign launched on Saturday to coincide with the start of the 2015/16 English Premier League (EPL) season, it was announced today. Airing across the UK and Ireland, the campaign shows how the “Betway app brings football to life and takes fans closer to the action”. The ad depicts the app transforming the world around …

US broadcaster NBC has confirmed that it has extended its English Premier League (EPL) rights coverage for the US market for an additional six years, until season 2021-2022. The Comcast owned operator did not disclose the sum of the broadcast rights, however US business news sources have stated that NBC would pay over its current $83 million (£52.5 million) per …

Optimal Payments has confirmed its €1.1 billion ($1.2 billion) takeover of Skrill Group services, the acquisition sees Optimal become the biggest payment provider for the online gambling sector. The payment provider has fulfilled all takeover obligations set by the UK FCA, and met payments conditions set by majority stakeholder CVC Capital Partners, who had acquired a majority stake in Skrill …

Racing Homes, Racing Welfare’s housing association, has commissioned Cambridge University’s Centre for Housing and Planning Research (CCHPR) to conduct a national housing needs survey. The aim of the research is to identify the levels of welfare-driven housing requirements currently being experienced within the racing industry. It has been long-acknowledged that the lack of good quality affordable housing is a major …

Betfair continues to ramp up its coverage within English football, by announcing that it has signed its third betting partnership for the Premier League season 2015/2015 with London football club Arsenal FC. Both parties agreed terms in time for the kick-off of Arsenal FC’s opening match of the season against London rival West Ham United. Betfair who have signed betting …

As Ladbrokes governance plans to announce its Half Year 2015 performance this Tuesday, London business analysts and investors fear the worst for the bookmaker after writing down the value of its retail betting portfolio.  Ladbrokes are set to record an impairment charge of between £75-85 million, which will guarantee that the operator records a pre-tax loss for H1. New CEO …

Having created this season’s fantasy football game for The Mirror, as well as the recently announced partnership with Goal.com, it’s a busy time over at Fantasy iTeam (FiT) HQ. Commercial Director, Phil Shaw, took some time out of their hectic schedule to discuss all things fantasy football with SBC. ________________________ SBC: The Mirror’s iTeam Premier League Fantasy Football game is …

As US polls place Donald J Trump at the front of the 2016 Republican Presidential Primary race, it appears that UK bookmakers are not currying favour for the outspoken and controversial GOP candidate. Last week US news sources proclaimed that Fox News’ Live Republican Candidate Debate had been ‘Trumped’, as the apprentice took centre stage in front of a TV …

Online betting exchange Smarkets has announced its first ever football betting partnership with West London football club Queens Park Rangers (QPR), for the 2015/2016 Championship season. Smarkets becomes the ‘super hoops’ Global Betting Partner, with their promoted throughout QPR’s Loftus Road Stadium (capacity 19,000) on match days. Additionally Smarkets have confirmed that their brand will placed on the back of …