Oceania

Facing competition from Racing Victoria and Seven West Media joint-venture Racing.com, Australian gambling operator Tabcorp has been forced to significantly up its bid in order to maintain its racing broadcast rights in Australia and New Zealand. The Australian Financial Review (AFR) has reported that Tabcorp governance are prepared to pay AUD $26 million (£16 million) to secure racing content rights …

TopBetta, Australia’s first fantasy wagering company, continued its growth by achieving a September quarterly turnover of $12 million and revenues of $1.2 million. TopBetta held 1,650 tournaments during the quarter, with a total of $1.5 million paid out to tournament winners. The company was particularly pleased that its player on player product had 5,430 active users during a quarter which …

Media group News Corp Australia has confirmed that it has acquired Melbourne-based racing news and odds website Punters.com.au for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition sees the Rupert Murdoch-owned media outlet deepen its ties within the Australian horseracing publishing market, with Punters.com.au disclosing an average monthly viewership of +375,000. Founded in 2008 by CEO Luc Pettett, Punters.com.au started-off as an Australian …

Since 2014, Global Reviews has been measuring the number of sites using webchat as well as the desire from consumers to use webchat when seeking help and support whilst researching a purchasing a product or service online. Of the 182 brands benchmarked across Australia, Ireland and the UK, only 67 currently have webchat compared to the 115 who do not …

Ladbrokes has become the title sponsor of the 2016 Rugby League Four Nations. Already a sponsor of the Challenge Cup and Super League, the deal will see Ladbrokes strengthen its presence in the UK and Australian markets, and extend its partnership with the sport into the international arena. Ladbrokes will get premium brand exposure from the seven matches featuring England, …

Coming from a busy commercial period having signed new UK bookmaker Sun Bets as a client, Toby Oddy CEO and Founder of industry ‘full services’ marketing agency Digital Fuel, speaks to SBC about the changing marketing dynamics as stakeholders face tougher business conditions (increased competition, higher costs and new external factors). With industry marketing stakeholders now demanding greater operational independence …

George Oborne, Managing Director of India Bet, said that cricket has the potential to become a ‘growth sport for betting’, particularly given the huge turnover in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and other Twenty20 competitions, the way it lends itself to in-play betting and its status as a relative minor in the UK betting market. He was backed up by Todd …

Ladbrokes Plc governance has announced that Paul Cherry will replace Dean Shannon as new Chief Executive Officer of Ladbrokes Australia. Cherry will take over leadership in February 2017, as Shannon steps down having served as CEO of Ladbrokes Australia since its inception in 2013. In its leadership announcement, Ladbrokes governance declared that Shannon would be maintained as a corporate advisor …

Betfair Australia is set to migrate its business operations from Tasmania to the Northern Territory, following the state passing approved legislation and licensing provisions in April relating to services for online exchange wagering. The exchange operator, wholly owned by James Packer’s Crown Resorts, confirmed its decision to move to the Northern Territory last week, with the company reported to have …

 Australian leisure and gambling tycoon James Packer has sold approximately 4.8% equity in ASX-listed casino operator Crown Resorts (Crown) for a reported AUS $448 million (£257 million). The transaction was carried out by Packer’s investment vehicle Consolidated Press Holdings (CPH), who placed circa 35 million shares at AUS $12.80 apiece. The sell-off sees Packer relinquish his majority stake in Crown …