Retail

Norway’s Ministry of Culture has confirmed its support for a consultation to consolidate the nation’s gambling laws into a single legislative framework.  Endorsed by Culture Minister Abid Raja, the consultation will form the basis for a new bill to merge Norway’s three existing gambling mandates – ‘1992 Gambling Act’, ‘1995 Lottery Act’ and ‘1927 Totalisator Act’. Forwarding the proposal to …

Sports Information Services (SIS) has confirmed that it has acquired the full shareholding of daily live draws and virtual horseracing operator 49’s Limited (www.49s.co.uk).   Reaching an agreement with co-owners GVC Holdings and William Hill, SIS will take over the full management of the 49’s daily live draws and virtual horseracing brands Portman Park, Sprint Valley, and Steepledowns, as well …

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has confirmed that Charlie Parker, the new President of the Racehorse Owners’ Association (ROA), will join the company Board of Directors. Parker will replace former ROA President, Nicholas Cooper, as one of the two member nominated directors appointed collectively by the ROA, Thoroughbred Breeders Association (TBA) and National Trainers Federation (NTF). He will begin a …

Scottish bookmakers have slammed Holyrood’s decision to reopen betting shops without chairs or live racing, stating that the ruling is ‘crazy’ and a ‘slap in the face’ for bookies which have most likely been struggling during the lockdown period. Scotland’s 900 betting shops – employing around 4,500 people – have been closed since March as part of the national effort …

Rachael Maskell, the Shadow Minister for UK Charities, has branded the Young Gamers & Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) as ‘a leading example of how charities have innovated’. The Labour MP for York Central praised the work of YGAM staff who continue to deliver the charity’s youth education programmes on gambling, despite also navigating the unprecedented challenges of national lockdown. Maskell, …

The Diversity in Racing Steering Group (DiRSG) has launched a new ‘e-learning module’ to improve LGBT+ awareness and inclusivity with UK racing. The digital module has been launched to coincide with the month of PRIDE and has been further sanctioned as one of the mandatory licensing courses at the British Racing School and National Horseracing College.  DiRSG has made the …

John O’Reilly, Chief Executive of Rank Group, has stated his disbelief at the UK government refusing to allow England’s casinos to reopen on 4 July, as previously anticipated and prepared for by licensed operators. Rank’s CEO branded the government’s latest easing orders on leisure and hospitality venues as ‘baffling’ and ‘incoherent’, with the government allowing England’s bingo venues to reopen …

Sports Information Services (SIS) has outlined plans to return to ‘full strength’ with the resumption of its greyhound service from 29 June. In line with the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) guidance, which will see the removal of the 20 minute gap between races, SIS will be able to operate over 640 races a week, including a return to …