C-level leaders on the first day of the SBC Digital Summit spoke about the challenges of ‘business continuity in the face of COVID-19’ disruptions and mitigating the unprecedented circumstances that have changed global betting’s operational strategies. The discussion was started by moderator Jordan Levin, CEO of SG Digital, who asked the panellists to detail ‘first responses’ to the COVID-19 outbreak. …
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Playtech Plc has confirmed the appointment of Claire Milne as Interim Company Chair, succeeding Alan Jackson who chose to end his seven-year tenure as Chairman of the FTSE250 technology group at the start of the year. Assessing market dynamics interrupted by the global COVID-19 pandemic, Playtech detailed that it has chosen to delay its executive search for a new permanent …
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The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has reaffirmed its ‘full and unequivocal support’ for CEO Nick Rust after a number of concerns over his leadership from trainers were reported in a Sunday Telegraph article. Back in January, Rust confirmed that he would be stepping down from the BHA after holding the position of CEO for six years. However, the Sunday Telegraph reported …
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The Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) has confirmed that racecourses with capital credits balances currently totalling £6.5m will be able to draw on them to assist with their immediate cash requirements. As it stands, there are currently 18 racecourses which hold capital credits balances with HBLB. Under the new scheme, HBLB will allow each racecourse to have the option of …
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Michael Dugher, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), has replied to UK Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston stating that UK gambling is committed to maintaining the highest operating standards. On Tuesday, Huddleston had penned a letter on behalf of DCMS to the leadership of the UK’s top five betting operators urging ‘further proactive steps’ to ensure gambling consumer …
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UK racing is facing a media and political backlash for its decision to host the 2020 Cheltenham Festival in early March, as COVID-19 cases began to spread across the country. At Monday’s ‘UK Coronavirus Briefing’, Angela McLean – the government’s deputy Chief Medical Advisor – stated that an inquiry should be held post-lockdown on the ‘epidemiological consequences’ of UK sports maintaining …
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Nasdaq gambling technology supplier Scientific Games Corporation (SGC) has confirmed the appointment of Rich Schneider as Group Chief Product Officer (CPO). A key new hire for SGC, Schneider has joined the executive team from Australia ASX competitor Aristocrat, where he served as CPO leading creative studios, hardware and product development. Updating investors, SGC governance details that it has secured an ‘industry …
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A strong opening to 2020 trading for Francaise des Jeux (FDJ) has been halted by COVID-19 disruptions, said the company, impacting its lottery and sports betting retail networks. According to its Q1 2020 trading update, FDJ has recorded a 5% decline in stakes to €4.1 billion (Q12019: €4.3bn), underlining a 60% drop in retail sales since 16 March – the …
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The government has urged UK gambling operators to ramp up its protection measures during the COVID-19 lockdown in a bid to mitigate what it has described as a “heightened risk of problem gambling”. In a letter to five chief executives of the largest gambling companies, the sports minister Nigel Huddleston (DCMS) has emphasised that “messages warning of risks and signposting …
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GambleAware has revealed that donations to the charity have surpassed its £10 million minimum target for the first time. Publishing the full list of donations received between 1 April 2019 and 31 March 2020, it revealed that gambling operators and suppliers had made £10.05 million in voluntary donations to the charity, which is not inclusive of money received through regulatory …
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