Retail

Publishing its 2018 interim results (period ending 30 June), Athens-listed gambling operator OPAP details strong progress on its ‘2020 corporate vision‘ as the company begins to benefit from its systems and network upgrades. Entering 2018, OPAP would undertake a group-wide overhaul of legacy systems and terminals in partnership with industry technology group Playtech Plc. In its update, OPAP governance details …

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has confirmed that Atholl Duncan, the current Senior Independent Director of the Board, will take over as Interim BHA Chairman after Steve Harman steps down from the role on 12 November. Atholl’s appointment comes after the recommendation of the BHA’s Nominations Committee, which reports to the BHA Board and contains representatives of the BHA’s members …

Borsa Milan-listed gambling firm Gruppo Gamenet SPA has issued a ‘senior non-convertible bond’ valued at approximately €225 million, which will be put forward to private institutional investors. The non-convertible bond will have a maturity date set at 2023 and will be listed on Italian and European-wide bond exchange markets. Updating investors, Gamenet governance details that it will utilise the proceeds …

Playtech Plc sports betting subsidiary Playtech BGT Sports has confirmed that Gamestec Playnation Group (Novomatic UK) will act as lead maintenance contractor for its UK betting terminal provisions. Updating stakeholders, Playtech BGT  confirms that Gamestec will now serve its entire UK 14,500 betting terminals portfolio, becoming its primary maintenance partner. The partnership will see Playtech BGT partners secure further operational support …

Romanian betting group Superbet enters the regulated Polish gambling market, detailing that it will lunch approximately 50 betting points/agencies across the nation by the end of 2018. Superbet, Romania’s largest bookmaker secured its approved Polish retail betting license in October 2017 and will become the only foreign-owned betting enterprise to compete within the Polish market. Updating the media, Vlad Ardeleanu …

Renowned activist investor Jason Ader has stated to Playtech Plc governance, that the FTSE250 technology group should refocus on its gambling foundations, over expanding its subsidiary divisions. During  2018, Ader’s Springowl hedge fund has accumulated a $100 million stake in Playtech Plc, seeking to grow its influence on shareholders and the firm’s board of directors. Speaking to Reuters International, Ader …

Under the banner ‘Together for the Tote’, investment consortium Alizeti has unveiled the executive management team which will seek to revitalise the Tote’s racing pools betting proposition. Led by racing financier Alex Frost, last May Alizeti secured a 25% stake in the Tote, valued at approximately £150 million with a further option to acquire 100% of the legacy operator in future transactions. …

Australia ASX-listed Tabcorp Holdings has undertaken a series of ‘Executive General Management’ appointments seeking to strengthen its leadership team, following the firm’s merger enlargement with main market rival Tatts Group plc. Last week Tabcorp governance confirmed the appointment of Luke Waldren from online competitor  Sportsbet.com.au (Paddy Power Betfair) as new Executive General Manager of Group Marketing. The ASX enterprise details …

Grupo Cirsa and Ladbrokes Spanish market joint-venture Sportium has announced that it has reached a milestone 3,000 active betting points within Spain. The bookmaker details that it has managed to significantly expand its betting-point inventory, partnering up with Spanish arcade and leisure firm Grupo El Dorado, boosting its retail network. The El Dorado partnership has seen Sportium expand its in-store …

The plunging Argentine Peso has impacted the performance of Bolsa Madrid gambling firm Grupo Codere, which has reported exchange rate losses of €22.5 million, publishing its 2018 interim results (period ending 30 June). Updating investors, Codere governance details that corporate performance has had to adjust to Argentina’s ongoing monetary crisis, which has seen the ARG Peso decline almost 50% against …