Retail

London hedge fund Parvus Asset Management has reduced its stake in William Hill Plc to 4.9% (42.4 million shares) having previously held a 9.99% interest in the FTSE bookmaker. Completing a share sale this March, Parvus significantly reduces its equity in William Hill becoming the bookmaker’s fifth largest investor. Led by Danish financier Mads Eg Gensmann, Parvus has previously served …

As punters drink in the unmistakable Cheltenham roar this afternoon, 10mm of overnight rain means that for the first time in 36 years the going at the Festival will be heavy to soft in places. The last time the going at the Festival opened up with heavy ground, the first race was won by a 66/1 shot in Ikdam. The …

Nasdaq-listed industry technology provider Scientific Games Corporation (SGC) has confirmed the appointment of Robert O’Connor as Senior Vice President of Government Affairs. Reporting directly to Group CEO Kevin Sheehan, O’Connor will lead and develop SGC’s global government and public affairs strategy, supporting long-term corporate growth initiatives. O’Connor joins SGC’s executive team from Goldman Sachs, where he served as VP of …

BetBright has unveiled the world’s first robot jockey, who will be available for punters at Cheltenham Festival to view and interact with on Friday March 16, adjacent to the parade ring in the bookies activation area. The prototype jockey, made from lightweight steel and utilising state of the art technology, “offers a glimpse into the potential future of the sport.” Marcus …

Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) has announced a marketing partnership with content driven horse racing website GG.co.uk, giving the firm a future entry point into the UK horseracing market as it strives to become the “market leader in all aspects of sports betting”. With the Cheltenham Festival just around the corner, GiG are to deliver event and targeted digital paid marketing …

The UK government has provided some guidance for Gibraltar-based business stakeholders, with regards to Brexit impacts on the overseas territory. As the UK government negotiates its withdrawal from the European Union, the Gibraltar financial services community (including the gambling sector), will be guaranteed access to UK markets until 2020. Furthermore, UK policymakers will work with the Government of Gibraltar to develop …

UK betting veteran, and former Betfred Managing Director, John Haddock has reappeared in a new post, as the MD for Nigerian land-based and mobile betting operation BonanzaWin. The news is the latest sign of the increased interest being shown in the betting markets of Africa, according to the company’s Founder and Chief Executive Sebastian Hybbinette, who says that Haddock joined the company recently and will …

Sportech Racing and Digital has announced that it has entered into a fresh multifaceted agreement with the Puerto Rican Camarero Racetrack. The division of Sportech PLC, has undertaken a new ten year contract with its long term customer, related to totalisator services and web and mobile pari-mutuel betting platforms. Through the Sportech Quantum System, pari-mutuel betting software and local operational …

Ladbrokes players throughout the UK are now able to use one account and one wallet across all online, mobile and retail products, following an integration of the Playtech single account omni-channel functionality across its entire retail estate. In line with the Playtech One strategy the newly unified sportsbook platform, encompassing Self Service Betting Terminals (SSBTs), is fully integrated with the …

Three representatives from Caesars met with Brazilian officials to present an investment project they claimed could benefit the country financially. Such a deal would be relying on the Brazilian gaming market becoming legalised on a wider scale, with Caesars’ Brazilian representative Andre Feldman insisting  “there must be legislation across the market with joint support of the entire industry, for it …