Retail

The European Pattern Committee (EPC) has announced a string of changes to the sprint programme from 2015, designed to address the current lack of opportunities for high-class three-year-old sprinters. The measures include upgrades to races in Britain, France, Germany and Ireland, as well as the introduction of a new Group 1 three-year-old only sprint over six furlongs at Royal Ascot. …

Amusement industry trade body BACTA has called on the UK government to allow FOBT machines to be allowed in gaming and amusement halls. In a letter to MPs and peers, the organisation said that it is unfair to let betting shops ‘reap all the benefits from the profitable machines’, and that they should be allowed in ‘any regulated adult-only gambling …

Rank Group, owner of the Grosvenor casino and Mecca bingo brands, has announced a 13% increase in ‘continuing business revenues’ for the 12 months to 30 June 2014, with retail growth considerably outstripping its digital performance. Revenues increased 15% for its venues, while the digital channel achieved 2% growth. The fastest growing channel of distribution continues to be mobile where …

Boylesports, sponsors of the Irish Greyhound Derby, have teamed up with GAA clubs throughout Dublin to offer a €5,000 (£3698) first prize. The independent bookmaker has allocated greyhounds to each of 44 clubs throughout the capital, with the winner set to pocket the cash on Derby final night. Liam Glynn, PR Executive at Boylesports said “We had a massive response …

Former England, Liverpool and Real Madrid footballer, Michael Owen has signed a two-year deal with Racing UK (Sky 432/Virgin 536/UPC 411/Freeview 231) to act as an ambassador and regular contributor to the specialist horseracing broadcaster. Owen is a renowned horseracing enthusiast, who owns and manages Manor House Stables, a Cheshire training yard with 90 thoroughbreds, including the top-class Royal Ascot …

Pro sports betting senator Raymond ‘Ray’ Lesniak criticised New Jersey Governor Chris Christies actions regarding the veto of the potential sports betting bill for the state of New Jersey. Lesniak who had put forward the bill as an alternative way for allowing sports betting wagering in New Jersey licenced casinos and racetracks, thus bypassing federal laws implemented by the Professional …

William Hill‘s recent extension of single manning in betting shops has come in for criticism in the press after it came to light that employees have been working alone at night in almost three quarters of its retail outlets for four months as the bookmaker looks to tackle ‘rising costs’. The bookmaker said that total staff costs fell by 2% …

The UK Gambling Commission has been working with the Association of British Bookmakers (ABB)  and betting operators to reduce the risk of potential conflicts of interest when a trader encounters information that might indicate suspicious betting activity. This follows unusual betting activity at horse races early this year. As a result ABB members have agreed to adjust their betting terms …

Revealing how one lucky punter turned €8 (£6.40) into €83,000 (£66,217), Paddy Power said it is still recovering from an almighty spanking at the Galway Races. “It is far from easy to pick the winner of the Galway Hurdle – one of the feature races of the seven-day long Galway Festival that is as lively off the track as on it. …

. The Sunday Times reports that shareholder pressure is mounting on Ladbrokes Chief Executive Richard Glynn The Newspaper claims that a group of top-level shareholders of Ladbrokes are currently waiting on the publishing of the operators interim financial report . The Shareholders will than ask the board to remove Glynn from company operations. According to the Ladbrokes consensus forecast, revenues …