SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
The 86th US Academy Awards (The Oscars – to you and me!) are upon us, for this week’s cultural sections of the media have been debating the pros and cons of such heavyweight dramas such as current favourite Twelve Years a Slave and its contenders American Hustle, Gravity and Dallas Buyers Club. No doubt they are all worthy candidates to …
Read More »Retail
Increase in costs wipes out retail gains
A 6.6 per cent increase in operating costs and a 20 per cent increase in gaming machine taxation saw Ladbrokes’ UK retail division post a 25.9 per cent drop in operating profit for 2013 to £133.9m. While gaming machines saw a net revenue increase of 20.2 per cent to £408.4m (mostly driven by growth in £2 stake B3 content), over …
Read More »‘Disappointing’ results from Ladbrokes
Ladbrokes chief executive Richard Glynn has labelled his firm’s annual results for 2013 as ‘disappointing’ but maintains that the bookmaker has made ‘real operational progress’ during the year. The figures were never going to be good after a series of profit warnings during the period, but the company has posted a 32.9% drop in group operating profit to £138.3m with …
Read More »Topping To Stay At William Hill Until 2015
Ralph Topping will remain in charge of Britain’s biggest bookmaker until the end of next year, the company said yesterday. The firm issued a statement clarifying its position on Topping’s replacement, after reports in the media suggested that it had accelerated its original plan (William Hill share price: Ralph Topping to retire sooner than expected). William Hill said in a …
Read More »Ladbrokes pay to be linked to social responsibility
Ladbrokes have reacted to the prevailing concerns over problem gambling in betting shops by altering the pay structure of its executives to take social responsibility targets into account. With the campaign against bookmakers, and B2 gaming machines in particular, in full force since the turn of the year, Ladbrokes have taken the smart move to underline how important the firm …
Read More »Tranmere Rovers Manager Ronnie Moore Suspended for Breaching Betting Rules
English Football League One’s Tranmere Rovers have suspended 61 year club manager Ronnie Moore over suspicions of breaching the English Football Associations rules regarding betting and gaming. The Football club issues a statement suspending the manager for the foreseeable future, as the FA will investigate the managers betting actions. Assistant manager John McMahon will oversee the management of the Tranmere …
Read More »SIS finalise their customer forum details
LBO broadcasters SIS have finalised their programme of customer events and already LBO owners are looking to attend. SIS are again planning a series of Forums to give customers an opportunity to meet key decision-makers within SIS, discuss issues and developments, and have their input into how the services work. SIS have also committed to supporting the Bookmakers Trade Fair, …
Read More »Ladbrokes Halt High Street Expansion
Ladbrokes Plc, announced the halt of its planned retail bookmaker expansion on UK high streets. The gaming and sports betting operator, who had a troubled 2013, halted plans to open betting shops in the UK due to growing concerns regarding UK policy regarding Fixed Odds Betting Terminal (FOTBs). The move will see annual corporate expenditure fall from £100m to £60m, …
Read More »Maltco get behind match-fixing seminar
Maltese lottery operators Maltco Lotteries have helped organise a seminar to discuss the issues of match fixing. “Building National Networks in the EU to fight Match-Fixing” was held last week in collaboration with the Institute for International and Strategic Relations (IRIS) and the European Lotteries and was supported by the European Commission. Maltco Lotteries said it took up the initiative …
Read More »Coral to sponsor Alan Brazil’s talkSPORT show
Bookmakers Coral have signed a deal with talkSPORT, the world’s biggest sports radio station, to become the new betting partner of the station’s flagship show – the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast. The partnership will see Coral sponsoring a daily on air betting slot on talkSPORT’s breakfast show, called the Coral Daily Download, where Coral’s resident experts, Simon Clare and David …
Read More »