Retail

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has published its latest Gambling Participation Report covering the year of 2017. The report provides a unique and comprehensive update on gambling trends across the UK, examining the rates of participation, at-risk gambling and the effectiveness of self exclusions. Breaking down overall gambling participation, the report revealed that in spite of online participation in gambling …

Sky News has reported that Betfred founder Fred Done is in ‘advanced talks’ to sell a significant stake of The Tote, as Betfred prepares to readjust its UK racing proposition. In 2017, Fred Done publicly stated that Betfred ‘was finished with UK racing’, and that his enterprise could ‘live without the sport’, following Jockey Club and Arena Racing Company (ARC) …

Bookmaker Ladbrokes Coral may adapt its retail strategy, focusing on converting a number of its betting shops into Adult Gaming Centres (AGC), commonly referred to as arcades. At present, the FTSE betting group has the highest betting shop exposure, in relation to the government’s pending triennial review crackdown on FOBTs wagering levels and sector advertising standards. Should the government impose a …

Sports betting solutions provider SBTech has unveiled a new link up with Polish firm Etoto, marking the firms entry into another regulated market. The deal sees the sports betting operator go live with the SBTech gaming platform following the launch of a new retail offering, with the partnership designed to offer a seamless integration of its online business and land based network. …

The Arena Racing Company (ARC) has revealed that its portfolio of racecourses will be fully equipped with Wi-Fi later this year. Powered by Sky, “the UK’s largest public Wi-Fi network,” the solution is set to be in place by the end of summer this year. Martin Cruddace, Chief Executive of ARC, commented: “At what is an exciting time for ARC …

William Hill’s new leadership team is confident of delivering the FTSE bookmaker’s ‘next chapter’ having closed a group-wide transformative 2017. The bookmaker’s £238 million impairment charge on the value of its Australian business, dominated industry headlines last week, as William Hill Chief Executive Philip Bowcock presented full-year 2017 results. Despite the Australian downturn, Bowcock details to investors that William Hill has undertaken …

William Hill’s decision to take a £238m impairment charge on the value of its Australian business saw the bookmaker report a pre-tax loss of £75m for 2017, but the firm is confident that the performance of the business as a whole is positive. While Group net revenue grew 7% to £1,711.1m, a total of £335.0m of exceptional costs and adjustments …

Sports Information Services (SIS) is to provide funding to the British Greyhound Breeders Forum (BGBF) for the next three years. The financial help provided by the live pictures and data supplier is to support and encourage British breeders over the course of the multi year deal. Gordon Bissett, Greyhound Operations Manager at SIS, said: “We are pleased to be supporting …

Aristocrat Leisure has reported a strong 2017 showing, “against a backdrop of broadly flat markets and increasing pressure from existing and new competitors”. Speaking at the firm’s annual general meeting, Trevor Croker, Aristocrat CEO, highlighted a fiscal year rise of 15% in group revenue in reported terms, to a record result of more than $2.45b. Earnings before EBITDA also rose …

Publishing its full-year 2017 results (period ending 30 December) FTSE250 gambling technology supplier Playtech Plc has delivered metric growth in-line with corporate expectations, despite facing headwinds in both its regulated and unregulated operations. The industry technology provider reports full-year 2017 group revenues of €807 million, up 14% on corresponding FY 2016’s €708 million. Closing its 2017 accounts, Playtech governance declares …