The assets of Entain Plc are being closely circled by private equity giants, with a view to plunder the FTSE100 gambling group under its strategic review. As reported by The Sunday Times, the ‘US private equity barons’ of Apollo Global and CVC Capital are considering a break-up of Entain as the business ends its era of ‘casino capitalism‘, following last …
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Playtech Plc is reported to have tabled a £700m offer to acquire embattled LSE rival 888 Holdings. As reported by The Sunday Times this weekend, FTSE 250-listed Playtech’s “£700m swoop for 888 Holdings” was rejected by the board as “undervaluing the company”, according to City sources. The approach is reported to have taken place in July, with Playtech valuing its …
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The funding of problem gambling’s research, education and treatment (RET) programme faces a radical shake-up as the NHS is expected to declare that it will no longer accept donations/funds from charities associated with the UK gambling sector. According to The Sunday Times, NHS governors will ‘rubber-stamp the decision this week, so ties are cut for the new financial year’ – …
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The Racing League has unveiled a range of media and sponsorship partners, notably announcing a multi-million pound agreement with News UK. As part of the deal between the newly launched horse racing competition and the media conglomerate, News UK will publish and broadcast horse racing content across The Sun, The Times, The Sunday Times and TalkSPORT.. The Times will publish …
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City news sources report that an £80 million bet has been placed against GVC Holdings, believing that the FTSE250 betting group’s share price will significantly devalue within the coming weeks. The short position against GVC has been taken by Chicago-based hedge fund Citadel, a $32 billion fund led by renowned activist investor Ken Griffin. Citadel analysts have confidence in betting …
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The Sunday Times and The Observer newspapers have this weekend reported that the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) will recommend banning the use of credit cards across all online gambling verticals, publishing the findings of its regulatory consultation on credit wagering. Expected to be published this week, the UKGC will recommend to the government a ban on all credit card transactions, …
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UK media reports further boardroom changes for FTSE betting groups, as Flutter Entertainment eyes its next Chairman appointment to replace incumbent Gary McGann in 2020. This weekend, The Sunday Times reported that Flutter’s new Non-Executive Director Andrew Higginson was the frontrunner to replace Gary McGann (69), who is set to retire next year. Higginson, who serves as the current Group …
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In my recent SBC News article “Be mindful of protecting children”, I commented on the Sunday Times article entitled “Cartoons lure kids to online gambling”, published on 8 October. I had no knowledge that at the same time I was writing that, the Gambling Commission had joined forces with the Committee of Advertising Practice, the Advertising Standards Authority and the Remote …
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UK regulatory and licensing stakeholders have sent a joint-letter to online gambling operators demanding that adverts ‘appealing to minors’ be ‘immediately removed’ from websites and active marketing inventory (media, affiliates and third parties). The joint-letter was published by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), and supported by UK advertising bodies the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and The Advertising Standards Authority …
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Ladbrokes Coral Plc is reported to be reviewing all corporate options, as it prepares for this October’s much anticipated UK government triennial review of industry FOBTs wagering and advertising standards. This Weekend, The Sunday Times reported that Ladbrokes Coral governance has hired Deutsche Bank, Greenhill, and UBS as corporate advisors on ‘consolidation matters’ in preparation for the government’s decision. Industry executives …
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