Category Archives: Betting

SAZKA rides high off 68% EBITDA growth ahead of full unit comeback

SAZKA Group retains confidence in its full-year financial outlook, as the enlarged Czech gambling conglomerate prepares for the full comeback of business units across European markets. Publishing its H1 2021 interim results (period ending 30 June) – SAZKA records group revenues of €1.26 billion, up 96% on corresponding 2020 results of €652 million. Topline revenue …

Michael Dugher: Gambling ads not singled out by consumers

The viewing public find advertising to be ‘annoying’ in general, not gambling advertising in particular, according to Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) Chief Executive Michael Dugher. Writing in parliamentary magazine The House, the BGC CEO, and former Shadow Secretary of State for the DCMS, criticised ‘prohibitionists from the anti-gambling lobby’, although acknowledged that the industry …

Interest in William Hill retail divisions remains after 888 acquisition

As this morning 888 Holdings is declared the winning bidder of Caesar Entertainment’s auction of William Hill’s non-US assets – uncertainty remains as to the future of the heritage bookmaker’s retail unit and how it will reshape betting’s presence on the high-street.   The deal will enable 888 to quadruple its market share, becoming the third-largest …

DT9 Media ups compliance efforts with GiG Comply

Malta-based gaming company DT9 Media LTD has become the latest to utilise Gaming Innovation Group’s automated marketing compliance tool, GiG Comply. Used by the likes of bet365, Betway, Novibet and Pixelbet, GiG Comply enables betting and gaming companies to scan more than 30,000 web pages each day for content including links and iGaming code red …

888 acquires ‘hugely exciting’ £2.2bn William Hill International

888 Holdings CEO Itai Pazner has confirmed the ‘hugely exciting acquisition of William Hill’s non-US business from Caesars Entertainment for £2.2bn.  The deal, news of which broke earlier this week, is expected to deliver ‘significant operating efficiencies’, including pre-tax cost synergies of at least £100 million per year, which 888 says will lead to improved …

Stoiximan consolidation sees OPAP survive tough Greek winter

OPAP SA reveals solid progress for its business recording headline growth despite its lottery and VLT units being impacted by significant COVID-19 headwinds.  Publishing its H1 trading results (period ending 30 June), OPAP group revenues stood at €570 million, up 12% on corresponding 2020 results of €507 million. H1 growth was primarily attributed to the …

Flutter joins EGBA as organisation strengthens sustainability pledge

Flutter Entertainment has become the latest operator to join the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA). By joining the Brussels-based trade group, Flutter has reiterated its commitment to industry responsibility and safer gambling across the European betting and gaming sector, with the organisation representing EU licenced and regulated operators. The Dublin-based FTSE 100 company joins …

Growth hungry Genius Sports upgrades 2021 forecasts 

Genius Sports has upgraded its full-year 2021 financial forecasts, having disclosed peak Q2 trading which saw the sportstech group double its revenues to $59 million (Q2 2020: $27m).  Publishing its first H1 Interim results as an NYSE enterprise, Genius revealed double and triple-digit Q2 revenue outcomes across its core business units. A breakdown of Q2 performance …

IGT creates Digital and Betting division in corporate restructure

IGT has announced a commercial re-organisation, creating a Digital and Betting business segment out of the igaming and sports betting divisions formerly part of its Global Gaming department. The third quarter of 2021 will see the group operate the business segments of the firm, which include the newly created Digital & Betting, the aforementioned Global …