Europe NEWS

London Mayor faces pressure to ban gambling ads on London Transport Network

In the fiscal year 2023, Transport for London (TfL) received £663,640 from gambling advertisements. This revenue stream is now under scrutiny as London Mayor Sadiq Khan faces pressure to ban such ads, a commitment he made during his 2021 election campaign. Mounting Pressure for Action

BetMGM UK conquers Cheltenham with chart-topping performance

Despite initial technical setbacks, BetMGM UK emerged victorious at the Cheltenham Festival, claiming the top spot on the iPhone free sports app charts. This remarkable achievement underscores the company’s resilience and commitment to excellence in the competitive online betting landscape.

Accor’s announces ambitious $300m casino resort in Subic Bay

The French hotel giant, Accor International Group, has embarked on an ambitious venture with the groundbreaking of a $300 million casino resort in Subic Bay, Philippines. This project is not just a significant investment in the local economy but also marks Accor’s first casino in Southeast Asia.

UK Gambling Commission’s approach to industry regulation

Anti-gambling campaigners in the UK argue that a lack of regulation has allowed betting, especially online, to proliferate, leading to spiralling rates of harm, addiction, and even suicide, particularly among the young. MPs recently called for children to be shielded from the ‘bombardment’ by gambling ads at football grounds. One study found 7,000 gambling messages on billboards, shirt sponsorship, and in TV ad breaks in six matches on the opening weekend of the season.

Satchel’s global expansion and future prospects: Interview with Sigita Cize

During the recent ICE London event, SiGMA News spoke to Sigita Cize, Head of Sales at Satchel, providing an insightful glimpse into the company’s operations and future outlook. Satchel: Leading the charge in financial solutions Sigita Cize provided an overview of Satchel as an electronic money institution, operating successfully since 2018 under the licensing of…

Greek gaming regulator urges crackdown on illegal gaming

In a bid to address the escalating concerns surrounding illegal gambling activities, the Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) of Greece released data on illegal gaming in 2023.    The findings have spurred a call to action for concerted efforts from the government to combat the pervasive black market.   Dimitris Dzanatos, chairman of EEEP underscored the pressing need…

UK and Sweden strengthen gambling regulation through information exchange

In a move that reflects the increasingly global nature of the gambling market, the British Gambling Commission and its Swedish counterpart, Spelinspektionen, have reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration by renewing their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the exchange of information. This agreement, initially forged in 2019, serves as a testament to the shared vision of both regulatory bodies to foster a gambling environment characterized by safety and integrity.

Italy fines X over gambling ads violations

Social media platform X, formerly Twitter, has been slapped with a hefty fine of €1.35 million by Italy’s advertising and communications regulator Autorità per le Garanzie nelle Comunicazioni (AGCOM) due to breaches in gambling advertising regulations.    The fine, announced on March 12th, comes as a result of nine violations, each tied to a ‘Blue Tick’…

British Horseracing Authority’s commitment to Cheltenham

As the Cheltenham Festival races into action, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) takes this opportunity to highlight its unwavering commitment to horse welfare and safety. This prestigious event, which stands as a pinnacle in the racing calendar, not only showcases the sport’s competitive spirit but also reflects the extensive measures taken to ensure the well-being of its equine athletes.

Entain’s high-stakes game to divest PartyPoker

Entain, the FTSE-100 gambling conglomerate and owner of Ladbrokes and Coral, has enlisted the expertise of corporate finance boutique Oakvale Capital to advise on the sale of PartyPoker, once an online poker powerhouse. This strategic move is seen as an attempt to rejuvenate its core operations while warding off activist investors. PartyPoker, a subsidiary of PartyGaming, was valued at a staggering £5 billion during its London flotation in 2005. However, industry insiders who have been approached about the sale anticipate it to fetch around £150 million, marking a significant depreciation in its valuation. This decline is attributed to a mass exodus of customers in recent years, rendering the business non-core to Entain’s operations.