Evergrande’s downfall impacts foreign investment in casino industry

Earlier today Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali was handed a suspended two-month ban and fined £20,000 by the English Football Association for breaching betting rules. This ban is in addition to a 10-month suspension he is currently serving, imposed by the Italian Football Federation for similar offences.

The story ofin a world where talent and skill are celebrated, gives a glimpse into the personal battles that players often face off the pitch. An Italian international and former Milan midfielder, Tonali’s career has been marred by a that has led to multiple suspensions.

Tonali’s journey into the abyss of gambling began during his tenure at Newcastle United. The English Football Association (FA) accused him of placing between 40 and 50 bets on football matches, including four on his own team’s results. It was confirmed that he participated in three of the four matches he wagered on. Interestingly, the bets were always placed in favor of his team, which resulted in a less severe punishment than if he had bet on a draw or a loss.

The FA imposed a fine of £20,000 on Tonali and revealed that the total amount wagered was well over €100,000 (approximately £85,600). However, this is not the first time Tonali has faced disciplinary action for his gambling activities. Prior to his stint at Newcastle United, he was serving a 10-month ban in Italy for breaching betting rules.

Despite these setbacks, Tonali has shown a commitment to overcoming his addiction. He has sought treatment and counselling, a process that continued even after his transfer from Milan to Newcastle United in the summer of 2023. This proactive approach towards recovery is commendable and serves as a beacon of hope for other players battling similar issues.

However, the consequences of his actions extend beyond personal repercussions. Tonali’s case has shed light on the pervasive issue of gambling in football. The Italian authorities have been particularly stringent in their crackdown on this issue. Tonali was initially handed an 18-month ban in Italy, with eight months commuted to a “treatment plan” to combat his addiction.

The two-month ban imposed by the FA is a suspended sentence, meaning it will not be added to his current ban. It will only be triggered if he violates the betting rules again. This approach reflects the seriousness with which theootballing authorities view such transgressions and their commitment to preserving the integrity of the sport.

Sandro Tonali’s story is one of personal struggles that lurks behind the glamour of professional football. Initiatives for mental health support in the sport are needed to combat the issue of gambling. As Tonali continues his journey towards recovery, his story will undoubtedly be a cautionary measure for others in the sport.

Caesars Entertainment (NASDAQ: CZR) announced on 30 April that it has upgraded the Caesars Palace Online Casino application for use on iOS and Android mobiles. The new app is now live. It is headlined by an industry-first multi-lobby navigation layout that revolutionises the online casino experience.

The app is dedicated to popular game concepts, including slots, table games, and Live Dealer. The functionality of the app is first of its kind and is an extensive revamp. The new Caesars Palace Online Casino app breaks the mould of the typical online casino app design with a clean and layered user experience modelled after a real-life casino floor layout with areas devoted to specific game types.

Anyone 21 and upwards can get closer to the thousands of casino games they love via a uniquely innovative online casino product fully dedicated to serving the online casino customer and fit for the most iconic brand in casino entertainment.

The Caesars Palace Online Casino app’s new functionality allows players who know what they want to play to quickly access their favourite games while also providing an enjoyable way for players who are more interested in discovering new games to do so.

According to the gaming laws the users of this app must be over 21 and  physically be present in any of the four US States,  New Jersey, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania and the Canadian province of Ontario. Caesars Palace Frenzy, produced by Games Global and other titles have been added to the app. Caesars has said it will continue to add a number of new exclusive and bespoke games with player promotions to the app. The newly upgraded Caesars Palace Online Casino app will allow players to continue to earn Caesars Rewards points whenever they play online also. 

Flutter Entertainment's decision to relocate its primary listing from London to New York has been backed by an overwhelming 98 percent of shareholders at its annual meeting. The move to the New York Stock Exchange is expected to be effective by the end of this month and it reflects the company’s growth trajectory and the changing dynamics of the global financial markets. It remains to be seen how this move will impact Flutter’s future growth and the London Stock Exchange’s standing as an international financial centre.

The decision by Flutter, formerly known as Paddy Power Betfair, is not an isolated incident. It is part of a growing trend of public companies moving their primary listings from London, thereby weakening the London’s standing. This trend has been fuelled by the allure of higher valuations and executive pay in the US market. One thing is certain, however - the global financial landscape is in flux, and companies are strategically positioning themselves to navigate this changing terrain.

Flutter's transatlantic leap has several implications for its investors. New York will enhance Flutter's profile in the US, its largest market by revenue. This increased visibility will attract a large pool of investors and subsequently increase the company's market cap. US markets are recognised for their depth and liquidity therefore Flutter will gain access to deeper capital markets which will provide greater liquidity for its shares.

Flutter's New York listing may lead to an increase in Flutter's share price benefitting its investors. The move to a primary US listing will give Flutter the opportunity to pursue inclusion in major US indices and this will increase the company's visibility resulting in a demand for its shares.

Flutter's primary listing relocation to NYSE is not an isolated incident. Several other companies have also chosen to make a similar transition. Earlier this year, Anglo-German travel company Tui and building materials company CRH made similar moves. Indivior, a pharmaceutical company, and Ocado, an online grocery retailer, are also reportedly considering a shift to the US. This exodus from the London Stock Exchange is indicative of a broader shift in the global financial landscape.

The decision by Flutter comes at a time when the company is anticipating to generate more than 40 percent of its revenues from the US market this year. This growth has been largely driven by the success of FanDuel, one of the country’s biggest online betting and fantasy sports platforms. The popularity of FanDuel has surged following the relaxation of online betting restrictions in the US in recent years. Sales in the country have risen from 10 percent of revenues five years ago, to 40 percent last year, making it the largest market by revenue for Flutter.

On the flip side, Flutter's move obviously means that it will be removed from London's FTSE indices. This may lead to selling pressure from index funds and other institutional investors that tract these indices.

It is also widely recognized that the recruitment and retention of talent in the United States typically necessitates a more substantial investment. As a result of Flutter Entertainment’s move, the company will be better positioned to recruit and retain US talent however this will increase staff costs and hiring expenses. Despite these potential higher costs, the ability to attract and retain talent in the US could significantly contribute to the company’s long-term growth and success.

The move to the US was first mooted in February 2023 when Flutter consulted shareholders over plans to gain a secondary listing in New York as part of its wider growth plans in the country. The company referred to the New York Stock Exchange as its “natural home” prior to the US listing in January.

The implications of this move are significant. It not only reflects the changing dynamics of the global financial markets but also underscores the strategic importance of the US market for companies like Flutter. As more companies follow suit, the shift could potentially reshape the global financial landscape, with New York emerging as the preferred destination for primary listings.

The market reception to this decision has been overwhelmingly positive, with 98 percent of shareholders backing the move. The company expects the primary listing to become effective imminently. As one analyst put it, “The strong shareholder support underscores the confidence in Flutter’s strategic direction.”

The move aligns with a broader trend of companies favouring U.S. markets, driven by potential valuation advantages. This strategic alignment reflects concerns about London’s attractiveness for IPOs and listed firms in the post-Brexit landscape. An industry observer noted, “Flutter’s move is emblematic of the shifting global financial landscape, with the U.S. increasingly seen as a more attractive market.”

Russell Pointon, Head of Consumer and Media markets at investment research firm Edison Group, highlighted the potential for increased influence. He noted that the NYSE listing might increase Flutter’s influence on investor perceptions of UK gambling PLCs.

However, the move is not without potential risks. Some analysts have expressed concerns about the move. For instance, an article in The Guardian suggested that UK shareholders should vote against Flutter’s flight to the US. This highlights the need for Flutter to carefully manage its stakeholder communications during this transition.

Flutter’s CEO, Peter Jackson, has stated that the group’s focus remains on the US, with liquidity pools there described as “much greater” than in any other markets. He also mentioned that the company sees itself as going home – the US is their natural home. This statement underscores the strategic importance of the U.S. market for Flutter’s future growth.

While there is a general consensus on the strategic benefits of the move, some analysts have also highlighted potential risks. As one financial commentator aptly put it, “Flutter’s move is a bold strategic play, but like all plays, it carries both potential rewards and risks.” It’s clear that this decision has sparked a significant discussion in the financial community.

The is setting its sights on attracting approximately 15 percent more inbound tourists from the United States, recognizing the significant contribution of this "highly valuable" market to the nation's tourism sector's full recovery.  

In 2023, the Philippines welcomed over 903,299 visitors from the US, generating PHP35 billion (€567 million) in tourism revenue—the highest among the country’s top tourist markets. This significant contribution underscores the importance of the American market in driving tourism receipts. 

In a report by the Philippine News Agency, Francisco Hilario Lardizabal, Philippine Tourism Director-Attache in New York, emphasized the strategic importance of the US market, highlighting that despite fewer arrivals, their spending power significantly boosts tourism revenue. He said that many inbound US travellers to the are former Filipino citizens, with a primary motivation to visit friends and relatives, leading to longer stays and higher expenditures. 

Lardizabal expressed confidence in achieving a 15 percent increase in inbound US visitors compared to 2023 figures. The Department of Tourism (DOT) is adopting a multifaceted approach to attract the market, including forging partnerships, enhancing training for travel agents, participating in B2B travel trade events, and organizing curated familiarization tours. 

A shift in US traveller demographics has been observed, with millennials showing increasing interest in the Philippines. The DOT aims to address the needs and preferences of this demographic by focusing on immersion or experiential travel, wellness tourism, workcation, premium travel, solo travel, and adventure and sports. 

Lardizabal highlighted emerging travel trends in the US market, such as increased interest in sports and activities like hiking, horseback riding, cycling, and scuba diving. These preferences present opportunities for the Philippines to tailor its offerings to cater to the evolving needs of US travellers, thereby further enhancing its appeal as a tourism destination. 

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