Flutter Consolidates International Business, Reveals New UK&I CEO
Flutter Entertainment on Nov. 18 announced details of a streamlined, two-divisional restructure to support its future growth plans, with existing international CEO Dan Taylor to lead the enlarged international business and PokerStars chief Kevin Harrington appointed as U.K. & Ireland (UKI) CEO.
The consolidated Flutter international business will now consist of five regions, including the UKI, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Southern Europe & Africa (SEA), Central & Eastern Europe (CEE) and Brazil.
Harrington is replacing Ian Brown, who is stepping down as CEO of Flutter UKI after over two years in the position. During this time, he oversaw the Sky Betting & Gaming, Paddy Power, Betfair, Tombola and PokerStars brands.
The U.S. FanDuel business, however, will remain as is with Amy Howe at the helm. Taylor will oversee the enlarged international business. He has been the Flutter International chief executive since July 2020.
Spain issues Nearly €65.4 Million In Fines To Online Gambling Sector In H1
In H1 2024 Spain’s ministry for consumer affairs dished out close to €65.4 million (US$68.5 million) in fines for non-compliance with online gambling laws, it noted in a Nov. 18 statement.
The ministry flagged 13 unlicensed online gambling operators for “very serious infringements” of Spain’s gambling laws. Interactive Pro, Stars Cream, Loveca Sino, Rougeca Sino, Mountberg, Alimanieri, Goldenpharaoh, Goldenlion, Golden Genie, Bigwins Games Tech, Games & More, Gladiator Holding and R.Bostock Enterprises were each ordered to pay a €5 million fine.
Codere Online, which has a license in Spain, was also among those fined by gambling regulator the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ). On April 25 the DGOJ sent a letter to the operator, flagging a Facebook ad it believed appealed to minors.
As this was in breach of the country’s gambling marketing regulations, the operator was ordered to pay a €162,500 fine. A €225,000 fine was handed to another licensee Electraworks for missing the deadlines set by the DGOJ for submitting technical requirement reports.
Ireland’s Gambling Bill: The Burning Questions
Various questions about Ireland’s new-look gambling regulation remain unanswered since the legislation’s passing on Oct. 16. It lays the foundation for a highly regulated industry overseen by a new regulator and enhanced player protections. But the bill made no mention of what the tax rate might look like, or whether it will even change from the current remote betting duty, which is a 2 percent turnover tax.
Some industry stakeholders believe the sector will push back on the legislation. Gaming lawyer Carlo Salizzo of Dublin-based firm Matheson LLP says the sector could file a constitutional challenge to the legislation.
“I think given the way the bill is drafted it’s more likely the industry would be looking to challenge it rather than lobby groups that might try to make it stricter,” he said.
There is also uncertainty about what the makeup of the regulator will look like. The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) is in the process of hiring for various roles including on its board, and Salizzo believes it could struggle to fill these roles due to a lack of experienced candidates.
LiveScore Group Restructuring to Impact More Than 100 Roles
LiveScore Group announced an internal restructuring process Nov. 19 that it expects to impact more than 100 roles across the business.
Exact details of the restructuring are not clear, although LiveScore said it would affect positions across multiple offices, including London. The process will support its wider and ongoing “sustainable growth strategy,” the operator said.
LiveScore said the changes are a “difficult yet important step,” with streamlining to create improved structures. This, it added, will allow for a pathway to long-term sustainable growth.
Commenting on the restructuring, LiveScore CEO Sam Sadi said he is “saddened” the group is taking such action. He added, however, that it would support the business in the long term.
U.K. High Court Dismisses £1.48 Million Player Losses Case Against Betfair
A U.K. High Court judge Nov. 14 rejected a case brought by a player seeking to recover £1.48 million (US$1.86 million) in losses made on the Betfair Exchange between 2009 and 2019.
The case against Betfair was heard in London’s Royal Courts of Justice between July 1-12, during which claimant Lee Gibson accused Flutter’s Betfair arm of failing their duty of care to him, although he didn’t tell them he was suffering with a gambling addiction.
But court filings noted that Betfair did not owe Gibson a duty of care as they had no indication that he needed one.
“[By law] a person does not owe a common law duty of care to prevent others suffering harm as a result of their own acts,” the ruling said.
He also made the claim that Betfair was operating unlawfully and in breach of its license and so each individual bet he placed should have been voided. Gibson was deemed an unreliable witness, and the case was dismissed.
