UK’s Big Four Will Rein In Ads

British bookmaking giants William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral and Paddy Power will no longer run commercials during televised sporting events promising so-called “free bets” and other controversial incentives. The voluntary...

Published October 6, 2014

Greek Court Backs OPAP

William Hill and other major EU operators have lost a bid in Greek court to open the country’s betting market to private-sector competition. Hills and others have long argued...

Published October 6, 2014

Codere Reaches Debt Accord

Codere SA has reached an agreement with creditors to restructure $1.4 billion in debt, staving off possible insolvency proceedings. Jose Antonio Martinez Sampedro (l.) will remain as chairman and...

Published September 29, 2014

Cyprus Envisions Casino on a Big Scale

Cyprus’ newly authorized casino will be no small affair. Details released by the government include a casino of at least 100 table games and 1,000 slot machines and a...

Published September 29, 2014

Council of Europe Convention Fights Match Fixing

The Council of Europe Convention against the Manipulation of Sports Competition recently was signed by the Council of Europe Conference of Ministers. Twenty-seven member state of the European Union...

Published September 29, 2014

Aspers Casino Loses Alcohol License

Following an alleged attack on a customer by security staff, Aspers Casino in the London area lost its alcohol license until the Newham borough council holds a review hearing....

Published September 29, 2014

British Bookmakers Agree To Limit Advertising

An explosion in betting ads on British TV is raising social concerns the country’s biggest bookmakers have promised to address through formation of a self-policing agency. A range of...

Published September 22, 2014

Ranks Sounds Out Belfast on Casino

British gaming giant Rank Group is talking to officials in Belfast to gauge their support for a casino in the Northern Ireland capital. It’s strictly a proposal at this...

Published September 22, 2014

Tallying the War Against Russia’s Underground

When the Kremlin banished casinos and slot parlors from Russia’s major cities five years ago (a former casino in Moscow now up for lease at left), the industry went...

Published September 15, 2014

Gala’s Bingo Clubs for Sale

Britain’s Gala Coral Group wants to sell its 135 bingo clubs, the largest portfolio in the country. The deal could fetch more than £250 million and clear the way...

Published September 8, 2014

Crimea Casinos Could Be Tough Sell

Russian President Vladimir Putin (l.) is pushing for the Crimea to be designated the country’s fifth legal gaming zone. The Kremlin needs something to revive the annexed province’s ailing...

Published August 25, 2014

Rank Group Revenues Hit £707 Million

British casino and bingo giant Rank Group posted a strong second half to achieve revenues topping £700 million in the latest financial year. Things are expected to get better,...

Published August 25, 2014

Ho Bidding for Barcelona Casino

Macau casino tycoon Lawrence Ho (l.) is looking to expand into Europe with a bid for a resort casino at Barcelona’s proposed BCN World tourism and residential complex. A...

Published August 18, 2014

Cyprus Casino Comes Into View

The government of Cyprus has developed a regulatory outline for casino legalization on the Mediterranean island nation. The license could be awarded within a year, with requirements include a...

Published

England’s FA Institutes Total Betting Ban

World football’s match-fixing scandals have left England relatively unscathed, and the country’s top regulatory body, the Football Association, aims to keep it that way. Starting with the new season,...

Published

A UK First: Rewards Right at the Machine

British casino operator Aspers has introduced a new loyalty program that rewards players with credits delivered directly to the gaming device. It’s called Freeplay Xtra, and it’s never been...

Published

Ritz Club, Player Settle £5 Million Dispute

After accusing a high roller of bouncing a £5 million check and suing him in the UK’s High Court, London’s exclusive Ritz Club now says it was all a...

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Svenska Spel of Sweden Adopts Responsible Gaming Practice

The Swedish online gaming company, Svenska Spel, has ditched its player promotions and bonus enticements for responsible gaming.

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Caesars, Hard Rock Join Barcelona Bidding

Caesars Entertainment, Hard Rock International and Macau’s Lawrence Ho have submitted bids to develop resort casinos for Barcelona’s planned BCN World (l.). News reports said “several” bids were received...

Published August 4, 2014

Labour Proposes UK Betting Levy

With online gambling in Britain facing a regulatory overhaul and tax increase, the opposition Labour Party shadow Culture Secretary Harriet Harman (l.) is calling for a levy on all...

Published August 4, 2014