Five new members will be inducted to the Sports Betting Hall of Fame at next week’s SBC Summit Barcelona – Digital. 

Despite the event moving online because of the COVID pandemic, SBC has decided to go ahead with the Hall of Fame ceremony and switch it to a virtual format, in order to pay tribute to some of the most influential people in the industry’s history.

The five new members are:

• Ralph Topping – former William Hill CEO
• Victor Chandler – BetVictor founder
• Bill Mummery – pioneer in online betting & Asian market
• Giovanni Garrisi – StanleyBet CEO
• Juan B. Pérez Hidalgo – President of Coljuegos

The virtual ceremony will include interviews with the new members, as they share some insights into their success and thoughts about the current state of the sports betting industry with the thousands of delegates watching. 

Ralph Topping commented: “Growing up in the industry it was a privilege to meet and observe a lot of the people who have appeared in the Hall of Fame, so I’m very humbly accepting the kind offer to join them. I think it’s a good thing for the sector that there is such a thing as the Sports Betting Hall of Fame.”

Victor Chandler said: “I am delighted to have been invited to join the Sports Betting Hall of Fame alongside so many other illustrious members of the industry.  As a fourth generation bookmaker, it is an industry that is in my blood and has given me so many adventures, both good and bad.  I would like to convey my thanks at being recognised in this way.”

Bill Mummery, Executive Director of Celton Manx, added: “I’m delighted. After a very long career this really is a high point. Thank you very much for the recognition.”

SBC Managing Director Andrew McCarron commented:

“Once again we have a fantastic line-up for the Sports Betting Hall of Fame, all of whom made a significant impact on how the industry has developed over the last few decades. 

“In an ideal world we would be honouring these new members in person, as we did at last year’s emotional event at the Natural History Museum, however our cutting edge digital event platform will at least allow us to mark the occasion.”

SBC launched the Sports Betting Hall of Fame in 2016, in order to honour, preserve and perpetuate the names and outstanding accomplishments of personalities who have brought lasting success to the industry. The original inductees were Carsten Koerl (CEO, Sportradar), Mark Blandford (Founder, Sportingbet) and Howard Chisholm (Director, Bookmakers Technology Consortium). 

They have since been joined by Paris Smith (CEO, Pinnacle), Fred Done (Founder, Betfred), Vigen Badalyan (Founder & CEO, BetConstruct), Norbert Teufelberger (Co-Founder, Bwin), Pontus Lindwall (CEO, Betsson), Warwick Bartlett (CEO, GBGC), Constantinos Antonopoulos (Vice-Chairman, Intralot), Fabio Schiavolin (CEO, Snaitech), Denise Coates (Founder & CEO, bet365), John Boyle (Founder & Chairman, BoyleSports), John Anderson (Former CEO, 888 Holdings), Armin Sageder (Founder, paysafecard & BGT), Richard Flint (Former CEO, Sky Betting & Gaming) and Jukka Honkavaara (Punter who placed the first ever online sports bet).

The US chapter of the Sports Betting Hall of Fame also welcomed five new members earlier this year: 

• Victor Salerno – President, USBookmaking & US Fantasy Sports
• Raymond Lesniak – Former Senator New Jersey
• Roxy Roxborough – Legendary Las Vegas Oddsmaker
• Sara Slane – Former Sr. VP, American Gaming Association 
• Jay Rood – COO, Bet.Works

The Class of 2020 joined Art Manteris (VP Race and Sports Book Operations, Station Casinos) Dennis Drazan (CEO, Monmouth Park) and Chris Christie (former NJ Governor) as members of the Hall of Fame from the US industry.

All delegates at SBC Summit Barcelona – Digital, which takes place on 8 – 11 September 2020, will be able to find out more about the Hall of Fame and watch interviews with some of the latest intake.

Click here to register for your free pass for the virtual conference and exhibition for the global betting & gaming industry.

Rhode Island, the smallest state in the US, saw total sports betting handle rocket 231.5% in July compared to June. 

Sports betting handle hit $6.7 million USD as casinos reopened and the state lifted the in-person registration requirement on 22 July. In June, total sports betting handle was just $2 million. 

Unsurprisingly, given the COVID-19 situation, mobile wagering did especially well, with the Rhode Island Lottery reporting a handle of $4.4m – up 109.5% from June’s $2.1m – and making up 65.4% of the month’s total handle. 

Although it was good news for mobile sports wagering, the state’s two casinos – Twin River Casino Hotel and Tiverton Casino Hotel – may still be forced to permanently lay off around 1,300 employees who are currently on furlough until the end of September. 

AYO.NEWS says:

It might be a small state, but the recovery of sports betting in Rhode Island certainly bodes well for other US states. Governor Gina Raimondo’s decision to drop the ridiculous in-person registration requirement should also be applauded, and hopefully other states that may have been considering similar requirements have taken note.

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

The English Premier League (EPL) has confirmed all closed-door matches will be broadcast from the start of the 2020/21 campaign. 

Lifting the traditional 3pm television blackout means the EPL can negotiate with broadcasters regarding all top flight games for the duration of the COVID-19 ban on in-stadia spectators. The news also means individual football clubs will be permitted to continue to provide season ticket holders with match-day codes to stream home matches. 

The ‘football blackout’ is a rule stating no Premier League, Football League, or FA Cup matches can be broadcast live on TV on Saturday’s between 2.45pm and 5.15pm. It was introduced in the 1960s, when some clubs feared the introduction of televised matches would mean fewer people would attend matches, especially in the lower leagues. Over 40 years later, the rule is still in place, and even affects foreign matches, and live streams shown at bars and pubs.

According to UK newspaper The Times, had the Premier League adhered to its original contracts with BT Sports and Sky Sports, 40% of its games in the 2020/21 season would not have been televised. However, given the current extraordinary circumstances, and the real possibility that fans would simply illegally stream fixtures.

Last year the Premier League’s 3pm blackout was also temporarily ditched, when it launched its Project Restart. That saw all remaining matches broadcast free on several platforms, including the BBC and Twitch, in addition to BT Sports and Sky Sports. However, it seems this time, the Premier League won’t be asking broadcasters to make some games free-to-air. 

The English Football League (EFL), has also made special arrangements in the face of continued COVID-19 disruption, allowing clubs to stream matches that aren’t being televised by Sky Sports. 

AYO.NEWS says:

This will be welcome news to sports betting operators, who are looking to the upcoming season as a chance to claw back some of the losses from the lockdowns. And, well, maybe this is a good time to look at if the 3pm blackout is still really justifiable?

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

Gambling and financial services technology supplier Playtech has confirmed it is looking to offload its trading tech division TradeTech. 

According to the FTSE 250 group, it has been in talks with several interested parties, including an Israel group, since last November, but stressed negotiations “are at an early stage and there can be no certainty that any transaction will be forthcoming, or whether acceptable terms will be agreed.”

Playtech also reiterated that the division was still making a valuable contribution to business, providing spread-betting services to clients. 

Apparently, Playtech has appointed UBS Investment Bank to manage the sale of TradeTech, which includes TradeTech Alpha, Markets.com, MarketsX, and CFH. It is thought Playtech is seeking an initial bid of around $200 – $250. 

AYO.NEWS says:

With Playtech having pivoted hard in response to the COVID-19 disruption, and growing interest in the trading markets among retail investors, this is probably a pretty good time to sell TradeTech.

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

Global sports betting supplier Kambi Group has partnered with US racing, online wagering and entertainment company Churchill Downs.

The multi-year agreement with a subsidiary of Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI), will see Kambi become the sportsbook technology and services provider to CDI’s BetAmerica sports betting brand. BetAmerica sportsbooks are currently operating in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Mississippi. 

BetAmerica will offer Kambi’s online and on-property sports wagering services, leveraging its offering with its integrated online gaming platform powered by GAN’s U.S.-optimised enterprise software. 

Commenting on the partnership, Kambi CEO, Kristian Nylén, said:

“It’s a pleasure for Kambi to be partnering with CDI and its BetAmerica brand, which has the potential to benefit from its market access and existing customer database. I’m certain with the quality and experience we possess, together with the BetAmerica leadership team, we will be able to grow our businesses together as the U.S. sports betting and iGaming market expands.”

While CEO of CDI, Bill Carstanjen, added:

“We believe the transition to Kambi and GAN as our new technology providers will enable our team to execute the rollout of BetAmerica sportsbooks and iGaming product offering more efficiently as states move to legalize and implement regulations permitting sports betting and iGaming in the coming years. BetAmerica will benefit from the proven excellence of these market-leading providers.” 

AYO.NEWS says:

Earlier this week Churchill Downs was forced to abandon plans to allow a limited number of spectators to attend the 146th Kentucky Derby, vividly illustrating the continued disruption the COVID-19 crisis is having on business. Given this, it’s not surprising to see the company increase investment in its online offering.

Meanwhile, staying with Kambi, a couple of days ago the company announced it had extended its sportsbook partnership with operator LeoVegas. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

Betfred has made an offer of up to ZAR925m ($54.8m) for South African horseracing betting operator Phumelela. 

If accepted, the deal, which consists of an initial payment of ZAR875m, followed by a deferred ZAR50m consideration, will see the British bookmaker acquire all of Phumelela’s assets. 

Betfred has also offered to provide a loan of ZAR650m to help the South African company clear its debts, which have soared to more than ZAR600m during the COVID-19 crisis. The loan would be paid in two instalments, the first one of ZAR250m within five days of the plan being approved. 

As an extra sweetener, Betfred has promised to protect all jobs and keep all of Phumelela’s assets together, if it accepts the offer. Phumelela only has until 1 September to accept the offer. 

In a statement, Betfred said:

“Our intention with this offer is to reinvigorate a struggling industry and, in doing so, facilitate economic growth, job creation and access to international markets and best practices.

“Furthermore, the investment by an experienced multinational corporation into South Africa is likely to result in enhanced growth and opportunities for South Africa.”

Betfred had previously attempted to acquire Phumelela in July, making three unsuccessful offers.

As an alternative to acquisition by Betfred, Phumelela is also considering an option to sell its horse racing business to Mary Oppenheimer Daughters (MOD – an organisation run by the family of the famous late industrialist Harry Oppenheimer), as part of a rescue plan. 

AYO.NEWS says:

Betfred’s latest offer for Phumelela seems compelling – with creditors in line to receive 100% of their claims, and the operator, and all its jobs, remaining intact and secure. 

Staying with the troubled world of South African sports, in July international online betting operator Betway stepped in to save Cricket South Africa from financial dire straits, sponsoring its Test and One Day International series – after its previous sponsor, Standard Bank, terminated its contract in response to the suspension of CSA CEO Thabang Moroe on charges of corruption. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020