Company Reports

SKYCITY Entertainment Group revealed that it has reached an agreement to sell its Darwin casino to US hospitality behemoth Delaware North, which operates as a major player in gaming venues, pubs and food outlets, sports stadiums and airports sectors. The price of the sale was estimated at AU$188 million. A few weeks ago, it became clear that the Australian and New Zealand casino company is considering to dispose of its SKYCITY Darwin hotel and casino resort as part of its efforts to bring a new life its gambling business. Delaware…

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld a complaint against Platinum Gaming Ltd trading as Unibet, after judging an advert of the brand breached the CAP Code rules. One complaint was filed against a tweet made through the official Twitter account of Nicky Henderson, a racecourse trainer, on October 27th. The tweet posted on the social network promoted a Unibet blog, with a link to the blog being included, too. The complainant challenged whether the tweet violated the CAP Code rules and shared their belief that the gambling operator had editorial…

One of the largest bookmakers in the UK – William Hill – has warned that it expects lower full-year profits due to the crackdown imposed by the Government on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs), as well as to the closure of a number of customer accounts to fight money laundering and problem gambling. According to the gambling operator, the tax increase and stricter regulatory regime imposed on high-street bookmakers were also some of the main reasons to blame for the lower results. The company slashed its expectations for its full-year profit…

Last year, Scottish football bosses scooped millions of pounds by selling match statistics to local bookmakers. According to reports, in 2017, the Scottish Professional Football League generated up to £3 million by providing specific game data to UK gambling operators. The aforementioned amount represented a £1.2-million increase in the profits compared to the previous result. The massive amount has been produced thanks to the constantly growing market in live betting on football matches, but at the same time, it has resulted in rising concerns related to the also rising influence…

The city of Wyndham will see more poker machines introduced, in spite of the fact that local council and residents’ fierce objection against the roll-out. The Government of Premier Daniel Andrews has officially allowed to the city of Wyndham to add 80 more machines to its gambling landscape. The addition will bring the overall number of pokies there to almost 1,000. As mentioned above, the decision of the Andrews Government has faced fierce opposition from both the residents of the city and the city council members. ALP Councillor Josh Gilligan…

One of the largest gambling operators in the UK – William Hill – managed to escape possible punishment from the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), after a complaint about a company’s advert was filed. The complainant, who was a William Hill customer, challenged a TV ad of the brand, seen on July 8th, 2018, saying that part of it could be misleading to players. The voice-over stated that “two extra bet boosts” were available on all matches of the World Cup’s schedule. The complainant, however, claimed that customers had stopped receiving…

The UK gambling industry suffered a serious blow yesterday, at the time when the new budget was announced, with the UK Treasury revealing that it is to impose a 6% tax increase to online gambling operators. Chancellor Philip Hammond shared that the increase of the remote gaming duty paid by operators which offer online gambling services is expected to compensate for the expected revenues losses which are set to occur as a result from the crackdown imposed on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs). Due to the planned change, the remote gaming…

Gwyn Rees, the Chief Executive Officer of ClubsACT, has shared an opinion on the Government’s gambling reforms, saying that it could hurt its own poker machine-generated revenue should it go too far with the planned crackdown. Mr. Rees further explained that too harsh reforms could even make problem gamblers look for other options, going to Queanbeyan clubs. The ClubsACT’s CEO made these claims following the report issued by the Canberra Gambling Harm Reduction Alliance, which was aimed at urging the Government to consider a possible reduction of the maximum bet…

The Revenue Commissioners, which is commonly referred to simply as Revenue, has decided to expand its crackdown on illegal casinos in Dublin. The Irish Government agency that is currently bears the responsibility for taxation, customs, excise and other related issues, also revealed to the Finance Minister that the process of seizing the controversial machines has already started. Earlier this year, it became clear that unlicensed gambling machines had spread in Dublin. According to media reports, the unlawful terminals bypassed a piece of legislation under which casino-style gaming machines are currently…

Under the existing state law of New South Wales (NSW) in Australia, the local government is given the chance to make decisions on the fate of poker machines winnings which are left unclaimed by punters on an annual basis. In accordance with the provisions, the NSW Government has the right to determine what such funds are to be used for, as long as they are directed to a cause or a project which would bring benefit to the community. This is how the state has turned the local greyhound race…