Gambling Companies

Paddy Power Moves Into Australian Market

Paddy Power has begun its expansion into the Australian gaming market with its acquisition of a major stake in one of Australia's largest corporate bookmakers.

The company invested €27.2 million in a 51 per cent stake in Sportsbet as part of development strategy to expand into international markets. 

The acquisition, if approved by regulatory authorities, will be completed at the beginning of July. 



Online Gambling at a Crossroads in Australia

Australia's wagering industry is at the crossroads, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

Unibet Positive Financial Results Announced

Swedish Internet gambling giant, Unibet, announced positive financial results Monday for the first quarter of 2009 in the midst of a worldwide recession.

Highlights included gross winnings revenue amounting to $31.3 million for the first quarter of 2009, profit of $10.9 mil for this same period and operating cash flow before movements in working capital amounting to $13.5 million.  Active customers totaled 314,977.   

Delaware House Approves Revised Gambling Bill

USA Today reports that the Delaware legislature took the first step toward establishing sports gambling in the state, approving a bill early Friday morning that was opposed by every major sports le

Las Vegas Sands Losses Mount

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Casino operator Las Vegas Sands Corp.

New Age Symbols, Dolphins Being Used to Lure Sexually Abused Gamblers

A report in the Herald Sun recently suggested that anti-gambling zealots were now claiming poker machine operators in Australia were using New Age symbols to target gamblers who have suffered traum

William Hill Sees Double Growth in Online Business Despite Recession

The United Kingdom's second largest bookmaking operation is reporting a 50 per cent rise in revenue from its online gambling arm over the past year.  These figures come as the company recorded an

Harrah’s Gets Hit Hard By Economy: 2009 WSOP Hotel Rates Slashed

The world's largest casino operator and owner of the World Series of Poker, Harrah's Entertainment Inc., reported first quarter financial results Monday that showed a further decline in revenue.  The company said its revenue had declined 13.3 percent to $2.254 billion in the first quarter.  The pinch was felt especially hard in Las Vegas where these numbers were 20.5 percent (down to $686.4 million) while cash flow fell 27.9 percent to $198.6 million. 

William Hill Intends to Move Jobs Offshore

In a blow to the British government, the number two largest bookmaker, William Hill, has threatened to move approximately 90 jobs in the Internet division offshore. 

Bookmakers warned the chancellor, Alistair Darling, before the Budget that increases in gross profits tax on betting would stifle competitiveness, particularly for their online businesses, and force them to consider relocating staff, according to the Financial Times of London.

Last week, Darling increased the GPT on bingo from 15 per cent to 22 per cent.

Betfair Wants Access to Customer Medical Records

How much is too much when it comes to verifying a customer's identity?  The industry standard for online gambling generally involves a copy of one's driver's license and at least one recent utilit

Another Gambling Firm Files for Bankruptcy

Evergreen Gaming has filed for bankruptcy it was reported on Tuesday.  The Canadian-based firm did so after

Bodog Gets Its Domain Back

After much chest thumping about how Bodog would never cave into so-called "Patent Trolls", the company has reportedly gotten its much coveted Bodog.com domain name back.

Massachusetts Looks to Casino Gambling to Fill Coffers

Senate President Therese Murray has brought the casino debate to the table in Massachusetts.

James Packer Sells Family’s Long Term Investment

The Packer family's 26-year involvement in Australia's cattle industry has ended with the finalisation of the sale of its stake in Consolidated Pastoral Company (CPC).