Racing consortium makes Tote bid
The government has received a formal offer to buy the Tote from a racing industry consortium comprising the Racecourse Holdings Trust, Arena Leisure and the Racehorse Owners Association. Sources estimate the bid is in the region of £300-350 million, substantially less than the £400 million asking price.
French authorities detain senior Bwin executives
Bwin's co-chief executives Manfred Bodner and Norbert Teufelberger have been arrested for allegedly violating French gaming laws. A spokesperson for Bwin said the Austrian company had contacted lawyers and would take "vehement action against these human rights violations".
Monaco supports Bwin despite arrest
AS Monaco has stated that Bwin would remain as club sponsors despite Bodner and Teufelberger being detained at its training facilities. The football club also said that it had not been 'informed of any judicial problems between the executives and the French authorities and therefore the commercial agreement would stand.'
GamCare issues phone quiz concern
GamCare has voiced concern at ITV's admission that it had made £20 million from its late-night phone-in quizzes. The gambling charity said that the shows were not perceived as gambling and people were not aware of how much they were spending until the phone bill arrived.
Butler brothers acquire Irish UCI cinemas
Colum and Ciaran Butler have acquired the Irish operations of UCI cinemas for an estimated euros90 million. Two of the sites, at Dublin's Coolock and Blanchardstown, are adjacent to current Leisureplex units owned by the brothers and it is thought they plan to redevelop them as leisure complexes.
Dicks resigns as chairman, allowed back to UK
Peter Dicks resigned as chairman of online gaming firm Sportingbet hours before New York governor George Pataki withdrew the warrant for his detention, allowing him to return to the UK. Sportingbet said that it had received his resignation with 'great reluctance' and that he was leaving the company to concentrate on 'personal matters'.
Betbroker announces Jordan appointment
Betbrokers will announce the appointment of former Formula One boss Eddie Jordan as a non-executive director ahead of next month's expected float. The sports-betting brokerage plans to raise £5 million when it lists on the Alternative Investment Market, securing a market value of around £45 million.
UNiTab shareholders approve Tattersall's merger
UNiTAB's shareholders have formally approved the 'proposed scheme of arrangement' that would allow the merger of equals between UNiTAB and Tattersall's to proceed. A majority of 96.51 per cent of shareholders present and voting approved the scheme.
Commission refuses to ban roulette gadget
The Gambling Commission is refusing to ban an electronic device which uses software to calculate where a ball is likely to land on the roulette table. The commission is advising casinos to refuse to pay people caught using the devices, requiring the gamblers to take legal action in order to obtain their winnings.
Punch in £164m Mill House acquisition
Punch Taverns has acquired Mill House Inns from the Bank of Scotland for £164 million. The pub operator said the acquisition of Mill House would fit neatly into its strategy of securing opportunities to further increase the estate.
Bulgaria amusement park to close
Bulgaria's biggest amusement park is to be shut down and sold by owner First Investment Bank with a job loss of nearly 550 people. Sofia Land will be stripped down to make way for business developments according to local press.
Swallow enters administration
London & Edinburgh Swallow Group has gone into administration citing increasing heavy losses. The pub and hotel operator has appointed Ernst & Young to conduct a review and possible restructuring of the business.
Czech lottery to offer cash services at terminals
Czech lottery company Sazka will enable cash withdrawals at its betting terminals from early next year. Chief executive officer Ales Husak said the company was also in talks to allow water, power and gas payments at its 7,000 terminals.
Scottish research links online board to gambling addiction
Research conducted by a research team from Southern General Hospital in Glasgow has found that online board used to treat Parkinson's disease appear to turn some patients into persistent gamblers. The study found that about 10 percent of those taking dopamine agents had become problem gamblers, although many had been regular betters before they took the medication.
Lottomatica merger approved
Italian lottery management company Lottomatica's board has approved a merger with its wholly-owned Nova Prima subsidiary. The move is aimed at streamlining the ownership of US gaming group Gtech Holdings.
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