Betfair, Totesport ink Partnership Agreement
Betfair has inked a partnership agreement with Totesport whereby customers can bet on the U.K. Tote via their Betfair accounts. The service went into effect on Feb. 25.
Online Sports Book Revenues up Big in Panama
According to a report by Panama's Gambling Control Committee, legal online sports books licensed in the Central American nation registered around $26.3 million in revenues in 2007, an 87.8 percent increase over 2006's $14 million. Currently, six companies operate legally in Panama.
Betsson Bids Bienvenido to Peru
Stockholm-listed operator Betsson has entered the Peruvian market, offering online poker, online casino, sports betting and scratch-card services. According to Betsson's Web site, it entered Peru in January of this year.
UK Horse Racing Levy Remains at 10 Percent
The British government decided on Feb. 20 to set the horse racing levy at 10 percent, which, according to Bloomberg, will see bookmakers pay £100 million annually. The fee goes to fund prize money and programs to breed and care for animals. The government stepped in to arbitrate the fee after talks broke down between the U.K. racing industry and bookmakers including William Hill and Ladbrokes. "It's a matter of serious regret to the government that we have again found ourselves in the position of having to make a determination," Gerry Sutcliffe, junior minister in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, said in a written statement to Parliament.
Jaxx Banks on Abandoned BetandGame Accounts
Fluxx AG's U.K.-based subsidiary Jaxx has agreed to acquire more than 17,000 player accounts that belonged to now-defunct BetandGame.com. All customer data, credit and outstanding bets will be transferred to the Jaxx database.
Ladbrokes Drops £135 Million on Northern Irish Chain
Ladbrokes has purchased 54 betting shops from Eastwood Bookmakers in Northern Ireland for around £135 million, making it the largest licensed betting outlet operator in the province with a total of 70 outlets. The firm is already the largest bookmaker in the Republic of Ireland, where it operates 201 betting shops. The deal also includes Eastwood's telephone betting business, based in Belfast. The £135 million Ladbrokes paid includes goodwill payments and a leaseback of the freehold properties.
Partouche to Launch UK-facing Sports Betting Site
French casino group Partouche has said it will launch a new sports betting Web site targeting the U.K. market in the second quarter of 2008. Partouchegaming.com will be available in English and will specifically target U.K. residents. The company’s goal is to launch in time for the start of the Euro 2008 Football Championships in Austria and Switzerland in June.