COVERAGE CUTS On Monday The Guardian reported that William Hill has asked the chairman of the British Broadcasting Channel’s trust stop the proposed racing coverage cuts coming in 2010.
The paper said that in a letter to letter to Sir Michael Lyons, Ralph J. Topping, chief executive of William Hill, addressed the bookmaker’s commercial interests in the plans among other issues.
“Terrestrial TV coverage increases the public's interest in racing and that has an impact for us as bookmakers,” Mr. Topping wrote. “It is precisely because it is popular with a large number of your viewers who relish the chance of placing a bet and then watching their selections at home that the BBC should reconsider.”
He also noted that the channel’s coverage plays a role in race sponsorships and suggested that without it, those sponsorships could fall by the wayside.
LAUNCHING GigaMedia Ltd. has formed a partnership with Victor Chandler International Group in order to expand and strengthen its Everest Gaming platform, the company said on Tuesday.
Everest Bets, the company’s new sports betting product, offers bets on a variety of sports horse racing, rugby and soccer. Supported by both Victor Chandler and Everest, the new Web site is available in six different languages.
“Victor Chandler is a sports betting legend with an enormous, thriving business and an unsurpassed reputation for honor and integrity,” said Bob Cahill, head of GigaMedia's gaming software business, in a prepared statement. “We hit the ground running with a world-class offering addressing a multi-billion dollar market.”
SPONSORING On Monday, William Hill announced it will sponsor three race days at Kempton Park Racecourse, which will commence on Jan. 10, 2009 and run through March 28.
“We’re delighted to have this arrangement with Kempton Park and particularly to back the National Hunt cards, which are high quality races, often unearthing potential stars for Cheltenham and Aintree,” said David Hood, director of racing for William Hill, in a prepared statement.
NEW HIRE Ladbrokes named a new corporate development director on Friday.
Chris Palmer, 34, will take on the role, the company said in a prepared statement. Currently the managing director of Hesketh Family Office, where he runs the Towcester racecourse, Mr. Palmer previously headed GG Media until 2007.
He will join Ladbrokes in February 2009.
AD SPOTS Although it’s the second television advertising campaign of the year for 32Red Online Casino, the operator says it’s the first ever television spot for its online casino.
Currently the company’s bingo is featured regularly in TV ads. However, the new ad campaign will target its casino, which 32Red said marks a significant shift in its marketing strategy following their sponsorship of an English football club.
Nambling Notes is .