Latest News
GVC Holdings cancels judicial review of FOBT decision despite £160m hit
GVC, holder of Ladbrokes Coral, has plead for present time for the implementation of the new £2 stake for B2 Gaming Machines, knowing that it will cost the company around £160m as soon as the cut is implemented, and stated that in won’t be on the look for judicial review of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s decision.
In an update to the stock market, the company said: “Whilst we welcome the certainty provided by the announcement, we are disappointed with the outcome, particularly given the previous independent evidence on stake cuts published by both the Gambling Commission and the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board.
“It is now important that the industry is given an adequate implementation period to help prepare and plan for the shop closures that will arise, including attempting to mitigate the impact of resultant job losses. Significant re-engineering of the machines and gaming software will also be required to effect these changes.”
It added: “Today’s Government announcement marks the end of uncertainty on FOBT staking limits. As a responsible business, we re-iterate our commitment to work closely with the Government and our regulators to ensure that both our retail and online offerings are places where customers can enjoy gambling in a safe and secure environment. In order to achieve a positive and constructive working relationship, GVC confirms that it does not intend to seek a Judicial Review of the Triennial Review decision.”
GVC said that their focus in the UK Retail operation over the last two years has been to create a business that is well placed to face these structural and regulatory headwinds. As such the firm expects to be able to reposition the business within two years following implementation, with an anticipated fully mitigated impact of c£120m on Group EBITDA secured by the end of this period. In the first full year the impact on Group EBITDA is anticipated to be in the region of £160m.
“Therefore, we expect to retain a profitable and highly cash generative UK Retail estate,” it added. “Furthermore, our proven leading multi-channel expertise presents additional opportunities to drive online growth.”
GVC reiterated that its offer for Ladbrokes Coral Group envisaged the possibility of a £2 maximum stake Triennial Review and today’s announcement has no impact on the minimum targeted synergies of at least £100m per annum.
It explained: “As part of the consideration paid for the acquisition of Ladbrokes Coral, GVC issued to each Ladbrokes Coral shareholder a Contingent Value Right (“CVR”) for each Ladbrokes Coral share that they held. The CVRs were constituted under a deed poll made by the Company (“CVR Instrument”), a copy of which can be found at www.gvc-plc.com.The value of each CVR, and therefore the value of any payment ultimately due from GVC to CVR holders, is directly linked to the outcome of the Triennial Review and certain laws enacted pursuant to it.
“Whilst there is a formal process and methodology for determining the value of the CVRs, which GVC will adhere to, the CVR Instrument envisages that if legislation is enacted prior to 28 March 2019 reducing maximum stakes to £2, as announced by the Government today, this will result in each CVR having zero value. In such circumstances no payment would be required to be made by GVC to CVR holders and the CVRs would be automatically cancelled.”
Source: sbcnews.co.uk
Latest News
ECA and AGEM applaud creation of Association Assembly at ICE Barcelona
The news that January’s ICE Barcelona will include a major new feature dedicated to global gaming’s most influential trade associations has been welcomed by organisations in Europe and abroad.
Making full use of the additional space at the Gran Via Fira de Barcelona, the first ICE Association Assembly has been created to enable trade bodies to promote their values and create new opportunities for the gaming community across every sector and geography, including both the Brussels-based European Casino Association (ECA) and the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM), the global trade association for gaming equipment suppliers with its primary headquarters in Las Vegas.
Erwin Van Lambaart, Chair of the ECA confirmed: “Our members are already planning their week in Barcelona and they will be at this historic edition of ICE in great numbers. ICE is a pivotal event for the global gaming community and having a show floor feature which will enable us to engage directly with all sectors is a unique opportunity.
“Traditionally, our association’s involvement at ICE and its Conference program has primarily centred around networking and product development orientation—connecting with our members, regulators, suppliers, and fellow trade bodies. However, ICE 2025 marks a significant milestone. For the first time, the ECA will have the chance to fully interface with the global industry supply chain in its entirety. We are looking forward to this unique opportunity to articulate our vision for the future to a diverse and comprehensive audience, where innovation, responsibility and significant partnerships for guest and customer centricity will have centre stage.”
Daron Dorsey, CEO of AGEM added: “We represent the interests of our gaming suppliers whose well-known brands are global in reach, so to be given the opportunity to explain our agenda and engage with what is a truly international audience of association colleagues on the ICE show floor is invaluable.”
January’s editions of ICE and iGB Affiliate will occupy 120,000sqm of space compared to the 100,00sqm at ICE 2024. In a major endorsement of the opportunities offered by the relocation to Barcelona 72% of the 25 biggest exhibitors will have an increased stand presence at ICE 2025.
Industry Awards
Blask Wins Prestigious “Startup of the Year” at 2024 Starlet Awards
Blask, the pioneering AI-powered analytics ecosystem for iGaming, has been named “Startup of the Year” at the prestigious 2024 Starlet Awards. The company earned this recognition for developing a groundbreaking market intelligence platform that has redefined how gaming operators leverage data and market insights.
Award Recognition
The award confirms Blask’s revolutionary approach to market analytics and its significant impact on how iGaming companies access and utilise market intelligence. Powered by AI models including Computer Vision and Natural Language Processing, Blask analyses billions of data points across 2000+ active brands to provide unprecedented market insights.
The Starlet Awards recognition follows Blask’s recent SiGMA Asia Startup Pitch 2024 Award victory. “Winning these awards affirms our belief that innovation and bold ideas can reshape the iGaming landscape. The recognition underscores the impact of our cutting-edge AI technology and our relentless pursuit to transform data into actionable insights”, reflects Max Tesla, CEO and Co-founder of Blask
Blask provides operators with a strategic edge across multiple critical areas. Its real-time market analysis capabilities deliver instant access to crucial market metrics, while the high-granularity data available at one-hour intervals enables swift, informed decision-making. The sophisticated AI modelling system estimates GGR and FTD by analysing a comprehensive range of inputs, including historical data, third-party OSINT data, market performance, competitor metrics, historical brand performance, market reports, and public company disclosures.
Beyond analytics, Blask offers robust brand monitoring and competitor analysis tools, alongside strategic and tactical planning capabilities particularly valuable for market entry decisions and maximising performance during major events. The recently introduced customer profile feature harnesses AI to generate detailed, country-specific user profiles, adding another layer of strategic insight for operators.
Latest News
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Additionally, the integrated LED strips in CONCEPT eliminate the need for extra signs or wedges, creating a sleek and attractive visual at all times.
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