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City Bet Club predicts 2022 UK operator earnings to fall short
City Bet Club, the expert tipster service founded by leading industry veterans, predicts that UK operator Q4 2022 earnings reports are likely to make disappointing reading.
In a ‘triple punch’ for operator brands, the compounded issues of a steep decline in World Cup turnover compared to Russia 2018, an overhaul of the winter sporting calendar to accommodate the Qatar tournament, and “intrusive” affordability checks are expected to have a significant impact on turnover and consequentially, reported earnings.
By analysing financial performance, the World Cup is expected to have netted a strong margin-win for operators due to shock results, making it one of the most “bookie-friendly” in history.
However, early-stage punter losses in the Group Stage, which continued throughout the tournament will have heavily affected overall turnover.
In particular, City Bet Club’s analysis of January 2023’s trading and financial updates issued so far by major UK brands reflect this, noting that Bet365’s announcement this month is a key indicator of market health.
With Bet365’s operating profit down by 88% for the financial year due to significant investment in overseas jurisdictions, it is seen as a strong indication that major operators no longer view the UK as a growth market.
This view is supported further with Kindred’s trading update, owner of UK flagship brand Unibet. It highlights an unexpectedly low sports margin in the last quarter – despite the “bookie-friendly” World Cup results. This likely alludes to overstretched marketing and promotional spend, eroding gross win and margin.
The third major indicator that World Cup turnover has fallen short of expectations is via 888/William Hill’s trading update; especially with like-for-like gross win performance compared to Russia 2018.
In choosing to highlight the metric of ‘Player User Days’, by comparing customer engagement performance of the delayed Euro 2020 with Qatar 2022, City Bet Club believes that the data does not bode well.
This is especially due to the World Cup having 25% more matches as well as the lack of a heavy summer horse racing program to compete with, suggesting the like-for-like comparison indicates an uplift of only 22% to be disappointing.
Compounding the overall issue for UK-facing bookmakers further is the third punch, that of affordability checks, pointing to a far wider structural issue in the industry.
As highlighted by leading commentators in the Racing Post, major betting exchanges and high-profile professional gamblers, the issue of “intrusive” affordability checks are a major factor in reduced betting activity for UK operators.
The effect on horse racing’s income from the levy is directly related to bookmaker profits. Not only is this seen by City Bet Club as a serious issue for bookmakers, but also for UK racing.
As further confirmation of this view, Arena Racing Company has estimated that digital betting turnover on UK racing has declined by £800m in 2022, with an estimated £40m loss in income from bookmakers.
Commenting on the situation, David Brown, Co-founder of City Bet Club and one of the UK’s most experienced trading directors, believes that this has created a bleak outlook for the UK. He added:
“I’ve been in the industry since 1976, and with 47 years in the game, this is by far the most pessimistic outlook for the health of the UK betting market that I’ve seen.
“While the World Cup may have seen record margins, word on the street is that turnover is significantly down compared to Russia 2018. Given that punters suffered many setbacks early in the Group Stage, the industry saw reduced recycling of customer money as bookie-friendly results continued throughout the tournament.
“Traditionally a major football tournament and robust Christmas period, with a full program of racing, would normally put the big brands in very positive territory. Currently – the silence says it all, and we’re yet to see comparisons of like-for-like turnover to the 2018 World Cup, which may infer all is not well.
“Last but not least is the uncertainty around the government white paper on gambling, which is yet to go public. This has the potential to add even more challenges to the operation of the UK betting market. It will no doubt be a key decider on how the industry proceeds from here.”
Blockchain
Kore Digital Mining Ltd Announces Additional 14 PH/s Bitcoin Mining Capacity
Kore Digital Mining Ltd, a UK based Bitcoin mining company, announces that effective 1st May 2024, an additional 14 PH/s mining capacity will be added to its existing infrastructure.
This additional capacity will be provided by a major Bitcoin mining corporation and will be operational until 30th June 2024.
Derek Nisbet, Kore’s Founder & CEO, said – “We are pleased to work with a leading Bitcoin Miner in securing a large amount of mining capacity, for a 2 month trial period. We look forward to hopefully extending this period and engaging more with major mining corporations offering Bitcoin hashing opportunities, in the future.”
This additional 14PH/s Bitcoin mining capacity adds to the existing 2 PH/s currently operational with Kore’s own infrastructure and an additional 4 PH/s is due to be added over the next quarter, totalling 20 PH/s.
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The Benefits of Playing at EU Casinos
There are many EU casinos that not only attract players from Europe itself but also from countries around the world, including the US, UK, and even those from countries where online gambling isn’t permitted. So why is it that EU casinos are so popular? What drives the online gambling community to these casinos?
Well, that’s what we’re going to be looking at today. What’s so attractive about EU casinos to people who are looking for an immersive and entertaining online casino experience? Why do people in the USA, the home of Las Vegas, go outside of the USA to play at online casinos?
Benefits of EU casinos
Online gambling is by far one of the most popular methods of gambling online. Throughout Europe, specific laws in each country can vary, so access to land-based casinos can sometimes be few and far between. Thus, going online to enjoy a casino experience has become a more preferable option. And so why EU casinos? Well, for those who are joining EU casinos from outside Europe and not from the UK or the US, the English-based support and customer service are very attractive. A lot of people who play at EU casinos access it using a VPN or from a country where they don’t have any domestic online casinos, and most of the time English is their first language or one that they can understand.
The next attractive factor regarding EU online casinos is safety and security. Each online casino in the EU is strictly regulated and licensed. It’s this reassurance that a lot of players look for when choosing an online casino to go to and play at. They are held to the same strict and high standards as those of their British counterparts in the UK, which are upheld and monitored by the UK Gambling Commission. In the EU, a lot of the casinos are also regulated by either the Malta Gaming Authority or the Curacao Gaming Licence Authority. All of which share the same standards and expectations as other authorities across theglobe,e which ensures that all players playing online at EU casino websites.
The casinos that are available online in the EU are also very open to a lot of different payment methods. There are even some crypto casinos where you can play casino games online with cryptocurrency. This openness to accepting a lot of different payment methods means a lot to people who like to play at online casinos. The vast majority of them also pride themselves on providing very quick withdrawals, which are measured in hours rather than days. After all, there is nothing more frustrating than having a big win and then having to wait days to get your hard-fought winnings.
And lastly, bonuses and promotions. The vast majority of EU online casinos will have a wide range of different bonuses and promotions that you can sign up for and take advantage of. There are certain countries, such as Sweden, where the online casinos are strictly limited to one bonus or one promotion; however, the vast majority of EU casinos are not subject to such restrictions and offer a great online casino experience.
When it comes to the popularity of EU online casinos, it is growing year on year. There is plenty going in their favour and more people than ever before are shifting to online casinos rather than having to go down to the casino themselves. The fact that they can access these EU casinos from their smartphones, wherever they are, means it’s easier than ever before to win big at a casino online and have a good time.
Latest News
William Hill Announced as Official Betting Partner of Qipco Guineas Festival
Leading bookmaker becomes official betting partner of first UK Classic meeting of 2024
William Hill has been announced as the new official betting partner of the Qipco Guineas Festival, the first UK Classic meeting of the season.
It’s the latest addition to William Hill’s spring racing roster, following sponsorship of The Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster, the Punchestown Champion Chase and its status as official betting partner of the Randox Grand National Festival.
The 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas headline the three-day meeting and the leading bookmaker will sponsor 15 races across the weekend with the Jockey Club Stakes, Palace House and Dahlia Stakes among the races now featuring the William Hill title.
Aidan O’Brien’s unbeaten superstar City of Troy is still all the rage for the 2,000 Guineas at 4/6 whereas Karl Burke’s Fallen Angel heads a competitive looking 1,000 Guineas market at 7/2.
“We’re delighted to become the official betting partner of the Qipco Guineas Festival, strengthening our relationship with The Jockey Club on the back of a fantastic Grand National Festival,” a spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said. “It’s brilliant for William Hill to be associated directly with such a prestigious event at Newmarket, the home of the thoroughbred, for this season’s first two Classics. The company has a close connection with the history of the 2,000 Guineas as William Hill himself bred the 1949 winner, Nimbus, who then went on to win the Derby.
“We’re excited to be involved at racing’s key meetings and see the Qipco Guineas Festival as the perfect sponsorship as the British flat season kicks into gear.”
Newmarket – 2,000 Guineas: May 4, 2024
City Of Troy | 4/6 |
Rosallion | 4/1 |
Notable Speech | 12/1 |
Henry Longfellow | 12/1 |
Night Raider | 16/1 |
Alyanaabi | 16/1 |
Ancient Wisdom | 16/1 |
Task Force | 16/1 |
Ghostwriter | 16/1 |
Iberian | 20/1 |
BAR | 25/1 |
Newmarket – 1,000 Guineas: May 5, 2024
Fallen Angel | 7/2 |
Ylang Ylang | 4/1 |
Dance Sequence | 5/1 |
Ramatuelle | 10/1 |
See The Fire | 12/1 |
Content | 12/1 |
One Look | 14/1 |
Pretty Crystal | 14/1 |
Buttons | 20/1 |
Purple Lily | 20/1 |
Porta Fortuna | 20/1 |
Star Style | 20/1 |
BAR | 25/1 |
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