The odds on betting chain Boylesports successfully buying Ladbrokes’ Irish operations from examinership are probably pretty long. Based on the vast majority of examinership processes, the incumbent owners tend to come out the far side still in possession of the business. This is especially true where the owner is a large British business, rather than a smaller entity in some kind of financial trouble. We have seen several cases during the recession where the Irish operations of a larger international plc have gone into examinership – usually under the heavy load of onerous property leases. And they have come out…

Gary Bettman, commissioner of North America’s National Hockey League (NHL), has allayed fears over the impact an expanded sports betting market in the US could have on professional athletes. Speaking in an interview on Sportsnet’s Brady & Walker show, Bettman said that if sports wagering were to become more widespread in the US, this would not impact the integrity of players. A number of high-profile individuals from both the sports and gambling sectors have called for the market to be expanded to allow both industries to benefit from revenue that would be generated from wagering activities. Adam Silver, commissioner of…

A Ladbrokes takeover has been at the center peculation this morning, following rumors of a potential £1.6 billion acquisition by rival Paddy Power. UK news source The Daily Mail had revealed the potential takeover bid by Paddy Power, which saw Ladbrokes share price jump 5% to 127p at time of this writing. The takeover speculation had witnessed +25 million Ladbrokes shares traded, as the operator may have become the target of a rival operator or a cash rich private equity firm. The speculation of a potential Ladbrokes takeover by Paddy Power may surprise many within the industry. In March 2015…

Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval has signed two new bills that could help boost the US state’s sports betting industry. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal newspaper, the state’s sports betting industry already attracts approximately $3.9 billion (€3.5 billion) in wagers each year. However, the two new bills, which were this week signed into law by Sandoval, could potentially increase this figure. Senate Bill 443 will authorise the formulation of business entities to place race and sports pool wagers, with investors allowed to join business entities and share profits and losses from large wagers at Nevada sports books. In addition, Senate…

William Hill has announced that it is to withdraw its various services from the Romanian market due to recent regulatory developments in the country. In a correspondence issued to customers and affiliates in the country, the bookmaker said that its products will no longer be made available to players in Romania from June 2. The bookmaker has also instructed all affiliates to remove marketing materials such as banners and text links that relate to Romanian punters. However, William Hill did hint that it may return to the Romanian market in the future, saying it was “confident” that it will have…

Gaming and hospitality firm MGM Resorts International has announced that its MGM Grand Detroit subsidiary has entered into a long-term agreement with NFL American football team the Detroit Lions. Under the deal, the terms of which were not disclosed, the two parties will work together to build a luxurious space at the team’s Ford Field home stadium. The ‘MGM Grand Detroit Tunnel Club’ will accommodate more than 100 fans and guests of the casino during Lions’ home matches and stadium events. Those in attendance at the new facility will have access to an up-close view of Lions players leaving and…

A Louisiana bill that would legalize daily fantasy sports has met with opposition that threatens the bill’s future, at least for this legislative session. The bill from Rep. Joseph Lopinto — HB 475 — seeks to create a carveout in state law that differentiates playing fantasy sports from gambling. Legal Sports Report has learned that the Louisiana Family Forum and some brick-and-mortar gaming interests in the state have come out in opposition to the legislation. After relatively smooth sailing previously — it made it out of the state house with minimal opposition — the problems apparently began when the bill…

Irish independent bookmaker Boylesports has been granted permission to launch a challenge over Ladbrokes’ plans to restructure its business in Ireland, amidst talk of a possible takeover bid for the operation. As reported by iGaming Business, Boylesports last month was linked with a bid for Ladbrokes Ireland after the latter announced it was to undertake a review of its operations in the country following heavy losses in 2014. Ladbrokes has been working with High Court-appointed examiner Ken Fennel on a rescue plan that could lead to the closure of up to 60 of its betting shops in the country, which…