iGaming Business – Bookmaker Ladbrokes said that despite having suffered a year-on-year drop in group operating profit during the three months to March 31, 2014, it was still able to deliver all of its “stated operational targets” either on time or ahead of schedule. The company recorded operating profit of £18.4 million (€22.4 million/$30.9 million) in the first quarter of 2014, down from £37.4 million in the corresponding period last year. Ladbrokes put a 2.3% drop in revenue down to industry-wide results that have impacted a number of companies. The bookmaker’s UK retail operation recorded a gross win margin of…

SBR – Sportsbook Review has learned that following new regulations, Playtech will restrict both new and existing customers from Belgium effective 29 April 2014. Belgium based users will no longer be able to register with any Playtech online sportsbook or casino product. While popular british Bookmaker William Hill no longer allowed new Belgium players as of last year, existing Belgium users must withdraw their funds. Belgium customers may continue to withdraw their funds after 29 April 2014 as they become aware of the regulatory change. WilliamHill management apologises for any inconvenience caused by the new Playtech regulations. This is the…

British bookmaker William Hill is to close more than 100 betting shops this year, blaming the decision on a tax increase on high-stakes gambling machines that have become one of their main sources of revenue. The UK government announced an increase in tax to 25 per cent from 20 per cent on the machines in its budget in March, a move that will cost bookmakers around £75 million a year. William Hill, Britain’s largest bookmaker, said the tax rise meant there was no prospect of turning around a group of 109 loss-making betting shops from a total estate of over…

The British government has announced that local councils are to be given more powers to decide whether more UK betting shops should open in their individual constituencies. UK public-service broadcaster the BBC said the new measures would enable councils to refuse planning application if they are concerned about the number of shops in their local area. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport explained that local authorities are becoming increasingly concerned about the “clustering” of betting shops in some areas and the new measures would help to counter the situation. However, bookmakers have previously said that the number of shops…

NBC Sports – About an hour after the regular season schedule was released Wednesday night, the LVH Las Vegas Hotel and Casino had already installed favorites and underdogs for the opening week games. Jacksonville is the biggest Week One underdog on the LVH SuperBook board. The Eagles are 11-point favorites over the visiting Jaguars in the season opener for both clubs. No other club is favored by more than a touchdown, and only the Broncos and Bears are favored by more than six points. Denver is a seven-point favorite vs. Indianapolis, while Chicago is a 6.5-point favorite vs. Buffalo. All…

iGaming Business – UK bookmaker William Hill has cited two “substantial” loss-making weeks driven by football results as one of the main reasons for a year-on-year drop in profit during the three months to March 31, 2014. The company reported that operating profit for the first quarter was down 14% on the same period last year. Retail suffered the most with a 25% drop while online operations also fell 6%. William Hill’s retail business was responsible for 57% of total group revenue, while online and Australian operations contributed 32% and 8% respectively. Over-the-counter amounts wagered via the bookmaker’s retail business…