iGaming Business – Irish bookmaker Paddy Power has strengthened its presence in the country with the purchase of nine betting shops from independent bookmaker Hacketts. According to the Irish Independent newspaper, the acquisition will increase the number of Paddy Power outlets in the Republic of Ireland to 232. Located in Limerick, Dublin, Clonmel, Templemore and Tullamore, the nine shops will be rebranded under the Paddy Power name. The deal is expected to be completed in early 2014. Prior to Paddy Power’s purchase of the nine stores, Hacketts had a portfolio of more than 50 outlets in Ireland. The announcement comes…

iGaming Business – Online gaming operator bwin.party has said that its outlook for next year remains ‘positive’ after citing increased betting volumes during the 2014 Fifa World Cup national team football tournament as one of the key catalysts that will help drive growth. In a pre-close trading update issued today (Wednesday), bwin.party also said new product launches, continued mobile expansion and prospects for further growth would contribute to business in the New Year. Elsewhere, the operator said that its overall trading in the 11 weeks since September 30, 2013 was in line with management expectations, with 52% of average net…

BBC – “It does seem a bit odd that we make an investment in excess of, I believe, £7m in anti-doping in the UK but we don’t make the same level of investment in integrity,” he said. “Some form of funding mechanism that allows sports to protect their integrity, which is fundamental to their future viability, would be a very good thing.” An amendment to the Gambling Act is currently going through Parliament. If passed, it will force off-shore bookmakers operating in the UK to be licensed. There have been calls for the tax raised from such a move to…

iGaming Business – Pool and sportsbetting operator Sportech has signed an agreement with the Southern California Off Track Wagering horseracing governing body for a licence to allow it to operate in up to 10 retail venues in California. Under the licence, Sportech will also be able to offer customers the ability to bet on horseracing in a high-end sports bar and restaurant facility. The deal will enable Sportech to expand its Connecticut-based sportsbetting business to California, a US state in which there are currently just 36 locations where punters can place a horseracing bet. Sportech will open the first new…

iGaming Business – Three local councils have joined a list of authorities that have announced their support for an initiative to encourage the Government to restrict fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) in the UK. According to a statement from the ‘Stop the FOBTs’ campaign, Fareham Council, Brighton and Hove City Council and Preston Council have all voted in favour of restricting FOBTs. The addition of the three new councils comes shortly after Liverpool City Council and Hackney Council passed similar motions proposals last month, with the former calling for an outright ban on FOBTs. Although the number of FOBTs per…

iGaming Business – Olympic Casino Group Baltija, a subsidiary of land-based casino firm Olympic Entertainment Group (OEG), has been issued a licence to offer sportsbetting games in Lithuania. Under the licence agreement, OEG will begin to offer sportsbetting in the country from the first quarter of 2014. OEG will offer its sportsbetting services under the OlyBet trademark, which was launched in August of this year. In addition to establishing an online sportsbetting platform, OEG will also expand its network of OlyBet Sports Bars into Lithuania. SOURCE