Betting Business Bulletin 7th August, 2017
BHA boss Rust to join Betting Shop Manager of the Year panel
BHA chief executive Nick Rust is joining the judging panel for the Racing Post/SIS Betting Shop Manager of the Year after the decision of Morag Gray to step down.
In 2014 Rust ‘switched sides’ when appointed to racing’s top job, moving from his role as MD at Ladbrokes. He had also previously been MD at Coral and before that Sky Bet, originally starting as a board marker for Ladbrokes, progressing to shop manager, then upwards.
Rust said: “It’s been a privilege having a leadership role at the BHA –at times I have to pinch myself, I love every minute, even when it’s challenging – and it’s fantastic now to join this panel too. It was 1981 when I first went racing at Kelso, then started working as a board marker for Ladbrokes in Berwick-on-Tweed in June 1987.
“Brough [Scott] rang me to ask who might we find to take over from Morag, so I asked ‘what about me’? Managers deserve recognition and do amazing work at the front line of marketing racing. It can only be helpful for me to see the leading contenders and hear about the latest challenges they face in retail betting – whether omni-channel, self service, regulatory and consumer protection, etc. I will look forward to it and get involved when the last 24 come to Doncaster in October.”
Brough Scott, the broadcaster, author and founder of the Racing Post, has been involved in Betting Shop Manager of the Year since it started in 1988 and is chairman of the judging panel.
He said: “Nick’s arrival is a tremendous statement about the real cohesion that needs to exist between racing and betting, a great opportunity to strengthen the links between the two activities. He started off in a betting shop, progressed and then became CEO of the sport that he loves – it’s a wonderful achievement and makes him uniquely qualified. He’s got a real enthusiasm for the Manager of the Year process, which is exactly why we’re all involved.”
Scott warmly thanked Gray for her efforts and said: “Morag, originally nominated through the BHA, has been an exemplary judge, with a great personality who brought a keen and genuine interest to the proceedings. It was always good to be in her company – and she helped the managers feel at their ease.”
Paul Witten, product director at SIS, added: “I am delighted that Nick has agreed to join the panel of judges. Nick brings a unique perspective as a former bookmaker with direct responsibility for the operations of major UK retailers. If anyone knows what makes a good shop manager it is Nick.
“The fact that he has agreed to be involved is a real endorsement of the value of these awards. I warmly welcome Nick and I am sure he will add a fresh and insightful perspective to the judging process.”
Topbetta granted Gambling Commission licence
Australian operator Topbetta have announced they have received a licence from the Gambling Commission for both that brand and their subsidiary The Global Tote Ltd to launch into the UK market.
Topbetta’s UK licence allows them to offer betting while the licence for The Global Tote allows them to provide facilities for pool betting.
Chiief executive Todd Buckingham said: “The approval of the UK licence has been a key part of the company’s growth strategy.
“This has been an extensive process that has taken almost 12 months to complete and we are excited about the opportunities in the UK jurisdictions, in particular for The Global Tote product, which is licensed in the British Isles and operated through our Sri Lankan office.
“Getting access to a new market of retail punters for The Global Tote pools will be instrumental in getting more liquidity into each pool from both the domestic and International punters.
“We are also on the lookout for opportunities in the UK market for our B2C [business to consumer] offering and will be looking forward to updating the market as these opportunities materialise.”
Topbetta said one of the most significant aspects of the licence was the ability to export Australian racing into the UK market.
Buckingham added: “Under the licence, The Global Tote pools will be available to UK bookmakers and they will be able to offer Australian racing to their clients.
“We believe giving access to the UK operators into The Global Tote will significantly increase the ‘retail’ component of the pools on Australian racing.
“This is a significant step towards global distribution of racing content, in particular for Australian racing bodies, to not only monetise but also have tighter controls for the integrity of wagering on their content.
“Operators globally will be required to have agreements in place with the relevant racing bodies in Australia and agree to contribute to the race field fees which will provide revenues for the Australian racing industry with clear transparency on who is betting on their product.”
FSB agrees deal with Racing Post
Betting platform provider FSB Technology is to offer a full suite of integrated Racing Post content and data to its operators.
Customers will have direct access to data for UK and Irish horseracing as well as greyhounds.
FSB Technology’s business development director Richard Thorp said: “By integrating content from Racing Post, the recognised authority on racing and betting, we are enhancing our product offering to our existing and future clients, helping them to drive revenue.”
Racing Post head of B2B Eugene Delaney added: “We’re delighted to team up with FSB Technology, who have set the pace in terms of innovation and customer service when it comes to supplying simplified end-to-end betting platforms. We’re very much looking forward to working with them and their partners.”
FSB Technology’s operators include Genting, Dafabet, 21Bet, Bookee, Toals, BlackType and are soon to launch Victor Chandler’s new African operation, BetLion.
Fahy ends short Ladbrokes tenure
Ladbrokes Coral group chief customer officer Kristof Fahy is to leave the bookmaker less than two years after joining the company.
Fahy started with the firm in January 2016 having been with Telegraph Media Group for just six months. He was chief marketing officer at William Hill for the previous five years.
Ladbrokes Coral chief executive Jim Mullen said: “Kristof just made the decision that it was time for a change for him.
“Obviously we went through an integration process and with these changes it does impact on their ambitions of what they want to do.
“He is one of the best marketers in the sector and he leaves with our best wishes. Kristof and I will remain in touch and there’s goodwill on either side.”
Sporting Index Group rebrands
Spread betting company Sporting Index Group has rebranded as Sporting Group.
The company, which also includes betting software and data experts Sporting Solutions, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
Chief executive Simon Trim said: “At Sporting Group, we are extremely proud of our long-standing heritage in spread betting dating back to 1992.
“Sporting Index have always offered unique and innovative markets in the industry, and equally Sporting Solutions have a reputation for trading, software development and risk management that is unrivalled in the sports betting supplier market.
“The rebrand gives our company a fresh and exciting new look, while still referencing the strong foundations it was built upon. Quality and excellence is at the heart of what Sporting Index and Sporting Solutions do, and forming Sporting Group will only serve to strengthen our brand and our offering in the sports betting industry.”