Leisure & gaming in the post US era

eGaming Morning Snapshot - 21 December

NEWS: The European Union Commission has cleared William Hill’s proposed joint venture with Codere to enter the Italian gambling market, the company said in a yesterday. William Hill already works with Codere in Spain, the Italian venture will be established to exploit betting licences issued by the Italian regulatory authorities in the new year.

Betfair has appointed Mathias Entenmann to the post of managing director, exchange, as of the new year. Entenmann comes to Betfair from PayPal, where he was head of all non-North American business for the internet payment brand. Before becoming vice president, international, at PayPal, he led the introduction of PayPal in Europe, establishing the company’s European HQ in Dublin.

Edward Ihre has taken up his position as director, partners and affiliates, at PokerStars. Ihre was previously director of affiliates at Ongame.

NEWSPAPERS AND WIRES: The Independent market report says there was some relief at last for investors in the online gaming sector after yesterday’s announcement from Playtech of its major deal with Sino Strategic International.

The Telegraph says takeover speculation pushed Ladbrokes’ share price up 9.25p yesterday to 410.75p. The market was refusing to let go of the notion that the management team may take the betting company private.

Russian news agency Tass analyses the Duma’s adoption of a bill to regulate gambling businesses and create four land-based zones for licensed casinos. “Priority was given to the regions that can attract foreign players. For example, the Maritime territory can expect players from China where gambling is banned,” it said.

CITY: Sportingbet is up 1.5p to 39.5p in the morning trade, William Hill is off 2.5p to 613p and 888 is down 3.5p to 130.25p.