DCMS suggestion to cut the stake limits on fixed-odds betting terminals may see some of the more urban bookies close, but the firms will still prosper without their easy moneyWhen the department for digital, culture, media and sport finally announced a range of options for the new maximum stake in fixed odds betting terminals on Tuesday, the most interesting alternative was arguably the one that wasn’t there.The stake limit could be halved to £50, cut to £30 or £20, or even right down to the £2 maximum that was in the last Labour manifesto, but there is no mention of the £10 limit which no less a figure than Breon Corcoran, the departing chief executive of Paddy Power Betfair, suggested...
During this splendid week of racing, football and rugby union, fans face a bombardment of betting advertising. But there are already too many punters loaded up with debt and anguishThey say there is more Guinness spilt annually at the Cheltenham Festival than champagne quaffed at Royal Ascot. It’s a hoary old saw that probably isn’t true, but helps add to the sense of chaotic ribaldry with which National Hunt racing’s annual March jamboree is associated compared to its supposedly more genteel and moneyed Flat equivalent. In the coming days scenes of bawdy triumph and utter despair will unfold in what us hacks are obliged to refer to at least once per year as the great natural amphitheatre of Prestbury Park,...
As growth of markets and tipster columns focus attention on the sport, it seems at pains to keep the gambling world at arm’s length for fear of being compromisedContemplate the scenario: round two of an Open Championship, Golfer X is flirting with the cut line when playing his 36th hole. Cue back-to-back drives out of bounds and confirmation of an early exit. Related: If Rory McIlroy must play golf with Trump we need some juicier details | Marina Hyde Related: Pie-gate leaves nasty smell – and it’s football’s links with betting industry | Paul MacInnes Continue reading...
This season 11 of Premier League’s 20 teams have shirts sponsored by betting companies – is it healthy the gambling industry is so deeply embedded in our national sport?Wayne Shaw has made a fool out of himself. In fulfilling the terms of Sun Bet’s promotional punt – roly-poly goalie to eat pie during FA Cup tie – the Sutton United reserve made it seem like he was either breaking rules on gambling or moonlighting in marketing for a bookmaker. Neither is a good look. He damaged by association the club he loves and they were well within their rights to ask him to resign.The furore over “Pie-gate” has as much of a whiff about it as the stunt that went...