iGaming Daily

SBC Media

A daily podcast delving into the biggest stories of the day throughout the sports betting and igaming sector.

  1. 2d ago

    “A Midlife Crisis for UK Gaming?” Taxes, Policy, and the European Shuffle | Ep. 892

    Host Charlie Horner is joined by SB' Editor-at-large Ted Menmuir and SBC News Editor Ted Orme-Claye to examine major European gambling developments beyond the UK budget. They discuss the impact of the UK's machine games duty increase, Flutter's Betfair exit from Italy, Veikkaus's planned Viabet launch in Denmark, and the political and tax pressures shaping 2027. Key Topics The UK’s 25% increase in machine games duty was described as a compromise compared with more severe potential increases, but operators and industry groups warned of significant costs.Rank Group estimated an approximately £9 million cost while maintaining its profit expectations; Entain estimated about £25 million, and the BGC said up to 9,000 jobs could be at risk.The panel urged gambling businesses to avoid being pulled into divisive party politics and to keep engaging with government on high-street plans.Flutter is closing Betfair’s Italian sportsbook, casino, and exchange operations, citing regulatory conditions and the lack of a viable business case.Flutter is focusing on integrating its Italian assets, Sisal and Snaitech, following major acquisitions, while its Betfair exit is expected to have minimal corporate impact and no significant Italian job cuts.Finland’s state-owned Veikkaus plans to launch the Viabet consumer sportsbook in Denmark next year, extending beyond its established B2B activity.The planned opening of Finland’s betting market to multiple licences next July could prompt Veikkaus to seek new markets and respond to offshore competition.The speakers identified tax, political change, and the pace of industry transformation as defining forces for European gambling, with major elections ahead in markets including Spain, France, and Germany.Host: Charlie HornerGuests: Ted Orme-Claye & Ted MenmuirProducer: Anaya McDonaldEditor: Anaya McDonald Learn how Optimove’s Positionless Marketing is changing how iGaming teams operate. Discover how operators are using Optimove’s Positionless Marketing Platform to launch personalised CRM campaigns, dynamically change casino lobbies and bet slips, and create engaging gamified experiences. Learn more at optimove.com. Finally, remember to check out Optimove at https://hubs.la/Q02gLC5L0 or go to Optimove.com/sbc to get your first month free when buying the industry's leading customer-loyalty service.

  2. 3d ago

    UK Budget Breakdown: What the 25% Machine Games Duty Means for Gambling | Ep. 891

    In today’s episode, Host, Charlie Horner is joined by Ted and Ted as the trio break down the UK Budget’s decision to hike Machine Games Duty to 25% and block business rates relief for adult gaming centres, asking if high-street betting can survive the extra costs. Key Topics Machine tax goes up to 25%: The government has raised Machine Games Duty to 25% to help fund wider support for UK high streets.Adult gaming centres hit hardest: Arcades face a double blow, paying the higher machine tax while missing out on the business rates discount given to pubs and shops.Why the tax happened: The panel debates whether this is an anti-gambling move or just a government desperate to raise cash.Shops and jobs at risk: Betting shops and gaming venues may have to close branches and cut staff to cope with the rising bills.What comes next: The team looks at whether this budget settles the gambling debate for now or opens the door to even tighter rules.Host: Charlie HornerGuests: Ted Orme-Claye & Ted MenmuirProducer: Anaya McDonaldEditor: Anaya McDonald Learn how Optimove’s Positionless Marketing is changing how iGaming teams operate. Discover how operators are using Optimove’s Positionless Marketing Platform to launch personalised CRM campaigns, dynamically change casino lobbies and bet slips, and create engaging gamified experiences. Learn more at optimove.com. Finally, remember to check out Optimove at https://hubs.la/Q02gLC5L0 or go to Optimove.com/sbc to get your first month free when buying the industry's leading customer-loyalty service.

  3. 4d ago

    Partouche Brings Crypto to French Casino| Ep. 890

    This episode examines Groupe Partouche’s rollout of cryptocurrency payments for casino chips across its French venues, exploring the regulatory backing, technical development, and whether this marks a turning point for crypto adoption in European land-based gaming. Key Topics: Groupe Partouche’s Strategic Pivot: An overview of the prominent French casino operator and the commercial motivations driving its adoption of crypto payments.The Chip-Buying Mechanics & Timeline: How the payment system works at the cage and the rollout schedule extending into 2027.A Four-Year Technical Build: The background on how the proprietary payment infrastructure was developed and tested behind the scenes.Regulatory Compliance & MiCA: How the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework provides the legal foundation for French venues to accept digital assets.Industry Impact & Future Adoption: The specific cryptocurrencies supported and whether this signals widespread crypto integration across European land-based casinos. Host: Charlie HornerGuests: Louis Thompsett & Ted MenmuirProducer: Anaya McDonaldEditor: Anaya McDonald Learn how Optimove’s Positionless Marketing is changing how iGaming teams operate. Discover how operators are using Optimove’s Positionless Marketing Platform to launch personalised CRM campaigns, dynamically change casino lobbies and bet slips, and create engaging gamified experiences. Learn more at optimove.com. Finally, remember to check out Optimove at https://hubs.la/Q02gLC5L0 or go to Optimove.com/sbc to get your first month free when buying the industry's leading customer-loyalty service.

  4. 5d ago

    Brazil’s Betting Reset: What Lula’s Return Means for iGaming | Ep. 889

    Host Fernando Noodt speaks with Ted Menmuir and Leonardo Biazzi about Lula da Silva’s election victory and what it could mean for Brazil’s online betting market. They examine the extinguished licences, Congress’s role in reviewing the provisional measure, and the legal and commercial uncertainty facing operators, sports and media businesses.  Key Topics Why Lula’s second-round vote rose by 11 million, while Flavio Bolsonaro gained 3 million, after grassroots organizing and voter outreach.Lula’s centrist campaign tone, his stated interest in regulating social media, and his earlier opposition to betting operators.The provisional measure extinguished previously authorised licences, including those operators had paid R$30 million to obtain, deepening the sector’s uncertainty.Congress could consider proposals to restore regulated sports betting while excluding online casinos, partly because betting sponsors support Brazilian clubs and competitions.The Liberal Party holds substantial legislative representation, but Leonardo expects some centrist politicians to work with Lula for political survival.Lula may gain politically whether a proposed betting ban succeeds or fails, since he can claim to have pursued the policy.Host: Fernando NoodtGuests: Leonardo Biazzi & Ted MenmuirProducer: Anaya McDonaldEditor: Anaya McDonald Learn how Optimove’s Positionless Marketing is changing how iGaming teams operate. Discover how operators are using Optimove’s Positionless Marketing Platform to launch personalised CRM campaigns, dynamically change casino lobbies and bet slips, and create engaging gamified experiences. Learn more at optimove.com. Finally, remember to check out Optimove at https://hubs.la/Q02gLC5L0 or go to Optimove.com/sbc to get your first month free when buying the industry's leading customer-loyalty service.

  5. Oct 22

    UK Gambling Braces for Budget Tax Decisions as Flutter Cuts 1,400 Jobs | Ep. 886

    In today’s episode of iGaming Daily, host Fernando Noodt is joined by Ted Orme-Claye, and Joe Streeter discuss potential UK gambling tax increases ahead of the autumn budget and how rising costs threaten retail betting and industry jobs. Key Points Potential Tax Hike: Reports suggest Machine Games Duty (MGD) could rise from 20% to 25%.Scrutiny on Tax Data: Reports from Guido Fawkes questioned the evidence behind campaign calls for a 40% tax rate.Job Cuts Confirmed: Flutter Entertainment announced 1,400 redundancies in the UK and Ireland due to existing tax burdens.Threat to Horse Racing: Higher taxes and shop closures risk cutting vital funding, media rights, and sponsorships for British racing.High Retail Risk: Industry experts warn that ongoing tax uncertainty places high-street betting shops at serious risk of extinction.Host: Fernando NoodtGuests: Ted Orme-Claye & Joe StreeterProducer: Anaya McDonaldEditor: Anaya McDonald Learn how Optimove’s Positionless Marketing is changing how iGaming teams operate. Discover how operators are using Optimove’s Positionless Marketing Platform to launch personalised CRM campaigns, dynamically change casino lobbies and bet slips, and create engaging gamified experiences. Learn more at optimove.com. Finally, remember to check out Optimove at https://hubs.la/Q02gLC5L0 or go to Optimove.com/sbc to get your first month free when buying the industry's leading customer-loyalty service.

Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

A daily podcast delving into the biggest stories of the day throughout the sports betting and igaming sector.

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