Customers in Ladbrokes betting shops will have access to a new channel of content that will operate alongside the traditional SIS service.
Ladbrokes Xtra will offer an additional 350 new betting events a week, expected to grow to around 1,000, not available elsewhere, such as French and other international horse racing, greyhound racing and trotting.
Stan James is looking to expand its sponsorship portfolio in racing and is believed to be in pole position to sign a five-year sponsorship deal for Newmarkets Guineas.
Victor Chandler spokesman Neal Wilkins dismissed speculation that the company is preparing to end its presence on the racecourses and insisted the firm is simply “streamlining” its operations.
After the disposals at Chester and Doncaster, VCbet put up for sale its rails pitches at Epsom, Kempton and Windsor.
Wilkins said the market reflects the fact that most major punters now play from home rather than visit the racecourse, however the firm realises it must continue to cater on all fronts and would still be interested in buying better pitches at courses where they have recently sold-up.
“The racecourse market is unrecognisable to what it was a few years ago, and this is totally down to the betting exchanges, but the racecourse is the shop-window and we will still be betting at all the major meetings. We would also be prepared to buy better pitches at the tracks we have given up.”
Tony Jones, a 42-year-old factory worker, walked away with the $1million prize from Ladbrokes Poker Millions, the biggest televised poker tournament in Europe.
“There is no way I am a poker player. I came here thinking I was making up the numbers and to win the competition is overwhelming,” commented Jones
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