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News
News
Stay across all the most important developments in the world of casino and sports betting news. FIRST are here to keep you in the loop with the biggest gambling stories in the UK.
It is believed that the lawyers representing UKGC have handed over 4,000 sensitive documents to opposing lawyers.
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Gambler fights Paddy Power over payment of £1.1m 'monster jackpot'
A gambler has received a massive underpayment from Paddy Power, but the operator is defending themselves by referring to their 45-page T&C document.
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National Lottery Q3 2024: £50bn donated to good causes since launch
The Allwyn-operated National Lottery has released its Q3 results which reflect the success the operator has had throughout the financial quarter.
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Jailed: Baseball phenomenon Ohtani defrauded of £13.7m by ex-translator for gambling debt
The interpreter has been officially sentenced to prison time following his deception of the baseball star and for defrauding him of £13.7m to cover his own gambling debts.
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German Bundesliga announce four-year extension with major betting partner Tipico
Tipico has renewed its partnership with the German Bundesliga in a four-year deal which will ensure collaboration until 2029.
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EXCLUSIVE WATCH: “People still underestimate me” Lauren Price bites back as she bids to become unified welterweight champion
Lauren Price spoke exclusively to FIRST.com ahead of her world welterweight unification fight with Natasha Jonas on 7 March at London's Royal Albert Hall
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UKGC report highlights link between specific activities and problem gambling
This latest report deep dive looks at the direct impact that gambling engagement level has on the PGSI score. According to the group’s findings, certain forms of gambling are more closely associated with higher PGSI scores.
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BAFTA 2025 odds: The Brutalist and Emilia Perez priced as bookies’ favourites
The British Academy Film Awards, otherwise known as the BAFTAs, enters its 78th year and will be held on 16 February with David Tennant returning to host.
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Littler and Norris favourites to win BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025
The odds for the 2025 Sports Personality of the Year Award have been announced, with Luke Littler being the front-runner at odds of 13/10.
Novelty markets -
EXCLUSIVE WATCH: ‘I’m not finished!’ Natasha Jonas vows to beat Lauren Price and silence her critics
Natasha Jonas spoke exclusively to FIRST.com's Georgia Banks ahead of her world welterweight unification fight with Lauren Price on 7 March
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Super Bowl LIX wager predictions: Americans to set new betting record in 2025
Americans are set to wager a record £1.12bn on Super Bowl LIX, according to the AGA (American Gambling Agency), as the betting market continues to expand across the country.
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Oscars odds: From Nosferatu to Wicked, who will reign supreme?
The 97th Oscars event is set to take place on 2 March, with various categories to bet on from best picture to best make-up - which winners will crop up the most?
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Seven of the craziest prop bets to make on Super Bowl LIX weekend
The Gatorade colour, the coin toss, the National Anthem length and lots more. UK bettors can enjoy Super Bowl LIX's novelty markets, ahead of kick off this Sunday 9 February.
Novelty markets -
BetMGM FY2024 report: iGaming revenue grows, but retail betting is slashed by 36% from H1 to H2
BetMGM have published a report, on 4 February, detailing the iGaming conglomerate’s FY2024 results and its 2025 expectations.
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STOPTOBER: UKGC's new-look rules limits first-time depositors from October
The new rules will be included in the Licence Conditions and Code of Practice (LCCP) and will also cover the security of customers' funds when it comes to being transparent about insolvency.
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Ladbrokes accused of targeting ‘tired new parents’ via baby monitors
According to The Guardian, new parents have accused Ladbrokes of advertising their welcome offer on a baby monitor app.
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Allwyn partners with Scientific Games to trial new National Lottery digital scratchcard purchasing option
The UK's National Lottery operator, Allwyn, has begun testing an innovative scratchcard purchasing option for land-based ticket buyers.
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Cyberattacks provide sour note for Evolution’s end of year 2024 financial report
The live casino giants, who have seen increased net revenue and profits in 2024, will be working on a solution to prevent further attacks across the network.
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Next Manchester City manager odds: Who could replace Pep Guardiola?
With four consecutive Premier League titles bagged, and six won in the space of seven seasons, there is no doubting the incredible impact Pep Guardiola has had at Manchester City, and on English football, over the past decade.
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Unwell British Horseracing Authority chair resigns following “powerful” decade in role
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has announced the immediate departure of its chair, Joe Saumarez Smith.
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UK Labour Government criticised for ‘lack of communication’ over gambling levy
The statutory gambling levy was drafted on 29 January and the Conservatives have voted against it, regarding a lack of engagement from the Labour Government.
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‘The chance to win big money’ - the real reasons why people gamble revealed
Gambling Commission report investigates the reasons for gambling and different betting activity in the UK with 86% wanting to 'earn big money'.
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Europa League latest odds: After play-off draw who are the latest title favourites?
The draw for the 2024/25 knockout phase of the UEFA Europa League was made to determine this season’s knockout ties with the prize of a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League up for grabs.
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Champions League latest odds: After play-off draw who are the latest title favourites?
The draw for the 2024/25 knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League was made in Nyon, Switzerland today to determine this season’s knockout ties in Europe’s premier cup competition.
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Champions League bet365 outage: "Any potential opportunity to cash out on my bets had been lost."
British bookmaker bet365 have been inundated with complaints, having suffered an outage during one of the busiest nights of the football season.
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Rank Group details 55% growth in H1 amid impending UK gaming reforms
The gaming entity saw improvement throughout its retail venues and digital-only services, revealing a 55% increase in operating profit.
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Steven Gerrard's next club odds: After Saudi adventure, where next for former Villa boss?
Having managed both Rangers and Aston Villa in the Scottish and English top tier, where is his next possible coaching destination?
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Global gambling market to grow by nearly £150bn by 2029 with UK to grow by almost £3bn
A report by Technavio suggests that the UK Gambling Market could grow by £2.81bn over the next five years and as many as 23.9 million people will be customers of the UK online gambling market in 2029.
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Michael van Gerwen blasts threat to Dutch Darts Masters event due to gambling sponsor ban
Michael van Gerwen has lamented the potential loss of the TOTO Dutch Darts Masters competition with the future of the elite event in doubt.
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UKGC invites third round of consultation on fairer gaming machines
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has announced the launch of the latest round of consultation designed to improve the safety and fairness of gambling in the country.
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Chelsea partner with crypto site Roobet: Bettors to win matchday tickets and training ground experiences
Six-time Premier League winners Chelsea have teamed up with online crypto iGaming firm Roobet to provide exclusive betting coverage in Canada and Latin America.
Crypto gambling -
Paul Pogba next club odds: Shock Manchester United return on the cards
The French midfielder finds himself without a club ahead of his return to football in March 2025, with plenty of teams looking at the Frenchman.
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Northern Ireland set to relax gambling laws, using Great Britain as a guide
The new gambling regulations, which were brought to the Stormont assembly by DUP minister Gordon Lyons, aims to bring the country's laws inline with Great Britain’s rules.
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Brian Mattingley announces departure as Playtech chair
The chairman of Playtech, Brian Mattingley, has announced that he will step down from his position after three-and-a-half years in the role.
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Tennis betting popularity booming in 2025, according to Entain report
Entain has published its most recent trend report, in which the iGaming conglomerate details tennis as the fifth most important sport across its worldwide ventures.
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Bruno Mars jokes about alleged MGM gambling debt after setting Spotify record
Has Bruno Mars been 'locked out of heaven'? MGM Resorts have cleared the singer's name regarding an alleged large gambling debt at the casino.
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What to expect from Pragmatic Play’s new slot Bigger Bass Splash
This game brings similarities from Bigger Bass Bonanza and Big Bass Splash, with the familiar bubble-lined gaming grid underwater, fishing rods, fishes, bait, boats and the famous 'Big Bass' fisherman wild.
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Fitzdares CEO William Woodhams announces departure after seven years
After seven years as CEO at the long-standing bookmaker, William Woodhams is stepping down. He announced his departure via social media platform X.
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Bally’s expands in UK through groundbreaking Jelly Entertainment deal
UK gaming supplier Jelly Entertainment and US iGaming titan Bally’s have signed a deal that will deliver industry-leading games to new UK and US platforms.
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Betway partners with South Africa's first UFC champ Dricus du Plessis
Global bookmaker Betway have announced their partnership with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis.
Sports betting -
NICE recommend GPs ask about gambling at healthcare appointments
NICE defines such harms as those which have a negative impact on individuals' health and wellbeing, including on their finances, relationships and mental health.
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Marcus Rashford next club odds: Barcelona favourites to land Man Utd exile
Marcus Rashford looks increasingly likely to depart Manchester United in the coming months, not having featured in a matchday squad for more than six weeks. His absence comes after the England forward said he was ready for a new challenge.
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Financial Times 2025 'tax list': Two bookmakers revealed to be among top three taxpayers in Britain
Families behind two of the biggest bookmakers in the United Kingdom, bet365 and Betfred, are amongst the top three taxpayers in Britain as has been revealed by the Financial Times’‘top tax payers of 2025’ list.
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Sky Betting & Gaming ‘illegally collected problem gambler’s data’
Flutter-owned betting firm Sky Betting & Gaming have been accused of illegally collecting data from a ‘problem gambler’ to target them with marketing.
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Champions League winner odds: Man City still sixth favourites after PSG defeat, but who will go all the way?
Get the latest odds on the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League winner. Who will go all the way and win the final in Munich in May?
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Nolimit City releases new slot Tombstone Slaughter: El Gordo’s Revenge next week
Nolimit City’s upcoming slot game Tombstone Slaughter: El Gordo’s Revenge is set to be released next week on 28 January.
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MP Wendy Chamberlain proposes bill to remove caps on lottery’s charity fundraising
North East Fife MP drafts bill that is aimed to increase the fundraising potential for charities supported by the National Lottery.
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Gambling Commission reveals dramatic increase in illegal gambling website takedowns
The UK Gambling Commission has revealed it has assisted in the takedown of 264 illegal gambling websites in the last financial year, a significant increase from the previous year.
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Latest odds: Who will win the WWE men’s and women’s Royal Rumble matches?
The WWE are gearing up to make their first stop on the road to Wrestlemania 41 next weekend, with their 37th annual Royal Rumble event, with John Cena and Charlotte Flair in top spots to win.
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EXCLUSIVE: ‘Disrespected’ Fran Hennessy robbed of world championship fight on Price vs Jonas card
Fran Hennessy has spoken out after she was invited to press conference for Lauren Price vs Natasha Jonas but not announced on the undercard
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