People – FairOdds Network

April 3, 2025

Racecourse Media Group appoints Russell Ferris as managing director

Racecourse Media Group has announced the appointment of Russell Ferris, currently CEO of horseracing organisation Weatherbys, as its new managing director.

Ferris will officially take on the new role on 18 August, the Racecourse Media Group (RMG) confirmed yesterday (2 April). The RMG is the umbrella organisation responsible for media rights involving 61 racecourses across Britain and Ireland.

An experienced executive, Ferris has been serving as the CEO of Weatherbys since September 2019. Weatherbys provides a range of services to the horseracing industry, including playing a major role in breeding approval.

Before becoming CEO, Ferris also had a spell as chief executive of the Weatherbys General Stud Book, a breed registry for horses in Britain and Ireland. He also spent time as operations director.

Prior to Weatherbys, Ferris was a director for At The Race, a dedicated horseracing channel in the UK and Ireland. He also worked as the managing director of Limerick Racecourse in Ire..

March 3, 2025

Weekend Report: Trump set to pardon Pete Rose, new Genting Berhad CEO, Pope betting

Welcome to the Weekend Report, where iGB looks at the news that you may have missed across Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This week: Trump set to pardon Pete Rose, Genting Berhad names new CEO and controversial Pope betting markets.

Trump pledges to pardon Pete Rose

US president Donald Trump has said he will pardon baseball legend Pete Rose and hit out at the decision to exclude him from the sport’s Hall of Fame.

Rose was banned from baseball for life after admitting to betting on the sport back in 2004 but never bet against his own team. His bid for reinstatement was rejected in 2015.

Rose, who also served five months in prison after pleading guilty to tax evasion in 1990, died last year aged 83.

Writing on social media last week, Trump said he will pursue a “complete pardon” for Rose.

“He never betted against himself, or the other team. He had the most hits, by far, in baseball history and won more games than anyone in sports history,” Trump said, according to ESPN.

Genting Berh..

February 11, 2025

BHA announces passing of industry stalwart Joe Saumarez Smith

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has today (11 February) confirmed the passing of its long-standing chair Joe Saumarez Smith.

Joe Saumarez Smith had a long and successful career in the gaming sector. This included a spell as chairman for platform provider Bede Gaming, acquired by Merkur in 2020. He was also an active investor in the sector, as well as a widely respected consultant.

However Joe’s true passion was horse racing and he started his career in 1991 as a member of the UK’s Jockey Club graduate programme. From there he featured as a prominent voice in racing media.

He contributed to the coverage of horse racing in Racing Post, Financial Times, The Times, The Telegraph and Bloomberg.

“An influential and distinguished figure in British racing”

Joe joined the BHA in December 2014 as a non-executive director and was appointed chairman in 2022. The BHA credits Joe as a driving force in forging close ties with the betting sector.

“He played a vital convening role in dr..

January 6, 2025

Weekend Report: SL Green CEO set for Times Square casino bonus, computer game addiction links to gambling warning

Welcome to the Weekend Report, where iGB looks at the news that you may have missed across Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This week: SL Green CEO £10 million bonus hinges on Times Square casino, expert warns computer game addiction drives teens to gambling and OBE for GambleAware CEO.

SL Green CEO set for £10 million Times Square casino bonus

Up first, Marc Holliday, the CEO of the real estate investment trust, will receive a $10 million (£8 million/€9.7 million) bonus if he can secure a land-based casino at New York’s iconic Times Square.

According to Crain’s New York Business, SL Green confirmed the bonus last week. The trust is hoping to gain permission from the state to convert a 54-storey tower into a casino and hotel.

SL Green is working in partnership with Caesars Entertainment and Roc Nation on the bid for a New York casino. However, the project faces competition from a host of other interested parties.

The Related Cos, Silverstein Properties, Bally’s, Miriam Adelson’s Las V..

December 16, 2024

Weekend Report: former Premier League footballer jailed for match-fixing, Zeal celebrates anniversary

Welcome to the Weekend Report, where iGB looks at the news that you may have missed across Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This week: former Premier League footballer jailed for match-fixing, Veikkaus pens Finnish Ice Hockey Association extension and Zeal reaches 25-year milestone.

Former Premier League footballer faces 20 years in jail

A former Chinese footballer who played in the English Premier League for Everton has been jailed for 20 years for match-fixing.

Li Tie, who also managed China’s national team, pleaded guilty in March to taking over $16.0 million (£12.7 million/€15.2 million) in bribes. The BBC reports that Li also admitted to both accepting and offering bribes.

The court said the offences occurred while Li was an assistant coach at the Hebei China Fortune Club, which previously played in the Chinese Super League but was declared defunct last year. Li worked for the club from 2015 until 2021, when he quit as national coach.

Li would accept bribes to select certain play..

December 10, 2024

Weekend Report: footballer and tennis official banned for betting breaches, Omnigame secures Danish licence

Welcome to the Weekend Report, where iGB looks at the news that you may have missed across Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This week: bans issued to Irish footballer and Bosnian tennis official for breaching betting rules, Omnigame picks up Danish licence and Yolo makes new senior appointments.

Irish footballer faces ban over betting charge

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has issued a six-month ban to Finn Harps FC player Ryan Rainey after he was found to have breached betting rules.

Breaches are connected to a number of League of Ireland and Men’s FAI Cup games that took place between 2021 and 2024. The FAI said Rainey also placed a “significant” number of bets on football worldwide in 2024.

After a disciplinary hearing, an Independent Disciplinary Committee ruled Rainey should face a ban. This has since been confirmed by the League of Ireland, in which his team, Finn Harps FC, plays.

Rainey, who previously played for English Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers, to..

December 2, 2024

Star Sports names former MP Davies as new chairman

UK bookmaking group Star Sports has announced the appointment of former Conservative MP Sir Philip Davies as its new chairman.

Davies is replacing Russ Wiseman, who recently stepped down as chair of Star Sports for personal reasons.

Davies served as the Conservative MP for Shipley in West Yorkshire for almost 20 years. He was first elected in May 2005 and remained as MP until this year’s general election, where he lost out to Labour’s Anna Dixon.

“I am delighted to be joining Star Sports at such an exciting time in the company’s history,” Davies said. “I have been lucky enough to get to know founder Ben Keith over the last few years. I have huge admiration for the business that he has built.”

Davies also revealed that he began his working life in his mother’s betting shop: Marilyn Davies Bookmakers.

“I’m hugely looking forward to working closely with Ben and his management team to fulfil the group’s growth strategy and commitment to operating responsibly,” Davies said.

Founder Ke..

October 28, 2024

Weekend Report: Operators criticised for research tax credits in Australia, McGregor banks €7m in betting winnings

Welcome to the Weekend Report, where iGB looks at the news that you may have missed across Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This week: Australia treasurer blasts gambling operators over research tax credits, personnel changes at Aristocrat and SkyCity and Connor McGregor banks €7m in betting winnings.

Australia government mulls changes to research tax credits in gambling industry

Firstly this week, the Australian government could change the rules for gambling and betting operators that want to receive government research tax concessions. This comes after it emerged they claimed almost AU$90 million (£45.8 million/€54.9 million/US$59.5 million) in one year.

According to the Guardian, figures from the Australian tax office show four major gambling companies claimed $86.5 million in credits between them in 2021-22. These include Tabcorp, which received $39.5 million, Aristocrat with $22.2 million, Ainsworth Game Technology at $15 million and PointsBet $10 million.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers h..

October 21, 2024

Weekend Report: US sportsbooks switch up prop bet rules for NBA, row erupts over Betfred shop signage

Welcome to the Weekend Report, where iGB looks at the news that you may have missed across Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This week: US bettors face new rules on NBA player prop bets, new betting shop signage comes under fire and Conor McGregor loses big-money bet.
US sportsbooks to halt prop betting on lower-paid NBA players
First up, major sportsbooks in the US will no longer allow players to place a prop-style bet on the lowest-earning NBA players, sources have told The Athletic.

Quoting the article, the New York Times reported that the decision comes after months of talks between the NBA and its gambling partners. These include both FanDuel and DraftKings. From now on, no “under” bets will be offered on players on a two-way or 10-day contract.

While NBA players make several million dollars a year, players on shorter contracts earn far less. As such, they potentially face greater threats over match and betting manipulation.

The New York Times highlights one case last year when the ..

October 14, 2024

Weekend Report: Bet365 enters Peru, South Korean celebrities caught up in illegal betting case

Welcome to the Weekend Report, where iGB looks at the news that you may have missed across Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This week: Bet365 launches in Peru, a Pakistan cricket legend is under fire for new ambassador role and South Korean celebrities are swept up in illegal gambling.
Pakistan cricket legend faces backlash over betting ambassador role
Starting in Asia, Pakistan cricket captain Wasim Akram has come under fire for taking on a new betting ambassador role with Baji.

India-facing Baji offers online sports betting and casino and has enlisted several celebrities to help promote its services. Akram is among those to come on board despite Pakistan having placed restrictions on promoting gambling.

Fans took to social media to criticise Akram after he shared a promotional video on social media. Questions were also raised as to why Akram is working with an operator that is not licensed in Pakistan.

Bet365 makes Peru move
Meanwhile, in South America, Bet365 has announced the launc..

July 5, 2024

Veikkaus lands former Kindred exec Reimblad as sports betting VP

Finland’s Veikkaus has appointed Andreas Reimblad, formerly director of sportsbook at Kindred Group, as its new vice-president of sports betting.

Veikkaus confirmed the news in a LinkedIn post and Reimblad begins his new role today (5 July). He joins having only left Kindred last month following 12 years with the business.

Reimblad spent three and a half years as director of sportsbook at Kindred. Prior to this, he held a number of development roles for the vertical. Reimblad also had a short spell at IGT as product manager for betting and bingo, sandwiched by another stint at Kindred in the Unibet days.

“I’m excited to be part of Veikkaus’ journey,” Reimblad said. “The opportunity that Veikkaus may have to enter the global stage fits well with my experience of operating in several markets.

“I’m eager to contribute my knowledge to this exciting journey. Veikkaus has a respected reputation in the industry among both operators and suppliers. So, the timing of my transition feels per..

March 21, 2024

Racecourse Media Group names Dowding as chief betting officer

Racecourse Media Group (RMG) has announced the appointment of Ben Dowding to the new role of chief betting officer.

Dowding takes up the position following the merger of the organisation’s domestic and international betting teams. He was previously director of betting at Racecourse Media Group.

RMG took the decision to combine its teams as more bookmakers are approaching rights acquisition on a global basis. Dowding will now oversee the enlarged team, taking on the new role with immediate effect.

Dowding is a long-serving member of the RMG team having joined the business in March 2013 as head of partnerships. He went on to become head of B2B and then director of betting, holding the latter role for more than six years.

Prior to his time with RMG, Dowding worked for The Jockey Club. Here, he spent time as sponsorship manager and regional sponsorship manager.

In addition, for the past three years, he has combined his duties at RMG with serving as a non-executive director at BocaSpor..

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Tag: People