Bookmaker News – Ladbrokes Ready To Deal Down Under?

According to MP and prominent member of the All-Party Racing Group Alan Meale, there isn’t currently an alternative to the bookmakers’ levy scheme in the UK. That doesn’t, however, mean the government have stopped looking for a more popular way to fund the sport of kings which, as Meale pointed out to a conference organised by the European Paris-Mutuel Association in Brussels, has a commercial value that has failed to be exploited in the past. The PMU dominates French racing, of course, and its monopoly of on and off-course betting is secure for the foreseeable future. However, sports betting isn’t covered by the same legislation and UK bookmakers will have been encouraged by plans to open up business in this sphere, particularly to internet operators. A ruling will be made in March and that could open the way for a new licensing system by the end of the year.

One firm who are certain to be interested in developments in France is Ladbrokes. Already busy in Spain, Italy and Belgium with growing interests in China, the Harrow-based bookmakers are also exploring possible avenues in Australia. The betting license in the state of Victoria, currently owned by Tabcorp, is up for grabs in 2012 and Ladbrokes have already been making overtures to the state authority. It’s generally acknowledged that the technology used in off-track betting in Australia doesn’t bear comparison to that used in Britain and UK-based bookmakers would certainly have a strong hand if they were to pusue their interest Down Under.

Changing tack, the odds on Mark Hughes becoming the next managerial casualty in the Premier League have shortened considerably after Manchester City failed to persuade one Brazilian, Kaka, to join the club and subsequently lost another, Robinho, while on a mid-season break in Tenerife. Admittedly, Robinho‘s AWOL exploits were only temporary but Hughes is under increasing pressure to justify Sheikh Mansour’s notable investment in the club and the Welshman is as short as 5-4 with skybet to lose his job before the end of the season.