Bet365 has extended its lead at the top of the Oddschecker top 10 in November after seeing an upturn in its football betslips. eGR reports the firm’s lead increased to 18.31% with Betfair left behind in second place on 15.34%, Ladbrokes jumping from eight to fifth and benefiting from Betfair’s loss. As a result Stan James fell two places to eight. Paddy Power remains third with 8.77% with William Hill hot on the heels with 7.71%
OpenBet has appointed Amanda Bicknell as their new sales director. The former Microsoft employee of 13 years will be responsible for existing sports betting and casino business. At the same time she takes on the responsibility for managing, strengthening and developing existing key partner relationships.
Jeremy Thompson-Hill, Chief Operating Officer of OpenBet, said: “This is another key hire for OpenBet and adds further expertise from another leading global software company. Amanda’s experience will enable us to further improve our market-leading offering to bookmakers and national lotteries worldwide. We are pleased to welcome someone of her calibre to our team at OpenBet.”
Sportingbet has replaced Betfair as sponsor of the Melbourne Racing Club. The deal sees Sandown Racecourse renamed Sportingbet Park with the company also undertaking race sponsorships at the club’s flagship track, Caulfield. Sportingbet also lends its name to the Sandown Cup and a number of races at Caulfield. Betfair’s deal had run for three years and the new deal with Sportingbet encompasses additional race commitments such as naming rights and a strong signage presence at all MRC sponsored courses. Sportingbet Australia CEO Michael Sullivan commented: “Sportingbet Australia has had a brilliant relationship with the Melbourne Racing Club and this new deal firmly establishes Sportingbet Australia as the leading bookmaker supporting racing in Victoria,” said Sullivan. “We already pay a product fee to bet on racing in Victoria and contribute through various other sponsorships and this deal further shows how committed we are to supporting the industry.”
The deal runs from 1st January 2012 and sees Sportingbet contribute over $5m in the next year in product fees and sponsorship. Betfair’s loss comes off the back of another deal that they surrendered with the Melbourne Cricket Ground back in the summer
