Ladbrokes: European Poker Business Unaffected by US Bill

Friday, 17 November 2006

UK gambling group Ladbrokes has been talking optimistically about its impending entry to the Italian and Spanish markets. Additionally, the company reports that its European poker business has escaped the new US gambling legislation unscathed.

UK gambling group Ladbrokes has been talking optimistically about its impending entry to the Italian and Spanish markets. Additionally, the company reports that its European poker business has escaped the new US gambling legislation unscathed.
Via a tele-conference, CEO Chris Bell told reporters that his company hopes to have an operation up-and-running in Italy within weeks and expects to announce its entry into the Spanish market in early 2007.
Bell described the progress with telephone and internet betting licenses in Italy as “only a matter of process.”
“The good news about Italy is that we are on the road and it will be on the map for Ladbrokes from next summer,” Bell said. “The betting group expects to profit from more liberal legislation in Spain,” he said, adding that Ladbrokes had 'stepped up interest' and expected to make a detailed announcement early in 2007 on Spanish developments.
Bell also commented that the company had not seen the European poker market become any more difficult since events in the US. “From a trading point of view, not a lot has changed. In terms of competition, we have seen no new aggression.”



Tags: Poker News, Ladbrokes:, European, Poker, Business, Unaffected, by, US, Bill