UK based Ladbrokes and William Hill win licences in Italy
Friday 29th December 2006
According to state betting agency AAMS, British based gambling companies Ladbrokes and William Hill were among several bookmakers to be awarded licences for sports and horse betting over the Internet and the phone in Italy.
Both companies also won new licences for horseracing and sports betting at betting centres throughout the country as well as at franchises in venues such as bars, cafes and newsagents.
In a company statement, Ladbrokes said that it would continue to acquire new licences in Italy. 'Ladbrokes' strategy is to establish an Italian retail estate through both new licences awarded in the tender process and the acquisition of existing centres,' it said.
Ladbrokes' licenses include 33 for horseracing, 58 for sports betting at betting centres and 51 for franchises.
Meanwhile, Austria's bwin.com claimed that it had not sought licences in this tender as it already owned a licence for online sports betting in Italy and was not looking for licences for betting centres.
However, bwin did confirm that it would be interested in winning an Italian licence for online poker and casino gambling.
