January 12 – While betting company sponsorship of clubs and gambling advertising targeted at football fans on mainstream media in England has come under increasing regulatory focus in England, in Scotland there appear to be fewer concerns.
Ladbrokes is understood to be on the verge of extending its sponsorship of the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) to 2020 in a deal believed to be worth £5 million.
The SPFL first signed Ladbrokes in 2015 in a £4 million deal, extending that by a year in 2017. The bookmaker has also said it will increase its investment in the leagues.
The Ladbrokes offer needs to be accepted at an official SPFL general meeting, though it is unlikely to be rejected. Last year Ladbrokes withdrew from a sponsorship of the English FA after social and political pressure from a number of betting-related issues and suspensions – most notably Joey Barton for betting on matches whilst still being under contract as a player.
Rangers betting suspended
Separately bookmakers suspended betting markets on Rangers after internet rumours that the club was in financial difficulties again that could lead to its relegation from the SPL.
Oddschecker reported unusual betting patterns on the relegation possibility even though the club are 23 points clear of the bottom club and are third in the league.
Rangers were forced to reinvent themselves in 2012 after financial mismanagement saw them relegated three divisions by the league.
Oddschecker reported punters “piling in on the massive price of 5000/1” for a Rangers relegation.
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