Red Hot Luck

What is Red Hot Luck?

For a sector facing intense competition for talent, fostering an inclusive workplace is becoming as much of a commercial priority as a cultural one.

iGB is now accepting submissions for its 2026 Most Influential Women initiative. We’re looking for entries reflecting the vast diversity of the sector and its talent, across all markets, channels and departments.

We will accept admissions via this form until 1 October. Please do nominate all the impressive women around you, including peers, friends, colleagues, bosses, partners and even yourselves!

How to play Red Hot Luck

Meanwhile Blackstone, Cirsa’s largest shareholder, is expected to become the largest shareholder of the combined company, maintaining around 24% of the share capital.

The deal is expected to provide around €115 million of pre-tax cash synergies per year from opex and interest cost savings. These synergies are expected to be realised by the third full year following completion.

Angelozzi is set to serve as the combined company’s chairman and CEO, while Lottomatica’s deputy CEO and CFO Laurence Van Lancker will assume the same role.

How to play Red Hot Luck

Betfred has already shuttered 132 outlets this year, following last year’s RGD increase.

“We have tried hard to protect all our sites and the colleagues who work in them, but the combined impact of higher employer National Insurance contributions, wage inflation, increases in gambling taxes and wider economic uncertainty has left us with no choice,” said Chief Executive Jo Whittaker in a statement to iGB at the time the closures were announced.

Evoke also closed 200 of its William Hill stores in April of this year for the same reason.