SPAIN
Sportingbet George Hudson, Spokesman
CIO: How important was gaining the Spanish licence to Sportingbet?
George Hudson (GH): Spain is an important market for Sportingbet and being granted the licence was a key priority for the Group especially as it negated part of the injunction, which was imposed on Sportingbet’s Spanish business in March 2012.
“In the first half of the current financial year, Spain was the group’s third-largest market”
CIO: What specific products does this licence permit you to offer in Spain?
GH: We have nine licences covering all sports, casino, bingo, poker and games
CIO: How big a part of your business has the Spanish market been in recent times?
GH: In the first half of the current financial year (6 months ended 31 January 2012) Spain was the Group’s third largest market accounting for 9.4% of post-tax gaming revenue, after Australia and Turkey.
CIO: How large an issue was the back taxation?
GH: The tax related to 1966 and 1977 laws which the tax office only decided applied to internet gaming late in the day. The application of these laws and the amounts involved took some understanding before we were able to file the appropriate tax returns.
CIO: What do you think the future is for the Spanish market?
GH: We are committed to the Spanish market, and despite the macro economic situation we believe it is an exciting territory where our customers love sport and love backing their favourite teams.
CIO: What do you think Sportingbet in particular has to offer this region?
GH: Best-in-class match access, competitive odds, multiple betting options, first-rate customer service and a really user-friendly interface.
54 JULY/AUGUST 2012
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62