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industry news round-up Nov 4

Change this week at Ladbrokes with a major internal reshuffle (a cynic might say of the deckchairs on the Titanic). Relatively new chief exec Richard Glynn has brought in several fresh faces and moved a few old names on. Definitely out with the old, in with the new.

Asian bookie 12Bet who have major sponsorships with Sevilla in La Liga and snooker tournaments, will be acquired by Asian online casino and poker firm, AsianLogic, in a move thought to complement their existing range of products.

Betfair's share price has taken a predictable tumble, dropping from the peak of around £15.50 during conditional trading to the current £13.95 as smaller shareholders wish to cash in their chips. No reason to think the price will fall much further, it was always going to surge briefly as the public got excited about it.

Tabcorp held a record $107m on Tuesday's Melbourne Cup, buoyed by the form of superstar stallion So You Think, who started as the shortest favourite in decades. He will now be half-sold to Coolmore Stud and race in Europe next season. Look out!

Controversial jockey Danny Nikolic seems to be on the end of a witch hunt from RVL chief steward Terry Bailey. While Nikolic has had his problems in the past, most recently the subject of a long inquiry into some of his mounts being heavily laid on Betfair and running unplaced, Bailey is doing his reputation no good by this campaign of harassment which shows he cannot act without bias.

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