curious

AUSTRAC Drops Claims Against Entain, Narrows Investigation By Maria Khomeriki - 12 September 2025 AUSTRAC, Australia’s financial crime regulator, has reduced its claims against Entain while continuing to investigate potential breaches of anti-money laundering (AML) rules. The investigation concerns Entain’s Australian subsidiaries — Ladbrokes and Neds — and was launched in December 2024 over suspicions of the group’s involvement in money laundering and fraud through criminal accounts. AUSTRAC alleges that the company failed to fully comply with AML procedures, allowing 17 high-risk customers to spend AUD 152 million (£74.2 million / $94.2 million) without proper checks. In particular, Entain is accused of allowing a player with significant links to drug trafficking to launder over AUD 20 million ($12.6 million) through its operations. Narrowing Focus In its updated statement, AUSTRAC removed claims that Entain breached its duties as a remittance provider under AML and counter-terrorism financing laws by failing to report suspicious transactions in and out of customer accounts. The company argues that it is not a remittance provider, meaning it does not facilitate money transfers as its core service. AUSTRAC’s decision is partially understandable given its policy regarding companies that fall under the definition of a remittance provider. The AUSTRAC website notes that some companies, including online gambling providers, may transfer funds overseas on behalf of their customers, but this is secondary to their main business. According to the regulator, such transfers “do not constitute a formal remittance system.” Entain Remains Under Scrutiny Despite narrowing its claims, AUSTRAC continues to insist that Entain breached its obligations as a gambling operator. Specifically, the company allegedly failed to intervene when a player with significant links to drug trafficking wagered over $1 million in a year. In April, Entain CEO Stella David told iGaming Expert: “We take these allegations extremely seriously and continue to fully cooperate with AUSTRAC. We are committed to keeping financial crime out of gambling and continuing to support a well-regulated and compliant sector for our customers, stakeholders, and the wider community.” Former CEO Gavin Isaacs, who abruptly left his role in February 2025, previously noted that the group is implementing further improvements to Entain Australia’s AML and CTF compliance measures. Entain and AUSTRAC remain in mediation, and the group has set aside £51 million ($64.8 million) to address the matter, although Entain claims the amount relates to accounting and does not reflect a potential penalty.

Ladbrokes firm Entain benefiting from overseas expansion First-half results to 30 June Net Gaming Revenue (NGR) rose by 7% Adjusted profit (EBITDA) up 11% to £583 million Operating loss of £146.7 million, improved from a loss of £157 million Interim dividend up 5% to 9.8p per share Net debt including lease liabilities up 6% from late December to £3.55 billion Guidance: Now expects full year adjusted profit of between £1.1 billion to £1.15 billion, potentially up from 2024’s £1.089 billion BetMGM targeting $500 million of adjusted profit (EBITDA) over the coming years

Almost as good an investment as Entain shares?

$500 fine for that gesture?

Kindly donated by Colin Wightman. Now on track.

Haven't looked it up but probably at least 40% of yearlings are offered for sale aren't they?

Covered my eyes and held my breath many times watching yearlings, even mares and foals running in the paddock.

Book'em Danno Owners Value Top Sprinter's Every Start Book'em Danno won three straight graded stakes at Saratoga Race Course this year. https://bitofayarn.com By Tom Pedulla/America's Best Racing Today, 9:19 AM Atlantic Six Racing received an offer for Book'em Danno last season when he was a 3-year-old, a proposition so substantial it led each partner to take a deep breath and assess priorities. While partner Jim Scappi did not reveal the amount, he made it clear it was massive. "We got offered so much money," he said, "we'll never make it back." As tempting as the potential payday was, Scappi made a point to other members of the modest partnership that ruled the day. "Guys," he said, "there's nothing in life you can do that is this much fun." Little did they know when they decided to retain all of the New Jersey-bred gelding that the fun was just beginning. Their reported $30,000 private purchase of the son of Bucchero out of the mare Adorabella has emerged as a speedster who may be without equal. Book'em Danno became a summer sensation in sweeping three salty races at Saratoga Race Course: the grade 3 True North Stakes June 7, the grade 2 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes July 19 and the grade 1 Forego Stakes Aug. 23. When trainer Derek Ryan was asked if he thinks he has the nation's premier sprinter in his Monmouth Park barn, he replied, "Why wouldn't I? What's better than the three races at Saratoga?" Book'em Danno took the 6 1/2-furlong True North by a length and a quarter when he blew past Mullikin with a late rush on a sloppy track. He overcame a bobble and bump at the start to control the six-furlong Vanderbilt by 2 1/2 lengths. He withstood Scotland 's furious charge to capture the Forego by a length at seven furlongs. According to Scappi, three partners approached him after the Forego to shake his hand and deliver the same message. "Thank you for talking us into not selling."https://bitofayarn.com Few anticipated that Book'em Danno—named by partner Mark Rubenstein for the signature line in the old crime-fighting television show Hawaii Five-O—would ever be so fast. "Just to make those three races is hard enough," Ryan said, "let alone winning those three." Jay Briscione, Atlantic Six's managing partner, finds himself constantly in awe of a burner that blew away their expectations. The initial aim of the New Jersey-based partnership of friends and business acquaintances was to capitalize on thin state-bred ranks with a runner capable of going through his allowance conditions against that competition. Briscione asks Ryan all the time what separates Danno from the swift company he keeps. His answer: "Heart and mind." That has been a lethal combination, leading to 10 victories in 16 starts with three seconds and a third for earnings of $1,855,425. Wins have come at Monmouth, Aqueduct, Tampa Bay Downs, Colonial Downs, and Saratoga. Danno failed to hit the board twice. He wound up fifth in the Cigar Mile Handicap (G1) last December at Aqueduct. He missed by a neck for the whole thing in taking fourth behind Mindframe , Banishing , and Nysos in the grade 1 Churchill Downs Stakes as part of the Kentucky Derby Day card. Those who wish to see Danno's immense heart need only watch him compete. If he can will himself to the finish line first; he will. As for his mind, Ryan said, "He knows what to do and when to do it." Photo: Coglianese Photos/Walter Wlodarczyk Book'em Danno As special as Danno is, so is the handling of him. Despite his odd way of going, the gelding has thrived under Ryan's care. The trainer thinks long and hard before selecting each race.https://bitofayarn.com "There are trainers and there are horsemen. Today, not every trainer is a horseman," Briscione said. "Derek is a horseman and he's a trainer and he's done an absolutely fantastic job with this horse. You look at the consistency this horse has had since his 2-year-old year and it's phenomenal." The addition of jockey Paco Lopez to the team has been huge. It was important to Ryan that he have a jockey willing to work Danno to get to know him as much as possible and someone who would commit to riding him whenever and wherever he started. They have not looked back since Lopez signed on. Danno is to be given one more start this season. Ryan, after initially ruling out the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) at Del Mar as he eyes a long career for the gelding, put that race back on the table as one of several options. Wherever and however Danno's memorable season ends, his emergence reminds everyone that there is room in the Sport of Kings for those neither rich nor famous. "If you are going to get out of the game, you should stay in because of a horse like Book'em Danno," Briscione said. "And if you're going to get in the game, you get in because of a horse like Danno. You don't need to spend a million dollars." Get together a group of friends, spend $30,000 or so on a horse that may not look the part, and the experience can be priceless. https://bitofayarn.com https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/287113/bookem-danno-owners-value-top-sprinters-every-start

What is?

If he can get there like that, how could they beat him in the Everest?

Quite agree.

No idea about his conspiracy theories. I've only ever discussed racing and business, maybe some local politics with him. I just know that we don't agree on what is necessary to fix the Hastings track.

I was there talking to good people who wanted to sort it but gave up because the committee wouldn't approve the investment. Plans were done for the track camber. Don't see what @Transparency has to do with it. From what I've seen, he doesn't think there's a significant problem with the track.

Just fix the existing track like they should have done 20 years ago.

Racing Integrity Unit general manager Mike Godber said he was aware of the substance, which is prohibited. However, he would not comment as to whether the RIU is investigating anyone over the use of the substance.

Wouldn't you include things like Covid and the Chch earthquakes. Both probably well ahead of the Melbourne and America's Cups for most I think.

Isn't that because SAFE is an animal rights/welfare charity as opposed to a human rights/welfare one?

She's just replacing Justine Sclater isn't she?

SAFE are getting plenty of ammunition. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360815092/watch-secret-footage-brought-down-melbourne-cup-winning-trainer-darren-weir

Might have got you mixed up with @Chief Stipe You should have a look at your own headline for your head post though if you want sensationalist!

I might have misread you @hesi but I thought you didn't think that public perception of racing was an issue?

What's sensationalist about it and why post it on a racing forum?