Betting technology supplier Sportech's losses widened five-fold in the first half of 2020 as the impact of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) led to a 38.7% drop in revenue to £20.2m (€22.2m/$26.3m).

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) has reported declines in revenue and turnover for its 2019-20 fiscal year, though management hailed the business’ resilience after it managed to avoid race cancellations over the period.

France Galop, the governing body for the country’s flat and steeplechase racing sector, says that while proceeds from betting on racing will be down year-on-year, it has been encouraged by growth in the sector from June onwards. This growth, it noted, had prompted horse race betting operator Pari-Mutuel Urbain (PMU) to raise its full-year profit forecasts.

South African racing operator Phumelela Gaming and Leisure Group has published its business rescue plan, which could see it sell its horse racing business as it struggles with debts of up to ZAR1.17bn.

The Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) will accept applications for loans, intended to be used as emergency support to the British horseracing industry to help it to manage the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, from 1 September.

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has announced that it plans to increase minimum prize money levels from September, with the appearance money scheme, designed to deliver more value for mid- and lower-tier trainers also set to resume that month.

H2 Gambling Capital upgraded online gambling’s share of expected 2020 global gross win to 17.4% this week, with this expected to edge past 18% in the not-too-distant future.

The Indiana Gaming Commission has approved the proposed merger between Eldorado Resorts and Caesars Entertainment, but has ordered the combined entity to sell three casinos in the state.

New Zealand’s Racing Industry Transition Agency (RITA) has revealed that both revenue and net profit were below budget expectations in the first half of its fiscal year, while it made a higher-than-expected loss for the period.