For most UK-based companies, online gambling profits have risen over the course of the past year. However, that has not been the case for Ladbrokes. The online sportsbetting operator saw its first decline in two years during 2011, even after moving its operations offshore. 

With a few weeks away until George Osbourne, the United Kingdom’s Chancellor of the Exchequer announces the 2012 Budget, one of his associates has come up with a plan to somehow raise an extra £300 million in tax revenue. The plan comes from Conservative MP Mathew Hancock, and his idea to raise this substantial amount is to ask new legislation to crack down on tax avoidance by the gambling industry.

Betfair released their iPad App in the Apple Store last week, which offers some pretty unique custom enhancements made just for the iPad. The app is free to download, and includes features such as:

The signature Apple-esque intuitive landing page, along with access to popular events along with live scores.

Betting functionality that mirrors what is available on the website.

 Rank Group is already one of the biggest gambling operators in the United Kingdom, owning and operating over 30 Grosvenor Casinos across the country. Now, Rank is looking to conquer a larger portion of the land-based gambling market in the UK, bidding £250 million for the company.

Gala is the second-largest casino brand in the UK, with over 20 casinos across the nation. Should Rank Group successfully acquire the company, it will own over 50 casinos in the United Kingdom, becoming one of the biggest land-based operators in Europe. 

 Earlier this week, investors were warned that gambling stocks may not be the best bet this year. A planned tax hike for the industry is likely to cause a decline in profits, and investors are likely to suffer if they decide to buy shares in local gaming companies. 

Online gambling fans are in for a treat, thanks to Microgaming’s introduction of an updated version of its popular live dealer platform.

The popular online casino software provider said in a press release that the updated version of their live dealer platform, now called Live Dealer Diamond Edition, is an upgraded version of its current live dealer games, and there’s also a new multiplayer roulette offering available as well.