Who Owns Sportingbet – Guide with the Company Founder & Biography

Sportingbet, a renowned online wagering operator, is currently owned by Entain plc, a prominent British wagering company. Previously listed on the London Stock Exchange and part of the FTSE SmallCap Index, Sportingbet was acquired by GVC Holdings. Today, Entain stands as one of the largest global gambling companies, with an impressive portfolio of brands, including Ladbrokes, Coral, Bwin, and Partypoker. With its headquarters in London, Entain boasts a workforce of over 25,000 individuals spread across various locations worldwide.

Mark Blandford, a British entrepreneur, is the originator of Sportingbet. He established Sportingbet in 1998. It was one of the first online gambling companies to offer sports wagering, and it quickly grew to become a major player in the industry. Blandford’s entrepreneurial journey and contributions to the gambling industry have been noteworthy. So let’s know more about him.

Mark Blandford in His Early Years

Mark Blandford was born in Hereford, England, in 1957 to a farming family. His father’s love for horse racing, which included a potential interest in wagering, had a significant influence on Mark. During his early years, he would observe bookies and even attempted to obtain an autograph from jockey-turned-crime-novelist Dick Francis.

Between 1969 and 1976, Mark attended Hereford Catholic School. During this time, he developed an affinity for trading shares and accepting bets from his classmates, utilizing tennis, cricket, and football league games odds he obtained from a bookie tip-sheet. However, his entrepreneurial endeavors were short-lived when a vigilant teacher discovered his activities and required him to reimburse the students’ wagers, totaling $454, according to one account.

Subsequently, Mark pursued business studies with a focus on international marketing at Wolverhampton Polytechnic from 1976 to 1979. After completing his studies, he explored various job opportunities, ranging from food marketing to radio, before finding his calling in the gambling industry.

Mark Blandford Enters the Gambling Business

In the early 1980s, Mark ventured into the gambling industry, starting with a few UK wagering shops acquired through loans from his supportive wife. Despite facing challenges with limited capital and tough competition from established players like William Hill and Ladbrokes, the owner leveraged his familiarity with the racetrack environment to build relationships with skilled gamblers who were often unable to wager with major betting companies. Acting as a front for these experts, he not only generated significant profits but also undermined the competition. Blandford’s evolution into a formidable bookmaker came through his study of racing strategies, the incorporation of computer software, and a decade’s worth of racing statistics, resulting in his own successful system.

The Birth & Growth of the Company

In 1996, the originator recognized the untapped potential of on-line gambling due to the absence of major UK bookmakers in the digital space. This realization led him to seize a golden opportunity while competitors were primarily focused on their land-based betting shops.

In 1997, the owner sold his betting shops and invested in developing on-line gambling software. A key component of their system was risk monitoring, influenced by Blandford’s experience among racetrack experts and their emphasis on careful risk management.

Inspired by visionaries such as Victor Chandler, the originator obtained a valuable betting license on the Isle of Alderney. This allowed SportingBet.com to operate without the mandatory 9% fee imposed by British law, offering Sportingbet customers cost-saving advantages.

SportingBet.com launched in October 1998, quickly gaining momentum and becoming listed on multiple stock exchanges. With a goal of reaching an annual income of £30 million by 2000, the originator aimed to establish SportingBet.com as the premier on-line betting shop, providing reliable, comprehensive, and financially sound betting services via Sportingbet.

SportingBet.com pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy, successfully integrating companies like Sporting Odds, Betmaker, and Number One Betting Shop. These Sportingbet strategic moves, combined with other astute business decisions, propelled the company’s success. Blandford’s entrepreneurial prowess earned him the AIM Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2002, while SportingBet.com achieved significant revenue and profit growth, surpassing £1 billion and £100 million, respectively.

Life of Mark Blandford After Sportingbet

Despite facing challenges from the U.S. Department of Justice, both the originator of the company and SportingBet persevered and achieved success. In 2004 he bought Paradise Poker. But in 2012, SportingBet was sold to William Hill for a substantial sum of 530 million GBP. Meanwhile, Mark ventured into the realm of venture capital management, actively investing in various businesses and sharing his insights through public speaking engagements.

In 2015, the businessman garnered attention by expressing his belief in the transformative potential of blockchain technology, particularly Bitcoin, and its ability to revolutionize various industries. The following year, he once again made headlines within the gambling industry when his venture capital firm, Burlywood, expressed interest in acquiring Sportech for 100 million GBP. Blandford’s entrepreneurial spirit and continued involvement in diverse ventures demonstrate his ongoing commitment to exploring new opportunities.

List of Business Ventures by Mark Blandford

To provide a comprehensive overview of Blandford’s diverse business ventures since the founding of Sportingbet, this section compiles his notable moves across various industries. It is recommended to periodically check for updates on his latest endeavors.

In contrast to some peers who focused on a single domain, Blandford demonstrated versatility by venturing into multiple sectors beyond bookmaking. Leveraging his proficiency in numbers, he expanded his interests into the realms of technology, real estate, and investment.

• Sportingbet PLC: Blandford served as an Executive Director from 1997 to 2007. This British e-gaming operator offered sports betting and virtual casino gaming.
• Intela: Blandford held the position of Director from 2009 to 2013 in this UK-based private company specializing in mobile marketing, ad optimization, affiliate marketing, and data acquisition.
• Mfuse: From 2009 to 2013, Blandford served as a Director in this London-based mobile and tablet application developer, primarily catering to the sports betting industry.
• Borro.com: Blandford served as a Director from 2010 to 2013 on this online site offering secured loans to affluent clients seeking credit amounts exceeding traditional lenders’ limits.
• FSB Technology (UK) LTD: From 2013 to 2014, Blandford held the position of Chairman in this privately held European corporation providing gaming and online betting legal platforms.
• Burlywood Capital: Since 2001, Blandford has been a Partner in this venture capital and private equity firm, focusing on investments in Pay2Play entertainment markets worldwide.
• Double Diamond Limited: Blandford has been the Chairman of this wagering and casino corporation based in Handsworth, United Kingdom, since 2010.
• Condor Properties: Since 2008, Blandford has served as Chairman of this leasing agency that caters to students and young professionals, operating in Aberystwyth and serves, Exeter, Cardiff, Liverpool, Lincoln, Swansea, and Loughborough.
• Valhalla Investments: Since 2007, Blandford has held the position of Chairman in this venture capital investment firm specializing in the leisure sector, particularly digital entertainment.

Blandford’s involvement in a diverse range of ventures highlights his ability to navigate and succeed across various industries, solidifying his reputation as a versatile entrepreneur.

Mark Blandford – Strategic Advisor at B90 Holdings

Blandford, the renowned originator of Sportingbet Sportsbook, has taken on the role of strategic advisor at B90 Holdings, a prominent marketing group in the gaming sector. B90 Holdings, an AIM-listed corporation with a strong presence in the Nordics and Latin America through brands like Bet90 Sports, is thrilled to have Blandford join their team with immediate effect.

With his vast experience and success in the digital Pay2Play entertainment industry, Blandford’s appointment is expected to provide valuable insights, market expertise, and strategic guidance to support B90 Holdings’ growth ambitions. His involvement is seen as a significant asset, particularly in leveraging the opportunities arising from the company’s listing on the AIM market.

Blandford’s previous accomplishments, including his roles as chairman of Gambling(.com) and FSB Technology, further enhance his credibility and make him a valuable addition to the B90 Holdings team.

Sportingbet SA, as per information available on their LinkedIn page, has an estimated workforce of 6,760 employees. These figures encompass both full-time and part-time staff members serving across various Sportingbet departments. The majority of Sportingbet employees are customer service representatives, while other roles include software developers, marketing specialists, and finance professionals. It’s important to consider that the provided Sportingbet employee count may not be entirely precise, as it relies on LinkedIn data, which may not capture all personnel or profile for recent changes. Nevertheless, it offers a reasonable estimate of the workforce employed by Sportingbet in its head office in Cape Town, as well as call centers located in Durban and Johannesburg.

Sportingbet has been involved in a number of sponsorship deals over the years. Some of the most notable include:

• Wolverhampton Wanderers Sportingbet sponsored from 2009 to 2013.
• Slavia Sofia Sportingbet was sponsored from 2009 to 2011.
• Steaua București Sportingbet sponsored from 2009 to 2011.
• Boston Calling. Sportingbet sponsored Boston Calling, a music festival in Boston, from 2019 to 2022.
• Disney. Sportingbet sponsored Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, from 2019 to 2022.

Sportingbet has also sponsored a number of other events and organizations, including the Australian Open, the World Series of Poker, and the FIFA World Cup. The Sportingbet company’s sponsorship deals are a way to reach a large audience of potential and registered customers and promote its brand.

In addition to its sponsorship deals, Sportingbet also has a number of other marketing initiatives. These include Sportingbet advertising on television, radio, and online, as well as running promotional campaigns. Sportingbet’s marketing efforts are designed to raise awareness of the corporation and its products, and to encourage people to gamble with Sportingbet in all countries where it is worked and operated.

Conclusion

Sportingbet SA, a subsidiary of Sportingbet PLC, is backed by a diverse group of shareholders. With a rich history and a strong presence in the online betting market, Sportingbet remains a prominent player, offering comprehensive betting services and entertainment to customers worldwide. As the industry continues to evolve, Sportingbet’s ownership by Entain ensures its continued growth and success in the dynamic world of online wagering.

How much has Sportingbet SA Raised to Date?

Sportingbet’s licensed board has raised a significant amount since founded to date. However, the specific development details and figures regarding Sportingbet fundraising activities are not available. In terms of online operations presence, sports.sportingbet.co.za has experienced a notable improvement in its global ranking, moving from 53,340 to 35,699 over the past three months. This indicates an increase in popularity and online visibility for the Sportingbet web.

Who is an Investor in Sportingbet SA?

Sportingbet SA, a subsidiary of publicly traded Sportingbet PLC, is primarily owned by its shareholders and investors. The major shareholders of Sportingbet PLC include GVC Holdings PLC (49.9%), William Hill plc (25.1%), The Blackstone Group (10.0%), and CVC Capital Partners (6.7%). Other shareholders collectively hold 18.3% of the company. Additionally, private equity funds and hedge funds such as Apollo Global Management, KKR & Co., TPG Capital, Carlyle Group, and Hellman & Friedman have also invested in Sportingbet.

Who are the Competitors of Sportingbet SA?

Sportingbet faces local competition from industry leaders such as Betway, Hollywoodbets, Playаbets, and Worldsportsbetting. These companies have been well-established players since they were founded in the online gambling sector, presenting significant competition to Sportingbet SA.