The Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) has expressed worry about an agreement negotiated between Entain-owned Ladbrokes and French horseracing firm Pari-Mutuel Urbain (PMU). The BCA voiced concerns in its statement of objections about potential market constraints on competition between the two enterprises. The investigation began after Ladbrokes attempted to sell PMU’s horse-racing products in the Belgian market. The BCA has confirmed, however, that the terms specified in the agreement are no longer in place.
To address their concerns, the BCA’s investigation and prosecution arm contacted both Ladbrokes and PMU. According to the authority, the two companies’ agreement may have breached Belgium’s competition rules, especially Article IV.1 of the Code of Economic Law and Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The BCA hopes that by submitting the statement of objections, it would start a discussion and allow Ladbrokes and PMU to express their views on the topic.
Ladbrokes was also recently subjected to enforcement action. Because of a tweet showcasing influencer and boxer Jake Paul, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) concluded that the operator had violated its advertising policy. According to the ASA, the tweet could be regarded as appealing to people under the age of 18. While Ladbrokes first defended the tweet, the ASA ultimately upheld the complaint.
Aside from the BCA’s concerns, Entain, Ladbrokes’ parent firm, recently made headlines by pulling out of a plan to acquire Slovenian sports betting monopoly portna Loterija. According to local media reports, bidders offered around €50 million for the total acquisition of Portna Loterija’s shares, but the sale did not go through for unspecified reasons.
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