British betting company Ladbrokes has announced more rationalisation plans, aimed at reducing costs further and allowing for a greater digital-based investment drive.

Shares in British bookmaker Ladbrokes jumped 20%, at one point yesterday, on news of its merger talks with Gala Coral, designed to create a $5 billion (€4.5bn) giant with the capacity to advance in the online gambling market.

Residents of a Cork suburb have warned they will take to the streets if their area is not added to a tax incentive scheme designed to encourage regeneration.

A MODERN mixed-use investment building in Cork’s Carrigaline has been sold for around €2 million, acquired by an Irish investor via a competitive bid process.

The Irish-owned telecommunications group Digiweb returned to profitability last year despite a dip in revenues.

The Government’s planned online betting tax is expected to raise nearly €50 million for the Exchequer in its first three years and absorb payment from almost 80% of relevant companies in its first year.

British bookmaker William Hill has reported a 3% dip in pre-tax profits for 2011, partially down to an exceptional charge of nearly £2m (€2.35m) relating to its pull-out from the Irish retail market last year.

THE prospect of AIB calling in personal guarantees from former minister and Newstalk broadcaster Ivan Yates over the collapse of Celtic Bookmakers have been heightened.

BRITISH bookmaker William Hill has thrown its support behind the proposed 2% revenue tax on betting firms’ online operations in Ireland.

SOME hope has emerged for workers at Celtic Bookmakers — which went into receivership earlier this week, with debts of over €6m — with rival operators running the rule over the shops that are still trading.

THE ethics watchdog has demanded reform after political parties disclosed their lowest level of donations since 1997.

THIS will be an All-Ireland football final with bite the day old scores may be settled.

THE gambling and pornography industries are two of the primary users of the greatest communication tool ever put at man’s disposal — the internet.

PETER McDONAGH’s joy at shocking raging favourite Michael Gomez for boxing’s Irish lightweight title quickly evaporated yesterday after the Irish Boxing Union announced it was withholding his purse pending an investigation into allegations that the fight had been rigged.

U2, Westlife, singer Damien Dempsey and DJ Ray D’Arcy have been tipped to scoop accolades at this year’s Meteor Awards.

MORE gamblers are seeking help following the introduction of internet gambling, new casinos and longer opening hours for bookmakers.

SMS application developer Phorest has acquired Irish mobile phone software company Wondertxt for an undisclosed amount.