The death last week of former gaming czar Cyril Stein brings back memories for older readers: taking over a smallish betting business from his uncle Max, Stein built Ladbrokes up to be the dominant force in British gaming in the 1970s. ... more
Spot betting, or spot fixing, which is at the centre of the Pakistan cricket crisis, is a phrase new to most of us but the idea itself is familiar... more
The bookies would have loved England to stay in longer to encourage more deluded fans to gamble even more money on the most unlikely of victories... more
Had a flutter on the World Cup? If so, be thankful you don't live in Hong Kong, where gambling is illegal except for betting on horseracing and football through the Jockey Club ... more
Whitehall's spin doctors are crafty. Last Thursday, while the row was raging about British National Party leader Nick Griffin’s appearance on Question Time and the Royal Mail strike was causing chaos, the Government slipped out the news that — after 10 months of discussion — it was refusing to back a compulsory register of lobbyists ... more
Horse racing: Christophe Lemaire is looking forward to crossing the Channel next week with major chances in two of Royal Ascot's feature events... more
Horse racing: Racing chiefs may launch an investigation after a number of horses trained by David Evans were successfully backed to lose by an owner in his yard... more
As the world's fastest electric bike goes on sale in London next month, actress Imogen Stubbs goes for her first two-wheel electric spin while Brian Sewell is won over by the new battery-powered Smart car... more
Channel 4's future coverage of racing is under threat after it was revealed that the BBC has been offered Newmarket's three biggest race days of the season... more
Racing officials are set to investigate claims that jockey Christophe Soumillon headbutted the son of a leading trainer in a Hong Kong nightclub... more
Australian horses Apache Cat and Douro Valley both hold good chances of claiming victory on Hong Kong's biggest race day of the year but could receive a lukewarm reception if successful... more
Horse Racing: Duke Of Marmalade can round off a brilliant unbeaten season in Europe by winning the £3.1 million Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp... more
As concern grows over the plan to stage equestrian events in London’s world heritage park, Tessa Jowell calls in accountants in a move that could lead to Greenwich being scrapped as a venue.... more
Exclusive: After high-profile allegations this season, Charlton's manager is pleased the issue is now being addressed but says the authorities still have plenty of work to do
Morning:
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