Business

The expansion in the internet gambling sector has been growing, and today it attracts millions of punters around the world. The platforms’ increasing popularity is driving fraud.

As such, you should familiarize yourself with the security requirements. We invite you to learn more details below.

Key Signs of a Reliable Bookmaker

First on the list of trusted operators stands 1xBet — an international platform with years of experience in the market. The company offers a wide selection of sporting events and convenient betting tools. Users can download 1xbet application to their devices and gain access to the platform’s full functionality. The bookmaker employs SSL encryption for transaction protection and implements multi-level account verification.

Mobile applications have become the primary channel for player interaction with betting companies. The Android 1xbet Kuwait version is tailored to regional specifics and ensures stable connectivity even with inconsistent internet connectivity. Modern applications feature biometric authentication and two-factor verification upon login.

Five Trusted Platforms for Safe Betting

Selecting a reliable bookmaker requires analyzing several parameters. Below are platforms meeting high security standards:

1xBet — market leader with global presence, support for multiple currencies and languages, fast payouts, and round-the-clock technical support
Bet365 — British company licensed by UKGC, known for transparent terms and high-level user data protection
Betway — an operator with a reputation as a reliable partner, actively sponsoring sports teams and tournaments
888sport — part of publicly traded 888 Holdings, ensuring financial reporting and operational transparency
Unibet — Kindred Group platform with licenses from multiple jurisdictions and proprietary fraud protection systems

The global online sports betting market was valued at $62.99 billion in 2024 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 11.2% over the forecast period to reach $163.78 billion by 2033, according to a report by Straits Research.

Security verification begins with basic elements. Pay attention to these aspects:

Valid license from a recognized regulator — Malta Gaming Authority, UK Gambling Commission, Curaçao eGaming, or Gibraltar Regulatory Authority
SSL certificate icon in the browser address bar and correct HTTPS protocol
Multiple support contact channels available — live chat, email, phone line

The TransUnion 2024 State of Omnichannel Fraud Report revealed that the US gaming and betting sector had the highest rate of suspected digital fraud at 10.9% in 2023. This figure increased 9% compared to the previous year.

Security Features Comparison

Security depends not only on the bookmaker but also on user actions. Follow these simple rules:

Use unique, complex passwords for each site and store them in a password manager
Never click links from suspicious emails or messages — enter the site address manually
Regularly check the transaction history in your account for unknown operations

Beyond knowing the criteria for reliable platforms, recognizing suspicious resources proves valuable. Scammers often employ specific schemes to attract victims. Avoid sites with unrealistic bonuses — promises to double or triple your first deposit without any wagering requirements should raise suspicion.

Missing license information or displaying fake regulator badges are additional warning signs. Professional bookmakers always display their license number and link to verification in the issuing authority’s registry.

Criterion
Description
Why It Matters

License
Official permit from the regulator
Guarantees legal compliance and player protection

SSL Encryption
Data protection protocol during transmission
Prevents third-party interception of personal information

Two-Factor Authentication
Additional code when logging into the account
Protects against unauthorized access even if the password leaks

KYC Verification
User identity check
Prevents fictitious accounts and money laundering

Betting Limits
Deposit and withdrawal restrictions
Responsible gaming tool protecting against impulsive decisions

Technical flaws on a site also indicate operator unreliability. Grammatical errors in texts, broken links, missing privacy policies and terms of use — all these point to a hastily created resource without proper development.

Final Recommendations

To make the right choice when selecting a safe betting site, it is essential to review several key details carefully. This includes licensed betting sites such as 1xBet, Bet365, and Betway, among others, that invest significant effort in protecting their users. One should check the reviews of previous customers on independent platforms, the presence of a license on the official website of the gaming regulator, and the site’s responsive customer service that responds within hours.

Being careful when picking bookmakers will help you avoid risks of financial losses and data breaches. It is also essential to understand that responsible gaming begins with choosing the right platform. Always set limits on the time you spend on the site.

Read more:
How to Choose Safe Betting Site

Buying Instagram likes in 2025 isn’t just about boosting a number — it’s about choosing services that prioritise retention, authenticity, and predictable delivery patterns.

With Instagram tightening down on spam behaviour, creators need platforms that offer high-quality likes that don’t disappear after 24 hours.

Rather than treating likes as a simple purchase, creators now view them as part of a wider engagement strategy shaped by Instagram’s early-signal algorithm, where timing, retention, and delivery patterns influence how far a post travels.

s engagement delivery has evolved, different platforms now operate using unique timing models, retention systems, and behavioural patterns that influence how Instagram evaluates content. The services below are broken down not as buying recommendations, but as examples of how various delivery architectures interact with the platform’s algorithm.

1. Superviral — Best for High-Retention UK Instagram Likes

Superviral has become a standout option for creators seeking Instagram likes that actually hold steady over time. Instead of pushing large,+ sudden spikes, Superviral focuses on delivering engagement in a way that mirrors natural audience behaviour, which helps posts perform better under the algorithm.

The platform is powerful for UK creators because of its consistent retention rates and reliable delivery structure. It’s simple, transparent, and avoids hype — ideal for users who want believable engagement that supports long-term page growth.

This steady delivery style aligns with how Instagram assesses early engagement bursts, helping creators maintain momentum during the first algorithm-scoring window

Pros:
• Extremely strong retention
• Smooth, natural drip delivery
• UK-based with responsive support
• Clear and transparent packages

Cons:
• No Crypto Payments accepted

Superviral reports that posts supported with their likes see an average 35–40% improvement in reach during the first hour — the most algorithm-sensitive period.

Rating: ★★★★½ (4.8/5) — Great for creators who want stable, natural-looking likes.

2. Krootez — Best for Natural-Looking Engagement Patterns

Krootez has established a long-running reputation for providing Instagram likes that mimic organic interaction patterns. Instead of rapid bursts, the platform intentionally spreads engagement in realistic waves, which is why many creators use it for both business and personal accounts.

What makes Krootez stand out is its focus on account safety. They avoid aggressive delivery and instead use behaviour-based timing, helping posts appear genuinely active rather than artificially inflated. Their likes work particularly well for reels and carousel posts where consistency is important.

Their wave-based delivery pattern mirrors natural audience interaction curves, which can help creators maintain believable post activity without triggering algorithmic irregularities.

Pros:
• Very natural delivery speeds
• Great reputation for IG safety
• High retention rates
• Excellent for reels and high-engagement formats

Cons:
• Not the fastest delivery
• More expensive than basic services

Krootez reports a drop rate of under 10%, which is significantly lower than the industry average, making it a strong pick for long-term engagement.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.2/5) — Reliable, safe, and ideal for realistic engagement.

3. Goread.io — Best for Fast Reels Engagement

Goread.io is known for its high-speed Instagram likes, especially on reels — a format where early engagement drastically affects reach. Unlike many fast-delivery sites, Goread has enhanced its retention systems, making it a strong option for creators who need a quick boost that doesn’t disappear completely afterwards.

The platform’s interface is simple, pricing is competitive, and they offer refill guarantees on most packages. For creators looking to boost time-sensitive posts (such as reels, announcements, trending audio clips), Goread is one of the fastest and most dependable options.

For creators focused on time-sensitive formats like reels, this speed-weighted approach supports the platform’s push-based distribution model, where initial engagement heavily shapes total reach.

Pros:
• Speedy delivery
• Good retention for a speed-focused service
• Refill guarantees included
• Ideal for reels and trending posts

Cons:
• Not ideal for slow-drip growth
• Customer support can be slow during peak times

Internal performance data suggests that posts boosted through Goread during the first 30 minutes get up to 50% higher reel distribution, particularly on new accounts.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.1/5) — Great for speed-based momentum on reels.

4. Famoid — Best for Reliable Long-Term Stability

Famoid is one of the most established social media growth platforms, trusted by creators and businesses who want stable, long-term Instagram likes. Their system focuses heavily on retention — making them an excellent choice for creators who don’t want likes to fluctuate days later.

Another major advantage is that Famoid has one of the more advanced refill systems in the industry. If any engagement drops, they automatically replenish it, ensuring your posts stay strong over time.

This level of long-term retention ties into Instagram’s stability scoring, helping posts avoid the visibility dips that occur when engagement drops too quickly after posting.

Pros:
• Excellent long-term retention
• Automatic refill protections
• Strong reputation and long history
• Works well for business accounts

Cons:
• Delivery isn’t instant
• Pricing is higher for top packages

Famoid reports that 95% of customers keep their delivered engagement after 30 days, one of the highest stability rates available.

Rating: ★★★★ (4/5) — Ideal for creators who want set-and-forget engagement reliability.

5. Viralyft — Best for High-Volume Like Packages

Viralyft is used by creators who need larger batches of likes at once, especially influencers preparing campaigns, paid partnerships, or sponsored posts. The service offers both smaller and very large packages, making it flexible for all types of content strategies.

While retention varies depending on the package, Viralyft is known for predictable delivery and fast refill support. It’s a strong option for creators who need scalability rather than niche targeting.

For creators who plan campaigns or run multiple promotional posts, predictable high-volume delivery supports consistent performance across broader content strategies rather than isolated posts

Pros:
• Huge range of package sizes
• Fast delivery capabilities
• Reliable refill guarantees
• Good pricing for large orders

Cons:
• Retention can vary
• Not ideal for niche or community-heavy pages

According to Viralyft’s service stats, creators who use consistent like boosts see a 22% increase in average post visibility across several campaigns.

Rating: ★★★★ (4/5) — Best for scalable, high-volume like boosts.

Conclusion

Understanding how different engagement delivery systems interact with Instagram’s ranking behaviour is far more important than the act of purchasing itself. Each platform represents a different approach to shaping early engagement signals, which remain central to reach, visibility, and post longevity.

When paired with regular content and real audience interaction, high-quality likes can help your posts gain early visibility without looking artificial. Used correctly, they provide a simple boost that helps your page reach more people.

Read more:
Where to Buy Instagram Likes That Actually Last

Probability and statistics affect every aspect of our lives. After all, statistics is simply taking the probability of any given event and putting it down in plain black and white.

This means that the lessons businesses can learn from casino odds can easily be applied to every element of your operations. Hedging your bets is useful for more than just managing your betting bankroll; it can be essential for ensuring your business remains profitable even when you make a new investment or try a new approach.

Casinos use odds to improve every element of their business to increase player count and the number of bets, all while ensuring they maintain a healthy house edge that keeps their operations profitable. Businesses just like yours can benefit from adopting these top lessons from casino odds.

Boosting Odds of Sign-Ups and Payments

One of the most important lessons that casino odds can impart on businesses actually begins long before you look at game mechanics, and instead at the sign-up process.

Finland is leading the charge with a new type of online casino, known as ‘nettikasinot ilman rekisteröintiä’, or pikakasinos. They are, in short, fast casinos that skip a lot of the heavy lifting that’s involved with the standard registration process to get new sign-ups playing faster.

This builds the immersion and takes a newcomer right into the heart of the games they’re after. They don’t accomplish this by skipping regulations or operating under the table, either, but by combining actions. By using services like Trustly or BankID, they can instantly verify each player’s identity during a deposit transaction.

In business, one-click sign-ups, or using third-party quick checkout services like Shop or PayPal can help speed up transactions and smooth out customer interactions, increasing the likelihood of a sign-up or sale, just because it’s a one and done.

The Power of a Small House Edge

Small, consistent and repeatable profits, otherwise known as the house edge, are all that’s needed to keep large-scale, highly successful casinos operational. This is excellent news for smaller or startup businesses aiming to disrupt their market and draw audiences away from large enterprises.

A good way to incorporate this odds strategy is to offer a smaller house edge (profit margin) on a few ‘hero’ products or services that aren’t necessarily your best sellers. These will be what you’re best known for, since you offer a great service or product at a great price.

Pair those prices with a higher profit margin on the essentials. If you’re a suit company, for example, offer a lower profit margin price on the suits, and a higher profit margin on shirts and ties.

Maximise Sale Volume for True Profits

Casinos put the odds of their profitability in the hands of volume. If they solely relied on large bets, they’d all be out of business. While large bets do happen, their true profitability comes from the smaller, but more frequent bets.

Businesses can adopt this stance not only by offering low-budget everyday essentials that fit their niche, but more importantly, by offering them on subscription. Increasing the number and frequency of low-level buys is a great way to supplement your operations and ensure long-term profitability while still maintaining an excellent quality of experience for the high rollers.

Read more:
Lessons from Casino Odds for Business Decision-Making

Have you seen the infamous 1980s movie “Trading Places?”

This film was critiqued by investors and stockbrokers for making the world of investing seem simple. However, it was more accurate than most people want to give it credit for, as investing doesn’t require insider knowledge (that’s actually against the law) or a financial degree. What it does require is having a clear framework, a whole lot of patience, discipline, and knowledge to avoid common traps.

If you are new to the world of investments, you will likely need to build base habits that will return dividends over time, so here are five central principles to explore and master before you invest a large amount.

Understand the Investment!

Before you even put a single penny to work, you need to have a solid understanding of what you are investing in. Stock represents ownership. Bonds represent loans from the government or businesses. Funds are a collection of assets, and across all of these, there is no such thing as a guaranteed return (unless you have insider information). You can’t master all these, or other options like cryptocurrency or real estate, but you do need to understand the different risks, time horizon, and rewards. Short-term investments are speculations, long-term investing is a strategy, and the more you know, the more logical your decisions will be. As cryptocurrency is the newest option, if you want to invest in this, it’s worth looking at websites like CoinEx.com for insight and tips. It’s also worth looking at forums for stocks and bonds to get the fundamentals and align them with your savings goal.

Start Small, Start Now

In the world of investing, there is no such thing as a perfect moment, and this is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make as a beginner. Time in the market beats getting the timing of the market right, so start with an amount you’re comfortable losing, even if it is only a few pounds. Early investing is about you building your confidence as well as consistency, not making a fortune. Small and regular contributions will harness compound growth, teach you discipline, and help you to harness some other tricks that can benefit you later.

Diversify!

Placing all of your money into a single stock is not investing, it’s gambling. Diversifying will help you to spread the risks across different assets, sectors, and even locations, so that there is no single failure that can destabilise your investment plan. For those who are new, broad index funds or ETFs offer instant diversification without you needing to do a lot. The goal is not to avoid losses entirely, but to make sure that any losses you have don’t cause bankruptcy.

Control Costs

Loud market noise destroys focus, and investing in stocks or bonds that have high fees will hack at your returns. Choose low-cost investment vehicles and always be mindful of hot tips or bold predictions. The financial media thrives on urgency, whereas successful investors thrive on their own patience. So, check your portfolio less often than you think you should and only rebalance it when necessary. As unthrilling as it is, boring, low-cost, and consistent investments usually beat exciting and expensive ones.

Think Long-Term

The market fluctuates. Unfortunately, this is the price of admission into the world of investments, and new investors will often panic during downturns and will sell too early. Both of these can sabotage long-term gains, so you should decide your strategy in your calmer moments and then follow through when your emotions run high. When it comes to building wealth via investments, it is built by staying through these cycles and not reacting emotionally to them.

Read more:
How to Master Investments For Newcomers

Cryptocurrency has gone from a niche idea to a global tool for business. But behind the scenes, it still takes real work to make digital payments safe, fast, and reliable.

Few companies have taken on that challenge with as much focus and discipline as ZixiPay.

Founded in 2017 by a small team of engineers and early blockchain investors, ZixiPay has grown into a trusted name in crypto payment processing and business wallet technology. Their path wasn’t flashy. It was steady, technical, and rooted in a simple goal: build a system people can depend on.

“We started because we saw businesses struggling with basic things—speed, security, compliance, and control,” the company explains. “We knew we could build something stronger if we owned the entire infrastructure ourselves.”

This spotlight takes a closer look at their journey, their technology, and why their approach is shaping the future of crypto payments.

The Early Vision: Control the Infrastructure, Control the Outcome

When ZixiPay began, crypto wallets were often tied together by third-party tools. That created weak spots. Outages. Delays. Security risks. The team behind ZixiPay wanted the opposite.

“From day one, we decided to own every layer we could. Blockchain nodes, APIs, security stack—everything,” they say.

This wasn’t a common approach at the time. Running your own blockchain infrastructure requires engineering talent and serious investment. But it paid off. Today, ZixiPay supports more than 2 million wallets and processes over $150 million in monthly transactions.

The founders say this wasn’t luck.

“We built slow and steady. That gave us stability. That stability brought trust.”

A Business Wallet Built for Real-World Problems

Many crypto wallets focus on everyday users. ZixiPay took a different route. They saw a gap in the market: businesses needed tools that could scale without headaches.

Fast Onboarding + Strong Compliance

ZixiPay chose to meet global standards early, even before many competitors.

They follow full KYC and AML compliance, and also use KYT (Know Your Transaction) monitoring to detect fraud or high-risk activity.

“We wanted businesses to know that using crypto didn’t mean ignoring regulations. It meant meeting them with better tools,” they say.

Because of this, ZixiPay became especially attractive to sectors with higher regulatory needs:

e-commerce
forex
iGaming and gambling
real estate

These industries needed predictable settlement times, secure wallets, and no chargebacks. ZixiPay built tools specifically for that.

A Wallet With Multi-Chain Support

Today, businesses can send, store, and accept:

Bitcoin
Ethereum
USDT across multiple networks
and other major digital assets

The company’s modular API design allows businesses to plug ZixiPay into their systems without long development cycles.

“Integration should take hours, not months,” they often say.

A Product Built on Simplicity and Security

While the technology behind ZixiPay is complex, the way they explain it is not. Their internal motto is straightforward: “Make it simple. Make it secure.”

They point to their no-chargeback payment model as an example.

“Businesses needed predictable payments. Crypto made that possible. We just built the tools to make it practical.”

Two-factor authentication, internal blockchain control, and monitored transactions form a security stack that feels more like a bank than a startup.

“People assume crypto is risky. It doesn’t have to be. Risk comes from poor design.”

Scaling Without Losing Focus

Growth can weaken a company if it isn’t handled carefully. ZixiPay seems aware of that. Their expansion has been methodical.

Some achievements they highlight:

2,000,000+ wallets created
$150,000,000+ processed monthly
Global availability with consistent performance
Zero reliance on outside blockchain service providers

Their approach is still grounded in practicality.

“We don’t chase hype. We chase reliability. Our best marketing is a system that works every time.”

What Makes ZixiPay Different in a Crowded Market

Cryptocurrency companies appear every month. Many disappear just as fast. ZixiPay’s endurance seems tied to three core principles they repeat often:

1. Own the Infrastructure

This gives them control over speed, uptime, and security—things that matter to enterprises.

2. Stay Compliant

By aligning with global KYC, AML, and KYT standards, they reduce risk for partners.

3. Keep It Simple

Their API-based model is built so businesses can “plug in and start.”

“Businesses don’t want to be blockchain experts. They want tools that work.”

Looking Ahead: A Secure Future for Global Crypto Payments

ZixiPay sees digital payments becoming more global, more automated, and more regulated. They believe the companies that survive will be the ones that built their foundations early.

“Crypto is maturing. The companies that grow with it will be the ones that already understand compliance, infrastructure, and security at scale.”

Their story is still being written, but one thing is clear: ZixiPay has positioned itself as a stable and thoughtful leader in a fast-changing world.

Not by chasing trends. Not by promising the moon.
But by building a reliable system that businesses actually trust.

If their past is any clue, the next chapter may be even more interesting.

Read more:
ZixiPay: Building a Safer, Smarter Future for Crypto Payments

Rachel Reeves has confirmed that she will deliver an early spring statement on 3 March, as the Treasury moves to restore confidence after a year in which prolonged tax speculation was blamed by businesses for weakening the UK economy.

In announcing the date, the Treasury said the chancellor had formally asked the Office for Budget Responsibility to prepare updated forecasts for the economy and the public finances. The move is intended to provide “stability and certainty” following widespread criticism of the extended build-up to November’s budget, which many business leaders said had stalled investment and hiring decisions.

Reeves has faced sustained criticism over the months of leaks, briefings and policy kite-flying that preceded the autumn budget, with economists and industry groups arguing that the uncertainty contributed to a downturn in consumer spending and a freeze in private sector activity. Official data later showed the economy unexpectedly contracted in October, while the Bank of England has warned that growth is close to flatlining at the end of the year.

Business surveys have also pointed to a sharp slowdown in activity around the turn of the year, with firms delaying spending decisions until greater clarity emerged on tax and regulatory changes. Economists said the uncertainty was exacerbated by the limited headroom Reeves initially left against her self-imposed fiscal rules, increasing the risk that even a modest deterioration in the public finance outlook could force further tax rises or spending cuts.

At the November budget, the chancellor sought to address those concerns by more than doubling her fiscal headroom to £22bn, arguing that the move would protect the public finances from future shocks and reduce the likelihood of sudden policy changes. She also signalled a shift in approach, confirming that the government would hold one major fiscal event a year.

Under that framework, the Treasury said it would respond to the OBR’s March forecasts with a formal statement to parliament rather than a full budget. Officials said the approach would help provide greater predictability for households and businesses, supporting the government’s wider growth agenda.

The spring forecasts are expected to be published before a permanent replacement is appointed for Richard Hughes, who stepped down as chair of the OBR after sensitive budget documents were accidentally published online ahead of Reeves’s November statement. Both the Treasury and the OBR are continuing internal investigations into the leak.

Reeves has previously acknowledged the damage caused by speculation in the run-up to the autumn budget and has pledged to improve discipline around fiscal announcements. Setting an early March date is seen within Whitehall as an attempt to draw a clear line under that episode and to reset relations with businesses and financial markets ahead of the new financial year.

Read more:
Rachel Reeves sets early March date for spring statement as OBR prepares forecast

More than half of British businesses are struggling to expand their sales in Europe, with trade frictions worsening despite the UK-EU trade deal, according to new research from the British Chambers of Commerce.

A survey by the BCC found that 54 per cent of exporters believe the Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) has failed to help them increase sales in the UK’s largest overseas market, a rise of 13 percentage points compared with last year. The findings underline growing concern that Brexit-related barriers are becoming more restrictive rather than easing over time.

The results come as Prime Minister Keir Starmer pursues a much-trailed “reset” of the UK’s trading relationship with Brussels. However, business groups are warning that progress has been too slow and that unresolved red tape continues to weigh heavily on exporters.

Only 16 per cent of businesses surveyed said the EU deal had helped them grow sales, while almost none felt government support in navigating post-Brexit trade rules had been comprehensive. The BCC polled 989 firms, of which 96 per cent were small and medium-sized enterprises.

Businesses cited ongoing customs bureaucracy, VAT complexity and restrictions on staff mobility as key obstacles to selling into the EU. Problems around sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) checks, affecting food, drink and agricultural exporters, were also flagged as a major source of friction.

The BCC has urged ministers to prioritise practical reforms in 2026, including closer co-operation with the EU on VAT, simplified customs procedures and a deeper SPS agreement to reduce paperwork and delays at borders.

It also warned about delays in scrapping the de minimis import exemption, which allows overseas sellers to ship low-value goods into the UK without paying duties. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has signalled the loophole will be closed, but not until 2029, a timeline business groups say leaves UK retailers exposed to unfair competition from overseas ecommerce platforms.

Steve Lynch, director of international trade at the BCC, said: “Problems with trade friction appear to be worsening, not improving. With a budget that failed to deliver meaningful growth or trade support, getting the EU reset right is now a strategic necessity, not a political choice.

“Businesses want clarity, certainty and delivery at pace in 2026, alongside a clear vision for how trade with Europe will actually improve.”

The findings land amid a broader political debate over whether Labour should go further in repairing ties with the EU. While Starmer has ruled out re-joining the customs union, senior figures within the party have suggested closer alignment could become an electoral issue in future.

There are tentative signs that wider business confidence is stabilising. Lloyds Bank’s business confidence index rose to a four-month high in December, while consumer confidence also edged higher after months of pre-budget uncertainty.

However, exporters say that without tangible reductions in trade barriers, optimism at home will do little to unlock growth in Europe.

A government spokesperson said ministers were making “strong progress” in negotiations with the EU, including commitments to conclude a food and drink agreement and to link UK-EU emissions trading systems, measures it said could add nearly £9 billion a year to the economy by 2040.

For now, many exporters remain unconvinced, warning that unless trade frictions ease quickly, Europe will remain a growth opportunity largely out of reach for UK businesses.

Read more:
UK-EU trade deal fails to boost exports as business friction worsens

Larry Ellison, one of the world’s richest men, has stepped in with a $40.4bn personal guarantee to shore up Paramount Skydance’s $108bn takeover bid for Warner Bros Discovery, escalating a high-stakes battle with Netflix for control of some of Hollywood’s most valuable franchises.

Paramount Skydance, led by David Ellison, confirmed that Ellison would provide an “irrevocable personal guarantee” covering the equity financing element of the bid, as well as any potential damages claims. The move is designed to address concerns from Warner Bros Discovery’s board, which last week urged shareholders to reject the offer, arguing it was inadequately backed.

The board has instead recommended a rival $82.7bn proposal from Netflix for Warner’s studios and streaming assets. Paramount, however, insists its bid represents superior value, offering Warner shareholders $30 per share for the entire business, including its global television networks.

As part of the revised terms, Ellison has agreed not to revoke or materially alter the Ellison family trust during the transaction period. Paramount also said it would publish records confirming that the trust holds around 1.16bn shares in Oracle, worth approximately $223bn as of December 19, alongside full disclosure of material liabilities.

The equity component of Paramount’s bid totals $40.4bn, including $11.8bn from the Ellison family and $24bn from sovereign wealth funds in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. The remainder of the deal is backed by $54bn in debt commitments from Bank of America, Citigroup and Apollo.

Netflix has also strengthened the financing behind its competing offer, refinancing part of a $59bn bridge loan and securing new credit facilities, according to regulatory filings.

Paramount has accused Warner’s board of failing to properly engage with its proposal and signalled that its offer may yet increase. The group has taken the unusual step of appealing directly to shareholders, launching a tender offer on December 12 and extending its deadline to January 21.

The acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery would hand the successful bidder a portfolio that includes blockbuster franchises such as Harry Potter, Game of Thrones and DC Studios, alongside major networks including CNN.

David Ellison said the deal would act as “a catalyst for greater content production, greater theatrical output and more consumer choice”, adding that Paramount’s proposal would preserve and strengthen “an iconic Hollywood treasure”.

Warner Bros Discovery has yet to respond publicly to the revised financing guarantees, while Netflix declined to comment. As the contest intensifies, the outcome is set to reshape the global entertainment landscape, and determine who controls some of the most powerful storytelling assets in modern media.

Read more:
Larry Ellison puts $40bn personal guarantee behind Paramount bid for Warner Bros

Denise Coates, the billionaire founder and chief executive of Bet365, received at least £280m in salary and dividends in the year to March 2025, despite a sharp fall in the company’s pre-tax profits.

The Stoke-on-Trent-based gambling group reported turnover of £4bn for the year, up from £3.7bn in the previous 12 months. Pre-tax profits, however, fell to £349m from £627m a year earlier, reflecting a significant rise in costs as the business reshaped its global operations.

Accounts filed on Tuesday show that Coates was paid a salary of £104m. As the company’s majority shareholder, she is also entitled to at least half of a £353.6m dividend, taking her total remuneration from the group to a minimum of £280m.

While this represents a substantial increase on the £150m she received last year, it remains well below her record £469m payout in 2021. Over her career, Coates has now extracted more than £2.5bn in pay and dividends from Bet365, which she famously began building from a portable cabin in a car park in Stoke.

The fall in profits was driven largely by a £325m increase in expenses as Bet365 expanded its presence in the US and South America while withdrawing from China, where online betting is illegal. The company incurred £59m in one-off restructuring and reorganisation costs linked to its exit from “certain markets”.

Bet365 has long faced scrutiny over its activities in China, although it has always insisted it complied with local laws. The company did not fully cease taking bets from Chinese customers until the end of March, meaning further costs associated with the withdrawal may fall into the current financial year.

Despite criticism over the scale of Coates’s pay, industry figures often note that she does not use complex structures to minimise tax and is among the UK’s largest individual taxpayers. During the year, Bet365 also donated £130m to the Denise Coates Foundation, which supports a range of charitable causes.

During the year, Bet365 also waived loans to Stoke City, which was demerged from the group and is now controlled by Coates’s brother, John.

The accounts make no reference to earlier reports of exploratory talks over a potential £9bn sale of the business. Instead, they underline Bet365’s strategic focus on regulated markets, particularly the United States, where it now operates licensed betting services in 16 states after entering five new ones during the year.

The US expansion follows the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision to overturn the federal ban on sports betting, triggering a rapid state-by-state liberalisation that has transformed the American gambling market.

Read more:
Bet365 boss Denise Coates pockets at least £280m despite profit slump

Former mineworkers and their families are celebrating a “historic” boost to their pensions after the government handed over a £2.3bn reserve fund, delivering increases worth up to £100 a week and backdated lump sums averaging £5,500.

Members of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme will see their pensions rise by 41% from Tuesday, following the transfer of the government’s share of the scheme’s surplus. The move brings long-awaited relief to tens of thousands of former workers who had campaigned for years against an arrangement that allowed the state to take half of any surplus while members bore all the risk.

The changes mainly affect around 40,000 former staff who worked in non-mining roles at collieries, including more than 5,000 women. Similar reforms were introduced last year for the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme, which covers about 100,000 former miners.

For many, the uplift marks a turning point after years of financial anxiety. Julie Creed, from Mansfield, who worked in British Coal’s salaries office, said the extra income would make a “massive difference” as household bills continue to rise. She added that her mother-in-law, now in her 80s, would no longer have to worry about whether she could afford to heat her home following the death of her husband, who worked in the mines.

Campaigners had previously warned that some pensioners were “dying in abject poverty” after billions were taken from the schemes over decades. Ministers announced an end to the arrangement in the autumn budget of 2024, describing it as a long-overdue correction of an injustice rooted in the industry’s privatisation.

Cheryl Agius, chair of trustees of the pension scheme, called the change a landmark moment. She said it marked “the result of a year of determination, advocacy and collaboration” and represented a clear break from the past.

Steve Yemm, the Labour MP for Mansfield, whose constituency has the highest proportion of former mineworkers in the UK, said the move delivered justice but warned that more work remained. He said members were still seeking clarity over how future surpluses would be shared and urged ministers to reach a fair agreement quickly.

Energy secretary Ed Miliband paid tribute to former mineworkers and campaigners, saying the uplift would give thousands a better retirement. He added that receiving a 41% increase just before Christmas was recognition of the contribution mineworkers had made and the hardship many had endured since the industry’s decline.

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