Manchester has a long history as a major hub for business – and it remains a city where many different types of organisations are able to thrive.
This is highlighted by figures from the Office for National Statistics, quoted by the city council, which found there were more than 22,000 different enterprises operating in the local area in 2019.
A host of industries can be found in the city, but one which has enjoyed plenty of success in recent decades is the iGaming sector.
A new level of success
While gambling has been intrinsically linked with offline activities like heading to a casino or a bookmaker in the past, the move online has pushed the industry to an extraordinary level of success.
A report published by Grand View Research in April found that the global online gambling market – which includes sports betting, casinos and bingo – was worth more than $53 billion in 2019. The industry shows no signs of slowing down either, with predictions that revenues will hit $127 billion by 2027.
ADVERTISEMENT
The sector has become hugely competitive, with a host of brands going up against each other to stand out and attract new members. Promotions have become a key tool in such battles, while many sites also offer a wide selection of games to keep players engaged in their services.
For instance, casino online brand Betfair explains how it offers access to a range of experiences, including casino table games, slots and so-called arcade betting games like scratch cards. Live casino games are also becoming common, with dealers hosting events via a high-definition video stream.
ADVERTISEMENT
Notable industry links
Manchester has a number of links to the ever-growing world of iGaming, with major industry names like SBC having offices in the city.
The company describes itself as a news and events organisation involved in the development of the betting and gaming industry, helping to arrange some of the biggest dates in the sector’s calendar. This includes events such as CasinoBeats Malta – a conference which apparently plays host to more than 1,500 attendees.
Our city’s links to the industry extend far beyond events, however – with Manchester also home to companies which are actively involved in creating games for the sector.
ADVERTISEMENT
One key name based is Northern Lights Gaming, which produces video slots for the European market.
The brand – which also has an office in Stockholm – enjoyed a strong start to 2020 after it secured strategic investment from Velo Partners through the games accelerator RNG Foundry.
In a statement, Northern Lights CEO Andrew Goodale said the agreement would help the business grow and give it access to both expertise and a “fantastic industry network”.
A home in the city
Manchester has always had a strong reputation as a location for business, so it is perhaps not a huge surprise that major names in the hugely successful world of iGaming have settled comfortably in the city.
The sector has enjoyed plenty of success in recent years and, with this expected to continue, it will be interesting to see whether its presence in Manchester continues to grow.
Trending
Channel 4 to air exclusive new documentary about the disappearance and death of Lancashire teen Jay Slater
Emily Sergeant
An exclusive new documentary taking an inside look at the the disappearance of Jay Slater is coming to Channel 4.
On the morning of 17 June 2024, 19-year-old Jay Slater – an apprentice bricklayer from the Lancashire town of Oswaldtwistle – disappeared on the island of Tenerife in Spain, after attempting to walk 14 hours back to his accommodation when there was no local taxi service available and no bus due for 90 minutes.
From then commenced one of the biggest missing persons cases in recent British history.
As the world’s media were following the story minute by minute last summer, producers at Channel 4 were in the incredibly-unique position where they had access to the Coronial process in Lancashire, and this has led to the exclusive documentary title The Disappearance of Jay Slater.
From Jay’s post-mortem to Jay’s inquest, the team have been with the family every step of the way over the last year, as they try and understand exactly what happened to Jay outside of the public gaze
Jay was ultimately pronounced dead on 15 July 2024 after Spanish police reported the discovery of a body in the vicinity of the area of interest, but before this discovery and eventual announcement, the internet became awash with public discourse, conspiracy theories, and more.
The Disappearance of Jay Slater is described as being ‘the family’s story’.
Channel 4 will air an exclusive new documentary about the disappearance and death of Lancashire teen Jay Slater / Credit: GoFundMe
The documentary is set to follow them as they search for answers about what happened to Jay, witnessing the conspiracy theories raging online and the subsequent horrific abuse they received as a family – which is an hourly onslaught that continues to this day.
These cameras were the only media in the world granted full access to film both Jay’s post-mortem and inside the church at his funeral.
But the broadcaster claims this documentary is not only the story of Jay’s tragedy, it’s also the story of ‘the new world we live in’ where so-called true crime armchair detectives run wild.
“The story of Jay Slater captured the nation last summer with a fervour and intensity fuelled by armchair detectives and internet culture,” commented Channel 4’s Commissioning Editor, Rita Daniels, ahead of the documentary airing.
“We are so glad to be working on a sensitively handled exploration of the family’s experience, and understanding the impact of being in the middle of a social media storm, amplified by grief.
“The film holds a light up to our current society and is exactly the story that is a necessity for Channel 4 to tell.”
Executive Producer Anna Hall added: “It is appalling what has happened to Jay’s family, and we hope this film will help to bring awareness of the real life consequences of online speculation. It is an unmonitored world where fake news runs rife, and this film shows the devastating impact this has had on one grieving family.”
The Disappearance of Jay Slater is expected to air on Channel 4 later this year, but no official dates have been confirmed as of yet, so keep your eyes peeled.
Featured Image – GoFundMe
Trending
‘Best signing of the summer’: Stockport County fans react to Dave Challinor’s new contract
Danny Jones
Stockport County fans are buzzing with their first and arguably ‘biggest’ signing of the summer, as manager Dave Challinor has penned a new contract at Edgeley Park.
The majority of match-goers in Stockport have fallen in love with Challinor over the past few years, with the former County centre-back having now spent nearly four years as the boss and overseeing one of the best periods in their history during that time.
With seven promotions across four different clubs, three of those coming at Edgeley Park, he’s been touted as one of the EFL‘s most underrated and quietly successful coaches in recent times.
All that being said, and with the 49-year-old now signing a new deal at the club, supporters like those behind the popular The Scarf Bergara Wore fan podcast have said, “Could be the best signing of our summer, that” – a similar sentiment has been echoed in pretty much everyone’s reaction.
Congratulations to Dave, a superb manager – would expect Stockport to play in the Championship in that time. Not many can say they’ve had success everywhere they’ve been, but he can
As you can see, while some jokingly said they were waiting to hear former Aston Villa loanee Louie Barry had been re-signed, the overwhelming consensus is that this is “superb news” for the thriving Greater Manchester side.
Having only just missed out on yet another promotion, which would have seen SCFC back in the Championship after more than two decades (having last spent time in the second division during the 2002/23 campaign, lasting just one season), keeping him tied down wasn’t a certainty.
The Chester-born ex-pro turned manager has attracted plenty of interest since his heroics at AFC Fylde and now at Stockport County, but owner and Vita Group founder, Mark Stott, as well as CEO Simon Wilson and the rest of the board were more than ready to reward his efforts with a new three-year deal.
If all goes to plan, this will see him remain at the club until at least 2028 if they make it into the Championship as planned, who knows how much longer after that.
Speaking on the new contract, Dave Challinor said via an official club statement, “I’m delighted to extend my stay at the Club beyond the end of the upcoming season. Last season gives me even more motivation to improve and aim to meet the shared objectives we have.
“I’m still highly ambitious, and feel that what we have built here over the last three-and-a-half years makes County somewhere that I want to continue to build, alongside my staff, players and everyone involved at the Club.”
‘Chally’ went on to add: “Last season gives me even more motivation to improve and aim to meet the shared objectives we have.
“I’m still highly ambitious, and feel that what we have built here over the last three-and-a-half years makes County somewhere that I want to continue to build, alongside my staff, players and everyone involved at the Club.
“A manager’s tenure at any football club is getting shorter and shorter, and I feel proud to have been at Edgeley Park for as long as I have. That comes from the trust placed in me by Mark and Simon to come in and have a positive impact, and I thank them both for that.”
The Manc -
24th June 2020 
