Pinnacle targeting Q4 UK licence application

Pinnacle is preparing itself for a UK licence application and could be ready by Q4 2016, eGaming Review has learned.

Speaking exclusively to EGR, the sportsbook’s marketing director, Harry Lang, said the firm was aiming to have its “ducks in a row by the end of the year”.

“The UK market is one of the most highly regarded out of the regulated jurisdictions and you have to do a certain amount of work to be in shape to be awarded a licence,” Lang said.

“We are ticking off these boxes at present and we have serious intent to get back to the UK,” he added.

Pinnacle withdrew from the UK market in September 2014, following the introduction of new legislation which required it to earn a Gambling Commission licence.

Lang also revealed the operator was working on a full native app for Q4, which he said would “tie in nicely with a UK licence application”.

And Lang was confident the Curacao-based operator could make an immediate impact on its UK return – despite the saturated betting market – thanks to its unique trading model.

“I know what we can do in the UK with our odds, ‘winners welcome’ policy and high stakes and I’m sure a lot of sportsbooks are worried about how they’ll combat us,” said Lang.

“There’s no way these guys can match a 2% margin when they’re currently on 7% or more. It’s going to be great fun from a marketing point of view,” he added.

The firm recently announced a rebrand, dropping the ‘Sports’ from its name to become simply ‘Pinnacle’, and acquiring the Pinnacle.com domain.