Betfred cuts 30 jobs in Gibraltar
Thirty roles in telephone customer services team made redundant as firm shifts towards mobile focus
Betfred has cut 30 roles in its Gibraltar-based telephone customer services team as part of a shift in strategy which has seen the operator sharpen its focus on mobile gambling.
Petfre Gibraltar, which operates the Betfred.com brand and employs 140 staff in the British Overseas Territory, has opted to move the function to the group’s Warrington office.
Michael Feetham, chairman of Petfre, said the decision to do so is not a result of the proposed changes to UK gambling tax planned to come into effect this year.
“We have been looking at consolidation and efficiencies for some time and certainly the dramatic uptake of mobile betting and new technology has required a different approach for many functions within the business,” Feetham said.
“It is still early days regarding the final details of the proposed tax and licensing rules within the UK market and along with other Gibraltar based operators, we are watching developments in this area very closely,” he added.
It is understood some mobile of the operator’s mobile products are unable to be accessed in Gibraltar and it therefore cannot provide support services from there.
“We have achieved significant growth in Gibraltar and will continue to invest in our business,” Chris Sheffield, Betfred.com managing director, said.
“While we are consolidating parts of the operation, we will be strengthening other departments and our Gibraltar base is a key component of our long term strategy.”