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Spreadex eliminated its ‘only competitor’ with Sporting Index deal, CMA says

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Spreadex eliminated its ‘only competitor’ with Sporting Index deal, CMA says



A UK watchdog has found gambling firm Spreadex’s takeover of rival spread betting firm Sporting Index created a monopoly in the market by eliminating its “only competitor”.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said Spreadex must sell Sporting Index following a fresh review of the deal.

A spokesman for Spreadex said it disagreed with the “entirely disproportionate” decision regarding its acquisition of a “failing firm”.

The CMA found that having a monopoly in the market could lead to a worse experience for users, a more limited range of products, and higher prices for consumers.

The acquisition, which took place in 2023, reduces the number of specialist betting firms from two to one, the regulator said.

Richard Feasey, chairman of the independent panel reviewing the merger, said: “We found that the merger substantially lessens competition by removing Spreadex’s only competitor in the sports spread betting market in the UK.

“We also found that the only effective remedy would be for Spreadex to sell Sporting Index to restore competition in the supply of licensed online sports spread betting in the UK.

“Doing so would mean customers in the UK have greater choice between two independent businesses, rather than one.”

Sports spread betting involves betting on a range of outcomes for a sports event, rather than fixed-odds bets which involve a standard “win or lose” scenario.

The closer a bet is to an outcome, the more money a consumer can win. But it also means it is possible for consumers to lose more than their initial stake.

The CMA launched a fresh investigation into the deal after Spreadex appealed its decision to the Competition Appeal Tribunal in March.

A panel had found last year that the deal harmed competition in the market and that a sale should take place.

Following Friday’s final report, Spreadex can now assure the regulator that it will sell Sporting Index, or the CMA could order the sale to a buyer that it approves of.

A spokesman for Spreadex said it was “extremely disappointed” in the CMA’s decision.

It said: “We have co-operated and engaged positively with the CMA throughout what has now been a 20-month review period into an immaterial transaction involving a failing firm serving a very small number of customers in a tiny sub-section of the UK sports betting market.”

Spreadex said it recognised the “importance of the CMA’s role in protecting and promoting competition in the UK economy” but that it believed the review was “wholly disproportionate to the benefits it is purported to provide either the UK economy or consumers”.

“Sporting Index’s customers have greatly benefited from Spreadex’s infrastructure, resources, improved services, and increased oversight since the acquisition,” it said.

“Spreadex strongly disagrees with this entirely disproportionate decision and are reviewing all available options.”



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‘Made strong entry’: Amit shah hails semiconductor sector’s growth despite being ‘bit late’; confident of ‘exports soon’ – The Times of India

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‘Made strong entry’: Amit shah hails semiconductor sector’s growth despite being ‘bit late’; confident of ‘exports soon’ – The Times of India


NEW DELHI: India would soon establish itself in the semiconductor industry by starting exports, even though it’s entry was late, said Union home minister Amit Shah.“We have made a strong entry into the semiconductor industry, although a bit late. In no time, we will not only become self-reliant in the semiconductor sector, but will also start exporting it,” he said, addressing the ‘Abhyudaya Madhya Pradesh Growth Summit’.Speaking at the summit, Shah highlighted Madhya Pradesh’s attractive geographical location and fertile land.He also inaugurated industrial projects worth Rs 2 lakh crore, on the occasion of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee‘s 101st birth anniversary. He remembered Vajpayee as “a great orator, a sensitive poet, a leader dedicated to public welfare and remained ‘ajatashatru’ (person without enemies) in politics.”He noted that even small investments in the state could yield substantial returns. He praised Madhya Pradesh’s transformation from a power-deficient state to one with surplus electricity. He also commended the state’s achievements in cleanliness, saying it has surpassed other states in this aspect.During the event, Shah also paid tributes to Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya on his birth anniversary and C Rajagopalachari on his death anniversary. The Growth Summit attracted 25,000 beneficiaries and thousands of entrepreneurs and investors. Officials confirmed that the industrial projects launched during the event will create 193,000 new jobs.Shah’s visit also included inaugurating the Gwalior Fair and dedicating the renovated Atal Museum to the public, further marking the celebrations of Vajpayee’s birth anniversary.



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Planning Your Taxes For 2026? What Freelancers And Gig Workers Should Know

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Planning Your Taxes For 2026? What Freelancers And Gig Workers Should Know




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SFIO probes IndusInd’s Rs 1,960 crore derivatives hole – The Times of India

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SFIO probes IndusInd’s Rs 1,960 crore derivatives hole – The Times of India


MUMBAI: Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) has opened a formal probe into IndusInd Bank after a Dec 23, 2025 letter triggered an investigation under the Companies Act, 2013, over accounting lapses tied to internal derivative trades.In a filing, the bank said SFIO, under the MCA, seeks information after the lender flagged on June 2 issues spanning internal derivatives, unsubstantiated “other assets/liabilities”, and microfinance interest/fee income. It disclosed the update on Dec 18, pledged full cooperation, and posted details on its website.Derivatives irregularities have hit P&L by about Rs 1,960 crore as of March 31, 2025, eroding reported net worth by roughly 2.3% as of Dec 2024. Earlier profits were overstated as notional gains flowed into P&L while losses sat parked as assets, inflating NII and earnings quality. The derivatives irregularities saw several members of the senior management stepping down with the board bringing in Rajiv Anand from Axis Bank to head the private lender.The bank recognised the losses, absorbed pain in its FY25 earnings which tipped the bank into a Q4 FY25 net loss after one-off write-offs/provisions. Capital/net worth took a 2–2.5% post-tax hit, trimming buffers and nudging growth appetite and capital pricing.The derivatives loss resulted in the shares of the bank sliding as investors reassessed earnings credibility and governance. The scrutiny also sharpened on the board/management/audit committees, intensifying regulatory pressure and SFIO oversight.



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