WEALTHY former Barclays banker-turned-racehorse owner Rich Ricci landed a big payday to spend at next week’s Cheltenham festival today after his betting website was bought by online rival 888 for £15 million.
Ricci first invested in Ireland’s BetBright website in 2016, becoming its executive chairman. Ricci, who will step down as chairman following the deal, said 888 had the reach and marketing ability to scale BetBright “into a much larger global business”.
888, which made a failed bid for William Hill in 2016, said the addition of the sportsbook was the “missing piece” for the company. The exact size of Ricci’s investment and whether he retains any stake in the firm is unclear.
The multi-millionaire, a regular on the racing scene sporting tweed, trilby and sunglasses, has a succession of fancied horses running at Cheltenham including Benie Des Dieux, Min, and Faugheen.
