Racing at Lingfield will be “a lot closer to a normal raceday than we’ve had for a long time” when spectators return on a non-trial basis for the first time in nearly nine months next week.
Monthly Archives: November 2020
Evans Banned Six Months for Cocaine Positive
Jockey Nathan Evans was banned for six months at a disciplinary panel hearing Nov. 27 after testing positive for metabolites of cocaine in the summer.
Next Shares Takes On Brown Pair in Seabiscuit
Chad Brown ships in Kentucky Downs stakes winner Flavius and Belmont Park allowance winner Spirit Animal to contest the $200,000 Seabiscuit Handicap (G2T) Nov. 28 at Del Mar.
Petr Cech, Kirsty Gallacher and Vinnie Jones confirmed for star-studded SBC Awards 2020
Goalkeeping legend Petr Cech and sports broadcaster Kirsty Gallacher have been confirmed as the hosts of the SBC Awards 2020 on 9 December, while Premier League footballer turned Hollywood star Vinnie Jones is set to make a special guest appearance.
This year’s prestigious betting and gaming industry awards will be broadcast live from Chelsea FC’s Stamford Bridge home, with an audience of 800 guests joining the virtual ceremony from around the world.
The SBC Awards recognise excellence among sports betting and igaming operators, affiliates and suppliers, and the evening will see 44 honours handed out to the industry’s top performers.
In conjunction with official charity partner GVC, the event will also raise money for Harefield Hospital, one of the world’s largest and most experienced centres for heart and lung transplants.
Japan's Kentucky Derby Road Begins With Cattleya Sho
Nine colts and two fillies kick off the 2020-21 Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby Nov. 28 at Tokyo Racecourse in the Cattleya Sho, chasing a guaranteed spot in the starting gate at Churchill Downs.
Kenya betting regulator not done harassing SportPesa just yet
Sports betting operator SportPesa’s fight with Kenya’s gambling regulator appears far from over, while financial revelations have finally shone a light on just how massive the company was before its legal troubles began.
After finally relaunching its Kenyan-facing operations this week, SportPesa learned this week that the Betting Control & Licensing Board (BCLB) had summoned the company’s new BCLB-licensed partner Milestone Games Ltd to explain why its gaming license shouldn’t be withdrawn.
If you’re just joining us, SportPesa exited its home market in October 2019 following a still unresolved back-tax dispute with the Kenya Revenue Authority. With its license having been suspended, SportPesa attempted to restart its Kenyan operations last month by lending its brand to Milestone, which is majority owned by SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri.
The BCLB initially blocked Milestone’s attempt to use the SportPesa brand but appeared to temporarily give up the fight following a High Court ruling, which set a January date for resolving this issue. Now Kenyan media is reporting that the BCLB is once again looking to halt SportPesa/Milestone’s efforts to continue their Kenyan business.
Almond Eye Leads Star-Studded Japan Cup
Three Triple Crown winners—one on her way to retirement and two undefeated 3-year-olds on course for stardom— meet at Tokyo Racecourse Nov. 29 in the 40th running of the Japan Cup (G1).
Claiming Challenge Incentive Program Back at Aqueduct
The Under 20’s Claiming Challenge will return for the upcoming winter and spring meets at Aqueduct Racetrack. The program, launched in 2018 and open to local trainers with 20 or fewer horses nationwide, will begin on Dec. 10.
BC Juvenile Third Keepmeinmind Tops KY Jockey Club
When a maiden is the leading money earner in a graded stakes race, it is often indicative of the second-rate renewal. Keepmeinmind’s presence in the $200,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs Nov. 28 seems a clear exception.
Murphy Receives Three-Month Ban After Cocaine Positive
Oisin Murphy has expressed regret and apologized after he was banned for three months by France Galop stewards following a positive urine test for metabolites of cocaine. He has strenuously denied taking any banned substance, blaming contamination.
Casinos in Scotland Unite Against Threat of Continued COVID Closures
Casinos in England are preparing to reopen their doors after another national lockdown, but their Scottish counterparts aren’t so lucky.
Genting, Grosvenor, and Caesars Entertainment have joined forces in an effort to save casinos in Scotland. (Image: The Chips Are Down)
Under the UK’s devolved power structure, national governments have a certain amount of control over their own affairs. As such, Scotland has the power to order its own COVID-19 restrictions.
The current measures mean casinos in Scotland will remain closed while many in parts of neighboring England get back to business from December 2.
Ontario Government Keeps COVID-19 Shutdown at Woodbine
Woodbine said Nov. 26 that it was unsuccessful in its efforts to gain approval from the Government in Ontario in Canada to complete its race meet.
Nitrous Stalks and Pounces in Thanksgiving Classic
Nitrous settled just off a speed duel, kicked clear off the far turn, and held off the late run of favored Manny Wah by 1 1/2 lengths to win the $125,000 Thanksgiving Classic Stakes on opening day at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Nov. 26.
Orglandes Darts Past Foes in Red Carpet Handicap
Orglandes didn’t have a clear path until late in the $102,500 Red Carpet Handicap (G3T) Nov. 26 at Del Mar, but a short window in the stretch was all she needed. She accelerated past rivals, going from sixth to first in the final furlong.
Envoutante Rolls Against Older Mares in Falls City
Three Chimneys Farm and Walking L Thoroughbreds’ Envoutante led every step of the way in a powerful six-length win over 4-5 favorite Bonny South in Thursday’s 105th running of the $200,000 Falls City Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs.
Football Index donate sports sponsorship rights to promote YGAM during UK’s Safer Gambling Week
To mark the U.K.’s annual Safer Gambling Week campaign Football Index donated its shirt sponsorship rights for leading Championship clubs Nottingham Forest and Queens Park Rangers to the Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM). Shirts emblazoned with YGAM’s distinctive logo were worn by Queens Park Rangers in their 1-1 draw with Watford (21 November), with Nottingham Forest wearing the YGAM branded shirts in the 2-0 away defeat to high-flying Bournemouth, which was broadcast live by Sky Sports to an international television audience on 24 November. Football Index is also supporting the ground-breaking work undertaken by YGAM courtesy of a £5,000 donation.
This follows an initiative undertaken by Football Index earlier this year which saw it launch a new Gambling Awareness Initiative with Nottingham Forest Football Club, highlighting the importance of safer gambling and helping to educate football supporters within local communities.
Daniel Bliss, Director of External Affairs at YGAM said: “We’re enormously grateful to both clubs and Football Index for their fantastic support. It is vital that we educate our future generations about the potential risks associated with gambling so we can collectively help prevent harm. The two games provided an important opportunity to raise the profile of the charity and help us support parents, teachers and young people across all communities.”
David Cook, Chief Commercial Officer at Nottingham Forest said: “This builds on last year’s activities, and we are once again very supportive of Football Index’s desire to highlight and promote the safer gaming message, in particular through this promotion of the YGAM charity. It’s great to work with a brand that takes responsibility in how they work, and who always look to stress the importance of responsible gaming for the wider fan base.”
BitBoss innovates for Bitcoin gambling with blackjack, exchange services
BitBoss is continuing to break new ground in the Bitcoin gambling space. The gambling service provider has rolled out the first blackjack game run entirely on the Bitcoin SV (BSV) blockchain, while also offering a new exchange service, allowing customers to exchange several digital currencies for BSV.
Both new features come to their Dragon BSV Casino, BitBoss’ Android mobile casino service. “Like with our other offerings, every single bet and bet result for our blackjack game is a transaction on the Bitcoin SV blockchain,” explained Alex Shore, CTO at BitBoss in an interview with Bitcoin Association.
Blackjack’s challenge to the blockchain will create new opportunities
But blackjack offered a few new challenges for BitBoss to figure out. “Blackjack is a multi-action game; choosing to buy insurance, doubling, splitting, standing – every action is recorded as a blockchain transaction. This has a ton of benefits because everything is provably fair, you don’t have to build off-chain technology and try to scale it. Everything is on the Bitcoin SV blockchain.”
Happy Thanksgiving
Have a wonderful day, filled with thoughts of all the things to be thankful for.Lottery Post, Holiday
Sweden to go paperless with lottery options
For those who can pick up on the subtleties and envision the larger picture, they can see that major changes are coming to the global gaming space. The shift won’t happen overnight, but, when the gaming industry looks back ten years from now, it’s going to see a completely different environment. The latest hint of what’s to come is being provided by Svenska Spel in Sweden, which is now testing paperless lottery ticket purchases. The move to a more digital-focused gaming ecosystem continues.
Svenska Spel has teamed up with a local convenience store chain, Pressbyrån, to introduce a pilot program that will use “coupon free” lottery purchases. In four of the company’s stores – those in Kalma, Jönköping, Östersund and Stockholm, lottery players will be able to select their numbers and have them registered through digital devices that are connected to Svenska Spel’s network, foregoing the printing of any ticket stubs to be carried around in wallets.
Upon registering through the system with Svenska Spel’s system, which will require players to verify themselves with their social security numbers, the lottery numbers will then be stored in the player’s own digital account. Explains Svenska Spel’s Torgny Lilja, “We had a meeting with [Pressbyrån operator] Reitan about a year ago where we presented the self-service screens connected to a new surface-efficient platform. Reitan felt that this should suit their customers and staff. The advantage for Pressbyrån’s employees is that they also save time by not having to top up coupons and update campaign material.”
That study revealed that the physical lottery machines are starting to become more of a nuisance than an aid for retailers. They take up too much space and require employees to be involved in the issuance and processing of tickets, taking away valuable time that could be spent helping other customers. It also frees up counter space that could be used for other products or services.
Genting Malaysia warns of tough times ahead in Q3 results
Genting Malaysia Bhd have improved their margins, but are still operating at a significant loss and aren’t sure when recovery will truly come. The casino operator reported a MYR704.6 million ($173.2 million) loss for the third quarter, a 22% improvement from Q2.
[Image credit: Wikimedia Commons]
The operator of Resorts World Genting revealed their financial results in a November 26 filing with Bursa Malaysia. While the company improved from their previous MYR900.4 million loss ($221.2 million), they admitted that times continued to be hard, in part because “business volumes continue to be impacted by the pandemic.”
Operations at Genting Malaysia was suspended entirely between March 18 and June 19, due to broader efforts in Malaysia to contain Covid-19. While the casino was open throughout the entirety of Q3, reduced capacity cut into potential revenues.