Category Archives: In The Biz

DAZN, BetMGM Announce Official Partnership For Saturday’s Ruiz Vs. Joshua 2 Heavyweight Rematch

DAZN, the world’s largest streaming service, and BetMGM, operated by ROAR Digital – a joint venture between MGM Resorts International and GVC Holdings – today announced an official partnership ahead of the highly-anticipated rematch between Andy Ruiz Jr. and Anthony Joshua this Saturday night. The clash will see Anthony Joshua seeking to avenge his June defeat by Ruiz Jr., who pulled off the biggest boxing upset in decades by stunning the then-undefeated heavyweight champion with a seventh-round TKO.

As part of this partnership, DAZN and BetMGM will be co-producing a sports betting segment ahead of the main event that will air during the broadcast. In addition, BetMGM will also provide DAZN with live sportsbook stats throughout the night to incorporate and enhance the broadcast.

As official partners, both parties will also provide their respective users exclusive offers around the big fight. New users that sign up to BetMGM through DAZN in New Jersey will immediately have the exclusive opportunity to win $100 on a $1 bet on a knockdown (of either fighter). The offer will remain open until the fight begins (the main event is currently set to start at around 12:45 p.m. PT / 3:45 p.m. ET on DAZN). If a knockdown does happen, the $100 will be paid in free bets on BetMGM. Meanwhile, BetMGM users can redeem $20 in FreeBets if they sign up to DAZN to watch the fight. BetMGM will also be advertising across DAZN’s suite of digital platforms.

“We are thrilled to enter into an official partnership with BetMGM around one of DAZN’s biggest events of the year,” said Joseph Markowski, DAZN EVP, North America. “BetMGM will enhance Saturday’s broadcast and bring fight fans the latest odds from Las Vegas all night.”

“We’re always looking for partnerships like DAZN’s industry-leading sports content,” said Matt Prevost, Chief Marketing Officer, ROAR Digital. “The fight was already a can’t-miss for DAZN viewers, and this is also a can’t-miss betting opportunity on BetMGM.”  

Andy Ruiz, Jr. vs. Anthony Joshua 2 is a unified title fight for the IBF, WBA and WBO world heavyweight titles. The event is one of the highlights this fight season on DAZN – an entire fall featuring the biggest matchups in one of the best schedules in boxing history.

Collectibles Pioneer Brandon Steiner Launches Marketplace Website

Mark Messier, Brandon Steiner, Mariano Rivera

Brandon Steiner, whose former company Steiner Sports transformed the sports memorabilia landscape and dominated the industry for over 30 years, has announced an innovative new marketplace CollectibleXchange.com which will once again aim to once again revolutionize the buying and selling of collectibles.The website will create a community of buyers and sellers and allow them to set their own prices on unique memorabilia. Steiner and his team of experts will verify and/or authenticate as well as determine the value of your collectibles.

“CollectibleXchange is creating a platform for the players where they will be making most of the money,” says Steiner. “Former and current players, as well as the future pros now playing in college can come to us and we will guide them.”CollectibleXchange will be the “safe place to go to sell and buy collectibles,” added Steiner. “Athletes will also be able to sell directly to the collector at a price they determine without a huge mark-up.”

The seller can set a reserve price on each collectible, and there will be options for a straight sale at that price, or a buyer will be able to “make an offer” for the collectible piece.The mission of CollectibleXchange is to provide a marketplace community that maintains the highest level of ethics and authenticity, striving to provide a unique buying and selling experience [at will continuously exceed our clients’ expectations.CollectibleXchange will offer a trusted online collectible platform with a diverse product selection that caters to a global audience. 

This one-of-a-kind platform enables customers, top-tier collectors, store owners, professional athletes, celebrities and teams to sell their collectibles directly to the consumer.The CollectibleXchange platform will assist the seller in building direct fan base relationships, a personal brand and maximizing revenue from licensing, autographs and inventory, while expanding the overall reach and influence. They’re team of experts are with you every step of the way. 

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to Welcome Global Sports Industry Leaders to the Sports Capital Symposium

Monumental Sports & Entertainment and SportTechie today announced Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser will be featured as a keynote speaker at their two-day global sports conference, Sports Capital Symposium, to be held Sept. 17-18, 2020 at the MGM National Harbor.

“Mayor Bowser is a fantastic addition to a powerful lineup of speakers for Sports Capital Symposium,” Zach Leonsis, Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Monumental Sports & Entertainment, said. “Over the past few years, we have been proud to watch D.C. truly become a Sports Capital, from the Capitals’ championship in 2018, to the Mystics and Nationals this year. Mayor Bowser’s participation at Sports Capital Symposium shows how important our DC sports teams are to the city and we look forward to showcasing the city and its teams to the world when the sports industry convenes at SCS in September.”

DC Sports Symposium

The annual conference will focus on new revenue models and investment opportunities, including esports, sports betting and sports content gamification. With the nation’s capital as a backdrop, the conference will include discussions about the impact of politics and government policies on sports innovation and technology, as well as investment trends and forecasting.

“There is no better place to highlight the past, present, and future of sports than here in the Sports Capital,” said Mayor Bowser. “Washington, DC is a city that has something for everyone, and with three world championships in two years, that is particularly true for people who love sports. We are grateful for all of our partners, including Monumental Sports & Entertainment and SportTechie, that are committed to building an inclusive and innovative sports community that creates jobs and opportunities for DC residents. We look forward to working together to bring the Sports Capital Symposium to the Sports Capital of the world.”

Cover Image: credit Lorie Shaull

Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack Inks Marketing Deal With Philadelphia Eagles

Keith Allison

Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack today announced that they have signed a marketing deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. The deal, which includes in-stadium signage and branding, Eagles Legends appearances, email and direct mail marketing, will further enhance Caesars Entertainment’s already existing exclusive marketing deal with the National Football League. Specific terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Harrah’s Philadelphia prides itself on partnering with organizations that share our same core values and the Philadelphia Eagles are the gold standard in terms of customer service, community engagement, and on-the-field product,” said Chris Albrecht, SVP & General Manager of Harrah’s Philadelphia. “We each have passionate and loyal fan bases and we look forward to connecting with them in new and innovative ways and providing them with exciting experiences through this partnership.”

Harrah’s Philadelphia will serve as the presenting sponsor of the Eagles “Drive Summary” videoboard feature as well as the team’s “Scratch and Win” game in its mobile application. The casino will also have a branding presence in select email campaigns to the Eagles fanbase, as well as in the Eagles Pro Shop located at Lincoln Financial Field. In addition to branding opportunities, Harrah’s Philadelphia will host Eagles Legends at its entertainment complex. Casino guests will also enjoy commemorative Eagles Caesars Rewards cards, co-branded apparel and gifts and Philadelphia Eagles branded table games.

“World-class entertainment and a strong commitment to the customer experience are synonymous when you think of Harrah’s Philadelphia,” said Catherine Carlson, Philadelphia Eagles Senior Vice President, Revenue and Strategy. “This new partnership will enable us to work creatively with Harrah’s through innovative ways to further engage with Eagles fans. We look forward to offering special Eagles experiences and co-branded touchpoints with Harrah’s Philadelphia year-round.”

Earlier in 2019, Caesars Entertainment, Harrah’s parent company, inked a multi-year sponsorship deal with the NFL that allowed Caesars to provide unique experiences for fans by using its casino properties, celebrity chefs, premier music artists and a wide range of entertainment options. Caesars had the exclusive right to use NFL trademarks in the United States and the United Kingdom to promote Caesars casino properties and activate at key NFL events including the Super Bowl and NFL Draft.

PokerStars VR Unveils Virtual Reality Super Lair for Spy Fans

PokerStars VR Unveils Virtual Reality Super Lair for Spy Fans

PokerStars VR, the virtual reality arm of the world’s biggest poker site, has announced that its brand-new and immersive experience ‘Spies’ goes live on November 28.

In PokerStars VR’s most intense challenge yet, the series of spy-themed virtual reality content will see players face-off in a super villain’s lair located inside an active volcano at the summit of a snow-capped mountain, with plenty of apparel, props and gadgets to match.

Players can interact with good and evil-themed items including exploding bubble gum, shoulder-mounted weaponry and laser lipstick, all while trying to unravel the secrets of the lair itself. 

The Spies mountain-top fortress will also be the setting for the next stop in the inaugural PokerStars Virtual Reality Poker Tour (VRPT) from November 29 to December 1.

Key highlights include:

  • November 29 Millionaire Maker, a 100 thousand chip buy-in event
  • November 30 Main Event with a 5 million chip buy-in event
  • December 1 Ultra High Roller a 25 million buy-in event

Winners will be awarded the world’s first PokerStars VRPT bracelet for their virtual reality avatar and points for the player of the year leader board.

R. Franco Digital ready to rock London’s SBC Awards

Spain’s leading gaming provider secures coveted nomination for ‘Fraud and Compliance Solution of the Year’

Madrid, 2nd December 2019 – R. Franco Digital, R. Franco Group’s digital division, has touched down in London ahead of tomorrow’s SBC Awards.

The annual SBC Awards, one of the most prestigious in the industry, recognises the companies that have demonstrated strong commercial success and business-changing innovations over the past year.

R Franco Digital’s recognition by the SBC judging panel for its IRIS Vault, its latest application for data monitoring in regulated environments, is testament to its pioneering work in the compliance space.

Hard Rock Int’l inks Virginia deal as auditors weigh casino impact

Casino operator Hard Rock International (HRI) has inked a prospective deal to operate a Virginia gaming venue, assuming legislators authorize such activity within the state’s borders.

On Monday, HRI announced a partnership with Bristol Resort and Casino, a venture led by Virginia businessmen Jim McGlothlin and Clyde Stacy, which since mid-2018 has been pushing to build a gaming venue in the southwest portion of the state on the site of the shuttered Bristol Mall. The venue now plans to operate under the Hard Rock Casino Bristol moniker.

Virginia is of the few US states that have yet to authorize full-fledged commercial casino gambling within its borders, although this spring the Virginia Racing Commission allowed racetracks operated by Colonial Downs to begin offering ‘historical’ or ‘instant’ racing machines, which use virtual racing to mimic the mechanics of slot machines.

This spring also saw Virginia’s legislature approve a study bill on the potential fiscal and social impact of authorizing up to five casinos in specific cities, including Bristol. The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee has now issued its “appropriately conservative” findings, which show that the state could reap $262m in annual tax revenue if all five cities open casinos, assuming a 27% tax on gaming revenue.

William Hill to Purchase CG Technology Sports Book Assets

William Hill, America’s leading sports betting company, is purchasing the sports book assets of CG Technology, including its Nevada and Bahamas operations. This includes the leases at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, The Venetian and The Palazzo, The Palms, the Tropicana and Silverton, as well as providing a betting platform and risk management consulting to the Atlantis on Paradise Island.

“We are pleased to have reached this agreement. This will allow us to expand our Las Vegas footprint to several marquee resorts,” said Joe Asher, CEO of William Hill US. “We look forward to working with our new casino partners and transitioning CG Technology’s retail and mobile customers to our award-winning offering.”

Following today’s announcement, Parikshat Khanna, CEO of CG Technology, also commented: “We are happy to reach an agreement for the sale of the race and sports book assets of CG Technology to William Hill and look forward to a seamless transition for our loyal casino partners and customers.”

Macquarie Capital acted as exclusive financial advisor and Pepper Hamilton LLP represented William Hill in the transaction.

The agreement is subject to certain closing conditions, including regulatory approval in Nevada and The Bahamas.

Grassroots Soccer Firm ‘For Soccer Ventures’ Forms To Grow Sport In U.S.

Today, Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union investor Richie Graham has announced the formation and launch of For Soccer Ventures – an investment firm focused on the growth and long-term development of American soccer. Graham has been one of the most active supporters of the American soccer community over the past decade, committing over $50 million dollars to the sport, with an emphasis on domestic player development through his investment in Philadelphia Union’s youth academy, his tournament and league property holdings, and his philanthropic support of the industry-first soccer high school, the non-profit YSC Academy.

The new group will source, acquire and manage a portfolio of investments and businesses and will be comprised of two key platforms: The Soccer Collective is a new media house leading a collaborative movement to celebrate American soccer culture and fan experiences through storytelling, activations and brand content development. The Soccer Alliance will expand Graham’s existing network of soccer properties with a focus on youth clubs, leagues and tournaments with the objective of improving the on-field experience for players and the American soccer family.

“With the FIFA World Cup and Olympics coming to the U.S. in 2026 and 2028, there has never been a better time to double down on our commitment to advance American soccer forward.” Graham stated, “Now is the time to invest with the future of American soccer in mind, and I am very excited to bring together a passionate executive team with deep roots and experiences within the American soccer ecosystem to lead this charge. The Soccer Alliance and The Soccer Collective represent our relentless commitment to both fuel and showcase the exciting growth of soccer in America.”

To lead the new company, Graham has hired an experienced team of soccer executives, including:

Ryan Mooney (Managing Director, For Soccer Ventures): former Chief Soccer Officer at U.S. Soccer

John Parker (Managing Director, For Soccer Ventures): former Director of Strategy for Striker Partners’ soccer investments

Dr. Nooha Ahmed-Lee (Director of Education, For Soccer Ventures): Head of School, YSC Academy

Aaron Maines (GM, The Soccer Alliance): former Head of Sports Marketing at adidas soccer and Wasserman executive

Marc Horine (Chief Business Officer, The Soccer Collective): former ESPN executive and COPA90 US General Manager

Heath Pearce (Chief Brand Officer, The Soccer Collective): former U.S. Men’s National Team player and Lead Creative and Host at COPA90 US

Burke Cherrie (Chief Content/Strategy Officer, The Soccer Collective): award-winning filmmaker and former Editorial Director at COPA90 US

“With the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympics as our guiding stars, we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to win the hearts and minds of players, parents and fans across the country,” said Ryan Mooney, Managing Director of For Soccer Ventures “Our goal is simple, to invest in the game and unify the fragmented American soccer experience both on and off the field of play.”

John Parker added, “We’ve partnered with the sectors’ best operators, who not only have professional expertise in the space, but bring authenticity and a personal passion for the sport to this new venture. We’re from soccer, for soccer, and we’re investing in American soccer to ensure the growth of the game we love.”

Bryan Bennett Named COO for Betfred USA Sports

Betfred, the world’s largest privately-owned retail book maker, appoints Bryan Bennett as Chief Operating Officer for their US operations.

Subject to regulatory approval, Bennett will oversee Betfred’s US operations of on premise, online and mobile wagering and its full suite of managed products: BI/Analytics, Anti-Fraud, Trading, Compliance/GDPR, Customer Support, Payments, Marketing, and managed trading operations support.

Betfred Group Chief Operating Officer Mark Stebbings said, “After a thorough process we have appointed Bryan Bennett as the Betfred Sports US Chief Operating Officer. Bryan has a wealth of experience and an exemplary track record. He shares our vision for our US operation and this appointment will help us achieve our goals in this exciting new market.”

Statistics Professor Now Making NHL Picks on YouTube

David Beaudoin

With the baseball season now over, Professor MJ is now focusing on the National Hockey League (NHL). Last summer, the professor’s 771 MLB picks were able to net a lofty profit. How did this Canadian university professor do it?

The baseball predictions had nothing to do with gut feelings. According to David Beaudoin, who goes by the nickname “Professor MJ” on the web, all picks came from following strict rules from 19 baseball betting strategies. He developed those systems from analyzing data covering seven full seasons. Later on, he came up with 10 winning systems in hockey after studying data on 9 NHL seasons.

Professor MJ defines himself as a contrarian; he loves to go against the grain. His betting angles also adhere to this principle.

For example, his most lucrative MLB system called “The Hot Bats” recommends betting against a team whose offense has been on fire recently. More specifically, the criteria for betting are as follows:

  • If a team has won its past two games by scoring 6+ runs in each of those meetings and they are playing at home tonight, bet against them.
  • If a team has won its past four games by scoring 5+ runs in each of those meetings and they are playing at home tonight, bet against them.

Professor MJ’s YouTube channel explains in detail one of his hockey betting systems called “The Scoring Drought”. It goes in accordance with his contrarian approach, as it suggests betting teams who have been struggling to score goals recently.

The YouTube channel also unveils all details pertaining to eight of his MLB betting angles. Moreover, his daily NHL picks are presented in a pretty humorous and entertaining manner!

World Poker Tour Announces Renewed Partnership with Luxury Swiss Watchmaker Hublot

The World Poker Tour® and luxury Swiss watchmaker Hublot, the Official Timekeeper of the FIFA World Poker Cup and Formula One, are partnering for a seventh season of exclusive sponsorship. The Swiss watchmaker is the first luxury brand to be both Official Timekeeper and Official Watch of an international poker brand.

Season XVIII of the World Poker Tour will award a Hublot Big Bang Steel Ceramic timepiece to each winner of a televised final table at HyperX Esports Arena Las Vegas. Hublot will also award a special-edition, custom watch, valued at $30,000, to the winner of the season-long Hublot WPT® Player of the Year points race.

Last season, Erkut Yilmaz won two WPT titles en route to claiming the prestigious prize. Season XVIII marks the sixth season of the Hublot WPT Player of the Year race.

WPT and Hublot first partnered in Season XII to award a custom-made Hublot watch to the WPT World Championship winner Keven Stammen. Since then, WPT and Hublot have combined to award 74 watches to WPT Champions around the globe.

Among the champions to win a Hublot watch include Season XVII Baccarat Crystal WPT Tournament of Champions winner Ole Schemion, Season XVI Hublot WPT Player of the Year Art Papazyan, four-time WPT Champion Darren Elias, and former WPT Commentator Mike Sexton.

Adam Pliska, CEO of the World Poker Tour, said, “The World Poker Tour is proud to extend our exclusive partnership with Hublot for another season. To win a WPT title is among the highest honors in poker, and WPT Champions can look forward to receiving one of the top prizes in sports in the form of a Hublot watch. The WPT continues to celebrate its champions and we can think of no better partner to join in that celebration than our friends at Hublot.”

Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot, said, “Hublot is back with the World Poker Tour again to present seven watches of the highest craftsmanship to the WPT and its champions. The World Poker Tour honors champions with the highest gratitude and Hublot looks forward to celebrating more incredible achievements to join our existing group of champions, including Ferrari and Chelsea FC.”

Two Pittsburgh Guys, One Mission: Help Kids Stay Healthy

We all know how tough Pittsburgh can be; we have heard the talk about the Steel City; grit 101. However what’s even more impressive is when the talk gets backed up with the walk, and this week, two Pittsburghers who have a national footprint have come together in a business deal to change the lives of millions of kids.

The duo are former Pitt hoops captain turned entrepreneur Pat Cavanaugh and former Panther and now NFL star for the Los Angeles Rams Aaron Donald, who have teamed up to help Cavanaugh’s fast growing company, Ready® Nutrition, impact the lives of young people across the country.  

Donald, fresh off his game against the Steelers Sunday, announced that he has joined on as Cavanaugh’s first ever investor in the health and wellness business, especially tied to the promotion and development of their Protein Water line. While Donald has some big name endorsement deals, it is the first time he has ante’ed up as an investor in a company, one which he is taking so seriously he spent time during his bye week back in Pittsburgh with Cavanaugh and his team learning and developing the next level of brand strategy for the products.

 “I’ve looked at hundreds of brand partnerships over the past couple years and have found very few that match my standards and interests in making a difference in a global community,” Donald said. “The fact that Pat, also a Pitt guy, shares the same mindset about hard work and helping others, and runs the business with that mindset every day, made Ready the perfect fit for me.”

The two will focus on high school and youth athlete platforms such as Ready’s Mobile Training Table Program and Ready Talks with Aaron that give advice to athletes, and extensive donations of Ready product to select high school and youth programs nationwide. The goal is to impact one million athletes by 2025 with a healthier lifestyle on and off the field.

Ready Water is an all-natural, premium sports hydration drink featuring 15 grams of protein, NO Sugar and five natural electrolytes.  

 “Aaron is a caring person who likes to help others. We’re excited to partner with someone who is so engaged in helping young people and at the same time is known to be a relentless worker, on and off the field,” Cavanaugh added. “ We LOVE people who believe in our products and our philosophy that it’s not where you start, it’s where you finish. Aaron epitomizes this.” 

Tough folks, tough city, smart business. One partnership that goes beyond talk, with an impact beyond the legendary Three Rivers.

Prairie Band Casino & Resort Chooses VizExplorer Solutions

VizExplorer, a leading provider of operational intelligence solutions for casinos, today announced that it will deploy solutions at Prairie Band Casino & Resort in Mayetta, KS. As part of the agreement, Prairie Band Casino & Resort will install campaignViz for marketing campaign management, floorViz for slot floor optimization and hostVizOps for player intelligence and host automation. Prairie Band Casino & Resort, which recently finished a large property expansion, just completed a CMS conversion and chose to compliment the new CMS with VizExplorer’s enterprise solutions.

“These solutions will help us improve our operations and support future success.”

“VizExplorer prides itself on customer satisfaction and success, therefore, when a former VizExplorer user goes to a new property and brings us in again, it is the ultimate validation that our solutions provide value to the market,” said David Patent, CEO at VizExplorer. “We look forward to continuing to build our relationship with Prairie Band Casino & Resort and believe they will see the benefits of the solution quickly.”

Quickspin releases improved portrait mode and their first reactor game

Stockholm, 12th of November 2019 – Swedish slot specialist Quickspin, a Playtech Group company, has just released their twelfth slot of the year – Golden Glyph. At the same time, they have also updated their UX design with a new and even better portrait mode, to improve the gaming experience even further on mobile devices.

Golden Glyph is Quickspin’s first reactor type game and it boasts a brand new 7×7 grid, which is perfect for the new portrait mode. Ancient Egypt meets classic puzzle games in this feature-rich slot with Tumble Mechanics, a Power Wild feature, and a Power-Up feature with four magical Power-Ups: Golden Scarab, Eye of Horus, Blaze of Fire, and a Free Spins Bonus.

The Golden Scarab spreads wealth on the grid in the form of 4-10 randomly placed Wilds, the Eye of Horus uses its magic to remove low-paying symbols and transform them to payouts, and the Blaze of Fire burns up all normal symbols in any row and column that crosses its path and transforms them to payouts. The Free Spins Bonus includes a special Golden Glyph symbol, which could be the key to winning up to 13,000 x the bet.

Daniel Lindberg, Quickspin CEO, said: “Golden Glyph is a stunning and feature-rich slot and the team has done a fantastic job with it! The new 7×7 grid makes it perfect for our new and improved UX design, which is optimized for all devices, whether you use landscape or portrait mode. We always develop all our games and engagement tools with a ‘mobile first’ approach, and with an even better UX in portrait mode it means that we can continue to offer players the best gaming experience possible!”

Online Betting Helps Indiana Sportsbooks Draw $91.7 Million in Bets in October

PlayIndiana.com

Buoyed by Chicago-area bettors and boosted by the launch of DraftKings and FanDuel online sportsbooks, Indiana’s online and retail handle in October nearly tripled from the previous month, according to PlayIndiana.com analysts.

“Indiana is quickly becoming a star among legal sports betting markets in the U.S.,” Dustin Gouker, lead analyst for PlayIndiana.com. “Indiana is so far ahead of its neighbors in Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, and Michigan, that the Hoosier State is well on its way to establishing itself as the gambling capital of the Midwest.”

Indiana’s retail and online sportsbooks combined to collect $91.7 million in bets in October, up 161% from $35.2 million in retail bets in September, according to official report released Friday. The handle, 45% of which came from football bets, yielded $11.5 million in adjusted gross revenue for the sportsbooks, up 34% from $8.6 million September. October’s win generated $1.1 million in tax revenue for the state.

One doesn’t have to look far to understand what fueled Indiana’s growth. BetRivers Sportsbook, under the French Lick Resort license, was joined by heavyweight DraftKings, under the Ameristar Casino license, in early October as the first to launch their virtual windows. FanDuel, the largest online sports betting brand in the U.S., which is operating under the Blue Chip Casino license, launched later in the month.

The three online sportsbooks combined to take in $48.01 million in bets — 52% of the state’s total handle — which netted $4.2 million in gross receipts. DraftKings led the way by posting a $39.4 million handle, followed by BetRivers ($6.3 million), and FanDuel ($2.4 million).

Much of that is new money, too. DraftKings reported last month that 58% of its Hoosier State registrants have been new customers. And there is plenty more growth to be had. In Pennsylvania, for instance, about 75% of all bets are made online. In New Jersey, online bets account for about 85% of the state’s handle.

“Online sports betting is a key accelerator in the growth of any legal sports betting jurisdiction that offers it,” Gouker said. “But Indiana’s potential online market is particularly substantial. Indiana does not require out-of-state bettors to register in person at a retail sportsbook, so out-of-state residents simply need to cross the state line to place a bet.”

And Chicago-area residents are already crossing the state line in droves, as evidenced by the retail sportsbooks leading the market. Horseshoe Hammond, near Chicago, generated an Indiana-best handle of $10.7 million, which was up from $8.98 million in September. That yielded $1.7 million in gross receipts, which was up from $2.1 million. Horseshoe Hammond was followed by Hollywood Lawrenceburg near Cincinnati ($6.9 million in bets, up from $5.2 million; $843,970 win) and Ameristar Casino in East Chicago ($6.8 million handle, up from $5.4 million in September; $1 million win).

“Indiana is a unique market because it has so many large markets without legal sports betting so close to its borders,” Gouker said. “Two of the top retail sportsbooks in the state are near Chicago, and the second largest is just over the border from Cincinnati. That shows just how much out-of-state money is flowing into Indiana sportsbooks.”

San Diego Seals To Host Historic National Lacrosse League Game In Las Vegas

Orleans Arena

The San Diego Seals announced today that the team will play host to the Colorado Mammoth at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, February 1, 2020 marking the first game in National Lacrosse League history to be played in Las Vegas, on what is traditionally the biggest sports weekend of the year in the city.

The majority of Seals’ season ticket members will receive free hotel rooms in the desert oasis for the weekend of the team’s big game – and for that Sunday’s big game, a unique first time promotion for season subscribers in any sport.

“For 33 years, the National Lacrosse League has brought energy and excitement to millions of fans across North America. We are thrilled to collaborate with the San Diego Seals to create this incredible opportunity for their fans as well as the Colorado Mammoth fans to experience a unique and spectacular event,” said NLL Commissioner Nick Sakiewicz. “As we continue to expand our amazing product to fans across North America and around the world, we are always looking to our future, and are excited to be working with Seals owner Joe Tsai, Steve Govett, the Orleans Arena and all our partners to create this unique event in Las Vegas on the City’s biggest weekend of the year.”

“We’re honored to represent the National Lacrosse League for the first-ever game in Las Vegas, and to bring the Seals faithful on the road with us by providing complimentary hotels to many of our fans,” said Seals President Steve Govett. “The additional benefit of showcasing professional box lacrosse to a new audience is exciting. The atmosphere at Orleans Arena is going to be electric, and we look forward to exposing the sport to a brand-new fan base in an iconic city.”

A destination game in Las Vegas marks a monumental moment in National Lacrosse League history and provides fans with a unique and exciting opportunity to witness the best lacrosse players in the world.

The NLL, the largest and most premier professional lacrosse league, continues its growth as the 2019-20 season starts, ranking third in average attendance for pro indoor sports, with 13 teams in key markets across North America. The NLL overall experienced substantial growth last season with nearly one million total ticket sales, a 28-percent increase from 2017-18, and 60 percent of ticket sales were from people who never played lacrosse, which fits seamlessly into the marketing of this first-ever game in the world’s destination city.

Digital viewership also rose significantly through Turner and B/R Live, showing substantial increases in total unit sales (up 151 percent from last year), average unique viewers (+27 percent) and average minute audiences (+14 percent). Sponsorship revenues are projected at a 29-percent increase from 2018 to 2019.

Seals season ticket members get tickets to the game. Details can be found at SealsLax.com.

Sportlogiq becomes the Official Statistics Partner of the National Lacrosse League

Sportlogiq and the National Lacrosse League (NLL), the largest and most successful professional lacrosse property in the world, have agreed to a multi-year partnership through which the Montreal-based sports analytics leader will become the NLL’s Official Statistics Partner.  The agreement will see Sportlogiq collect, analyze, and distribute live match data and advanced level statistics from every game, beginning the 2019-2020 season.

As the Official Statistics Partner of the NLL, Sportlogiq will collect live match data directly from all 13 NLL venues across North America, utilizing its proprietary collection technology. It will also use cutting-edge AI to surface insights from more detailed rich statistics, allowing partners and fans of the NLL to analyze the sport in new ways.

Unique content, powered by Sportlogiq’s NLL data, will be hosted on the League’s official website and social media channels and will be made available to broadcasters and media partners. The League’s 13 teams will also have access to Sportlogiq data to assist them with performance analysis and scouting.

Craig Buntin, Sportlogiq CEO, said “We are thrilled to be partnering with the National Lacrosse League. We’re always eager to partner with innovative leagues likes the NLL and expand what we’ve built in the National Hockey League and international soccer to other sports. Working with Sportlogiq will allow the League to provide its teams and fans with cutting-edge content throughout its games. We are committed to helping the NLL take performance analysis and fan engagement to the next level.”

“Our partnership with Sportlogiq is essential to the next phase of growth for our business and our commitment to enhancing the fan experience through gaming and sports fantasy opportunities,” said NLL Commissioner Nick Sakiewicz. “The ability for our fans, teams, broadcast, and sports gaming partners to have ‘best in class’ statistics and live match data raises our game and opens some great opportunities with a significantly enhanced stats platform.”

This is Sportlogiq’s first official league partnership in lacrosse, following multiple years of success in hockey as the NHL’s Optical Tracking Partner and the Performance Data and Analytics Supplier to 28 NHL teams. This comes on the heels of two other major partnership announcements for Sportlogiq this year – with Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC and newly founded soccer league, the Canadian Premier League. Sportlogiq is also the Official Data Partner of the Swedish Hockey League and works with teams across the NFL and NCAA.

More UFC Stars Join PokerStars and Launch New Octagon Chip Campaign

Williams and Masvidal attended UFC 241: CORMIER vs. MIOCIC 2

PokerStars last week announced that UFC stars Jorge Masvidal, Tatiana Suarez and Amanda Nunes are all-in for a brand new challenge as ambassadors for the world’s largest online poker site.

The three stars of the UFC will join previously signed PokerStars ambassadors Daniel Cormier, Johnny Walker and Bruce Buffer just in time for PokerStars’ and UFC’s latest Octagon Chip campaign.

The latest Octagon Chip campaign will run until January 31, 2020 and see players of UFC-themed games on PokerStars battle it out to win special Gold, Silver and Green Octagon Chips. These unlock a range of UFC prizes and thrilling experiences, with just one Gold Chip up for grabs. The lucky winner of the top prize will travel VIP-style to Vegas, meet a UFC athlete and receive a personal training session, with lots of surprises along the way. 

Derrick Williams from Sacramento, California won this summer’s inaugural competition and currently stars alongside UFC welterweight Jorge Masvidal in PokerStars’ new advertising campaign, which recently hit TV screens across the UK and Canada*, and social and digital channels globally. The advertisement showcases Derrick’s journey after being awarded a limited edition Gold Octagon Chip by PokerStars and receiving a  once-in-a-lifetime VIP experience at UFC 241: CORMIER vs. MIOCIC 2, where he was made interim UFC President for the match.

The new advertising campaign will also be showcased live to thousands of fans at New York’s Madison Square Garden this weekend where Masvidal will headline UFC 244: MASVIDAL vs DIAZ. PokerStars Ambassador Johnny Walker will also be going for glory when he takes on Corey Anderson in the prelims.

PokerStars Logo