Tag Archives: #sportsgambling

Dafabet’s Celtic deal could be biggest in Scottish sports sponsorship history

UK-licensed Asian-facing online gambling operator Dafabet is reportedly close to inking a major sponsorship deal with Scottish football icons Celtic.

On Saturday, the Scotsman reported that Dafabet were in talks to become Celtic’s new shirt sponsor. Dafabet struck a five-year international betting partnership with Celtic last year but the betting operator wants to take the relationship to the next level when current shirt sponsor Magners’ three-year deal expires at the end of this season.

The Daily Record claimed Dafabet was seeking a shirt deal as long as five years, which the paper claimed could represent the priciest sponsorship in Scottish sports history. Dafabet has been on a sponsorship tear over the past couple years, inking deals with Premier Leaguers Sunderland AFC and Football League Championship side Blackburn Rovers. The company also has deep ties to Welsh football and recently branched out into eSports team sponsorship.

Over on the continent, gambling operator Codere recently announced a sponsorship tie-up with Spanish La Liga side Valencia CF. The deal, which will run through the end of the current season, will see the Codere Apuestas sports betting brand’s logo appear on the team’s shirt sleeve, as well as prime branding opportunities in Valencia’s stadium and via the club’s official website.

West beats East in Kobe Bryant’s final NBA All-Star Game

Contrary to the typical flashy, all-for-show, fan-focused event, the 2016 NBA All Star Game paid tribute to the man who has celebrated his 18th and final All-Star game.

The NBA’s annual mid-season classic, which pits the league’s best against each other in a fierce battle to see who can make the most highlight plays, packed the Air Canada Centre in Toronto on Sunday, the first time the All-star game was played outside the U.S. But that’s not how All-Star weekend had played itself out at first.

Prior to the game’s opening tip, NBA great Magic Johnson lauded the 37-year-old Kobe Bryant a pair of tribute videos featuring some career highlights interspersed with messages of thanks from a handful of fellow NBA players. Fireworks burst behind him as he entered his final All-Star game.

“It was really special,” Bryant told The Associated Press. “Those are the things you don’t get a chance to hear when you’re competing against each other. To hear those stories now, you have such a deep sense of appreciation and such a brotherhood from all the years of competing against each other. It just felt good.”

West beats East in Kobe Bryant’s final NBA All-Star Game

Contrary to the typical flashy, all-for-show, fan-focused event, the 2016 NBA All Star Game paid tribute to the man who has celebrated his 18th and final All-Star game.

The NBA’s annual mid-season classic, which pits the league’s best against each other in a fierce battle to see who can make the most highlight plays, packed the Air Canada Centre in Toronto on Sunday, the first time the All-star game was played outside the U.S. But that’s not how All-Star weekend had played itself out at first.

Prior to the game’s opening tip, NBA great Magic Johnson lauded the 37-year-old Kobe Bryant a pair of tribute videos featuring some career highlights interspersed with messages of thanks from a handful of fellow NBA players. Fireworks burst behind him as he entered his final All-Star game.

“It was really special,” Bryant told The Associated Press. “Those are the things you don’t get a chance to hear when you’re competing against each other. To hear those stories now, you have such a deep sense of appreciation and such a brotherhood from all the years of competing against each other. It just felt good.”

Premier League Week 26 Review: Spurs & Arsenal Inch Closer to Leicester

Week 26 of the Premier League sees Arsenal deliver a blow to Leicester’s title chances; Spurs move into second after victory at Man City, and Liverpool trouncing Villa.

Leicester City fans were left choking on their Sunday roast after forgotten England star Danny Welbeck snatched a last minute winner at The Emirates.

Claudio Ranieri’s men came into this tie on the back of consecutive victories over Liverpool and Man City. They were on fire. And when Jamie Vardy put them ahead from the penalty spot, that run looked like it might lengthen.

Note to Premier League defenders: Jamie Vardy has won six penalties this season, more than all the other 19 Premier League teams combined.

Premier League Week 26 Review: Spurs & Arsenal Inch Closer to Leicester

Week 26 of the Premier League sees Arsenal deliver a blow to Leicester’s title chances; Spurs move into second after victory at Man City, and Liverpool trouncing Villa.

Leicester City fans were left choking on their Sunday roast after forgotten England star Danny Welbeck snatched a last minute winner at The Emirates.

Claudio Ranieri’s men came into this tie on the back of consecutive victories over Liverpool and Man City. They were on fire. And when Jamie Vardy put them ahead from the penalty spot, that run looked like it might lengthen.

Note to Premier League defenders: Jamie Vardy has won six penalties this season, more than all the other 19 Premier League teams combined.

Your Way Too Early MLB 2016 Futures Breakdown

It’s way too early to make MLB 2016 futures predictions, but I’m going to do it anyways. The win totals are coming out soon, even though we can safely project what those might be. What I do know is who’s valued where in the World Series futures market. Would you believe that the Cubs are the favorite to win it all in 2016?

Beyond that, I’m intrigued by all the happenings in the NL West with player movement galore. Are the Jays going to rebound from losing David Price and another key part of their franchise? Does the road to the World Series still go through Kansas City?

Let’s address some of the big ticket questions as we prepare for opening day in just under two months.

*all odds courtesy of Oddshark

Your Way Too Early MLB 2016 Futures Breakdown

It’s way too early to make MLB 2016 futures predictions, but I’m going to do it anyways. The win totals are coming out soon, even though we can safely project what those might be. What I do know is who’s valued where in the World Series futures market. Would you believe that the Cubs are the favorite to win it all in 2016?

Beyond that, I’m intrigued by all the happenings in the NL West with player movement galore. Are the Jays going to rebound from losing David Price and another key part of their franchise? Does the road to the World Series still go through Kansas City?

Let’s address some of the big ticket questions as we prepare for opening day in just under two months.

*all odds courtesy of Oddshark

Jose Mourinho Next United Manager; Silence From Old Trafford

With news reports circulating around the globe stating that Jose Mourinho has signed a deal to become the manager of Man Utd, the silence from Old Trafford is deafening.

Something is going on at Manchester United.

Louis van Gaal is 1/4 against being in charge of Man Utd next season.

Jose Mourinho is 1/6 to fill his clogs.

Jose Mourinho Next United Manager; Silence From Old Trafford

With news reports circulating around the globe stating that Jose Mourinho has signed a deal to become the manager of Man Utd, the silence from Old Trafford is deafening.

Something is going on at Manchester United.

Louis van Gaal is 1/4 against being in charge of Man Utd next season.

Jose Mourinho is 1/6 to fill his clogs.

ESSA launch new anti-fixing campaign

A group comprising some of the European market’s largest online betting operators has launched a new campaign to stamp out match-fixing.

On Wednesday, the European Sports Security Association (ESSA) announced a new campaign to “Kick Crime Out of Sport.” Secretary general Khalid Ali said the 18-month project marked the latest plank in ESSA stakeholders’ efforts to reduce the capacity of criminal elements to negatively impact sports integrity.

The project will see ESSA members, which include over a dozen prominent UK and European betting operators, teaming with global police INTERPOL, the International Olympic Committee and regulatory authorities in England and France to raise awareness of criminals’ efforts to tamper with sporting events for personal profit.

Specifically, the campaign will include developing a Handbook on Good Practices for both operators and governments, helping to craft legislation and regulations so that authorities have the capacity to deal with fixers and developing proper networks for the collection and dissemination of fixing information.

ESSA launch new anti-fixing campaign

A group comprising some of the European market’s largest online betting operators has launched a new campaign to stamp out match-fixing.

On Wednesday, the European Sports Security Association (ESSA) announced a new campaign to “Kick Crime Out of Sport.” Secretary general Khalid Ali said the 18-month project marked the latest plank in ESSA stakeholders’ efforts to reduce the capacity of criminal elements to negatively impact sports integrity.

The project will see ESSA members, which include over a dozen prominent UK and European betting operators, teaming with global police INTERPOL, the International Olympic Committee and regulatory authorities in England and France to raise awareness of criminals’ efforts to tamper with sporting events for personal profit.

Specifically, the campaign will include developing a Handbook on Good Practices for both operators and governments, helping to craft legislation and regulations so that authorities have the capacity to deal with fixers and developing proper networks for the collection and dissemination of fixing information.

NBA All Star Weekend Betting Picks and Tips

The NBA All-Star Weekend betting fiasco is as much of a coin toss as there is. It’s hard to take a mid-season romp that seriously when the All Star game features zero defense, and the Slam Dunk competition has become a sideshow more than anything else. Even with this coveted and cherished American tradition falling in to the gutter, there’s still earning opportunity, which is why I’m brining you my favorite choices to clear out All-Star weekend.

ALL-STAR GAME – SCREW THE SPREAD, BET THE OVER

The spread in these games is usually a weird, randomized number the bookies pull out of a hat (they don’t actually, I’m sure there’s some math to it). But betting on it is a haphazard exercise for the damned. There’s a much safer place to park your money.

If you’re not betting the OVER in the All-Star Game and then kicking up your shoes, I don’t know what to tell you. The average total for the last ten All-Star games has been 282.80 points. Three of the last four years have exceeded totals of 300.0. There’s no way in hell that the odds makers have the balls to put a total up in that stratosphere. Even if the game is less of a rampage than it has been in recent years, you can at least go down knowing you made the best NBA All Star Weekend betting pick you possibly could.

Premier League Ticket Price Fiasco: Fans or Customers?

After an estimated 10,000 Liverpool fans left their seats during their home game with Sunderland over the club’s announcement that they were raising ticket prices, Lee Davy trawls through the rubble and believes it all boils down to one question: are they fans or customers?

Who is your idol?

I assume you have many. I do. They change as we change. When I was nine years old, my idol was Manchester United and England captain Bryan Robson. I shook his hand the day United opened the Family Stand. Panini were the sponsors. United gave me a free program, free sticker book, and Bryan Robson signed them both with my free pen. Over three decades later I met him again. I interviewed him actually. He hadn’t aged one bit.

There were two reasons I was in that stand on that particular day. The first was my Man of the Match display for 7th Reddish. We beat New Mills away – a journey that always made me puke in my Kwik Save carrier bag – I scored one and hit the crossbar with a header from outside the box. As a reward, the manager took me to watch United. The second reason I was there was because my manager could afford to take me. The ticket cost less than three quid.

Premier League Ticket Price Fiasco: Fans or Customers?

After an estimated 10,000 Liverpool fans left their seats during their home game with Sunderland over the club’s announcement that they were raising ticket prices, Lee Davy trawls through the rubble and believes it all boils down to one question: are they fans or customers?

Who is your idol?

I assume you have many. I do. They change as we change. When I was nine years old, my idol was Manchester United and England captain Bryan Robson. I shook his hand the day United opened the Family Stand. Panini were the sponsors. United gave me a free program, free sticker book, and Bryan Robson signed them both with my free pen. Over three decades later I met him again. I interviewed him actually. He hadn’t aged one bit.

There were two reasons I was in that stand on that particular day. The first was my Man of the Match display for 7th Reddish. We beat New Mills away – a journey that always made me puke in my Kwik Save carrier bag – I scored one and hit the crossbar with a header from outside the box. As a reward, the manager took me to watch United. The second reason I was there was because my manager could afford to take me. The ticket cost less than three quid.

Post Super Bowl 50 betting guide

With Super Bowl 50 betting all wrapped up, what’s next?

Super Bowl 50 is a thing of the past and as a football bettor you’re probably thinking of what you’re going to do while you wait for the next season. So courtesy of Bodog, here’s where to place all the money you won from Super Bowl 50.

Super Bowl 51 Future Betting

In the world of betting, early bird gets the bigger worm. While plenty of winning bettors are cashing in their tickets made these past two weeks, there are also plenty of future-book bettors who are smiling for getting a much bigger pay out.

Post Super Bowl 50 betting guide

With Super Bowl 50 betting all wrapped up, what’s next?

Super Bowl 50 is a thing of the past and as a football bettor you’re probably thinking of what you’re going to do while you wait for the next season. So courtesy of Bodog, here’s where to place all the money you won from Super Bowl 50.

Super Bowl 51 Future Betting

In the world of betting, early bird gets the bigger worm. While plenty of winning bettors are cashing in their tickets made these past two weeks, there are also plenty of future-book bettors who are smiling for getting a much bigger pay out.

Tennis umpires accused of colluding with betting syndicates

The tennis world has been rocked by yet another scandal after the Guardian reported that some umpires have been disciplined or are under investigation over suspicions of colluding with betting syndicates.

On Tuesday, the Guardian reported that an umpire from Kazakhstan had been banned for life in February 2015 for attempting to convince another official to help skew the results of tennis matches on the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Futures Tour, the lowest rung on the pro tennis ladder.

The Guardian also revealed that the ITF had slapped a 12-month suspension on a Croatian umpire last August for logging onto a betting account that was used to wager on tennis.

In a worrisome development, four other umpires currently under investigation had been tasked with relaying real-time match results to sports data company Sportradar, which supplies information to bookmakers around the globe and which just extended its partnership with the ITF in December.

Tennis umpires accused of colluding with betting syndicates

The tennis world has been rocked by yet another scandal after the Guardian reported that some umpires have been disciplined or are under investigation over suspicions of colluding with betting syndicates.

On Tuesday, the Guardian reported that an umpire from Kazakhstan had been banned for life in February 2015 for attempting to convince another official to help skew the results of tennis matches on the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Futures Tour, the lowest rung on the pro tennis ladder.

The Guardian also revealed that the ITF had slapped a 12-month suspension on a Croatian umpire last August for logging onto a betting account that was used to wager on tennis.

In a worrisome development, four other umpires currently under investigation had been tasked with relaying real-time match results to sports data company Sportradar, which supplies information to bookmakers around the globe and which just extended its partnership with the ITF in December.

Arsenal wagers on new sports betting partner in Kenya

English Premier League football club Arsenal has snapped up SportPesa as its sports betting partner in Kenya.

In a statement, SportPesa announced that it is now the football club’s official betting partner in Kenya, one of the various African countries in which it is operational. The partnership is effective immediately and will run for three and a half years, through to the end of the 2018-2019 campaign.

The partnership “will focus on grassroots football, including both player and coach development, and will enhance SportPesa’s sponsorship of the Kenyan Premier League and Super 8 League,” the sports betting firm said.

Under the agreement, Arsenal scouts will travel to Kenya to oversee football training camps. SportPesa will offer five-day training camps twice each season for the next three years, and the training will be led by Arsenal-trained coaching staff.

Steelers, Patriots, Seahawks early favorites to win Super Bowl LI

The Super Bowl 50 has just ended but for the Las Vegas bookmakers it’s never too early to start looking at next year’s future-book odds.

While Von Miller, Peyton Manning and the rest of Denver Broncos are still celebrating for hoisting the Lombardi Trophy as Super Bowl 50 champions, the folks over at Westgate Las Vegas sportsbook are already listing the early favorites to win next year’s big game to be held in Houston, Texas.

The Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots, and Pittsburgh Steelers all open as the breakaway favorites at 8/1.

The Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals are next at 10-1 while this year’s Super Bowl entrants Panthers along with Cincinnati Bengals are at 12-1. Dallas Cowboys is at 14/1 and this year’s champion Broncos is lagging behind at 20-1.