Tonight’s Euromillions draw has been made so it’s time to check your ticket to see if you’ve won the estimated A 24 million jackpot. If you’ve not done so already make sure you check your raffle code to see if it matches tonight’s code exactly.
Monthly Archives: March 2015
Valley breathing life to gaming industry
The valley is trying to breathe life into the gaming industry with a unique place you won’t find anywhere else around here. It is a unique place mixing experience with those still learning or wanting to learn.
China seeks to create football powerhouse, establishes football-related lottery to help fund the program
Despite it’s immeasurable wealth and resources, China has never been considered a football powerhouse.
The country’s national team hasn’t competed in a World Cup since 2002 and even then, it was the first time the country qualified since 1938. But all that could change now that the Chinese government has identified football as one of its long-term priorities and created a 50-point plan to turn the country into a “football powerhouse.”
It helps that China now has a president in Xi Jinping who considers himself a football fanatic. Xi is very serious about this plan, taking the unprecedented step of separating the Chinese Football Association (CFA) from its much-maligned sports bureaucracy, otherwise known as the General Administration for Sport. This essentially frees up the CFA to independently determine its own financial and manpower requirements.
The goal is to see the men’s national team regularly compete in the World Cup. The country also wants to host the World Cup, develop a grassroots program that includes establishing 50,000 football schools throughout the country in the next decade, and establish a national football lottery.
March Madness 2015: How much faith do you have in Kentucky?
The Kentucky Wildcats are really good. No, actually, they’re more than good. They’re dominant, unbeatable, and you can even throw in every superlative you can think of to describe them and the description will probably stick. Entering the 2015 NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament, the Wildcats are on the precipice of becoming the first college team to go undefeated since the Indiana Hoosiers back in 1976, a telling reminder on just how dominant this team has been throughout the current season. Sports books have noticed, too, and when the odds for the tournament we’re released, the Wildcats opened at just above even odds to win the tournament.
Just above even odds, or to be more specific, 11/10. In other words, if you bet on a “Kentucky vs the Field” prop, you’re only getting slightly higher odds on that bet. Remember when Tiger Woods was on his absolute apex? Sportsbooks had to sweat those “Tiger vs the Field” props because they knew that Woods was dominating the sport back then. We’re at that territory now with Kentucky and the odds of them finishing off this remarkable run with a perfect season are, as the Hunger Games would say, “ever in their favor.”
By comparison, last year’s top overall seed, the Florida Gators, were 9/2 odds to win the tournament. Kentucky’s line is half of that. Half! So if you’re trying to make a bet on who wins the tourney, think long and hard on betting against the Wildcats.
But here’s the catch: as much as it appears that the Wildcats are locks to win the tournament, that doesn’t mean that we just pack our bags, give them the title, and just call it a day. That would be an insult to the sheer unpredictability of March Madness, where anything can really happen. One bad break here, one injury there, one shooting slump here, one foul trouble there, and the tournament is turned upside its head.
Wiseman's Ferry, Sire of Wise Dan, Dies
Wiseman’s Ferry, the sire of two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan, died March 17 at Dana Point Farm near Lenhartsville, Pa.
March Madness 2015: Where can you find the best bracket challenge?
March Madness is a huge business and it doesn’t take much to find free-to-enter contests that you can sign up and join. Now, the obvious ones are always available, including the March madness challenges being offered by the likes of CBS, ESPN, and Yahoo. But there are other ways to get into the hysteria to the tournament without having to put up some money in the process. First, though, let’s start with the three sports websites.
Of the three, Yahoo’s the only won that has guaranteed a monetary price. Sign up and play they’re “Best Bracket” contest and you immediately get a chance to win $50,000 if you pick the best bracket. It’s not exactly close to the $1 billion that Yahoo co-sponsored as part of the Quicken Loans Billion Dollar Bracket Challenge. Yahoo determines the winner through a completely convoluted and incredibly complicated formula that tacks on different points depending of the correct picks made in any round. I’m not going to begin to try to understand how it works, but for those interested to sign up, you can do so provided you meet their requirements. In this case, only US residents are allowed to be play and even then, you’ll have to be 18 in most states and 19 in both Alabama and Nebraska to be allowed.
If you’re not into cash prizes and prefer something a little more in kind, CBS’ annual Free Bracket Challenge. It doesn’t guarantee a prize for a perfect bracket, but it does reward a participant who is among the top ten percent of eligible point scorers with a “with a grand prize” that includes four tickets to the 2016 Final Four and $6,000 to help cover the cost of attending next year’s tournament. The caveat here is that you don’t need to have the best bracket to win. Just get into the aforementioned “top 10 percent” and, well, pray that your number is called. Like Yahoo and ESPN, CBS’ challenge is available to those based in the US. Unlike Yahoo and ESPN, CBS’ challenge is also open to people from Puerto Rico and Canada, not counting residents of Quebec.
Then we get to ESPN, which always has some kind of over-the-top challenge ever year. This season, ESPN’s keeping it a little more tamed. It’s not even offering a guaranteed prize to the best overall bracket like CBS. Instead, ESPN, together with Allstate and Best Buy, is dangling a a prize package valued at “just under “$30,000” to a randomly-selected entrant that made it to the top one percent of eligible point scorers. It’s a little more difficult field to gain entry to compared to CBS, but you have to admit that the package is a little more alluring than CBS’ offer. Entrants for the ESPN challenge must also be based in the US and must be 18 years and above to join.
Grants Available for Out-of-Competition Tests
With the large concentration of graded stakes scheduled for spring and summer, The Jockey Club is reminding regulators and racetracks that it has budgeted another $250,000 in grants for out-of-competition testing.
Don't mess with … Tetris? Texas Lottery introduces new scratchoff
The Texas Lottery started back in 1992 when Governor Ann Richards ceremoniously purchased the first Lone Star Millions ticket in front of reporters in Oak Hill. This scratch-off game is among the first ever introduced in Texas.
Arneault, MTR end lawsuits
The founder of Presque Isle Downs & Casino has all but ended a series of lawsuits between him and his former employer, MTR Gaming Group Inc., of West Virginia. Ted Arneault, MTR’s former chief executive, reached a global settlement in the cases, except in one area, said his lawyer, John Mizner, of Erie.
Las Vegas Sands: 15+% Downside As More Casinos Fight Over A Shrinking Macau
Las Vegas Sands currently generates the majority of its EBITDA from its Macau casinos and has invested $2.7 billion in another Macau resort that is scheduled to open in 2016. Macau wants to keep the number of visitors at current levels though, while the number of hotel rooms is expected to increase by 50% by 2017.
Culture secretary Sajid Javid visits to Hartlebury Castle to see good work of preservation trust
Angela Brinton, President of the Hartlebury Castle Preservation Trust, Sir Peter Luff, MP for Mid Worcestershire, The Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, Secretary of State for Culture Media AND Sport, Nigel Huddleston, Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate The Minister toured the castle and met Trust members on Friday following an invitation from Sir Peter Luff , MP for Mid Worcestershire. It comes after the Heritage Lottery Fund awarded a A 5 million grant to secure the future of Hartlebury Castle and Museum.
M&A Update: Market Pressures, Favorable Law Spur REIT Conversions and Spinoffs
Urged on by activists and institutional shareholders, a large number of companies with real estate holdings pursued real estate investment trust conversions or spinoffs in 2014. At least half a dozen companies completed REIT transactions last year, including cell tower company Crown Castle International, which converted into a REIT, and outdoor advertising REIT Outfront Media, which spun off from CBS.
Caesars creditor lawsuits threaten its “ability to continue as a going concern”
Cash strapped casino operator Caesars Entertainment has warned that creditors’ lawsuits pose a threat to the company’s continued existence.
In a year-end filing with the US Securities Exchange Commission, Caesars says “uncertainties” relating to the lawsuits have left “substantial doubt regarding [Caesars] ability to continue as a going concern.”
Caesars said it believes it is “not probable” that these lawsuits would be resolved to the company’s disadvantage, but should they be proven wrong, the repercussions could have “a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.”
Caesars’ main unit Caesars Entertainment Operating Co (CEOC), which holds 80% of the parent company’s debt, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January. Caesars has worked out a restructuring plan that would pay junior creditors about 10% of the $5b they’re owed, which isn’t sitting well.
The Scorpions plan to rock you like a hurricane in Las Vegas
Heavy metal rockers the Scorpions celebrate their 50th anniversary with a stop at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel with fellow head bangers Queensryche on Wednesday, Oct. 7. German band the Scorpions got its start when a very young Rudolf Schenker founded the band in post-war Hannover. Since, the band is known for hits such as “Rock You Like a Hurricane,” “Send Me an Angel,” “Still Loving You” and “Wind of Change.”
NM lawmakers still working to address Lottery Scholarship issues
State lawmakers have been trying to address the issue of fixing the Lottery Scholarship this session, as lottery ticket sales are down and college tuition state-wide is up. One of the most controversial ideas would reduce the share of lottery money that actually goes toward scholarships.
World Poker Tour to Host Annual Main Event in Amsterdam Through 2019
World Poker Tour have announced a deal with Holland Casino that will see the global tour operator hosting Main Event and National Event series in Amsterdam through till 2019.
Poker players are about to become very happy indeed.
The World Poker Tour (WPT) has announced an exclusive four-year partnership with Holland Casino. Amsterdam will be the home to WPT Main Events from 2015 through to 2019.
The pair are not wasting anytime either.
Brian Kleinhenz Wins the 2015 Chicago Poker Classic Main Event; Eddie Ochana Records 3rd Top 3 Finish in 4 Years
Brian Kleinhenz is the winner of the 2015 Chicago Poker Classic Main Event, after beating the defending champion, Eddie Ochana, in heads-up action, to claim the first prize of $274,595 and a seat in the World Series of Poker Main Event.
Brian Kleinhenz has won the 2015 Chicago Poker Classic Main Event, but these fingers keep racing over the keys E.D.D.I.E O.C.H.A.N.A.
[Image Credit: PokerNews]
Ochana’s form in the Harrah’s Horseshoe Casino, and the Chicago Poker Classic, in particular, is something else. He finished 3/360 in the 2012 Main Event for a $108,268 score, he beat 745 entrants on his way to victory in the 2014 Main Event, and Kleinhenz stopped him from repeating that feat just days ago. You’re not supposed to remember the guy who finishes second. We’ll make an exception for Ochana.
One Championship announces partnerships with City of Dreams and W66.com ahead of “Valor of Champions” card
One Championship, universally regarded as the biggest mixed martial arts organization in Asia, has teamed up with City of Dreams Manila and online gaming company W66.com to bring the organization’s next major fight card to Manila, Philippines.
In an exclusive, invitation-only media launch held at the City of Dreams Manila, One Championship Vice President Rich “Ace” Franklin laid out the company’s plans ahead of the massive April 23 fight card at the Mall of Asia Arena, billed as “One: Valor of Champions”, headlined by the main event fight between One welterweight world champion Ben “Funky” Askren and his challenger, Luis “Sapo” Santos. The upcoming card will be the sixth event One Championship has staged in the Philippines, continuing a resounding run of excitement and success from the five previous cards held in the country.
The announcement of the card at City of Dreams Manila also gave One Championship a chance to discuss its new partnerships with the recently opened integrated resort and casino and the popular Asian-facing online gaming firm.
According to Franklin, the partnership One Championship struck with City of Dreams Manila and W66.com is particularly important as it highlights the shared interests of the organization and its two partners, allowing them to establish and cultivate an exciting brand of entertainment that can benefit all parties.
$1.4 Million Bernardini Colt Paces OBS Opener
When the dust settled at the end of a fast and furious day of trading during the opening session of the expanded format OBS March sale of 2-year-olds in training March 17, all indications are that bigger is better.
Ricardo Manquant Wins the WSOP International Circuit Main Event in Marrakech
Ricardo Manquant has won the first World Series of Poker International Circuit Main Event, after defeating Miroslav Alilovic, in heads-up action, on his way to the €122,330 first prize.
World Series of Poker (WSOP) Executive Director, Ty Stewart, promised to emphasis the word “World” in the World Series of Poker, and the ball has well and truly started rolling.
[Image Credit: PokerNews]
The WSOP Circuit (WSOPC) squeezed the word ‘International’ into its title, donned their fez and headed to Northern Africa to lay the foundations of what they hope will be a great success for the global promotion of their brand.