Monthly Archives: May 2016

CVC Capital Partners acquire Italian betting operator Sisal Group for €1b

Private equity firm CVC Capital Partners has further expanded its gambling portfolio by acquiring Italian betting operator Sisal Group.

On Monday, CVC announced that it had reached a deal to acquire Sisal from its current trio of private equity owners Apax Partners, Permira and Clessidra. The companies expect the transaction to be complete by the end of Q3 2016.

The deal, which includes CVC assuming Sisal’s €966m debt, values the Italian firm at around €1b. In 2015, Sisal reported a net loss of €40m on earnings of €182m and revenue of €787m, of which more than one-fifth came via Sisal’s payment services division SisalPay.

Formed in 1946, Sisal was the first company licensed by the Italian state to conduct legal gaming operations. Its business has since grown to encompass a retail network of around 45k outlets offering everything from lottery products, the Sisal Matchpoint sports and race betting brand, video lottery terminals and amusement with prizes (AWP) machines.

Aria Super High Roller Bowl Day One Recap:  14 Eliminated, Timofey Kuznetsov Leads Pack

The Super High Roller Bowl at the Aria Resort and Casino in Las Vegas kicked off Sunday afternoon. Day One, as expected, saw some fireworks between some of the game’s most talented players, including the often-blustery Phil Hellmuth. The 49 competitors started with 300,000 chips apiece, while vying for a shot at a $5 million […]

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Macau tightens visa renewal for non-resident casino executives

The push to overhaul Macau’s casino industry continues. This time, the focus is having more local employees in management positions.

To achieve this, the city state government announced last week that it is tightening the renewal process for non-resident casino executives who will be applying for working visas in Macau.

The Human Resources Office of Macau confirmed the policy change to Portuguese-language daily Jornal Tribuna de Macau, telling the newspaper that after assessing the requests of the six casino operators—which have been in operation for several years already—in the city state, “we consider these firms already present enough conditions to promote local workers [into higher positions].”

Under the new policy, the bureau can deny requests for renewals of non-resident casino executives’ working visas if “there are local workers that can fulfil the necessary conditions to perform managerial roles.”

Macau tightens visa renewal for non-resident casino executives

The push to overhaul Macau’s casino industry continues. This time, the focus is having more local employees in management positions.

To achieve this, the city state government announced last week that it is tightening the renewal process for non-resident casino executives who will be applying for working visas in Macau.

The Human Resources Office of Macau confirmed the policy change to Portuguese-language daily Jornal Tribuna de Macau, telling the newspaper that after assessing the requests of the six casino operators—which have been in operation for several years already—in the city state, “we consider these firms already present enough conditions to promote local workers [into higher positions].”

Under the new policy, the bureau can deny requests for renewals of non-resident casino executives’ working visas if “there are local workers that can fulfil the necessary conditions to perform managerial roles.”

Maxpay CEO Interview Artem Timoshenko

Every on-line shop has to deal with the problem of choosing a payment processor. The success of any business can depend on whether they make the right choice. Maxpay CEO, Artem Timoshenko (www.maxpay.com) shares the secret to choosing a payment processes that can optimize sales and protect your business.

Artem, what are the main points a potential client should pay attention to while choosing a payment solution? What should they focus on?

Every online product has its own monetization model. It depends on a marketing funnel, target markets (US, Europe, Asia) as well as the regulatory systems of each country involved. It is important to use a comprehensive approach and consider all the features of a product before choosing. Merchants should start thinking about a payment solution while their product is still under development, as part of their marketing and business plans. Payment processors usually offer a basic range of tools, which can not help fully.  It is important to perform a comprehensive analysis of the merchant’s business model and offer the most appropriate solution.

Tell us how it works in practice with real examples

Maxpay CEO Interview Artem Timoshenko

Every on-line shop has to deal with the problem of choosing a payment processor. The success of any business can depend on whether they make the right choice. Maxpay CEO, Artem Timoshenko (www.maxpay.com) shares the secret to choosing a payment processes that can optimize sales and protect your business.

Artem, what are the main points a potential client should pay attention to while choosing a payment solution? What should they focus on?

Every online product has its own monetization model. It depends on a marketing funnel, target markets (US, Europe, Asia) as well as the regulatory systems of each country involved. It is important to use a comprehensive approach and consider all the features of a product before choosing. Merchants should start thinking about a payment solution while their product is still under development, as part of their marketing and business plans. Payment processors usually offer a basic range of tools, which can not help fully.  It is important to perform a comprehensive analysis of the merchant’s business model and offer the most appropriate solution.

Tell us how it works in practice with real examples

Romania FC bans 17 in match-fixing game scandal

Romania’s football federation (FRF) has banned three coaches and 14 players at second division Gloria Buzau from participating in any football league due to to match-fixing allegations.

Reuters reported that the FRF imposed bans between two years and two months against Coach Viorel Ion and assistants Marian Rosu and Romeo Bunica after their names were dragged in the soccer-related controversy.

The national federation also meted 200,000 lei ($49,803) apiece to the three coaches.

On the other hand, 14 players were suspended between two and 12 months and fined between 10,000 ($2472) and 50,000 ($12360) lei.

Romania FC bans 17 in match-fixing game scandal

Romania’s football federation (FRF) has banned three coaches and 14 players at second division Gloria Buzau from participating in any football league due to to match-fixing allegations.

Reuters reported that the FRF imposed bans between two years and two months against Coach Viorel Ion and assistants Marian Rosu and Romeo Bunica after their names were dragged in the soccer-related controversy.

The national federation also meted 200,000 lei ($49,803) apiece to the three coaches.

On the other hand, 14 players were suspended between two and 12 months and fined between 10,000 ($2472) and 50,000 ($12360) lei.

Daily sports fantasy bill in Illinois is good as dead – for now

Hopes are fading for the legislation to regulate daily fantasy sports (DFS) in Illinois after the measure has been placed by lawmakers in the back burner, just two days before it adjourns its spring session.

Legal Sport Report reported that Democratic Rep. Michael Zalewski – one of the bill’s sponsors – did not put HB3655 to vote in the wake of the vote-buying allegations made by Democratic Rep. Rita Mayfield.

HB33 aims to set DFS guidelines on who could participate in the contests, including barring any company employees and anyone 21. The bill also imposed taxes and licensing fees.

“So what I am going to do is, for the moment, not pursue a vote on House Bill 3655. I’m going to continue to have individual conversations with my colleagues. I am going to explain to them why this is good public policy. And I am going to live to fight another day,” Zalewski said during Sunday’s legislation hearing.

BitStarz first to also offer iSoftBet Slots for Bitcoin wagering!

BitStarz is a boutique casino and was first to offer wagering in major currencies and Bitcoin. Once again they’re one step ahead of the competition being the first BTC casino to offer slots from the popular provider iSoftBet.

Thursday, May 19th, 2016 – BitStarz is expanding their extensive range of games by adding upwards of 50 new slots from the renowned game developer iSoftBet.

iSoftbet has quite a few interesting titles in their portfolio with plenty of branded games from leading movies. Games such as Basic Instinct, Platoon and Love Guru are just a few of the games that are based on popular flicks and they’re constantly extending their range.

On top of this slot machines such as Alice Wonderland, Neon Reels and Ninja Chef have all been a huge hit and have reached a broad demographic of players with all from VIPs to regular punters.

BitStarz first to also offer iSoftBet Slots for Bitcoin wagering!

BitStarz is a boutique casino and was first to offer wagering in major currencies and Bitcoin. Once again they’re one step ahead of the competition being the first BTC casino to offer slots from the popular provider iSoftBet.

Thursday, May 19th, 2016 – BitStarz is expanding their extensive range of games by adding upwards of 50 new slots from the renowned game developer iSoftBet.

iSoftbet has quite a few interesting titles in their portfolio with plenty of branded games from leading movies. Games such as Basic Instinct, Platoon and Love Guru are just a few of the games that are based on popular flicks and they’re constantly extending their range.

On top of this slot machines such as Alice Wonderland, Neon Reels and Ninja Chef have all been a huge hit and have reached a broad demographic of players with all from VIPs to regular punters.

Weakening Chinese yuan pushes Bitcoin to hit $500 sweet spot

It was a great weekend for bitcoin.

Last week, we saw the price of a single bitcoin slowly creep up to reach $467.50 on Thursday night. But that was nothing compared to Friday, when the price of the digital currency surged by as much as 15 percent and briefly reached $530, according to Quartz. This is bitcoin’s highest price since August 2014, when it was traded by about $532.

CoinDesk had slightly lower values for the digital currency. According to the site’s price index, bitcoin hit a high of $479.39—a value not seen since September 2014, when bitcoin went on a free fall from more than $1,000 per single bitcoin.

The verdict is still out on the exact reason behind the surge.

Weakening Chinese yuan pushes Bitcoin to hit $500 sweet spot

It was a great weekend for bitcoin.

Last week, we saw the price of a single bitcoin slowly creep up to reach $467.50 on Thursday night. But that was nothing compared to Friday, when the price of the digital currency surged by as much as 15 percent and briefly reached $530, according to Quartz. This is bitcoin’s highest price since August 2014, when it was traded by about $532.

CoinDesk had slightly lower values for the digital currency. According to the site’s price index, bitcoin hit a high of $479.39—a value not seen since September 2014, when bitcoin went on a free fall from more than $1,000 per single bitcoin.

The verdict is still out on the exact reason behind the surge.

ONE Championship Makes History in Bangkok with Inaugural Event One: Kingdom of Champions

Yoshitaka Naito Crowned New One Strawweight World Champion

Marat Gafurov Submits Kazunori Yokota with Fifth Straight Rear Naked Choke Victory

Plus: Timofey Nastyukhin Ties Record with Six Second Ko of Rob Lisita

May 2016 – Bangkok, Thailand: The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), rocked the packed Impact Arena in the great city of Bangkok at ONE: KINGDOM OF CHAMPIONS. Popular Thai bands Big Ass and Bodyslam electrified the stadium with adrenaline-inducing sets as ONE athletes took to the cage to excite local fight fans in attendance. In the main event, Yoshitaka Naito of Japan was crowned the new ONE Strawweight World Champion by submitting Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke.

ONE Championship Makes History in Bangkok with Inaugural Event One: Kingdom of Champions

Yoshitaka Naito Crowned New One Strawweight World Champion

Marat Gafurov Submits Kazunori Yokota with Fifth Straight Rear Naked Choke Victory

Plus: Timofey Nastyukhin Ties Record with Six Second Ko of Rob Lisita

May 2016 – Bangkok, Thailand: The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), rocked the packed Impact Arena in the great city of Bangkok at ONE: KINGDOM OF CHAMPIONS. Popular Thai bands Big Ass and Bodyslam electrified the stadium with adrenaline-inducing sets as ONE athletes took to the cage to excite local fight fans in attendance. In the main event, Yoshitaka Naito of Japan was crowned the new ONE Strawweight World Champion by submitting Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke.

Ten Days until Maltas First Cash Game Festival

The pre-registration to Cash Game Festival at Casino Malta is open!

Casino Malta http://casinomalta.com.mt/ hosted its Grand Opening Gala on Friday the 12th of February this year and already in it’s first few months of operations it has established itself as a premium casino destination on the Island. We are very honored and proud to be able to host the second stop of Cash Game Festival 2016 from the 8th to the 12th of June here. For players that would like to secure a seat to their favourite games then our registration is open at http://www.cashgamefestival.com/

The Cash Game Festival attracts players from all around Europe and of course a high amount of Malta based players due to the location, but we should not forget that Malta is a dream holiday destination for many, thus the amount of tourists or non-regular poker players is expected to be higher than normal.

As usual when it comes to Cash Game Festival, we aim to provide a wide variety of cash games at all different levels. Expect to see multi-stake NLH, PLO, DC (9 game) ROE, Sviten Special, 6-Plus hold’em and the increasingly more popular game Open Face Chinese.