Monthly Archives: June 2016

Euro 2016 Review: Late Show For Ireland; Ronaldo Brace; Ibrahimovic Retires

The final group games of Euro 2016 sees the Rep. Ireland qualify after a late winner against Italy; Zlatan Ibrahimovic retires from international football after Sweden crash out, and much more.

The Republic of Ireland will face the hosts France in the Round of 16 after Norwich City’s Robbie Brady scored a dramatic late winner against Italy under the closed roof at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

Martin O’Neill’s side came into the final Group E game bottom of the table, knowing that only a victory over an already qualified Italy was the only result that would see them progress.

Italian coach Antonio Conte made eight changes from the side that beat Sweden, and it showed. Ireland signified their intent as early as the 9th minute when Jeff Hendrick struck a sweet shot just wide of the Italian goal. There were the fastest out of the block, were the better side throughout most of the first half, and should have had a penalty when James McClean was brought down by Federico Bernadeschi only for the referee to wave play on much to the disgust to the men and women from the Emerald Isle.

WSOP Review: James Moore is The Super Senior; Glaser Closing in on Bracelet #3; and More

James Moore has won the bracelet in the Super Seniors Event; Benny Glaser is closing in on his second bracelet of the summer leading the final three players in the Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better Championships, and more.

James Moore has earned membership into the coveted World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet club after winning Event #31: $1,000 Super Seniors No-Limit Hold’em. The radiologist finished on the top of a pile of 1,746 entrants, an increase of 14% year-on-year, and that created a prize pool of $1,326,400.

The 65-year old earned $230,626 for his heads-up victory over Charles Barker. He came back from a 3:1 chip deficit at one point in that match up. It was his first final table and only his second WSOP cash. Former WSOP bracelet winner and World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) gold ring winner, Fred Berger, also made the final table finishing in sixth place.

Final Table Results

WSOP Review: James Moore is The Super Senior; Glaser Closing in on Bracelet #3; and More

James Moore has won the bracelet in the Super Seniors Event; Benny Glaser is closing in on his second bracelet of the summer leading the final three players in the Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better Championships, and more.

James Moore has earned membership into the coveted World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet club after winning Event #31: $1,000 Super Seniors No-Limit Hold’em. The radiologist finished on the top of a pile of 1,746 entrants, an increase of 14% year-on-year, and that created a prize pool of $1,326,400.

The 65-year old earned $230,626 for his heads-up victory over Charles Barker. He came back from a 3:1 chip deficit at one point in that match up. It was his first final table and only his second WSOP cash. Former WSOP bracelet winner and World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) gold ring winner, Fred Berger, also made the final table finishing in sixth place.

Final Table Results

Can Olivier Busquet Find a Punter Willing to Take on ‘Survivor’ Bet?

Global Poker League LA Sunset star, Olivier Busquet, is searching for odds on him successfully applying for and winning, the £1m first prize on the reality tv show Survivor.

After my divorce, my friends were sure that the end of 15-years of marriage would see me crash headlong into a life of ravenous hedonism. It didn’t quite work out like that. There are those that say divorce is one of the most shattering experiences one can endure. I can certainly attest to that. I only had enough strength to turn on the kettle.

Olivier Busquet also knows what it feels like to go through a divorce. Good looking, charming, and a John Cena body to boot, you could forgive Busquet for taking that route into hedonism, but the LA Sunset man has decided to take the path of pain in order find out what kind of man emerges at the other end of the darkest of tunnels.

Earlier this week, Busquet asked his 32.1K Twitter followers if anyone wanted to give him a price to win the gruelling reality TV show Survivor. Apparently, Busquet had received his inspiration after watching Jean-Robert Bellande’s experience on the show.

Can Olivier Busquet Find a Punter Willing to Take on ‘Survivor’ Bet?

Global Poker League LA Sunset star, Olivier Busquet, is searching for odds on him successfully applying for and winning, the £1m first prize on the reality tv show Survivor.

After my divorce, my friends were sure that the end of 15-years of marriage would see me crash headlong into a life of ravenous hedonism. It didn’t quite work out like that. There are those that say divorce is one of the most shattering experiences one can endure. I can certainly attest to that. I only had enough strength to turn on the kettle.

Olivier Busquet also knows what it feels like to go through a divorce. Good looking, charming, and a John Cena body to boot, you could forgive Busquet for taking that route into hedonism, but the LA Sunset man has decided to take the path of pain in order find out what kind of man emerges at the other end of the darkest of tunnels.

Earlier this week, Busquet asked his 32.1K Twitter followers if anyone wanted to give him a price to win the gruelling reality TV show Survivor. Apparently, Busquet had received his inspiration after watching Jean-Robert Bellande’s experience on the show.

UFC 200 Odds – It’s Good To Be Brock Lesnar

There was a time when interest in UFC 200 was vanishing. A card that was supposed to be headlined by Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz in a rematch would’ve been the easiest sell in the world, but that fight evaporated somewhere over Iceland. Dana White had to do something big to get the spotlight back on this event.

If you need a big money attraction to draw attention to whatever your organization is doing, then Brock Lesnar is the guy you call. Vince McMahon knows it. Dana White knows it. The Minnesota Vikings knew it too. Hell, I wouldn’t have been surprised if Tim Cook called Brock to punch Windows Vista in its face onstage at the Apple WWDC.

Mainstream attention had already been spiking in a way that it wouldn’t have unless McGregor and Diaz were featured on the card. Lesnar has that type of effect on people, and we know this because his career has been a bizarre and fascinating story of a warrior vagabond. He’s led a life that seems unbelievable because it is.

Lesnar climbed to the top of the WWE by pinning The Rock for his first title reign, becoming the youngest champion in the company’s history at the time. Poised to be (quite literally) “The Next Big Thing”, Lesnar left millions of WWE dollars on the table to go try out for the NFL. Everyone thought of it as a joke, but how often do you hear about guys walking on to an NFL team to play defensive lineman? It doesn’t happen. That’s how much of a freak this guy is.

The Malta Gaming Authority publishes its 2015 Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements for the Financial Year ending 31 Dec 2015

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has published its 2015 Annual Report and Financial Statements. The theme of the 2015 Annual Report is Regulation for Innovation: Re-thinking conventional wisdom.

The MGA is the single governing body for the regulation of the gaming industry in Malta. During 2015, the gaming sector in Malta continued to experience healthy growth in both the land-based and remote gaming sectors. The following are key highlights from the Annual Report:

• During the year under review, the MGA generated a total revenue of €60.9m compared to €58.4m in 2014. This represents an increase of €2.5m or a 4.3% increase year on year. Furthermore, contributions in gaming taxes made to Government in 2015 amounted to €55.8m compared to €53.2m in 2014. This represents an increase of €2.6m or a 4.9% increase year on year. The sector also made a direct contribution of 8.2% to Malta’s Gross Value Added in the economy,

• The land based gaming sector grew by 3% year on year with total gross gaming revenue reaching €78.1m. Amounts played in the land based sector reached a total of €333.1m with total winnings amounting to €255m,

The Malta Gaming Authority publishes its 2015 Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements for the Financial Year ending 31 Dec 2015

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has published its 2015 Annual Report and Financial Statements. The theme of the 2015 Annual Report is Regulation for Innovation: Re-thinking conventional wisdom.

The MGA is the single governing body for the regulation of the gaming industry in Malta. During 2015, the gaming sector in Malta continued to experience healthy growth in both the land-based and remote gaming sectors. The following are key highlights from the Annual Report:

• During the year under review, the MGA generated a total revenue of €60.9m compared to €58.4m in 2014. This represents an increase of €2.5m or a 4.3% increase year on year. Furthermore, contributions in gaming taxes made to Government in 2015 amounted to €55.8m compared to €53.2m in 2014. This represents an increase of €2.6m or a 4.9% increase year on year. The sector also made a direct contribution of 8.2% to Malta’s Gross Value Added in the economy,

• The land based gaming sector grew by 3% year on year with total gross gaming revenue reaching €78.1m. Amounts played in the land based sector reached a total of €333.1m with total winnings amounting to €255m,

Euro 2016 betting stealing Macau casino thunder; Macau Slot monopoly renewed

Macau casino gaming revenue could hit a five-year low in June thanks to gamblers choosing to wager on the Euro 2016 football tournament.

In a note issued on Monday, Nomura analysts reported that Macau’s June gaming revenue numbers were already off to a slower start than expected, down between 7% and 11% year-on-year. But this decline has accelerated since Euro 2016 kicked off on June 10.

According to Nomura, the week following the tournament’s start saw average daily gaming revenue fall 22% from the previous week. In addition to gamblers choosing football over baccarat, the high-rollers that are showing up in Macau are winning more, pushing VIP win down 0.15 points to 2.7%.

The phenomenon of football taking a bite out of Macau’s performance is well documented. Macau’s current two-year stretch of monthly revenue declines got its start in June 2014, the month the 2014 FIFA World Cup kicked off.

Euro 2016 betting stealing Macau casino thunder; Macau Slot monopoly renewed

Macau casino gaming revenue could hit a five-year low in June thanks to gamblers choosing to wager on the Euro 2016 football tournament.

In a note issued on Monday, Nomura analysts reported that Macau’s June gaming revenue numbers were already off to a slower start than expected, down between 7% and 11% year-on-year. But this decline has accelerated since Euro 2016 kicked off on June 10.

According to Nomura, the week following the tournament’s start saw average daily gaming revenue fall 22% from the previous week. In addition to gamblers choosing football over baccarat, the high-rollers that are showing up in Macau are winning more, pushing VIP win down 0.15 points to 2.7%.

The phenomenon of football taking a bite out of Macau’s performance is well documented. Macau’s current two-year stretch of monthly revenue declines got its start in June 2014, the month the 2014 FIFA World Cup kicked off.

MGS launches Macau Government incentive scheme for visitors to 2016 show

The MGS Entertainment Show, the Asian gaming industry’s premier trade exhibition, has partnered with the Macau SAR Government to help drive more international buyers and business partners into the region. As part of its expanded project activity with the Macau SAR, MGS will be launching the Government’s targeted ‘Qualified Buyers’ program to the global market for its 2016 expo. The agreement will enable MGS, currently the industry’s fastest growing trade show, to provide extensive travel and accommodation sponsorship for visitors to the Government-supported exhibition which is being held at the Venetian Macao, 15-17 November 2016.

MGS Chairman Jay Chun

The Macau Government’s Buyer Sponsorship program is one of a number of key joint initiatives scheduled for launch at the MGS Entertainment Show over the next three years, as the exhibition rolls out its business programme in support of the SAR’s drive for greater diversity in the domestic and regional economy.

Designed to draw in new visitors from the expanding zones of the MGS show, the QB scheme will be open to registered visitors from all companies exhibiting at the MGS expo, including grant support of up to MOP 7,000 (US$875) to international visitors at this year’s show. The grants will be used to subsidise travel, transport and accommodation costs for visitors from anywhere in the world to the MGS Entertainment Show.

MGS launches Macau Government incentive scheme for visitors to 2016 show

The MGS Entertainment Show, the Asian gaming industry’s premier trade exhibition, has partnered with the Macau SAR Government to help drive more international buyers and business partners into the region. As part of its expanded project activity with the Macau SAR, MGS will be launching the Government’s targeted ‘Qualified Buyers’ program to the global market for its 2016 expo. The agreement will enable MGS, currently the industry’s fastest growing trade show, to provide extensive travel and accommodation sponsorship for visitors to the Government-supported exhibition which is being held at the Venetian Macao, 15-17 November 2016.

MGS Chairman Jay Chun

The Macau Government’s Buyer Sponsorship program is one of a number of key joint initiatives scheduled for launch at the MGS Entertainment Show over the next three years, as the exhibition rolls out its business programme in support of the SAR’s drive for greater diversity in the domestic and regional economy.

Designed to draw in new visitors from the expanding zones of the MGS show, the QB scheme will be open to registered visitors from all companies exhibiting at the MGS expo, including grant support of up to MOP 7,000 (US$875) to international visitors at this year’s show. The grants will be used to subsidise travel, transport and accommodation costs for visitors from anywhere in the world to the MGS Entertainment Show.

Brexit Poll: Leave up 3 on Remain

EU Vote Outcome Comes down to Turnout

Washington DC (23rd June 2016) – On polling day, the Leave campaign has a three percent lead over the Remain campaign, according to a new Democracy Institute poll conducted during the final four days of campaigning.

This latest poll suggests that the referendum outcome remains very close, with support for a Brexit — Britain leaving the EU – at 50 percent, up from 47 percent in the previous DI poll last month. The Remain vote is 47 percent for the second consecutive month. Only three percent of voters are undecided.

“Leave voters have been heavily influenced by events during the course of the referendum campaign,” according to poll director Patrick Basham. The poll found, for example, that “the new migration statistics, which put Prime Minister David Cameron on the defensive, had an influence upon 28 percent of those intending to vote Leave.” Positive reviews for the televised performances of the principal Leave proponents – Michael Gove’s Sky News Q&A and Boris Johnson’s Wembley Arena performance on the BBC – each influenced one in ten Leave voters.

Brexit Poll: Leave up 3 on Remain

EU Vote Outcome Comes down to Turnout

Washington DC (23rd June 2016) – On polling day, the Leave campaign has a three percent lead over the Remain campaign, according to a new Democracy Institute poll conducted during the final four days of campaigning.

This latest poll suggests that the referendum outcome remains very close, with support for a Brexit — Britain leaving the EU – at 50 percent, up from 47 percent in the previous DI poll last month. The Remain vote is 47 percent for the second consecutive month. Only three percent of voters are undecided.

“Leave voters have been heavily influenced by events during the course of the referendum campaign,” according to poll director Patrick Basham. The poll found, for example, that “the new migration statistics, which put Prime Minister David Cameron on the defensive, had an influence upon 28 percent of those intending to vote Leave.” Positive reviews for the televised performances of the principal Leave proponents – Michael Gove’s Sky News Q&A and Boris Johnson’s Wembley Arena performance on the BBC – each influenced one in ten Leave voters.

Bankruptcy judge gives Caesars creditors the okay to vote on restructuring

Casino operator Caesars Entertainment has received court approval to allow creditors to vote on the proposed restructuring plan of the operator’s bankrupt main unit.

On Wednesday, US Bankruptcy Judge Benjamin Goldgar set a Jan. 17, 2017 confirmation hearing for the planned restructuring of Caesars Entertainment Operating Co (CEOC), which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last year.

In issuing his ruling, Goldgar said there was “something poetic” about that January date, which comes two years and two days after CEOC filed its Chapter 11 paperwork, citing $18.4b in debts.

Goldgar’s frustration with the length of this process was on full display on Wednesday, as he insisted the parties were “going to finish this now.” However, he also said he expects Caesars’ path to creditor harmony would be neither short nor simple.

Bankruptcy judge gives Caesars creditors the okay to vote on restructuring

Casino operator Caesars Entertainment has received court approval to allow creditors to vote on the proposed restructuring plan of the operator’s bankrupt main unit.

On Wednesday, US Bankruptcy Judge Benjamin Goldgar set a Jan. 17, 2017 confirmation hearing for the planned restructuring of Caesars Entertainment Operating Co (CEOC), which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last year.

In issuing his ruling, Goldgar said there was “something poetic” about that January date, which comes two years and two days after CEOC filed its Chapter 11 paperwork, citing $18.4b in debts.

Goldgar’s frustration with the length of this process was on full display on Wednesday, as he insisted the parties were “going to finish this now.” However, he also said he expects Caesars’ path to creditor harmony would be neither short nor simple.