Monthly Archives: September 2016

GAN H1 losses narrow as social casino revenue spikes 75%

Online gambling technology provider GAN saw its social casino revenue rise three-quarters in H1 2016 but the company continued to post seven-figure losses.

Figures released Friday show the UK-listed GAN generating gross income of £15.9m and net revenue of £3.9m in the six months ending June 30. GAN reported a net loss before tax of £2.3m, £300k less than it lost in H1 2015.

The net revenue figure is 35% higher than the same period last year, driven by contributions from its Simulated Gaming social casino product, which saw revenue jump 75% to £1.4m. GAN’s real-money online gambling revenue was up 21% to £2.5m.

Nearly two-thirds of the company’s revenue was generated in the United States, reflecting the string of Simulated Gaming deals with leading commercial and tribal casino operators. GAN says its social gaming business has been a godsend by helping to offset the slower than expected rollout of US intrastate online gambling markets.

Las Vegas Sands accused of flouting anti-money laundering laws (again)

Casino operator Las Vegas Sands has been accused of violating US federal anti-money laundering (AML) rules by a pair of Chinese housekeepers.

Sands is attempting to collect $6.4m it claims are gambling debts run up at the company’s Venetian and Palazzo casinos in Las Vegas by Xiufei Yang and Meie Sun, Chinese citizens who work as housekeepers in Nevada.

But attorneys representing the two women claim Yang and Sun were acting as ‘shills’ who solicited credit from the casinos on behalf of Chinese high-rollers who didn’t want their names associated with gambling activity.

In court documents viewed by Reuters, Sun claimed that a VIP host at the Palazzo told her in 2009 that she could receive between $2k to $3k in exchange for signing her name to casino markers and sitting beside Asian high-rollers who bet big on baccarat in Sands’ VIP rooms. David told Sun that she wouldn’t be held liable for the IOUs. Yang said she was offered a similar deal in 2011.

Bitcoin exchanges stepping up to hasten digital currency adoption in Japan

It’s no secret that the 2014 fiasco that was Mt. Gox has caused bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies’ image to suffer, especially in Japan. Since then, however, massive efforts have been undertaken to redeem the virtual currency’s lost honor.

The first step was the law passed in early May, which required bitcoin exchanges to register with the Japanese government’s Financial Services Agency (FSA). The new law defines virtual currencies as “asset-like values,” allowing digital money to be used not only to buy goods and services but also as an alternative for legal tender through purchases and trades.

The law has boosted public trust in cryptocurrency, whose image was tarnished following the 2014 collapse of now infamous Mt. Gox exchange and the subsequent arrest of its CEO, Mark Karpeles. Now, FSA has been given the mandate to conduct on-site inspections and require operators to follow know-your-customer practices.

The succeeding months saw other institutions, including digital currency exchanges and banks, stepping up their efforts to push for digital currency in Japan. And so, it didn’t come as a surprise that two of Japan’s leading bitcoin exchanges are also rolling out their own initiatives to speed up bitcoin adoption.

Bitcoin exchanges stepping up to hasten digital currency adoption in Japan

It’s no secret that the 2014 fiasco that was Mt. Gox has caused bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies’ image to suffer, especially in Japan. Since then, however, massive efforts have been undertaken to redeem the virtual currency’s lost honor.

The first step was the law passed in early May, which required bitcoin exchanges to register with the Japanese government’s Financial Services Agency (FSA). The new law defines virtual currencies as “asset-like values,” allowing digital money to be used not only to buy goods and services but also as an alternative for legal tender through purchases and trades.

The law has boosted public trust in cryptocurrency, whose image was tarnished following the 2014 collapse of now infamous Mt. Gox exchange and the subsequent arrest of its CEO, Mark Karpeles. Now, FSA has been given the mandate to conduct on-site inspections and require operators to follow know-your-customer practices.

The succeeding months saw other institutions, including digital currency exchanges and banks, stepping up their efforts to push for digital currency in Japan. And so, it didn’t come as a surprise that two of Japan’s leading bitcoin exchanges are also rolling out their own initiatives to speed up bitcoin adoption.

Ohio judge snuffs out last casino legal challenge

There’s no more legal impediment for casinos to operate in the State of Ohio after a Franklin County judge threw out the last anti-casino petition in the state.

Judge Chris Brown of Common Pleas Court denied the petition of Frederick Kinsey for the court to strike down the state constitutional amendments allowing casino gambling in Ohio, according to The Columbus Dispatch.

The court ruled that the constitutional amendments, which voters approved in 2009 and 2010, has not in any way violated the federal constitutional rights of the petitioner.

“The court finds the Casino Amendments have a legitimate purpose, as they clearly relate to the state’s interest in regulating gaming and economic activities. The court also finds that it is reasonable to believe the Casino Amendments promote that purpose,” Judge Brown said in an 11-page ruling.

Ohio judge snuffs out last casino legal challenge

There’s no more legal impediment for casinos to operate in the State of Ohio after a Franklin County judge threw out the last anti-casino petition in the state.

Judge Chris Brown of Common Pleas Court denied the petition of Frederick Kinsey for the court to strike down the state constitutional amendments allowing casino gambling in Ohio, according to The Columbus Dispatch.

The court ruled that the constitutional amendments, which voters approved in 2009 and 2010, has not in any way violated the federal constitutional rights of the petitioner.

“The court finds the Casino Amendments have a legitimate purpose, as they clearly relate to the state’s interest in regulating gaming and economic activities. The court also finds that it is reasonable to believe the Casino Amendments promote that purpose,” Judge Brown said in an 11-page ruling.

Macau’s gaming tax collection drops 11.8%

Gaming tax collection in Macau fell by as much as 11.8 percent in the first eight months of 2016, compared to the same period last year, according to data from the city state’s Financial Services Bureau.

The bureau recorded a total of MOP51.67 billion (USD6.47 billion) were collected in direct taxes from gaming in the January to August period—an amount lower than the MOP58.59 billion (USD7.33 billion) collected in the same period in 2015.

This period’s collection was also 43.1 percent lower compared to two years ago, when revenue from gaming taxes reached MOP90.86 billion.

Overall, government revenue suffered a 12.9 percent year-on-year drop for the calendar year ending August 31. For this period, the government collected MOP63.43 billion, which is about MOP9.41 billion less than the amount collected a year ago. Direct taxes from gaming makes up 81.5 percent of the Macau government’s total revenue in the January to August period.

Twitch’s first currency, gambling systems unveiled

Game publisher Amazon Game Studios has rolled out Twitch’s first currency and gambling systems on Thursday against a backdrop of a major gambling scandal that dogged the Steam gaming marketplace.

Arstechnica reported that Twitch’s currency called “Stream+” will be seen first in the upcoming sports-brawling multiplayer game Breakaway. The currency was revealed by an Amazon representative while describing how the new game will “integrate directly” with Twitch during the annual TwitchCon on Thursday.

The game publisher’s representative also gave fans a brief snippet of Breakaway action that confirmed viewers’ ability to wager on matches and “earn Stream+ Coins by watching.”

Amazon, however, offered little details on how the coins could be spent and what they would unlock, either within Breakaway or throughout the Twitch ecosystem. The firm, according to the report, also failed to mention whether Stream+ currency could be bought, sold, or traded.

Week 4 Sunday Night Football Betting Preview

Coming off an embarrassing loss, the Pittsburgh Steelers will try to continue their track record of bounce-back games against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Sunday Night Football betting matchup.

Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com

Pittsburgh is listed as a 5.5-point favorite against visiting Kansas City, with a total of 47. The Steelers, who were defeated 34-3 by the resurgent Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3, are 12-2 straight up in their last 14 games after a loss.

Led by QB Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers are 8-2 SU and 4-5-1 against the spread in their last 10 home games against AFC West competition. The Steelers are 4-1 ATS in their last five games with a closing total of 47.5 or more. Pittsburgh has RB Le’Veon Bell back from suspension, which should aid in manufacturing long drives that test the stamina of the Kansas City defense.

Week 4 Sunday Night Football Betting Preview

Coming off an embarrassing loss, the Pittsburgh Steelers will try to continue their track record of bounce-back games against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Sunday Night Football betting matchup.

Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com

Pittsburgh is listed as a 5.5-point favorite against visiting Kansas City, with a total of 47. The Steelers, who were defeated 34-3 by the resurgent Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3, are 12-2 straight up in their last 14 games after a loss.

Led by QB Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers are 8-2 SU and 4-5-1 against the spread in their last 10 home games against AFC West competition. The Steelers are 4-1 ATS in their last five games with a closing total of 47.5 or more. Pittsburgh has RB Le’Veon Bell back from suspension, which should aid in manufacturing long drives that test the stamina of the Kansas City defense.

Praesepe presents CHIPS children’s charity with £150,000

Leading gaming group Praesepe, which operates the UK-based Cashino brand of adult gaming centres and Beacon Bingo clubs, has continued its support of the CHIPS children’s charity with a record breaking donation of £150,000. The cheque presentation was made to CHIPS co-founder, Linda Lindsay, at the recent British Gaming Golf Championship, which was held at the prestigious Woburn Golf Club.  CHIPS is a charity set up by the gambling industry in 2001 to provide specialised powered wheelchairs for young people with severe mobility issues. The sum takes the total raised by Praesepe, since it began partnering CHIPS in 2008, to over £500,000.

Nick Harding, CEO of Praesepe said: “We could not raise this amount of money without the tremendous support we receive from suppliers, customers, employees, their friends, families and our colleagues in the gaming industry. It’s thanks to their unstinting generosity that we are able to raise the amount of money we do for CHIPS.”

Linda Lindsay, added: “It is thanks to fundraising events like the Golf Championship, and amazing supporters like Praesepe that we continue to help so many young people. It is such a fantastic total which is truly appreciated by all of us here at CHIPS, the wheelchair recipients themselves and their families.”

The charity golf day succeeded in raising an additional £33,000 with every penny going towards the provision of powered wheelchairs for children who would otherwise have no way of getting around independently. Powered wheelchairs can cost as much as £6,500 and are custom-designed to meet individual specific needs. Since its formation, CHIPS has raised more than £1.5m and presented over 400 wheelchairs.

Praesepe presents CHIPS children’s charity with £150,000

Leading gaming group Praesepe, which operates the UK-based Cashino brand of adult gaming centres and Beacon Bingo clubs, has continued its support of the CHIPS children’s charity with a record breaking donation of £150,000. The cheque presentation was made to CHIPS co-founder, Linda Lindsay, at the recent British Gaming Golf Championship, which was held at the prestigious Woburn Golf Club.  CHIPS is a charity set up by the gambling industry in 2001 to provide specialised powered wheelchairs for young people with severe mobility issues. The sum takes the total raised by Praesepe, since it began partnering CHIPS in 2008, to over £500,000.

Nick Harding, CEO of Praesepe said: “We could not raise this amount of money without the tremendous support we receive from suppliers, customers, employees, their friends, families and our colleagues in the gaming industry. It’s thanks to their unstinting generosity that we are able to raise the amount of money we do for CHIPS.”

Linda Lindsay, added: “It is thanks to fundraising events like the Golf Championship, and amazing supporters like Praesepe that we continue to help so many young people. It is such a fantastic total which is truly appreciated by all of us here at CHIPS, the wheelchair recipients themselves and their families.”

The charity golf day succeeded in raising an additional £33,000 with every penny going towards the provision of powered wheelchairs for children who would otherwise have no way of getting around independently. Powered wheelchairs can cost as much as £6,500 and are custom-designed to meet individual specific needs. Since its formation, CHIPS has raised more than £1.5m and presented over 400 wheelchairs.

Praesepe presents CHIPS children’s charity with £150,000

Leading gaming group Praesepe, which operates the UK-based Cashino brand of adult gaming centres and Beacon Bingo clubs, has continued its support of the CHIPS children’s charity with a record breaking donation of £150,000. The cheque presentation was made to CHIPS co-founder, Linda Lindsay, at the recent British Gaming Golf Championship, which was held at the prestigious Woburn Golf Club.  CHIPS is a charity set up by the gambling industry in 2001 to provide specialised powered wheelchairs for young people with severe mobility issues. The sum takes the total raised by Praesepe, since it began partnering CHIPS in 2008, to over £500,000.

Nick Harding, CEO of Praesepe said: “We could not raise this amount of money without the tremendous support we receive from suppliers, customers, employees, their friends, families and our colleagues in the gaming industry. It’s thanks to their unstinting generosity that we are able to raise the amount of money we do for CHIPS.”

Linda Lindsay, added: “It is thanks to fundraising events like the Golf Championship, and amazing supporters like Praesepe that we continue to help so many young people. It is such a fantastic total which is truly appreciated by all of us here at CHIPS, the wheelchair recipients themselves and their families.”

The charity golf day succeeded in raising an additional £33,000 with every penny going towards the provision of powered wheelchairs for children who would otherwise have no way of getting around independently. Powered wheelchairs can cost as much as £6,500 and are custom-designed to meet individual specific needs. Since its formation, CHIPS has raised more than £1.5m and presented over 400 wheelchairs.

BBL and Perform sign major media deal

The British Basketball League has agreed a six-year deal with Perform, the leading digital sports content and media group, for the distribution and sale of all global media-related rights.

Perform will manage the broadcast and digital rights for all BBL games, including exclusive streaming and data rights for Perform’s Watch&Bet and RunningBall products.

The long-term commitment between the two organisations (commencing 23rd September), will see all of the season’s 242 BBL games streamed live worldwide on Perform’s Watch&Bet service, plus a selection of the best BBL games streamed direct to BBL fans on Perform-managed, LiveBasketball.TV.

This contract complements the recent agreement the BBL has reached with the BBC for twenty three British Basketball League (BBL) and nine Women’s British Basketball League (WBBL) games to be shown live on the BBC Sport website and all six BBL/WBBL finals to be shown live on the BBC red button.

Greentube makes skill-based play with Chopsticks in the apps

Greentube, part of NOVOMATIC Interactive, announces straight from the G2E show floor that it has signed a partnership agreement with Gibraltar-based mobile gaming company Chopsticks in the apps Ltd. (Chopsticks). Under the agreement, Chopsticks will develop a range of popular mobile games into gambling titles that will be distributed by Greentube to its online, mobile, social and land-based channels.

The two companies will work closely together to hand-pick a selection of fast-paced andeasy-to-play casual and social games. Experts in gamification, Chopsticks will add world-class mathematics to create highly entertaining skill-based titles that will be made available by Greentube on all devices. The games will expand the Greentube portfolio with a broad new range of titles that target a wide demographic of player of all ages.

It marks the entry of Greentube into the skill-based gaming segment being explored by companies to attract a wider variety of players. A new take on casino games, all the excitement of interactive, casual and mobile gaming will merge with Chopsticks’ sophisticated gaming mechanics to create new experiences that can be played any time and on any device.

Thomas Graf, Greentube CEO, commented: “We have a strong heritage of skill-based gaming through a long-standing history of NOVOMATIC games in AWP markets. We understand the dynamics of these skill elements very well and are taking this to the next level through this agreement with Chopsticks in the apps.”

Greentube makes skill-based play with Chopsticks in the apps

Greentube, part of NOVOMATIC Interactive, announces straight from the G2E show floor that it has signed a partnership agreement with Gibraltar-based mobile gaming company Chopsticks in the apps Ltd. (Chopsticks). Under the agreement, Chopsticks will develop a range of popular mobile games into gambling titles that will be distributed by Greentube to its online, mobile, social and land-based channels.

The two companies will work closely together to hand-pick a selection of fast-paced andeasy-to-play casual and social games. Experts in gamification, Chopsticks will add world-class mathematics to create highly entertaining skill-based titles that will be made available by Greentube on all devices. The games will expand the Greentube portfolio with a broad new range of titles that target a wide demographic of player of all ages.

It marks the entry of Greentube into the skill-based gaming segment being explored by companies to attract a wider variety of players. A new take on casino games, all the excitement of interactive, casual and mobile gaming will merge with Chopsticks’ sophisticated gaming mechanics to create new experiences that can be played any time and on any device.

Thomas Graf, Greentube CEO, commented: “We have a strong heritage of skill-based gaming through a long-standing history of NOVOMATIC games in AWP markets. We understand the dynamics of these skill elements very well and are taking this to the next level through this agreement with Chopsticks in the apps.”

The Star Sydney to Host WSOP International Circuit Event

The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is heading to Sydney for the very first time with The Star Sydney to host a WSOP Circuit Event from 22 November to 12 December 2016.

Comprising 11 tournaments in 21 days including the $2,000 Main Event, players will not only have the chance to compete for big prize money but winners of each of the event will win a prized official WSOP gold ring.

Two players – the Main Event winner and the overall Casino Champion – will also win a seat into the 2017 WSOP Global Casino Championship, which is an official WSOP gold bracelet event and boasts a guaranteed US$1 million prize pool. Casino Champion will be the player that accrues the most points based on their performances across the 11 official WSOP ring events on the schedule.

The WSOP is the most recognised and revered tournament brand in poker. First held in 1970 when Las Vegas icon Benny Binion invited seven of the country’s best players to compete across a series of cash games, it has since evolved into an annual festival of poker with the 2016 WSOP attracting more than 100,000 players across 69 bracelet events at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.