Monthly Archives: September 2016

Galaxy’s Lui Che-Woo: Worst is not yet over for Macau

News of the slight growth in Macau’s gross gaming revenue recently ignited a faint glimmer of hope that the city state’s $29 billion casino industry is finally rebounding after 26 straight months of decline.

Well, not so fast, according to billionaire Lui Che-Woo.

The chairman of Galaxy Entertainment Group told Bloomberg News that “it’s still too early to say” if Macau is rebounding, despite the city state eking a 1.1 percent growth in August to reach a GGR of MOP18.8 billion (USD2.4 billion).

“While Macau’s gambling industry has hit the bottom, it’s still too early to call it a recovery,” the 87-year-old casino mogul told the news agency.

Maine, Tennessee lotteries hit revenue jackpots

Lotteries in the states of Maine and Tennessee continue to hit revenue jackpots.

In Maine, state officials announced that its lottery sales posted a record high of $272.3 million in fiscal year 2015, up 7.05 percent from $253.1 million the previous year.

Portland Press Herald reported that it was the second year in a row that Maine Lottery proceeds broke records and was the most successful year in the lottery’s 42-year history. A total of $57 million in lottery proceeds are going into the General Fund.

Meanwhile, prize money paid to winners grew to $178.2 million this fiscal year, compared to the $166.7 million the previous year. The report said that the largest prize given out was $3 million.

Maine, Tennessee lotteries hit revenue jackpots

Lotteries in the states of Maine and Tennessee continue to hit revenue jackpots.

In Maine, state officials announced that its lottery sales posted a record high of $272.3 million in fiscal year 2015, up 7.05 percent from $253.1 million the previous year.

Portland Press Herald reported that it was the second year in a row that Maine Lottery proceeds broke records and was the most successful year in the lottery’s 42-year history. A total of $57 million in lottery proceeds are going into the General Fund.

Meanwhile, prize money paid to winners grew to $178.2 million this fiscal year, compared to the $166.7 million the previous year. The report said that the largest prize given out was $3 million.

Gov’t clears Resorts World Sentosa of discrimination charges in job cuts

Singaporean employees were not discriminated in the recent Resorts World Sentosa layoffs, according to the Ministry of Manpower.

In June, the integrated resort handed out walking papers to nearly 400 of its 12,000-strong workforce as China’s crackdown on corruption started taking a toll on Resorts World Sentosa’s gaming revenue. But some of the laid off employees complained of “discriminatory practices, unfair dismissals as well as inadequate compensation,” prompting the Ministry of Manpower to start an investigation on the downsizing—particularly the cases involving former casino workers who earned below SGD4,500 (USD3,333) per month and were therefore covered by the Singapore Employment Act.

The former employees accused the integrated resort of favoring foreigner workers over locals, claiming that Resorts World Sentosa had placed an ad in Malaysia to hire “foreigners at lower Singapore dollar salaries.”

Ministry officials, however, found that only “a significantly smaller proportion of Singaporeans”—or about 16% of the entire workforce—were affected in the job cuts, Today reported. The casino resort’s staff is made up of 60% Singaporeans.

Cyprus Online Sports Betting License – October 3rd is Ready, Set, Go for Applications with National Betting Authority (NBA)

This is a guest contribution by Lenny Borodin, iGaming and Licensing Executive at Prospectacy LTD. If you would like to submit a contribution please contact Bill Beatty for submission details. Thank you.

Anyone who has been to Cyprus must have noticed gambling runs deep in Cypriot DNA. Any sizeable town’s arterial street could easily have two betting shops in as many blocks. Bingo and keno parlors are also very popular, with halls getting packed to capacity on weekend nights. In the offseason, when tourist crowds subside, those places are some of the most visited establishments in otherwise seemingly deserted resort cities.

It is only logical that in 21st century this phenomenon has to extend online. And this would seem as even more natural extension with Cyprus being a prominent hub to online Forex operators. On a grassroots level, it is a certain fact that many Cypriots choose to gamble on the Internet. Yet authorities did not take any action in regards to online provisions of The 2012 Betting Law for over 4 years. Anyone following events on the island is aware of its divided status and challenges following economic downturn that could help explain the delay. Finally, well into 2016, National Betting Authority announced October 3rd as the date when they start to accept the applications for first online sports betting licenses.

One would assume that given the population size, regulator would set out some lenient entry conditions. But Cyprus legislators thought otherwise and came up with rather heavy capital requirements. Potential applicants would have to ante up hefty Euro 500,000 in paid up capital and consequently produce a Euro 550,000 bank guarantee for application to be accepted. On top of that comes Euro 30,000 license fee for 1-year license or Euro 45,000 for 2-year license. Taxes are not exactly featherweight either with combined rate of 13% of Net Proceeds from bets. This rate consists of 10% gaming tax proper and 3% contribution to Authority. 2% of contribution would be redistributed among Cyprus Sport Federations. Remaining 1% would go towards Programs for protection of underage and problem gamblers.

Cyprus Online Sports Betting License – October 3rd is Ready, Set, Go for Applications with National Betting Authority (NBA)

This is a guest contribution by Lenny Borodin, iGaming and Licensing Executive at Prospectacy LTD. If you would like to submit a contribution please contact Bill Beatty for submission details. Thank you.

Anyone who has been to Cyprus must have noticed gambling runs deep in Cypriot DNA. Any sizeable town’s arterial street could easily have two betting shops in as many blocks. Bingo and keno parlors are also very popular, with halls getting packed to capacity on weekend nights. In the offseason, when tourist crowds subside, those places are some of the most visited establishments in otherwise seemingly deserted resort cities.

It is only logical that in 21st century this phenomenon has to extend online. And this would seem as even more natural extension with Cyprus being a prominent hub to online Forex operators. On a grassroots level, it is a certain fact that many Cypriots choose to gamble on the Internet. Yet authorities did not take any action in regards to online provisions of The 2012 Betting Law for over 4 years. Anyone following events on the island is aware of its divided status and challenges following economic downturn that could help explain the delay. Finally, well into 2016, National Betting Authority announced October 3rd as the date when they start to accept the applications for first online sports betting licenses.

One would assume that given the population size, regulator would set out some lenient entry conditions. But Cyprus legislators thought otherwise and came up with rather heavy capital requirements. Potential applicants would have to ante up hefty Euro 500,000 in paid up capital and consequently produce a Euro 550,000 bank guarantee for application to be accepted. On top of that comes Euro 30,000 license fee for 1-year license or Euro 45,000 for 2-year license. Taxes are not exactly featherweight either with combined rate of 13% of Net Proceeds from bets. This rate consists of 10% gaming tax proper and 3% contribution to Authority. 2% of contribution would be redistributed among Cyprus Sport Federations. Remaining 1% would go towards Programs for protection of underage and problem gamblers.

Notable NFL Preseason Results

We witnessed four teams go undefeated during 2016 preseason play. Philadelphia, Houston, Minnesota, and Baltimore all went unscathed. As a matter of fact, all four of those teams not only won all of their preseason games, they also covered on each of those occasions.

2016 Preseason Undefeated Teams Super Bowl Futures Odds

Minnesota Vikings 25-1

Houston Texas 40-1

Eli Elezra Loses Heads-Up in Las Vegas WSOP Circuit Main Event

Eli Elezra, once a regular on poker shows such as High Stakes Poker, had an opportunity to win his first major tournament since the 2015 WSOP on Monday. He came close, but oh-so-far, when he lost in a heads-up battle with Sean Yu, however. With a circuit ring up for grabs in the WSOP Circuit […]

The post Eli Elezra Loses Heads-Up in Las Vegas WSOP Circuit Main Event appeared first on .

3-Barrels: Suk Mike Hok Trolling; PokerStars Create The Open; Stian Knutsen Wins UKIPT6 Super Series

3 Barrels of a PokerStars flavour including an appearance at the PokerStars Live Dealer tables from Suk Mike Hok, the chance to have your name branded on a PokerStars tournament, and Stian Knutsen wins the United Kingdom & Ireland Poker Tour Super Series 6.

When I was 21, I moved to Eastleigh, Hampshire for my first supervisory position on the railway. I was responsible for the issuance of daily orders for train drivers, and one of them was called Mike Hunt.

“It’s a funny name innit,” my colleague said when I first met him.

“No.”

Kenny Hallaert, Alan Picken & Richard Figiel Take Down partypoker Majors

Three tournament results from partypoker to catch up on including an online victory by the World Series of Poker November Niner, Kenny Hallaert; a victory in Cardiff for Alan Picken, and Richard Figiel takes a title in Montreal after a six-way deal.

Kenny Hallaert continues to shine in large field tournaments after partypoker crowned him the $500,000 Guaranteed Online Grand Prix winner this weekend.

The Belgian, who finished 5/22,374 in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Colossus last year, and then waded through the treacle like field of 6,737 entrants to make the WSOP Main Event November Nine, defeated 4,531 competitors on his way to securing a $63,891 purse over the weekend.

The 34-year old was in esteemed company as he headed into the home straight with Jon “FundMyMatiz” Spinks, Billy “b8chatz” Chattaway, Sebastian “p00cket00″ Sikorski, Ian “Simpioni” Simpson, Phil “PhilRoyal888″ Mighall, and Toby “eightenclubs” Lewis all enjoying deep runs.

Kenny Hallaert, Alan Picken & Richard Figiel Take Down partypoker Majors

Three tournament results from partypoker to catch up on including an online victory by the World Series of Poker November Niner, Kenny Hallaert; a victory in Cardiff for Alan Picken, and Richard Figiel takes a title in Montreal after a six-way deal.

Kenny Hallaert continues to shine in large field tournaments after partypoker crowned him the $500,000 Guaranteed Online Grand Prix winner this weekend.

The Belgian, who finished 5/22,374 in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Colossus last year, and then waded through the treacle like field of 6,737 entrants to make the WSOP Main Event November Nine, defeated 4,531 competitors on his way to securing a $63,891 purse over the weekend.

The 34-year old was in esteemed company as he headed into the home straight with Jon “FundMyMatiz” Spinks, Billy “b8chatz” Chattaway, Sebastian “p00cket00″ Sikorski, Ian “Simpioni” Simpson, Phil “PhilRoyal888″ Mighall, and Toby “eightenclubs” Lewis all enjoying deep runs.

World Cup Round-Up: Poland Draw With Kazakhstan; Favourites Germany Win in Norway, and More

A round up of the first half of the European 2018 World Cup qualifiers including a horrific draw for Poland away to Kazakhstan; the favourites Germany off to a flyer against Norway, and much more.

Poland has started the 2018 World Cup campaign in miserable fashion with a 2-2 draw away to Kazakhstan. The country that was made famous by Borat’s rubber fist fought back from a 2-0 deficit after Bartosz Kapustka, and Robert Lewandowski had all but secured victory for the Poles in the first half.

“This was a bucket of cold water, but one which will come in handy,” said the Polish head coach Adam Nawalka after two late goals from Kazakhstan spoiled his night.

Current World Cup favourites and holders Germany started well with a comfortable away win against Norway. Thomas Muller couldn’t find the net during the Euro 2018 Finals, but the Bayern Munich star bagged a brace in a comfortable 3-0 win for the four-time world champions. Joshua Kimmich popped up to score his first goal for his country in between those two blasts from Muller.

France sets new online sports betting turnover, revenue records

French online sports betting operators took in over three-quarters more wagers on the Rio 2016 Olympic Games than the London 2012 event.

Figures released by gaming regulator ARJEL show total Olympic wagers at the 12 French-licensed operators topping €33.9m during the Rio games, up from €19.2m four years ago. Online Olympic revenue more than doubled from €3.3m to €6.8m.

Interestingly, the share of in-play wagers was lower than in 2012, falling from 57% in London to 50% in Rio. ARJEL blamed the decline on the time difference, as most French bettors were safely tucked in bed while many of the Rio events were taking place.

In terms of attracting the most wagers, the top Olympic sport was tennis, on which French punters wagered €8.5m, followed by basketball (€6m), football (€5.8m), handball (€5.4m) and volleyball (€2.1m).

Minnesota tribal casino launches DFS site; DraftKings, FanDuel return to TV

The tribal operators of Minnesota’s Grand Casino Mille Lacs have launched a new daily fantasy sports site ahead of the new NFL season.

This week saw the launch of Granfantasysports.com, a DFS site powered by EZFantasy LLC, a member of the Small Businesses of Fantasy Sports Trade Association. The site’s stats are supplied by Sportradar US and payments are handled by PayPal.

The site is currently only accepting customers from California, Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

The casino is run by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, a federally recognized tribe that also runs the Grand Casino Hinckley. The tribe isn’t a stranger to digital gaming, having offered IGT’s DoubleDown Casino social gaming product to its customers for some time now.

Racing Victoria latest to force bookies to observe minimum bet limits

The Australian state of Victoria has imposed new minimum bet requirements on race betting operators.

Last week, Racing Victoria announced that its licensed Wagering Service Providers (WSP) would be required to adhere to a new Minimum Bet Limit (MBL) framework, effective October 1.

The MBL will require bookies to accept bets that pay winners up to AUD 2k (US $1,537) on one-win bets on city races, dropping to AUD 1k for non-metropolitan meetings. Bookies must also accept fixed-odds place bets to lose a minimum of $800 for metro meets, $400 for non-metro meets.

The new guidelines will be in effect on racedays from 9am for day meetings and from 2pm for night meetings. Racing Victoria says it has yet to determine what sanctions will apply to any WSP caught failing to abide by the new MBL, but insists that it won’t hesitate to make examples of backsliders.