Monthly Archives: April 2017

Fantasy sports bill sails through Alabama House in a narrow vote

The Alabama House has spoken: fantasy sports is a battle of wits and smarts.

Birmingham Business Journal reported that the Alabama House of Representatives has approved a bill that will legalize and regulate fantasy sports betting in the state in a close vote.

Voting 43-38, the House declared that Fantasy Sports is not a dolled-up digital gambling that deserves to be banned. Instead, they recognizes that fantasy sport is a game of skills deserved to be played in the state.

There are at least three bills that have been introduced in Alabama including HB354 or Fantasy Sports Act.

Fantasy sports bill sails through Alabama House in a narrow vote

The Alabama House has spoken: fantasy sports is a battle of wits and smarts.

Birmingham Business Journal reported that the Alabama House of Representatives has approved a bill that will legalize and regulate fantasy sports betting in the state in a close vote.

Voting 43-38, the House declared that Fantasy Sports is not a dolled-up digital gambling that deserves to be banned. Instead, they recognizes that fantasy sport is a game of skills deserved to be played in the state.

There are at least three bills that have been introduced in Alabama including HB354 or Fantasy Sports Act.

Bitcoin touches $1,300 mark on Poloniex, Bitfinex

The positive outlook from Japan and Russia is driving bitcoin toward new heights.

On Thursday, the trading price of bitcoin briefly touched the $1,328 mark on Poloniex before reversing to slightly over $1,310. The popular cryptocurrency also traded above the $1,313 level on digital currency exchange Bitfinex.

The price of bitcoin has stabilized above the $1,000 mark since the beginning of April, when it pushed toward its recent all-time high of $1,263. Analysts said the main drivers for the recent bitcoin rally have been the positive news from Japan and Russia.

Japan formally allowed the use of bitcoin and other digital currencies as a legal method of payment in the country last April 1, meaning it can now be used to make purchases and send remittances while also being exempted from sales tax. The Japanese Diet’s announcement gave bitcoin an immediate price boost as the digital currency demand grew not just locally, but also around the world.

Bitcoin touches $1,300 mark on Poloniex, Bitfinex

The positive outlook from Japan and Russia is driving bitcoin toward new heights.

On Thursday, the trading price of bitcoin briefly touched the $1,328 mark on Poloniex before reversing to slightly over $1,310. The popular cryptocurrency also traded above the $1,313 level on digital currency exchange Bitfinex.

The price of bitcoin has stabilized above the $1,000 mark since the beginning of April, when it pushed toward its recent all-time high of $1,263. Analysts said the main drivers for the recent bitcoin rally have been the positive news from Japan and Russia.

Japan formally allowed the use of bitcoin and other digital currencies as a legal method of payment in the country last April 1, meaning it can now be used to make purchases and send remittances while also being exempted from sales tax. The Japanese Diet’s announcement gave bitcoin an immediate price boost as the digital currency demand grew not just locally, but also around the world.

Blockchain technology and why it will become the future of poker

With poker moving from one financial scandal to the next, how long will it be before an innovative new poker room decides to take a stand and move to Blockchain technology to provide the ultimate in transparency and trust?

I bought a book called Sapiens: A Brief History of Mankind on Amazon and it took me less than 10-seconds. I began typing the name of the book into the browser, an algorithm predicted what I wanted, populated the browser, sent me to the book in the online store, I clicked the “Buy Now” button, and it completed the transaction. I turned on my Kindle, and the book appeared in less than five-seconds.

I didn’t walk into a bookstore. I didn’t pull out my wallet. I didn’t use coins or banknotes. And yet I still managed to find and pay for a book in the time it takes for me to throw a poker hand into the muck.

It took me a long time to trust the 1-Clicks of this world. The thought of sharing my bank details on the Internet paralysed me. And now I love getting my book in the moment. I trust that the system that underpins this delivery of instant gratification is safe.

Nominations now open for AGAwards 2017

The second edition of the Asia Gaming Awards takes place on the first evening of G2E Asia, Tuesday, May 16, at The Parisian. The event convenes key stakeholders from the Asian gaming industry – operators, regulators, suppliers, and service providers – to celebrate achievements within the gaming industry.

The Asia Gaming Awards is the first regional event of its kind to listen to the voice of the industry. Members are asked to nominate and cast their vote, alongside an esteemed panel of judges.

A total of 12 awards will be presented across the land-based and online gaming spheres, along with a prize for “Outstanding Contribution in the Field of Corporate Social Responsibility.” The awards will also elect up to eight rising stars, who are viewed as likely to shape the future of the industry.

In 2016, the awards enjoyed immense industry participation, collating more than 1,000 nominations and 8,000 votes across the categories.

FlowPlay sets out philosophy ahead of innovative GiGse

At the upcoming GiGse (26th – 28th April, Marriott Marquis Marina, San Diego), FlowPlay and other social casino providers will be presenting on a session around how land-based casinos with established brands can leverage white-label social casino technologies. In the lead-up to GiGse, FlowPlay, CEO, Derrick Morton expands on the session, what it means to be a ‘good corporate citizen’ and how GiGse is a springboard for innovative thinking.

Earlier this year you donated $60,000 to the TAF Academy – what was the motivation for this?

Our products serve a diverse community yet technology companies in general do not reflect that diversity. Supporting the future of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education in underrepresented communities has always been an important cause for our company. We previously donated $26,000 through an in-game campaign to Girlstart, a nonprofit that inspires girls’ interest and engagement in STEM education. With the TAF Academy, our partnership extended beyond our donation which enabled the development of a new state-of-the-art lab within the Seattle-area school to a mentorship program between FlowPlay’s staff and TAF students. Ultimately we’re helping introduce the possibility of careers in the video games industry and STEM more broadly to a diverse set of middle and high school students who would likely not have the opportunity otherwise.

Do you think the broadly-based gaming industry (in all of its guises) needs to be more active in its approach to social issues?

Patrick Cottingham joins Gaming Laboratories International (GLI®) team as Client Service Representative

LAS VEGAS, NV (April 2017) – Gaming Laboratories International (GLI®) recently welcomed a new addition to the United States-based Client Services team – Patrick Cottingham. In order to keep pace with increasing industry demand while providing the best customer service possible, the addition of another Client Service Representative was critical for the company.

In his current role as a Client Service Representative, Cottingham provides service and consultation to several key gaming and lottery suppliers.

GLI’s Senior Director of Client Services Patrick Moore said, “We are pleased to welcome Patrick to the team as he will help us in our relentless pursuit of world-class customer service for which GLI is known. Patrick is a strong addition to our team, especially since he has prior gaming industry experience in Information Technology, testing and gaming operations. This experience will allow Patrick to become an important resource for GLI’s client base. GLI is never standing still in its goal to provide an unmatched customer experience, and I believe Patrick will be an important part of providing the level of service and expertise GLI’s clients have come to expect from us.”

Cottingham joined GLI in 2015 as a Test Engineer and was primarily tasked with the testing and certification of electronic gaming devices. He also worked closely with GLI’s test automation group, where he helped to design and implement advanced test automation processes.

Armenia orders gambling sites to report all wagers over $2k

Armenia’s government has approved plans to create a registry of high-rolling gamblers, because the country’s supply of trust is apparently running even lower than its capital reserves.

On Thursday, the Armenian government approved a proposal introduced by the nation’s deputy finance minister that will create a database of gamblers who spend over AMD 1m (US $2,060) on any wager, be it land-based or online. Gambling operators will be required to report these transactions and keep copies of gamblers’ identity documents.

The new measure, which will take effect on June 1, is ostensibly aimed at reducing opportunities for money laundering, although one can’t shake the suspicion that the law’s true intent is curbing gambling activity, based on the natural human impulse to get your name on as few government lists as possible.

Sandwiched between Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan, Armenia has a full spectrum of gambling options, including a state-run lottery, a few large land-based casinos, numerous small gaming halls and a handful of approved online gambling operators. However, the government has been making life more difficult for gambling operators in recent years.

Pokerography: Human imagination and the creation of gender inequality

The Pokerography series continues with another look at Yuval Noah Harari’s classic Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind this time focusing on gender inequality.

I don’t know what it’s like to have two X chromosomes. But I have lived with a few. My mother raised me. I have three sisters. As a child and teenager, most of my best friends were female. I have been married twice. When not writing about poker, I help people quit alcohol, and most are female. I have a six-month-old daughter. And when I think about those relationships and take a time out to look at the world it is obvious that the vast majority of people believe men are superior to women when it comes to gender hierarchy.

Why?

Last week in my Pokerography series I touched upon Yuval Noah Harari’s great book Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind to talk about the poker hierarchy, and I once again delve into the pages to try to answer this perplexing question of gender inequality.

Pokerstars launches MEGASTACK across Europe

PokerStars expands new tournament series across Ireland, Belgium and France

ONCHAN, Isle of Man – April 2016 – PokerStars new and increasingly popular series MEGASTACK is coming to a poker venue near players in Ireland, Belgium and France after a successful debut in the UK, announced PokerStars, an Amaya Inc., (NASDAQ: AYA; TSX: AYA) brand today. The new live tournament series, which launched in the UK in The Hippodrome Casino London in April, attracting over 520 entries, will now become a live poker staple in some of Europe’s favourite destinations, with over €500,000 guaranteed across all events combined.

PokerStars MEGASTACK events are largely aimed at recreational players, offering a space for players to get comfortable at the tables and hone their skills without breaking the bank. The series is designed to bring live poker to players’ doorsteps at a low buy-in level, to create an exceptional live poker experience, and to offer players a platform to build their poker career on, towards competing in PokerStars Championship and PokerStars Festival events. These new additions to the series further demonstrate PokerStars’ commitment to growing the game locally and investing in local poker communities.

“PokerStars MEGASTACK is the perfect opportunity for you and your mates to get together to play poker, whether that’s for pure fun or as a stepping stone in your poker career,” said Team PokerStars Pro Jake Cody. “Players can expect an awesome poker experience and it will definitely be unforgettable for most players.”

Danish language version of SmartBets goes live

 Better Collective’s new online tool gives greater personalisation to punters in Denmark

April 2017 – Leading industry affiliate, Better Collective, has added another language to its award-winning customisable odds comparison site, SmartBets, with a Danish version going live.

The Danish launch is the latest of a series of expansions for SmartBets, who have also announced German and Italian versions, as well as the original English site. Other new language versions are planned to be released in the coming few months.

The latest version of SmartBets follows in the footsteps of its counterparts with an industry-first customisable smart feed that allows users to create a tailored dashboard based around their favourite teams, leagues, betting markets and operators, ensuring they’ll easily find the best bets relevant to them.

Calling the clock: WPT & Stars ally; 888Poker & Poker Central do likewise

A week’s worth of poker news condensed into less than 700 words including partnerships between PokerStars and the World Poker Tour, 888Poker & Poker Central, and Poker Vision and the Canadian Poker Tour.

After working together behind the scenes for many years, PokerStars and the World Poker Tour (WPT) have emerged from behind the curtain and joined forces in a bid to increase attendance at two European-based festivals.

The PokerStars Championships WPT MonteDam Swing is a hit right out of the WPT California Swing jukebox, with prizes to be won for the people who accumulate the most points by cashing in events held at both the PokerStars Championships in Monte Carlo and the WPT festival in Amsterdam.

The partnership is a smart move. Attendances at the two previous PokerStars Championships have been less than stellar, and the WPT European events never pull in the crowds like the brand does Stateside.

EPL week 34 odds analysis: Swansea in must-win game against Stoke

Lee Davy takes a look at a shorter than usual English Premier League fixture list and believes Swansea and Middlesborough are going to drift further into trouble, while Hull is about to float further away.

The FA Cup Semi-Finals means we have a condensed Premier League fixture list this weekend, making it a little softer on my fingertips.

With four of the top six teams featuring in those ties, the primary focus of this week’s odds analysis will feature on the fight to avoid the drop into the Championship.

Hull v Watford

Russia targets VPNs for allowing access to banned domains

Russia’s telecom watchdog is launching a fresh assault on the use of virtual private networks (VPN) to access forbidden websites.

According to Russian media outlet Vedomosti, Russia’s Roskomnadzor telecom authority has been pressuring VPN services to restrict their users’ ability to access the tens of thousands of domains on the watchdog’s ever expanding blacklist, on which internationally licensed online gambling sites hold a significant presence.

The use of VPNs isn’t (yet) illegal in Russia, as there are legitimate purposes for which such services are warranted. That said, last November’s decision by Opera Software to cease operations in Russia followed shortly after a meeting with Roskomnadzor officials, who reportedly took issue with the built-in VPN functionality in the latest version of the Opera browser.

That same November, Roskomnadzor blacklisted a Russian VPN service called HideMe.ru. The service’s owner, Markus Saar, claimed he addressed all the violations that earned his site a scarlet letter but Roskomnadzor refused to remove HideMe.ru from the blacklist.

NetEnt has record 39 customers waiting in launch pipeline

Online gambling technology provider NetEnt kicked off 2017 with a bang, setting a record for the number of new customer signings while struggling to deal with a backlog of operators waiting to launch.

On Thursday, NetEnt released an interim report covering the first three months of 2017, during which revenue rose 15.2% to SEK 398m (US $44.2m), operating profit gained 6.3% to SEK 136m and after-tax profit improved 1.8% to SEK 124m.

NetEnt inked a record 15 new customer agreements in Q1, while launching its products with six new customers, including Codere, which marked NetEnt’s debut in Mexico’s gaming market. NetEnt currently has 39 operators in its pipeline waiting to launch, another new record, putting the company on firm footing for future growth.

NetEnt CEO Per Eriksson said the Q1 performance was all the more impressive given the comparison with a “very strong” Q1 2016. Mobile continued its strong growth in Q1, accounting for a record 47% of revenue.