Monthly Archives: February 2019

New Hampshire could sue the US over Wire Act

As the U.S. gambling industry still struggles to determine what (or who) convinced the Department of Justice (DOJ) to change its opinion of the Federal Wire Act, many jurisdictions and entities in the space are already looking to stop the department in its tracks. There have been rumors that lawsuits are going to be entered against the DOJ in the very near future and New Hampshire has now said that, if necessary, it will certainly look to make the department answer for its decision.

The New Hampshire Lottery asserts that the new DOJ opinion could potentially cause the state to lose $5 million, if not more, in annual revenue it receives from online sales. That money is used to help fund public schools and its loss would mean that New Hampshire would not be able to provide a solid education for its children.

According to Charles McIntyre, the executive director of the lottery, “Certainly at the very narrowest interpretation we are looking at $4 million to $6 million this year and $6 million to $8 million next year, as this represents what we are selling now through the internet online channel.” He made his comments to the New Hampshire Union Leader media outlet, adding, “But the threat goes further. As was pointed out by the attorneys general of New Jersey and Pennsylvania in a letter urging acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker to overrule the opinion, it’s possible that crimes could be committed if “the interstate transmission of information is merely incidental to betting that is otherwise entirely lawful under state law.”

The DOJ had previously stated that the Federal Wire Act only applied to sports gambling and that only interstate remote gambling tied to sports wagers is illegal. However, it recently reversed that opinion – after a long nine years – stating that its previous stance was “misinterpreted.”

Bloomberry approved for loan for Quezon City casino

Bloomberry Resorts is a step closer to realizing its dream of launching a casino resort in Quezon City in the Philippines. In a filing with the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) this past Monday, the company has been extended a loan to fund the Solaire-branded resort, giving Bloomberry around $767 million to fund the construction of the project.

The loan was provided to two Bloomberry subsidiaries, Bloomberry Resorts and Hotels Inc. and Sureste Properties Inc. Both have signed an omnibus loan and security agreement, which have led to a ten-year combined loan facility offered by a total of seven banks.

The funds will be used, in part, to cover the “design, construction, and development of an integrated hotel and gaming resort” for Bloomberry’s project at the Vertis North Complex in Quezon City, a section of Metro Manila.

The construction is expected to begin toward the middle of this year and will cover a 3.7-acre (1.5 hectares) site at Vertis. That site was previously purchased by Bloomberry from the Philippine National Housing Authority in 2015. If able to adhere to the schedule, the casino will open in 2021 or 2022.

Cherry Group reports an “eventful year” with latest financial report

“An eventful year with continued good development in the final quarter.” This is how Sweden’s Cherry Group described its situation for 2018 when it recently released its financial results for last year. Consolidated revenue increased by 49% and organic revenue growth was 41%.

For the year, Cherry saw revenue of $351.42 million, up from the $244.56 million it reported for the full year 2017. However, while revenue is good, the company cautions that the regulatory environment in the country could have a negative impact over the next couple of years.

According to Cherry Group acting CEO Gunnar Lind, “Cherry’s development in 2018 can be summarized with one word: excellent. On almost all measurements, our operations delivered in line with our expectations. Financially, we have performed well with total growth of 44 percent, and full-year revenue amounting to [$3.51.42 million] with an EBITDA margin of 25 percent.”

Lind adds, “For a significant part of the year, we worked to prepare for the re-regulation of the Swedish gaming market. We were involved right from the inquiry phase prior to the legislation being drafted and have participated in issues on which we have specialist knowledge on an ongoing basis. We are satisfied with the framework, which should contribute to a high level of channelisation, which is important for the long-term perspective that our market needs to be able to develop in a way that assures all stakeholders the security they need.

European Lotteries to descend on Betting on Football

Major operators from 17 different jurisdictions are using next month’s Betting on Football conference a Stamford Bridge as the perfect opportunity to meet and discuss the future of sports betting in their sector.

The European Lotteries association (EL) will host a meeting for members of its Sport Working Group in London on Tuesday 19 March, which is part of the wider Betting on Football Conference at Stamford Bridge on 19-22 March.

EL is the umbrella organisation of national lotteries operating games of chance for the public benefit, which brings together both state-owned and private operators, both profit and non-profit, who operate on behalf of the state.

Olli Sarekoski, Chair of EL Sports Committee, said: “We are pleased that our Sport Working Group has been planned around the Betting on Football Conference. Embracing responsible innovation in sports betting as part of the event is of great importance for the Lotteries; our Working Group members will have the chance to join 2,000 delegates at Stamford Bridge, interact with like-minded professionals and get up to date with the most interesting developments in the sports betting sector.”

Live bets coming to NASCAR

NASCAR announced in January that it was implementing strict guidelines for sports wagers for its members. Members, including team owners, crewmembers, NASCAR officials and drivers, are now banned from placing bets, with fines for non-compliance reaching as much as $250,000. Now, the organization is looking to introduce its own versions of gambling on car races that will include a lottery-type game and live in-race action.

The first deal comes after SpeedWay Motorsports Inc. (SMI), the parent company of NASCAR, inked a deal with EquiLottery Games. Their first joint project will see the creation of a “quick pick” lottery. The lottery is called Car Crash and will see gamblers able to choose three numbers in each live race to participate in the game.

Car Crash tickets will cost $5 and the winning numbers being based on the event winners, instead of a drawing. Prizes are expected to be as much as $50,000.

Which racetracks will offer Car Crash, and when, has not yet been released. However, GMI owns tracks in California, Georgia, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Nevada, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas, and the game could be made available at all of them. Additionally, GMI hopes to include Car Crash in other states where NASCAR is popular.

Live bets coming to NASCAR

NASCAR announced in January that it was implementing strict guidelines for sports wagers for its members. Members, including team owners, crewmembers, NASCAR officials and drivers, are now banned from placing bets, with fines for non-compliance reaching as much as $250,000. Now, the organization is looking to introduce its own versions of gambling on car races that will include a lottery-type game and live in-race action.

The first deal comes after SpeedWay Motorsports Inc. (SMI), the parent company of NASCAR, inked a deal with EquiLottery Games. Their first joint project will see the creation of a “quick pick” lottery. The lottery is called Car Crash and will see gamblers able to choose three numbers in each live race to participate in the game.

Car Crash tickets will cost $5 and the winning numbers being based on the event winners, instead of a drawing. Prizes are expected to be as much as $50,000.

Which racetracks will offer Car Crash, and when, has not yet been released. However, GMI owns tracks in California, Georgia, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Nevada, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas, and the game could be made available at all of them. Additionally, GMI hopes to include Car Crash in other states where NASCAR is popular.

Tribal sports betting bill to be considered in Washington State

Washington State might be joining the rush to sports betting. The Seattle Times reports that the state House of Representatives will be considering a bill to legalize the activity in tribal casinos.

Democrat Majority Caucus Chair Eric Pettigrew, along with seven other representatives, have put forward House Bill 1975, which calls for both professional and collegiate sports wagering to be allowed within tribal facilities, as well as online. Currently, online gambling in Washington State is a felony.

The bill is fairly limited, leaving a lot to further negotiation should it be passed. The expectation is that, if the bill is passed, negotiations with the tribes on what they will be allowed to offer will open up the floodgates to more widespread options in the state down the road. The Washington State Gambling Commission’s Chris Stearns said, “The bill doesn’t say very much, but the way federal Indian gaming law works is, just as long as the state permits something it opens the door for the tribes to operate based on what they negotiate.”

The bill puts a lot of faith in the tribal casinos to set a standard for the rest of the state to follow. It says, in part, “Tribes have more than 20 years’ experience with, and a proven track record of, successfully operating and regulating gaming facilities in accordance with tribal gaming compacts.”

Betway extends sponsorship of ESL

Wednesday 13th February 2019 – Leading online bookmaker Betway has renewed its partnership with ESL, the world’s largest esports company.

The extension, which includes an option to renew for another year, will see Betway remain as the exclusive betting sponsor of the largest CS:GO events on the circuit, including IEM Katowice, ESL One Cologne and Season 9 and 10 of the ESL Pro League, among others.

The partnership will continue to see Betway gaining exclusive “behind the scenes” access, VIP hospitality, in-stream and in-stadia branding, as well as host of experiential and digital assets.

This is the latest piece of activity from the operator in the space, following the announcement that they would be sponsoring German esports side Berlin International Gaming (BIG) last month.

Macau wins big with gaming taxes in January

January was a good month for the taxman in Macau. According to information provided by the city’s government this past Monday, the gambling mecca received over $1.26 billion (MOP10.19 billion) in gaming taxes in January, up from the $1.08 billion it collected in the same month last year.

Revenue from gaming has accounted for around 10.4% of the entire forecasted amount for 2019. The city has previously stated that it expected to receive $12.151 billion in taxes over the course of this year, of which $10.194 billion would be derived from gaming.

Gaming operators in Macau pay 35% in taxes on their gross gaming revenue (GGR). However, there are other taxes assessed that make the effective tax rate 39%. The total tax revenues include taxes from traditional Chinese lotteries, horse and greyhound racing, commissions earned by junket promoters and instant lotteries.

Over the first 11 months of 2018, Macau collected almost $12.108 billion in gaming taxes. This was an increase of 14.1% more than what it received for the same period a year prior. This year, the city’s government has forecast that it will receive 13% more in gaming taxes than it received in 2018.

Advertisement banning trends in the European Union and the Balkans, subject of the IMGL MasterClass in Prague

Prague – 13 February 2019 –

There has been a recent wave that has swept across the gambling industry and had the form of banning gambling related advertisement. This is the case in many European jurisdictions, but we are not excluding that this is a global wave. Media outlets have reported that such bans are scheduled to be included in Asia as well.

In Sweden, new online gambling operators may lose their ability to market their products entirely if the government takes note of new survey results which shows more than half (53%) of Swedes believe gambling advertising should be banned.

The latest survey results are not a surprise and come to complement the Minister of Civil Affairs Ardalan Shekarabi beliefs, who has summoned all 69 Swedish online gambling licensees to a meeting on the 14th of February to discuss their marketing activities. Just earlier, Shekarabi publicly contemplated following the UK’s lead and banning all gambling promos during live sports broadcasts.

Playtech BGT Sports signs long-term sportsbook extension with Codere

Omni-channel partnership renewed in Spain and across Latin America 

Nicosia, 13th February 2019 – Playtech BGT Sports, the market-leading provider of omni-channel sports betting solutions, has extended its sportsbook partnership with Codere.

The new contract, which will run until late 2022, covers its retail presence and online facilities in Spain, Mexico, Panama, and Colombia. It includes over 9,000 betting terminals and retail tills, with numbers expected to grow in the coming months.

The extension of the partnership reflects the growing demand for Playtech BGT Sports’ products and its leadership in these key regulated markets.

Wednesday NBA odds: Bulls, Bucks favorites

Wednesday is the last full night of NBA action before the All-Star break with 20 of the league’s 30 teams in action. All but six teams around the league are then off for the week-long break.

Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com

Post-break, it’s important to know which teams are trying and which are flat-out tanking in an effort to get as many ping-pong balls as possible in the NBA Draft lottery. Remember, the team with the worst record no longer has the highest percentage of landing the top pick. Instead, the teams with the three worst records all have an equal chance.

The Memphis Grizzlies visit the Chicago Bulls in one Wednesday game, the second of a back-to-back for the Grizzlies. There’s zero doubt both these teams are in full tank mode so a win here could be detrimental. It’s the first meeting between the clubs. Memphis has covered just two of its past 12 in the second of a back-to-back, and is a 1.5-point betting underdog.

Income Access’ Samantha Ross wins ‘Best Lottery Affiliate Manager’ iGB Affiliate Award

Senior affiliate manager recognized at London industry awards for her pioneering management of the Michigan Lottery and Pennsylvania Lottery affiliate channels

Montreal, QC. 13th February 2019 – Income Access, Paysafe Group’s marketing technology and services provider, has announced that Senior Affiliate Marketing Coordinator Samantha Ross has won in the ‘Best Lottery Affiliate Manager’ category at this year’s iGB Affiliate Awards, held 8th February 2019 at The Brewery, London. Ross was recognized for managing the affiliate programs for Michigan Lottery, the US state lottery industry’s first affiliate channel, and for its second, Pennsylvania Lottery.

Now in its 12th year, the iGB Affiliate Awards, which follow the annual London Affiliate Conference, honour the iGaming affiliate managers and affiliates who have excelled in their verticals during the last 12 months. Online lottery’s recent diversification into new global markets, including the US, has given even more prestige to the iGB Affiliate award relating to this specific vertical.

Michigan Lottery launched an affiliate program powered by the Income Access software platform in January 2018. The state lottery also partnered with Income Access’ in-house affiliate management team to develop and implement a strategy to launch and grow the program in H1 2018.

Online poker bills for New York & Kentucky, Online casinos for West Virginia

A quick summary of progress of online poker bills in New York and Kentucky, and an online casino bill in West Virginia.

Providing updates on the progress of online poker in the United States of America makes me want to put myself up for adoption. Sometimes, you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do, so with likely close to zero chance of any more states giving online poker the green light in the foreseeable future, here goes.

We begin in New York, and Flushdraw’s Haley Hintze has pointed out that New York State Assembly member, Gary Pretlow, has tabled a new online poker bill (A4924). Using the word ‘new’ is overreaching after Hintze mentions that it’s the same bill that failed to make traction the last time Pretlow submitted it.

The New York Committee on Racing and Wagering has given the bill the thumbs up, but Pretlow is the chairman of that committee. The modus operandi is the same with Pretlow’s paperwork trying to prove to the sceptics that Justin Bonomo needed more than luck to win $44m playing poker.

ICE London 2019: How TruePlay changes the world of iGaming with its blockchain solution – T3 module

Between February 5-7, TruePlay attended one of the most significant events in the iGaming industry – ICE London 2019. TruePlay presented its innovative blockchain solution – a blockchain-based T3 module.

 London Conference Week combined three events at Excel: ICE VOX, ICE London, and LAC. With over 33 thousand people from about 153 countries, 8,500 operators representing more than 600 companies at 45,500 sqm of Excel, the massive event brought together gambling companies, operators and suppliers of software and hardware products, affiliates and everyone who is involved with the business of games.

At ICE, the team of TruePlay presented its new blockchain solution T3 module to the game providers. T3 module stands for Transparency, Trust, TruePlay and collects, verifies statistics and publishes it on the blockchain. It guarantees immutability and is designed specifically to make online gambling totally transparent for all parties involved and increase trust and loyalty.

T3 module is a powerful tool that allows to take control of all vulnerabilities in the cycle of interaction between all participants of the internet gambling market and to make it crystal clear. With the help of the system, everyone can easily track players’ entire journey, starting with registration and deposit, ending with a payout of affiliate rewards for leads.

3 Barrels: James Woods LAPC title; Chad opens poker room; Tilly no Chucky

Three barrels straight out of a Hollywood cellar with James Woods winning a title at the LAPC, Tiffany Michelle and Norman Chad helping to open a poker room in San Diego, and Jennifer Tilly will not feature in the new Chucky movie.

Daniel Negreanu’s best buddy, James Woods, has been spending his days over at the Commerce Casino. The LAPC is in full swing, and Woods just took down the $570 Triple Triple Draw event.

68-people ponied up the $570, and Woods banked the $7,560 first prize after beating Donald Halpern in heads-up action. It’s his second career win at the LAPC and his fourth overall. Woods’ last victory came in the summer when he took down a 169-entrant $585 buy-in H.O.R.S.E event at Binion’s in Las Vegas. His most significant score to date was a 24/692 finish in the 2006 WPT LAPC Main Event for $39,859.

Here are the final table results:

World Cup Champion Youri Djorkaeff among new ambassadors of Vbet

New style, new ideas, new offers, rebranded website, and new official ambassadors. This is what Vbet introduced on February 7-8 at industry’s most important event of the year, London Affiliate Conference 2019.

The only representative from Armenia – Vbet was in the spotlight with newly redesigned website and various Bookmaking and Gaming offers. New members of the Vbet family were also present at the stand: Vbet gladly announced that currently its new ambassadors are legendary French football player of Armenian origin, Youri Djorkaeff, famous Armenian singer from Germany Iveta Mukuchyan, and a popular rapper Super Saqo!

1998′ World Cup Champion Djorkaeff says, the company’s CEO Vigen Badalyan personally offered him to join VBet, and he was pleased to accept the offer.

“I’m very proud, because Vbet is good in the business. But also, when I met the founder in Armenia, he told me about the vision of his company, about what they are doing at the office in Armenia, and that he wants to bring the best to his country. Since I also wanted to get more involved in Armenia, I said let’s try to do something together”, – said Youri Djorkaeff.

The Mouthpiece: G, what’s coming next?

We don’t know where we’re goin’

but the season’s right for knowin’….

 The Who

5G is coming. It is a major breakthrough in wireless technology, we are told, and will allow mobile devices and networks to operate at a speed and capacity which, up to now, was only found on cable services. It will set new standards for reliability and capacity in wireless communications.