Monthly Archives: April 2019

Wynn Resorts sucks up to Massachusetts as regulators decide fate

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) wrapped up its hearings with Wynn Resorts earlier this month. It is looking to determine whether or not the casino operator is worthy of holding onto its gaming license in the state in light of the embarrassment surrounding the company’s founder and former CEO, Steve Wynn, and the commission yet to issue its decision. In the meantime, Wynn is hoping a little sucking up will appease regulators and has approved donations of more than $1 million to go to various charities in the state.

The MGC is trying to figure out if the fact that Wynn Resorts turned a blind eye to its founder’s sexual proclivities – which it has admitted to doing – is enough to justify the revocation of the state casino license. If so, Wynn lose control of the $2.6-billion Encore Boston Harbor project that is scheduled to open this June.

Over the past two weeks, Wynn has approved corporate donations for ten different organizations. Among these are the Museum of Fine Arts ($500,000), the Boston Symphony Orchestra ($25,000), the Hispanic American Institute ($10,000) and the Jewish Vocational Service ($2,500), among others.

Wynn also pledged last year to donate $10 million over four years to various charities throughout the state. The company’s CEO, Matt Maddox, said at the time, “It’s not in our corporate DNA to just write a check for a donation or buy a table at a charity event. We want to make an impactful difference in the lives of people and effect real and positive changes in our communities.”

Australian military vets wants poker machines removed from RSL clubs

Those who think the “younger generation” only wants to party and gamble are wrong. Young Australian military veterans in the Returned and Services League (RSL) are lobbying for changes to the RSL clubs and, specifically, want to see the removal of electronic poker machines. The goal is to provide better support to vets and to remove the temptation the machines offer.

In Victoria, there are around 280 clubs of the RSL. Of these, 52 offer poker machines, but former Army officer David Petersen is pushing for their removal. He is also leading a campaign that would provide greater welfare payments to vets and stricter control of gambling machines in vet-related facilities.

The 32-year-old Army vet is the president of the Camberwell club – no machines allowed. He doesn’t believe the RSL needs to be involved in the gambling industry in any form, including by offering the machines and argues that they have never generated enough revenue for the organization to warrant their use.

The 52 RSL clubs received revenue of around US$182.9 million in 2017. Of this, only $1.8 million was profit. Only 4% of the revenue was directed to vet welfare and community programs.

More City of Dreams resorts coming to the Philippines?

According to a report published by the Philippine Star, the Philippines could soon have more City of Dreams (CoD) resorts, even if the country doesn’t want them. Willy Ocier, the chairman of Premium Leisure Corp., alluded to the fact in speaking to the Star after a meeting by that entity’s shareholder’s this past Monday. Premium Leisure is one of the primary backers of the CoD Manila resort, which is owned by Melco Resorts and Entertainment, Ltd.

Ocier stated, “The expansion of City of Dreams is being studied by our partners as well as ourselves,” adding, “We have not identified any location yet.”

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has called a halt to new casino construction, a moratorium that has been in place for over a year. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR), which oversees casino operations in the country, has tried to push for a partial lifting of the moratorium so that the country could receive fresh investments on casino operations, but Duterte has so far not changed his position and has stated that the moratorium will remain in place.

Premium Leisure, as a backer of CoD Manila, receives a cut of the venue’s gaming revenue. It enjoyed a 9.1% increase year-on-year in the first quarter of 2019, taking in around $13.9 million from the resort’s operations.

John Arne Riise on being a great team with Betsson

At many of the gambling industry trade shows, you often hear about the big sponsorship deals that have been signed, and might see a cut out of the new star associated with the brand, but you don’t often get to meet them. Proving he’s a bit more hands on, John Arne Riise, the Norwegian football star, former player for Liverpool, and now Betsson representative, showed up at the recent London Affiliate Conference, and he joined CalvinAyre.com’s Becky Liggero to talk about the experience.

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Bede Gaming strikes Authentic Gaming deal

Provider adds to cutting-edge live casino solutions available on award-winning platform

24th April, 2019 – Bede Gaming, the award-winning supplier of software to the online gaming industry, has further enhanced its platform capabilities with the integration of Authentic Gaming’s live casino portfolio.

Authentic Gaming products, including Authentic Roulette, Casino Floor Roulette product and its unique Live ARENA games via the Live ARENA studio based in Malta will undoubtedly create value to Bede Gaming’s operator partners under the terms of the deal.

The agreement boosts the range of live casino options available to Bede platform partners, adding Authentic Gaming’s portfolio to an offering which already includes content from Evolution Gaming, NetEnt Live and Ezugi.

SBTech taps a new Business Development Executive

Sports gambling and gaming company SBTech has announced the hiring of a new executive that will help the company “cement [its] growing US business department.” Joann Pierce has been tapped to become the company’s Business Development Executive, USA in an effort to support SBTech as it continues its expansion across the US. She began her new role last month.

According to a press release by the company, Pierce will be involved in the development and growth in new regulated markets and will be tasked with “creating long-term value for SBTech and future sportsbook gaming operators.”

Just before heading over to SBTech, Pierce was the Business Development Executive for IS Race and Sports in Las Vegas, a position she held since December 2017. Prior to that, she was an independent contractor for Beachbody, working as a coach and team leader for the company’s sales and marketing efforts. She has also held senior roles at Crystal Decisions and WMS Gaming.

SBTech CEO Richard Carter states, “We are excited to have Joann onboard as she has extensive experience in sports technology and the gaming sector. SBTech is focused on expanding our team and business here in the United States and we know that Joann will be perfect addition for us to accomplish this goal.”

Iowa is one signature away from legalized sports gambling

Last week, the Iowa Senate showed its support for a sports gambling bill, approving it by almost a two-to-one margin. This past Monday, the House stepped up, as well, giving the “ayes” to the bill by a vote of 67-31. The only thing standing in the way of legalizing sports gambling in the state is one pen and one signature, that of Governor Kim Reynolds. However, that one step is not going to come easily.

The sports gambling bill would allow the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) to create the regulatory framework for the activity. Bets would be allowed on professional, international and college-level sports events, including motor racing, but certain events would be off-limits. Among these are minor league games and in-state college athletes.

Daily fantasy sports and Internet fantasy sports would also become legal thanks to the bill. However, betting on college-level activity would be delayed until May of next year.

The IRGC is expected to have the framework in place by this summer, with the 19 casinos in the state then eligible to offer sportsbooks. Wagers will be possible at both the casinos and on mobile apps, if the casinos offer them, and would be restricted to gamblers 21 years old or older.

Raketech recruits a new Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Raketech, a leading online affiliate and content marketing company, has recruited Oskar Mühlbach as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Oskar Mühlbach has many years of experience from some of the Nordic region’s most successful e-commerce and iGaming companies. He joins Raketech from the role of Chief Ventures Officer and Managing Director of Mr Green’s digital media agency Green Media. Among other positions, he has been a member of the management team at Footway Group and COO of Lensway.

Oskar Mühlbach will start his new position as COO on May 1, 2019, joining the senior management team and will take charge of Raketech’s geographic expansion and digital user experience.

Michael Holmberg, CEO at Raketech said: “With a solid background working in senior roles in digital businesses, Oskar fulfils all criteria needed for the COO role. The appointment is part of our global ambitions, where we will continue to grow organically and via M&A both in the Nordics and other regions.”

Leading Luton Casino announces £750,000 refurbishment

Genting UK has announced that work has begun on a £750,000 refurbishment of Genting Casino Luton, located on Skimpot Road, which will see upgrades to the gaming room, poker room, bar and lounge areas.

As part of the refurbishment, the wall that currently separates the two gaming rooms will be knocked down, creating one larger gaming room. The creation of one gaming room will create more space on the gaming floor and provide additional slot machines and new electronic terminals for customers to choose from, improving customers’ gaming experience.

The number of slot machines in the new gaming room will increase from 28 to 40 and four new electronic terminals will be installed in the casino.

The renovations will also see a new wall built that will separate the existing poker room from the gaming room to create a more intimate experience for poker players. The poker room will have a new layout, with new chairs and poker clothes being added to the room and will provide players with a new poker offering, including a mix of competition and cash game poker.

NJCOOP returns with more events and lower guarantees, is PACOOP next?

PokerStars set a date for their fourth New Jersey Championship of Online Poker, and a Pennsylvania Championship of Online Poker could be next.

It costs $10 to obtain a dog licence in New Jersey.

It costs $2 to get your hands on a firearm license.

The Governor is doing something about it, and it doesn’t involve killing all of the dogs with guns. Gov. Philip D. Murphy plans to increase the costs of owning a firearm to one of the highest levels in the country.

Kenya judge blocks collecting tax on gamblers’ winnings

Kenya’s perpetually uncertain gambling tax regime has taken yet another turn after a local judge blocked operators’ ability to withhold tax from winning bettors.

Earlier this month, Kenyan senior resident magistrate Dennis Kivuti issued an order blocking local sports betting operator SportPesa from collecting the government’s 20% tax on gambling winnings from Benson Irungu, a local bettor who’d filed a civil suit in 2014 protesting the tax.

On Tuesday, Business Daily reported that Kivuti had rejected a request by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to lift the order, which barred SportPesa – or any other lottery or betting licensee – from “making any deductions on the plaintiff or on any person’s winnings in a bet or game of chance pending hearing and determination” of Irungu’s suit.

The KRA had requested the lifting of Kivuti’s order by claiming that the agency was now “unable to collect approximately Sh2.7b (US$26.7m) per month …[meant] to finance sports, art, culture development and universal healthcare.”

Rockets, Warriors clear favorites on Wednesday NBA odds

If the oddsmakers are to be believed, we should have one half of the Western Conference semifinals set on Wednesday night with both the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors solid home favorites to finish their respective first-round series in five games. Always important to get a series over with as soon as possible to rest up and potentially avoid injury.

Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com

In the first game, the Rockets are 8-point favorites over the Utah Jazz – Houston won the first two games of this series at home by 32 and 20 points, respectively. The Rockets were in position to finish off the Jazz in Game 4 on Monday night in Salt Lake City. A strong third quarter gave Houston a three-point lead entering the fourth. However, the Jazz started that quarter on a 15-1 run to take a lead they were never again in jeopardy of relinquishing.

Donovan Mitchell, who was one of the breakout stars of the 2018 playoffs as a rookie, had largely struggled in this series and did again for three quarters on Monday. The Jazz were outscored by 11 with him on the court. However, he had 19 fourth-quarter points (31 total) – outscoring the Rockets 19-12 by himself. Jae Crowder also played his best game of the series with 23 points, and Ricky Rubio had 18 points and 11 assists. Utah crushed the Rockets on the boards, 52-35, leading to a 17-3 edge in second-chance points.

Wexler wins WSOPC ring #2 in Cherokee; WSOP to host Gavin Smith memorial

Jonas Wexler has won his second gold ring after taking down the $1,700 Main Event at the World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) in Harrah’s Cherokee, and the WSOP plan a charity event benefitting the children of the late Gavin Smith.

“I never think I am gonna win.”

Maybe you should change that strategy.

“I always think something shitty is going to happen.”

YGAM aim to build on the foundations provided by landmark 2018

YGAM, the charity which works to inform, educate and safeguard young people against problematic gambling and social gaming, has set out a series of ambitious KPI targets for 2019/20. The charity, which will celebrate its fifth anniversary later this year, is aiming to grow its annual income to £1.675m (£750,000 in 2018) a figure that will enable it to raise the number of YGAM trained practitioners to in excess of 3,000, which will double the number of young people educated to over 331,000 and establish partnerships with 25 Universities, up from the current figure of ten.

YGAM founder and chief executive, Lee Willows, stated: “The awareness raising activities that we have been undertaking with all sections of the gambling industry played a big part in helping to make 2018 a landmark year for everyone involved in YGAM and progressing our core objective of informing, educating and safeguarding young and vulnerable people. In terms of specifics, I am delighted to confirm that we were able to train an additional 350 practitioners who in turn succeeded in reaching 55,954 young people during the course of the year.

“In 2018 we also established an independent board of trustees, achieved Investors In People accreditation, launched YGAM in the Midlands and the North of England, published two academic evaluations on the impact of our programme, achieved Pearson Assured accreditation and staged the first YGAM Symposium in partnership with City University of London.”

He continued: “I am always really pleased to talk with the industry and to demonstrate how its RET contributions enable the small but dedicated team that we have in place at YGAM to extend our reach and continue to make a really significant impact with young people and their families. Similarly, we had really positive conversations with representatives from the industry who visited our booth at ICE. The industry has an open invitation to experience one of our workshops and see how we put the great support that we receive into activities that deliver results.”