Monthly Archives: April 2020

Update: Every US state lottery's COVID-19 response

Following up on our previous report two weeks ago, Lottery Post revisited the websites of every United States lottery to find out if all the states have added COVID-19 responses, and what changes have been made at states that had already published a response.Insider Buzz, General Interest, Investigation, Operations, Medical

GVC halts dividend, betting shop rent payments as COVID-19 bites

UK-listed gambling operator GVC Holdings says its “mitigating actions” have reduced its monthly earnings hit from the COVID-19 pandemic to £50m.

On Monday, GVC issued a trading update saying it had started 2020 off on the right foot, with net gaming revenue in Q1 up 1% year-on-year, while online revenue was up 16%. But by mid-March things had gone squirrelly following the closure of its retail operations and the mass cancellation of sports and racing events due to pandemic mitigation measures.

GVC previously estimated the negative impact of COVID-19 on its earnings would be around £100m per month, but has now revised this estimate to £50m after taking what CEO Kenny Alexander called “a range of measures to keep our people safe, strengthen our financial position, limit cash outflow, preserve jobs and maintain a compelling customer offer.”

Last week, UK media reported that GVC’s Ladbrokes and Coral brands had notified their retail landlords of the company’s intention to withhold rent payments on around 3k betting shops. GVC subsequently issued a statement saying it had “taken the difficult decision to temporary place on hold rental payments” but “fully intends to make-up the shortfall once normal trading conditions resume.”

Singapore’s gaming industry in month-long COVID-19 lockdown

Singapore’s entire gaming industry is going into a month-long hibernation as the government tries to minimize further spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last Friday, Singapore’s Ministry of Health announced that it was implementing an elevated set of safe distancing measures as a ‘circuit breaker’ to reduce further coronavirus transmission. Singapore recently reported a surge in new COVID-19 cases, most of which were deemed to be locally transmitted.

The new measures will take effect on Tuesday (7) and will extend at least through May 4. The city-state’s two integrated resort operators – Las Vegas Sands (Marina Bay Sands) and Genting Singapore (Resorts World Sentosa) – shut their gaming floors on Monday.

Sands said it had suspended all “integrated resorts services and operations” while Sentosa said its food services would remain open “for takeaway and deliveries” to ensure “necessary daily living needs of residents.” Both venues are cancelling room reservations booked for the shutdown period, while Sands is closing its hotel and doing its best to rehouse guests.

College Sports Challenges, Uncertainty Make NIL Debate Even More Front And Center

Wikimedia Commons/Phil Roeder

We continue in unchartered waters in sports as many enter week four of the pandemic, and the college landscape remains as fluid as any. There is no shortage of opinion and conjecture, from spring sports eligibility to moving football to the 2022 are all on the table and the angst and viability of student athletes remains in flux.

Against all of that backdrop is the ongoing and vital debate about Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) and how that will factor into the business of college athletics going forward. How have things changed or adapted, and what would the opportunities be for athletes today if NIL as in place? One of the key advocates in NIL remains Zach Segal, who founded StudentPlayer.com last year as a platform to assist and recognize college athletes for their achievements on the field while tying them to brand opportunities, or in some cases, causes.  

We had some time to connect with Segal on how NIL is evolving, and how Student Player’s business platform has changed and adapted as well.

Does the opportunity for spring sports to add eligibility positively or negatively affect the NIL debate?

Any steps taken to promote fairness given these unprecedented times are good for the NIL debate. Afterall, allowing student athletes to benefit from their name, image, and likeness is not about giving student athletes an advantage relative to other students it is about treating them the equally! We hope that the longstanding inequity will be remedied soon!

How does a platform like student player impact a player prepping for the NFL Draft? once his eligibility end could he access funds if the system was up and running in say a year from now?

Student Player will offer sponsorship deals to student athletes when they are student athletes, but only after it is legal/permissible to do so. In our view, fans must have a voice and we give them the chance to be heard. Prospective athletes will want to know what kind of opportunities are available at each school, fans can make a difference by contributing! A player prepping for the NFL draft would still benefit from fan contributions while they are in college.

If NIL is in effect now how do you think athletes currently sidelined could use their rights for something like social good?

Yes, 100%. And we bet that many would! Today’s restrictions are essentially prohibiting that which is sad. Particularly so in a time when huge numbers of Americans (and others) are struggling to cope with Covid-19. This is just one reason why we hope school/legislatures/the NCAA won’t pause the momentum that NIL is having.

Without NIL in place this spring, have those athletes who missed March Madness suffered a loss of opportunity to capitalize on brand value? Can you think of a specific example?

Yes, March Madness shines a big spotlight on the athletes that play in it and the schools that they play for. There are missed opportunities across the board. Who would have hit a buzzer beater to help a double digit seed advance to the final four? We will never know, but that individual would have become a nationally recognized star. Who knows what would have happened next!

How do you see the debate moving in the fall when some normalcy returns; should we be looking for next steps?

We hope that it will pick up with as much momentum as it previously had. NIL is a bipartisan issue and a simple one.  In our view, the next step is for the NCAA to adopt California’s Fair Pay To Play Act. The NCAA and its member schools have long held that student athletes are “students first.” We agree! Given that, the solution is simple: treat student athletes like students. There are often mentions of “guardrails” and other safeguards, but we see all of those things as unnecessary. The goal should be to afford student athletes the same opportunities that every other student already has. Guardrails and safeguards should only be included if they are applied equally to all students (athlete or not).

Five NFL sportsbetting draft picks that should be buying money

The sportsbetting market for the NFL Draft is always one that lights up anywhere with a gambling licence. Experts make their top picks, rumours abound and the players themselves are caught up in a whirlwind of excitement and probably no few nerves as they await the final decisions that will shape their careers.

When it comes to looking for value on the betting platforms you know and love, everyone loves an outside picks, but you might want to even up your risk by looking at one of the most favourable odds-on picks. We’ve broken down the top five for you so that you can make your selection.

1. Chase Young to be drafted by the Washington Redskins (1/5)

When it comes to the Washington Redskins, it’s an open secret that Ohio State edge rusher Chase Young is in the centre of their radar, beeping and flashing. In fact, so much so that last night, a photshopped image of Young already wearing the famous burgundy and gold went viral on Twitter:

Lawn Tennis Association steps in to save grass roots tennis

Tennis was put on an indefinite hiatus last week as the grip of Coronavirus on sporting occasions reached a peak. Within days of the indefinite suspension being announced, the All-England LCub released a statement confirming tennis fans’ worst fears – Wimbledon was cancelled and would not be coming back this year. Players won’t play on the famous SW19 grass until June 2021.

Within minutes of this announcement, a ripple of worry went around the tennis world – not for players at the top of the tree such as Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic, but for the grass roots players who struggle to put food on the table thanks to their tennis skills.

Step forward the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) then, and in some style, with a pretty comprehensive £20 million compensation package.

Working alongside the tennis associations of both Scotland and Wales, the LTA have put together a plan to help players survive during the COVID-19 crisis. The idea is to help players of all levels in Britain make it through this extended shutdown to the sport. Just as the Premier League have donated money to the lower leagues who prop them up, tennis has acted t protect those who are most in need.

Teams of the Century: Manchester United (2006/07)

So far in our series covering the best Premier League teams seen this century, we’ve covered the Manchester United side who kicked off the Millennium in dominating fashion, visited the Arsenal teams that conquered Britain in both 2002 and 2004 and considered the might of Mourinho’s first Chelsea side who broke records.

In 2006/07, however, the re-emergence of Manchester United would once again change the way we looked at the legacy of Sir Alex Ferguson. It was one thing to turn United, perennial league underachievers, from a side hopeful of a cup victory at best in the 1980’s into a ruthless title-winning machine in the 1990’s. It was quite another to go on and win the fabled treble of the League, F.A. Cup and European Cup in 1998/99, paving the way for three titles in a row at the turn of the new century.

To overcome an Arsenal side who had their pick of some of the best French players in the country’s history as well as a Chelsea team bankrolled by the Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich was something completely different. So how did Ferguson and United achieve what they did in 2007 and beyond, putting together their second run of three titles in a row?

Looking back at the start of that season now, 14 years on, it’s hard to see how United could even rely on their two biggest stars in Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney. The two men had clashed in what was the flashpoint of the 2006 World Cup in a game between England and Portugal that saw Rooney sent off in disgrace, a decision helped along by a winking Ronaldo.

One Tap Esports League Launches in Iberia

The Iberian team-owned One Tap League launched this week, with the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive competition offering plenty of rewards for participating players in the Spanish and Portuguese region.

Tapping into the hotbed of Esports players in Iberia has always felt like something CS:GO companies needed to do more, with the region one of enormous growth in the area of competitive online gaming.  The eight founders of the league are as follows:

Vodafone Giants

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Gambling Industry Announcement and Partnership Roundup – April 6, 2020

In the fast moving world of gambling, sometimes you might miss news that could be important to you. To make sure you’re all caught up on gaming industry news, be it online or brick and mortar, we’re rounding up the some of the announcements and partnerships from the last week that you might have missed.

GeoComply Receives License in Colorado

GeoComply today announced that it has received its vendor minor license in a special meeting held by the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission. This license will enable sports betting operators in Colorado to utilize GeoComply’s award-winning geolocation compliance solution as a critical part of their online sports betting apps and websites.

“We are pleased to be approved to service our clients and partners in such a sports-driven market as Colorado,” says Lindsay Slader, VP of Regulatory Affairs at GeoComply. “The GeoComply team is prepared and ready to support the rollout of online sports betting as quickly as the state is able to launch its live operations.”

New sports gambling licenses issued in Colorado

In spite of the fact that the coronavirus is preventing all major sports action, the current gaming suspension will eventually come to an end – hopefully sooner rather than later. The devastation the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the sports gambling industry has been profound, but recovery is still a plausible concept. When things finally return to normal, Colorado sports enthusiasts will have a few more options where they can place their bets, as the state’s Limited Gaming Control Commission (LGCC) has just approved gambling operations for three new entities after having issued seven licenses this past February.

Century Casinos is one of the entities to have been awarded a license. It announced last Friday that its subsidiaries had been approved to hold three Sports Betting Master Licenses, adding that Circa Sports Colorado LLC, with whom the company is partnered for a Master License, was also approved by the LGCC for a Temporary Internet Sports Betting Operator License. Century added that it “has two more Master Licenses available in Colorado and is in active negotiations with several potential sports betting partners.”

In a release (in pdf) by the LGCC, which had met last Thursday to discuss the license applications, it indicates that four casinos in Black Hawk were issued Master Licenses – The Bull Durham Saloon & Casino, The Gilpin Hotel Casino, The Red Dolly Casino and The Lodge Casino at Black Hawk. The commission also issued the same licenses to companies operating Johnny Nolon’s Casino and the Colorado Grande Hotel and Casino, in addition to the aforementioned Century licenses.

Temporary Sports Betting Operator Licenses were also approved for two William Hill properties – Isle of Capri and Lady Luck – and Roar Digital. These two companies, along with Rush Street Interactive, Smarkets USA and Penn Sports Interactive, will be involved in virtual sportsbooks, as the commission has handed them Temporary Internet Sports Betting Operator Licenses.

Casino shutdown in the Philippines could be extended

Gaming action in the Philippines went dark on March 15 as the country began taking measures to combat the coronavirus. President Rodrigo Duterte issued an order on March 12 designed to thwart the spread of the virus, even publicly giving law enforcement the authorization to shoot anyone who violates the quarantine policies (although even the national police chief believes it’s just hyperbole). The lockdown was expected to remain in place until April 12, but it now appears that Duterte may be ready to extend the period a few more weeks, which will continue to take its toll on the country’s casino industry.

Duterte’s office has stated that he is currently reviewing the facts and will soon reach a decision whether or not to keep the lockdown in place for possible two more weeks. Initially, the quarantine area covered just the Manila region, but was later extended to blanket all of Luzon, the principal island of the Philippines. Domestic air, sea and land transport activity have been brought to a halt, as has all gaming activity after the Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) ordered all gambling venues under its control to shut their doors.

With COVID-19 not yet willing to relinquish its grasp, extended quarantines and area-wide shutdowns have been seen throughout the world. Pushing the timeframe back a couple of weeks would be similar to what has already been seen in the U.S. in states such as Nevada, New Jersey and others.

Salvador Panelo, Duterte’s spokesperson, is quoted as saying that lifting the ban prematurely could “wipe out the gains we have so far achieved in containing the virus.” He added, “The President is all ears and eyes on this unfolding reality and expert opinions. He is evaluating the best option to take that will effectively ensure the success of our war against this wily and faceless global enemy. He will make his decision in due time. In the meantime, we call on our countrymen to be steadfast in our commitment to take care of each other in this imminent threat to our nation’s survival.”

South Carolina ex-cop busted for long-time role in illegal gambling ops

He had a good thing going, but got greedy. Now, a former police officer in South Carolina will not only lose any chance at retirement benefits, but he will also possibly spend time behind bars. Instead of serving and protecting the community, Florence County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Mark Edward Fuleihan was serving and protecting an illegal gambling ring for about five years, giving its leaders information and services in exchange for bribes. If the courts decide to throw the book at him, the 48-year-old is looking at up to ten years in jail, a fine of $10,000 and no chance at ever holding a public service job.

Fuleihan, who reportedly had been a Florence County police deputy since 1995, helped to keep the underground gambling operations moving by letting the ringleaders know what was happening in the law enforcement community that might impact their business from 2013-2017. Eventually, word got out about the gambling den, and an investigation was launched. Fuleihan got wind of it, and reportedly stopped receiving bribes, but continued to give the leaders information about the investigation.

It was apparently during the investigation that the cop’s involvement was uncovered. Once that happened, he was fired by the county’s Interim Sheriff, William Barnes, and, last Thursday, he was arrested by South Carolina’s State Law Enforcement Division and agents from the Department of Homeland Security. His expulsion from the force and subsequent arrest followed an investigation into his involvement that started in April 2017.

Fuleihan was reportedly able to be identified easily because he wasn’t smart enough to cover his tracks. He used his cell phone to communicate with those in the gambling ring, and even rookie police officers, and most 12-year-olds, know that burner phones are better for hiding illegal activity. The disgraced cop is now looking at charges of violating the state’s Ethics Act, as well as bribery and illegal gambling.

Icahn Enterprises wants lawsuit over Trump Plaza demolition dismissed

Trump Plaza and Hotel has sat vacant in Atlantic City since 2014 when a lack of interest forced it out of business. The property belongs to Icahn Enterprises, owned by billionaire Carl Icahn, and was to be demolished to make way for something more attractive. However, there has been little progress since then, and Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small went on the offensive to try to force the company to move quicker with its plans. It brought a lawsuit against the company on March 12 in order to seek court relief to have the building razed, and Icahn Enterprises is crying foul. It wants the suit to be thrown out, arguing that its demolition plans are in place, making the lawsuit irrelevant.

Small calls the building an “eyesore” and a public safety and health hazard. There have been videos posted on the Internet that show debris falling from the structure, but Icahn Enterprises doesn’t believe there’s cause for concern. It says the lawsuit’s call for an immediate demolition, as well as a “wrapping” of the building is an exaggeration.

Responding to the lawsuit, attorney Michael Sklar asserts, “Defendant is at a complete loss as to why the City is wasting the Court’s and parties’ time and effort on this matter. There is no imminent safety threat. [Icahn Enterprises] has taken, and continues to take, substantial measures to secure the Plaza Tower and to protect the public.”

Talk of demolishing the property has been around for two years. Most guys would welcome the opportunity to be able to blow something up, but Icahn doesn’t want to unless the city pays for half of the demolition. Given that the local government was dealing with a shrinking economy even before the coronavirus rolled in, financial priorities don’t put the Trump Plaza razing at the top of the list.

UK gambling regulator may cut staff and annoy lawmakers

Lawmakers in the U.K. have been consistently calling for tougher regulation on gambling operators, and a stricter application of rules currently in place. That means none of them are happy that the U.K. Gambling Commission (UKGC) has announced it will be cutting its total headcount.

The Guardian reports the UKGC has spoken to its 332 full-time staff about reducing it’s total staffing levels in an upcoming restructuring. While not confirming the report, the UKGC has admitted it was talking to employees “about some changes we are considering.”

But quite simply, the regulator’s £19m annual budget isn’t enough to maintain the current headcount of the UKGC. British MPs, who have pressed for stricter regulation, are astounded at the news.

Labour MP Carolyn Harris said: “Given the abysmal service provided by the commission against a continued onslaught of reprehensible practice among gambling companies, and a woeful report from the NAO, I had expected the Gambling Commission to be beefing up their service in an attempt to justify their existence.”

Nevada joins the new eNASCAR craze

Nevada is continuing to expand the permissible betting options for sports bettors. After opening up to esports, the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) announced on April 3 that the 2020 eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series is open to wagers.

In an April 3 press release issued by the regulator, the NGCB announced all licensed sports books will be permitted to post and accept wagers on winners, as well as matchups between drivers.

Of course, the regulator also provided all of the terms and conditions operators will need to follow if they want to get into the virtual racing action. They must post all of the rules to their website, and make clear that simulators and equipment could produce varying results, and communicate all of their terms to the NGCB. While the book can set odds, they have to make all rules governing the odds available to the public. Otherwise, everything has to follow standard regulations, and no other kinds of wager can be offered without first getting permission.

But what is the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series? The best way to describe it might be the closest esports will get to being the real thing. Actual NASCAR drivers use driving rigs to compete in a simulation of the real thing. FOX Sports is covering it as if it were, with live commentary. The competition is 3 races old now, and seems to be growing in popularity. And Timmy Hill has been quite successful so far.

Q1 trading and COVID-19 planning update

GVC Holdings PLC (LSE: GVC), the global sports betting and gaming group, today reports trading for the period from 1 January to 31 March 2020 (“Q1”) and provides a further update on the impact of COVID-19 and the mitigating actions being taken.  This follows the Group’s previous announcements of 16 and 17 March 2020.

Summary

• GVC started the year well, with Group net gaming revenue (“NGR”) +1% and Online NGR up +19%cc1 in the first quarter

• However, the closure of retail outlets and the cancellation of sports events significantly reduced revenue from mid-March