Monthly Archives: June 2020

MLS CBA leaves the league in a state of flux

The resumption of Major League Soccer in the U.S. has been thrown into turmoil with the league and MLS Players’ Association at a stalemate over a resumption of the league. The League and the MLS Player’s Association had agreed to a new CBA four months ago, that was seen as a major win for the players with a major revenue sharing agreement in place and bonuses for players at the low end of the pay scale.

The outbreak of COVID-19 in the U.S. meant that the CBA was ratified, meaning that a potential renegotiation of the agreement could be on the cards, causing long term damage between the players and league. The league had threatened to lock the players out to force an agreement with the players’ association.

The MLS hierarchy used the outbreak to leverage a better long-term deal with the players’ association. The heavy-handed tactics from the league included threats to health insurance coupled with the threat to stop payments to the players.

The COVID outbreak has forced the players to take a 7.5% salary cut for the remainder of the 2020 season. The unratified CBA agreement includes a force majeure clause which allows for the cancellation of the agreement in the event of a catastrophic event.

Four Melco-led casinos in Cyprus now back in business

The Mediterranean island country of Cyprus is starting to return to normal. Gambling facilities began to reopen last month after being forced to take a break due to the coronavirus, and four more venues have now been added to the mix. Over the weekend, Melco Resorts, which has a contingent of gambling properties in Cyprus through its ICR Cyprus arm, flipped on the lights at four of the five casinos it controls in the country. It’s welcome news for the company, which took a huge financial hit by the three-month gaming shutdown on the island.

Melco controls 75% of ICR Cyprus, while the other 25% is held by Cyprus Phassouri Ltd. The local casino scene came to an abrupt halt because of COVID-19 on March 17, but has now been able to start the recovery process. C2 Ayia Napa, C2 Nicosia, C2 Paphos (which opened only three weeks before the lockdown) and C2 Limassol, a temporary casino put up ahead of the City of Dreams Mediterranean, are back in business. C2 Larnaca, the fifth property, is currently being moved from its former home at the Larnaca International Airport to a new location, and will open once the transition is complete. Employees of that facility have been temporarily reassigned to other venues until everything is in place.

In a statement about the reopenings, VP, Gaming Operations of Cyprus Casinos Devi Kerr explained, “The health and safety of guests and colleagues are our top priority. C2 has prepared a comprehensive series of hygiene measures to safeguard the health and comfort of guests and colleagues throughout the casinos. It is our belief that the casinos’ reopening will not only contribute to strengthening the tourism industry, but also the recovery of the local economy.”

Among the policies implemented, Melco patrons will find that gaming tables will have a maximum of three guests each. Additionally, every second slot machine will remain dark, and smoking will be banned at all gaming tables and slot machines. Smokers, however, will be able to puff away in designated smoking areas.

NHL hockey return could see some teams meet in Vegas

Like all major sports leagues in the U.S., and in most parts of the world, the NHL was forced to put hockey in time-out this past March because of the coronavirus. The league was close to starting its playoff games and the battle for the Stanley Cup, but hockey players and fans could only divert their attention elsewhere and wait for the storm to blow over. The sky is finally beginning to clear up and the grey clouds are rolling off into the distance, so it’s time to get the show on the road. The NBA has already announced its plan of attack to finish out the season and other sports, such as golf and tennis, are back in the swing of things, as well. With the NHL ready to join the fun, it looks like a picture is beginning to emerge on how it will conclude its 2019-20 season. Las Vegas is being rumored as a potential host for the league’s games, one of two cities that would ultimately be selected as hubs for the NHL modified playoffs.

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Vegas could be the NHL’s Eastern Conference playoff hub. The league is expected to make a final announcement on or before June 22, an assertion made by league commissioner Gary Bettman late last month. The Western Conference would hold its competitions elsewhere, possibly in a city in Canada. That will depend on how Canada manages its lockdown and quarantine procedures, and the country is reportedly in talks with the NHL to work on a modified solution to give hockey players a pass.

The decision to put the Eastern Conference in Las Vegas, instead of the Western Conference, can be traced to one particular team. If the Western Conference were to play its games in the city, it might seem that the Vegas Golden Knights, a Western Conference team, would have a “home ice” advantage. Fair enough, but Eastern Conference team fans aren’t going to be too thrilled about catching games at 11 or 12 at night.

If Vegas makes the final cut, there are several hotels that could be used to host players and staff. Not coincidentally, they’re owned by MGM Resorts International, which is a co-owner of the T-Mobile Arena. The stadium would be outfitted with an ice-skating rink to host the games. More than likely, MGM’s Delano and Vdara, which are nongaming hotels in Vegas, would be the venues chosen for the NHL’s players and staff. The NHL is requesting that any venue used be nongaming and the Delano and Vdara are all-suite hotels with no gaming, even though they’re only steps away from the Mandalay Bay and the Aria, respectively.

Rugby Australia set a date for Super Rugby restart

In a major win for the embattled code in Australia, Super Rugby is set to restart in Australia on July 3. Rugby Australia confirmed a revamped Super Rugby competition would feature the Queensland Reds, Waratahs, Brumbies and the return of the Western Force.

The competition will kick-off with a first-up State of Origin derby between the Reds and Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium. The Brumbies will clash with the Rebels, meaning the Western Force will have to wait another week, before returning from exile.

The rejigged competition format will see all the sides play each other twice, finishing with a September 19 Grand Final. All the sides will be on an even footing, starting on zero points once the competition kicks-off. Seven rounds of the original Super Rugby competition format were played in 2020, before the season was suspended.

In a further boost for the code, the Australian government announced that stadiums with a capacity of less than 40,000 will be able to sell a limited number of seats. Instead of cardboard cut-outs, the players will be greeted by crowds of no more than 10,000.

In reversal, CT Lottery approves $205K settlement in whistleblower case filed by ex-security chief

The Connecticut Lottery Corp. reversed itself Thursday and approved a legal settlement that it had spurned last month with one of its former top officials, who had claimed in a long-running human rights complaint and a lawsuit that he’d suffered retaliation for blowing the whistle on problems at the CLC dating back five years.Legal, Connecticut, Administration

Where’s The Jockey Love?

Where’s the Jockey Love?

Jockeys deserve more credit. These supermen in tiny tights are meticulously professional and remain the driving forces behind some of the biggest names in horse racing. Consider American jockey legend Calvin Borel. This year, Borel first won the Kentucky Derby with Mine That Bird, then, switched horses to a philly, and road Rachel Alexandria all the way to the Preakness title. Come on people, where’s the Jockey Love?

The horses always seem to get all the credit…One can rattle off several famous horse names like Mine That Bird, Secretariat, Seabiscuit and countless others. But many people, myself included, are at a loss when it comes to naming the Jockeys that ride these magnificent steeds to victory.

Why do the horses receive more fame? Doesn’t seem fair to me, it’s a partnership, they ride and the horse strides, it’s like Jordan and Pippen baby. Isn’t it? Not at all an expert on this topic, I put down my mint julep and decided to do some research. It seems that a typical jockey accounts for only around ten percent of the success of his horse. That means a shitty horse has no chance even if the best jockey in the world is riding it. So what is in that ten percent that separates the best from the rest?

Unlucky 13 For Roughriders

Calvin Ayre’s home province CFL team, the Saskatchewan Roughriders, have just lost the Grey Cup. The Roughriders were 9-point underdogs to the Montreal Alouettes and their fear-inspiring nickname going into the 97th Grey Cup. The Riders lost the championship 28-27 on a last second field goal.

Calvin must have been home schooled in Lashburn. The math classes in the Saskatchewan Public school systems seem a bit suspect, because the Roughriders clearly weren’t taught how to count to 12. They had 13 men on the field which drew a too-many men on the field penalty and gave the Montreal Alouettes a second chance at the game-winning field goal after the first one went wide right.

Losses like that leave fans drunk and belligerent. Probably much the same as when they win.

Fuck it. They covered the spread.

Paddy Power pounce on Tiger Woods’ tale

Those hydrants are a menace to drivers the world over

Once again our friends at Paddy Power have stolen a march on the competition by reacting quickly to those water-cooler interest stories.

This time the Irish bookmaker has drawn up a raft of odds on what will happen to golfer Tiger Woods following ‘Hydrantgate’, the mysterious car crash involving Woods and his Swedish wife Elin Nordegren.

Paddy Power have priced up odds on everything from what Tiger’s official medical record will show, to whether the police will charge him and what his marital status will be at the end of the year.

Poland look to ban betting sponsorship

Yet another own goal for Poland

Not content with taking a wrecking ball to the betting industry in Poland President Lech Kaczynski is now looking to ruin Polish football clubs by attempting to enforce the termination of their lucrative sponsorship contracts with online gambling companies. God help those poor Poles. Read more.

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Titan Bet launches sports betting arm in UK

Titan Bet are looking to score in sports betting

There’s a new kid on the block in the UK online sports betting market and it goes by the name of Titan Bet.

Titan has primarily concerned itself with casino, poker and fixed-odds games but has now decided to expand its portfolio by taking on the likes of William Hill and Ladbrokes in the sports betting market. Read more.

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Victor Chandler makes South African breakthrough

Betting is set to hot up in South Africa

Victor Chandler has been granted a license to operate in South Africa. The decision will enable the Gibraltar-based sports bookmaker to cash in on the football fever that will sweep the nation next summer, when South Africa hosts the World Cup. Read more.

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Tiger should not be apologizing publicly!

Nah. You can barely see it…Smile.

Powerful men have always had mistresses since the dawn of time and chances are…they always will.

The media is embarrassing itself in the US and elsewhere else, by pretending that this is somehow shocking. From my perspective, the only shock is that nobody is offended that Tigers cute little model wife attacked him. With a FUCKING golf club.

Though she likely has a right to be upset, as I doubt this mistress thing was never part of their whole marriage/relationship deal…after all, its always the lies that cause the pain.…you have to wonder how she thought this wasn’t in the cards. I mean, he’s rich and powerful. Isn’t that why she married him to begin with?

Bookies need Alabama to Upset Florida in 2009 SEC Championship

2009 SEC Championship

College football bettors are looking forward to watching the first ranked Florida Gators take on the second ranked Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2009 SEC Championship Game in Atlanta this Saturday December 5th, 2009 at 4 PM EST. The bookies offshore and in Vegas are anxious as well with significant handle expected on the first big game of December. Both teams roll into the game undefeated with National Title aspirations on their mind. The winner gets a ticket to play in the 2010 BCS Championship Game and the loser will most likely play in the Sugar Bowl.

Pretty much every betting shop on the planet needs Nick Saban’s Alabama squad to upset Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators.

The Crimson Tide will certainly have revenge on their mind considering that the Florida Gators beat Alabama in the 2008 SEC Championship 20-31. The loss last year was the first of the season for Alabama and knocked Saban’s crew out of the BCS Championship game, which Florida went on to win. Expect Alabama to be focused on their assignments this week and fired up for this game.

What’s Your Fantasy

(sigh) If only fantasy were reality, We’d all be GM’s with that on our arm.

Safe to say that pretty much every sports fan has or currently has or has at some point had their own fantasy sports team. And then of course, there are those who by fantasy standards, have been in the GM business for years…Some actually have extra grey hairs from the pressures of being a GM, it truly does get that intense. Many Sportsbooks but not all, incorporate fantasy leagues at some level in the products they provide, and those that don’t, should probably start. Fantasy leagues are only growing in popularity and as the popularity and the intensity of fantasy sport grows so grows the opportunity for Sportsbooks to increase revenue made from proposition wagers.

Fantasy team owners are always watching the sports ticker. They know all the days stats of all their players and the best owners and fantasy GMs know the day’s stats on every one else as well. As such, Sportsbooks that offer extensive proposition wagers on individual player’s stats are more likely to attract those fantasy cats. And it’s easy to see why. The fantasy GM not only knows all the statistics but he also knows tendencies, he knows weaknesses, he knows when he’s due for a big game, or when he’s due for a piss poor performance. The fantasy GM has all the tools to really enjoy proposition bets, and in win them in many cases. The knowledge of an individual player’s past performances against certain teams, certain defenses, playing injured, or on short rest, or on a back to back night, is all known the good fantasy GM. It is that exact knowledge that is required to make great proposition bets.

Fantasy GM’s know their players like the back of their hands. It’s funny shit listening to a fantasy GM rant and rave over a player that’s not performing up to snuff. It’s even funnier to bust his balls about it.

Bookmakers rubbing hands ahead of 2010 World Cup

Over £1bn will be spent on World Cup betting

They may have been hit by the recession, but bookies are already rubbing their hands at the prospect of cleaning up next year. As with every World Cup year, 2010 will be represent a bumper harvest for the British betting industry, not least because it knows it will effectively be granted a license to print money by the good old English punter.

The same pattern repeats itself every four years: England qualify for the tournament, the press and media talk up their chances of clinching the trophy in the months leading up to the big event, the nation gets swept up in a wave of overoptimism and puts its hard-earned cash on an England victory. Then, unfailingly, they get knocked out in the quarter-finals, invariably on penalties by Portugal or Argentina. Though they should know better, England fans just can’t resist the patriotic urge to back their boys to come home with the trophy even though it hasn’t happened for 44 years.

England probably have a better side than they did in Germany in 2006, when they lost to Portugal on penalties in the quarter-finals, have been drawn to play in a very easy group and the colder climes of South Africa, where it is midwinter in June, are likely to suit. But the fact is the cornerstone of any World Cup success is founded on a decent defence – and England are weak in that area – particularly when it comes to having a half-decent goalkeeper. They also can’t keep the ball for toffee.

New Sports Betting Channel set for online launch

Founder Alan Bentley spoke to Calvinayre.com

A brand new online TV channel devoted to sports betting is set to launch next week in what promises to be an exciting development for online gambling.

Fronted by ex Sky Sports presenter Alan Bentley and model Simone Thomas, The Betting Channel will be screened from December 16 every morning between 9 and 11.30 six days a week. Along with a panel of sporting experts and betting tipsters including Alan Brazil, Perry Groves and Mark Winstanley, the presenters will discuss all the latest sports news from a betting perspective.

In association with betting partner SIS, who have been heavily involved with BBC and ITV Sport outside broadcast for a number of years, thebettingchannel.tv will be streamed live on its own website and, free of charge, on the sites of its three partner bookmakers.

Mohawk Nation Torches Mounties

Gotta love the Mohawks. It’s clear the Mohawk Nation at Kahnawake in Quebec are serious about their sovereignty by welcoming the Olympic torch, but not the RCMP.

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The first BodogBrand licensee, Morris Mohawk Gaming Group, is located just outside Montreal Quebec and is licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.

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