Speculation continues to surround the future of Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi. In the wake of Barcelona’s 8-2 defeat at the hands Bayern Munich, the Argentinian superstar has stated that the wants to leave the La Liga side. According to Esporte Interativo, Messi is not waiting for Barcelona and wants to leave “immediately”.

According to the reliable @marcelobechler, Lionel Messi wants to leave Barcelona immediately, not when his deal expires in 2021.

Per an inside source at the club, Messi has never been this isolated from Barça, and he has no belief in the sporting project. pic.twitter.com/i1fVRgbxRi

— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) August 16, 2020https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Macau may have lucked out on another source of tourists. AirAsia CEO Celia Lao Sio Wun wants Thailand included in the gambling mecca’s travel bubble.

Lao made this wish known to Macao’s public broadcaster TDM during an August 14 interview. She believes an arrangement can be worked out, assuming both Thailand and Macau have their Covid-19 worked out, and AirAsia is ready to jump on the opportunity.

As per Lao, AirAsia has installed “very clean” air filters on their aircrafts, using the same systems hospitals use in their operating theatres. So even if a Covid-19 infected person gets on a flight, it would presumably be less alarming than if they were on a similar flight without such systems.

This all hinges on both Thailand and Macau keeping infections low, of course. Thailand is doing it’s part, recently having been declared the world’s safest travel destination, with no domestically spread cases of Covid-19 in the last 83 days.

The latest winner on the World Poker Tour, as part of their highly successful World Online Championships, Nick Petrangelo took down the Six-Max title for a massive score of $494,550.

The Mike Sexton WPT Champions Cup, recently renamed to much fanfare, has a new name on it as Petrangelo, who has carved out an already superb reputation in live poker, won the online version of a WPT as he took down the $3,200-entry Championship, beating the player who went into the final table with the lead.

Plenty of other big names made the money in this event, with Sam Greenwood (49th for $9,150), WSOP bracelet winner David Peters (39th for $11,100) and Adrian Mateos (32nd for $13,200), but none of them got close to the final table.

Once that was reached, it was Artsiom Prostak who was the man to catch, and he had almost twice as many chips as his nearest competitor, with Petrangelo one of the also-rans in terms of chips, hoping to stay in the hunt but without the stack to wield the axe.

Losing a big pot at high stakes happens all the time and is something that players at the highest level get accustomed to. $50,000 goes, $40,000 comes, $100,000 goes. The sums played with in the biggest cash games are astronomical and if players considered the value of the money on the line, they’d probably never three-bet.

At stakes of $500/$100 for small blind and big blind, none of those players are betting scared.

On Natural8, part of the GGPoker Network, a site which this month has been hosting part of the WSOP 2020 Online Series, a pot worth $842,438.62 was one in a battle between Australian player Michael Addamo and Wiktor Malinowski from Poland.

There is a big disparity between the two men at the live felt, with Malinowski having cashed or just over $700,000 in his lifetime, which pales into insignificance when put alongside Addamo’s haul of $8.3 million.

Romania’s gaming regulator, the Oficiul Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc (the National Gambling Office, ONJN), maintains a blacklist of online gaming operators that are not allowed to target the country. That list grew substantially this past May when the ONJN put 57 new names on it, but the regulator wasn’t done there. If gambling operators thought the ONJN wasn’t paying attention, they were wrong, and another 20 names have been added to the list. While nothing could stop the operators from launching new sites, Romania is proving to be extremely diligent in monitoring the online gaming scene.

In 2016, Romania decided to open a regulated online gambling market. Understanding that iGaming is the future of gambling and that, ultimately, nothing can be done to block it completely, the country’s leaders rightfully decided to embrace the activity and capture the revenue that it can generate. In preparation for that launch, the ONJN established its blacklist a year earlier, constantly monitoring every corner of the Internet to find operators who were trying to sneak into the country under the radar.

The latest batch of sites that were blocked include portals tied to companies like Megaslot, Fivecasino.net, 22-bet.net, Megapari.com and 488365.com. The latter is reportedly a site that is directly tied to Bet365, although it isn’t clear if the company was actively involved, or if it was simply an affiliate pointing back to the operator. Users expecting to make their routine trips to the sites will now simply see a message that reads, “Your access to this site has been restricted by the National Gambling Office.” Internet service providers (ISP) in Romania are required to block access and post the message within 15 days of the ONJN notification. The regulator makes it easy, though, giving ISPs access to a script that will update the provider’s list of prohibited sites automatically.

There are now 1,313 sites on the blacklist, but this number is somewhat fluid. Operators have the ability to challenge their listing, provided they submit a complaint within 30 days of the appearance of the site. That complaint is sent directly to the ONJN, but is then subsequently heard by the Bucharest Court of Appeal for the final ruling.

Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed an agreement most thought would never be possible. Last week, the two nations entered into a new era of mutual trade that could potentially bring “hundreds of millions” of dollars of economic benefit to them both. The accord could also pave the way for other Arab countries, like Oman and Bahrain, to follow suit and establish similar agreements with Israel. 

Israel and the UAE have decided to become diplomatic allies, which is going to alter the political landscape in the Middle East. It marks the first time the two have come together in the region, and is highlighted by Israel’s promise to stop its West Bank annexation plans. The agreement will also lead to greater regional investments in areas such as security, telecommunications, technology and others, as well as greater ties with “other countries in the Arab and Muslim world,” according to a statement issued by Israel, the UAE and the U.S., which brokered the deal.

The statement adds, “This historic diplomatic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region and is a testament to the bold diplomacy and vision of the three leaders and the courage of the United Arab Emirates and Israel to chart a new path that will unlock the great potential in the region. All three countries face many common challenges and will mutually benefit from today’s historic achievement.”

According to different sources, the agreement has the potential to create a windfall for the region. Israel’s Economy Ministry predicts that exports to the UAE could reach $500 million and that the latter’s investment in Israel could potentially hit $350 million annually. Currently, Israel’s exports to the country are around just $300,000 a year. Both governments are said to be already working on programs that will facilitate the components of the trade agreement, including innovation in FinTech, digital technology, medical equipment, tourism and more. 

Metro Manila in the Philippines could soon start to step out from under its severe Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) as early is this Wednesday. That is potentially good news for the casino sector, which has been suffering in agony more than its counterparts in other countries because of the prolonged stoppage caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The first half of the year has been excruciatingly painful for the gambling industry and the sooner it can get back on its feet, the better. Travellers International Hotel Group, which operates Resorts World Manila (RWM) in the Philippines, knows this, as well, as its financial health has turned extremely weak this year. According to its latest earnings statement, its losses almost equal those of its gains from a year earlier. 

Second-quarter revenue from gaming operations at Travellers, which is owned by Alliance Global and Genting Hong Kong, dropped 91.5% year-on-year. It only got up to $11.6 million by the end of the three-month period, whereas, in the second quarter of last year, the entity reported revenue of $136.5 million. Alliance Global provided the figures, as Travellers delisted from trading late last year.

The first half of the year saw a 54.8% decline by Travellers. $125.82 million was taken in, which is a substantial drop from the $278.38 million a year earlier. Alliance added that its first-half net gains declined “59 percent year-on-year to PHP4.4 billion [$90.4 million] as gaming operations were suspended from mid-March in compliance with the lockdown measures set by the [Philippine] government.” Non-gaming revenue was slashed, as well, losing 44% of the revenue reported a year earlier. With the quarantine forcing greatly reduced activity, this revenue came in at only $34.9 million.

Alliance explained of the results, “Travellers … among all the business segments, was hit the hardest by the pandemic-related measures imposed by the government that closed most businesses it has in Resorts World Manila which are considered non-essential. The theatre, cinemas and retail outlets were closed and MICE [meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions] activities stopped during the ECQ [enhanced community quarantine]. Hotel operations continued at limited capacity, following government-mandated restrictions.” The result was a flip of activity that made revenue coming from Travellers unable “to support the costs and expenses” of operating RWM.

The gambling landscape in Sweden has changed dramatically in the past couple of years. Svenska Spel, which once had a tight grip on the country’s gambling activity, lost its monopoly power and immediate began to see its revenue decline as competition increased. 2020 hasn’t brought good news, either, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. Svenska Spel shuttered its casino operations at the end of March, falling in line with casino operators across the globe, and hoped that things would bounce back. That appears not to be happening, though, as the company has made the decision to keep its Casino Cosmopol in Sundsvall – the first Cosmopol it ever opened – closed permanently.

The property hasn’t been profitable for more than ten years, so the decision most likely didn’t surprise many. However, the 68 employees of the casino are undoubtedly stressing about what they’ll do now, especially as the economy is still reeling from the coronavirus. The potentially good news for some is that they might be able to find a position at one of Svenska Spel’s other casinos, located in Gothenburg, Malmö and Stockholm. However, given the fact that Sundsvall and Stockholm, for example, are separated by about 234 miles by car, daily commutes are out of the question.

Since the start of the COVID-19 debacle, 800 Svenska Spel land-based casino employees have been furloughed, leaving only about 100 gainfully employed. Since there is still no set date for casinos to be able to reopen, operators are having to make some very tough calls, and the closure of Svenska Spel’s flagship property is one of them. Says company CEO Patrik Hofbauer, “With a constantly declining customer base, the casino in Sundsvall is no longer profitable and then it is unfortunately not commercially defensible to continue to run the business.”

Svenska Spel introduced its Sundsvall property to the world in 2001. It did well for a while, but changes in regulations, an expanding market and a pesky money-laundering issue have plagued the venue, and the company, in the past decade. The first quarter of this year wasn’t entirely devastating, as the company saw an increase of 11.4% in its operating profit, but the second quarter put everything back in the tank. Net gaming revenue for the quarter was $190 million, off 19% from the same period a year ago. That led to a loss in operating profit of $6.9 million.

It’s been almost a year since Puerto Rico lawmakers approved legislation to welcome licensed and regulated sports gambling and daily fantasy sports (DFS) markets. The US territory has faced a number of setbacks over the past couple of years that have impacted its revenue, and which facilitated the push for new revenue channels, leading to the acceptance of the activity as viable solutions. As it looks to continue to gain greater economic independence, Puerto Rico sees sports gambling and DFS, as well as eSports, as great opportunities, and the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission (PRGC) plans on discussing its plans to continue moving toward an open market this week. 

Puerto Rico has a number of land-based casinos but, just like other regions, has seen considerable revenue shortages because of the coronavirus pandemic. This is creating a renewed sense of urgency for launching sports gambling, and the PRGC will address the subject when it meets this Wednesday. Among the topics to be discussed are concerns and questions submitted by the local population regarding the activities.

Because Puerto Rico is controlled by the US Congress, it has to abide by the federal government’s laws and regulations. It, like the states in the US, was bound by federal restrictions governing sports gambling until the US Supreme Court dumped PASPA in 2018. That opened the doors for Puerto Rico to consider getting in on regulated sports gambling, with lawmakers in the territory opting to put the PRGC in charge. It will oversee the licensing of land-based and online sportsbooks, with, respectively, each giving up 6% and 12% of their gross gaming revenue to the government. DFS contests will have to hand over 12% of their entry fees to the territory’s coffers. 

If everything goes well, legal sports gambling will be ready before the end of this year. There is yet to be an announcement on the number of licenses that will be made available, but the legislation allows for casinos, resorts, hotels, racetracks and any other PRGC-approved facility to get in on the action. Given the major impact COVID-19 has had – and continues to have – on the local economy, the sooner Puerto Rico can roll out its new industry, the better. The territory had started to welcome back international travel last month, but was forced to slow down when the coronavirus made another appearance. As a result, casinos, theaters, bars and other popular activities were closed once again. 

Chinese Philippine Offshore Gambling Operator (POGO) employees have been the target of much criticism lately, as they are the practically voiceless suspect of so many of the Philippines woes. Three disgraced policemen have allegedly taken advantage of that fact, appearing to have stolen P827,000 ($17 thousand) from POGO employees.

Pat. Ryan John Mercado, Cpl. Michael Rikk Carpena and Staff Sergeant April Nikko Faelnar, with four other accomplishes, were charged with robbery by Mutinlupa City’s prosecutor. The robbery was committed on August 11 with the assistance of POGO driver Angelo Perlota, who so far has been the only man arrested from the crew and has admitted to being the inside man of the robbery.

Perlota allegedly exited POGO’s compound gate, and when he was about to reenter, the group lead by the three policemen barged in. They disarmed the security guard and announced that they were members of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). They then found the room where CCTV footage was stored and took the hard drive, erasing evidence of their crime.

But if the POGO employees believed this to be a raid by the NBI, the conduct of the robbers quickly made it clear that this was a much more run of the mill attempt at theft. A group of Chinese employees had their personal belongings taken from them, including diamond rings, cell phones and a tablet were taken from them. They were left P827,000 poorer by the end of it.

David Peters won his second WSOP bracelet the hard way. The $10,000-entry Heads-Up Championship was always going to be difficult but making it past Alyssa MacDonald and Michael Addamo looked like an extremely tough way to win gold.  

In beating Addamo, Peters not only won his second bracelet, but he also made sure that Addamo remains on two wins himself, rather than extending his record to three bracelets. That’s unlikely to be at the front of Peters’ thoughts today, but for poker historians, it might mark an important bookmark.  

Peters, of course, had already won through to the semi-finals in fine style. In the Round of 128, he took care of Johan Guilbert, before getting the better of Sami Kelopuro and Scott Woods in the next two rounds. With just 16 players left, Peters beat the super-talented high roller regular Sergi Reixach, before eliminating Stefan Burakov at the quarter-final stage.  

The final four may have been at the top of their respective games, but they also had quite a wait for the conclusion of the event. Last weekend saw the 128-player capped event feature appearances from players like Dan Bilzerian, Daniel Negreanu and Mike Leah – who beat the aforementioned Bilzerian). Not all could make the money, of course, though ‘Kid Poker’ racked up another cash for Team GGPoker, as did his former PokerStars stablemate Bertrand ‘ElkY’ Grospellier.