A man from Winnipeg, Canada could barely comprehend the lifechanging notion that he was the sole winner of the $60 million (US$46.77 million) Lotto Max jackpot from the Jan. 22 drawing and initially shook off the idea.Winner Stories, Jackpots, Western Canada, Canada, Canada Lotto Max, Multi-Province Game
Monthly Archives: February 2021
Acclimate Aims to Return to Graded Stakes Success
After an abbreviated campaign in 2020, California-bred Acclimate will try to secure the third graded stakes victory of his career when he faces an expected five other older horses in the $200,000 San Marcos Stakes (G2T) Feb. 6 at Santa Anita Park.
Mouheeb Has Derby Options After Win in Dubai
Mouheeb, a Kentucky-bred colt by Flatter, edged front-running Meshakel by a neck in the final strides with an energetic ride by Ryan Curatolo.
Maiden Winners Dominate San Vicente Field
As a seven-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds in February, the $200,000 San Vicente Stakes (G2) would not seem to pass muster as a Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) prep.
Flagstaff Headlines King Cotton Stakes
Grade 2 winner Flagstaff is the 8-5 program favorite for the $150,000 King Cotton Stakes for older sprinters Feb. 6 at Oaklawn Park.
Pennsylvania Governor Again Pushes to Raid Racing Fund
The Pennsylvania Equine Coalition issued a press release Feb. 4 noting that Gov. Tom Wolf (Democrat) again has proposed raiding the Race Horse Development Trust Fund.
Essential Quality Tops Early Triple Crown Nominations
Led by 2-year-old male champion and two-time grade 1 winner Essential Quality, a total of 326 3-year-old Thoroughbreds were made eligible to compete in this year’s Triple Crown during the early nomination phase, which closed Jan. 23.
Poker on Screen: Smile (2021)
The latest example of poker on screen isn’t a glitzy Hollywood movie or a stylish cameo to bulk out a gangster film. It’s not a tournament or cash game highlights show, either.
Smile, produced by Norwegian filmmakers Kari Wåle and Linn Amundsen, is a documentary that follows the last steps of Thor Hansen’s journey in poker and in life itself. Diagnosed with incurable cancer, Hansen’s prolonged battle against the disease took in the making of the film and it one of the single most fascinating films you’ll ever watch.
It goes without saying that Thor Hansen is a poker legend, but the two-time WSOP bracelet winner is also a hero to Norwegians who play the game and it’s not hard to see why in a documentary where Hansen, despite the impossible battle he faces, is constantly smiling.
While the jovial Norwegian has not yet made his way into the Poker Hall of Fame, it is an induction that surely will come in time. He’s impossible not to like, not only because of his infectious lust for playing poker (“I’ll be playing on my deathbed, you guys can bring cards!”) but his humility and acceptance of his fate.
Shamardal Filly Tops Tattersalls February Day 1
COVID-19 restrictions forced Tattersalls to hold the two-day auction entirely online.
IFAR Plans Virtual Forum For April 2021
The International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR) announced today that it will be hosting its fifth forum as a virtual series on each Tuesday during the month of April.
Entain Partners with UNLV on Women’s Innovation Igniter Program
Entain plc (“Entain”:ENT.L) and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) today announced a new, groundbreaking partnership to launch the Women’s Innovation Igniter. The first-of-its-kind academic, technology, innovation and mentoring program is designed to provide UNLV undergraduate and graduate women with a pathway toward successful careers in the sports betting, gaming, and technology industries.
Entain is the global sports betting and gaming entertainment operator which jointly owns, with MGM Resorts International, BetMGM in the United States. Entain leads the betting and gaming industry through its industry leading proprietary technology that also provides the engine for the roll-out of BetMGM.
Through the Women’s Innovation Igniter initiative, Entain and UNLV will recruit, mentor, support and introduce talented women to the industry and design more inclusive working environments in historically male-dominated fields.
The program will be housed at the Harry Reid Research and Technology Park, a unique innovation building featuring a state-of-the-art laboratory with an esports arena, virtual reality studio and more. The curriculum will include practical, hands-on experiences, internships, and mentoring from top executives in the industry, as well as providing the support and resources needed to bring innovations and designs to life.
In partnership with Entain and UNLV, The Women’s Innovation Igniter project will be led by Jan Jones Blackhurst, Chief Executive in Residence, International Gaming Institute and Robert Rippee, Ph.D., Executive Director, Innovation Hub. The program is set to launch in August 2021 with about 20 women in the initial class.
“Entain is the ideal partner to help us bring this groundbreaking program to life,” said Jan Jones Blackhurst. “As a leader in online sports betting and gaming, Entain will help us showcase the myriad of opportunities available in these professional fields, further develop our curriculum, and help women see career pathways in a technology led industry where they are not always well-represented.”
Last month, Entain named Jette Nygaard-Andersen its CEO, marking her out as one of the highest profile female executives in the sports betting industry. Teaming up with UNLV on The Women’s Innovation Igniter gives Entain the opportunity to continue to set precedents in the sports betting, gaming, and technology industries, and help ensure commercial success with talented women in key roles.
“We are honored to be a part of such an inspiring and pioneering program with UNLV,” said Jette Nygaard-Andersen. “Women can face many obstacles in getting traction in careers that are often or traditionally male dominated. This program will encourage women to aspire for careers they previously may not have considered, and it provides the hands-on experience they need to make the sports betting, gaming, and technology industries more inclusive.”
Entain intends to open an office at The Harry Reid Research and Technology Park with employees that will include engineers as well as software and gaming developers. Entain will seek opportunities to mentor, as well as create internships and jobs for some of these young women following the program, not just at Entain, but also with other leading companies throughout the industry.
UNLV’s Harry Reid Research and Technology Park was unveiled in 2020 and provides students the resources and skills needed to accelerate the introduction of new concepts into the gaming and hospitality market, and spur creativity and entrepreneurship overall.
La Signare Sets Sights on Suwannee River Stakes
Returning to Gulfstream Park for the first time in almost a year, La Signare will attempt to recapture her stakes-winning form Feb. 6 when she takes on a field of seven older fillies and mares in the $100,000 Suwannee River Stakes (G3T).
Super Bowl 55 scoring & defensive props preview
Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com
Weather could be a factor for Super Bowl 55 between the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday evening from Tampa as some rain is in the forecast. Could that affect the kickers? Raymond James Stadium is an open-air facility.
The over/under for longest field goal in Super Bowl 55 is 47.5 yards, with the under a -130 favorite. Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker is one of the league’s best as he was 25-for-27 on field goals during the regular season with a long of 58, while in the playoffs he is 4-for-5 with a long of 50. Tampa Bay’s Ryan Succop has a minor advantage kicking in his own stadium and knowing the winds, etc. He was 28-for-31 on field goals during the regular season with a long of 50 and is 8-for-8 in the playoffs (Bucs have played one more game than the Chiefs) with a long of 46.
When Kansas City won in Tampa 27-24 on Nov. 29, weather was no factor. Butker was 2-for-2 with a long field goal of 29 yards and Succop was 1-for-1 with a long of only 26. The over/under for shortest make in the Super Bowl is 27.5 yards, which would mean a team kicking a field goal from around the 10. The total field goals made prop is over/under 3.5, with the under a slight -135 favorite.
Kentucky Senate Committee Advances HHR Legislation
With several committee members noting the importance of protecting jobs in the state, the Kentucky Senate Licensing and Occupations Committee passed legislation that would protect historical horse racing by updating pari-mutuel rules.
Former Cheltenham Chairman Lord Vestey Dies at 79
Lord Vestey, under whose stewardship the Cheltenham Festival grew into the colossus it is today, was on Feb. 4 hailed for helping maintain the spirit of the meeting following his death at the age of 79.
Get Smokin to Start Year in Tampa Bay Stakes
Grade 2 winners Get Smokin and Fancy Liquor head a field of 12 in the $175,000 Tampa Bay Stakes (G3T), a 1 1/16-mile turf test for 4-year-olds and up Feb. 6 at Tampa Bay Downs, and will face two improving horses in Greyes Creek and Atone.
Baffert Fined, Gamine DQ'd From Kentucky Oaks Third
Gamine has been disqualified from a third-place finish in the Sept. 4 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs and trainer Bob Baffert fined $1,500 after a post-race test showed the presence of betamethasone, an anti-inflammatory medication.
Game Over: Which Online Video Games Cause the Most Arguments among Couples
Various COVID-19 lockdowns across the world have meant a big boost for video gaming online. Let’s be honest, there’s not much else to do. And what better way to spend your downtime than immersing yourself in another world, or an alternative life, while playing with real people or even pals online?
However, we know that sometimes gaming can cause relationship rifts. In fact, according to Iain Macintosh’s book, ‘Football Manager Stole My Life’, the titular game was cited as a factor in a whopping 35 divorce cases back in 2012.
Here at CardsChat, this got us all wondering which online games are causing the most arguments in relationships right now. We decided to find out by asking over 1,000 adults in the UK.
Whether you’re the Fortnite fanatic, the put-upon partner of a Call of Duty devotee, or simply annoyed because you can’t get on the console yourself, this one’s for you …
Baffert Fined, Gamine DQed From Kentucky Oaks Third
Gamine has been disqualified from a third-place finish in the Sept. 4 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs and trainer Bob Baffert fined $1,500 after a post-race test showed the presence of betamethasone, an anti-inflammatory medication.
Affilka by SoftSwiss enters into partnership with WildTokyo Casino
Affilka, an Affiliate Marketing Platform developed by SoftSwiss, has concluded a deal with a third-party casino WildTokyo Casino.
A newly launched Affiliate Program “AffRepublic“, provided by WildTokyo Casino, will run on Affilka, enabling its users with a combination of security and all the necessary functionality for efficient workflow and partner cooperation.
Affilka has already shown some amazing results working with a variety of brands operating on the SoftSwiss online casino platform. And now, it keeps on gaining momentum and actively expanding its third-party client portfolio. As in Q4 of 2020 alone, Affilka onboarded 4 new third-party clients and that is just the beginning.
Affilka is an affiliate marketing platform developed by SoftSwiss. A reliable, safe and trustworthy tool for iGaming operators to manage, track and analyze their affiliates and their marketing performance in real-time. The solution allows to unite several casinos or sportsbook brands and products under one referral program as well as offering automated payouts to affiliates via built-in payment processing methods, an advanced commission constructor, powerful reporting and in-depth analytics.