Category Archives: Gambling

Online Poker and Gaming Shares Tumble as Pfizer Announces COVID-19 Vaccine

Investors have been fighting to buy shares in online poker and gaming companies for much of 2020 but, following the latest COVID-19 developments, interest has taken a dip.

Shares in various online poker and gaming companies have taken a dip following the announcement of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. (Image: TheStreet)

Those in poker have witnessed first-hand the pandemic’s impact on the industry. Activity across every major online site has been up this year and, as such, share prices have soared.

However, with Pfizer close to releasing a COVID-19 vaccine, online gaming companies have seen their value drop.

Bet365, Oddschecker to stay linked through new multiyear extension

Established odds comparison platform Oddschecker has inked an extension to its standing agreement with Be365 that is expected to help both platforms continue to be strong players in the gambling market. Bet365 has agreed to continue to give its data to Oddschecker through a multi-year partnership, building on a relationship that was one of the first ever formed between the two entities. As Bet365 continues to be a heavy-hitter in the UK and looks to US expansion, it will be able to capitalize on significant exposure that will help its marketing efforts.

Bet365 has been a “core part of the Oddschecker grid position” for more than 20 years, according to a statement by the odds platform. It also holds the “position one status” on the platform, where it has remained since 2006. Bet365 has a massive presence in the UK and is also found in countries around the world.

As soon as the US opened its sports gambling market following the death of PASPA, it was ready to jump in and join the party. It teamed up with Century Casinos this past May on a ten-year deal that sees the sportsbook provide digital sports gambling services to the casino operator and, previously, had already joined forces with casino operators out of New Jersey.

Being able to compare odds from different sportsbooks is a great service to gamblers. It allows them to maximize their investment and get the biggest bang for their buck, and also has implications on how gaming operators interact with users. By putting as much data about sportsbooks out there, it forces the operators to continue to innovate and work harder to attract customers, giving the users additional benefits and rewards to keep them happy.

Why Bitcoin’s traits make it perfect for the gambling industry

Digital currency remains one of the most debated topics in recent history. However, despite the initial – and strong – resistance to digital money, more support is being found. Even long-time naysayer Nouriel Roubini, who once said Bitcoin was a “big, fake thing,” now admits that there is some actual monetary benefit to digital currency. If a renowned economist and Bitcoin hater can come around, there’s a good chance greater adoption isn’t far off. It’s because of a number of inherent traits found in Bitcoin, as well as blockchain, that digital currency is finally being recognized for its true value.

Bitcoin, by its nature, allows individuals to interact financially with one another without having to go through an intermediary, such as a bank. Digital currency holders can send money directly to another individual’s wallet, regardless of where that person is in the world. In most cases, the money is available in just a matter of seconds, sometimes minutes, and the transactions are always secure and verified. This makes the currency’s real-world possibilities infinite. 

This verification is important because it allows for the proper tracking of financial movements, which makes both financial regulators and senders happy. Because all transactions are stored on the immutable blockchain, they can never be altered and can be accessed at any time for verification that money was sent. This induces better fraud protection and greater security for users’ funds. 

Through combined verification and protection, gambling operators can benefit substantially from the inclusion of digital currency as a payment option. They allow the entities to ensure they can adhere to regulatory guidelines regarding financial transactions, helping to ensure the risk of money laundering is fully mitigated, and can also give users greater satisfaction and confidence. Previously, trying to deposit or withdraw money from an online gambling operator’s platform was a major ordeal that could sometimes take weeks to complete. However, digital currency transactions – both to and from the operator – can be completed quickly, securely and cheaply, and provide a smooth, non-intrusive environment for gamblers.