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A new agreement has been struck to expand the delivery of Amaya gaming content. The software licensing deal with PlayCherry, a subsidiary of Swedish operator Cherry, will globalize content and adapt it to a larger and more diverse global usership. The arrangement enables Amaya to expand its Casino Gaming System platform to Europe through gaming portals such as Euroslots, CherryCasino, and Spilleautomater. More Games to a Wider European Audience The array of games runs the gamut from online and mobile slots to video poker to table games to branded content to games from other suppliers that will be integrated into the platform according to user preference data and Amaya's gaming quality standards, such as the newly added desktop and mobile games from 3D slot developer BetSoftGaming. To adapt the games to diversified European audience, the games will be made in a diversified range of languages and currencies. Short Term Sacrifice, Long Term Gains Business-wise, Amaya is sacrificing short term gains for longer term benefits. Financial reports reveal that in the first quarter of 2014, Amaya actually experienced a 29 per cent drop in software licensing fees to CAD $9.6m. This should not be seen as cause for concern, because it is part of the greater globalization strategy that Amaya is implementing, as the company revealed that it had signed multiple new operator agreements during the same period; the Cherry agreement is only the first of this new "healthy pipeline" of agreements, details of which Amaya will release in Q2. Internal Strategy Amaya's internal expansion in Q1 included six new games, including two popular DC comics-themed slots: Superman and Wonder Woman. Six more games will be released in the second quarter as well, as Amaya maintains its steady internal portfolio expansion to go along with its external diversification.
Game 5 of the NBA Eastern Conference final tonight (8:30pm ET, 1:30am UK time) sees the Indiana Pacers host Miami Heat at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse arena once again, where the home team will attempt to keep the Heat from knocking them out of the finals. Heat Got the Upper Hand After a slow start at the same arena which saw the Pacers beat Miami at the beginning of the series, Miami carried on to dominate the series currently having the lead of 3-1 over the Pacers. If they win tonight, they will see themselves at the NBA finals for the fourth time in a row. The team will be energized after their steamrolling of the Pacers 102 to 90 in game 4 at the AmericanAirlines Arena Monday night. Given the Heat's performance, most of the weight will be upon their competitors' shoulders tonight. Last Station for Pacers? The Pacers will still be licking their wounds tonight after Monday night, but the effect of getting back to their home arena might have a somewhat relieving factor. It's hard to see the Pacers coming back from a 2 game deficit against the reigning champions, but if they succeed in topping their offensive game tonight there's still a chance to stay alive in the series. Tonight's game presents the Pacers with a mental fight more than anything else. Bet Live Winner Sports will be offering live betting for tonight's exciting game, giving 3/4 to Miami Heat and 11/10 to Indiana Pacers in head to heat bets. Other betting markets punters can wager on include odd/even, handicap and total points, all including overtime. Don't miss out on the best show in town tonight.
Online Poker has been banned in most of the US since many years ago and many of the hot names in the game whom lived there decided to relocate in order to build their career. Players from the US moved to nearby Canada and even Mexico while others would travel outside of the US in order to play online. This is the way it had been for many years and until now everything was smooth sailing. According to recent reports, many US players have stated that they have lost access to their online poker accounts at 888 Poker. They say that an email was sent out which read that 888 Poker had closed their personal accounts with instructions as to how to retain their winnings or remaining deposits. The email went on to say that 888 Poker urged players not to open new accounts as any deposits made after the fact would not be refunded and winnings would not be paid out. There has not yet been any official comment from 888 but a representative related, "We continuously monitor all 888 Poker accounts and activities and take steps accordingly. In the even you have received this email that you feel is an error, then please contact the support team and you will be answered in due course." There is a glimmer of hope for US players as more states approve online gambling and it could only be a matter of time before Americans are able to play from the comfort of their own homes in the United States.
Speculation is driving company share prices at Amaya right now, and Amaya is taking action. Rumors of a potential takeover that drove shares up almost 5% in a single day in Toronto prompted a direct response from the gaming product and service provider giant. Amaya Responds to Quell Speculation In a press release, Amaya asserted that while the company "regularly evaluates potential acquisition opportunities," the company could offer at this juncture "no assurance that any such discussions will ultimately lead to a transaction." The Word on the Grapevine The prevailing belief at this point in business gaming circles remains that Amaya Gaming is looking to sell its poker platform, Ongame Network, by the end of second quarter in order to finance another "significant acquisition," according to a May 20th note written by Neil Linsdell, an analyst with Industrial Alliance Securities, referring to some sort of "'trade up' to a larger poker platform." Amaya's Strategic Integration Recent moves that reflect the strategic pattern of Amaya gaming's expansion include the acquisitions of Calgary-based Chartwell Technology Inc. and online gaming platform provider Cryptologic Ltd. Cooler Heads Prevail The non-confirmation by Amaya did level out trading activity, so that the share gains leveled off to close close up 2.93% to $10.55 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
On Thursday, May 22, the state Court of Appeals of Arizona rejected Jerry Hannosh's attempt to sue the operators of an illegal offshore online gambling site for $800,000 that he lost. The Judge, Hon. Maurice Portley, stated that Arizona's racketeering laws do not apply to Hannosh's case. He explained that gambling losses do not constitute the kind of "injury" that Arizona's racketeering laws are meant to protect. Hannosh knew what he was getting into, including the fact that the gambling website would keep 10% of anything he won. "Voluntary Internet gambling is a gamble - pick the right team or the spread on the game, you win and make money; pick the wrong team or the spread on the game, you lose and owe money," wrote the judge. "Hannosh got what he bargained for: an opportunity to win." Hannosh's Claim Hannosh based his claim on Arizona's Organized Crime, Fraud and Terrorism Act, also known as the state's RICO statute. This statute covers any act in which the punishment is one year or more in prison, and it specifically includes illegal gambling. The statute also states that anyone who sustains "reasonably foreseeable injury to his person, business or property" due to illegal racketeering can seek to recover damages. Judge Portley maintains that "injury" does not include losses from an illegal gambling site. "Gambling losses would not qualify as an injury to person because gambling without a chance to lose is not a legally protected interest," he wrote. "Because Hannosh voluntarily took the understood risk that he could win and that he could lose, his losses cannot be considered an 'injury to person' recoverable through an Arizona RICO lawsuit."
In a move designed to reinforce its commitment to innovation, gaming software and solutions provider Playtech has announced the expansion of the role of COO Shay Shegev with his new appointment as CEO of the company's retail arm. Optimizing User Experience The retail division is operated by Videobet, a Playtech subsidiary currently seeking to further integrate and unify online, mobile and retail player experiences. The goal is to achieve a seamless user experience through full mobility across the full array of betting shops, lotteries and gaming floors with online gaming which Playtech offers. Playtech said that the appointment fuels innovation through "allowing bricks and mortar gaming businesses to connect to the digital mobile world." Segev Background Segev is experienced in executive management of retail and online gaming, having joined Playtech as COO of Videobet in 2006 and gaining appointment to COO of Playtech five years later. Segev has overseen many successful online initiatives, including the roll-out of 25,000 Videobet machines to UK betting shops. Playtech Technologies at Work UK betting giants such as Coral and Ladbrokes currently rely on Playtech's innovative retail technologies, such as the new generation casino floor management system, already installed in more than 60 casinos and set to be included in all Genting UK sites by the end of 2014.Recently, a multi-channel solution architecture across the entire Coral betting shop landscape in the UK linked all 1,800 betting shops to a single customer account and wallet for interactive gaming, electronic gaming machines and over-the-counter betting. Sustained ExpansionPlaytech seeks to sustain this kind of optimized innovation with the latest expansion of Segev's roles and responsibilities.
Both NBA Playoff Finals are drawing to a close, with the Oklahoma vs. San Antonio match-up the more delicately balanced, being tied at 2-2. Game 5, which takes place at the AT&T Center in San Antonio at 9:00PM ET (2:00AM UK) should be a classic - with the winner, just a single victory away from the NBA Finals. Oklahoma won Game 4 by 105 -92, after a 40-point game from Russell Westbrook, ably supported by league MVP Kevin Durant - who pitched in with a more than useful 31-point game. The pendulum in this series seems to be swinging evenly between the opposing teams with San Antonio pulling out a 2-game lead early on, but having been pegged back by the Thunder. Game 5 This series is by far the harder of the two to predict and it's really anyone's guess as to who will be taking the next lead - and only be a win away from a probable meeting with the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals. Will it be San Antonio who pulled away at the start of the series to lead 2-0, or will the resurgent Oklahoma Thunder keep up their improving form and further dent the confidence of the Spurs outfit? With players of the quality of Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan, we can expect a strong fight-back from San Antonio as they head back to the AT&T Center, for some home-court comforts. Miami in control vs. Indiana In the Eastern Conference Playoffs, Miami takes a 3-1 lead into game 5. The Indiana Pacers will enjoy home-court advantage, but it looks as though the team that was for a long time, the form outfit of the NBA regular season might be running out of steam. There was some acrimony from the Pacers about the refereeing calls that went against them in Game 4 in Miami, with implications of home-team bias. Frank Vogel the Indiana coach wants his team to focus on the things that they can and must do better, such as execution, rather than become sidetracked. Indiana lost Game 4 by 102 - 90, which included a 23-point deficit in the fourth quarter and were allowed back into the game by a Heat team that took its foot off the pedal. Betting Options As the action intensifies on the court, you can also spice up your enjoyment with live betting options. Sites such as bet365 and Winner Sports allow you to place bets before and during the game, with a wide range of options. You will be able to guess the final score, half-time score, next scorer, total points and individual totals to really feel a part of the action.
The Eastern Conference Finals have been one of the best battles in the teams' long history's together. The Rangers had control of the series early on winning games 1 and 2. Montreal came back and won a tough Game 3 but New York turned it on in Game 4 to go up 3-1. In Game 5 we saw a different Montreal team on the ice. After two periods of trading goals the score was 5-4 in favor of the Habs and Rene Bourque had already scored 2 goals. To end things off in the 3rd period he completed his hat trick and David Desharnais added an empty netter to finish the Rangers off.New York pulled Henrik Lundqvist in the second period of Game 5 as he was obviously in bad form but the Canadians need to be worrisome of the star Swedish goalie in Game 6. Montreal will be fighting an uphill battle as the visitors in New York because Madison Square Garden is going to be loud with the Rangers having a chance to seal the deal and advance to the 2014 Stanley Cup Finals.NHL Live BettingThe NHL playoffs have drawn millions in sports bets so far and one of the central-most names offering lines on all the games is bet365. The famed UK sportsbook has lines on all the NHL games and will be airing tonight's game live on their site tonight. In addition to being able to watch all 3 periods of NHL action live at bet365, people interested in making bets on the lines posted can do so at the same site. Throughout the hard-hitting action punters can also get a more interactive experience with live in-play lines which bet365 post during the game.It could go either way tonight and you shouldn't miss one minute of the action.
Commerce Minister of Cyprus George Lakkotrypis stated recently that Cyprus will be able to issue licenses to land-based casinos no later than April 2015.While the northern side of Cyprus, under Turkish control, has been issuing casino licenses for years, the southern side of Cyprus, under Greek control, has been forbidden to by law. This was mostly due to opposition from the Greek Orthodox Church as well as fearful notions of southern Cypriots about the social dangers of gambling. Fast-Track to LicensingNow, the Commerce Minister hopes that a bill will be introduced to the legislature this month, and then will be fast-tracked for approval so that licensing can begin in April 2015. The the opposition party, Akel, opposes the bill, the Commerce Minister does not see any real threat to making it happen. The Commerce Minister has not yet stated when the first casinos will be built, though it is hoped that the building of a large casino resort will help lift Cyprus out of its financial struggles. As of now, Cyprus must still pay back a 10 billion euro loan that it took out in March 2013. There is also a high rate of unemployment in Cyprus, and a new casino complex could help with the creation of many jobs, as well as provide a highly-needed boost in tourism. A plan was already approved in 2013 for the building of a super-casino resort; now the government just needs to approve casino licensing before anything can happen.
Williams Interactive is a subsidiary of Scientific Games. They have been releasing many of the most-popular online casino games and distributing them to the top brands in the industry for players worldwide. The developer has recently been releasing a number of new titles as part of a new series of video slot games including: Zeus 3, Raging Rhino, Spartacus Gladiator of Rome and others. Montezuma The first new release is the long-awaited Montezuma. This is the first game to feature the Williams' Wheel Bonus game developed by the parent company WMS Gaming. The bonus game gives players the chance to win a bigger jackpot and a Free Spins Bonus to boot. The game is based in ancient Central America with the mighty Montezuma ruling with an iron fist. It is a 5-reel, 30 line video slot with rich graphics and well-designed animations. Lunaris The second new release entitled Lunaris is a wonderfully design game featuring the Colossal Reels game engine with both standard and oversized reels. The glowing luminescent butterflies appear to fly over the reels throughout the game giving a hypnotizing effect. Boasting 10 reels and 100 paylines the game uses a 5x4 reel set on the left, and a 5x12 reel set on the right. These games are a refreshing take on video slots and both encompass many special features that make the gameplay fast and fun. Williams Interactive games can be found at many online casinos in the industry. They are well-known as a premium iGaming developer and have made a name for themselves by releasing many fun and thrilling games.
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