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With more than 500,000,000 regular users, it's hard to argue that WhatsApp isn't the world's most popular messaging app, and now it is entering a phase in which it can actually be worn. A new beta version released for WhatsApp has incorporated support for Google Android Wear, an operating system which is especially designed for wearable devices – namely smartwatches. Smartwatches – The New Fad Smartwatches have become very popular lately with devices rolled out by the biggest companies like Samsung and LG. In essence they are computerized wrist watches which offer a great many features aside for ordinary timekeeping which in itself is very accurate due to being constantly synced with an atomic clock. The options featured on a smartwatch can range anywhere from camera and measuring tools to schedulers, storage devices and communication. This is where WhatsApp's new update steps in. Wrist-based Chatting WhatsApp's newest beta version lets people use the app on their smartwatch. In its current state, smartwatch wearers using the app can see complete previews of the messages they've received on their wrist with the added ability of actually replying: This also includes replying via voice. One new feature admitted is called "Stacked Notifications" – this lets the user expand their notification area under it in order to read all messages more easily. Since it's still in beta stage, the new update is not available for download on the Google Play store yet but it can be downloaded directly from WhatsApp's website. Is Gaming Next? WhatsApp's foray into wearable technology will certainly not hinder its massive popularity. This begs the question: Is this the future for online gaming? Mobile gaming is one of the strongest trends nowadays and the day in which people will be able to play at online casinos straight from their watches might not be too far.
The Stade de Geneve is the venue for today's pre-season friendly match between FC Barcelona and SSC Napoli at 7pm UK time. The last match between those two took place three years ago in Barca's Joan Gamper Trophy which saw the Catalans thrash the Italians 5-0. Barca Squad Lacking Barca's previous friendly against Nice in Saturday ended a 1-1 draw. The Catalans are going to miss many key players including Messi, Neymar, Alves and Mascherano who stayed home for exercise and Xavi and Mathieu who are out due to muscle fatigue. However, Barca will still be armed with top players like Gerard Pique, Sergi Robreto, Busquets, Alba and Iniesta. Ahead of the match Pique praised his team's rivals, saying: "This is an important match for us in Geneva. FC Napoli is a great team, and we respect them a lot. It's going to be a very tough, competitive match." Napoli a Strong Competitor Barca will face its first serious pre-season test as they are going against a team which finished third in the Serie A last season, securing a fourth Champions League qualifying spot under the skilled leadership of boss Rafa Benitez. Napoli is looking forward to its Champions League play-offs slated for the end of August and today's match is as big as a challenge to them as they are to Barca. The team is looking to secure its first Serie A title since 1990 while at the same time getting as far as it can in Europe, and it'll be interesting to see how it fares against its tough competitor tonight. Bet Live Winner Sports will be covering the game with a full range of in-play betting markets. In full time result bets Winner is giving 3/4 to Barca, 11/4 to Napoli and 53/20 for a draw.
The online gambling regulation process has its rough spots, but companies such as 888 Holdings are indicating the overall viability of online gambling. Revenues up 15% 888 reported revenues of $111 million in 2014, representing an increase of 15% from the previous year, and demonstrated general growth across the board for all products. Business to consumer revenue increased an encouraging 11% for 888. The most significant portion of those gains came from casino proceeds, at 15%, and bingo at 17%. Online Market Growth Online poker grew at a slower rate, at 2%. This Q2 figure was slightly down from the 2014 figure of 4%. Industry and investor data still indicates that these figures reflect well on the overall state of 888's online development, as the annual global online poker market has otherwise been declining, in a vacuum where smaller companies have had to wait for the completion of individual government regulatory processes to enter the online market. 888 Grows Against the Tide The overall market decline of approximately 8% belies the continued success of 888, whose traffic is still growing, and is up almost 1% this year. The 2% growth figure reflects more telling activity in terms of user traffic at 888: active player traffic has increased a substantial 12% in Q2; however, revenue per player is down 9%. 888 Emphasizes Recreational Play The reason that more players are playing but betting less is simple: 888 emphasizes recreational play, implying the soft sell approach to online gambling may foster more user trust and comfort. 888 Performance Update Performance-wise, 888 holds the number two position for online poker wager traffic in the two areas where it is already licensed: the European market (via Gibraltar) and the Spanish market. In the US, 888 holds business-to-business operational licenses in regulated state markets, as exclusive software provider to the state of Delaware, and the World Series of Poker provider in Nevada and New Jersey. B2B Results Overall, B2B revenue for 888 increased 37% for the year. The $16 million B2B activity figure accounts for 15% of total revenue, 4% higher than the 11% it posted in Q1 2013. Finding the Right Message At the end of the day, its not about how much you bet, but how much you enjoy playing. The 888 message may be a key to effective industry outreach overall.
The World Cup totals are in: Sweden's Unibet has grossed £16 million (€20.2 million/$27.5 million) from the interim period covering June and July—the months in which the 2014 FIFA World Cup took place. Unibet Revenue Breakdown Unibet further announced that the £51 million brought in from live betting accounted for nearly half of its World Cup sales total of £112 million. Live betting online provided a 64.6% share, down slightly from last year's 67.5%. Unibet Performance Trend Despite these drops, Unibet overall is faring quite well, with quarterly earnings and profit jumping substantially for the expanding operator. Unibet's net earnings calculated as earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) showed a whopping 400% plus increase from £12 million to £53.7 million. A further net indicator, profit before tax, rose almost 800%, from £6.7 million to £48.1 million. Unibet Betting Revenue Breakdown Over the entire first half of 2014, gross winnings revenue for sports betting provided by Unibet grew from £49 million to £64.8 million. Profit after tax rose from £17.2 million to £63.4 million. Unibet Gross Winnings Revenue Tjärnström described the impact of Unibet's organizational gains, “Gross winnings revenue increased 33% in local currencies which means that we are continuing to gain market shares. Of the gross winnings revenue, 29% was from locally regulated markets." The Mobile Wagering Contribution Unibet's mobile channel provided 32% of total gross winnings revenue and 47% of the Unibet sportsbook wagering revenue, meaning almost half of Unibet's users were betting from their mobile devices, prompting Tjärnström to add, “Strong growth in mobile casino contributed to a new all-time high in casino revenues and helped to strengthen Unibet’s existing leadership position in Western European markets with 58% organic growth.” Unibet Core Competencies Mobile availability and local regulation adaptability appear to be two essential components of Unibet's successful expansion to secure a leadership position in the current online gambling market.
The PGA Championship is kicking off today with golf fans around the world watching with bated breath. The Championship takes place at the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, and will be televised as well as available for streaming. The last time the Championship took place at Valhalla was in way back in 2000, when Tiger Woods was on top of the world; and he proved it by claiming the number one spot at the Championship. This year, Tiger Woods is competing again, but he no longer has the sizable advantage he had 14 years ago. Today, he will be competing for the coveted WanaMaker Trophy against some of the biggest names in golf, including last year's winner, Jason Dufner, reigning Open champion Rory McIlroy, current world number one Adam Scott and runner-up Sergio Garcia. For spectators who wish to watch the PGA Championship in person, tickets can be ordered online or by phone. But online casinos are hoping that whether you watch in person or by television, you will want in on a piece of the action. Online Casinos Offer Championship Specials Many online casino sites are taking advantage of the PGA Championship to offer their own specials to players; this is a common practice of online casinos during any big sporting event, such as the World Cup or Super Bowl. Online casino customers also tend to wager more during large sporting events than regular, run-of-the-mill events. bet365 is one such online casino that is offering a deposit special in honor of the PGA Championship in which any new players who make a deposit will be entitled to a 100% bonus. In addition to casino specials, bet365 Sports is also offering a large selection of bets over the course of the four-day Championship. For players who enjoy sports betting, a major sporting event such as the PGA Championship offers more excitement, suspense and better odds than regular sporting events.
According to bet365, the UK sportsbook, Rory McIlroy is the outright favorite to take top honors at Valhalla and they are not alone. The 25-year-old North Irish golfer is the hottest player on the tour right now after winning both the British Open and the WGC Bridgestone Invitational. He is ranked #1 in the world and for good reason. McIlroy is seemingly unstoppable when on his game capable of feats reminiscent of a younger Tiger Woods. Speaking of Woods, he is questionable for play in the Championship due to a prolonged back injury, which has kept him off the course much of the year. Tiger is always considered a threat, but he has played lack-luster Golf of late and critics agree that his prime is long past. The top names on the PGA are all at Valhalla and things are still wide open as it could be anyone shooting lowest for the win on opening day. Who is the best bet? Golf is a game full of surprises. Anyone on the tour could win on any given day making it a terrific option for online punters to make lucrative cash. The reason being is that outright winner markets feature attractive odds no matter whom they are, making way for big bets and even bigger payouts. bet365 Sports have posted their player markets for outright winner and aside from McIlroy, the lines are close. Top ten at bet365 Sports Rory McIlroy leads the field at 6.00 with Adam Scott behind by double that at 12.00. Justin Rose is a threat on any given day and is at 19.00 to win. The fourth and fifth spots go to Sergio Garcia and Justin Rose, tied at 19.00 and Rickie Fowler holds sixth place with a respectable 23.00. To round out the top ten as listed by bet365, it is a 4-way tie between Keegan Bradley, Phil Mickelson, Matt Kuchar and Henrik Stenson at 26.00.
With the 2015 Cricket and FIFA U-20 World Cups around the corner, host country New Zealand is preemptively cleaning up sport via legislation stepping up match-fixing prosecution. Criminalizing Match-Fixing The Crimes (Match-fixing) Amendment Bill proposing a seven year prison term for match rigging passed its first reading at July's end. The related general policy statement explains that the bill “is intended to address the most serious match-fixing activity where influencing a betting outcome is intended by improperly manipulating a sporting match or race.” Amending the Crimes Act The legislation is proposed as amendment to the Crimes Act 1961. The new section specifically targets “manipulation, with intent to influence a betting outcome, of various sporting competitions and events through deception.” New Zealand lawmakers are unanimously supporting the legislation, with the goal being to have match-fixing become a criminal offense by the time the country hosts the 2015 Cricket World Cup. In-Country Corruption In demonstrating the urgency of the need in New Zealand, the country's Justice Minister Judith Collins cited the recent lifetime ban imposed on New Zealand cricketer Lou Vincent for match fixing. Growing Concern Sports Minister Murray McCully acknowledged the recent vulnerability of New Zealand and the need to protect the integrity of sport, "Match-fixing is a growing problem internationally and has been described as the number one threat to the integrity, value and growth of sport. As we have seen from recent events, New Zealand is not immune to this threat." The Vincent scandal lingers, as fellow New Zealand cricketer Chris Cairns remains under investigation, despite his denials of any involvement. Global Perspective The global problem cannot be underestimated at this point, as in a report released earlier this year, the International Centre for Sport Security estimated that more than US$140 billion is laundered annually through sport betting and 80 per cent of global sport betting remains illegal. New Zealand Government Priority With an impending global spotlight shined in them, the New Zealand government is sending a clear message about its goal of preventing further illegal sports-betting activity and manipulation on home soil.
More than 20 years on from the 1993 classic movie, Microgaming has unleashed its Jurassic Park slot into the wilds of the online casino market. All Slots Casino is one of many fortunate Microgaming casinos to offer the game immediately following its summer launch. Debuting on August 6, the brand new game has players excited and terrified at the same time. Enter the Jungle Microgaming has designed an interface that plunges you deep within the sticky confines of the jungles on Isla Nublar, the island where Jurassic Park was set. The screen gradually pans from left to right, offering crisp visuals of the foliage. Microgaming has devised a fresh concept in an industry where most developers favour static backgrounds. 243 Ways to Win Jurassic Park is yet another video slot to utilise Microgaming’s famed approach of providing 243 ways to win. Another similarity with other Microgaming slots is that this game has been developed using five reels, with three symbols displayed on each. This allows for 15 symbols to appear on screen after spins. Wagering Options Wagering on Jurassic Park requires players to set a coin value worth from 0.01 to 0.25, with four intervals in between. The total number of coins that can be wagered on a single spin is ten, which offers the potential for a maximum bet of 75. Of course, the value of a bet will depend on the currency of play. Choose Your Dinosaur Three or more scatter symbols will earn free spins. After 25 of these, players can then choose a dinosaur of their choice from tyrannosaurus rex, velociraptor, triceratops, brachiosaurus, and dilophosaurus. Each offers 12 free spins plus a unique reward. T-Rex Alert T-Rex Alert is a highly rewarding special feature that will become activated when three Jurassic Park symbols are stacked on the same reel. Alert Mode will result in 35 extra wild symbols being added to the reels for six free spins. Jurassic Park is certain to be a favourite in 2014.
Almost a month has passed since the last whistle was heard in the Brazil World Cup and very soon Europe's top leagues will kick off for a new and exciting season. With the excellent performances by individual players who more than once won games for their national teams, football fans are excited to see how the World Cup's biggest stars will perform in the domestic leagues. 2014 FA Community Shield - Arsenal vs. Manchester City As an appetizer for the exciting 2014/5 Premier League season, the traditional FA Community Shield will take place Sunday, August 10 in London's Wembley Stadium, kicking off at 3pm local time. This competition pits last season's Premier League and FA Cup winners, Manchester City and Arsenal respectively. A game played in a lighter atmosphere, the Community Shield is regarded by many as something akin to a special friendly match, but when it comes to the fans of these two teams it will be anything but. Sportsbook bet365 already has lines for this game, including full time result markets which give 11/5 to Arsenal, 6/5 to Manchester City and 12/5 for a draw. Alexis Sanchez Arsenal Debut Chile forward Alexis Sanchez displayed excellent performance this World Cup for his national team, despite having his shot saved by Brazil's Julio Cesar in the round of 16. Arsenal signed Sanchez earlier in July and now it remains to be seen how he'll perform on the pitch. bet365 Is offering special bets on Sanchez given his big impact in the World Cup, offering punters with a Total Goals market giving the Chilean 5/6 odds to either score Over 11.5 or Under 11.5. To Win Outright Markets As we draw near to kick-offs, bet365 is also offering interesting betting markets on outright winners for Europe's top leagues. For the Premier League, Chelsea are 15/8 favorites to win the championship this season while Manchester City get 9/4 odds for defending their title. In the German Bundesliga, Bayern Munich are 1/6 favorites to defend their title, while rivals Dortmund are 6/1 to take it away from them. Spain's La Liga will also light up, with Real Madrid are 5/6 favorites to take the title from Atletico Madrid this season, especially with new signees Rodriguez and Kroos. Barcelona and new signee Luis Suarez sit on 11/10 odds for a La Liga title this season. In Champions League outright winners, both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich stand on 4/1 to win.
Nearly one year after its acquisition of Australian online betting provider tomwaterhouse, William Hill of Australia announced a near doubling of its operating profits. The interim report for the first six months of 2014 show record gains in wagering traffic, unique actives, and new accounts. Successful diversification was observed in the 52% profit gained from increasingly popular digital channels; and 17% of total revenues earned from international markets for the globalizing entity. World Cup Boost and Online Wagering The World Cup yielded a record-breaking level of online wagering, up 211% from the previous tournament in 2010. The Online Sportsbook also continued to grow, boosted by mobile wagering to a 41% growth rate. Online gaming net revenue continued to grow, up 18%, mainly due to a strong and telling 146% growth figure for mobile gaming. Domestically, Australian operating profit nearly doubled, driven by wagering activity increases of 10%, unique actives of 21%, and new accounts of 14%. The US performance of William Hill was strong as well, with wagering activity showing gains of 22% and operating profit up 383%. This all added up to healthy interim dividend growth of 8%, but an overall drop in pretax profit. The overall drop is attributed losses the betting firm incurred from large payouts earlier in the year, a result of an unusually high number of favourites winning their matches. As of Friday afternoon, this information reflected a 2.5% drop in shares to 343.90 pence. Next Hurdle The latest challenge for UK operators is to drive the business further outside the UK, due to tight controls within the UK on betting shops and increased duties imposed on high stakes gambling. This led to the closure by William Hill of 87 loss-making betting shops with 27 more by years end in response to a tax hike on fixed-odd betting machines. Despite the challenges, the company has expressed full confidence in"assuming normalised sporting results" by year's end.
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