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Hungary clawed its way to the playoffs and despite being the only team to lose against Greece in Group F, they are still in the race for Euro 2016. It’s been a while since they played in a tournament of this magnitude and they were lucky to be drawn against Norway. The visitors were on the brink of elimination, but brilliantly rebounded in the final two months and won’t give up easily. Ambitious Project for Manager Storck When the German took over, Hungary was very much alive in the race for qualification but the team was struggling heavily up front. The new manager changed the starting formation and is now using a classic 4-4-2 lineup with Bode and Nemeth as strikers. The latter scored twice against Greece but that was not enough, as the backline crumbled in the last 10 minutes of the match. The difference between that fixture and the second leg against Norway is that now everything is on the line and a scoreless draw wouldn’t help. Storck must stick to his strategy and hope that it will deliver the expected results, but punters would be better off betting on the number of goals. Bet365 sports will more than double your successful wagers if you bet on more than 2.5 goals to be scored at odds of 2.10. Norway Has Edge in Head to Head Matches The Scandinavian nation had the advantage of winning four of the last five games against Hungary including three in a row. It is the most recent three matches that actually matter because these were played over the last decade, whereas Hungary claimed its victories many decades ago. Soderlund is used as the sole striker in most fixtures, but despite spending so many minutes up front he only leads in number of decisive passes. The top scorer is Tettey, followed by two other midfielders so the home side can’t afford to focus exclusively on the danger posed by strikers.
The first ever Armenian Gaming Forum will take place on 19th November. The event is organized by Smile-Expo and it will welcome professionals from the industry in order to cover some of the major topics. As anticipation builds for the event, here are some of the highlights which should get a lot of attention: Aram Orbelyan Will Be One of the Speakers Aram Orbelyan was the minister of the Justice’s Deputy in Armenia between the years 2011 and 2014, as well as a finance counselor in the market. He is a specialist when it comes to foreign investment, telecommunications and corporate law and is now working as a senior partner for Concern Dialog. His experience will be very important for the Armenian Gaming Forum and those attending the event as he will make a presentation on the process of launching a gaming business in Armenia. Orbelyan will cover legal issues in gambling, licensing peculiarities, regulations for online gambling and the money-laundering problem. EveryMatrix Is a Sponsor for the Event EveryMatrix provides innovative solutions in the online gambling industry and while it is an independent developer, the brand helps power several online casinos. Representatives will be present in Yerevan for the Armenian Gaming Forum and EveryMatrix has announced that it is going to be one of the official sponsors for the event. Established in 2008, the company quickly became popular thanks to its sports betting platform, casino engine and managing platform for gaming businesses. EveryMatrix is looking to expand and Armenia is a great choice. ISOC AM Vice-President Will Become a Speaker Grigoriy Sagiyan is the vice-president of the Internet Society of Armenia and he will not just attend the first ever Armenian Gaming Forum but also be one of the key speakers. He will make a presentation on the topic of the level of control the state wants to have in the online casino industry; talking about the current status and answering questions about restrictive measures.
In a preventative measure to safeguard against the rise of monopolies in the UK online gaming market, the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has opened its latest merger review to public feedback. Latest Merger This comes in response to the proposed merger between rival betting companies Paddy Power and Betfair announced last August. The merger would see the operators combine holdings for a merged worth of new holding worth £6.2 billion (€8.7 billion/$9.4 billion). The proposed split has Paddy Power shareholders owning 52% of the company, and Betfair shareholders taking 48% of the issued share capital. The CMA has requested assistance for its review of the proposed merger, inviting communication from any parties with concerns, setting November 20th as the date for a review of all comments. The CMA is looking for feedback on whether the merger will be be consistent and stay consistent with the provisions of the UK Enterprise Act of 2002, the CMA said in a statement, in order to guard against “a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.” A decision on the merger is expected on January 7th. The Need to Protect Competition The need for public feedback arises from the fact that this deal unites two of the biggest online gaming companies in the UK, and will certainly shift the competitive landscape to no small extent. Ensuring the continued competitiveness of the landscape is the CMA's priority. What is certain is that the new company would form one of the largest online betting and gaming providers not only in the UK but in the world. The need to monitor mergers is increasing in the UK, with mergers in 2015 happening with regularity as an adaptive measure operators have taken to in order to survive and continue earning while minimizing the costs of increased regulation and taxes from the UK gaming authority.
Q3 was good to operators as well, though the numbers need some interpretation. How Mr. Green Jumped Online casino operator Mr. Green's promising year-on-year jump in revenue shown for Q3 2015 has Chief Executive Officer Per Norman raving about the fact that his company has “laid the foundation to continue to outpace the market.” The totals that have spurred this enthusiasm include boosts of SEK 201.6 million (€21.5 million/$23.3 million) for an increase of almost a full fifth--or 19.6%--on the SEK 168.5 million posted in last year's third quarter. Even more importantly for online casino industry watchers and players in general is the fact that Active Customers were well up for Mr Green, from 66,266 last year to 73,689 in Q3 this year, with Mr. Green reporting a commensurate jump in sales of approximately 20%. Regulation Adaptation Costs Interestingly, and a reflection on the costs of adapting to various regulations in new online casino markets, Mr. Green pointed out that Q3 earnings totals before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) excluding items affecting comparability fell from SEK 42.4 million in the third quarter of last year to SEK 40.8 million this year. Also, and no less significant, earnings before interest and tax dropped from SEK positive of 28.4 million last year to a negative of SEK 82.7 million year-on-year in Q3. The disparity between increased patronage and decreased profits was further explained by Norman as “impacted by recognition of an amount corresponding to SEK 25.4 million in tax, compared with SEK 400,000 in the year-earlier period.” Consistent with Strategy Norman attributes these disparities to risks which the company assumed in expanding into newly regulated markets, where despite operating costs increased operations in regulated markets ultimately serve to reduce business risk. Thus the company has taken on greater cost control efforts in the interests of meeting anticipated “increased tax pressure from regulated markets.” The strong overall showing of Q3 brought Mr. Green’s revenue for the year-to-date to SEK 591.5 million, a jump from 22.1% on the same point last year. The success of overall visitorship and play, combined with Mr. Green's adaptation process, would imply that all numbers will smooth out in Mr. Green's favor.
Aside from the Bengals, there are only two other teams still remaining unbeaten in the NFL. Last night the Patriots and the Panthers won their games to go 9-0, while the Bengals must get past the struggling Texans to keep a perfect record. The Texans are still in the hunt for a spot in this year's playoff picture, even with a dismal 3-5 record. They are however in second place of one of the worst AFC South divisions of all time. The Colts are in first place at 4-5 and the Texans could take over that spot if they get back to winning games, but the odds are stacked against them for a win tonight. This is one of the best Bengals team's ever. They have won eight games by over 13 points, and destroyed the Browns last week with a 21-point win. They are in third place in the league for points scored at 28.6 per game, and they could go many more games with much of the same. If the Bengals want to make like easier on themselves, they will need to get the ball away fast. Unless of course they want J.J. Watt all over their rushers and receivers. Watt is a machine, but the Bengals have been able to avoid offensive losses and turnovers, making them incredibly dynamic this year. NFL Monday Night Betting Markets Bet365 Sports, the famed UK-based sportsbook is offering competitive betting odds for all NFL games this year. Tonight's clash will also be featured in their Live In Play betting feed, with numerous chances for punters to capitalize on attractive bets. The Bengals are outright favorites at 1.18, while the Texans need a prayer at 5.25. If the underdog pulls out the win tonight, it would mean a big payday for anyone taking that bet, but chances are the Bengals will dominate, so play smart.
Microgaming, the world’s leading online gaming software developer, has announced that it will be releasing a new slot game, Serenity, in the month of December. Perfect timing, because as the stress of the holidays approaches, we could all use a little serenity! Serenity will be available to play at Real Deal Bet Casino, Jackpot City Casino and Casino Adrenaline as of December. About the Game Many slot games pride themselves on being fast-paced, suspenseful, and adrenaline-inducing, but Microgaming’s newest slot promises the exact opposite - a calm, peaceful experience, that of course, can lead to a bucketful of winnings. With 5 reels and 15 selectable paylines, Serenity is set in a quiet Asian village, with a river running through it, a bridge, a temple and sprawling gardens. The colors are dark and rich, the background artwork, tranquil, the soundtrack, soothing. But the game has its own brand of appeal, because beneath the placid surface lies a number of special bonuses that keep the game from being boring. These bonuses include scatters, free spins, wilds, bonus symbols, a bonus round and a multiplier. The bonus round is triggered when three or more lantern bonus symbols appear on any active payline. In this round, players will be able to choose up to five paper lanterns, each revealing its own random value bonus prize. The free spins bonus feature is triggered when three or more scatters appear on the reels, and this feature rewards players with a minimum of 10 free spins, which can be retriggered endlessly and all the winnings subject to a 3X multiplier. The maximum jackpot in Serenity is 120,000 coins, an amount that can certainly grant players some peace of mind! About Microgaming Launched in 1994, Microgaming has been at the forefront of the online gaming industry since its inception. Microgaming regularly releases new games, and to date has created over 800 casino games. Microgaming games are known for their smooth interface, quality graphics and big payouts.
The anticipation for the Malta iGaming Seminar has been building for quite a while and the event is finally just a few days away. Scheduled to take place between the 16th and 19th of November, the conference will cover important topics for the industry in one of the most popular jurisdiction for licensing and development for online casinos. Networking at Its Best The MiGS has become one of the major annual events for the online gambling industry and it welcomes representatives of some of the biggest brands in the industry, along with hundreds of attendees from different iGaming sectors. This makes it a great opportunity for networking and making new relations. There are also planned activities which should make it even easier for the people attending to start a chat and discus work as well as other subjects. For example, the action will start with a poker tournament played for fun. It will continue with dinners, snacks, drinks and even a small harbor cruise before concluding with the ABBA Tribute Act at the VIP Closing party on the third day. Notable Speakers on Key Topics Needless to say that the Malta iGaming Seminar is not just about networking and it is also a great opportunity to get more insight on the industry. There will be no shortage of important speakers taking to the stage and this includes representatives of gaming authorities about present and future legislation, private operators for a unique approach on the problems and even CEOs of established brands. One of the biggest names on the list is AJ Thompson, the CEO of B3W, and he will hold a speech about what it takes to build a reliable gaming system that can cover multiple jurisdiction and last for years. Other speakers who will attend the event are Birgitte Sand, the chairman of the Danish Gaming Authority, and Bodog Group Founder Calvin Ayre, who is also known for his gambling news website.
The Macao Slot Academy is an anticipated event for casino management training and it will last for four days in the gambling capital of the world. Starting on the 23rd of November and ending on the 26th November, the exclusive opportunity created for the Asian gaming market features various training and teaching seminars for those attending. The event is already sold out and is expected to be a very successful one for all involved as multiple important topics will be covered in detail. Directed by Lucien Wijsman The Slot Academy takes place a couple of times a year and it was created as a training program to help those in management positions working in the casino industry get better results. The Macao event is even more important since it is tailored for the Asian gaming hub and its particular set of requirements. Lucien Wijsman will once again direct the action and share a lot of his experience to the participants. Considered a casino expert, Wijsman has more than 25 years in the casino industry to back him up and his portfolio includes the title of COO of the German Gauselmann Group for start-up casinos in several countries. What to expect from the course Key topics which will be covered over the four days in Macao include several aspects of operations for casinos. These will feature meters used for slot machines lined up with required SAS protocols, player profiles, management solutions for progressive jackpots, performance analysis for slots, pay table calculations and more. The course also comes with a guarantee that the information made available here can be implemented at established casino businesses or start-up companies looking to get going with the right foot forward. It will be the last Slot Academy of the year, with the next one taking place in the Netherlands in January 2016.
Betsoft has just come out with its newest slot, and it is magical - quite literally. Alkemor’s Tower is part of Betsoft’s blockbuster collection of video slots, Slots3, and as the legendary wizard Alkemor reveals the secrets of his tower, players can become true masters of the elements. Alkemor’s Tower can be played at Betsoft powered online casinos such as Fruity Casa Casino, Real Deal Bet Casino and Mr Green Casino. About the GameAlkemor’s Tower is a 5-reel, any-way-pays 3D video slot whose main character is the mighty wizard, Alkemor. Alkemor’s Tower is centered around the four elements: fire, earth, air and water - but in Alkemor’s case, these natural elements are used for magical purposes. In the game, each individual element has a different effect on the slots’ reels. When the correct combination of symbols occurs on the reels, Alkemor will teleport players to the Magical Conservatory level of the Tower or to the Arcane Observatory level, each of which comes along with its own bonuses, including a generous amount of free spins. Mark McKeown, Betsoft’s VP of Sales and Marketing, commented on this extraordinary game, “Alkemor’s Tower is a stunning example of the magic we at Betsoft can make with a video slot. We are again pushing against the boundaries of what technology can do, in creating this unique game experience.The four distinct elemental magic effects bring untold variety to the gameplay, giving this game tremendous replay value. With an exceptionally strong theme and absolutely gorgeous graphics, Alkemor's Tower is poised to surpass the popularity of many of our games to date.” About Betsoft GamingBetsoft Gaming is a world-renowned developer and provider of complete system online gaming software. Their game library includes over 180 games, including the iconic Slots3 series, many of which are also offered on mobile. Betsoft clients include top gaming operators from around the world.
While states such as Pennsylvania and California have been strongly considering legalizing online gambling, Texas just received a jolting red light from the state’s governor, Greg Abbot. Last week, Abbot wrote a letter to the Chairman of the Texas Gambling Commission that he “wholeheartedly” supports the state’s prohibition on online gambling, and that it is a matter of protecting its citizens. Why Did Abbot Speak Up Now? It had recently come to light that the Texas state regulator had been gathering information on online gambling (particularly sports betting and fantasy sports) to determine whether it could be an option for the Lone Star State. In October, the commission executive director, Gary Smith, went on a fact-finding mission to Delaware to see online gambling operations first-hand. Which is why Abbot also included in his letter than any future staff requests to travel to gather information should be denied. The State of Gambling in Texas Today, the only forms of gambling that are legal in Texas are the state lottery, charitable bingo, raffles, horse racing and one Indian casino. In 2013, Texas lawmakers tried to veto even the lottery, but quickly realized that the income it brings in, to the tune of 2.2 billion dollars every two years, is not something that can easily be made up. This year, a bill was introduced to expand land-based gambling activities, but it was quickly vetoed by the conservative majority of the state legislature. Online Gambling in the States As of now, three states have legalized online gambling in the United States: New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware. At the same time that other states are considering regulating online gambling, Sen. Jason Chaffetz is pushing a bill, the Restoration of America’s Wire Act (RAWA), that would make online gambling illegal at a federal level. While it doesn’t seem likely that this bill will pass, a second hearing for it has been scheduled in Congress.