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In an interesting online sports betting development, football betting was down in Russia year-on-year for 2015. Football Wagering Down In a country where new regulations are being reviewed, Russian gambling firm First Gaming revealed that the figure of 40% of wagering expenditure for the world's most popular sport was down from 46% in 2014. First Gaming sponsor Rub90 allayed concerns by pointing out that in 2015 the sport lacked an online wager fest such as provided by the FIFA World Cup of 2014. Another noticeable drop came in average wager size, which dropped almost 50% from $30.08 in 2014 to $15.35. Rub90 attributed this seemingly precipitous drop to a lack of marquee sporting events such as Sochi's winter Olympics in 2014 in addition to the World Cup, along with a drop in the value of the Russian currency ruble. Other Races In a country where popular online casinos include Real Deal Bet, EuroGrand and Winner Casino, there were several tight races for the remaining spots. Basketball and tennis ran a close second and third, according to the report, claiming 18.35% and 18,19% of sports wagers last year, with volleyball and ice hockey tied for fourth at 10.13%. As far as the professional sports league that generated the most wagering, the NBA ranked first at 3.87% of total betting. A close second was the Continental Hockey League at 3.67%, and the UEFA Football Champions League not far behind in third. As far as average individual sporting wager was concerned, the winner was basketball at $19.39, beating out football ($16.81) and rising contender handball ($16.54). Punting Patterns An important indicator of betting trends is the split between live and pre-match betting figures, which remained virtually unchanged year-on-year. Live betting’s share increased to 96% in the standard peak activity late evening and early morning hours when punters seek instant gratification and follow NBA and North American time zone matches. Perhaps the time is right to begin wagering on sports betting activity.
The Q Arena will come to life tonight, as LeBron and the gang travel to Memphis to take on the Grizzlies. The Cavs are on a 3-game winning streak, while the Grizzlies are coming off a tough loss to the Jazz on Sunday night. The Grizzlies are in fifth place in the Western Conference and the Cavs are still in first place in the East. The Cavs are going through a bit of a tough spell of inconsistency lately, but they have managed to hold on to first place. The question of whether or not the Cavs could win without LeBron was answered a couple weeks ago, as the Cavs lost a few games without their star. He is healthy and should be playing a full game tonight, so Cleveland are favorites to win. The Cavs lost three of four games a week ago, while on-the-road, and the team then started to focus on stronger defense. Obviously, something positive happened because they went on to win three-straight at Quicken Loans, but the question still stands whether or not the Cavs are up to par when on the road. The Grizzlies have won seven of their last ten, but they seem to have hit a dry spell, as their last two losses came at the hands of Phoenix. Memphis shot just 40%, as they lost on Sunday 109-100, but other than those two slip-ups, the Grizzlies have been great. Memphis has been plagued by injuries lately and they are still without many of their starters. Live NBA Betting Outright odds at bet365 Sports are well in favor of the Cavs at 1.11, while the Grizzlies are at 6.75. There are a ton of markets including Over/Under, Point Spread and much more. Bet365 will also be posting live in-play odds so that punters have adequate chances to make lucrative cash throughout the game.
The 188BET online gaming operator has signed a new deal with software developer Quickspin in order to add more games to its Casino section. This shows a bigger focus from the company on the growing sector of online casinos and is a piece of news that will please fans as tens of hot video slots make their way to the website. More Games in the Same Place Having titles from multiple developers is an important advantage nowadays and Quickspin has become one of the leading brands in the industry, especially with its recent focus on creating and releasing hot new slots. The collection added to 188BET includes popular games like Razortooth, Crystal Queen and Second Strike and the upcoming titles are expected to be quickly added. For example, the new Genie's Touch slot is already live at the online casino. Both desktop and mobile platforms are covered under this new agreement so registered players at 188BET can enjoy the compatible games from Quickspin on smartphones and tablets whenever they want. An Advantageous Deal for Both Sides As part of the press release announcing the new agreement, spokespersons from both companies have expressed the excitement regarding the deal. The managing director from 188BET stated that Quickspin is a perfect choice for expanding the games offering already available on the online casino and that their popular games will attract more customers. Quickspin's chief executive mentioned that the games created by the developer are now very much in demand and that the addition of 188BET to the platform is a great way to make the most out of their popularity. Players can just sign up at the online casino and start playing their favorite games from the provider. On top of the list there is Genie's Touch, a slot machine which made quite a few waves with its Arab-style theme and amazing graphics.
Lithuania has tightened its restrictions against operators attempting to offer gambling services in Lithuania without a license. Following Up on Promises The restrictions imposed in January 2016 by the Gaming Control Authority under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania are similar to the actions taken in the USA blocking fund transfers to online gambling not legal in the country. The Gaming Control Authority further will legally require internet service providers to block access to illegal online gambling websites, with further action against encroaching companies forthcoming. The Blacklist Now, Virginijus Dauksys, director of the Gaming Control Authority, has released a list of operators licensed by the Gaming Authority as well as updating the GCA website's list of unlicensed operators. Duaksys likened efforts to work around Lithuanian licensing restrictions such as changing of internet domain names as smuggling, affirming that the Lithuanian authority would be diligent. Dauksys asserted that the Lithuanian regulatory authority would be diligent in enforcing the new laws in order to protect those in Lithuania “vulnerable to uncontrolled gambling flows” such as compulsive gamblers and minors. Prominent operators such as Betway, TrioBet, Unibet and William Hill were on the original blacklist. They have now been joined by a collection of domains identified by the Lithuanian authority as being associated with PokerStars, MarathonBet, Pinnacle Sports, 188Bet and NordicBet. The Violations The GCA claims that the names added to the original list were thee result of some of the efforts from the originally blacklisted operators to modify their domains in the interests of what GCA says was to “circumvent” the GCA’s IP-blocking orders to local internet service providers. Licensed Operators Lithuania has currently issued licensed four licenses, to Olympic Casino Group, Orakulas, Top Sport and TonyBet. Will the Enforcement Strategy Work? The question now is whether this blacklist will discourage operators, or increase respect for Lithuanian licensing guidelines. No matter how it looks, this is clearly the stance the government will have to take.
In the first leg of the FA Cup matchup between Arsenal and Hull City, the Gunners were held to a 0-0 draw at the Emirates. In what was one of Hull's best performances of the FA Cup, the Tigers are looking forward to tonight's matchup, with Arsenal struggling to win games lately. Arsenal have won the FA Cup in the last two years of competition and are eager to lift the trophy for a third-straight time. The Gunners will need to play without their star Goalkeeper Petr Cech, and without Laurent Koscielny (calf), while Francis Coquelin is still suspended. Hull are at 100%, which is good news for the Tigers, as they will need all of the help they can get. They may have the ability to knock Arsenal out of the competition, with the Gunners not having won a game in the last five matches. Hull have not been able to beat the Gunners in their last five home matches against them. KC Stadium has been good to the Tigers, winning their last three FA Cup home games. Led by the incredible goaltending from Eldin Jakupovic, whom saved 11 shots in the first leg, Hull have a great chance of moving onto the next round. They will need to get back to scoring goals, but with good defensive play like in the first round, Hull could upset top-tier Arsenal and move on. The winner of this match will go on to the quarter-finals on Sunday to face Watford. FA Cup Online Wagering bet365 Sports is offering tons of pre-match and live in-play wagering markets for both the FA Cup matches and the Champions League games tonight at 19:45 GMT (Wolfsburg 1.50 v Gent 7.00 and Real Madrid 1.40 v Roma 8.00). Arsenal are the outright favorites tonight at Hull, as bet365 has odds posted in their favor at 1.72 to Hulls' 5.50. A draw rings in at 3.80, which could be the result after '90 minutes of play, but expect Arsenal to win tonight.
The Great Gatsby had been a cherished piece of literature for decades. But it was not until Oscar-winner Leonard DiCaprio dragged the story into the mainstream with a cinematic release in 2013. And it would seem that the Hollywood treatment caught the attention of Genesis Gaming, as the software provider is putting the finishing touches on a video slot inspired by the tale. Discover the Roaring ‘20s Genesis Gaming has come up with the catchy title of the Great Cashby for this forthcoming video slot, which is a clear nod of respect to the Great Gatsby. And the developer is already showcasing the slot through a YouTube trailer to introduce the game. A stylish intro video invites players to discover the roaring ‘20s, a time when drama, excitement, and romance were only a dance hall away. For the core of the game, the Great Cashby has been built with three rows and five reels. Altogether, these will combine to show 15 symbols on-screen after each spin. And the in-game controls shown in the trailer would suggest that players have the ability to control how many of the 25 paylines remain active. The Great Cashby will also have depth in its special features, giving players the Backroom Bar side-game. Anybody fortunate enough to enter the hidden speakeasy will meet a barman who can pay out a maximum 48x multiplier. The stronger performers will be able to match three drink symbols when the mini reels are spinning above the bar. Coming Soon to Genesis Casinos At this time, an exact release date is yet to be revealed, but it is probable to assume that the Great Cashby will hit Genesis Gaming-powered casinos soon. Places like Maria Casino, Pocket Casino EU, and Video Slots Casino should be able to offer the game when it's out. Stick with OCR for all of the latest updates.
For those of you who have noticed the good news of gains in various national markets popping up like popcorn, it should come as no surprise that the global market is growing in general. Compound Annual Growth In fact, between now and 2020, the global online gambling market is expected to see a significant and steady compound annual growth rate which some research companies have placed at up to 11 percent. With approximately 85 countries now regulating online gambling, the American Gaming Association places the worth of global online gambling at a massive $37 billion a year. Contributions to this figure come from three states in the US that have already legalized gambling online--Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware, with more sure to follow—eventually. Europe: Biggest Contributor Europe is currently contributing the lion's share of online gambling revenue, at a rate of growth which the European Commission currently places at about $15 billion per year, with an estimated growth rate of 15%. EU's Biggest Contributor Not surprisingly, the UK is Europe's strongest market. Recent estimates count over 18 million gambling accounts there, with several dozen sites currently in operation. The UK Gambling Commission UKGC reports that between 2005 and 2009 online slots play increased 328 percent. The growth was supplemented by table games and poker, at 52 and 26 percent, respectively. The UK poker model is favorable because it does not fence in its players like most other countries in and out of the UK do. This allows UK players to play with players from other countries on UK-regulated platforms. Other countries such as France, Spain, and Italy fence in their poker players, preventing them from playing international matches. Forecast: Streamlining Europe? At this point, extant talks of streamlining rules across the EU remain a ways from fruition. The huge growth of online gambling on mobile devices can eventually sustain the change, due to the accessibility that mobile devices are currently providing all players.
Big name iGaming leaders and independent innovators got together in Amsterdam from February 16-18 for a focused brainstorm on how to keep the social casino industry thriving at an emerging casino gaming track. Gamesauce Provides Lowdown In a great overview, online gaming portal Gamesauce reports a friendly fireside chat set the tone at Casual Connect Europe. Playtika SVP Elad Kushnir offering fresh insights in a candid interview to GamesBeat reporter Jeff Grubb. The conversation covered the multiple challenges the social casino market faces, including overall growth, different platforms, foreign markets and the top-heavy nature of the sector. Breaking In When asked how a company might break into the notoriously top-heavy social casino space, Kushnir offered the following: “Break the rules. Bring something new to the table,” pointing out that smaller companies inherently have the agility and creativity to break the rules because they are not as visible as the big companies. This provides opportunities for unconventional and riskier approaches which smaller companies can try out, as long as they plan out their strategies well. Kushnir also advised focusing on one target market to start, mastering that region in order to establish a foothold online. This could be accomplished according to Kushnir through “delivering an experience that meets the audience’s expectations.” Hot Topics More insights came from Plumbee’s Raf Keustermans, who spoke about trends in consolidation, player behavior, and indie development, while pointing out advantages exemplified by current industry leaders. User acquisition and retention was the hottest topic, with several industry experts providing their opinion on the issue. Google Gaming Industry Analyst Noam Peri provided a deeper look into player behavior by providing an exclusive look at the results of a 1,000-person survey conducted by Google targeting social casino players, shedding light on the current state of trends in discoverability, installation, monetization and retention. Retention Revelation One key insight was the disclosure of a key barrier to players playing after installing games: “The number one reason is time and attention. Answers like: ‘I forgot about it,’ ‘I played other games,‘ ‘I had no time.’” Peri had this suggestion for developers: don't assume the problems are technical. Remind the 43% of users not playing that they've downloaded the game. Funtime At night, the two day event featured over 1,000 industry professionals mingling at Vegas World’s party, as well as Facebook hosting over 1,000 gaming professionals at a party the first night. Next Casual Connect - Asia The list of speakers and in-depth specialized topics is almost endless, too much to fit into one article for sure. The next chance to get a taste of what a full track dedicated to social casino means will be in Casual Connect Asia, taking place in Singapore, May 17-19, an event which will be covered by us here in Online Casino Reports as well.
Guus Hiddink has asked that his squad win tonight’s match. After a disappointing loss in the first leg 2-1, Chelsea are still in the running, as their one away goal means a 1-0 win tonight will ensure their spot in the next round. Hiddink is confident that his side will prevail, with the way players like Costa scoring numerous goals recently, but Chelsea will not be back in the Champions League next year without winning the entire tournament. The pressure is on. Chelsea Team News John Terry will not be back on the roster, still recovering from his “minor” hamstring injury, but Hiddink will have Pedro back, while Kurt Zouma and Radamel Falcao are still not available. Chelsea’s injury list should not bother their starting squad, which will probably resemble the first leg match-up. The Blues have played much better under Hiddink lately and talk was positive this whole week about their chances to win tonight. PSG Team News PSG could be in rough shape if its two key players, Marco Verratti (doubtful) and Blaise Matuidi (probable) are not able to play tonight. Missing either of those players would greatly improve Chelsea’s chances of winning, but PSG has been known to play up the injuries of players until game time. Chelsea’s chances are very good tonight, as they have only been shutout at home once this season. PSG on the other hand, roll into tonight’s match as the slightest of favorites, and they have not scored away goals only twice all season. Champions League Betting Markets Even with the home-pitch advantage, Chelsea must win from the underdog position, as according to bet365 Sports they are at 2.90, while the Parisians are at 2.60. Too close to call? A draw is 3.40, and there are many additional odds that could earn punters lucrative cash. Method of qualification is paying out at 34.00 for a penalty shootout finish, while an extra time win by Chelsea is 29.00 and 26.00 for PSG. Risk-free In-play Bet For tonight's match, punters can get a risk-free in-play bet at bet365 Sports - place a pre-match bet before kick-off and in-play bet after the game kicks off; if your first in-play bet loses, you'll be refunded the biggest pre-match bet (up to $50 currency equivalent). First bet on the slip will count as the risk-free one if there's more than one in-play selection.
Organized by Eventus-International, the Casino Marketing Forum will take place on the 23-25 of August this year and will see experts from the online casino industry and marketing professionals come together in Johannesburg, South Africa. The event was created with the specific goal to help casino marketing professionals in adjusting to the growing gap between the traditional and the new digitally driven marketing approaches - and seeing how these can be bridged. The Casino Marketing Forum's purpose is to empower the casino marketing professional with insights and knowledge into marketing and digital innovations which became a part of every day in the work of a marketing department. Three Days Packed with Useful Information Some of the best and most respected experts in the field will attend the forum in August and will look to provide detailed answers to questions regarding marketing in the casino industry. The latest digital innovations have certainly changed the current landscape and every marketing professional must stay up to date with the latest concepts in order to make the most of a campaign. The event will not just focus on expert speakers but will actually look to engage the audience with its interactive format that can unlock the knowledge of the collective group through discussions, sessions and workshops. Multi-touchpoint Format The forum will be designed around a multi-touchpoint format, with carefully moderated themes coming to life through facilitated power conversations and speaker sessions; there will be use of the collective knowledge of the audience. Some key themes include in-depth analysis on marketing and digital trends and innovations, mobile, modern player development, content marketing for casinos, affiliate programmes, dealing with big data and the importance of brand strategy, and much more. Improving Traditional Platforms The use of common marketing tools will still be included in the forum but the focus is mostly on new platforms which can range from regular promotions to unique strategies for each brand. Deep-dive analytics, affiliate marketing, marketing automation, content strategies and mobile are just some of the key points delegates will have the opportunity to learn about. New trends and tools can appear every year so the Casino Marketing Forum will most likely be repeated if successful. For 2016, Johannesburg was chosen to show off the fast growing casino industry in South Africa. Stay tuned as OCR will be bringing more news about this intriguing event as it draws near.
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