Tech & innovation – Page 2

January 24, 2024

Home field advantage: Strive creates a PAM for North America

Three years on from entering a crowded, competitive field, Strive Gaming has built a foothold in the North American market. As its roster of clients expands, president Damian Xuereb aims to ride the market’s evolution through a new wave of growth.

Strive Gaming president Damian Xuereb is sure of one thing. “Strive was certainly not a first mover in the US,” he says. But the US market is approaching its sixth anniversary. Strive Gaming has been in play for just half of that.

Established by Xuereb and CEO Max Meltzer, both veterans of the post-PASPA gold rush, Strive knows the market. Coming in three years after the first bets were placed, it has watched what works and what doesn’t.

Strive’s experience of the post-PASPA Gold RUSH Sets up the business for success as the US market matures says president Damian Xuereb

“We had the advantage of understanding the state-by-state nuances in each market,” Xuereb continues. “We had the opportunity to do our research and ensure we built a pro..

January 24, 2024

Road to ICE 2024: Affordability checks looming large amid criticism

On the road to ICE, iGB will prep you for the biggest show of 2024 with this new series covering the latest developments since 2023's show.

The Gambling Act review white paper was a huge landmark for the UK gambling industry. The white paper outlined how gambling should be regulated in the UK going forward. Key terms included consultations on stake limits, a mandatory statutory levy for operators and the introduction of an ombudsman.

However, affordability checks have continued to be one of the reviews’ most debated issues. While many in the industry agree with the white paper’s proposals, affordability checks were met with fierce opposition from operators and trade bodies.

The need for affordability checks

Many of the white paper’s proposals were made with the intention of protecting vulnerable groups. Gambling Commission research published in November revealed that one in 40 Britons is a problem gambler.

the long-awaited white paper was released in april 2023

Lucy Frazer, ..

November 23, 2023

The art of harnessing artificial intelligence for sportsbooks

As we’ve seen this year, the groundbreaking and rapidly evolving technology powering artificial intelligence (AI) is sure to revolutionise the economy, including the world of sports betting. In the second part of this two-part series, Russell Karp, senior vice-president of DataArt, focuses on the many ways sportsbooks can benefit from harnessing the art of AI.

Today, one of the most promising uses of AI in sports betting is bettors’ ability to use the technology to place bets more strategically and attempt to minimise their losses.

Apps like BettorTakes and Juice Reel aim to boost users’ performance through comprehensive analytics of their past betting behaviours. As BettorTakes CEO Steve Rubenfaer described in an interview with DataArt this year, the app “show[s] you your patterns, biases and things you might not know about yourself”.

With these apps, AI can be used to assess bettors’ gambling history, in addition to player or team stats. AI can then present digestible, comprehensi..

November 13, 2023

ESPN BET launch: everything you need to know

Like any Disney fairytale, we’re ready for the hero to dash in and save the day. So, what kind of fairytale do we have concocted for tomorrow’s (14 November) ESPN BET launch?

First up, let’s do some background.

ESPN BET launch: has Penn Met its sports betting match?

We all know Penn Entertainment was billed as one of the pandemic success stories. At the time, few investors thought it had a big part to play in our Disney fairytale with its acquisition of Barstool Sports.

However, unlike our Disney tale of true love, Barstool and Penn was just never meant to be.

At the start of 2023, Penn sold Barstool back to Dave Portnoy for a single paltry dollar. This was mere months after completing the $500 million purchase. A poisoned apple, some might say.

Instead, enter the prince of our tale – Disney-owned ESPN.

This where our tale of true love begins and the story of ESPN BET.

A match made in heaven for ESPN and Penn

Following ESPN’s $1.5bn licensing partnership with Penn Entertainme..

October 30, 2023

Exploring the potential and pitfalls of AI in sports betting

Artificial intelligence (AI) poses significant opportunities and challenges in nearly every sector, including the sports betting industry. In this two-part series, Russell Karp, senior vice-president of DataArt, delves into the most promising opportunities for sports betting in an AI-driven era.

Undoubtedly, AI technology plays a pivotal role in the sports betting industry.

From enhancing data analysis and odds calculation to refining user experience and supporting responsible gaming, AI stands at the intersection of innovation and user satisfaction.

AI-based customer relationship management (CRM) systems can be used to analyse user behaviour, preferences and trends to personalise digital experiences for bettors. This helps sportsbooks gain an edge over the competition while keeping their clients happy.

However, while the benefits are clear, the incorporation of AI in sports betting is not without its challenges. These may range from security concerns and data privacy issues to eth..

October 17, 2023

G2E 2023: Like Covid never happened

The dog days of the pandemic feel long in the past and the gaming industry was in a bullish mood at G2E 2023, Buck Wargo writes. Despite potential economic headwinds, international expansion and high hopes for igaming mean many left Las Vegas with the sense the industry is in good health.

It was like the pandemic never happened.

The Global Gaming Expo returned to Las Vegas last week, upbeat and optimistic about igaming’s future.

The industry faces headwinds in the coming months from the US economy and a potential Culinary Union strike in Las Vegas, but attendees at the show remained positive.

G2E attracted more than 25,000 people over its four days, just shy of 2019’s record 27,000 turnout. Attendance continued to bounce back after 2020’s cancelled event and a 2021 edition that drew only 13,000 delegates.

A greater return of international visitors and exhibitors – more than 125 countries were represented – helped boost attendance numbers. There were 368 exhibitors, up from 350 a y..

October 11, 2023

Sportradar and Genius slapped with patent suit

Panda Interactive has filed two separate lawsuits in the Texas Eastern District Court accusing Genius Sports and Sportradar of patent infringement.

The suits claim Sportradar and Genius, which are both Panda competitors, implemented the company’s video streaming technology patents without authorisation.

Panda said it had developed several patents in the live data and content streaming verticals. These include technology that allows viewers to see live odds and place a bet while watching sports.

The company say competitors have “widely copied” its patents in the streaming market generally, and even more so in the online sports betting market.

“We have made substantial investments in the development of our technology and cannot tolerate having our patented technology used unfairly by others and against us,” said Panda chairman Donald Schupak.

“No one wants to see their own arsenal used against them in battle.”

Sportradar and Genius accused of patent infringement

The filings also..

September 14, 2023

Genius shares down 10% as Apax sells $121m in stock

A subsidiary of one of Genius Sports' major shareholders and former owner, Apax Partners LLP, will sell 20,000,000 shares in the business.

The underwriter of the sell-off, Goldman Sachs & Co, will have the option of purchasing an additional 3,000,000 shares worth $18,120,000. The option will end after a 30-day period.

The stock to be sold off is worth – as of close of trading on 13 September – $120.8m (£97.1m/€113.1m).

The total shares on the table represent just over 10% of all of Genius’ 216,627,899 shares.

Following the announcement of the stock sell-off, Genius’ share price has fallen 10.2% to $5.4 per share since trading opened. The supplier will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale.

Former owner opts to sell stock

Apax is the provider’s former owner, having purchased the company from Three Hills Capital Partners in July 2018.

Funds advised by Apax kept hold of the business for over two years prior to Genius going public on the New York Stock Exchange via an ..

September 1, 2023

Ontario: The state of play

More than a year on from the regulation of the Ontario gaming sector, gambling businesses have each adapted to the market in their own way. But how can operators stand out from the crowd in North America’s most competitive market?

With every gold rush comes the prospectors.

In the 16 months following the regulation of the gaming sector in Ontario, gambling operators of all shapes and sizes have thrown the dice to get a slice of the biggest and most dynamic market in North America.

Those involved range from former grey market players trying to make the regulated transition, the big European operators, media brands which have grown a betting wing and land-based companies trying to get in on the action – plus everything in between.

The landscape

Ontario has become an incredibly competitive market, with iGaming Ontario recording 46 companies operating 71 brands as of Q1 2023.

However, one trend to note is its diversity. This is especially striking when compared to the US which, butt..

August 16, 2023

Caesars upgrades William Hill Nevada mobile sportsbook

William Hill has revealed its upgraded Nevada mobile sportsbook app.

The revamped offering sees William Hill’s mobile betting app migrate to Caesars’ proprietary Liberty platform.

Caesars has owned William Hill’s US business since September 2020, when it purchased the company in a £2.9bn deal. The operator later sold William Hill’s non-US assets to UK-facing operator 888 for £2.0bn.

Read the full story on iGB North America

July 17, 2023

Entain to acquire Angstrom Sports in £200m deal

Entain will acquire sports modelling, forecasting and analytics specialist Angstrom Sports in a deal worth up to £203m.

Under the deal, Entain will pay an initial £81.0m, as well as £122.0m in additional payments over a three-year period, totaling £203.0m.

Angstrom utilises simulation-based predictive modelling to offer a range of pricing and forecasting capabilities to sportsbook clients.

Primarily serving the US market, Angstrom’s offering covers the most popular competitions and leagues in the country.

The acquisition will allow Entain to offer a full suite of end-to-end analytics, risk and pricing capabilities for its US operations, namely BetMGM, which it runs as a joint venture with MGM Resorts International.

This will improve customers’ US sports betting experience including more betting opportunities, optimised parlay and in-play products, it added.

The acquisition is expected to complete during Q3 2023.

Unlocking new US opportunities

“We’re delighted Angstrom will b..

July 5, 2023

Sportradar wins bid for CONMEBOL data rights

Sports data analytics and technology business Sportradar has announced that the continental governing body of South American football, CONMEBOL, has chosen the business as its new betting data rights partner.

The outcome of the competitive bidding process will see Sportradar become CONMEBOL’s exclusive audio visual and betting data rights partner.

The multi-year deal covers the worldwide rights for three CONMEBOL football competitions – the Copa Libertadores, the Recopa Sudamericana and the Copa Sudamericana. Under the terms of the agreement, the rights will run for the next four seasons.

Sportradar and CONMEBOL strengthen relationship

CONMEBOL’s secretary-general, José Astigarraga, said the organisation was “glad” to strengthen its relationship with Sportradar.

“We are sure that the prestigious CONMEBOL club tournaments, with more than 60 years of history, will be a great showcase to be able to get closer to the true fans of South American football,” he added.

since 2019, sport..

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Tag: Tech & innovation