Macau Horse Racing Company Limited, the company behind the Macau Jockey Club, announced with regret that it has reached an agreement with the Macau government to terminate its concession contract. Under this agreement, the contract will expire on April 1, 2024.

The Macau Jockey Club was founded through a contract between the Portuguese government and shareholders. However, the introduction of flat horse racing by the Taiwanese consortium in 1989 impacted the club’s business negatively. In 1991, the government requested the club to undergo a restructuring led by the local gambling leaders, which allowed it to continue its operations.

Throughout its history, the Macau Jockey Club has always strived to diversify gaming and racing on horses and support the growth of tourism in the special administrative region. Despite this, Macau Horse Racing Company Limited pointed out that it has been operating at a loss, accumulated in excess of 2.5 billion.

To make matters worse, there has been limited room for the development and growth of the horse racing industry in Macau, the company added. This issue was further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and China’s Zero-COVID policy, which brought further adverse effects.

As a result, sustaining the Macau Jockey Club’s operations became increasingly difficult.

The Company Thanked Its Supporters

According to the official announcement, the Macau Horse Racing Company Limited’s board of directors eventually decided to cease all racing-related operations. Despite that, the current member facilities will remain available to the Macau Jockey Club’s members, the company added.

It also used the opportunity to thank all colleagues who supported the company throughout the years, lauding their valuable contributions.

You have all served with a high level of professionalism with global recognition. The company will conduct necessary briefing sessions for the staff, provide assistance and job referrals, and comply with the provisions of Macau labor law to provide appropriate compensation.

Macau Horse Racing Company Limited statement

The Macau Horse Racing Company also expressed its appreciation of all horse owners and members, thanking them for their ongoing support. It added that specific details regarding the necessary arrangement for their horses will be provided at a later date and no later than March 31.

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Sky Bet recently announced adjustments to its best odds guaranteed (BOG) promotion, restricting access to active Sky Bet Club loyalty scheme members. Effective 15 January, customers must stake £30 within the previous week’s qualifying period to avail themselves of this offering. The operator was confident it would remain competitive despite these changes, highlighting the benefits of Sky Bet Club.

This decision marks the latest move among leading bookmakers to either limit or remove the popular promotion. October saw Flutter-owned operator Betfair axe this option for horse and greyhound racing. Industry giant William Hill followed suit in December, limiting the offering and setting this ongoing trend. The promotion likely failed to entice customers to pay more, making it unsustainable in the long run.

Sky Bet’s changing policy also eliminates the 10% bonuses on winning forecasts and the 15% bonuses on successful tricasts. The operator had already ceased best odds guaranteed in races offering additional each-way places, heralding the upcoming broader change. Sky Bet head of sports PR Michael Shinners addressed the modifications, highlighting ongoing industry trends.

Best Odds Guaranteed is an offer that many bookmakers have modified or even pulled altogether over the past 18 months.

Michael Shinners, Sky Bet head of sports PR

Shinners discussed the situation for Racing Post, emphasizing BOG’s integration into Sky Bet Club, highlighting it as the leading loyalty scheme in the industry. He added that the most recent decision would ensure that most horseracing customers could continue enjoying the promotion alongside more of Sky Bet’s premiere offerings.

Sky Bet Aims to Consolidate Its Bonus Offerings

When asked about potential implications where punters might increase their spending to access the promotion, Shinners reaffirmed that the Sky Bet Club has consistently required a minimum £30 stake per week for eligibility and that the recent changes would hopefully increase participation in the program. He also underscored Sky Bet’s ongoing support for racing, drawing attention to the upcoming 2024 Sky Bet Sunday Series.

Despite limiting one of its most popular promotions, SkyBet starts the year with significant momentum after a successful 2023. Last year saw the operator conclude several high-profile partnerships with leading leagues and suppliers, bolstering its competitiveness and allowing it to retain its leadership position in the UK.

Sky Bet’s BOG policy changes echo similar shifts made by other bookmakers recently, aligning with industry trends amid rising media rights costs. The operator likely aims to provide more personalized customer service, bolstering customer engagement and hopefully exposing more users to its loyalty scheme. While this move will likely prove unpopular with some bettors, Sky Bet likely hopes it will improve long-term profitability.

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The Royal Caribbean Group, which is the parent company of the Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises companies, has been tinkering with the idea of merging its operations under the same loyalty program.

Blue Chip Club Earning Period Extended, But Why?

As things stand, Royal Caribbean Cruises allows customers to participate in its signature Club Royale rewards program but hop over to Celebrity Cruises and you will be rolled into Blue Chip Club.

This means opportunity lost for consumers who have been otherwise very happy with the experience they receive on both cruises, including onboard casinos featuring slot and table games, as well as smoke-free areas.

The extension of the Blue Chip Club program could signal an early decision by the parent group to heed the call of its customers and indeed advance with a decision to merge the two loyalty programs, or at least connect them so consumers can benefit freely jumping from one cruise to the next.

Royal Caribbean has already announced that it will be extending and developing its casinos, seeing them as an important part of the overall experience, and a good hook to attract new customers, reactivate dormant ones, and generally continue to be a good entertainment option.

Some of the major updates have been an expansion of the existing square footage of gaming floors, but also the addition of progressive jackpots which have become a hit with players who seem to be tempted by the prospect of escaping on a cruise where they can try their hand at a progressive jackpot.

The Time for a Loyalty Program Merge May Finally Be Here

It’s not just that though as rewards programs have become very important in light of this heightened interest in the group’s cruises, and merging the two would be a smart business decision, even if on the face of it, the two brands want to maintain their relevant autonomy and independence.

Their internal competition is not likely to hurt either party, though, as consumers would just be able to use their loyalty points freely, nurturing even stronger brand loyalty, and driving attention to the growing segment of on-site casino gaming.

Although speculation at the present moment, expanding the Blue Chip Club earning period could be a way to carry over the points into a merged program moving forward, which would boost brand loyalty

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Scatters Club, a global gambling community of live streamers and slot game enthusiasts, will host an online Streamers Awards event for the first time since the group’s establishment. The event, designed to highlight top streamers in the community, will collect nominations from December 4 to December 30, 2023 with top five streamers to be proclaimed on February 1, 2024.

Scatters Crown Trophy

The Streamers Awards event will evaluate the creative achievements of gambling streamers and have the selected performers qualified for the audience’s love award and the Scatters Crown Trophy. All players and the club’s site visitors are invited to nominate their favorite streamers on the platform. The platform also allows self-nominations of streamers in the creative achievement category.

Award Categories

Scatters Club announces that nominations for the unique award will be open from December 4 to December 30,2023 for international applications in the categories as follows:

• Most Hilarious Reaction to a Win
• Most bright Reaction to a Lose
• Most bright Reaction to a Lose
• Coolest Background
• Craziest Outfit
• Best Streamer Collaboration
• Community Champion
• Rising Star in Gambling Streaming
• Most Responsible Streamer
• Everyone’s Favorite Gambling Streamer
• The Best Female Streamer

Voting Period

Upon the closure of the application period, the eligible applications will be classified into the respective categories to be prospectively nominated for the awards. The vote-casting period begins simultaneously to invite all players to vote for their favorite streamers on a dedicated web page. Based on these votes, each category will have its TOP-5 streamers shortlisted and the leaders in various nominations will be determined by further public votes.

Award Ceremony

As the voting process focuses only the shortlisted candidates, the special jury will make the final choice and unveil the winners in a live session on February 1, 2024. The jury will then crown the winners with the Legend of the Year title based on the stats provided by a Scatters Club’s partner Casinolytics.

Special Jury and Famous Guests

During the voting period from December 8, 2023 to January 30, 2024, the audience can try to predict the winners and place their bets on the web page. The winners will be announced online on February 1, 2024. The live event will be attended by a secret host invited by Scatters Club to make a special contribution to the image of the Streamers Award ceremony. Also, famous gambling streamers will make guest appearances to announce the nominees and the winners chosen by a special jury.

Their names will remain secret and will be revealed during this fantastic event to spice up the thrill of this unprecedented gaming experience.

Source: “Calling All Gamblers: Scatters Club to Host First-Ever Gambling Streamers Awards”. EuropeanGaming. December 4, 2023.

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MGM Resorts International has teased more details about the experience Bellagio Fountain Club will offer during the F1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix. The club is set to take “center stage” during the highly anticipated race and will host a Winner’s Stage event.

Set to take place from November 16 to 18, the Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix is one of the most exciting events in this year’s motorsports calendar. As announced by MGM, the Bellagio Fountain Club will host a variety of events prior to, during and after the race.

Bellagio Fountain Club Will Bring Fans Closer to the Action

At the club, fans will be able to watch the race live. MGM will leverage “an unprecedented Dolby Vision viewing experience powered by LG OLED evo TVs” to “bring fans even closer to the track.” MGM said that action will come to life on screen with bright and vivid colors, cutting-edge detail and dazzling contrast. A total of eight screens will ensure that no guest misses a beat.

The Bellagio Fountain Club will also offer proximity to the track itself from an elevated location on the property’s signature lake. The club’s rooftop hospitality deck will allow guests to see the cars on the Las Vegas Boulevard live.

The club will also welcome entertainers from MGM Resorts’ entertainment portfolio and will also welcome some of the race’s best drivers for post-race commentary on Saturday night. This will notably include the top three drivers in the race who will share their reflections on the event with the community.

Leading Chefs and Will Cook Up Amazing Experiences

In addition, the venue will welcome renowned chefs such as the chef and humanitarian José Andrés, the famous award-winning chef Christina Tosi, the Michelin-decorated Alain Ducasse and Rainer Becker, founder of the famous izakaya-style Japanese restaurant ZUMA in London.

The aforementioned chefs will join a chef roster that also includes Mario Carbone, David Chang, Michael Mina, Masaharu Morimoto, Bryan & Michael Voltaggio and Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

This impressive chef lineup will provide motorsports fans unparaleled dining options. According to MGM, chefs will rotate throughout the three days of the F1 race, introducing new menus each day. In the meantime, a team of decorated mixologists and sommeliers will curate an open bar.

MGM Is Proud to Host the Winner’s Stage

Andrew Lanzino, MGM Resorts’ vice president of citywide events strategy, commented on the experiences awaiting motorsports fans at the club.

We’re curating an experience at the Bellagio Fountain Club that offers guests the absolute best of F1 – from incredible views of the race and exceptional cuisine and beverages, to an astonishing live Dolby Vision experience on LG OLED TVs, to getting up close with the winners post-race.

Andrew Lanzino, VP of citywide events strategy, MGM Resorts International

Lanzino concluded that MGM is “incredibly honored” to host the Winner’s Stage of the F1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix.

The Bellagio Fountain Club is set to open at 6 pm on the three race days.

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BetMGM, MGM Resorts International’s flagship online gambling brand, is finally making a foray into the lucrative UK market. The iGaming powerhouse has decided to announce its presence in the UK by inking a major sponsorship agreement with Newcastle United FC, a major soccer team.

Under the agreement, BetMGM will serve as the official club partner for the 2023/24 season. As a result, the operator’s brand will feature at St. James’ Park, the team’s home stadium.

BetMGM is a company that is firmly committed to maintaining high standards, as demonstrated by its multiple agreements with major teams and celebrities. The company currently offers one of the largest jackpots in the United Kingdom, currently at £15.4 million (approximately $18.7 million).

Kambi Group recently supported BetMGM’s launch in the UK by providing the brand with cutting-edge sports betting technology including the award-winning Bet Builder solution and AI-powered algorithmic trading functionalities.

BetMGM Is Proud to Be Newcastle United’s Partner

Peter Silverstone, Newcastle United’s chief commercial officer, expressed his team’s delight to have BetMGM as an official partner of the club. He said that the gambling operator already has a significant presence in the city of Newcastle since the company’s UK office is based there. As a result, BetMGM is familiar with the region, Newcastle United and the club’s fanbase, Silverstone pointed out. 

We are very pleased to be taking this step together and I’d like to welcome BetMGM to our growing family of partners.

Peter Silverstone, CCO, Newcastle United

Sam Behar, BetMGM’s UK director, also commented on the matter, praising Newcastle United’s “re-entry into the world’s elite.” Behar congratulated the team, praising its successes as a “golden moment” for the club and its passionate fans. 

Behar added that BetMGM is proud to be Newcastle United’s official club partner for the upcoming soccer season and is looking forward to working with the team.

With our launch in the UK, it is fantastic to have Newcastle United as part of our stable of Premier League partner clubs. The team’s ambition and drive perfectly align with our growth strategy and we can’t wait to get started.                                

Sam Behar, UK director, BetMGM   

BetMGM recently enhanced its sportsbook ahead of the upcoming National Football League season. Sports bettors will now have more opportunities to interact with games and win exciting prizes.

In other news, BetMGM just opened a new sportsbook in Cincinnati. The BetMGM Sportsbook at The Banks property is expected to add to the vibrancy of downtown Cincinnati, providing unforgettable betting experiences to local fans.

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In light of the recent cyberattack that disrupted MGM Resorts’ operations, the iconic strip club has extended a helping hand to affected tourists, offering them an array of unique perks to ease their stress and ensure their Sin City experience remains unforgettable.

Cyberattack Rocks MGM Resorts, Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club Offers Respite

The MGM Resorts cyberattack, which struck at the beginning of the week, plunged some visitors into chaos as they struggled to access their hotel rooms or complete check-in procedures. The fallout even extended to casino slot machines and phone lines, adding to the frustration of travelers in town for a good time.

Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club wasted no time stepping up to the plate, recognizing the need to alleviate the distress of both guests and hospitality employees grappling with the situation. Brittany Rose, the club’s general manager, conveyed her heartfelt empathy for those affected, reported TMZ. She mentioned that their hearts went out to both the employees and the tourists impacted by the devastating event. As members of the hospitality industry, they had decided to contribute to enhancing the guest experience during their visit to Las Vegas, with the aim of easing the stress experienced by the employees who were diligently handling the situation.

For those guests who endured the cyberattack’s turmoil and are at least 21 years old, Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club is offering an impressive array of freebies. To partake in this unique offer, visitors simply need to present proof of a valid hotel reservation at any MGM property from September 10 onwards. The freebies include airport pickup, luggage storage to accommodate check-in delays, a complimentary $1,200 platinum VIP membership, and, of course, free lap dances. However, this generous offer is only available until September 24, so affected tourists should make the most of it while they can.

Cyberattack Brings Unexpected Windfall for Las Vegas Adult Entertainment Venues

While the cyberattack left many visitors grappling with inconvenience, it inadvertently boosted business for the city’s adult entertainment establishments. Strip Club Concierge, another Sin City gentlemen’s club, reported a surge in foot traffic, reservations, and ride service usage in the wake of the attack. Strippers even saw a substantial increase in earnings, with some bringing in up to $2,000 more per night.

The recently experienced cyberattack on MGM Resorts International is believed to be the work of the Scattered Spider group, a notorious cybercriminal organization known for using social engineering to obtain login credentials and OTP codes.

The attack has had a significant impact on MGM’s business, leading to a decline in its stock price, email and website shutdowns, and potential losses. Moody’s credit rating agency has warned that MGM’s credit rating may be negatively affected due to security weaknesses. Similar cyberattacks have targeted other companies, including Caesars Entertainment and Stake.com.

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Churchill Downs Racetrack’s Jockey Club Suites, built and officially opened just in time for the 2004 Kentucky Derby, will undergo a massive renovation valued at $14 million. The purpose of the renovation procedure is to modernize the luxurious hospitality offerings at the iconic racetrack home of The Kentucky Derby, the longest yearly sporting event in the US held every year since 1875. 

All of Churchill Downs’ 61 suites located on the fourth, fifth, and sixth floors at the Jockey Club in the tower adjacent to the historic Twin Spires along the homestretch will be included in the renovation project. Plans also include all restrooms, dining spaces, and common areas of the club used by up to 2,500 guests, which is the Jockey Club Suites’ maximum accommodation capacity. 

The Suites, “a Core Premium Hospitality Product” 

According to Churchill Downs’ president, Mike Anderson, the modernization project has the purpose of guaranteeing that both existing and upcoming suite holders will be granted the premium entertainment experiences that Churchill Downs is best known for, especially during the much-anticipated Kentucky Derby Week along with the rest of the popular racing events including the thoroughbred horse race meets in spring, September and fall held in Louisville.

Prices for a suite at the Jockey Club start at $750 and they go up during the biggest events throughout the year. For example, during the Kentucky Derby, guests frequently pay more than $200,000 for a single suite. Single suite options can accommodate up to 24 guests while double suites can host up to 50 guests. All suites offer food and beverage options that can be customized by guests according to their personal needs.

All rooms feature private self-service wagering terminals, reserved parking, souvenir glasses on Derby Day and Oaks Day, along with a dedicated wait staff, a wet bar, temperature-controlled bar and kitchen areas with dedicated lounge seatings, and private balconies with panoramic views over the racetrack.

The Jockey Club Suites Clubhouse features dining tables suitable for ten guests per table. The same Clubhouse is also home to the Grand Foyer, the Triple Crown Ballroom, and the Derby and Oaks meeting rooms. The freshly opened Triple Crown Balcony is a top-tier rental space for special events held during the year.

The Makeover to Be Completed in Time for the Next Derby

While Churchill Downs has not offered any details regarding the exact modernization that will take place at the suites, the process is expected to be over right in time for the upcoming 150th Kentucky Derby that will take place on May 3-4, 2024. 

The 149th Derby held on May 5, 2023, once again gathered over 150,000 exuberant fans eager to watch America’s greatest race. Next year’s derby is expected to bring together the same vibrant and spirited public, many of whom will be able to seek accommodation in the freshly renovated suites at the Jockey Club. 

At the end of June, FanDuel’s director of communications, Alexander Pitocchelli, confirmed their plans to sign up a partnership with Churchill Downs in order to secure access to Kentucky’s sports betting market.

Last September, Churchill Downs Incorporated acquired Ellis Park Racing and Gaming in Henderson, Kentucky as a result of a cash deal valued at $79 million.

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Moving forward, Betsson and professional Argentinian soccer club Racing Club de Allevaneda, or just Racing Group for short, will seek to expand their reach in the region and strengthen their pull with fans. Betsson Group will have its logo displayed in the upper back of the men’s and women’s First Division soccer teams’ shirts and this will be applicable to both the teams’ local and international matches.

Betsson Teams up with Racing Group in Argentina

Commenting on this release, Betsson country manager for Argentina, Maximiliano Bellio, and Racing Club president Víctor Blanco, welcomed the opportunity to see the two brands work closer together to provide fans with more opportunities to enjoy their passion for soccer.

“Once again, we confirm the relevance of Racing Club as a brand. It fills us with pride to be selected by a prestigious company like Betsson has chosen us as a platform to further enhance their brand promotion,” Blanco said about the partnership. The debut of the new jerseys will take place on Friday, May 19, as part of the Argentinian League, the country’s top-flight soccer league.

Betsson Group CEO Jesper Svensson was similarly pleased to see this partnership take shape. He hailed the tie-up and called it another opportunity for the group to position its brand, image, and logo in the country and strike home with soccer and sports fans. Svensson also spoke highly of the partner club, its history, and fans:

The club’s history, its loyal fanbase, and the enormous potential of its squad made them the perfect team for us to support.

Betsson Group CEO Jesper Svensson

The Group Sets Out to Build Its Brands in LatAm

Betsson is looking forward to enhancing its presence in the Latin American customer base. The company saw a 23% increase in its revenue from the region in its latest quarterly report and it’s committed to growing its operations in the market further. Betsson Group chief commercial director officer Ronni Hartvig was similarly pleased with the opportunity to see the brand team up with Racing Club.

Racing Club is an organization that has a significant standing in the Latin American region and Argentina, and as such, Betsson Group only stands to benefit as it seeks to expand and establish its brand in the market.

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Some gambling venues, especially poker rooms, offer a bad beat jackpot on specific occasions. In general, a bad beat jackpot is offered when two players have significantly good hands but one of the players still loses.

For example, if two players have four of a kind with high cards such as Aces and Kings, the player with Aces would win, but that is likely to also trigger a bad beat jackpot. Although that’s a general rule for bad beat jackpots, different poker rooms can have different rules.

Now, a recent report posted via Twitter by the Texas poker player, Cedrric Trevino, reveals that a bad beat jackpot was nullified by a poker club in San Antonio. Last week, the social media influencer and poker pro revealed that a $100,000 bad beat jackpot was nullified by San Antonio Poker Palace.

Exposing Cards Too Soon

In general, whenever a bad beat jackpot drops, the winner, loser and the players that participated in the particular hand can receive a percentage of the prize. The payout varies from one poker room to another, but besides payout structure, the poker rooms have other rules that seek to ensure the eligibility of the players whenever a bad beat hand drops.

Sadly, not following the rules results in a void of the bad beat jackpot and this is precisely the case for the San Antonio poker room. Trevino posted a video along with a written explanation from the gambling venue, revealing why the bad beat jackpot was nullified.

In a post on Facebook which was consequently deleted, the San Antonio gambling venue wrote that a bad beat hand was dealt which involved two players. The poker room said that sadly, the bad beat hand was nullified due to multiple infractions.

According to the poker room, the hand of one of the players was exposed before the action was completed. Additionally, the player with the losing hand did not confirm with a motion that they called nor said that verbally. “Player saw he had a losing hand after he was shown the exposed cards and then pushes his chips in,” wrote San Antonio Poker Palace.

The poker room reiterated that it is important for players to follow the rules, explaining: “We want to stress the importance of abiding by the house rules while maintaining the integrity of the game and promotion.”

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