Kindred’s flagship Unibet brand has unveiled a new campaign to raise awareness about heart health issues within the cycling community. Called Follow Your Heart, the new campaign represents a partnership between the operator and the Dutch cycling team Tour de Tietema (TDT).

As a part of the initiative, Unibet joined forces with the team to develop an online learning tool in response to the growing concern over heart health issues within the cycling community.

Furthermore, a free and interactive augmented reality experience will feature digital versions of TDT’s owners, Bas Tietema, Devin van der Wiel and Josse Wes who will guide users through an eight-step process to perform resuscitation.

The campaign’s goal is not only to increase awareness of the health problems faced by cyclists but to also increase survival rates by teaching sports fans in the Netherlands and Belgium how to save lives.

The initiative will be promoted by TDT members who will wear a custom exclusive jersey featuring campaign imagery. The TDT-Unibet team already wore the jersey featuring the campaign name on the chest, hearts on the sleeve and eight lifesaving skills on the back during the Tour of Antalya.

Kindred Wants to Teach Fans How to Save Lives

Lennart Kessels, Kinded Group’s general manager for the Netherlands, commented on the initiative, saying that sports are in Unibet’s DNA, which is why Follow Your Heart is a natural fit for the company. Kessels hopes that the campaign will inspire Dutch cycling fans to learn valuable lifesaving skills.

This awareness campaign fits well with our focus on increasing social engagement, and we hope that, together with Tour de Tietema, we can inspire as many Dutch people as possible to complete the AR experience.

Lennart Kessels, GM Netherlands, Kindred Group

Kindred Group’s general manager for Belgium, Dennis Marien, also shared his thoughts, pointing out that this is not the first time Kindred has raised awareness for the eight life-saving skills. Previously, the operator promoted this invaluable skillset together with Club Bruges.

By tailoring this now to cycling, we hope to educate even more Belgians about the importance of these life-saving techniques. As playing responsibly is one of our key focuses, the link to acting responsibly in sports is evident.

Dennis Marien, GM Belgium, Kindred Group

Finally, Bas Tietema, one of the owners of Tour de Tietema, shared his thoughts, providing insight into his motivations behind the campaign. He described himself as a person who always follows his heart but also one who couldn’t help but notice that a less well-functioning heart can make people very insecure. Considering the proliferation of stories about health problems within the cycling world, the need for health awareness became evident to Tietema.

We, within the team, didn’t know how to perform lifesaving actions. With our cycling team, we reach a lot of people, so we wanted to use that reach to draw attention to this current issue.

Bas Tietema, co-owner, Tour de Tietema

In other news, Kindred recently published an update on its Journey towards Zero initiative.

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A recent case involving an unnamed English professional soccer manager has raised eyebrows as the Football Association (FA) decided not to sanction the individual despite evidence of substantial gambling activity. The manager’s betting activities came to light during an alleged blackmail case, further complicating the situation. The FA’s leniency starkly contrasts its recent punishment of high-profile players, garnering significant criticism.

The Alleged Offender Placed Regular Wagers

The manager’s identity remains protected by a court order regarding a 2022 blackmail case, which saw him accuse two professional soccer players, Alan Rogers and Steven Jennings, of extorting him. Both athletes denied the charges, and the manager ultimately withdrew his allegations, stating he wished to move on with his life.

However, court documents regarding the extortion case revealed the unnamed manager had engaged in extensive gambling, wagering £879,000 ($1.1 million) over two years. During this time, he incurred losses of £270,000 ($334,000). His bets notably extended to soccer matches within his league, but the data shows he did not bet on his team.

Such gambling behavior is strictly prohibited and can result in severe punishments. The FA has significantly tightened its enforcement policy, making its decision to pardon the manager highly puzzling. The Association likely decided that taking action could reveal the manager’s identity and risk legal action. However, this lack of enforcement has given rise to accusations of double standards and inconsistent enforcement.

Athletes Faced Harsh Punishments for Much Less

The FA’s renewed focus on sports integrity saw it sanction several high-profile athletes like Harry Toffolo, Chris Maguire, and Ivan Toney. The athletes may face significant repercussions for their careers, highlighting the Association’s focus on preventing potential conflicts of interest and maintaining a level playing field for all participants. 

By strictly enforcing these regulations, the FA hoped to demonstrate it would not tolerate any attempts to undermine the sport’s integrity. However, the decision not to sanction the unnamed manager severely undermines the Association’s image and casts a negative light on its harsh policies. The FA likely had valid reasons to avoid pressing the issue, but other offending individuals may attempt to use this ruling to avoid sanctions.

Although the contrast with the strict punishment meted out to Ivan Toney has fueled controversy and raised questions about the transparency and fairness of the FA’s approach, sports integrity must remain a priority. This case should prompt the Association to implement new policies and ensure that similar offenses cannot avoid sanctions in the future, promoting fairness and transparency.

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Pro League Network (PLN), a sports entertainment company, has ventured into the world of slap-fighting by acquiring the renowned SlapFight Championship. 

JT Tilley Takes the Helm as Creative Director at PLN

The acquisition brings not only the SlapFight Championship assets but also the expertise of its Founder and CEO, JT Tilley, who will now take on the role of creative director within PLN. Tilley, whose background spans sports, entertainment, comedy, and music, is tasked with shaping the creative direction of PLN’s entire sports portfolio, emphasizing entertainment value alongside betting opportunities.

SlapFight, established in 2017 by Tilley, has transformed slap-fighting into a legitimate sport with strict rules and a growing fan base. Notable fighters, including former UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia and home-grown talents like Wolverine, The Bell, and Neanderthal, have graced its roster. The championship’s live pay-per-view and tape-delayed events have drawn millions of social media impressions, especially on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.

Since PLN secured wagering rights for SlapFIGHT in 2022, the sport has gained recognition in six US jurisdictions, making it available for betting enthusiasts through DraftKings. With this acquisition, PLN takes full control of SlapFight Championship, encompassing branding, content libraries, and social media channels.

In October 2022, slap-fighting officially became regulated in Nevada after approval by the Nevada Athletic Commission. 

PLN Unveils Ambitious Plans for SlapFight

PLN’s co-founders, Mike Salvaris and Bill Yucatonis, expressed their enthusiasm, saying: “We couldn’t be more excited to add SlapFight to our portfolio and are looking forward to growing the brand, as well as introducing SlapFight fans to other PLN sports.”

They also highlighted Tilley’s talent for developing sports that are not only easy to comprehend but also captivating to watch and likely to go viral. This collaboration aims to bring even more unique sports experiences to the audience.

Additionally, as part of the deal, PLN plans to establish a state-of-the-art studio in Branson, Missouri, where Tilley will oversee the creation of a new entertainment series, including “BFC Extreme.” This series will showcase a regular roster of athletes competing in emerging PLN sports, promising an immersive sports and entertainment experience. Tilley shared his vision, stating:

When I first met the PLN team last year it was clear that we shared a vision for the future of sports entertainment – one where sports that may be considered ‘niche’ could, if produced correctly, be appealing to a broad audience and engaged with across multiple channels – including betting, fantasy and watch-alongs.

PLN creative director JT Tilley

PLN, founded in 2022, has gained recognition for promoting alternative sports and creating wagering opportunities, filling under-optimized slots on the sports calendar. It boasts a portfolio of over 16 brands, including the World Putting League, CarJitsu Championship, XTreme Long Drive, Pro Footgolf, National Carrom League, Strongman, T3 TouchTennis, and Beastball.

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The globally-recognized tennis integrity body, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), confirmed Thursday it imposed a tough sanction against a player that was found to have breached the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP). Judging by a statement released by the Agency, Alexis Musialek, a French professional tennis player, was banned from the sport for life after breaches related to match-fixing.

The professional tennis player who had the highest ATP singles ranking of 255 in 2015 initially denied all charges against him. However, an investigation led by Raj Parker, an independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer (AHO), uncovered that Musialek was involved in match-fixing of nine matches between 2016 and 2018. Additionally, it was determined that the French player failed to cooperate with ITIA’s probe and withheld evidence.

Overall, according to ITIA, Musialek was involved in a total of 39 breaches of the TACP rules. According to the Agency: “The 35-year-old was found to have – among other offenses – contrived the outcome of multiple matches, received money, benefit or consideration for contriving the outcome of these matches.” The integrity watchdog also said that Musialek engaged with other players, encouraging them “not to use their best efforts.”

In light of the uncovered breaches, the French tennis player received a lifetime ban from the sport. Additionally, a hefty $50,000 fine was imposed against him. Although it was announced this week, the sanction was in effect as of August 5, 2023, the ITIA confirmed.

The lifetime ban means that Musialek won’t be permitted to play or coach at any event sanctioned or authorized by the governing bodies of tennis permanently. He is also prohibited from attending such events as well.

The Tennis Integrity Watchdog Remains Vigilant

As the independent body, safeguarding the integrity of tennis, ITIA has the authority to implement sanctions which may include fines, temporary or even permanent bans. Earlier this month, the Agency confirmed it imposed provisional suspensions against three players over TACP breaches. At the time, the ITIA alleged that Timur Khabibulin, Sanjar Fayziev and Igor Smilansky were involved in multiple breaches related to match-fixing.

Before that, back in July, the Agency hit the Bolivian tennis umpire, Percy Flores, with a temporary ban from the sport for a duration of 12 years. The tough sanction came after the regulatory watchdog uncovered a whopping 31 breaches of the TACP rules between November 2021 and October 2022.

Again, in July, the ITIA confirmed the launch of a new mandatory integrity education for junior players in collaboration with the International Tennis Federation (ITF). Ultimately, that training seeks to educate and raise awareness about the importance of the sport’s integrity.

The post ITIA Bans French Tennis Pro Alexis Musialek for Life appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The popularity of CSGO betting has soared globally over the years, with various bookmakers looking to include it in their service portfolio. Consequently, the game is now played in different leagues at various skill levels.

And because of this surge in demand, CSGO gambling sites have become way too common. But how do you separate the CSGO gambling sites from mediocre ones?

There are endless ways to achieve this, and probably crucial is to pursue due diligence, including thoroughly researching your options. That may sound like a lot, but it isn’t. Here are some factors to help you kickstart this journey.

Trustworthiness and Reputation of the Site

One of the factors that you must consider when choosing a CSGO gambling site is its reputation. The site you settle on must be trustworthy and have a history of providing a safe and fair gambling environment.

How would you determine if a site is reputable or not? For starters, check the reviews and feedback from other users to assess their experience. A golden rule is to compare the reviews on more than three platforms.

Second, look for a site that has been operating for a significant duration. It is worth noting that longevity often indicates reliability. Finally, ensure the site is regulated and licensed by a reputable authority.

Array of Games

An excellent CSGO gambling site must also offer a wide range of games. Of course, in this case, CSGO games will be your primary focus. However, settling for a site that provides various casino-themed games is advantageous.

This way, you will be able to choose other games you are comfortable playing and improve your chances of winning.

Promotions and Bonuses

Most CSGO gambling sites offer promotions and bonuses to attract new users and retain the existing client base. These bonuses include free bets, deposit bonuses, and welcome bonuses.

It is essential to compare bonuses across various sites and go for one with the best. However, be wary of sites with unrealistic promotions or bonuses that seem too good to be true.

Customer Support

A smooth gambling experience means getting proper and world-class customer support. Therefore, choosing a site with reliable customer support is a must. The team should be available throughout and provide different channels for communication, including phone, email, and live chat.

Options of Payment and Security

An excellent site provides different payment options to cater to various preferences. Look for sites that offer popular and accepted payment methods such as credit/debit cards, e-wallets, and cryptocurrency. In addition, ensure they employ secure encryption protocols to safeguard your information.

Your security also matters, so you must select a site that guarantees advanced security measures to protect your data. The best sites use provably fair systems or independent audits to ascertain the integrity and randomness of their games.

Final Words

Selecting the best CSGO gambling site is multi-faceted. It involves understanding the legal landscape and implementing the factors like reputation, game options, customer support, options of payment, and security.

Sticking to these considerations is the surest way of taking your CSGO gambling experience from ordinary to extraordinary safely and enjoyably.

Above all, remember to gamble responsibly.

The post CSGO Betting: A Pro Guide to Choosing the Best Site appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Many people all over the US and beyond enjoy playing the lottery. The thrill of picking numbers or scratching cards adds extra spice to many people’s lives. Evidently, all players want to boost their chances of winning. A professional mathematician spoke with WIRED on that matter.

Skip Garibaldi explained that in lottery, players can adopt a variety of strategies to boost their chances of winning the jackpot. He emphasized that no strategy guarantees a win but there are certain ways to make a sweet victory more likely.

For example, Garibaldi advised players to avoid certain numbers when playing number-picking games such as Mega Millions or Powerball. While all numbers have equal chances of winning, some numbers tend to be picked a lot more often, which means that players might have to share the jackpot.

Picking what Garibaldi called “unpopular numbers” includes avoiding picking birthday dates and choosing sequences that no one else would choose. For example, selecting a sequence of numbers is something that few people do and that makes it extremely unlikely to share a prize.

Quantity Increases Your Chances

While Powerball and Mega Millions sell millions of tickets, some games sell a lot fewer. State lotteries, for example, have smaller prizes but also a smaller number of total tickets. This makes it easier to buy a lot of tickets to significantly increase your chances of winning.

While regulations will prevent clerks from selling hundreds of tickets to a single person, a dedicated team of people can easily buy many tickets to boost their chances. However, such people must beware that they always risk sharing the jackpot with another person.

In addition, Garibaldi pointed out that playing in a region where fewer people buy tickets makes it more unlikely to share a prize.

Scratch games are always designed in such a way that companies would earn more money than a jackpot winner would. Such games are usually not designed to benefit the average player. However, sometimes the first wave of sales doesn’t sell a winning ticket.

Since scratch games always have a winning ticket, it is easier to win the jackpot from a game that has not sold the big prizes early on. People in the United States can use online resources to see which states have games that are yet to sell their big prizes.

One of Garibaldi’s last pieces of advice was finding a game where players have to select a four-digit number in a six way box. This, he explained, provides players with a 1/1667 chance to win, which is extremely high by the lottery standards. A winning bet of this type usually would yield players $800.

You’ll probably lose money, just so you know. It is not a recipe for making money, but it is a recipe for getting to that lottery office with the least amount of effort.

Skip Garibaldi

Garibaldi concluded that the lottery is still gambling and that players should play for the fun of it. He admitted to buying tickets himself just because he likes to imagine a situation in which he does win the jackpot.

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