Since January 1, 2023, the German online gambling regulator has been running on all cylinders and has now issued licenses to SkillOnNet and BetClic Everest Group’s Bet-at-home AG. The slots-only licenses allow SkillOnNet to offer online slots across all of its brands whereas Bet-at-home was given a kicker allowing it to offer slots along with sports with an extension on its sports betting license.
These are the first known slot licenses offered by the nascent federal regulator which only took over licensing as of January 1. This, and all other powers formerly residing in the 16 federal states – are now the sole domain of the Glücksspielbehörde (GGL).
DrueckGluek.de is the brand SkillOnNet has indicated it will focus its efforts on for now as it has a known brand presence having been the recipient of one of the first licenses under the old system, The brand has operated in Schleswig-Holstein since 2015 and will now expand its footprint throughout the states as a central entity.
First Licenses Issued by GGL
Crazy Buzzer was granted a license in August, Rootz Ltd and Solar Operations in September, and Tipico was awarded a slots license in October for two brands.
SkillOnNet marketing director, Michael Golemb said: “Having the official German license means SkillOnNet players will be part of a fully regulated experience, feeling more confident, safe and secure, many for the first time.
“It’s also a recognition that we meet the high standards of the German licensing regime and are prepared to work with regulators to meet those standards, reinforcing that responsible gaming is the cornerstone of everything we do.”
Bet-at-home chairman, Marco Falchetto commented: “With the obtaining of permissions for all product categories offered, Bet-at-home will now create complete legal and planning security for the group, their investors and business partners in Germany.”
An Orderly Progression
In July 2021, Germany launched the State Treaty on Gambling (GlüNeuRStv) with certain individual states having certain powers and responsibilities as a stepping stone toward the eventual empowerment of GGL.
Last month representatives from all 16 German states met in Halle (Saale, Saxony-Anhalt) to dissolve the existing temporary regulatory “agency” to hand all powers over to the new omni-powerful federal regulator, GGL.
In an unexpected move in October 2021, the regulator was given a leadership duo of Ronald Benter and Benjamin Schwanke who helped steer and coordinate GGL through the end transition time into the centralized and cohesive regulator.
Source: SkillOnNet and Bet-at-home get German slots licences as new regulator takes over, iGaming Business, January 4, 2023
The post SkillOnNet, Bet-at-home Awarded German Slots Licenses appeared first on Casino News Daily.
Betr, a gambling venture backed by the famous boxer and social media star Jake Paul, was one of the operators that were reviewed by the gambling regulator in Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC).
The Regulator in Massachusetts Probes Betr
A recent report released by Sports Handle revealed that Betr made an important step forward in Massachusetts, considering that the regulator agreed that the sports betting operator meets the requirements for a license. During a meeting set by the MGC, Paul was questioned amid controversial reports that emerged regarding his persona. Responding to the probe, the famous social media star explained that with fame comes “unwarranted claims.”
Additionally, Paul said that although he has made mistakes, he learned from them. Most importantly, he added that he was never convicted of any crime and pointed out that nothing has come out of media allegations. Paul acknowledged that he has “a stellar reputation” and flagged that social media often spreads rumors that are untrue and have nothing in common with the real world.
“Little or nothing has come from these headlines. I’ve never been convicted of a crime, and as frustrating as they are, they have helped me to grow as a businessman and a person.“
Jake Paul, co-founder of Betr
MGC Continues Public Meetings
Eileen O’Brien, the MGC’s commissioner, explained that tough questions are asked because the regulator needs to ensure that applicants are suitable. She pointed out that it was exciting to see Betr’s application which included “a lot of detail about Massachusetts to a lot of detail on responsiveness and the product offering.” O’Brien reiterated that suitability is incredibly important, which is why the MGC is looking into the license applications submitted by all applicants very carefully.
Besides Betr, the MGC will continue to hold meetings, considering applications for Category 3 sports betting operator licenses from FanDuel, Bally’s, DraftKings, and other leading operators. Multiple public meetings will take place and afterward, the regulator is expected to unveil the final result.
Considering the licensing process is still ongoing, a solid date for the launch of the regulated sports betting market in Massachusetts is yet to be set. Still, it was hinted that retail betting may be launched near the end of this month, followed by a mobile betting rollout in March.
It’s no secret that today’s NFL players get paid huge amounts of money.
In fact, the five largest NFL contracts ever were all given to players over the last few years.
The biggest of the lot belongs to Patrick Mahomes, quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs who signed a 10-year contract worth an eye-watering $450 million.
Salaries are not the only way for NFL players to make their money. Instead, many current and ex-players make even more off the field through starting businesses, gaining sponsorships, and taking part in broadcasts.
All of this means that the very richest NFL players are not always those with the biggest on-field salaries.
But who exactly are the richest NFL players of all time? Do any current players make it on to the list? And how many millions does it take to become one of the wealthiest NFL players in history?
Find out below, starting with the ‘poorest’…
10. Russell Wilson – $165 Million
Image: Twitter/DangeRussWilson
The 10th richest NFL player ever is Russell Wilson, the Denver Broncos’ quarterback who is currently having a season he’d probably like to forget.
It might seem like a long time ago, but it’s only been a few years since Wilson was dominating with the Seattle Seahawks, a team he was drafted by in 2012 and won the Super Bowl with in 2014.
Clearly attracted by his skills, the Denver Broncos offered Wilson a massive $242,588,236 contract for 5 years, which earns him around $49 million per year.
Add to this Wilson’s impressive range of endorsement deals including Nike, as well as Amazon and it’s not hard to see how he has built such a huge fortune.
9. Eli Manning – $170 Million
Image: Forbes
While not the highest ranking Manning on our list, Eli has earned himself a very respectable fortune worth around $170 million.
After attending the University of Mississippi, Manning was drafted in 2004 by the New York Giants, a franchise he would spend his entire career with, before retiring in January 2020.
During this time, the Giants won the Super Bowl twice and Manning was named Super Bowl MVP on both occasions.
From his football salary alone Manning earned $252.3 million, which – at the time – made him the highest earning NFL player in history.
Since retiring, Manning has continued to make millions through broadcasting contracts with top companies such as ESPN.
8. Aaron Rodgers – $200 Million
Image: All-Pro Reels/Flickr
Drafted 24th overall by the Green Bay Packers in 2005, Aaron Rodgers played backup to NFL star Brett Favre for his first few seasons before taking over in 2008.
It only took 3 years for Rodgers to lead the Packers to a Super Bowl victory, a game they won 31-25 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
As one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game, Rodgers is among the highest-earning NFL players of all time, with his career long salary takings being worth more than $260 million.
Rodgers’s current annual salary of $50,271,667is an NFL record and he further adds to his wealth through endorsing many brands including Adidas and State Farm.
He even owns a small percentage of NBA franchise The Milwaukee Bucks!
7. Steve Young – $200 Million
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Next up we have Steve Young, another quarterback. He played 13 of his 15 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, winning the Super Bowl an impressive three times.
Two of these Super Bowls came during the four years Young played as a backup behind legend Joe Montana. However, Young did start and won Super Bowl XXIX, earning the Super Bowl MVP in the process.
While Young made millions on the pitch, most of his wealth came during retirement when he co-founded a private equity firm called Huntsman Gay Global Capital.
At the moment, the firm has nearly $7 billion in cumulative capital commitments and since 2005 has completed transactions with a total value of over $68 billion.
6. John Madden – $200 Million
Image: AP Photo/Ben Margot via The Mercury News
There’s no doubting that John Madden was one of the most famous football coaches of all time.
What people don’t often realize, though, is that he was also a member of the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad in the 1958 season, playing tackle until an injury ended his career.
While Madden earned a lot of money as a coach, he made most of his fortune through his association with the hit game franchise “Madden” from EA Sports. His yearly earnings from the game were reported at being around $14 million.
Madden also got considerable sums of money from broadcasting. He starred in commercials for a variety of companies, including Verizon Wireless, Miller Lite, and Outback Steakhouse.
5. Peyton Manning – $250 Million
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Pretty much everyone in the United States has heard of Peyton Manning.
The two-time Super Bowl winner and 14 x Pro Bowl player spent most of his career as quarterback at the Indianapolis Colts, before spending a few years playing with the Denver Broncos.
Just like his brother Eli, Peyton Manning loves endorsements and has earned money from a huge number of companies, including ESPN and MasterCard.
At one point Manning owned 31 Papa John’s franchises and in more recent years he has made money investing in new trends such as NFTs.
4. Tom Brady – $250 Million
Image: Twitter/NFLonCBS
The GOAT spent 19 seasons with the New England Patriots, winning six Super Bowls before a blockbuster trade took him to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he won another Super Bowl, taking him to an incredible total of seven.
A number he hopes to add to in this, his 23rd NFL season, after backtracking on his decision to retire.
Forbes calculated that in 2022 alone Brady made $75 million thanks to his incredible salary and huge off-pitch earnings, with endorsements from brands like Aston Martin, Under Armour, and Tag Heuer.
The fact that Brady is worth such an incredible amount of money is even more impressive when you learn he turned down higher salaries during his time at the New England Patriots.
All in all, Brady is said to have given up around $60 million so the Patriots could invest in building a better, more competitive team around him.
3. Fran Tarkenton – $300 million
Image: Steve Burns/Wikimedia Commons
Fran Tarkenton was a quarterback in the NFL for 18 seasons. He played most of these seasons for the Minnesota Vikings and went to the Super Bowl three times with them, losing all three to different opponents.
When he retired after the 1978 season, Tarkenton was seen as one of the best quarterbacks to have ever played the game thanks to his ability to pass the ball and scramble for yards using his legs.
Interestingly, it wasn’t Tarkenton’s footballing career that made him incredibly rich, but what came after.
During retirement Tarkenton became involved in computer software and launched a software company called Tarkenton Ware, a business that earned him huge amounts of money.
Apart from computer software, Tarkenton has written many books, is a major shareholder in Apple, and also owns a financial-planning business.
Not bad for someone who only earned $1 million during their playing career.
2. Roger Staubach – $600 Million
Image: Twitter/dallascowboys
Next up is another player you probably didn’t expect to be so rich – Roger Staubach.
The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and two-time Super Bowl winner played for 10 years, retiring in 1979.
While Staubach certainly made a good living from the Cowboys, most of his riches have come from other businesses.
The Staubach Company was a real estate business he was a partner in, and it sold for $613 million in 2008.
He has also earned money from advertisements and color commentary.
1. Jerry Richardson – $2 Billion
Image: Bleacher Report
At number one on our list of the richest NFL players ever is Jerry Richardson.
The former owner of the Carolina Panthers – a franchise that was sold for $2.3 billion in 2018 amid misconduct allegations – was a halfback who played in the late 1950s.
Richardson played for the Baltimore Colts and won he won the 1959 NFL Championship.
Richardson didn’t get rich from football though. Instead, he earned money via Hardee’s franchises, with his first coming in 1961.
He would end up owning 50% of Hardee’s, as well as having interests in many other businesses. By 1993, he was rich enough to establish the Carolina Panthers, the NFL’s 29th franchise.
This meant he became one of only two NFL players to have ever owned a franchise.
How Much Do NFL Players Make?
The average NFL player earns around $2.7 million per year.
But while some, such as Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady, earn tens of millions a year, not everyone in the NFL has salaries this high.
Actually, many rookies are paid the league minimum, which for the 2022/23 season is $750,000.
If you break salaries down by position, quarterbacks earn the most by far, with NBC reporting the average salary for players in this position to be over $7 million.
Up next are wide receivers who earn an average of $2.8 million, although superstars such as Tyreek Hill are raking in as much as $30 million.
On the defensive side, the highest earners tend to be top quality edge rushers like Myles Garrett who signed a five year contract worth $125 million with the Cleveland Browns.
However, the highest paid defensive player for the 2022 season is the defensive tackle, Aaron Donald who is netting $31.7 million for the year.
NFL vs Other Sports Stars
Given these huge salaries it might surprise you to discover that NFL players do not have the highest average salaries of sports players in the world, or even in America.
Actually, NBA players have a much higher average wage of around $8 million.
But when it comes to the superstars’ on-field earnings, NFL players can expect to be paid a similar amount as the World’s best soccer players including Neymar, champion boxers like Tyson Fury and even the top Formula 1 drivers.
Ohio launched its regulated market at the start of the year. The launch comes more than a year after the lawmakers in the state legalized the activity back in December 2021. In less than two weeks after the market launch, the regulator in charge of sports wagering, the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) issued fines against operators for breaching rules primarily related to advertising.
Fines Need to Be Deterrent, Not a Part of Business Costs
Now, a new report reveals that the OCCC is prepared to enforce the rules while a problem gambling treatment advocacy group called for fines that aren’t “just a cost of doing business.” The Commission’s director of communications, Jessica Franks, was recently interviewed by NBC4 and revealed that the regulator takes breaches of the rules very seriously.
Derek Longmeier, the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio’s director shared Franks’ opinion adding that OCCC needs to make sure that fines are at a proportionate level so that operators don’t see those penalties as a cost of doing business in Ohio. He pointed out that although the Commission issued warnings and reiterated that compliance is important, it is now looking forward to seeing action from the operators.
“We need to make sure that the fines are at a level that it’s not just a cost of doing business.“
Derek Longmeier, director of the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio
Regulator Disappointed with the Operators
Franks added that the rules for betting advertising are different from one state to another. Still, she pointed out that the regulator in Ohio reminded multiple times that advertising in the state for people under 21 is prohibited. Consequently, Franks said that the Commission has taken relevant actions against operators that breached the betting advertising rules in Ohio.
“We have been very disappointed that for all of the talk that the industry has about wanting to ensure that only those over the age of 21 can place a wager, and that they’re not targeting folks that they shouldn’t, their actions right now don’t seem to be really matching up with the words.“
Jessica Franks, director of communications at the Ohio Casino Control Commission
The OCCC’s director of communications added that the regulator is disappointed to see operators in the industry breach the rules and advertise to underage individuals. At the same time, Franks said that the operators have not followed their promises considering their actions.
888poker‘s decision to swap the weekly Big Shot 109 Main Event to a $100,000 guaranteed Mystery Bounty Main Event has proven popular, with 1,079 players buying in and creating a $107,900 prize pool on January 8.
888poker has fully embraced the Mystery Bounty craze and is still the only online poker site running daily mystery bounty tournaments. The $100,000 guaranteed event is the biggest regular mystery bounty tournament found online at present. It is only set to get bigger if this weekend’s tournament is anything to go by.
$100,000 Mystery Bounty Prizes
Mystery Bounty Amount
No. of Prizes
$10,000
1
$3,000
2
$1,000
6
$500
15
$200
30
$140
50
$38.46
$195
The mystery bounties are awarded in the $100,000 guaranteed event once the tournament reaches Level 18. This week saw a $10,000 top prize and eight others weighing in at $1,000 or more.
“stockfish9” of Argentina was one of the lucky players to pull out a trio of bounties before they busted in 56th place. Those bounties tipped the scales at $3,378, a far greater haul than their $167 prize money.
Twenty-eighth place finisher “ZapanE” collected two bounties, one being worth $3,000. However, the player of the night was “edtastylez92” who may have crashed out in 48th place for a $179 score, but the envelope they opened contained the $10,000 jackpot, meaning only the eventual champion took home more money!
$100,000 Mystery Bounty Main Event Final Table Results
Place
Player
Country
Bounties
Prize
Total Prize
1
BrunsonsKid
$1,532
$8,962
$10,495
2
biachettibh
Brazil
$430
$6,536
$6,967
3
Vaelluskala
Finland
$1,355
$4,805
$6,161
4
Eg1D1
Lithuania
$910
$3,560
$4,471
5
luish64
Brazil
$1,293
$2,634
$3,928
6
BigBen420
Germany
$587
$1,968
$2,556
7
AAdriano888
Brazil
$455
$1,482
$1,937
8
Denezhki
Thailand
$178
$1,123
$1,301
9
RiLucas
Lithuania
$216
$856
$1,073
The nine-handed final table took place on January 9, with the action streamed on the official 888poker Twitch channel. It took only ten minutes before the first finalist bit the dust. “Eg1D1” min-raised with pocket queens before calling the 14.8 big blind shove from “RiLucas” from the next seat across. RiLucas showed ace-king, and it was off to the races. A nine-high board meant the queens held and the tournament was down to eight players.
The final eight became seven with the exit of “Denezhki” in another cooler hand. From early position, “BrunsonsKid” min-raised with what turned out to be pocket aces, meaning they had an easy call when Denezhki three-bet all-in for 12 big blinds with ace-king. Everyone else ducked out of the way, and Denezhki was drawing dead by the turn.
Seventh place went to “AAdriano888” of Brazil, who had been nursing a shoving stack since play began. AAdriano888 looked down at ace-four and decided to commit their last six big blinds from early position. The move looked to have won the blinds and antes until Eg1D1 called with ten-nine of diamonds in the big blind. A nine on the flop proved enough to reduce the player count by one.
888poker Shares $2.5M GTD XL Winter Series Schedule
The next elimination took place during the 40th level of the tournament which resulted in “BigBen420” heading home. Eg1D1 min-raised under the gun with ace-jack, “bianchettibh” three-bet to five big blinds with pocket nines from the next seat across, only for BigBen420 to jam their 5.1 big blinds into the middle from the big blind with ace-queen. Eg1D1 ducked out of the way, and bianchettibh called. The nines held, and BigBen420 rang his bell for the last time.
Brazilian “luish64” was the next to fall, doing so at the hands of “Vaelluskala,” who min-raised from the button with pocket jacks, and found a caller in luishi64 in the big blind holding jack-eight. The king-eight-five flop saw luishi64 check, Vaelluskala move all-in, and luishi64 call off their last 4.2 big blinds. Luishi64 needed some help from the turn or river but it never arrived.
Lithuania’s Eg1D1 busted in fourth. They were the shortest stack going into four-handed play and never managed to rectify that situation. Their participation ended after a battle of the blinds with BrunsonsKid did not go to plan. BrunsonsKid open-shoved with queen-nine, and Eg1D1 called off their eight big blind stack with the ducks, pocket deuces. A queen on the river sent Eg1D1 home.
When Should I Move Up In Stakes? | Ask an 888poker Pro
Heads-up was set when Finnish grinder Vaelluskala crashed out. Most of the damage was done when bianchettibh min-raised on the button with king-queen, and called the 4.8 big blind three-bet Vaelluskala made with pocket kings in the small blind. Vaelluskala led for 3.1 big blinds on the ten-ten-jack board before calling the 13.2 big blind shove from their opponent. A nine rolled off on the turn, improving bianchettibh to a straight, making them a 90% favorite. A deuce on the river meant Vaelluskala was left with only three big blinds.
Those three big blinds doubled up on the next hand, but then Vaelluskala busted the hand after.
BrunsonsKid held a 45 big blind to 35 big blind advantage going into heads-up. The chip lead swapped hands several times during the 20-minute one-on-one battle, but it was BrunsonsKid who emerged victoriously. The final hand saw BrunsonsKid shove with king-jack and bianchettibh call off their six big blinds with queen jack. BrunsonsKid spiked a king on the flop, and it proved enough to become the $100,000 Mystery Bounty Main Event champion.
In the UK, the Football Association (FA) has opened an investigation into betting patterns relating to Monday’s FA Cup tie between Arsenal FC and Oxford United.
a yellow card received by Oxford defender Ciaron Brown
Arsenal, the current English Premier League leader, unsurprisingly emerged with a comfortable 3-0 victory in the clash. What seemed more peculiar to the FA were betting patterns surrounding a yellow card received by Oxford defender Ciaron Brown – the incident at the center of the new investigation.
Both teams are yet to release a statement or provide comment on the matter. Notably, Arsenal was at the center of an FA investigation into questionable yellow card bets around this time last year.
The case at hand
According to the Daily Mail, the FA possesses a “dossier of evidence regarding supposed corruption.” In an apparent smoking gun, the FA has reportedly uncovered a string of text messages that stated Brown would pick up a yellow card during the match.
firmly cemented his name in the referee’s book
Brown did just what the conniving texters suspected, earning himself a yellow card in the 59th minute after tossing Eddie Nketiah to the ground during an aerial duel. He firmly cemented his name in the referee’s book by throwing the ball away and pushing Arsenal’s Fabio Vieira after the challenge:
Reports also indicate that at least one bettor made out with an 8/1 profit betting on the market, causing one sportsbook to lose £1,600 ($1,943) on a £200 ($243) wager. As of yet, it’s unknown how many gamblers cashed in on Brown’s yellow card.
The Daily Mail also claims that witnesses at the game saw Arsenal fans celebrating Brown’s booking and claiming they had won hundreds of pounds.
Gambling crimes and upcoming events
The FA has had a lot of work to do recently. In 2022, it unearthed the troubling gambling history of star Brentford striker and England international Ivan Toney, who allegedly committed more than 250 infractions against gambling bylaws.
S.L. Benfica is being investigated for potential match-fixing
Gambling-related problems are not just an English problem, however. Just a few days ago news surfaced that Portuguese side S.L. Benfica is under investigation for potential match-fixing offenses committed between the years 2016 and 2020.
Cases like these are of great concern in the bubbling gambling market. A 2021 Sportradar report deemed soccer the sport most at-risk to external interference.
The post FA Investigation Launched Into Yellow Card During Arsenal-Oxford United Fixture appeared first on VegasSlotsOnline News.
The company revealed Wednesday it launched its newest title Grim the Splitter Dream Drop. The new game features a mysterious atmosphere combined with innovative and rewarding features for online players.
Grim the Splitter Dream Drop Metrics Overview
Reels: 5
Rows: 3
Paylines: 25
RTP: 94%
Hit Freq: 20.02
Max Win: x10000
Volatility: High
Min/Max Bet: 0.20/100
The Game Title Features the Famous Dream Drop Bonus Feature
Relax Gaming’s latest title features the famous Dream Drop Bonus. Online players can trigger this functionality during a base game spin by hitting five Dream Drop symbols. Once the feature is activated, players have the chance of winning one out of five jackpots. The jackpots feature different levels including Rapid, Mini, Maxi, Major or Mega.
During the Dream Drop Bonus round, players need to reveal three symbols matching the same jackpot out of a total of 15 options. Selecting a card reveals a jackpot symbol and once the player matches three of the same, they are awarded the jackpot and the round ends.
Wilds, Splitter and Free Spins
Besides the legendary Dream Drop Bonus, Grim the Splitter Dream Drop offers wilds, splitter as well as free spins. The game developer explained that if a wild lands on the reel “it is split in two, duplicating the symbols that have already landed – it’s even possible to split every single reel at once.”
And then there’s the Splitter Feature, a unique functionality that gives players a chance for higher prizes. The feature, according to Relax Gaming, can award the players a win of up to 20 symbols and can be stored up to three times on each of the reels.
Last but not least, Bonus Symbols award the players with seven free spins. Whenever a player lands an additional Bonus Symbol, they are awarded an additional spin.
A Game Unlike Anything Else Seen Before
Simon Hammon, Relax Gaming’s CEO, said that the newest slot title is unique and offers an experience, unlike any other product in the industry. He predicted that the innovative mechanic that enables reel splitting will be well-received by the players. Finally, Hammon acknowledged that Grim the Splitter Dream Drop features a spookier tone but at the same time offers funny and engaging experiences.
“Grim the Splitter is unlike anything we have created before or that we’ve even seen on the market.“
Simon Hammon, CEO of Relax Gaming
As a leading developer of games for the growing iGaming industry, Relax Gaming currently offers more than 4,000 casino titles. The developer’s games feature unique functionalities and options making them entertaining and engaging for online players.
The company, which is focused on bringing streamers and casino players, and audiences, closer together has revealed a new content partnership with content aggregator EveryMatrix.
Livespins and EveryMatrix Ready to Bring More Engagement to Slot Players
The distribution deal will enable both companies to benefit from their reach, diverse content offer, and significant reach in the industry. Thanks to this tie-up, companies that already work with EveryMatrix and provide content from its aggregation solution will be able to take the experience a not further through the integration of Livespins.
The Livespins platform can be injected directly into their gaming lobbies, giving players access to a previously unseen product that has been popularized by Livespins. Slot streaming is taken to the next level by the company which now allows players to watch games in progress while participating themselves.
Not only this, but Livespins provides a fully-compliant platform and product which makes its integration even simpler. Players are able to bet on the outcome of the reels in real time and further enhance the experience and their sense of belonging.
Livespins has taken care of improving social interaction across the board as well. Players are free to choose how many spins they want to bet on and what amounts they are willing to stake. Audiences can further have a chat with the streamer and share emojis and reactions, not unlike how other streaming platforms such as Twitch work.
Going Mainstream and a Strong Start of the Year
All of this means the shared experience is even more impactful. Livespins CCO Michael Pedersen welcomed the opportunity to team up with yet another prominent company from the sector and added that the alliance with EveryMatrix will help launch the platform into the mainstream without further delays. He explained:
The worlds of casino and streaming have been converging for some time now, and player demand for this type of content and experience is at an all-time high. Livespins allows operators to leverage this but in a way that is responsible and compliant.
Livespins CCO Michael Pedersen
The partnership is no doubt a significant milestone, Pederson explained, and a fantastic way to begin the new year. EveryMatrix CasinoEngine COO Amund Stensland was similarly pleased with the opportunity and said that operators are going to be able to engage with what he described as the next generation of players.
“This is a great addition to our offering and further establishes EveryMatrix as the go-to platform provider for operators looking to stand out from the crowd,” Stensland confirmed. Livespins has signed a number of partnerships over the past months, most recently with hub88 and Campeón Gaming.
One of the most famous poker players in the world has moved on from the game. This player is a Poker Hall of Famer, a four-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner, including one from the Main Event, and has more than $7.6 million in lifetime earnings according to the Hendon Mob.
Do you know who it is yet?
If not, here are a few more hints. This player’s best live cash of a smooth $1 million, his only seven-figure score, came in the 1990s. This player was also a force on Poker After Dark, took down the 2009 NBC National Heads-Up Championship, and won the 2010 WSOP Tournament of Champions, He also won titles at Late Night Poker, the Carnivale of Poker, and the Full Tilt Poker Doubles Championship alongside partner Allen Cunningham. Finally, he’s known as one of the best prop bettors in the history of poker.
The player we’re talking about is the 6’7” Huck Seed, winner of the 1996 WSOP Main Event.
Spotted in Vietnam
Huck Seed in Vietnam. (Image: Life of Poker)
This past weekend, Life of Poker was offering live updates from the Hanoi Series of Poker (HSOP) Main Event in Vietnam. While there, they grabbed Seed for a quick interview on a 10-mintue break, and while the Poker Hall of Famer wasn’t too talkative, he did let slip some interesting tidbits.
For instance, he revealed that he was in Vietnam visiting some friends – brothers Paul and Peter Kiem, and Robert Kiss – who wanted to play the tournament, so he decided to join.
Seed also claimed, incorrectly, that “I haven’t played in over ten years.”
According to the Hendon Mob, Seed’s last tournament cash came back in the 2016 WSOP when he finished 32nd for $2,597. While Seed amassed low six-figures in tournament winnings in both 2012 and 2013, his most impressive run came during the four-year period of 2008-11 when he amassed $3,188,179 in tournament winnings ($707,980 in 2011; $1,091,248 in 2010; $878,894 in 2009; and $510,057 in 2008).
“Life is short, and I don’t believe you should do one thing all your life.”
Why hasn’t the poker world seen much of Seed?
“Change of lifestyle,” Seed told Life of Poker. “Life is short, and I don’t believe you should do one thing all your life.”
Seed, who is still based in Las Vegas, admitted that he no longer actively follows the poker scene, and that he has no plans to continue playing the game.
“I have no plans to play after this,” he reveled. Unfortunately for Seed, his “last” tournament did not end with a cash as he busted out of the money. Instead, it was Nguyen Van Que and Dung Trinh doing a heads-up ICM deal that saw them each take home ₫650,000,000 ($27,695 USD).
Huck Seed Inducted into Poker Hall of Fame
A Hall of Famer Worthy Poker Résumé
PokerNews’ last photo of Huck Seed.
Seed was born on Jan. 15, 1969, and grew up in Corvallis, Montana. Given his 6-foot-7 height, Seed had a knack for basketball and was a member of both the 1987 Montana All-State and Caltech basketball teams. In 1989, he took a leave of absence from college and started playing poker becoming a “young gun” of the game at the time.
According to The Hendon Mob, he earned his first tournament cash in 1990 and has since amassed more than $7.6 million in tournament earnings. A four-time bracelet winner, Seed won his first in the 1994 WSOP when he took down Event #3: $2,500 Pot-Limit Omaha for $167,000.
In 1996, he made history by taking down the WSOP Main Event for a career-high $1 million.
In 1999, Seed made another run at the Main Event title but ultimately fell in sixth place after being eliminated by eventual champ Noel Furlong.
In 2000, he won Event #17: $1,500 Limit Razz for his third bracelet, and follow that up with a win in the 2003 WSOP Event #27: $5,000 Limit Razz for his fourth, in which he defeated Phil Ivey heads-up. That same year, he also won the WSOP Tournament of Champions for $550,000. Toss in a pair of 50K Poker Players Championship final table appearances and a win in the 2009 NBC Heads-Up Championship, and Seed’s résumé ranks among the best in the game.
In 2020, Seed became the sole inductee into the Poker Hall of Fame, thus becoming the 59th individual inducted.
“Hearing the news that I am being inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame this year brought back memories of my early poker days, walking into the Binion’s Horseshoe, about to start a poker session, admiring all the Poker Hall of Famers on the wall,” Seed said at the time. “It feels good to be included with all the poker legends that I once idolized and competed against over the years. Thank you everyone.”
Christopher has made an official statement that he is no longer going to partner with any gaming floor that has not banned smoking.
Brian Christopher Is an Avid Supporter of a Full Smoking Ban in Casinos
Brian Christopher is one of the most popular gaming influencers with an average monthly reach of 5 million viewers. He has a growing fan base and attracts many people to casinos across the US with his organized events and meets & greets.
Christopher is an avid supporter of smoke-free areas in casinos and is an advocate for a complete ban on smoking in the industry. He is an American Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR) Foundation ambassador and also supports the organization Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE).
Christopher elaborated on his decision to limit his collaborations to smoke-free gaming floors:
It is time for gaming to join the ranks of the best entertainment venues, restaurants, and bars that went smoke-free years ago. The health of those who work and play in casinos should be just as important as in any other industry.
Brian Christopher
Christopher also highlighted that nowadays a mere 13% of US residents are smokers. According to him, it is not logical that the huge percentage of non-smokers who frequent casino floors should suffer negative consequences on their health because of the small number of people that still smoke.
Christopher further added that Millennials and Gen Z who form part of his fan base have been raised in a smoke-free society and actually demand that all areas of it become smoke-free.
Additionally, Christopher’s company BC Ventures which is responsible for various initiatives including a Carnival Cruise Line partnership has pledged to only work with smoke-free projects in 2023.
Further Expansion of the Smoke-Free Gaming Space at the Las Vegas Plaza Hotel & Casino
During the first months of this year, Christopher will further expand on his smoke-free commitment through a major update of his dedicated gaming space at the Las Vegas casino the Plaza Hotel & Casino called Brian Christopher Slots at Plaza.
The gaming floor, which currently houses 25 slot games curated by Christopher, will add over 60 new games expanding to a product offering of more than 85 slots. The gaming area will have its own street access and will be the first and currently only entirely smoke-free gaming floor in the center of Las Vegas.
Marketing manager at the Plaza Hotel & Casino, Lisa Melmed, noted that Christopher’s space at the casino has been hugely successful with patrons enjoying the games that they have seen him play in his YouTube videos. Melmed also expressed her excitement about the expansion of the smoke-free and social media-friendly area with its own entrance situated right next to the Plaza Hotel & Casino’s dome.
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