Prominent software developer and leading iGaming content provider, Pragmatic Play, announced that it has launched Wild Wild Riches Megaways™, the latest version of the player-favorite slot game upgraded by the powerful Megaways mechanics.

Upgraded mechanics:

The slot has got a highly dynamic setup with as many as six reels changing the size throughout the gameplay to boost the player experience. It is the popular Megaways™ engine that is integrated into the original slot to ensure the sudden rush of adrenaline from the player’s side of the screen. The powerful mechanic under license from Australian developer Big Time Gaming (BTG) is well known to players from the developer’s extensive title library, and players fond of recent blockbusters like Peak Power™, Club Tropicana™, and Fire Archer™ will enjoy the features fueled by the popular game engine.

Jackpot prizes available:

The recurring symbols from the original release consistently depict mushrooms, pipes, and others, and are displayed across the six reels. Wilds are also displayed on the reels to increase the win potential but also to award instant cash prizes. The prizes are also awarded when the wilds are distributed across the first two reels with money symbols landed on reel three or any other adjacent reel. These money symbols can award jackpot prizes as well, with the value going up to 250x the player’s bet.

Free spins round:

When such a set-up of the first two reels is followed by a bonus scatter symbol on reel three, the game enters the free spins round. Players are instantly informed about the gambling combinations and offered to choose the gambling sequence to their preference. Thus the players can opt to either collect free spins or gamble to potentially unlock additional free spins. In both cases, the bonus round features wilds and money symbols frequently landing on the reels to substantially increase the player’s chances to win.

Familiar player experience:

Pragmatic Play has launched Wild Wild Riches Megaways™ to offer a familiar player experience with boosted features and exciting winning potential. The developer boasts a collection of over 300 unique titles in its award-winning games portfolio and the production of up to eight slot titles a month. With the latest content, this leading provider to the iGaming industry has shown once again that it continues to craft immersive experiences and responsible thrills that are destined to be admired among its growing customer base.

Pragmatic Play also delivers Live Casino, Virtual Sports, and Bingo games to casino operators around the world and is certified and licensed to provide iGaming content to more than 20 jurisdictions.

A 35 – year – old man from London, England has recently been banned from appearing at soccer matches for 4 – years following him pleading guilty to assault chargers for assaulting the Arsenal goal – keeper, Aaron Ramsdale, during the end of a game back in January of 2023.

Ramsdale was apparently kicked in the back of his head not long following Arsenal defeated their English Premier League rival in Tottenham Hotspur 2 to 0 in the north London derby in EPL play.

The Culprit

Joseph Watts made his pled guilty on Friday, February 17^th, 2023 at Uxbridge Magistrates Court to 3 – total charges that includes assault by beating.

Watts is a supporter of Tottenham Hotspur, and he was also provided a community – service order as well as he was instructed to pay Ramsdale 100 – pounds ($120) in damage compensation.

Watts managed to climb over a people – blocking barrier prior to kicking the goal – keeper, who had gone in back of one of the nets at the legendary and historic Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in order to pick up his water bottle.

In a victim – impact statement read to the court by the footballerRamsdale he said that he saw a masseuse due to the fact that his back felt “heavy.”The goal – keeper in Ramsdale said he has also been wary of preventing such incidents from happening in the near future.

Watts has apologized to Ramsdale and both clubs.

“He takes full responsibility for those actions, which were deplorable and which no football player should ever have to endure from a fan,” the Football Law Associates attorney, Robert Perkins, who represented Watts, said through a recently released statement. “He accepts the punishment of the court and now wishes to move on with his life.”

Aaron Ramsdale’s Football Career Achievements, Honors, & Awards

England U – 19

• UEFA European Under – 19 Championship: 2017

England U – 21

England

• UEFA European Championship Runner – Up: 2020

Individual

• AFC Bournemouth Supporters’ Player of the Year Award Winner: 2019 – 2020
• Sheffield United Player of the Year Award Winner: 2020 – 2021
• Sheffield United Young Player of the Year Award Winner: 2020 – 2021

Sources:

The Associated Press News Services. “Fan sentenced for kicking Arsenal goalkeeper Ramsdale”. The Associated Press. Friday, February, 17, 2023.

Football Reference News Services. “Aaron Ramsdale”. Football Reference. Saturday, February 18, 2023.

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After months of the world waiting to learn who the lucky player was, the man who bought a record-breaking $2.04Bn Powerball lottery ticket in November has finally come forward after three months to claim his massive winnings. Lottery winners have one year to come forward or they lose the money forever.

Edwin Castro bought his ticket at a gas station in Altadena, California, and has been flying below the radar and out of the public eye since the winning numbers were announced. On Tuesday, California Lottery Director Alva Johnson said that Castro had won the “unbelievable and historic” prize after the jackpot continued to grow drawing after drawing last fall and as each drawing passed, no winning jackpot numbers were announced.

Winner Takes All

He won’t have to share the prize with other players as he was the only ticket buyer that week who matched all five regular numbers plus the all-important Powerball to make a little piece of paper worth billions of dollars.

Rather than speak in public about the win, Castro released a statement that he was “shocked and ecstatic,” and that he was happy to learn that California public schools were also big winners in the draw.

The California public school system from kindergartens to universities collected a whopping $156.3 million from the lottery pool in addition to Castro taking home the jackpot, Johnson said.

Castro commented: “As someone who received the rewards of being educated in the California public education system, it’s gratifying to hear that as a result of my win, the California school system greatly benefits as well,” according to a report in the Los Angeles Times.

Rather than collecting yearly disbursements for the entire amount over a 30-year period via an annuity, Castro chose the “lump-sum” option which amounted to almost $1 billion ($997.6b), according to lottery officials.

Since neither he nor lottery officials revealed any more about the winner than his name, we would have to assume he resides in California in order to figure out how much he might net in the end. California doesn’t tax lottery winnings but some states do.

The IRS via the Lottery automatically withholds 24% of big winnings with the winner being subject to as much as 13% more for a total tax hit of 37%. The initial tax would have left him with $758.2 million. The top U.S. tax rate is 37% in total, so his take-home would be $634,785,984. If he lives in another state that taxes lottery winnings he could take another hit of 3% to more than 10% of the win.

Nice work if you can get it!

With that much “found money” it’s no wonder Castro chose to “largely remain private.” California law only requires that his name and how he chose to be paid – lump sum or annuity, be revealed.

California public schools were not the only collateral winners alongside Castro. Retailers who sell winning jackpot tickets are also awarded .5% of the jackpot value with a cap of $1,000,000 and the owner of Joe’s Mobile Service in Altadena has already collected his million-dollar check.

The odds of winning a Powerball jackpot are about one in 292.2 million. The jackpot was hit seven times in 2022.

California lottery spokesperson, Carolyn Becker, said at a press conference at state lottery headquarters in Sacramento Tuesday: “This is a history-making day here at the California Lottery. Edwin Castro shares in our love for California public schools on this Valentine’s Day — couldn’t be more fitting.”

Source: Winner of record $2-billion Powerball jackpot announced, Los Angeles Times, February 14, 2023

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The excitement of TwitchCon

Twitch is a live-streaming platform where people worldwide can come together to enjoy entertainment from their favorite content creators. However, the excitement doesn’t start and end on the site itself.

where viewers and creators on the platform can come together

Twice a year, Twitch hosts TwitchCon, a streaming convention held in iconic locations worldwide, where viewers and creators on the platform can come together. It’s a fantastic opportunity for fans to meet their favorite streamers, attend performances and events, and experience esports competitions.

TwitchCon 2023 dates

How to buy tickets

What to expect

More people in trouble 

After already identifying two employees for allegedly embezzling over $280,000 from sports betting kiosks, William Hill has found additional suspects. It now appears that at least another two people were part of the scheme. 

spotted on surveillance footage at multiple casinos withdrawing money from betting kiosks

Anthony Cuddeback and Persha Stanley were both charged this week with numerous offenses related to the withdrawal of fraudulent cash adjustments. They allegedly have links to former William Hill supervisor Shravan Singh, who appears to have headed up the illegal scheme. The pair were spotted on surveillance footage at multiple casinos withdrawing money from betting kiosks, with the transactions authorized by Singh.

It is unclear as to what sort of penalties each of the accused will face; it also is unknown if any more people also played a role in the embezzlement scheme. 

Flying under the radar

State investigators discovered that Singh had approved a lot of sports betting kiosk cash adjustments for amounts larger than $500. He could hide these transactions for a while by delaying their reporting, altering the records, or simply not reporting them at all. Eventually, he was found to have facilitated over 3,000 fraudulent transactions over a 16-month period. William Hill initially did not expect the embezzled sum to be anywhere as high as $280,000. 

helped load the money onto the operator’s retail betting kiosks in Nevada

The other employee linked to the scheme is Paige Steiner. She was a customer service agent who allegedly helped load the money onto the operator’s retail betting kiosks in Nevada. Co-conspirators would then print the altered kiosk vouchers and cash them out. 

Identifying the irregularities

An internal audit initially triggered suspicions at William Hill. The company had already been investigating three other employees who allegedly ran their own scheme to embezzle almost $72,000 before becoming suspicious of Singh.

William Hill officials notified the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) of the irregularities and the NGC began its own investigation in December. Investigators were able to monitor Singh’s computer activity, showing how he helped his co-conspirators redeem vouchers at kiosks in Nevada. 

William Hill is a Caesars Entertainment-owned brand and the largest operator of retail sportsbooks in Nevada. It has sports betting offerings in at least 100 locations in the state.

Cameras at the kiosks took images of the culprits, which helped in their identification. None of them had any significant betting history, so investigators concluded that they were in on the scheme.

The post Investigation Uncovers More William Hill Embezzlement Culprits appeared first on VegasSlotsOnline News.

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Land-based casinos have been around for centuries. In the last two decades, casinos have become a regular online sight, and virtual games are popular with players. Both land-based and online casinos offer exciting gameplay, but they differ from each other in several ways. Keep reading to discover the key differences between land-based and online casinos.

Accessibility and Restrictions

Using an online casino gives players access to games wherever they are. They can also play the casino’s mobile version on a smartphone like an iPhone or a Samsung using a dedicated app or a mobile browser to enjoy their favourite games from any location with Internet access.

Being able to access online casinos so easily makes them convenient. While land-based casinos may not be as convenient in terms of travelling to them, they do house a variety of games and entertainment options under one roof. In some of these casinos, visitors can watch a live show, spend time playing table games, and have a meal in a restaurant all in one space. This range of activities makes a land-based casino a good choice for an easily accessible night out.

The availability/accessibility/selection

Both online and land-based casinos provide a variety of games, including slot machines and table games. Land-based premises tend to have fewer games due to space restrictions. There are no such restrictions when it comes to online virtual games. So, online casinos have a more extensive selection of games. For example, offerings like platincasino slots online include Megaways slots and jackpot games. There’s also a live casino that mimics the experience in a brick & mortar location. So, players can get traditional casino excitement in any location.

The security level

Modern online casinos have high levels of security, including SSL encryption. These casinos also have licences that guarantee they operate fairly. These security measures and licences ensure that a person is safe while playing online and has financial protection. Land-based casinos also have security measures and licences that ensure they operate fairly. They also have security cameras in place to monitor activity in the casino. Both online and land-based casinos operate a know your customer (KYC) process which means that players have to provide verification of their identity.

The overall experience

Overall, the experience of playing at an online casino is very different from that of visiting land-based premises. For example:

● Playing a slot game in a land-based casino involves using a free-standing machine and pushing buttons or pulling levers, whereas playing slots online involves using a keypad or touchscreen.
● In land-based casinos, playing involves an actual physical experience, whereas online, the experience is virtual.
● Online casinos are always available for players to enjoy, whereas travelling to a land-based casino takes time and effort and may not be convenient.
● Land-based casinos often have bars, restaurants, and live entertainment, which is not the case for online casinos.

Conclusion

The experiences of playing at an online casino and visiting land-based premises have some key differences. Playing online doesn’t involve travelling to a venue, whereas playing at a land-based casino does. Land-based casinos often house other entertainment that people can enjoy, whereas online casinos are all about playing games. Both online and land-based casinos are safe and secure, and they’re both interactive. The type of experience an individual opts for is down to personal choice.

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An influential Australian trade union has signalized to the New South Wales (NSW) government that the state’s intention to significantly increase casino duty rates from 1 July 2023 will result in lost jobs in the casino industry of the province. The state announced the tax reform at the end of the last year to begin on 1 July this year to increase funding for the regions that have recently been damaged by natural calamities.

Surprising support:

Although the United Workers Union may seem surprising support for the Star Entertainment Group, IAG reports that the Union’s executive director, Dario Mujkic, told the press that the government’s intention to punish Star for the failures to comply with anti-money laundering legislation may have adverse effects and consequences not only for the corporation but also for casino staff in the province.

Communities and businesses affected:

The government intends to use the funds generated through increased casino duty rates to help communities that have been affected by bushfires and floods in recent years. However, The Star’s operations in Sidney will be tremendously affected by these measures, as half of the company’s revenue came from the Sydney casinos during the fiscal year 2022. The move will simultaneously affect casino staff and may result in redundancies and fewer jobs available in the NSW casino industry.

Call for negotiations:

Therefore Mujkic called on NSW Treasurer, Matt Kean, to continue negotiations to try to come up with a mutually beneficial proposal. He said: “The New South Wales Treasurer hasn’t clearly thought through the potential impact of the proposed tax change on business operations and more importantly the workforce.”

Mujkic added: ”It’s time for the NSW treasurer to sit down and properly engage with The Star and the United Workers Union, repair the damage that has already been done, and agree on a path forward that is reasonable and does not put jobs at risk in any way.”

Adverse impacts:

Mujkic’s comments follow the recent Star’s announcement that The Star Sydney operations would be substantially impaired if the NSW state government implements the casino duty rates increase. The company expects that the change of casino duty rate would cost the company’s NSW operations in the range of US$277 million to US$1.12 billion.

“If implemented in their current form, the proposed duty rate increases would have a significant adverse impact on the profitability of The Star Sydney, further compounded by the changing operating and competitive environment as described above,” stated the company representatives. “In this scenario, The Star intends to undertake an urgent review of The Star Sydney’s operating model and assets, with a view to maximizing value for the group’s shareholders.”

Share value decline:

The proposed changes would, for example, introduce the 60.67% tax to poker machines in the NSW casinos despite the operator’s previous agreement with the government setting the tax rate at the range from 32 to 34 % until the year 2040. As the proposal suggests the casino duty charged at double the current rate, Star’s prospects are reflected by a significant decline in share value to as low levels as AU$ 1.29 this week, almost five times lower than the 2017 peak seen at AU$ 6.08.

Bally’s fights back

Bally’s busy week of New York casino bidding, brand divestment drama, and a massive 2022 net loss for its interactive arm continues, albeit with a potentially positive outcome.

plans to expand its gaming footprint in Rhode Island

The Providence-based gaming giant plans to expand its gaming footprint in Rhode Island by implementing online casino gaming.

According to GoLocalProv, Bally’s stated on Wednesday it would pursue both legislative and executive branch approval this General Assembly session to get legal iGaming across the line. The New England media outlet revealed the bill would take effect on January 1, 2024, “subject to the finalization of relevant regulations.”

Bally’s claims legalizing the vertical will boost state revenue and raise the profile of Rhode Island casinos in the robust New England gaming market, with a percentage of all online slots and table games revenue going to state coffers.

State in control

Bally’s latest business-boosting gambit emerged at a Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce function. The firm’s proposed bill would give the Rhode Island Division of Lotteries (RILOT) the authority to give the green light to online slots and table games hosted by Bally’s in its home-state properties, which include Bally’s Twin River Lincoln Casino Resort, and Bally’s Tiverton Casino & Hotel.

Bally’s Corporation vice president of government relations Elizabeth Suever stated that her company’s intent was to base its online casino drive on the legislation that got online sports betting in Rhode Island up and running.

give the State “complete regulatory control and the ability to ensure the integrity of the program”

Suever said this approach would effectively give the State “complete regulatory control and the ability to ensure the integrity of the program.”

In addition, the state would have the power to set terms and conditions for online slots and table gaming, which includes establishing rules for responsible gambling and system integrity.

Online and retail can work together

Bally’s was quick to staunch the fears that introducing online casino gaming would cannibalize brick-and-mortar casino revenue flowing into state coffers. The company cited a recent iGaming study by Spectrum Gaming claiming that “little to no switching of play from retail casinos to online casino gaming is expected.”

The online casino expansion plan follows a frenzied seven days for Bally’s. On Sunday, news emerged it had joined the competition for a downstate New York casino license. A day later, an investment deck revealed Bally’s was looking to sell its DFS brand Monkey Knife Fight, after its North American online arm posted a 2022 net loss of $426m.

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