Author: David Randall

Casino games have always been a popular form of entertainment, with blackjack and poker standing out as two of the most widely played card games. While both involve strategy and skill, they differ in gameplay, odds, and suitability for beginners. If you’re trying to decide which game to play, it’s essential to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each, particularly in terms of house edge, probability, and learning curve. In this article, we’ll compare blackjack vs. poker to determine which game offers better odds and is easier for beginners to learn. Understanding the Basics: Blackjack vs. Poker What is Blackjack?…

Birmingham City Football Club has secured a significant commercial agreement by naming Coral as its Official UK Betting Partner. The deal, which was announced ahead of the club’s League One fixture against Wycombe Wanderers, aims to enhance the matchday experience for Blues supporters. As part of the partnership, Coral will integrate its services into the club’s operations, including matchday betting services at St. Andrew’s Stadium. The collaboration is expected to provide fans with exclusive promotions and offers, further engaging them during the football season. Enhancing the Fan Experience The primary goal of this partnership is to create a more immersive…

MGM Resorts International and its online gaming arm, BetMGM, have strengthened their responsible gambling efforts with new financial commitments, expanded educational programs, and strategic partnerships. These measures are aimed at fostering a safer gambling environment and addressing concerns about problem gambling in both physical and digital gaming spaces. Financial Commitment to Gambling Research As part of their commitment to responsible gambling, MGM Resorts and BetMGM have allocated significant funding to research focused on problem gambling. A portion of this investment is specifically directed toward studying the impact of gambling on military veterans. This initiative aims to develop targeted strategies to…

The UK’s Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has launched an investigation into KPMG’s audit of Entain PLC’s (ENT.L) financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2022. The investigation, announced on Monday, will be carried out by the FRC’s enforcement division under its Audit Enforcement Procedure. A spokesperson for KPMG UK confirmed, “We will cooperate fully with the FRC to conclude this matter as quickly as possible.” Entain, the global gambling operator behind major brands like Ladbrokes and Coral, has declined to comment on the probe. Background on KPMG and Entain KPMG, one of the “Big Four” global accounting firms, has…

GiG anticipates finalizing its acquisition of Casinomeister this month, projecting an immediate positive financial impact. This benefit is expected to grow as Casinomeister is fully integrated into GiG Media’s operations. Casinomeister, which has been active for over 25 years, will continue to operate under its current brand within the GiG Media portfolio. GiG sees this acquisition as a way to further diversify its business. GiG plans to leverage the synergies between GiG Media and Casinomeister, aiming for similar success as seen with its acquisition of AskGamblers. GiG acquired AskGamblers in February 2023 and KaFe Rocks at the end of last…

For the three months ending 31 March, Genting Berhad reported a significant revenue increase, reaching RM7.43bn (£1.24bn/€1.45bn/$1.58bn), compared to RM5.82bn in Q1 of the previous year. The group’s revenue growth was driven primarily by its Leisure and Hospitality division, which saw a 35.7% increase. The Plantation division’s revenue rose modestly by 1.6%. The overall revenue surge led to a nearly three-fold increase in net profit for Q1. Additionally, the group’s adjusted EBITDA for the quarter increased by 40.4%. In Q1, the Leisure and Hospitality division’s revenue climbed to RM6.48bn, up from RM4.78bn in 2023. Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore generated…

Hedge-fund billionaire Steve Cohen has unveiled plans for a major development at Citi Field, the New York Mets’ stadium in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. The $8 billion project, in partnership with Hard Rock International, envisions a new entertainment complex, a live music venue, and a Hard Rock hotel, along with gaming facilities. The development, dubbed Metropolitan Park, aims to enhance the community with 20 acres of new park space, five acres of athletic fields and playgrounds, and a commitment to “climate-ready infrastructure.” This 50-acre project would be located on the current stadium parking lot. However, New York State Senator Jessica Ramos…

Illinois lawmakers discussed the potential tax increase during a 2025 budget meeting over the weekend. Although plans are not yet approved, the proposed hike has already impacted major operators like DraftKings and Flutter. The proposal suggests replacing the current 15% flat wagering tax with a graduated structure. This new tax scheme would range from 20% to 40%, depending on each operator’s adjusted gaming revenue (AGR). Operators with an AGR of $30 million annually would be taxed at 20%. Those reporting more than $200 million in AGR would face a 40% tax rate, a 167% increase from the current rate, making…

DraftKings announced in February 2024 that it would acquire Jackpocket, a leading lottery app, with an expectation to generate up to $340 million in additional annual revenue. The focus is now on integrating Jackpocket into DraftKings’ operations to leverage synergies for sustained growth. By entering the expansive US lottery market, DraftKings aims to enhance customer lifetime value and improve acquisition capabilities. Jackpocket was the most-downloaded digital lottery app in the US in 2023. Jason Robins, CEO and co-founder of DraftKings, stated, “Today we are announcing the completion of our acquisition of Jackpocket and the commencement of our value creation plan.…

In another financially successful year for Paf, revenue increased by 6.9% year-on-year, and net profit rose by 23.0% to €55.1m, marking a new annual record. CEO Christer Fahlstedt expressed satisfaction with these results but cautioned about future profit prospects, particularly due to rising gaming taxes in various markets. In Finland, lottery tax rates increased from 5% to 12% following the end of a temporary reduction. Similarly, Swedish gambling tax rose from 18% to 22%, Estonia from 5% to 6%, and Latvia from 10% to 12%. “We can be happy and proud with the past year,” Fahlstedt stated, attributing part of…