Founded in 1994, the software company Microgaming surprisingly changed its name a few weeks ago. Since then, the long-established company based on the Isle of Man has been known as Apricot Investments. But why did those responsible decide to rename the software provider after 30 years?
Christian_1994
Balatro is one of the video game sensations of 2024. After its launch in February, it took just four weeks for the game to break the one million sales mark. Celebrated by players and many experts in the industry, there has also been some controversy in recent months. In particular, the central use of poker elements has raised the question: Should Balatro possibly be categorised as a game of chance?
Chris_W
As poker games are strongly characterised by deception, psychological skill and tactics, they offer ideal conditions for crooks who want to gain unlawful advantages in order to increase their own chances of success to almost 100 percent. Time and again, high-tech is used to allow fraudsters to literally look into the cards of others. This is also the case in this case, in which the French police were able to catch two men who allegedly scammed tens of thousands of euros across Europe with the help of almost microscopic headphones and a special smartphone camera.
Chris_W
Old School RuneScape is an old-school massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), but it still has a lot of fans. Many players simply like the nostalgia factor - but the rewarding long-term gameplay, the deep game world and the community are still convincing. Some particularly appreciate the specific opportunities for player-versus-player (PvP) duels. However, real-money trading and gambling-like methods are a recurring problem for the developer Jagex. New rules are now to ensure that such machinations are curbed.
Chris_W
Poker is a business worth millions - but it's not just at the tables of the big tournaments that huge sums are at stake - there is also a lot of money behind the scenes. The latter has just been impressively demonstrated once again when two of the biggest companies in the industry announced a mega-deal: The ‘World Series of Poker’ brand went from owner Caesars Entertainment to NSUS Group Inc, which is primarily known for its online poker platform GGPoker, for the more than handsome sum of USD 500 million. What exactly does this mean?
Chris_W
TV and print media regularly report on returns from large online retailers that companies can no longer find a use for and are simply destroyed as a result. Mystery pack machines are now another solution to the problem, and one that seems so innovative and exciting that the machines are real customer magnets. The returned goods are dispensed at random for a certain ‘stake amount’.
Chris_W
Just two days before the start of the second Bundesliga, on 2 August, SSV Ulm 1846 announced a new supporter who - as with so many football clubs - comes from the gambling sector: The slot machine provider Jokerstar will be lending the Spatzen a helping hand in the 2024 / 25 season and will receive some prominent advertising opportunities in return. What does this mean and will Jokerstar customers get anything out of it? Here are all the details!
Chris_W
The football circus in Germany is slowly but surely starting up again. Last weekend, Borussia Dortmund also got things underway - BVB beat FC Phönix Lübeck 4:1 in the DFB Cup. A new sponsor joined the Borussia team: StarGames is supporting the Dortmund team as a ‘Premium Partner’. The gamblers should not go away empty-handed. What does that mean?
Chris_W
A few days ago, the German e-commerce group ZEAL Network SE once again reported extremely pleasing consolidated sales. The online provider of lottery products increased its turnover by an impressive 40% in the first half of 2024 alone. But why is ZEAL currently enjoying such good business figures?
Christian_1994
A few days ago, VfB Stuttgart presented another new sponsor from the gambling sector. This is the crypto casino Lucky Block, which does not have a valid gambling licence in Germany. However, the deal is to be limited to the Asian market, meaning that the lack of a licence should not be overly relevant. Nevertheless, the sports club from Baden-Württemberg has been criticised.
Christian_1994
19 July 2024 was an impressive reminder of how dependent we all are on the global IT infrastructure. Due to a blackout that apparently resulted from an update, numerous airlines, hospitals and media outlets were no longer able to access some of their most important systems. Large gambling platforms from Entain, one of the leading providers of sports betting and online casinos in Europe, were also affected. What happened and what are the consequences of such problems?
Chris_W
On 1 July 2024, the state of Baden-Württemberg took over the chairmanship of the Administrative Board of the Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL). In order to ensure a balanced distribution of responsibility, each federal state takes over the leadership once for a period of one year. But is the annual change in leadership really necessary and sensible? And what tasks does the Administrative Board actually fulfil?
Christian_1994
FC Barcelona has extended its partnership with the gambling company 1xBet by several years. The gambling provider, which has a licence from Curacao, has been a sponsoring partner of the record Spanish cup winners since 2019. But how much money is 1xBet paying for the multi-year sponsorship agreement and what do critics have to say about the deal?
Christian_1994
The fight against illegal gambling activities is a rather costly affair. The final report by the State Office of Criminal Investigation in North Rhine-Westphalia, which is available to the Rheinische Post, reveals that the authorities lack "equipment and technical expertise" in this matter. According to the report, unauthorised gaming machines cost the state millions every year. The record for a single illegally installed machine is a turnover of 423,000 euros per year. Well-organised clans are often the string-pullers.
Chris_W
It is well known that financially strong partners are in great demand in football. Even the DFB Cup is apparently no exception. The German Football Association recently announced a new partner - and it actually comes from the sports betting industry: Tipico will support the association and the tournament in both the men's and women's competitions until 2026 and will be allowed to be present at the matches and other related events. Not everyone likes that.
Chris_W