China has cancelled all international sporting events for the rest of 2020 due to the continued COVID-19 threat, while worrying reports have begun to surface from neighboring Kazakhstan.

According to the Associated Press, the only exception will be the trials for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing and neighboring Zhangjiakou. 

The order will affect at least six WTA tennis events and four ATP tournaments, two major golf events in the form of the men’s HSBC Champions and LPGA Shanghai, the Asian sport climbing championships, the badminton World Tour Finals, and two cycling stage races. 

It also means there’s no chance of salvaging the Shanghai Grand Prix this year, which was postponed in April. 

Regarding esports, the order could also impact the League of Legends World Championship, which had been scheduled to take place in Shanghai later in the year. 

Another, deadlier virus in Kazakhstan?

Meanwhile there are concerning reports starting to emerge from neighboring Kazakhstan.

Over the last few days, social media reports have suggested a new “unknown” type of pneumonia, that is significantly deadlier than COVID-19, has infected tens of thousands, and killed around 600 in the space of just a week. 

Yesterday, a statement on the website of the Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan appeared to confirm the outbreak., though the Kazakh government has denied the outbreak, calling the reports “fake news.”

AYO.NEWS says:

As we explained earlier this week, there seems to be a massive reality disconnect going on in many places, but particularly Europe. This is partially attributable to the fact that European nations, on the whole, have managed the initial COVID-19 wave better than most places. But, globally, the pandemic is actually accelerating, and even in countries that had begun to lift lockdowns, restrictions are being reimposed. 

Whether the Kazakhstan reports turn out to be true or not, one thing is clear; the crisis is far from over, and it is way too early for betting operators and industry event organisers to act like things are “back to normal.” 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

MGM Resorts International and GVC Holdings have announced a second round of investment in US sports betting and online gaming platform BetMGM. 

Shareholders in ROAR Digital, LLC, the joint MGM-GVC venture operating as BetMGM, has confirmed its shareholders have committed to invest another $250 million USD, in addition to the initial $200 million, bringing the total committed thus far to $450 million. This should provide ROAR Digital with more than $370 million of investable capital.

Launched in 2018, ROAR Digital should be operating in eleven US states by the end of 2020. 

Discussing the news CEO of ROAR Digital, LLC, Adam Greenblatt, said:

“We launched this business to combine the best of MGM Resorts and GVC, and establish BetMGM as a leading brand in the US sports betting and iGaming markets.

“With broad market access secured, our long-term technology foundations now firmly established, and a high performing team in place, this further unequivocal support from our two shareholders will ensure we can achieve leading market positions in this exciting industry that is growing even faster than our initial expectations.

“BetMGM is on track to generate over $130 million of net revenues this year predominantly from iGaming in New Jersey given the impact of COVID-19. With the return of sports and our growing operations across the US, we anticipate rapid growth in the coming year.”

While Acting CEO & President of MGM Resorts, Bill Hornbuckle, added:

“Our investment in ROAR is a demonstration of our continued excitement about the unique benefit of offering unforgettable, premier entertainment experiences to millions of our loyal guests directly through BetMGM. We believe this competitive advantage places BetMGM at the forefront of the most dynamic growth opportunity in all of US gaming and will ultimately deliver meaningful long-term value for our shareholders.”

And, CEO of GVC, Kenny Alexander, commented:

“We see enormous potential for the US market and are delighted to have such a strong foothold in it through our partnership with MGM Resorts. 

“Our stake in BetMGM is, by some distance, the most important and exciting investment that GVC has ever made. We are absolutely committed to ensuring that the Company has the funding and technical resources needed to achieve long-term market leadership, whilst delivering significant value for shareholders.”

AYO.NEWS says:

With the $17.3 billion Eldorado Resorts-Caesars Entertainment mega-merger looking likely to go-ahead, MGM and GVC will have a serious war on their hands as they battle for dominance in the rapidly emerging US online sports betting and gaming markets. 

Expect to see some serious capital flung around, plenty of acquisitions, and a lot of drama – with a prize this valuable at stake, no one will be taking prisoners! 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

Football gambling sponsorships will be banned from the start of the next La Liga season. 

Following the announcement from Spanish Minister of Consumer Affairs, Alberto Garzón, several major Spanish football clubs, including Valencia, Alavés, Leganés, Granada, Mallorca, Sevilla, Osasuna, and Levante, will be looking for new main shirt sponsors. 

The ban is total and goes way further than just shirt sponsorships, covering stadium naming deals, and all other types of sponsorship too. 

AYO.NEWS says:

The Spanish move will add wind to the sails of those politicians and pressure groups calling for similar bans in the UK and other European countries. And, as the calls for bans grow louder, we can expect to see more leagues and clubs issue public warnings, explaining how vital gambling sponsorship money is to them – just like the English Football League did earlier this week. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

Nevada regulators have given the green light for Eldorado Resorts to acquire Caesars Entertainment, in a deal with $17.3 billion USD. 

The merger acquisition has now been approved by the Federal Trade Commission and both the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) and Gaming Commission, but is still awaiting approval from authorities in Indiana and New Jersey. 

Nevada regulators have also approved William Hill, Eldorado’s sportsbook provider, to take over operation of Caesars sportsbooks. 

The Indiana Gaming Commission is scheduled to meet tomorrow, the Indiana Horse Racing Commission should meet on Monday, and the New Jersey Casino Control Commission will be convening on 15 July. 

If the deal goes ahead, Eldorado Resorts would become a true gambling giant, one of Nevada’s biggest employers, and could overtake MGM Resorts International as the United States’ largest casino operator – with some 60 casinos and resorts, across 16 states. 

The company would also find itself with a network of strategic partnerships in the rapidly growing US online gaming and sports betting markets, plus several significant sports sponsorship deals. 

AYO.NEWS says:

Clearly, if this merger goes ahead, Eldorado will become a superpower in the land-based casino, resorts and sports betting space, but it will also find itself in a position to dominate the growing US online gaming and sports betting market. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

Mixed martial arts (MMA) organisation UFC® has renewed its partnership with betting and tech platform Parimatch. 

The renewed agreement will see Parimatch remain “Official Betting and Wagering Partner of UFC” for the Europe and CIS region until the end of 2021. 

Commenting on the news CEO of Parimatch, Sergey Portnov, said:

‘We took a bet when we began our relationship with the UFC in 2018 on the daring spirit of the organization and its fighters to help elevate both our brands to new heights. We see that spirit in Parimatch and the values of our customers. We are excited to continue this bold journey together.’

In 2019 Parimatch was present in the Octagon for 15 UFC events, and the brand’s association with UFC is also supported by Conor McGregor, who has been a Parimatch brand ambassador since March 2019.

AYO.NEWS says:

This would seem to confirm that Parimatch has seen a good return on investment from its UFC sponsorship – which is unsurprising given the UFC’s rocketing popularity. Staying with UFC, in May the organisation announced a partnership with Malta-based blockchain company Chiliz, operator of the Socios.com fan voting and rewards app. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

Sports betting service and content hub IMG Arena has entered a long-term streaming and data rights partnership with World Table Tennis (WTT).

The agreement, which includes global media rights development and distribution, production oversight of WTT events, betting data, and streaming rights, will enable London-based IMG Arena to provide sports betting operators with access to content across all events organised by WTT, including the World Table Tennis Championships. 

The partnership also covers the new WTT Series competition, which is set to launch in January 2021, and promises to “radically” change the sport and boost fan engagement.

Discussing the news Co-President of Media & Events at IMG Arena, Adam Kelly, said:

“This is an exciting partnership at a key stage in the commercial redefinition of table tennis, through WTT, around the world. We share the vision that the ITTF and WTT have for the sport over the coming years and believe our energy, creativity and expertise on a global scale will add true value across all aspects of the WTT business.

“In addition, we are already looking at opportunities to involve other parts of the wider Endeavor network, to further enhance the commercial value and consumer offering for table tennis. We look forward to continuing to build upon this strategic relationship, by adding more services that help to reinvent the sport.”

 While ITTF CEO & WTT director, Steve Dainton, added:

“The World Table Tennis era will revolutionize the sport forever and we are delighted to be welcoming on board an industry powerhouse in IMG, whose wealth of expertise will help us to make this historic transformation for table tennis. 

“This is fantastic news for the sport, the players, the fans, the host cities, the commercial partners and everyone who will be joining us on this exciting journey.”

AYO.NEWS says:

Table tennis is one of those sports that everyone knows of, but has kept a relatively low profile in most countries, so clearly has significant potential for expansion.

Also, having a small physical footprint compared to large team sports, along with relatively light logistical demands, has put it in good stead to weather the ongoing COVID-19 storm. So, it seems like an opportune time for both WTT and IMG Arena to help grow its appeal and find new fans. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020