Portugal and Malta-based Sportingtech has strengthened its presence in Brazil by partnering with Bet4Plus.

The iGaming platform, sports betting and casino provider is providing Bet4Plus with its Pulse Platform – a multi-management platform combining sports, technology, casino games, and betting in a single solution.

Featuring risk analysis tools, content and sportsbook management, CRM and CMS, the platform will serve as the base for Bet4Plus’ betting and gambling operations across Brazil.

According to CEO of Sportingtech, Tiago Almedia, increasing the company’s share of the LatAm market is a major goal, and the Bet4Plus deal is a “vital milestone.”

Meanwhile, according José Matos, Project owner at Bet4Plus, the operator has plans to extend activity to India and other Latin American markets in the “near future.”

AYO.NEWS says:

Sportingtech is just one of many iGaming and sports betting suppliers increasingly looking to the rapidly emerging Latin American markets to drive growth, as mature markets in Europe stagnate under the weight of over-regulation and saturation.

AYO.NEWS says features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited.

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Malta, Europe’s iGaming and blockchain hub, this morning halted all flights and passenger ferry services to Italy as the COVID-19 virus crisis escalated dramatically.

Italy’s ‘Darkest Hour’ approaches

Yesterday, authorities in Rome took the unprecedented decision to extend the draconian restrictions placed on Lombardy and 14 northern provinces to the entire country, as infection and death rates in Italy rocketed. Speaking to La Repubblica, Italian Premier Guiseppe Conte, referenced Winston Churchill, saying Italy was approaching its ‘darkest hour.’

In response, in the early hours of this morning, Maltese Prime Minster Robert Abela ordered the unthinkable, immediately halting all flights and passenger ferry services to and from Italy.

The virus is also starting to take hold in Malta itself, with the island reporting its 4^th case. Though, based on what we know of the virus, including it often long, but still contagious, incubation phase, it is almost certain the virus is already widespread in the country.

Meanwhile confirmed cases in Spain, France and Germany are also rapidly increasing, and the UK has moved to a new phase in its response as infections start to accelerate. Many observers now feel the rest of Europe is following in lockstep with Italy, and expect similar unprecedented quarantines and restrictions to be implemented, and in many places, the spectre of supply chain breakdown and civil disorder.

Don’t compare Europe to China

It now seems clear that either Europe and the Middle East are dealing mainly with a different strain of COVI-19 (coronavirus) than the one that hit China, or the Chinese authorities have massively suppressed and downplayed numbers.

Despite numerous government propaganda pushes claiming China is ‘back to work’, there is now a widespread suspicion that China is still in a serious crisis, but has just been better able to absorb the impact of the virus given its huge population, massive resources, and critically, its already all pervasive state security and surveillance apparatus and compliant population.

AYO.NEWS says:

Already the COVID-19 virus has forced the postponement of many industry events across iGaming, sports betting, esports, blockchain and emerging technologies, inflicting a considerable economic cost. However, given the events in Italy, it must now be clear to all that we are moving to an entirely different level of emergency.

With the almost certainty that other European countries will go down the same route as Italy in an attempt to delay the spread of the virus, Malta is once again facing being essentially cut off – bad news for a densely populated island almost completely reliant on imports!

As for the gaming and blockchain industries, while they are operating online for the large part, and can introduce working from home measures (as long as the notoriously unreliable Maltese infrastructure holds up), they are also largely staffed by foreigners. How many of those will be willing to risk getting trapped on the islands, away from family and friends?

AYO.NEWS says features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited.

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Greentube, the NOVOMATIC Interactive division, has completed the acquisition of the majority of CashBet Coin’s CBC cryptocurrency and its underlying blockchain technologies.

Following the acquisition, Greentube will be able to expand the use of cryptocurrency across its social gaming portfolio, something that was successfully trialled last year by integrating the CBC cryptocurrency with its flagship brand GameTwist.

According to Greentube, social casino GameTwist boasts one of the world’s largest online gaming communities, and now offers the CBC cryptocurrency as an alternative payment method in every market.

Discussing the news Greentube’s Chief Games Officer, Michael Bauer, said:

“The acquisition of the CashbBet Coin Treasury allows us to expand the use of blockchain solutions and we are evaluating the spread across our B2C casino portfolio to enhance the customer experience.

“We’ve seen increasing demand from players to offer cryptocurrency as a payment option and the successful integration of CBC on GameTwist has demonstrated the benefits of the technology for social gaming.”

While President at CashBet Coin, Ed Brennan, added:

“This deal completes our ongoing partnership with Greentube and is testament to the technical excellence and versatility of CBC. Given the scale of the company’s social user base and operations the acquisition will further advance development of the technology.

“With CBC now under the control of a leader in the global iGaming industry, we look forward to establishing greater utility of the token and seeing many more integrations across Greentube’s social products and services.”

AYO.NEWS says:

This move is a big vote of confidence in the future of cryptocurrency gaming on the part of Greentube, and a major boost for CashBet. With the big players in iGaming now taking crypto and tokenisation seriously, the future is looking bright for one of the major drivers of mainstream crypto adoption.

Staying with Greentube, just yesterday we reported the company had expanded its Swiss reach, providing the platform for Casino Interlaken’s Starvegas.ch online casino.

AYO.NEWS says features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited.

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

The World Gaming Executive Summit 2020 has been postponed until 7-9 December 2020 due to the escalating COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis.

The summit, taking place at W Hotel, Barcelona, Spain, had been scheduled for 3-5 July, but organisers Terrapin Gaming have decided to push the event back to December in light of the rapidly changing situation in Europe.

Speakers from across the casino, esports, and lottery sectors are due to speak at the summit, including Alexander Stevendahl, CEO of Videoslots; Serge Vardanyan, Founder and CEO of Win.GG; Nigel Birrel, CEO of Lottoland; Shay Segev, COO of GVC Holdings; Paris Smith, CEO of Pinnacle; and Andrew Lyman, Executive Director, Gibraltar Gambling Division.

You can see the full list of speakers and attendees at https://www.terrapinn.com/conference/world-gaming-executive-summit/index.stm

🎲 NEW DATES ANNOUNCED 🎲

In the light of the ever changing situation with COVID-19,
we have made the strategic decision to postpone
The World Gaming Executive Summit to 7 – 9 December 2020.

We look forward to seeing you in December!#WGES #WorldGamingExecutiveSummit pic.twitter.com/BHRPfZHVhf

— World Gaming Executive Summit (@TerrapinnGaming) March 6, 2020

AYO.NEWS says:

Events around the world are falling like dominoes as the COVID-19 virus causes chaos globally. Earlier today we confirmed that PokerStars has postponed three European events due to the crisis.

Two weeks ago we also reported the Enada Primavera gaming show in Rimini had also been postponed due to the emergency. That had been rescheduled to start on 21^st April, but with Rimini now in a state of lockdown and the emergency in Italy spiraling out of control, those dates look unlikely too.

With global travel dislocated, the virus still spreading and the fate of many airlines hanging in the balance, the fate of many other events, including the much anticipated inaugural SiGMA Manila show, must also be precarious.

AYO.NEWS says features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited.

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

PokerStars has confirmed it is postponing three of its scheduled European events as the COVID-19 virus crisis deepens across the continent.

The German, French and Spanish events that are part of the new ‘Road to PSPC’ have all been postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date when conditions improve.

In a statement posted on its website PokerStars said:

“We are closely monitoring the spread of Covid-19 and working with the casinos operating the events we sponsor to ensure we are being kept up to speed with all the latest developments.

“The situation is highly dynamic and live tournaments are a big part of what we do. So we are endeavouring to strike a balance of catering to our players’ wants while also protecting attendees, and ensuring we act responsibly.”

PokerStars says it will also be introducing enhanced safety measures at its upcoming Brazilian, Philippines and Russian events, including providing hand sanitisers, sanitising all poker equipment each day, and changing card decks frequently.

AYO.NEWS says:

Given what we are now seeing unfold in Italy, and the seeming inability of any governments to stop the spread of the infection using moderate means, the future of all live events and tournaments must surely be in doubt.

Staying with PokerStars, just last month we reported that the company’s co-founder, Isai Scheinberg had returned to the United States to face gambling, bank fraud and money laundering charges.

AYO.NEWS says features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited.

Greentube, the NOVOMATIC Interactive division, has confirmed it is providing the platform behind Starvegas.ch, and has launched a premium collection of titles with the brand in the Swiss market.

The partnership will make Casino Interlaken’s Starvegas.ch brand the first to offer classic slots like  Book of Ra™ deluxe, Lucky Lady’s Charm™ and Sizzling Hot™ deluxe, in the newly regulated Swiss market.

Commenting on the news CEO of Greentube, Thomas Graf, said:

“We are delighted to join forces with Casino Interlaken and to add a new strategic partner to our growing client portfolio in Switzerland. Together, we share the common goal to be a leader in technological advancement and innovation in this newly opened business area and we are looking forward to assisting Starvegas.ch in becoming a frontrunner in the online market.”

While CEO of Casino Interlaken AG, Oliver Grimm, added:

“Being able to offer some of the most popular casino titles with Swiss players will allow us to quickly gain market share as we launch into this exciting new space. With a wide variety of Greentube’s fruit and slot games which already have a strong reputation in the land-based sector, together with a state-of-the-art user interface and top promotion programme, we’re offering an online experience that excels in quality and innovation.”

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