Grand Casino Hotel Resort revolutionises guest experience with Agilysys Technology

The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) and Professional Footballers' Association Canada (PFA Canada) have announced a partnership to create a bespoke two-year sports integrity education programme for players and staff in the Canadian Premier League (CPL). , supported by a CA$300,000 educational fund from regulated betting operators bet365, Betway, and FanDuel, aims to tackle potential sports-betting related match-fixing. The programme, set to begin in May 2024, will educate approximately 300 individuals about the risks of match-fixing and the importance of maintaining the integrity of the sport. It includes both in-person training and online resources, covering topics such as rules, sanctions, and the use of technology in sports integrity monitoring. A repeat training is scheduled for 2025 to ensure newcomers in the league also receive this critical education.

The IBIA has a track record of delivering sports integrity education to athletes in Europe and is bringing its expertise to the Canadian market with the support of member operators. High-profile representatives from these betting operators have expressed their commitment to athlete education as a means to safeguard sports integrity. The program is expected to serve as a model for protecting sport integrity that could be extended to other sports beyond soccer in Canada. Moreover, IBIA's global sports integrity programme offers a comprehensive approach against match-fixing, including data sharing with sports regulators and law enforcement to investigate and sanction corrupt activities.

Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA, said: “IBIA’s members take their role – as responsible regulated betting operators – in protecting the integrity of sporting competition and of betting markets seriously. Alongside balanced, efficient and evidenced-based regulation, protecting soccer players, staff and officials from being targeted by criminals is an essential first step to stamping-out sports-betting related match-fixing and fraud.”

IBIA, a non-profit association established in 2005, represents over 60% of private sports betting operators in Ontario and is recognized as a leading voice in betting integrity. The association provides a Monitoring & Alert Network to detect suspicious betting activities and has partnerships with major sports organizations for information sharing. Its recent report emphasized Ontario's progress as a regulated gambling jurisdiction, with high rates of onshore channelization for sports betting expected. In Q1 2024, IBIA's alerts contributed to the sanctioning of 21 clubs, players, and officials, indicating the impact of its efforts. PFA Canada, established in 2020, has been the collective bargaining representative for CPL players since December 2022, advocating for players' interests and negotiating collective agreements with the league. The organization is also a candidate member of FIFPRO, the global players' association.

has once again outdone itself in Q1 2024, setting new records for net revenue and EBITDA. The company generated a staggering €39m in net revenue across all products, marking a 66 percent year-on-year growth. EBITDA also soared to an all-time high of €22 million, a 111 percent increase from the previous year, pushing the company’s EBITDA margin to a record 57 percent, up from 45 percent in Q1 2023.

This record-breaking quarter follows closely on the heels of EveryMatrix’s strongest financial results in its 16-year history, achieved just three months prior. The company attributes this stellar performance to large value client signings, multiple new client launches across all core business units, strong sports trading and innovation, and continued growth in the casino segment.

in expanding its global footprint. It was among the first iGaming technology providers to gain regulatory accreditation in Peru and furthered its progress in the US by launching its first casino aggregation partner with third-party content live on DraftKings in New Jersey.

In addition to these achievements, EveryMatrix reached a significant post-period milestone, hitting the 1,000 employee mark across 13 global locations. The company’s largest purpose-built office, housing 450 personnel, opened its doors in Bucharest, Romania. A new office was also launched in Cebu, Philippines, focusing on the data products of its recently acquired affiliate optimisation service, DeepCI.

EveryMatrix’s CEO, Ebbe Groes, (in photo above), expressed his excitement over the company’s progress, stating, “It’s mind-blowing how far we’ve come and how much progress continues to be made across the entire business.”

EveryMatrix’s casino business unit saw significant growth in Q1 2024, with operator partners generating a record GGR of €619m during the quarter, a 65 percent year-on-year increase. This led to a rise in EveryMatrix’s quarterly casino net revenue to €19.9 million, an 83 percent year-on-year increase, while EBITDA reached €13.2 million, reflecting a 132 percent year-on-year increase. The SlotMatrix aggregation product introduced 886 new games during the period.

The OddsMatrix sports division also saw impressive growth, with turnover rising 31 percent year-on-year to €1.3 billion and GGR climbing 308 percent year-on-year to €96 million. Net revenue for the business unit reached €10.5 million, up 78 percent on Q1 2023, while EBITDA hit €6.2 million, reflecting a 313 percent increase. OddsMatrix covered a record 173,000 live events in a single month, while the average monthly number of bets placed reached 39 million.

EveryMatrix’s platform division saw quarterly net revenue reach €7.3 million, up 28 percent year-on-year, with EBITDA at €3.2 million, up 13 percent on Q1 2023. The company’s affiliate platform division saw net revenue grow to €1.4 million during the quarter, up 39 percent year-on-year, with EBITDA down €0.4 million due to continued product and commercial investment.

EveryMatrix is among a select few private companies in the iGaming space that report their quarterly financial performance, providing a transparent view into their operations and growth. With its record-breaking Q1 2024 performance, EveryMatrix is well-positioned for sustained growth and expansion for the remainder of 2024 and beyond.

Abu Dhabi's popular raffle draw, Big Ticket, will return to action following a, with the next live draw scheduled for June 3. This comes after UAE lottery providers like Mahzooz and Emirates Draw had been ordered to suspend their operations starting January 1, 2024. Both Mahzooz and Emirates Draw had complied with the regulatory directive from the GCGRA, both taking to social media, describing the pause as an industry-wide mandate consistent with the Regulators’ new role to create a well-regulated gaming environment in the United Arab Emirates.

During the operational pause, Big Ticket was in a position to evaluate its readiness to align with the evolving regulatory framework established by the GCGRA, aimed at ensuring a secure and regulated commercial gaming sector in the country.

With over thirty years of operation, Big Ticket has been a favourite among UAE residents, bringing hope for some and an integral part of life for others. The practice of pooling resources among expats to purchase tickets collectively has been a common phenomenon, with groups ranging from 4 to 40 individuals participating. In an effort to reinvigorate interest, Big Ticket is offering participants a chance to win a guaranteed sum of Dh10 million for the upcoming draw in June, with a buy 2 get 3 promotion on tickets.

The regulatory landscape in the UAE is undergoing a transformation, as the government moves towards a consolidated approach with only one national lottery operator authorized by the GCGRA. While Mahzooz and Emirates Draw have completed their license applications for the national lottery, the question of whether Big Ticket will assume this role exclusively or if other operators will be permitted to coexist remains unanswered.

The recent suspension of lottery operations highlights a notable shift in the UAE's stance on gambling, traditionally prohibited by local laws. The new licensing framework and the establishment of the GCGRA indicate a strategic move towards regulating the gaming industry, underlining the government's commitment to a structured and controlled gaming environment.

The Chinese government has announced the extension of the facilitated individual travel (FIT) scheme to include eight additional mainland cities for visits to Hong Kong and Macau, effective from May 27, 2024.  

Asia Gaming Brief reported that the National Immigration Administration revealed the expansion following approval from the State Council, signalling a concerted effort to enhance cross-border travel arrangements and promote economic cooperation. 

This development follows a for Chinese nationals on package tours implemented last May 6, easing travel between Macau and neighbouring Hengqin. This initiative allows participants in package tours to move freely between the two regions over a seven-day period. 

The newly added cities encompass provincial capitals such as Taiyuan, Hohhot, Harbin, Lhasa, Lanzhou, Xining, Yinchuan, and Urumqi, representing diverse regions across China. 

The FIT scheme, introduced in 2003 in response to the SARS outbreak, facilitates independent travel for mainland residents to Hong Kong and Macau, promoting tourism and cultural exchange. 

The Macau Chief Executive anticipates a significant uptick in mainland tourist arrivals, citing the potential for substantial economic benefits to the city. The recent surge in visitor numbers underscores the importance of mainland tourism to Macau's economy, particularly in the gaming sector. 

Macau experienced a notable increase in visitor arrivals, predominantly from mainland China, contributing to a substantial year-on-year rise in gross gaming revenue. The addition of more cities to the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) list is expected to further stimulate tourism and retail industries in Macau. 

Macau authorities are committed to fostering favourable conditions for mainland residents to visit the city, emphasizing dialogue with Chinese authorities to facilitate travel arrangements. Efforts to diversify the economy beyond gaming continue, with a focus on promoting non-gaming activities and attracting international visitors. 

While the impact on the gaming sector remains uncertain, analysts suggest potential short-term benefits from the expansion of the IVS list. Macau's government encourages gaming operators to cater to international clientele and enhance non-gaming offerings to support long-term economic growth. 

As increase and non-gaming initiatives gain momentum, Macau seeks to balance its reliance on mainland tourism with efforts to attract a more diverse visitor base. Collaboration between government entities and industry stakeholders will play a crucial role in shaping Macau's tourism landscape and economic resilience.