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Lucky Player Wins €250,000 SOFTSWISS Prime Network Jackpot

After the SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator launched the progressive Jackpot on the Prime Network in October 2023, the fortunate player finally claimed the winnings on February 7, 2024! The winner of the Jackpot takes the EUR 244,742.34 prize aggregated in the Prime Network Jackpot campaign.

Progressive Jackpot Campaign

The campaign was run by multiple operators that collectively established shared prize pools to pay winnings from such pools rather than by individual operators. Such a design enabled the campaign to offer outstanding rewards and attract a huge number of players. For this reason, the Prime Network Jackpot campaign received online bets of only one euro to see around one million in bets in the prize pool from October 2023 to February 2024.

€244K Jackpot Hit on February 7, 2024

first_softswiss_prime_network_jackpot_strikes_e244kThe first Prime Network Jackpot was seen on February 7, 2024 at the Fastpay Casino platform when a lucky player hit the 244,742.34 euro prize on a game provided by BGaming. When the jackpot amount paid from the network prize pool is compared to winnings from regular non-network progressive jackpots not exceeding 50K euro, it is evident that the network approach brings more benefits to players and operators. Therefore the SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator is set to soon launch its next Prime Network Jackpot campaign as it is becoming a strategic tool for casinos to boost their operations.

Aliaksei Douhin, Head of SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator at SOFTSWISS, commented: “We’re thrilled that the long-awaited win happened during the ICE industry event, an ideal time for the community to connect and share insights. This win provides an additional reason for celebration with our partners.

Following our initial online progressive network jackpot campaign with a starting 100,000 euro prize pool, we’re immediately launching a new one starting at 300,000 euro. This campaign offers substantial rewards for players and facilitates jackpot payouts from the collective prize pool. It serves as an effective marketing strategy to engage and attract users, a pertinent topic for discussion at ICE and, particularly, at our stand.”

Fastpay Casino representative added: “Hosting the inaugural draw of SOFTSWISS’ Prime Network Jackpot campaign has been an honour and a stroke of fortune for us. Among the many participating casinos, ours was privileged to be the first to celebrate a winner in this exciting campaign. It’s particularly symbolic that the win occurred in a game developed exclusively for us by BGaming – Fastpay Bonanza. This event underscores the advantages of collaborative network jackpots and affirms our commitment to providing exceptional gaming experiences. We look forward to hosting more such exciting events, continuing to create winners among our players and our casino community.”

Commenting on the winning campaign, Marina Ostrovtsova, CEO at BGaming said:“It’s gratifying to see players enthusiastically embracing fresh industry initiatives, like the SOFTSWISS Prime Network Jackpot campaign. We’re glad to mark the first winner in BGaming’s game, tailored specifically for Fastpay Casino. We’re thankful to the partners involved. As BGaming continues to create customised games and engaging online casino titles, we eagerly anticipate more SOFTSWISS’ campaigns.” 

Source: “SOFTSWISS Prime Network Jackpot Strikes €244K+”. European Gaming. February 9, 2024.

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Curacao Issues First iGaming Licenses Under New Regime

first_license_issued_by_curacao_gaming_control_boardThe Curacao Gaming Control Board, the government body in charge of regulating iGaming in the region, has announced it issued its first licenses under the new regulatory regime that came into effect last year.

Among the entities receiving licenses we can find White Star, a brand that is part of the Rhino Entertainment Group, which secured a new license for its CasinoDays online casino brand. At the same time brands such as Games and More, Geeka Corporation and Small House have received Digital Seals from the Gaming Control Board.

The confirmation of the licenses being issued comes just twelve weeks after Curacao launched its new licensing process, with applications being received starting the first day of November 2023.

The licensing portal has been processing new applications under existing legislation, asking all licensees to submit applications if they want to keep operating after the new National Ordinance for Games of Chance gets approved. Once that new legislation comes into effect, the Curacao Gaming Authority will take control of the licensing process and of the whole regulatory side of the iGaming business in the region. The new law was submitted to the Curacao Parliament for approval in December 2023.

A Transformative Period

Cedric Pietersz, the Managing Director of the Curacao Gaming Control Board said that “2024 heralds a transformative period in the regulatory landscape of Curacao’s gambling sector” and revealed that the volume of applications for licenses “far exceeded” the regulator’s expectations.

“White Star’s license holds a special place in our hearts and history,” the Managing Director continued. “It signifies a pivotal moment for Curacao’s evolution into a top-tier gambling jurisdiction with many more licenses in process.”

Ross Parkhill, the Chief Executive Officer of the Rhino Entertainment Group, added that being the first entity to receive such a license represents “a privilege” for his company and also a recognition of its “commitment to excellence and responsible gaming.”

The Chief Executive Officer added that his company “wholeheartedly” supports the new regulatory process that is being implemented in Curacao, underlining that it brings “added value and prestige” to the online casino’s license.

Source: “First License Issued By Curacao Gaming Control Board Under New Regime”. European Gaming. February 5, 2024.

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Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Las Vegas Hideout Revealed

Britain’s Daily Mail has leaked the location where America’s most beloved celebrity couple will sleep the night before the Super Bowl. Or at least, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce will try to sleep.

“Villa de Swelce” features four bedrooms and six bathrooms in nearly 9K square feet of living space, with 300 feet of private waterfront. (Image: Zillow)

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce rented the opulent villa on Lake Las Vegas because it’s a short distance from the posh Westin Lake Las Vegas, where his teammates are staying prior to the big game. And, quite understandably, he wanted more privacy than that.

Zillow values the residence at $8.5M, though it is not currently on the market. (Image: Zillow)

Kelce arrived in Las Vegas on Sunday night. Swift’s private jet is expected to land in Las Vegas, from an “Eras Tour” concert in Tokyo — around 10:30 p.m. Saturday, barring any unfortunate delays.

One of four of the villa’s bedrooms that look out on Lake Las Vegas. (Image: Zillow)

The isolated villa, in one of Lake Las Vegas’ newest communities, features four bedrooms and six bathrooms in nearly 9K square feet of living space, with 300 feet of private waterfront.

No Sinning

Both teams are being housed/detained in Lake Las Vegas, 25 miles east of the Las Vegas Strip, with daily getaways only to separate practice facilities.

This is so the temptations of Sin City don’t distract any players from their strenuous physical and mental preparations.

Lake Las Vegas features a dozen fancy restaurants and a couple of bars, but no nightclubs or wild nightlife.

It used to have a casino with a sportsbook, which definitely would have been a no-no for both Super Bowl teams. However, Casino MonteLago closed in 2013. (The NFL once prohibited its players from wagering on any sports games. That meant an active player couldn’t even visit Las Vegas and place a bet on the NBA playoffs. However, it has relaxed rules and NFL players are allowed to place bets that aren’t on football.)

The police presence, and the team’s tour buses, are shown in front of the Westin Lake Las Vegas. (Image: Daily Mail)

The San Francisco 49ers are staying at the Hilton Lake Las Vegas, a mile southeast and across the lake’s shore.

While the Chiefs are practicing at the Raiders’ nearby Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center in Henderson, the 49ers have a farther drive. They’re 16 miles away, at UNLV’s Intramural Field, where the Raiders’ opponents always practice. (This is because the AFC and NFC champs alternate home and away designations every Super Bowl.)

Lake Las Vegas is also home to Celine Dion, who raised her three sons there while performing two residencies at Caesars Palace.

Sorry, Swifties. All of Lake Las Vegas is currently crawling with police and there is only one road in and out, a road that officers are only allowing local residents to enter.

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Baroness Mone’s Grand National Favorite in £202M PPE Medpro Fraud Storm

A racehorse owned by the UK’s most controversial couple may be pulled from England’s famous Grand National steeplechase, despite being one of the favorites for the race.

Michelle Mone, Doug Barrowman, Monbeg Genius, PPE Medpro, Grand National, fraud
Baroness Michelle Mone, left, with her husband, Doug Barrowman, may be the UK’s most hated couple. But what does that mean for their racehorse, Monbeg Genius, one of the favorites for the Grand National? (Image: BBC News)

Monbeg Genius is owned by Baroness Michelle Mone and her husband, Doug Barrowman, and is priced by bookmakers at 20/1 to win, making it the third favorite.

But the couple is at the center of a media storm. Mone and Barrowman are currently under investigation by the National Crime Agency, the UK’s version of the FBI, over alleged links to PPE Medpro. That company won government contracts worth £202 million (US$253 million) to produce PPE equipment during the Covid-19 pandemic.

PPE Medpro Scandal

Mone, a Scottish former model who founded the lingerie company Ultimo in 1996, was made a “life peer” in September 2015 for her services to business. This allowed her to sit in the House of Lords, the UK’s upper house, and call herself Baroness Mone of Mayfair.

PPE Medpro was contracted to supply facemasks and surgical gowns without competitive tenders under COVID-19 emergency rules that waived regular procedures.

In January 2022, it emerged that Mone used her government position to “aggressively” recommend Medpro for the contract five days before the company had been incorporated.

Much of the supplied equipment fell below the required standard, and the UK government has initiated proceedings to recoup £122 million (US$153 million) from the company.

Despite the couple’s repeated denials of involvement with PPE Medpro, The Guardian reported in November 2022 that an offshore trust received £29 million from the company via a series of transactions involving Barrowman. Mone and her children were the beneficiaries of the trust.

In late January, it was reported that £75 million worth (US$94 million) of assets controlled by the couple had been “frozen or restrained” by a court order obtained by Crown prosecutors.

Wedding Present

Meanwhile, the British Horseracing Authority is investigating whether Monbeg Genius is one of those frozen assets. Mone purchased the eight-year-old gelding in November 2020 as a wedding present for her husband.

The BHA is aware of reports regarding a court order in relation to the assets of Michelle Mone and Doug Barrowman,” a British Horseracing Authority spokesperson said in a statement. “We are in contact with the relevant individuals to understand what implications, if any, there are for their involvement with racing.”

Should Monbeg Genius be free to run, as has been suggested by The Daily Mirror, it would be bad optics for the BHA.

The Grand National is a national institution and the only horse racing event with which the general public engages every year. For bookmakers, it’s huge because it captures the “one-bet-a-year” demographic – those who choose to place a bet. After all, they see it as a harmless tradition.

The race comes with a £500K (US$627K) prize for the winning horse’s owner. Should Monbeg Genius run and come through at 20/1, he may just be the most unpopular winner in the race’s 185-year history.

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Skillz Gaming CEO Alleges AviaGames Copied Patented Technology

Skillz founder and CEO Andrew Paradise testified during the opening day of the company’s trial against AviaGames that the competitor stole its patent-protected gaming platform. He alleged  they modified it to violate its operating terms.

Skillz AviaGames lawsuit
Skillz founder and CEO Andrew Paradise shows off his platform’s skill gaming prowess at his Las Vegas offices on Aug. 16, 2023. Skillz is suing rival AviaGames for patent infringement. (Image: Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Paradise and three coinventors acquired a patent — referred to in the legal case as the “‘564 Patent” — in May 2017. The patent is for a skill-based peer-to-peer wagering platform. The patent covers the technology of pairing first-time players and repeat players of similar skill sets based on their user metrics.

During direct examination by his attorney, Lazar Raynal, last Friday in Northern California’s U.S. District Court, Paradise testified that Skillz is primarily a business-to-business-to-consumer company that licenses its platform to game developers. The Skillz platform, he said, allows developers to agree to the software’s licensing terms and easily begin marketing their games and participating in a revenue share of the proceeds the game generates.

Paradise says AviaGames sought to lease the Skillz gaming platform for its own turnkey platform. The Skillz CEO said the company agreed to lend the patented “software development kit” (SDK) to Avia.

Platform Modifications

During his testimony, Paradise said Skillz decided to lend the patent to Avia because of the Hong Kong-based company’s proficiency in developing skill games.

Generally, we wouldn’t negotiate with a game company,” Paradise said. “Their CEO, Vickie [Chen], is a pretty sophisticated games person [with a] track record of promotions in gaming and an MBA at Cornell.”

Paradise said game developers that simply place their app on the Skillz platform after agreeing to the terms receive 50% of the game’s revenue. For instance, if each player stakes $2.50 on a solitaire game, the prize is $4.50, and Skillz and the developer pocket 50 cents each.

AviaGames, however, negotiated a 70% revenue share. Paradise said Skillz agreed to those terms because the company thought Avia could help market the Skillz platform.

The concept of a company negotiating with us and getting enablement and getting a better rev share is really about the business resources they can bring to the platform, typically marketing, as well as acumen in building games,” Paradise explained.

Soon after receiving the patented platform SDK, Paradise and Skillz allege in their lawsuit that Avia cloned the skill gaming technology, stole numerous games, and manipulated the patented player-pairing algorithm.

Specifically, the Skillz lawsuit alleges that Avia used computer bots instead of like-skilled real humans to compete against its customers.

Opening Defense

AviaGames has denied any wrongdoing. The company’s attorney, Jerry Riedinger, said “There’s more to the story” than what the plaintiffs contend.

Riedinger said during his opening statement that AviaGames doesn’t use bots, but instead, developed a way that allows players to compete against one another without playing simultaneously.

“You’re going to learn about historical playthroughs. It’s where you have players playing at a different time. One player playing a match against someone who played earlier. Both of them are real people. Both of them played real games, just one played the game earlier,” Riedinger declared.

The attorney says Avia solved Skillz’s player liquidity problem that results in players often waiting to be paired through the platform.

“Skillz doesn’t like the fact that we solved the problem,” Riedinger asserted. The attorney went on to say that Avia hasn’t infringed on Skillz’s patent because Avia isn’t using the player-pairing technology that was the leading reason for the patent issuance in the first place.

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