
Lee Travino, who bet on himself to win the 1971 Open Championship at 14-1 and blew away the field. (Image: bahl.blog.blogspot.com)
The world’s most useful golfers are up in hands this week at the Open Championship in the UK, where they have been asked to sign a waiver to declare that they can perhaps not place bets on the result of the championship. Betting is one thing of the tradition for many players at the Open, because, of course, sports betting is completely legal and readily obtainable in Britain. At the 1971 Open, Lee Travino famously bet £100 ($171) on himself at 14-1, which helped him to almost triple his award money when he blew away the field.
However, for the very first time at the Open, the R&A, the regulating human body of the game outside the US, has formally warned players that such behavior is now off-limits, despite the fact it claims the rules have been around in spot since 2011. It had been news to some. One player, whom wished to remain nameless, told ESPN he was ‘shocked’ when he was handed the waiver, while his caddy indicated his delight that the ban did not extend to caddies.
We sense way around the rules with that one.
’30 Dudes in Violation’
Pro golfer Graeme McDowell gave an even more measured and professional response, however, stating: ‘It’s really no various than just what we curently have on the European Tour and PGA Tour, so that it doesn’t change such a thing.
‘seriously I love to gamble,’ he continued, ‘just not on golf!’ he added quickly, lest there were any representatives from the R&A in the vicinity.
Alas, though, it seems that old practices die hard, as one player that is anonymous revealed to ESPN: ‘There’s probably … at least 30 guys in violation [of the no-bet waiver] already,’ the foundation revealed, ‘and that number will be bigger by [the end of the week].’
The regulations that are new British golf in line with every other sport on the planet, which tend to frown on players betting in the upshot of an occasion in which they truly are participating. The English Football Association (FA) recently announced that, from the forthcoming period, all professional players in English soccer would be banned from gambling, not just on competitions in which their team is included, as was previously the situation, but from all football matches anywhere in the globe. The brand new hard-line FA rules could well be the catalyst that has prompted the R&A to clamp down on its players.
Maintaining Sport Clean
R&A CEO Peter Dawson said: ‘I can say that this whole business of keeping sport clean in terms of wagering is very high regarding the IOC’s agenda at the moment, the other that people’re following very closely as it’s just a killer to sport to believe any outcomes might have been predetermined. And I don’t think that’s applying in golf. But we have to be vigilant.’
Meanwhile, those of us who aren’t golfers that are pro and who live in nations where such practices are legal, we are free to wager on the upshot of the Open Championship to the heart’s content. And perhaps not simply the result; most UK bookmakers are offering chances on anything from whether a player will create a cut to exactly how many bunkers he might hit.
In terms of a winner that is outright Rory McIlroy is favorite ( at that time with this writing), at 5-1, and he would appear to be a solid choice if he could well keep his composure in advance, although a great outside bet could possibly be Justin Rose at 16-1. He’s been on a tear, having just won two tournaments on the bounce.
GTECH $4.7B IGT Acquisition to generate Gaming Superpower
GTECH’s $4.7 billion acquisition of IGT will gain both companies and invite for some corporate tax breaks (Image: gamblingnews.ca)
Two super heavyweights of the gaming industry are to merge in a $4.7 billion deal, as Italian company GTECH has announced its takeover of Las Vegas-based IGT this week, together forming the world’s biggest end-to-end gaming company.
The 2 giants will combine to create a new holding company based in the UK, with corporate headquarters in London and operating head office in Las Vegas, Providence, Rhode Island and Rome. It will, however, be noted on the latest York Stock market. GTECH will also assume approximately $1.75 billion in existing IGT net debt, making the purchase that is total approximately $6.4 billion.
GTECH is the largest operator of lotteries on the planet, owning 63 % regarding the global lottery market. It operates in all continents and across 52 countries, employing over 8,500 individuals. In 2012, it had profits of €3.08 billion ($5.14 billion). It also owns the software that is iGaming Wagerworks.
IGT, meanwhile, may be the globe’s manufacturer that is largest of gaming equipment, producing roughly half of all gaming machines in the United States. It has offices in 11 nations, but has recently reported a decline in profits and in March announced it would be forced to lay down seven per cent of its worldwide workforce so as to save lots of expenses.
Contract ‘Defines the Future of Gaming Entertainment’
The two companies say that the deal enables them to capitalize on opportunities across global gaming market and that the group that is new be likely to reap revenues of over $6 billion with more than $2 billion in profits.
‘We are extremely pleased to attain a definitive merger agreement with GTECH due to our exploration of strategic options to maximize shareholder value,’ said IGT CEO Patti Hart. ‘ This combination that is outstanding of global leaders truly defines the future of gaming activity. Together we are uniquely placed to produce the industry’s broadest and most portfolio that is innovative of services and products, solutions and solutions.’
For GTECH, the acquisition represents its arrival on the scene as being a major player that is global the casino industry and will also enable it to build on its presence in the US video gaming market where it already operates lotteries. GTECH is dealing with far slow growth at home in the market that is italian according to Reuters, total web spending for gaming in Italy fell 6.6 percent last year, while it rose 6.7 % in the us.
UK Business Tax Breaks
Relocation to the UK, meanwhile, provides a slightly more tax regime that is favorable. Based on The Wall Street Journal, the 2 organizations presently have a tax rate in the high 30 % range which would fall towards the mid-30s within the UK. The report notes that this is certainly section of a trend where a company that is large usually US, will acquire an overseas company in order to develop a brand new company that can relocate to a country where it will pay less corporate tax, although in this case the reverse is true.
‘This transaction is transformational for our business.’ said Chief Executive Officer of GTECH Marco Sala. ‘With limited overlap in products and customers, the combined company will enjoy leading positions across all sections of the gaming landscape. It’ll increase our global scale sufficient reason for the full suite of offerings and robust customer relationships across the client spectrum, the new business could have unparalleled abilities to handle the ongoing convergence across international gaming segments.
‘ Our expertise across these segments and greater ability to invest in R&D will improve player experiences and gain our government and business customers. The transaction will significantly enhance our income and monetary strength, and provide clear and achievable price and income synergies,’ Sala included.
MGM Anticipated to Receive Maryland Casino Approval
An MGM casino would be just the development that is latest at National Harbor along Maryland’s Potomac River. (Image: JonBilousBlog.com)
MGM Resorts happens to be making some big splashes on the East Coast, including gaining a permit to build in Springfield, Massachusetts. Now, with one approval that is last local regulators, MGM could see another complex built simply miles from the nation’s capitol.
The Prince George’s County Council is expected to vote on 21 in favor of approving the construction of a $925 million casino complex in National Harbor, Maryland, just across from Washington D.C. over the Potomac River july. The location, which has gotten approvals that are numerous local and county officials, is expected to be opened in July 2016.
Casino License Currently Approved
This final approval will come just months after MGM received the last of six casino gambling licenses offered by the state of Maryland. Groundbreaking regarding the casino could occur because early as this summer, and the company has already started initial work with your website in expectation of the approval process that is smooth.
The relatively easy regulatory process has been aided by the fact that almost no opposition has emerged to the task. Pretty everyone that is much is aussie-pokies.club up to speed with the casino, which will be likely to bring significant financial advantages to both Maryland and Prince George’s County.
Where there are disagreements, they have now been primarily predicated on the design associated with the casino, because well as precisely what the community gets from the revenues it creates. Concerns have now been raised concerning the big LED video screens that are to be integrated to the signage for the casino, with some saying they are able to be a security risk and distract drivers on the I-295 highway. But the local planning board approved them, agreeing that they had been a significant part of business and also the casino aesthetic.
That issue may be the one hurdle MGM might have to clear at the County Council meeting, as many locals have complained about the size and scope of the signs, a few of that are as big as 60 feet high and 100 foot wide.
‘This is not Las Vegas,’ said William Cavitt, president of the Indian Head Highway Area Action Council. ‘It is not Atlantic City. It isn’t any other location where MGM is found.’
Latest Development at National Harbor
The proposition would put a casino that is major just moments from Washington. MGM plans to build a single million square-foot facility, one that will consist of about 3,600 slot machines and 140 table games. There would be a 300-room hotel tower, high-end restaurants and retail locations, and a concert theater.
As soon as approved by the County Council, MGM would then manage to request the necessary permits to begin construction.
The casino would join a small but development that is vibrant the banking institutions of the Potomac River. National Harbor first opened in 2008, and additions to the site have actually been ongoing ever since. The location, which covers not as much as two square miles, already has a convention center and six hotels, also numerous restaurants and shops. The Walt Disney Company has planned to build its hotel that is own resort National Harbor, but backed out of the idea in 2011.