Novomatic AG, an Austrian-based game equipment manufacturer and operator, says it has teamed up with PariMax to jointly develop a historic horse racing game product.
PariMAX is a technology provider for the horse racing and wearing industries that uses its parent company’s “AmTote pari-mutuel technology.” It is a subsidiary of 1/ST Technology, a wholly owned company of The Stronach Group, based in the United States.
“This partnership will bring Novomatic’s title portfolio to the new market for PariMAX’s historic horse racing platform,” Novomatic’s Monday press release said.
“Novomatic and Parimax also aim to leverage Novomatic’s extensive worldwide production facilities and distribution channels to pursue other markets outside the United States based on regulatory, technological and commercial feasibility.”
The announcement quoted Novomatic America CEO Rick Meitzler as saying the partnership will allow the group to “not only open new markets, but also grow” its operations in the sector.
“We are excited to partner with Parismax to offer game libraries to new customers through our historic horse racing platform,” he added.
1/ST Technology CEO Paul Williams said in prepared remarks that the partnership “will provide some attractive new products for overseas and domestic historic horse racing.”
Mr Williams added: “Together, we can continue to prove that with full Parisian mutual wear and horse racing content, we can succeed in growing the market for the benefit of the horse racing industry.”.
Macau Airport handled a total of 116,343 inbound and outbound passengers and 975 aircraft movements from Sept. 30 to Oct. 6, a seven-day period that corresponds to the golden holiday season in fall 2019.
The figures represented a 66% and 63% recovery during the 2019 festival period, respectively.
Macao International Airport Inc (CAM), the operator of the air hub, chose a similar comparison in its update on Wednesday, as this fall’s Golden Week actually consists of eight days, but this time the Mid-Autumn Festival based on the lunar calendar falls on Sept. 29.
Of the 116,343 passengers handled from Sept. 30 to Oct. 6, people on mainland China accounted for 51 percent, while 36 percent used Southeast Asian routes. The remaining 13 percent were using Taiwanese services, the airport operator said.
The airport handled an average of 16,620 passengers per day during the similar comparison period, a total of 8.3% lower than the CAM’s 18,000 pre-holiday passengers expected.
In comments accompanying Wednesday’s statistics update, the CAM said it would provide more air routes in the fourth quarter. “The airport is supporting the resumption of flights to various destinations to mainland China and expansion to Southeast Asia and other international markets,” it said.
In the first nine months of this year, the airport handled a total of nearly 3.56 million inbound and outbound passengers, representing 49% of the volume during the same period in 2019, when the airport handled nearly 7.24 million passengers, according to CAM’s statistics.
“Coach Park Hang-seo made tremendous achievements when he was appointed to Vietnam, but he also suffered from ridiculous criticism,” Vietnam’s “The Tao” said on the 2nd (Korea time). “However, compared to his successor, Philippe Trusier, Park’s achievements are outstanding.”
Under Coach Park Hang-seo, Vietnamese soccer has developed greatly. It was also a great performance in the Asian Cup, where many Asian countries compete for the good performances of various Southeast Asian tournaments. In the last 2019 tournament, he advanced to the quarterfinals by catching Jordan in the round of 16.
Vietnam also made it to the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup in 2007, but only eight countries played the tournament at that time. Since the reorganization into a 16-nation system, only Park Hang-seo from the 2019 tournament has made it to the quarterfinals among all Southeast Asian countries. Even at the World Cup, Vietnam led the country to the third round of qualifying for the first time.
Vietnam’s rival Thailand has not advanced to the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup for 50 years. It was eliminated in the round of 16 at the tournament, losing to Uzbekistan 1-2. Indonesia under coach Shin Tae-yong also failed to advance to the quarterfinals as it lost 0-4 to Australia.
“The quarterfinals of the Asian Cup are a very difficult achievement in Southeast Asian countries. Thailand’s defeat against Uzbekistan makes Park Hang-seo’s 2019 Asian Cup achievement even greater,” Saoh said. “At that time, they not only caught Jordan in the round of 16 but also lost 0-1 against Japan, the favorite to win the quarterfinals.”
Meanwhile, Vietnam, where Park Hang-seo left, is struggling under Philippe Trusier. They were eliminated early, leaving the worst performance in the tournament.
Vietnam also lost 2-3 against Iraq in the third Group D match of the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Qatar Asian Cup at Jasim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar on the 24th.
Due to the loss, Vietnam lost all three games and left the stadium in loneliness. Including this match, Vietnam ended the tournament in loneliness with all three losses, including 2-4 loss to Japan in the first match and 0-1 loss to Indonesia in the second match. Analysts say that the tournament was a tournament that showed all problems under Trusier’s coach system, who took over as coach Park Hang-seo.
At the time, Vietnam’s Bongdanet said, “The team failed to win a point because it lost all three games. It is the worst Asian Cup in Vietnam’s history. It advanced to the quarterfinals in both 2007 and 2019,” adding, “The team also lost eight points in three matches in a single competition. It is even more than all the lost points (seven points) recorded in 2007 and 2019.”
The media outlet said, “We were even sent off twice in three group games. This contrasts with the fact that we received two yellow cards in more than five years under coach Park Hang-seo,” stressing, “Since Trussier’s leadership, he has been showing excessive performance including four dismissals in 11 games.”
“The main reason for criticizing Coach Park Hang-seo in Vietnam was his poor performance in the third qualifying round for the 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup. He was able to score his first goal in the eighth game after seven consecutive losses,” De Thao said. “However, considering the gap between the teams, it was natural. He even won 3-1 against China and a 1-1 draw against Japan.”
“At that time, Vietnam had four points in the third round of the World Cup, but Thailand had only two points in 10 games. The performance itself was outstanding,” he said. “Even Vietnam seemed to have stabilized more and more. I gained experience from confronting strong teams.”
Another reason for criticizing Coach Park Hang-seo in Vietnam is his defensive style. “Honestly, it’s ridiculous. As Vietnam is a weak team in the third round of the World Cup, it should be counterattacking by going defensively,” The Thao said. “Compared to Thailand, Vietnam was superior (8 points, 19 points, 6 points, 25 points) in 10 games of the third round of the World Cup qualifying round.”
“In addition to this nonsense, there are also criticisms that coach Park Hang-seo did not find a new face. However, it is nonsense. Coach Park Hang-seo discovered all the new faces in Vietnam. In fact, even under Trusier, Park Hang-seo’s students are being appointed,” he said.
Meanwhile, Vietnam’s Trusier, who failed perfectly at the Asian Cup, will risk his life and death in the second round of the World Cup qualifying round. “Now, Vietnam is showing the second round of the World Cup qualifying round, and the legacy of coach Park Hang-seo is at the center,” The Tao said.
Japan and Iran will play the quarterfinals of the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Qatar Asian Cup at 8:30 p.m. on the 3rd (Korea time) at Education City Stadium in Alayyan, Qatar.
As it is a single-round match in a tournament, many variables are expected to emerge. Like the match between Korea and Australia, it can become a fierce physical battle until overtime. It could lead to a penalty shootout. You must play to the end without being swayed under any circumstances.
What Japan needs is to reduce the number of runs. He has never recorded a clean sheet from the group stage to the round of 16. It is clear that he has a defensive weakness, but goalkeeper Suzuki’s lack of stability is also a problem.
Sports Hochi, a Japanese media outlet, said on Sunday that Suzuki started four consecutive games from the group stage. He gave up four goals in set piece and allowed a total of six goals. He is most likely to start in five consecutive games.
Suzuki said, “Even if we concede a goal, there are many players who can score, and it will change the flow of the game. It is important to play until the end without being embarrassed by the goal we conceded.”
Iran is not at full capacity at the moment. Its main striker Medi Taremi was sent off due to accumulation of violations. He will not be able to play in the upcoming match. However, Sardar Azmoun is certain to threaten Japan’s goal. Suzuki said, “He is a powerful player. He can run with the ball, and shoots when he does not expect it. We should be ready that he always tries to shoot.”
He can also face his first penalty shootout in his life. According to the media, Suzuki has never experienced a penalty shootout since he became a professional. Nevertheless, Suzuki smiled while showing off his confidence. “I saw Iran beat Syria in a penalty shootout. We have great kickers. Our strategy is important. We just have to play with a firm mindset.”
Most recently, Manitoba-based Pollard Banknote announced that it has completed the transaction of 5,768,386 common shares to three companies. It was revealed that 5,768,386 shares were sent to JSP Equities Limited, with the same amount going to Park Equities Limited and another 5,768,386 issued to Oak Equities Limited. Thus, reorganizing the holdings of shares.
Jointly controlled by John Pollard, Douglas Pollard and Gordon Pollard is a premier lottery partner to more than 60 lotteries across the industry. It provides instant ticket products, licensed games, in-lane ticket options, and sales-driving merchandising solutions from its Schafer Retail Solutions + portfolio. While also offering a full suite of digital offerings to its partner.
Terms of the Transaction
As per the transaction, the consideration to the company in connection with the common share transfers was CA$32.50 per common share. This was the closing of the transaction of shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange on December 28, 2023, or CA$562,417,635 in the aggregate for 17,305,158 shares. The transfer happened in combination with the transfer of other assets.
Before the completion of the transaction, Pollard Equities Limited had 17,305,158 common shares or approximately 64.2% of the issued and outstanding common shares. After the approval of the transfer, PEL holds on common shares, and each of John Pollard, Gordon Pollard and Douglas Pollard exercises control over 5,768,386 shares or approximately 21.4% of the issued and outstanding common shares.
Regarding the transfer, each Pollard family member, JSP Equities Limited, Park Equities Limited, Oak Equities Limited and their respective shareholders have entered into a shareholder’s agreement regarding the common shares. Under the shareholder’s agreement, the parties agree to vote their shares in the same manner, collectively, as a single block.
End of 2023 Highlights
In December 2023, Pollard Banknote joined lotteries and organizations in North America in the 2023 Gift Responsibly Campaign. Organized by the National Council on Problem Gambling and the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviours at McGill University, its purpose is to raise awareness of the risks of youth gambling.
Responsible gaming policies can be found across all businesses of the lottery provider, starting from the careful design of scratch tickets to appeal strictly to adults, and tools imbued as core components in its digital solutions. This way the supplier ensures that its lottery products abide by the highest standards of quality, fairness, and safety.
In the fall of last year, the leading lottery provider also praised its long-term partner, the Idaho Lottery in the U.S. on a record-setting fiscal year in 2023. The lottery reported an all-time high in revenues of US$422 million, providing approximately US$82 million to support public education and the State’s Permanent Building Fund. The two have been partners since 2013.
Operators in Ontario’s regulated iGaming sector are patiently waiting for clarification on the new betting advertisements standards. Meanwhile, the President of the Canadian Gaming Association, Paul Burns, has recently discussed the importance of advertising in a regulated marketplace. He also believes that operators have been focused on playing by the rules since the sector’s launch.
In April 2022, the Heartland Province became the first Canadian jurisdiction to open up its internet gaming model for private operators. However this led to an influx of betting ads from brands, and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario had no other choice but to put some restrictions on the marketing. Thus, banning the use of pro athletes and celebrities from those ads.
Standards are Vague, says Burns
In an interview, Mr. Burns noted that advertising is an important fragment in a regulated market, as it is a privilege for the operators. He believes that since the launch of the market, all of the licensed operators have tried to play by the provincial standards and does not think that any of the operators’ marketing has been aiming to attract minors.
He described the debate between legal operators and people concerned with the betting volume of sports wagering ads on TV as a very emotional one. As mentioned, previously, the AGCO agreed to limit ads in the province and resorted to banning celebrities from participating in such promotions. However, the new standards come into effect on February 28, 2024.
Under the new standards, active or retired athletes cannot be used in advertising, unless it is to promote responsible gambling. This also applies to cartoon figures, symbols, role models, social media influencers, celebrities or entertainers, who would likely be expected to appeal to minors. However, this language is vague, and operators were left wondering what classifies as that.
Mr. Burns also deems the new protocols as confusing, as he and CGA continue to work on gathering more input from the association’s members for the AGCO. He said the timing of the changes was based on emotion and response and that it was not based on a lot of facts. Lastly, he shared the ads have already started to cool off and the market will soon start to mature.
MPP Calls for Further Action
However, MPP Lisa Gretzky does not agree that the ban on celebrities in ads is enough and calls for further measures. Previously, four members of Ontario’s NDP, including Ms. Gretzky submitted private members bills for an outright ban on all iGaming ads. She is hopeful that the government realizes the importance of the legislation and reviews it in a second reading.
In addition to that, it has not been a smooth sail for some operators and suppliers in Ontario’s iGaming sector, as since launch AGCO has issued multiple fines. One of those was Apollo Entertainment’s alleged breaches related to several violations of responsible gambling protocols. The company was imposed a CA$100,000 monetary fine by the regulator.
South Korea entered overtime with Cho Kyu-sung’s miraculous header in the round of 16 of the Asian Cup at Education City Stadium in Alayyan, Qatar, on the 31st.
The two teams, which failed to decide the winner in overtime, will advance to the quarterfinals through a penalty shootout. Wearing the captain’s armband, Son Heung-min went to the center circle and stood in front of the referee along with a Saudi player. It was time to decide the goalpost for the shootout and the team to kick first. However, a small scuffle arose during the process.
According to the Korea Football Association, the referee unilaterally decided to proceed with a penalty shootout at the left post based on the headquarters of the goalpost. As relay cameras were installed near the goalpost, the referee intended to proceed there for convenience. Coincidentally, the goalpost was filled with Saudi fans only.
Son immediately protested. They countered by tossing coins to decide the goal post according to the regulations. The referee had no choice but to accept Son’s demand to proceed according to the regulations.
As a result of the coin toss, the penalty shootout was decided as the goalpost where there were some Korean fans. Just behind the penalty shootout goal was a large red hanger called the “Korean Red Devil,” and Korean fans were also gathered.
Korean players were able to shoot a penalty shootout after seeing the cheering sound and banners of Korean fans. Son Heung-min, Kim Young-kwon (Ulsan), Cho Kyu-sung and Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton) successively scored a penalty shootout, while Cho Hyun-woo (Ulsan), who defended the goal, staged a “pre-show” twice.
The Korean national team, which has overcome its first challenge to win the Asian Cup in 64 years, will play in the quarterfinals against Australia at 12:30 a.m. on the 3rd at Al-Zanup Stadium in Alwakra, Qatar.
The South Korean national soccer team will play in the quarterfinals of the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup against Australia at Al-Zanub Stadium in Al-Wakra, Qatar, on the 3rd.
The mood is not good. Korea narrowly secured a ticket to the quarterfinals by winning a penalty shootout in the round of 16 against Saudi Arabia after a 1-1 draw.
The team’s performance was not satisfactory. Until Cho Kyu-sung opened the scoring, Korea’s offense was frustrating. He attempted a whopping 22 shots, but the accuracy was so low that he only made eight effective shots.
Son cannot be free from responsibility. Starting as a front-line striker who is typical of 3-4-3 in the match against Saudi Arabia, Son failed to score another field goal despite playing full time.
It is not that he did not want to score a goal. Son Heung-min recorded eight shootings against Saudi Arabia. However, only two of them were recorded as shots on goal, leaving regret.
There are no goals in this tournament except for penalties. The penalty points in the last matches against Jordan and Malaysia were not enough to meet the expectations placed on Son Heung-min.
Son Heung-min is not originally a player who shines through penalties. In the last 21/22 season of the Premier League, he scored 23 goals without a penalty and became the top scorer.
It will not be easy to score a field goal in the match against Australia. Australia has only allowed one goal in four matches at this year’s event, showing off its strong defense.
There are not only negative factors. Son Heung-min remembers scoring against Australia in the 2015 Asian Cup. If he recalls that memory, it is worth looking forward to scoring.
KEPCO attacker Lim Sung-jin hugged the net post and lamented intensely after his quick opener was blocked by Andres Villena (registered name Villena) in the second set 15-16 against KB Insurance on Monday.
It was the third consecutive block for Lim, whose previous two attacks had also been blocked by Villena.
Fortunately, KEPCO took the second set and the match ended with a set score of 3-1 (25-23 25-22 15-25 25-22).
The hero of the match was Lim Sung-jin. He wasn’t intimidated by the blocking, scoring five points in the final four sets and boasting a 100% attack success rate.
It summarized the fact that he was once an introvert and lacked confidence, but is now the undisputed ace of the team.
Lim Sung-jin scored the most points (18) on the day, excluding foreign players from both teams.
“I should have been thinking rationally and calmly, but I was angry and hit him emotionally,” Lim recalled after the game, adding that it was the attacker’s mistake for the offense to lose a shutout like that.
“My brothers were like, ‘It’s in the past, let’s lighten up. Let’s lighten up,'” he said, adding that he was grateful that his brothers laughed and said, “I was able to get out of my emotions.
Behind Lim’s good play, not only on this day, but this season, is the teamwork of the Korean Warriors.
This season, Lim ranks 10th in points (309), 10th in attack percentage (50.38%), 6th in digs (0.228 per set), and 3rd in defense (4.848 per set).
“My brothers usually try to give me a lot of confidence,” Lim said. They tell me, ‘Don’t feel pressured, don’t be anxious, do what you want to do,'” he recalls, “but they also give me responsibility by saying, ‘Act like an ace.'”
“I really want to repay them for their trust in me,” he said, “When I joined, I felt like a puppet, just doing what I was told, but as I’ve gained more experience, I feel like I’ve gotten more freedom.”
The host next to him, Taith Dull (registered name Taith), also has strong feelings for Young Gun Lim.
“The responsibility should be on me, Shin Young-seok, Seo Jae-duk, and other experienced players,” he said. Sungjin just needs to work hard in his own way,” he said affectionately.
The Athletic, a local U.S. media outlet, reported on the Houston Rockets’ trade market situation on January 1 (KST). According to the report, “Houston is looking to bolster its roster with a star player. They’re ready to trade prospects to do so.”
In other news, the Rockets’ only untradeable player is starting center Al-Farouq Sengoun. Sengun has developed into an All-Star caliber big man, averaging 21.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists this season, and is the spearhead of the Houston offense. Sen is the present, not the future, for the Rockets. The Rockets are right to not trade him.
He added that the prospects he’s reluctant to trade are Cam Whitmore, Amen Thompson, Tariq Eason, and Jabari Smith Jr. Whitmore and Thompson were selected in the 2023 NBA Draft and have been in the NBA for less than a year.
Eason and Smith are both trusted players under head coach Ime Udoka. They are both long, defensive-minded forwards who fit the mold of modern basketball. There’s no reason to trade either player unless it’s for a high price.
There’s one player missing from that list. That’s Jaylen Green. Green was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. He was touted as the new face of Houston’s franchise after the departure of James Harden. Expectations were higher for Green than any of the prospects mentioned above.
Green showed promise last season, averaging 22.1 points per game, but his efficiency plummeted once Udoka was hired and the team started playing team basketball instead of individualized.
This season, Green averaged just 18.4 points and 4.9 rebounds.
Green’s weakness is his defense. Green’s defense has been a serious problem this season. When he’s on the court, opposing teams focus on him.
Udoka is known for his emphasis on defense. During his time with the Boston Celtics, he transformed them into one of the best defenses in the NBA and led them to the NBA Finals. Udoka’s style of basketball doesn’t mesh well with Green’s emphasis on scoring and weak defense.
Green is also in a different position now than he was when he joined the Rockets. When Green joined the Rockets, they had no one to count on. But now, the Rockets have the likes of Senegal, Smith, Eason, and Whitmore, as well as veterans like Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks.
That doesn’t make it easy to give up on Green. Green is one of the most valuable players in the NBA, capable of averaging over 20 points per game. His weaknesses on defense are obvious, but he’s still a young player (he was born in 2002) and has a lot of potential. If the Rockets were to trade Green and he explodes as a rookie, they would face a lot of criticism.
It’s clear that the Rockets will be on the trade market. The question is, who will it be?
