2020 was both the worst and the best year in the history of eSports. Throughout the course of the year there was a record number of new players that joined the eSports world, but all of the major tournaments were postponed and then cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic. We are already three months into 2021 and some major tournaments have come and gone, but there are still plenty of great events for eSports fans to look forward to. In the following article, we are going to take a look at some of the biggest eSports tournaments that are still to come in 2021. You are not going to want to miss out on these, that is for sure.
Dota 2 – The International 2021
This is actually the competition that was cancelled in 2020. It was stated that it would be held in September 2021 instead, but it has since been put forward and month and will take place in August. The exact dates that this prestigious DOTA 2 tournament will be held on are not yet known, so if you are a big DOTA 2 fan, this is something that you should keep an eye on.
The location has not been changed, meaning that this event will take place in Stockholm, Sweden. These types of events usually come with huge prize pots, and this one is no exception to the rule. This tournament will see 18 different teams compete for a staggering $40 million, so do not expect to see anything other than quality players at the top of their game.
At the time of writing, we do not know which teams will be competing at this tournament come August. There will be three stages for The International 2021 – qualifiers, play-offs, and the tournament proper. Teams will battle it out in regional qualifiers over two weeks, with the top two from each region making it through to the play-offs. The play-offs will be played over the course of a week and six teams will enter the main event.
Earlier we said that 18 teams will be competing, so how do the other 12 teams qualify? Well, leading up to the event teams will compete at DOTA 2 Minors and Majors, and the 12 teams that have earned the most points by the end of the season will be invited to The International and have the chance to win some serious money. Some of the best DOTA 2 teams around at the moment are Team Secret, Vici Gaming, Evil Geniuses, and Beastcoast – we are pretty sure that these teams will be battling it out The International later this year.
League of Legends World Championship 2021
The World Championship will conclude the 2021 League of Legends season. At the time of writing, Riot are yet to confirm the exact dates for this tournament, but it is expected to take place around September time, as this is when this prestigious competition usually happens.
This event is due to take place in Shenzhen, China, and it is estimated that the prize pool will be somewhere in the region of $7-8 million. There will be 24 teams battling it out to be crowned the best League of Legends team in the world. Usually, there are four teams from China and Europe, three from North America and Korea, two from PCS and Vietnam, and one from Brazil, Japan, Oceania, Latin America, CIS, and Turkey. We are expecting it to be the same this year, but we are going to have to wait and see as no information has been given as of yet.
From now up until the event, there will be a number of League of Legends competitions where teams can earn the right to compete at the World Championship. Some of the best League of Legends teams in the world include the likes of Gen G eSports, Fnatic, JD Gaming, and Funplus Phoenix, and we would be pretty surprised if we did not see all of these competing at this major event.
PGL Major Stockholm 2021
Since the Major in Rio was postponed due to the current Covid-19 situation in Brazil, it is fair to classify the PGL Stockholm Major as the biggest CS:GO tournament of 2021. As you can guess from the name, this huge CS:GO event is going to take place in Stockholm – it will be held at the magnificent Ericsson Globe. At the time of writing, this tournament is scheduled to start on the 23rd of October and will be played over two weeks.
There will be 24 teams at this tournament and qualification will be based on regional major rankings. There will be 6 regional qualifiers, and these are Europe, South America, North America, CIS, Europe, Oceania, and Asia. Each region is given a specific number of spots for the Stockholm Major and this is based on the number of teams that participated at the Berlin Major from the same region. So, there will be 12 teams competing from Europe, 6 teams competing from North America, 5 from CIS, 1 from South America, Oceania, and Asia. The teams will be competing to take home some of a prize pool that is worth $2 million.
The best CS:GO teams include the likes of Godsent, Astralis, Movistar Riders, and MiBr, so we would not be too surprised if we saw all four battling it out for the top prize.
Ireland, it is safe for us to say, has a long gambling history. Irish sports bettors enjoy placing bets on a variety of sports, and it is believed that 1 in 5 Irish people enjoy gambling regularly, with a third of them visiting online betting sites. At the moment, there are about 300 bookmakers that are willing to accept Irish sports bettors and new Irish betting sites are popping up all the time. Out of these betting sites Ireland, there are a number that stand out from the crowd, and below you will find all you need to know about the best betting sites in Ireland.
Is Online Gambling Legal in Ireland?
Before we dive straight in and start taking a look at some of the best betting sites that Irish sports betting fans can open an account with, we thought it would be a good idea to first take a look at the legal aspect of gambling in Ireland.
Before you start placing bets online anywhere, you have to ensure that it is legal where you are. When you realise how popular gambling is in the Emerald Isle, it might be quite surprising that online gambling was prohibited until 2015. However, the government soon realised how much money could be made from the online gambling industry, so they decided to make Irish betting sites legal.
Nowadays, Irish gambling is estimated to be worth somewhere in the region of €220 million a year. Any betting site, whether situated in Ireland or somewhere else around the world, are allowed to enter the Irish sports betting market as long as they have the necessary licenses from legitimate gambling commissions. Most of the bookies that are open to Irish sports bettors have been regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, which just so happens to be one of the most respected and best gambling regulators in the business.
Top 3 Irish Betting Sites
What are the best Irish betting sites? This is one question that we are asked all of the time by Irish sports bettors and they will visit betting comparison site after betting comparison site trying to find the answer to this question. However, to be perfectly honest with you, this is not a simple question for us to answer since we all like different things. Thus, what one person might consider a perfect bookmaker, another might consider to be average.
So, in our humble opinion, you should read reviews bookmakers in Ireland and then make up your final decision based on the review that you liked the best. Below we are going to have a look at three bookies that accept Irish punters and are at the top of their game.
Betway
Betway came into being in 2006, which means that it is a relatively young bookie when compared to other online bookies. However, in the 15 years that they have been around, they have racked up millions of players from across the world, with a high percentage of those being from Ireland.
What makes Betway such a popular betting site is that when it comes to betting sites welcome offers, they have a very enticing one. Anyone who opens a new account with Betway will be able to claim up to €30 in free bets and then as an existing customer they will be able to make use of a variety of exciting promotions.
Betway has a variety of markets for no fewer than 32 sports, and the odds that they offer are extremely competitive. Another reason why Betway is so popular with Irish bettors is that the Irish love to bet on sports such as football and Betway just so happens to be one of the top football betting sites around at the moment. To top it all off, they have a wide variety of payment options, the customer support team is always on point, and they offer live streams for a variety of sports so that you do not miss out on action.
Below is a summary of the best bits about Betway:
· They have an attractive Welcome Bonus.
· They have a variety of exciting promotions.
· There are many different payment options for making a deposit or withdrawal.
· They offer plenty of live streams.
· They have one of the best customer support teams around.
Bet365
Bet365 is based in the UK, but they are happy to accept Irish sports bettors. They are extremely popular for Irish sports betting fans as they provide a comprehensive sports betting experience. Above we said that Betway has an enticing Welcome Bonus (and they do), but it is safe to say that Bet365 has one of the best betting site offers in the industry. If you decide to open an account with them, you can claim up to €100 in bet credits and existing customers will be treated to regular free bets.
When it comes to the sports on offer, you will find a variety of markets for all of the world’s most popular sports, and you will not have anything to complain about when it comes to the odds that are on offer. If you are into your Asian handicaps, then we recommend that you check out Bet365 as we generally feel that they are one of the best Asian handicap betting sites in the industry. To add to this, they have a great live stream feature, a variety of deposit and withdrawal options, very solid customer support, and a top-quality mobile app. Also, when it comes to matched betting sites, it is one of the best out there. Any new betting sites would do well to take a leaf out of Bet365’s book.
Below is a summary of Bet365’s best bits:
· A huge Welcome Bonus is on offer.
· A lot of payment methods to choose from.
· Live streams for many different sports.
· A great mobile app.
Coral
The first coral bookmaker came into being back in 1926, and the fact that they are still going strong is a testament to their ability to adapt to changes. They have a huge Irish customer base, and this can be put down to their reputation – if you have a very good reputation, then you will go far in the gambling world.
However, it is not just their reputation that makes them so popular among Irish punters, it is the fact that they have an impressive selection of markets and very competitive odds for a variety of sports. To add to this, they stream more than 60,000 live streams every year. The Irish are passionate about horse racing and Coral are certainly aware of this, which is why they have made sure that they are the best betting sites for Cheltenham and all other major horse racing events. In addition to this, they are great for football betting, another popular sport in the Emerald Isle, so they have made sure that they are one of the best soccer betting sites around too.
If you ever encounter an issue at Coral, get in touch with their customer support team and they will do their best to make sure that your issue is resolved quickly. Once again, below you can find the main highlights of this sportsbook:
· 60,000 streams each year for many different sports.
· Very good customer support team.
· A plethora of markets and competitive odds for all sports on offer.
Other great bookmakers that we recommend you take a closer look at include the likes of:
· William Hill
· Ladbrokes
· Unibet
· BetVictor
· 888Sport
· SkyBet
· Bwin
· Mr. Green
· Paddy Power
How Irish Sports Bettors Can Find the Best Betting Sites
There are many bookies available to sports bettors in Ireland that it would be silly of you to just open an account with the first one you find. When you are choosing a betting site to join, there are a number of important things that you need to look at. We shall take a close look at what some of these are right now.
What Type of Reputation Does the Bookmaker Have?
As we said above, a solid reputation will get you far in the gambling industry, so before you go ahead and open an account with a bookmaker, it is wise to find out what type of reputation they have. The way that we suggest you do this is by checking out some best betting sites reviews. If you read a number of reviews for a particular bookie and see that they get a lot of negative remarks, then it will be in your best interest to forget about them and look for another betting site to open an account with.
Are the Odds on Offer Competitive?
We work really hard for our money, so we should always look to get the best deal whenever we are going to spend it. When it comes to sports betting, the best way for you to get the most from your money is to make bets using the best odds around. The higher the odds that you use, the better your profit will be if your bet is a winner.
Odds will always vary from bookmaker to bookmaker, so we suggest that you think about signing up with a number of bookmakers so that when you are betting on a particular market you can compare odds and select the best ones.
Is the Site Secure?
There is one thing you really want to avoid doing and that is to open a new account with a sportsbook that has poor security. If you end up doing this, then you are running the risk of financial and personal details being stolen by online criminals.
Thus, you need to find out everything you can about a betting site’s security before you deposit your hard-earned cash with them.
One way to check if a site is secure is to look at the address bar and see if there is a padlock present. If there is, then you know that they have a good level of security. Another way to see if they have suitable security levels is to check who they have been licensed by. If you scroll to the bottom of the homepage and see that they have a license from the Malta Gaming Authority or the UK Gambling Commission, you can be sure that secure and fair betting site. These gambling regulators do not hand out their licenses for fun, they have to be earned.
If you have any doubts about the security a bookmaker has, then just find another one to sign up with. There are plenty of bookies out there with great security, so you do not have to put yourself at unnecessary risk.
Are the Terms and Conditions In Your Favour?
When you are using bonuses and promotions from a sports betting site, there will always be T&Cs that apply. The main T&C that you will encounter are wagering requirements. To explain it as simply as possible, this is the number of times that you will be required to wager your bonus money before you will be able to withdraw it or any winnings you have made. For instance, if you get a bonus of €50 and the wagering requirements that apply are 3x, it means that you need to stake €150 before you can make a withdrawal.
Another common T&C that you will come across are the minimum odds that you need to use when you are spending your bonus money – the min odds will often be somewhere between 1.40-2.00. You will also usually be given a number of days to make use of your bonus, which could be 7 days from some bookmakers and 30 days from another.
Before you go ahead and start using a bonus of any type, we really do suggest that you take a bit of time to read all the T&Cs. By doing this you will decrease the odds of you making an error that will see you lose your bonus money.
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The 888 Casino bonus code no deposit promotion will come with terms and conditions that are to be read before the bonus itself is used. The details we will cover but we still request that the full details are read through the site once you sign up.
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It is of importance that you read the terms of the Casino 888 no deposit bonus yourself but here are some of the finer details that go into the offer.
Key T&Cs regarding the no deposit bonus codes for 888 Casino:
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We are introducing you to the world of casino, more specifically Gambling in Canada. From this guide, you will understand the complete options you have as a Canadian player. Where to play both online and within your own country. We will discuss the business of casino, gambling laws, and responsible gambling measures so that you play safely and smartly.
Canadian Casino Laws
So, first things first, players are able to gamble in Canada, both online and, more obviously, inside the many land-based casinos that are found throughout the beautiful Canadian provinces and territories.
Online gambling is accepted because the legal casinos complying with the law are registered outside of Canada. It is illegal for businesses based in Canada to form their own online casino service, thusly, the law allows for players to play ‘overseas’, so to speak.
Despite not being based in Canada, these casinos are like any online service. They can accept players from all provinces and accept Canadian dollar deposits. Those lucky enough to win, will have CAD returned as their winnings.
For land-based casinos, the laws are simple. At a federal level, gambling is illegal, however, the 1971 Criminal Act gave provincial powers to local government to run their own laws on gambling. Some of Canada’s provinces have a license, whilst others chose not to pursue the opportunity to give locals land-based establishments.
Provinces and Territories
Through our site you will find online gambling reviews Canada players will be able to select from and join. In the reviews you’ll find gaming advice on online gambling slots Canada players can enjoy, along with other casino and sports betting games.
Here are some Alberta facts on gambling. The first casino was opened in 1980 in Clagary. Before this, there was a charitable casino in Edmonton. Gambling is regulated by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis agency. They have been in charge since 2006, taking over from the Ministry of Gaming. This is one of the most liberal online gambling Canada provinces. Online services are legal if taking place inside of Foreign casinos online.
There are 5 land casinos in the area: Yellowhead Casino, Stoney Nakoda Resort, Great Northern, Lethbridge, and Century Casino
Manitoba online casino
In Manitoba, the first casino opened in 1984. Two years prior, the lottery foundation was set up. The first native american casino was opened in 2002, run by the Opaskwayak Cree people. Inside their casinos and other first nation sites, video terminals were approved in 2009.
The casino regulator of this province is the LGA or Liquor and Gambling Authority. Players can also enjoy the online gambling sites Canada has, or there is the choice of five land sites which players can travel to. These include Asneskak Casino, Sand Hills Casino, and Club Regent Casino.
Ontario online casino
Not only is online gambling Ontario Canada legal, but you have one of the best provinces for land-based casino sites as well.
The first casino opened its doors in 1994 and was called the Great Windsor. It took 3 billion in its first year of opening. This success led to the opening of Casino Rama. In 2010 the Ontario lottery was formed and was run by the state with the first and only online site operated within Canada.
PEI online casino
The Prince Edward Island province hosts one land casino and one racetrack. The area has little history with gambling. Organized track betting all began back in 1906. The provincial lottery was formed in 1976 and in 2012 the government tried to form its own regulatory body for Canadian casinos, but it never materialised. Though limited on physical options, the best online gambling Canada sites are accessible to residents and visitors of PEI.
Quebec online casino
You can continue to access the best online gambling sites Canada has right here in Quebec. You also have one of the largest selections of land casinos to enter as well. It all began back in 1969 when the first lotto was set up to help put funds back into the community. The Montreal Casino was the first built and in 2010 the first official Canadian-run online casino launched.
The land sites you can visit include the Casino De Mont Treblant, Casino De Charlevoix, and Casino Du Lac Leamy.
Kahnawake Casino Licensing
There is a special feature to Canadian gambling and that is the regulatory body of the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. This is run by the Mohawk tribe of the Kahnawake territory and is its own power away from the federal law. They are the only regulatory body to preside in Canada. They are able to license both land casinos and interactive gaming options without interference.
The committee is made of three board members that changes every 2 years.
Responsible Gambling
When it comes to online gambling, it is important to adopt and incorporate safe and smart measures. The goal is to win but win with profit. So, players need to keep deposits to a minimum whilst maximising their gameplay and uplifting their profits.
It may sound impossible, but it is the absolute standard for successful gameplay.
Without a plan or idea of how to play, the risks greatly increase and with this comes surmountable debt.
Gambling addiction, for this reason, is a very real thing and we encourage all players to seek advice if they are aware that their interests in gambling spills into financial difficulty.
Here are some organisations that are able to provide professional support:
From the way things are looking, online poker seems to be doing very well in New Jersey. As the stats rise, the Garden State continues to generate big revenues. In this post, we’ll be taking a look at some impressive stats and figures achieved in 2019 and 2020, along with how things will be looking for the market in the coming months.
Online Poker in New Jersey Generates Double the Revenue in 2020
According to the stats released by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, three licensed and regulated online poker providers in New Jersey – WSOP/888, PokerStars NJ and Partypoker US successfully managed to hit the $2.5 million mark in revenue during November 2020. Without a doubt, this is a huge milestone for the online poker industry in New Jersey, considering the fact that it is the highest value achieved throughout the lasted seven years.
So, let’s start this off by taking a closer look at the figures Between March and July of this year. Throughout this period, the NJ Online Poker market generated between $3 million and $5 million each month. When compared to these stats, figures fell short in October after the revenue hit just over $2.5 million.
That said, the total revenue generated in November is still extremely significant when compared to last year. If we add up all the poker sites, they only managed to hit the $1.5 million mark in November 2019. This all changed just a couple of weeks ago. In fact, the stats represent a growth rate of 61%.
So far, this year’s figures make up a record-breaking revenue of $35.7 million. Seeing as this year isn’t over just yet, experts predict that the NJ online poker market will also double the $19 million generated in 2019.
Check out the table below for a full list of figures:
Network Revenues During the First Eleven Months of 2019 and 2020
2019
2020
Growth Percentage Rate %
Average per Month (2019)
Average per Month (2020)
WSOP/888
$8,160,024
$15,224,332
86.57%
$741,820
$1,384,030
PokerStars NJ
$6,391,463
$11,837,525
85.21%
$581,042
$1,076,139
Partypoker US
$4,468,665
$8,720,420
95.15%
$406,242
$792,765
TOTALS
$19,020,152
$35,782,277
88.13%
From these results, we can conclude that the WSOP/888 network displayed a significant growth percentage rate. From the $951K generated in October, the amount increased to $958 in November. On top of that, this steady growth rate of the network happened when the Fall Online Championships Series and Holiday Special promotions were also being hosted.
If we look back at 2019, each network managed to double their revenues. WSOP/888 managed to hit $15,2 million in 2020 following the $8.1 achieved in 2019. PokerStars NJ surpassed the previous $6.3 million mark achieved in the previous year with $11.8 million.
Finally, Partypoker NJ also achieved some great results. Following the rebranding of the US operations, this has been extremely beneficial to the NJ market. In fact, a tournament series is hosted every month. So far, the network has made $8.7 million, therefore, surpassing the $4.4 million made during the first 11 months of 2019.
This is extremely impressive because there has never been a year where the online poker market in New Jersey managed to generate over $30 million in a year. And yet, this target was achieved in September. If we look back at previous records, one of the most significant years is 2014, where all regulated online poker rooms managed to make $29 million in revenue.
Continuous Year-Over-Year Growth
The three regulated online poker networks – WSOP/888, PokerStars NJ and Partypoker US have all enjoyed steady year-on-year growth rates. Let’s illustrate this in a couple more figures:
Network
Operating License
Year-Over-Year Growth Percentage Rate %
WSOP/888
Caesars
55% Increase
PokerStars NJ
Resorts
53% Increase
Party Poker US
Borgata
78% Increase
Based on these stats, the WSOP/888 network (WSOP NJ and 888 Poker NJ) retained the number one spot for the sixth consecutive month, after it managed to generate a whopping $958,000 in November. That figure alone is enough to cover 40% of the market.
Moving on to PokerStars NJ, this network generated $737,000. In total, this represents 30/7% of the market share. Finally, Partypoker US (Partypoker NJ, BetMGM Poker and Borgata Poker) hit the $702,000, covering 29.3% of the market.
Below you’ll find a complete list of revenues that highlight the differences in the revenues generated in November 2019 and November 2020:
Network Revenues of November 2019 and 2020
Nov 2019
Nov 2020
Growth Percentage Rate %
WSOP/888
$618,677
$958,481
54.92%
PokerStars NJ
$480,020
$736,590
53.45%
Partypoker US
$393,797
$736,590
78.15%
TOTALS
$1,492,494
$2,396,617
The Future Looks Bright – Events and Predictions in the Coming Months
Although November is usually one of the worst months for online poker, things are playing out quite differently this year. In fact, along with the staggering $35.7 million that were generated during that month things haven’t stopped there.
On the contrary, December is proving to be a very busy month for online poker enthusiasts. Following the success of the US leg of the $10K World Series of Poker Main Event that was hosted by the WSOP/888 network, an impressive $6.7 million prize pool was up for grabs.
And that’s not all! On December 27th, the Partypoker US Network is set to host the WPT Online Poker Open $3500 Main Event, where players are guaranteed to win $1 million in prize money. On that same day, PokerStars NJ will also be airing the New Jersey Classic tournament, featuring a $100,000 in guaranteed prize money.
From the way things are looking, we can most definitely expect yet another groundbreaking figure by the end of December. In fact, casino experts predict that online poker revenues are likely to go over $3 million, therefore exceeding a $40 million total.
On top of that, we are expecting more players to engage in online poker rooms between the months of January and March 2021. What’s more is that there is a high probability that Michigan join the liquidity pool with New Jersey as soon as the market is legalized.
Without a shred of doubt, all these events and trends point towards one thing – New Jersey will most definitely hit the $2 and $3 million targets every month throughout the first half of 2021.
eSports, which is defined as competitive video gaming at a professional level, is dependent on most of the same income methods as your more traditional sports. Media rights, attendance, and sponsorships are three of the main income contributors. Therefore, just like with traditional sports, some properties of eSports have suffered a bit during this pandemic. However, while traditional sport was postponed, the spotlight shone brighter on eSports and other types of gambling more than it has ever done. Right holders such as football clubs and Formula 1 have hosted and taken part in competitions as a means to stay relevant and a number of brands have jumped on the eSports band wagon for the first time.
What Is It That Brands Are Buying into?
The early eSports sponsorships have mirrored those deals that are made in traditional sports such as football or rugby. For example, in football you can find the sponsorship logo scattered around the venue as well as on the shirts of the players. Deeper integration is something that is possible, and this is something that has the potential to offer brans a real immersive opportunity. The game publisher is often involved in the eSport competition, and when this is the case it gives brands the chance to get inside the game. A very good example of this is when MasterCard sponsored a League of Legends competition and you could see their digital banners within the game itself. This is great advertisement for sponsors, and we feel that it is just the tip of the iceberg.
Why Are Ireland and the United Kingdom Lagging Behind?
eSports is now starting to live up to its potential growth, but it has been a bit slow to reach heady heights in Ireland when compared to other global eSport markets. It is fair to say that the United Kingdom has also lagged behind Asian countries such as India, America, and a host of other European countries when it comes down to commercialisation, but the Covid pandemic and the postponement of live sport has actually helped to bring the coverage of eSports closer to mainstream.
Ireland is a country that suffers from lack of exposure, and while there are many Irish gamers, the eSports market in Ireland has not received a lot of investment over the years. The risk for a small country with no reputation for hosting big eSports tournaments is that current and any future fans will more than likely follow high profile players and teams that are from other countries. In fact, it is possible that a scenario arrives that is quite similar to the football scene in Ireland – Irish football fans care more about international leagues and any Irish players that want to make it big in the footballing world has to go and play in a league abroad.
However, there is a silver lining and that is that there is an appetite for eSports in the Emerald Isle from right holders in traditional brands and sports. It has been estimated that about 55% of organisations feel that eSports is the perfect way to decrease the impact that the pandemic has had. For example, Munster Rugby have recently become one of the first teams in world rugby to develop an eSports division, having teamed up with Phelan Gaming, which is now called Munster Rugby Gaming. The club is aiming to broaden its brand appeal and gain new audiences – their start in the eSports world have gone pretty well as they have managed to reach the play-offs of both the leagues that they entered, securing a berth in the 2021 edition of the competition.
The Pandemic Has Increased a Trend
At the beginning of 2020, there was an increasing interest from right holders and sponsors for eSports, and the pandemic was something that just accelerated it. A survey that was released prior to the Covid pandemic showed that one in five people in rights holders and sponsors in see eSports as a great way to expand in the future, something that is in line with cause related opportunities and GAA. Only community opportunities and environment sustainability ranked higher.
Furthermore, to add to the interest in eSports from companies, another study showed that around three in ten 18-34 year olds are highly likely to play some video games each day over the next twelve months and around two out of every ten males within that age bracket will be likely to watch some type of eSports competition over the next year.
When lockdown first started around Europe, Formula 1 and La Liga were two of the first rights holders to develop virtual competitions for their sports. Additionally, Wolverhampton Wanderer, a club that competes in the English Premier League, launched their own platform so that they could host eSport events. They have since continued their adventure into the world of eSports and have sponsored a car at the virtual Le Mans 24-hour race. They are also looking for other ways that they can make a name for themselves in the eSports world.
The Top Brands That Are Starting to Realise the Potential of eSports
eSports is now no longer a sector just for endemic brands like Logitech or HyperX to sponsor. There are many different brands nowadays that are thinking about and acquiring sponsorship deals in the industry. Companies such as Tag Heuer, Barclays, Levi’s, Kit Kat, Harvey Norman, and BMW are all involved in sponsorship deals within the eSports betting industry.
Creative Ways That Brands Make the Most of Their eSports Sponsorships
Brands have come up with innovative ways to stand out in the eSports world with one of the most innovative being from Sanquin, who are a Danish blood bank that used a European League of Legends Championship to encourage blood donation. They did this by offering first-time donors a reward that changed the look of their character in the game. More than 5,000 people donated blood, with over 3,000 of those doing so for the first time. This goes to show just how much an eSports audience is willing to engage with brand messages. It also proves that getting a foothold in the industry is a sure fire way to improve the awareness of your brand, whatever it happens to be.
What Next for the eSports World?
It is safe to say that eSports have definitely benefited from more exposure during this pandemic and it has encouraged more brands to forage into the eSports betting world. This is a growing sector, and it will continue to grow at a staggering rate for the foreseeable future. Additionally, the Ireland’s gaming federation recently became a member of the GEF (Global Esports Federation), and this is something that will certainly help to boost the country’s eSports sector. There are definitely exciting times ahead for the eSports gaming industry.
India’s gambling culture is quickly become just as vibrant as the rest of the country’s heritage. On this page you will find information about the best online casinos that cater to all the needs of Indian casino players as well as the games that Indian players enjoy playing the most. So, please keep on reading to find out all the information that you have been looking for.
Choosing the Best Online Casinos in India
Online gambling is something that is becoming more and more popular all over the world, and while its legality is something of a grey area in India, depending on the state you are in, Indian casino fans have plenty of options when it comes to online casinos that are willing to accept players from India. Having a huge choice is great, but it can sometimes be a bit of a hindrance when it comes to choosing the best site.
When you are looking at a new online casino to register with, there are a number of things that you should look at first before you go ahead and take the plunge, and we have listed the main factors below for you:
Welcome bonus on offer
The games available
The license the casino holds
The different payment options on offer
Whether the customer support is any good
You are obviously free to spend as much time as you like looking for your perfect online casino in India, but if you are a bit short on time or simply do not feel like browsing the Internet for hours, we provided you with a list of online casinos that you really should have a closer look at. In our opinion, the following are some of the best rated casinos for Indians:
LeoVegas
Royal Panda
888 Casino
Caxino
Voodoo Dreams
Rank Casino
22Bet
Frank Casino
All of the above, we guarantee you, will provide you with a highly entertaining online casino experience.
Is It Legal to Gamble in India?
As we briefly mentioned above, online gambling in India is a grey area. The majority of states around the country do not allow online gambling (due to outdated anti-gambling laws), but there are some states, such as Goa and Sikkim, where the laws are a lot more relaxed and it is legal to access online casinos. The move towards fully regulated online casinos is something that is in the pipeline for more states, but there is not a time frame as to when this will happen.
The reason gambling is a grey area in India is because there is not a specific law that bans Indians from going on gambling sites, which is the main reason why there are plenty of online casinos out there that are happy to accept players from India. Many also make it possible for Indians to deposit in rupees. So, although gambling inside the country is something that is prohibited, Indians are able to gamble online without having to worry about whether they are breaking the law or not.
Goa and Sikkim Leading a Regulated Gambling Market
The Indian government want a fully regulated gambling market as they are aware as to how much revenue can be made, especially with the likes of eSports. It is fair to say that Indians are becoming pretty obsessed with all of the popular eSports such as PUBG, League of Legends, and Counter-Strike. However, before they go ahead and fully regulate the gambling market, they are using Goa and Sikkim as guinea pigs. Both of these states have brick and mortar casinos and have more relaxed laws when it comes to online gambling.
Due to their less strict gambling regulations, these two states have since an increase in tourist levels and it should not be long before we start to see a big increase in gambling revenue from just these two states alone. When the government starts to see how much money these states make from gambling, we are sure that they will quickly bypass laws to allow gambling in more states across the country, just like what they are doing in Canada regarding sports betting.
What Is It That Makes for a Good Indian Online Casino?
There are many things that make for a good Indian online casino, and we have listed the main ones for you below:
Welcome Bonus in Indian rupees
24/7 customer support
Fast withdrawals
A vast selection of games
A mobile friendly website
Classic games are known as classics simply because they are loved by casino players all over the globe, with India not being an exception to this rule. When it comes to casino games, Indians love to play blackjack, roulette, poker, and baccarat. Online slot games are also become more and more popular among Indian players. You will also be able to find a few online casinos that have the following Indian games: Flish, Paplu, Passa, and Andar Bahar.
Mobile Gambling in India
It is safe to say that mobile gambling has come a very long way over the last few years, and the majority of Indians use their smartphones in order to get their gambling fix. Online casinos that accept Indian players are more than aware of this fact, which is the reason why most of them make sure that the majority of the games that they offer work just as well on a mobile device as they do on a desktop device. Some have even created apps that make it a lot easier for their Indian customers to play their favourite games. Then there are some online casinos that take it a little step further and offer bonuses and promotions that have been developed specifically for those who register using a mobile device.
Depositing Methods If They Do Not Accept Indian Rupees
Indian casino players can sometimes face issues when they need to deposit some funds into their casino account. You should always look to sign up with an online casino that accepts your currency as this means that you will not be subjected to high conversion fees. However, what if you come across an online casino that you really like, and they do not accept Indian rupees? Well, luckily, we are now in a technological age where there are many different options that allow you to get around such restrictions. Below we discuss three payment methods that you can use if Indian rupees are not accepted at the online casino that you want to join.
Neteller: If you know Moneybookers, then you will quickly get an understanding as to what Neteller is. Neteller has become one of the most popular methods of payment at online casinos and you can fund your account using debit and credit cards, and bank transfers. The best thing about them is that they support local payment options in your country.
Skrill: This is a popular e-Wallet that allows casino players to deposit money into their account in their own currency. This then gives you the chance to use Skrill to fund your casino account. Skrill is very secure and safe, so you do not have to worry about any of your valuable financial information getting into the wrong hands. Skrill is a payment method that is widely accept by casinos across the world.
Ecopayz: This is another e-Wallet that is accepted at most online casinos and comes with the same benefits as those that we just mentioned above. However, we should add the e-Wallets usually have a small transaction fee that will need to be paid when you make a transaction. These fees are small and the advantages of using these payment methods outweigh the fees that apply.
Indian players have plenty of online casinos to choose from and although Indian rupees are not accepted by all, there are still enough options out there to allow you to overcome such obstacles. As a rule, it is important to read all of the terms and conditions so that you can find out whether Indian players are accepted at a particular casino. It is also your responsibility to adhere to all of the rules that an online casino has set.
Indian Casino Licenses
Before you sign up with an online casino, you need to make sure that they are licensed by a reputable gambling regulator. If you come across an online casino that accepts Indian players and is regulated by the likes of the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, the Kahnawake Gambling Commission, or the Malta Gaming Authority, then you can be certain that they are a legit casino and totally safe to play at.
Big plans are in the pipeline for Caesars Entertainment Incorporated. In a recent press release, renovations have just been announced for the iconic Harrah’s New Orleans property. Seeing as around $325 million will be used to renovate and expand the full property, this is hands down one of the company’s largest investments to date. Judging from the company’s track record and portfolio, we’re excited to see what they have up their sleeves for this renovation project. Let’s take a closer look at the details.
About Harrah’s New Orleans Casino and Hotel
Before we delve into the upcoming renovation plans, we thought the venue’s history warrants a mention. Harrah’s New Orleans Casino first opened its doors to the public in 1999 on Canal Street, right in the heart of downtown New Orleans. Located just steps away from the French Quarter, it is the sole land-based 115,000 square casino venue that is houses over 1,400 slot machines, 130 table games and 20 poker tables. In short, it is a gaming paradise for any casino enthusiasts out there.
The hotel opened a couple of years later, precisely in the year 2006. Featuring 450 luxurious rooms, the hotel served as the perfect addition to the casino, especially due to its great location on Poydras Street. As you can tell, the venue has an interesting history and we can’t wait to see how it will be enhanced thanks to this renovation project.
Without any further ado, let’s delve into more detail about what the project actually consists of.
Explaining the Project
On Tuesday 8th December 2020, Caesars Entertainment, Inc. issued a press release to announce the company’s plans for the popular New Orleans venue. Harrah’s will undergo a major makeover as it soars to become a leading flagship resort by the end of 2024. Without a shred of doubt, this $325 million project that is set to exceed expectations.
Bearing in mind that this is an award-winning casino that has been part of the Caesars Entertainment name for years, the company is set to pull out all the stops here. The aim is to feature the ‘the elegance and indulgence’ that the venue is known for.
First Plans Unveiled
So what should we expect out of this renovation project? After all, it is worth $325 million so we’re expecting to be wowed here. Lucky for you, we have some insights from the preliminary plans that were unveiled last Tuesday. Here’s what you can expect:
Renovation Plans
• A stunning hotel tower above featuring no less than 340 rooms within the already existing entry to the 115,000 sq ft casino • New ventures in hospitality and culinary • Further developments on the unoccupied second floor of the casino • A complete makeover of outer and interior along with other enhancements
From what we can gather so far, all these plans embody everything that that the Caesars Entertainment name stands for. In fact, Tom Reeg, CEO of Caesars Entertainment states that the company is looking forward to introducing Caesars New Orleans to the city.
He further commented that, since they are the sole land-based venue in the city, they are extremely dedicated to preserving their 20-year-old history in New Orleans. The renovations will in no way destroy what was built along the way, but they will be fulfilling a lifetime commitment.
Occupational Plans – 1100 Jobs
Along with the renovations, Tom Reeg also stated that this project will open more doors for occupation opportunities. In fact, this $325 million development will create 600 temporary jobs, as well as 500 permanent positions that will generate millions in tax revenues to New Orleans and Louisiana once all works are completed.
Further Expectations
Without a doubt, this all looks very promising. In fact, more notable people working on the project shared their thoughts on the matter. Harrah’s General Manager – Mr Samir Mowad states that since he was born and bred in New Orleans, he is delighted that the company is working with locals. He feels that their help will further enhance what the vision they have for Harrah’s. He believes that the plans that were unveiled today are just the start of an exciting project that will bring more excitement to New Orleans.
LaToya Cantrell, Mayor of New Orleans, is hopeful that this project will further put New Orleans on the map. She also hopes that the newly-renovated venue will generate more revenue and to move projects forward that create more job opportunities for locals and tourists. She adds that thanks to this project, New Orleans will be renowned as a city that offers something for everyone within the cultural and entertainment industry.
About the Company
Now that you have a full breakdown of the plans that have just been release, we thought it’s time to give the umbrella company a worthy mention.
As most of casino enthusiasts know, Caesars Entertainment Inc. needs no introduction. Seeing as the company owns none other than, the following resorts: Caesars, Harrah’s, Horseshoe and Eldorado, the stellar portfolio speaks for itself. It is not only one of the biggest casino-entertainment companies within the United States, but it is also a world-renowned casino provider.
Ever since it was founded in Reno, Nevada back in the year 1937, Caesars Entertainment Inc. has sought to become a leading household name. The company has climbed up the ladder through its consistent development of new venues, acquisitions and other further expansions. All guests who visit these casinos are promised exceptional customer service, excellence, and technological leadership. In short, each unique resort promises an experience like no other. Ultimately, the company’s main focus is on brand loyalty and generating value through this combination of factors.
We have no doubt Harrah’s renovations will be another success story for the company.
Sports bettors do not take sports betting with levity. Any act of legislation or executive order targeted against sports betting is a great disservice to it. In a reverse manner, any governmental order to either support gambling or repeal an act that limits its activities, is greeted with wide applause. The reinstatement of remote registration for online sports betting by the governor of Illinois is a great delight to sports bettors in that country. Let’s find out all that needs to be known on this new reinstatement.
AGS, a viable gaming content maker and dealer based in Las Vegas, signed a contract to supply online casino gaming content to BetMGM, whose headquarters are in New Jersey, USA.
The contract comprises the delivery of AGS content straight to the BetMGM casino network and associate casinos. This report reviews the gains of the contract to AGS and the BetMGM casino network.
