Latest News
NBA Trading Blows: this week’s betting market movers and shakers from Cloudbet
The theme-park surrounds of the NBA bubble are a most appropriate venue for what has certainly been a roller-coaster ride of a postseason. The conference semifinals have so far seen one of the title favourites – Milwaukee – bundled out unceremoniously, while the Los Angeles teams – the Clippers and the Lakers – are close to moving through.
Yes, there has been no shortage of drama in the NBA bubble, even without the crowd support and the home-court advantages conferred to higher-seeded teams. Arguably, the games have been more dramatic precisely for those reasons. The first round of the playoffs was highlighted by buzzer beaters, phenomenal individual scoring and a temporary halt to protest yet another police shooting in America.
Lebron James, the game’s best-known player, has rediscovered his imperious form, while the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo may have to console himself with the MVP award (for which he’s heavily favored to win), now that he’s been relegated to the sidelines.
With the Eastern and Western Conference finals beckoning, it’s appropriate for us at Cloudbet to take stock of the big market moves over the past week.
Miami heats up
Title odds: 4.88/+388 (from 8/+700 on 4 September)
The Heat are the hot team at the moment after sweeping Indiana in the first round and rolling over the Bucks in five games. Miami cornerstone Jimmy Butler is playing close to his All-Star best, backed by strong performances Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic, among others.
This is a line-up that outgunned Indiana and Milwaukee by an average margin of 8 points per match, and includes Duncan Robinson, who is fifth in the league for made 3-pointers this season. They’re now heading to their first Eastern Conference finals since 2014, but Butler is focused on bigger things:
Making the conference finals “means a lot, but that’s not my goal,” the All-Star swingman told reporters after closing out the Bucks series. “We want to win it. We want a championship and I think that’s what we’re focused on.”
Butler, who is currently in the deepest playoff run of his eight-year career, indicated that the Heat haven’t played their best basketball yet: “I don’t think we’ve played a full 48-minute game yet and that’s what’s promising. If we do lock in from start to finish and play the way that we’re capable and the way that we’re supposed to, the game will be a lot easier. But it’s yet to happen and we’ve got to have it happen in the next round.”
An ominous signal for their next opponent, the winner of the Toronto-Boston semifinal.
We the West
Los Angeles Clippers title odds: 2.76/+176 (from 3.14/214)
Los Angeles Lakers title odds:2.96/+196 (from 3.54/254)
While not a massive improvement in their lines, it’s worth just talking about the two LAs because of their star-studded line-ups, and because they’re inching closer to facing each other in the Western Conference finals. Both units are leading all current playoff teams in points per game and field-goal percentage.
The Clippers were efficient in dispatching Dallas in the first round, even through injury and Covid-related personnel issues, and now hold a commanding 3-1 series lead over Denver. Kawhi Leonard is the joint second-highest scorer of all players left in the playoffs (with the Lakers’ Anthony Davis), and the Clippers have averaged more points than any other unit in the postseason.
They’ve been boosted by the return of guard Patrick Beverley from a calf injury, and some solid scoring efforts from their other superstar Paul George. Markets favor the Clippers to end the Nuggets series in Game 5 (1.25/-405).
Meanwhile, after early bubble yips, the Lakers have rediscovered their offense in the playoffs, averaging 114 points per game. That’s a big improvement over the 106 they had in their eight regular season contests in the bubble.
GOAT contender Lebron James has lifted his game, as he has done frequently in his career: He’s currently the playoffs’ assists leader, with 9 dimes per game, and the league’s fourth-highest scorer this month. The Lakers have been boosted by Rajon Rondo, who has taken some of the playmaking burden off James’ shoulders.
The Lakers are 3-1 up against a Houston Rockets team that can also score by the truckload, but are coming off a seven-game series against Oklahoma City. Rocket guard Russell Westbrook has shown some flashes of brilliance, but has been struggling with form and a thigh injury.
The Lakers’ latest victory over the Rockets is James’ 163rd playoff win – the most by any player in NBA history.
“It doesn’t happen without the supporting cast,” James said of his playoff record, after winning Game 3 against Houston. The same is certainly true of winning a championship this year, and based on their recent form, the Lakers are looking good on that front.
We the… North?
Boston title odds: 8.03/+703 (from 7.09/+609)
Toronto title odds: 9.95/+895 (from 13/+1200)
The Celtics replace Milwaukee as favorites to take the Eastern Conference title after sweeping Philadelphia in the first round and winning the first two games over the Toronto Raptors. Since then, Boston’s line has drifted as they dropped three of the last four games to a Raptor unit that continues to defy expectations.
Jayson Tatum has been a stud for the Celtics in the playoffs, leading his team with 27 points per game, with support from Kemba Walker and Jaylen Brown. The Raps, however, found a way to contain Walker in Game 6, a double-overtime thriller destined for the pantheon of classic NBA match-ups.
Defending champions Toronto, meanwhile, refuse to go quietly into the night, thanks to gutsy performances from guards Kyle Lowry and Fred Van Vleet. This is a team that had the second-most regular season wins in the league this year, even without Kawhi Leonard, who left for the Clippers after last year’s title run.
The Raps have now leveled the series with the much more talented and fancied Celtics – and are looking to go one step further.
“Winning is all that matters right now,” a determined Lowry said after scoring 33 points in Game 6. “Just go and win, it don’t matter how you get it done, don’t matter who gets to do it.”
Truer words rarely spoken.
Results and odds are current as of 8am UTC on Friday 11 September.
Powered by WPeMatico
Industry News
Flutter receives formal approval of its science-based targets
Flutter Entertainment Plc announced that the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has formally approved its near and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets. The SBTi has also verified Flutter’s net-zero science-based target by 2035.
Flutter’s net-zero target conforms with the SBTi Corporate Net Zero Standard and has been classified to be in line with a 1.5°C trajectory, aligning to the levels required to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Scope 1, 2 and 3 targets approved by the SBTi are as follows:
Overall Net-Zero Target:Flutter commits to reach net-zero greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions across the value chain by 2035. This is broken down as follows:
Near-Term Targets: Flutter commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 45% by 2030 from a 2022 base year. Flutter also commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 45% within the same timeframe.
Long-Term Targets: Flutter commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 90% by 2035 from a 2022 base year. Flutter also commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 90% within the same timeframe.
Flutter will provide regular reporting on progress against these targets, in addition to the approach to managing climate-related risk and opportunities.
Flutter’s Group Director of Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs, Sue Albion, said: “At Flutter, we are committed to playing our part in moving toward environmental sustainability, for the health of our planet and the future success of our business. Around the world, our brands are taking steps to track their carbon footprint and reduce emissions, and we’re collaborating with partners across our supply chain to support them to do the same. Setting clear, science-based targets and holding ourselves accountable to deliver against them is a key part of this journey.”
The post Flutter receives formal approval of its science-based targets appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Bragg Gaming Launches Metric Gaming Sportsbook with Betnation in The Netherlands
Bragg Gaming Group announced the launch of the Betnation sportsbook, utilising technology developed by Metric Gaming across the Dutch market for the first time.
Under the terms of the extension agreement, Bragg provides access to Metric’s sportsbook technology through its existing relationship with the developer, with Bragg working to integrate this technology into Betnation’s current set up.
The integration benefits Betnation further through access to Bragg’s in-house regulatory reporting tools, as well as access to cutting-edge marketing and promotional tools available through Bragg’s Fuze toolset.
The agreement marks the first usage of Metric’s sportsbook technology via Bragg Gaming Group to a Bragg client, with similar launches with other Bragg clients set to follow.
This relationship aims to allow an operator to have all the autonomy and control of an in-house developed sportsbook but through an outsourced solution which is more cost effective for the operator, making it easier for operators to focus on customers.
The launch follows the award of a sports betting license to Betnation by the Dutch Gambling Regulator, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) last month, following an extensive application review process and building on Betnation’s prior iGaming license award.
The sportsbook debut comes at a crucial time in the sporting calendar, with the UEFA European Championship Football tournament kicking off in Germany on June 14, 2024, and with the Paris 2024 Olympics beginning a month later in July.
Betnation are a long standing client of Bragg Gaming, first agreeing a turnkey technology, content aggregation and managed services deal covering the Dutch market in April 2022.
Betnation currently utilizes Bragg’s constantly updated, cutting-edge Player Account Management (PAM) platform in the Dutch market, as well as Bragg’s iGaming content aggregation services, which include casino content from multiple in-house studios as well as exclusive content from multiple studio partners.
Betnation also uses the Fuze customer engagement toolset in its iGaming, benefitting from market leading tools proven to increase user engagement through enabling automated, real-time in-game gamification, conversion and retention mechanisms.
Tools available to iGaming operators under the Fuze toolset include an AI-powered Game Recommendation System, Game-based leaderboards, tournaments and quests.
Matevž Mazij, Chief Executive Officer at Bragg, commented: “We’re delighted to help Betnation expand their existing iCasino offering into sportsbook for the first time, in this first-of-its kind agreement.
“We hope that this arrangement with Metric Gaming will offer our operator clients a unique, game-changing way to offer sports betting but in a way which removes many of the associated financial and operational concerns.”
Robert Schouten, Chief Executive Officer at Betnation, commented: “We’re grateful to the KSA for granting us a sports betting licence, and we’re looking forward to launching our debut sportsbook offering with Bragg and Metric.
The upcoming summer of sporting events will undoubtedly be a busy one for Dutch bettors and we’re looking forward to being able to offer a wide range of betting opportunities for our customers.”
The post Bragg Gaming Launches Metric Gaming Sportsbook with Betnation in The Netherlands appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
eSports
Kambi and Abios Join ESIC as Anti-Corruption Supporters
The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) has announced Kambi and Abios, its esports data subsidiary, as new ESIC Anti-Corruption Supporters. This partnership signals the alignment of Kambi’s longstanding commitment to corporate probity and sports integrity with ESIC’s ongoing battle against match-fixing and corruption in esports.
Kambi and Abios join a distinguished class of other Anti-Corruption Supporter stakeholders who have historically worked with ESIC to ensure that attacks against the competitive integrity of esports competition are appropriately reported and dealt with. Anti-Corruption Supporters assist ESIC in investigating suspicious betting activity, supporting ESIC’s broader mission to combat cheating and betting fraud in the esports industry. Kambi and Abios’ entrance into the Anti-Corruption Supporter class will see the entities actively work with ESIC to assist in ESIC’s mission to disrupt, prevent, investigate and prosecute all attempts to compromise competitive integrity in esport competition.
Abios’ Managing Director and Founder, Anton Janér, commented: “Our mission at Abios has always been to enable the sustainable growth of esports. As such, we’re incredibly excited to join ESIC in their mission to future-proof esports through combatting match-fixing and other integrity-related malpractices. Fair play is a crucial component in ensuring the viability of esports as a long-term community and investment and we hope to be able to support the industry together with ESIC going forward.”
Stephen Hanna, ESIC’s Chief Executive Officer, commented: “We are pleased to welcome Kambi and Abios as Anti-Corruption Supporters. Kambi and Abios are well trusted and recognised operators in their respective industries, and their entrance into the Anti-Corruption Supporter class of ESIC membership emphasises their shared commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity and fair play within the esports industry.”
The post Kambi and Abios Join ESIC as Anti-Corruption Supporters appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Canada7 days ago
Scientific Games Partnership Wins 2024 Gutenberg Award for Sustainability
-
Baltics6 days ago
Elvis Merzļikins Becomes Brand Ambassador of OlyBet
-
Compliance Updates6 days ago
Novibet Announces Digital Compliance Partnership with W2 by FullCircl
-
Baltics6 days ago
Rise, Shine, and Connect: HIPTHER’s Networking Sessions at MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit Tallinn
-
Central Europe6 days ago
BF Games Enters Czech Market with Apollo Games
-
bet3656 days ago
IBIA and PFA Canada join forces to provide sports integrity education to the Canadian Premier League
-
Compliance Updates7 days ago
PGA of America Joins AGA’s Have A Game Plan.® Bet Responsibly.™ Campaign
-
Latest News5 days ago
Week 19/2024 slot games releases