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Hank Azaria Leads Star-studded Online Poker Home Game Series at PokerStars.net
Online poker unites stars from stage and screen for virtual battles and banter in the new Hank’s Home Game series at leading global online poker platform, PokerStars.net. The star-studded online PokerStars.net Home Game features six celebrities interacting and competing on camera to win their share of a $50,000 donation to the charities closest to their hearts.
Hosted by actor Hank Azaria, poker lovers and celebrity fans are invited to watch the action from the comfort of their own home. The first star-studded home game is live now on the PokerStars.net YouTube channel, and features Hank and friends Don Cheadle, Jon Hamm, Michael Ian Black, Josh Charles and Michael Cera competing to win the largest slice of $50,000 for their chosen charity. No charity chosen is left out as the amount donated by PokerStars.net on each celebrity’s behalf is determined by the amount of play money chips won by each player by the time the home game comes to an end.
Along with Azaria, there are plenty more guests set to take a hot seat at the Home Games table, including Amy Schumer and Jack Black.
Host Hank Azaria said: “Hank’s Home Game is all about great company and good conversation. Whilst we hope our Home Game will keep everyone entertained, it has also been a chance to continue raising money for charity. I am delighted that I have been able to work with PokerStars.net on this fun series, and I hope people enjoy it much as we enjoyed playing.”
Associate Director, Group Public Relations at PokerStars.net, Rebecca McAdam Willetts, said: “Providing entertainment for our community is at the heart of everything we do at PokerStars.net and Hank’s Home Game is a great reflection of this. Our Home Games are a great way for people to connect and compete for free from home. Hank and many of his talented guests’ natural passion for poker has made bringing them together for good causes a real pleasure. We hope it also provides entertainment for viewers at home.”
Hank’s Home Game follows on from Stars CALL for Action in May 2020 where more than $1 million was donated to charities as more than 90 celebrities came together to play poker. David Costabile took down the tournament and $100,000 was donated to his chosen charity World Central Kitchen to supply food to those who need it most.
PokerStars.net Home Games allow you to take your local home game onto the online felt, so you can play with friends and family from all over the world.
Play Free at PokerStars.net
This is not a gambling site and does not provide an opportunity to win real money.
Our games are intended for individuals aged 18 and above for amusement purposes only.
Practice or success at social games does not imply future success at real money gambling.
About PokerStars.net
PokerStars.net is ultimately owned by Flutter Entertainment plc. (LSE: FLTR) (EURONEXT: FLTR).
Play For Free at PokerStars.net. This site does not provide an opportunity to win real money. 18+ only. Play responsibly.
SOURCE PokerStars.net
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Compliance
Xpoint rolls out pattern-analysis engine to flag coordinated bonus abuse
Xpoint has launched a proprietary pattern-analysis engine aimed at helping betting and gaming operators detect coordinated fraud, including organized bonus abuse and location spoofing. The company announced the product on 6th July 2026 and said it is currently rolling out with partners in North America.
Xpoint said the engine is designed to catch groups that cycle the same devices, accounts, and locations to farm sign-up bonuses and exploit promotions. Unlike conventional geolocation checks that assess each login in isolation, the new engine analyzes historical location activity to identify patterns that emerge over time.
As an example, Xpoint said the engine can flag groups of users that repeatedly appear together across locations, particularly where some members have previously been linked to location spoofing—signals the company associates with coordinated bonus-abuse rings. Xpoint added that the analysis runs in the background against historical data and is intended to avoid adding friction to the player journey.
The launch follows a new investment round earlier this year, which Xpoint said was dedicated to accelerating growth and supporting further product enhancement.
Manu Gambhir, CEO of Xpoint, said: “Attempts to defraud operators are becoming ever more coordinated and advanced, so operators need the best possible tools to spot areas of concern early.
“Our pattern-analysis engine examines historical data to uncover unusual patterns an operator needs to be aware of, without in any way adding friction to the player journey. It further underlines our commitment to innovative, adaptable compliance solutions for operators.”
The post Xpoint rolls out pattern-analysis engine to flag coordinated bonus abuse appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Fan Engagement
Midnite extends Southampton FC sponsorship through 2026/27 and rolls out ‘2UP’ fan prize
Midnite has renewed its partnership with Southampton FC for the 2026/27 season, continuing as the club’s Official Training Kit partner and back-of-shirt sponsor.
The company said the extension builds on its first season with the club in 2025/26, when it ran supporter activations including “Midnite Express” away travel, a commemorative tifo marking the 50-year anniversary of Southampton’s FA Cup success, and hospitality giveaways via its “Ticket Treats” campaign.
For 2026/27, Midnite is introducing a season-long fan initiative called “2UP”. Under the format, if Southampton go two goals up in any home league match, one fan wins the 2UP prize pot. Midnite said the pot increases by £1,000 each week a jackpot is not won, and noted Southampton held a two-goal home lead on six occasions last season.
Greg Baker, Chief Revenue Officer of Southampton Football Club said:
“We’re delighted to continue our partnership with Midnite after a successful first season together.
“They’ve consistently looked for new and engaging ways to reward our supporters, whether through unique matchday experiences, away travel or fan competitions, and we’re excited to see that continue this season.
“The launch of 2UP is another fantastic example of that commitment and we look forward to seeing Saints fans enjoying the campaign throughout the 2026/27 season.”
Andrew Mook, Midnite‘s Head of Brand Marketing, added:
“We’re excited to be Southampton’s Official Training Kit partner for a second year.
“During the 2025/26 campaign, Midnite worked closely with the club to create experiences that reward Saints supporters. From helping fans travel in style on the Midnite Express and commissioning the club’s commemorative FA Cup tifo, to providing hospitality experiences through Ticket Treats, our aim has always been to add something extra for Saints fans.
“With that said, we are pleased to introduce ‘2UP’ where one lucky fan will win prize money if Southampton take a two-goal lead in any home league fixture, with £1,000 being added to the pot after each game at St Mary’s.
“With Southampton taking a two-goal lead at home six times last season, we’re looking forward to seeing a number of Saints fans rewarded through ‘2UP’ during the campaign.”
The post Midnite extends Southampton FC sponsorship through 2026/27 and rolls out ‘2UP’ fan prize appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Allwyn
Allwyn sets UK launch date for Powerball game on 21 July, pending approval
National Lottery operator Allwyn said on 6 July 2026 that it plans to launch a UK version of Powerball on Tuesday 21 July, subject to final regulatory approval. The company said UK players will be able to buy a £4 Powerball line in National Lottery retailers and via the National Lottery website and app.
Allwyn said the UK-specific version will offer jackpots starting at £12M and will be linked to the US Powerball game through a partnership with the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL). The company said UK jackpot winners will be paid over 30 years, and that UK players will pick five main numbers from 1 to 69 and one Powerball number from 1 to 26, with draws held three times a week.
Allwyn said the first UK draw is scheduled for 23 July, with ticket sales closing at 11.55pm the night before draws on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, and draws taking place around 4am the next morning on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from a Powerball studio in Florida. It added that the UK game includes an additional “Match 2 main numbers” prize tier exclusive to UK players, paying a fixed £8, while the “Match 5 main numbers” tier pays a fixed £1M.
Allwyn CEO, Andria Vidler, said, “We’re excited to give National Lottery players the chance to dream bigger, while supporting thousands of Good Cause projects across the UK every week. Powerball jackpots can soar into the billions, offering breath-taking sums with the potential to transform lives and communities.
“As we begin the countdown to the first draw later this month, you won’t be able to miss Powerball’s arrival with a major launch lined up. We’re encouraging players to get involved when tickets go on sale, and we’ll be crossing our fingers for our first UK winner.”
Rebecca Paul, President & CEO of the Tennessee Lottery and former President of the World Lottery Association, said “This next step brings us closer to a thrilling milestone for Powerball. More players means faster-growing jackpots, more excitement and even greater impact for the communities we serve.”
Allwyn said the game is expected to raise around £1BN for UK Good Causes over its first five years, with funding generated from UK ticket sales going to UK beneficiaries and projects. It also referenced recent changes to the National Lottery’s Lotto game and said the revised format has produced 27 millionaires since the first draw under the new format on 10 June.
The post Allwyn sets UK launch date for Powerball game on 21 July, pending approval appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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