Latest News
Most controversial VAR decisions revealed ahead of Premier League
- Kurt Zouma’s cancelled strike against Manchester United was named the most controversial VAR incident.
- 30.92% of all English Premier League matches have seen a VAR intervention.
- The data also shows a 23.96% year-on-year decrease in average VAR controversy.
- The Premier League appears to be tracking UEFA’s roll out, with changes made just 0.62% more frequently in the English top flight.
- PGMOL has announced a string of new rule changes.
The Premier League is hoping a string of new rule changes can inject new life into VAR technology when the 30th Premier League season gets underway on 13th August.
From thicker offside lines to new handball rules, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has set out its stall for the 2021-2022 domestic campaign which is almost upon us.
Accidental handballs in the build-up to goals will no longer be deemed an offence, while thicker offside lines will be used in order to eliminate situations where a goal is ruled out due to a toenail being offside.
And following a string of ‘armpit offsides’ last season, FIFA has also clarified that the bottom of a players’ armpit is to be classed as part of a players’ body.
While the technology’s use in the English top-flight has courted more than its fair share of detractors, Credible or VAR-cical by William Hill, can reveal a good level of progress has already been made with average controversy dropping by 29.36% last season.
The controversy rating of an incident, of which there has been 235 in total over the last two seasons, now sits at 5.14 having been 6.76 during its turbulent debut season. That equates to a change made by VAR every 3.23 matches.
Across the 504 matches under UEFA’s jurisdiction, from February 2019 through to the 2021 Champions League Final, there were 157 changes made, or a change every 3.21 matches.
Kurt Zouma’s cancelled strike against Manchester United in February 2020, ruled out by VAR official Chris Kavanagh, is considered the most controversial VAR call in Premier League history, with a controversy score of 10.7.
William Hill’s Credible or VAR-cical analysis has been tracking Premier League VAR incidents ever since Gabriel Jesus was ruled offside by David Coote on August 10, 2019 (the first ever VAR review in EPL history – rated at 7.92).
The data shows that in total, there have been a total of 235 incidents, or interventions, logged, with reactionary metrics such as Tweet volume, sentiment, articles generated and associated levels of engagement, culminating in a bespoke controversy rating being assigned to each.
Across the last two domestic campaigns, Wolverhampton (6.91) are the club which has been embroiled in the most controversial VAR incidents. Chelsea (6.5), Liverpool (6.34), Everton (6.25), Manchester United (6.19) make up the top five.
Brentford-based official Chris Kavanagh, who was promoted to the Select Group of referees in 2017, lands himself the unenviable title of ‘most controversial video assistant referee’, averaging 6.8.
David Coote (6.67), Kevin Friend (6.59), Lee Mason (6.51) and Andre Marriner (6.35) make up the rest of the top 5.
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Casino Content
Habanero launches Raiden Shogun slot with 259 ways and stacked multipliers
Habanero has launched Raiden Shogun, a Japanese-themed 5×5 slot built around a samurai-triggered Wild mechanic and a stacked multiplier system.
The game runs on 259 Connected Ways across a 5×5 grid. Habanero said the samurai can trigger at random, cutting through bamboo on reels 1, 3 and 5 to reveal stacked Wilds.
A free spins feature is triggered by scatters, with three, four or five scatters awarding 8, 18 or 38 free spins respectively. During free spins, the bamboo reveals multipliers that continue to stack “without resetting,” according to the supplier.
Raiden Shogun also supports Habanero’s Jackpot Race
and Buy Feature. Toni Karapetrov, Head of Corporate Communications at Habanero, said: “Raiden Shogun is a game built around a clear mechanical identity. The samurai Wild reveal is visually impressive and immediately communicates what the game is about while the non-resetting multiplier system gives the free spins genuine weight.
“We continue to focus on creating games that balance distinctive design with top performance, and this is a title that we’re confident will connect well with both players and operators.”
The post Habanero launches Raiden Shogun slot with 259 ways and stacked multipliers appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Blueprint Gaming
Blueprint’s Fishin’ Frenzy™ Lure ‘Em In: Tackle Boxes Set the Reels Ablaze
Blueprint Gaming
revisits its famed lakeside setting in Fishin’ Frenzy
Lure ‘Em In, where unique tackle boxes lead to rewarding features in bonus rounds, alongside the opportunity to secure a maximum win of 10,000x.
With launches from the acclaimed franchise regularly topping the UK studio’s best performers, the newest installment is poised to enhance the impressive momentum, providing operators’ lobbies with an engaging, feature-packed enhancement.
At the center of the activity are three colored tackle boxes that gather corresponding blue, red, and green scatters when they appear during a spin. Guaranteed entry to the bonus game occurs if three bonus scatter symbols appear with at least one modifier in effect.
Activating the bonus game through the blue tackle box will enable the Cast and Catch modifier. In the round, the appearance of wilds will ensure a respin, with wilds and prize symbols staying in position while the other symbols are respun.
When the Golden Catch modifier is triggered through the red tackle box, unique golden wild symbols appear on the reels, collecting all visible cash prize symbols and enhancing the overall win with a multiplier of as much as 5x.
The Take the Bait upgrade, activated by the green tackle box, introduces unique cash prize symbols to the reels, depicted by a can of worms. When a can of worms icon appears, all visible cash prize amounts are gathered by any fisherman symbol.
In a significant increase to winning possibilities, as many as three Lure ‘Em In upgrades can operate simultaneously during the bonus round, with two active tackle boxes ensuring super free games, and three leading to the mega free game, where the opportunity to achieve the 10,000x maximum prize becomes available.
Immersive trails have become a staple in Blueprint bonus games, and the studio has continued this popular trend with its latest release. Every four fisherman symbols that are collected during the feature will award five additional free spins, with the standard cash prize value in place increased to a maximum of 50x.
For those with an eye on a particular catch to remember, the Express Bet can be triggered at any time during gameplay for 0.5x the base stake, doubling the chances of triggering the bonus game.
Following hot on the heels of Game of Thrones
, Fishin’ Frenzy
Lure ‘Em In
reinforces Blueprint’s ability to cleverly craft fresh-themed, bountiful titles for players to enjoy worldwide.
Jo Purvis, Director of Marketing, PR and Events, said: “Fishin’ Frenzy
remains one of our most iconic and best-performing franchises, and with Lure ‘Em In, we have introduced exciting new mechanics to elevate the experience even further. The addition of dynamic tackle box modifiers and the ability to combine multiple enhancements brings greater variety and anticipation to the bonus.
“We are confident this latest instalment will resonate strongly with operators and players, continuing the franchise’s legacy as a standout performer.”
The post Blueprint’s Fishin’ Frenzy™ Lure ‘Em In: Tackle Boxes Set the Reels Ablaze appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
3 Oaks Gaming
3 Oaks Gaming releases Lucky Apple x1000 slot with multipliers up to x1000
3 Oaks Gaming has released Lucky Apple x1000, a 6×5 scatter pays slot with cascading reels and multipliers up to x1000.
Wins trigger when eight matching symbols land anywhere on the reels. The game uses a Cascading Reels mechanic, removing winning symbols and dropping new ones in place. Red Apple Symbols can appear randomly or be “assisted by the character,” revealing multipliers from x2 to x1000. Any multipliers in view combine and are applied to the total win after the cascade.
The slot also includes a Free Spins feature where multipliers from winning spins contribute to a growing Total Multiplier during the feature, according to the company.
In certain markets, 3 Oaks Gaming said players can access a Bonus Shop with two Free Spins options, including an upgraded round where multipliers range from x10 to x1000.
Krasimir Pankovski, Sales Director at 3 Oaks Gaming, said: “Lucky Apple x1000 highlights our approach to combining strong themes with proven mechanics that resonate with players. By bringing together cascading reels, high-value multipliers and a cumulative Free Spins model, we’ve created a title designed for both engagement and longevity.
“The addition of the Bonus Shop adds further flexibility, supporting player choice while helping operators maximise performance as we continue to grow a competitive portfolio.”
The post 3 Oaks Gaming releases Lucky Apple x1000 slot with multipliers up to x1000 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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