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.
Powered by WPeMatico
Cevro
Golden Whale and Cevro team up to advance AI-driven player interaction
Golden Whale, a provider of machine learning-driven optimisation and decision intelligence for the iGaming industry, has partnered with Cevro, an AI-powered platform designed to automate and enhance player interactions across support and operational workflows.
At the core of the integration is Golden Whale’s Full Model Control framework, which uses ML models to continuously analyse live player behavioural data, enabling more precise decisioning across engagement and incentives, driven by deeper insight into player value, churn probability and behavioural intent. These decisions can then be actioned through Cevro’s AI agents, allowing operators to guide and control player-facing responses with greater precision across multiple channels, including chat, email and helpdesk, with voice capabilities set to follow.
Cevro’s platform supports a wide range of player-facing processes, including bonus queries, KYC checks, payment-related communications and responsible gaming workflows. By introducing decision intelligence into these touchpoints, operators can move beyond reactive support models and toward more proactive, context-aware engagement, where responses are informed by real-time signals around player value and behaviour.
Eberhard Dürrschmid, CEO at Golden Whale, said: “Operators are managing an increasing number of player communications across different touchpoints, and many of those processes are still handled in a reactive or manual way. By working with Cevro’s AI agents, we can connect our decision intelligence directly into these communication workflows, enabling operators to respond more precisely and consistently, while also reducing the complexity of managing these interactions at scale.”
Chaim Heber, CEO at Cevro, added: “Our focus is on helping operators automate and scale player interactions without losing quality or control. By integrating Golden Whale’s decision intelligence, we can bring a new level of precision into how our AI agents operate, using deeper signals around player value, churn risk and behaviour to guide responses. This not only improves resolution and efficiency but also allows operators to deliver more meaningful interactions that support retention and long-term player value.”
The post Golden Whale and Cevro team up to advance AI-driven player interaction appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
bet365
Evoplay strengthens Brazil footprint with bet365 deal
Evoplay, the award-winning game development studio, has strengthen its presence in Brazil through a new partnership with leading global operator bet365, marking another step in its growth across regulated Latin American markets.
The agreement sees a selection of top-performing Evoplay titles integrated onto bet365’s Brazilian platform, initially starting with standout releases such as Hot Triple Sevens and Temple of Thunder II Bonus Buy.
The partnership enables Evoplay to bring its diverse portfolio of high-performance content to one of the most promising emerging regulated markets, at a time when Brazil’s evolving landscape continues to create new opportunities for operators and suppliers alike.
By collaborating with bet365, a globally recognised brand known for its extensive reach and strong local engagement, Evoplay reinforces its commitment to delivering tailored content that resonates with regional player preferences.
Alex Malchenko, Head of Sales at Evoplay, said: “Partnering with bet365 represents an important milestone for Evoplay as we continue to expand our Latin American presence and build our network of global operator brands. Brazil is a market with huge potential, and we’re excited to bring a selection of our best-performing titles to its players.
“Our focus remains on supporting operators with content that not only meets regulatory standards but also delivers strong player engagement, and this collaboration is a testament to that approach.”
Spokesperson at bet365, added: “We are pleased to partner with Evoplay as we continue to enhance our offering in Brazil.
Their portfolio of localised games aligns well with our commitment to provide high-quality gaming experiences to our customers.
“We look forward to rolling out additional titles in the near future as we strengthen our collaboration with the supplier in this key market.”
Evoplay
Evoplay is a leading iGaming developer with a portfolio of 250+ slots, table, crash, and instant games.
It uses innovative gameplay and cutting-edge design to elevate user experience and bring new audiences to the world of iGaming.
The company’s commitment to innovation and revolutionary products was recognised by the most prestigious industry awards.
bet365
At bet365, it’s always extraordinary!
bet365 Casino is the home of gaming excitement, offering an extensive range of slots to choose from, including multi-layered jackpots, classic fruit games, and the latest innovative titles. Plus, with popular Live Games like Roulette, Blackjack, and Baccarat, there’s always something for every player.
bet365 is committed to Safer Gambling. We promote gambling as an enjoyable leisure activity, and we believe that gambling can only remain this way if you stay in control and gamble responsibly. However, we know that for some people gambling can stop being a harmless leisure activity and become a problem.
bet365 has a range of useful tools to help customers stay in control of their gambling that can be found at https://responsiblegambling.bet365.bet.br/br
The post Evoplay strengthens Brazil footprint with bet365 deal appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Advisiments
WE names Valentina Ursini Group Account Director for IBJR and key clients
Brazilian agency We has hired Valentina Ursini as Group Account Director, where she will lead business strategy and client relationships for accounts including EMS, Novibet, Jovi and IBJR (Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming).
Ursini brings experience from Leo Burnett, Ogilvy and TBWA, where she led global and local accounts for brands including Visa, Procter & Gamble, Motorola, Gatorade, Coty, Kimberly-Clark and Friboi.
“We has something that is rare today: genuine proximity to the client’s business and a very clear ambition for shared growth,” Ursini said.
“I am joining a team that already knows these clients deeply, and I bring a fresh perspective on expansion opportunities, efficiency and brand building.
It is about developing the business in a consistent and relevant way.”
Maurício Almeida, managing director at We, said Ursini’s appointment raises the standard of service for the agency’s strategic accounts.
“She combines expertise, consistency and a very pragmatic business vision, which is exactly what we look for in our model. She understands that client relationships only make sense when they translate into results.”
* The Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming is a private industry association representing licensed betting operators in Brazil. Its primary role is to support the development of a regulated, transparent and sustainable gambling market in the country.
The organization focuses on promoting responsible gaming practices, contributing to public policy discussions, and working alongside regulators to ensure compliance with Brazil’s evolving legal framework for betting.
It also advocates for consumer protection, market integrity and the reduction of illegal gambling activities.
In the context of the article, the IBJR appears as a relevant institutional player within the Brazilian iGaming ecosystem, reflecting the growing importance of industry representation as regulation advances.
The post WE names Valentina Ursini Group Account Director for IBJR and key clients appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
-
Acquisitions/Merger6 days agoPetroglyph Development Group and Great Canadian Entertainment Announce the Successful Closing of the Acquisition of Chances Maple Ridge
-
Conferences6 days agoBlokotech and Evoverse sign on as presenting sponsors for iGaming Real Talk at BiS SiGMA South America
-
Bede Gaming6 days agoPointsBet Canada rolls out Bede Gaming aggregation and bonusing platform
-
Asia6 days agoBetby se asocia con QTech Games y amplía alcance de sportsbook en Asia
-
Bede Gaming6 days agoPointsBet Canada and Bede Gaming Launch New iCasino Partnership
-
Canada5 days agoFanDuel Announces New Partnership with Toronto Tempo
-
Baltics6 days agoHIPTHER Baltics: Riga 2026 Agenda – Where Compliance Meets Reality and Growth Gets Tested
-
Asia6 days agoBETBY links sportsbook to QTech Games distribution network in Asia



