Connect with us

Latest News

Most controversial VAR decisions revealed ahead of Premier League

Published

on

Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

  • 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

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Allwyn

Scientific Games wins 12-year scratchcard supply deal with Hellenic Lotteries

Published

on

scientific-games-wins-12-year-scratchcard-supply-deal-with-hellenic-lotteries

14 new games launched in May as Hellenic Lotteries begins its new Greek State Lotteries concession.

Scientific Games has signed a new 12-year agreement to supply scratchcard games to Hellenic Lotteries, part of Allwyn Hellas, the companies said on June 8.

Hellenic Lotteries selected Scientific Games through a competitive procurement process. The operator recently secured the exclusive right to run and manage passive lotteries and scratchcard games for the Greek State for 12 years, following an international tender and the end of its previous license.

The partnership begins with 14 new scratchcard games that launched in May. The agreement also includes the option for the parties to explore digital lottery propositions in the future.

“At Allwyn Hellas and Hellenic Lotteries, we put players at the center of everything we do, emphasizing their entertainment experience. Therefore, we’re delighted to collaborate with Scientific Games as our instant game provider to deliver exciting scratchcard games to players in Greece,” said Matthaios Mattaiou, Chief Sales & Marketing PLAY Stores/HL and Operations Officer at Allwyn Hellas. “Beginning with new games launched in May, we look forward to engaging players with fresh propositions.”

Scientific Games said it will produce Greek scratchcards at its European Center of Game Production Excellence in the UK and provide a sales support team for delivery. “Our instant game innovators will continue to apply Scientific Games’ 53 years of analytics and game design best practices working to provide a portfolio of innovative scratchcards that drives responsible growth in Greece,” said Matthias Müller, Senior Vice President, International Sales for Scientific Games.

The post Scientific Games wins 12-year scratchcard supply deal with Hellenic Lotteries appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Continue Reading

content strategy

ELA Games reports Romanian growth as bet counts rise 239.74%

Published

on

ela-games-reports-romanian-growth-as-bet-counts-rise-239.74%

Studio says classic-styled slots with modern mechanics drove a 244.52% jump in active users led by Joker Winpot.

ELA Games says it has expanded in Romania after leaning into classic slot aesthetics while adding modern features, reporting a 244.52% increase in active users and a 239.74% rise in bet counts in the market.

The supplier positioned Joker Winpot as a key title for the approach, aiming to keep a traditional look while introducing feature-led mechanics.

Managing Director Marharyta Yerina said: “It is great to see how Romanian players are enjoying the way we combine classic symbols with modern features. Joker Winpot works well for those who love the traditional look but actually want more excitement from their play. We also see that once players feel comfortable with these mechanics, they are happy to explore our other top titles which have proved to be successful in Romania like Cash of Gods and Flames Fruit Frenzy. It proves that respecting what players like is the best way to introduce new ideas to the market.”

ELA Games also reported a 160.62% increase in turnover and a 33.71% boost in GGR across the region, naming Joker Winpot and Cash of Gods as top-performing titles. The company said Flames Fruit Frenzy also contributed to performance in Romania.

The studio framed the results as evidence that Romanian players are responding to modernised classic formats, including high-volatility gameplay and expanding reels. ELA Games said the mix is helping operators retain traditional audiences while introducing newer mechanics through familiar presentations.

igaming, game-suppliers, romania, slots, content-strategy

The post ELA Games reports Romanian growth as bet counts rise 239.74% appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Scientific Games and Hellenic Lotteries Partner to Provide World-Class Scratchcard Entertainment Experiences to Greek Players

Published

on

scientific-games-and-hellenic-lotteries-partner-to-provide-world-class-scratchcard-entertainment-experiences-to-greek-players

New Games Launch as Part of Hellenic Lotteries’ New Concession of Greek State Lotteries

Scientific Games, the world’s largest lottery games company, and Hellenic Lotteries, part of Allwyn Hellas, the leading gaming group in Greece, are partnering to bring entertaining instant scratchcard games to Greek players through a new 12-year agreement.

Hellenic Lotteries selected Scientific Games as a supplier of scratchcards through a competitive procurement process. Recently, Hellenic Lotteries was awarded the exclusive right to operate and manage passive lotteries and scratchcard games by the Greek State for a period of 12 years, following a relevant international tender and the conclusion of its previous license.

As part of the partnership, 14 new scratchcard games launched in May, kicking off Hellenic Lotteries’ new license with a splash. The agreement with Scientific Games also provides the possibility to explore digital lottery propositions in the future.

“At Allwyn Hellas and Hellenic Lotteries, we put players at the center of everything we do, emphasizing their entertainment experience. Therefore, we’re delighted to collaborate with Scientific Games as our instant game provider to deliver exciting scratchcard games to players in Greece,” said Matthaios Mattaiou, Chief Sales & Marketing PLAY Stores/HL and Operations Officer at Allwyn Hellas. “Beginning with new games launched in May, we look forward to engaging players with fresh propositions.”

Scientific Games creates and produces the Greek scratchcards at its European Center of Game Production Excellence in the UK, that serves more than 40 lotteries in EMEA. Under the new agreement in Greece, the company also provides an expert sales support team that ensures all games are delivered efficiently and securely.

“Our instant game innovators will continue to apply Scientific Games’ 53 years of analytics and game design best practices working to provide a portfolio of innovative scratchcards that drives responsible growth in Greece,” said Matthias Müller, Senior Vice President, International Sales for Scientific Games.

With products that generate more than 70% of global instant game retail sales, Scientific Games is the primary provider to nine of the Top 10 performing instant game lotteries in the world (La Fleur’s 2026 World Lottery Almanac). The company provides games, technologies, analytics and services to 150 lotteries in 50 countries worldwide.

© 2026 Scientific Games, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

The post Scientific Games and Hellenic Lotteries Partner to Provide World-Class Scratchcard Entertainment Experiences to Greek Players appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Continue Reading

Trending

Get it on Google Play

Fresh slot games releases by the top brands of the industry. We provide you with the latest news straight from the entertainment industries.

The platform also hosts industry-relevant webinars, and provides detailed reports, making it a one-stop resource for anyone seeking information about operators, suppliers, regulators, and professional services in the European gaming market. The portal's primary goal is to keep its extensive reader base updated on the latest happenings, trends, and developments within the gaming and gambling sector, with an emphasis on the European market while also covering pertinent global news. It's an indispensable resource for gaming professionals, operators, and enthusiasts alike.

Contact us: [email protected]

Editorial / PR Submissions: [email protected]

Copyright © 2015 - 2024 - Recent Slot Releases is part of HIPTHER Agency. Registered in Romania under Proshirt SRL, Company number: 2134306, EU VAT ID: RO21343605. Office address: Blvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr.5, Targu Mures, Romania