Latest News

A GAME OF TWO SCARVES: JAMIE REDKNAPP INVESTIGATES THE TRAGEDY OF HALF-AND-HALF SCARVES IN FOOTBALL

Published

4 years ago

January 21, 2022

Reading Time: 2 minutes

New Paddy Power series sees Redknapp chance his arm as documentary maker to learn about the origins of one of the worst things to happen to football

Footballer-turned-pundit, Jamie Redknapp, is now stepping into the world of hard-hitting documentaries to tackle one of the biggest issues in the modern-day game…the half-and-half scarf.

Paddy Power’s Jamie Redknapp Investigates is a new series that will see the former Liverpool and Spurs legend get to the bottom of the things that really annoy football fans about the modern game.

Episode one sees Redknapp get to the bottom of half-and-half scarves – the ghastly neckwear issue, described by fans he interviews as “Filth”, “Foul” and “So sh*t”.

In the first of a three part series – with episodes two and three released over the fortnight – Redknapp reveals the industry is now worth “over half a billion pounds” and tracks down the inventor of the half-and-half scarf.

The inventor, Brian, explains that the inspiration behind joining two separate scarves together was his own divorce, after his wife cut everything he owned in half.

Sewing his Arsenal and Holland neckwear together, Brian created the world’s first half-and-half scarf – which rather unfortunately reads “Arse land”.

But, at what cost? “Half-and-half scarves have a very short shelf life,” says Redknapp’s next interviewee – environmental activist, Lisa.

Discarded items can unfortunately find their way into nature, with Lisa reporting sightings of a baboon wearing a scarf featuring Tony Pulis at one end Sean Dyche at the other. Although Lisa does say that there aren’t health implications for the animals, they “just look really stupid”.

Redknapp then returns to see Brian once more as he’s told there’s a gift waiting for him. And, after showing off his diversified portfolio (including Manchester United and Liverpool half-and-half facemasks), the inventor gives the former England international his present.

Unfortunately, the Redknapp edition scarf features Harry at one end but the wrong Jamie at the other – Jamie Vardy.

Episode two of Paddy Power’s Jamie Redknapp Investigates, released next Friday, will see Jamie taking on Twitter trolls.

Spokesman Paddy Power said: “Forget diving, dodgy VAR calls and people leaving early – half-and-half scarves are the biggest disgrace in football right now. So, we put our best man on the case to investigate and uncover the ugly truth about this scourge of modern football that we know annoys all proper football fans across the country.

“Because there are some things that just don’t look right together, like pasta and ketchup or Tottenham and trophies.”

The full video can be viewed on Paddy Power’s YouTube and Twitter pages.

Gamification

Soft2Bet launches MEGA Shoot World Cup gamification engine

Published

5 minutes ago

June 18, 2026

Wladimir P.

soft2bet-launches-mega-shoot-world-cup-gamification-engine

Soft2Bet has launched MEGA Shoot, a football-themed gamification engine designed around the 2026 FIFA World Cup, aimed at helping sportsbook operators retain players during the tournament.

The product will be deployed across selected Soft2Bet brands including Betinia, Swiper, Campobet, ToonieBet and Elabet, with availability spanning markets including Denmark, Greece, Mexico, New Jersey, Ontario, Romania, and the rest of Canada, according to the company.

MEGA Shoot uses a player-versus-player best-of-five penalty shootout format. Players alternate between striker and goalkeeper, with the striker selecting where to shoot and the goalkeeper selecting where to defend. Each round resolves as a goal or a save before roles switch.

Soft2Bet said early internal results show 31.9% engagement among active players across selected brands, with 71.2% of MEGA Shoot players going on to play a second match. The company also claims a 13.5% player retention uplift.

Yoel Zuckerberg, Chief Product Officer at Soft2Bet, said: “The World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July, so retention has to work across the full tournament calendar. MEGA Shoot gives operators a football game that players can understand quickly, with head-to-head competition tied to the sport they already follow. With almost 32% engagement among active players and about 71% converting into a second match, the early data shows how tournament-led gamification can strengthen sportsbook engagement during major football events.”

The post Soft2Bet launches MEGA Shoot World Cup gamification engine appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

european igaming

Kinetic Digital data: Slingo.com tops €285,992 jackpot as classic slots lead

Published

5 minutes ago

June 18, 2026

Wladimir P.

kinetic-digital-data:-slingo.com-tops-e285,992-jackpot-as-classic-slots-lead

Kinetic Digital has published new jackpot data across its casino brands, showing more than €600,000 paid out across the top 10 progressive jackpot wins. The biggest single payout in the dataset was a €285,992 win by a Slingo.com player.

In the breakdown, Slingo.com, Mega Casino and Genting Casino Online accounted for all of the top 10 wins cited in the release. Kinetic Digital said Slingo.com delivered three of the 10 largest jackpots, including the €285,992 payout on Fluffy Favourites Mega Jackpot, while its second-largest win was “more than €70,000.”

Mega Casino recorded four of the top 10 payouts, making it the most frequent brand in the top tier. Its largest jackpot in the dataset came from 777 Strike (€63,254), and another player won €48,684 on Piggy Riches 2 Megaways.

Genting Casino Online contributed two entries, with wins of €40,683 and €37,438 respectively.

Kinetic Digital also pointed to a portfolio-wide trend: the biggest jackpots skewed toward long-running slot franchises rather than newer releases. The company highlighted titles including 777 Strike, Age of the Gods and Rainbow Jackpots as prominent among the largest wins, suggesting established mechanics and jackpot networks continue to drive progressive play.

The post Kinetic Digital data: Slingo.com tops €285,992 jackpot as classic slots lead appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

csr

UAE Lottery partners SmartLife and GEMS to run financial workshop for bus staff

Published

5 minutes ago

June 18, 2026

Wladimir P.

uae-lottery-partners-smartlife-and-gems-to-run-financial-workshop-for-bus-staff

The UAE Lottery, operated by The Game L.L.C., partnered with SmartLife Foundation and Premier Schools Accommodation – GEMS Education to deliver a financial awareness workshop in Abu Dhabi on 18 June, 2026.

Held at GEMS Education’s Premier Schools Accommodation, the session brought together more than 60 school bus drivers and helpers for training on budgeting and saving basics, fraud prevention, and retirement planning. The workshop also included quizzes and certificates.

Suzan Kazzi, Associate Director – Corporate Social Responsibility at Momentum- The UAE Lottery, said: “Financial knowledge is a powerful enabler of confidence, and long-term financial stability. Through H.O.P.E., we are committed to driving initiatives that equip individuals with practical life skills to help them build better opportunities for themselves and shape a more secure future. This workshop reflects our belief in people-focused partnerships that create meaningful and lasting impact across communities.”

Abhijeet Oak, Vice President at SmartLife Foundation, added: “At SmartLife Foundation, we strongly believe that knowledge creates empowerment. Many bluecollar workers dedicate themselves tirelessly to supporting their families yet often have limited access to structured financial education. Through partnerships like this, we can help individuals make informed financial decisions, build healthier financial habits, and plan more confidently for the future.”

The organisers said the initiative sits under the “Opportunities” pillar of H.O.P.E., The UAE Lottery’s CSR platform covering Healthcare, Opportunities, Planet, and Enrichment, and is aligned with national priorities for social impact in the UAE.

The post UAE Lottery partners SmartLife and GEMS to run financial workshop for bus staff appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.