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Yggdrasil Gaming revenue rises 73 in Q1 2018
Yggdrasil Gaming, the Swedish-based online and mobile developer, has increased its revenue by 73% year-on-year according to the company’s Q1 2018 report
Friday, May 4, 2018
PokerFever Festival Presents €100,000 GTD Opening Big Stack Event
CasinoGamesPro.com
PokerFever Festival Presents €100,000 GTD Opening Big Stack Event
PokerFever Festival continues to bring riveting poker action to enthusiasts from all four corners of the world and this Thursday welcomed its second day of poker tournaments. King’s Casino in Rozvadov, Czech Republic continues welcoming more and more enthusiasts ready to test their skills in the following events. This Thursday saw the official start of […]
The post PokerFever Festival Presents €100,000 GTD Opening Big Stack Event appeared first on CasinoGamesPro.com.
Remote Gambling Association issues guidelines on GDPR
Gambling Insider
Remote Gambling Association issues guidelines on GDPR
The Remote Gambling Association (RGA) has issued a number of mandatory policies in response to the impending introduction of the EU’s general data protection regulations (GDPR) later this month
Senet Group calls on the UK gambling industry to adopt responsible gambling campaign
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Senet Group calls on the UK gambling industry to adopt responsible gambling campaign
Allows non-members to use its industry-leading gambling strapline
Thursday, May 3, 2018
Assessing the Sleepers and Long Shots in the 2018 Kentucky Derby
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Assessing the Sleepers and Long Shots in the 2018 Kentucky Derby
The 2018 Kentucky Derby arrives in just a matter of days, and bettors finally have an official field to work with.
Justify leads the way as the clear favorite with most horse racing betting sites (at around +350) and offers more value than your normal first-place lock.
In addition, a less-than-obvious Kentucky Derby looks more wide open than past years, with several horses potentially giving Justify a run for his money.
While this could very well still be Justify’s race to lose, Mendelssohn (+500) and Audible (+650) head a five-pack of viable contenders that could threaten for the top spot.
As tantalizing and “safe” as those horses come off, there are still 14 other horses competing in this race.
Considering how nothing is close to cemented up front, bettors may want to draw back the curtain and take a gander at the betting value lurking behind the would-be frontrunners.
Is there a mild sleeper worth targeting or a longshot that deserves a flier bet? There might actually be a few, but these six horses catch our eye the most and may be worth your time (and money).
The Sleepers
I’m not suggesting anyone below +1000 is a true sleeper, but after you pass that threshold, it starts to get interesting in terms of price.
The fact that there are six contenders with odds at +850 or better may make for a logjam up top, but it also may mean there is an insane amount of sleeper appeal.
Here are my favorite Kentucky Derby sleepers for this year.
Vino Rosso (+1200)
You can go back and forth all day about which sleepers deserve to make the cut, but I’m stopping at three. It starts with Vino Rosso, which offers solid odds going up against the top contenders.
Vino Rosso is liked by many of the horse racing experts and clearly is getting a little respect from the top horse racing sportsbooks. That has everything to do with this horse being quite competitive and finishing no worse than 4th in any of his five runs.
Those races produced three wins (one at the Wood Memorial), while Vino Rosso has fared well in the face of solid competition like Flameaway and Enticed.
This is not the Todd Pletcher horse everyone is hyping up, but it certainly feels like he is being overlooked.
If Vino Rosso gives it a go early, he probably will get blown away, but if he hangs back and waits for his moment like he did in the Wood Memorial, he may have a shot.
The strategy needs to be perfect, and Vino Rosso needs to execute late, but there’s a chance this horse shines at a solid +1200 price.
Hofburg (+1500)
Another potential sleeper is Hofburg, who lacks experience but has performed well against high-level competition.
This horse has just three races under his belt, but he’s finished no worse than 4th in each of them and does have a win to brag about.
While the action has been limited, everyone needs to go back and look at how Hofburg fared at the 2018 Florida Derby. He didn’t win, but he took second only to Audible, who is among this year’s top contenders.
Most horses look good during practice runs, but Hofburg was recently reportedly looking smooth ahead of the Kentucky Derby and may be an under-the-radar option due to his lack of experience.
My Boy Jack (+1800)
You can cast a fairly wide net and talk up numerous sleepers this year, but there are only 20 horses in the field, and you have to cut things off somewhere.
I’ll halt the sleeper conversation at My Boy Jack, who offers fun +1800 odds despite being a viable threat outside of the main favorites.
This is another horse routinely working up horse racing experts’ rankings this year and has loads of experience.
It can be very interesting to weigh the importance of experience, the ability to be overlooked due to lack of experience, and runs against elite competition.
My Boy Jack has the latter in spades and actually delivered huge wins at the 2018 Lexington race, as well as the 2018 Southwest Stakes.
Those two events specifically saw him take on some tough competition, with the win at the Southwest Stakes being particularly impressive (edged out Combatant).
In addition, My Boy Jack has looked good in other big races, finishing 3rd at the Louisiana Derby (behind Noble Indy and Lone Sailor) and 3rd again at the Sham Stakes (McKinzie won).
None of this is to say My Boy Jack is going to win the Kentucky Derby, but this horse always seems to be in the mix. In 10 career races, My Boy Jack has finished 3rd or better eight times.
The Longshots
You can back a favorite, you can target a sleeper, and you can dream big and ride with a longshot.
This really is the type of Kentucky Derby where it might make sense to pull the trigger on a big flier bet, both because the top contenders aren’t as dominant as you’re accustomed to seeing and the upside is pretty nice.
Flameaway (+4500)
If you want a little more upside with your KD wager, consider backing Flameaway as the outright winner. This is another horse the experts have liked all year, and he’s shown to be quite competitive.
Flameaway’s most recent run delivered a 2nd-place showing at the Blue Grass Stakes, where just Good Magic was better. In fact, Flameaway has been close to winning in four straight races, nabbing two second-place runs and two wins during that span.
This is an experienced horse (5 wins in 9 runs) that knows how to win and can compete with stellar talent. He finished second at this year’s Tampa Bay Derby and also snagged solid wins at the Sam F. Davis race, the Kitten’s Joy, and others.
Flameaway’s win at the Sam F. Davis event is worth noting thanks to the Kentucky Derby sleeper sliding in at third place.
This horse doesn’t consistently put the race away, but he’s been in the thick of things and can compete. At this price, he’s worth a look.
Promises Fulfilled (+5000)
It remains to be determined if Promises Fulfilled will tire quickly in a longer race like the Kentucky Derby, but this horse certainly has speed, and he’s flashed upside in just four previous runs.
A bad showing at the Florida Derby (9th) drops this colt down quite a bit, but he’s still won three of his five career races and has had some success against stiff competition.
A win at this year’s Fountain of Youth race (Good Magic was 3rd) and a 3rd-place run at the Kentucky Jones Club event (Enticed was 1st) showed this horse’s ability.
Consistency is already an issue, but this horse can fly and if in position late, he may have a chance to deliver a shocking upset. At +5000, you’re getting a talented horse at insane value.
Instilled Regard (+6000)
You can up your value to +6000 with Instilled Regard, which has two wins under his belt and has finished 4th or better in every single race he’s run.
The competitiveness in this horse is tough to ignore, as his worst finishes have come in some pretty stacked events. The most recent came at the Santa Anita Derby, where he fell victim to Justify and Bolt d’Oro ahead of him.
There was also the Risen Star event, where he was fourth with big names like Bravazo and Noble Indy finishing ahead of him.
Failing to even show in some of these races is a little discouraging, but the race that really gets me thinking about Instilled Regard’s upside is a second-place run behind McKinzie at the Los Alamitos Futurity.
That alone doesn’t make him a threat, but that is not a bad horse to finish second to, and there simply aren’t bad losses on this horse’s resume.
I like his ability to hang tight, and he’s bred for pace, so if he can just be in the middle of the pack late, I think he has a chance to pay off. If you don’t love him to win, he could be a solid play to show.
Will Any of These Horses Actually Win?
It’s anyone’s guess if any of my favorite Kentucky Derby longshots or sleepers pan out. They are sleepers and longshots for a reason, after all.
These horses are not expected to win or really even finish in the top three on Saturday, yet Vegas is just daring you to place some money on them.
The reality is that the favorites don’t always respond to the pressure.
Favorites often start hot and fizzle out, or they can just struggle to get out of the gates cleanly in a 20-horse field.
If you’re dreaming big, this may be the best year to try something different and go out on a limb. I don’t know if I want to dabble with the worst odds in the race (Firenze Fire at +10000), but it really feels like nothing can be fully ruled out until the dust settles.
Ideally, this look at some of the top sleepers and longshots is just the start of your research before you lay your final bets. There is still a lot to consider before Saturday rolls around, and it’s probably still wise to keep the majority of your action on the top contenders.
Personally, I understand the love for Justify, Magnum Moon, and so many others, but the best combination of betting value, safety, and upside resides with Bolt d’Oro. That’s just my take, and there are 20 horses to convince yourself into betting on, but he’s my favorite so far.
Regardless, hopefully a look at these horses helps nudge you in the right direction. Good luck and enjoy the race!
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Scientific Games reshuffles its executive pack
Gambling Insider
Scientific Games reshuffles its executive pack
International gaming technology supplier Scientific Games has announced the promotion of Barry Cottle to the posts of President and CEO, replacing current President and CEO Kevin Sheehan
Preview of the 2018 Wells Fargo Championship – Matchups and Props to Bet On
GamblingSites.com
Preview of the 2018 Wells Fargo Championship – Matchups and Props to Bet On
We’ve got a fun one on our hands this week, folks. Tiger Woods headlines the field as the PGA Tour makes its return to Quail Hollow Club.
The site of the 2017 PGA Championship is a long and challenging golf course, one that suits the premium ball strikers. Anyone who isn’t playing well will get exposed quickly.
Thanks to the field including a bevy of world-class players, Bovada.lv has a done us a favor and given us plenty of wagering options for the week.
I am not a huge fan of trying to call out the winner of a golf tournament ahead of time, but I sure like picking apart the matchups and props.
That’s exactly what I did for the Wells Fargo Championship that gets underway on Thursday. Take a look below and see if you agree with any of my predictions.
Louis Oosthuizen: Top-10 Finish +275
There are no “gimme” bets out there, as the online sportsbooks are too sharp to offer any freebies. However, this wager sure looks like a good opportunity to turn a handsome profit. Why do I like Louis Oosthuizen at +275 to finish in the top 10 this week?
For starters, the South African has quietly played consistent golf all year long (6/7 cuts made, 5 top-25s), and more importantly, he seems to be peaking right about now. After a T-9th at the WGC Match Play, the 35-year-old finished T-12 at Augusta. Fast forward to now, and he is arriving in Charlotte coming off a solo-third last week in New Orleans.
He appeared to get hot with the putter on Sunday in the Big Easy, meaning he enters this week clicking on all cylinders. I don’t want to bore you with stats, but you should be aware that Louis is 7th on the PGA Tour in strokes gained off-the-tee. When it comes to average distance to the hole from outside 200 yards, he’s ranked 6th.
Trust me when I tell you that this dude has serious game.
The toughest thing to figure out about Louis is how to pronounce his last name, but you don’t have to worry about that. All you have to do is tune into the Wells Fargo Championship on Sunday and hope to see “Oosthuizen” pop up on the first page of the leaderboard.
When the players were last at Quail Hollow for the 2017 PGA Championship last August, all Louis did was finish runner-up to the eventual winner, Justin Thomas.
And here is one more telling stat.
Tommy Fleetwood and Tiger Woods are priced similarly to Louis to win the tournament, but they’re both down at +200 to finish in the top 10. With Louis sitting at +275, I think we unlocked some legit value.
Top Continental Euro Player
I have a unique strategy for this bet, but it’s one that I think will work in our favor. There are 6 “Continental Euro” players in the field, and I really think that two of them are in a separate tier above the rest.
Alex Noren+150
Francesco Molinari+250
The cool thing is that because of the favorable odds, you can actually make both of these wagers and guarantee that you come out ahead, so long as one of them wins the bet. The other four golfers, given their current state of their golf games, are no match for the consistent play of Noren and Molinari.
Let’s start with Noren. The 35-year-old Swede is currently 21st in the FedEx Cup standings, thanks to his stellar play and three top-three finishes. You need to strike your ball around Quail Hollow, so it’s a good thing that Alex is 10th on tour in strokes gained on approaches to the green.
After a standout year in 2017 on the European circuit, Noren made the conscious decision to play predominantly on the PGA Tour in 2018. With more than $2.1 million already in the bank account through April, it’s safe to say the decision is paying off.
Now let’s shift our attention to Francesco Molinari. Do you like course history? Then surely you will fall in love with the 35-year-old soft-spoken Italian.
He finished runner-up (tied with Louis Oosthuizen and Patrick Reed) in last year’s final Major that was held at this very same golf course. His most recent appearance at Quail Hollow before that came at the 2016 Wells Fargo Championship – Molinari finished 17th.
His only missed cut this season came back in February at the Genesis Open, and he has finished 26th or better in four of his last five starts. It gets old watching Francesco split fairway after fairway, but I can assure you it won’t get old at the nearly 7,500-yard setup this week.
Remember, I am not saying that Molinari or Noren are going to hoist the trophy come Sunday. With that being said, I do think they are excellent choices as players that will make the cut and finish in the top 30.
When I look at Martin Kaymer, Jonas Blixt, Alex Cejka, and Stephen Jaeger, I see four guys that are all searching for their games. Combined, the foursome has made just half the cuts (24/48) on the year, and the best finish amongst the group since January 1st was a T-14th at the RBC Heritage from Blixt.
In fact, none of these players have even logged a top 30 in the past 4 months, other than Blixt at Hilton Head.
I feel fairly confident in saying that out of these 6 men, either Noren or Molinari has an extremely high chance of being the low man. And you mean to tell me the casino operators will pay us if that pans out?
Where do I sign up?
Player Matchup – Hideki Matsuyama vs. Patrick Reed
Both players are -115 in this bet. If you immediately think that Patrick Reed is the no-brainer selection, then I like my “Hideki Matsuyama” pick even more. See, one thing I have learned over the years in sports betting is that when something sounds too good to be true, it’s generally because it is.
Take this bet, for example. On one hand, you have the Masters Champion who is currently “riding high” on the heels of five-straight top-10 finishes. He has all the confidence in the world and has displayed some remarkably good golf over the past six or seven weeks.
On the flip side, you have Matsuyama, who hasn’t recorded a top 10 since the season opener in Kapalua. He got hurt in Phoenix and missed a month, and he really hasn’t done anything special since.
So why on earth would I pick Hideki to beat Patrick this week?
Obviously, the stats and the data point us straight towards Reed, but I am actually leaning the other way.
The way I see it, Patrick is still on cloud nine, as evidenced by him prancing around in his Green Jacket left and right. I’m not saying I blame him, but it’s safe to say he is pretty content with his life right now. His string of top-10s can’t last forever, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it end this week.
Meanwhile, Matsuyama is slowly regaining form after a 19th-place finish at Augusta. The first time the 26-year-old got a look at this newly-renovated George Cobb creation last August at the PGA Championship, he finished T-5th. The type of golf that Quail Hollow demands is the exact type of golf Hideki knows how to play.
Don’t forget that Matsuyama is still the 8th-ranked player in the world. Don’t forget that this is the same guy that won three times on the PGA Tour last season, including a dominating 5-shot win at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
I know it may seem like a shot in the dark given how hot Reed has been lately, but it’s the exact reason I like the bet. I presume the casual bettors won’t even blink and will be picking Reed here, and that’s okay by me.
Anytime the public is heavy on one side, look to find me on the other.
PICKHideki Matsuyama-115
Questions or concerns? Reach out via Twitter, and I’ll try to put any negative thoughts to bed!
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