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The rise of online betting has led the commercial gambling industry to balloon worldwide, posing a significant threat to public health, according to a new report. The report, published Thursday, comes from a public health commission on gambling convened by the medical journal The Lancet. The report highlighted the role online gambling has played in the rising availability of commercial gambling as a whole. Belgium, the Netherlands and Ontario, for example, have varying restrictions on gambling advertising, including online gambling. A 2015 paper found that online gambling could lead to the emergence or aggravation of gambling problems.

Persons: “ We’re, ”, Louisa Degenhardt, Heather Wardle, “, FanDuel, Alan Feldman, Feldman, Wardle Organizations: University of New, D.C, American Gaming Association, Pew, University of Glasgow, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Gaming Institute, MGM, Council for Responsible Gaming Locations: University of New South Wales, Sydney, U.S, Washington, Scotland, Belgium, Netherlands, Ontario, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Massachusetts , Illinois, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Las

Pittsburgh CNN —In the years that Pennsylvania Senate candidate Dave McCormick led one of the world’s largest hedge funds, the firm bet millions of dollars against some of the state’s biggest and most iconic companies, financial filings show. For financial institutions, short positions can be lucrative. The fund shorted about four dozen companies from Pennsylvania during McCormick’s tenure, the records show. The fund did invest in stocks of some of the same Pennsylvania companies it shorted in other years, and overall, it reported spending more money buying stocks of Pennsylvania companies than shorting them in four of the five annual reports reviewed by CNN. She argued that the short positions Bridgewater took in Pennsylvania companies didn’t negatively impact employees because they represented a small fraction of each company’s overall value.

Persons: Dave McCormick, McCormick, “, ”, Kevin Boltz, Democratic Sen, Bob Casey –, Casey, Luke Sharrett, Elizabeth Gregory, Dave, ” Gregory, Bridgewater, ” McCormick wasn’t, Andrew Jennings, Dan Mallinson, “ They’re, ” Mallinson, “ That’s, ” Eric Talley, Talley, I’m, Justin Merriman, McCormick’s, Biden, Bernie Hall, ” Hall, Gregory, Michael M, Eric Hovde of, Tim Sheehy, Bernie Moreno, dogging McCormick, Mallinson Organizations: Pittsburgh CNN —, Bridgewater Associates, The Hershey Company, US Steel, CNN, US Department of Labor, Republican, Hershey, Democratic, Bridgewater, Bloomberg, Getty, McCormick’s, Bridgewater Equity Fund, Labor, Securities and Exchange Commission, Comcast, Penn National Gaming, Emory University School of Law, Penn State, Columbia University, Steel, Japan's, Nippon Steel, Keystone, Nippon, Pennsylvania, United Steelworkers, Senate, Penn Locations: Pennsylvania, Bridgewater, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, China, Eric Hovde of Wisconsin, Montana, Ohio

Ways to earn Choice Privileges pointsThe Choice Privileges program may seem straightforward, but many little rules define what counts as a qualifying points-earning stay. Earn points from Choice hotel staysThe most straightforward way to earn Choice Privileges Rewards is by staying in Choice hotels on paid bookings. Buy Choice Privileges points for yourself or someone elseYou can buy up to 250,000 Choice Privileges points for yourself — or up to 180,000 Choice Privileges points for friends and family members — per calendar year. Transfer Choice Privileges points to travel partnersTo redeem Choice Privileges points for flights, use the Choice Hotels Rewards Exchange to transfer them to airline partners at the following rates:5,000 Choice points for 1,000 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles5,000 Choice points for 1,000 Aeromexico Club Premier miles5,000 Choice points for 1,000 Aeroplan points5,000 Choice points for 1,000 United MileagePlus miles5,000 Choice points for 1,000 Spirit Airlines Free Spirit miles5,000 Choice points for 1,000 Czech Airlines OK Plus miles20,000 Choice points for 8,000 Qantas Frequent Flyer points20,000 Choice points for 8,000 Virgin Australia Velocity points20,000 Choice points for 140 Air New Zealand Airpoints DollarsNote that you may need to call Customer Service at 888-770-6800 and provide them with your frequent flyer number to complete your airline redemption. Choice Privileges Rewards frequently asked questionsHow can I earn points with Choice Privileges Rewards?

Persons: You'll, —, Read, It's, We'll, you'll, there's, Homefront, they'll Organizations: Business, Card, Citi Strata Premier, Choice, Read, Choice Hotels, Penn National Gaming, Inc, Resorts, Amtrak, Barclays, Amex, Citi, Capital, American, Premier, Express, Hotels, Diamond, Avis, Cambria Hotels, Alaska Airlines, Aeromexico Club Premier, Czech Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Air, Zealand, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Australia, Alamo, Budget, Bed, Apple, Vinesse, Rocket, Aeromexico Club, Airlines, Virgin Australia, Clubs of America, Fisher House Foundation, Council, International, Polaris, Cosmopolitan, AARP Locations: Cambria, Econo Lodge, U.S, Canada, Mexico, Central America, Caribbean, Asia, Pacific, China, Japan, Europe, Clarion Clarion Pointe, Cambria Hotels, Czech

☆ Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia, worth more than $60M, hopes to send ‘positive message’ to struggling industry
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Boasting the largest prize pool in esports history, this year’s inaugural 2024 Esports World Cup (EWC) could prove to be a pivotal moment for the industry. Clubs will be able to choose which games they participate in before the best performing team across the various championships will be crowned the ultimate Esports World Cup champion for the very first time. Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, hopes this new competition in Saudi Arabia can be a game changer. “Setting the record for largest esports prize pool is a remarkable achievement, but what I’m most proud of is the positive message this sends to the wider esports and gaming community,” Reichert said in a statement. In 2023, Saudi launched ‘The National Gaming and Esports Strategy’ (NGES) which hopes to make the country the center of the competitive gaming world by 2030.

Persons: Ralf Reichert, ” Reichert, Saudi Arabia –, “, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, ” Organizations: CNN, Apex, EA Sports FC, of, League, Riot, New York Times, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Saudi, National Gaming, Saudi’s, New Global Sport Locations: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Saudi

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The famous fountains at the Bellagio won't be very visible this week amid the roar of Formula One racing on the Las Vegas Strip, and gondoliers won't be serenading tourists at the Venetian resort. They hope Las Vegas will join Monaco on the leader board of host cities for Grand Prix events around the world. Green remembered Las Vegas Boulevard casino-hotels including the Dunes, Barbary Coast, Frontier, Silver Slipper, Sands, Desert Inn and Stardust. Huge properties new to the resort corridor include Resorts World, which opened in 2021, and Fontainebleu Las Vegas, due to open next month. “I think what what is happening is Las Vegas is becoming the epicenter of the 'fun economy,'” Feldman said.

Persons: Michael Green, ”, Green, “, They’re, Joshua Guray, Charles Flexer, Clark, Jim Gibson, Gibson, it’s, ” Vanessa Anthes, Andrew Walsh, Walsh, Wynn, Evel Knievel, Alan Feldman, Bo Bernhard, ” Bernhard, ” Feldman, Ty O'Neil Organizations: LAS VEGAS, Bellagio, Las, gondoliers, University of Nevada, ”, Vegas, Monaco, Grand Prix, MGM Resorts International, selfies, Las Vegas, One Las Vegas, Police, NHL Vegas Golden Knights, WNBA Las Vegas Aces, NASCAR, Vegas Motor, NFL, Allegiant, Hollywood, Cosmopolitan, International, Seminole Tribe, Caesars, Villa, Caesars Palace, International Gaming Institute, UNLV, Tourism Council Locations: Las Vegas, Long Beach , California, Williamsport , Pennsylvania, Clark County, ” Clark, Vegas, Harrah’s, Flamingo, Horseshoe, Paris Las Vegas, Florida, Barbary Coast, Sands, Los Angeles

☆ This sports betting company is a good short-term buy, Deutsche Bank says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Hakyung Kim | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

While Deutsche Bank is skeptical on the long-term story for Penn National Gaming , it is bullish on shares in the short-term. Analyst Carlo Santarelli put a catalyst call buy, or short-term buy rating, on the sports betting company, which trades as PENN Entertainment. In August, the company signed a licensing deal with ESPN to rebrand its sportsbook to ESPN BET, slated to launch in November. Through the deal, Penn has the exclusive right to the ESPN Bet trademark in the U.S. for 10 years, with potential to be extended. An Investor Day in December, which is likely to focus on ESPN BET, will also highlight the brand's early traction, he added.

Persons: Carlo Santarelli, Santarelli, Penn, GGR, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Deutsche Bank, Penn National Gaming, PENN Entertainment, ESPN, ESPN BET, ESPN Bet Locations: Wednesday's, U.S, Las Vegas

The maker of Tomb Raider video games, whose shares are traded in Stockholm, is working with Goldman Sachs and Aream & Co to explore a sale, the people said. Embracer is weighing selling the unit, which is known for first-person shooter game Borderlands, after receiving interest from third parties, two of the people said. Officials from Embracer and Goldman Sachs declined to comment. ⁠Embracer shares turned positive and spiked as much as 5% higher following the news. Embracer, majority owned by founder Wingefors, purchased Gearbox in February 2021 in a deal that valued the business at up to $1.4 billion at the time.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Aream, ⁠ Embracer, Embracer, Lars Wingefors, Wingefors, Amy, Jo Crowley, Anousha Sakoui, Jason Neely Organizations: U.S, Entertainment, Reuters, Raider, Aream, Embracer, Thomson Locations: Stockholm

☆ China's Tencent posts smaller than expected revenue growth; gaming falls short
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Josh Ye | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The world's largest video game company and operator of the WeChat messaging platform said revenue reached 149.20 billion yuan ($20.45 billion) for the three months ended June 30. That compared with the 151.73 billion yuan average of 21 analyst estimates compiled by Refinitiv. Domestic gaming revenue stayed mostly flat at 31.8 billion yuan, while international gaming revenue rose 12% to 12.7 billion yuan, excluding the impact of currency movements. It grew 34% to 25 billion yuan as its TikTok-like short video service Video Accounts experienced increased demand. Revenue from fintech and business services grew 15% to 48.6 billion yuan which the company said reflected expansion in both offline and online payment activities.

Persons: David Kirton, HONG KONG, Tencent, Shawn Yang, Josh Ye, Himani Sarkar, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: REUTERS, Tencent Holdings, HK, Refinitiv, Blue Lotus Capital Advisors, Inc, Thomson Locations: Nanshan district, Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China, HONG, fintech

☆ DraftKings falls 10% on new threat for sports gambling market share from ESPN-Penn partnership
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Jesse Pound | In Jesse-Pound | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Budrul Chukrut | Lightrocket | Getty ImagesOne of the leading sports gambling stocks fell sharply on Wednesday after media giant ESPN took a large step into the online betting world. Shares of DraftKings sank 10.9% after Penn Entertainment announced that it had signed a 10-year deal with ESPN. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Shares of DraftKings was under pressure after ESPN and Penn National Gaming announced a partnership. ESPN, which is part of Disney , had previously been reluctant to fully embrace the highly competitive online gambling industry. As part of the deal, Penn will pay ESPN $2 billion in cash and stock warrants over 10 years to license the brand.

Persons: Barstool —, Bob Iger Organizations: Lightrocket, ESPN, DraftKings, Penn Entertainment, Penn, ESPN Bet, Penn National Gaming, Disney, CNBC

☆ China's Tencent marks return to revenue growth in first quarter
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Josh Ye | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The world's largest video game company and operator of the WeChat messaging platform said revenue reached 149.98 billion yuan ($21.70 billion) for the three months ended March 31. Net profit rose 11% to 25.83 billion yuan, versus a 29.67 billion yuan average analyst estimate. Domestic gaming revenue gained 6% to 35.1 billion yuan while international gaming revenue rose 25% to 13.2 billion yuan. Tencent also saw revenue from online ads rose 17% to 21 billion yuan. Revenue from fintech and business services grew 14% to 48.7 billion yuan as the firm continued to expand in those areas.

☆ Tencent is more optimistic about international gaming than domestic gaming, analyst says
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailTencent is more optimistic about international gaming than domestic gaming, analyst saysJames Lee of Mizuho Securities discusses the outlook for Tencent and where it stands in terms of artificial intelligence.

☆ Tencent's annual revenue drops for first time as China crackdown bites
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Josh Ye | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Analysts on an average had expected 555.15 billion yuan, according to Refinitiv. Its revenue for the fourth quarter ended December rose 1% from a year earlier to 144.95 billion yuan, versus a consensus estimate for about 144 billion yuan. Tencent's profit attributable to equity holders fell 16% to 188.24 billion yuan for the year, versus a consensus estimate of 114.19 billion yuan. Tencent's domestic gaming revenue fell 6% to 27.9 billion yuan in the fourth quarter, while international gaming revenue rose 5% to 13.9 billion yuan. Tencent's revenue from online ads rose 15% to 24.7 billion yuan as brands widened spending amid a recovery.

☆ Buy this Chinese tech giant to play a $284 billion video gaming opportunity: Goldman Sachs
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. giants Activision Blizzard and Roblox have long been investor favorites for exposure to the video gaming sector, but Goldman Sachs has an alternative pick to play the sector. Alternative pick Against this backdrop, Goldman is betting on tech giant Tencent to play the sector's rapid growth in China – the world's largest online game market. Tencent is expected to grow its game revenue by 9% annually into 2024, according to Goldman, with international gaming revenue making up about 30% of Tencent's total revenue by 2030. While a number of factors have undermined global games revenue growth in 2022, Goldman expects the market to rebound by 5% and 7% in 2023 and 2024, respectively. As such, the bank said the industry is set for exponential growth into 2026 and has forecast global online game revenue to expand at a compounded rate of 4.4% annually to $284 billion in 2026.

☆ Tencent to distribute $20.3 bln in Meituan shares as Q3 sales drop
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Josh Ye | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Tencent, the world's largest video game company and the operator of the WeChat messaging platform, said it will transfer 958.12 million shares in Meituan, representing approximately 90.9% of the Class B ordinary shares it held in Meituan. On Wednesday, Tencent said revenue fell 2% to 140 billion yuan ($19.8 billion) for the three months ended Sept. 31, from 142.3 billion yuan a year earlier. Analysts on an average expected 141.6 billion yuan in revenue, according to Refinitiv. Domestic gaming revenue shrank 7% to 31.2 billion yuan, while international gaming revenue rose 3% to 11.7 billion. Online ads sales also declined by more than 5% to 21.5 billion yuan, as advertisers tightened budgets in a weak economy.

☆ How sports betting is changing the media industry in the US
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-07 | by ( Ashley Rodriguez | Colin Salao | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The ties between media outlets and gambling operators have only deepened since. Read more about how FuboTV is rethinking its sports betting strategy after August layoffs. On top of that, the US sports gambling industry is still in its infancy. New York turned on mobile sports betting in January, which could be a boon for the media industry even though the market could be tricky for gambling companies. A list of our recent coverage of the US sports betting industry follows.

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☆ Two stocks on the market’s ‘naughty list’ could be set for a 2022 comeback, traders say
▼ + stars: | 2021-12-24 | by ( Keris Lahiff | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

CNBC's "Trading Nation" asked two of its traders which of the most beaten-down stocks could be setting up to rebound in the new year. Nancy Tengler, CEO and chief investment officer at Laffer Tengler Investments, highlighted payments company Block , the company formerly known as Square. Joule Financial president Quint Tatro instead is focusing on casino stock Las Vegas Sands, which is down more than 35% this year. "Las Vegas Sands has really experienced a double whammy this year. Las Vegas Sands generates nearly half of its revenue from Macao, a gambling destination off the coast of mainland China.

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