Gambling in the USA
University of Minnesota to host Sportradar’s Innovation Challenge
Sportradar’s Innovation Challenge returns on February 23rd, when the University of Minnesota will become the latest venue to host the one-day ideation competition.
Taking place at the Carlson School of Management’s Gary S. Holmes Centre for Entrepreneurship, next month’s Challenge will be the first to take place in the United States.
The event, which has been held regularly across Europe in recent years, will give students from in and around Minneapolis the opportunity to design and create ideas and services using Sportradar’s market-leading data. As well as learning how to best create and develop ideas, students will also have the chance to network and compete for a chance to win part of the $3,000 prize money on offer. Ahead of the Innovation Challenge’s first venture Stateside, Sportradar caught up with Innovation Director Javier Altamirano and Malte Siegle, Head of Sportradar’s University and Research Programme, to discuss what is another step forward for the company’s innovation setup.
Sportradar: What’s the thinking behind taking the Innovation Challenge outside Europe for the first time?
MS: Because Sportradar already enjoys a strong market presence in the US, and is expanding further all the time, it seems only natural that we should have the Innovation Challenge in the States. We’re always looking to encourage and network with the next generation of talent, in all our territories, and having already seen our partnership with the University of Minnesota start strongly, it’s great to reach another essential milestone for the company.
JA: This is part of a greater strategy of external innovation in the US whereby Sportradar collaborates on a deep level with top-notch universities which happen to be aligned with Sportradar offices and have strong data programs. This proximity allows for follow-up projects and overall closer contact. We want these students to familiarise themselves with Sportradar data.
Sportradar: What do you expect to see from the students in Minneapolis?
JA: We’ve already seen some fantastic ideas from our past competitions in Europe and we’re confident that will continue next month here in Minnesota. Aside from innovative and interesting products, the main thing we want to see is enthusiasm and a positive approach because the Innovation Challenge is as much about networking and making connections as it is around creating products. Lots of digital-era innovations come from this side of the pond (Facebook, Stubhub, Snapchat, etc.) so we want to see if the students can carry on in that vein next month.
MS: We’ve also had former winners come and join Sportradar in a working capacity before now and that’s an example of what we want to achieve as a company – having that talent pipeline and a strong connection with entrepreneurial talent. Sportradar: The US is obviously a huge market for Sportradar, does this make next month’s Challenge even more exciting?
JA: The American sports tech market has obviously been one of the biggest in the world for some time now, and we’re looking forward to seeing what the students in Minneapolis come up with. There’s also the recent developments with the betting market in the US, so that’s another area that might be of interest to participants when it comes to formulating ideas.
MS: It doesn’t have to be around betting of course, we’ll have Sportradar experts from different parts of the business who can advise and offer insight to students. Ultimately, we want to see something new and different and that’s always what impresses the judges most.
Sportradar: Why should students look to take part in the event?
MS: If you’re a student who has a passion for sports data, enjoys thinking outside the box and wants to make some useful connections with people who know the industry inside out, the Innovation Challenge is for you. We give full access to our API and SDK for the day and provide guidance courtesy of our mentors, so it really is a great opportunity to see what you can come up with, using sports data.
Sportradar: …and not to mention the $3,000 prize pool?
JA: Obviously, a $3,000 prize pool is a good incentive, too, and that’s what usually grabs the attention, but we don’t think it should be the main focus for groups. One-on-one time with our mentors and the chance to put our API to good use, all while networking with new connections – you can’t really put a price on that. For all the details about February’s event, including information on how to enter, you can visit the Innovation Challenge website – challenge.sportradar.com.
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Gambling in the USA
Clark County residents can bring a friend for free to next week’s Super Bingo $160,000 tournament at the Plaza Hotel & Casino, May 6-8
Home to downtown Las Vegas’ only bingo room, the Plaza Hotel & Casino is offering Clark County, Nevada residents who register to play in next week’s Super Bingo tournament the opportunity to bring a friend for free.
Happening Monday, May 6 through Wednesday, May 8 in the Plaza’s expansive ballroom, Super Bingo is expected to draw nearly 1,000 people from the local Las Vegas valley and across the country and Canada for the opportunity to win big playing fun-filled games of bingo over two days, with a $50,000 super coverall both days while socializing with like-minded bingo players.
Bingo-only registration is $160 per person, and Clark County residents who register can bring a friend for free. Registration is available online at https://www.plazahotelcasino.com/bingo/super-bingo-registration/. Hotel-and-bingo packages start at $300 for a four-night stay with no resort fee.
All Super Bingo players receive one 6-on paper pack for both days, two daubers, free drinks via an open bar at all sessions, boxed lunch both days, and $10 in free slot play after the first day’s session.
The Plaza’s Bingo room offers six daily bingo sessions at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. and is located on the 3rd floor. By parking on the third floor of the Plaza’s self-parking garage, guests have convenient and direct access to the Plaza’s bingo room and parking is validated for bingo players.
Gambling in the USA
Kambi Group plc extends Mohegan partnership with on-property sports betting agreement in Pennsylvania
Kambi Group plc (“Kambi”), the world’s trusted sports betting partner, has agreed a long-term on-property sportsbook partnership with Mohegan to provide its award-winning sportsbook at two retail locations in the state of Pennsylvania.
The partnership will see Mohegan utilise Kambi’s cutting-edge retail sportsbook offering across more than 20 kiosks in sportsbook locations at Mohegan Pennsylvania and Mohegan Pennsylvania at Lehigh Valley Race and Sportsbook.
The deal further strengthens Kambi’s relationship with Mohegan, which already utilises Kambi’s suite of sports betting products at ilani in Washington, as well as online and on-property in the Canadian province of Ontario at Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara.
Kristian Nylén, Kambi CEO and Co-founder, said: “With several successful partnerships with Mohegan already in place, we are pleased to agree this new partnership as we continue to build on our strong relationship.
“This latest deal further reinforces Kambi’s position as the sportsbook provider of choice for tribes across North America, and we look forward to our ongoing collaboration with Mohegan.”
Tony Carlucci, President & GM of Mohegan Pennsylvania, said: “Mohegan Pennsylvania is excited to continue utilising the same Kambi technology platform that existed under our Kindred partnership, which will help to create a seamless process as the Sportsbook at Mohegan Pennsylvania fully rebrands later this Spring.”
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