March 2016 Infinity Gaming Magazine

InfinityGaming www.gaming-awards.com | ISSUE MARCH 2016

FRONT COVER - PONTUS LINDWALL ALL THE WINNERS REVEALED SPECIAL EDITION

IGA WINNERS 2016 GAMING + ARTICLES + BUSINESS+ GLOBAL+ ONLINE + NEWS+ APPS + AWARDS + etc

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10 OUTSTANDING Pontus Lindwall

12 DONALD TRUMP America’s Biggest Bet Yet?

32 38 IGA9 WINNERS All the photos & more

Opinion Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in all external articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Infinity Gaming Magazine Any content provided by our feature writers or authors are of their opinion, and are not intended to malign any religion, ethic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything.

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MARCH 2016

4 EDITOR NOTES Lana welcomes you to the March edition of Infinity Gaming Magazine.

6 OUR WRITERS Meet our feature writers, the superb writers on our rosta.

15 ISRAEL TRIES FOR CASINOS Eilat seaside town

19 RUSSIAN TAX INCREASE

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Govt. wants to times tax by ten/1

29 PARTYGAMING FOUNDER Anurag Dikshit

THE FACTORS FUELLING THE RISE OF Mobile Gaming

35 AMAYA APPEAL KENTUCKY Ruling

WHY WOMEN NEED NETWORKING Liz Karter

37 JOHN SHEPHERD Goodbye to a legend

38 IGA9 WINNERS What a night

+ ALL THE LATEST NEWS & Opinions

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A note from the editor CONTACT US Clever Duck Media Centrix@Keys Keys Park Road Staffordshire WS12 2HA UK Tel: +44(0)1543 478 889 PRODUCTION Clever Duck Media Centrix@Keys Keys Park Road Staffordshire WS12 2HA UK

Spring is in the air and we all can take a breath

PUBLISHING Infinity Gaming Magazine is operated by © Clever Duck Media Ltd ®

Lana Thompson - Editor

Welcome to the special March edition of the Infinity Gaming Magazine featuring all the IGA9 Winners and photos.

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Sponsorship Opportunities Colin@cleverduckmedia.com

Welcome to the latest edition of Infin-

Finally we have a farewell to our friend

ity Gaming Magazine and what a start

John Shepherd inside the magazine and

to the year we have had already! Firstly

of course all the latest news and views

what an absolutely amazing evening

from around the gambling world.

Business Partnerships Svetlana@gaming-awards.com

Enjoy the magazine.

Marketing & Advertising claire@cleverduckmedia.com

the 1st February was, congratulations to all the winners, thank you to all our charity supporters for helping us support Care International and what was

So, “To Infinity and Beyond!”

those big green hands all about.....(You had to be there).

Regards,

It truly was a magical evening and the

Lana

whole team worked superbly to ensure the very best awards evening so far, just got to see how we top that next year!

In the magazine we have all our superb writers covering the world of gaming with Christina Thakor-Rankin looking at that special man, Donald Trump, , Liz Karter discussing the merits of Women Networking and the excellent Paul Swaddle doing his thing in the App business.

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The Editor

Editorial Content & PR media@cleverduckmedia.com

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MARCH 2016

Infinity Gaming Magazine Contributing Writers A magazine is only as good as the content inside and with some of the leading specialists within the gaming industry. With specialised articles covering customer service, the gaming law, new prducts, technology and current affairs with the sector the Infinity Gaming Magazine is delighted to showcase our superb line-up of contributing writers.

Christina Thakor-Rankin Christina is Principal Consultant at 1710 Gaming Ltd, a specialist betting and gaming consultancy, delivering a range of services including licensing and compliance (incl. regulation, money laundering and social responsibility), business start-up, training and strategic reengineering, project management, research, business analysis and development, to start-ups and established multi-national operators and providers, gambling regu-

lators, law enforcement and government agencies, media, and specialist interest groups and associations within the sector, in both established and emerging markets across the world.

www.1710gaming.com

Liz Karter – Psychotherapist specializing in women and problem gambling Liz Karter is a specialist in gambling and women and has worked as a therapist in gambling addiction since 2001. Liz is also author of the book “Women and Problem Gambling” published in March 2013.

In January 2010 having worked with all leading UK problem gambling treatment agencies, and having successfully established the first UK groups for women with gambling addiction, Liz launched Level Ground Therapy. A treatment service in the City of London, Level Ground specialises in meeting the individual needs of women with gambling addiction.

Throughout her career Liz has been regularly consulted by the media regarding her specialisation and has made frequent national TV and radio broadcasts including This Morning, Radio 4 You and Yours and Women’s Hour and given numerous national newspaper and magazine interviews.

Paul Swaddle - CEO Pocket App A self-confessed ‘gadget geek, Paul Swaddle has been working at the leading edge of mobile technology for the past 15 years. He co-founded Pocket App in 2011 to bring the creative and technical development elements of mobile technology together under one roof.

This unique approach continues to differentiate Pocket App in today’s increasingly competitive landscape.

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Working across a range of communications disciplines such as acquisition, loyalty, retention and customer development, Paul understands the importance of a strategic and coordinated marketing approach, particularly between on and off-line communications. In the past decade he has enabled brands as diverse as Kellogg’s Fruit Winders, Barclays and Loaded magazine to get the best out of mobile.

MARCH 2016

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The International

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MARCH 2016

Donald Trump – America’s Biggest Bet Yet? It suddenly looks like US politics is about to get very, very, interesting.

By Christina Thakor-Rankin

A

fter several decades of career politicians the race to the White House has just been shaken up by the arrival of a man who has been described by his own website as, ‘the very definition of the American success story’ and by other less enthused individuals as a ‘Dissonant bagpipe powered by farts’.

Whatever ones political position or personal views, you have to admire an individual who bucks the trend of traditional politicians who think before they speak, and quite literally and simply just says and does what he thinks – irrespective of the consequences.

To date his comments have included - suggesting that China is ‘bilking us for billions’ when recommending the repatriation of jobs back to the US; confirming that the US ‘must deal with the maniac in North Korea with nukes’; and supporting homeland security better by ‘Bring(ing) back waterboarding and other interrogation methods’.

On a more practical and pragmatic perspective, ‘closing up’ the internet to stop terrorist recruitment – which, practicalities aside is of

itself surely a laudable sentiment of itself, building (quite literally) a big wall to stop illegal immigrants from Mexico, and then picking a fight with the Pope (God’s very own representative on earth) – who described this last act as ‘un-Christian’.

Mr Trump is all about success and about winning. To the extent that his recent loss in Iowa was allegedly not as a direct result of Donald Trump losing the vote, but rather the other winning as a result of alleged dastardly dealings at the hustings.

In fact, Donald J Trump, has had something to say on most things from tax and security to the more divisive and emotive issues of abortion, gay marriage, gun control and civil rights, albeit shifting or ‘evolving’ over the years.

Unfortunately, forays into the world of both land and online gambling have not been (to date anyway) the huge success one would normally associate with the Trump brand. Despite being one of the very first to invest in Atlantic

Oddly, enough, the only controversial topic not discussed so far – and even odder given not only the current brouhaha over the ‘betting’ status of Daily Fantasy Sports and Mr Trump’s previous business operations in New Jersey gambling.

Perhaps the reason for this is that the subject really is too much of a hot political potato – although it is difficult to believe that someone who is willing to take on the Pope would be hesitant about taking on a topic and area of business they have already dabbled in. Maybe it is this latter point, which explains the reticence.

Donald J Trump, has had something to say on most things - from tax and security to the more divisive and emotive issues of abortion, gay marriage, gun control and civil rights, albeit shifting or ‘evolving’ over the years.

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MARCH 2016

City and declaring his support for on-

The other reason for not adding this top-

favoured candidate for the Presidential

line gambling back in 2011, saying that

ic to the agenda is that right now it could

ticket is most likely to be the Florida

it had to happen “because many other

be a hot potato of a very different sort.

Senator Marco Rubio – not least that he

countries are doing it and like usual,

is a supporter of RAWA, the Restoration

the U.S. is just missing out”, the busi-

Donald Trump has not only stated his

of America’s Wire Act which aims to pre-

nesses themselves have not performed.

views on online gambling, he has ac-

vent online gambling at a federal level.

tively engaged in it. To now start pubA deal with a New York hedge-fund man-

licly supporting it whilst running for the

Rubio did recently suggest that he

ager Marc Larsy and a venture called

Republican Presidential vote, would ac-

might be in support of carving online

Poker Ventures LLC designed to capital-

tually very publically put him in a direct

poker out of RAWA, which may be an is-

ise on anticipated new online gaming

head to head with one of the Republi-

sue depending upon which side of the

legislation in New Jersey failed to get

can party’s biggest (if not the biggest)

‘poker is a game of skill not gambling’

off the ground, and ultimately ended up

financial donors – Sheldon Adelson.

fence Mr Adelson elects to sit.

monious parting of the ways. A further

Sheldon Adelson has already publically

There are of course other candidates

deal involving a partnership between

declared that he will do whatever he

in the race, with differing views on the

Trump Plaza and Bet Fair equally failed

has to, and spend whatever he has to, in

subject (some easier to second-guess

to set the online gaming world on fire.

a bid to stop the legalisation of online

than others). None however have as

gambling in America.

yet expressly come out and nailed their

in what appears to have been an acri-

As stated Mr Trump is not known for his

gambling colours to the Republican

failures, and openly discussed online

Some would argue that given Mr Trump

mast – even Chris Christie the most ob-

gambling would inevitably cast an un-

is funding his own campaign he is not

vious supporter of online gambling has

comfortable spot-light on his less suc-

reliant on Mr Adelson’s backing. Fur-

remained relatively silent.

cessful ventures – so this could explain it.

ther, it would appear that Mr Adelson’s

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Doanld Trump - It suddenly looks like US politics is about to get very, very, interesting.

The obvious reason for the lack of dis-

stand any chance of getting back into

- if nothing else to make the point that

cussion is that gambling remains one

the White House, it needs to focus on

he is his own man and not someone who

of the most divisive topics in the US.

ensuring it selects the candidate most

needs to compromise his views in order

Further still it is the one topic, above

likely to win against the Democrats, and

to secure backing or support. There is

all others (including gun laws, abortion,

in order to do that it needs to keep itself

also the secondary point that a new suc-

civil rights and gay marriage) that has

together - for now, at least.

cessful foray into gambling would prove

the potential to divide the party more than any other.

the point that the lack of success was Once through the primaries however

less due to business acumen and more

one suspects that all bets will be off,

circumstance.

The Republican party, and equally more

and especially so if Mr Trump ultimately

importantly, Mr Trump, cannot at this

wins the Republican nomination, and

Either way, as a man with a point to

time risk the airing of a subject which

even more so, if he loses and decides to

prove, right now Donald J Trump would

will inevitably, and very publically set

stand as an Independent.

appear to be the US gambling sector’s

the party’s most popular candidate

best bet – both as a betting opportunity

against arguably, the party’s biggest fi-

At this stage, and not being one to take

nancial backer.

failure lightly, one might expect Mr Trump to launch himself back into the

Right now, if the Republican party is to

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world of gambling with renewed vigour

and as a force for future change.

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GAMING NEWS

MARCH 2016

Netanyahu pushes on with Eilat casino idea

I

sraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to hold a meeting with his Tourism Minister Yariv Levin and Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz on moving forward with his plan to allow a casino to be built in the tourist resort in Eilat.

Last year the iGaming Post reported that the Israeli Prime Minister had talks with leading casino boss Sheldon Adelson on this subject and has also had meetings with Australian casino tycoon James Packer.

The idea of the casino in Eilat centres around the rule that no Israeli nationals will be allowed to gamble only foreign holiday makers, however many opponents have asked the question how will you know the difference as many Israeli citizens carry dual nationalities.

Netanyahu move for a casino would fulfill a campaign promise by him to check the possible socioeconomic effects of legalizing a casino in Israel, and the reported interest in “connecting Eilat to the Israeli economy” by creating more jobs in the town.

All forms of gambling is illegal in Israel however many use the cruise ships in Eilat to sail to International waters to play and return the same day.

In fact Jericho had a casino that opened in 1998 which was allowed as it sat on the Palestinian Authority territory, from those who remember it the casino was a huge success until it closed in 2004 because of the Second Intifada.

Atlantic City suffer January revenues fall It seems bad weather was to blame for Atlantic City posting a decline in January revenues of 3.8% compared to the same period in 2015. Overall the eight remaining casinos posted revenues of $190.1 million, which is actually higher than it should be as online gambling boosted a bad month from being a terrible month.

In all online gambling in January rose 26% compared to last year to $14.6 million, helping to improve actual revenues for casinos from $175.4 million up to $190 million.

“January started off strong with the New Year’s holiday weekend, but those gains were erased later in the month when a blizzard dropped up to two feet of snow in

Atlantic City’s main feeder markets,” said Matt Levinson, chairman of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission.

“As a result, a lot of people just couldn’t get here that weekend. So it isn’t surprising that revenue from the slots and tables was down for the month. But the bad weather that kept people home contributed to the 26.5 percent hike in revenue from online gambling.”

The Borgata lead the online market charge with $4.5 million in winnings for January, followed by Caesars Interactive at $3.2 million; Tropicana at $2.8 million; The Golden Nugget at $2.5 million and Resorts at $1.4 million.

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GAMING NEWS

MARCH 2016

Gala Ladbrokes approached over 400 shop sale

T

he super merger between Ladbrokes and Gala Coral which received rubber stamped approval from shareholders in November 2015 even thou vocal opposition from minority shareholder Dermot Desmond tried to derail the £2 billion merger and now awaiting final approval from the Competition and Markets Authority, has been approached by several companies regarding their retail outlets.

It is expected that the Competition and Markets Authority will approve the merger only if the newly merged companies sell of some 400 of their shops. The names of those companies which have approached the betting giant to be are not known but are quoted as being from rival bookmakers and also from a potential new start up company.

William Hill & NYX target OpenBet acquisition

After missing out last year on mergers and acquisitions that many other of its competitors took part it in William Hill have now teamed up with NYX Gaming to acquire software provider OpenBet for a reputed £300 million bid.

The owner of OpenBet equity firm Vitruvian Partners who bought the company five years ago for £208 million look to make a healthy profit on the London based firm.

For NYX Gaming who are valued at £65 million it is a major step up should the deal go through which is be-

ing handled by Morgan Stanley, the investment bank.

William Hill want to be less reliant on leading software provider Playtech and see the business as a step towards that goal.

Openbet service many of the UK’s leading online gambling firms and although NYX Gaming and William Hill look set to buy OpenBet many observers say that a counter offer for OpenBet could come from Playtech itself pushing the value of the rival firm even further past the £300 million mark.

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GAMING NEWS

MARCH 2016

Russian government wants to increase gambling taxes by ten times current rate

T

he Russian Gambling industry or what there is of it legal has been hit with the announcement that the Ministry of Finance has proposed the increase of tax by ten times the current rate.

Gambling in Russia was banned in 2009 closing down hundreds of casinos in Moscow and the surrounding area costing thousands of jobs and driving the industry underground with no regulations or protections for gamblers.

However the government set up four regions in far flung areas of the country to allow gambling, those being Kaliningrad Region, Primorsky Krai, Altai Krai and Krasnodar Krai. Of all those regions only four casinos have been developed and open at present “Oracle” and “Nirvana” in Krasnodar Krai, “Altai Palace” in Altai Krai and Tigre de Crystal in Primorsky Krai.

With the latest news and operators spending tens of millions of dollars in developing the casinos, it is expected that not one other casino will be built and those already in operation will struggle to make any kind of profit. Why the Ministry of Finance is doing this is unclear, many cynical gaming observers say that the government never really wanted casinos to be built in those regions and this move will ensure it does not grow any further.

One former casino worker in Moscow even said that certain elements in the government want illegal gambling dens instead of legal casinos as some officials make millions from those illegal joints.

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GAMING NEWS

MARCH 2016

AGA rates presidential candidates by stance on gaming

A

voters guide for those involved in the gaming industry was released by the American Gaming Association (AGA) this week offering a colour guide to those candidates who were for and against gambling.

New CEO announced for Holland Casino

Only two of the candidates were given “green light” meaning pro-gambling and were former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson. According to the AGA they were given the position following their comments on the industry with Clinton for commenting that the workers in Las Vegas should be praised for their hard work.

Carson for saying that that gaming issues should be left up to each individual state, neither a resounding endorsement of gambling or anything like a policy towards the industry that employs 1.7 million jobs in 40 states.

On the flip side the AGA said that those against gambling and given the “red light” were Gov. Jeb Bush and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida. The AGA guide pointed to statements Bush made of his dislike for gaming, including remarks made in October saying,“I don’t like gambling, just for the record, is that politically incorrect in Nevada?”

For Rubio, the guide quoted remarks he made to The Washington Post implying that Nevada’s status as a “gambling Mecca” and its unemployment rate and the status of its housing market were related.

All the other candidates were given mixed ratings with interestingly Donald Trump being one of those even thou the controversial republican candidate having built many casinos in Atlantic City and then selling them off, he was given the rating by his comment, “Atlantic City has gone bad.”

The AGA also conducted a poll on the 180,000 workers in the gaming industry within Nevada showing that 40% of those would not vote for a candidate who had negative views on the gambling industry. Another statistic was that 93% of all those questioned said they had registered to vote in the upcoming presidential elections. With nearly 2 million casino workers up and down the US the AGA looks like they are trying to make a statement for those running not to forget the gaming world on their campaigning.

Erwin van Lambaart has been named as the new permanent CEO of state owned gambling company Holland Casino effective from the 7th March. The former executive from the theatre and entertainment sectors will be replacing the role that was vacated six months ago when then CEO Willem-Jan van den Dijssel left the struggling casino company.

“I’m looking forward to shaping the future of the organisation in a challenging market environment,” said van Lambaart.

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JANUARY 2015

The factors fuelling the rise of mobile gambling

By Paul Swaddle - CEO Pocket App

It’s no secret that mobile gambling is immensely popular, with the industry estimated to have taken £21.54 billion last year, making up almost 17% of gambling takings worldwide, and expected to be worth a staggering $100 billion by 2017. There are hundreds of mobile casinos available to the millions of online players looking to satisfy their gambling needs, and there are options to suit every interest, whether it be sports, table games or

arcade machines.

So it’s easy to see where the meteoric rise in mobile gambling has come from, but at Pocket App, we think that there are three key factors that are contributing to this growth.

Convenience/Ease of use Modern life continues to get ever busier for the majority of people and time

is a precious commodity, as we work longer days, make longer commutes and often have to make a conscious effort to balance work and play. As a result, we want to take full advantage of every moment of our free time and to have the best leisure activities ready and waiting at our fingertips whenever we want them. The growing plethora of mobile gambling sites available ensure that we can satisfy our need for quick and easy entertainment almost anywhere.

The specially developed apps by companies such as Ladbrokes, William Hill and Bet365 are excellent modern examples, and have drawn a huge following by making the mobile gambling process beautifully simple, allowing players to link their bank accounts to the app and instantly place a bet. A significant portion of the success of mobile gambling can be attributed to this simplification of what has previously been a time-consuming process. The trip to the bookie’s shop is quickly becoming a thing of the past.

Cost The low cost of mobile gaming in general makes it a very attractive option as quick and easy entertainment, and mobile gambling is no different. With the majority of console games, such as

JANUARY 2015

Paul Swaddle is CEO of Pocket App a leading design company in the App Construction world

Playstation and Xbox, retailing at around £50 when released onto the market, the prospect of a mobile alternative that costs just a few pounds to download, or may even be completely free, is a significant factor fuelling the increase in players looking to mobile to satisfy their gaming needs.

The cost of downloading an app or joining a mobile casino aside, the price of gambling itself can be significantly cheaper online than in a walk-in casino. Players of games such as poker and blackjack can join a game on some mobile sites from as little as £5, a significantly lower cost than if they were

to sit and play at a casino table.

Social As I’m sure you may be aware, there is growing social aspect to mobile and online gambling, with sites such as Facebook allowing players to use real money to pay for virtual currency that can be gambled with in games such as poker and blackjack. What sets the majority of these particular games apart from the experience of playing in conventional online casinos is the fact that players receive no cash reward for winning games. These games are intended to be purely social, by encourag-

ing players to engage specifically with their friends on social media sites, and as a result, adds a new side to gambling that simply can’t be experienced in a conventional casino, playing solely for the sake of enjoyment as opposed to the chance of earning financial rewards off the back of a wager.

It’s safe to say that mobile has forever changed the way people gamble. Being able to access online casinos and apps via a mobile device has added speed, flexibility and convenience to the process, so much so that many will now visit the bookie’s shop only as a novelty to place a bet on a truly significant

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MARCH 2016

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The factors fuelling the rise of mobile gambling

such as the Grand National or the World Cup. Whether it be placing a quick bet midway through a football match via the Ladbrokes app, settling in for a lengthy game on Pokerstars, or joining your friends on social media for a friendly game, mobile gambling is booming and there are no signs of it abating in the future.

But this mobile revolution is not restricted to the gambling industry.

Mobile is having a game-changing effect upon almost every aspect of modern life, and the value of mobile development that stands out from the competition and improves everyday processes for businesses and consumers is reaching devastating heights, as evidenced by the recent acquisition by large media corporations of not one, but three mobile app developers – Mubaloo,

MARCH 2016

The App Business and Arctouch.

At Pocket App, we believe that convenience, low cost and sociality are key to success in the majority of apps, whether it be for gambling, ordering a takeaway, making a charitable donation or hailing a taxi. The phrase “there’s an app for that” has never carried as much meaning as it has today.

the app market is only going to keep on growing.

To learn more about how your business can make the best use of Apps, contact the Pocket App team on contact@pocketapp.co.uk or 02071 834 388

Our prediction for the gambling industry is therefore much the same as it is for the majority of industries that are embracing mobile to improve their processes. As long as developers appreciate their audience’s desire for an app that allows them to simply and efficiently manage what is important to them, whether that be social or business,

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GAMING NEWS

MARCH 2016

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Former Macau boss wants case heard in Las Vegas

S

teven Jacobs the former CEO of Sands China Ltd who has been in a legal battle with parent

company and boss of Las Vegas Sands (LVS) for over 5 years now has applied to the in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas over exactly who employed him and whether he can sue Adelson and LVS over his long running wrongful dismissal in 2010.

Determining who Jacobs reported to is fundamental for Jacobs’ contention that he was fired by Adelson and Las Vegas Sands “in an attempt to cover up a host of improper activities which Jacobs has outlined in other litigation and to government regulators,” according to the federal court filing.

If the decision falls in Jacobs favour he can then have his claim for wrongful termination heard in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Sands spokesman Ron Reese

characterized Jacobs’ legal move as

case to Venetian Macau Ltd. to shield

“procedural sleight of hand,” and he said

Adelson and Las Vegas Sands from li-

Venetian Macau Ltd. will address it in

ability.

federal court.

Many observers close to the case feel Jacobs’ lawyers accuse Las Vegas Sands

that Jacobs attempts will fail but if that is

of trying to shift responsibility in the

the end of the matter seems unlikely.

888 look to install Frieberger as CEO

O

nline gambling firm 888 Holdings are asking regulators in the countries they hold licenses to allow for Itai Frieberger to become their CEO in replacing Brian Matt ingley. Frieberger is currently COO and the move is to allow Mattingley to move back to his former role of non-executive chairman.

Frieberger is highly regarded within 888 and has been in his current role for more than four years and with Brian Mattingley wanting a less hands on role at the age of 64 would prefer the non-executive chairman role.

888 Holdings who lost out on the long drawn out battle for control of bwin.party to GVC in a £1 billion takeover is rumoured to be still seeking possible targets in 2016, however the gambling company refuse to confirm this.

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GAMING NEWS

MARCH 2016

A look back at online gambling mogul Anurag Dikshit Recalling the birth of Party Poker and one of its founders With a keen eye in the online industry she quickly became a success operating an internet pornography business. As gambling sites began to gain popularity she made a crucial decision to sell her porn business. In 1997 Starluck Casino was established with a focus on Blackjack and Roulette games.

C

onsidered a Godfather in the online Casino industry, billionaire Anurag Dikshit (pronounced dik-sit) is listed as one of the youngest and richest men in the world according to Forbes.

His life wasn’t always paved in gold achieving his billionaire status the old fashioned way, by earning it.

The Indian entrepreneur was born in Sindri, Jharkhand in 1973. In 1994 he attended India’s Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi graduating with a Bachelor of Technology degree in computer science.

Fresh out of college he took his ambition and determination to the United States where he landed his first job as a software developer CMC followed by a systems analyst at Websci and then at ATT as a consultant.

His life was about to change after meeting lawyer Ruth Parasol. Parasol born and raised in California and the daughter of Richard Parasol, a Jewish Polish Holocaust survivor, and Guna Parasol, who is Swedish. After high school she went to college and received a BA in Business at the University of San Francisco in 1988. Her education continued at Western State University College of Law where she graduated in 1992. For a short time Parasol’s career involved working with her father’s successful business in real estate management and audiotex business consisting of horoscope, tarot, trivia and chat services.

Party Poker Software Goes into Development During that time their rival competition Paradise Poker founded in 1999 emerged out of the inspiration from the very first launch of its kind – Planet Poker established in 1998.

Parasol impressed by the success of Paradise Poker determined in 2000 it was a good business move to shift to a Poker platform. It was then she asked Dikshit to come on board and write the software for the new site. This would turn out to be the smartest decision in her career. He then hired a friend from his alma mater, Vikrant Bhargava and with a team began to work on the games applications.

In 2001 Party Poker was born and went live. The software developed was ahead of its time in technology. It had the speed, quality and graphics players gravitated to. Other Poker software at the time ran slow and had poor graphics as result blowing the competition straight out of the water.

A heavy marketing campaign was launched and once visitors got a sample of the site, they were there to stay thanks to the remarkable software Dikshit developed.

In addition to impeccable graphics that had a more fun and attractive appeal, it attracted a whole new demographics that was no longer limited to a serious somber type player.

It was calling attention to every type of player including the newbie, sharks and pros. It reached an international proportion and succeeded in drawing in American players, which before this time was virtually untapped territory.

Dikshit Goes to US for Indictment (cont. over)

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Recalling the birth of Party Poker & one of its founders (continued)

D

ue to the laws in the US online gambling was illegal. To get around the problem like other gambling sites that had American customers Dikshit along with his colleagues didn’t operate on US soil. Servers and employees were based in Gibraltar where Dikshit currently lives including India, England and the Caribbean.

Dikshit hit the Jackpot when Parasol realizing his importance to the future of the company allocated him a handsome number of shares. In June 2005, his work and skill would paid off when it floated on the London Stock Exchange. Eventually selling 23% of his stake in the company he is still the company’s largest single shareholder with 27%.

His fortune grew at a staggering rate with Party Gaming’s floatation amassing £420m and another £65.7m after selling more shares in the following year. In 2006 he received $64m in dividends giving him an estimated worth around $1.7bn.

Stepping down from the board of directors at Party Gaming he went on to focus on developing new products as the head of research and special projects. Bhargava was instrumental in implementing the launch of the first largest Poker Tournament offering cash prize of $1m to the winner.

Gambling Enforcement Act) in 2006 the jolt was felt across the world for online gamblers, Casinos and Poker sites.

Party Poker was charged in the crackdown. Dikshit went to the United States to answer the charges and ultimately paid a $300 million fine and served no prison time. It is speculated he went to clear it up to be in the good graces with the country when online gambling would eventually become legal.

Anurag Dikshit Prefers Privacy or Publicity Having Bhargava as the front man to conduct interviews and deal with the media allows Dikshit to lead a life that shies away from the public. Little related to his personal life is available. The mystery man once said “I really want my life to stay as private as possible”.

Married to Dr. Soma Pujari together they have a child and today focus on charity causes. They are joint co-founders of Kusuma Trust, an organization that focuses on education, research and community projects with a mission is to provide education and opportunities to children. Their goal in India is to improve the quality of education in the districts of Sambalpur in Odisha and Hardoi in Uttar Pradesh.

When the United States passed the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet

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Why Women Need Networking

By Liz Karter To find out more about Liz Karter and her work visit these links: www.levelgroundtherapy.uk - www.lizkarter.com & Liz Karters Books

T

he Savoy, what a marvellous venue at which to be attending the Women in Gaming networking luncheon. The sumptuous surroundings were graced by well dressed, hardworking, high achieving women from within the gaming industry; there to take the opportunity to attend a delicious networking lunch meeting complete with motivational talk. Since attending the event I have been asked by a couple of men why should women need their own event, doesn’t it fly in the face of the cause of advancing gender equality? As someone who specialises in working with women who are addicted to gambling, many of whom are professional women, I treat the whole person, learning about what blocks movement forward in otherwise potentially rewarding lives and learn a lot about the psychology of what is to be a working women. So, here is my answer to that question.

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I was delighted to be invited to attend the lunch in my capacity as a judge of the social responsibility category of the IGA and a regular writer for this magazine. All seemed okay on the professional persona front, which always is appositive to boost confidence when networking with new

people. So, why did I arrive flustered and – as the concierge so kindly phrased it- “fashionably late”? Apart from the fact that the trains in England rarely run to time it was because, yet again, despite having visited the elegant establishment on numerous occasions, I failed to find the Savoy.

There. I have said it out loud to poten-

tially thousands of readers. I have an appalling sense of direction.

Now, rationally I understand that you are unlikely now to judge my ability to judge the IGA, provide addiction treatment to my clients or as a writer based on whether I can read a map, but a nagging voice inside of me says that you just might…

And I am not alone as a woman hearing that voice say that if I disclose the fact that I might just be less than perfect, my entire professional life might fall apart. Personal disclosure invites personal disclosure and when I have disclosed to other professional women that underneath my professionalism I am a real person with, for example, directional difficulties, my own admission of a vulnerability has frequently been met with others sharing their own. And sharing too, that they find it hard to admit to

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anything which they feel reveals them in a less than professional light.

It is only about three life- times ago that women got the vote and so we are the daughters and granddaughters of women who perhaps never had a job and so many women have inherited a sense of insecurity about our positions in the professional settings.

Often women I work with in treatment for gambling addiction or stress, depression and anxiety at work have found a way to ease that nagging inner voice which whispers their professional life will fall apart if they dare let slip that they are human too. They do so by living life bound by the rules of “Please Others” “Be Strong” “Work hard”. Now, nothing wrong at all with a little of this in the workplace, of course, indeed that is how so much is achieved by so many.

Take it to the extreme, however, and we see women who are so concerned with “Be Strong” that they dare not reveal their stress levels are getting scarily high. With “Work Hard” that they are afraid to take a sick day. My experience is that the harshest rule of all three is

good old “Please Others”. This rule knows no bounds and after it has directed a day of our saying “yes” to each and every request at the office it gets carried home where we attempt to please everybody there, the cat included. Live life by the rule of please everybody else but ourselves all day every day (and yes, this goes for any men who may be reading, too) and suddenly things swing to the opposite end of the spectrum; we end up stressed out, burnt out and wanting to please nobody at all.

What I have found to be the antidote to this is to have a space here and there where we can relax and really be our whole selves. In the therapeutic groups I run for women what is healing is to have a space where it feels okay to be a whole person; achievements and anxieties. That space does not need to be as glamorous as the Savoy, but having a setting where women are able to meet and

because some issues maybe sensitive, it is more easily done in women -only groups. Does this set back the cause of gender equality? I think it advances it as we acknowledge that as men and women we have vulnerabilities and sensitivities that are equally important but sometimes different.

Equal does not have to mean identical. Allow that space for our personal vulnerabilities and aspirations to be disclosed and we open ourselves up to support. Supported as whole people with personal lives, thoughts and feelings we excel as professionals.

Men-take heart. When in therapy I treat men for stress and anxiety I often find they too are lacking that space to spend time with other men and soon discover that for them too, a few pints in the pub or a team sport and they get back on track.

However strong our skill set, however sound our education, it is made all the more powerful by adding our presence as a whole and authentic self.

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Amaya to Appeal Ruling by Kentucky Trial Court

A

maya to Appeal Ruling by Kentucky Trial Court in Rare and Controversial Suit Brought Under Arcane 200-Year-Old Commonwealth Law.

Amaya today announced it will appeal a judgment issued yesterday by a state judge in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and will avail itself of any and all remedies available to it. The litigation was filed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 2010 and sought recovery of alleged losses

by Kentucky residents who played real-money poker on PokerStars’ website during a period between 2006 and 2011.In the decision, the judge imposed an approximately US$290 million award, which he trebled to approximately US$870 million excluding interest and applicable costs, in favor of the Commonwealth. The latest ruling is in stark contrast to the same trial court’s decision just last month when it determined that damages should be based on the net losses of players. Yesterday’s order applies a methodology that is not grounded in applicable law as it calculates damages based on gross losses of players without any reduction for winnings, bonuses or free play. “This is a frivolous and egregious misuse of an antiquated state statute to enrich the contingent-fee plaintiff’s attorneys hired by the Commonwealth and not the people of Kentucky,” said Marlon Goldstein, Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and General Counsel of Amaya. “Given that PokerStars only generated gross revenues of approximately US$18 million from Kentucky customers during the five years at issue, a damages award in excess of US$800 million is notable only for its absurdity.”To bring the action, Kentucky relied on a centuries old statute that was intended to allow individu-

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als who incurred gaming losses to sue their opponents; it was never intended to authorize the Commonwealth to sue and collect such losses for its own benefit. In fact, no other state in the union has brought an action under this type of antiquated statute to recover alleged gaming losses in the name of a state. Amaya intends to post a bond to stay the enforcement of the order and to appeal in early January.

The appeal will, among other arguments,raise factual and legal errors (including violations of the state and federal constitutions) that include, but are not limited to, the trial court’s ruling permitting the Commonwealth to assert standing, its failure to find facts that give rise to the violation of the statute, it’s clearly erroneous decisions of law, and its failure to properly apply the law to the facts.

Amaya will also vigorously challenge the trial court’s calculation of alleged gaming losses, which was based on an improper reading of a 100-year-old leading appellate decision. Regardless of the dollar amount, to the extent the PokerStars entities may be ultimately obligated to pay any amounts following exhaustion of all appeals and other legal remedies, Amaya intends to seek recovery against the former owners of the PokerStars business.

Amaya has been a leader in promoting the regulation of online gaming in the United States. Earlier this year, following an extensive review, Amaya received approval to begin operating its PokerStars brand in the regulated market of New Jersey, which it plans to launch in the first half of 2016.

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John Shepherd 1958 - 2016 A life remembered

John Shepherd was a business journalist who excelled at writing about complex financial issues in everyman’s language with a touch of trademark humour. In later roles in public relations he was able to turn a PR crisis into an opportunity for fun. His chosen business topics as a journalist reflected his own interests, in gambling, drink and sport. “He loved to party,” his wife Claire told The Independent.

Shepherd was born in London in 1958. He attended William Ellis School, Highgate.

Following college he worked for Barclays Bank for a short time as a trainee cashier but soon sought a more challenging role and joined the Financial Times in 1979 as a junior reporter.

From the FT, Shepherd became part of the team for The Independent when it began publishing in 1986 under founding editor Andreas Whittam Smith. Joining as a business journalist, he was City Editor within a year. He covered the ins and outs of the business world with consummate ease and directness. By the end of his time at The Independent, where he finished as Business Editor, the newspaper had won the Wincott Financial Journal of the Year - regarded as

the Oscars of the sector - in 1987 and 1996.

another of his unheralded masterpieces.”

After working for corporate PR specialists Burson-Marsteller, he joined the online gambling company PartyGaming plc in September 2005.

Reynolds added, “When not in the office, he could often be found in a City watering hole sharing late-night stories with those able to keep up with his energy and joie de vivre.”

When competitor Empire Online launched injunction proceedings against PartyGaming in the Gibraltar high court, accusing the company of breach of contract, Shepherd’s media statement read: “We congratulate Empire for kick-starting the pantomime season. We remain confident of a successful outcome to the litigation.” The legal panto concluded the following year with Party Gaming acquiring its smaller rival.

Peter Reynolds, who worked with Shepherd at bwin.party, told The Independent that this period “tested John’s PR management skills to the full. John’s ability to capture the mood in a simple phrase became folklore across the industry. The now infamous reference to ‘irritable owl syndrome’ when describing the attentions of SpringOwl Asset Management, a New York-based activist investor that challenged the bwin.party board in 2014, was widely believed to be

Shepherd retired from bwin.party in October 2014 to set up a PR consultancy and tend a five-acre smallholding in Somerset with his wife, Claire. Since 2010 he had been a member of the Main Cross-Gambling Industry Fundraising Committee, which has raised more than £1m for Great Ormond Street Hospital’s Critical Cardiac Unit. His family is continuing the fundraising in his memory via JustGiving.

Martin Weigold, finance director at bwin. party, told The Independent, “John was a man that you wanted by your side when the going got tough. He would always keep his head in a crisis, no matter how bad things seemed to appear on the face of it. And somehow, in the midst of it all, he would manage to make you laugh with his wicked wit. John was truly a great man ... a legend, in fact.”

Obituary courtesy of The Independant

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I N T E R N AT I O N A L

GAMING AWARD AT T H E

SAVOY HOTEL 1st Februar y 2016

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S E C T I O N T I T L E

THE

C H A M PA G N E R E C E P T I O N 1 s t F4 e1 b r u a r y 2 0 1 6

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MARCH 2016 MAG A Z I N E

The Champagne Reception Party & Interviews

Above Roving reporters and hostesses Kirst & Sara helping to raise funds for the charity raffle 4 2

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S E C T I O N T I T L E

W

hen you have a chance to speak to some of the leading figures from the online and land based

gambling industry Clever Duck Media and our interviewers Kirsty and Sara did not miss the opportunity.

The team were on hand to turn on the lights and record some truly memorable moments from the Champagne Reception sponsored by online gaming software supplier Yggdrasil Gaming.

The reception party was in full swing thanks to the superb tunes from our live group.

With the champagne flowing and the music attendees were relaxed talking to our intrepid reporters about what their companies had planned for 2016 and beyond.

As always with the International Gaming Awards there were some glamorous dresses by the ladies and all the men dressesd to impress.

This is a night for the entire gambling industry to get together and celebrate their and others achievements.

The setting for the 9th International Gaming Awards was once again the Savoy Hotel in London and attendees were treated to the highest level of service only one of the most exclusive hotels in the World can deliver.

Everything was in place for what was going to be one of the best nights ever for the awards ceremony and all those in attendance.

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Above Photos Relaxing at the Champagne

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MARCH 2016 MAG A Z I N E

Above & Right Everywhere you looked great dresses and the men were well dressed too.

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Top Galaxy Entertainment (Macau)

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Above & Right Interviews going on and IGT Team.

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Left & Above Pontus Lindwall and attendees looking swish.

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Right Per Eriksson

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Top It’s a time to show what you got Left Looking good is a must

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MARCH 2016 MAG A Z I N E

Taking Care Industry supporting Care International

E

very year at the International Gaming Awards we

CARE and women

encourage the entire gambling industry to come

CARE tackles the underlying causes of poverty so that people can

out and help support one of the hardest working

become self-sufficient. Recognising that women and girls suffer

and global reaching charities, the charity being Care

disproportionately from poverty, CARE places special emphasis on

International. Over the seven years now we have

working with women to create permanent social change. Women

raised hundred of thousands of pounds for Care

are at the heart of CARE’s community-based efforts to improve

and other deserving charities. It is only with the help, support and

basic education, increase access to quality healthcare and expand

encouragement of those attending are we able to support them, this

economic opportunity for all.

year we were lucky to have Mr Green offer to be a charity sponsor CARE International is Here is a little about Care

non-religious and non-political,

International and why the

allowing us to deliver

International Gaming Awards

humanitarian and development

works all year round to support

assistance to anyone in need

them:

regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, age, religion, political

CARE fights poverty and

view or sexual orientation.

injustice in 86 countries around the world to help the world’s

With more than 60 years’

poorest people find routes out

practical and hands-on

of poverty. CARE also delivers

experience, our programmes

emergency aid to survivors of

tackle the deep-seated root

war and natural disasters, and

causes of poverty, not just the

helps people rebuild their lives in the aftermath.

CARE’s mission is to create lasting change in poor communities and

consequences.

put money where it is needed most: More than 90 per cent of our 13,000-plus staff 94 pence in every pound goes towards our poverty fighting

are locally-hired, and we increasingly look to

programmes - that’s one of the highest rates among all the UK aid

work alongside local organisations.

agencies.

CARE’s vision for a world without poverty

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Above Marilyn gives out the prizes to our generous bidders INFINITY GAMING

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Ready for the Awards Live music & selfies

A

s the Champagne Reception comes to a close all those attending made their way to the main ballroom for the start of the Awards

ceremony, where the 23 iconic Star Awards were waiting for those lucky few to be honoured for the achievements over the last 12 months.

With live music from the IGA Band and the big green hands given out to the attendees many used them to good effect.

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MARCH 2016

And the winners are....

Above IGT wins Best User Experience in Mobile Right Mr Green walks away with Mobile Operator Below Mecca Bingo scoops Online Bingo Operator

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The Ritz Club 150 Piccadilly, London W1J 9BS +44 (0)20 7499 1818 www.theritzclub.com @TheRitzClub

Outstanding Contribution Award MARCH 2016

S E C T I O N T I T L E

Pontus Lindwall

A Special Moment

Watching the award video

Top

The IGA works closely with family and work colleagues to ensure the biggest and most important award is kept as a surprise and this year was no different as Pontus Lindwall was shocked to receive the honour.

Pontus Lindwall going on stage after finding out he was the recipient of the Outstanding Contribution Award for 2016. Secrecy kept it between family and his companies.

The Outstanding recipient Pontus Lindwall makes his acceptance speech to the packed main hall of the Savoy Hotel.

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Right TMarilyn makes her entrance Above Magazines, big green hands and surprises, all just for the attendees.

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Above & Right Got too laugh

Below all What happens at the Savoy stays at the Savoy.

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Above Studio City win Casino Integrated Resort Right Sky Betting win In-Play Sports Operator Above The Ritz Club pick up Casino VIP Room Award

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Above Fruity, Cherry receive Online Gaming Operator Operator of the Year

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Above Thumbs up for Play’n Go winning Mobile Product Left Leo Vegas win Online Casino Operator

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Winning an award You got to thank people

Above Yggdrasil wins iGaming Software Provider Right TCSJohnHuxley scoops Casino Equipment Supplier presented by Andrew Love.

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Top PokerStars wins Online Poker Operator Above William Hill wins Online Sportsbook Operator Left SafeCharge picks up Payment Solutions Provider INFINITY GAMING

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MARCH 2016

Above Unibet wins Socially Responsible Operator (online)

Above Eurolotto Lottery Operator of the Year Right Casino Operator Of The Year Asia/Australia Crown Resorts

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Above Galaxy Entertainment wins Socially Responsible Operator (land based) 6 7

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MARCH 2016 MAG A Z I N E

And The Winners are The Final few but some big names

Above Paysafe Corporate Services Supplier Right Videoslots pick up Slots Operator of the Year

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Left BetConstruct wins Technology Provider/ Supplier Below Innovator of the Year goes to Microgaming

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Right NetEnt scoops Slot Provider/ Supplier Product

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Far Right Casino Operator Of The Year Europe won by Caesars Entertainment UK

The now traditional winners photograph of all the category winners from the evening. The excitement of winning was all a bit too much for some and needed a sit down after all the excitement.

Congratulations to all the winners and finalists and thank you so much for a

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