On Monday 28 March, Hollywood returns to the Dolby Theatre to celebrate the 94th Academy Awards. Kicking starting 2022’s entertainment markets, how have bookmakers factored the mass changing viewer habits disrupted by COVID-19 global lockdown? Can bookmakers trust the critics and judges, as Award contenders point to movies that have been shunned by audiences… SBC: Following 2-years hosted under lockdown …
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A year after its postponement, the Eurovision Finals return this Saturday (22 May), with European broadcasters anticipating a record-breaking audience for Europe’s live international pop contest. SBC gets the lowdown on what may well be the bookies most difficult market to price, factoring live contestants’ performances, controversial judging, cultural bias and as always Europe’s conflicting political relationships. _________________________ SBC: Following …
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The unprecedented success of this November’s Fide World Chess Championship match between Norway’s Magnus Carlsen vs American Fabiano Caruana – has been branded as one of Unibet’s most successful sports sponsorships. Following 51-hours of play featuring 12 drawn matches, FIDE’s London event has been labelled by chess aficionados as the sport’s ‘tour de force’, rivalling the all-time classic matches of …
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Deemed as the most unpredictable ‘Oscars Race’ in Hollywood’s history, how confident are bookmakers of predicting the winners of this weekend’s 90th Academy Awards (4 March). Bookies Corner gets the lowdown on Hollywood’s eclectic field of movie contenders, and what factors are weighed up when pricing Oscar markets. Does box office success or critical opinion even matter, and do political …
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The 89th Academy Awards (26 February) awaits Hollywood with every bookmaker placing Damien Chazelle’s ‘La La Land’ as the firm favourite to win Best Picture. Nominated for a record 14 Oscar categories can anyone stop the La La Land juggernaut. Furthermore, will a Hollywood bashing President Donald J Trump dominate the awards’ night speeches and celebrations… SBC’ gets the bookies …
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Bookmakers appear tepid on the prospect of an enlarged 48-team FIFA World Cup for 2026. Last week, the FIFA Council voted unanimously in favour of President Gianni Infantino’s expanded 48 team format, which drew criticism from multiple football stakeholders. At present, the expanded 48 team tournament will see an opening stage of 16 groups of three teams, with the top …
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The 88th Academy Awards takes place this Sunday 28th February. These awards have been heavily touted as the year DiCaprio will finally get his hands on the Best Actor prize which has long evaded him, and with odds as low as 1/100 in places, the bookmakers appear to agree. Whilst this category may be a write off, there are plenty more …
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Introducing the Bookies’ Corner at SBCNews, a new biweekly column wherein betting industry experts give their two cents on topical issues from the worlds of sport, entertainment and politics. With the 88th Academy Awards fast approaching we spoke to Harry Lang, Marketing Director at Pinnacle Sports, Anthony Cousins Head of Sportsbook at Unibet and Betway’s Alan Alger to hear their thoughts …
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With the media frenzy around the Aldo vs McGregor fight and Ronda Rousey’s surprise defeat, 2015 was certainly the highest profile year in the history of UFC. We caught up with Unibet’s Head of Sportsbook Anthony Cousins, to discuss their official betting partnership with UFC, reflect on a record breaking 2015 and look ahead to 2016. _____________ SBC: Anthony, as …
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Another year, another example of the famed ‘magic of the cup’ during this weekend’s third round action. League 2 side Oxford overcame Swansea, whilst minnows Eastleigh drew with Championship Bolton Wanderers. Elsewhere Wycombe drew 1-1 with Remi Garde’s struggling Aston Villa. With numerous chances of a thrilling upset, generous odds in hand, the third round weekend is a popular one …
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