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WagerWire and Wagr Partner to Bring Community and User Experience to the Forefront of Sports Betting

WagerWire

WagerWire, an innovative marketplace for buying and selling active sports bets, and Wagr, an exciting venture-backed sports betting platform initially launched in Tennessee, today announced their partnership. Both companies have a social-centric ethos and will collaborate on building community and providing a differentiated and engaging user experience. WagerWire and Wagr each closed noteworthy investment rounds in 2022. Wagr completed a $12M Series A round with backing from the Kraft Group, owners of the New England Patriots and Revolution, and Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, owners of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils, among others. WagerWire completed its seed round, backed by investors including Miami Marlins co-owner, Roger Ehrenberg, NBA All-Star Richard Jefferson, and SimpleBet & Betr founder Joey Levy’s 305 Ventures, among others. “While we’re building the greatest next-generation online betting experience, we’ve been fostering an active and engaged community focused on developing smarter and more empowered bettors,” said WagerWire CEO Zach Doctor. “Wagr represents an ideal operator to partner with, as we’re able to unify our core value propositions: building the ultimate bettor experience through innovative technology, fostering high levels of social media engagement with the development of hyper-relevant communities, and empowering bettor education.” WagerWire recently released the first installment in a series of findings from a study it completed in August 2022 detailing the behaviors and sentiments of bettors and would-be bettors alike. The data revealed 43 percent of non-bettors “don’t feel like they know enough about sports betting” and 41 percent of non-bettors “don't know enough about how to bet online.” These findings underline the importance of betting education within the engaged communities of both WagerWire and Wagr. “The energy of Tennessee sports fans is electric,” said Wagr’s Co-Founder and COO Eliana Eskinazi. “As a local operator, we’re focused on harnessing that energy via digital and in-person experiences, and ultimately providing our players and our community with a best-in-class experience. We’re excited to combine forces with WagerWire’s highly engaged online community to grow our footprint in Tennessee and beyond.” For more information on WagerWire and to sign-up for early access visit Wagerwire.com, and join the community on Twitter @WagerWire. Follow Wagr @withWagr on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. About WagerWire WagerWire is the next evolution of sports betting. Its marketplace allows bettors to utilize a continuum of proven methods to manage their bets as a growing portfolio of investments. Bettors can buy and sell bets with other users through the WagerWire marketplace or within partners’ sports betting apps. Seamless real-time tracking shows bettors the value of their bets and allows them to bet like investors. About Wagr Wagr is a sportsbook licensed in Tennessee with a mission to reinvent sports betting into a fun, social and inclusive experience. Founders Mario Malavé and Eliana Eskinazi created Wagr in April 2020 out of a mutual love for sports and friendly competition. Contact Details Bailey Irelan birelan@hotpaperlantern.com Company Website https://www.wagerwire.com/

December 01, 2022 09:01 AM Eastern Standard Time

Holiday Gadget Guide

News Media Group, Inc.

Contact Details News Media Group Karl Wayne +1 334-440-6397 karl@newsmg.com Company Website https://newsmg.com/

December 01, 2022 06:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Video

Tia Lee's ingenious "GOODBYE PRINCESS" animation campaign hits record-breaking 100m viewership

Redhill Asia

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 1 December 2022 - Asian global fashion icon, C-pop singer, film and television actress — Tia Lee’s (Lee Yu Fen) ingenious “GOODBYE PRINCESS” music video pre-release animation and fashion videography campaign hits record-breaking 100 million viewership within a month! The finale of “ GOODBYE PRINCESS ” animation series was released on 29 November. This marks the end of the series and signifies a new chapter for Tia. In addition, “GOODBYE PRINCESS” episodes finale gaining global attention, in anticipation of the official music video release on 5 Dec 2022. Thematic image echoing content of the sixth animated episode signifies a new chapter for Tia The series’ finale, titled “ The Beginning ”, features the female lead, having returned to the depths of the water in the previous episode, watches the following scenes as silhouettes on the television set: just as the handsome prince tries to wake the princess with the kiss of life, she regains consciousness. With the signature look of determination in her eyes, she pushes the prince away. At this time, he reveals his true identity – a beastly creature, and tries to attack the princess. Meanwhile in the depths of the water, the television screen shatters as the beast reaches out his claws to attack the female lead. She quickly draws her memories from the television set, including images of the castle, the battle with the black pawns, the moments when she wore beautiful dresses and appears glamourous superficially, and the blood red water. These memories become a magical red rose, like a fairy’s wand. She picks it up and waves it to cast a spell, ultimately turning the beastly creature into a puppy. Holding her new pet in her armss with her back straight, she strides confidently towards the dazzling lights that she has always yearned for. This is the beginning of her new chapter. “ The Beginning ” poster added on fuller details and path way for Tia’s new chapter in life: In fairytales, the prince and beastly creatures are typically of good nature. The “ GOODBYE PRINCESS ” series has overturned this stereotype. In the first episode, the television set leads the female character to travel through space and time. In the finale, she uses it to recall all kinds of memories that become the source of her strength for bravely facing the future. The female lead character holds the puppy, strides towards a new path as they face upcoming challenges together. The puppy image is based on Tia’s actual pet dog, “ Sun ”, which is the only IG account the artist follows. The final set of motion and still images for "The Beginning” was released today together with Vogue Hong Kong, showing Tia in all black Saint Laurent outfit and Christian Louboutin heels, a sharp contrast to the princessy look in the previous 5 episodes. Adding onto the determined look of Tia is a forward-looking glimpse towards the future. The 6-part “ GOODBYE PRINCESS ” animation series was developed by an award-winning creative team based in Hong Kong, including Sunny Tang, Best Animation Award and Best Editing Award winner at Hong Kong Mobile Film Festival, illustrator Mandy Mackenzie Ng, scriptwriter Alex Lee, who have come together for the first time to work with Tia for this expressive series. Each 30-second episode has the spirit of a classic fictional “princess”, reconstructing age-old stories to tell a whimsical tale inspired by Tia’s own experience and journey in the entertainment industry. The series showcased Tia’s determination to break free, shake off biases that have been placed on her, paving the way forward to take ownership over her own destiny. The series is a first-of-its-kind production that blends animation, music and real people to debut Tia’s renaissance. While Tia embraces a new chapter of her professional life, stay tuned for other new projects by Tia, which will be announced soon. “ GOODBYE PRINCESS ” official music video release schedule: Official press materials: “GOODBYE PRINCESS” Animation Episode 6: https://youtu.be/g4GJgTIzo7U “GOODBYE PRINCESS” Episode 6 Poster: https://www.instagram.com/p/Clk3EB0PimY/ https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=686169319542959&set=a.231904644969431 (for downloading) “GOODBYE PRINCESS” Episode 6 Still Image: https://www.instagram.com/p/ClndVULrIM0/ https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=693311432162081&set=a.231904644969431 (for downloading) “GOODBYE PRINCESS” Episode 6 Motion Image: https://youtu.be/ZizEX3ev-sg ROLLACOASTER UK Cover: https://www.instagram.com/p/ClUA1Swtnyk/ https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=688854202607804&set=a.231904644969431 (for downloading) Vogue Hong Kong「The Voice」Cover: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck7_neKsh_w/ https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=681908259969065&set=pcb.681909583302266 (for downloading) Tia Lee Official Channels: Instagram @leeyufen: https://www.instagram.com/leeyufen/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tialeeofficial/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leeyufentialee/ Weibo: https://weibo.com/u/1396928042/ About Tia Lee | Lee Yu Fen: Tia Lee Yu Fen (李毓芬), born in Taipei, is an Asian global C-pop singer, film and television actress, and model. In addition to her acting roles and musical career, Tia appears frequently at major fashion shows. As a fashion icon and trend-setter, Tia has graced the covers of fashion, beauty and lifestyle magazines such as Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, and shares her beauty and fashion tips through a number of Vogue’s social media channels. Contact Details Media Contact +852 6077 7342 global@redhill.asia

December 01, 2022 05:35 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Analysts Reiterate Bullish Stance on Asure Software (NASDAQ: ASUR), Collectively Raise Target Price to Average of $11.00

Benzinga

As the calendar turns to December, many investors take time to reflect on the year and look for new opportunities for the year ahead and beyond. Overall, 2022 was a very tough year for the stock market. As of this writing, the S&P 500 has returned -17%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is -7% and the Nasdaq leads the year in losses with a return of nearly -30%. Once-reliable mega-cap technology darlings like Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), and Google (NASDAQ: GOOGL) have seen a stunning fall from grace in 2022. Apple is down 21% YTD, Amazon has dropped nearly 45% and Google has declined over 34% through the first eleven months of 2022. However, not all stocks have fallen prey to the market’s “doom and gloom” mentality. Asure Software (NASDAQ: ASUR) is one stock that has rebounded after a tough start to 2022 and is now posting a positive gain for 2022, as of this writing. Given the company's strong recent third-quarter 2022 financial results and its continuation of impressive growth, Asure is bucking the overall market and outperforming major indices, as the company’s business model thrives in the current economic environment. Asure Software Thriving Amid Current Economic Environment Asure’s suite of SaaS solutions helps provide comprehensive back-office support for small and medium businesses (SMBs). These services help to streamline important operations such as HR, payroll, employment benefits, taxes, and more, which helps SMBs to cut costs and save money. Not to mention, Asure’s services can help SMBs be more effective in competing for top employee talent, as it allows SMBs to offer enticing employment benefits typically offered by larger businesses. Furthermore, Asure has continued to build relationships with other firms to help bolster its services. Equifax (NYSE: EFX) and its Work Number services help clients quickly verify income and employment history. Asure has also linked up with PrismHR to boost its payroll tax management services and its FlexTax platform. This allows Asure to market its FlexTax platform to PrismHR’s 80,000 registered client base. In recent months, Asure has worked closely with its CPA partners to help develop new technologies to help streamline the demand for Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) filings. This helps CPAs and back office workers to streamline the ERTC filing process and focus on higher-value client work instead. Another major milestone for Asure was its recent expansion of 401(k) plan operations for SMBs. By adding 80+ retirement provider integrations, Asure provides SMBs with the tools to help attract higher-quality employees by offering more comprehensive retirement benefits. The added integrations are compatible with Asure’s payroll system, which helps to streamline enrollment, reduce dual entry and ensure compliance. Throughout 2022, analysts covering Asure stood fast and did not succumb to downgrades. After following the company’s immaculate rebound during the second half of 2022, Asure’s analysts are stepping up their bullish outlook on the HR tech and payroll services company. Let’s take a deeper look into what analysts are saying about Asure: ASUR: Breaking Down the Six Analysts Covering the Stock As of the end of November 2022, the six analysts covering Asure Software have a collective rating of "strong buy" with an average 12-month price target of $11.00, which represents a potential upside of nearly 39% from its current price. The analysts covering Asure are very talented and maintain strong backgrounds. In fact, five of the six analysts have a rating of four stars or higher by TipRanks.com. Let's meet the individual analysts: Richard Baldry: Roth Capital Mr. Baldry is an experienced analyst at Roth Capital. Throughout his analyst career, Baldry has maintained a success rate of 66% (183 out of 278 ratings successful) with an average return per rating of 22.80%. Mr. Baldry is the most bullish of the analysts covering Asure Software. Eight months ago, Mr. Baldry gave Asure a $16.00 price target and a “buy” rating. This implies a potential upside of over 101% from its current price. Jeff Van Rhee: Craig-Hallum Jeff Van Rhee is a five-star analyst based out of Craig-Hallum. Mr. Van Rhee has a success rate of 64%, as 83 ratings were proven to be successful out of 129 picks throughout his career. The average return per rating is an impressive 27.30%. Mr. Van Rhee holds a $10.00 price target for Asure with a "buy" rating attached. This target implies a potential upside of nearly 26% from current prices. Vincent Colicchio: Barrington Vincent Colicchio is a five-star analyst working with Barrington. Over the course of his analyst career, Mr. Colicchio has maintained a rating success rate of 60% (207 successful ratings out of 344 total). Overall, the average return per rating during this time comes out to 11.60%. Mr. Colicchio maintains a $12.00 price target on Asure with a "buy" rating. This implies a potential upside of nearly 51% from its current price. Bryan Bergin: Cowen & Co. Bryan Bergin is a four-and-a-half-star analyst working with Cowen & Co. Mr. Bergin holds a 58% success rating (109 successful ratings compared to 189 total). Furthermore, Mr. Bergin’s average return per rating is 9.80%. Mr. Bergin holds the lowest price target on Asure at $8.00, which implies a potential upside of 0.63% from current levels. However, the analyst has reiterated his “buy” rating on the stock. Eric Martinuzzi: Lake Street Eric Martinuzzi is a four-star analyst out of Lake Street. For his career, Mr. Martinuzzi has had a success rate of 44% (76 successful ratings out of 174 total) and an average return per rating of 5.80%. Mr. Martinuzzi holds an $11.00 price target on Asure and recently reiterated his "buy" rating on the stock. This implies a potential upside of over 38% from current levels. Joshua Reilly: Needham Joshua Reilly is a half-star analyst out of Needham. The youngest analyst of the bunch, Mr. Reilly has a success rating of 30% (22 successful ratings out of 74 total) and an average return per rating of -6.90%. Mr. Reilly holds a “buy” rating on Asure with a price target of $14.00. This implies a potential upside of over 76% from its current price. Overall, there is a lot to be bullish about on Asure Software. The company’s resilience in 2022 has been nothing short of impressive. With 2023 shaping up to be very similar to 2022 with economic uncertainty and volatility, Asure stands to potentially have a very good year in 2023. The proof is in the analysts covering the company and management's guidance outlook for the next year. On a revenue guidance basis, Asure estimates total revenue coming in between $98 million and $102 million for the full-year 2023. For the full-year 2022, management sees total revenue between $90 million and $90.5 million on adjusted EBITDA between $10.5 million and $11 million. This implies a revenue growth range between 9-13% year-over-year for 2023, as margins are expected to increase between 14% and 16%. No matter the economic environment, SMBs will always look for ways to help streamline back-office operations and cut costs. With high inflation and economic uncertainty, the need for SMBs to cut costs and streamline becomes a necessity. This is why Asure Software could stand to potentially benefit in the year ahead and beyond. Disclaimer: Spotlight Growth is compensated, either directly or via a third party, to provide investor relations services for its clients. Spotlight Growth creates exposure for companies through a customized marketing strategy, including design of promotional material, the drafting and editing of press releases and media placement. All information on featured companies is provided by the companies profiled, or is available from public sources. Spotlight Growth and its employees are not a Registered Investment Advisor, Broker Dealer or a member of any association for other research providers in any jurisdiction whatsoever and we are not qualified to give financial advice. The information contained herein is based on external sources that Spotlight Growth believes to be reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed. Spotlight Growth may create reports and content that has been compensated by a company or third-parties, or for purposes of self-marketing. Spotlight Growth was compensated five thousand dollars cash for the creation and dissemination of this content by the company. This material does not represent a solicitation to buy or sell any securities. Certain statements contained herein constitute âforward-looking statementsâ within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Companyâs plans and objectives, projections, expectations and intentions. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Companyâs industry, managementâs beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. The above communication, the attachments and external Internet links provided are intended for informational purposes only and are not to be interpreted by the recipient as a solicitation to participate in securities offerings. Investments referenced may not be suitable for all investors and may not be permissible in certain jurisdictions. Spotlight Growth and its affiliates, officers, directors, and employees may have bought or sold or may buy or sell shares in the companies discussed herein, which may be acquired prior, during or after the publication of these marketing materials. Spotlight Growth, its affiliates, officers, directors, and employees may sell the stock of said companies at any time and may profit in the event those shares rise in value. For more information on our disclosures, please visit: https://spotlightgrowth.com/disclosures/ The post Analysts Reiterate Bullish Stance on Asure Software (NASDAQ: ASUR), Collectively Raise Target Price to Average of $11.00 First Appeared on Spotlight Growth. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 30, 2022 11:15 AM Eastern Standard Time

What Are Politicians Really Saying In Their Speeches? See How FiscalNote (NYSE: NOTE) Uses AI Bot Margaret For Some Clues

Benzinga

Margaret, the artificial intelligence (AI) bot, has a knack for interpreting presidential mannerisms. Dubbed a specialist in ‘Trump-speak,’ Margaret has an internal record of the former president’s distinctive use of syntax, phrases and sentence structures. The bot, for example, reportedly knows the extent of Trump’s vocabulary, how many words he speaks per minute, what body part he moves when he’s angry and other distinct mannerisms. By carefully measuring his distinct features, Margaret is possibly capable of gauging Trump’s stress levels during political speeches, predicting what he might say in public before he does and even suggesting when he might be lying. In short, the bot is a bona fide expert on former president Trump. She knows his tics, tells, tendencies and habits. How, you may be wondering, did she get there? Teaming up with a computer expert with a Ph.D. in machine punctuation, Bill Frischling fed his AI bot over 40 years’ worth of Trump-like speech gleaned from Trump’s interviews, public letters, tweets and television appearances. The result is an 11-million-word data mine, a proverbial treasure chest of the Trump lexicon, which Margaret was taught to decipher and understand. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. When Frischling first started working on his AI bot, it crashed while transcribing Trump’s speech commemorating the anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea. The speech – with all of Trump’s syntax, sub-clauses, trail-offs and mannerisms that make up his distinctive style – caused the bot to malfunction. Now, some might say, the bot knows more about Trump than most Americans do. FiscalNote Acquires FactSquared: The Details The interesting news is that this technology is now available to consumers. FactSquared, the company responsible for Margaret’s creation, is now a part of FiscalNote (NYSE: NOTE), a specialist in data collection provides insight into regulatory processes in the U.S. Margaret can reveal incredible things about U.S. presidents after digesting so much information. For example, Frishling told the Los Angeles Times that Trump doesn’t appear stressed when he’s lying. Frischling has taken his work with Trump and extended it to important political candidates. As reported in the Los Angeles Times, he proposes that certain members of Congress “tend to forecast when they are about to make a policy shift, focusing more on their public comments on a given topic and altering their language.” It’s clear that such information, which gives stakeholders a hint at what the future may hold, could create a huge edge over competitors. Speaking of the acquisition, CEO Tim Hwang said: “Receiving timely and accurate read-outs of comments made by our public officials is a crucial service to our clients. FactSquared’s commitment to innovative rigor in the transcripts space will not only further strengthen the robust set of products and services we provide clients, but also drive meaningful technological innovation as we continue expanding the breadth and depth of our offerings globally.” FactSquared has evolved its AI prowess to include information on current U.S. President Joe Biden and even corporate earnings calls. The two additions are available on the factba.se website, which was cited over 4,000 times by local and global media sources. Through FiscalNote, any customer can now unlock AI’s predictive capabilities to see through political guises and uncover the truth. Learn more about FiscalNote here. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 30, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Dolia Cats NFT Metaverse is Set for the Leaderboard

Dolia Cats

The hotly anticipated Dolia Cats NFT metaverse is in the final phase of deployment ahead of its multichain launch in a couple of days. The metaverse will be followed by the second iteration of the Dolia Cats Original NFT collection, first release Dolia Cats Genesis collection of which, sold out in less than 24 hours and granted its owners access to DAO. Each Dolia Cats NFT will give its holder the ability to enter the Meowverse where the community can enjoy play2earn games, DeFi tokenomics, showcase art, upgrade their NFTs in order to boost their value, and donate their spare MEELK tokens to real-world cat charities. Exactly 9,999 Dolia Cats NFTs will be available to mint shortly after the metaverse launch, each one programmatically generated from a pool of more than 150 assets spread out of 7 traits during the minting process. Not content with simply launching a one-of-a-kind metaverse, the Dolia Cats ecosystem will incorporate games, a decentralised finance platform, a charity, and Instagram AR effects that will allow you to bring your Dolia Cats NFT to life. The Dolia Cats NFT Backstory Renowned artist Daniil Dolia has a penchant for cats, and has 11 cats himself, all of which were rescued from the streets. His clowder gave him the idea to help millions of cats all around the world by creating and selling the Dolia Cats NFT collection. A portion of all revenue from the mint will be donated to cat shelters all around the world. The rest was dedicated to the final stages of the Meowverse metaverse development. In the Meowverse, the Dolia Cats NFT affectionate name for its metaverse, the community will be able to live a fully-fledged cat life and play games that are merged from an already successful Meowrush series, supported by the NEAR Foundation. It is important to note that Meorush is already a AAA multiplayer PVP game, powered by NEAR Protocol, and will play an integral part of the Meowverse metaverse. Talking about the community, it sits at the heart of the project. In fact, it is set to become the most inclusive community out there, where NFT owners and metaverse players are like one. When the metaverse goes live, early birds will be able to mint a grand total of 9,999 Dolia Cats Original NFTs, each one being totally unique and stored on the Ethereum blockchain. This highly anticipated NFT drop is expected to sell out in record time, and with an OpenSea listing secured, it’s expected that there will be significant aftermarket trade volume as well. MEELK Tokenomilks Explained Tokenomics are a core part of all metaverse projects, and the Meowverse is no exception to the rule. The Meowverse employs advanced tokenomilks to reward Dolia Cats NFT holders for their time in the virtual world, acting as a unique decentralised financial system with different reward programs for Dolia Cats holders. Players will be able to earn MEELK by taking part in a variety of play2earn games, from drops, selling or renting land, and special competitions inside the Meowverse. MEELK can then be used to purchase or rent land, upgrade NFTs with new attributes, and donate to real-world charities. MEELK is the lifeblood of the Meowverse, and without it the Meowverse wouldn’t be able to operate. Dolia Cats Goes Multichain! The Dolia Cats NFT Meowverse will be going live multichain in the coming days. The collection that is tied to its launch, will sell out incredibly fast, so making sure you’re all prepared nice and early, will give you the biggest chance of success when it comes to minting a Dolia Cats NFT. Of course, if you miss out on the mint, you’ll be able to buy from secondary NFT marketplaces such as OpenSea once the mint is complete. The Meowverse, play-to-earn games, 3D-printed cats, and Instagram AR effects will deploy at various intervals once the minting process has been completed. Out of the whole package, the metaverse is set to be the first to go live, with the other additions coming shortly after. About Dolia Cats Original Dolia Cats Original NFT collection is 9,999 programmatically generated cat-themed NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain. The collection was formed at random from a pool of more than 150 assets spread out over 7 trait categories. Profits from the mint and Meowverse are set to be donated to cat-focused charities from around the globe. The Meowverse serves as the pinnacle of the Dolia Cats roadmap and will provide utility to the Dolia Cat NFTs, injecting meaning that is often lacking in other NFT projects. Overall, Dolia Cats is on track to take over the NFT world and give it a depth, previously unachievable by already-established industry members. Useful Links Dolia Cats Ecosystem: https://www.doliacats.xyz/ Original Collection: https://original.doliacats.xyz/ Meowrush: http://meowrush.com/ Genesis Collections: https://opensea.io/collection/doliacatsgenesis Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoliaCats Discord: https://discord.com/invite/RetekYNarD Daniil Dolia’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/doliacat Contact Details Dolia Cats Antony Bekker antony.bekker@doliacats.xyz Company Website https://www.doliacats.xyz/

November 29, 2022 11:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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‘Hybrid’ Sports Tourism and Community Recreation Facility Development Increases 33% -- Signaling Major Transformation for Future of Parks & Recreation

Sports Facilities Companies

The Sports Facilities Companies (SFC), a national consultancy, developer, and operator of sports, recreation, and events properties, predict that the $39.7 billion youth and amateur travel sports and the $218 billion parks and recreation industries are colliding, signaling a major transformation in the operations of local government. This prediction is based on SFC's analysis of 2,000 communities over the last 20 years, including analyzing parks and recreation budgets, sport and recreation funding mechanisms, political pressures, the rise of sports mega-complexes to drive tourism, and the budget constraints of municipal government. SFC predicts that assets traditionally operated by local government through their parks department will require new types of operating and management models to keep pace with private sector demands and to ensure local citizen activation. Numerous factors are impacting the way parks and recreation departments are structured, operated and how they deliver services to communities. What has gone unchanged is the popularity and significance of parks in the political landscape at the local level and as a proven amenity that impacts the quality of life, health and social outcomes, community engagement, and revenues for the cities where parks and recreation are prioritized. According to the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) 82% of U.S. adults agree that parks and recreation is essential and 72% of U.S. adults are more likely to vote for local political leaders who make park and recreation funding a priority. “What many community leaders don’t realize is that this shift is already underway. Now is the time to get strategic with your sports, parks, and tourism assets – or get left behind,” said Mike Kelly, former CEO of the Chicago Park District and NRPA chair, now Executive-Vice President of Community Development for SFC. “In my thirty-year tenure serving the City of Chicago, we chose to privatize twenty-plus properties – particularly those with an emphasis on sports, tourism, or those where driving revenue was an important factor.” According to SFC Partner Evan Eleff, who oversees the firms’ planning and advisory services, evidence of this shift is clear during the pre-development phase. Eleff’s team, which performs 150+ studies each year, reports a 33% increase in studies for facilities from municipal clients that combine multiple tourism, recreation, and events components since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. “Community leaders are challenged with meeting the needs of their cities and growing consumer expectations around sports and events, balancing the multitude of municipal infrastructure needs, and driving economic growth,” says Eleff. “With the rising cost of construction and materials, it means the average project cost is upwards of $30 million. For parks and recreation, which have been traditionally heavily subsidized, this means more pressure on revenue generation and cost recovery. This is a paradigm shift for most parks departments.” The rise of sports tourism since the early 2010’s has been a major contributing factor to this impending shift. According to a 2015 Industry Report by the Sports Events and Travel association (now called SportsETA), the youth and amateur sports tourism industry was valued at $9.45b. In their latest report from 2021, that figure is now $39.7 billion, a 320% increase in six years. That growth has predicted to continue to rise and reach $77.5 billion in 2026, according to Wintergreen Research, Inc. New hybrid facilities are being developed and opened in cities large and small. The City of Albertville, AL (population ~22,000) opened their $58 million Sand Mountain Park and Amphitheater in 2021 with a mission to serve both local residents with camps, clinics, and leagues and to drive economic development through sports tourism by hosting large sports tournaments and live entertainment. With two new hotels opened or under development, big-name quick service restaurants like Buffalo Wild Wings and Beef O’Brady’s, and $23.2 in direct economic impact, the venue, operated by SFC, is outperforming original forecasts and driving economic development. “It’s tough for the traditional government approach to work in this dynamic environment. Developing and operating such diverse assets with such high expectations is not something with which most municipalities have experience,” said Jason Clement, CEO and co-founder of Sports Facilities Companies. “It’s why we purpose-built our team over the last twenty years to serve public entities. Our mission, to improve the health and economic vitality of the communities we serve, lives most vibrantly when we balance the competing needs of social equity and access, revenue generation, tourism development, emotional, physical, and mental health, and combatting the obesity epidemic. These are key elements of a flourishing community and operating partnerships with professional management firms are the way to maximize those results.” There may be no better example of this transformation than in Hoover, AL with the Hoover Met Complex. Forward-thinking leaders in Hoover re-imagined their existing AA (double-A) baseball stadium, former home to the Birmingham Barons and current host of the SEC baseball tournament, into a sports and recreation mecca. In 2017, the City opened the 155,000 square-foot indoor sport and event facility, the Finley Center and expanded RV Park. In 2019, the second phase of the project opened including an accessible playground, splash pad, outdoor baseball fields, rectangle fields, and tennis center. The operation has provided more than 10,000 hours of free community access annually, hosted premier tournaments like Perfect Game Baseball and community events including Market Noel and Vintage Market Days while providing financially for additional programming and capital investment projects. Additionally, the complex generated $68 million in economic impact in 2021 alone supporting the residential and commercial real estate development surrounding the Hoover Met Complex property. The City of Hoover oversees the SFC team, who manages daily operations and partners closely with City parks leadership to collaborate, not compete, with well-established programs and team members. “It’s examples like Hoover and Albertville demonstrating that not only can communities balance the multitude of outcomes demanded by residents, but they don’t have to do it alone,” said Kelly. “Communities of all sizes – as large as the City of Chicago and as small as twenty-thousand – have the opportunity to adapt now. The proverbial train has left the station. Change is coming. Now is the time to re-think old models and embrace what is next.” ### The Sports Facilities Companies (SFC) are the Nation’s leading resources for the management and development of sports, recreation, wellness, and events facilities. As a turn-key solution for community leaders and developers alike, SFC services span the gamut of sports and recreation needs from sports tourism & recreation master planning, program planning, and feasibility through professional facility management services. Our 30+ managed venues and 1500+ team members, represented by the SF Network, welcome more than 25 million guest visits and produce over $250 million in economic impact each year. To learn more, please visit SportsFacilities.com and theSFnetwork.com. Contact Details Eric Nemeth nemeth@ericpr.com Company Website https://sportsfacilities.com/

November 29, 2022 08:35 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Did FTX’s Collapse Have You Spooked? FiscalNote’s (NYSE: NOTE) Crypto Solutions Could Help You Stay Safe

Benzinga

Last week, a series of events stemming from a CoinDesk article led to the bankruptcy of one of the biggest crypto exchanges in the world, FTX. Following the popularization of a leaked document showing the assets of Alameda Research, a Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) company, investors in FTX find themselves on the ropes. Alameda, it turns out, holds a vast majority of its assets in FTT, FTX’s native token. This discovery spooks FTX holders and Alameda investors, triggering a flurry of panic selling that annihilates FTT’s price. FTT’s descent poses a problem for Alameda Research, the quantitative crypto trading firm. FTT is Alameda’s core asset; its sudden devaluation puts the company at intense financial risk of defaulting on its loans. Facing liquidity risk, SBF reaches out to Binance CEO Changpeng Zao for help. Zao announces Binance will be acquiring FTX, saving thousands of customers from losing their deposits on the exchange, but after conducting some due diligence, Zao reconsiders. FTX is left without a solution. Soon after, SBF declares bankruptcy and issues a public apology on Twitter. The apology does little to soften the blow, particularly after more information on FTX’s activities becomes publicly available. In the days after the CoinDesk article, it was uncovered that SBF used FTX customer funds for trading via Alameda Research and took out a $1 billion loan from Alameda Research, his own company. Due to wide-scale negligence and fraud, SBF and his team have lost investors and customers millions of dollars. The SBF case also shows the frailty of certain projects within the crypto space; FTX was valued at $32 billion at its peak. It took one leak of its balance sheet to bring it to $0. FiscalNote’s Crypto-Policy-Tracking Solutions The more concerning part of this story is its unoriginality. Crypto onlookers have seen several high-profile implosions this year. Three Arrows Capital, Celsius, Voyager Digital, Luna, BlockFi and Genesis have all collapsed in 2022, sending ripples of danger throughout the crypto world. FTX’s story, while perhaps slightly more dramatic, embodies the same fault as the rest: An inability to appropriately manage risk and responsibly manage assets and liabilities. To crypto cynics, these case studies serve as evidence that the idea of a decentralized version of traditional financial systems cannot exist. To them, human error is inevitable when there are no regulations to observe and punish misbehavior. Advocates believe that these projects, no matter how large, do not reflect the value of “true” decentralized projects. Instead, they’re like weeds in a garden – a nuisance to an otherwise healthily-growing community. Given the past sequence of events, it’s clear that staunch blockchain supporters need help staying safe while this technology climbs out of its infancy stage. As an agency specialized in collecting data on the regulatory processes in the U.S. and abroad, FiscalNote Holdings Inc. (NYSE: NOTE) may provide investors with the needed safety coverage. Through its crypto-policy-tracking solutions, FiscalNote provides customers with comprehensive solutions to help investors stay on top of the regulations, stakeholders and news impacting the crypto space. Just imagine if investors could have caught the CoinDesk report right after it was published and before FTT began to tank – it would have saved them fortunes. FiscalNote’s crypto-policy-tracking solutions allow investors to: Quickly monitor thousands of U.S. local and federal bills across 12,000 local government entities and all 50 states. Access award-winning non-partisan news. Consume weekly newsletters on Congress and Federal agencies’ latest dealings with cryptocurrency-related issues. Monitor changes in cryptocurrency legislation across Europe and the world. FiscalNote’s crypto-policy-tracking solutions are trusted by Lenovo, UBS and Allianz. To the crypto optimist, they represent a safeguard against the industry’s unforgiving fraudsters. For more on how FiscalNote can help keep you safe, click here. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 29, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Best Online Sports Betting Sites And Legal Bookmakers

Online Casinos

Are you looking for a reliable and convenient platform where you can bet on a wide range of sports events, casino games, and esports? If that is your desire, you should not hesitate to set up an account at one of the top online bookmakers listed below. These gambling sites hold valid licenses and offer competitive odds and several betting options. Apart from reviewing the best online sportsbook that you can try, this article looks at some notable features of these platforms. In addition, it explains how you can differentiate between a reputable and a fake betting site. Best Online Betting Sites Best Overall for US - BetOnline Best for UK Players - Hustles Best Live Games - BetUS Instant Cashout - Betswagger Huge Bonus - MyBookie.AG Casino & Bookie - Winstler Trending Now - My Stake Easy Cashout - SportsBetting.AG Top Rated - Gamblii Ideal for Mobile - GodOdds Best Live Games - PlayHub Live Bets - GoldenBet Instant Cashout - FreshBet How do we rate the best Online Sportsbooks? Here are some factors you can use to rank online betting sites: Welcome bonuses A betting site should have an attractive welcome offer. Most players look for a platform with juicy welcome bonuses, free bets, and other perks. The most widely used welcome offer is a matched deposit or enhanced odds. For example, a bet that many might see as a guaranteed certainty at odds of 1.02 may be boosted to around 40.0 to entice the new user in. These types of offers are usually for new customers only, and more often than not, they come with a maximum stake limit, which is often quite low. This is to ensure that the bookmaker is protecting their market liability and margins. Live Streaming Live streaming is an essential factor you must consider if you are interested in watching horse racing events and top football leagues around the globe. Apart from watching live matches, gamers can also bet on live dealer casinos on these platforms. Betting Odds The odds are essential parts of betting because it determines bettors' earnings. Therefore, you should consider bookmakers that offer bigger odds. Whilst these are becoming harder to find now because most sportsbooks will use a betting exchange as a guide, for the bigger punters amongst us, it enables them to derive a fractionally better return. Accumulator Bonuses A number of online betting sites are now offering accumulator bonuses. This type of incentive is designed to encourage punters to place bets in the form of multiples, with 4, 5, 6 or 7 selections. The odds are often much larger, and they become larger still with the bonus added. Withdrawal speed Payout speed is another factor you must consider when ranking online betting sites. Players should be able to cash out their winnings without any delay. Also, they must support fast and convenient banking methods for smooth transactions. Why play at Online Betting Sites? You can sign up at any of our top online betting sites to take advantage of the generous welcome offers, including free bets, no-deposit bonuses, bets refunded, etc. Apart from that, these platforms give you access to promotional offers like jackpots, boosted odds, bets offered, etc. Furthermore, these websites support fast and convenient payment options and adopt the best security system to prevent cyber fraud or identity theft. Best Online Bookmakers We have selected the best betting sites offering players satisfactory products and services. Check the reviews of these platforms below: Sportsbetting.ag Sportsbetting. ag is a top-ranking online betting site that accepts cryptocurrency. Besides, it offers attractive bonuses and promotions to players. Some of the sportsbook offers include welcome bonuses, free live bets, free mobile bets, free horse bets, etc. Besides sports betting, the website hosts casino games, including slots, poker, live dealer games, crap, roulette, blackjack, etc. Some poker variants you can play on the platform include Caribbean Poker, Three Card Poker, Draw High Low, among others. Apart from digital coins, the sportsbook supports Bank wire, Skrill, etc. Collect Bonus Now BetOnline BetOnline casino offers a generous welcome bonus to bettors. It offers sports betting, poker, and casino games. Also, the online bookmaker offers competitive odds on sports like Football, Basketball, Soccer, Golf, Baseball, MMA, Horse Racing, etc. Furthermore, the gambling site has a simple user interface, which means players can easily find their way around the platform. The platform is compatible with Apple and Android devices, including smartphones, iPods, tablets, and iPhones. Collect Bonus Now BetUS Some unique features of BetUS include live streaming, 24/7 customer support, bet builder, VIP program, etc. It will interest you to learn that the website supports over 20 languages and has a straightforward registration procedure. In addition, it accepts several banking options, including PayPal, Visa, Bank Wise, Paysafecard, Bank Wire, etc. The bookmaker holds licenses from Malta and Gibraltar. And uses SSL encryption technology to keep punters’ data safe. Collect Bonus Now MyBookie.AG 10Bet is one of the top online bookmakers in Sweden, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and several other countries. In addition to sports betting, the platform hosts over 1000 casino games. You can contact the support team in several ways, including by telephone, email, and live chat. The betting sites feature several unique sports, including Motor racing, Darts, Volleyball, Greyhounds Racing, Bandy, etc. Some remarkable betting features on this platform include live betting, enhanced odds, bet builder, early cash out, etc. Collect Bonus Now Hustles Hustles is a Curacao-licensed platform that runs smoothly on Windows, Android, and iOS Operating Systems. Also, it features a wide range of casino games and sports. The betting site welcomes new customers with a 100 percent bonus. The gambling site accepts different digital coins, including Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Dogecoin, and Bitcoin. Apart from crypto payments, 22Bet supports MasterCard, Bank Transfer, EcoPayz, Paysafecard, etc. Customer service is available 24/7, and you can reach the support team via email and live chat. Collect Bonus Now GodOdds GodOdds is a reliable online bookmaker with several betting markets. The platform also partners with over 100 high-ranking casino game developers. One of the advantages of this gambling site is that it features multiple banking methods, allowing punters to choose their preferred options. These payment methods include vouchers, e-wallets, credit cards, digital currency, etc. Besides its impressive bonuses and VIP programs, the platform offers top-quality customer support. Collect Bonus Now Types of Online Betting Sites Online bookmakers can be grouped into categories based on payment methods, experience, bonus offers, compatible devices, etc. This section explains the types of online betting sites you need to know. Here we go: New Online Bookmakers Some of the uniqueness of newly developed sportsbooks are massive bonuses, robust security, and top-quality customer support. Also, they offer several betting products, including esports, casino games, etc. Since they are new, there may not be enough information to determine their reliability and reputation. Live Online Sportsbooks These betting sites stream live matches and allow players to place live bets. Also, they feature live casino games developed by top-rated live game providers like Vivo Gaming, Ezugi, Playtech, Evolution Gaming, among others. One of the core benefits of this offering is that punters are able to place bets on markets that would otherwise be inaccessible to them, and these also offer greater value and a more authentic experience, more often than not. For example, a punter betting on Brazil to beat Costa Rica may get odds of 1.15 before a ball is kicked, but if Brazil were to go 1-0 down, that same offering may be available at 1.7. A number of online betting site users have developed in-play systems to generate value from otherwise poor value markets. Mobile Online Betting Sites Consider these online bookmakers if you prefer to bet via your Android and Apple devices. With their HTML5 technology, they are compatible with a vast range of internet-enabled mobile devices, including iPhones, iPods, tablets, and smartphones. Furthermore, this enables punters to be able to bet on the move with friends enjoying social bets as a group. Games at Online Bookmakers Many online bookmakers feature impressive selections of casino games, including slots, poker, baccarat, blackjack, bingo, etc. Check some of these games below: Slots Slots are the most popular casino games with attractive themes and catchy sounds. Exciting slot titles you can play on these platforms include Big Bass Bonanza, Dead or Alive, Twin Spins, Starburst, etc. Also, the game is straightforward as it does not involve learning any particular skill. Bingo Bingo is ideal for players looking for a simple yet entertaining casino game. Some of our top websites feature fun bingo variants to meet players' expectations. Poker Poker is an exciting card game with multiple variants. Also, it is a skill-based game; therefore, you must master poker skills and techniques to excel. Popular poker variants you can try at these sites include Caribbean Poker, Three Card Poker, Deuces Wild, Bonus Poker, etc. Advantages of Online Sportsbooks Online bookmakers have several benefits, including impressive rewards, a simple layout, fast payouts, competitive odds, etc. Also, these platform adopts state-of-the-art security systems and holds licenses from recognized gambling authorities. Hence, they offer top-quality products and services. Furthermore, they support numerous languages and currencies to accommodate players from around the world. In addition, they provide high-quality customer support via convenient and fast communication channels like email, live chat, and live chat. Furthermore, these online betting sites play a fundamental role in market growth. With the adoption of in-play technology and market offering, online bookies are ensuring that players are getting real value for money when they’re placing bets, as they’re able to get a quick, fast, sharp transaction whilst a football match, rugby match, or indeed a horse race are still yet to be completed. The growth and adoption of this concept is one that started around 10 years ago, but it has rapidly developed into one of the most fundamental aspects of online bookmakers’ activity. In addition to this, a large number of the new online betting sites are offering ‘Request A Bet’ or a service with a similar namesake. These are becoming ever more popular with the casual punter, as players are seeking to find additional value, and betting options with higher and more profitable odds, albeit with a smaller chance of winning. Disadvantages of Online Betting Sites These platforms are not available in all countries due to regulatory issues. In other words, you won’t have access to the website if you reside in one of its restricted countries. Also, you may be asked to present your document for KYC verification, especially if you want to withdraw a large amount. Payment options at Online Bookmakers Our recommended betting sites support a broad range of reliable and safe banking options that enables bettors to cash out their winnings without delay. Some factors you need to consider before selecting a payment option include bonus eligibility, transaction fees, limits, etc. Also, you need to check if your selected banking method is available for both deposits and withdrawals or only deposits. Below are the top payment options on these platforms: MasterCard Visa Skrill Paysafecard Entropay Trustly EcoPayz Litecoin Bitcoin Neteller How to tell the difference between reputable sportsbooks and fraud? Before signing up at an online betting site, you need to check some essential factors to know if the platform is genuine. The most important parameters to consider are regulation, bonuses and promotional offers, customer support, payment speed, etc. A reliable sportsbook will always offer high-quality products and payment services to bettors. Apart from having a valid license, the gambling site must work with the best software and payment providers. Top gambling regulators to consider when setting up an account at online bookmakers are the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, Curacao eGaming, the Alderney Gambling Control Commission, Kahnawake Gambling Commission, etc. You can also identify a reliable site through its customer support quality. The agents will be available 24/7 to respond swiftly to your inquiries and complaints. Bonuses at Online Sportsbooks One of the advantages of online betting sites is that they offer bountiful bonuses to new and existing bettors. They also roll out periodic promotions. Always check the promotion page to see all the details you need about these offers. Here are some of these rewards: Welcome packages Free bets Sports bonuses No deposit bonuses Boosted odds Bets refunded Free spins Crypto bonuses Key Elements For Consideration With Online Betting Sites Becoming The Best Betting Site In a crowded Market - The betting market is one of the most crowded industries online, especially given its lucrative nature. Punters are always looking for a refreshing array of products with which to gamble. Attractive Design Attracts New Punters - Design is a key element in the decision-making of any sportsbook user. Players are naturally drawn to those sites which are aesthetically pleasing. A number of new online bookmakers are now being enticed in with simple-to-use, easy and effective designs. Easy navigation is fundamental in a player being able to find the market that they want quickly and effectively, thus enabling functionality such as ‘click-to-bet’ to work as effectively as it does. Wide Range Of Betting Markets - As is commonplace with most online betting sites now, there are a whole host of markets available for punters to place their bets. Gone are the days when players could only choose from the Win / Draw / Win market on football, as other more granular markets have been added. In-play betting is becoming ever more prevalent too. Standing Out Amongst Competitors - Competition is rife within the market for the reasons mentioned above. For any new or existing sportsbook product to really come to the fore and be successful, it’s imperative that the brand stands out amongst the competition. Whether that is brand positioning, media kits, advertising, or just site aesthetics - all bookmakers in the industry are looking for that cutting edge. Online Bookies FAQ A. What are Online Betting Sites? They are top gambling sites that allow punters to wager on sporting events, including local and international football leagues, horse racing events, etc. Also, they feature casino games and esports betting. B. Is RTP different at all Online Sportsbooks? Return to Player (RTP) is not the same at all online bookmakers; you can boost your earnings by playing at sites that feature high-RTP games. C. What are the best Online Bookmakers? The best online bookmaker offers excellent customer support and mouth-watering bonuses and promotions. Some of our top online betting sites include BetOnline, Bet365, 10Bet, 22Bet, and 20Bet. D. How to avoid bad streaks at Online Sportsbooks? Excessive gambling can also trigger bad streaks. Players can guide against losing streaks at online bookmakers through proper bankroll management. Apart from that, they should avoid making betting decisions when they are not emotionally stable. E. Are all Online Betting Sites safe? Not all sportsbooks are safe; you can avoid unsafe gambling sites by paying attention to essential parameters like license, online reputation, payment speed, bonuses and promotional offers, security measures, etc. F. Is it legal to join Online Bookmakers? You can join an online betting site without going against the law if you are above the gambling age threshold. In addition to that, online gambling must be legal in your country. onlinecasinos.site is a platform created by casino players for everyone. We strive to offer fellow players a platform that addresses every aspect of online gambling. The information on this site is for entertainment purposes only. Gambling comes with its fair share of risks and it's important to recognize that when using online gambling sites. The betting sites listed hold a Curacao gambling license and players from around the world can legally play. Wins are taxed. While we review different gambling sites, you should check with local laws in your area before gambling online. Also, all gambling sites and our guides are rated 18+ only. If you have a gambling addiction problem or anyone you know does, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700. In addition, the following free gambling addiction resources can be of help: http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ http://www.ncpgambling.org/ http://www.gamblingtherapy.org/ Contact Details Onlinecasinos site Dean Kune onlinecasinosppc@gmail.com Company Website https://onlinecasinos.site/

November 28, 2022 02:21 PM Eastern Standard Time

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