Each week, CasinoBeats breaks down the numbers behind some of the industry’s most interesting stories. In the latest edition we look at developments for Grosvenor Casinos, Big Time Gaming’s history-making rankings and an NFL/casino partnership. 

500,000

FC Barcelona stars scooped almost half a million euros after competing in the PokerStars EPT Barcelona single-day high-roller tournament last weekend.

Gerard Piqué and Arturo Vidal finished second and fifth respectively, with the the Spain and Chile internationals making it to the final table in the 70-entry field, which PokerStars stressed “boasted some of the most accomplished poker professionals”.

Vidal, in his second season at the Catalan club after moving from German giants Bayern Munich in August 2018, finished in fifth place during his PokerStars EPT debut, earning €134,460 in the €25,000 buy-in tournament.

Pique, surpassed his team-mate, to finish in the runners-up spot where he claimed a €352,950 prize pot.

5.2

Grosvenor Casinos has rolled out a £5.2m development that aims to transform a Brighton landmark into a multi-faceted entertainment hub.

Set to be called Pier Nine, the construction of which is underway, the “exciting vision” is to create a 24/7 modern leisure, entertainment and gaming destination.

Work on Pier Nine is set to be completed in December of this year with an official launch scheduled in early 2020, as the project gets set to create 60 new jobs.

The £5.2m scheme, which is taking place over three floors, has been designed with the concept of “work, rest and play” and will include space to work and meet with friends and colleagues.

Furthermore, as part of the construction, the property is set to gain two casinos, a number of new bars and eateries and fun and competitive socialising games, as well as a private cinema and karaoke.

2

For the first time, Big Time Gaming has secured two of the top five positions in the SlotRank UK leaderboard, with hit titles Bonanza and Extra Chilli

The positions in the SlotRank leaderboard are calculated on a daily basis by scanning the lobby positions of hundreds of online slot titles across hundreds of online casinos in a wide range of markets.

Extra Chilli is the newest release in the top five – albeit still launched more than a year ago, in April 2018 – and this week has climbed to No 5, while Bonanza has maintained its No 2 spot, both of which are clearly hitting the right notes with UK players.

This is the latest development in the Big Time Gaming story, as the company prepares to take its market-leading games into the US, with players reportedly eager to see what the innovative developer has to offer stateside.

20

The Green Bay Packers and Oneida Nation have revealed a significant extension to their longtime partnership, after naming Oneida Casino as the official casino of the franchise.

The team and Oneida Nation have worked together on different programs for more than 20 years, including a partnership since 2002 that includes the Oneida Nation Gate on the east side of Green Bay’s Lambeau Field home.

Lauded as a first-of-its-kind partnership, it follows changes to NFL guidelines that allow more robust partnerships with such entities.

Through the partnership, the Packers and Oneida Casino offered several sweepstakes this summer, giving fans a chance to win 2019 season tickets, as well as a VIP weekend for the Packers vs Raiders game on Sunday, October 20.