Around the Betting Planet: Vale Jacinda Barclay

US sports betting news

MGM rolls out Parlay Builder feature for US sportsbooks

MGM Resorts and GVC, through their joint online sports betting arm, BetMGM, have unveiled an exciting new feature. Through a partnership with Betgenius, BetMGM has launched the Parlay Builder product.

This will allow US sportsbook customers to create customized same-game parlay wagers at will. It’s a very popular bookmaker feature that should increase customer satisfaction for the company. More than 400 different bet types will be available.

Players will be able to craft unique combinations from a wide range player and team prop bets. The tool is powered by Betgenius and Sportcast, a major sportsbook software provider. It will add a new dimension to BetMGM US sports betting and offer players exposure to attractive odds.

UK sports betting news

FA chair walks out over breakaway threat from top clubs

Following the reveal of Project Big Picture and its proposed changes to UK football, reactions have been plentiful. Everyone has something to say about the proposal, which would give the six largest teams in the English Premier League major leverage.

Now, multiple outlets are reporting that the Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur threatened to break away from the league amidst negotiations. The Telegraph was the first to break the story with an exclusive inside source.

Sky Sports later confirmed it, with FA chairman Greg Clarke admitting he left the talks in response to the threat. According to Clarke, the proposal would lead to the concentration of power and wealth in the hands of a few clubs.

Africa sports betting news

African teams face coronavirus-induced match troubles

Sports continue to reactivate despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. With many FIFA World Cup qualifiers and friendly matches on the schedule, various teams and leagues are struggling to handle the situation. 

As players test positive for COVID-19 and teams strengthen security protocols, many matches must be rescheduled. Just this week, Angola, Guinea, and Mali all had to call off matches due to COVID-related concerns.

Angola were set to play Guinea-Bissau in Portugal but ultimately pulled out of the match. The team cited dissatisfaction with their opponent’s measures to prevent infections. Guinea were to play the Gambia, also in Portugal, but positive tests left their team crippled for the match.

Finally, Mali had to cancel a friendly match against Iran in Turkey. The nation now has six players with positive test results, with two new cases detected the day before the match.

Europe sports betting news

Cristiano Ronaldo tests positive for COVID-19

Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has tested positive for the coronavirus. The news broke while Ronaldo was away from the club, serving international duty with his native Portugal.

Cristiano was slated to face Sweden in a UEFA Nations League match this week. However, the positive test result dashed those hopes, with the Portuguese football federation announcing his official release from work.

Ronaldo so far has shown no symptoms of the disease and will be undergoing self-imposed isolation. The rest of the team was re-tested the following morning, with all tests coming back negative. The Nations League match will go on as scheduled.

South America sports betting news

Firmino aims to become Brazil’s new superstar no.9

Brazil delivered a superb performance in their 5-0 victory over Bolivia, and forward Roberto Firmino managed to score two goals. His excellent display followed team coach Tite’s specific request for Firmino to downplay his focus on defense.

Historically, Brazil coaches have dealt with the opposite issue: talented forwards with little interest in coming down to defend. Tite, however, sees things differently. Firmino confirmed in a recent interview that the coach did indeed ask him to stay within the opposition’s penalty area.

The 29-year-old forward said he has a natural tendency to help out and play defense, but Tite wants him in the penalty box. This move has paid off so far, and Firmino said he aims to be a reliable no.9 for Brazil, like Ronaldo and Romario before him.

Australia sports betting news

Death of Jacinda Barclay rocks Australian sport

The tragic passing of a talented young athlete has shaken up the Australian sports community. Jacinda Barclay, a 29-year-old multi-sport athlete, passed away this Tuesday.

Barclay was a born sportswoman, playing Australian football, American football, and baseball at the highest levels. Her sudden death has deeply touched numerous sporting communities across the world.

She was a key forward for the Greater Western Sydney Giants, part of the AFLW, playing 23 games with the team. Before that, Barclay was part of Australia’s side for five Baseball World Cups, winning silver at the 2010 event in Venezuela.

In the United States, Barclay played in the Legends Football League as a quarterback for the Chicago Bliss. During her first season, her team went on to win the championship.

NZ sports betting news

Almost 50,000 fans expected for second Bledisloe Cup Test

The world gazed in awe at the pictures of the first Bledisloe Cup Test. With few spectator sports welcoming fans back into stadiums amidst the pandemic, New Zealand’s packed stadium generated global envy.

Now, New Zealand Rugby announced that they’re expected an increase of over 50% in attendance to the second match. The first game drew over 31,000 fans to Auckland’s Eden Park. The second is expected to have a crowd of more than 47,000.

These swathes of unmasked attendants are only possible thanks to the Pacific nation’s success in dealing with the coronavirus. Nationwide lockdowns seemed to curb infections effectively. Stadiums are now allowed to operate at 50% capacity.