Monica Schipper/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images(SeaPRwire) - While an adaptation does not inherently validate or improve a piece of art, the enduring cultural impact of the Resident Evil series is perhaps best demonstrated by Hollywood's three previous, unsuccessful attempts to adapt it for live-action. Directors Paul W.S. Anderson, Andrew Dabb, and Johannes Roberts each put their own spin on the iconic zombie franchise, only to face criticism and fan rejection for numerous reasons. Some of this stems from a decision to avoid a direct retelling of the games' plots—a choice with its own advantages and drawbacks—but it also results from none of those versions capturing the slow-building horror and fight for survival that defined the early games' terrifying atmosphere.This may finally be about to change. The next cinematic return of Resident Evil will be helmed by a fresh, buzzworthy horror director. With only two films, Zach Cregger has already established himself as a modern master of the genre, achieving this with movies that differ wildly in tone and style. His horror debut, Barbarian, was a callback to gritty, socially-aware 1970s exploitation films reminiscent of Tobe Hooper, while his follow-up, Weapons, was a more atmospheric and ambiguous witch-themed story. If any filmmaker can recapture the suffocating fear of the original Resident Evil trilogy, it could be him. Fortunately, audiences will not have to wait long to witness his take on Raccoon City.When Is The Resident Evil Release Date?Arriving just as the spooky season begins, Resident Evil is scheduled for release on September 18, 2026.Hopefully, Cregger can replicate the isolation, chaos, and sheer terror of the Raccoon City outbreak. | CapcomWhat Is The Plot Of Resident Evil?Despite eleven core game installments and seven live-action movie adaptations (six of which forge their own narratives), the central story of Resident Evil is widely recognized: the Umbrella Corporation, a global pharmaceutical giant, secretly operates as a developer of bio-organic weapons. Their most infamous creation, the T-virus, mutates living creatures into horrific monsters that spread uncontrollably. Players control various survivors throughout the series—from Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine of the doomed STARS police unit to rookie officer turned special agent Leon S. Kennedy—each striving to undermine Umbrella and halt its latest catastrophic experiment, provided they can stay alive.Although Cregger has stated his film will be inspired by and set during the events of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, it will not be a direct adaptation. While specifics of Cregger's original storyline are scarce, it is known that the plot will center on a medical courier named Bryan, who becomes stranded in Raccoon City "as one fateful, horrifying night collapses around him in chaos." It is reasonable to infer that this single night with Bryan will depict the devastating outbreak that leads to the city's quarantine in Resident Evil 2, offering fans a new viewpoint on the pivotal event that shaped the franchise's future.As terrifying as Resident Evil 2 is, imagine how much worse it would be for an unarmed nobody. | CapcomIs There a Trailer for Resident Evil?A trailer is not yet available, but this page will be updated with a link and further story information when one is released.Who Is In The Cast Of Resident Evil?Cregger's Resident Evil does not seem to feature a large ensemble cast akin to the films of Paul W.S. Anderson or Johannes Roberts. Instead, the focus appears to be on plunging the audience into Bryan's personal ordeal, experiencing the Raccoon City disaster through the grounded, singular viewpoint of an ordinary person caught in an extraordinary nightmare. The confirmed cast for Resident Evil includes:Austin Abrams as BryanPaul Walter Hauser as CarlZach Cherry as DaveKali Reis as PaulineJohno Wilson as MaxThe significance of these characters' roles in Bryan's story remains unclear, but if the film authentically channels the merciless, shocking nature of the games, several may not survive for long. Zach Cregger has excelled at crafting unpredictable, anxiety-inducing films meant to be viewed from behind one's fingers, and early accounts suggest this project matches the terror of his prior work, featuring relentless, breakneck pacing. It is difficult to predict if it will please the franchise's dedicated fanbase, but there is newfound hope that this Resident Evil will finally be as scary as the games that inspired it.Resident Evil arrives in theaters on September 18. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
Posted on
by: jenn
12 Years On, Star Wars Turns Its Most Underrated Villains into Fresh Sources of Fear
Lucasfilm(SeaPRwire) - The series Maul — Shadow Lord offers a fresh perspective on the antihero previously known as Darth Maul. Having shed his "Darth" title, he now operates as a modest crime lord, endeavoring to establish an empire and potentially draw a young apprentice, Devon Izara, into the Dark Side. This raises the question: if Maul isn't the primary antagonist of the series, then who is?The antagonist, as frequently observed, is the Galactic Empire. While Brander Lawson attempts to pursue Maul independently, avoiding Imperial intervention, the authorities have nonetheless dispatched the Inquisitors to locate Maul and two Jedi concealed on Janix. Although this tactic is typical for the Empire, its execution in this instance presents a notable shift. These seemingly lesser villains now project a significantly more menacing presence than previously.Marrok and the Eleventh Brother are ent to Janix by the Empire. | LucasfilmWithin the established Star Wars canon, following Order 66, the Inquisitors are tasked with hunting down Jedi who have gone into hiding. These Inquisitors manifest in various forms but typically adopt codenames, frequently incorporating "brother" or "sister." Their initial appearance was in Star Wars: Rebels, where they served primarily to provide the protagonists with a formidable adversary that could be defeated without altering the broader Star Wars narrative.Historically, in the Legends canon, Darth Vader appeared to be solely responsible for eradicating the Jedi survivors of Order 66. However, in the current canon, he assumes a more managerial position as the leader of the Inquisitors. A prime illustration is the video game Jedi: Fallen Order, where the main character, Cal Kestis, a Jedi in hiding years post-Order 66, must overcome several Inquisitors before confronting Darth Vader directly.Given this established hierarchy, the Inquisitors are often perceived as a subordinate threat. While they possess intimidating masks and distinctive lightsabers, their presence typically signifies that Vader deems the target unworthy of his personal attention.The Eleventh Brother was nicknamed “The Crow” internally. | LucasfilmNevertheless, Maul: Shadow Lord significantly redefines the Inquisitors' portrayal. Following extensive anticipation in earlier episodes, the eventual appearance of Marrok and the Eleventh Brother creates the impression of entirely new antagonists, despite their prior appearances in Ahsoka and Tales of the Jedi, respectively.This refreshed image is further enhanced by a horror-inspired treatment of these characters. The Star Wars website notes, "They exhibit minimal movement, but when they do, these Inquisitors demonstrate superhuman speed." Furthermore, Supervising Director Brad Rau highlights, "Listen closely when the Eleventh Brother turns his head. 'David W. Collins consistently incorporates unusual elements in the sound design,' Rau explains. 'When you detect a slight turn of Crow's head, Collins inserted this creaking, peculiar sound. It's excellent. We refer to it as bone leather.'"Historically, Inquisitors have largely functioned as a precursor or a less critical substitute for a Darth Vader appearance. While a Vader cameo in the finale, scheduled for May the Fourth, remains a tempting possibility for this series, the substantial build-up and novel portrayal of these characters demonstrate their capacity to stand as formidable threats independently.Star Wars: Maul — Shadow Lord is currently available for streaming on Disney+. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
Posted on
by: jenn
DCU’s Unexpected Superhero Squad Film Has Been Put On Hold
(SeaPRwire) - In the current entertainment landscape, it's common for film studios and streaming services to announce more than they ultimately produce. A prime example is the major 2020 Star Wars TV slate reveal, where only a small number of the announced shows were completed. Given this history, fans have learned to manage their expectations, aware that plans can change or be canceled.Following James Gunn's appointment as co-President of DC Studios, a similar wave of projects was unveiled under the "Gods and Monsters" banner, similar to Marvel's phased approach. The original blueprint included five films and five television series. While some, like Superman and Peacemaker Season 2, have found success, others remain in the pipeline. Nonetheless, one of the announced films has hit a total standstill, with Gunn confirming it has been put on hold for the foreseeable future.DC Studios co-president James Gunn has revealed that an already announced movie has been shelved. | John Nacion/Variety/Getty ImagesOn Threads, a fan speculated about the status of The Authority, a film announced in 2023 alongside titles like Superman, Supergirl, Clayface, and Swamp Thing. Another user suggested Gunn might pen the script himself, leading Gunn to respond directly. "I would have never had time to do this and although I know this is a popular theory online I never had an intention of writing or directing The Authority," he stated. "The script wasn't quite there but more importantly it didn't work in terms of the larger DCU both in terms of the story and practical concerns. Maybe some day. Not soon."The Authority is a team of antiheroes committed to accomplishing their missions by any means necessary, with little regard for morality or legality. In 2025, Gunn noted at a press event that this film was the most challenging in development. "Both because of the shifting overall story and because of getting it right in a world with The Boys and a world with all the things that The Authority influenced that came out after it," he explained, as reported by Gizmodo. "And also having a lot of characters that we’ve fallen in love with, that we’ve already filmed, and have that we want to continue their stories and see them meet each other. And so it’s been — I will admittedly say it’s a little bit more on the back burner right now."The Authority’s starkly different code may not mesh with the rest of the DC Universe | DC ComicsNow, it appears the project on the back burner has been removed from active development entirely. Looking at the bigger picture, it's understandable why this film stands apart from the other planned releases. The revamped DCU has largely been founded on a tone of optimism and hope established by Superman, whereas The Authority's team operates on an ethos more comparable to Thanos: believing any action is justified if it achieves their desired outcome.However, there is a silver lining. Following this disappointing news, a different fan inquired about two upcoming DC TV shows: Booster Gold, focusing on a hero struggling with impostor syndrome, and Paradise Lost, a political drama set in Wonder Woman's homeland, Themyscira. "BG is in development," Gunn answered. "PL is in extreme development."Therefore, even as one film is paused, other productions are being prioritized. Yet, this situation is an inherent risk of learning about projects in their early stages—sometimes they simply don't materialize. It circles back to the timeless dilemma for fans: is it preferable to have known about a project that was canceled, or to have never known about it in the first place? This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
Posted on
by: jenn
Welcome to Derry Season 2 Is Dramatically Altering Its Formula
HBO(SeaPRwire) - The year 2025 brought numerous frightening surprises to the screen, with It: Welcome to Derry standing out as one of the best. HBO's series-length prequel to Andy Muschietti’s It films successfully avoided the typical franchise pitfalls, introducing a time travel element that kept viewers engaged without compromising the overall narrative. The plot further deepened with the groundwork laid for a new season, which will delve even further back in time than the story familiar to It fans.Muschietti has shared limited details about Welcome to Derry Season 2, beyond stating that it will focus on the parents and/or grandparents of the families introduced in Season 1, and that it aims to "deliver something that is greater" than its predecessor. As the writer-director finalizes the scripts for the upcoming season, his intentions are becoming clearer to observers. While the hope is that Muschietti's assertions of a superior season prove true, it is already evident that Welcome to Derry Season 2 will diverge significantly from Season 1 in other aspects.In a recent conversation with Bloody Disgusting, Muschietti offered more insight into his plans for Season 2. The forthcoming season is set in 1935, placing it 27 years prior to the events of Season 1 and over 50 years before Pennywise the Clown (Bill Skarsgård) first terrorized the Losers Club in 1989. Audiences can anticipate meeting more of their ancestors as Welcome to Derry journeys further back in time, but Season 2 will also explore another violent period in Derry's history: the Bradley Gang Massacre.Welcome to Derry Season 2 will be darker and a bit more mature than its predecessor. | HBO“The Bradley Gang was a gang of bank robbers that... stopped in Derry to buy some ammo and something horrible happens,” Muschietti told Bloody Disgusting. Although the gang intended only to pass through Derry, they make the critical error of robbing several shops as they attempt to leave. It is safe to say they never reach their intended destination, partly due to some malevolent interference from Pennywise.Season 2 appears to be considerably grittier than Season 1, with a focus on older protagonists. Additionally, the setting during the Depression era presents a stark contrast to the seemingly idyllic suburban landscape depicted in Welcome to Derry and It. “We’re facing an era which is the Depression Era that changes dramatically the setup of things,” Muschietti explained. “There’s no suburban comfort — the trope of the kids that live in suburbia and they ride their bikes and suddenly one of them disappears is nothing like this.”The protagonists of Welcome to Derry Season 2 will be depicted as "struggling to survive" long before Pennywise begins to influence the narrative. On paper, this might diminish some of the suspense; a key element of It's appeal lies in its subversion of a seemingly perfect, Rockwellian utopia, especially with the introduction of a clown. Season 2 has the potential to showcase Derry at its bleakest, drawing inspiration from the gritty flashbacks seen in Season 1. It will undoubtedly be a departure, but given the show's demonstrated ability to take risks, it is an evolution eagerly anticipated.It: Welcome to Derry is now streaming on HBO Max. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
Posted on
by: jenn
Star Trek’s Creator Released a Notoriously Salacious Farce 55 Years Ago
Silver Screen Collection/Moviepix/Getty Images(SeaPRwire) - Back in 1971, Gene Roddenberry, the architect of Star Trek, both wrote and produced a movie titled Pretty Maids All in a Row. If you are a devoted Star Trek fan who is unfamiliar with this work, there is a clear explanation: aside from the occasional daring costume from the franchise's original designer, William Ware Theiss, this movie shares almost no resemblance to the beloved 1960s television show. While the original Trek may have utilized sexploitation under the guise of advancement, Pretty Maids All in a Row takes a different approach. It functions as a surreal sex comedy that doubles as a murder mystery within an unconventional high school coming-of-age narrative. Drawn from Francis Pollini’s 1968 book, the movie's main failing is its lack of clear direction. It struggles to define whether it is a dark satire of sexist horror clichés or simply an exploitation of those tropes in an attempt to create art.Five decades after it hit theaters, Pretty Maids All in a Row embodies a version of 1970s pop culture that is often ignored by those feeling nostalgic for the era. It is a gritty and reckless film that might have held the potential to be interesting under different circumstances. As it stands, it serves as an intriguing cultural oddity that provides Roddenberry experts with a bizarre contrast to the humanitarian legacy he is celebrated for.Pretty Maids All in a Row stands as the only feature film screenplay credited to Roddenberry. He did not pursue the adaptation of the novel; rather, it was a freelance job he accepted out of financial desperation. According to his authorized biographer, David Alexander, Roddenberry considered the source text to be a “vulgar book.” His goal in crafting an exaggerated satire was “to rewrite so that it has some meaning and some statement about the world around us today.” The narrative follows high school football coach Michael "Tiger" McDrew (Rock Hudson), who is seducing and killing his female students. Simultaneously, a student named Ponce de Leon Harper (John David Carson) becomes involved in an affair with a substitute teacher, Miss Smith (Angie Dickinson), in a storyline that strongly echoes The Graduate. Amidst these events, Police Chief Surcher (Telly Savalas) investigates the killings, a role he played two years before finding fame as Kojak. This detail likely contributed to Quentin Tarantino listing the movie among his top ten favorites in 2012. The film carries a grindhouse aesthetic, offering glimpses of a potentially provocative classic buried within a confused production.You wouldn’t think Pretty Maids All in a Row was a murder mystery based on this photo of Rock Hudson. | Stanley Bielecki Movie Collection/Moviepix/Getty ImagesDirected by Roger Vadim, the director behind Barbarella, the film gives the impression that its sexism is intended to be ironic. Alternatively, Roddenberry's correspondence suggests the movie aims to critique corruption within American institutions, specifically the sexism prevalent in locker rooms. However, the film's lecherous atmosphere seems to taint nearly every male character. In a letter from the summer of 1971, Roddenberry confessed to a friend, “No, don’t see Pretty Maids. There is nothing worse than writing something you hope is pretty witty and having the director not quite pull it off.” The following year marked the beginning of a new chapter in Roddenberry's life with the inaugural Star Trek convention, and the rest, as they say, is history. Pretty Maids All in a Row was always going to be a minor footnote in Roddenberry's professional journey. However, in 1971, he was fortunate that it did not become the defining mark on his grave.Pretty Maids All in a Row is available to rent on Prime Video, Apple, and various other digital platforms. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
Posted on
by: nicole
Allegedly, an 89-year-old man fires a shotgun in the Greek capital, leaving 4 injured
(SeaPRwire) - According to allegations, an 89-year-old gunman opened fire inside two government buildings in Athens on Tuesday, wounding at least four people. This rare outbreak of violence shook Greece’s tightly regulated gun landscape, and the incident ended with the suspect’s arrest several hours later. Police stated the suspect first stormed into a social security office, climbed to the fourth floor and opened fire, hitting an employee in the leg. Officials noted the gunman warned one worker to duck before pulling the trigger, though he did not appear to deliberately target the employee he struck. "He went in, climbed to the fourth floor, raised his shotgun, told an employee to duck and hit another one," Alexandros Varveris, head of Greece’s National Social Security Fund, told state broadcaster ERT radio. The wounded man received medical treatment on site, but the suspect fled, and later opened fire again inside a courthouse in another part of the city, where several more people were wounded. Authorities said at least three women, all working as court employees, suffered minor injuries from ricocheting pellets, while media reported that a fourth woman was taken to a hospital as a safety precaution. Surveillance video aired by local media showed a man walking calmly down the street carrying what appeared to be a short-barreled shotgun. Police later arrested the suspect near the city of Patra, around 130 miles west of Athens, and recovered the weapon used in the attacks. The motive of the attack remains unclear, though state media reported the man left documents behind at the courthouse that outlined his personal grievances. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
Posted on
by: osami
2026 Kentucky Derby: Understanding the Superfecta Bet
(AsiaGameHub) - The Superfecta is classified as an exotic wager, and stands as one of horse racing’s most challenging yet potentially highly profitable bets. To win, bettors must accurately forecast the top four finishing horses in their exact final order. Superfecta wagers are available for this year’s Kentucky Derby, which takes place on Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Superfecta bets can generate enormous payouts, and the minimum wager amount is as low as 10 cents or $1. What Was Last Year’s Kentucky Derby Superfecta Payout? We can use the final finishing results from the 2025 Kentucky Derby to illustrate how the Superfecta functions. Sovereignty (18), Journalism (8), Baeza (21), and Final Gambit (3) took first, second, third, and fourth place, respectively. A $1 Superfecta bet on the 18-8-21-3 combination returned $1,682.27. It is extremely difficult to correctly predict the exact order of the top four finishers with a straight bet of this kind, but there are alternative structures for placing Superfecta wagers. Varieties of Superfecta Bets Below are different variations for placing Superfecta bets. Superfecta Box The Superfecta box bet lets you wager on the top four finishers without needing to select their exact final order. Think of “boxing” four horses as a form of coverage that accounts for every possible winning permutation. When you select four horses, there are 24 distinct winning combinations. As a result, your $1 Superfecta box bet will cost a total of $24. Unsurprisingly, the more horses you include in your box, the higher the total cost of the wager becomes. Superfecta Full Wheel If you are confident about which horse will win the race but unsure which competitors will take the next three positions, you can place a Superfecta full wheel bet. This wager is designed to cover every possible Superfecta combination that has your selected winner in first place. For example, if there are six horses in the race total, this type of bet will cost you $60. The wager becomes more expensive as more horses are added to the race field. Superfecta Part Wheel You place a Superfecta part wheel bet by selecting a horse to win, paired with a set of horses you expect to finish in positions 2 through 4. The key difference here is that you are not including every other horse entered in the race, just three specific horses of your choosing. If you bet the No. 2 horse to win, paired with No. 8, No. 5, and No. 10 for the remaining top four spots, there are 24 different winning combinations covered. This wager will cost you a total of $24. Superfecta Key The Superfecta key bet lets you wager on a “key” horse that you predict will win the race. You can then select a combination of three or more other horses to fill the second, third, and fourth place positions. As an example, you might pick the No. 3 horse as your winning key, with No. 7, No. 10, and No. 18 as the horses you expect to round out the top four. You will cash your winning ticket if your key horse takes first place, and any three of your selected horses finish in second, third, and fourth position. Largest Superfecta Payouts in Kentucky Derby History As noted earlier, Superfectas can deliver exceptionally large payouts. When Rich Strike won the 2022 Kentucky Derby as an 80-1 longshot, a $1 Superfecta bet returned $321,500.10. 1st place: Rich Strike (80-1 odds) 2nd place: Epicenter (4-1 odds) 3rd place: Zandon (6-1 odds) 4th place: Simplification (35-1 odds) Payout amounts vary based on the odds of the horses finishing first through fourth, and the total number of winning tickets sold. In the 2022 case, Rich Strike was the biggest longshot to win the Kentucky Derby since Donerail in 1913. Simplification, which finished in the top four at 35-1 odds, also helped drive this unusually high payout. What is the largest Superfecta payout in Kentucky Derby history? That record was set in 2005, when Giacomo, Closing Argument, Afleet Alex, and Don’t Get Mad finished first through fourth respectively, delivering a $864,253.00 payout for a $1 Superfecta bet. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.
Posted on
by: nicole
U.S. condemns Iran’s leadership post at UN nuclear conference as ‘beyond shameful’
(SeaPRwire) - On Monday, the United States, joined by the United Arab Emirates and supported by misgivings from key European powers, issued a sharp condemnation of the United Nations’ decision to grant Iran a leadership post at a major nuclear treaty conference. Iran’s selection as one of dozens of vice presidents for the month-long Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty review conference has reignited scrutiny of what critics describe as a recurring pattern of Iran gaining procedural legitimacy within international institutions, despite longstanding concerns over its nuclear activities. The clash broke out as the 11th Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty kicked off at UN headquarters in New York, where Iran was named one of 34 vice presidents via the Non-Aligned Movement bloc. The conference brings together 191 parties to the treaty and is held every five years to review implementation of the pact, which is designed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. For the U.S. administration, the symbolic impact of the move was immediate and incendiary. "Rather than choosing to use this review conference to defend the integrity of the NPT and call Iran to account, we instead elect Iran a vice president," Christopher Yeaw, U.S. assistant secretary for arms control and nonproliferation, told delegates. "It is beyond shameful and an embarrassment to the credibility of this conference." The UAE and Australia publicly backed the U.S. objection, while Britain, France and Germany also voiced their concerns, forming a broader coalition than in earlier UN disputes, where the U.S. had often stood largely alone in challenging Iran’s procedural elevation. This diplomatic uproar follows a pattern previously highlighted by Digital. On April 13, the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) — a 54-member body that plays a central role in shaping UN policy and staffing key committees — nominated the Islamic Republic of Iran to the UN’s Committee for Program and Coordination, which helps develop policy on human rights, women’s rights, disarmament and counterterrorism. At that time, the United States was the only country to raise a formal objection. During Monday’s debate, Iranian envoy Reza Najafi rejected the criticism as "baseless and politically motivated," accusing the U.S. of hypocrisy and pointing to America’s own nuclear history while defending Tehran’s right to peaceful nuclear development. Russia also defended Iran, with Ambassador-at-Large Andrey Belousov speaking out against what he called the politicization of the conference. The Iranian mission to the United Nations declined to provide comment to Digital. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told Digital that the secretary-general "is not involved in any way in the election of Member States to leadership roles in various conferences or legislative bodies." "Member States are responsible for electing other Member States, and they must be accountable for the results of these elections," Dujarric stated. He added that the UN’s focus remains on addressing broader nuclear threats rather than the procedural controversy surrounding Iran’s appointment. "We strongly encourage all Member States participating in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference to focus on what is most important: stopping the spread and threat of nuclear weapons, which remains a global threat," he said. Iran’s appointment comes amid heightened international concern over the trajectory of Iran’s nuclear program. Western governments and the International Atomic Energy Agency have raised alarms over Iran’s enrichment of uranium to near weapons-grade levels and ongoing disputes over inspection protocols, while Tehran insists its program is strictly for civilian use. Critics say the controversy exposes a structural contradiction at the core of the UN system: geopolitical blocs can elevate states under scrutiny to positions of procedural authority, even at conferences dedicated to the very norms those states are accused of violating. The last NPT review conference held in 2022 failed to produce a consensus document after Russia blocked the agreement, underscoring how divisions between major powers have increasingly paralyzed the treaty’s review process, according to The Associated Press. Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch, told Digital the vote reflects what he described as a broader erosion of institutional credibility at the United Nations. "This is part of a disturbing trend," Neuer said. "Iran has been accumulating senior roles across the UN system, from human rights bodies to key committees. Each appointment chips away at the credibility of international institutions, reinforcing the perception that political deal-making outweighs basic standards of conduct." Reuters and This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
Posted on
by: osami
SBC Awards Americas reveals 2026 shortlist
(AsiaGameHub) - The competition for industry accolades has commenced with the release of the 2026 SBC Awards Americas shortlist, which spotlights the leading companies in the gaming sector across the Americas. Scheduled for June 10 at the Broward County Convention Center as a key event of the SBC Summit Americas 2026, the awards ceremony will gather 600 professionals to honor excellence in the North and Latin American gaming markets. This year's program includes 34 categories that acknowledge exceptional accomplishments by operators, affiliates, industry leaders, and a diverse array of suppliers, including platform providers, payment experts, and game studios. Rush Street Interactive tops this year's list with eight nominations, while Betting Hero follows with six. Optimove, Wazdan, and Betsson Group are also front-runners, each securing five nominations. Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and Founder of SBC, stated: “The prestige of the SBC Awards Americas is increasing as the regional competition intensifies. The companies on this year's shortlist are not only achieving high performance but are also advancing standards in operations, technology, marketing, payments, compliance, and player engagement. Earning a place on the shortlist is a significant accomplishment, and all finalists deserve to be proud of this recognition.” Within the North American operator segments, FanDuel will attempt to protect its 2025 Sportsbook Operator of the Year award against rivals such as BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, and Hard Rock Bet. For the casino award, BetMGM will strive to keep its title in a field featuring Caesars Entertainment, Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant, FanDuel, Hard Rock Bet Casino, and Rush Street Interactive. In the Latin American operator categories, prominent firms like Betsson Group, Kaizen Gaming, Megapari, and Rush Street Interactive have been named as finalists, demonstrating their expanding presence and impact in the region. For the affiliate awards, Flashscore Network will try to defend its Sports Affiliate of the Year – LATAM award against competitors including Better Collective, Betting Hero, and MediaTroopers, all of whom are also finalists in the Sports Affiliate of the Year – North America category. In the supplier sections, firms like Optimove and Wazdan are at the forefront with five nominations apiece. Sportradar, SoftConstruct, and OpticOdds are also strongly represented, emphasizing the rising significance of data, platforms, and content for operators throughout the Americas. Alea will seek to repeat its previous Employer of the Year victory. The company is up against Betsson Group, Rush Street Interactive, and BetMGM in a category expected to be fiercely contested. In the payments and compliance sections, OKTO will aim to keep its Payment Solution of the Year – Latin America award, and Trustly will try to defend its North American counterpart. Other contenders for Compliance Solution of the Year include GeoComply, Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), and OpenBet. The awards will also highlight new brands gaining traction in the industry, with companies like Octoplay, BETER, OpticOdds, and WagerWire appearing in the Rising Star in Casino and Rising Star in Sports Betting categories. The full roster of shortlisted companies can be viewed on the SBC Awards Americas website. Please be aware that a distinct ticket is necessary for ceremony attendance. Options for tables and tickets are available here. Secure your ticket for the SBC Summit Americas: Expo Pass (Free): Entry to the exhibition floor, showcasing hundreds of brands from North and Latin America, plus basic SBC Connect access. Conference Pass ($399): Includes expo entry and the complete two-day conference agenda, with over 250 speakers on six stages, and admission to ‘Inner Circle’ sessions. Networking Pass ($399): Provides expo access and the full SBC Connections schedule, encompassing ‘The Hive,’ ‘The Exchange,’ ‘The Briefings,’ ‘The Walk Around,’ and ‘The Inner Circle,’ as well as official evening networking events. Business Pass ($549): A comprehensive package with full expo access, the conference program, networking events, and improved SBC Connect access. VIP Event Pass ($799): The ultimate all-access pass, including the conference, networking, and exhibition, along with premium perks such as entry to the Operator Platinum Lounge and free admission to the Food Festival. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.
Posted on
by: osami
Irish National Lottery Calls for Ban on Bookmaker Bets on Lottery Draws
(AsiaGameHub) - Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI) asserts that a regulatory loophole exists between the Irish National Lottery and licensed bookmakers, as bookmakers currently offer wagers on lottery draw outcomes. The FDJ United-owned operator is calling on the government to prohibit bookmakers from accepting bets on lottery draws, arguing that this practice siphons off potential sales and funding from the official lottery. Irish lottery cites €289m in lost revenue PLI presented its arguments to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) via its newly published ‘Socio-Economic Impact Assessment of the National Lottery’. The report features a full section exploring the impact of lottery betting on the official lottery’s revenue and the funds it allocates to good causes. In this section, PLI states that €289m (£250m) in National Lottery sales were lost in 2024 alone, as a direct result of lottery betting services offered by licensed bookmakers. PLI’s calls for policy adjustments are the latest appeals submitted to the Irish government, coming just two years after the Gambling Regulation Act was signed into law, which established a new regulatory body for the betting and gaming sector: the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI). “A large number of participants take part for the chance to win a prize in an enjoyable, regulated environment, while contributing to extremely worthwhile causes,” said Cian Murphy, Chief Executive Officer of the National Lottery. “The National Lottery plays a critical role in funding Good Causes, supporting thousands of jobs, and driving economic activity in communities across the country. “Lottery betting offered by bookmakers poses a very tangible threat to this entire ecosystem, reducing the funds available for local sports clubs, youth centres, arts programmes, and community services.” PLI reports €81m drop in Irish good cause returns Unsurprisingly, PLI’s report has focused heavily on how lottery betting impacts returns to good causes – a core mandate of the Irish National Lottery and its 10-year operating contract, as is standard for all state-backed lotteries. The report, compiled by Indecon International Economic and Strategic Consultants, estimates that roughly €81m in good causes donations were lost due to lottery betting in 2024, with an average annual loss of €63m recorded between 2021 and 2024. This calculation is based on the estimate that around 28% of National Lottery sales income was allocated to good causes in 2024 – €239.3m out of total sales of €853m. PLI and Indecon applied this 28% ratio to the total estimated value of lost lottery sales, which stands at €289.7m. “The charity and voluntary sector relies heavily on consistent annual funding to sustain and expand its services,” said Aine Myler, CEO of Charities Institute Ireland (CII). “The National Lottery Good Causes Fund serves as a critical source of support for a wide range of organisations operating across the sports, arts, heritage, youth, community, and health sectors. “CII has submitted multiple representations to the government calling for this policy change to be implemented, so we now urge the Minister once again to address this issue. There is a clear public policy justification for measures that protect National Lottery funding and the communities that depend on it.” PLI presents macro-economic arguments for the ban PLI’s Murphy added that the operator considers it has a ‘responsibility to safeguard the National Lottery’s long-term value’, including shielding it from revenue losses to betting operators. “Given the scale of these impacts, we have no choice but to request appropriate action from the Government on this issue, in the interest of preserving current Good Causes funding levels, protecting players, and ensuring that the National Lottery, as a State asset, remains an attractive investment that delivers tangible returns for the State when its licence comes up for renewal in eight years’ time.” The firm has built its case not just on the impact to its own revenues and good causes returns, but also on what it describes as wider knock-on economic impacts. It estimates that retailers lost £12m in commission in 2024, as part of a total $132m loss across broader related retail sales. This impact extends to employment, with PLI estimating that “1,219 fewer jobs are sustained due to the presence of lottery betting”. This in turn creates further broader economic costs for the Irish state, including a €5m loss in exchequer revenue according to PLI’s calculations. Tara Buckley, Director General of the Retail Grocery Dairy and Allied Trades Association (RGDATA), said: “Retailers see first-hand the tangible difference that Good Causes funding makes to clubs and organisations, most of which are volunteer-led, in their local areas. “It is critical that the government acts now to safeguard Good Causes funding and prevent the National Lottery from being increasingly undermined by lottery betting. Ireland should no longer be an outlier in Europe and move immediately to ban lottery betting.” PLI is not alone in pushing for the policy change As referenced by RGDATA’s Buckley, the appeal submitted to the Irish government by PLI and its charity and retail sector partners is partially grounded in comparisons to regulatory frameworks in other European nations. The three groups noted that 25 out of 27 European Union member states, as well as the UK, draw a clear regulatory distinction between national lottery services and betting and casino operators. In the UK, for instance, operators are prohibited from offering bets on domestic National Lottery draws – though they are permitted to take wagers on Irish and Spanish lottery draws via many high street and online bookmakers such as Paddy Power, Betfred and Coral, to name just a few examples. Back in Ireland, PLI’s request to the government highlights that multiple quarters remain dissatisfied with Ireland’s new regulatory framework. Gambling reform advocates, such as the Labour Party for example, are pushing for additional changes focused specifically on advertising regulations. As the Irish betting sector faces similar challenges to other global markets – including an ongoing decline in retail betting activity, with the key exception of taxation rules – Irish bookmakers are likely to lobby back against calls to end lottery betting services. SBC News has contacted the Irish Bookmakers’ Association (IBA) to request comment on the matter. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.
Posted on
by: nicole
Can King Charles rescue the increasingly fracturing ‘special relationship’ following Trump’s anger at Starmer over the Iran war?
(SeaPRwire) - As the UK publicly distances itself from President Donald Trump’s campaign to pressure Iran, King Charles III’s upcoming visit is shaping up to be more than just royal pageantry.It may serve as Britain’s most crucial diplomatic tool for preventing growing policy rifts with Washington from deepening into something more significant."The British monarch has historically held immense importance in fostering personal diplomacy to smooth over any ruffled feathers," Alan Mendoza, executive director of the Henry Jackson Society, a London-based think tank, told Digital. He argued that the Crown has often acted as Britain’s strategic stabilizer during periods of political strain.Mendoza stated that Charles could play a pivotal role at a time when Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government and Trump appear increasingly at odds over Iran, defense strategy, and the future direction of the transatlantic alliance."King Charles has the opportunity, through personal diplomacy, to forge a new beginning with Donald Trump," Mendoza commented.Britain’s delicate balancing act became more apparent on Monday when Deputy Minister Stephen Doughty publicly rejected US blockade tactics against Iran, while still affirming support for Washington’s broader objective of securing maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz."While the UK does not endorse the US blockade, it supports working with the United States and other nations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz," Doughty said ahead of a UN Security Council meeting, according to The Associated Press. He warned that Tehran must not be allowed to hold "the rest of the world to ransom."This divergence highlights London's effort to support US security objectives without fully endorsing Trump’s "economic fury" strategy, which aims to cripple Iran’s economy through aggressive maritime pressure.This policy difference has intensified scrutiny on whether Charles’ visit is now functioning as a diplomatic pressure release valve.A White House spokesperson emphasized the visit as a demonstration of the enduring personal rapport between the president and the monarch. "President Trump has always held great respect for King Charles, and their relationship was further strengthened by the president’s historic trip to the United Kingdom last year," White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told Digital. "The president enjoyed welcoming their majesties to the White House, and he looks forward to more special events throughout the week."Mendoza pointed to Queen Elizabeth II’s past interventions as evidence that the monarchy can sometimes achieve success where elected leaders falter.He cited Elizabeth’s significant role in easing tensions with Ireland and described royal diplomacy as uniquely positioned to build trust on a personal level."People often question the continued existence of the British monarchy in the 21st century," Mendoza remarked. "This is why."Nevertheless, Mendoza was careful not to overstate the king’s influence.Charles, he explained, is unlikely to directly impact specific policies concerning Iran, NATO, or military cooperation. Instead, his greatest value lies in shaping what Mendoza termed the "general mood music" regarding Trump’s willingness to engage."It's more a question of general mood music, which could make the president more receptive to interesting solutions," Mendoza suggested.This distinction could prove crucial.Rather than forcing policy alignment, Charles could help maintain the broader strategic atmosphere necessary for Washington and London to function as close allies, even when their elected governments disagree.For Britain, this could be particularly important as external analysts warn that the "special relationship" is facing increasing structural strain.In an analysis published on Monday, Council on Foreign Relations senior fellow Matthias Matthijs argued that while the royal visit offers "spectacle and ritual," it is unlikely to reverse what he described as the deeper unraveling of US-UK ties.Matthijs highlighted Trump’s consistent criticisms of Starmer regarding immigration, energy policy, and Britain's stance on the US-Israeli confrontation with Iran, suggesting that Charles may now be undertaking much of the diplomatic "heavy lifting" required to preserve British access to Trump.Meanwhile, constitutional scholars in Britain have also voiced concerns.Writing for the UK Constitutional Law Association earlier in April, Francesca Jackson cautioned that using the monarch as a diplomatic tool during periods of intense political volatility could expose the Crown to political backlash or "potential embarrassment," particularly if Charles is perceived as caught between Trump and Starmer.This risk reflects the broader stakes involved.If Trump embraces Charles while continuing to criticize Starmer, the visit could preserve royal rapport while highlighting political dysfunction, effectively establishing a separate diplomatic channel between Washington and the British Crown.However, for now, Mendoza contends, the monarchy's purpose is not governance, but rather access to the king, which may still offer a chance to prevent the relationship from fracturing beyond repair. Digital reached out to Prime Minister Starmer's office for comment. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
Posted on
by: osami
ATG’s growth remains unchanged as the Swedish company deals with external economic pressures
(AsiaGameHub) - AB Trav och Galopp (ATG) has experienced a 'continued tough market situation' that has impacted its performance in the first quarter. The company is implementing redundancies and an internal restructuring as part of its strategy to manage external economic pressures. In its financial results for the three months ending March 31, 2026, the Swedish operator reported that its top-line figures were 'on par with the previous year,' necessitating an internal reorganization to streamline operations. Total revenue for the period reached SEK 1.4bn (£111.9m), representing a slight increase of just under 1% compared to the same period last year. Net gaming revenue exceeded SEK 1.2bn. A difficult quarter for sports betting Casino appears to be the primary driver of growth, with revenue increasing by 20% during the period. However, ATG noted that this growth was 'partly due to one-off events in 2025'. The results stated: “The growth in casino includes one-time effects in the comparison figures, but even taking that into account, there is growth.” The company's core horse racing division remained relatively stable, despite increased international interest in the vertical. In contrast, overall sports betting saw an 11% decline. “Horse betting is stable and still our largest gaming product. It is also the foundation of our business and the commitment to horse betting is strong, both externally and internally,” ATG commented. “The sports product area had a weaker quarter, with net gaming revenue down around 11% year-on-year. This is mainly due to the outcome of sporting results, as this type of variation is not uncommon between quarters. At the same time, we see signs that we need to continue developing our offering to our customers.” Lotta Nilsson, CFO and Deputy CEO at ATG Despite the subdued performance, ATG remains optimistic about regaining momentum in the latter half of the year. Lotta Nilsson, Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Chief Executive Officer at ATG, stated: “We are improving our results in a continued tough market situation. “It is a statement of strength. At the same time, we are not satisfied with the development of revenue – it should increase, and we are acting to have an effect already during the year.” Leadership reshuffles have had an impact The beginning of the year presented challenges for ATG, not only in terms of revenue growth but also with significant leadership changes. In February, CEO Hans Lord Skarplöth stepped down after 13 years. Peter Norman was initially appointed acting CEO, but a few weeks later, Jörgen Forsberg, CEO of Svensk Travsport, was named the new acting CEO pending the hiring of a permanent replacement. During this period, Nilsson also took on the role of Vice President. A complete leadership overhaul is a substantial undertaking for any company. ATG navigated these changes while simultaneously managing an overall company restructuring that led to a reduction in its workforce. Looking beyond Sweden Despite the internal challenges, potential new growth opportunities are emerging, though their presence within Sweden remains uncertain. ATG's Q1 results highlight its international strategy as a key long-term growth catalyst. ATG's Danish operations are reportedly 'developing well,' with a 13% increase in overall NGR (in Swedish Kroner) during Q1 2026. Similar to Sweden, this growth was primarily driven by casino (55%), followed by horse racing (27%) and sports betting (18%). Furthermore, ATG is exploring new opportunities in Finland through its Hippos ATG subsidiary, contingent on regulatory approvals. With the market preparing for licensing and regulated operators expected to launch in 2027, expansion into Finland could provide a vital new revenue stream, offsetting challenges posed by Sweden's mature market and regulatory landscape. Beyond specific regional subsidiaries, ATG is committed to actively expanding its international horse racing betting business throughout 2026. In Q1, this division generated SEK 817m, a 13% increase compared to the same period in 2025. This international expansion strategy is heavily reliant on distributing its proprietary racing content and betting pools to global partners. The results concluded: “We have several challenges ahead of us, the biggest of which is creating growth in horse racing. At its core, ATG is something unique: a gaming company with a mission that extends beyond numbers and balance sheets. The values that horse betting holds. “The community, the analysis and the presence in the experience itself provide direction in our mission: to create revenue for Swedish trotting and galloping sports. We do this by continuing to offer exciting games in a fair and smooth way. “Our mission remains the same – we will be the horse industry’s engine and the gaming industry’s compass.” This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.
Posted on
by: osami
Sweden’s regulator keeps a close watch on Mr Green’s every action
(AsiaGameHub) - Sweden’s regulator, Spelinspektionen, is continuing to implement supervisory actions over evoke’s online gambling brand, Mr Green. In the most recent regulatory update, Mr Green was identified alongside three other brands—CoinToss Ltd, Kaprifol Services Ltd, and Mr Vegas Ltd—that are now under intensified scrutiny. These measures are designed to ensure that all four operators adhere to the necessary customer protection protocols established by the Swedish gambling regulations, with a particular focus on player deposits. Licensed operators are legally mandated to follow up with any player whose monthly deposits exceed SEK 10,000 (£800). At this threshold, the gambling provider must contact the player to request proof of income and assess their risk of problem gambling. The heightened monitoring of Mr Green may be linked to a financial penalty imposed by the Swedish regulator in 2024. At that time, the evoke-owned property was fined SEK 12m (£900k) due to shortcomings in its Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) procedures that occurred in 2021. This penalty was a reduction from an initial, much larger fine of SEK 31.5m (£2.35m), which the Swedish Supreme Court decided to halve to ensure it was proportionate to the severity and duration of the violations. While Spelinspektionen rarely suspends the licenses of regulated operators, with most bans targeting offshore companies, Mr Green must proceed with caution to avoid further regulatory displeasure. This imperative for strict compliance is further amplified by the ongoing discussions between Mr Green’s owner, evoke, and Bally’s Intralot regarding a complete acquisition, as recently disclosed by both major gambling entities. A negative outcome in a European market could significantly hinder evoke’s position in these discussions, especially considering Bally’s Intralot’s potential to become a leading force across the continent by combining its market share with evoke’s brand presence in Spain, Italy, Romania, the UK, Belgium, and Denmark. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.
Posted on
by: osami
Cambridge study further fuels Irish gambling advertising debate
(AsiaGameHub) - A study conducted by the University of Cambridge has intensified the discussion surrounding gambling advertisements in Ireland, coinciding with broader concerns about the gambling industry's societal effects within the nation. Ireland is currently undergoing a period of regulatory reform, with the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) now overseeing the country’s betting market as mandated by the 2024 Gambling Regulation Act. Similar to the review of the Gambling Act in the United Kingdom, the re-regulation of Ireland's betting market has left proponents of gambling reform, such as the Labour Party, advocating for more substantial changes to advertising regulations. According to research jointly undertaken by the University of Cambridge and Munster Technological University (MTU) in Cork, gambling advertisements in Ireland disproportionately affect young men. The university's study examined social media advertising through the Meta Ad library, analyzing published advertisements and demographic data across platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Dr Elena Petrovskaya, the lead author of the report from the university’s Department of Computer Science and Technology, noted that "not that many adverts directly targeted men to begin with." However, she elaborated: "But even when adverts were set to reach all genders, they still reached that very vulnerable group of young men. “It shows that if companies just put ads on social media, they are still reaching young men – the group we know from other research is most at risk of gambling harms.” Cambridge researchers analyzed 411 advertisements from 88 licensed Irish operators, concluding that young men were 2.3 times more likely to be exposed to social media advertisements than women, despite the ads not being specifically targeted at men. Individuals in the 25-34 age group constituted one-third of all unique accounts reached, accumulating 6.2 million impressions. The researchers highlighted one particular advertisement that reached 1.32 million unique accounts. Irish advertising debate continues unabated The discourse concerning gambling in Ireland, much like in other significant European gambling markets such as the UK, Netherlands, and Italy, has largely centered on sponsorship arrangements. The presence of bookmaker branding in prominent Irish sports competitions, including the Gaelic football and hurling leagues of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) and the League of Ireland (LOI), has been a contentious issue for many years. The GAA ultimately decided to cease partnerships with gambling sponsors, citing concerns regarding customer protection and societal impact. The LOI, in contrast to its English counterparts in the EFL and the governing bodies of the Premier League, has been more reluctant to sever commercial ties with the sport due to the revenue generated. The Gambling Regulation Act and the GRAI's mandate are now established, with the latter assuming licensing responsibilities this year. Nevertheless, certain political figures, such as Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik, remain firm in their conviction that a comprehensive ban on gambling advertising in Ireland is essential. Research from institutions like Cambridge and MTU is expected to play a significant role in this debate, particularly given its focus on the impact of social media advertising, adding another dimension to a discussion that has predominantly revolved around sports sponsorships and television commercials. The findings from the researchers regarding the impact of advertising on young men, who according to Irish government statistics are among those most susceptible to gambling-related harm, will be particularly important for advocates of gambling reform. “This research provides valuable insights that establish a baseline for the reach of gambling advertising on social media in Ireland before the introduction of a regulatory framework,” stated Dr Deirdre Leahy from MTU, a co-author of the research. “This baseline will be essential for assessing the impact of reforms under the Gambling Regulation Act.” This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.
Posted on
by: osami
The Star Reports Improved Profits Amid Bally’s Support
(AsiaGameHub) - Australia’s leading casino brand The Star Entertainment Group has recorded a major year-on-year improvement, reporting an AU$1m (£530,000) loss for Q3 2026, down from a $24m loss in the same quarter of 2025. That said, the quarter was slightly weaker than Q2, with revenue falling and profitability slipping back into negative territory, as regulatory pressures and lower visitor numbers continued to weigh on performance. Group revenue landed at $266m, down 12% quarter-on-quarter and slightly lower than the $268m recorded in the prior corresponding period. The company posted an EBITDA loss of $1m, reversing the $6m profit it gained in Q2, though the result is still a marked improvement on 2025 figures driven by cost-cutting efforts. Declines were largely fueled by ongoing soft performance in Sydney, where revenue dropped 10% versus the previous quarter and 9% year-on-year. Table games were a particular weak point, and the impact of mandatory carded play and cash limits continues to be felt – average daily revenue at the Sydney property is still roughly 20% below pre-reform levels. Examples of these regulatory reforms include a $100 cash load-up limit for Victorian poker machines and a delayed rollout of $1,000 daily cash limits at New South Wales casinos, where the limit will remain at $5,000 until August 2027. Across other locations, performance was mixed. The Gold Coast delivered modest year-on-year growth, supported by stronger electronic gaming and hospitality results, while Brisbane’s numbers were impacted by the transition out of the Destination Brisbane Consortium (DBC) joint venture and changes to the operator fee structure. Cost reductions were a clear positive highlight, with operating expenses falling 11% quarter-on-quarter and 10% year-on-year. This reflects the early impact of “cost out” initiatives launched by the company’s new leadership team, including corporate streamlining and reviews of supplier costs. Latest updates on The Star’s turnaround plan Even so, The Star’s broader overall financial position remains fragile. Available cash dropped to $90m at the end of March, and the company is working against a tight deadline to complete refinancing by 15 May to avoid breaching its existing debt agreement. A binding refinancing commitment with WhiteHawk Capital Partners, announced at the end of last month, is already in place, and all required regulatory approvals have been secured. The refinancing package consists of a three-year facility totaling around $550m, which will be used to fully refinance the group’s existing debt while also providing extra liquidity. A minimum liquidity requirement of $50m has been set for the first 12 months after financial close, which the company is on track to meet. The requirement rises to $75m between 12 and 18 months post-close, and $100m after that period. Additional covenants include a minimum asset coverage ratio starting December 2026 and a minimum EBITDA threshold starting March 2027, alongside standard reporting obligations and default provisions. An interest reserve account that will cover the first 12 months of interest payments will also be set up as part of the new financing structure. “The Star is working to complete the refinancing as soon as possible, but no later than 15 May 2026, to meet the conditions of the waiver granted by existing SFA lenders,” a company statement read. The Star has also made progress on its strategic reset, completing the first stage of its exit from the Brisbane joint venture with DBC. This step included the release of a large parent company guarantee tied to $1.4bn in debt facilities. Financial challenges will not be resolved immediately Despite these recent steps, The Star has reiterated that material uncertainty remains over its ability to continue as a going concern, with multiple interconnected factors including refinancing, regulatory outcomes and operational recovery still unresolved. Bruce Mathieson Jnr, the company’s current Chief Executive Officer, has continued advancing the turnaround strategy, which included appointing two new Non-Executive Directors – Brooke Lindsay and Grant Bowie – this month. The business remains in a transitional period following a $300m strategic investment from Bally’s Corporation and Investment Holdings late last year, a deal that will eventually give Bally’s a 56.7% stake in The Star. The company is also navigating ongoing regulatory change across Australia, where a key recent policy focus has been cracking down on gambling advertising. The Murphy report, written by late MP Peta Murphy and holding 31 recommendations for Australian regulatory reform, has still not seen most of its suggestions implemented across the country. For The Star, an immediate return to profitability was always highly unlikely. Despite the unavoidable pressures it faces from both internal and external sources, the company is in a much healthier position today than it was at the start of 2025, when it was grappling with losses of more than $300m. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.
Posted on
by: osami
Tipico joins the Banijay era with Mate Bacic as CEO
(AsiaGameHub) - Tipico Sportwetten has kicked off a new “leadership era”, with Mate Bacic taking over from Axel Hefer as Chief Executive Officer of the largest sports betting and iGaming brand operating in the DACH region. This leadership transition follows Hefer’s decision to resign from the new leadership team of Banijay Gaming – the division established in April 2025, after Banijay Group finalized its €3 billion acquisition of Tipico. Hefer’s exit comes after he fulfilled his remit of restructuring Tipico to position it for an eventual multi-billion-euro sale. During his three-year tenure, the company pulled out of the US market, selling its domestic US operations to MGM Resorts, and purchased Admiral Austria to boost its regional presence. The business ultimately became an acquisition target itself, when its former private equity owner CVC Capital reached an agreement to sell Tipico to Banijay in October 2025. Speaking about his departure, Hefer said: “I joined the Tipico Group nearly three years ago with one clear goal: to lay the groundwork for the company’s future international growth. Now that the sale to Banijay Group is complete, my work here has been successfully finished. “I am fully confident that with Mate Bacic leading the company and as part of Banijay Gaming, Tipico is extremely well positioned for future success. I wish Mate and the entire team all the best in the coming years.” New leadership steers the business into its next chapter Bacic, who has held executive roles at Tipico for almost a decade, has been promoted to the CEO position from the group’s existing senior leadership ranks. As Managing Director of Tipico Retail Services, he played a key role in building and restructuring the operator’s land-based retail network, which now covers more than 1,250 outlets across Germany and Austria. Most recently, he oversaw the integration of Admiral Austria into the wider group during his tenure as CEO of the Atlas Group. Before joining Tipico, Bacic held senior leadership positions at Telefónica Germany, bringing deep operational and commercial expertise to his new top role. Discussing his new appointment, Bacic said: “I am thrilled to lead Tipico through this critical phase for the business. We have a powerful brand, a highly committed team, and trusted partners supporting us. Working alongside Banijay, we will speed up innovation efforts, invest in technology, and set new benchmarks for customer service.” He added: “We aim to deliver the best and most secure experience possible for sports betting fans — both online and across our more than 1,250 retail shops. I also want to thank Axel for his reliable partnership and his significant contributions to putting Tipico in such a strong position for the future.” Credit: Tobias Arhelger / Shutterstock Under the revised leadership structure, Nicolas Béraud, former Betclic CEO, will serve as Chairman of the Board of Banijay Gaming. Joachim Baca, Chairman and former CEO of Tipico, will act as Vice-Chairman of the Board. Operational leadership roles across the group’s core brand portfolio have also been reshuffled, with Julien Brun, previously Chief Operational Officer, stepping into the role of CEO of Betclic. Banijay’s leadership team has given its full endorsement to this internal succession, with Béraud stating: “Following the completion of Banijay Gaming’s acquisition of the Tipico Group, I am convinced that Mate, with his extensive industry experience, in-depth understanding of the Tipico Group, and strong leadership capabilities, will make a major contribution to building our large-scale European gaming platform. “Axel was an exceptional partner throughout the Betclic/Tipico transaction, and I wish him all the best for the next chapter of his career.” This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.
Posted on
by: eqs
Volant Aerotech Secures Record-Breaking $300 Million Series C to Scale Global eVTOL Leadership
EQS via SeaPRwire.com / 28/04/2026 / 14:40 UTC+8 SHANGHAI, April 27, 2026 — Volant Aerotech, a leading pioneer in China’s commercial passenger eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) sector, today announced the closing of a $300 million Series C funding round. This transaction sets a new record as the largest single financing event in China’s low-altitude economy and the high-end commercial passenger eVTOL sector in recent years. The round was led by Stone (UAE), with participation from HSG and Fortera Capital. Existing shareholders Future Capital and Legend Capital also significantly increased their stakes. The capital injection is earmarked for the airworthiness certification of the VE25-100 model, accelerated large-scale commercial delivery, and the expansion of Volant’s global market footprint. Industry-Leading R&D and Safety Milestones Founded in 2021, Volant Aerotech has strictly adhered to its "three types, three generations" product and technical roadmap. Its flagship composite-wing aircraft, the VE25-100, is purpose-built for commercial passenger transport. It offers a spacious, flexible cabin and safety standards comparable to civil airliners, designed to operate in diverse weather conditions with high dispatch rates. Key technical achievements include: Advanced Flight Testing: Completion of high-risk flight tests, including single-propeller failure and emergency landings. Manned Flight Success: The first successful manned flight for an aircraft in its class, validating superior handling and system stability. Certification Timeline: Airworthiness certification is progressing steadily, with completion projected for the first half of 2027. Global Commercial Traction and Backlog Volant’s commercial momentum has surged since securing its first firm order last year. Within just 12 months, the company has built a robust portfolio: Total Orders: Over 1,900 aircraft with a total value exceeding RMB 47.5 billion ($6.5B+ USD). Blue-Chip Clients: Confirmed orders and advanced payments (totaling nearly RMB 100 million) from major players including China Southern Airlines General Aviation, Asian Express, ABC Financial Leasing, and so on. International Record: Over 500 overseas orders from partners in Thailand (Pan Pacific), Dubai (IC Leasing), and Germany (DC Aviation). A single $1.75 billion deal with Pan Pacific remains the largest export order for a Chinese eVTOL to date. A New Era for the Low-Altitude Economy With 12 rounds of financing completed over five years totaling over RMB 4 billion, Volant stands as one of the most well-funded and frequently backed enterprises in the sector. "The participation of global benchmarks like HSG and international players like Stone validates our technical prowess and R&D efficiency," the company stated. Industry observers note that this massive funding round signals a consolidation in the market, with Volant emerging as a "unicorn" representing China’s competitive strength in the global low-altitude economy. About Volant Aerotech Volant Aerotech is a premier developer of passenger-grade eVTOL aircraft. Its flagship VE25-100 model is designed for a wide range of applications, including commercial passenger transport, low-altitude sightseeing, emergency rescue and aerial logistics.Media Contact: marketing@volantaerotech.com 28/04/2026 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.Media archive at www.todayir.com
Posted on
by: jenn
Two Action Icons Are Adapting the ‘Battlefield’ Game into a Movie
Electronic Arts(SeaPRwire) - Although the first-person shooter genre is saturated in today's video game market, it is difficult to picture the industry without it. Titles such as Wolfenstein 3D, the original Doom, and Goldeneye 64 not only offered players countless hours of cherished, action-packed memories but also established the foundation for all subsequent games in the genre and drove technological progress throughout gaming. While they may appear to be a collection of unoriginal copies today, there was an era when FPS games represented the pinnacle of innovation.In the present day, the most prominent and commercially triumphant examples of the genre are Activision’s Call of Duty and Electronic Arts’ Battlefield series. Both are hugely successful military franchises that portray wars, both historical and fictional, across past, present, and future settings in numerous titles. Since their debuts (Battlefield in 2002 and Call of Duty in 2003), they have been long-term competitors, both influencing and defying trends set by one another. Now, this rivalry is set to transition to the cinema. Merely a week after Paramount Pictures and Microsoft announced a release date for their upcoming Call of Duty movie, the Battlefield franchise has countered with its own reveal.Last year’s Battlefield 6 was the first title in the series to outsell a Call of Duty release. Can the film achieve similar success? | Electronic ArtsAs reported by The Hollywood Reporter, a new bidding war is underway among several studios for a potential Battlefield film adaptation. The project is set to be directed by Christopher McQuarrie of the Mission: Impossible series and produced by, with the potential for starring, Michael B. Jordan. The project has already been pitched to multiple studios, such as Apple and Sony, with a clear focus on a theatrical release. This strategy aligns well with the large-scale cinematic approach McQuarrie is known for in the M:I franchise, as well as the role theatrical distribution played in the success of last year’s Sinners, which earned Jordan his first Academy Award.Even though the inaugural game was set in World War II (specifically in 1942), the Battlefield series has explored various locations and time periods. It includes multiple historical titles set during the Vietnam War and both World Wars, as well as entries that venture into the near or distant future. One installment, Battlefield Hardline, centers on Miami police, highlighting urban crime and law enforcement with a "cops and robbers" narrative—an interesting parallel given that Jordan is also developing a Miami Vice reboot with Austin Butler.Since its launch in 2002 with Battlefield 1942, the franchise has portrayed real and fictional conflicts spanning many decades. | Electronic ArtsSimilar to Call of Duty, the emphasis in Battlefield games has traditionally been on immersive combat and multiplayer teamwork rather than a strong single-player story. This suggests a film adaptation will probably need to construct an original narrative from scratch. Another challenge is that first-person shooters often conflict with the themes of most war movies; games typically depict war as thrilling, while films tend to present the opposite view.It is currently impossible to predict the specific direction McQuarrie and Jordan will choose, particularly given the diverse nature of the games. However, it will undoubtedly be fascinating to watch the pair determine how to translate the essence of the games to film without creating a standard-issue military action movie.A release date for the Battlefield movie has not been set. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
Posted on
by: jenn
Why Was ‘The Boys’ Ideal Spinoff Canceled Despite Its Success?
Prime Video(SeaPRwire) - While The Boys has consistently satirized superhero franchises, it effectively became one itself with the launch of Gen V. This spinoff, aimed at a younger audience, centers on students at Godolkin University as they manage life in a dystopian world as "supes" while also dealing with typical adolescent challenges such as controlling parents, eating disorders, and gender identity. It served as an ideal complement to the chaotic action of The Boys. However, the spinoff was abruptly concluded during the flagship show's final season. The reason this series was not permitted to continue beyond The Boys might be found within its own narrative.Initially, Gen V presented a perfect solution to the main series' most significant shortcomings. In its later seasons, The Boys appeared to be stagnating, having reached the limits of both its storyline and capacity for shock, exemplified by Season 4 featuring two separate sexual assault scenes used for comedic effect. Gen V provided a fresh start, shifting the focus to the college experiences of Godolkin University students as they uncover a secret hidden beneath their school. Gen V managed to tell a complicated, nuanced story of teen problems with The Boys action. | Amazon Prime VideoRegrettably, by the conclusion of its first season, the show's promise was largely squandered. The university setting became unsustainable after the students were fully expelled from Godolkin, and the central mystery was revealed to be directly tied to the events of The Boys. This meant a significant portion of the spinoff simply functioned as supplementary material for the next season of the main series.Although the show was fortunately granted a second season, Gen V Season 2 succumbed to the same problems plaguing The Boys. The main characters had their reputations improbably restored and returned to school, but they soon found themselves fugitives again, under the protection of Stan Edgar and investigating the situation with Dean Cipher. This season revealed that the protagonist Marie Moreau's blood-manipulation abilities were more than just a metaphor for puberty and self-injury. When her sister suffers a fatal injury, Marie uses her powers to resurrect her, a feat that potentially positions her as the most powerful Supe alive, with the capacity to raise the dead. The season finale also showed Starlight enlisting these young heroes for her mission, suggesting to viewers that they would be instrumental in the final season of The Boys.So far, the only Gen V character to appear in The Boys Season 5 has literally been invisible. | Amazon Prime VideoHowever, Marie was not present for the potential revival of A-Train, who died in Season 5 Episode 1. The sole Gen V character to make an appearance in The Boys Season 5 thus far is Maverick, the invisible son of Translucent, a former member of the Seven. His role, however, was minimal, seemingly only included to force Hughie to acknowledge that he orphaned Maverick. What led to the cancellation of Gen V? The series has become so deeply entrenched in the shadow of The Boys, acting as an accessory rather than a stand-alone product, that it is difficult to conceive of it continuing without the lead of the original show. Perhaps if Gen V had been more independent, it could have developed self-contained stories with a future. But as the younger sibling to The Boys, it evidently lacked the appeal to survive on its own. The expansion of The Boys universe continues with the forthcoming prequel, Vought Rising, which by nature as a prequel should sidestep these complications. Gen V, however, possessed the potential to elevate The Boys from a dark comedy series into a full-fledged cinematic universe. Instead, it will not have the opportunity to emerge from the original show's dominance. The Boys Season 5 and Gen V Seasons 1 and 2 are now streaming on Amazon Prime Video. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.
Posted on
by: jenn
44 Years After Its Initial Release, A Divisive Horror Film Is Set to Receive an Even More Controversial Sequel
Gaumont Distribution(SeaPRwire) - Saying "go to hell" is commonplace. The idea of a cherished cult classic receiving an unneeded remake, however, is genuinely unsettling and increasingly common.A prime example is Andrzej Żuławski’s Possession, a cult favorite celebrated for its wild, intense premise and Isabelle Adjani's captivating lead performance. More than forty years after its troubled release, Possession is finally reaching the audience it has long deserved. As is often the case, this also means it's time for a reboot, regardless of whether it's warranted.Remakes have consistently been a staple of the Hollywood industry. Films like A Star Is Born and All Quiet on the Western Front are seemingly reimagined every generation, much like a classic play. Adding to this, the new Possession will be directed by Parker Finn, a rising talent in the horror genre, known for his Smile duology, which is considered among the scariest stories of the decade. The announcement of his collaboration with Robert Pattinson to remake Żuławski’s masterpiece sparked a fierce bidding war among major studios, including A24, Warner Bros., and Netflix, all vying to secure the next Possession. Paramount ultimately emerged victorious. However, despite the initial promise of Pattinson's involvement, he will not be Finn's leading man.Margaret Qualley has huge shoes to fill in the new Possession. | MubiAt this year's Cinema Con, Paramount unveiled the official cast for its Possession remake, and Vanity Fair provided an exclusive first look at the trio. Finn has cast Margaret Qualley (The Substance) and Callum Turner (Eternity) to play Anna and Mark, a couple whose unhappy marriage and subsequent separation challenge the very foundations of reality. The original Possession tells the story of Mark, a spy who returns from a secret mission to discover his wife wants a divorce. His bewilderment pales in comparison to Anna's subsequent mental deterioration, with Adjani's performance being a singular display of complete, consuming madness. Her portrayal of Anna becomes increasingly erratic and volatile, involving doppelgängers and a sensual tentacle creature. The film is exceptionally strange, disturbing, and deeply personal, serving as an outlet for Żuławski's own marital experiences.It is precisely this personal nature that makes a remake of Possession feel inherently... inappropriate. This isn't to say that another director cannot connect with the material or approach the story in a personal way. Qualley has demonstrated her talent in horror, and there's a possibility she could deliver a performance on par with Adjani's. However, the impulse to replicate something unique rather than create something new undermines any attempt to justify this new film. Finn and Qualley's collaboration could have been a perfect match in the horror world; their teaming up for a project that nobody requested somewhat diminishes their potential. Nevertheless, with production now in full swing, the decision has been made. Possession is moving forward, whether audiences desire it or not. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.