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Fremont Street Casino Icon Derek Stevens Unveils Details on New Sports Betting Venture, Circa Sports

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Fremont Street Casino Icon Derek Stevens Unveils Details on New Sports Betting Venture, Circa SportsReading Time: 3 minutes

 

Owner of the D Las Vegas, Golden Gate, and All-New Circa Discusses Going Head-to-Head with Some of the Biggest Vegas Sports Gaming Forces

 

Steve Carp, Managing Editor of Gaming Today, recently sat down with Fremont Street casino power player Derek Stevens in an exclusive interview to discuss his new Circa Sports sportsbook operation. The interview is wide ranging and can be read in its entirety by going to GamingToday.com.

There is nothing ordinary about Derek Stevens. He is larger than life and dominates whatever room he walks into. Yet Stevens prides himself on staying in touch with his customers and can often be seen chatting it up with them at the 110-foot Long Bar at The D, a bar he designed as a place where he would love to hang out and just watch a game.

The majority owner of Golden Gate Hotel & Casino and the D Las Vegas, Stevens has been involved in casinos since 2008, when legend tells of how he and his brother decided to buy the Golden Gate casino property while on vacation. Their plan became a reality later that year.

An example of his excellent business savvy came in 2008 when he bought the MLB minor league team Las Vegas 51s, selling it three years later for $20 million.

Derek is a native of Detroit and is extremely proud of where he comes from. His family business, Cold Heading Company, was originally started by his grandfather selling nuts and bolts to the automobile industry in Michigan. Stevens took over as CEO in 1994. Not only is he savvy, he’s highly educated, having graduated from the University of Michigan in 1990 and later obtaining his MBA from Wayne State University in 1994.

The following are key excerpts and quotes by Stevens from the article written by the award-winning Steve Carp for the iconic Las Vegas sports and gaming publication, Gaming Today:

Introduction

Not everyone gets to live their dream. Then again, not everyone is Derek Stevens.

The owner of the D Las Vegas and the money and power behind the under-construction Circa Resort and Casino always wanted to run his own sportsbook. He loves sports and betting on them. He also loves the idea of being on the other side of the counter.

Saturday at the Golden Gate on Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas, Stevens’ dream becomes reality. Circa Sports, the newest sportsbook operation in Nevada, will take its first bets after receiving approval from the state’s gaming commission last month.

In addition to the Golden Gate operation, Circa Sports will have its book at the D in mid-June after breaking away from its partnership with William Hill, which had run the book there for Stevens while he attempted to get licensed as a bookmaker.

And it’s all a prelude to the big one—the multi-level megabook at Circa come December 2020.

“We’re ready to go,” Stevens said. “The final details are being worked out and we’re really excited. We’re going to make everyone feel welcome. Whether you’re a big bettor or a small bettor, doesn’t matter. We want you to come in, place a bet, catch the games, have some fun.”

Catering to Sharps

The big bettors are a big part of Circa Sports’ vision. Stevens wants to return to the old days of Las Vegas where the mantra was “If you can bring it, you can bet it.”

“We’re not going to shy away from the big bettors,” Stevens said. “I’m not a guy who forgets this is gambling.”

He has had conversations with several known professional sports bettors, including Gaming Today columnist Bill Krackomberger. And they provided Stevens some valuable input as he goes forward with his Circa Sports venture.

“We’re going to take their action,” he said. “We’re going to welcome them in.”

Mobile Betting App

Stevens is also excited about the Circa Sports mobile phone app. He is cognizant that in-game wagering and the ease of placing a bet without a trip to a brick-and-mortar establishment is a fact of life in 2019 and he wants his app to be user friendly, convenient, and secure.

“It’s going to be a unique way for people to get involved,” he said. “Sure, we’d love for them to come visit us at the Golden Gate and the D, and eventually, when we open the book at Circa. But the phone app is very popular, especially for young people, and that’s an audience we’re trying to attract.”

No Vig Promotion

As an incentive to get customers to come visit Saturday, Circa Sports will not apply a vigorish to bets made at the Golden Gate property.

The zero-cent lines will apply to the NBA Finals, Major League Baseball, and the Champions League soccer final between Tottenham and Liverpool.

LINK TO FULL INTERVIEW HERE.

About Gaming Today:
Established in 1976, Gaming Today has been a staple for sports and gaming industry news in Las Vegas and across the country. It is the nation’s only newspaper dedicated to providing valuable up-to-date information on the casino industry and pari-mutuel race wagering. GamingToday.com contains news and features, plus expanded coverage in key areas—race and sports analysis, picks, tips, and handicapping.


Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Fremont Street Casino Icon Derek Stevens Unveils Details on New Sports Betting Venture, Circa Sports

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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Pre-Submission Check-Up: Is Your Project Ready for an Investment Fund?

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Securing investment is a crucial step in the growth of any business, but before submitting an application, it is essential to critically assess its readiness. Does the team have the necessary expertise? Is the product in demand in the market? Is there a well-thought-out development strategy and financial model?

Founders often become so engrossed in their ideas that they overlook critical aspects that are key for investors. Investors evaluate not just the concept but also the actual viability of the business—market demand, team professionalism, financial stability, and scalability potential.

One of the funds that support promising companies, teams, startups, and technologies and help them grow is PIN-UP.INVESTMENTS. The fund follows a meticulous selection process, investing in verified projects that are prepared for sustainable development. COO Ihor Denysov has outlined the key criteria that define an ideal candidate for investment, emphasizing strategic business development and scalability potential. These criteria serve as guiding principles rather than strict requirements, helping projects better align with the fund’s vision.

1. Strategic Investment Focus Areas

To attract investment, the product of potential investee must align with the verticals that match current investor focus areas. Essential alignment niches include:

  • MarTech Solutions — traffic solutions, advertising agencies, and marketing tools, including arbitrage teams, media platforms, telegram channels, advertising networks, influencer marketing, and AI-driven technologies. Tier 1 and Tier 2 are of interest.
  • iGaming Innovations — casino game studios and comprehensive iGaming solutions, particularly slots, instant games, and infrastructure solutions for online gaming operators.
  • Fintech Advancements — digital banking services, cryptocurrency projects, and innovative payment systems.
  • AI/ML Applications — advanced artificial intelligence technologies enhancing user engagement, retention, and innovative solutions across various domains.
  • Analytics Platforms — operational solutions optimising user acquisition, retention strategies, marketing performance, and overall business processes. Projects falling outside these strategic domains may not align with our current investment thesis regardless of their individual merit.

2. Product with Proven Market Demand

To secure investment, businesses, companies, technology projects, and teams must have more than just an idea; they need a real, market-validated product. Minimum requirements include:

  • MVP+ (Minimum Viable Product Plus) — a product with basic functionality and initial users.
  • Market demand validation — stable customer base growth, user behavior analytics, early sales, market research, alignment with the key market trends.
  • A clear business model — understanding how the initiative will generate revenue.

If the product has not yet demonstrated market demand, it is crucial to focus on testing hypotheses before seeking investment.

3. Innovative Features for Market Advantage

Product differentiation is a crucial element for market success. It is essential to have:

  • Unique solution to an existing problem that addresses the pain points in ways competitors don’t.
  • Clear superiority backed by data, user testing, experience.
  • Technologies that are hard to replicate—ideally patent-protected—can help maintain a competitive edge in the market. While not a strict requirement, having such innovations significantly strengthens a project’s investment appeal.

Products lacking distinctive features significantly reduce their chances of gaining market traction and investment.

4. A Strong Team with Industry Experience

The team is a critical factor in determining a project’s success. It is essential to have:

  • An experienced CEO and competent core team (devOps, marketers, technical specialists, financial experts) who understand their field.
  • Clearly defined roles and efficient internal processes.
  • Previous experience in launching or developing similar projects.

Teams lacking the necessary expertise significantly reduce their chances of securing investment.

5. Transparent Financial Model and Growth Forecast

It is essential that the potential investees have:

  • A well-structured financial model — revenue streams, cost structure, and expected profitability.
  • Key customer acquisition metrics (CAC, LTV, ROI) that demonstrate marketing strategy effectiveness would be considered as the plus.
  • A profitability forecast — outlining when and under what conditions the project will become self-sustaining.

Projects that cannot justify financial viability typically do not pass the selection process.

6. Readiness for Scaling

It is crucial to demonstrate:

  • Growth potential — the ability to expand into international markets or scale within the current niche.
  • Adaptable business model — ability to pivot or modify offerings based on changing market conditions and feedback.
  • A well-planned customer acquisition strategy — including performance marketing, SEO, and partnership programs.

Projects without a clear scaling strategy are not considered investment-attractive.

Conclusion

Meeting these criteria significantly increases the chances of securing investment. PIN-UP.INVESTMENTS considers only verified, promising projects that are ready for growth. When submitting an application, businesses must be prepared to demonstrate not just anticipated but also concrete results that confirm their sustainability and competitiveness.

The post Pre-Submission Check-Up: Is Your Project Ready for an Investment Fund? appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Skyesports Named Best Esports Tournament Organizer of the Year & Best Esports Tournament of 2024 for BMPS at GEM Awards

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Skyesports, India’s leading esports and gaming community and IP builder, has been recognized for its exceptional contributions in 2024 at the GEM Awards 2024. The company was honored with the Best Esports Tournament Organizer Of the Year, while the BGMI Pro Series (BMPS) 2024, organized by Skyesports, was rewarded with the Best Esports Tournament Of 2024. 

Skyesports is India’s most diverse esports tournament organizer, and in 2024 alone, it organized 50+ tournaments across 12 game titles, for both grassroots-level players, top creators, and professional players. Through these competitions, the Chennai-headquartered esports company rewarded prize pools of more than INR 10 Crore, showcasing its commitment to India’s esports industry.

The BGMI Pro Series (BMPS) 2024, an official Krafton India event, organized by Skyesports, and its grand finals was held in Kochi, India from Sept. 27 to 29 as 16 teams battled it out for the ultimate 2 Crore Prize Pool. This time, with storylines such as the resurgence of Jonathan Gaming-led GodLike Esports, alongside ScoutOP’s Team XSpark looking to create history with back-to-back official victories, delivered top-notch entertainment to fans. The tournament achieved a peak viewership of nearly 500,000, per Esports Charts, becoming the most-watched BGMI esports tournament in history with only competitive players.

Commenting on the recognition, Shiva Nandy, Founder and CEO of Skyesports said, “We are honored to be recognized for our commitments to the Indian esports industry. Our vision at Skyesports has always been to elevate talent while supporting the entire industry through diverse brand collaborations, tournaments across multiple game titles, and the best entertainment value to esports viewers through exceptional features such as augmented reality-based integrations. This is something we will continue doing in 2025 through our IPs like the Skyesports Championship, the Skyesports Masters, and many more.”

With these achievements, Skyesports continues to push the boundaries of competitive gaming, fostering grassroots esports and expanding its global footprint. Currently, the company is organizing the Skyesports Pro League and THE FINALS League 2.0, bringing esports across PC and mobile games.

The post Skyesports Named Best Esports Tournament Organizer of the Year & Best Esports Tournament of 2024 for BMPS at GEM Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Zimpler partners with Swish to unlock direct participation – transforming access to Swish payments for highly regulated industries

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Swish is opening up to PSPs for the first time – eliminating the need for businesses to partner with a bank to get access. Zimpler is breaking new ground as the first PSP to integrate directly with Getswish, the company behind Sweden’s most widely used instant payment method.

This change removes one of the biggest onboarding barriers for businesses in highly regulated industries. Until now, merchants needed direct banking relationships to access Swish – an often costly, time-consuming, and restrictive process. Through Zimpler’s direct participation, businesses can now integrate Swish faster, at a lower cost, and with greater stability.

“This is a game-changer for the Swedish payments landscape,” says Johan Strand, CEO of Zimpler. “Many businesses in regulated sectors have faced challenges accessing payment solutions due to complex banking requirements. By offering a direct route, we’re giving merchants a faster, more efficient way to access one of Sweden’s most trusted payment methods.”

Beyond direct merchant access, this could open up the possibility for Zimpler to act as a Swish provider for other PSPs, making the solution even more widely available.

Urban Höglund, CEO of Getswish, adds: “Swish has always been about speed, security, and ease of use. With this partnership we make it possible for more companies to accept Swish payments.”

With the rise of account-to-account (A2A) payments and increasing pressure for frictionless payment solutions, this collaboration signals a major shift in Sweden’s financial ecosystem.

The post Zimpler partners with Swish to unlock direct participation – transforming access to Swish payments for highly regulated industries appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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