Latest news with #Stake
News18
6 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Venus Williams, Amanda Anisimova Added To Star-Studded 2025 US Open Mixed Doubles List
Last Updated: The U.S. Open's revamped mixed doubles tournament features big names like Venus Williams with Reilly Opelka and Amanda Anisimova with Holger Rune. The U.S. Open's revamped mixed doubles tournament continues to attract big names, with the latest entry list—released Monday—featuring several eye-catching partnerships. Among them, Venus Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, is teaming up with Reilly Opelka, while Amanda Anisimova, fresh off her Wimbledon runner-up finish, partners with Danish star Holger Rune. 25 Teams Vying for a Spot, $1 Million Prize at Stake A total of 25 duos have now signed up for the innovative competition, set to be held on August 19–20, just days before the U.S. Open main draw begins. Only 16 teams will make the final field, with the winning pair set to earn a staggering $1 million, making it one of the richest payouts in mixed doubles history. The entry deadline is one week away, after which the top eight teams, based on combined ATP and WTA singles rankings, will receive direct entry into the draw. The remaining eight spots will be filled by wild-card entries, handpicked by the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA). The mixed doubles event has been rescheduled to take place the week before the start of singles play, which begins August 24. Original Line-Up Already Featured a Who's Who of Tennis The first wave of announced entries, released last month, already included several top-ranked singles stars and fan-favorites, forming a truly global and dynamic field: view comments First Published: July 23, 2025, 18:33 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
SBS Australia
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- SBS Australia
Fears new breed of influencers could worsen a $25 billion Australian problem
In a quiet Brisbane club at about 10am on a Tuesday morning, Stuart is sitting in front of a poker machine filming his latest video for his YouTube channel, commentating as the machine flashes and beeps. "Oh my goodness — wow," he says to his viewers, as a $500 win flashes on the screen. But this was a rare win, he told The Feed. "The reality is, you put a hundred in, more than likely you're walking away with nothing. You have to be extremely lucky to walk away with a win," Stuart said. He's part of a growing number of gambling content creators who are gaining traction across social media and gambling platforms. Stuart gambles small amounts of money, records his wins and losses, and uploads the footage for his viewers, many of whom, he says, are people who "just want a little taste" of gambling without the risk of playing themselves. Stuart uploads videos to YouTube of him playing the pokies in Brisbane. Source: Supplied But it's a growing type of content that has some experts concerned about Australia's gambling rates. Australians lose about $25 billion a year to gambling — the most per capita of anywhere in the world — while we host around 18 per cent of the world's poker machines, according to the Australia Institute. Online gambling influencers making it big Meanwhile, on gaming streaming platforms such as Twitch and the newer Australian site Kick (which is backed by Bijan Tehrani and Ed Craven, co-founders of online gambling site Stake), gambling influencers rack up millions of views streaming themselves playing online pokies (also known by the US term slots). Unlike Stuart's YouTube channel, these streamers often have thousands of eyes on them, largely made up of gamers as well as young people drawn in by the spectacle and personality. Some streamers have up to a million followers. But online slots and casino-style games such as blackjack are illegal in Australia — and so is streaming playing them. However due to loose regulations, the content is being watched in Australia. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) told The Feed in a statement that gambling influencers who promote illegal online services may put Australians at risk as illegal platforms often don't allow users to withdraw winnings and may even take money without permission. "Unfortunately, you are unlikely to see your money again in these situations," a spokesperson said. They also warned influencers they could face fines of up to $59,400 for promoting or advertising illegal online gambling services. And some experts fear that the popularity of gambling influencers could lure in young people to gambling harms. "Young Australians who are active online can be more vulnerable and gambling influencers may be putting people that follow them at real risk of harm," the ACMA said. In some cases, viewers can 'donate' money for the streamer to gamble with and watch the outcome play out. Some streamers encourage viewers to donate money as one-off payments or regular contributions, or promote 'referral links' or sponsorships, to make money, thanking viewers while streaming for their contributions. The donors don't get a share of any winnings. Gambling has found a new home on Kick and Twitch, where influencers live-stream content for the masses. Source: Getty / John Lamb The appeal of these streams is that they allow viewers to vicariously gamble and engage with these influencers. Users can chat to the streamer who responds live. For some, it's a social and intimate experience. Dr Mark Johnson, a senior lecturer in digital cultures at the University of Sydney, has conducted research into the intersection of gambling and influencers. He says the dynamic of fans bankrolling a streamer's real-money play is a brand-new phenomenon that can pose risks. "It's a very modern and very novel relationship between the person who's gambling and the resources that they have to gamble." "[And] it's very hard to regulate this." Not just a game Johnson's study surveyed 350 international viewers and observed 25 gambling influencers on Twitch and Kick, finding that nearly half of the viewers felt more inclined to gamble after watching gambling streams. For some, it was the content itself. For others, it was the live chat rooms that the platforms provide, spaces that often reinforce misplaced ideas about gambling strategy and odds. "You might see a streamer playing a certain online slot game and they've lost a bunch in a row — and then they change to another slot game on the same site and they win a few times and they go: 'See, I knew it,'" Johnson said. Australians lose $25 billion each year to gambling. Source: SBS "A lot of these kind of disordered ideas aren't challenged by anybody and are reinforced." About 30 per cent of people surveyed said they were less likely to gamble due to getting their fix by watching streamers. Despite their influence, few online gambling personalities have accepted interviews with media or researchers. Building new audiences Johnson said that while traditional gambling ads on TV are regulated and banned from children's programs, streamed gambling content largely escapes scrutiny or regulation. Plus, age restrictions on these platforms can be easily bypassed. "[Gambling influencer content is] definitely reaching young people. I think to an extent that traditional forms of gambling advertising probably don't reach because these are sites with lots of kids," Johnson said. "Successful influencers and content creators can often have big [young] followings." And young people are prone to the influence of gambling. An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report from 2023 shared analysis of 10,000 Australians aged 16-17 that found that one-in-six gambled before they were legally allowed — and by 18-19, the number had almost doubled. Stuart thinks gambling sites should introduce digital ID age checks to ensure children can't access content. An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report from 2023 found that one-in-six people aged 17-18 gambled before they were legally allowed — and by 18-19, the number had almost doubled. Source: SBS "Most platforms all you've got to do is just click a button and say, 'yes, I'm over 18', and away you go," he said. "So they're relying on honesty, and we all know what humans are like." Between influence and advertising Gambling influencers exist in a new grey area: neither traditional advertisers nor neutral entertainers. Stuart, who on several occasions stopped gambling to try to curb his addiction, said honesty is important in gambling content, and believes he's not promoting it. "I mention where I'm playing just to be nice because they've allowed me to film there, so I mention where I am, so people know. But I really don't feel that it's advertising." He says his videos include both big wins and big losses while some streamers only share the highs. "You don't want to trick people into thinking anybody can go down and put a hundred dollars in a machine and pull out a thousand — because that's not the reality." "I've had a lot of comments saying, 'you've put me off gambling by showing me exactly what happened,'" Stuart said. While some of his fans do send small donations, he doesn't rely on the income. "Out of $3 I might be left with $1.40 [after fees from streaming platforms] — so it's not a great deal. I don't feel that I have to use that for gambling." A spokesperson from the Alliance for Gambling Reform, a national advocacy group, told The Feed in a statement that an advertising ban across all forms of media would help prevent young people from viewing or engaging in gambling. "[It] would prevent anyone — underage or not — from being exposed to people intending to influence gambling behaviour using tactics designed to mislead or glamorise gambling," they said. A gap in regulation Despite the growing popularity of gambling streams, there's little regulation. While US-based Twitch (a subsidiary of Amazon) has tightened its rules, such as banning the streaming of unlicensed gambling sites in 2022, Johnson says many streamers simply don't obey the rules. "Let's say a player who's playing on a British site, they are streaming it on Twitch, which is a US site, and they're being viewed by an Aussie viewer. So how do you manage that?" Kick told The Feed in a statement that gambling streamers are not allowed to bet with other users' money. "Failure to comply with local laws and regulations is a breach of our terms of service and may result in being temporarily suspended or permanently banned from Kick," it said. Gambling has found a new home on gaming platforms Twitch and Kick. Source: Getty / Jakub Porzycki Johnson believes this new era of gambling is here to stay and sees an urgent need for more research, platform responsibility, and public awareness. "The big thing is to start taking seriously the idea that viewing gambling matters. That it is not just play which matters," he says. "We live in the first time in history where massive amounts of people can watch celebrities playing games of pure luck — and waging money on those games for massive amounts of money." In the meantime, viewers will keep tuning into their favourite streamers. Some for entertainment. Some for community. Some for the thrill. And for others, a fix they're no longer willing — or able — to chase themselves. If this story raises issues for you, phone Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14. Readers seeking support for gambling concerns can contact the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 for free, professional and confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. More information is available at
SBS Australia
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- SBS Australia
Influencers gambling with 'donated' cash: Inside the new online gambling trend
In a quiet Brisbane club at about 10am on a Tuesday morning, Stuart is sitting in front of a poker machine filming his latest video for his YouTube channel, commentating as the machine flashes and beeps. "Oh my goodness — wow," he says to his viewers, as a $500 win flashes on the screen. But this was a rare win, he told The Feed. "The reality is, you put a hundred in, more than likely you're walking away with nothing. You have to be extremely lucky to walk away with a win," Stuart said. He's part of a growing number of gambling content creators who are gaining traction across social media and gambling platforms. Stuart gambles small amounts of money, records his wins and losses, and uploads the footage for his viewers, many of whom, he says, are people who "just want a little taste" of gambling without the risk of playing themselves. Stuart uploads videos to YouTube of him playing the pokies in Brisbane. Source: Supplied But it's a growing type of content that has some experts concerned about Australia's gambling rates. Australians lose about $25 billion a year to gambling — the most per capita of anywhere in the world — while we host around 18 per cent of the world's poker machines, according to the Australia Institute. Online gambling influencers making it big Meanwhile, on gaming streaming platforms such as Twitch and the newer Australian site Kick (which is backed by the online gambling site Stake), gambling influencers rack up millions of views streaming themselves playing online pokies (also known by the US term slots). Unlike Stuart's YouTube channel, these streamers often have thousands of eyes on them, largely made up of gamers as well as young people drawn in by the spectacle and personality. Some streamers have up to a million followers. But online slots and casino-style games such as blackjack are illegal in Australia — and so is streaming playing them. However due to loose regulations, the content is being watched in Australia. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) told The Feed in a statement that gambling influencers who promote illegal online services may put Australians at risk as illegal platforms often don't allow users to withdraw winnings and may even take money without permission. "Unfortunately, you are unlikely to see your money again in these situations," a spokesperson said. They also warned influencers they could face fines of up to $59,400 for promoting or advertising illegal online gambling services. And some experts fear that the popularity of gambling influencers could lure in young people to gambling harms. "Young Australians who are active online can be more vulnerable and gambling influencers may be putting people that follow them at real risk of harm," the ACMA said. In some cases, viewers can 'donate' money for the streamer to gamble with and watch the outcome play out. Some streamers encourage viewers to donate money as one-off payments or regular contributions, or promote 'referral links' or sponsorships, to make money, thanking viewers while streaming for their contributions. The donors don't get a share of any winnings. Gambling has found a new home on Kick and Twitch, where influencers live-stream content for the masses. Source: Getty / John Lamb The appeal of these streams is that they allow viewers to vicariously gamble and engage with these influencers. Users can chat to the streamer who responds live. For some, it's a social and intimate experience. Dr Mark Johnson, a senior lecturer in digital cultures at the University of Sydney, has conducted research into the intersection of gambling and researchers. He says the dynamic of fans bankrolling a streamer's real-money play is a brand-new phenomenon that can pose risks. "It's a very modern and very novel relationship between the person who's gambling and the resources that they have to gamble." "[And] it's very hard to regulate this." Not just a game Johnson's study surveyed 350 international viewers and observed 25 gambling influencers on Twitch and Kick, finding that nearly half of the viewers felt more inclined to gamble after watching gambling streams. For some, it was the content itself. For others, it was the live chat rooms that the platforms provide, spaces that often reinforce misplaced ideas about gambling strategy and odds. "You might see a streamer playing a certain online slot game and they've lost a bunch in a row — and then they change to another slot game on the same site and they win a few times and they go: 'See, I knew it'", Johnson said. Australians lose $25 billion each year to gambling. Source: SBS "A lot of these kind of disordered ideas aren't challenged by anybody and are reinforced." About 30 per cent of people surveyed said they were less likely to gamble due to getting their fix by watching streamers. Despite their influence, few online gambling personalities have accepted interviews with media or researchers. Building new audiences Johnson said that while traditional gambling ads on TV are regulated and banned from children's programs, streamed gambling content largely escapes scrutiny or regulation. Plus, age restrictions on these platforms can be easily bypassed. "[Gambling influencer content is] definitely reaching young people. I think to an extent that traditional forms of gambling advertising probably don't reach because these are sites with lots of kids," Johnson said. "Successful influencers and content creators can often have big [young] followings." And young people are prone to the influence of gambling. An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report from 2023 shared analysis of 10,000 Australians aged 16-17 that found that one-in-six gambled before they were legally allowed — and by 18-19, the number had almost doubled. Stuart thinks gambling sites should introduce digital ID age checks to ensure children can't access content. An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report from 2023 found that one-in-six people aged 17-18 gambled before they were legally allowed — and by 18-19, the number had almost doubled. Source: SBS "Most platforms all you've got to do is just click a button and say, 'yes, I'm over 18', and away you go," he said. "So they're relying on honesty, and we all know what humans are like." Between influence and advertising Gambling influencers exist in a new grey area: neither traditional advertisers nor neutral entertainers. Stuart, who on several occasions stopped gambling to try to curb his addiction, said honesty is important in gambling content, and believes he's not promoting it. "I mention where I'm playing just to be nice because they've allowed me to film there, so I mention where I am, so people know. But I really don't feel that it's advertising." He says his videos include both big wins and big losses while some streamers only share the highs. "You don't want to trick people into thinking anybody can go down and put a hundred dollars in a machine and pull out a thousand — because that's not the reality." "I've had a lot of comments saying, 'you've put me off gambling by showing me exactly what happened'," Stuart said. While some of his fans do send small donations, he doesn't rely on the income. "Out of $3 I might be left with $1.40 [after fees from streaming platforms] — so it's not a great deal. I don't feel that I have to use that for gambling." A spokesperson from the Alliance for Gambling Reform, a national advocacy group, told The Feed in a statement that an advertising ban across all forms of media would help prevent young people view or engage in gambling. "[It] would prevent anyone — underage or not — from being exposed to people intending to influence gambling behaviour using tactics designed to mislead or glamourise gambling," they said. A gap in regulation Despite the growing popularity of gambling streams, there's little regulation. While US-based Twitch (a subsidiary of Amazon) has tightened its rules, such as banning the streaming of unlicensed gambling sites in 2022, Johnson says many streamers simply don't obey the rules. "Let's say a player who's playing on a British site, they are streaming it on Twitch, which is a US site, and they're being viewed by an Aussie viewer. So how do you manage that?" Kick told The Feed in a statement that gambling streamers are not allowed to bet with other users' money. "Failure to comply with local laws and regulations is a breach of our terms of service and may result in being temporarily suspended or permanently banned from Kick," it said. Gambling has found a new home on gaming platforms Twitch and Kick. Source: Getty / Jakub Porzycki Johnson believes this new era of gambling is here to stay and sees an urgent need for more research, platform responsibility, and public awareness. "The big thing is to start taking seriously the idea that viewing gambling matters. That it is not just play which matters," he says. "We live in the first time in history where massive amounts of people can watch celebrities playing games of pure luck — and waging money on those games for massive amounts of money." In the meantime, viewers will keep tuning into their favourite streamers. Some for entertainment. Some for community. Some for the thrill. And for others, a fix they're no longer willing — or able — to chase themselves. If this story raises issues for you, phone Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14. Readers seeking support for gambling concerns can contact the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 for free, professional and confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. More information is available at
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Max Holloway determined not to be 0-3 in two trilogies after UFC 318: 'I need this one'
Max Holloway has been on the right side of UFC history many times throughout his career. He holds a championship pedigree along with numerous records and accolades. At UFC 318, however, BMF champ Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC) is fighting to avoid being a dubious note in the UFC record book as he hopes to finally defeat Dustin Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC) in the July 19 headliner at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+). Advertisement After going winless in three featherweight title encounters with Alexander Volkanovski, Holloway will try to avoid suffering a third defeat to Poirier, who submitted him in February 2012 then won a thrilling unanimous decision in an April 2019 rematch. "I'm 0-3 in one trilogy. I'm not trying to be 0-3 in two trilogies. That's the main thing going through my mind," Holloway told MMA Junkie in an interview facilitated by "The BMF title is cool and everything, and making history is great, but the main history I ain't trying to make is be a man who fought two different trilogies and went 0-3. I'm focused on going out there and getting my hand raised. Shout out to DP, 'The Diamond.' He's a beast, he's an animal, he's a legend. I know this is his last dance, but I've got to play the spoiler here. I need this one." Holloway, 33, said he's confident about his ability to defeat Poirier this time around and send him into retirement on a loss. Holloway still has championship ambitions left in his career, and he knows a winning result is required. "You're only as good as your last fight," Holloway said, "and my last fight wasn't so good." Advertisement After being knocked out for the first time in his career by Ilia Topuria at UFC 308 in October, Holloway left the 145-pound division behind and said he's a lightweight for good moving forward. He wants to get off on the right foot, and that means getting his hand raised at UFC 318. "That first fight, me and Dustin are not even recognizable," Holloway said. "Then the second fight is what it is. We went out there and did our thing. I thought I did enough. I obviously didn't. Three people sitting ringside had it as a decision, and it went the other way. There's nothing to cry about spilled milk. We've just got to worry about the next one. I'm straight focused here, and I can't wait. "The only right way to get a trilogy done now with me and him is for one he got the sub, second one he got a decision. So let's figure out this trilogy and hopefully get a KO in this one, with me being on the winning side. That would be cool." Although UFC 318 is going to be a celebration and sendoff for Poirier after a legendary career, Holloway is not showing up to be a bystander or play a part in a fairytale ending. He is going into Poirier's home state of Louisiana with intentions of ruining the retirement party, but that mentality is purely out of his desire to win. Advertisement "If I've got to be the bad guy – I want to be the bad guy because it is his last dance, and I want to get his hand raised," Holloway said. "So be it. Business is business. I'll be the bad guy for maybe the week, for 25 minutes, and after that it's all said and done. I'm not one of these guys who holds grudges. Whenever we get in that octagon, we solve it. Dustin doesn't cross the line with a lot of talking, and a lot of his fans don't cross that line either. At the end of the day, it's super easy being the bad guy against someone like Dustin." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 318: Max Holloway determined not to go 0-3 in another trilogy
Entrepreneur
03-07-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
How Rami Tabbara Is Unlocking Real Estate for the Digital Age
"When we explain it to new users, we tell them it's like buying shares in a company - except the company is a property. You earn your share of rental income, benefit from appreciation, and you can do it all from your phone." Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Under the glittering skyline of Dubai, where property ownership often seems reserved for the super wealthy, one entrepreneur is dismantling the barriers piece by piece. Rami Tabbara, co-founder and co-CEO of Stake, is on a mission to make real estate investing as accessible as ordering food or hailing a ride. "I spent nearly 20 years in real estate, and I kept running into the same wall," says Tabbara, formerly a Senior Vice President at Middle East property giant DAMAC. "The industry was paper-heavy, expensive, and intimidating. It just didn't make sense that one of the most powerful ways to build wealth remained locked behind layers of bureaucracy." In 2021, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Tabbara launched Stake, a real estate platform built for the digital generation. The idea? Fractional ownership, transparency, and accessibility, all rolled into a user-friendly interface. For as little as 500 dirhams, anyone can now own a piece of Dubai or Riyadh real estate and earn income from it. As its name suggests, fractional property ownership means you can buy a fraction of a property, rather than the whole thing. You benefit from income once the property is rented out, along with any capital appreciation. Stake recently crossed 1 billion dirhams in property transactions and has over one million users from across 210 countries. Building in a Lockdown Launching a property startup in the middle of a global pandemic might seem like a gamble. For Tabbara, it was the challenge he had been looking for. "Dubai's market had frozen, rents were falling, expats were leaving — it was chaos," he recalls. "But that forced us to build with discipline. We focused on trust, regulation, and compliance from day one. That's why we've been able to grow sustainably." That foundation has paid off. Stake is now licensed by both the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and the Saudi Capital Market Authority (CMA). It's also Shariah-compliant — another barrier removed for global investors. Another challenge he faced was explaining to potential investors how fractional ownership works. "When we explain it to new users, we tell them it's like buying shares in a company - except the company is a property," says Tabbara. "You earn your share of rental income, benefit from appreciation, and you can do it all from your phone." Stake's numbers speak volumes. Over 420 properties have been funded, 35 million dirhams has been paid out in rental income, and more than 250,000 investments have been made. Retail investors can invest up to $100,000 annually, with a maximum ownership cap of 33% per property to prevent monopolisation. Those with a verified net worth over $1 million can exceed that limit — and even qualify for a UAE Golden Visa via Stake with a minimum 2 million dirhams investment. Focused Growth, Not Just Listings While other platforms scale by quantity, Stake opts for quality. "We're not a traditional marketplace. Every property we list is handpicked, analysed, and underwritten," says Tabbara. "We work with top brokers and asset managers to source the best performing assets — if it doesn't meet our yield and risk criteria, we don't list it." In 2024, the company introduced its highest-yielding product to date — the Fix n' Lease fund - and expanded into Saudi Arabia, becoming the first platform licensed by the CMA to offer real estate access to global investors. Within five months, it launched three private funds in Riyadh, attracting SAR 135 million in foreign direct investment from over 10 countries. With its regional footprint established, Stake has its eyes on a global rollout. New asset classes, new geographies, and crypto payments are all on the roadmap. "We're working on enabling crypto as a payment method. Many of our users, especially outside the GCC, prefer it. But we're taking a compliance-first approach," Tabbara explains. That compliance-first mindset has also attracted heavyweight backers. Stake is supported by Aramco's Wa'ed Ventures, Mubadala Investment Company, and Al Jomaih Holding, a sign of confidence from some of the region's biggest institutional names. Democratising Wealth, One Stake at a Time For Tabbara, the mission goes beyond just property. "We've democratized access to wealth creation," he says. "We're giving people the chance to participate in markets that were once only available to the ultra-rich or big institutions. And we're doing it with full transparency, clarity, and accessibility." The idea behind fractional property ownership has made its way into the world of crypto and the blockchain, with real estate tokenization. Dubai Land Department and Prypco recently launched a pilot scheme offering stakes in properties starting at 2,000 dirhams each. Stake has been in active discussions with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and digital assets regulator VARA and is currently working to align its platform with the new regulatory framework around tokenized real estate. "We expect to participate in the second phase of the pilot program, which is scheduled to go live in Q3 or Q4 this year," adds Tabbara.
