As the world’s leading cryptocurrency Bitcoin continues to flourish. While it is yet to impact on the lives of a huge chunk of society, it is becoming more and more prevalent and accepted in far great places than ever before.
One of the most interesting industries accepting Bitcoin is the online gambling sector. Not in the UK yet, where the regulations surrounding betting accounts, payments and money laundering are far stricter than other jurisdictions. But worldwide.
Here in the UK, the Gambling Commission have put in strict regulations that bookmakers and betting sites must abide by. The KYC (Know Your Customer) rules means that identity, payment methods and authenticity are a must if customers are to be allowed to place a bet.
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As a result, betting with Bitcoin – or other cryptocurrencies for that matter – isn’t yet possible on these shores. And that is unlikely to change any time soon unless the crypto world can dovetail with the UK Gambling Commission regulations.
Elsewhere, however, bookmakers and betting sites around the world are accepting bets and deposits via ewallets and in cryptocurrencies from Bitcoin to ZCash and Ethereum to TRON.
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Some of the leading global bookmaking brands like Betwinner, 1xBet, Melbet and 888Starz, all accept deposits in cryptocurrencies, which is bet in BTC or converted into a currency to bet with online or via their betting apps.
One that has taken things even further is 1xBit, which offers the 1xBit promo code NEWBONUS. They are a sportsbook and online casino that only deals with crypto currencies and particularly Bitcoin. No surprise where the name came from.
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It isn’t something new either, because 1xBit saw this coming some time ago having been formed and founded in 2007. They are a traditional bookmaker in every sense other than the accepted payment methods of initially Bitcoin and now a wider array of cryptos.
What 1xBit saw about cryptocurrencies was the benefits of withdrawing winnings instantly. The experience mimicked that of a betting shop, collecting hard cash as soon as the bet was won. There was no three or five day delay for winnings to appear into a bank account.
Now it is possible to bet online using Bitcoin far widespread than just via 1xBit, although they do remain one of the leading betting sites for crypto customers.
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Is Bitcoin about to become the best way to bet online? Not every bookmaker will ultimately accept it as a payment method, particularly when the regulations governing them are tight. But the list of those that do is growing weekly and monthly worldwide.
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Betting via BTC is beneficial on both sides of the wagering fence, because it is easier for both customer and bookmaker to process payments and get their hands on the money quickly and easily.
As a currency that transcends countries, regions and continents, it is a global player and undoubtedly here to stay. While the online gambling sector can be accused of being slow to react from time to time, this is one area where innovation is leading the way.
Expect other industries like online shopping to learn from how bookmakers have adapted and added cryptocurrencies to their offering and business model. Bitcoin is set to boom in online betting and as it paves the way for a far wider impact.
Business
Co-op Live boss resigns just days before venue’s official opening
Daisy Jackson
The boss of Co-op Live, Manchester’s enormous, ground-breaking new arena, has resigned from his position just days before the venue is set to open.
The enormous music-first arena has been taking shape beside the Etihad Stadium for several years, and was due to welcome its first official audiences this week, but has been hit with last-minute challenges.
And now Co-op Live‘s boss Gary Roden has quit the mammoth project, with the news of his resignation announced late Thursday evening.
Oak View Group, which Co-op Live is part of, said in a statement that they would like to ‘thank Gary for his help bringing the UK’s newest arena to live entertainment fans’.
Stepping into his shoes as interim general manager will be Rebecca Kane Burton, who previously ran the U.K.’s highest-grossing venue, London’s The O2 arena.
Gary has previously come under fire for saying that some grassroots music venues ‘poorly run’ – a statement that OVG has now distanced itself from.
A separate statement said that ‘neither Co-op Live nor Oak View Group share the sentiment expressed by former Co-op Live General Manager Gary Roden regarding the grassroots industry’.
It continued: “As OVG Chairman and CEO Tim Leiweke has repeatedly stated, Co-op Live remains committed to grassroots music in Manchester and beyond, including teaming up with Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham on the Artist of the Month campaign, and as a founding partner of Beyond The Music.
“Co-op Live also donates over £1m a year to the Co-op Foundation to support communities and empower young people to take social action through its new Young Gamechangers fund.
“Oak View Group and Co-op Live remain happy to meet with grassroots organisations once the venue is fully operational.”
Co-op Live boss Gary Roden speaking at the launch of Co-op Live just days before he resigned. Credit: The Manc GroupInside Co-op Live in Manchester
The news of the venue’s boss stepping down comes at a time when all eyes are on Co-op Live, the opening of which has been delayed.
The venue did host a test event with Rick Astley last weekend, but even that faced difficulties, with thousands of tickets cancelled to reduce capacity just hours before showtime.
It’s now set to officially open this Saturday 27 April with a performance by rock group The Black Keys.
The full statement from OVG about Gary’s resignation said: “Gary Roden has decided to resign. We’d like to thank Gary for his help bringing the UK’s newest arena to live entertainment fans and wish him the best for the future.
“Rebecca Kane Burton has been named Interim GM, effective today. Rebecca is a seasoned veteran of venue management and live entertainment in the UK having served as VP/GM of The O2 from 2012-2016 and CEO of LW Theatres from 2016-2021.
Chester Zoo named best zoo in the UK thanks to more than 11,000 ‘excellent’ ratings
Emily Sergeant
It’s official… Chester Zoo has been named to best zoo in the UK for 2024.
Everyone in and around Greater Manchester and the North West is familiar with just how brilliant the UK’s biggest charity zoo is and all the work it contributes towards conservation and protecting endangered species all across the world – but now, it’s got itself a respectable new title to prove it, and it’s all thanks to tens of thousands of positive TripAdvisor reviews.
The world’s biggest travel guidance platform has named Chester Zoo as the best-rated zoo to visit in the UK this year, with more than 11,000 ‘Excellent’ ratings.
Based on millions of online reviews, the new ranking puts the beloved Cheshire-based attraction ahead of the country’s other zoos after earning consistently good feedback from its visitors.
Chester Zoo has been named the best zoo in the UK for 2024 / Credit: Chester Zoo
According to Chester Zoo, the “wonderful news” means that, as a conservation charity, it can continue its work with countries across the world to “help all animals survive and thrive”, as well as provide expert care to the 37,000 animals who currently call the zoo their home.
The zoo has also thanked its visitors for all their continued support each year, as this allows to “keep making a difference”.
“With every admission ticket, membership, animal adoption, or experience purchased, you are contributing to our mission of preventing extinction,” Chester Zoo said in a statement.
We've been named the BEST zoo in the UK, thanks to YOU! 🇬🇧
This news comes after receiving thousands of positive reviews on the travel website, Tripadvisor 🙌
Your support helps us to protect more than 500 of the world's most threatened animal and plant species🐅🌱
Speaking on the coveted new TripAdvisor title, Jamie Chirston, who is the CEO at Chester Zoo, says he’s “over the moon to be named the best zoo in the UK”, adding in a statement that: “It’s an incredible achievement and especially pleasing given it’s based on thousands upon thousands of genuine reviews and opinions.
“It’s a real seal of approval from our visitors, and testament to every single one of our dedicated, hardworking, and talented staff that make our conservation zoo the wonderful place it is.
“Every time someone walks through our gates, not only do they enjoy all kinds of wildlife experiences and a have great day out, but they’re also contributing to the vital conservation work we carry out here and around the world, and that’s why, as a not-for-profit conservation zoo, this top TripAdvisor ranking means such an awful lot to us.
It’s all thanks to more than 11,000 ‘Excellent’ ratings by visitors on TripAdvisor / Credit: Chester Zoo
“It’s confirmation that we’re getting things right for our visitors, [which is] especially important as, together, we’re preventing extinction and making a real difference for wildlife.”
The UK’s best zoo isn’t the only title Chester Zoo has claimed this month either, as TripAdvisor has also listed it as the eighth-best zoo or aquarium to visit in the whole of Europe too.
The Manc -
13th May 2021 
