Author: jackmartin

Global Casino Industry Set to Reach $153.2 Billion by 2026, Report Predicts

A recently released report on the “Global Casinos Industry” by ReportLinker predicts that the global gambling market across offline and online casinos will reach a value of $153.2 billion by 2026 expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7 percent over the forecast period from a size of $123.4 billion estimated for the Covid-19 struck year of 2020.

The report projects a CAGR of 4.1 percent for the Gambling Machines segment and revenues to the tune of $77.4 billion in 2026, while the segment of Gambling Tables is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.5 percent. Slots show as the most popular type of gambling machines and their rising prominence is attributed mostly to the easing of regulatory regimes by various governments around the world.

In terms of geographical distribution, the U.S. boasts a prominent position with a market size estimated at $70.1 billion in 2021. Canada, with a projected CAGR of 3 percent, and Europe, with a prognosis CAGR of 3.3 percent over the analyzed period, are also worth mentioning.

The Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow at an ever higher compound annual growth rate, estimated by ReportLinker at 4.5 percent to reach a market value of $34.6 billion by 2026. The report gives special attention under several headings to the high growth potential of the online casino India market, which has not gone unnoticed by top European players who are keen to tap its potential.

Key factors that influence casino spending and gambling market growth include the health status of an economy, the levels of employment and the disposable income of the population. The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic have also been considered by the ReportLinker analysts.

Online Casino Gaming is the Major Driver of Market Growth

The increasing popularity and adoption of online casino gaming have turned it into the major driver for market growth on a global scale. Nowadays, the casino play user experience offered by cyberspace platforms is so enhanced that it attracts even professional gamblers.

The wave of advances in technology, including developments in online security and digital payments, cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI & ML), virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), and others, have provided the global online casino industry with the opportunity to continuously improve their offerings.

Ongoing Popularity of Gambling Destinations Back Up Growth

The continued popularity of world-famous gambling destinations is another factor backing up the growth of the global casino market. The rising attractiveness of Asia-Pacific gambling havens such as Singapore and Macau is expected to make a significant contribution to the projected high growth rate in the region.

American Las Vegas continues to shine bright on the global scene drawing casino goers attendance from the whole world. With the easing of Covid-related restrictions in the West, a number of recent large investments attest the restored faith in the potential of the Las Vegas Strip.

In one of such deals, MGM Resorts International acquired the right to operate the Cosmopolitan, a luxury casino and hotel complex on the Strip, for an initial cash payment of $1.63 billion and a lease agreement for 30 years including three 10-year renewal options. The annual rent price has been set at $200 million with yearly increases between 2 and 3 percent depending on inflation rates, making the total value of the deal roughly $5.65 billion.

“This is a big moment for our company and for the Las Vegas Strip. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas has already established itself as one of the Strip’s premier resorts with an iconic brand, well-curated experiences and a loyal customer base,” Bill Hornbuckle, MGM president and chief executive officer said in a statement.

The ownership of the real estate itself was acquired by the Cherng Family Trust, Stonepeak Partners and Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust (BREIT) for a price exceeding $4 billion.

Another key investment in the Las Vegas Strip was recently announced by Wynn Resorts who undertook a multi-million total renovation of their Wynn Tower Suites in “the most extensive design evolution ever made to the venue” including all 2,674 guest rooms, the lobbies, the corridors and the escalators.

“Although individual touches have been created to suit differing room layouts, the most notable changes include a reconfiguration to the washroom in the standard guest room to introduce separate vanities and double the storage space; an expanded dressing area with mirrored walls and upgraded closet with new wardrobe; and an extended multi-purpose table in the main living room for working and dining. Additional power and data ports and advanced touchless in-room technologies complete the project,” the official statement by the company elaborated.

Blockchain Technology – Meaning And Significance

Initially proposed in 1991 as a means of implementing time-stamps into documents to prevent corruption, blockchain has now developed into a technology used to create decentralized databases that are difficult to tamper with. Blockchains help share and store business records for real or digital property. In a blockchain peer-to-peer system, each new block that is created contains information related to the preceding block, thereby making a continuous, incorruptible chain. Well-designed blockchains are ledgers that are protected, easily and swiftly available, cost efficient, and exceptionally transparent. Gartner estimates an annual business value generation of more than $3 trillion USD by 2030 using blockchain technology.

Blockchain And E-Commerce

Nowadays, blockchains can be used to represent everything related to businesses, involving raw materials and finished products, transaction processing, customer service, income-generating securities, and even contract rights. In the E-commerce industry, blockchain technology has undeniable potential, primarily because the technology keeps data untampered, is quick, and streamlines business operations related to logistics, supply chain, payments, and connections between consumers and brands, by reducing intermediaries and cutting down costs. In digital commerce, prevalent blockchain solutions include Ethereum and Bitcoin, the cryptocurrency surrounding which blockchain was developed. Anyone with access to the internet can instantaneously participate in the global E-commerce space!

Advantages Of Using Blockchain In Digital Commerce

Let us take a look at some of the benefits blockchain technology has brought, popularizing it among brands and consumers alike :

●      Safety –

For E-commerce companies, data theft and hacking issues are a major concern. A decentralized system, where data is corroborated by a network of reliable partners, assures a high level of safety. The chain system also prevents   double-spending and ensures the genuineness of products.

●      Traceability –

This is a benefit that many direct-to-consumer companies enjoy, thanks to blockchain. The time it takes to find the validated origin of a product through supply chains has been dramatically cut short through this technology.

●      Anonymity –

Blockchain-based digital commerce services may offer customers complete or partial anonymity while conducting business.

●      Decentralized finance –

Brands can generate capital globally, avoiding reaching out to banks or third parties. Consumers in developing countries can access a range of retailers from all over the world. NFTs have a huge role to play here.

●      Cheaper than conventional modes –

Brands can automate several transactional processes related to a product through smart contracts. The paperwork cost involved in businesses can be effectively reduced by converting brands into Decentralized Autonomous Organizations or DAOs.

●      Suitable for rewards –

Points and digital tokens that can be converted into any desired currency are another reason for the popularity of this technology.

Overcoming Challenges

While blockchain has found undeniable popularity owing to its usefulness and secure nature, the technology, which is slowly starting to mature, has a few barriers to overcome:

●      Regulation and standardization –

 The decentralized experience is not a smooth one for users due to lack of uniformity.

●      Integration –

It is still difficult to make separate blockchains work together.

●      Gaps in understanding –

Blockchain theory being abstract and completely technical, is difficult to understand, leading to a lack of trust.

●      Scalability –

This is still an issue with blockchains, which may lead to congestion and slowing down of processes.

●      Security –

Security is still an issue, with threats such as DDoS attacks or threats to the cryptographic algorithms employed.

Shaping The Future Of E-Commerce Through Blockchain

Decentralized data management is slowly gaining ground in the digital commerce space, with developing blockchain solutions. Leveraging the benefits that blockchain brings, along with a commitment to working with new technologies, is helping brands scale and develop in a secure and time efficient manner.

GeekyAnts– AI/ML development company has been keeping up with the evolving technologies surrounding blockchain, having already experimented and implemented it in supply management, e-voting, and global KYC chain. With experienced and updated developers, GeekyAnts is well on its way to discovering and sharing more as this novel technology develops and improves.

Chronic pain is a condition that not only affects the quality of life of the one that suffers it but also the person’s closest social circle. Commonly, this condition appears because of an injury, medical treatment, or disease. More than 10% of the global population suffers from it, and it can even cause disability. Painkillers are the principal treatment to reduce chronic pain, but they can cause addiction, gastrointestinal or kidney problems.

Therefore, finding other options that will help you to reduce pain without the need for pills, is a must. If you’re in the quest of finding alternative methods to cope with ache such as using the most effective pain patch, then you have come to the right article. We know how stressful and frustrating can be to live with this type of condition. Keep reading and find your new ally to counteract chronic pain.

1. Acupuncture

Do you know what is acupuncture and what are its benefits? The needles used in acupuncture are applied to stimulate the peripheral nerve fibers. Several imaging studies have shown and proven that acupuncture stimulation activates descending pain inhibitory structures. Hence, this alternative treatment would be ideal for pain control.

Also, people that use this traditional Chinese medicine method claim that it can help with depression, anxiety, PMS, allergies, and neuralgia. Go ahead and give it a try to acupuncture, and remember that it’s no magic; it can take a few sessions to start feeling way better. The key with almost any treatment is that you’re constant and patient with it.

2. Meditation

Meditation helps people to focus on the present and cope with stress, anxiety, depression, and pain. Some studies reveal that meditation can be an ally to reduce chronic pain. When you meditate constantly, the parts of your brain that send pain messages have less response. Hence, meditation can be a good alternative to cope with aches.

Take into count that chronic pain not only affects physically but also emotionally. Experiencing an emotional crisis due to constant pain is one of the main issues that a person that suffers from it should face. It can be worse in men because one of the challenges facing men’s mental health is the stigma of asking for help. Hence, you can also use meditation to manage your emotions.

3. Aromatherapy

Essential oils are the main component used for any aromatherapy treatment. These plant extracts are used due to their therapeutic benefits. When these scents are inhaled, the molecules travelled from the olfactory nerves directly to the brain. These oils are commonly used for insomnia, depression, and anxiety.

Thanks to the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of certain plants, essential oils can also reduce pain levels in people who use aromatherapy. Mixing it with other alternative methods can potentiate the effects to mitigate pain. Essential oils can be absorbed also through the skin. However, you need to pay attention when applying them topically because if not used correctly, they can burn the skin or cause allergic reactions.

4. Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy combines several techniques that will help you to reduce constant pain. It mixes manual therapy, exercises, heat/cold, ultrasound, electrostimulation, and other methods to manage pain. Commonly, a therapy session will last an hour, where the physiotherapist will give you useful advice to cope with the pain.

The best part of this alternative method to painkillers is you’ll get educated about your condition. The professional will ensure that you understand the type of injury or pain that you’re feeling, and you’ll work together to strengthen your body and avoid aches. Physiotherapy can also help to recover mobility and rehabilitate you, in case you have suffered an accident.

5. Homeopathy

If you’re not familiar with homeopathy, then let us introduce you to the topic. Homeopathy is a treatment that involves minimum doses of natural substances (like plant extract and minerals) to heal people. Some of these substances can be helpful to mitigate chronic pain. That’s the reason why plenty of people use it as an alternative method to coping with aches.

Using homeopathy is safe, and it won’t do any harm to you. Make sure just to mention any allergy or intolerance to the professional of the health that will prepare your homeopathic medicines.

Stay in Move and Healthy

Chronic pain may affect other aspects of your life, like relationships, work, etc. We know how challenging it can be to live with constant aches; however, don’t neglect yourself. Keep moving, go for a walk, stretch, or do any physical activity that your doctor recommends. Remember that having a good immune system is a must, more now that COVID-19 is in our lives. That’s a strong reason to get your flu shot and any vaccine that will avoid complications if you get infected.

Eat healthily, have enough vegetables, fruits, and whole grains in your diet. Avoid super processed food as much as you can. That might not be the solution for chronic pain, but these actions will avoid adding other diseases and complications to your current condition.

Author Bio:

Hello everyone, I am Ariana Mortenson, a professional writer and blogger. I write on various niches in a way that it’s understandable and appealing to the people. I a in to achieve a difference through my writing which allows you to make informed and valuable choices. Follow me back on Twitter, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease where the body’s immune system attacks and damages cells in the brain and spinal cord. The damage caused by this affects the ability of the central nervous system to transmit signals from the brain to the rest of the body. This causes issues with balance, changes in sensation like tingling, muscle spasms, and vision problems.

There is no definitive treatment approved for MS. However, there is great potential seen in stem cells therapy in treating multiple sclerosis. This can provide hope to many individuals struggling with this condition. This article will discuss stem cells, their use in treating MS, and the safety of this therapy.

What are stem cells and why are they important?

Stem cells are special cells in the body that are undifferentiated, which means that they have not taken on a final form. A stem cell is capable of differentiating into many different kinds of cells, whether it is bone, muscle, fat, skin, or even specialized tissue in organs like the spinal cord.

The body uses stem cells in early life to produce multiple kinds of tissues and organs from just a few initial cells. However, even in adults, stem cells can be found in many tissues.

Stem cells are becoming increasingly important in modern healthcare as they provide a means to treat conditions that have no recognized or effective treatment. This includes conditions like multiple sclerosis, some types of cancer, sickle cell disease, Parkinson’s disease, and many others.

This is because these cells can self-renew to produce an unlimited number of new cells of a certain variety. They also help repair damaged tissue by replacing those cells with new healthy ones. In addition, stem cells help reduce inflammation in tissues, which can be useful in autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

How can stem cells treat multiple sclerosis?

There are several different kinds of stem cells. They can be categorized based on where they are taken from, or their differentiation potential. For those wondering why stem cells are most effective in treatment of multiple sclerosis, there is a scientific basis to it.

In many treatment protocols, mesenchymal stem cells are the most popular choice for treating multiple sclerosis due to their inherent properties. They have been proven to suppress inflammation and can also help modulate the immune system, which is vital in an autoimmune disease such as MS.

In addition, their primary property of being able to differentiate into different cell types means that they can turn into nerve cells to replace those that are damaged in the brain and spinal cord.

However, recent studies show that stem cells in therapy stimulate regenerative processes indirectly — through paracrine mechanisms. This means that they send signals to other cells so that they divide and repair damaged tissue in this way.

Is this therapy safe?

Mesenchymal stem cell therapy using donated cells gotten from the umbilical cord has no danger whatsoever. There is no risk or rejection with these stem cells used in treating multiple sclerosis countless times without any such incidences. The treatment is performed by intravenous injections of cell-based drug with a huge amount of cultured stem cells, which is administered through an IV drip.

However, hematopoietic stem cell transplants are another type of stem cell treatment used for some conditions, including MS. In this case, these stem cells are used to essentially destroy and replace the immune system. It is obvious that with such a drastic approach, there can be a risk of major side effects.

It is for these reasons that mesenchymal stem cell treatment remains the best choice for patients dealing with multiple sclerosis.

Patient stories about MS treatment with stem cells

One of the best ways to see the effectiveness of some treatments, like using stem cells for MS, is to hear the experiences of real patients who have dealt with the condition and improved after treatment at a stem cell therapy center. Let’s explore a few of them.

1. Here is Marino, a patient from Australia who received stem cell treatment for multiple sclerosis. He noticed several significant improvements, such as an increase in energy and an improvement in his vision.
2. Lidia is another patient who had stem cell therapy for MS, 18 years after she was first diagnosed. Despite attempting corticosteroid treatment during that time, she never made any significant recovery. Fortunately, after two treatments with mesenchymal stem cells, she noticed a remarkable improvement, including less pain and improved motion.

Fight multiple sclerosis with stem cells

Stem cells are a resource found naturally in the body that can provide a body with the potential to improve symptoms of diseases, even for conditions that are said to have no cure.

By utilizing mesenchymal stem cells and going into a professional stem cell therapy center, you can tackle multiple sclerosis and achieve improved well-being and a higher quality of life. Should you ever let anything stop you from striving for better health?

California is the place where all the fun is, no doubt about that. You can’t afford to be schooling in a state like California and not have anything to do in a place that has just about any fun activity that you could possibly imagine. And after a whole school year of reading, attending classes, and taking tests, you deserve to kick back and relax, at least until you have to resume for a new college year. Or, if you are just in the middle of your academic year, dedicate your essay writing to experts at a professional writing company like AdvancedWriters.com, and have some rest.

We’ve put together a list of interesting activities and places in California for you and your college friends. The city of excitement awaits!

Visit the Universal Studios

If you’re a movie addict and would love to experience the journey of Hollywood in real-time, then you should visit Universal Studios in California.  The studio is one of the oldest and still vibrant Hollywood film studios in existence, and that’s why it’s a good place for you to trace the movie industry’s history. 

Universal Studio also has a wide array of theme parks and character appearances across its grounds, so you can’t be bored throughout your visit there. The Universal City Walk, a street line located just outside the studio, makes the area more exciting. There you’ll find restaurants, bars, and shops where you can eat, buy things, relax and simply enjoy the view.

Go Hiking

You must have heard many people say that walking is an excellent way to relieve stress. It even gets better if there are beautiful and awe-inspiring sights to see while you’re at it. And anyone who’s ever gone hiking in California would tell you that the state has some of the best views in the world. There are gushing waterfalls, tall trees, a dramatic coastline, many lakes and desert oases, and peaks that you should only see in storybooks. California offers all these and more. And in the process of walking in these hiking areas, you get to experience the feel of being in the wild and seeing different wildlife.

Some hiking trails you should check out in California are:

• Fern Canyon Trail
• Boy Scout Tree Trail
• Rubicon Trail
• Lost Coast Trail
• Lands End Trail, etc.

Visit Museums 

California boasts of rich history, a spectacular arts community, and assorted cultures. Thankfully, they have all these stored in world-class museums all around the state. Your school break is the best time to visit these institutions, explore the Golden State’s history, and see their marvelous works of art in all their glory. Who knows? You might find some inspiration for your next college papers. 

You can visit any of the following museums:

• The Haggin Museum, Stockton
• San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco
• Computer History Museum, Mountain View
• The Getty Center, Los Angeles
• Palm Springs Art Museum

Take a Trip to the Beach

We honestly can’t list all the available beaches in California, and this state has lots of them. No matter where you stay in California, there will be a beach nearby where you can go and get some sun and go on a beach date. You can also take a surf (if you’re a surfer) and breathe in a huge gulp of salty air.

If you’d like to go to the beach, here are a few options you can consider. You can always do your research to find which one suits your fancy:

• El Matador State Beach, Malibu
• Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur
• Thousands Steps Beach, Laguna Beach
• Santa Monica Beach & Pier, Santa Monica
• Coronado Beach, Coronado, San Diego
• Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles, etc.

Go Partying

Where else would you want to party, apart from one of the most exciting places in the world? The nighttime is usually one of the best times to be out of your house in California. There are countless bars and clubs around the state, and something big is always happening in one or more of those places. So you’re never left without an option of where to go.

So, while you still have your heads out of the books, it’s time to get into your favorite outfit, call up your friends, and have some chill time in some of the best party locations there are. 

Watch Movies at the Cinema

Yes, we know there’s Netflix and other video streaming platforms, but you get a different feeling when you see a movie at the cinema. Believe us; you can’t get that feeling watching a film at home. Besides, going to the cinema gives you the chance to step outside and breathe in some fresh air.

To spice things up, you don’t have to go alone. You can visit the cinema with your friends, or even your boyfriend or girlfriend. It’s a whole different experience and one we’re confident you’ll enjoy.

California has quite a long list of cinemas and film houses that you can visit during the holidays.

Go Shopping

Some day, the holiday’s going to end, and you’ll have to go back to school. Now’s the time to go shopping and get yourself everything you think you’ll need in school. California is home to many of the best clothing lines in the world. Even much more than getting clothes, you can always get whatever you need at any of the different department stores scattered around the city. 

Some say shopping is therapeutic. You might want to try it out to see how true of a statement it is.

We admit that college life can be stressful and tasking, and by the time a school year is over, all you want to do is relax and get yourself together for a new session. Fun is one way to get rid of school stress and get back the needed energy for a new session. If you’re schooling in California, you should seize the opportunity of being in one of the best states in the world and have all the fun you can have.

Slot machines are a real phenomenon of iGaming, which seems to be an endless soap opera. The number of available games is already reaching absurd values ​​, and if someone were to count them all, the number would be hard to crack. And it’s not even the number but the speed at which the slots are being produced – play casino slots UK.

New developers are established regularly, and each casino works only with selected brands. Therefore, no one place on the internet brings together all of the slots available online. It is estimated that over 20,000 slot machines can be found on the internet, and manufacturers deliver on average one or two games a month.

As a result, more than 1,000 new slots enter the market each year. This shows how huge this slot industry is getting. But the simple question is, why? Why are gamblers so drawn to slot machines? Well, let’s find out.

Why Are Slot Machines So Popular?

In the early days of the internet, many people were not satisfied with the games because they were slow to load, and some game features were broken or unavailable. However, online gaming websites have grown a lot since then. In fact, today, the online casino gambling industry is growing exponentially. Today, online slot machines are becoming viral thanks to the technological leverage and the worldwide use of the internet; the reasons are as follows;

•     Convenience: In the first instance, this is because they are not as intimidating for novices as other games such as poker or blackjack. When sitting down at a poker or blackjack table, the players will notice that in order to win a game, they must have some skill and experience, while to have fun with a slot, they just have to sit down, read the instructions and wait for luck to work its magic.
•     Bigger Wins: Undoubtedly, another of the most striking aspects is that a small bet can turn into a rewarding victory. This is true even for novice players. While in other games, a longer learning curve is required to learn the game and win, in slots, anyone has the opportunity to get surprising rewards even from the first time they push the spin button.
•     Accessibility: Easy access is another aspect that makes slots so popular as reel enthusiasts enjoy their favorite games in the comfort of their surroundings without wasting their time and money traveling to gambling establishments on land. An online slot is a perfect alternative for you if you don’t live near a casino. Mobile gaming is also an option as all well-known casino operators run websites that are compatible with iOS and Android devices. It is often also possible for players to install operators’ mobile apps on their smartphones or tablets and enjoy their favorite slots on the go.
•     Enormous Jackpots: Many people like slot games because they offer much bigger jackpots than other gambling games, and these jackpots can reach millions of dollars. For this reason, many people prefer to play slots hoping for the life-changing jackpot to strike.
•     Bonus Features: Slots these days come packed with tons of bonus features that not only enhance the playing experience but can also play a crucial role in increasing the probability of you winning. These bonus features offer you a chance to unlock various hidden elements of the game. Typically, these features are triggered by three or more special symbols. Each activation symbol remains on the reels, and you choose one or more to discover your prize, which often includes extra money, win multipliers, or free spins.
•     More Entertainment: Slots are by far the most entertaining casino games ever produced. With their enchanting designs, bright outlooks, intriguing themes, and exciting soundtracks, these machines sure have the captivating abilities that no other casino game can ever have.
•     Safety: Finally, it is essential to mention that online slots are very safe. All casino slot machines undergo extensive testing to ensure that these machines are programmed to adhere to the payline rules strictly.