Stockhead Don't miss out on the headlines from Stockhead. Followed categories will be added to My News. Australia's betting boom fuels market growth Tabcorp, Sportsbet dominate but consolidation looms Asset manager Tamim tips Bluebet and Pointsbet to perform well The Melbourne Cup earlier this month showcased Australia's love for betting, with more than $221 million wagered on the event. The Australian gambling market is part of a $1.2 trillion global industry, with Aussies spending $25 billion annually. “Australia has some of the highest per capita gambling losses globally,” said a note out of Tamim Asset Management, highlighting the sector’s continued growth despite strict regulations. Sports betting, in particular, has grown significantly, with around $1 billion spent annually, even within the tightly regulated market. Digital platforms, mobile apps and technology like data analytics and AI are shaping the future of gambling, according to Tamim, with in-play and mobile betting especially popular among younger Australians. The sector is also seeing growth in esports, fantasy sports, and blockchain-based betting. However, the industry faces challenges such as margin compression, rising regulatory costs and increased competition. “Operators are adopting more efficient technology and focusing on customer retention,” Tamim explained. Larger companies, like Tabcorp and Sportsbet, dominate the market, but consolidation could create opportunities for investors. “Consolidation often leads to a more stable industry, where larger players have the scale to navigate regulatory challenges,” Tamim added. Tamin's two stock picks Tamim has been closely analysing the Australian betting sector and has identified two smaller-capped stocks that show strong potential for growth in the evolving market. Specifically, the asset manager has recommended Bluebet and PointsBet, noting they are well-positioned to benefit the most from the growth of sports betting and online platforms in Australia. Bluebet (ASX:BBT) BlueBet Holdings, a technology-driven online wagering operator, has seen significant growth following its merger with Betr. "The merger with Betr has been a key move for BlueBet," said Tamim, highlighting the efficient integration that strengthened its market position. One of the major achievements was migrating Betr's customer base onto BlueBet’s platform within just 59 days, which Tamim said was a "remarkable feat. Following the merger, BlueBet has seen positive financial results, with a 100% increase in net win in September compared to last year. "This momentum continued in October, with turnover and net win up by 120% and 140%, respectively," Tamim noted. A key part of BlueBet's strategy is reactivating Betr's customers with targeted marketing around major sporting events, which has helped the company outperform expectations. BlueBet has also increased its cost synergy target to $16.9 million, positioning the company for future profitability. "With a solid cash position, the company is now focused on delivering profitability in the near term," Tamim said, with full-year EBITDA positivity expected in FY25. Looking ahead, BlueBet aims to capture a 10% market share in Australia, with expectations of $15-20 million in EBITDA for FY26. "The integration of Betr and the resulting cost savings are paving the way for future profitability and organic growth," Tamim concluded. Pointsbet (ASX:PBH) PointsBet, a wagering and iGaming company, has seen significant growth, especially in Australia and Canada. In FY24, Australian revenue grew by 10%, with EBITDA rising to $26.8 million, up from just $0.1 million the previous year. "The company’s Australian operations have been solid, with revenue increases driven by both racing and sports betting," said Tamim, noting this marks the fifth consecutive year of positive EBITDA for its Australian business. In Canada, PointsBet's revenue increased by a massive 87%, with Ontario seeing particularly strong growth after the regulation of online sports betting. "PointsBet’s success in Ontario is setting the stage for further growth as other provinces like Alberta and British Columbia are expected to regulate their markets," Tamim added. Technology, including PointsBet’s "Odds Factory" platform, has been a key factor in this expansion, alongside investments in data science and customer relationship management. Looking ahead, PointsBet expects FY25 revenue to be between $280-$290 million, reflecting growth of 14-18%. PointsBet is also on track to achieve EBITDA profitability and cash flow breakeven in FY25. "The company is on track to generate $60 million in EBITDA in the coming years," Tamim stated. Additionally, media reports suggest PointsBet could be a potential acquisition target, with a merger with BlueBet potentially creating significant synergies and up to $30 million in cost savings. Originally published as Hot Money Monday: As sports-betting market consolidates, BlueBet and PointsBet could be ones to watch More related stories Stockhead Neurotech receives vital ethics approval Stockhead TV’s Sarah Hughan brings you today’s Break it Down, detailing the new human pharmacokinetic study from Neurotech. Read more Stockhead EZZ finds Chinese market a thing of beauty Following key online promotional events, EZZ Life Sciences reports surging Chinese sales of its health and beauty products. Read more

As the conflict in eastern Ukraine continues, it is essential for both Russia and Ukraine to accurately report casualties and work towards a peaceful resolution. Only through open and honest communication can progress be made towards ending the bloodshed and finding a lasting solution to the crisis.

Investing in top can help you earn worry-free income for years. Several TSX stocks pay monthly dividends, helping investors meet regular financial obligations or reinvest more frequently. Moreover, a few of these stocks offer high yields, making them attractive investments to generate monthly cash. With this background, let’s look at the three with monthly payouts. ( ) is an attractive stock that pays a monthly dividend. This real estate investment trust (REIT) boasts a high-quality portfolio of defensive healthcare real estate. Its properties include hospitals, medical offices, outpatient centres, and specialized healthcare facilities. Thanks to its high-quality real estate, its tenants are large hospital operators backed by government funding. Since the healthcare sector offers consistent demand, the company is able to generate reliable rental income, maintain high occupancy rates, and maintain steady cash flows, enabling regular dividend payouts. NorthWest also benefits from long-term leases, which adds stability to its operations. Northwest REIT looks well-positioned to sustain its monthly dividend payouts in the future, owing to its strong underlying business, growing healthcare demand, and focus on expanding its global healthcare real estate portfolio. Further, Northwest has been divesting non-core assets to reduce its debt load and streamlining its operations, which is strengthening its balance sheet and enhancing liquidity. The REIT currently pays a monthly dividend of $0.03 per share, translating to a high yield of over 7%. ( ) is another attractive investment option for investors seeking monthly cash. It pays a dividend of $0.077 per share every month, offering an attractive annualized yield of about 7%. Its diversified revenue sources, including royalty income, strong food and beverage sales, and ownership in Pizza 73 restaurants, provide a solid foundation for higher earnings and regular dividend payments. Pizza Pizza distributes all its available cash (after setting aside reserves) as dividends, reflecting its focus on returning value to its shareholders. In 2023, Pizza Pizza raised its monthly dividend three times, resulting in a total increase of 10.7%. With a growing number of restaurants, a focus on improving its menu pricing, and continued investment in marketing and technology, Pizza Pizza is well-positioned to increase revenue and support higher dividends in the future. Investors could consider ( ) stock for earning monthly cash. The oil and gas company pays a monthly dividend of $0.061 per share, translating to a solid 7.1% yield. In October 2023, Whitecap raised its dividend by 26% and is well-positioned to increase shareholder returns further. Its portfolio of high-quality assets, lower cost structure, and higher production volumes support its financials and dividend payments. Since 2010, the company’s production and funds flow have risen at an annualized rate of 11% and 13%, respectively, thus allowing Whitecap to return a significant amount of cash to its shareholders. Looking forward, Whitecap will likely benefit from its conventional drilling program and growth in assets, which will further expand its free cash flow and support higher payouts. Whitecap is well-positioned to continue delivering regular monthly dividends with a low maintenance capital requirement, reduced debt, and a strong balance sheet.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A machinists strike. Another safety problem involving its troubled top-selling airliner. A plunging stock price. 2024 was already a dispiriting year for Boeing, the American aviation giant. But when one of the company's jets crash-landed in South Korea on Sunday, killing all but two of the 181 people on board, it brought to a close an especially unfortunate year for Boeing. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and aviation experts were quick to distinguish Sunday's incident from the company’s earlier safety problems. Alan Price, a former chief pilot at Delta Air Lines who is now a consultant, said it would be inappropriate to link the incident Sunday to two fatal crashes involving Boeing’s troubled 737 Max jetliner in 2018 and 2019. In January this year, a door plug blew off a 737 Max while it was in flight, raising more questions about the plane. The Boeing 737-800 that crash-landed in Korea, Price noted, is “a very proven airplane. "It’s different from the Max ...It’s a very safe airplane.’’ For decades, Boeing has maintained a role as one of the giants of American manufacturing. But the the past year's repeated troubles have been damaging. The company's stock price is down more than 30% in 2024. The company's reputation for safety was especially tarnished by the 737 Max crashes, which occurred off the coast of Indonesia and in Ethiopia less than five months apart in 2018 and 2019 and left a combined 346 people dead. In the five years since then, Boeing has lost more than $23 billion. And it has fallen behind its European rival, Airbus, in selling and delivering new planes. Last fall, 33,000 Boeing machinists went on strike, crippling the production of the 737 Max, the company's bestseller, the 777 airliner and 767 cargo plane. The walkout lasted seven weeks, until members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers agreed to an offer that included 38% pay raises over four years. In January, a door plug blew off a 737 Max during an Alaska Airlines flight. Federal regulators responded by imposing limits on Boeing aircraft production that they said would remain in place until they felt confident about manufacturing safety at the company. In July, Boeing agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud for deceiving the Federal Aviation Administration regulators who approved the 737 Max. Acting on Boeing’s incomplete disclosures, the FAA approved minimal, computer-based training instead of more intensive training in flight simulators. Simulator training would have increased the cost for airlines to operate the Max and might have pushed some to buy planes from Airbus instead. (Prosecutors said they lacked evidence to argue that Boeing’s deception had played a role in the crashes.) But the plea deal was rejected this month by a federal judge in Texas, Reed O’Connor , who decided that diversity, inclusion and equity or DEI policies in the government and at Boeing could result in race being a factor in choosing an official to oversee Boeing’s compliance with the agreement. Boeing has sought to change its culture. Under intense pressure over safety issues, David Calhoun departed as CEO in August. Since January, 70,000 Boeing employees have participated in meetings to discuss ways to improve safety.TikTok's parent company ByteDance has recently made a significant philanthropic commitment by donating 25 million yuan to support the compilation, organization, and digitization of the "Confucian Canon" at Peking University. This generous donation from ByteDance will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the preservation and promotion of traditional Chinese culture.

Sancho Throws Hotspur's Home Corner Flag Pole: Fans Decode - sending a message to Arsenal that we don't rely on corner kicksAs Arsenal continue to search for stability and success under Arteta's guidance, Suarez's words serve as a reminder of the value of experience and patience in football management. Emery may have had his shortcomings, but his dedication and hard work should not be overlooked in the rush to find quick fixes and immediate results.

Moreover, the allure of power and money in the corporate world may have played a significant role in the young man's descent into darkness. As he climbed the ranks of success and rubbed shoulders with industry titans, he may have become entangled in a web of greed, envy, and deceit. The pressure to maintain a facade of success and wealth, coupled with the fear of failure and loss, could have clouded his judgment and led him down a path of self-destruction.EASTON — Twelve days after his 1984 graduation from Queen Anne’s County High School, Darrin Pruitt joined the Navy. “I still had my Ocean City sunburn,” he recalled. After serving for six years, Pruitt lived in Washington State, working on quality control for nuclear fuel production. When his mother developed melanoma, along with other life changes, “it seemed like a good time to come home.” Pruitt, a self-described serial entrepreneur, works for the Department of Labor Workforce Development Veterans Services during the day. His brainchild and “sometimes beautiful disaster” is Chesapeake Creative Wellness, a nonprofit organization operating under Chesapeake Charities. The inspiration for Chesapeake Creative Wellness came from two very different directions. As a Navy vet who works with veterans, Pruitt sees PTSD and anxiety every day. Seven years ago, as a marketer for an Australian custom guitar company, he met Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Center members in Arizona. This group uses music and art to help at-risk teens. “When I told them I wanted to bring that model back here to the East Coast they kind of patted me on the head with a patronizing ‘yeah, keep us in the loop.’” He did. In 2023, Pruitt advised them of Chesapeake Creative Wellness’ projected launch date for the second quarter of 2024. In August the organization held its first music session. In September they acquired a studio on Creamery Lane in Easton. “I told our landlord I didn’t want the walls or floors redone. I want people to paint on them. We’re painting murals inside the studio. It has worked out well for us.” Kristi Egnar, an Easton artist, is the Creative Wellness art director. Mike Elzey of Mike Elzey Studios and musician Quinn Parsley provide musical direction. Pruitt describes the Chesapeake Wellness model as peer counseling with no set structure. Some participate regularly; others attend infrequently, while others come only to hang out and talk. “And I didn’t know it at first, but that approach turned out to be the best part; it’s what we do really well. We want people to know that even if they don’t want to ask for help they’re not alone; there are people here who can help. It’s a niche that needs filling in our community. We found the right time and the right way to fill it.” Relationships with Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legions, and Patriot Point in Dorchester County support the work of Chesapeake Creative Wellness. The Queen Anne’s County Centre for the Arts is a friend of the organization. “At a veterans’ job fair at Maryland Live Casino, I met the General Manager who is also a Marine,” Pruitt recalled. “I came asking for assistance but also looking for a way that we could help. The GM told me I was the first person who ever asked for assistance and followed up with an offer to help.” Today Chesapeake Creative Wellness stocks the Maryland Live employees’ break room with colored pens, pencils, and adult-level coloring books. In January the organization will host a monthly music program and comedy show at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. “We’re looking for other ways such as outreach to nursing homes and rehab centers with long-term patients,” Pruitt announced. Locally, Chesapeake Creative Wellness hosts paint parties at local restaurants in Easton, Cambridge, and Centreville. Dates and times can be found on their Facebook page. Plans are in the works for a blog written by professional artists and musicians, including posts from contributors who have experienced similar challenges. Ideas fuel the engine of Chesapeake Creative Wellness. “It’s the busy people who get things done and our minds are always working,” Pruitt says. “If an idea pops up, we hold on to it. As soon as we’re done with one, we start working on another.” Their idea for Christmas 2024 is a 16-foot Christmas tree to stand outside the VFW in Easton. Chesapeake Creative Wellness will sell ornaments for purchase and decoration, similar to the concept of the Crab Basket Trees at Fisherman’s in Grasonville. Each ornament is two-feet in diameter and sells for $50. Proceeds from the sale will be used to purchase supplies for the organization’s operation. Chesapeake Creative Wellness welcomes volunteers — from those with artistic talent to anyone with time to sit in the office and keep the doors open for the day. Above all, Pruitt extends this invitation to anyone in any walk of life, “If you’re having difficulty with PTSD or anxiety issues, we’re here for you.” Visit Chesapeake Creative Wellness at 31A Creamery Lane in Easton or call 410-340-6257.

RJ Davis sets 3-point record as North Carolina beats Campbell