Paddy Power Betfair has merged with PokerStars to create the largest online betting and gaming company. Paddy Power—now Flutter Entertainment—owns about 54.6 percent of the corporate shares. The deal speaks to a wave of online gaming and sports betting in the U.S.; Flutter CEO Peter Jackson (l.) says the merger will “turbocharge” the company.
Empire-building CEO Eric Persson and a partner started Maverick Gaming less than two years ago. Maverick is in the middle of a purchasing spree that now has the company owning casinos in three states. It just entered the field in Colorado, home of the Z Casino in Black Hawk (l.).
The tragic Las Vegas shooting of October 1, 2017 left 58 people dead and many more injured. Because the incident happened from a hotel and on land owned by MGM Resorts, victims filed dozens of lawsuits against the company. Last week, MGM agreed to pay up to $800 million to settle those suits.
Gaming software manufacturer and supplier EveryMatrix has had its license to provide betting or operate a casino online suspended by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). The company is working to fix its deficiencies in problem gambling responsibility with its white label accounts, and Ebbe Groes, EveryMatrix CEO, is hopeful the license will be restored.
The American Gaming Association has announced three industry members to be inducted into the Gaming Hall of Fame. This year’s additions include Elaine Hodgson (l.), co-founder, president and CEO of Incredible Technologies; Ernie Moody, president of Action Gaming and the creator of Triple Play Poker; and casino developer Stanley Mallin.
After much back-and-forth on the matter, Philippine lawmakers are again weighing the pros and cons of privatizing some assets of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR). Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon (l.) wants the Department of Finance and PAGCOR to revisit selling the regulator’s Casino Filipino-branded properties.
Turfway Park, a racetrack in Florence, Kentucky, was purchased last week by Louisville-based Churchill Downs. Turfway Park was owned by Jack Entertainment, which is slowly exiting the gaming industry, recently selling properties in Detroit and Cincinnati. Churchill has big plans for its new acquisition.
In another cringeworthy moment in Atlantic City politics, Mayor Frank Gilliam (l.) last week pleaded guilty to embezzling some $87,000 in charitable contributions made to a youth sports betting league, then lavishing it on expensive clothes, trips and meals. The disgraced politician, who will be sentenced for his crimes in January, faces up to 20 years behind bars.
Synergy Blue combines “skill-influenced” gaming with traditional slot technology to target new players. CEO Georg Washington (l.) explains how the elements intersect.
It’s a great time to buy gaming assets—which makes it a great time to sell them. When it comes to Caesars, that’s what Eldorado Resorts will look to do with its newly acquired company, one way or another. Caesars’ Planet Hollywood (l.) could be a target. And the participation of REITs cannot be underestimated the partnership of REITs and gaming companies are surging.
Barry Snyder (l.), who shepherded the New York-based Seneca tribe into the casino era, has died at 79. A force in Seneca Nation affairs for 50 years, he served eight terms on the Seneca Nation Council, was a tribal treasurer, and from 1980 to 2012 held the office of president five times.
This week Mark Giannantonio joins the GGB Podcast to talk about his seven years at the helm of Resorts Atlantic City and how it has been impacted by the opening of two new casinos on the Boardwalk.
Billionaires with casino interests were well-represented on Forbes magazine’s list of the 50 richest people in the Philippines. Among them were Enrique Razon (l.), owner of Bloomberry Resorts, and members of the Sy family, who founded gaming investment firm Belle Corp.
A Singapore arbitrator has ordered Bloomberry Resorts Corp. to pay US$296 million to Global Gaming Asset Management Philippines, a unit of William Weidner’s (l.) Las Vegas-based casino investment firm, following the termination of a management agreement at Solaire Manila in 2013.
The Ukraine Cabinet of Ministers has approved a draft law that would legalize gambling in the country. In a September 30 statement, Prime Minister Alexei Goncharuk (l.) said the bill was motivated by the proliferation of illegal slot machines in and around the country.
From a summit in Glasgow to new policies in Northern Ireland to a Responsible Gaming Week, the UK seeks ways to deal with the issue of problem gambling. The summit in Glasgow aims to develop a new framework. Northern Ireland hopes for public input while National Responsible Gaming Week looks for the best minds in the nation.
Gaming regulators completed a study into the effect of micro-transactions in video games, including the use of loot boxes. The forum which encompassed regulators from 19 countries, elected not to implement measures to restrict such features, despite receiving recommendations to do so.
The Sazka Group has followed through on its formal attempt to take control of the Greek Organization of Football Prognostics S.A, or OPAP. The Prague-based betting operator first declared its intentions to acquire OPAP in July.
The Belgian Gaming Commission, which banned betting ads during sports broadcasts in June, was accepting comments on the ban by October 4. The ban was enforced after the Belgian government found online gaming ads to be “ubiquitous,” with more than 1 million users.
Casino Canberra in Australia’s capital city has seen its revenues decline 2.7 percent in the first half of 2019. Owner Aquis Entertainment Ltd. said it’s striving to create “efficiencies” through cost controls but still hopes to add hundreds of new slot machines.
The National Federation of Uruguayan Gaming (FENAJU) has come out in protest of a bill approved by the Chamber of Deputies that allows cruise ships to operate casinos when arriving in national ports. The Federation said the matter was rushed through the lower house without due consideration.
Crown Casino workers may strike or refuse to serve alcohol during Melbourne Cup week next month. The workers’ union United Voice is threatening to bring the casino to a halt as negotiations over a new enterprise bargaining agreement stall.
Cryptocurrency casinos are making slow progress towards acceptance as sports stars lend a hand. Brazilian soccer legend Roberto Carlos is an ambassador for one, while former boxer Manny Pacquiao (l.) puts out his own crypto token. European sports organizations also promote the use of the new way to pay for play.
Online sports betting kicked off in Indiana on October 3. Boston-based DraftKings partners with Ameristar East Chicago and Chicago-based Rush Street Interactive teams with French Lick Resort Casino (l). Other operators are planning online apps but Indiana Gaming Commission Executive Director Sara Gonso Tait said that could be weeks away.
Former New Jersey State Senator Ray Lesniak (l.) used the Freedom of Information Act to secure documents related to efforts to reverse the 1961 Wire Act, an interpretation that opened the door to online gaming. Sands owner Sheldon Adelson has long opposed such gambling.
New Jersey’s aggressive approach to sports betting since last year has propelled the state to exceed Nevada in wagers for the third time in four months. (Sports book at Monmouth Park at left.) In August, New Jersey took in $293.50 in bets compared to $288 million in Nevada. In the coming months, Pennsylvania may overtake both states.
The NFL and DraftKings sign a partnership that will result in exclusive sponsorships and NFL branding across the fantasy sport giant’s various platforms. Its deal with soft drink giant Pepsi is another indication that the brand is going mainstream.
Apps affected by shady operators pose cyber security risk to players. Apple’s App Store and Google Play monitor the industry to catch unscrupulous players seeking to steal your privacy. Trend Micro found dozens of fake apps masquerading as legitimate offerings before being unmasked as frauds, designed to pivot users towards downloading gambling services.
Playtech is partnering with leading operator Swiss Casino Group to launch its Casino and Live Casino online gaming platforms in the Switzerland market.
KamaGames has added social betting on esports and traditional sports games to its Pokerist apps, as an addition to the KamaGames portfolio of gaming titles.
Comtrade Gaming has entered a strategic partnership with Mansion88 under which Mansion99 will migrate its player portal onto Comtrade’s iCore platform.
Sports wagering was legalized in Mississippi about a year ago. Year-to-date, the wagers have taken in $176.5 million, grossing $19.1 million. But with sports betting at Southland (l.) and Oaklawn racinos in Arkansas and online/mobile sports wagering coming to Tennessee, Tunica casinos will face new competition for those dollars.
A revised version of Michigan Rep. Brandt Iden's (l.) sports betting bill still taxes sports betting adjusted gross revenue at 8 percent, even though Governor Gretchen Whitmer wants 15 percent. The licensing fee was changed from $200,000 to $100,00. The bill also allows professional sports leagues to use official data on in-game bets. Online gaming was dropped from the bill because of the governor’s opposition.
A sports betting bill will have its fifth reading in an Ohio House committee. If it passes, it could move to the full House. State Rep. Dave Greenspan's bill would allow sports betting at veterans and fraternal establishments. But the Senate version would limit sports wagers to the state's four casinos and seven racinos, including Jack Thistledown (l.) in North Randall.
Pennsylvania’s Mohegan Sun Pocono has opened its retail sportsbook (l.) in partnership with Kindred Group’s Unibet, and Rivers Casino opened the BetRivers Sportsbook.
Two sports betting operators, SportPesa and Betin, have announced they will cease operations in Kenya due to the country’s decision to hike taxes on betting wins by 20 percent. SportPesa warned the market will face “severe consequences” and a big drop in revenues.
The New Hampshire Lottery is being criticized for not releasing the names of 13 bidders that answered its request for proposals (RFP) for a provider for sports betting. The lottery defends this action, saying the “confidential nature” of the proposals mandates it.
In Washington, D.C. the controversial no-bid $215 million sports betting contract awarded to Intralot was temporarily blocked by a Superior Court judge. A lawsuit filed by a local technology developer argued the contract violated the city's procurement laws and illegally barred him from competing for a portion of the work.
Bookmaker Sportsbet is pushing back against a ruling from the Australian Ad Standards’ Community Panel that called out a Twitter ad that reinforced “negative stereotypes” of women.
After weeks of putting off sports bettors about the release of the Scoreboard app, the Oregon Lottery has announced a release date: October 7. The original date was supposed to have been before the beginning of the NFL season.
Two studies on the economic impacts of MGM Springfield (l.) say the $573 million casino resort, which opened in the Bay State in August 2018, has created economic benefits for the state and its residents across all counties. Researchers explained the results in an exclusive Q&A with GGB News.
While Chicago's proposed casino stalls over proposed tax rates, three southern suburbs are moving ahead. Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara (l.) announced he supports Hard Rock's $310 million proposal. The Danville city council unanimously voted to support Haven Gaming's four-phase plan. Four developers are vying for Waukegan's license after one recently dropped out.
Win on the Las Vegas Strip was up almost 9 percent for the month to $520.6 million, a number that lifted Nevada’s total gaming revenue for the month to $952.4 million—or a 4.3 percent increase over August 2018. Reno also shone, generating $64.6 million, an increase of 4.7 percent.
A Florida appeals court ruled Calder Race Course (l.) in Miami-Dade County can drop horseracing and offer jai alai, while keeping its lucrative slots operation. The ruling upholds the Division of Pari-Mutuel Racing's decision, which was opposed by Florida horseracing breeders. Calder has operated racing since 1971 and began operating slots in 2010.
The silver anniversary of gambling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana has been tarnished by declining revenue over the past two years at the Belle of Baton Rouge (l.) and the Hollywood Casino, both of which opened in 1994; L'Auberge Baton Rouge opened in 2012. Increased competition and the city's smoking ban are contributing factors. But analysts said the long-term picture looks promising.
Ten women, all current Wynn Resorts employees who claim casino titan Steve Wynn (l.) preyed on them for sex, have filed separate lawsuits against the company, its disgraced ex-chairman and CEO, and others. They claim the company has not acted to remedy the years of suffering they’ve endured.
A bipartisan bill introduced in the House of Representatives would require hotel companies to disclose the charges up front in their room rates. Analysts say that for major operators on the Las Vegas Strip, where the fees range as high as $45 a night, passage will prove costly.
Century Casinos' purchase of Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort (l.) in New Cumberland, West Virginia from Eldorado Resorts for $107 million was approved by the West Virginia Lottery Commission. The transaction will close next year. Century already operates two racinos. Mountaineer offers a 357-room hotel, and a casino with 1,500 slot machines and 36 table games.
The former Golden Nugget, Atlantic City Hilton, Bally’s Grand and Atlantic Club on the Atlantic City Boardwalk has found another buyer. Colosseo Atlantic City Inc., out of New York, purchased the Atlantic Club from TJM Properties for an undisclosed sum in hopes of re-opening the building as a non-casino hotel. Recent history has proven it’s a difficult task.
Iconic Santa Anita Park (l.) in California, known as “the Great Race Place,” is under intense scrutiny after 30 horses died in the spring season. The fall season started off badly when, the second day in, a three-year-old colt fell and had to be euthanized.
A Pennsylvania court has ruled that Parx Casino in Bensalem (l.) is not entitled to a refund or future tax credit after overpaying gaming revenue taxes by more than $1 million.
The 15,000-square-foot Saracen Casino Annex (l.) opened unexpectedly in Pine Bluff, Arkansas last week, featuring sports betting, 300 slots, sports bar, convenience store and a gas station. Across the street, the 80,000-square-foot Saracen Casino Resort will open late next year with 2,000 slots and a 13-floor, 300-room hotel.
GVC Holdings has launched a foundation focused on corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, beginning with a focus on responsible gambling programs, said Virginia McDowell (l.), chairwoman of the firm’s CSR Committee.
The Golden State has decided to let university athletes share in some of the gold. Governor Gavin Newsom (last week signed a bill that allows them to profit from their names and images like professionals do. The NCAA is threatening a lawsuit, but pro athletes like LeBron James (l.) support the measure.
Pennsylvania has opened its third truck stop video gaming terminal lounge under the state’s 2017 gaming expansion law, at the Snow Shoe Travel Plaza in Centre County.
Arizona State University has established a new Indian Legal Program that specializes in Indian Gaming and Tribal Self-Governance. It will offer degrees that include Master of Legal Studies and Master of Laws.
A high limit room with 30 games and a private jackpot processing area recently opened at the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indian's Four Winds South Bend Casino (l.) in Indiana. Chief Operating Officer Frank Freedman said the new room "will create some new excitement for players seeking higher stakes on several popular games."
Several former employees and former council members of the Northern Arapaho tribe of Wyoming have sued the law firm that they blame for their “former” status. The law firm, Kilpatrick, Townsend and Stockton has asked the Ninth District Court to dismiss the case, arguing that it doesn’t have jurisdiction over tribal governance issues.
Caesars Entertainment Corp. named Ronald Baumann (l.) to lead its three Atlantic City properties as well as its online website. Baumann worked at other Atlantic City hotel casinos. His appointment will help guide the merger with Eldorado Resorts and Caesars Entertainment. The merger includes Tropicana.
Jon Gray was a protégé of George Maloof, who returned to the Palms three years ago to lead Red Rock Resorts’ just-completed $690 million remake of the off-Strip resort. Operator Station Casinos gave no reason for his departure. Gray said simply, “It was time to go.”
William (BJ) Fair will resign his position as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Penn National Gaming effective March 31, 2020, the end of his current employment term. Fair was instrumental in developing properties like Plainridge Park (l.) in Massachusetts and was a key player in acquisitions.
Kevin Kline has been hired to the new position of chief executive officer at Hawthorne Race Course in Cicero, Illinois. Kline has developed and managed casino and entertainment venues in New York, Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Currently Hawthorne is in the midst of a $450 million casino development project, scheduled for completion in late 2020.
Brian Wyman, senior vice president of The Innovation Group, has become a partner in the firm. In addition to his new role, Wyman will continue to lead the firm's data analytics practice and growing Las Vegas office.
Alex Cordova, a veteran of the Las Vegas nightlife scene, has left his post as executive vice president of Wynn Nightlife. His resignation was made public last week, with no reason given for his departure.
San Manuel Band of Mission Indians CEO Loren Gill (l.) has announced the creation of a six-person Executive Leadership Cabinet (ELC). The ELC will report directly to Gill and will assist the tribe in governmental and commercial endeavors.
Australia-based slot machine manufacturer Aristocrat Leisure Ltd. announced last week that Philippe Etienne has joined the company’s board as a non-executive director.
Rodney Butler, chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe has been named this year’s recipient of the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) John Kieffer Sovereignty Award. He was given the award September 18.
The El Cortez Hotel & Casino in Downtown Las Vegas (l.) has promoted Adam Weisberg to the position of general manager. Weisberg began his career at the El Cortez as a blackjack dealer and was later promoted to shift manager and director of marketing.
Acres 4.0 has launched CyberMax, a slot system that gives casinos ownership and control of detailed behavioral data in a fast data pipeline. CEO John Acres (l.) said CyberMax “is to slot technology as Netflix streaming was to Blockbuster.”
Kewadin Casinos has upgraded to Scientific Games’ latest player loyalty and bonusing system, including iView 4 technology and the Elite Bonusing Suite, at all its Michigan casinos including Kewadin Sault Ste. Marie (l.).
Harrah’s Cherokee has debuted the Roll To Win Craps electronic table game from Aruze Gaming, an ETG in the format of a regular craps table, but with fewer employees and electronic betting stations.
New Zealand operator SkyCity has launched the Lucky 6 baccarat side bet, a banker-must-win side bet that is already popular in several Asian gaming markets.
This year’s Global Gaming Expo (G2E) will feature two major names in the sports betting issue. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman—an opponent of legal sports wagering—will be a panelist on a sports betting symposium. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (l.), who helmed the state in its court battles, will deliver a keynote address.
