Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has called for legal sports wagers, and Speaker of the House Matt Ritter (l.) says lawmakers are getting close to a deal. But it won't be simple. Along with the powerful tribal casinos, gaming interests like OTBs want to be part of any agreement.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (l.) wants a single online betting vendor to pay a high tax rate in exchange for exclusivity. Market advocates say that’s counter-productive, and are pushing a bill that would allow up to 14 licenses.
Drones are no longer limited to delivering packages and making videos. The remote-control flyers now race in competition through the Drone Racing League. Bettors can wager on outcomes in New Jersey and a handful of other states. DraftKings is running special promotions.
As cashless payments grow, researchers are studying the potential effects on problem gamblers. Keith Whyte of the National Council on Problem Gambling said “frictionless” payment options may send at-risk gamblers into the problem-gambler category.
Sheldon Adelson has bequeathed the Las Vegas Sands Corp., the gaming giant he founded, with an influence that is likely indelible. His family’s control of the company remains solid as well but in a changing world, how long can the family’s had remain faithful in the absence of the founder?
In 2021, more U.S. states are looking to jump on the sports-wagering bandwagon, joining 24 that already have a form of legal bets on sporting events. Here’s a list of the states in play.
To up MGM’s bid to acquire Entain PLC, its largest shareholder, IAC, could chip in as much as $1 billion. IAC Chairman Barry Diller (l.) called the proposed acquisition a “once-in-a-decade” opportunity.
Incumbent casino operators in Chile are up in arms about a plan to sell the next round of licenses to the highest bidders, giving no edge to those already in the market. Leading the charge is Clairvest, which owns a piece of the Marina Del Sol brand (l.).
Snow Lake Capital, MGM China’s largest public shareholder, wants the U.S. casino giant to sell down its controlling stake in the Macau unit, saying Chinese companies are better equipped to promote its long-term growth.
In North Carolina, attorney Robert Saunooke and a group of 14 filed formal protests against the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians tribal council's plan to purchase Caesars Southern Indiana for $250 million.
Magician Siegfried Fischbacher, who made his name as one half of the Las Vegas performing duo Siegfried and Roy (l.), has died of pancreatic cancer. His longtime partner died last year from complications of Covid-19.
The Supreme Court of the Philippines has moved to block a 5 percent franchise tax on offshore gaming operators in the country, part of its campaign to keep the industry from leaving.
The French Ministry of the Interior has approved the purchase of Société Française de Casinos (SFC) by Casigrangi. Casigrangi bought more than 75 percent of SFC, which operates in four markets in the country, including in Gruissan (l.)
The passing of Sheldon Adelson leaves one less visionary giant in the casino world. Without the larger-than-life entrepreneur—who basically invented the integrated resort model, then took it to Macau—how will the Las Vegas Sands Corp. change?
This week the GGB Podcast sits down with Scott Winzeler, the CEO of Sega Sammy Creations, the innovative Japanese gaming company that is beginning to make inroads into the U.S market.
Resorts World Genting (l.) in Genting Heights, Malaysia will once again operate under strict limitations due to a surge in Covid-19 cases. The new measures will be in effect at least until January 27.
Covid concerns have authorities across mainland China advising people not to travel during Chinese New Year, normally a big money-maker for Macau’s casinos. Macau officials also are urging residents to stay put.
A proposal by the German state of Rheinland-Pfalz would make it illegal for gaming halls to operate near a school or other gaming halls. A petition signed by 2,000 citizens opposes this amendment.
Summit Ascent Holdings, owner-operator of the Tigre de Cristal casino resort (l.) in Russia's Vladivostok zone, says it will use a direct VIP model at the resort rather than depend on its major shareholder, Suncity Group for players.
Thanks to a robust recovery in the fourth quarter of 2020, Australian gaming operator Aquis Entertainment no longer qualifies for the government’s Covid-19 JobKeeper program at its Casino Canberra (l.).
The Cascades Casino Delta (l.) in Ladner, British Columbia is continuing construction, though at a slower pace than this time last year. Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Ltd. is looking at opening it later this year.
The city of Sudbury, Ontario, has dealt with legal challenges that had held up the Kingsway Entertainment District (l.). Now it will move to build the complex, which includes a casino.
Playtika is seeking to raise $1.67 billion through an initial public offering by the group of investors that acquired the social-game specialist from Caesars Entertainment in 2016.
Prior to January 1, sports gamblers in Iowa had to visit one of the state’s 19 casinos to establish an account. Now players can sign up and wager online. Analysts expect revenue to increase dramatically as a result.
ORYX Gaming has entered the Netherlands with its online gaming platform, striking a deal with Dutch land-based casino operator JVH Gaming & Entertainment Group.
Online game developer Stakelogic has entered the nascent Netherlands online gaming market as a founding partner of the Dutch Gaming Association, providing content through the DGA’s platform.
Atlantic Lotto will expand the reach of its online gaming sites, currently available in New Brunswick, to Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, with limits to be determined.
4ThePlayer has raised enough capital to expand into the U.S. The UK-based software company raised capital from its founders and other industry players.
In December, sports betting handle in Indiana topped $313.1 million, for a total of $1.23 billion for 2020. Sportsbooks in Indiana have generated $2.2 billion in bets since they launched in October 2019.
Neil Bluhm’s (l.) online casino and sports betting concern Rush Street Interactive (RSI) is growing apace with the legalized U.S. sports betting market. And Bluhm sees nothing but good times ahead.
SuperBook, the sports betting app headquartered in Las Vegas, has gone live in Colorado. The 17th sportsbook app to operate in the state will be based out of the Lodge Casino in Black Hawk.
U.K.-based sportsbook William Hill saw less than stellar financials in 2020, a year dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic. The company lost £30 million (US$41.1 million), though net revenue in the U.S. increased 32 percent.
Gaming in the historic town of Deadwood, South Dakota took a hit in 2020, but a revenue boost at the end of the year helped right the ship. The promise of sports betting by July should be the clincher for 2021.
With stadium revenues almost non-existent, some MLB teams have turned to sports betting as a new source of income. Both the Nationals and Cubs have signed deals with sportsbooks. Other teams could follow suit.
The Virginia Lottery expects to issue a dozen sports betting licenses in time for the Super Bowl, sports betting’s biggest contest of the year, slated for February 7.
Handball has joined the list of 28 approved sports for wagering in Indiana. For the first time in 20 years, the U.S. handball team will compete in the World Men’s Handball Championship, January 13-31 in Egypt.
For the seventh time since last summer, Illinois Governor J.D. Pritzker (l.) renewed his executive order that allows sports bettors to register off-site for mobile betting accounts. Previously, they had to register at a casino.
BetMGM will open a sportsbook at Washington Nationals Park (l.), the second pro sports venue in D.C. to offer a retail sportsbook. The 3,787-square-foot venue will have betting windows, electronic betting kiosks and a restaurant.
The government of Brazil is planning to regulate sports betting, possibly starting in July. Lawmakers say they can raise from US$740 million to US$1.85 billion, excluding taxation.
Paysafe and BetWildwood, the online sportsbook of Colorado’s Wildwood Casino, announced a partnership under which Paysafe technology will be incorporated in affiliate solutions.
Online sportsbook PointsBet will open a sports bar at the Detroit Red Wings’ Little Caesars Arena (l.) featuring high-definition TVs, live betting odds, promotions and VIP access.
The Australian government has announced the creation of the Sport Integrity Australia Advisory Council, formed to provide oversight and guidance on integrity matters affecting Australian sports.
Australia-based sportsbook PlayUp has obtained a license to operate at Freehold Racetrack in New Jersey. PlayUp is also licensed to offer sports wagering in the state of Colorado.
The Greyhound Board of Great Britain says the dog races will continue as planned, but without fans. Prime Minister Boris Johnson called for increased restrictions on sporting events due to the coronavirus.
Colorado’s three casino towns have voted to raise the $100 wagering limits set in 2008. Black Hawk, Cripple Creek (l.) and Central City were authorized to set their own limits by Amendment 77, which passed in November.
Bank of America analyst Shaun Kelley, assessing the gaming outlook for 2021, says sports betting and iGaming could grow a total of 70 percent, while casinos should see accelerated growth in the second half.
Casinos in the Bay State will be among those businesses forced to operate at 25 percent capacity until January 22. The extension of restrictions was ordered by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker (l.).
With Covid-19 closures, revenues at Ohio’s seven casinos and four racinos fell 26 percent year on year in 2020. But records were set when the venues were open in January, February, July, August, September and October.
The developers of a casino in Danville, Illinois, one of six locales approved for a casino in 2019, await gaming board approval of an updated bid submitted in November. The project will carry the Golden Nugget brand.
The Virginia legislature may pass a bill that would allow the skill games found in restaurants, truck stops and convenience stores to operate for another year. However Governor Ralph Northam (l.) is opposed.
WarHorse Gaming is proposing a hotel and casino complex at Lincoln Race Course (l.) in Nebraska, where hotel guests could watch live racing from their rooms. The $200 million proposal could begin construction in 2022.
The Majestic Las Vegas (l.) won’t have slots, table games or ashtrays. It will have 720 rooms and high-end corporate suites, plenty of fine dining and facilities geared to executive health and fitness.
Three times, RW Development applied to the Mississippi Gaming Commission for a casino (l.) in Biloxi and lost. Finally RW took its case to the state Supreme Court, which upheld the gaming commission’s denials.
Peoria, Illinois businesses holding liquor and video gaming licenses will pay half the normal fee thanks to an ordinance passed by the city council. The intent is to ease the financial pressure caused by Covid-19.
The Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority has OK’d $51 million over the next three years to support the Vegas Monorail (l.) and Elon Musk’s underground people-mover.
A limited number of spectators will be allowed at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort (l.) in Hot Springs, Arkansas for its 2021 57-day live race meet starting January 22. General admission to the grandstand will not be allowed.
Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak (l.) says early vaccines for resort employees will help boost the recovery of the state’s No. 1 industry. The Nevada Resort Association sees it as a potential “competitive advantage” as well.
The municipality of Anchorage, Alaska appears poised to begin government-to-government relations with the tiny Native Village of Eklutna (l.). It will hold hearings on formalizing relations at its next meeting.
Chukchansi Park in Fresno, California could be getting a new name. The 15-year naming rights deal between the Chukchansi Indians and the Fresno Grizzlies will end this year.
A recent poll showed nearly 71 percent of Alabama voters support a state lottery and 67 percent favor legal gambling. The poll was conducted for Alabama Governor Kay Ivey’s (l.) Study Group on Gambling Policy.
Loto-Québec has extended its existing seven-year contract with Scientific Games Corp., under which SG will provide instant games and hybrid lottery games.
Spinola Gaming is currently in talks with U.S. state lottery operators concerning integration of the Spinola online lottery platform solutions as the U.S. iGaming business expands.
Shay Segev, CEO of Entain (formerly GVC Holdings) announced that he plans to step down from his position, but will remain for six months or until a successor is chosen.
Göran Blomberg (l.) has been selected to serve as interim CEO of Catena Media, stepping in to replace Per Hellberg who stepped down from his role on January 7.
Sportradar has announced the appointment of Jeffery Yabuki (l.) as chairman of the Sportradar Holding AG board of directors, in a role that became effective January 7.
Jerome Bettis (l.), the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Hall of Fame running back, has joined Rush Street Gaming’s Rush Street Interactive subsidiary as brand ambassador for the BetRivers iGaming sites.
The Plaza casino in Downtown Las Vegas has unveiled the “Wheel of Fortune Slots Zone,” a 2,900-square-foot space at the center of the gaming floor devoted to the iconic game.
BMM Testlabs has launched its quality assurance testing service in Europe, offering a range of QA services to its customers at casino operations around Europe.
Chinese online gaming supplier 500.com Ltd. announced it will use its shares to acquire Bitcoin mining machines from an unnamed seller valued at $14.4 million.
The Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers has announced it new slate of officers elected by the organization’s board of directors, headed by new president Dave Lucchese of Everi Holdings.
Online gaming operator BetShah has integrated products from gaming and sports betting software provider BetConstruct. The platform offers tens of thousands of monthly lice matches and thousands of slots.
Southern California’s Morongo Casino Resort & Spa will be the first Indian casino to introduce the new cashless wagering system Marker Trax. This system was introduced first in Las Vegas.
