
Archive: Vol-19-No-39-October-4-2021







Philly VC Fund Devoted to Sports Betting
A Philadelphia sports venture capital firm has launched a second fund to invest in sports betting companies. SeventySix Capital expects to raise $50 million and included a bevy of pro and college fixtures. Investors include Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank (l.).






Hourly Hand Decisions in Baccarat: Is There Room to Improve?
Baccarat is becoming an increasingly more popular game on the casino floors of casinos worldwide. Players seem to understand they have a better chance at winning, and it’s a simple game. So how can we get more hands out?






Cordish’s Live Philadelphia Introduces ‘The Final Piece’
The Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, a Cordish Companies property, has fulfilled its status as a full-service resort with the unveiling last week of the 15,000-square-foot Event Center (l.).






Caesars Back In Japan
In 2019, Caesars Entertainment walked away from plans to vie for an integrated resort license in Japan. In a surprise move last week, the company jumped back in, partnering with Clairvest on its Wakayama project (l.). At the same time, MGM Resorts was formally chosen as Osaka’s bidding partner.
Featured Stories More
WEEKLY FEATURE: MGM Takes Over Cosmopolitan
Blackstone has agreed to sell the operations of the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas to MGM Resorts International, while selling the land to the Blackstone real estate investment trust. It’s one more mega-deal for MGM on the Las Vegas Strip.
Singapore Reinstates Strict Covid Measures
Singapore has transitioned from relaxed to stricter Covid-19 measures due to a rise in viral infections. The newly reimposed safeguards will be in place until October 24, the government has announced.
Sports Betting Goes Live in Connecticut
Legal sports betting began September 30 in Connecticut. Governor Ned Lamont placed the first bet at the sports book at Mohegan Sun following the ribbon cutting (l.).
Scientific Games Sells OpenBet to Endeavor
Scientific Games has entered into an agreement to sell its sports betting division, OpenBet, to Endeavor Group Holdings for $1.2 billion in cash and stock. The transaction completes one phase of SG’s divestiture.
Miami Businessmen File Suit vs. Seminole Compact
A second federal lawsuit has been filed against the new 30-year Seminole gaming compact. Miami businessmen Armando Codina and Norman Braman (l.) say the deal, which includes sports betting, violates IGRA.
Nevada Commissioners OK MGM Buyout of CityCenter Partner
The Nevada Gaming Commission has tacitly approved MGM Resorts’ buyout of its partner at CityCenter. The $2.1 billion deal will give Dubai World’s half stake in the Vegas property to MGM.
Brazil’s President Says he Will Veto Gaming Regulation
A special legislative task force has been working for months on a bill to regulate gaming in Brazil. Now their work appears to be futile, with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro (l.) threatening to veto any legislation.
Asher Named President of IGT Sports Betting
Joe Asher, who led William Hill US for many years until the Caesars buyout, has been named as the president of sports betting for IGT and will promote the company’s PlaySports platform, which powers over 50 U.S. sports books.
FANTINI’S FINANCE: For Long-term Success, the Biggest Names Aren’t Always the Best
Buy-and-hold investors are doing better with regional casino stocks over big-name operators such as Sands, Wynn and MGM. Here’s the breakdown, recently and historically.
GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCAST: John Acres, Founder, Acres Manufacturing Company
This week, the GGB Podcast features an interview with the legendary John Acres, who’s back again with a new company and a new product, the Foundation system to once again shake up the gaming industry.
ASIAN GAMING More
Malaysia’s Genting Highlands Resort to Remain Closed
As recently as September 21, Genting Malaysia planned to reopen its flagship Resorts World Genting (l.) by October 1. That plan has been tabled, with travel and tourism suspended until vaccine rates reach 90 percent.
Macau Kicks Off RG Campaign
Macau’s Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau and associated public welfare entities have launched a Responsible Gambling Promotion to boost awareness of gambling disorders.
Philippines: All Tourism Personnel Must Be Vaccinated
In a bid to revive tourism, the government of the Philippines has mandated that all industry workers must be vaccinated against Covid-19 by the end of the year.
EUROPEAN GAMING More
GAMSTOP Sees Spike in Self-Exclusion
The U.K. self-exclusion program GAMSTOP said it registered 25 percent more people on its national list in the first six months of 2021. Almost 75 percent were male and 59 percent were between the ages of 18 and 34.
U.K. Racing Demands Levy Change
The U.K. horse racing industry wants the government to change the levy system or risk financial instability. Supporters spoke before the House of Commons on the need to do something now, not in three years.
Italy Mulls Gaming Reforms
Italy is contemplating an overhaul of its gaming sector in the wake of Covid-19, which caused a precipitous decline in revenues in 2020. Former treasury official Claudio Durigon (l.) has lobbied hard for a restructuring.
Swedish Court Rejects Penalty Appeal
Sweden’s administrative court has upheld a penalty against the FrankFred and Klirr operator, XC Gaming. The company, under a former owner, paid bonuses and gave gifts to players to sign up.
GLOBAL GAMING More
Crown Royal Commission Hears Loan Shark Allegations
In ongoing testimony before a Western Australia royal commission, panel members heard allegations of loan sharking at the casino at Crown Perth (l.). At stake is Crown Resorts’ license to operate in the state.
Aussie Betting Up 300 Percent Since Covid
Research indicates that betting activity in two Australian states has risen 300 percent during recent Covid-19 lockdowns, 100 points higher than in November 2020.
ONLINE GAMING More
Entain to Go Digital in Retail Shops
Entain has begun converting its retail betting shops to bring them into the digital age. To start with the change will affect two of its popular brands across the U.K. and one in Italy.
Netherlands Grants 10 iGaming Licenses
Among 28 applicants, Dutch gaming regulator de Kansspelautoriteit has granted 10 licenses for online gaming in the Netherlands. KSA Chairman René Jansen (l.) expects more licenses to become available.
Germany Transitions to Regulated iGaming
Germany’s online gaming industry is in a transitional period, moving toward a federally regulated market created by the Interstate Treaty on Gambling (IST 2021). Soon all operators will be governed under it.
Dutch Fine Tipico for Unlawful Online Gaming
Tipico, the Malta-based operator, faces stiff fines from the Dutch Gambling Authority. The fines were instituted after Tipico was accused of unlawfully offering online gaming.
SPORTS BETTING More
Hurricane Ida Aftermath Delays Louisiana Sports Betting
Sports betting in Louisiana has been delayed once again, from the original mid-September to mid-October, as Louisiana State Police troopers transition from Hurricane Ida duties to their regular gaming division posts.
Caesars Sportsbook to Appear on Caps Jersey
Caesars Sportsbook will put a patch on the Jerseys of the Washington Capitals in time for the 2022-23 season. The patch marks the first such sportsbook placement on a jersey in the league.
ESPN to Load Up Sports Betting Content
ESPN’s parent company, Disney, has all but signed a deal with sportsbooks, allowing the network to expand programming aimed at bettors.
Sportradar CEO: Sports Betting Exploding
Carsten Koerl (l.), CEO of Sportradar, told attendees at the SBC Barcelona Summit that sports betting is becoming integral to business throughout the world. In his view, America will overtake Europe in the near future.
NJ Poll Shows Opposition to Betting on College Games
Stockton University of New Jersey conducted a poll to gauge support for a wagers on New Jersey college sports. Forty-five percent of voters opposed the change, compared to 40 percent in favor.
Are Colorado Sportsbooks Overdoing the Ad Blitz?
Colorado’s sports betting market is in its infancy. But some lawmakers are fed up with the proliferation of advertising by digital platforms and retail sportsbooks. Colorado House Speaker Alec Garnett (l.) wants it to stop.
BetMGM Makes a Deal with Comedian Burr
Sportsbook and iGaming giant BetMGM has announced a content partnership with comedian Bill Burr (l.) and All Things Comedy, a leading comedy podcast network.
U.K. Football Club to Cut Betting Ties
The Bolton Wanderers Football Club have taken a bold step by agreeing to eliminate onsite betting ads at its stadium. The club will also stop entering future sponsorships and commercial partnerships.
Leisure & Resorts World to Launch Philippines Sportsbook
Leisure & Resorts World Corp. has won permission from the Philippines gaming regulator PAGCOR to launch a new retail and online sportsbook for local users.
Canada First Nations Cleared for Sports Betting
The First Nations of Saskatchewan have signed a new gaming framework that will allow them to offer sports betting. Chief Bobby Cameron (l.) said it took “hours, days, weeks, months, and years” to achieve the outcome.
UNITED STATES GAMING More
Presentations Set for Illinois Casino Applicants
The Illinois Gaming Board will hear presentations from the four south Chicago suburbs, including Calumet where Delaware North has proposed a casino (l.), and three Waukegan casino license applicants on October 13. “Preliminary suitability” will be announced by early January.
Chicago Bears Offer $197 Million For Arlington Race Course
The Chicago Bears have bid $197.2 million for the 326-acre Arlington International Race Course (l.) property, prompting rumors it was leaving Soldiers Field. The last race of Arlington’s 94th season was run there on September 25.
NY Judge Dismisses Casino Opponents’ Lawsuit
A New York district judge said Islandia residents seeking to close Jake’s 58 Casino (l.) failed to prove former owner Delaware North colluded with the village board, and called plaintiffs’ allegations "nothing more than conjecture and speculation."
Illinois Casino Celebrates 30 Years
Illinois’ first riverboat casino, the Argosy Casino Alton, celebrated its 30th anniversary. The vessel has been replaced with a larger facility that’s still a boat. It has survived two floods, a runaway barge and Covid-19.
Banned Poker Player Settles Lawsuit Against AC Casino
Professional poker player Scott Robbins (l.) has dropped the $1.25 million lawsuit he filed against the Borgata in Atlantic City earlier this year. The casino banned him for life after he made a joke about suicide.
Caesars Undertakes Virginia Demolition
Demolition began last month at a former Danville, Virginia mill (l.), making way for the Caesars Virginia Casino. Plans include a $500 million destination resort with 500 hotel rooms, a spa, pool area and fitness center.
Push for Vegas NBA Team Hampered by Finances
Billionaire Jay Bloom (l.) wants the NBA to award him a league franchise in Las Vegas, and is willing to put up millions of his own money. But records show he’s got financial problems, including a bankruptcy.
TRIBAL GAMING More
Does Sonoma County Need Koi Nation Casino?
The Koi Nation of California wants to build a $600 million casino resort on 68 acres in Windsor, Sonoma County. The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria is fighting the development, saying the market is saturated.
California’s Win River Casino Proposal Reactivated
The delayed environmental impact report for Redding Rancheria’s proposed Win-River Resort & Casino relocation is back on track. That BIA has restarted the process for putting the land into trust.
Feds Side With Senecas in NY Dispute
The Department of the Interior and National Indian Gaming Commission are siding with the Seneca Nation in its dispute with New York state over casino revenue. At stake: $470 million in revenue-sharing lawmakers say the tribe owes.
Mohegan Sun Prepares to Celebrate 25 Years
The 25th anniversary of Mohegan Sun will occur roughly at the same time that it will unveil iGaming and sports betting. The casino has bounced back better than ever from losses suffered during the pandemic.
BIA Approves Colville Sports Betting
Amendments to the gaming compact between Washington State and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation have been approved by the BIA. This allows the tribe to offer sports betting on its reservation.
LOTTERY More
West Virginia Lottery Revenue Holds Steady
West Virginia Lottery Director John Myers says revenue at the state’s five casinos and 1,200 Limited Video Lottery locations has held steady, despite a surge in Covid-19 cases in the state.
PEOPLE More
ICRG Appoints New President
The International Center for Responsible Gaming last week announced that Arthur Paikowsky has been named president of the organization, which is dedicated to conducting research into disordered gambling.
Gaming Arts’ Venneman Named COO
Gaming Arts LLC, has promoted Jean Venneman from chief commercial operator to chief operating officer. The company also added Mike Smykowski as director of sales.
Ainsworth Names Bollesen Chief Product Officer
Ainsworth Game Technology has named David Bollesen as its new chief product officer, effective October 7. Bollesen will head the company’s global game development teams.
Gaming and Leisure Properties Adds Epps to Board
Pennsylvania-based Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. has appointed JoAnne A. Epps as a new independent director. Epps is a professor at the Temple University Beasley School of Law.
Machado is AGLC President, CEO
Kandice Machado has been named president and CEO of Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis. Machado has served in the position on an acting basis for 10 months.
Crown Resorts Adds Board Member, Secretary
Crown Resorts has appointed Redbubble Chair Anne Ward (l.) as a board member and Craig Durham as secretary/legal counsel. The additions are part of a strategy to reconstitute Crown leadership in a challenging time.
Svensk Resigns as Betsson Chair
Betsson AB Chairman Patrick Svensk has resigned following a statement by major company shareholders that they “no longer have full confidence” in him.
GOODS & SERVICES More
Gary Platt Manufacturing Launches New Division
Gary Platt Manufacturing has officially launched its new Sierra Nevada Hospitality Division, naming seating authority Eric Segal as the new division’s president.
IGT to Trial Digital Wallet in Australia
IGT will supply its Resort Wallet with IGTPay cashless gaming solution for a trial at Club York in Sydney, Australia, one of the private gaming clubs prevalent in New South Wales.
Acres to Debut PayAction Sports Bonus at G2E
PayAction Sports Bonus, a product that will link real-life sporting events with slot bonuses, will debut at this week’s Global Gaming Expo by Acres Manufacturing Company.
Sightline, Konami Announce Cashless Partnership
Sightline Payments and Konami Gaming have formed a partnership to deliver cashless gaming solutions through Sightline’s Play+ digital payments technology and Konami’s Synkros casino management system.
Paysafe Solutions to Supply Fubo Gaming
Paysafe, a leading specialized payments platform, has formed a partnership with Fubo Gaming to supply its mobile sportsbook with multiple payment solutions.
Greek Casino Offers Latest Novomatic Games
Novomatic recently installed a diverse selection of cabinets, games and progressives to the slot floor at one of Europe’s largest casinos, Casino Loutraki in Corinthia, Greece.
Galaxy Gaming Announces New Games, Solutions
Galaxy Gaming, a developer and distributor of casino table games and technology, has announced major milestones in its omnichannel table game content and solutions.
Casino Cash Trac Breaks Ground for Office
Casino Cash Trac has broken ground on a new 7,000-square-foot office facility adjacent to the company’s current headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Sports Betting HOF Class of ‘21 to Be Inducted
The Sports Betting Hall of Fame will induct its Class of 2021 at the SBC Summit North America in December. Among the inductees are legendary bookmaker Jimmy Vaccaro (l.), of South Point Casino in Las Vegas.
TRADE SHOWS & CONFERENCES More
G2E Is Back, Masked, Vaxxed and Upbeat
Last year, the gaming industry had to settle for a virtual G2E. This year, although the world hasn’t quite returned to normal, the live event has returned, with masks and vaccine mandates.
Survey: Exhibitors Question Viability of ICE London Location
The ICE Location Analysis performed by research firm Explori has unveiled concerns from exhibitors to ICE London that the ExCeL Centre is not an ideal long-term location for the show.
NUTSHELL More
NEWS & NOTES
Small Nuggets of News
THEY SAID IT More
QUOTABLE QUOTES
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