This week, the GGB Podcast features an interview with Richard Schwartz, the CEO and Co-Founder of Rush Street Interactive on the company’s success and how it plans to continue to grow and to provide amazing experiences for its customers.
Knute Knudson’s (l.) induction this month into the AGA Gaming Hall of Fame caps a career dedicated to the success of the tribal gaming industry. Knudson is vice president of global business development for IGT.
A New Jersey jobs program makes rehabilitated drug offenders eligible to work in AC casinos—a privilege once denied them. Casino Control Commission Chairman Jim Plousis (l.) says other states are already looking at the model, which was signed into law in January 2020.
In Atlantic City, the latest development plan for long-vacant Bader Field includes some 800 residential units, retail shops, restaurants, an amphitheater—and maybe gambling, too. But the centerpiece is a racetrack where residents can get behind the wheel.
Australian gaming regulators, focused for much of the year on regulatory breaches at Crown Resorts, have turned their attention to the No. 2 operator, Star Entertainment. Like Crown, Star allegedly failed to maintain money laundering controls and turned a blind eye to organized crime.
Last week, it was a smooth lift-off for sports betting in Connecticut ahead of statewide wagers on October 19. During a limited soft launch, retail and mobile bets were available on the same day, with Major League Baseball getting most of the action with the fan favorite Boston Red Sox (l.) in action.
Ocean Casino Resort has had a run of good fortune the last two years, and many credit CEO Terry Glebocki (l.) for her financial management. She resigned her position a day before Ilitch Holdings, the owner of Detroit’s MotorCity casino, received regulatory approval to take over management of the resort.
The new prime minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida (l.), has made it clear that he considers integrated resorts a linchpin of future tourism in the country. Kishida was elected on October 4.
Caesars Entertainment and Spiegelworld last week announced a multimillion-dollar live entertainment deal to create three, all-new, permanent shows in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and New Orleans. The new theater in Atlantic City will revive the classic Warner Theater façade (l.) on the Boardwalk.
Supporters of legal gambling in Brazil are touting the taxes that could be collected. Senator Angelo Coronel (l.), the leading proponent, says the country could collect $9 billion if a gambling ban is lifted.
Gross gaming revenues for fiscal 2020 totaled $27.8 billion for tribal gaming, a decline of 19.5 percent compared to fiscal 2019, according to the annual report from the National Indian Gaming Commission. The losses were primarily attributed to the impacts of Covid-19.
The October 5 filing of an amended online sports initiative suggests that its operator-sponsors are talking to gaming tribes. The tribes also want to legalize sports betting, but only for casinos.
DraftKings has agreed to buy U.K.-based Entain, but not before MGM Resorts CEO Bill Hornbuckle (l.) tries to buy the rest of BetMGM. A positive financial report in the third quarter gives Entain leverage.
The city of Waukegan, Illinois has narrowed the choices for a casino license to Full House Resorts (American Place at left) and Lakeside Casino LLC. Meanwhile, the Potawatomi’s federal lawsuit against the city is moving forward.
In third-quarter earnings reports, in a changing environment, it’s important to take a nuanced look at the figures, and bring a dose of healthy skepticism to the bull ring.
This week, the GGB Podcast sits down with Rick Arpin, the managing director of KPMG Las Vegas on the report recently issue by the company surrounding the convergence of sports, media and gaming.
The long slump in Macau will continue through 2022, according to brokerage Sanford Bernstein, which predicts GGR at 59 percent of pre-Covid levels for next year, with full recovery as far off as 2025.
With declining Covid infections and increased vaccination rates, the Malaysian government has reopened interstate travel in the Southeast Asian nation, and may reopen soon to international visitors.
The Korea International Exhibition and Convention Center (l.) is considering the development of a casino and hotels at the venue, the largest of its kind in South Korea. It needs the government’s OK to proceed.
A planned merger of Singapore’s casino and iGaming regulators into a single body has been delayed as a result of Covid-19, according to the Casino Regulatory Authority.
Irish lawmakers hope to ban credit card use for gambling. The move is designed to ensure problem gamblers don’t use credit to replace money. Operators can lose their licenses if they do not comply.
Sorare.com says it’s not a gambling company, but trades in fantasy sports. The U.K. Gambling Commission says that’s too vague, and if Sorare is a gambling concern, it needs a license.
India’s largest casino company, Delta Corp., is asking the government of Goa to reduce or eliminate its licensing fees for the period when it had to close during Covid. The last quarter, it lost $3 million.
Bally’s CEO Lee Fenton (l.) expects half of his company’s business to eventually come from iGaming. “We’re about competing for time,” Fenton said, adding that Facebook is as much as rival as gaming companies.
Taxes generated by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators were down significantly during the first seven months of 2021, due to Covid-19 as well as a newly implemented tax and a Chinese crackdown on iGaming.
Peter-Paul de Goeij (l.), of the Netherlands Online Gambling Association advises gaming operators entering the new Dutch online market that ads are “crucial.” Especially to fight illegal operators.
BetConstruct has obtained the “Events Wagering Systems’ certification, GLI-33, from Gaming Laboratories International for its sports betting and online gaming technology.
New York State lawmakers legalized mobile sports betting in April, and is now reviewing operator and platform applications with a decision expected by December. Wagers could add $500 million to state coffers.
Parleh Media Group has launched Canada’s first dedicated sports betting broadcast network, Parleh TV. Parleh has partnered with media software provider Bitcentral and its tool FUEL to power the channel.
The irony of Pete Rose being banned from the sport he loved for gambling isn’t lost on his latest venture: a sports betting podcast. The six times a week show offers insight bettors can benefit from.
On election day, voters will decide whether to let bettors wager on games involving a New Jersey college or one played in the state. The decision is far from a sure thing.
After delays from technology suppliers, Oneida Casinos in Green Bay, Wisconsin hope to have sports betting ready by mid-November. A temporary sportsbook will then give way to a more permanent version.
Minnesota hasn’t moved far in its quest for legal sports betting, to the frustration of fans. Bills haven’t gained much of a foothold, in part due to opposition from a tribal coalition.
As Louisiana prepares to launch legal sports betting, 13 of the state’s 20 commercial casinos have applied for licenses. Only onsite wagering will be permitted at first.
Seminole Gaming CEO Jim Allen (l.) said sports betting may launch next month at Seminole Gaming casinos. Meanwhile, two parimutuels and two Miami businessmen sued stop Seminole control of sports wagering.
Circa Sports, one of the newer sportsbooks, has entered its third state, Iowa. The company also has a presence in Nevada and Colorado. Circa partnered with Wild Rose Casino.
Sharp Alpha Advisors, a venture capital firm founded by Lloyd Danzig, closed out its initial $10 million fund. Investments aided GridRival and Prophet among other companies in the sports betting field.
Jim McIngvale (l.), known as Mattress Mack, has made two big bets on the Houston Astros to win the World Series. If the team wins, the mattress store owner stands to win more than $57 million.
Midfielder Felipe Hernandez (l.), of Sporting Kansas City, was suspended by Major League Soccer for gambling on league games. The suspension is without pay. He may return on January 1.
Fubo Sportsbook, the new mobile sportsbook from Fubo Gaming, has announced that is now an authorized gaming operator for NASCAR. Fubo has also partnered with the New York Jets and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Sportradar has cut a deal with the International Cricket Council to provide official data and live streaming. The partnership, which covers 275 matches among eight tournaments, enhances fan engagement.
Esports betting operator, Rivalry, raised $22 million in funding after going public on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The company hopes to grow its traditional sports betting and casino games business.
Pinnacle Solutions has introduced Esports Hub, with live streaming and data-rich scoreboards to help esports fans make informed wagers. It is a service available to sportsbook providers.
Nevada gaming is on a winning streak, thanks in part to locals, drive-in gamblers and federal stimulus dollars handed out during the worst of the pandemic. The tally has reached $1 billion a month over six months despite continued mask policies.
Genting Malaysia has injected $150 million of equity into its U.S.-based Empire Resorts, the third such capital infusion since early 2020. Empire runs Resorts World Catskills and Monticello Raceway in Upstate New York.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has approved the sale of 10 acres at the site of the former Riviera to Chilean real estate developer and casino owner Claudio Fischer (l.).
On October 6, Clark County, Nevada commissioners voted 6-1 to approve Dream Las Vegas, a 20-story hotel-casino to be built near McCarran International Airport.
In January, Georgia lawmakers will again consider bills to legalize casinos, sports betting and parimutuel betting. Rep. Ron Stephens (l.) said, “It looks more encouraging than ever.”
A Wisconsin judge said unregulated slots that show the outcome of a spin are not illegal. The state appealed that decision. The appellate court’s ruling could end up in the state Supreme Court or allow more machines.
Tropicana Evansville (l.) now is Bally’s Evansville Casino & Hotel. Total rebranding will be completed in the first half of 2022, including interior and exterior signage, players club, dice, cards, gaming chips and table game layouts.
Officials in two Indiana counties have sent letters to state gaming commissioners supporting Hard Rock’s proposed $200 million Rocksino. Competitors include Churchill Downs, Full House and Premier Gaming.
One of Alabama’s biggest crusaders for expanded gambling, state Senator Del Marsh (l.), says he won’t sponsor a gambling bill in the upcoming legislative session.
Kentucky’s lawsuit against Flutter Entertainment, owners of PokerStars, over allegedly unregulated online gambling, recently ended with a $300 million settlement. State attorneys, led by Jim Deckard (l.), will pocket $75 million of that total.
Station Casinos, which will break ground on a new resort in Southwest Las Vegas next year, has a number of vacant sites for potential future development. Experts say the Durango Drive site was a natural to go first.
With the possible addition of sports betting to its responsibilities the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is becoming more interested in ads. They are looking into possibly limiting them to limit problem gambling.
The California-based EKN Development Group has purchased the Tahoe Biltmore Lodge and Casino for $56.9 million from Boulder Bay LLC. It plans to develop the property into “a branded marque destination,” it says.
The Meadows Racetrack and Casino (l.) south of Pittsburgh has changed its name to Hollywood Casino at the Meadows, in line with the national flagship brand of parent company Penn National Gaming.
Caesars Entertainment is marking on a renovation/refresh of the luxury boutique Nobu Hotel at Caesars Palace, marking the eighth anniversary of the brand founded by Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro and Meir Teper.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver (l.) promises Las Vegas will be considered when the basketball league is ready to expand. Silver said the success of the Summer League proves there’s a market.
Dutch Bros. coffee billionaire Travis Boersma (l.) has proposed building the Flying Lark casino adjacent to his Grants Pass Downs racetrack in Oregon. Six Oregon gaming tribes object and want the governor to intervene.
The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians is waiting for Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer to OK its proposed $180 million Fruitport Township casino. The U.S. Department of Interior approved the project in December.
Connecticut’s gaming tribes aren’t rushing to join the movement among U.S. tribes to get into the cannabis industry. The Pequots are looking into it, but the Mohegan Tribe has no plans to get into the industry.
Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak has appointed former Judge Jennifer Togliatti (l.) and state Senator Ben Kieckhefer to the state Gaming Commission. Togliatti will serve as the commission’s first chairwoman.
Pro sports legend Bo Jackson has joined an investment group proposing a casino in the southwest Chicago suburb of Calumet City, which will draw from a new local hospitality management program.
FSB has named Madinia Melanis, a veteran of sports betting products at IGT, as vice president of program management as the company establishes itself in the North American market.
Dave Rivers, formerly of Bell Canada, has been hired by PointsBet as vice president of marketing for its Canadian division. He was director of brand marketing and sponsorship for 18 years for Bell.
Zhang Zhicheng has been appointed executive chef at the Michelin-starred Golden Star restaurant at Wynn Macau. Zhang recently took part in the Guest Chef Series at Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace.
Former casino executive Gamal “Aziz” Abdelaziz (l.) has been found guilty of bribing his daughter’s way into the University of Southern California, part of the wide-ranging “Varsity Blues” scandal.
Aristocrat Gaming and Boyd Gaming have launched Pay Wallet, a cashless payment solution for table games powered by Aristocrat’s Digital Wallet technology.
Scientific Games has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the ACS cashless table game solution PlayOn, which provides a debit payment solution at live table games.
Paltronics Australasia and Genesis Gaming Solutions have announced a new international distribution agreement, delivering complete, proven system solutions to gaming operators worldwide.
Morongo Casino Resort and Spa has become the first tribal casino to offer cashless wagering. It has partnered with Marker Trax to offer cashless slot markers for patrons who join its loyalty program.
SIS, a multi-channel supplier of live betting services, has announced it will make a major investment in Australia’s Racelab Global, a racing data science company.
Registration has gone live for ICE London 2022, which will take place February 1-3 at the ExCeL Exhibition Centre in London after a two-year hiatus caused by Covid-19.
