Betting the Pandemic

The NFL, NHL and NBA all dealt with positive Covid tests last week that postponed several games and even paused a season. But it also swung the lines radically so how can a bettor take advantage? The data for NHL positive tests was almost off the chart.

Proposed PILOT Changes Earn Praise, Condemnation

The PILOT law that helped stabilize Atlantic City’s financial situation is at the halfway point. The casinos want to take internet gaming and betting out of the picture because much of the revenue goes to third party operators. The bill now sits on the desk of Governor Phil Murphy (l.) who is expected sign it.

Card Club Controversy

When Kyle Kirkland (l.) wanted to move his card club in Fresno, California he had to convince his neighbors he’d be “a good actor.” Here’s how he did it.

Hard Rock Buys Mirage on Las Vegas Strip

The search for a quality Las Vegas location for Hard Rock International is over. MGM Resorts last week reached an agreement with the company owned by Florida’s Seminole tribe to sell operations of the iconic Mirage Hotel Casino for the new Hard Rock Las Vegas.

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WEEKLY FEATURE: Chicago Hears Pitches From Casino Bidders

The companies interested in building a Chicago casino made their pitches last week. All the bids were impressive, but each had its drawbacks, including Bally’s plan (l.) for a project on property they don’t even own or control. Also last week, the Chicago city council at last gave Mayor Lori Lightfoot the sports betting ordinance she wanted, including a 2 percent tax on adjusted gross revenue from sports wagers placed in or near a casino or stadium.

San Manuel Tribe Closes Palms Buy

The Nevada Gaming Commission has approved the San Manuel Tribe of California to own and operate the Palms Hotel Casino, the first tribe to buy a casino in Las Vegas. The deal closed last week and the tribe expects to open the property in the spring of 2022.

Macau Junkets May Have Life

Reports of the demise of junkets in Macau are undoubtedly exaggerated. While the Macau government seems to be pushing for their disappearance, some analysts believe there is a place for junkets in the marketplace. The VIP room at Galaxy at left.

Ohio Legislature Passes Sports Betting Bill

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (l.) has a bill sitting on his desk that would create a legal sports betting market in the Buckeye State. The bill was passed with large, bipartisan majorities in the legislature.

Brazil Sets Gaming Vote for February

Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies last week approved an “urgency” to consider a bill legalizing gaming in the nation. Arthur Lira (l.), the president of the chamber, set a date for a vote in February.

Clarion Postpones ICE

ICE London for 2022 has been postponed until late April. The upsurge of the Covid virus in the UK is reportedly the problem, but officials are confident that the show can be held at that time. Clarion’s Stuart Hunter (l.) says the show will bounce back in the spring.

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Soper Confident of MGE’s Success in South Korea

Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment’s International President Bobby Soper (l.) says it has made a special effort to make its Inspire Entertainment Resort reflect Asian sensibilities. It is being built in South Korea.

Lei Wai Nong: Re-Tendering Process on Track

Macau Secretary for Economy and Finance Lei Wai Nong contends that the re-tendering process for casino concessions in Macau is on track to be completed in 2022. Details will be announced soon.

Border Restrictions with Hong Kong and Guangdong Lifted

Beijing last week dropped border restrictions between Hong Kong and Guangdong, allowing residents of both those regions to travel freely to Macau, as long as they present a health card. Macau must now act to be included in this program.

Seoul Dragon City Wins Casino bid

The Grand Korea Leisure’s Seven Luck Casino Gangbuk Hilton (l.) will now be operated by Seoul Dragon City, a multi-hotel complex in Seoul. Grand Korea Leisure was the sole and winning bidder to host the casino.

Hann Casino Resort has Soft Opening

Hann Casino Resort (l.) in the Philippines, held a soft opening on December 15. The resort is an expansion and rebranding of the former Widus Hotel and Casino resort.

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British Gambling Commission Reports Setbacks

A new report finds anti-money laundering and social responsibility steps fell short in 2020-2021 because operators don’t make enough resources available or put profits over compliance. Gambling Commission Interim Chief Executive Andrew Rhodes (l.) said his organization has collected more than £100 million in penalties.

Dutch Publishes Gambling Harm Research

The Dutch government has approved new ruled for the handling of research into gambling harms. The regulations require data be readily available for research purposes.

Denmark Warns Unibet over Money Laundering Violation

Spillemyndigheden, the gaming regulator in Denmark, has warned Unibet over alleged breaches of the country’s money laundering regulations. Unibet, it says, allowed a deposit of funds without establishing their origin.

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Online Casinos Not An Issue In Iowa

Legalizing online casinos won’t be on the legislative agenda next year, according to Iowa Gaming Association President and Chief Executive Officer Wes Ehrecke (l.). He said the issue needs to evolve within the next two years.

Multiple Operators launch online gaming in Buenos Aires

Those Buenos Aires, Argentina residents who wish to bet in live online casinos can now do so. Online gaming has gone live in the city following the granting of licenses to multiple operators earlier this year, including Codere Online (l.).

Playtech Launches Swiss Live Studio

Playtech PLC has launched a new live casino studio facility in the Swiss capital of Zurich, on the site of Swiss Casinos, to stream games to that operator’s properties.

Hanover Acquires eCOGRA

Hanover Investors has acquired eCOGRA, a leading independent testing and certification agency for online gaming that is licensed in the U.K. and throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas.

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Alberta Seeks Bids for 2 Sportsbook Operators

The Alberta Liquor, and Cannabis Commission has issued an RFP for two private sportsbook operations. They would join existing state-sponsored sports betting sites, Play Alberta (l.) and Sport Select.

Still No Stats for Arizona Sportsbook Rollout

Despite launching sports betting in early September, including the SolSports book at Casino Del Sol (l.), the Arizona Department of Gaming hasn’t yet released any revenue figures for the first month of wagering. ADG is says it wants to ensure “all is good to go.”

Missouri Senator Sponsors Sports Betting Bill

Senate Bill 764, introduced by Missouri state Senator Tony Luetkemeyer (l.), would legalize online sports betting. Other lawmakers expressed concern the bill could Include language to expand unregulated video gambling machines.

Atlantic City Hard Rock to Host 1st Esports Tourney

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City has partnered with Esports Entertainment Group to bring skill-based tournaments to the hotel. The first contests in January are approved for wagering. CEO Grant Johnson (l.) the event will create more opportunities.

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2021 is Best Year Ever for U.S. Casinos

The American Gaming Association reports that U.S. casinos have already broken the single-year record for revenues, recording $44.15 billion through October, with two months to go.

P2E Ponders Reopening Louisiana Casino

Now that St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana voters rejected a Slidell casino, Pacific Peninsula Entertainment has until February 9, 2022 to decide if it will reopen Diamond Jacks (l.) in Bossier City, Louisiana, shuttered since May 2020.

Churchill Downs Awaits Indiana Gaming License

The Indiana Gaming Commission still has not granted Churchill Downs a gaming license to operate a casino (l.) in Terre Haute, as it awaits the outcome of the lawsuit filed by the previous licensee, Lucy Luck Gaming.

Illinois Companies Push Missouri Video Gambling

Two Illinois video gaming companies formed a political action committee to contribute to the campaigns of Missouri lawmakers, including Governor Mike Parson (l.), who support legalizing the games, which are unregulated and untaxed in the state.

Full House Targets Temporary Illinois Casino

Full House Resorts, winner of the Waukegan, Illinois casino face-off, said its temporary casino will be ready in six months, offering 1,000 slots, 50 table games and a sportsbook. The permanent facility will open within two years.

Philadelphia Casinos Must Check for Vaccines

In an effort to reduce the rising number of new Covid-19 cases, Philadelphia has mandated proof of vaccinations before entry. The mandate impacts casinos, arenas, indoor dining. Live! Casino (l.) and SugarHouse are impacted by this new rule.

Las Vegas Officially Awarded Super Bowl

Last Vegas has been awarded the 2024 Super Bowl. This is the first time the city landed the mega-event, and follows its completion of the Allegiant Stadium (l.) and the move of the Raiders NFL team to the city.

Predictions for Nebraska Casinos Varies

When they open, Nebraska’s casinos will allocate 70 percent of tax revenues to property tax relief. Depending on who you ask, the tax revenues will range from $63 to $98 million a year. But Senator Tom Briese (l.) wants to limit the number of casinos in the state.

Work Begins on a New Bridge from Arizona to Nevada

Site clearing has begun in Bullhead City, Arizona in preparation for a new bridge (l.). The span will link the Arizona town with Laughlin Nevada. With so many casino employees on the Arizona side a second bridge was needed.

Many Factors Influence Iowa Casino Siting

Brian Ohorilko (l.), administrator of Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, says many factors will influence which town gets a casino license in Linn County. Among them are population movement and community support.

Live! Pittsburgh Unveils New Attractions

Live! Pittsburgh (l.) has unveiled new attractions including a poker room, event center FanDuel FanCave attraction, electronic table games and a reconfigured high-limit room.

Station Pitching Downtown Wildfire Casino

Station Casinos will meet with the Las Vegas Planning Commission to pitch a small new Wildfire-branded casino in Downtown Las Vegas, just south of Charleston Boulevard.

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BIA Looks at Cayuga Trust Application Again

The Bureau of Indian Affairs Director Bryan Newland (l.) is revisiting the agency’s original rejection of an application by the Cayuga Nation of New York to put land into trust. The BIA rejected the 2005 application last year.

Cherokee Council Restricts Smoking

The Cherokee Tribal Council, which governs two North Carolina casinos, has passed an ordinance that restricts smoking to enclosed areas on the properties. Principal Chief Richard Sneed (l.) backed the move.

Catawbas Add 500 Games At North Carolina Casino

The Catawba Nation doubled the number of gaming machines at its Two Kings temporary casino (l.) to 954 slots and 46 table game positions, located in a pre-fab building. Plans for the $273 million permanent venue have not been announced.

Suit Filed To Stop Cherokee’s Legends Arkansas Casino

An individual filed suit in Pulaski County, Arkansas Circuit Court to stop Cherokee Nation Businesses LLC/Legends Resort and Casino (l.). The plaintiff said CNB has no casino experience and it doesn’t exist according to secretary of state records.

Group Drops Request To Stop Seminole Harassment

A Florida political group backed by Las Vegas Sands dropped its request for a restraining order against a company hired by the Seminole Tribe, which it claimed was impeding the gathering of signatures for a constitutional amendment petition allowing casinos in card rooms. Spokeswoman Sarah Bascom (l.) said the suit was becoming a distraction

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Everi Reorganizes Top Management

In a shift of management responsibilities, Everi CEO Michael Rumbolz (l.) will be appointed executive chairman and COO Randy Taylor will be appointed the company’s new CEO.

CNIGA Re-elects Siva as Chairman

California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) has reelected James Siva as chairman. The association represents 40 gaming tribes in the Golden State.

EKG Announces New Roles, New Hires

Eilers & Krejcik Gaming has announced the transition of some of its personnel to cover sports betting, iGaming and other emerging industry verticals. Chris Grove (l.) will become “partner emeritus” now that he has become CEO of American Affiliate.

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Ainsworth HHR Live at Wyoming Downs

Ainsworth Game Technology continues to expand its footprint in the historical horse racing market, going live with its HHR system with a plan to install 200 terminals at Wyoming Downs (l.) properties.

Hard Rock Rockford Opens with JCM Equipment

The new Rockford Casino operated by Hard Rock International is equipped JCM cash-handling products including the iVIZION bill validator (l.), GEN5 printer and ICB intelligent cash box.

Win Systems Celebrates 25th Anniversary

Win Systems, a leading supplier of systems to the worldwide lottery industry, is celebrating its 25th anniversary as all three of its divisions recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Gary Platt Supplies Coushatta Casino

Gary Platt Manufacturing has installed a wide variety of new seating at Louisiana’s Coushatta Casino Resort, in an order including 600 Monaco slot chairs.

Sportsbook Platform Betby Chooses Oddin.gg

Sportsbetting platform Betby has chosen esports betting solutions provider Oddin.gg as its esports partner. Oddin.gg Managing Director Marek Suchar says his company is perfectly suited for B2B sports betting platforms.

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