Last November, New Jersey voters legalized recreational marijuana. While it won’t mean pot pubs in casinos or joints passed around craps tables, the measure could indirectly benefit Atlantic City, due to pot tourism.
Rating a craps player is like deciphering hieroglyphics. With the multiple betting opportunities on the table, all with different odds, how do you determine the value of a craps player and how to reward him appropriately?
As Las Vegas reopens, humorist/observer Ira David Sternberg has a few ideas for casino operators who want to capitalize on the fading pandemic but rising political correctness.
When the infamous Jeffery Epstein (l.) can pay a principal of a company that controls major gaming corporations millions of dollars without the knowledge of the gold-standard regulators, you begin to wonder what else are they missing, according to gaming observer Richard Schuetz.
The proposals competing for a sole casino license in Virginia capital have grown to six. Battling it out are major regional players including Bally’s, Golden Nugget, Cordish and Wind Creek (rendering at left). The proposals range in size from $300 million to more than $600 million.
Caesars Entertainment has shed its stake in a South Korean casino project, concentrating solely on its U.S. business. Its former Midan City Resort Complex in Incheon had experienced several setbacks, even before Covid-19. CEO Tom Reeg (l.), said it was sold for some “barbequed pork.”
With Crown Resorts denied the right to open a casino in New South Wales, the Australian state of Victoria, the home of the Crown flagship (l.) in Melbourne, has undertaken an investigation of its own into the company, and plans to set up an independent casino regulator. Western Australia has also opened an inquest.
As Japan gains traction on its introduction of legal casinos, one lawmaker is expressing concern that the China travel blacklist will not only hamper gaming, but tourism in general.
A bill to legalize online casino games and poker has been submitted by Illinois state Rep. Bob Rita with the aim to augment the online sports betting already legalized.
Brazil is struggling to make up for the revenue lost when it cancelled Carnival (l.) due to health concerns. Some tourism interests hope legal gaming in the South American country could be the answer.
A bill that would allow sports betting in the Bay State has been filed by Senator Eric Lesser (l.). The senator claims his bill will “bring sports betting into the daylight while protecting youthful athletes and consumers.
Effectively blocked from expanding their casinos in Connecticut, the state’s gaming tribes, the Mohegans and the Mashantucket Pequots are casting their eyes overseas—the Mohegans to Japan and the Pequots to Puerto Rico.
The U.K. Betting and Gaming Council supports the reopening of betting shops (L.) and casinos in April. The group said reopening will return 44,000 employees to work and help the economy recover.
Investors looking for growth would be well-advised to watch real-estate investment trusts, which have proven resilient even amidst the tumult of Covid-19.
This week, the GGB Podcast features a discussion with Keith Whyte, the executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling on the start of March, the official Problem Gambling Awareness Month.
In another positive step toward the casino hub’s recovery from the Covid crisis, the territory’s authorities have removed mandatory quarantines that thwarted travel from more than a dozen mainland cities.
Hong Kong-listed Summit Ascent Holdings has agreed to loan HK$930 million (US$120 million) to SunTrust Home Developers for construction of a hotel and casino (l.) in Manila’s Entertainment City.
Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators have been given 30 days to register for the electronic reporting system of the country’s Anti-Money Laundering Council.
Genting Malaysia Bhd says it's "putting the finishing touches" on a multimillion-dollar outdoor theme park, Genting SkyWorlds (l.) at Genting Highlands, which is scheduled to open in the second quarter.
The South Korean government has extended the operating license of Kangwon Land (l.), the country's only locals casino. The license term will now continue an additional 20 years to 2045.
The French Minister of the Interior is reviewing recommendations that would add more casinos in more places around the country. Currently, only seaside resorts or spa towns may host casinos in France.
Flutter Entertainment, the parent company of the Paddy Power network, announced several responsible gaming measures, including a ban on the use of credit cards to fund gambling on its sites in Ireland.
Irish legislators and consultants say there's a correlation between sportsbook ads and an increase in addictive gambling. The Labour Party has called for a ban on such ads, but not on team sponsorships.
The chairwoman of Imperial Pacific International faces jail time for contempt of court. Cui Li Jie (l.) failed to comply with a subpoena and reportedly perjured herself when questioned about the Saipan casino operator.
Delta Corp. of India, under Chairman Jaydev Mody (l.), plans to build a casino resort near Mopa International Airport, now under development in the state of Goa. Delta has acquired 100 acres for the complex.
Gaming workers in Chile are pleading with the government to let more casinos reopen. Undersecretary of Tourism José Luis Uriarte (l.) has refused, saying health concerns are paramount.
Hotel Humboldt in Caracas, Venezuela, is the site of the first casino to legally open in the country since gaming was shut down 12 years ago. It could become the first of many as the country seeks to lure investors.
The Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino recently completed a multi-million-dollar renovation that included room upgrades and improvement to the gaming floor.
BetMGM has launched the Borgata Casino app in Pennsylvania through a partnership with Rivers Casino Philadelphia, giving BetMGM its second skin in the state’s developing iGaming market.
Spearhead Studios has launched the latest game in the “Book of” slot genre with Blue Diamond Book, a volatile title with the chance to win 27,000 times the player’s bet.
Golden Nugget Online Gaming is looking for pole position in a market that could be the richest in the U.S. Only no one knows yet what it will look like, and among the political powers that be, it’s a subject of considerable disagreement.
A South Dakota committee has voted down expanded sports betting through mobile sportsbooks. Officials said a constitutional amendment approved in November requires on-site betting in Deadwood (l.).
Sports teams in Texas will be able to go into the sports betting business if H.B. 2070 is passed. But first, the legislature must ask voters for the OK to amend the constitution.
Penn National Gaming has entered into a 20-year strategic partnership with the operator of the Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady, New York, to operate online sports betting upon legalization of online wagering in the Empire State.
The North Dakota House approved bipartisan legislation allowing sports betting and internet poker. If the Senate approves, voters could have their say on the issues on the November 2022 ballot.
Washington’s tribes are opposed to a bill that would open up sports betting to commercial card rooms. The most recent to express their opposition to Senate Bill 5252 are the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.
Seventy-plus sports betting accounts have been closed in Tennessee due to “significant anomalies” at two of the state’s four sportsbooks on Super Bowl Sunday. The state lottery and law enforcement are investigating.
Legislation allowing mobile sports betting is working its way through the Georgia House and Senate. Senator Jeff Mullis (l.), a supporter of the plan, says illegal gambling is already rife, but bookies are making the money.
Westgate SuperBook uses “Good Teams Win, Great Teams Cover” as its slogan, and didn’t take kindly when Barstool Sports appropriated the phrase. It led to a cease-and-desist order that Barstool has ignored.
The quest to permit single-event sports betting has found widespread support in Canada. A bill that would change the criminal code could bring Canada to U.S. standards.
Bally's Corp., a leading U.S. provider of land-based gaming and interactive entertainment, has announced a multiyear strategic partnership with the National Hockey League.
Sportradar Integrity Services is partnering with the America East Conference to safeguard collegiate sports and educate student-athletes about sports betting regulations.
A bill is expected in the Nevada legislature that backers say will further legitimize esports and position it as a major engine to power Las Vegas’ recovery from the Covid-19 crisis.
Alabama state Senator Del Marsh (l.) is finetuning a bill that would allow a state lottery and several new casinos in the state. Marsh said his proposal “addresses gaming once and for all, and how the revenues will be spent.”
Historical horseracing is now legal in Kentucky with Governor Andy Beshear’s (l.) signature on a bill that amends the definition of parimutuel wagering.
The 2020-21 horse racing meet at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino (l.) in New Mexico has been officially canceled. This year's meet was scheduled to start in December and finish on March 30.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission will file an amicus brief in a class-action lawsuit against the Encore Boston Harbor casino. The lawsuit contends that the casino’s blackjack odds rip off players, but the MGC says it’s all legal.
A casino bill has died in the Hawaii legislature. The bill, which would have allowed a casino on Hawaii’s Home Lands, has been tabled “indefinitely” by the Senate Hawaiian Affairs Committee.
Following a proposed $87 million expansion, Rivers Casino Des Plaines (l,) will be Illinois’ largest casino, with 2,000 gaming positions—the maximum allowed in the state.
In 2013, a majority of Iowa voters approved casino gaming in Cedar Rapids (l.). But that approval will expire this year, leaving officials to determine whether or not to hold another referendum—and when.
Churchill Downs Inc. has announced plans to sell Arlington International Racecourse (l.) outside Chicago. The site is likely to be redeveloped, says CEO Bill Carstanjen.
Resorts World Las Vegas, a lavish new property due to open this summer on the Strip, has announced its partnership with iconic Los Angeles-based experiential retailer Fred Segal.
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas casino resort is accepting nominations in its contest to honor local "pandemic heroes." The winners will receive a two-night stay at the Strip resort and other prizes.
The New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority voted to fund a free job training program for Atlantic City residents, and granted preliminary approval to contributed $2.5 million to create a training center.
ESPN again was the exclusive outlet broadcasting the World Series of Poker, including the 2021World Series of Poker Main Event and the first-ever Heads Up World Championship.
A U.S. Appeals Court judge has joined arbitrators and a District Court judge in rejecting the validity of the Seneca tribe’s 2017 decision to halt casino revenue-sharing payments to the New York state government.
The Wyandotte Nation will open its Crosswinds Casino in Park City, Kansas this week with 700 slot machines. The opening ends decades of legal battles with the state’s attorney generals.
Bryan Newland, former chairman of the Bay Mills Indian Community, began his stint as the principal deputy assistant secretary of the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Resorts Atlantic City CEO Mark Giannantonio has been appointed chairman of the board of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming Hospitality and Tourism at Stockton University in New Jersey.
Philippines-based Jade Entertainment Gaming and Technologies has announced three new additions to its executive team, including Jean Rose D. Buenaventura (l.) as the company’s new chief financial officer.
Entain has launched a system using analytics and data science for a proactive approach to player protection that uses behavior indicators to identify potential at-risk players.
Circus Circus Las Vegas (l.) will connect all 1,100 of its slot machines to the IGT Advantage casino management system, allowing patrons to earn and redeem points at slots, tables and retail point-of-sale outlets.
Ainsworth Game Technology has secured a $35 million credit facility with U.S.-based Western Alliance Bancorp, the proceeds to be used to pay off debt with an Australian bank.
Aristocrat Technologies announced the official launch of its MarsX Portrait cabinet, featuring a 43-inch curved monitor and ultra-HD graphics, along with new games developed exclusively for the cabinet.
Incredible Technologies has signed an agreement with Exacta Systems to place IT content on the Exacta historical horse racing system, the supplier’s first foray into this industry sector. IT CEO Elaine Hodgson (l.) calls HHR an “energizing segment” of the industry.
Inspired Entertainment has entered into an exclusive agreement with The CAGE Companies to offer virtual sports in CAGE’s retail outlets and on internet channels throughout the Caribbean.
JCM Global has upgraded its ICB Intelligent Cash Box system at two Sac & Fox Nation casinos in Oklahoma, adding technology that boosts security and system efficiencies.
At the SAGSE 2020 Awards, Novomatic’s ThunderCash Link was named the “Best Electronic Roulette” and the “Best Land-based Progressive.” Winners were announced on February 24.
Casino games manufacturer Synergy Blue has announced the layoffs of much of its Las Vegas-based workforce. The company said demand for its new games has “not materialized” due to Covid-19.
Osaka, Japan will host its IR & Inbound Business Seminar on Tuesday, March 23, to discuss the region’s pending integrated resort bid. The seminar was originally scheduled to take place in January.
