Bally’s Atlantic City is wrapping up a $100 million upgrade, just in time for the busy summer season. Bally’s Executive VP and CMO Phil Juliano (l.) says overall changes in the resort town are fueling the post-Covid comeback. But challenges loom for the shore resort: like a possible New York City casino. Bally’s will offset the threat by applying for a license.
For casino operators, employee loyalty may be as vital as customer loyalty—especially in the era of the Great Resignation. As other properties struggle to staff up, Graton Resort and Casino in Northern California has retained a full complement of loyal employees.
Alejandro Weber (l.), Chilean undersecretary of finance, says the country wants to join the online gambling marketplace. Weber estimates the industry could generate around $55 million a year in taxes. In Peru, the ministry in charge of gaming in Peru is circulating a draft bill to regulate sports betting and online gaming.
An effort to raise the ceiling on the jackpot limits that are required to be reported to the IRS is an important initiative from the American Gaming Association. A new bill has been introduced that would boost the limit from $1,200 to $5,000.
As budget time approaches in New York State, one issue before lawmakers is the potential cost of a casino license. How does $1 billion sound? The state may license up to three casinos in and around New York City, two of which are almost pre-determined.
The U.K. Gambling Commission has selected Allwyn Entertainment Ltd. to run the National Lottery, bypassing longtime operator Camelot UK Lotteries. The switch was made due to falling lottery sales.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot (l.) will soon announce how she ranks five downtown casino proposals, then present her top choice to the city council. The mayor says one or two plans may not meet the city’s requirements.
Rob Goldstein (l.), CEO of the Las Vegas Sands Corp. has revealed that the operator is in discussions with officials of a “top-tier” Asian country about building a major new integrated resort. Analysts believe he is referring to Thailand, which is currently considering legalizing gaming.
The American Gaming Association predicts that 45 million adults will bet up to $3.1 billion on the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Credit nine new sportsbook states for the record setting performance.
Officials in Kings County, California have approved the ratification of a new compact agreement with the Santa Rosa Rancheria Tachi Tribe, which operates the Tachi Palace Casino Resort (l.) near Fresno.
Legislation filed in the South Carolina House and Senate would allow legal betting on horse races through three online apps. Revenue from the 10 percent tax would help support the state’s equine industry.
The National Health Service has called for a levy on gaming revenue to fund prevention and treatment of gambling harm. Henrietta Bowden-Jones and Matt Gaskell say the levy is based on the polluter pays principle.
Tim Drehkoff (l.), a 20-year veteran of Rush Street Gaming, will take over as CEO of the company starting May 1. He will replace the departing Greg Carlin.
Public hearings into Star Entertainment’s suitability to operate its Sydney casino began last week. Adam Bell was appointed to conduct the review, which holds the authority of a state royal commission.
This week, the GGB Podcast sits down with Derek Stevens, the owner and CEO of the Circa Resort and Casino in Downtown Las Vegas, which has been opened over a year and his vision for the future of the property.
Macau gaming stocks have taken another gut punch, losing a combined $4.4 billion, or a combined 8.7 percent of their value, due to a recent rise in Covid cases.
Casinos Austria International Japan, chosen to develop and operate an integrated resort in Nagasaki (l.), has released financial details of the project, which will cost about JPY438.3 billion ($3.7 billion) and open in 2027.
Cambodian government officials have called on NagaWorld protesters to end their public demonstrations, and warned that ongoing rallies may be undermine the success of their demands.
The Swedish Gambling Inspectorate put loss limits and other restrictions in place during the Covid-19 pandemic. An interim report assessed the success of the limits and ways to deal with future lockdowns.
Montreal Casino (l.) dealers have demanded that their employer rehire all colleagues furloughed due to Covid-19. The unionized workers voted overwhelmingly to walk off the job if their demands aren’t met.
Russia casinos by Hong Kong or Macau entities in the Vladivostok region may pose a risk in the wake of Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine and China’s refusal to condemn the action.
Trinidad and Tobago has launched its Gambling Control Commission to monitor and govern gambling activity, naming Stephan Tang Nian as the commission’s first chairman.
The European Gaming & Betting Association reports a 55 percent reduction in advertising from major EU gambling brands on websites that infringe on intellectual property rights.
A U.K. Gambling Commission study found that more women are gambling. The main focus is lotteries, bingo and scratchcards, but increasingly, women are drawn to online casino gaming.
Fifth Street Gaming Digital has launched JefeBet.com, a Spanish-language media hub for a U.S.-based Latino audience covering sports, gaming and entertainment.
Due to change in regulations by the state of Connecticut, FanDuel has let its provisional license for the daily fantasy market lapse. The sportsbook giant expects to return prior to football season.
GambetDC, the sportsbook in the Nation’s Capital, has led a troubled existence. The latest on Super Bowl Sunday has prompted calls for real change in how the sportsbook does business.
Sports betting legislation is moving ahead in Missouri. Two Senate bills and a House measure, which advanced to the full floor, are backed by the state’s pro sports teams, 13 casinos and the Sports Betting Alliance.
A Minnesota House committee has sent a bill to the Senate that would legalize online and retail sports betting. State Rep. Zach Stephenson (l.) said, “This is the year we get sports betting done in Minnesota.”
The 17-year ban on sports betting is over at the New Orleans Fair Grounds (l.), following a unanimous vote by the city council. Previously, only horseracing and slots were allowed at the facility.
A Kentucky legislative committee has unanimously approved state Rep. Adam Koenig’s (l.) bill to legalize sports betting, daily fantasy sports and online poker. It’s Koenig’s fourth attempt at sports wagering legislation.
The contract agreed to by the players association and MLB owners includes protection against threats over bets; prevents teams from selling players biometric data; and allows players to make deals with sportsbooks.
Westgate SuperBook VP Jay Kornegay says recent wagers on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers indicate bettors had the inside track QB Tom Brady’s (l.) return and he wants to know why.
Amid a steep drop off in stock price, DraftKings CFO Jason Park (l.) talked about the future of the company and the industry, including the acquisition on Golden Nugget Online Gaming.
Atlanta Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley (l.) will miss the 2022 season after the NFL suspended him for betting on sports. He’s not the first and probably won’t be the last since the legalization of sports betting.
Ontario launches its sportsbook April 4 with an array of large and small players. The list includes major players, former gray market firms and the unheard of.
Last week, Rush Street Interactive, Inc. announced that former Chicago Bulls star Joakim Noah (l.) is the newest brand ambassador for BetRivers.com and PlaySugarHouse.com.
Tennessee’s gaming regulator has approved mobile sportsbooks to be launched by Bally Bet (l.), SuperBook and Betley, all of which are expected to launch soon.
We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort and Betfred Sports announced the official launch of a mobile sports betting app in Arizona, available on any device in the state
The Milwaukee Brewers have announced a multi-year sponsorship agreement with Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, making the Brew Town casino the team’s exclusive casino partner.
Churchill Downs, the soon-to-be new owner of Colonial Downs (l.) in New Kent County, Virginia, has big plans for the thoroughbred racetrack, including additional racing days and a Kentucky Derby qualifying race.
The Illinois Gaming Board unanimously approved preliminary suitability for Danville Development’s $100 million Golden Nugget Danville Casino (l.). The action moves the venue closer to receiving a state gaming license.
The West Virginia legislative session recently ended, dashing hopes for a bill allowing casinos to open satellite operations in the same county. State Senator Eric Nelson (l.) said the mini-casinos would rejuvenate retail malls.
Magic City Casino (l.) in Miami could be the last professional jai-alai fronton in the nation. However, younger players, streaming services and online betting are breathing new life into the sport.
Vigo County, Indiana commissioners have OK’d a development agreement with Churchill Downs to develop the Queen of Terre Haute casino (l.). The agreement spells out CDI’s obligations to a nonprofit foundation.
The Georgia Senate has rejected a ballot question about wagering at five horse tracks. State Senator Jeff Mullis (l.), the bill’s sponsor, said he’s “disappointed” that his colleagues they didn’t let voters decide.
In addition to education about drug and alcohol addiction, young people in Virginia may soon learn about gambling addiction, provided Governor Glenn Youngkin signs state Del. Sam Rasoul's (l.) recently passed bill.
An Alabama legislative committee has approved a bill to bring casinos, a state lottery and sports betting to the state. If three-fifths of lawmakers say yes, a constitutional amendment will appear on the November ballot.
Las Vegas continues to recover from the pandemic, but tens of thousands of casino jobs remain unfilled. Ana Puljic of the Culinary Academy of Las Vegas says it’s a “a talent war” as resorts try to attract employees.
Massachusetts gaming commissioners say the mixed-used development planned by Wynn Resorts across from Encore Boston Harbor (l.) is outside their control—but conditions must be met.
Union leaders want Virginia legislators to delay a revote on Urban One’s proposed Richmond casino resort (l.) and study a possible Petersburg casino. They claim Urban One would create low-wage jobs with poor benefits.
A bill in the Pennsylvania legislature to remove the casino exception to the indoor smoking ban is receiving praise from national anti-smoking advocates.
Melco Resorts & Entertainment could possibly be delisted by the NASDAQ exchange due to new regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission governing foreign companies.
A decade-long, $400 million expansion is complete at the Monarch Casino Resort Spa (l.) in Black Hawk, Colorado. The 516-room project features 100 VIP suites, including a sprawling 2,000-square-foot penthouse suite.
New York lawmakers say the Seneca Nation owes $540 million in past-due gaming revenues to the state. The Senecas want a revised compact that reflects “a new day in Albany,” says Seneca President Matt Pagels (l.).
The Seminole Tribe is thanking Floridians for not supporting efforts to expand gambling in the state. The digital and broadcast ads have received more than 1.2 million views.
Bally’s Corp. has appointed Bobby Lavan (l.) to replace Steve Capp as the company’s chief financial officer. Lavan said he looks forward to Bally’s emergence as “a global omni-channel gaming leader.”
The Government Blockchain Association has nominated Earle G. Hall (l.) to its board of directors. Hall will also serve as part of the Standards and Certification Workgroup.
BMM Testlabs has announced two promotions, elevating Yi Miin Heng (l.) to the role of client services manager in Asia and Paul Petrella to compliance manager in Australia.
The Victorian Gambling Casino Control Commission has announced the appointment of Annette Kimmitt (l.) as its new CEO. Kimmitt is the former CEO and managing partner of MinterEllison, Australia’s largest law firm.
Andy Whitworth (l.) is the new CEO of White Hat Studios. He has 19-plus years of experience in the gaming sector, including stints at Entain, NetEnt and SG Digital. Most recently, he was White Hat’s chief commercial officer.
Esports Entertainment Group has named Damian Mathews (l.) as the company’s new chief financial officer. Mathews will replace outgoing CFO Dan Marks on April 2.
Online gaming platform and software provider Bede Gaming has appointed Colin Cole-Johnson (l.) as its new chief executive. He will assume the role starting April 4.
Stakelogic Live has named industry veteran Richard Walker (l.) as its new head of live casino, charged with responsibility for operations, studios, product and commercial activities.
The Graton Resort & Casino has become the first U.S. property to unveil Light & Wonder’s new Kascada Dual Screen slot cabinet, hosting the popular L&W game Double Money Link.
Hard Rock Casino Rockford in Illinois has deployed the unified gaming platform of Quick Custom Intelligence as a player development, marketing and service tool.
APE, the Asian distributor of Spintec electronic table games, has installed Spintec’s Karma electronic sic bo/craps cabinet in a Macau integrated resort.
Delaware North has become the latest operator to join the American Gaming Association’s “Have A Game Plan. Bet Responsibly” responsible sports betting campaign.
IGT has announced it is supporting Problem Gambling Awareness Month with the launch of its Positive Play social media campaign and a donation to the International Center for Responsible Gaming.
SBC has agreed to purchase the Canadian Gaming Summit, Canada’s longest-running gaming conference, from co-owners Canadian Gaming Association and MediaEdge Communications Inc.
Five industry leaders will be inducted into the Mississippi Gaming Hall of Fame during the Southern Gaming Summit, to be held May 3-6 at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi.
In the first month of March, pre-registrations for ICE London jumped 26 percent over the same period in 2020, for a 22 percent overall rise in expected attendance.
