Card counters often send chills up the spines of casino executives but what if you could develop a “risk assessment” for blackjack so you’d have a good idea exactly how much of a threat a particular card counter would be? Gaming expert Bill Zender explains why this could help.
A casino in Chicago, such as the proposed Bally’s River West project (l.), has the potential to be a financial winner, or at least plug some budget holes. So why is it generating such bad vibes? Lack of communication plays a major part. So does neighborhood opposition—the NIMBY effect.
This week, the GGB Podcast features a discussion with David Lopez, the president and CEO of gaming supplier AGS on how his company has been keeping clients happy on the eve of the company’s user conference in Hollywood, Florida.
Kazuo Okada (l.) used strong-arm tactics to take over the Okada Manila integrated resort last week, two weeks after a Philippine judge ruled that he should be returned to the board chairmanship of the Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment Inc (TRLEI), the group that operates the property. Philippine regulators have refused to step in, saying they’re only concerned with continuing operations.
Virginia State Senator Joe Morrissey opposes a second referendum to approve a casino in Richmond (l.) after the first was unsuccessful. He also wants the license sent to Peterburg, not Richmond.
There’s yet another obstacle ahead for MGM’s planned integrated resort (l.) in Osaka, Japan. In May, a coalition of citizens’ groups announced that it had collected enough signatures to force a referendum on the plan.
Sports betting will launch in Ohio on January 1, 2023, according to the Ohio Casino Control Commission, dashing hopes that legalized sports wagering would be allowed in time for football season.
Crown Resorts is facing a $57.4 million fine from the Victorian government for a scam involving China UnionPay bank cards. The fine is the largest ever imposed against an Australian operator, and there might be more on the horizon.
Opposition from gaming operators in Great Britain is causing lawmakers to consider backing off from proposed measures designed to curb gambling addiction, enraging supporters of the changes.
A Cedar Rapids casino (l.) may be on hold for another two years, as the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission waits to see if Governor Kim Reynolds will sign legislation approving a 2-year moratorium on new gaming licenses.
Tribal projects by two California gaming tribes will be exempt from scrutiny by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) thanks to a bill signed by Governor Gavin Newsom (l.). The bill, SB 900 ratifies the compacts of the Santa Rosa Rancheria Tachi Yokut Tribe and the Middletown Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians.
The United Kingdom’s Gambling Commission warns that the National Lottery could be suspended for the first time in its 30-year history due to a legal challenge by former operator Camelot.
As the once-mighty Macau market continues its uphill trudge, investors may want to rethink their expectations for recovery. Pre-Covid averages are attainable again, but it’s far from certain that the ceiling will continue to rise much past that.
This week, the GGB Podcast features a discussion with Gary Ellis, the founder and CEO of MarkerTrax, the innovative credit system that allows casinos to advance money to players and get it repaid when the player cashes out.
Investment analysts at Morgan Stanley say that China’s strict zero-Covid policy could result in massive debt for Macau casino operators—$25 billion by the end of this year, and even more by the end of 2023.
Macau casino operator SJM Holdings will buy the Oceanus casino (l.) from its parent company STDM. SJM plans to return the gaming area to the local government in December, after its current concession expires.
An official of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation has said junket operator Suncity Group Manila is still considered unsuitable to operate in the market due to the ongoing litigation against the company’s former chairman, Alvin Chau.
Last month, Macau government officials suggested that they may permit a performance-related system between casino promoters that want to run satellite casinos (l..) and concessionaires that hold the gaming rights.
Senator Marie Sherlock (l.) of the Republic of Ireland is calling for a complete ban on gaming advertising in all media. The Labour Party member is criticizing the government for not doing enough to protect vulnerable populations from the dangers of gaming and gambling addiction.
Greece has raised the cap on bets made on slot machines and table games from a maximum of €2 to €20. The lifting of the cap came after the government spent a year reviewing gaming policies that had been in place since 2011, when gaming was legalized.
Jason Farrugia (l.), a former official of the Malta Gaming Authority, and his wife Christine Farrugia have been accused of various counts of money laundering, bribery fraud and selling influence. Both have declared their innocence, but have been denied bail.
The inquiry into the dealings of Star Entertainment by New South Wales regulators is reaching its final stages, and the operator is facing a litany of accusations, including money laundering, fraud and criminal involvement. A formal decision is expected soon.
Poker rooms remain closed at Casino Montreal (l.) while 521 dealers continue to strike against Loto-Québec. The disagreement focuses on dealers’ request for a new schedule to help reduce repetitive strain injuries.
For more than a year, the “Cullen Commission” conducted hearings and took testimony to investigate years of alleged violations of Ontario, Canada’s anti-money laundering laws by casinos, high-end car dealers and realtors. The final report now awaits review from B.C. officials.
The industry association that represents Mexico’s casinos and suppliers, AIEJA, is asking that the federal government unify the tax structure, as many believe the current structure is burdensome to the industry.
Bet99 is close to obtaining approval to participate in the Ontario sports betting market. Sports Venture Holdings Inc. CEO Jared Beber indicated that the process is still unfolding, but nearing completion.
Jan Svendsen owns 840,000 shares of GAN, an online gaming platform. He figures he has the right to criticize the company and criticize he did, calling for the board’s removal as well as CEO Dermot Smurfit (l.).
When the Massachusetts Senate passed its version of the sports betting bill, it left out the inclusion of college sports. The House did not, so the legislation goes to conference to see if each side can come together.
Colorado’s sports betting market, which went live in 2020, appears ready for a change. A bill that would eliminate part of the tax dedications operators take for promotions is awaiting the signature of Governor Jared Polis (l).
The Missouri House easily passed sports betting legislation in March, but it failed in the Senate due to Republican senators’ concerns over video gambling machines and gambling addiction, among other issues.
The Mid-American Conference has struck a deal with Genius Sports to provide data, which will be sold to sportsbooks. This is just the beginning, and some are concerned players might be tempted by gambling.
Almost five months after its launch, New York state still leads every state in mobile gaming revenue, including that of nearby markets like New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
With Ontario sports betting exploding since April, Toronto-based TheScore Bet has decided to leave the U.S. market and concentrate on Canada. The company will cease taking on new wagers by June 15.
WynnBET has applied for a sports betting license in Illinois, but it’s not tethered to a particular casino. Possibilities include new Golden Nugget Danville, which recently broke ground, or one of the state’s 10 existing casinos.
GambetDC has spent its first two years rustling up trouble. The company has gotten slammed for poor odds and its interface—they also got shut out of the Super Bowl.
MaximBet, the sports betting and iGaming affiliate of Maxim, is partnering with musician Nicki Minaj (l.). The deal will be centered around branding and promotions, and Minaj will also become an investor in the company.
On June 2, the Atlantic City casino industry held a job fair—at the same time, Local 54 of Unite Here labor union picketed outside the Tropicana, the first labor action since the contract expired May 31.
Bally’s River West casino (l.) is expected to generate $200 million a year in gaming tax revenue. But that will cover only 9 percent of the city’s fire and police pension debt, and it will require an extremely high rate of consistent wagering.
An anti-smoking group (l.) is accusing Hard Rock Atlantic City of issuing an order to dissuade employees from talking to the media on the issue of banning smoking in the city’s casinos.
The Rhode Island Senate unanimously passed a bill sponsored by Senator Frank Ciccone III (l.) that would establish compulsive and problem gambling programs through the state’s Lottery Division.
The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 501 recently held a rally outside of Resorts World Las Vegas (l.) after the company was accused of suppressing unionization efforts.
The Las Vegas Visitors and Convention Authority has reported that in April, average daily room rates in Las Vegas went upwards of $177 per night, which is a new record. The new highs were attributed to increased demand from a string of high-traffic events. (MGM Grand King Room at left.)
The annual month-long World Series of Poker event is now underway at Bally’s (l.) and Paris Las Vegas. This is the first time the WSOP is being held on the Strip, and officials are optimistic it could become a permanent fixture.
The New Jersey Senate has approved a bill that authorizes a plan to develop a transportation system linking Atlantic City International Airport (l.) to the Atlantic City tourism district.
Cuningham last week announced that it had completed development of the Emerald Queen Casino (l.) in Tacoma, Washington, owned by the Puyallup Tribe of Indians.
The Snoqualmie Tribe of Washington State has announced plans to expand its casino gaming floor. It will also add three new restaurants, a hotel, spa and 2,000-seat entertainment and convention center. The work is expected to be completed by 2024.
The Pamunkey Tribe awaits the Norfolk, Virginia city council’s approval to open a temporary HeadWaters Casino (l.) at Harbor Park. The permanent casino resort is projected to open in 2024 and create 2,000 construction jobs.
Regulatory issues have delayed construction of Ho-Chunk’s WarHorse Gaming’s $220 million casino (l.) at Horsemen’s Park in Omaha. But officials said they plan to break ground this summer and open a temporary casino in the meantime.
A new poll shows 76 percent of voters in Muskegon County, Michigan support the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians’ proposed casino. Governor Gretchen Whitmer must approve the project by June 16.
A plethora of changes were announced at Tabcorp, shortly after the Australian operator completed the demerger of its lottery business. Numerous Tabcorp executives will now transition to The Lottery Corp.
Zheng Xincong has been appointed the new director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Macau. He replaced Fu Ziying, who served in the position for more than three years.
Niklas “Nik” Rytterstrom has been appointed as the new general manager of The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas following MGM’s recent acquisition of the company. Additional executive positions were also shuffled in response to the deal.
Following the retirement of two senior members, the Nevada Gaming Control Board has appointed Chan Lengsavath and Thomasina Fremont to lead the Tax and License and Audit Divisions, respectively.
Caesars Entertainment is launching All-In On Education, an education assistance program for its employees that includes student debt repayment, tuition assistance, scholarship opportunities and a college savings plan.
On June 1, Tangam Systems announced that Mohegan Sun in Connecticut has optimized its gaming floor with Tangam’s suite of business intelligence products, TYM and SODA.
Ocean Gaming Casino in New Hampshire is partnering with Win Systems to install their WIGOS casino management system, as Win continues to expand its North American base.
May 7-9, 2024: SBC Summit North America, Meadowlands Exposition Center, Secaucus, NJ. Produced by SBC Events. For more information visit sbcevents.com.
May 14-16, 2024: Cage Conference + Connect User Conference, Gila River Resorts & Casinos Learn about new technologies that enhance profitability and network with industry leaders who have proven success in Cage, Revenue and Player Services. For more information visit skiild.com/cage-conference/.
June 3-5, 2024: SiGMA Asia, SMX Convention Center, Manila, Philippines. Produced by SiGMA Group For more information visit sigma.world/.
June 4-6, 2024: G2E Asia 2024, The Venetian Macao, Macau, SAR. Produced by RX and the American Gaming Association. For more information visit g2easia.com/.
June 18-20, 2024: Canadian Gaming Summit, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Canada. Produced by SBC Events. For more information visit sbcevents.com.
July 16-19, 2024: iGB L!VE 2024, RAI Amsterdam, Netherlands Produced by Clarion Gaming. For more information visit igblive.com.
