Take Fox Sports, add the co-founder of football’s Spring League, and let bettors bet on games. There you have it—the latest and hopefully longer-lasting iteration of the United States Football League. The season opens April 16.
DraftKings is the poster child of online gaming for overspending on customer acquisition. And the company paid the price in its fourth-quarter results. But how should you acquire players in a cost-effective manner? Bruce Merati has some suggestions.
Last week’s disastrous quarterly report where DraftKings CEO Jason Robins (l.) upped the estimated loss for the company to almost a billion dollars caused the company’s share price to plunge by more than a quarter. Gaming observer Richard Schuetz says keep your eye on the ball, not on the stock price.
Nearly two-thirds of Kentucky voters support sports betting, according to a recent poll, the same percentages as 2020. State Rep. Adam Koenig (l.), sponsor of several previous sports betting bills, says the poll demonstrates that his constituents want to bet.
The rich get richer, and James Packer (l.) is proof. The billionaire casino magnate will collect $3.26 billion from the proposed sale of Crown Resorts to U.S.-based equity firm Blackstone. Packer reportedly is glad to shed the Aussie casino giant, which has faced nonstop fire from media and regulators for money laundering, tax evasion and other offenses.
Macau lawmaker Andrew Chan Chak Mo (l.) told reporters last week he expects the final vote on the local gaming industry amendment bill to be finished on time, before the six casino concessions expire in June.
A Super Bowl win by the Los Angeles Rams warmed the hearts of sports books. Nevada set a sports betting record for Super Bowl wagering. New Jersey didn't do badly, either. It felt like old times, with fans flocking to retail sportsbooks and mask mandates relaxed.
Apollo Global Management last week received the approval of the Nevada Gaming Commission to take over management of the Venetian and Palazzo (l.) in a deal that saw Las Vegas Sands sell the real estate of the property to the REIT, VICI.
Three of the five bids for a Chicago Casino would require utilizing areas of the massive McCormick Place convention center (l.). Chief Executive Officer Larita Clark said that would impact operations and lead to possible cancellations.
Singapore will officially establish a new gambling regulator by the middle of this year. The Gambling Regulatory Authority would consolidate four regulatory bodies into a single agency to govern the region’s two casinos—Marina Bay Sands (l.) and Resorts World Sentosa.
Maine Governor Janet Mills (l.) and the legislature are being pressured by the state’s tribes to recognize their sovereignty. The tribes want to be able to offer sports betting on the reservation.
William Hill has banned the use of credit cards at its Irish bookmaker shops. The ban could reduce gambling harms by taking away a source of easy money. It's part of the Irish Safer Gambling Code.
Hard Rock Chairman Jim Allen (l.) opined on the company’s interest in a New York City casino during a visit to Hard Rock Atlantic City to hand out over $10 million to employees of that property.
Heading into fourth-quarter earnings season, the U.S. casino industry is finding its feet, with the decline in Covid, the return of some business, and a continuing commitment to fiscal prudence. But…
This week, the GGB Podcast features a discussion with Peter Carlino and Matthew Demchyk of Gaming & Leisure Properties, Inc. on how REITs and gaming are perfect together.
A petition is circulating in Japan’s Shinjo City to assess local interest in an integrated resort with gaming. More than 1,000 people have signed the petition so far.
It's been almost two years since Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations, or POGOs, fled Manila in search of more business-friendly markets. Now there are indications the iGaming industry may be coming back.
Singapore's new Gambling Control Bill takes aim at adults who gamble with underage people or place proxy bets on their behalf. The crimes are punishable by up to six years in prison or fines up to US$223,000.
A Macau judge has ruled that Asian American Entertainment Corp. did not prove it had an official agreement to partner with the Las Vegas Sands Corp. on a Macau gaming concession.
Hong Kong-listed Guangzhou R&F Properties has asked the Korean government to extend the construction deadline of its Midan City Resort Complex development (l.) by two years, until March 2024.
The watchdog group Human Rights Watch has blasted Cambodia’s government for using Covid-19 public health measures as a pretext to arrest striking employees of the NagaWorld casino.
The Betting and Gaming Council will work with GAMSTOP to run a trial to select those at risk for gambling harm. One of the ideas is to prevent high risk customers from going to another bookmaker.
Flutter Entertainment CEO Conor Grant (l.) says his company will switch its approach to dealing with gambling harm by trying to prevent problems before they happen. The five-step plan comes after months of work.
The Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance is spearheading a reorganization plan to reform the country’s gaming sector. It takes aim at betting shops, gaming machines, and online and brick-and-mortar casinos.
Hungary appears headed to ending the state monopoly on online sports betting. Under pressure from the European Union, the country’s parliament is poised to open the market to commercial operators.
The Karnataka High Court (l.) has ruled that a law against online gambling that also banned skill-based online games was unconstitutional. India is one of the fastest growing i-gaming markets in the world.
The head of Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies said in a press conference that a bill legalizing all types of gaming will be on the agenda for the current session, and may be discussed this week.
Online casinos in the new Dutch gaming market are spending millions on advertising. Experts in gambling addiction warn they are targeting a vulnerable population. Regulators are paying “special attention” to the offerings.
Vinder Casino has launched an online casino product in Denmark using the EveryMatrix iGaming platform, targeting solely the regulated Danish online market.
During its first five weeks, online sports betting has broken records in New York, though New Jersey has not fallen off as expected. We'll see if New York can keep at that level. Caesars is leading the way in New York.
Operators are awaiting with anticipation the opening of the regulated sports betting market in Ontario on April 4. One such operator says enthusiastically “Ontario is such a kickass model.”
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker (l.) would like to see the legislature legalize sports betting this year. Baker wants to sign the bill before he leaves office after serving eight years.
Nearly two-thirds of Kentucky voters support sports betting, according to a recent poll, the same percentages as 2020. State Rep. Adam Koenig (l.), sponsor of several previous sports betting bills, says the poll demonstrates that his constituents want to bet.
Resorts Digital Gaming has announced a pending agreement that will allow a global sports betting provider to operate under the RDG license in New Jersey. In the meantime, it won’t accept sports bets.
Desert Diamond Casinos and Entertainment has announced the launch of a mobile sports betting app, along with the opening of a retail sportsbook at its Tucson property.
Paysafe is expanding its payment technology to the new mobile sports betting markets in Louisiana and Oregon, where it will power payment and affiliate programs for multiple mobile books.
Nova Scotia has launched single-game sports betting, the last of Canada’s Atlantic provinces to do so. Residents in the other Atlantic provinces have been able to make sports bets since August.
Wynn Resorts will sell the real estate of Encore Boston Harbor (l.) to Realty Income, a real estate investment trust, and continue to operate the casino while leasing the property. The sale could fund projects like a UAE integrated resort.
Isle Casino Pompano Park (l.) in Florida will be rebranded as Harrah’s Pompano Beach this fall, including a 15,000-square-foot casino expansion, 4-level parking garage and outdoor gaming terrace.
Churchill Downs officials want to move the proposed Queen of Terre Haute Casino (l.) from the city’s east side to the west side, where it could attract more patrons from Indianapolis.
To the dismay of Virginia state Senator Joe Morrissey (l.), the Senate Finance and Appropriations committee killed his proposal for a Petersburg casino referendum. Last year Richmond voters rejected a proposed casino.
Texas lawmakers are playing a long game when it comes to legalization of casinos and sports betting. Even so, the state isn’t much closer to legalizing gambling than it was a decade ago.
Senator Joseph Addabbo (l.), basking in the success of New York mobile gaming, now is pushing to award three full casino licenses to properties in the New York City area. If he gets his way, one would go to Resort World in Queens.
Atlantic City officials have approved a modular addition to the AC Convention Center. The project will house a data center for Continent 8, a global company that assists sports betting operations.
MGM Resorts International is partnering with IAC to purchase 4.5 million shares of MGM Resorts common stock from Corvex Management for a total of $405 million.
The Oregon Department of Justice has ruled that the historical horse racing machines proposed for Grants Pass’ Flying Lark entertainment center are illegal. The state’s gaming tribes are pleased, but Grand’s Pass owner Travis Boersma (l.) disagrees.
The U.S. Department of Justice has appealed a district court ruling invalidating the gaming compact between Florida and the Seminole Tribe due to sports betting exclusivity. The DOJ asks if the judge’s “remedy” went too far.
The California Nations Indian Gaming Association voted for a second sports wagering regulatory act to push back against “an aggressive expansion of commercial gaming into the California gaming market.”
The Osage Nation awaits approval from the U.S. Department of the Interior to start construction on a proposed casino on ancestral lands at Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, part of a $60 million entertainment complex.
Arizona state Senator Sally Ann Gonzales (l.) has introduced a bill to give every tribe in the state retail and mobile sports betting licenses. Originally, the 23 tribes were limited to 10 “event wagering” licenses.
The British Columbia Lottery Corp. has launched a search for a new president and CEO. Former President and CEO Jim Lightbody (l.) stepped down from the role in December 2021.
Geoconda Argüello-Kline (l.), secretary-treasurer of Nevada’s powerful Culinary Workers Union, has retired after 32 years. She called her role as a Local 226 leader “an honor of my life.”
The Fontainebleau Las Vegas, set to open at the end of 2023, has named hospitality executive Tony Yousfi as senior vice president of sales, catering and conference services.
Sam Askew has joined Northern Quest Resort & Casino in Washington State as its new executive director of resort operations. Askew has more than 32 years of experience developing destination properties.
Eclipse Gaming, which provides casino games to tribal and commercial operators, has appointed Sean Evans (l.) as its new senior vice president of sales. Evans focus on partnerships with tribal gaming operators.
OS Studios last week announced the promotion of Will Abreu (l.) to head of broadcasting. Abreu has 11 years of experience in the gaming and broadcasting industries and has produced more than 150 gaming events.
Win Systems, provider of casino solutions for the global gaming industry, has appointed Jonnathan Vázquez (l.) as sales manager in Mexico. Vázquez has held high-level sales positions at in markets around the world.
DraftKings at Casino Queen in St. Louis has named Marc VanderWeele general manager. The industry veteran has been a team member at the property since its opening in 1993.
Retiring Churchill Downs Senior Vice President of Gaming Operations Austin Miller will be replaced by Maureen Adams. Ryan Jordan has been named senior vice president of real estate development.
The Paysafe payments platform has expanded its partnership with BetWildwood, the official online sportsbook of Colorado's Wildwood Casino. BetWildwood will utilize Paysafe’s new Skrill USA digital wallet.
GeWeTe CEO Aristidis Tsikouras (l.) will install its best-selling Cash-Center Backloader cash handling machines at Oddsline betting shops in Germany and elsewhere in Europe. Oddsline owns brands such as Tipico, XTiP and TIPWIN.
PlayCity Casinos in Mexico have installed 211 of Zitro’s Glare slot cabinets, adding to more than 2,300 Zitro cabinets the operator has in place across the country.
The sports betting company, bet365, has launched its business in the greater Buenos Aires area. The app will feature sports and gambling. The South American nation joins 63 million customers around the world.
Oddin, a Czech-based esports provider, has entered the U.S. market, with New Jersey the first jurisdiction to license it. According to founder Marek Suchar (l.), esports aren’t just for kids. Adults love them too.
Cammegh has confirmed that it will display its table game equipment at ICE London, slated for April 11-14 at London’s ExCeL Centre, bucking the trend of exhibitors exiting the show.
The success of the annual Casino Marketing Boot Camp has led founder Julia Carcamo, president of J Carcamo & Associates, to launch regionally-located one-day mini-events for marketing personnel.
The sixth Casino Esports Conference will come to Las Vegas March 23-24. The show will examine the growth of esports, which show co-founder Ari Fox called “an expansion of video-gaming beyond video gaming.”
The ASEAN Gaming Summit, originally scheduled for March 21-23, will now take place July 25-27 in Manila, Philippines. Organizers have offered refunds in the event Covid-19 causes additional delays.
