Caesars promised Lachae Vickers and dozens of other bettors a risk-free bet if you lost. That promise will now be judged in a courtroom as Vickers wanted the cash back, not betting credits.
The NCAA tournament is underway once again, and March Madness will be one of the biggest events for the sports betting industry during the year. Sixty-eight million Americans plan to wager on the hoops tourney.
Land-based gaming revenue remains strong says AGA Vice President David Forman while sports betting and iGaming continue to rise, representing a very healthy industry, but long how slog will that last?
With all of the gaming-related debates currently being waged across New South Wales, it makes sense that everyone should at least gather in one place. Sydney’s recent Regulating the Game conference was chock-full of important players, such as Jane Lin (l.), a top regulator in the state.
Just a few years ago, analysts foresaw astronomical revenues for casino resorts in Japan. Then Covid pulled the rug out. Even so, Strategy Organization analyst Josh Swissman predicts that investments there, if OK’d by the government, will pay off over time.
Online sports betting was permitted in Massachusetts late last week, just about a month after it was permitted at the state’s three casinos—MGM Springfield, Encore Boston Harbor, and Plainridge Racetrack. Four more online sports books, including BetMGM, which reached an agreement with the Boston Red Sox, were added in what seems to have been a smooth launch.
Golden Entertainment announced that it will divest its distributed gaming operation, selling slot routes in Nevada and Montana to Illinois-based J&J Ventures Gaming, LLC for $361.5 million.
The longstanding moratorium on new cardrooms in California expired last year, but in a surprising development, both tribes and existing rooms are championing a bill sponsored by Rep. James Ramos (l.) that would put a new moratorium in place.
The planned bid by Seminole Hard Rock to build a casino near the Citi Field stadium (l.) in Queens, already the subject of local protest, is in question because of Hard Rock’s business ties to Russia.
Melco Resorts’ City of Dreams (l.) and Sands China are the first casino concessionaires in Macau to actively dedicate space for foreign gamblers. Others will follow to get tax breaks available to operators who attract more foreign trade.
During the pandemic, contributions to political candidates fell sharply from the gaming industry. But now that the casinos are raking in money again, the amount of political cash has leaped upwards.
The Gambling White Paper the government of the U.K. has been set to release for more than two years may be released soon. Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer (l.) says, “the white paper is an absolute priority for me, and for the prime minister, and we are committed to publishing it soon.”
Georgia lawmakers have once again nixed the idea of legalizing sports betting as three gaming-related legislations were unable to get out of committee.
Proposed tribal-state compact changes could toss out parimutuels’ lawsuit against the Interior Department, allow the Seminole Tribe of Florida to offer online sports betting and let tribes buy off-reservation land for casinos.
Rep. Ken Luttrell (l.) is fighting to keep Oklahoma sports betting alive, but a source says the gap between tribal wishes and the governor’s wishes may be too wide to bring together. In Kentucky, HB 551 was filed in the nick of time, but it too faces an uphill battle. And in Minnesota, there are issues that could doom this year's version of a bill that was rejected in 2022.
This week, the GGB Podcast features a discussion with Matt Sodl, the founding partner, president and managing director of Innovation Capital, on the investment firms latest successes and how the current investment climate isn’t as bad as some might believe.
Billionaire Enrique Razon Jr. (l.), whose Bloomberry Resorts controls the Solaire Resort & Casino in Manila, is planning a second integrated resort in the country. Solaire saw a net profit of $93 million in 2022.
A woman walks past signage for VIP west rooms at the Galaxy Macau Phase 2 casino and hotel, developed by Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd., in Macau, China, on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017. Galaxy is scheduled to report full year earnings results on Feb. 28. Photographer: Anthony Kwan/Bloomberg
Only a handful of licensed junkets in Macau are now doing business, according to U Io Hung, head of the Macau Professional Association of Gaming Promoters. The government issued 36 licenses for 2023.
With the opening of Melco Cyprus’s City of Dreams Mediterranean (l.) integrated resort expected this summer, the company could lead the way in building the island into a global destination. So says Grant Johnson, senior vice president of casino sales and marketing of the Hong Kong-based firm.
Australian billionaire Bruce Mathieson (l.), whose hospitality and poker machine empire ALH has traditionally been in stiff competition with Star Entertainment, seems to be stepping in at an opportune time, having recently acquired just under 10 percent of the embattled operator for a discount price thanks to the company’s recent struggles.
Crown Resorts would very much like to regain full control of its Victorian casino license by the end of 2023. But what if it doesn’t? That’s the question that still needs to be ironed out, according to recent comments from VGCCC CEO Annette Kimmitt (l.).
After four years of legalized sports betting with no regulation, Brazil is ready to issue regulations. Finance Minister Fernando Haddad (l.) has confirmed regulation will soon begin. He added, “I will regulate online gaming. They don’t pay any taxes and make a fortune from the county.”
A bill to legalize online gambling in Indiana went nowhere for the third consecutive year. Sponsor state Rep. Ethan Manning (l.) said he’ll educate lawmakers on how legal online gaming can help fight black-market gambling.
Online casinos appear to be at least a year from entering the Empire State, but when they do, Rush Street CEO Richard Schwartz (l.) said his company will be ready.
Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi (l.) has performed the Indian equivalent of vetoing a bill that the state assembly passed banning online gambling and imposing regulations on online gaming. According to a report the governor has “raised a few queries” after returning the bill to the assembly.
EveryMatrix has signed a game content agreement for the U.S. with leading mobile casino and sportsbook betPARX, bringing EveryMatrix content to the Parx iGaming operation.
If Missouri lawmakers can refrain from getting too childish perhaps the state will get around to combining forces and approve sports betting. Rep. Dan Houx (l.) thinks it can pass. Senator Dan Hoskins might kill that chance.
The sports betting industry saw a downturn marked by lack of profits and pressure to tone down promotions in recent months. At least one analyst thinks the answer may be a round of mergers and acquisitions.
Thor Equities has released details and the first renderings of its proposed casino at Brooklyn’s Coney Island (l.), which would be called “The Coney,” while Las Vegas Sands highlights its Long Island proposal.
As of now, it would appear that the momentum has reached the point where a full smoking ban in Atlantic City casinos is more likely than ever. With that in mind, some have wondered whether Nevada could follow suit—the answer, at least for right now, is no.
The former Sands Regency in Reno has been rebranded as the J Resort (l.), as owners Jacobs Entertainment look to inject new life into one of the older properties in the area.
U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon (l.) ruled a class action lawsuit against Wynn Resorts may proceed. Shareholders accused management of deceiving investors by failing to disclose Steve Wynn’s alleged sexual misconduct.
A top executive of Fertitta Entertainment says no decision has been made on the development of six prime acres on the Las Vegas Strip acquired last year (l.).
Da Bears saw a better option than Soldier Field in the 326-acre Arlington Park (l.), a former race track. Churchill Downs put a covenant barring a casino on the site, but Arlington Heights’ village ordinance says otherwise
When Genting purchased the plot of land that eventually became Resorts World Las Vegas (l.), it probably didn’t imagine that it would be looked at 10 years later as a low point in Strip land values. Prices were astronomical before then, and they’re rising steadily now, leading some to wonder when the next valley will be.
Caesars Entertainment officials shared renderings of Harrah’s Columbus Racing & Casino in Nebraska (l.), set to open in 2024 with the state’s only 1-mile thoroughbred racetrack. A temporary casino will open this spring.
In Missouri, the Lake Ozark, Missouri board expressed support for a local investor group’s proposed casino. However, the Osage Nation also has bought and cleared acreage for its own Lake of the Ozarks casino.
Partnering with City Colleges of Chicago, Bally’s Chicago casino will offer dealer training school for local residents beginning this spring. The new $1.7 billion casino will require hundreds of dealers when it’s completed.
The National Problem Gambling Awareness Month celebrated its 20th anniversary in March. The month included conferences and discussions to shine an important light on the options for those with a problem.
At a recent panel, longtime gaming executive Michael Brunet (l.) said that the three recent tribal developments in Las Vegas represented a classic trope: good, bad and ugly. The best grade was given to the Seminole Tribe’s acquisition and reimagining of the Mirage Las Vegas.
In Oregon, the Coquille Tribe is waiting for federal approval of its proposed off-reservation casino, which would feature 600 slots and create 233 permanent jobs. However, the Cow Creek Umpqua Tribe and others oppose the project.
In Michigan, the Grand River Bands and Little River Band want to build a casino on the same land (l.). But the Grand River Bands recently were denied federal recognition and the Little River Band needs its gaming compact renewed.
Zoe Zou (l.), an executive for Western beauty brands, has been named chief marketing officer for Wynn Macau. Zou’s knowledge of “the pan-Asian consumer” will enable her to market to them effectively, the firm said.
Caesars Entertainment announced that they are implementing stronger responsible gaming policies, including a company-wide self-exclusion list and making the universal age to gamble 21 and over.
Gamzix has launched a new slot title, just in time for St. Patricks’ Day. Patric’s Coin: Hold the Spin. The five-reel, three-row slot has 20 fixed paylines.
