Macau Casinos Shuttered

A disastrous first quarter looms for gaming in hard-pressed Macau, which last week reported its 10th case of the potentially lethal coronavirus, the first of a casino employee. As...

Published February 10, 2020

Video Gaming: the New Addiction?

The proliferation of video games has permeated society to such an extent that almost all children and adolescents play. And increasing numbers of young adults are also playing, and...

Published February 3, 2020

GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCAST: Brooks Pierce, President and COO, Inspired Entertainment

This week the GGB Podcast features Brooks Pierce, the president and chief operating officer of Inspired Entertainment, on the growth and potential of his innovative gaming technology company.

Published February 3, 2020

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Coronavirus, Week II: This Too Shall Pass

The pandemic raising fears in Asia and around the world has far outpaced the SARS scare of 2003, and is putting a chokehold on Macau gaming (though gambling continued...

Published February 3, 2020

In Beef with Tribes, OK Governor Stitt Asks for Stop Order

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt recently asked a federal judge to order 30 tribes to stop offering Class III gambling. Four tribes have now sued the governor, who claims the...

Published February 3, 2020

Penn National to Acquire Interest in Barstool Sports

Penn National Gaming has announced it will acquire a 36 percent interest in digital sports media company Barstool Sports, Inc., for approximately $163 million in cash and convertible preferred...

Published February 3, 2020

Ukraine Gaming Bill Gets Preliminary OK

A sweeping bill that would allow land-based casinos, online gambling, sports betting and lotteries in Ukraine has passed in its first parliamentary vote. It must pass two more readings...

Published February 3, 2020

Crown Chairman, Others Ousted Amid ‘Suitability’ Probe

Crown Resorts Executive Chairman John Alexander (l., with former Crown honcho James Packer) has resigned, and others in the Australian company’s executive ranks are also casualties of a regulatory...

Published February 3, 2020

Poll: Most in Japan Say Suspend IR Plans

In Japan, just one-fifth of people responding to an Asahi Shimbun survey favor moving ahead with plans to build three multibillion-dollar integrated resorts in the country. Many residents have...

Published February 3, 2020

Hawaii Proposals Could End Gaming Ban

Bills originating in the Hawaii Senate would create a Hawaii Lottery and Gaming Corp. If approved, the legislation would end the Aloha State’s long ban on any form of...

Published February 3, 2020

Record $26 Million Americans Wagered on Super Bowl LIV

The American Gaming Association (AGA) estimates that Americans wagered $6.8 billion on the NFL championship game Sunday, in which the Kansas City Chiefs vanquished the San Francisco 49ers 31-20,...

Published February 3, 2020

Coronavirus Creates Macau Ghost Town

The coronavirus pandemic left Macau’s casinos largely deserted last week, during a Lunar New Year holiday that should have been their busiest season of the year. Visitation was down...

Published February 3, 2020

Hawaiian Gardens, California: The Money Laundering Capital of the World

In the ongoing saga of card-room corruption in California, one facility stands head and shoulders above the rest: Hawaiian Gardens Casino (l.), located in the town with the same...

Published January 27, 2020

GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCAST: Travis Foley, Chief Operations Officer, BMM Testlabs

This week the GGB Podcast features an interview with Travis Foley, the chief operations officer for BMM Testlabs on the progress of his company and the role of test...

Published January 27, 2020

FANTINI’S FINANCE: In Macau, Is Viral Outbreak A Blip Or A Black Swan?

Last week, Chinese New Year in Macau celebrations were cancelled due to fears about the Wuhan coronavirus. In response, Hong Kong-listed casino stocks took a dive. For investors, does...

Published January 27, 2020

UNLV Tech Park Opens With Caesars Funding

Gardner Company, UNLV, and Caesars Entertainment last week celebrated the completion of the first research building at the UNLV Tech Park, launching new era for research and innovation in...

Published January 27, 2020

Former Aristocrat Execs Take Over at Scientific Games

Scientific Games Corp. has confirmed the imminent arrival of a trio of executives formerly with rival Aristocrat Technologies, including Matt Wilson (l.), Siobhan Lane and Connie James. The hires...

Published January 27, 2020

Arizona Legislators Use Compacts as Stick in Water Disputes

Some Arizona lawmakers want to tie new tribal gaming compacts to certain tribes’ water rights disputes. If officials have their way, the tribes wouldn’t be able to secure new...

Published January 27, 2020

Prop Bets Rule for Super Bowl

For bettors, the Super Bowl is the king of the hill. Along with win-loss wagers, gamblers can also take their pick of special wagers known as proposition bets, such...

Published January 27, 2020

In Washington, Competing Sports Bills and a Tight Deadline

Competing sportsbook bills are off and running in the Washington State legislature. But with a 60-day session, many don’t hold out much hope for a final bill this year....

Published January 27, 2020