News: Seneca Nation president: Casino compact talks progressing

News

Seneca Nation president: Casino compact talks progressing

So what's the latest on negotiations over a new gaming compact between the state of New York and the Seneca Nation of Indians?

During a recent interview with the Niagara Gazette, Seneca Nation President Rickey Armstrong Sr. said, from his point of view, talks are progressing.

Armstrong said representatives from the Nation continue to meet regularly with state officials and he remains hopeful that a tentative deal will be in place for review by the federal government by the summer of 2023.

"We've made every effort to make progress," Armstrong said.

"We want to continue to work toward a new gaming compact that reflects the gaming landscape in Buffalo, Niagara Falls," he added.

The current gaming compact, which provides the Seneca Nation with exclusive rights to operate Class III casinos in Western New York, including Niagara Falls, Buffalo and Salamanca, is set to expire in December 2023.

Seneca officials have argued in the past that since the signing of the original compact, other gaming outlets, including so-called "racinos" in Hamburg and Batavia, cut into their exclusivity by offering video lottery terminals similar to slot machines.

Armstrong said the Nation has been working on its end of the proposed agreement for about two years and that he's confident the Nation has "covered all of our bases."

He maintains that the Seneca Gaming Corp.'s three local casinos have provided economic benefit to host communities like the Falls and Buffalo, in the form of jobs and spinoff from investments made by the companies with local vendors.

In addition, the compact has allowed the state of New York to collect a percentage of slot machine revenues from Seneca casinos, with 25% of those dollars being distributed to the Falls, Buffalo and Salamanca.

"I'm hopeful that the state recognizes the impact we've had on Western New York," Armstrong said.

In a statement in response to a request for comment, a spokesperson for Gov. Kathy Hochul's office said the executive chamber and the state gaming commission have been having "substantive negotiations" with the Seneca Nation for months.

"We are fully committed to continuing to meet, discuss, and negotiate a compact, and we are confident that the process will continue in a way that best serves New Yorkers," the spokesperson said.

Media Man Gaming Blog: Gaming Directory

Gaming Directory

Media Man Gaming Blog: 5 Keys To Online Success

Media Man Gaming Blog 

5 Keys To Online Success

It is being more commonly understood that the dot.com bust of 2000 was more the result of bad business models and execution than of some intrinsic fault within the Internet. Many businesses with models appropriate to the Internet are alive and thriving.

Perhaps you’re wondering if your own business has what it takes to be successful on the Web? While every situation is different, experts have noted that successful online businesses possess a number of common characteristics. Let’s take a look at five key characteristics that they share.

1. Management possessed a “Net” awareness.

Dun and Bradstreet’s 20th Annual Small business Survey reports that two-thirds of today’s small businesses have Internet access, and approximately 50 percent of those also have a Website. And more than 60 percent of those with Internet access plan to increase their use of the Internet in coming months.

As business owners and decision-makers, you will most certainly benefit by spending time online learning about the Internet. Look at how your competitors and industry are using it, try to discern where your markets potentially hang out, and ask lots of questions.

2. They had an organized plan.

Do you remember the story Alice in Wonderland and the Cheshire cat? One day Alice came to a fork in the road. Looking around, she saw a Cheshire cat in a tree. “Which road should I take?” she asked. “Where do you want to go?” the cat replied. “I don’t know,” Alice answered. “In that case,” the cat said, “it doesn’t matter which road you take.”

Once you have gotten familiar with the Internet and its potential for your marketing, create a written plan of action. Simply putting your ideas down on paper will help focus your thoughts. Set goals and identify how you can get there.

How important is it to have a plan, or better yet, a written business plan? The Small Business Administration says that most successful companies started with a detailed business plan and those that didn’t plan were far more likely to fail.

3. Successful ventures implemented their creative ideas and then learned from what worked and what didn’t.

Kraft Foods is the largest branded food and beverage company in North America, and the second largest worldwide. Paula Sneed, one of their vice presidents, was a keynote speaker at an Economist Conference. She boiled down the basis for their success down to three simple “ingredients” which I believe are also important to all businesses, no matter what size.

Make smart bets. Kraft identified initiatives that build brand, increase customer loyalty, or cut costs.

Move fast. Once identified, they implemented their initiatives. I think one of the most notable things Sneed said was, “If we’re going to fail let’s fail fast and fail cheap.”

Make course corrections. Kraft expected both success and failure. They made mid-course corrections based on early feedback to improve the likelihood of success. Even failures provided good market feedback they could use for future initiatives.

4. Successful Web ventures did targeted marketing.

As a marketing consultant I find that many small businesses have great difficulty identifying their choice markets. I can’t tell you how many times I ask entrepreneurs what their target markets are, only to be told, “everyone.”

But targeting your marketing to “everyone” doesn’t make sense. Targeting means identifying those potential customers who represent the best prospects for sales and focusing your marketing efforts on them. This is simply the old 80/20 rule (that 80% of your sales come from 20% of your customers) in practice.

In fact, finding a niche and working to serve its unmet needs is one of the best uses for the Web. Why? Because the Web isn’t really a mass marketing tool, as some would believe. It’s actually a supreme targeted marketing tool.

5. They combined online and offline marketing.

I always hear people making either/or kinds of comments about offline versus online advertising. But successful companies recognized that online and offline advertising are synergistic. They support and amplify one another.

Here are two simple examples. First, including your website URL in all your offline advertising messages (yellow pages, magazine ads, circulars etc) will bring traffic to your website. Second, a signup form on your website that you use to send prospects your standard marketing printed materials (brochures, sales materials etc).

While these five Keys do not guarantee online success, including them in your business will certainly improve your chances for success.

Media Man Gaming Blog: Caesars the Latest to be Awarded Mass Sports Betting License

Caesars the Latest to be Awarded Mass Sports Betting License

State regulators in Massachusetts approved Caesars to operate a sports betting website in the commonwealth.  They become the third casino company granted a license after Wynn and MGM.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission voted unanimously to allow Caesars following a grueling review of MGM Springfield's tie-in with a third party vendor that runs its mobile site BetMGM.  Commissioners delayed a decision on the sports betting license application from Plainridge Park Casino due to concerns over ties with Barstool Sports and its controversial founder, Dave Portnoy.

BetMGM was approved for a license one day prior to acknowledging a breach of customer accounts occurring some time in May of this year.  BetMGM parent company, Entain, had been handed down a record fine by UK regulators for failure to implement money laundering safeguards over the summer. 

Caesars already has a foothold in a number of U.S. states including Louisiana.  We had an opportunity this past week to visit their sprawling sportsbook in Harrah's New Orleans.

Caesars Louisiana sportsbooks are making a name for themselves for their willingness to accept huge million dollar bets from Houston area furniture mogul Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale.

Media Man Gaming Blog: Florida-based Hard Rock International now running iconic Mirage resort in Las Vegas

Florida-based Hard Rock International now running iconic Mirage resort in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS - A new operator, Hard Rock International, started running the iconic Mirage resort on the Las Vegas Strip on Monday, following Nevada state gambling regulatory approval for a nearly $1.1 billion sale by former site owner MGM Resorts International, the companies said.

Hard Rock International, owned by the Seminole Tribe, said it plans to reshape the property at the center of the glittery Las Vegas Boulevard casino corridor by replacing its volcano attraction with a huge guitar-shaped hotel tower.

Company Chairman Jim Allen said in a statement that the property's 3,500 employees were absorbed Monday into Hard Rock's 45,000-member workforce. The company has cafes, hotels, casinos and concert properties around the world.

"We are excited to create an integrated resort on the Strip that will make this legendary entertainment community proud," Allen said. The statement specified there were no immediate plans to close The Mirage or lay off employees.

Hard Rock and MGM Resorts announced plans for the operational takeover a year ago. The deal became official following Nevada Gaming Commission approval at a special meeting Friday.

"We're thrilled to welcome Hard Rock to the neighborhood and wish them all the very best," Bill Hornbuckle, CEO and president of casino giant MGM Resorts International said in a statement.

The more than 3,000-room hotel on 80 acres becomes the first on the Las Vegas Strip to be run by a Native American tribe.

East of the Strip, the Connecticut-based Mohegan Tribe operates a casino that opened in 2021 at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas after that property - named Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - was purchased in 2018, renovated and rebranded by Virgin.

West of the Strip, an affiliate of the California-based San Manuel Band of Mission Indians owns and operates The Palms.

Seminole-owned Hard Rock International had no previous involvement with the former Hard Rock Hotel & Casino that operated from 1995 to 2020. It bought licensing and naming rights in May 2020. The Mirage redevelopment plan is projected to run through 2023. Costs have not been disclosed.

Daily operations "are set to continue under The Mirage brand for the foreseeable future, and all room reservations and group bookings will be honored with no action required by guests or group organizers," the company said.

"The process ... ultimately will dramatically reimagine every aspect of the resort and change the Las Vegas skyline with the addition of a guitar-shaped hotel tower," the company promised.

Hard Rock International also entered into a long-term lease agreement with VICI Properties Inc., a real estate investment trust that acquired MGM Resorts properties this year in a $17.2 billion deal with MGM Growth Properties, a publicly traded landowner of holdings in eight states. New York-based VICI owns properties and leases them back to hospitality and entertainment operators.

The sale marks the end of an era for a Polynesian-themed property built by former casino mogul Steve Wynn and credited with helping transform Las Vegas from a gambling hub into an ultra-luxury resort destination with broader appeal.

It opened in November 1989, with a sidewalk-side volcano spewing fire years before gondoliers began plying canals at the Venetian and fountains started dancing at the Bellagio. For years The Mirage hosted Siegfried & Roy taming white tigers. It remains home to a Cirque du Soleil show set to a Beatles soundtrack.

The change-of-hands is one of several involving well-known properties on Las Vegas Boulevard. Rhode Island-based Bally's Corp. completed its acquisition in September of the Tropicana Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. Bally's Corp. does not own Bally's Las Vegas on the Strip.

Caesars Entertainment Inc., which owns Bally's Las Vegas, is rebranding the 2,800-room property as the Horseshoe Las Vegas. That draws on a name made famous at a downtown gambling hall that hosted the first World Series of Poker.

Media Man Gaming Blog: Wynn Resorts completes sale and leaseback of Encore Boston Harbor

Wynn Resorts completes sale and leaseback of Encore Boston Harbor

Massachusetts (Boston Harbor) - Wynn Resorts December 1 completed a deal for the sale of Encore Boston Harbor’s land and real estate assets to Realty Income Corporation. The $1.7 billion cash sale represents a 5.9% cash cap rate with all necessary regulatory approvals finalized. Net proceeds of the sale result in Wynn’s global liquidity position of $4.4 billion. Wynn Resorts will continue to operate Encore Boston Harbor through a triple net lease arrangement with Realty Income. The lease has an initial annual rent of $100 million for a term of 30 years, with one 30-year renewal option.

Media Man Gaming Blog - Casino News Media Blog: Casino, Gaming, Sports, Pop Culture and Business News Update - December 2022

Media Man Gaming Blog - Casino News Media Blog: Casino, Gaming, Sports, Pop Culture and Business News Update - December 2022

Bristol casino to break ground

Virginia (Bristol) - Courtney Mabeus, Virginia Business - Virginia’s first casino, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, is getting closer to moving into its permanent home.

Officials will break ground at the casino’s permanent home at the former Bristol Mall, at 500 Gate City Highway in Bristol on Dec. 7, the casino announced Thursday… Expected to open July 2024.

Wynn Resorts completes sale and leaseback of Encore Boston Harbor

Massachusetts (Boston Harbor) - Rege Behe, CDC Gaming Reports - Wynn Resorts December 1 completed a deal for the sale of Encore Boston Harbor’s land and real estate assets to Realty Income Corporation. The $1.7 billion cash sale represents a 5.9% cash cap rate with all necessary regulatory approvals finalized. Net proceeds of the sale result in Wynn’s global liquidity position of $4.4 billion. Wynn Resorts will continue to operate Encore Boston Harbor through a triple net lease arrangement with Realty Income. The lease has an initial annual rent of $100 million for a term of 30 years, with one 30-year renewal option.

Diplomatic row brewing over latest arrest of protest leader

Asia (Cambodia) - Inside Asian Gaming - Cambodian officials have defended the arrest of NagaWorld unionist Chhim Sithar among pressure from both local and international labor rights and foreign affairs groups, including the US Department of State. Sithar, who has led a series of protests outside the Phnom Penh integrated resort over its decision to lay off 373 workers late last year, was arrested at Phnom Penh International Airport and placed in pre-trial detention last Saturday after returning from a 12-day trip to Australia.

Resorts World revamps cashless wagering

Nevada (Las Vegas) - McKenna Ross, Review-Journal - After a hindered rollout in 2021 that prompted regulatory changes, Resorts World and digital payments provider Sightline Payments relaunched its cashless technology solution Wednesday and it includes more functionality and seamless technology. Players at the Strip hotel-casino will now be able to confirm their identity remotely, enroll in loyalty programs and payments and use biometric authentication such as face ID and fingerprint technology.

Self-service Tesla rental firm launches in Las Vegas

Nevada (Las Vegas) - Sean Hemmersmeier, Review-Journal - Las Vegans and tourists alike will have a new electric car rental option on the Strip that won’t require interacting with agents. UFODrive, a Europe-based car rental company that only offers electric vehicles, launched its operations Thursday on the fifth floor of Showcase mall’s parking garage on the Strip. The company will not have staff in Las Vegas and customers will be directed to handle every part of the rental experience through its mobile app, said Aidan McClean, CEO of UFODrive.

Strip resident Miranda Lambert takes pride in her music and her platform

Nevada (Las Vegas) - Brock Radke, The Weekly - It’s been one big week after another for Miranda Lambert. Just before making a return to her Velvet Rodeo residency show on the Las Vegas Strip, the 39-year-old singer and songwriter was nominated for four Grammys, one in each country music category. Now she gets to celebrate with six concerts at Planet Hollywood’s Zappos Theater during National Finals Rodeo week. “I’m super-excited about it, because those are my people,” Lambert tells the Weekly.

Garth Brooks signs on for 2024 at Caesars Palace

Nevada (Las Vegas) - John Katsilometes, Review-Journal - It’s Brooks in ’24 on the Strip. Responding to high ticket demand for his 2023 shows at the Colosseum, Garth Brooks has confirmed he will perform in 2024 at Caesars Palace. He has added one year to “Garth Brooks/Plus ONE,” with more info on the horizon. The extension marks a long-term commitment for Brooks on the Strip. He’s already booked for 27 select dates overall, from May, June, July, November and December of next year.

Pac-12 extends agreement with Las Vegas through 2023

Nevada (Las Vegas) - Mark Anderson, Associated Press - The Pac-12 Conference extended its agreement to at least 2023 to play its championship game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The game Friday between No. 4 Southern California and No. 12 Utah will be the second in Las Vegas. Commissioner George Kliavkoff said Thursday the game has sold out. “Being in the entertainment capital of the world and a state-of-the-art NFL stadium is great for the Pac-12,” Kliavkoff said.

NFL announces new format for Pro Bowl Games in Las Vegas

Nevada (Las Vegas) - Mick Akers, Review-Journal - A re-imagined NFL Pro Bowl is set to occur in February at Allegiant Stadium. The NFL Pro Bowl Games will be highlighted by several skills competitions, culminating in three flag football games. The week kicks off Feb. 2 with the Pro Bowl Skills events pitting NFL stars against one another in competitions that will include previous fan-favorite challenges and newly added ones.

Ripley's Believe It Or Not museum to close in Atlantic City

New Jersey (Atlantic City) - Wayne Parry Associated Press - Believe it or not, an iconic part of the Atlantic City Boardwalk is closing soon. The Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! museum said Thursday it will close Dec. 31 after more than 26 years of tempting Boardwalk strollers with oddities including shrunken heads, mutant animals and models of unbelievably tall or small humans. The building that houses the museum is an instantly recognizable feature of the Boardwalk. It is designed with a giant globe that appears to have smashed into the front of the building and wedged part of the way inside it, cracking the foundation from top to bottom.

East Coast Gaming Conference returns to Atlantic City in April

New Jersey (Atlantic City) - Rege Behe, CDC Gaming Reports - The East Coast Gaming Congress & Nexgen Gaming Forum Friday announced the return to its traditional spring schedule in 2023. The conference will be held April 19-20, 2023, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The conference, in its 26th year, was last held Sept. 21-23, 2022, at the same venue.

City leaders discuss new developments along the waterfront

Mississippi (Biloxi) - Stephanie Poole, WLOX - Improvements are happening all along the waterfront. Red, green, purple, pink, and blue colors sparkle in downtown Biloxi. You’ve may have seen the observation wheel at Margaritaville dazzling in the sky, and it’s almost time to hitch a ride. Ward 6 Councilman Kenny Glavan said Paradise Pier Fun Park will bring more people to the area, expanding economic growth. 

Legislation would allow Petersburg casino vote

Virginia (Petersburg/Richmond) - David McGee, Herald Courier - Legislation pre-filed with the Virginia General Assembly seeks to allow the city of Petersburg to conduct a casino referendum and would temporarily delay Richmond from holding a second vote…would add Petersburg to the list of Virginia cities eligible to conduct a public referendum regarding placement of one casino in the city limits of each.

Arizona Sports Wagering Operators Claim $55 Million In September

Arizona (sports/results) - Chris Altruda, Sports Handle - The Arizona Department of Gaming reported a record $55.2 million in GGR for sports wagering in September, completing a historic nationwide rout by operators in which 24 of 27 states recorded holds of 10% or higher. Arizona’s handle was $538 million, and cleared $4 billion in handle for the 2022 calendar year.

Virginia Tops $500 Million In Handle for First Time

Virginia (sports/results) - Chris Altruda, Sports Handle – Virginia reported $528 million worth of wagers for October…Operators reported $51.2 million in gross revenue, a 9.7% hold for October. Promotional credits were less than $1 million for the second time in four months, with the $963,187 awarded barely half of September’s $1.7 million. Adjusted revenue carryovers and other deductions for operators totaled $5.6 million, leaving the state eligible to tax $45.5 million in adjusted revenue.

Poarch Creek Tribe to buy Miami’s Magic City Casino

Florida (Indian gaming) - Chava Gourarie, Commercial Observer - The longtime owners of Miami’s Magic City Casino plan to sell the property, and the license to operate it, to the Poarch Band Creek of Indians, a Native American tribe based in Alabama…The Havenick family has operated the casino since at least 1931, when it was a dog racing track called the Flagler Dog Track and Poker, and the first to receive a greyhound license. In 2009 it was rechristened as the Magic City Casino, and became the first pari-mutuel facility to offer slot machines

Muckleshoot Casino’s new hotel tower nears completion

Washington (Indian gaming) - Emily Hanson, KING - Muckleshoot Casino’s new 18-story resort tower now has 95 percent of its glass on, and the final steel beam was hoisted in place at the end of August. “Muckleshoot Casino and the Muckleshoot tribe have been known for the biggest and the best in the northwest,” said Robert Dearstine, executive director of resort operations at Muckleshoot Casino. “So now it’s the next part of the evolution.” The hotel is the tallest structure between Seattle and Tacoma.

San Manuel Band Surprises Native with Donations

California (Indian gaming) - Native News - In honor of Giving Tuesday, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians yesterday surprised 10 Native-led nonprofit organizations with donations of $100,000 each. The Tribe made donations totaling $1 million.

Thunder Valley Casino Resort to Host Multiple Job Fairs in December

California (Indian gaming) - Indian Gaming Magazine - Thunder Valley Casino Resort is looking to fill over 100 full and part-time positions at its job fairs throughout the month of December.   Positions include housekeepers, housepersons, janitorial porters, emergency medical technicians, security officers, cage cashiers, table games dealers, food servers, cooks, bakers, food court attendants, bus persons, beverage servers, beverage porters, and kitchen workers.

Lawmakers pursuing Northern Arapaho gaming proposal to help fund schools

Wyoming (Indian gaming) - Katie Roenigk, Country 10 - State lawmakers continued to discuss a proposal from the Northern Arapaho Tribe this month to develop Class III gaming on state-owned school trust land in order to generate new revenue for K-12 public education. The proposal was submitted in response to a statewide request for K-12 funding strategies from the Wyoming Legislature’s Joint Revenue Committee, which was asked to “solicit and investigate ideas for sustainable, long-term revenue sources for K-12 education” this year by the legislature’s 2022 Management Council.

Mr. Cromwell To Appeal Sentencing In Bribery And Extortion Case

Massachusetts (Indian gaming) - Mackenzie Ryan, The Enterprise - Cedric Cromwell, former chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, has filed for an appeal following his sentencing in US District Court in Boston for bribery charges related to the Tribe’s plans to build the First Light Resort and Casino in Taunton. US Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock sentenced Mr. Cromwell, 57, to three years in prison and one year of supervised release on November 15. He was convicted on May 5 of two counts of accepting bribes as an agent of an Indian tribal government, three counts of extortion, and one count of conspiring to commit extortion

Entain relaunches Unirkn, aims to enter regulated markets

Global (corporate) - Daniel O'Boyle, iGaming Business - Entain has relaunched esports betting brand Unikrn, which it acquired last year, with plans to expand further into regulated markets…Going forward, Entain said that Unikrn will “continue plans to enter new, regulated markets around the globe in 2023 and into the future”.

Legislation bringing country in line with fellow EU states

Europe (Ireland) - Ted Orme-Claye, SBC News - Ireland’s Gambling Regulation Bill has been welcomed by the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) as a ‘significant milestone’. The Bill was approved last month by the Irish cabinet, which is led by a tri-party coalition, having been drafted by Minister of State for Justice James Browne. Praising the legislation, EGBA has stated that the Bill will modernize Ireland’s gambling framework and bring the country in line with the regulatory regimes of other EU member states. 

Novomatic awarded G4 certification for responsible gaming

Europe (corporate) - Phil, G3 Newswire - Austria-based slot manufacturer and international casino operator Novomatic has been awarded G4 certification in Italy and Spain for its commitment to responsible gaming. This follows similar certifications already achieved by the company’s top-selling subsidiaries in Austria, Germany, the UK and the Netherlands. The G4 certification in Italy and Spain now underlines Novomatic’s position as a leading supplier of Responsible Gaming in these core markets, as well. For Novomatic as an international operator of gaming venues as well as a globally exporting technology supplier, Responsible Gaming has always been a top priority.

Unibet threatened with €6m fine in STS Poland lawsuit

Europe (Poland) - Ted Orme-Claye, SBC News - STS Gaming Group has initiated a lawsuit against Kindred Group’s Unibet sportsbook subsidiary, accusing the firm of violating Polish law and targeting consumers in the country…Allegations against Unibet include ‘many years of illegal activity’ such as providing games without Ministry of Finance permissions and unauthorized advertising and promotion, as well as marketing on the shirts of overseas football clubs during matches taking place in Poland.

Media Man Gaming Blog: News (Gaming/Gambling): United States Igaming Revenue Report

News (Gaming/Gambling): United States Igaming Revenue Report

Total igaming revenue for October 2021 in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, West Virginia, and Delaware added up to $445.2 million, an increase of just under 22% over October 2021…internet-gaming win reported in New Jersey was $147.2 million, reflecting growth of 15.9%...Michigan won a record $141 million from online gamblers…Revenue from igaming in Pennsylvania was $124.5 million, an increase of 17.4% over October 2021…Igaming operators set a revenue record in October at $21.9 million… West Virginia igaming revenue for October came in at $9.4 million, a 32% jump…Delaware’s internet casinos won $1.2 million from gamblers in October 2022, a 22.5% increase.

Blog News: Red Bull drives F1 car through Las Vegas casino days before launch party with Hamilton

Red Bull drives F1 car through Las Vegas casino days before launch party with Hamilton

Profiles

Red Bull Motorsport Casinos Las Vegas Sports Sports News Casino News Media

Red Bull have helped to promote F1's newest race in Las Vegas set to debut in November next season.

Red Bull have driven a Formula One car through a Las Vegas casino ahead of this weekend’s F1 launch party. Visitors looked shocked as the car shot past blackjack tables at the iconic Wynn Las Vegas Casino.

Ahead of its run, the car was parked in the foyer with fans able to get close to the car. After driving through the casino, the car came to a stop at the front of the building where it was collected by a team of Red Bull mechanics.

The demonstration was completed with a drifting display from the F1 car and Red Bull’s Stadium Super Trucks machine. Social media users were shocked at the footage with some in awe of Red Bull’s display.

Twitter user @burrrke posted: “I would say there’s definitely room for disaster here, but I’ve never been in a casino or driven a F1 car. @masaloin added: “I should’ve been in Vegas seeing the Red Bull f1 car driving in the casino and on the Strip.”

Red Bull also took part in a filming session on the Las Vegas Strip on Wednesday. It comes just days before this weekend’s launch event to mark one year before the first race.

Fans reported on social media that Sergio Perez was behind the wheel of the car as the cameras started rolling. Footage shows Perez driving up and down the famous Strip before doing a 180-degree spin for the crowd.

Perez has already been confirmed to be attending the event at Caesars Palace on Saturday night. He will be joined by Mercedes F1 stars Lewis Hamilton and George Russell as well as Williams driver Alex Albon.

The event will be completely free of charge and will allow fans a chance to get up close with the cars. Spectators will also be treated by a live car demonstration on Las Vegas Boulevard and be introduced to the four drivers on the main stage.

Those in attendance can also enjoy F1's Pit Stop Challenge and grab photos with cars and trophies. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said the event would give locals a “taste of things to come” ahead of next season’s debut Grand Prix.

He explained: “We are thrilled to welcome our fans to the launch of the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix. The Las Vegas Grand Prix is going to become a regular fixture in the city and on the global sporting calendar, so it is important to have local fans both celebrated and celebrating with us from the very start.

“This launch is a small but exciting taste of things to come over the next year when all the Formula One teams hit The Strip."

Media Man Gaming Blog: bet365 & Incentive Games unveil a daily score predictor game for the World Cup

bet365 & Incentive Games unveil a daily score predictor game for the World Cup

World’s largest online betting brand launches ‘4 Scores’ for the world’s biggest sporting event

Profiles

Sports News Sports Betting Sports World Advertising Promotions News Media

UK: 18 November 2022 – With the World Cup just around the corner, bet365 have ramped up the excitement by launching a daily predictor game for the tournament, called ‘4 Scores Challenge’.

This is yet another collaboration with long-term partners Incentive Games – the industry’s leader in premium free-to-play games.

‘4 Scores Challenge’ does exactly what it says on the tin: offering users prizes for predicting four scores. bet365 successfully launched the ‘6 Scores Challenge’ at the start of the 2022/23 Premier League season, with hundreds of thousands of players taking on the prediction challenge each weekend.

During the World Cup, prizes of up to £250 are on offer each day, but users don’t have to get every prediction right to win – with three correct predictions earning £10, and £2.50 awarded to those with two correct forecasts.

The innovative new game offers football fans a brilliant, free game to play each day of the World Cup, with generous cash prizes available.

  

John Gordon, CEO and Co-Founder of Incentive Games said: “We are privileged to roll out this incredible title across the bet365 app and website – we're so proud of it.

“Here’s a prediction from us: with its generous cash prizes, despite being free, 4 Scores will become a real fans’ favourite during the World Cup.”

 

A spokesperson from bet365 said: “We’re thrilled to announce the launch of ‘4 Scores’, in association with our partners at Incentive Games. At bet365 we love to enhance the enjoyment of live sporting events for our customers, and there are none bigger than the World Cup. Good luck to all players with their predictions!”

Websites

Media Man Int

Casino News Media

Website Network

Media Man International

Media Man

Media Man Gaming Blog: Leaders Are Leaving Wall Street For The High Stakes World Of Blockchain Gaming

Leaders Are Leaving Wall Street For The High Stakes World Of Blockchain Gaming

Profiles

Bitcoin Blockchain Cryptocurrency Gaming Games NFTs Business Markets Media

Brash, high-flying 26-year-olds working in private equity at legendary asset management firm BlackRock are decidedly a rare breed. Even more scarce are those who voluntarily walk away from Wall Street to plunge headfirst into a largely untested emerging market. Yet, that’s exactly the trajectory of Paul Taylor, chief strategy officer at Fancy Studios, who left the $10 trillion asset firm to focus on one of the latest and more exotic applications of crypto, NFTs (non-fungible tokens), and blockchain.

“I loved every moment of my work,” he recalls. “Being surrounded by the best in the business and the never-ending flow of projects was great. The work kept me on my toes every second and it was a fantastic learning experience. I really appreciated the exposure to world class companies, investors, and management teams.”

Yet, in hindsight, Taylor admits the allure of crypto began to gnaw away at him. As he watched an increasing flow of talent and capital migrate to the world of blockchain, he wondered whether he was missing out.

“I’d been following crypto since 2017, and funnily enough, I had a reputation as one of BlackRock’s biggest bears on the space,” he says. “I consider myself a logical person with a healthy degree of skepticism, and in the earlier days of crypto, there were just so many projects that didn’t have real use cases. Lots of buzzwords and vague roadmaps without a clear slight to real utility. I was interested, but not interested enough to seriously consider switching careers.”

Of course, the path carved by Wall Street insiders leaving their lucrative gigs in favor of crypto is one now well traveled. Several years after the early exuberance of investors in Bitcoin and other digital currencies and NFTs, a new application of blockchain is gaining momentum: “GameFi.” Also known as “Web3 gaming” or “blockchain gaming,” it is promising to breathe new life into digital assets and empower gamers.

A mashup of “gaming” and “finance,” GameFi is a term used to describe online activities which offer players the chance to win, trade, and own digital assets. Functioning within games in the form of game characters, currencies, and commodities, these digital placeholders can also be interoperable, meaning that they can be used in other games.

“The more I learned about GameFi, the more comfortable I got,” Taylor says. “I talked with founders of some of the biggest names in GameFi, played tons of crypto games, and used my instinct as a gamer to build my confidence in the industry. As a chess player, I thought both short-term and long-term to predict future trends and market adoption, including the opportunities and risks. Ultimately, I created my own thesis on the industry and had enough conviction to pursue it with my full focus.”

Over the past year, GameFi has quickly become a strategically important sector for crypto and is attracting the attention of gamers, as well as funding from investors. According to DappRadar, GameFi currently represents over 50% of all blockchain activity, measured by unique active wallets, which represent users who have recently performed transactions within the ecosystem. GameFi is also expected to grow to a $50 billion market by 2025, according to research from Crypto.com.

One popular example of this new shift in gaming is Axie Infinity which had a meteoric rise in 2021, hosting 2.7 million daily active users in November and having tens of millions of dollars worth of its NFTs traded weekly. Much of the appeal are crypto tokens used as rewards for completing quests, battling other players, and for breeding digital pets. As you may have guessed, these digital assets take the form of NFTs which players can buy, sell, and trade with others. The inclusion of NFTs is integral to the popularity of GameFi gaming industry, according to analysts. The concept of real ownership represents a paradigm shift in the industry–gamers now can own what they spend their time and money on.

Although in recent months Axie Infinity has experienced a decline in its popularity, other GameFi projects have emerged with variations on the model, attracting capital from investors. In the first half of this year, more than $5 billion has entered the sector, compared to $4 billion for the entire 2021. A $600 million fund was launched by Andreessen Horowitz in May, entirely focused on “building the future of the games industry.” A month later, Immutable debuted a $500 million fund with the mission to “boost the adoption of Web3 games.”

Today, Paul Taylor believes these high profile bets on GameFi further validate his rationale for leaving Wall Street and jumping into the still-embryonic GameFi sector.

“As we saw, GameFi really took off in 2021,” he comments. “Its appeal is deeply rooted in who I am. Growing up, I was the kid who would come home from school and finish my homework as fast as possible to try to get a computer gaming session in before my parents kicked me off to go to bed. Then I’d sneak up at midnight to continue where I left off. Being a lifetime gamer has given me an edge in determining whether a GameFi project is legit or just smoke and mirrors. I can play a game for a bit and instantly tell you if it’s fun or not.”

He adds that his love of strategy and competition truly took root the moment he saw a chess board. Even as a child, Taylor was far from a pedestrian chess player. After learning the game at the age of five, he went on to win his first state scholastic title within a year. That was his first of what became eight state titles. At seven he won his first national scholastic title, the first of four. At just eight years of age he was coaching a collegiate chess team. By 11 he was taking on (and defeating) 15 players at a time. After turning 13 he abruptly quit, noting that around this age is usually when one decides if they want to go pro or not. For him, chess was a game, not a career. However, he still plays regularly, albeit casually.

He credits chess with playing a very large role in how he thinks and views the world, saying the game is an allegory for many things in life. Taylor says he tends to analyze things mechanically and calculates multiple scenarios over time.

“Gamers represent one-half to two-thirds of the world’s population, depending on how you define it. Additionally, gaming is among today’s most popular pastimes. And this isn’t a new trend. In 2015, the League of Legends world championship event had 27 million viewers, more than the NBA finals or MLB world series. In 2019, the League of Legends world championship had over 100 million unique viewers, beating out the Super Bowl’s 98 million. The younger generations are spending more and more time online, and a large amount of that time is spent on gaming. There’s a reason why gaming has the highest profit margins of any established industry. GameFi represents the next evolution for gaming and it’s easy to understand why its prospects have captured the imagination of investors,” he states.

“In my view it's impossible for a market to hit a trillion market capitalization and then wind up having no value. It’s still early days for everything in crypto and there are a lot of emerging trends. Capital will accelerate innovation and quickly figure out what works versus what does not. I believe GameFi will be one of the big winners. There are of course educational, onboarding, and regulatory hurdles the industry must overcome, and we are still waiting for blockbuster web3 games to bring in many more millions of traditional web2 gamers. However, I’m confident that will all happen within a couple of years.”

After experimenting with a variety of GameFi entrants vying for gamer loyalty, Taylor landed at Fancy Studios, a Web3 gaming studio focused on developing hyper-casual mobile games that use blockchain technology and NFTs. In his role as Chief Strategy Officer he oversees business strategy, project management, and brainstorms how to scale the business.

Founded in October of last year, the hot game developer has already raised $12.5 million to fund their first few titles. Investors represent some of the most notable players in the industry, including Framework Ventures, Illuvium, Merit Circle, and Yield Guild Games. To date, Fancy Studios has released two games with more in the pipeline for this and next year. Their first game ‘Fancy Birds’ has seen strong demand, with users minting over 45,000 of their flagship bird NFTs, which have now traded over $2 million in secondary volume on platforms such as OpenSea.

“So far, it’s been an amazing journey,” Taylor enthuses. “I really enjoy the start-up culture and being among the first in the industry to really validate your own thesis. I personally think the concept of owning digital assets and being able to use them from one game to another is really powerful. That type of flexibility simply has never existed for gamers before.”

He says that his own deep connection with gaming informs where he believes Fancy Studios will take GameFi in the near future.

“It's always a little painful quitting one game, losing all my progress to play a different game,” he admits. “I can only imagine what the landscape will be like once gamers expect to own their digital assets and can have a single character to play all their games. I probably would be playing my RuneScape or Guild Wars character from my childhood for all my games,” he laughs.

Taylor is not new to the world of start-ups. He has been advising at Make Ventures Princeton, the university’s premier student-run incubator. More recently he’s been mentoring blockchain projects, providing insights into GameFi trends, tokenomics, fundraising, and other topics. His background on Wall Street has also helped him become an active investor in web3 projects, usually participating in the pre-seed and seed stages.

“I’ve always had an inclination towards the early-stage culture and the idea of building something new. I believe it’s important to always have a pulse on what’s working now and also what will be working in the future. I believe crypto is the next wave of innovation that will bring a lot of new technology into the mainstream and benefit society,” says Taylor.

As for the cultural shift he’s experienced in his transformation from Wall Street asset manager to GameFi entrepreneur, he says it boils down to different personalities and meeting environments.

“The biggest difference I’ve noticed is that those in crypto tend to be a little more creative and visionary. Fail fast, break things, and build. On Wall Street it was more about maximizing efficiency,” he says. “Additionally, a lot of my meetings now consist of a younger audience wearing t-shirts that are sitting in gaming chairs talking about game designs and whether something looks ‘cool’ or not.”

Although it's likely too early to tell how GameFi will pan out, innovators such as Paul Taylor expect it to be a wild ride.

“I think ‘GameFi’ and ‘gaming’ will become synonymous in the public's mind sooner than we think,” he adds. “As a gamer, you develop an identity when you play a game, as you customize and upgrade your avatar over time. GameFi will allow you to keep or trade that value versus destroying it, and I think future games (as well as the Metaverse) will also require this concept of a persistent interoperable identity in order to be successful. The transition is already well in the works and I am quite optimistic of its future.”

Media Man Gaming Blog: Casino Of The Year Shortlist: Media Man Int and Media Man Group

Casino Of The Year Shortlist: Media Man Int and Media Man Group

Media Man Gaming Blog: Casino, Gaming, Sports Betting and Business News via Media Man

Casino, Gaming, Sports Betting and Business News via Media Man

The United States Igaming Revenue Report - August 2022

National (igaming/results) - Deke Castleman, CDC Gaming Reports - Total igaming revenue for August 2022 in the six igaming states totaled $394.7 million, up 22.9% from August 2021…New Jersey was $131.4 million, reflecting growth of 16.1%...Michigan produced $130.9 million in revenue, up 34.2% higher. Pennsylvania online gaming revenue was, $107.2 million, 17.3% higher than August 2021…Connecticut operators, DraftKings and FanDuel won $13.1 million and $8.8 million…West Virginia igaming revenue was $10.8 million, more than double the $4.5 million result from August 2022…Delaware’s internet casinos essentially tied their record igaming revenue of $1.3 million, a 30% leap over August 2021.

Nebraska’s first casino to open Saturday

Nebraska (Lincoln) - Paul Hammel, Nebraska Examiner - Nebraska’s first casino is expected to open Saturday morning in the Capital City, pending approval by the state gaming commission. A temporary casino, located at the Lincoln Racecourse Thoroughbred track, is scheduled to open at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, with more than 400 slot machines ready to go. “We have every expectation that we’ll get a license,” said Lance Morgan, president and CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc., the economic wing of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and operator of WarHorse.

Prop 27 Campaign Switching Tactics in CA Sports Betting Push

California (sports) - Matthew Waters, Legal Sports Report - The campaign behind Prop 27, the push for legal online CA sports betting, is changing its tactics with just six weeks to go. Yes on 27 pulled all of its TV ad buys in major California markets this week, the San Francisco Chronicle reported…the campaign is only advertising on broadcast spots in the Los Angeles market. A spokesperson from the campaign said the standard TV ads from both sides are “not benefiting anyone.” Instead, funding will be used for direct mail and digital advertising.

Chinese Ambassador warns crimes harmful to relations

Asia (China/Philippines) - Inside Asian Gaming - China’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Huang Xilian, has warned that the proliferation of crime linked to the country’s Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) industry are harmful to relations between the two nations. Philippine News Agency reports that Huang issued a statement on Wednesday in which he reiterated that China firmly opposes all forms of gambling and will continue to take strong measures against it. 

MGM CFO talks acquisitions, divestitures, and strength of Las Vegas

Nevada (Las Vegas) - Buck Wargo, CDC Gaming Reports - Speaking to the Deutsche Bank Leveraged Finance Conference on Tuesday, MGM Resorts International CFO Jonathan Halkyard touted the strength of the Las Vegas Strip, especially convention business, and spoke glowingly about the casino-giant’s property and company transactions. Halkyard also discussed the second quarter and closing on the sale of its REIT to VICI Properties for $4.5 billion. He cited MGM’s acquisition of the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and paired that with the $1 billion sale of the operation of the Mirage to Hard Rock International. “Together, these two transactions have materially improved the portfolio in Las Vegas,” Halkyard said.

Nevada esports-wagering expansion moving forward

Nevada (esports) - Buck Wargo, CDC Gaming Reports - Nevada’s Esports Technical Advisory Committee asked the state’s Attorney General’s office Wednesday to draw up regulations that would permit widespread esports betting on tournaments and championships starting in 2023. The committee will meet on Oct. 24 to review and finalize the regulations and forward the package to the Nevada Gaming Control Board and eventually the Nevada Gaming Commission.

‘We’re just getting started’: Las Vegas gets its parade

Nevada (Las Vegas) - Mike Grimala, The Sun - On Sunday, the Las Vegas Aces delivered the city its first major league sports championship. On Tuesday, the city delivered for the Aces, as several thousand fans packed the area around the Bellagio fountains for the team’s historic title celebration. The atmosphere was one of triumph as the Aces rallied to commemorate the franchise’s victory against the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA Finals.

Famed Israeli chef opening 2 restaurants in The Venetian

Nevada (Las Vegas) - Johnathan L. Wright, Review-Journal - Eyal Shani — the celebrated chef with restaurants in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Oceania and his native Israel — is bringing his take on Mediterranean cooking to the Las Vegas Strip with the debut of two restaurants at The Venetian. Miznon, serving fast-casual Israeli street food, is planned to open in late 2022. HaSalon, offering seasonal ingredients and a menu with nightly changes, is scheduled to launch in 2023. Both will be in the Palazzo Tower of The Venetian.

Regulators consider $100K fine against William Hill

Nevada (regulation) - Richard N. Velotta, Review-Journal - The Nevada Gaming Commission on Thursday will consider slapping the Caesars Entertainment Inc.-owned William Hill sportsbook with a $100,000 fine, following a four-count complaint filed in August by the Nevada Gaming Control Board. The Control Board accused William Hill of violating gaming regulations by failing to promptly resolve a system failure that affected more than 50,000 bettors since 2015.

Wynn Resorts seeks dismissal of lawsuit from massage therapist

Nevada (Las Vegas) - Richard N. Velotta, Review-Journal - Attorneys for Wynn Resorts Ltd. are seeking the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by a Wynn Resorts massage therapist earlier this month, and a hearing has been scheduled in October. Attorneys Robert Eglet, Tracy Eglet and Danielle Miller filed a lawsuit on Sept. 1 in Clark County District Court on behalf of Brenna Schrader, who alleges the company continues to create a hostile work environment and retaliate against her years after then-CEO Steve Wynn forced her to act as an “on-call sexual servant.”

Newest casino is nearly set to open in Newburgh Mall

New York (Newburgh) - Chris McKenna, Times Herald-Record - Hundreds of black slot machines and table games are in place and waiting to be fed cash, spread across a couple acres of blue and orange carpeting where the Bon Ton department store used to be. Within the next three months, New York's newest casino is expected to open its doors, a playground of electronic gambling devices inside the Newburgh Mall that will operate 20 hours a day. Resorts World Hudson Valley will feature 1,200 machines in all, most of them slots, but also 82 unmanned imitations of typical casino offerings like craps, roulette and blackjack.

Pennsylvania GCB issues fines for underage gambling

Pennsylvania (regulation) - Rege Behe, CDC Gaming Reports - The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Wednesday approved three consent agreements during a public meeting resulting in $280,825 in fines for two gaming operators. Two approved consent agreements, producing fines of $160,000 and $100,825, Mount Airy Casino Resort in Monroe County. The third fine of $20,000 resulted from negotiations between the OEC and Pilot Travel Centers and PJF Southeast, operator of two Video Gaming Terminal establishments.

BetMGM announces partnership deal with NBC Sports, replacing PointsBet

National (sports) - Rege Behe, CDC Gaming Reports - BetMGM, and NBC Sports Wednesday announced a new partnership for the 2022 NFL season highlighted by weekly integrations on Football Night in America and content across other NBC Sports platforms. BetMGM replaces PointsBet, which had signed a similar integration deal with NBC last year, but recently opted out. “It is a tremendous opportunity to partner with the talented team at NBC Sports and have the ability to engage with football fans nationwide,” said BetMGM Chief Revenue Officer Matt Prevost.

ESPN Updating, Expanding, Prioritizing Sports Wagering Content

National (sports) - Chris Altruda, Sports Handle - ESPN may still not know its sports wagering end game with regard to whether it will have its own sportsbook or partner with one, but the Disney-owned network and multimedia platform is definitely making the commitment to content as betting continues to expand across the United States. ESPN recently announced an expansion of programming that includes new shows across multiple platforms and expanded roles for on-air talent. The moves, which coincided with the start of the NFL season — the primary driver of sports betting in the U.S. — are designed to keep ESPN front and center in a rapidly changing landscape where content is available at every turn.

Cavaliers, Bengals, Guardians, racinos and more approved for sports betting

Ohio (sports) - Donald Emmons, OH Bets - The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) approved sports betting licenses for 10 sports gaming proprietor and four sports gaming supplier applicants during its Wednesday morning meeting in Columbus. The Cleveland Cavaliers, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Guardians, Columbus Blue Jackets, and the Football Club of Cincinnati were among those approved for sports gaming proprietor licenses. Also approved for the same type of license were MGM Northfield Park, Eldorado Gaming at Scioto Downs, Hollywood Casino Columbus, Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway, and Belterra Park in Cincinnati.

Tulalip Casinos Celebrate Opening of New Retail Sportsbooks

Washington (Indian gaming) - Indian Gaming Magazine - Tulalip Resort Casino and Quil Ceda Creek Casino have celebrated the opening of two retail sportsbooks. The events featured Seattle Mariners great and Baseball Hall of Fame member Randy Johnson at Tulalip Resort Casino, and Seattle Seahawks legend and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Steve Largent at Quil Ceda Creek Casino. “Like all of us at Tulalip Resort Casino and Quil Ceda Creek Casino, the DraftKings team is committed to excellence, and we intend to give local sports fans an experience that can’t be beat,” said Brandon Jones, Sportsbook Manager at Tulalip Resort Casino.

Tulalip To Host Hiring Fair for Over 100 Job Openings

Washington (Indian gaming) - Indian Gaming Magazine - Tulalip Resort Casino, Quil Ceda Creek Casino and Tulalip Bingo & Slots will offer starting hourly wages ranging between $16 and $31.64 at the “Tulalip Hiring Fair” Thursday, Sept. 22, between 9am and noon. There will be on-the-spot hiring for more than 100 job openings, including scores of newly created positions. Offer bonuses for select positions will be offered ranging between $250 and $1,000, and application assistance will be available starting at 9am. The event will be held at the Tulalip Hiring and Training Center.

Arizona reports $41.6 million in contributions

Arizona (Indian gaming) - KECY - The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) reports of $41.6 million in tribal gaming contributions. Furthermore, this amount represents an increase of 2.1 percent when compared to first quarter of Fiscal Year (FY) 2022. “Arizona’s tribal gaming industry continues to impress, with a quarterly contribution record of $41.6 million to the Arizona Benefits Fund,” said Ted Vogt, Director, ADG.

Gila River Branding Entitlement on Arizona Coyotes Home Jerseys

Arizona (Indian gaming) - Indian Gaming Magazine - The Arizona Coyotes and Gila River Resorts & Casinos have announced a multi-year partnership extension agreement that provides Gila River with the branding entitlement on the Arizona Coyotes official home jerseys. The announcement marks the first time in NHL history that a Native American-owned gaming enterprise will have its logo on an NHL team jersey. The Gila River Resorts & Casinos logo will be on the Coyotes’ black Kachina jerseys for all home games played at Arizona State University’s Mullett Arena beginning in October for the 2022-23 season. Additionally, Gila River will be the season-long presenting sponsor and participate in a variety of community activations throughout the season.

Casinos, retailers, other employers host job fairs in metro Phoenix

Arizona (Indian gaming) - Russ Wiles, Arizona Republic - Many employers remain in a hiring mode, although a recession might be looming. In fact, 85% of businesses say they’re actively hiring, according to a national survey by Challenger, Gray & Christmas. That’s up from 81% in the spring. Many Phoenix area employers are turning to job fairs and special promotions to lure applicants. Talking Stick Resort will host a job fair Sept. 27 for hospitality positions there and at sister property Casino Arizona…Some positions will pay a $1,500 signing bonus. Benefits include a 401(k) retirement-plan company match, education assistance and medical, dental and life insurance. Paid time off is available for full- and part-time employees.

Echo Zulu Swings Back into Action in Dogwood

Kentucky (racing) - Byron King, Blood-Horse News - Last year's champion 2-year-old filly, Echo Zulu , scratched moments before the start of the June 11 Acorn Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park due to perceived unsoundness when headed to the starting gate, regroups under the evening lights at Churchill Downs in the $275,000 Dogwood Stakes (G3) Sept. 24. After the L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds-owned filly received a subsequent clean bill of health…She walked for a few weeks and didn't resume a workout schedule until mid-August at Saratoga Racecourse for Steve Asmussen.

Rich Strike Breezes at Churchill Ahead of Lukas Classic

Kentucky (racing) - Corrie McCroskey, Blood-Horse News - Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) winner Rich Strike worked at Churchill Downs Sept. 21 in preparation for the Oct. 1 Lukas Classic (G2), according to trainer Eric Reed. The son of Keen Ice  breezed five furlongs in 1:01.40 with regular exercise rider Gabriel Lagunes aboard. He ranked ninth fastest out of 19 horses who worked Wednesday. "He worked very relaxed, I couldn't have been happier with the way he finished up, that's what we wanted," Reed said.

12-Year-Old Racehorse Retires as Winner in 100th Start

Kentucky (racing) - Byron King, Blood-Horse News - On a day when owners began plotting the careers of million-dollar horses purchased at the start of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale Sept. 12, the connections of a $3,000, 12-year-old claiming horse celebrated an auspicious conclusion to his career in a lower-level race at Arizona Downs .In his 100th race, a milestone start his connections had targeted for the veteran campaigner to wrap up his racing career, Joe Wheeler and Curt Ferguson's Success Rate bowed out a winner, scoring by 1 3/4 lengths in a six-furlong race with a $9,525 purse.

DAZN, LiveScore and WSC debate betting and media

Europe (SBC Summit) - Ted Orme-Claye, SBC News - The third panel of day one on the SBC Leaders track at this week’s Barcelona Summit dived into a topic that has been on the minds of many over the past year – the convergence of media and betting. Appearing on the discussion were three speakers with extensive experience of this field – DAZN CEO Shay Segev, LiveScore Group CEO Sam Sadi and WSC Sports CEO and Co-Founder Daniel Shichman… Returning to the media-betting perspective, he added: “Even if you’re in the media space, you can’t be satisfied with delivering sports and taking advertising and subscription revenues.

ECA Casino Industry Forum heads to Baden

Europe (Austria) - Phil, G3 Newswire - The ECA Casino Industry Forum takes place in the picturesque Austrian town of Baden from September 27-30, 2022. It is the gathering place for Europe’s leading casino operators to discuss the challenges, opportunities, trends, and developments in land-based and online casino gaming. Casino Baden plays host to over 60 guests at this year’s event, marking the return of the ECA Casino Industry Forum after a two-year absence due to the pandemic.

Government continues crackdown on illegal gambling

Americas (Columbia) - James, G3 Newswire - Coljuegos, reported that it carried out 41 inspections in the department of Córdoba and that it removed 544 gaming machines that were operating illegally. Coljuegos added that if the machines had been operating legally, then they would have generated 8,182 million Colombian pesos (about US$1.84 million) in operator fees plus VAT of 3,157 million pesos (about US$ 712,000). At the same time the board reported that the 30 municipalities of Córdoba, between 2020 and so far this year received about 50,089 million pesos, (US$11.3 million), from the legal gaming sector, in fees and taxes.

Delaware breaks igaming record again in August

Delaware saw both revenue and handle rise in August. Igaming revenue hit $1.3m (£1.14m/€1.3m), up 37.2% from $945,512 at the same point last year. It was also marginally higher than the previous record of $1.25m that was set in July 2022. Players spent $36.8m on igaming in August, up 69.6% year-on-year, but down 6.6% from $39.4m during the July 2022 peak. Retail sports betting generated $354,444 during August, which was up 439.7% from $65,678 at the same time last year, but 7.5% lower than the $383,249 recorded in July this year. Bettors wagered $2.9m on sports in August, which was down 40.8% from $4.9m at the same time last year and up by 7.4% on $2.7m in July. (HGS)

Truist Securities praise southern California tribal casinos

The analysts at Truist Securities have pointed to the “amazing” depth and size of the southern California tribal casino market. After visiting six casinos between Los Angeles and San Diego, the Truist team said the properties had “fresher, more diverse” slot floors compared with comparable regional market properties, and that the tribes tend to refresh 10-25% of the slot floor annually (versus 5-10% for commercial casinos). With regard to sports betting, financial expectations were “modest,” but the key issue was about tribal sovereignty and the fact that Prop 26 would give the tribes full control of further regulations such as online casino. (JP)

Bally’s applies to offer mobile sports wagering in Illinois

Bally’s has applied for a Management Services Provider license from the Illinois Gaming Board. Bally’s plans to operate as Bally Bet, but it is unclear whether it would do so as part of its casino in Chicago or its Rock Island casino near the Iowa border. The application follows BetMGM’s entry to the state in March. Barstool Sports also received its license in March. Bally Bet launched mobile betting in Iowa in July 2021, clocking up $4.3m, of which $2.3m was recorded in the first eight months of this year. FanDuel and DraftKings account for roughly 65% of Illinois’ $496.1m mobile handle, according to data from July. The state launched mobile betting in June 2020. (HGS)

Disney CEO continues to create confusion about ESPN’s sports betting plans

Having told a conference that it was “working hard” on a sports betting app, Disney CEO Bob Chapek had to row back on his comments when he then told CNBC that ESPN “was never going to be a book” and was instead seeking a sports betting partner because ESPN was able to provide “frictionless sports betting” to fans. Chapek’s comments echoed those of ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro, who told The Athletic in June that the company “can be doing more. We need to be serving the sports fan with what they’re expecting, and taking the friction out of the process.” (JP)

Nevada esports-wagering expansion moving forward

Nevada’s Esports Technical Advisory Committee asked the state’s Attorney General’s office Wednesday to draw up regulations that would permit widespread esports betting on tournaments and championships starting in 2023. The committee will meet on Oct. 24 to review and finalize the regulations and forward the package to the Nevada Gaming Control Board and eventually the Nevada Gaming Commission.

Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board issues fines for underage gambling, licensing issues

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Wednesday approved three consent agreements during a public meeting resulting in $280,825 in fines for two gaming operators. Two approved consent agreements, producing fines of $160,000 and $100,825, stemmed from negotiations between the Office of Enforcement Counsel and Mount Airy Casino Resort in Monroe County.

Cavaliers, Bengals, Guardians, racinos and more approved for Ohio sports betting licenses

The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) approved sports betting licenses for 10 sports gaming proprietor and four sports gaming supplier applicants during its Wednesday morning meeting in Columbus. The Cleveland Cavaliers, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Guardians, Columbus Blue Jackets, and the Football Club of Cincinnati were among those approved for sports gaming proprietor licenses.

Nebraska’s first casino to open Saturday, pending OK of license; state launches self-exclusion program

Nebraska’s first casino is expected to open Saturday morning in the Capital City, pending approval by the state gaming commission. A temporary casino, located at the Lincoln Race Course Thoroughbred track, is scheduled to open at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, with more than 400 slot machines ready to go... In preparation for the opening, problem gamblers are being urged to file a “voluntary self-exclusion form” to bar their admission to the casino and the temptation to gamble.

Bragg Gaming, Bally’s Interactive, enter igaming content development partnership

Bragg Gaming Group Wednesday announced that it has entered an igaming content development partnership with Bally’s Interactive, the digital arm of Bally’s Corporation. Per the agreement, Bally’s Interactive online brands including Virgin Casino, JackpotJoy and Vera&John, will launch content from Bragg’s proprietary slots studios, including Atomic Slot Lab and Indigo Magic.

Great Canadian Gaming: Next year looks great

Fitch Ratings recent B+ rating on Great Canadian Gaming Corp.’s long-term debt reflected optimism in the company, which is owned by Apollo Management. Senior secured debt got a B+, unsecured debt a B-. According to Fitch, the ratings reflect healthy generation of discretionary free cash flow and a recovering Canadian casino economy.

California: YouTube slots influencer Brian Christopher hosts first group slot pull on his Pop’N Pays More game

Live online slots player and YouTube star Brian Christopher visited Jamul Casino in the San Diego area over the weekend to launch three of his own branded slot machines. The new Pop’N Pays More slot machines were installed on Sept. 14 with many guests rushing to play them immediately.

Washington: Tulalip Resort, Quil Ceda Creek casinos open DraftKings Sportsbooks

Tulalip Resort Casino and Quil Ceda Creek Casino each opened a DraftKings Sportsbook [Tuesday] with celebratory appearances by two Seattle sports legends.

France: FDJ enters ‘exclusive negotiations’ to acquire horse betting operator ZEturf

La Française des Jeux (FDJ) is apparently seeking an expansion of its standing in the French betting space, targeting an acquisition of ZEturf Group...a horse racing betting operator as well as the company behind the ZEbet brand.

Relax Gaming debuts in Colombian igaming market via MegApuestas deal

Relax Gaming has marked its entry into the Colombian igaming market through a deal with operator MegApuestas, which sees the supplier make its tier one games available to Colombian players.

Media Man Gaming: Casino Trends and Gaming News in The Current Market and Past, Present and Future: Media Man Network findings

Casino Trends and Gaming News in The Current Market and Past, Present and Future: Media Man Network findings

Media Man Gaming Blog: Bitcoin and Ethereum prices witnessed an unexpected downfall: Report

Bitcoin and Ethereum prices witnessed an unexpected downfall: Report

According to Cointelegraph, with gas prices declining to multi-month lows and a cooling house market, core inflation witnessed a 0.6% month-over-month bump, and year-to-year inflation stands at 8.3%

Cryptocurrency and stock markets are reportedly suffering the effect post the September 13 inflation report which showed a figure of inflation rising 0.1% on a month-over-month basis, as reported by Cointelegraph.

According to Cointelegraph, with gas prices declining to multi-month lows and a cooling house market, core inflation witnessed a 0.6% month-over-month bump, and year-to-year inflation stands at 8.3%. While it has been predicted by market participants and investors that the upcoming Federal Reserve interest hike to be 0.75 basis points. Many have also been of the opinion that September 13’s CPI report wouldn’t be what they assumed. 

On the basis of information by Cointelegraph, the Dow slid by approximately 2.6%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq saw a fall of 2.9% and 3.6%, respectively. As a result, volatile assets also went down and Bitcoin price lost over 50% of its recent weekend gains with a nine percent pullback to $20,350. With just a day to go prior to the merge, Ether price retrieved 7.29% to $1,590, and the maximum number of cryptocurrencies in the top 100 are facing single to double-digit losses. With Bitcoin’s price going as high as $22,800, the earlier analysis showed that BTC was heading towards an overhead resistance. Furthemore, the multi-month resistance from Bitcoin’s all-time high held as price fell at $22,400 when the market started and media outlets got the hang of monthly CPI data. The analysis also emphasised on the bear flag continuation trend, which has been taking place since Bitcoin price topped out at $69,000 in November of 2021.

Moreover, Cointelegraph noted that apart from a Merge event which is expected to be bullish, Bitcoin price is anticipated to face a downfall. Market insights have shown that Bitcoin price continues to maintain its 90-day range between $25,400 and $17,600. From a vantage perspective, nothing can be determined unless the price falls below $18,500 or the yearly low of $17,600.

(With insights from Cointelegraph)

Media Man Gaming Blog: Media Man Casino, Gaming, Sports and Pop Culture; Las Vegas, Canada, UK, Australia and beyond

Media Man Casino, Gaming, Sports and Pop Culture; Las Vegas, Canada, UK, Australia and beyond

The Media Man Group including Media Man Int, Media Man Australia, Casino News Media, Global Gaming Directory, Hottest On TV, Wrestling News Media, Bitcoin News Media and Cafe News Media have searched the world once again and deliver some of the freshest, most up-to-date casino, gaming, sports and pop culture news and intel to be found anywhere.

Nevada Gaming Control Board preparing for disciplinary hearing against Steve Wynn

The Nevada Gaming Control Board on Tuesday confirmed that it is preparing for a disciplinary hearing before the Nevada Gaming Commission against former Wynn Resorts Ltd. CEO Steve Wynn on sexual harassment charges. Wynn, now a Florida resident, has said that because he is no longer licensed by state gaming regulators and has divested all financial connections with the company that he believes he is no longer subject to its discipline.

The plan for a downtown Chicago casino now has a surprising ally: river lovers

Chicago’s push for a casino has stirred fervent debate focused mostly on the predictable: whether the right site was chosen, how much tax revenue it will generate and whether it will worsen noise, traffic or problem gambling. But river advocates and ecological preservationists see the complex in a different light. To them, the Bally’s plan to replace the Tribune printing plant in River West can be a meaningful next step in the ongoing makeover of the city’s riverfront — if done right.

Ontario: More staff back, but border issues continue to be a challenge for Caesars Windsor

While the bulk of the staff at Caesars Windsor have returned to work, officials say there's still more work to do as they prepare for the fall. Back in March, unionized workers at Caesars voted 93 per cent in favour of a new three-year collective agreement, covering the roughly 1,800 workers at the casino. With restrictions related to COVID-19 mostly lifted, one of the remaining issues involves the border and being able to get more visitors from the US back.

Michigan Gaming Control Board highlights need for gaming education

The Michigan Gaming Control Board is trying to do its part to help raise awareness on responsible gaming among the state’s youth in tandem with the American Gaming Association’s “Responsible Gaming Education Month.” According to a press release from the MGCB, and citing statistics from the National Council on Problem Gambling, between 60% and 80% of high school students say they’ve gambled for money in the past year, and some 4% to 6% of them are considered gambling addicts.

Mixed ruling filed in Apple, Google, Meta social casino case

The Northern District of California issued an opinion partly siding with social casino users late last week, determining that the defendants, Apple, Google, and Meta Platforms defeated only two of three theories of liability on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act grounds.

Caesars Atlantic City debuting the first east-coast location of Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen

What’s opening next? This question applies to all three of Caesars Entertainment’s Atlantic City casinos. There are so many projects on the to-do list that something new is debuting every month.

Survey suggests many in Ontario cool to sports wagering

Over three months after the full launch of Ontario’s sports-betting industry, a survey conducted by Canada Sports Betting suggests a majority of people in the province haven’t taken to wagering on athletic events. Canada Sports Betting surveyed 1,222 people between July 19-20 regarding their views on the regulated sports-betting market.

North Carolina: Catawba Nation opens sportsbook inside temporary Two Kings casino

Another sports-gambling venue opened on Tuesday in North Carolina, this time at the temporary casino opened by the Catawba Nation last year along Interstate 85 near the South Carolina border.

Caesars opens two retail sportsbooks in Louisiana on the eve of football season

Caesars Sportsbook made a big splash less than a week before the NFL season begins, opening two new retail locations for sports betting in Louisiana.

Hard Rock Sportsbook launches in Indiana, Tennessee

Hard Rock Sportsbook is officially live in Indiana and Tennessee, just days ahead of the start of the 2022 NFL season. The mobile sportsbook is now operational in Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Liz Truss’s UK premiership raises hopes of countering affordability checks, lawmaker says

Liz Truss's appointment as prime minister has been hailed as a major positive for racing by fellow Conservative MP Laurence Robertson, who hopes she will oppose the controversial affordability checks, which are set to feature in the upcoming gambling white paper and would cost the sport millions. Robertson, whose Tewkesbury constituency includes Cheltenham racecourse, has long campaigned against strict betting restrictions.

Camelot drops legal challenge over UK National Lottery licence transfer to Allwyn

Outgoing National Lottery operator Camelot has dropped a legal challenge which was preventing the handover of the lottery licence to rival Allwyn. Allwyn has ended its counter-claim against Camelot for damages due to delaying the £6.4bn contract.

Player protection and responsible gambling at the core of the agenda for SBC Summit Barcelona

Hundreds of player safety professionals will gather at SBC Summit Barcelona September 20-22 to share their gambling harm prevention strategies and help improve the industry's understanding of the subject of responsible gambling.