Monthly Archives: December 2016

Marina Bay Sands’ UnionPay voucher program risks Beijing’s ire

Casino operator Las Vegas Sands’ policy of allowing Chinese gamblers to use their UnionPay bank cards to purchase casino chips at its Singapore resort Marina Bay Sands reportedly has Beijing bankers plotting revenge.

Earlier this month, the South China Morning Post reported that Marina Bay Sands was running a ‘resort entertainment’ voucher program that allowed China UnionPay cardholders to purchase gambling chips, in apparent violation of card policy.

Informed of Sands’ chip purchasing program, Xie Zhong, payment settlement director of the People’s Bank of China, told the SCMP that UnionPay cards “should certainly not be used in casinos.” The Singapore Casino Regulatory Authority declined multiple requests for comment on Sands’ policy.

Las Vegas Sands’ corporate spokesman Ron Reese defended its policy, saying the voucher program “was designed to give guests flexibility in purchasing a variety of goods and services.” Reese further claimed that the voucher program operates “in accordance with the terms and conditions of China UnionPay cards.”

Nevada casino revenue falls as football betting slumps 77%

Nevada casinos enjoyed a slight gaming revenue decline in November, while the state’s sportsbooks saw their winnings cut down by more than half.

Figures released Thursday by the Nevada Gaming Control Board show statewide casino gaming revenue of $930.4m in November, down 1.5% from the same month last year. The decline was more pronounced on the Las Vegas Strip, where casinos reported gaming revenue down 3.5% to $517m.

The state’s slot machines did their part to keep the month positive, nudging up 1.5% to $605.2m. Blackjack tables also held up their end, rising 12.9% to $95.8m, while roulette surged 38.9% to $33.6m and craps rose 9.4% to $29.1m. But baccarat let the side down, falling 22.8% to $84.8m.

The state’s sportsbooks enjoyed their 40th straight month of coming out ahead of punters, despite their overall take falling 55.2% to $19.2m. Overall betting handle was 500.6m, down 10.2% from November 2015’s record performance.

Nevada casino revenue falls as football betting slumps 77%

Nevada casinos enjoyed a slight gaming revenue decline in November, while the state’s sportsbooks saw their winnings cut down by more than half.

Figures released Thursday by the Nevada Gaming Control Board show statewide casino gaming revenue of $930.4m in November, down 1.5% from the same month last year. The decline was more pronounced on the Las Vegas Strip, where casinos reported gaming revenue down 3.5% to $517m.

The state’s slot machines did their part to keep the month positive, nudging up 1.5% to $605.2m. Blackjack tables also held up their end, rising 12.9% to $95.8m, while roulette surged 38.9% to $33.6m and craps rose 9.4% to $29.1m. But baccarat let the side down, falling 22.8% to $84.8m.

The state’s sportsbooks enjoyed their 40th straight month of coming out ahead of punters, despite their overall take falling 55.2% to $19.2m. Overall betting handle was 500.6m, down 10.2% from November 2015’s record performance.

PokerVision Network searching for a modern day Mike Sexton

Digital broadcasting new boy PokerVision has announced plans to search for a modern day Mike Sexton in a bid to find the right voice for their new multi-platform digital TV Channel.

When the Poker Central team waved the white flag and announced plans to pull down the steel shutters for the last time on Dec 31, 2016, it served as a warning to anyone looking to use TV as a way into the hearts and minds of the Millennials.

ePlay Digital Inc. is about to take full advantage of that warning.

A fortnight ago, ePlay Digital Inc. announced plans to launch the Poker Vision Network (PVN) TV Channel. Pitched as The Next Generation of TV Networks, PVN will initially open up for business in Canada and will cover poker, gaming and eSports events.

3: Barrels: Norwegian Cruise Ships; Larry Flynt and PokerStars Championships Bahamas

3-barrels of exceptional live tournament value including a round-up of the most recent action on a Norwegian Cruise Ship; Larry Flynt is busting out $800,000 in guarantees at the Hustler, and PokerStars prepare for the birth of their new Bahamian baby.

The shipping line company, Norwegian Cruise Line, are showing that the recruitment of a few famous faces helps when promoting your annual poker game.

Joe Cada, the youngest World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event Champion, joined the cruise ship company as a poker tour ambassador when he left PokerStars in 2014, and since then the field has grown from 186 entrants to 215 (2015) and 337 earlier this month.

The third iteration of the Norwegian Poker Challenge once again took place on their 1,081 feet long monster: Epic, with the spacious Bliss Lounge hosting 20-tables and luminaries such as former WSOP Main Event Champ, Ryan Riess, and double WSOP bracelet winner, Loni Harwood.

3: Barrels: Norwegian Cruise Ships; Larry Flynt and PokerStars Championships Bahamas

3-barrels of exceptional live tournament value including a round-up of the most recent action on a Norwegian Cruise Ship; Larry Flynt is busting out $800,000 in guarantees at the Hustler, and PokerStars prepare for the birth of their new Bahamian baby.

The shipping line company, Norwegian Cruise Line, are showing that the recruitment of a few famous faces helps when promoting your annual poker game.

Joe Cada, the youngest World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event Champion, joined the cruise ship company as a poker tour ambassador when he left PokerStars in 2014, and since then the field has grown from 186 entrants to 215 (2015) and 337 earlier this month.

The third iteration of the Norwegian Poker Challenge once again took place on their 1,081 feet long monster: Epic, with the spacious Bliss Lounge hosting 20-tables and luminaries such as former WSOP Main Event Champ, Ryan Riess, and double WSOP bracelet winner, Loni Harwood.

3: Barrels: Norwegian Cruise Ships; Larry Flynt and PokerStars Championships Bahamas

3-barrels of exceptional live tournament value including a round-up of the most recent action on a Norwegian Cruise Ship; Larry Flynt is busting out $800,000 in guarantees at the Hustler, and PokerStars prepare for the birth of their new Bahamian baby.

The shipping line company, Norwegian Cruise Line, are showing that the recruitment of a few famous faces helps when promoting your annual poker game.

Joe Cada, the youngest World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event Champion, joined the cruise ship company as a poker tour ambassador when he left PokerStars in 2014, and since then the field has grown from 186 entrants to 215 (2015) and 337 earlier this month.

The third iteration of the Norwegian Poker Challenge once again took place on their 1,081 feet long monster: Epic, with the spacious Bliss Lounge hosting 20-tables and luminaries such as former WSOP Main Event Champ, Ryan Riess, and double WSOP bracelet winner, Loni Harwood.

3: Barrels: Norwegian Cruise Ships; Larry Flynt and PokerStars Championships Bahamas

3-barrels of exceptional live tournament value including a round-up of the most recent action on a Norwegian Cruise Ship; Larry Flynt is busting out $800,000 in guarantees at the Hustler, and PokerStars prepare for the birth of their new Bahamian baby.

The shipping line company, Norwegian Cruise Line, are showing that the recruitment of a few famous faces helps when promoting your annual poker game.

Joe Cada, the youngest World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event Champion, joined the cruise ship company as a poker tour ambassador when he left PokerStars in 2014, and since then the field has grown from 186 entrants to 215 (2015) and 337 earlier this month.

The third iteration of the Norwegian Poker Challenge once again took place on their 1,081 feet long monster: Epic, with the spacious Bliss Lounge hosting 20-tables and luminaries such as former WSOP Main Event Champ, Ryan Riess, and double WSOP bracelet winner, Loni Harwood.

3: Barrels: Norwegian Cruise Ships; Larry Flynt and PokerStars Championships Bahamas

3-barrels of exceptional live tournament value including a round-up of the most recent action on a Norwegian Cruise Ship; Larry Flynt is busting out $800,000 in guarantees at the Hustler, and PokerStars prepare for the birth of their new Bahamian baby.

The shipping line company, Norwegian Cruise Line, are showing that the recruitment of a few famous faces helps when promoting your annual poker game.

Joe Cada, the youngest World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event Champion, joined the cruise ship company as a poker tour ambassador when he left PokerStars in 2014, and since then the field has grown from 186 entrants to 215 (2015) and 337 earlier this month.

The third iteration of the Norwegian Poker Challenge once again took place on their 1,081 feet long monster: Epic, with the spacious Bliss Lounge hosting 20-tables and luminaries such as former WSOP Main Event Champ, Ryan Riess, and double WSOP bracelet winner, Loni Harwood.

3: Barrels: Norwegian Cruise Ships; Larry Flynt and PokerStars Championships Bahamas

3-barrels of exceptional live tournament value including a round-up of the most recent action on a Norwegian Cruise Ship; Larry Flynt is busting out $800,000 in guarantees at the Hustler, and PokerStars prepare for the birth of their new Bahamian baby.

The shipping line company, Norwegian Cruise Line, are showing that the recruitment of a few famous faces helps when promoting your annual poker game.

Joe Cada, the youngest World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event Champion, joined the cruise ship company as a poker tour ambassador when he left PokerStars in 2014, and since then the field has grown from 186 entrants to 215 (2015) and 337 earlier this month.

The third iteration of the Norwegian Poker Challenge once again took place on their 1,081 feet long monster: Epic, with the spacious Bliss Lounge hosting 20-tables and luminaries such as former WSOP Main Event Champ, Ryan Riess, and double WSOP bracelet winner, Loni Harwood.

3: Barrels: Norwegian Cruise Ships; Larry Flynt and PokerStars Championships Bahamas

3-barrels of exceptional live tournament value including a round-up of the most recent action on a Norwegian Cruise Ship; Larry Flynt is busting out $800,000 in guarantees at the Hustler, and PokerStars prepare for the birth of their new Bahamian baby.

The shipping line company, Norwegian Cruise Line, are showing that the recruitment of a few famous faces helps when promoting your annual poker game.

Joe Cada, the youngest World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event Champion, joined the cruise ship company as a poker tour ambassador when he left PokerStars in 2014, and since then the field has grown from 186 entrants to 215 (2015) and 337 earlier this month.

The third iteration of the Norwegian Poker Challenge once again took place on their 1,081 feet long monster: Epic, with the spacious Bliss Lounge hosting 20-tables and luminaries such as former WSOP Main Event Champ, Ryan Riess, and double WSOP bracelet winner, Loni Harwood.

3: Barrels: Norwegian Cruise Ships; Larry Flynt and PokerStars Championships Bahamas

3-barrels of exceptional live tournament value including a round-up of the most recent action on a Norwegian Cruise Ship; Larry Flynt is busting out $800,000 in guarantees at the Hustler, and PokerStars prepare for the birth of their new Bahamian baby.

The shipping line company, Norwegian Cruise Line, are showing that the recruitment of a few famous faces helps when promoting your annual poker game.

Joe Cada, the youngest World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event Champion, joined the cruise ship company as a poker tour ambassador when he left PokerStars in 2014, and since then the field has grown from 186 entrants to 215 (2015) and 337 earlier this month.

The third iteration of the Norwegian Poker Challenge once again took place on their 1,081 feet long monster: Epic, with the spacious Bliss Lounge hosting 20-tables and luminaries such as former WSOP Main Event Champ, Ryan Riess, and double WSOP bracelet winner, Loni Harwood.