Author Archives: Jerry Milani

About Jerry Milani

Jerry Milani is a freelance writer and public relations executive living in Bloomfield, N.J. He has worked in P.R. for more than 30 years in college and conference sports media relations, two agencies and for the International Fight League, a team-based mixed martial arts league, and variouis sports and entertainment properties. Milani is a proud graduate of Fordham University and when not attending a Yankees or Rams game can be reached at Jerry (at) JerryMilani (dot) com.

Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open Set for Aug. 1-13

he Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open (SHRPO) will celebrate its seventh season of highly anticipated, top tournament play at South Florida’s iconic entertainment destination Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. SHRPO will kick off Thursday, Aug. 1 with the $600 Deep Stack No Limit Hold’em (NLH) series opener highlighting a $1 Million Guarantee.

Unique to South Florida, SHRPO is known for its one-of-a-kind finisher – The Big 4. The Big 4 is a collection of four-tournament finales that feature staggered structures, timed so the events play down simultaneously in front of a live audience. Filmed by Poker Night in America and televised on CBS Sports Network, The Big 4 will be played at the resort’s Hard Rock Event Center on Tuesday, Aug. 13. All of the synchronized poker action will be live streamed on SHRPO.com.

“SHRPO is our flagship series and has put South Florida front and center on the poker map since the first $10 million guarantee in August 2013,” said Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood Tournament Director Tony Burns. “The tournament attracts a global audience and we’ve amped up this year’s series with new pricepoints as well as the return of The Big 4, a finisher unlike any other in the industry.”

Carrying combined prize pools of $6.5 million, The Big 4 premium events include:

$5,250 SHRPO Championship NLH (Single Re-Entry), $3 Million Guarantee, starts at 11 a.m.on Friday, Aug. 9
$2,650 NLH (Single Re-Entry), $1 Million Guarantee, starts at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 11
$1,100 NLH (Re-Entry), $500,000 Guarantee, starts at 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 12
$25,500 High Roller (Re-Entry), $2 Million Guarantee, starts at noon on Monday, Aug. 12

Other events surrounding The Big 4 include the $50,000 Super High Roller NLH (Re-Entry) highlighting a $1 Million Guarantee, which starts on Thursday, Aug. 8 at 1 p.m. and a $10,000 One-Day NLH event starting on Tuesday, Aug. 13 highlighting a $500,000 guarantee.

The resort’s Hard Rock Event Center will serve as the primary tournament space during the 13-day series. SHRPO’s footprint boasts capacity for more than 90 tables providing plenty of space for poker tournament players from around the globe.

Last year’s SHRPO Championship saw Brandon Eisen best 914 entries for more than $770,000, while The Big 4 events saw 2,099 combined entries awarding more than $9.2 million in prize money – a figure that easily surpassed the $6.5 million guaranteed.

On Wednesday, Aug. 7, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino again hosts the Jeff Conine Celebrity Poker Classic benefitting the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation. The charity event will kick off with an exclusive VIP player party in the Terrace Ballroom at Hard Rock Event Center from 5:30 – 7 p.m. prior to the tournament’s start time at 7 p.m. Guests will enjoy live music, cocktails, hors d’ oeuvres and a chance to win a variety of prizes including a seat in the SHRPO Championship. Buy-in for the charity event is $300 and players can re-enter throughout the evening. Former major league baseball player Jeff Conine will be in attendance along with other celebrities.

Tournament promotions include Seminole Gaming’s signature “Win a Seat” program. Participants can visit HardRockPoker.com to enter for a chance to win entries into major poker tournaments at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, Seminole Casino Coconut Creek and Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood, including three winners of a $5,250 entry into the SHRPO Championship.

Poker hotel rates during SHRPO will start at $139 on weekdays and $189 on weekends. For more information and to view the series schedule, future tournament details and make hotel reservations, please visit SHRPO.com. Follow us on Twitter at @SHRPO and @SHRThePokerRoom.

Covers.com Celebrates $25,000 Streak Survivor Contest Winner

Covers.com, the leader in free-to-play sports betting contests, celebrated a milestone over the weekend when their contest player ‘mctrap’ got 21 consecutive wins in the Streak Survivor contest. He won $25,000 in cold-hard cash and a place on the coveted Streak Survivor All-Star list.

Streak Survivor is Covers.com’s sports betting contest for new and experienced sports bettors alike, where players can test their handicapping skills on most major sports. The more consecutive correct picks, the more they win. It’s that simple. Contestants vie to win cash and Covers prizes, including our $25,000 and $100,000 top prizes.

The landmark win for mctrap came on Saturday evening as he selected the Over 11 runs in the San Diego Padres-Colorado Rockies MLB game. As exciting as this achievement is, mctrap’s streak isn’t over yet: he’s now only four winning picks away from the $100,000 grand prize, which hasn’t been won since 2007.

“Our brain is like a pattern-seeking survival machine and the habits are how we ensure that we don’t always have to think too hard about what we’re going to do,” mctrap explained in an interview last Wednesday. “We look for familiar situations, so I have certain criteria that I look for as far as handicapping habits and I’ve just kind of developed those habits and I rely on those.”

His $25,000 prize is a fitting number as Covers enters into its 25th year anniversary in 2020.

“Running our Covers contests is an important part of providing a fun and engaging experience for our users. We are delighted to see Streak Survivor contestant mctrap doing so well, winning the $25,000 prize and close to our grand prize of $100,000,” says Mark Harper, General Manager of Nova Scotia Sports Media Pros and Covers Media Group.

mctrap is feeling good with his $25,000, but make no mistake: His streak is not finished yet and he has his sights on the $100,000 grand prize. His next pick isn’t in yet and he has until June 25 to make that selection.

PointsBet Announces Pricing of Global IPO

PointsBet, a premier global sportsbook operator, today announced the pricing of its initial global public offering of 37,500,000 shares under the Initial Public Offering (Offer) as described in the Prospectus dated May 23, 2019. The shares were issued at the offer price of $2.00 per share, and PointsBet will have 110 million shares on issue with 26,930,020 shares subject to mandatory ASX escrow conditions.

Launched in Australia in 2017, with an expansion to the United States in January 2019, PointsBet is a rapidly growing sportsbook with unique offerings and a bettor friendly approach. PointsBet has introduced a slew of bettor-first initiatives including, Good Karma Payouts, which provides bettors relief in the event of unlikely circumstances that sway the fate of the game, Early Payouts, and an exclusive $10,000 gameday guarantee for all NBA and NHL playoff games, as well as the entire MLB and NFL seasons.

“Similar to the way we allow fans to take part in sporting events, our public offering allows fans to take part in us, as a company and as a platform,” said PointsBet global CEO, Sam Swanell. “The global public offering comes at a time of rapid growth for the company and industry at-large and we are eager to utilize this momentum to continue to make sports betting an exciting and rewarding experience for all our customers.”

Headquartered in New Jersey, PointsBet’s footprint in the United States continues to expand. The company has a deal with Catfish Bend Casino in Iowa to unveil the company’s first physical sportsbook in America, as well as agreement with New York’s Tioga Downs Casino Resort subject to the passing of enabling legislation. The additional funds from the IPO will be used to finance continued expansion in evolving markets.

PokerStars Debuts UFC® KO Poker Game

UFC KO Poker hits the PokerStars online felt on June 23, bringing the thrill of the UFC^® even closer to players with the opportunity to unleash spectacular poker knockouts inside the world-famous Octagon^®.

PokerStars’ exclusive global partnership with UFC brings a new product that rewards the victorious with cash prizes every time a knock-out blow to a rival player is delivered.

On June 23 the new UFC KO Poker Series also kicks off, featuring more than $10 million in total guarantees across 68 events and an array of opportunities to win an unforgettable trip to Anaheim, California for UFC^® 241: CORMIER VS. MIOCIC 2, which takes place on Saturday, August 17 at the Honda Center.

“UFC KO Poker is the perfect pairing of the thrill and skill of both UFC and poker,” said Bruce Buffer, UFC announcer and PokerStars Ambassador. “This no-mercy format is so much fun and nothing beats a knockout. I’m excited for the KO Poker warriors to join us in California for UFC^® 241: CORMIER vs. MIOCIC 2.”

From the Virtual Octagon to the Real-life Arena

There are three UFC^® 241: CORMIER VS. MIOCIC 2 packages up for grabs:

Become the player with the highest number of knockouts across all UFC KO Poker Series events.
Take out three or more opponents across all UFC KO Poker Series events to win a ticket to an All-In Shootout (AISO) on July 2, which will award a UFC® 241: CORMIER VS. MIOCIC 2 package.
Crush the hopes and dreams of at least six opponents across all UFC KO Poker Series events to win a ticket to a second All-in Shootout on July 3, also awarding a package.

“Knockouts are synonymous with both poker and UFC,” said Christopher Coyne, Chief Marketing Officer, Stars Interactive Group. “Our new game and the UFC KO Poker Series have all the ingredients to get both PokerStars and UFC audiences excited to join us in the virtual Octagon for more thrills, more entertainment and more exciting rewards. We’re looking forward to seeing who will be crowned our UFC poker champions!”

For UFC lovers in Southern Europe PokerStars will host a UFC KO Poker Week, with €2 million guaranteed across 42 events. In Italy, the UFC KO Poker Week will guarantee €1 million over 30 events.

UFC KO Poker Series highlights:

$109 buy-in UFC KO Series Sunday Million Main Event on June 30 features a $1.5 million guarantee
Event buy-ins range from $11 to $2,100
Satellites can be found from just $0.11
UFC Spin & Go’s awarding KO Poker Series tickets – including a seat in the Main Event – start from just $2.75

NJ Online Gambling Sites Generate $52.09 Million in May 2019

NJ online gambling operators generated a total of $52.09 million in online poker, casino, and sports betting gross revenue compared to a total of $53.08 million in the previous month. Sports betting revenues are still led by FanDuel Sportsbook (Sports betting revenue reports under Meadowlands,) and online casino revenues continue to be led by the group of sites under Golden Nugget Casino.

Online gaming revenue declined 1.8 percent in May compared to the prior month, according to figures released Wednesday by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. New Jersey online gambling operators report revenues in three gaming categories;

$36.54 million in gross online casino gaming win
$13.75 million in gross online sports betting win
$1.79 million in gross online poker gaming win

New Jersey online gambling operators saw a slight dip in revenues in May as the sport season moved into one of the slowest periods of the year. However, despite dropping sports revenue, May marked the second largest online casino revenue month since market inception, generating $36.54 million.

Gross revenue growth on casino games was led by operators under the umbrellas of Golden Nugget Online Casino and Resorts Online Casino. Golden Nugget’s $14.07 million reporting includes gross casino game revenues from Golden Nugget Online Casino and SugarHouse Online Casino, to go along with both Betfair Online Casino and FanDuel’s online casino players. Resorts Online Casino’s $7.28 million gross casino games revenue comes from play at DraftKings, Mohegan Sun Online Casino, Resorts Online Casino, and PokerStars, which was a jump up from the previous month as they continue their growth into 2019.

“It’s encouraging to see sustained online casino growth in Q2 as we lead into the slow betting & online casino months of the year. This just proves the power of sports betting as a key factor in building up online casino play. The big story ahead will be with Pennsylvania, who launched online sports betting last week and should have online casino in market by the end of July. It will be a big year for the online gambling industry in America.” said BonusSeeker.com Managing Editor, Rich Migliorisi.

New Jersey Online Gambling Revenue by the Numbers – May 2019 (in $ millions)

Casino
Golden Nugget	$14.07
Resorts	$7.28
Borgata	$5.51
Caesars	$3.76
Ocean Resort	$0.476
Hard Rock	$1.52
Tropicana	$3.92
Total	$36.54

Poker
Golden Nugget	$0
Resorts	$.689
Borgata	$.394
Caesars	$.715
Ocean Resort	$0
Hard Rock	$0
Tropicana	$0
Total	$1.79

Combined (Casino + Poker)
Golden Nugget	$14.07
Resorts	$7.969
Borgata	$5.9
Caesars	$4.47
Ocean Resort	$0.476
Hard Rock	$1.52
Tropicana	$3.91
Total	$38.34

Sports
Bally	$.235
Borgata	$.119
Golden Nugget	$-.017
Hard Rock	$-.039
Ocean Resorts	$.626
Resorts Digital	$4.10
Meadowlands	$7.86
Monmouth	$1.79
Tropicana	$.008
Total	$13.75

Eldorado Resorts To Divest Several Properties

Eldorado Resorts, Inc. announced today that it entered into definitive agreements to sell Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort in New Cumberland, WV; Isle Casino Cape Girardeau in Cape Girardeau, MO; and Lady Luck Casino Caruthersville in Caruthersville, MO, for aggregate consideration of $385 million in cash. Pursuant to the terms of the agreements, Century Casinos, Inc. will acquire the operating assets of the three properties for approximately $107 million, subject to a customary working capital adjustment, and VICI Properties Inc. will acquire the land and real estate assets of the three properties for approximately $278 million.

The transactions are subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions and are expected to close in early 2020.

Tom Reeg, Chief Executive Officer of Eldorado, commented, “The agreements to divest Mountaineer Casino, Isle Casino Cape Girardeau and Lady Luck Casino Caruthersville are consistent with our continued focus on optimizing the results from our regional gaming platform, generating growth through strategic acquisitions and realizing value through sales. The sale price for these three properties represents an attractive multiple of their aggregate trailing twelve months cash flows and provides additional capital that we expect to deploy for shareholder value enhancing initiatives. Following the completion of these transactions, Eldorado will continue to benefit from our geographically diverse portfolio of regional gaming assets that we believe have potential for further margin growth and increased cash flow.”

Macquarie Capital is acting as exclusive financial advisor and Milbank LLP is acting as legal counsel to Eldorado in connection with the proposed transactions.

Commercial Casino Gaming Revenue Reaches $41.7 Billion in 2018, an All-Time High

Gaming revenue for the U.S. commercial casino industry reached an all-time high of $41.7 billion in 2018, up 3.5 percent from the previous year, according to data released today in the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) State of the States 2019: The AGA Survey of the Commercial Casino Industry.

Key findings from the State of the States 2019 report include:

The commercial casino sector—with 465 casinos—logged its fourth consecutive year of gaming revenue growth and outpaced the national economic growth rate in 2018;
The industry generated $9.7 billion in gaming taxes for state and local governments, a number that does not account for the billions more in sales, income and other taxes that benefit communities; and
Half of the 24 states with commercial casinos reported record annual gaming revenue with nearly every state seeing gains in 2018, contributing to the strength of local economies across the country.

“Year after year, the commercial casino industry has reaffirmed its role as an economic powerhouse in the United States,” said Bill Miller, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association. “More people than ever are experiencing the economic and social benefits of gaming in their communities, due in part to the expansion of legal sports betting across the country.”

The rapid expansion of legalized sports wagering following the Supreme Court decision to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May 2018 played a role in the industry’s record year. Total industrywide revenue from sports betting grew to $430.2 million in 2018, up from $261.3 million in 2017. AGA anticipates this growth to continue as additional states legalize and regulate sports wagering.

“Growth in the commercial gaming sector enables the industry to continue to reinvest in communities, enhance partnerships with small businesses and nonprofits and provide career opportunities for nearly two-million American workers,” Miller added.

AGA’s annual State of the States report details the commercial gaming industry’s financial performance, including analyses of each of the 24 states with commercial gaming operations. The report, developed with Gambling Compliance, also provides a breakdown of the legality of types of gaming and number of casinos by state, summarizes major gaming policy discussions and previews opportunities and challenges for the industry.

DraftKings Launches Women’s World Cup Fantasy Games

For the first time ever, DraftKings will offer its innovative daily fantasy games for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, making women’s soccer the 13th DFS category for DraftKings, which continues to lead the pack in available sports among fantasy operators.

“All eyes will be on the matches in France, and we are excited to offer soccer fans a more engaging way to enjoy the action,” said Matt Kalish, CRO and co-founder of DraftKings. “The passion of our fans informs our innovation and product roadmap, so for such a special event that only comes along every four years, we wanted to ensure our full complement of offerings would be at their fingertips.”

Fueling the DraftKings Women’s World Cup contests are the company’s data capabilities, which will source match and player information at every moment of play for fans to leverage in their daily fantasy selections. Customers can enjoy DraftKings Classic and Showdown modes for World Cup matches, constructing lineups of six players while staying within a $50,000 salary cap range and designating a “captain” slot that grants one player a bonus multiplier. Classic contests will require selecting players from more than one match, while Showdown contests must include players from each team in a single match.

In addition to the daily fantasy contests available in eight countries around the world – including the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Australia – fans in New Jersey and Mississippi will be able to legally bet on the Women’s World Cup for the first time via DraftKings Sportsbook, with mobile only available in New Jersey.

To get in the game inside the game during the Women’s World Cup, players can either head to www.draftkings.com or download the DraftKings app via iOS and Android.

Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Releases Annual Report on Casino Gaming’s Impact on PA’s Horse Racing Industry

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today released the Annual Racetrack Casino Benchmark Report detailing the impact of Pennsylvania casinos on the Commonwealth’s horse racing industry. The report is now available for download from the PGCB’s web site https://gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov.

The report includes and compares information from calendar year 2018. Among the report’s findings is that tax generated by the play of slot machines amounted to $242 million that was earmarked for enhancements of race purses, assisting breeding operations located in Pennsylvania, providing health and pension benefits for horsemen, and to support agricultural initiatives.

The report also shows that casinos that have racetracks continue to invest in backstretch improvements. Since 2006, operators have spent over $73 million to build or renovate buildings and structures.

The horse racing tracks operating in conjunction with casinos in Pennsylvania are:

Thoroughbred

Parx Casino in Bucks County
Presque Isle Downs & Casino in Erie County
Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Dauphin County

Harness

The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in Luzerne County
The Meadows Casino and Racetrack in Washington County
Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack in Delaware County

Additionally, the report and its accompanying detailed statistical summary, provides a 5-year historical summary on:

Attendance at Pennsylvania’s racetracks;
A breakdown of PA Race Horse Development Trust Fund distributions;
Figures for breeding of both thoroughbred and standardbred horses;
Number of live races held in Pennsylvania and number of horses competing;
Purses awarded; and
Taxable handle and live racing handle.

Myesports Ventures Ltd. Announces Grand Opening of the Gaming Stadium

Myesports Ventures Ltd (the “Company” or “TGS”), a company hyper-focused on building Canada’s first esports Arena, is proud to announce The Gaming Stadium Grand Opening, Presented by TELUS PureFibre. The doors will open on June 28, 2019, at its new facility in Richmond, British Columbia. The Gaming Stadium is a center of excellence HUB for esports competitions, training, gaming leagues and tournaments.

he Gaming Stadium, powered by TELUS PureFibre — ensuring all gaming is supported by a 10 GB symmetrical network — features a large main gaming stage, equipped with 12 PCs, a gaming area off-stage with 48 PCs and boasts seating for up to 110 spectators.

Esports has soared in popularity, even as recently as the last two years. In 2018, it accounted for nearly 400 million viewers worldwide, while OTT and traditional cable platforms took notice, with media and licensing rights topping $180 million. By 2022, worldwide esports revenues are expected to rise to 1.58 billion according to PwC. “We are positioning TGS to lead in the space by delivering tournaments, leagues, training programs for new esport athletes and programs to support the existing pro player base. The beauty of the arena is that it’s also multi-faceted, which allows us to service both the competitive side of esports, as well as the content production side by capturing our athletes in action during live and streamed competitions. There is something for everyone, whether you’re a potential gamer, streamer or just someone who wants to come and watch gameplay, we’ve got you covered,” says Spiro Khouri, VP of Sales & Marketing.

The Grand Opening festivities will be open to the public starting at 5 p.m. with free advance tickets being made available Friday, June 7, at 9 a.m. via www.thegamingstadium.com. The entire event will be live streamed on The Gaming Stadium’s Twitch channel located at twitch.tv/thegamingstadium.

New Sports Betting Venture, Circa Sports, Officially Launches In Las Vegas

Circa Sports at Golden Gate Hotel Casino ( Credit: Denise Truscello/Getty Images)

Las Vegas casino owner and developer Derek Stevens officially launched his new sports betting venture, Circa Sports, this weekend within the all-new sportsbook at Golden Gate Hotel & Casino.

Stevens kicked off the opening with the introduction of a $1.5 million pro football contest, a mobile app and a ceremonial first bet with many of the city’s best bookmakers.

“The bell has rung, and we are thrilled to be taking bets of all kinds with Circa Sports,” said Stevens. “We intend to bring that old-school Las Vegas vibe to the floor, so there was no better place to bring this to life than in Las Vegas’ most historic hotel, Golden Gate.”

Steven’s “guests first” philosophy will be seen throughout Circa Sports. Led by a team featuring the finest oddsmakers in the city, Circa Sports will bring top-notch customer service to visitors, appealing to betting novices and sharps alike. In addition, the Circa Sports mobile app is now available to add convenience to what will be the most competitive wagering menu – from daily games and events to futures – in Las Vegas.

To celebrate the camaraderie of the Las Vegas sports betting community, Stevens invited a variety of Las Vegas’ top bookmakers to place the first official bets at Golden Gate on opening day. This included an exciting ribbon cutting presentation featuring part of the Circa Sports executive team, including Vice President of Operations Mike Palm and Sportsbook Director Matt Metcalf.

Derek Stevens at the Circa Sports opening at Golden Gate Hotel Casino ( Credit: Denise Truscello/Getty Images)

The season-long Circa Sports Million Pro Football Contest will offer $1.5 million in prizes, including a $1 million payout for the champion. All players must be at least 21 years of age and can enter the statewide contest by registering at Golden Gate and paying a $1,000 entry fee. Participants can enter now until through September 7.

Designed by MOSER Architecture Studio, the 1,297-square-foot sportsbook at Golden Gate features a state-of-the-art video wall, LED boards displaying betting odds and two betting kiosks. On June 19, Circa Sports will introduce a satellite program at sister property the D Las Vegas. Its next stop will be at the highly anticipated multi-level, stadium-style sportsbook at Circa Resort & Casino in December 2020.

PlaySugarHouse.com Becomes First Online, Mobile Sportsbook In Pa.

For the first time in history, sports betting fans can legally place online and mobile wagers in Pennsylvania. SugarHouse Casino, which launched Philly’s first land-based sportsbook in December 2018, went live with PlaySugarHouse.com, the Commonwealth’s first licensed online and mobile sportsbook, on Friday, May 31. Today’s formal launch follows the casino’s successful three-day operational test period and approval from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to officially accept digital wagers.

To celebrate Pennsylvania’s launch of online and mobile sports betting, PlaySugarHouse.com expects to shortly activate no-vig bets on NBA Finals games wagered on in PA, similar to the way this exciting promotion is currently offered in New Jersey. For the entire series, from 10 a.m. ET until tipoff, the main line spread will be priced at +100 on each side, ensuring bettors receive unbeatable value as they try out the site during this busy time in the sports season.

“Since opening, our SugarHouse Sportsbook has been buzzing with sports fans 24/7,” said Rob Long, general manager of SugarHouse Casino. “Whether they’re watching Philly teams on the big screen or following a soccer game or tennis matches live streamed directly from the French Open to PlaySugarHouse.com, the action is round-the-clock, and now with online and mobile sports betting, you can take it with you.”

To get started, online users must visit PlaySugarHouse.com to create an account. Players will receive a match bonus up to $250 on their first deposit.

PlaySugarHouse.com is a proven New Jersey leader as one of the top four performing digital sportsbooks in the state since the market launched in September 2018. In fact, Rush Street Interactive (RSI), the operator of PlaySugarHouse.com, was recently crowned ‘Mobile Operator of the Year in North America’ at the EGR North America Awards 2019. RSI brings the same proven and high quality product, customer service and user experience to Pennsylvania. Due to distinct regulations in the two adjacent jurisdictions, New Jersey players already registered with PlaySugarHouse.com in the Garden State will have to create a new Pennsylvania account to wager in the Commonwealth. Fortunately, players with New Jersey accounts can leverage the personal information already supplied to PlaySugarHouse.com in New Jersey to accelerate their PA account registration.

“Thanks to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s leadership, we are excited to make history in bringing the first online sportsbook to sports fans in the state of Pennsylvania,” said Richard Schwartz, president of Rush Street Interactive. “Rush Street Interactive has grown market share since entering the New Jersey market in 2016, in large part due to the quality of PlaySugarHouse.com user experience and a laser focus on delivering what our players want, a massive range of sports betting options, responsive customer service and fast payouts. We have now brought the same quality, award-winning PlaySugarHouse.com site to players in the state of Pennsylvania.”

On laptops and desktops, players must visit PlaySugarHouse.com to start placing bets. Android users must go to the same PlaySugarHouse.com website to download the new Pennsylvania app to wager on their mobile devices. Apple users can register using their mobile devices, but will need to wager from a desktop or laptop until betting from iPhones and iPads becomes available in the near future. The PlaySugarHouse.com iOS app for Pennsylvania has not been approved yet by the Apple store due to changes in how it enforces policies, but RSI is working diligently to obtain approval.

The expansive selection of sports and all wagers available at SugarHouse Casino’s in-casino sportsbook will also be available via online and mobile; offering millions of betting options on thousands of games, including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, tennis, and much more. In-game sports betting and prop bets are also available. Bettors familiar with the popular kiosk stations at the land-based sportsbook will find the interface similar, intuitive and easy to use.

PlaySugarHouse.com accepts a market leading variety of deposit options, including credit and debit cards (Visa and Mastercard), ACH/e-checks, online banking, wire transfers, pre-paid cards signed up for online, and cash deposits either at the SugarHouse Casino cage or at 7-Eleven and other retail stores in the state. The site expects to soon accept Paypal and Discover-branded credit and debit cards as it does in New Jersey.

SugarHouse Casino’s digital and land-based sport wagering operator is Rush Street Interactive PA, LLC, and its affiliates. RSI owns and operates PlaySugarHouse.com, an online casino and sportsbook in New Jersey, and is known for its quality customer care, including fast payouts. RSI-supported land-based sportsbooks at SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia and Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh lead the state, having generated over 50% of all retail sportsbook betting in Pennsylvania since the market opened in November 2018. RSI was also the first U.S. gaming operator to launch sports betting under a gaming license in a legal and regulated market in Colombia, South America.

PointsBet Named Finalist for Inaugural Hashtag Sports Awards

Premier online bookmaker PointsBet announced today that it has been honored as a finalist in the inaugural Hashtag Sports Awards Presented by Budweiser. PointsBet’s Good Karma Payout initiative, which provides bettors relief in the event of unlikely circumstances that sway the fate of the game, is shortlisted in the Best Integrated Campaign category. Additional finalists include FIFA, Bose, and Los Angeles Galaxy with the winner being announced on June 25, 2019 at The TimesCenter in New York City.

In 2019, PointsBet’s Good Karma Kommittee has rewarded customers on the unfair side of losses including:

New Orleans Saints loss in the NFC Championship Game after the missed pass interference penalty against the Los Angeles Rams
San Jose Sharks Game 3 victory over the St. Louis Blues on an uncalled hand pass
North Carolina’s win against Duke when Zion Williamson left injured 33 seconds into the game
UCF’s dramatic loss in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to Duke
“When PointsBet launched in the US in January, we wanted to foster a new way of operating where we have the back of our clients,” said PointsBet USA CEO, Johnny Aitken. “Our Karma Kommittee who meet each morning at 7am to discuss the previous day’s sporting events and rule on ‘Good Karma Payouts’ are one of the many ways we look out for our customers and receiving a Hashtag Sports nomination is fantastic recognition for our team as we continue to grow our business.”

According to Hashtag Sports, the finalists were selected by a prestigious group of CMOs, executives, athletes, and other experts from across the global media and marketing community. Noteworthy members of the committee include NHL CMO, Heidi Browning, Portland Trail Blazers Guard and Pull Up Host, CJ McCollum, Spartan Race CMO, Carola Jain, NBC Sports CMO, Jennifer Storms, Cleveland Browns QB and Camwood Ventures Partner, Baker Mayfield, Take It There Host, Taylor Rooks, OBB Pictures CEO & Founder, Michael D. Ratner, LA Rams CMO, Ronalee Zarate-Bayani, Complex CEO, Rich Antoniello, and Philadelphia 76ers CMO, Katie O’Reilly.

This bettor-first initiative is just one of many seen by PointsBet customers, including their most recent NBA Early Payout, where all customers that bet on the Golden State Warriors to win the NBA title received payouts before the final round began. PointsBet also offers an exclusive $10,000 gameday guarantee for all NBA and NHL playoff games, as well as the entire MLB and NFL seasons.

For more information on PointsBet, Points Betting and how to sign up visit www.PointsBet.com.

Sugarhouse Casino’s Launch Of Online Sports Betting A Boost To Pa.

The fledgling Pennsylvania sports betting market is about to change forever with the launch of online sports betting, which will inject millions into the state’s sportsbooks. The race to be the first online sportsbook to launch in the Keystone State ended Tuesday with SugarHouse Casino’s entry into the market, the first of what will likely be several Pennsylvania sports betting apps and sites to go live soon, according to analysts from PlayPennsylvania.com.

“There is no question that the growth of the Pennsylvania sports betting market has been slowed by the delayed launch of online apps,” said Jessica Welman, sports betting analyst for PlayPennsylvania.com. “The launch of sports betting apps will give us our first true look at Pennsylvania’s potential as a market, which we believe should rival New Jersey and eventually Nevada as the nation’s largest market.”

Pennsylvania has so far generated $125.6 million in sports bets since legalization in November, but the importance of online betting to Pennsylvania sports betting revenue would likely mirror other legal jurisdictions in the United States. In New Jersey, the market that most resembles Pennsylvania, online sports betting accounts for 80 percent of the state’s entire handle.

In Nevada, approximately 65 percent of all sports bets are made online, according to analysts from PlayUSA.com, an affiliate site to PlayPennsylvania.com. The growing popularity of sports betting apps has also helped Nevada, which set a single-month record in March with a handle of $582.3 million, thrive even with increased competition from other legal jurisdictions.

“There is no reason to believe that Pennsylvania sports bettors would be any different in their preference for online sports betting than those in New Jersey and Nevada,” said Dustin Gouker, lead analyst for PlayPennsylvania.com. “Bettors are attracted to the convenience and ease-of-use of sports betting apps, and online sportsbooks that excel in both categories tend to rise to the top. The more innovative a product, the better it tends to do.”

Pennsylvania sports-betting market leader Rivers Casino — which like SugarHouse is powered by sports betting services company Kambi — is expected to join SugarHouse online sportsbooks in days. SugarHouse is already operating a sports betting app and site in New Jersey.

Parx Casino and Valley Forge Casino Resort, which has partnered with New Jersey market leader FanDuel Sportsbook for its online product, are also expected to be among the Pennsylvania pioneers.

PlayPennsylvania.com expects 4 to 6 online sportsbooks will launch before the NFL season begins.

“Pennsylvania’s online sports betting market will expand quickly,” Welman said. “Casinos such as SugarHouse and Valley Forge-FanDuel will have an early advantage because of their experience in other states, but the competition will be fierce. And that will be a win for the state’s sports bettors.”

For more information on Pennsylvania sports betting, visit www.playpennsylvania.com.

Seven Star Digital Launches American Sports Betting Comparison Brand, BettingUS.com

Seven Star Digital today announces the launch of its latest gambling comparison venture, BettingUS.com. The London-based iGaming customer acquisition company has enjoyed success in European gambling markets and is now ready to apply a similar model to US sports betting.

BettingUS.com is an online sportsbook comparison tool, offering betting site reviews and guides to legislation on a state-by-state basis, as well as betting guides for individual sports. The site also covers US gambling news, making it a hub for all those involved with sports betting in the US.

The launch follows the PASPA repeal, which meant that, from May 2018, individual states could determine their own sports betting legislation, opening up the US sports betting market. Delaware, New Jersey and Mississippi were among the first states to issue legislation, but many more are now following suit.

The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement granted BettingUS.com approval as an affiliate in New Jersey, which means the website can direct traffic to NJ licensed online operators. This licence is an important step for BettingUS.com as it builds its reputation in the US gambling industry. Whilst the New Jersey market currently offers the greatest immediate opportunity, other US states, such as Pennsylvania, are also highly promising.

Luke Eales, Founder & CEO of Seven Star Digital said: “The regulated US sports betting market is growing at quite a pace, opening up a whole host of opportunities for us to tackle. Our aim is to make it easier for punters to navigate the US sports betting scene as more states move towards legalisation.

“BettingUS.com currently offers news, state guides and NJ sportsbook comparison, and we’re excited about the potential for adding even more value to users, including those seeking odds comparison and betting tips, in the near future.”

With the US sports betting market predicted to reach $8bn in revenue by 2030*, BettingUS.com has the potential to become a leading sportsbook comparison tool spanning multiple regulated states in America.

Unikrn Launches Streamer Betting and Virtual Matches

Unikrn, a global leader at the intersection of blockchain, entertainment and wagering, has created a new technology moat offering instantly available betting experiences for esports and gaming fans.

Built on game analytics, new AI trading bots & screen-analyzing technology, streamer betting is a nonstop, fully automated future of casual wagering. Unikrn will also launch Unikrn Virtual, letting bettors pick from over half a million fresh esports rounds per year.

Together with Unikrn UMode, a player-vs-house skill betting platform for online gameplay, Unikrn is launching unprecedented accessibility for entertainment, skill-based and esports-based wagers every minute of every day.

Unikrn Virtual is a regulator-approved RNG game which uses an approved third-party to randomly generate a round of CS:GO from a curated pool of past professional matches, giving fans the thrill of betting on live esports match without delays or waits. A unique algorithm utilizing both archival and display techniques developed by Unikrn gives users access to key information about an upcoming round of CS:GO, then they may bet on the outcome.

Unikrn users can also exchange currencies, crypto or even digital items (called skins) into regulator-approved ERC20 betting tokens called UnikoinGold. Users can also deposit with traditional means such as credit card.

Eligible bettors can then use the groundbreaking new Unikrn Virtual to find an esports bet offered every minute, even when no events are live. Or they can bet on top streamers. Or they can even bet on themselves in a skill-based UMode proposition, which is even legally available in the United States.

In 2018, Unikrn became the first company to have live, IOM regulator-approved crypto wagering experiences, and as the company continues to expand uses, it projects a crypto resurgence as token value shifts from perception to function.

“Highly-regulated environments, including betting, are the perfect breeding pool for the normalization of mainstream blockchain,” said Andrew Vouris, Unikrn COO, “Using tools from blockchain has helped us develop a system years ahead of other operators, and we’re committed to taking the best ideas of crypto and giving them application.”

Now Unikrn users can parlay a professional esports match and their favorite Twitch streamers, even all in one multibet, and they can make deposits to a currency-agnostic blockchain-based system.

Last year, over 1000 millennia of viewer time were spent watching Twitch alone, making the process of setting odds both daunting and essential for the future of the wagering industry. Unikrn’s streamer betting will tap one of Earth’s most abundant sources of entertainment as an unending flood of engaging wagering content.

“Finding a zero-friction way to let fans engage is essential for the future of betting and crypto,” said Rahul Sood, Unikrn CEO, “You can bet on your own online matches, you can bet on your favorite streamers, or you can find 24/7 esports odds with Unikrn Virtual. This is a level of interactivity only dreamed of in the old world of sports and casino betting.”

Harrah’s Northern California Celebrates Grand Opening Weekend

A spectacular drone light show lit up the night sky in Amador County, Calif. this weekend as Harrah’s Northern California celebrated the official grand opening of Northern California’s only Caesars Rewards-affiliated casino.

Drawing guests from across the region, the highly-anticipated entertainment destination hosted round-the-clock promotional giveaways for players and invited guests, who took advantage of the casino’s affiliation with Caesars Rewards by earning Reward Credits that may be redeemed across the network’s more than 40 casino-resorts worldwide.

Hundreds of guests gathered outside the casino on Friday, May 17 to see the highlight of the grand opening festivities, a custom-designed Intel drone light show. The performance featured 300 Intel® Shooting Star ™ drones, which are designed for entertainment purposes and capable of creating more than four billion color combinations to light up the sky.

The Intel drone light show was accompanied by a dynamic 3D projection mapping of the casino exterior and spectacular pyrotechnics display. Designed exclusively for Harrah’s Northern California, the projection mapping and drone light show depicted imagery associated with the sumptuous collection of vineyards and scenic vistas in Amador County ahead of transitioning to reveal card suites and dice commemorating the rich history of Harrah’s gaming legacy. An over-the-top pyrotechnics display concluded the spectacular event as the Harrah’s Northern California logo danced in the night sky.

“This weekend was as much a celebration of opening as it was a ‘thank you’ to the local community and our guests who have been so supportive of the development,” said Buena Vista Rancheria Chairwoman Rhonda Pope-Flores. “The Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians have a long history of hospitality and this weekend was just the start of many celebrations we plan to bring to the community.”

Since opening its doors at the end of April, Harrah’s Northern California has welcomed a steady stream of guests and players eager to be among the first to place bets in the casino and explore the new entertainment destination. The property, which broke ground in March 2018, boasts 950 slot machines, 20 tables games, three fast-casual dining concepts and one casual elegant dining venue, Louie Oliver’s Restaurant & Bar which features an array of local fare and fresh, farm-to-fork selections. Harrah’s Northern California guests benefit from the many advantages and perks of the casino’s agreement with Caesars Entertainment, including earning Caesars Rewards member privileges and preferred access to Caesars’ resorts and amenities in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe and around the world.

For additional information on Harrah’s Northern California, visit norcal-fun.com.

Analysts: Pa. Sportsbook Solid in April as Online Sports Betting Looms

Pennsylvania’s retail sportsbooks posted a solid April, but it is what lies ahead that is most important for the state’s fledgling sports betting industry, according to PlayPennsylvania.com analysts.

“The launch of online sports betting will give the first real window into the overall strength of the industry,” said Jessica Welman, sports betting analyst for PlayPennsylvania.com. “Online sports betting will ultimately transform the market and put it more in line with Nevada and New Jersey, the country’s two largest sports betting markets.”

In what should be the final month before online sports betting launches, Pennsylvania’s retail sportsbooks attracted $36.8 million in April bets. That is down 17% from the record $44.5 million in March, according to official reporting released on Thursday. The vast majority of action came from baseball’s first full month, the Final Four, and the beginning of the NBA and NHL playoffs. In legal jurisdictions such as Nevada, April is typically a slower sports betting month than March.

April bets generated $4.2 million in revenue, down from $5.5 million in March and $1.9 million in February, and injected $1.5 million into state government coffers, down from $1.99 million in March.

The launch of the first Pennsylvania online sports betting app is expected within days or weeks, and more online sportsbooks will soon follow suit. Online betting has proven to be critically important in New Jersey, where more than 80 percent of sports bets are made.

Assuming Pennsylvania bettors show a similar fervor for online betting as their neighbors in New Jersey, the impact will be a game-changer.

“There is no reason to believe that Pennsylvania bettors will behave significantly different than New Jersey in their preference for online sports betting products,” said Dustin Gouker, lead analyst for PlayPennsylvania.com. “The convenience and ease of use of sports betting apps make them appealing to most bettors. And having established operators will help get the online market off on the right foot.”

Rivers Casino, the only sportsbook in the Pittsburgh market, remained the market leader by attracting $8.2 million in April bets, down from $11.9 million in March, and $871,753 million in revenue, down from $1.3 million. Rivers was followed by:

· SugarHouse Casino ($7.9 million handle, down from $9.2 million in March; $871,753 revenue, down from $1.2 million)
· Parx Casino ($6.9 million handle, down from $7.96 million; $907,298 revenue, down from $984,339)
Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course ($3.9 million handle, down from $5.3 million; $361,249 revenue, down from $521,864)
· FanDuel at Valley Forge Casino Resort ($3.1 million handle, up from $2 million handle; $379,731 revenue, down from $449,597)
· Harrah’s Philadelphia ($2.7 million handle, down from $3.8 million; $282,740 revenue, down from $326,752)
· South Philadelphia Race and Sportsbook ($2.6 million handle, down from $3.6 million; $441,692 revenue, down from $534,253)
· Valley Forge Race and Sportsbook ($1.5 million handle, up from $706,089; $195,856 revenue, up from $120,836)

“We expect Rivers Casino to remain strong in the retail market, but online betting will change the market’s dynamics,” Welman said. “The May report will be interesting to see.”

ESPN, Caesars Announce Sports Betting Content Deal

ESPN is joining forces with Caesars Entertainment (NASDAQ: CZR) to bring the best in sports betting news and entertainment content to fans around the world. The deal includes building a new ESPN-branded studio at The LINQ Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, where sports betting-themed content will be created, along with segments for ESPN’s recently launched sports betting-related show, Daily Wager. Caesars’ data and branding will also be integrated across ESPN programming within the coming weeks for use across ESPN’s content.

“The sports betting landscape has changed, and fans are coming to us for this kind of information more than ever before,” said Mike Morrison, VP of Business Development at ESPN. “We are poised to expand our coverage in a big way and working with a category leader like Caesars Entertainment will help us serve these highly engaged, diverse sports fans with the best and most relevant content possible.”

Added Chris Holdren, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer at Caesars Entertainment: “We’re really excited about the long-term value this collaboration with ESPN will create and thrilled that, starting immediately, ESPN’s platforms will begin featuring odds information generated by Caesars Entertainment. Millions of sports fans look to ESPN as a sports authority, and Caesars is honored to have been selected for having the best odds to serve those fans. When you combine that level of exposure alongside the unique opportunity to build a studio along the famed Las Vegas Strip, this deal is truly unique.”

The studio will serve as a Vegas hub for odds-related content and will contribute to any number of ESPN linear, digital and social shows as well as ESPN.com and the ESPN app. It will also play a vital role during major sporting events, and especially during the growing number of marquee events hosted in Las Vegas. The new studio will launch in 2020.

Caesars will also serve as ESPN’s official odds data supplier across TV and digital, receiving associated attribution across ESPN. Additional advertising and sponsorship activations will roll out in the coming months and throughout the deal term.

“Between an increased interest in sports betting among fans, regularly hosting marquee sporting events – like the upcoming NFL Draft and NBA Summer League as well as premier UFC and Top Rank bouts – and the arrival of the Golden Knights and the Raiders, Las Vegas has become an epicenter of sports culture,” said Connor Schell, EVP of Content, ESPN. “Having a great partner in Caesars Entertainment and soon a full studio presence in Las Vegas will help us create content that taps into that culture and grows our offerings to avid bettors and more casual fans.”

More than two-thirds of avid sports bettors already watch ESPN (Source: Langer Research Associates, 2018). This agreement with Caesars builds upon a stable of betting-related content that dates back more than 10 years. In addition to the previously referenced Daily Wager on ESPNEWS, ESPN betting-related content has included:

Behind the Bets with Doug Kezirian podcast
Stanford Steve and The Bear podcast (football season)
Betting news, discussion segments in signature shows (SportsCenter, OTL)
“Bad Beats” on SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt
ESPN Insider content – PickCenter tools, projections, recos, analysis, news articles, etc

Study: 2 in 3 Sports Fans Want Betting Integrated into Game Day Experiences

Ahead of the one year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), GlobalWebIndex, the leading supplier of digital consumer insights to the global marketing industry, and The Action Network, the most trusted source for sports betting news and insights, announced the findings of a robust baseline study on sports betting interest in the United States.

To date, ten states have legalized sports betting, and additional states are in the process of doing so. In the twelve months since the PASPA repeal allowed states to legalize sports betting, 68% of sports fans placed a bet, or would have placed a bet if it were legal in their state. The study also suggests mobile will play a crucial role in the continued growth of sports betting and its impact on sports networks, as 67% of sports fans are interested in betting being integrated into live viewing experiences.

Sports betting is a potential boon to established and emerging sports leagues:

The majority of sports fans would place a bet on the leagues they support – NBA fans are most likely to do so (88%), followed by NFL fans (86%), eSports fans (86%) and MLB fans (81%).
The NBA also outranks other leagues for consumer interest in player-specific bets – nearly half of sports fans (47%) would place a prop bet on Kevin Durant, 41% on Stephen Curry and 37% on James Harden.
Sports betting increases gameday investment and engagement – 60% of respondents say they would be more likely to watch a game they bet on.

“In the year since sports betting has been legal in the United States, we’ve seen an explosion of fan engagement and growing revenue potential for rights holders, teams and leagues,” said Patrick Keane, CEO of The Action Network,“As the study confirms, sports fans want better information and insights, and they want to bet legally, conveniently and on their phones.”

Sports Bettors Seek Real-Time Engagement Online & on Mobile

Sports betting has the potential to complement game viewership as fans increasingly tap the power of mobile as their betting habits increase.

The majority of sports fans seek real-time betting opportunities — the most interested being 78% of NCAAB fans who say they would place a bet while watching college basketball, followed by fans of NCAAF (75%), MLB (75%), NFL (73%) and NBA (73%).
Mobile betting products are rising in importance — 80% of respondents say they would prefer to bet via app or website, compared to 50% who would bet in-person.
Sports fans desire specialized apps — 55% are interested in using a mobile app primarily focused on sports betting, with NHL fans (67%) and NBA fans (61%) the most interested.
Mobile betting is likely to boost gameday viewership — 54% of sports fans say if they placed a bet, they would be more likely to follow the game through a sports news app or gambling app.
In-app game streaming supports real-time betting — 44% of sports fans say that, if possible, they would place a bet while following a game in-app.

“As the legalization of sports betting continues to spread throughout the U.S., our insights suggest mobile will become a predominant channel of engagement,” said Jason Mander, Chief Research Officer at GlobalWebIndex. “The ubiquity of mobile streaming, in general, leads consumers to expect and demand that what they watch on TV can be continued seamlessly on-the-go; the same need is now being applied to sports betting as fans want to stay invested no matter where they are.”

Methodology

GlobalWebIndex surveyed 3,057 U.S. internet users aged 21-64 between April 17-30, 2019. 1,069 of the respondents self-identified as ‘sports fans’ by selecting 8-10 on a 0-10 scale of their interest in sports. Surveys were collected via mobile, desktop, laptop or tablet.

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