Tag Archives: casino

Colorado’s $25.5 Million Sports Betting Revenue And Survey Results Indicate The State Is Ready For Gambling’s Return

During a time of casino closures and league shutdowns, Colorado bettors have shown their willingness to engage with the state’s newly regulated sports betting offer. Since launching on May 1, the state has generated $25.5 million in gross, unaudited sports betting revenue. In a recent survey by ColoradoSharp.com, 75% of respondents said they would return to casinos “as soon as they’re open.” All signs point to a statewide boom for betting revenue when full-fledged gambling returns to The Centennial State.

“Colorado’s month-one results cement the state as a leader in the US gambling arena. $25 million in revenue is impressive on its own, and it’s even more impressive when you consider how sparse the gambling options are during a globally trying time,” said Chris Nesi, Managing Editor for ColoradoSharp.com. “This first month showcases the strength of the Colorado gaming industry, and I think we’ll continue to see impressive numbers from the state in the future.”

The Covid-19 pandemic hit Colorado hard. Related closures resulted in revenue loss nearing $100 million through April 30 alone. However, amid a challenging time for the state, Colorado’s successful first month of sports betting generated more than $25 million. Compared to Indiana’s launch month, the number is particularly impressive: Indiana earned $35 million in October 2019 when it debuted sports betting absent any casino closures. Colorado’s success in light of league cancellations and virtually no casino activity bodes well for the future of sports betting in the state. The first month’s $25 million signals a general desire for betting in Colorado, a conclusion supported by ColoradoSharp.com’s recent casino reopening survey.

In the survey, three-quarters of participants said they would return to casinos as soon as they reopen, even though the state has no current timeline for reopening land-based casinos or sportsbooks. The survey showcased Colorado’s excitement for gambling’s return, though not without some caution. 75% of survey takers intend to wear a mask when visiting a casino, and 50% said it is “very important” that casinos take social distancing safety measures upon reopening.

For complete survey results, visit ColoradoSharp.com.

Indiana Sportsbooks Lose Out on $125 Million in March Wagers, According to PlayIndiana.com

Indiana’s retail and online sportsbooks were hit hard in the first weeks of the coronavirus shutdown, costing the state an estimated $125 million in wagers in March, according to PlayIndiana. And with no immediate end in sight, the industry will continue to navigate treacherous waters in the months ahead.

“This is an unprecedented stoppage for legal sportsbooks, and there is no playbook for them to follow to help manage the crisis,” said Dustin Gouker, lead analyst for PlayIndiana.com. “Obviously, the sports betting industry is just one facet in a crisis that is affecting us all, too often tragically. But it is a business that employs hundreds in Indiana and generates millions in state taxes. And the bottom line is that there will be no significant relief until the sports world begins to open back up.”

Indiana appeared to be headed for its first month of more than $200 million in bets. Instead, the state’s retail and online sportsbooks collected just $74.8 million in March wagers, down 60% from the record $187.2 million in February, according to official reporting released Thursday. Almost all of the handle was generated before March 11, when the sports world began to shut down.

March’s bets produced $5.5 million in adjusted gross revenue, down 50.5% from $11.9 million in February, and yielded $522,0825 in tax revenue for the state.

The loss of the NCAA Tournament proved particularly damaging. Indiana sportsbooks could have generated more than $50 million in tournament-related wagers, PlayIndiana estimates.

“There is no way to replace the revenue that would have been generated from the NCAA Tournament, which in legal jurisdictions generates more action than the Super Bowl,” said Jessica Welman, an analyst for PlayIndiana.com. “The NCAA Tournament can’t be rescheduled, but professional leagues are beginning to draw plans to begin games again. We still don’t know what that looks like or when it will happen. Whether spectators are there to watch in-person or not, though, online sportsbooks should again be able to attract bettors, which will be welcome news for the industry.”

The silence of sportsbooks could change in a minor way. Sportsbooks are now accepting bets on the WNBA and NFL drafts.

“We don’t expect a lot of betting on the WNBA and NFL drafts, but we suspect that each will draw more interest than either would under ordinary circumstances,” Welman said. “People are looking for some sense of normalcy while they practice social distancing, and the drafts and futures betting is providing at least some outlet for bettors.”

In March, online sportsbooks generated 81.3%, or $60.8 million, of the state’s handle. DraftKings/Ameristar Casino led the market with $33.1 million in bets, down from $74.1 million in February, and generated $2.4 million in gross receipts. Horseshoe Hammond led the retail market with $3.4 million in bets, down from $12.4 million in February. That generated $211,475 in gross receipts.

“Online sportsbooks will bounce back more quickly than their retail counterparts, which face a much more uncertain future as the coronavirus pandemic continues,” Gouker said. “In states where online casino games and poker are legal, such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania, casino operators have had a bit softer landing. But Indiana has really borne the brunt of this crisis, unfortunately.”

For more revenue information, visit PlayIndiana.com/revenue.

Construction For Vegas’ Circa Resort & Casino Speeds Toward December 2020 Opening

Circa Resort & Casino in Downtown Las Vegas reaches halfway mark for Dec. 2020 opening

Today, CEO and developer Derek Stevens announced that his highly anticipated integrated gaming resort Circa Resort & Casino has reached the halfway mark in its 22-month construction process. On track for a December 2020 opening, the project will be the first ground-up gaming resort in Downtown Las Vegas since 1980.

“Reaching this milestone for Circa would not be possible without our incredible partners and construction team,” said Stevens. “Today we not only celebrate this exciting moment in Circa’s journey, but those who have helped us bring the project to life. I’m proud to deliver something completely new to the Las Vegas experience and can’t wait to open our doors a year from now for everyone to enjoy it.”

Located on the iconic Fremont Street Experience, Circa will honor the timeless spirit of Las Vegas while leading the charge for a bold new era with game-changing offerings. The spectacular 1.25 million-square-foot, 777-room property will stand as the tallest structure north of the Las Vegas Strip.

Merging old-school Vegas hospitality with cutting-edge design and technology, Circa will feature first-class amenities, non-stop entertainment, advanced hotel technology and attentive customer service. Circa’s offerings will include the following:

World’s Largest Sportsbook – Operated by Stevens’ sports betting venture Circa Sports, the resort’s centerpiece will deliver the best sports-watching experience in Vegas and beyond. Sports fans can enjoy three levels of action taking place on a 78-million-pixel high-definition screen – the largest sportsbook screen in history – while receiving some of the friendliest sportsbook customer service in town. The Vegas Stats and Information Network (VSiN) will have its own on-site studio offering bettors in-depth analysis from a roster of experts.
Rooftop Pool Amphitheater – One of Circa’s key features will be an outdoor pool amphitheater. Its six rooftop pools will be operated 365 days a year and boast a massive nearly 14-million-pixel screen playing the day’s most exciting sporting events.
Garage Mahal – Stevens is constructing one of the most high-tech transportation hubs in the city with a focus on customer experience. Designed to deliver the easiest and most convenient experience for ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft, Garage Mahal also will offer valet and self-parking, in addition to long-term parking for loyal Circa customers.
Casino & Lobby – Circa’s two-story casino will house 1,360 slot machines and 49 table games. A lobby highlight will be a statement piece unlike any other – the return of Las Vegas’ neon kicking cowgirl, Vegas Vickie, who will be a signature feature of Circa.
New Food & Beverage Concepts – Circa is poised to become a Las Vegas culinary destination as it welcomes a collection of original restaurants and bar venues. The concepts will be announced throughout 2020.

Stevens has partnered with Steelman Partners to oversee Circa’s architecture and design, McCarthy Building Companies Inc. as its general contractor and Tré Builders as construction manager.

IGT and Pearl River Resort Launch CrystalBetting Terminal

IGT and Pearl River Resort Introduce VIP Sports Betting with Launch of CrystalBetting Terminal

International Game Technology PLC and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians’ Pearl River Resort announce the launch of IGT’s CrystalBetting™ Terminal. Patrons of Pearl River Resort’s Golden Moon Casino and Silver Star Casino in Philadelphia, Miss. can be among the first sports fans in the world to place pre-match and in-game sports wagers at a private, luxury carrel via the CrystalBetting Terminal.

IGT’s CrystalBetting Terminals give players a comfortable, VIP sports betting experience unlike anything currently offered in the U.S. sports betting market. Each terminal includes a 27-inch monitor where sports enthusiasts can watch live sporting events and place a range of sports wagers. The innovative hardware features privacy wings, a personal listening audio jack, USB charging port, convenient workstation, and was recently named one of the “Top 20 Most Innovative Gaming Technologies” by Casino Journal.

“Pearl River Resort is proud to partner with IGT on the global launch of the CrystalBetting Terminal,” said Neal Atkinson, Pearl River Resort Director of Table Games. “We prioritize being on the forefront of sports betting innovation and providing our players choice and convenience for placing sports bets at our properties. Extending our sports betting offering to include IGT’s CrystalBetting Terminals elevates the player experience and gives our patrons yet another reason to choose Pearl River Resort for gaming entertainment.”

“By adding the CrystalBetting Terminal to its already impressive sports betting offering, Pearl River Resort is positioned to engage sports fans in new ways and to differentiate its offering,” said Nick Khin, IGT Chief Commercial Officer, Gaming. “IGT’s sports betting momentum in the U.S. market, paired with the player insights that we gained while testing the CrystalBetting Terminal, reinforce our confidence in the product’s capacity to deliver a compelling player experience that complements the entire IGT sports betting technology ecosystem.”

By leveraging IGT PlaySports platform, Pearl River Resort made gaming history in 2018 when it became the first non-Nevada tribal casino to open a sportsbook post-PASPA repeal. The pioneering operator opened its three sportsbooks with over-the-counter retail sports betting and quickly expanded its offerings to include self-service PlaySports Kiosks and mobile on-premise wagering.

The CrystalBetting Terminal is currently undergoing a 90-day field trial and has already secured GLI Certification and Mississippi Choctaw Gaming Commission approval.

All New State-of-the-art Sportsbook Opens at Rivers Casino Pittsburgh

Rivers Casino is betting that its new $5 million permanent state-of-the-art sportsbook will be even more popular than its predecessor.

Rivers’ new sportsbook is called, “BetRivers Sportsbook.” The all-new 5,500-square-foot space, which opened Monday, features massive high-def TV monitors, comfortable seating and plenty of room to enjoy watching and wagering on fans’ favorite teams and sports.

BetRivers Sportsbook is at the heart of the casino’s gaming floor action, in the space previously occupied by Levels Lounge. Designed by Chicago-based DMAC Architecture, the ultra-luxurious sports lounge includes club chairs and table seating for approximately 195 guests, who will have fantastic views of the two state-of-the-art 50.5-foot x 7-foot LED central monitors and 24 flat-screen, high-definition 86-inch monitors. The Sportsbook also includes 33 self-service betting kiosks and six betting windows. Food and beverage service is available.

“We expect to see a lot of black and gold in our new sportsbook, today and every day,” said Rivers Casino General Manager Bill Keena. “Pittsburgh’s incredibly loyal fans, who include not only guests but our own Team Members, are what make our BetRivers Sportsbook truly special.”

In addition to the new BetRivers Sportsbook, Rivers has also upgraded and moved its Interblock gaming section, known as Rush Table Zone. The Rush Table Zone is a designated area with new digital interactive touchscreen games that include the interaction of a live dealer. The new area now offers a total of 55 seats featuring blackjack, roulette and baccarat. Rush Table Zone can be found in the middle of the gaming floor, in front of the BetRivers Sportsbook bar, which is integrated with the Sportsbook but also serves the casino floor.

A DJ and confetti countdown marked the official grand opening along with Iceburgh, the local hometown hockey team mascot, who made a special appearance at the celebration.

BetRivers Sportsbook will be open daily: Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to midnight; Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m.; and Sundays from 9 a.m. to midnight. Guests must be at least 21 years old to wager. No one under 21 is permitted on Rivers Casino’s gaming floor.

BetRivers Sportsbook continues to offer wagering on a wide array of sporting events including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, college sports and more. Rivers Casino Pittsburgh’s digital and in-casino sports wagering operator is Rush Street Interactive PA, LLC, (RSI) and its affiliates. RSI operates BetRivers.com along with Pennsylvania’s first online and mobile sportsbook, PlaySugarHouse.com.

888casino Extends Sponsorship With the New York Jets

888casino extends New York Jets partnership

888, one of the world’s most popular online gaming companies and solutions providers, has announced it has extended its sponsorship deal with the New York Jets of the National Football League, for the 2019-2020 season, following its successful inaugural partnership last year.

The deal continues to be the first and only partnership of its kind between a pure digital gaming company and an NFL team. As part of the deal, 888casino branding will be on display across the 82,000-plus capacity MetLife Stadium, including the ‘red-zone’ feature, for all eight regular season Jets home games. 888casino promotions will also be spread online across the team’s website and social channels, and broadcast over 98.7 ESPN during radio coverage of the Jets games. The deal will enable the company to utilize New York Jets branding in its different sites and apps in New Jersey. The sponsorship which will be executed throughout the 2019 New York Jets’ football season, offers additional cooperation efforts throughout the season.

“The extension of the deal between the New York Jets and 888casino for a second year in a row only reaffirms our expansion efforts and reiterates the interest in online gaming within the US sports community,” said Yaniv Sherman, Head of Group Commercial Development. “The continuation of the partnership marks another milestone for 888casino in the US, as we continue to pioneer betting operations through this sponsorship agreement, our second consecutive with an NFL team!”

“We are proud to continue this partnership with 888casino in the gaming space allowing us to further engage and provide experiences for our fans in the mobile and digital world,” said Ian Lasher, New York Jets’ Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships.

The deal is one of many exciting developments for the company in the US market, following the launch of its new online casino platform in New Jersey in July. The platform represents 888casino’s most exciting product development of recent years in which it offers players a fast, intuitive and more personalized customer experience. This marks a new era for online gaming in the United States. 888casino’s customers in New Jersey are now able to enjoy a unique portfolio of casino games, poker tournaments and sports betting markets from a single login and bankroll.

Since launching its proprietary technology in Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey in 2013, 888casino has developed a growing reputation amongst customers for delivering a cutting-edge online gaming experience, and the continuation of its partnership with the New York Jets confirms 888’s guarantee of an excellent online gaming experience.

The company already has a unique position across the three regulated states for online gaming. The extension of the deal will continue to strengthen and expand the brand across the US market. This will aid their growth strategy to become a leading operator in the developing and potentially significant US online gaming market.”

Stars Group, Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort Bringing Online Betting and Gaming To New York

The Stars Group Inc. today announced that it entered into an agreement with the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort for betting and gaming market access and certain retail sports betting operations in the State of New York.

The agreement grants The Stars Group an option to operate and brand real-money online sports betting, poker and casino in New York on a first skin basis, subject to license availability, state law and regulatory approvals. The agreement also provides that The Stars Group will provide support services for the launch and operation of a retail sportsbook at the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort in Northern New York.

“We are excited to announce this agreement with Mohawk, which further strengthens our market access as we work to build our FOX Bet business into one of the leaders in the emerging U.S. online betting and gaming market,” said Robin Chhabra, CEO of FOX Bet, the new U.S. sports betting brand of The Stars Group.

Todd Papineau, General Manager of the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort commented, “We are thrilled to elevate the sports betting experience for our guests in our new sports lounge, a 5,200 square foot sports betting hub that will be ready during the NFL season. Once permissible in the state, we will be prepared to accept sports wagers through our new kiosks. With its online betting and gaming solutions and FOX Bet and PokerStars brands, we believe The Stars Group is the ideal partner for us and it is positioned to become a leader in the U.S. online betting and gaming industry. We are delighted to work with The Stars Group, one of the world’s largest, most licensed online gaming companies, to leverage the opportunity presented by online betting and gaming in the State of New York.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Mohawk will receive a revenue share from the operation of the applicable online offerings by The Stars Group and The Stars Group will receive a revenue share from the operation of the retail sportsbook from Mohawk.

Technavio: Top 5 Vendors in the US Casino Gaming Market from 2017 to 2021

Gambling is one of the significant sources of revenue in the US because due to the high taxes attached to it in the country. This revenue is invested in public as well as private sectors that help in creating employment opportunities in the region. This is encouraging the government to legalize various forms of gambling that includes casino gaming. Thus, the easing of government regulations is expected to stimulate growth in the US casino gaming market during the forecast period. Furthermore, this industry research report also presents a competitive analysis of the market by platform (online and traditional), by type (commercial, tribal, limited stakes, and iGaming), and by game type (poker, blackjack, slot machines, roulette, and others).

Competitive vendor landscape

The casino gaming market in the US is highly competitive with major vendors such as Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, INTRALOT, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts, Penn National Gaming, and Wynn Resorts competing based on price, quality, and market presence.

“The reconfigurable electronic gaming machines are gaining immense popularity owing to their benefits, such as easy to update, upgrade, and user-friendly. Unlike the conventional type of machines, electronic gaming machines can be reused, which reduces the inventory cost for vendors. Thus, the increasing popularity of reconfigurable electronic gaming machines will fuel the market growth during the next five years,” says a senior analyst at Technavio.

Top five US casino gaming market vendors

Boyd Gaming

Boyd Gaming has operations in about 25 gaming entertainment properties located in Nevada and several other US states. Besides Nevada, the company has casinos in Illinois, Kansas, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, and Louisiana, among others. Boyd Gaming operates three main segments Midwest and South, Downtown Las Vegas, and Las Vegas Locals.

Caesars Entertainment

Caesars Entertainment owns and operates almost 50 casinos, majorly in the US under brand names that include Caesars, Harrah’s, and Horseshoe. Its major properties include Horseshoe, Harrah’s, Rio casinos, Caesars Palace, Planet Hollywood on the Vegas Strip, and Paris Las Vegas. The company’s operations comprise hotels, riverboat casinos, and gaming establishments.

INTRALOT

INTRALOT is an entertainment corporation that owns and operates gambling, lottery, and betting businesses. INTRALOT is a supplier of innovative game content, integrated gaming, interactive gaming services, racing management, sports betting, and transaction processing systems. It offers 400 types of games and has a presence in 57 jurisdictions in all five continents.

Las Vegas Sands

Las Vegas Sands owns and operates integrated resorts that feature celebrity chef restaurants, convention, and exhibition facilities, entertainment and retail centers, premium accommodation, gaming facilities, and other amenities. It generates revenue from gaming facilities, food and beverage services, and retail.

MGM Resorts

MGM Resorts International owns and operates integrated hotels, casinos and entertainment resorts in the United States and Macau. The company operates through three segments: MGM China, Las Vegas Strip Resorts, and Regional Operations. Its casino resorts offer convention, hotel, gaming, dining, entertainment, retail, and other resort amenities. The company’s casino operations include table games and race, slots and sports book wagering.

GAN Launches Internet Sports Betting for Parx Casino

GAN, an award-winning developer and supplier of enterprise-level B2B Internet gambling software, services and online gaming content in the United States, today announces that GAN and Greenwood Gaming & Entertainment, Inc. trading as ‘Parx Casino’ (“Parx Casino”) have launched Internet sports betting in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and as of yesterday, is now available online 24/7 following a three-day soft launch period.

Parx Casino’s nominated third party sports betting application software provider KAMBI was integrated by GAN into the GAN Platform. Parx Casino patrons can also link their Reward Card online to their counterpart Internet gambling account, enabled by GAN’s U.S. patented integration framework. Internet casino gaming is expected to launch on July 15, subject to all requisite regulatory approvals.

Highlights

Pennsylvanian regulated Retail Sports betting is forecast to generate in excess of $100m1 in gross win in the first 12 months and Internet Sports betting is forecast to generate a further $189m2 in the same period, in addition to the Pennsylvanian regulated Internet Gaming market forecast to generate $200m3 in gross gaming revenue online during the first twelve months of operation.

Parx owns and operates the #1 land-based casino property in Pennsylvania located a short distance from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s largest city. In the most recent fiscal year ended June 30, 2018, Parx Casino generated $570m from on-property slot machines and table games, representing an 18% share of the Pennsylvania’s $3.2bn gaming market.

GAN’s US-patented technology enables Parx Casino patrons enrolled in the on-property loyalty program, to sign up online and instantly link their reward cards to their online account permitting those guests to trade in their reward points earned from on-property gaming for cash online and/or to earn rewards points from Internet gaming and/or sports betting to be subsequently redeemed on-property.

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.

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.

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.

Hard Rock International Reveals Next Gaming Property: Cincinnati

With a presence spanning more than 75 countries, Hard Rock International is expanding its global gaming portfolio, announcing a collaboration with VICI Properties Inc. (VICI) to acquire the JACK Cincinnati Casino. Through the joint purchase, Hard Rock will acquire the operating assets of the casino, rebranding it Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, while VICI will own the land and real estate assets.

“Hard Rock has been the number one operator in Ohio since opening in the greater Cleveland market in 2013,” said Jim Allen, chairman and CEO of Hard Rock International. “And now, we look forward to introducing our unique brand of casino entertainment to Cincinnati. On behalf of the 40,000 Hard Rock team members worldwide, I am pleased to welcome the more than 1,000 JACK Cincinnati employees into the Hard Rock family.”

JACK Cincinnati is situated on 22 acres in the Broadway Commons area of downtown Cincinnati. The property features 100,000 square feet of gaming space with approximately 1,800 gaming machines and 100 table games. Additionally, the property contains 33,000 square feet of meeting space, six high-quality restaurants and two bars. New property improvements will be announced by Hard Rock later this year.

“We are proud to partner with Hard Rock, further diversifying our tenant roster with an international leader in gaming, entertainment and hospitality experiences and a renowned global platform of 245 hospitality venues across 75 countries,” said John Payne, president and chief operating officer of VICI Properties.

The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions and is expected to close in late 2019. The acquisition is expected to be accretive immediately upon closing.

Jones Day served as legal advisor to Hard Rock together with Fox Rothschild LLP, as special gaming counsel.

For more information or to book a stay at any of the Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos, please visit hardrockhotels.com.

Century Casino Opens Edmonton, Alberta, Location

Century Casinos, Inc. announced the opening of its racing entertainment centre at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino in South Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

At 9:30 a.m. MDT the doors opened for the first time and the public was invited by Century’s staff to explore the brand new casino featuring 550 slot machines and electronic table games, 14 video lottery terminals, an innovative REPLAY gaming stadium with 28 unique play stations and an interactive digital wall display, an off-track betting room, a restaurant and a lounge area.

With the racing entertainment centre open, Century is now preparing for the first weekend of Thoroughbred racing on the one-mile racetrack, which is scheduled for April 28, 2019.

Century Mile Racetrack and Casino is the Company’s latest development, located on Edmonton International Airport land and close to the city of Leduc, south of Edmonton. The location is ideally positioned exiting off the Queen Elizabeth II Highway, which is the main corridor between Calgary and Edmonton and one of the most heavily used highways in Western Canada. It is close to the airport, a shopping mall, retail outlets, hotels, a golf course and an abundance of other businesses. The Company is investing approximately $46.6 million USD, based on the exchange rate in effect as of February 26, 2019, in the development.

Fastpick Comes Home To Resorts For Jackpot Sports Payouts

FastPick, the number-one game for head-to-head and over/under fantasy match-ups between the world’s biggest sports stars, is coming home to ResortsCasino.com, the first casino in Atlantic City.

Just click the FastPick tab on the ResortsCasino.com site to get some skin in the game, as your fortunes rise and fall alongside the performance of your favorite players.

Ever wanted to ride LeBron James’ hot hand? Feeling Aaron Rodgers will rack up more passing yards than Tom Brady any given Sunday? Or think Mike Trout will outhit Bryce Harper?

With FastPick, you can now select your preferred head-to-head match-ups and player over/unders on some of the most high-profile games. It’s straightforward fantasy against the house, as FastPick takes the payout pools and DFS sharks out of the equation, allowing players to define their own payouts.

Simply combine 3-10 player picks in parlay-style entries – and if all your chosen players earn more Fantasy Points than their respective rivals, you’ll scoop jaw-dropping payouts of between x5 and x500 your original stake. It’s that easy – no sharks, no rosters, no complex scoring systems.

It’s just the latest development from the ResortsCasino.com lobby, which now houses a leading sportsbook, alongside over 500 online casino games, including slots, table games and Live Dealer tables.

With ResortsCasino.com, you get rewarded for your play with cashback promos, deposit matches, and the best loyalty program around – all backed by nine different deposit and withdrawal methods. Sign up now and get a 100% bonus up to $1,000 on your first deposit, plus your first sports bet matched, up to $250.

Commented Ed Andrewes, Owner of EAGC, lead consultant to Resort Digital Gaming: “We originally designed FastPick to accommodate every sports fan who wanted to get a slice of the action but didn’t have the time to compete effectively against those predatory DFS sharks.

“Now, in an evolving sports betting landscape, this fast-growing, easy-access take on head-to-head betting fuses the best of sportsbook props and DFS with some towering jackpots. Our players just love taking on the house in a series of one-on-one performance markets, featuring the superstars of US sports. We’re thrilled to be bringing the next generation of fantasy sports betting home to Resorts.”

For more information, please visit ResortsCasino.com.

New Research Reveals 90% of Casino Visitors Practice Responsible Gaming

With American acceptance of gaming at an all-time high, casino gamblers are actively practicing responsible gaming, according to new research released today by the American Gaming Association (AGA). Bettors report setting budgets, sticking to them and being aware of available responsible gaming resources at significantly high rates.

According to the research:

9 in 10 casual bettors set a budget before they visit a casino;
90 percent of those visitors report success in tracking their spending; and
8 in 10 casual casino visitors and 9 in 10 avid casino visitors are aware of responsible gaming resources.

“Responsible gaming is our industry’s top priority,” said Bill Miller, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association. “This research indicates that our unwavering commitment to responsibility is resonating with our customers. But success in this key area will never mean our work is done, and we look forward to continuing to work with gaming regulators, our partners in the fight against problem gambling and our employees to ensure customers continue to engage in this form of mainstream entertainment responsibly.”

This research comes on the heels of a recent AGA study that highlighted continued growth in acceptance of gaming. That research indicates that 88 percent of American adults view gambling as an acceptable form of entertainment. Americans also have a positive view of the industry’s role as a community partner, with 80 percent of people recognizing gaming’s role as a job creator, and 6 in 10 Americans believing casinos help their local economies.

“Gaming has made great strides over the past few years with the public increasingly recognizing our industry as the community partner and economic driver we know it to be,” continued Miller. “I look forward to working with our members and all interested stakeholders to build upon this great momentum in the years to come.”

The U.S. gaming industry commits more than $300 million to responsible gaming annually, supporting education, training and rehabilitation programs across the country.

Last year, AGA launched the Responsible Gambling Collaborative, convening a renowned group of thought leaders, stakeholders and academics to chart a new course on the complex issue of responsible gaming.

AGA members adhere to the association’s Responsible Gaming Code of Conduct which guides industry commitments to responsible gaming and is updated annually to reflect new developments and industry innovations. In 2018, AGA updated the Code to enhance provisions on sports betting and responsible advertising.

Methodology: Today’s data comes from two separate polls completed in late 2018. Data on Americans’ acceptance of gaming comes from our survey of American’s attitudes toward gaming and was conducted by the Mellman Group of 1,000 registered voters, both online and on the phone. Data on casino visitors’ responsible gaming practices comes from a survey of 2,014 past year casino gamblers. This survey was conducted online by BrandOutlook.

About AGA: The American Gaming Association is the premier national trade group representing the $261 billion U.S. casino industry, which supports 1.8 million jobs nationwide. AGA members include commercial and tribal casino operators, gaming suppliers and other entities affiliated with the gaming industry. It is the mission of the AGA to achieve sound policies and regulations consistent with casino gaming’s modern appeal and vast economic contributions.

Steve Wynn’s Journey in Massachusetts

By @TheDailyPayoff

In case you missed it, Boston Globe columnist Shirley Leung wrote a wickedly sharp piece this week describing casino mogul Steve Wynn’s odyssey of trying to get approval to build a $1.7 billion casino in Everett, MA.
As Leung points out, politics is a hard play in Massachusetts.
Read to the end. The kicker is good.

View the original source: https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2015/07/16/olympics-wynn-casino-city-that-never-lets-anything-happen/xk7DQUlPZRZpm3ncBDIknL/story.html#

Double Jackkpot for NJ Man in Three Weeks

‎By @TheDailyPayoff

A New Jersey man hit a slot machine jackpot at Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway twice on the same machine within three weeks, the casino reported.
Dominic Sanaite of Saddle Brook hit for $100,000 on a slot Monday night, capping his hot streak. Three weeks earlier on the same machine, Sanaite scored his first $100,000 jackpot , according to Empire Casino press release.
‎Santaite made his six-figure score ($20 more than the first one) on the exact same slot machine for the exact same wager (a $5 bet on a $1 denomination machine) as he did on June 10th.‎

Meanwhile, on the track at Yonkers Raceway, the big payoffs kept coming Tuesday on a matinée card catering French simulcasting. Jordan Stratton drove 72-1 shot Jesse’s Story to victory in the eighth race, lighting up the tote board with a $146 win mutuel, the largest of the season.

Overcoming the disadvantageous post 12, Jesse turned back the 3-2 favorite, Dreamsteeler driven by Jason Bartlett, by a neck, to combine for a season-high exacta of $1,394. Stratton also was responsible for the previous high mutuel payoff of $136.50 when he reined Hypnotist to victory earlier in the year. ‎

Finally, the biggest jackpot in history continues to grow: the ‎$1.2 million score on the popular Wheel of Fortune Triple Stars slot machine is still up for grabs at the Westchester casino. When the record jackpot is finally hit, it will exceed the previous mark by more than a half million dollars, Empire reported.

The Daily Payoff

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