After noticing Reddam Racing’s Nyquist was getting a little skinny at Del Mar, trainer Doug O’Neill decided to send the Uncle Mo colt north on Interstate 5 to train at the much more relaxed San Luis Rey Training Center.
Monthly Archives: August 2016
Cavorting on Top in Personal Ensign
Stonestreet Stables’ Cavorting came out on top in a cavalry charge down the stretch of the $750,000 Personal Ensign Stakes (gr. I), the first of six grade I races on the Aug. 27 Travers Day card. The final time for the 1 1/8-mile race was 1:48.61.
Matt Alexander, MSPT Pro and the Face of Minnesota Poker: CardsChat Exclusive Interview
Here’s a pop quiz for you: who has cashed for the most money playing tournament poker in Minnesota casinos? That would be poker pro Matt Alexander, who you may also know as the commentator on the Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) live streams. He’s also part of a triumvirate of MSPT Pros and is “The Face […]
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Dialed In Colt Reckling Graduates at Saratoga
Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt’s Reckling graduated in his second start, going wire-to-wire to win the first race on the Travers Day card at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 27.
Senate Democrats kill Alabama lottery bill over dog track conerns
Alabama voters won’t have their say on whether to allow a state lottery after Senate Democrats killed the bill that proposed a constitutional changes permitting a state lottery.Legislation, Starting a Lottery, Alabama, Government
First Winners for Crossbow, Gattopardo
Texas-based stallion Crossbow and West Virginia stallion Gattopardo had their first winners when fillies won maiden special weight events Aug. 26.
Gaming Industry News Weekly Recap – Stories You Might Have Missed
THE AMERICAS
Daily fantasy sports returned to action in New York; Antigua & Barbuda PM gave US one last chance to resolve WTO gambling dispute;DraftKings and FanDuelpitched DFS return to Nevada;WSOPC gold ring winner Travell Thomas tried to depose PreetBharara; Caesars Entertainment Corp prepped for a volley of future bondholder lawsuits; MGM declared war against an airport casino project; Atlantic City casino profits up 21% in H1, but city warned against exodus of more workers; Alabama Senate passed simplified lottery bill; New York lawmaker considered challenging federal sports betting ban; Ng Lap Seng probed over link to mysterious Chinese spy; Roberto Romanelloextended his contract with PartyPoker; US feds sold seized Silk Road bitcoin for $1.6m; Oscar Fonrodonapressed for land-based and online casino partnerships in Latin America; Affinio’s Philip Macartneydiscussed how budding operators can successfully establish their brands; and Angelo Dallideliberated on the opportunities for lottery operators in the LatAm market.
EUROPE
Paddy Power racked up more than $65m in losses due to Betfair merger; Playtechtreated investors to over $169m special dividend; GAN secured a $1.7m investment from Irish billionaire Dermot Desmond;Rank Group refused to be dissuaded from its goal of becoming UK’s biggest multi-channel gaming operator; France kicked off its first legalized DFS; 888 launched localized Romanian product; TonyBetstarted accepting bitcoin; FedorHolzwon EPT Barcelona Super High Roller; Lee Davy pondered on what Malcom Gladwell’s Revisionist History taught him about poker; Becky Liggero discussed what the industry can learn from Pokemon Go; and Rafi Farber deliberated what will happen to gaming stocks now that UK is likely to delay Brexit.
Asian VIPs push Australia’s Star Entertainment’s net profit up 15%
Australian casino operator Star Entertainment Group Ltd. saw its full-year net profit after tax rose to 14.9 percent, thanks to record-high revenue from its wealthy Asian visitors.
In a filing, the Australian Stock Exchange-listed company reported that its net profit totaled AUD194.4 million (USD148.13 million) for the full year ending June 30, while total earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased by 7.5 percent year-on-year to AUD488.8 million.
Gross revenue was also up by 4.4 percent year-on-year to AUD2.36 billion. The company said it recorded “good growth” across its Australian gaming business, with gaming revenue increasing 6.8 percent year-on-year to AUS1.51 billion.
Star chalked up the good numbers to “a combination of improved marketing, loyalty program, sales activity, product offering and stronger macro-economic conditions.” Aside from The Star Sydney, the casino operator also owns and operates TJupiters Gold Coast and the Treasury Casino in Brisbane.
Rational Group, GVC snap up Romanian licenses as GAN looks at ‘real money’ gaming outside US
Two more high-profile gaming operators are joining the Romania iGaming fray.
Amaya’s Rational Group and GVC Holdings announced on Friday that they have secured permanent approval from the National Gambling Office (ONJN) to continue to operate in the regulated Romania iGaming market.
The new licenses will come into effect starting September 1. Both Rational Group and GVC have been operating in the country under an interim license since September 2015.
The two companies join 888 Holdings, which is also scheduled to launch 888.ro in the newly regulated online gambling market on September 1.
US-backed research developing tool for bitcoin analysis
A forensics tool for cryptocurrency? Why not, according to the U.S. government.
Despite studies saying bitcoin has already matured, there’s no denying that the popular digital currency has caught the eye of criminals who want to use cryptocurrency for their nefarious transactions, thus making it harder for law enforcement to keep track of users.
In Europe, the European Union recently proposed to create a central database that would have records of bitcoin and virtual currency users’ identities and wallet addresses, which would be accessible to financial intelligence units of member countries.
Across the pond, the U.S. government is turning to technology to overcome bitcoin-related challenges.
'Crook' 50th Black-Type Winner for Freud
Freud, New York’s current leading sire, gained his 50th black-type winner Aug. 26 when Fourstar Crook won the $150,000 Yaddo Stakes for New York-bred fillies and mares at Saratoga Race Course.
Valor Farm Adds Stonesider to Roster
With the closure of Lane’s End Texas, Valor Farm acquired a couple stallions owned entirely or in part of Robert and Janice McNair. The further consolidate, the McNairs decided to relocate Stonesider from New York.
Love the Chase to Sell at F-T November
Owner Perry Martin said he’s sell the dam of California Chrome, in foal to Tapit, in order to buy more mares to support ‘Chrome as a stallion next year.
Racing Australia CEO McGauran Resigns
Racing Australia’s chief executive officer Peter McGauran Aug. 25 announced that he will not be seeking to renew his contract of employment upon its expiration in December.
Playtech Gaming Revenues Rise, Shareholders to Reap Rewards
Playtech, the world’s largest online gambling software company, continues to become more profitable. During the first half of 2016, the business raked in nearly $379 million. That’s an increase of approximately 18 percent, compared to the same time period a year ago. Shareholders will be the ones reaping the rewards of this sizable monetary influx. […]
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Del Mar, Jockey Club Back Enhanced Testing
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and The Jockey Club formally announced that they both will provide additional funding to the Ken Maddy Laboratory at the University California-Davis to enhance the California Horse Racing Board’s medication testing program.
Unbeaten Enola Gray Steps Up in Torrey Pines
Nick Alexander’s homebred Enola Gray will take an undefeated record into the $100,000 Torrey Pines Stakes (gr. III) Aug. 28 at Del Mar, but the lightly raced Grazen filly will be up against the toughest field she’s ever faced.
Woodward Up Next for Frosted
Following a half-mile breeze in :49 flat Aug. 25 at Greentree Training Center, Godolphin Racing’s Frosted will make his next start in the $600,000 Woodward Stakes (gr. I) Sept. 3 at Saratoga Race Course, according to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.
British Races to Support Small Breeders
The Thoroughbred Breeders Association in Great Britain, in conjunction with racecourses and the British Horse Racing Authority, will be piloting two races in September of 2016 to support small breeders.
Maryland State Fair Meet Starts at Timonium
Bolstered by increased purses and a new trainer bonus program, live racing shifts to Timonium for the annual Maryland State Fair meet, which starts Aug. 26.