Barstool Sports on everyone’s mind as Penn casinos operate under COVID-19 guidelines Howard Stutz, CDC Gaming Reports · October 29, 2020 at 3:05 pm Penn National Gaming said its cash flow in the third quarter was its best in company history and that its 40 operating properties in 19 states are successfully navigating the various state-mandated COVID-19 health and safety guidelines. However, the spiking coronavirus numbers around the country brought out a question toward the end of Penn’s quarterly conference call Thursday that CEO Jay … [Read more...]
Connecticut: Mohegan Sun promotes Kelly McKinnon to chief financial officer CDC Gaming Reports · October 29, 2020 at 3:01 pm Mohegan Sun announces that Kelly McKinnon has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Kelly will be rejoining the Mohegan Sun team in an executive capacity after spending the past 15 months at the corporate division of Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE), serving as the Director of Analytics. As CFO, Kelly will oversee all aspects of finance for MGE’s flagship property, Mohegan … [Read more...]
Virtual G2E: Pandemic forced MGM to ‘rethink’ its workforce strategies Rege Behe, CDC Gaming Reports · October 29, 2020 at 2:52 pm When Jyoti Chopra joined MGM Resorts in November 2019, she expected to concentrate on her years of experience as a diversity practitioner across various business sectors. But the COVID-19 pandemic caused Chopra, a senior vice president and chief people, inclusion and sustainability officer, to use her skills in unexpected ways. “Managing through the crisis has led us to move to a more … [Read more...]
Virtual G2E: Gaming execs’ short-term solutions to boost visitation and future recovery Buck Wargo, CDC Gaming Reports · October 29, 2020 at 2:40 pm Casino executives remain optimistic about the future of gaming when the COVID-19 pandemic ends, but anticipate that taking additional safety measures before it happens will pay off with increased visitation. “Gaming During the Pandemic” was a panel discussion Wednesday during the virtual Global Gaming Expo, and Ellen Whittemore, executive vice president, general counsel and secretary with Wynn … [Read more...]
Virtual G2E: Tangled laws, pandemic stymie tribes’ moves toward sports betting Mark Gruetze, CDC Gaming Reports · October 29, 2020 at 2:22 pm A tortuous tangle of federal, state, and local rules, plus the coronavirus pandemic, block many tribal casinos’ efforts to add in-person and online sports betting, four experts said Wednesday. “If you just want to get a kiosk in a tribal casino, you might wonder why it’s so hard,” said Jason Giles, executive director of the National Indian Gaming Association. While mentioning that tribes in … [Read more...]
Igaming Focus: GLI shows knowledge is power when it comes to testing and certifying igaming Hannah Gannagé-Stewart, CDC Gaming Reports · October 29, 2020 at 2:17 pm Kevin Mullally explains how myths around the control and regulation of igaming have been dispelled in the U.S. Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) has around 30 years’ experience in testing, certification and standards consultancy in the gaming industry, so when the U.S. began re-regulating gaming products, the company was high on the list for calls from emerging jurisdictions. In … [Read more...]
Tennessee online sports wagering begins Sunday; BetMGM to launch its mobile app Howard Stutz, CDC Gaming Reports · October 29, 2020 at 2:05 pm BetMGM said it will be part of the initial sports wagering apps available in Tennessee Sunday when the state becomes the 19th in the nation with legal sports betting. One analyst predicted the market could see as much as $6 billion annually in wagers once the activity reaches a mature level, BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, and local operator 24/7 plan to debut in the online-only sports betting … [Read more...]
Four IGT employees arrested for cheating Italy’s lottery CDC Gaming Reports · October 29, 2020 at 12:15 pm Italy’s Special Currency Police Unit of the Guardia di Finanza has arrested 12 people in connection to four Scratch and Win instant lottery jackpots, two for grand prizes of seven million euros each and two worth five million each (a total of US$28 million). Four of the 12 people arrested were current employees of Lottomatica Holding, the Italian subsidiary of International Game Technology. The … [Read more...]
VICI Properties touts closed deals as cash flow measure, revenue top forecasts Matthew Crowley, CDC Gaming Reports · October 29, 2020 at 8:34 am Give VICI Properties all A’s for its third quarter: acquisitions, assets, accretion, and maybe a satisfying cry of “all right!” The real estate investment trust completed $3.7 billion of acquisition and investments and posted revenue and adjusted cash flow that topped Wall Street forecasts. In the quarter, that ended Sept. 30, VICI completed a $3.2 billion transaction with Caesars, for three … [Read more...]
GC gives ruling after investigation into online operators Owain Flanders, Gambling Insider · October 29, 2020 at 7:43 am The Gambling Commission (GC) has concluded an investigation into three UK online operators regarding failures in social responsibility and anti-money laundering. The regulatory body found that BGO Entertainment Limited, GAN PLC and NetBet Enterprises Limited were not doing enough to prevent money laundering and keep consumers safe in the period between September 2018 and March 2020. As a … [Read more...]
Twin River chapter closes Nov. 9 when the casino operator becomes Bally Corp. Howard Stutz, CDC Gaming Reports · October 29, 2020 at 7:35 am Twin River Worldwide Holdings isn’t wasting any time taking its new brand out for a spin. The Rhode Island-based regional casino operator – a little more than two weeks after paying Caesars Entertainment $20 million for control of the Bally name, brand, and intellectual property – will be known as Bally Corp. starting on Nov. 9, the regional casino operator said Wednesday. The company will … [Read more...]
The IRS is coming for federal tax on DFS entries, just like sports betting Brett Smiley, SportsHandle · October 29, 2020 at 7:22 am The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) last week doubled down on its position that daily fantasy sports (DFS) entry fees are akin to sports wagers, signaling that it is a matter of when, and at what percentage, the IRS will levy federal taxes on those sums. This will not come as a surprise to DraftKings or FanDuel, which will likely become taxation victims of their own success after morphing … [Read more...]
Las Vegas: Tropicana landlord reports surprising amount of buyer interest Mike Shoro, Las Vegas Review-Journal · October 29, 2020 at 7:13 am The Tropicana’s landlord says it is garnering plenty of interest for a potential sale of the Strip hotel-casino, though it’s “under no pressure” to make a deal. The company that owns the 35 acres of land beneath the Tropicana, real estate investment trust Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc., has drawn surprising interest, mostly in the form of “wing-and-a-prayer offers,” company Chairman and CEO … [Read more...]
UK: GVC sells Ladbrokes and Coral racecourse pitches Lewis, G3 Newswire · October 29, 2020 at 7:13 am GVC, parent company to Ladbrokes and Coral, has announced it is ceasing the operation of all of its 106 racecourse betting pitches. In a statement, GVC’s trading director Tom Ritzema said the decision had “not been taken lightly”, and that several factors had been taken into consideration. Ritzema explained: “This decision has not been taken lightly, and we are very sad to be calling time on … [Read more...]
UK: ‘Irresponsible’ gambling advert featuring fluffy animals removed Laura Parnaby, PA Media · October 29, 2020 at 7:05 am Regulators have ordered an “irresponsible” gambling advert featuring fluffy animals to be taken down following a complaint about it appealing to children. The Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) ruled that an advert posted by Gala Spins on Facebook showing five toy animals breached guidelines about betting companies targeting under-18s. The paid-for Facebook post was on a page which only … [Read more...]
Virginia: Bristol churches work together against casino David McGee, Washington County News · October 29, 2020 at 7:04 am Messages written in bold black letters splashed across bright yellow billboards around Bristol shout opposition to the proposed Hard Rock Hotel and Casino resort project. The messages are: “All that glitters is not gold.” “When casinos go up, communities go down.” “What would Jesus do? He would definitely vote no on the casino referendum.” On Nov. 3, Bristol, Virginia, voters will decide … [Read more...]
Virtual G2E: AGEM awards honors the late Bob McMonigle, David Orrick CDC Gaming Reports · October 29, 2020 at 7:00 am The late Robert "Bob" McMonigle and longtime European gaming executive David Orrick were awarded the two memorial awards for professionalism and communications sponsored by the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM). The awards, traditionally presented during the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas, were handed out Wednesday as part of the G2E Virtual conference. The family of … [Read more...]
Lottery supporters oppose Nebraska casino gambling proposal Don Walton, Lincoln Star Journal · October 28, 2020 at 11:20 pm Supporters of local keno lotteries and the state lottery announced their opposition Wednesday to portions of the three-pronged initiative to authorize casino gambling at Nebraska horse racetracks, arguing that the proposal could effectively shut down their operations along with gaming conducted by Nebraska charities. "A straight-forward reading of the plain language of Initiative 430 would … [Read more...]
When will big-name stars return to Southern California casinos after coronavirus? Alex Groves, Daily Breeze · October 28, 2020 at 9:59 pm Together, J Balvin, Pitbull, Mary J. Blige, Ke$ha and the Hollywood Vampires sound like they should be on a poster for a festival lineup somewhere. In 2019, they were among the big-name stars who played Southern California’s casino showrooms. However, in 2020, nearly all plans for an encore were dashed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Many of Southern California’s tribally-owned casinos … [Read more...]
North Carolina: Council balks at casino expansion price tag Holly Kays, Smoky Mountain News · October 28, 2020 at 9:11 pm Two years into construction of a $250 million expansion at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, the Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise approached Tribal Council Oct. 26 requesting permission to borrow an additional $50 million for the project — and council members were not pleased. “I’d like to see something justifying why we’re giving you $38 more million for this project,” said Birdtown … [Read more...]
West Virginia: Lottery revenue still going strong Phil Kabler, Herald-Dispatch · October 28, 2020 at 9:08 pm Continued strong Limited Video Lottery play in September helped offset an ongoing downturn at West Virginia casinos, helping state Lottery gross revenue keep pace with September 2019 figures, Lottery commissioners were advised Tuesday. For the month, the state Lottery grossed $91.3 million, up slightly from $91.15 million in September 2019. Limited Video Lottery, available at 1,202 bars, … [Read more...]
Operators looking at Nov. 1 Tennessee sports betting go-live date Jill R. Dorson, Sports Handle · October 28, 2020 at 8:28 pm If all goes as planned, when the Tennessee Titans kick off against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Tennesseans will be able to place mobile sports bets on one of four live digital platforms. Sixteen months after sports wagering became legal in the Volunteer State, the Tennessee Education Lottery (TEL) will launch BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, and Tennessee Action 24/7 on an NFL Sunday, according … [Read more...]
Widow of murdered 5Dimes founder seeks license in N.J. Joseph N. DiStefano, Philadelphia Inquirer · October 28, 2020 at 8:16 pm It has been two years since her flip-flop-wearing, math-whiz husband disappeared. “It feels like 20,” says sports-betting business-owner Laura Varela, from her home in San Jose, Costa Rica. It has been a year since authorities identified his remains, after a botched kidnapping, a million-dollar bitcoin ransom and 12 arrests in two countries, leaving her to raise their two children alone. “I … [Read more...]
DraftKings to become primary sponsor of UNLV’s Gaming Innovation Studio CDC Gaming Reports · October 28, 2020 at 7:34 pm DraftKings today announced a multi-year agreement to become a primary sponsor of the Center for Gaming Innovation, housed within the International Gaming Institute (IGI) at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The agreement includes the opening of the new DraftKings Gaming Innovation Studio at UNLV and provides DraftKings with access to local talent, while furthering the company’s ties to the Las … [Read more...]
NatWest adds 48-hour gambling block for debit card customers Robert Fletcher, iGaming Business · October 28, 2020 at 7:06 pm British high street bank NatWest has introduced a new feature that will allow its debit card customers to block any form of gambling transactions for a period of 48 hours. Customers that activate the feature will see any gambling-related transactions automatically declined by the bank for at least 48 hours. The blocker will remain in place indefinitely until a customer chooses to remove the … [Read more...]
