Scientific Games struck by Lightning David McKee, CDC Gaming Reports · August 4, 2021 at 10:28 pm Scientific Games has gone Down Under for its latest expansion, acquiring Sydney-based Lightning Box for an undisclosed sum. Lightning Box and Scientific are hardly strangers to each other; the former’s content has long been hosted on the latter’s OpenGaming platform. The deal provides Scientific with proprietary game content, which will be augmented with the company's own data analytics. The … [Read more...]
Pennsylvania: Hollywood Casino York opens August 12. Take a sneak peek inside Teresa Boeckel, York Daily Record · August 4, 2021 at 7:38 pm Try to hit the jackpot on one of slot machines. Play a game of poker or blackjack at one of the tables. Watch multiple sports at the same time on a 9-foot tall and 32-foot wide television screen. It's all available at the new Hollywood Casino York inside the former Sears store at the York Galleria. It is set to open at noon Aug. 12. The new 80,000-square-foot casino will feature 510 slot … [Read more...]
Could daily fantasy sports vanish as mobile New York sports betting nears launch? Matthew Waters, Legal Sports Report · August 4, 2021 at 7:35 pm Most sports fans in the Empire State just want to know when mobile NY sports betting might launch. DFS fans, though, should be aware of another key date. By the [time] sports betting in NY launches, it might be filling a hole left by daily fantasy sports. That is because [the] NY Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments in October that finally should settle the legality of daily fantasy sports … [Read more...]
Atlantic City: Ocean, Bally’s plan to build beach bars, concert venues Molly Shelly, The Press of Atlantic City · August 4, 2021 at 7:28 pm Two of [Atlantic City's] casinos have plans for beachfront redevelopment. Bally’s Atlantic City and Ocean Casino Resort are looking to build seasonal beach bars and permanent entertainment venues between the dunes and the Boardwalk in front of their properties. During a City Council meeting June 16, two resolutions were approved allowing for each casino to begin negotiating redevelopment … [Read more...]
Florida: Bestbet cardrooms requiring employee vaccinations Bill Bortzfield, WJCT Public Media · August 4, 2021 at 7:23 pm Bestbet, which operates cardrooms and simulcast wagering in Jacksonville and Orange Park, announced Wednesday it is requiring all employees to be vaccinated to guard against the delta variant of coronavirus. Bestbet told WJCT News in an email that “ALL employees” must be vaccinated by October 15. “Receiving the vaccine is the safest and best way to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 virus … [Read more...]
Massachusetts gaming regulators navigating conflicting mask guidance Colin A. Young, State House News Service · August 4, 2021 at 7:20 pm The casinos, slots parlor and simulcasting facilities in Massachusetts are expected to adhere to the Department of Public Health’s latest advisory around mask-wearing, but the Gaming Commission clarified Wednesday that the properties should also keep federal recommendations in mind. Gaming regulators held an emergency meeting late Wednesday morning to address the confusion created by the … [Read more...]
North Carolina sports betting bill gets winning vote from Senate panel Gary D. Robertson, Associated Press · August 4, 2021 at 7:14 pm RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Legislation to license and tax sports betting throughout North Carolina cleared its first Senate committee Wednesday, with supporters, for now, overcoming social conservatives who argue it will create more gambling addicts. The bill's chief sponsor, Republican Sen. Jim Perry of Lenoir County, said many state residents already are wagering on sports from their computers or … [Read more...]
Lottery gains boost International Game Technology as net income, revenue top Street forecasts Matthew Crowley, CDC Gaming Reports · August 4, 2021 at 7:13 pm Gains across games, geographies, and channels drove same-store lottery sales 35% higher during International Game Technology’s second quarter. IGT reversed a year-earlier loss and its top executive said pre-pandemic performance is in sight. “We now expect to exceed 2019 levels for key financial metrics this year,” CEO Marco Sala told analysts and journalists Tuesday. In a statement, … [Read more...]
‘In-game betting but on steroids’: Sinclair’s sports broadcast of the future, according to its CEO Daniel Kaplan, The Athletic · August 4, 2021 at 6:57 pm Could some NBA, NHL and MLB games next year be served up akin to a Las Vegas sportsbook screen, with changing odds and heavy gamblers comped the subscription to the service? That is the vision at least outlined Wednesday by Chris Ripley, CEO of Sinclair Broadcast Group, whose Bally Sports Regional Networks are negotiating with those leagues to obtain streaming rights for a planned … [Read more...]
Sports bet “stock exchange” startup Sporttrade lands Colorado betting license Jacob Feldman, Sportico · August 4, 2021 at 6:53 pm Sporttrade, a startup looking to change the way American fans bet on sports, has acquired a license to operate in Colorado. The company, which plans to launch first in New Jersey later this year, is building an exchange model that aims to make wagering work like stock trading, with outcome-based contracts that close at $0 or $100 and the ability to buy or sell at market-based prices before and … [Read more...]
UK National Lottery licence competition delayed for the second time Rob Davies, The Guardian · August 4, 2021 at 5:40 pm The competition to win a 10-year licence to run the National Lottery has been postponed for a second time, signalling a potential £42m windfall for the incumbent operator Camelot, which is already under scrutiny over the amount of profit it makes. The Gambling Commission said it had extended the timeline after “representations” from the bidders, which include Camelot, the media tycoon Richard … [Read more...]
Esports Entertainment Group to launch ‘pay-and-play’ casino brand in Finland Robert Fletcher, iGaming Business · August 4, 2021 at 5:36 pm Esports Entertainment Group has announced plans to launch a new no-registration online casino brand in the Finnish gaming market. Fiksukasino.com will operate as a ‘pay-and-play’ casino and offer players access to range of casino gaming options. The pay and play format allows players to bypass the traditional registration processes and start playing games straight away. The brand will seek … [Read more...]
Spain’s top soccer clubs to get cash boost from $3.2 billion La Liga deal with private equity firm Nathan Allen and Aishwarya Nair, Reuters · August 4, 2021 at 5:27 pm Spain's top soccer clubs including Real Madrid and Barcelona would get lucrative cash infusions under a proposed 2.7 billion euros ($3.2 billion) deal between the country's top league and a private equity firm. Local media reports initially suggested the injection could help Barca resolve star forward Lionel Messi's contract situation, while it was also mooted that the cash could prove pivotal … [Read more...]
Planning on visiting a South Florida casino? At least two are now requiring masks Carli Teproff, Miami Herald · August 4, 2021 at 3:12 pm With COVID-19 cases on the rises, at least two South Florida casinos are once again requiring all staff and guests to wear masks. On Tuesday, The Casino at Dania Beach announced the mask mandate would go into effect immediately. “Our main priority is keeping our guests and staff healthy and safe,” said Arnaldo Suarez, CEO and general manager for the Dania Beach casino. “Due to the highly … [Read more...]
Las Vegas: U.S. judge revives class-action claim in Wynn Resorts lawsuit Associated Press · August 4, 2021 at 2:54 pm LAS VEGAS (AP) — A federal judge in Nevada has revived elements of a securities fraud lawsuit seeking class-action status for allegations that executives at Wynn Resorts Ltd. knew about, but disregarded, reports of sexual harassment and misconduct against company founder Steve Wynn. U.S. District Judge Andrew Gordon ruled the case can go forward alleging that Steve Wynn, board members and top … [Read more...]
Las Vegas: Resorts World headliner is a Vegas native with Stardust ties John Katsilometes, Las Vegas Review-Journal · August 4, 2021 at 2:47 pm Charly Jordan is headlining near the spot of her grandfather’s old office on the Las Vegas Strip. The 22-year-old DJ and Vegas resident performs in residency at Ayu Dayclub at Resorts World Las Vegas. Her next show is Saturday, opening for superstar DJ Zedd. It is Jordan’s second appearance at the club, following her set during the resort’s July 4 weekend celebration. She’s performing Sept. … [Read more...]
Virginia: Crews begin site work at Rivers Casino Portsmouth, small business can still get involved Alex Littlehales, WVEC · August 4, 2021 at 2:37 pm The site of a Hampton Roads Casino has a new look, as crews prepare for the upcoming construction of Rivers Casino Portsmouth. “Over the next couple of weeks, you’ll start seeing some major landscape changes, all the trees and shrubbery on site will all be gone," Justin Ballard of S.B. Ballard Construction Company said. National contractor Yates Construction partnered with locally based S.B. … [Read more...]
UPDATED: MGM to sell MGM Growth Properties to VICI in $17.2 billion deal Rege Behe, CDC Gaming Reports · August 4, 2021 at 2:35 pm MGM Resorts International Wednesday announced that MGM Growth Properties is being acquired by VICI Properties. The definitive agreement will entail VICI redeeming a majority of MGP operating partnership units held by MGM Resorts for $43 per unit, or approximately $4.4 billion in cash. VICI also will acquire 100% of the outstanding class A shares of MGP in a stock-for-stock transaction. This … [Read more...]
Macau orders closure of entertainment venues but casinos remain open amid COVID testing blitz Inside Asian Gaming · August 4, 2021 at 2:29 pm Macau Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng has stated there are no immediate plans to close the city’s casinos in the wake of new COVID-19 cases that have led to a mass testing blitz. Ho provided an update on latest restrictions impacting Macau at a press conference on Wednesday, which will see a range of public entertainment venues forced to suspend operations. They include cinemas, theaters, indoor … [Read more...]
Caesars Entertainment 2Q report adds digital reporting, touts post-pandemic gains Rege Behe, CDC Gaming Reports · August 4, 2021 at 1:13 pm The ongoing emergence of online sports betting and igaming is now reflected in Caesars Entertainment’s quarterly reports. During Tuesday’s investors call, the gaming operator announced it is breaking out sports and igaming into a digital segment, which includes sports betting, igaming and poker, for reports. “Now you can see Caesars Digital on its own. You'll be able to measure our progress,” … [Read more...]
More Nebraska cities discuss addition of race tracks, casinos Alicia Naspretto, KSNB-TV · August 3, 2021 at 8:40 pm Nebraska residents voted to legalize gambling at horse race tracks last year. Now more and more cities are wanting to get in on the action. At the most recent Nebraska State Racing Commission meeting, five locations submitted an application to start a track with the long-term goal of also bringing in a casino. Now some are concerned there might be too many and it would take away from the … [Read more...]
Mississippi: Some Tunica casinos are staying maskless despite the Delta variant Tom Dees, FOX13 Memphis · August 3, 2021 at 8:35 pm The Mississippi Gaming Commission told FOX13 Tuesday that there was no talk of requiring masks at Tunica casinos, and there was no plan to put social distancing in place. Prentice Jones lives in Tunica County. “Well, I think that fully vaccinated people should have the option to wear masks, but unvaccinated, I think they should have to wear masks in a casino,” Jones said. Through a number of … [Read more...]
Wisconsin: North Star Mohican Casino Resort reissuing mask mandate Alice Reid, NBC26 Green Bay · August 3, 2021 at 8:26 pm North Star Mohican Casino Resort will be reissuing a mask mandate for all employees and guests regardless of vaccination status beginning August 4th at 7:00 am. The casino announced Tuesday that the new mandate is a precautionary measure due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in local and surrounding areas. The mandate will remain in effect for one month and be evaluated as … [Read more...]
MGM Resorts looking to fill more than 3000 positions in Las Vegas Dylan Svoboda, Las Vegas Review-Journal · August 3, 2021 at 8:18 pm Amid an ongoing labor shortage in the Las Vegas Valley, MGM Resorts International is looking to hire for more than 3,000 positions. The company kicked off a four-day hiring event Monday at the One-Stop Career Center at 6330 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 190. Job seekers can stop by the center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Thursday to apply for jobs and meet with MGM representatives. Brandon … [Read more...]
Massachusetts: Springfield plans purchase of 3 properties near MGM casino for $2.75M Peter Goonan, MassLive.com · August 3, 2021 at 8:12 pm The city [of Springfield] announced Tuesday that it will buy three office buildings near MGM Springfield to spur redevelopment, using federal COVID-19 relief funds received under the American Rescue Plan. The three buildings are at 113-115 State St., 1139-1155 Main St. and 11-21 Stockbridge St. They are being purchased from Freedom Credit Union for $2.75 million, according to a news release … [Read more...]
