Author: OnlineGamblingDaily

Las Vegas-based Station Casinos has sold 56.6 acres south of the Strip to hospital chain HCA Healthcare. The land is located at the northwest corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Cactus Avenue, and had a tag price of nearly $62.3 million.  The sale closed late last month. Both Station Casinos and an HCA communications manager confirmed the transaction to Las Vegas Review-Journal. No specific plans have been made for the use of the land thus far. The transaction comes as Station, which owned the site for years and still has extensive land holdings in Southern Nevada, moves to overhaul its real…

Sports betting and online casino operator Betsson Group has closed down its online brand Casino Winner. The site previously targeted the Dutch market but has been blocking customers in the Netherlands since the launch of the country’s regulated online gambling market, which went live in October 2021. The site was operated through Betsson’s MGA-licensed Corona Ltd, which controls both the Casino Winner and Loyal Casino businesses. Betsson bought the two sites – which were previously known as Kroon Casino and Oranje Casino, respectively – from three entrepreneurs for €130 million ($136.8 million) in 2014. Betsson expected the re-regulation of gaming in…

Gaming platform, content and services provider Playtech announced Tuesday the appointment of Samy Reeb to the Board as a new Independent Non-Executive Director, effective immediately.  Reeb brings extensive experience working with global businesses largely across wealth and tax advisory, the company noted. He began his career in tax advisory at Ernst & Young and tax management at Credit Suisse, before focusing on wealth advisory as an Executive director at Julius Baer, and subsequently joining 1291 Group as Managing Partner. And over the years, Reeb developed “a leading franchise advising on the financial affairs of many Asia-based ultra-high net worth clients,” Playtech…

 January 7, 2023 The Las Vegas Strip is always changing. And what doesn’t change gets improved. That’s the case with the latest New York-New York upgrades have been revealed, as the property plans to remodel close to 1,900 of it’s hotel rooms and suits. The overhaul will cost over $60 million, but most visitors to Sin City would agree that any New York-New York upgrades are not only welcomed, but long overdue. These redesigns are just part of series of upgrades taking place at the resort. Additionally, the upgrades are said to draw inspiration from New York City itself, with…

Macau gaming companies MGM China, Sands China, Wynn Macau, SJM Holdings, Galaxy Entertainment, and Melco Resorts began operating their new licenses on January 1, following the conclusion of 2022’s bidding process. But while the businesses are eager to start welcoming guests to their casino floors, their fate also hangs in meeting the government’s mandate of diversifying away from gambling, by far their main source of income. However, experts and analysts believe monetizing non-gaming ventures might be hard to accomplish. For the past two decades, the six operators accumulated billions of dollars from their casinos in Macau, turning the once sleepy fishing village into a major gambling…

Online betting giant bet365 has announced £2.8 billion ($3.4 billion) in 2022 revenue, corresponding to the financial year ended March 27, a figure that implies a 2.9% increase from the prior-year period. However, increased customer acquisition costs in new markets led to an almost 90% drop in profit, which totaled £49.8 million ($60 million) – down significantly from the £469 million ($565.8 million) profit reported in the prior-year period. While sports betting revenue declined by 2% year-on-year, gaming revenue climbed by 25%. The decline in sports gaming revenue was margin-based, as the total amount wagered increased during the period, and…

Virginia lawmakers are pushing to create a new state committee on gaming addiction to tackle a feared rise in problem gambling, as wagering becomes more easily available and state and local governments chase extra tax dollars from lottery, casinos, sports betting, horse racing and slots parlors. A bipartisan pair of state lawmakers have introduced legislation to create a new committee on problem gambling. In a joint news release announcing the bill co-filed with Delegate Paul Krizek (D-Fairfax), Senator Bryce Reeves (R-Spotsylvania) said: “As Virginia moves forward with the expansion of gaming, it’s important that we understand the ills that come with…

 January 5, 2023 So, you want to watch the Las Vegas Grand Prix in person? Well, you better be ready to fork over nearly $3,000 per person. And that doesn’t include your airfare, taxi rides, or food. But what an experience it will be to watch the cars zip past you at over 200 miles an hour on The Strip! To be completely fair, the hefty price tag does include a 3 day Race Ticket, along with a 3 night Premium Stay at a nice resort. The package also includes an unlimited supply of food & beverages while you’re at…

The legendary band U2 is scheduled to perform the very first concert at the MSG Sphere at the Venetian in Las Vegas. And while there is no specific date as of yet, the venue is expected to open sometime this year. The opening had been originally slated for 2021. However, the delays associated with the pandemic, as well as additional “cost-saving measures” have pushed that date back repeatedly. The construction of the MSG Sphere was first announced in early 2018, and construction began in September of that year. When completed, the Sphere will be a $1.8 billion arena and the…

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said he has taken a personal interest in enforcing state regulations for advertising by gambling companies in his first comments on the subject since the launch of legal sports betting in the Buckeye State on New Year’s day.  DeWine told reporters Tuesday that he has shared his concerns directly with the executive director of the Ohio Casino Control Commission, the state agency that regulates betting in Ohio, as well as with several members of the casino control commission’s board.  “The companies that are doing the massive advertising need to be aware that they’re being looked at very…

The Virginia Lottery released in late December its report on sports betting activity submitted by operators for the month of November 2022, a period during which Virginians wagered $518.8 million through 13 licensed sportsbooks, 28.9% higher than the previous year when only 10 brands were active. Player spending, however, was down 1.7% from $528 million in October 2022. Adjusted gross gaming revenue for November spiked 76.6% in a year-over-year comparison to $52.8 million, and was also 16% ahead of October 2022, despite the lower handle.  Bettors won a total of $461.3 million for a combined 11% operator win percentage or…

The constant growth of online businesses attracts entrepreneurs around the world: lower operating costs, the ability to reach players in a variety of markets, and modern promotion opportunities make online casinos and sportsbooks a highly viable business model. Ayvar Gabidullin, Business Development Manager at Slotegrator, shares his expert take on why the online gambling industry will continue to appeal to new entrepreneurs in 2023. Online ventures such as e-commerce, online education and consulting, online promotion, and online casinos and sportsbooks have become ideal business models for the modern entrepreneur. The last item in the list stands out for the size of…

PokerStars has combined player pools in Michigan and New Jersey. Because of the move, fans from both states now have “more choice, more tournaments, more players and bigger prizes” as PokerStars becomes the first online poker operator to announce shared liquidity in these states. The combination took place on January 1. PokerStars US Managing Director Severin Rasset stated: “Michigan and New Jersey joining forces is great news for our players in these two states, and poker, more generally, as it promises a better experience and even more value, all with the confidence provided by a trusted, licensed operator.” “Our community…

Casino-entertainment company Bally’s Corporation announced Wednesday the completion of its previously announced real estate transaction with Gaming & Leisure Properties.  Bally’s and GLPI completed a sale-leaseback transaction relating to the land and real estate assets of Bally’s Tiverton Casino & Hotel in Rhode Island; and Bally’s Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi; for a total consideration of $635 million.  The transaction was structured as a tax-free capital contribution, and a substantial portion of the proceeds will be applied to reduce Bally’s debt. These properties have been added to Bally’s Master Lease with GLPI, which now includes six properties. The rent…

Missouri lawmakers are getting ready to start a new legislative session, with the legalization of sports betting as a top priority for both republicans and democrats.  As reported by KMBC, Parkville Republican State Senator Tony Luetkemeyer said he believes sports betting is something “really important” to people in the Kansas City area. He has filed a sports betting bill every year he has been in the state senate, and pre-filed it again for the fifth time last month. Luetkemeyer claims the Show Me State is losing out to states that have already legalized the activity. “Now we have two of…

Gaming technology and services provider Scientific Games announced a new contract with Staatliche Lotterie- und Spielbankverwaltung (LOTTO Bayern) in Munich, Germany, featuring the company’s most advanced lottery gaming systems technology, SYMPHONY. The new gaming system is powering the state lottery’s 3,300 retail points-of-sale as well as digital sales. SYMPHONY is now live for two German state lotteries. The new gaming system from Scientific Games advances LOTTO Bayern to fully modular, modern systems architecture that supports multi-channel sales, explains the firm. LOTTO Bayern products include Eurojackpot, LOTTO 6aus49, Spiel 77 and SUPER 6, as well as GlückSpirale, Die Sieger-Chance, Keno, Plus 5, TOTO, pull tab tickets and instant scratch…