Author: Casino Connection Staff

Virtual Becomes Real at MGM Grand

Posted on September 11, 2017 by -

Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Hotel and Casino is unveiling its first virtual reality multiplayer game later this month at the Strip resort’s new Level Up entertainment zone.

The platform, which can accommodate up to eight players, was developed in partnership with Zero Latency, to provide immersive experiences in three unique player-selected games:

In “Zombie Apocalypse” a team of players is trapped in a building with a selection of weapons and have to fight off waves of enemy zombies. In “Singularity” players are inside a secret military space station where they have to fight off killer robots and drones. A third offering, “Engineerium,” is a puzzle-themed game set in a world full of different animals and creatures where players ascend levels by solving problems.

In each of the games players wear a backpack with a computer and VR goggles to integrate them into their simulated world where they act as their own avatar and communicate with other players via headsets. The goal is to cooperate with the other players in order to progress.

“Technology can often be isolating, but we are determined to continue to design games and experiences that bring people together to have mind-blowing VR adventures and forge real memories that can last a lifetime,” said Zero Latency CEO Tim Ruse. “We’re excited to bring this experience to Las Vegas, our first West Coast location.”

Free Play Declines in Pennsylvania, West Virginia

Posted on September 11, 2017 by -

The amount of free play on slot machines in Pennsylvania and West Virginia have declined in the last few years.

In Pennsylvania casinos gave away $681.2 million in 2012-2013, which was the peak, according to the Gaming Control Board. The next year free play was $622.4 million. That amounts to about 27 percent of the total.

West Virginia’s peak year was 2011-2012, when free play was $93.9 million. It fell to $74.3 million the following year according to the West Virginia Lottery.

Casino consultant Vince Manfredi, whose company pioneer free play in North America told Player’s Advantage: “From operator’s point of view, there’s a cost to giving a player free pulls on a slot machine.” Sometimes players play until they convert the giveaway into cash and then stop.

Manfredi speculates that one reason free play peaked when it did was because of the Great Recession, when incentives were needed more. Now they are not needed as much.

At the same time, one of the slot machine’s biggest fan, the Baby Boomer, is growing older. Millennials are less interested in the machines, which don’t compare favorably to the electronics games they are used to playing.

Manfredi advises casinos to rely less on free play and more on actual customer service and an overall positive experience. He advises relying on “an environment that’s perhaps less smoky, or more friendly, or has a loyalty program a little bit more favorable.”

Mayweather-McGregor a KO for Bookies

Posted on September 11, 2017 by -

Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor weren’t the only ones who scored big paydays from last month’s deliriously hyped matchup in Las Vegas.

“It was the biggest boxing win we’ve ever had at Caesars Palace,” Caesars Palace sports book director Frank Kunovic said. “We won over seven figures.”

Jay Rood, sports book director in Vegas for MGM Resorts International, which hosted the August 26 bout at the T-Mobile Arena on the Strip, said Mayweather’s 10th-round technical knockout of the UFC champion was one of the top one or two boxing results the company has ever had. He said his books won “in the neighborhood” of $1 million.

“It was a great night,” said Rood, who needed Mayweather to prevail despite taking two $1 million wagers on the champ at Bellagio and The Mirage.

In all, more than $85 million was wagered on the fight, which pitted the 40-year-old Mayweather, who came in 49-0 but hadn’t fought in almost two years, against a brawler from Ireland who’d never competed in a ring governed by the rules of boxing. The books closed with the odds, and most of the money, solidly in Mayweather’s corner, not surprisingly. But more than 90 percent of bets were on McGregor, who inspired hordes of hopefuls to dream of cashing in on what would have been the upset of the century.

“We did great, like most of the town,” said Matthew Holt, vice president of CG Technology.

At least six wagers of $1 million were placed, including the Bellagio and Mirage bets: a $1.2 million wager at William Hill, two $1 million bets at Wynn and a $1 million bet at the South Point.

Even Mayweather tried to get in on the action. An ESPN report said the Las Vegas-based boxer, who also co-promoted the match and claimed to be banking around $300 million from it, entered the sports book at the M Resort on the Strip just hours before the fight looking to place $400,000 on the over/under of 9.5 rounds at minus-200 odds.

But he left without placing the bet, and wasn’t happy about it either, according to the report, because while there is no regulation in Nevada preventing a boxer from betting on himself, there were concerns over the legality of one betting on anything other than a straight win.

The frenzy also was in evidence abroad, where in the UK bookies took in roughly five times as much money as was bet on Mayweather’s 2015 fight against Manny Pacquiao, according to figures compiled by Bet-Bonuscode.co.uk.

They paid out an estimated £50 million on the champ, but that was fine with them. A McGregor victory would have banged them for around £250 million.

Mean and Green in Boston

Posted on September 11, 2017 by -

As the Wynn Boston Harbor rises in the town of Everett along the Mystic River facing Boston, the developer is restoring the beach to what it once nearly two hundred years ago when the water was so clean that owners of an oyster restaurant would dig for the mollusks.

Meanwhile the 27-story Wynn casino hotel tower is now five floors higher. The casino resort is set to open in June 2019.

One of the big jobs concurrent with building the casino has been to clean up the effects of the Monsanto chemical plant that was located there for many decades and contaminated the land to a depth of 10 feet or more.

Because the shore is subject to storm surges Wynn is working to transform it. The environmental company in charge of the restoration, Fort Point Associates, sold Wynn on the idea of sacrificing some of the land to pull the existing shoreline out into the harbor, restoring it and to recreate the salt marsh that used to exist there.

Bob DeSalvio, president of Wynn Boston Harbor, is all in on this concept. He said: “Instead of having that sort of constant pounding that you get with a traditional bulkhead … the concept of the living shoreline is to create much more ease for the water to come up and find its natural point and then go back down to its more natural level.”

This will create a natural waterfront that will protect the casino from flooding. “At the end of the day there, you’d probably have some landscape damage, maybe some damage to the harborwalk, but the casino building would be pretty much left untouched,” said DeSalvio.

This will protect the casino from the higher levels of water some expect from climate change.

Angus Leary, general manager of the construction firm Suffolk, said developers are increasingly taking this into account and planning for decades into the future. “Now we’re really looking at, what are those impacts, projecting out 10 years, 20 years, 30 years, 40 years, 100 years? And then, what can we do now to prevent issues that far out?” he said.

One overarching reason for that is the huge investment that needs protecting. The price tag for the Wynn Boston Harbor is now $2.4 billion. It is the largest development built in one phase in the history of the Bay State.

Jamie Fay, president of Fort Point Associates, said, “This is a waterfront site. We know for a fact that sea levels are going to rise. We may not know how much and how fast, but we know it’s happening.” He added, “This is a really huge investment of dollars and they want to make sure that they were fully taking into account the potential for future sea level rise in building this project.”

MGM Springfield

The $950 million MGM Springfield is marching steadily towards a September 2018 opening. Virtually all of the outside work has been done and, in anticipation of fall, workers will soon shift inside for interior framing, sheet rock work, storm piping and fire protection, among other tasks.

Earlier this month MGM told the Massachusetts Gaming that it is greatly exceeding its goals for diversity hiring and contracting. The project is said to have created about 2,000 construction jobs and will, once it opens, employ about 3,000. MGM has committed to recruiting about a third of those from Springfield.

Caesars Readies Nevada Sports Betting App

Posted on September 11, 2017 by -

Caesars Entertainment is playing catch up, but has finally begun the launch of a sports betting app in Nevada.

A report at legalsportsreport.com confirmed that a soft launch of the app was scheduled for early this month with a full rollout later this year. Miomni has partnered with Caesars to provide the technical platform for the app. The company specializes in casino, race and sports betting technology and was approved in the state by the Nevada Gaming Commission in 2014. Station Casinos and others already use the Miomni technology

Las Vegas handicapper Bryan Leonard first broke the news on Twitter and the website confirmed the launch with Caesars Entertainment Director of Specialty Games Frank Kunovic.

Exact details on the app were not released, but according to the report, players will have to be 21 and accounts must be created in person at Caesars properties. Players will also have to be physically within Nevada’s borders in order to place a wager. Miomni’s partners use its “Mi Location” technology for geolocation, the website reported.

New Hampshire Mulls Online Gaming

Posted on September 11, 2017 by -

Many observers of Granite State politics are skeptical that the New Hampshire legislature is ready to adopt any kind of online gaming bill yet. They point to neighboring states like Pennsylvania and New York, which have talked about it a great deal without taking any action.

For years there hasn’t been much interest in the state in legalizing gaming, however there is some activity on a bill that would call for two casinos.

The latest bill, like every other similar bill in the last two decades, is the work of the indefatigable Senator Lou D’Allesandro, who could be considered the epitome of optimism in the face of defeat after defeat.

In 2014 his bill won the support of the Senate, only to be killed by a single vote in the House: 173-172.

This year his bill once again won the Senate, by 19-13 only to founder in the House where in May 4 it was sealed in amber by a motion to indefinitely post pone it.

The senate’s bill lost some support because it wasn’t clear where the casinos would be located, and more seriously, because it had no provision to keep one company from cornering both gaming licenses.

The reason the bill keeps rising from the dead is the additional $150 million from a 35 percent gaming tax that supporters say would be paid into the state treasury if the casinos are built.

The senator has long argued that New Hampshire is losing such taxes to surrounding states and that every day buses are taking Granite Staters to play. “It’s time for New Hampshire to do something. No state that has done this has crumbled,” he said recently.

He is referring to Maine, which has two casinos, and Massachusetts, which has a slots parlor and will soon add to casino resorts. Maryland has several casinos, as do Pennsylvania and Delaware. And, of course, Atlantic City, New Jersey, is the Las Vegas of the East.

New Hampshire does have some charitable card clubs that offer poker, roulette and blackjack. Wagering on horse and dog races are also allowed at such locations.

On September 6, the legislature will hold hearings on HB.562, which would authorize online gaming in the state.

City Officially Approves Rhode Island Casino

Posted on September 11, 2017 by -

The Rhode Island town of Tiverton’s planning board last week officially approved of the $75 million Twin River casino that will be built a few hundred feet from the state line with Massachusetts. The vote was 6-1-2. That means that construction can begin right away as soon as a building permit is issued.

Neighbors of the property (the “abutters”) who had filed an appeal of the preliminary filed that appeal one day too late, so their objections won’t be a factor now, according to the city clerk’s office.

Besides a 77,500-square foot casino with 1,000 slots and 32 gaming tables, there will be an 84-room hotel, a restaurant, bar, entertainment venue and two-level garage, all on 46.6 acres.

The voters in 2016 authorized Twin River to move its Newport Grand casino from Newport, where it was largely tolerated rather than supported, to Tiverton. Although the state vote margin was substantial, it was approved by the town by a very small plurality. That meant that there was a significant minority of the city who oppose the casino, and who tried to slow it down during the various normal city permit approval process, such as requiring the developer to deposit a $240,000 surety to ensure that the streets are repaved after being opened up to take sewer and water lines to serve the casino. Some also challenged the project on the grounds that not enough environmental review was done, but the city denied that too. So did the state’s Department of Environmental Managements, which called any environmental impacts “insignificant.”

Some environmental mitigation was required, such as building an 80-foot bridge over wetlands. The majority of the 51-acre property is wetlands. However, only 21 acres will be developed. Another traffic amenity the casino will be funding as a roundabout to ease traffic at two intersections.

Twin River also owns and operates the Twin River Casino in Lincoln. The company also operates a casino in Mississippi and a racetrack in Colorado.

Rhode Island’s casinos are the third largest source of revenue for the state government, paying 17 percent of table revenues and 70 percent of slots revenue, for an annual total of about $300 million.

The state allowed the Tiverton casino along the border as a way of making it more competitive against the Bay State’s casino. Its principal rival will be the Plainridge Park racino, which has been operating for two years, and Connecticut’s Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos, which operated under 20 miles from the state line. But it will also have to keep in mind the $950 million MGM Springfield that will open in about a year and the huge $2.4 billion Wynn Boston Harbor that will follow the next year.

888 Holdings Reports Loss, £7.8 Million Fine

Posted on September 11, 2017 by -

888 Holdings has reported a pre-tax loss of $17 million for the first half of 2017 after recording more than $50 million in “exceptional” costs.

Those costs upset a fiscal six months that would have set a positive record for the company, officials said, as recorded by key metric growth and KPI gains across its product verticals.

The company said it recorded corporate revenues of $270 million for the six months, up 3 percent from 2016. It pointed to strong performance in its B2C casino division within regulated markets. The company declared a period Adjusted EBITDA of $47.6 million, an 8 percent increase over 2016.

However, exceptional charges of $50.8 million came in the period including a prioritized $45 million to cover “potential past VAT matters” in the German market.

Along with the potential tax payment, 888 was also ordered to pay a record £7.8 million fine in the UK relating to social responsibility failures to problem gamblers. The company was essentially fined for allowing gamblers who had placed themselves on voluntary exclusion lists to continue placing bets.

Investigations by UK regulators found that about 7,000 players on self-exclusion lists had been able to access 888 services and deposit and wager a combined total of £3.5 million over 13 months. The players were able to access their accounts through a technical problem in 888’s bingo platform, which failed to identify the players as being on the lists.

888 must pay back the £3.5 million to players who had opted to self-exclude as well as donate £4.25 million to an unidentified “socially responsible cause”, determined by the UK Gambling Commission, as a fine.

“Safeguarding consumers is not optional,” said Sarah Harrison, chief executive at the Gambling Commission in a press release. This penalty package of just under £8million reflects the seriousness of 888’s failings to protect vulnerable customers. The 888 sanction package will ensure those affected don’t lose out, that the operator pays the price for its failings via a sum that will go to tackling gambling-related harm, and that independent assurance will be given to see that lessons are learnt.”

The company said it set aside £4.2 million during the fiscal half to pay the fine. The company also said it has reviewed the problems with its self-exclusion software and implemented stricter controls.

Still, the company pointed to the positive for the year so far.

“888 has delivered further revenue growth and operational progress in the first half of 2017 resulting in a 9 percent increase in revenue at constant currency,” said Itai Frieberger, CEO of 888. “This pleasing outcome was driven by continued growth in 888’s core Casino vertical, strong momentum in the fast-growing 888Sport and a good performance in Poker. The Group’s strong strategic momentum continued as 888 developed its positions in regulated geographies, achieved greater diversification across products and markets and further enhanced operational efficiencies.”

Michigan Could See Renewed Online Gambling Push

Posted on September 11, 2017 by -

Michigan state Senator Mike Kowall says he’s ready to make another push for his online gambling bill in the state legislature.

Kowall first introduced the bill in March and while it was approved by the Senate’s Regulatory Reform Committee, it has not been moving in the legislature.

According to reports, Kowall has been working on amendments to the bill to gain more support, but details on those amendments haven’t been released.

The bill originally only made online gaming legal in the state with few other provisions. The bill would let the Michigan Gaming Control Board set regulations for online gaming.

The bill does allow land-based casinos as well as tribal casinos to offer online gambling sites, provided they comply with geolocation and age verification procedures, as well as any other requirements set forth by the Gaming Control Board.

U.S. Congress May Consider Cryptocurrency Protection Bill

Posted on September 11, 2017 by -

The online site the Daily Caller reports that at least three U.S. Congress members are preparing a bill to protect virtual currencies such as Bitcoin and have them treated like U.S. currency.

Bitcoin Cash recently hit a record high nearly $1,000, and Bitcoin surpassed $4,000. According to the Daily Caller, “various members of Congress are looking at the compliant capabilities of AML Bitcoin,” in a move aimed at making cryptocurrencies that meet certain criteria a popular alternative to the U.S. dollar.

The initiative, the website says, is expected to gain support from libertarian members of Congress, but will likely be opposed by the U.S. Treasury.

The website, citing an unnamed source, said at least one Republican member of the Senate and two Republican congressmen are involved. The three lawmakers reportedly asked not to be identified due to the complexity of the proposal.

 

Full Moonrise Climb at Absecon Lighthouse

Posted on September 6, 2017 by -

Atlantic City has a stunning skyline at night, and to top it off, a full moon will float up from the ocean and join the magnificent lights of the city on Wednesday evening, September 6th.  If you’d like to see the only 360-degree view of this breathtaking panorama, grab your date for a memorable, romantic experience. The last climb is at 8:30pm. 

Tickets are just $10 beginning at 5pm and include the full moon climb, snacks & beverages, and a FREE artist’s print of Absecon Lighthouse.  You don’t want to miss this recession-busting date night out!       

Absecon Lighthouse is a state-owned historic property administered by the non-profit Inlet Public/Private Association. Located at 31 So. Rhode Island Avenue in Atlantic City, it is New Jersey’s tallest lighthouse and the country’s third tallest.  Absecon Lighthouse received a general operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State.  For more information about Absecon Lighthouse and its programs call (609) 449-1360 or visit us on the web at www.abseconlighthouse.org.

PlaySugarHouse.com Celebrates One Year Anniversary by Letting Players in New Jersey Gamble with House Money

Posted on September 1, 2017 by -

To mark its one year anniversary, this Wednesday, September 6, PlaySugarHouse.com is letting players, 21 and over, in the New Jersey market play compliments of the house.  To celebrate, SugarHouse Online Casino will refund losses with up to $500 in Bonus Money per player on that date!*

“We are excited to have experienced such success in our first year and it’s now time to celebrate,” said Mattias Stetz, COO of Rush Street Interactive, developers and operators of PlaySugarHouse.com. “We want to show our players how much we appreciate them and that we truly live by our motto: that our players deserve more!”

On September 6th, players, whether they are existing players or new to the site, can go to Playsugarhouse.com, deposit, using bonus code GAMBLE4FREE, and start playing.  

 

“Since our launch last September, PlaySugarHouse.com revenues have grown over 20% month over month,” said Richard Schwartz, President of Rush Street Interactive. “We feel this growth validates the focus we’ve had from day one of earning the trust of our players and engaging them with fun, exciting and unique promotions and new casino games so they never know what to expect from us – just like our current anniversary gamble-free day promotion!”

 

SugarHouse Online Casino has been the first in the market to roll out a number of games including “Slingo Riches®,” “Slingo Extreme®,” “Royal Elephant™,” “Golden Wolves™,” “Imperial Wealth™,” that have joined the more than 350 exclusive and familiar favorites.  More premier launches are planned this year.

 

Visitors who GAMBLE4FREE anytime on September 6 will also find a wide range of online table games including single-deck and multi-deck blackjack games exclusively available at PlaySugarHouse.com.

*The player will receive the refund of net losses in the form of Bonus Money credited directly to the player’s account on Thursday September 7. All Bonus Money has the lowest and most player-friendly play-through requirement in NJ of only 1x wager.  Additional terms and conditions apply.  See Promotions Page for details.

Atlantic City Seafood Festival

Posted on August 31, 2017 by -

The Atlantic City Seafood Festival is moving to the boardwalk in 2017! This year’s Festival will be held outdoors, adjacent to The Showboat Atlantic City, September 9-10, just steps away from the famous Atlantic City Boardwalk and Beaches! It will be the same fantastic festival, just in a new home!

The Atlantic City Seafood festival will continue to give attendees the opportunity to experience Atlantic City as a culinary destination and will be a great opportunity for foodies and food seekers to meet some of Atlantic City’s most unique chefs and restaurateurs all while eating their tasty creations.

Live music includes The BStreet Band and BadFish: A Tribute to Sublime.
Tickets are $10, available in advance or at the door.

Visit: www.acseafoodfest.com

Atlantic City In-Water Power Boat Show

Posted on August 31, 2017 by -

Want to see some of the best boats currently on the market? Great deals can be had at the Atlantic City In-Water Power Boat Show held at the Farley State Marina at Golden Nugget September 7–10, 2017.

Whether you come to look or to buy you’ll be amazed at the wide variety of water craft. The hottest new yachts, cruisers, sport fish and more, from eighteen to seventy-five feet.

Don’t miss the Marine Accessory Mart featuring marine electronics, fishing equipment and supplies, lifts, towers, repair facilities, training, boat financing and insurance as well as a wide variety of nautical supplies, accessories and clothing. While checking the latest styles and trends, boating enthusiasts will want to refuel and listen to the bands on the marina deck.

When:  Thursday September7 – Sunday 10, 2017
Times: Thurs. & Fri. 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
            Sat. & Sun. 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tickets: $10.00 in advance $15.00 on site

Visit: www.goldennugget.com/atlantic-city/entertainment

Jack Daniel’s Smoke on the Water BBQ Championship

Posted on August 31, 2017 by -

Let the Flames Begin! The Golden Nugget is hosting the seventh annual Atlantic City Jack Daniel’s Atlantic City Smoke on the Water BBQ Championship September 16 & September 17, 2017.

Grilling and barbecuing are among America’s leading culinary pastimes and Golden Nugget is raising the stakes by hosting the seventh annual Jack Daniel’s Atlantic City Smoke on the Water BBQ Championship.

When the flames begin, music fans, barbecue enthusiasts and championship barbecue teams will descend upon Golden Nugget for an unparalleled experience at what is fast becoming known as one of the premier barbecue competitions in the world.

“The Jack Daniel’s New Jersey State Championship will bring the world’s best barbecue teams to Atlantic City,” said Ron Cates, event organizer. “Even though there is $15,000 up for grabs, it’s really about more than that; it’s about respect among their peers. Those that compete in this contest know the winner will be recognized as one of the best barbecue teams on the planet.”

Considered one of the east coast’s richest contests with a guaranteed purse of $15,000, the Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned New Jersey State Championship winner’s purse of $4,400 is also one the largest on the competition circuit. We’re spreading the love by paying top three overall and through five places in all four categories.

$15,000 prize money, 100% certified judges, great amenities and a welcome party that is second to none. To be the best you have to beat the best. Does your team belong?

Visit: www.goldennugget.com/atlantic-city/entertainment/upcoming-events/bbq-festival

Ironman 70.3 Comes to Atlantic City

Posted on August 31, 2017 by -

On September 17, 2017 Atlantic City will be the site of the Ironman triathlon.

The race begins at sunrise with a 1.2-mile sheltered swim in the beautiful back bays of Atlantic City. Framed by the Atlantic City skyline, spectators may view the entire swim course from the shore. The single-loop bike course is 56 flat and fast miles through vineyards, state forests, riverside towns, and a portion of the Atlantic City Expressway, which athletes will ride without traffic (and toll-free!). Finally, the 13.1-mile run course features striking views of the Atlantic Ocean on the world-famous Atlantic City Boardwalk, a one-of-a-kind race experience for both athletes and spectators.

Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017
Race Starts @ 7:00am

Ticket: Fee for Registration; Spectators are Free
Phone: 1-888-228-4748
Visit:  www.ironman.com/triathlon/events/americas/ironman

More Atlantic City Improvements Approved

Posted on August 30, 2017 by -

The New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority has approved $3.7 million in upgrades to Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall and convention center in newly approved projects in the resort.

The $3.7 million will go to improving the property’s HVAC systems, plumbing, painting, concrete and structural engineering services at the two properties. Both properties are operated by Spectra by Comcast Spectacor.

The improvements follow $2 million approved in February to upgrade four sets of out-of-service bathrooms at Boardwalk Hall.

“We are making an effort to bring Boardwalk Hall and the Convention Center up to date,” said Robert E. Mulcahy, chairman of the authority’s board of directors according to the Press of Atlantic City.

In another move, the resort’s city council approved a plan by the Tropicana casino to build a sky walk between its property and its newly acquired Chelsea Hotel. The casino has acquired the neighboring about 300-room, non-casino hotel and seeks to include it in its resort footprint.

“The bridge will provide convenience for our guests to easily access the south tower check-in and experience all of Tropicana’s amenities that are only just steps away,” said Tony Rodio, president and CEO of Tropicana Entertainment Inc.

The council approved air rights for the skywalk, which is still in the planning stages. Rodio said the casino hopes to begin construction by the end of the year.

Tropicana also announced it will close the popular Providence Nightclub in its entertainment/retail themed The Quarter.

Bob Pereira, founder of Metronome Hospitality Group, the operator of the club, confirmed to the Press of Atlantic City that the club will close after Labor Day weekend.

“Tropicana has some plans for the location,” Pereira told the paper, saying that the company is looking for another location in the city.

Tropicana did not say what specific plans it has for the space, but said it is hoping to open a new nightclub.

“We welcome guests to enjoy our 17 other nightlife venues and will look to open a new nightclub in that space in the near future,” Steve Callender, Tropicana Atlantic City general manager told the paper.

Finally, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority announced it will hold public hearings in September on future development of Atlantic City’s Boardwalk, Marina District, Gardner’s Basin and other portions of the resort’s Tourism District.

The Press reports that the authority—which controls the city’s tourism district—is hoping to streamline its regulatory processes and cut red tape in attracting projects to the resort.

Resorts Debuts Lightning’ Gaming’s ‘Screaming Links’

Posted on August 30, 2017 by -

Pennsylvania-based slot manufacturer Lightning Gaming announced that Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City will debut is “Screaming Links” video slot series, which was approved by regulators under New Jersey First, a state program designed to bring worldwide debuts of slot products to the state’s casinos.

According to the manufacturer, Screaming Links offers “creative and unique features with lots of player action.”

“We are pleased to partner with Lightning Gaming to launch this new innovative game series,” said Kevin Brady, vice president of gaming for Resorts Casino Hotel. “Our players have responded instantly to the game play and the overwhelming energy of these new slot games. It’s off to a very strong start.”

“Being able to bring a new game idea quickly to market through the New Jersey First program has allowed our company to capitalize on market trends of player and needs of operators,” said Brian Haveson, CEO and head of game design for Lightning Gaming. “As we work to innovate and execute with new ideas, launching in Atlantic City is a great venue because you get your games in front of seasoned gamblers that decide instantly whether they are worthy.”

“Resorts is excited to be able host the premier launch of Screaming Links,” said Mark Giannantonio, president and CEO of Resorts Casino Hotel. “The cornerstone of our success over the past few years has been to offer our customers the best and most entertaining games available. These partnerships with companies like Lightning have allowed Resorts to succeed in one of the most competitive gaming markets in the industry.”

Philadelphia Casino Gets Go Ahead

Posted on August 30, 2017 by -

The Pennsylvania law that prevents the owner of one casino from owning more than 33 percent of another casino was intact after Watche “Bob” Manoukian said he’d put his interest in a hotel and casino proposed for Philadelphia’s Stadium Complex in a blind trust for his sons. Manoukian owns 85 percent of Parx Casino in Bensalem, Bucks County, and when he committed to putting aside his $34 million interest, it was a solution agreeable to the Pennsylvania Gaming Commission.

The casino will be a Live! Casino operated by the Cordish Companies, which owns and operates a casino of the same name in Ann Arundel County, Maryland, just outside of Baltimore. The facility would be located near the stadiums and arenas used by Philadelphia’s professional sports teams with 2,000 slot machines, 125 table games, 220-room hotel, and restaurants and shops. Cordish already operates an entertainment/retail/dining facility connected to the stadiums.

The partnership of Monoukian’s Greenwood Racing and Cordish received approval for the project from the gaming board in 2014, but the losing bidder, Market 8 Associates, went to court, citing Manoukian’s ownership of Parx. The court told the gaming board to reconsider the decision.

The board has given Market 8 30 days to appeal last week’s decision. If an appeal is filed, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court will hear arguments, which could further delay the beginning of construction on Live!

Atlantic City Casino Revenue Dips in July

Posted on August 30, 2017 by -

Atlantic City’s overall casino revenue was down 2.7 percent for July even though figures for the city’s remaining casinos saw a revenue bump compared to 2016.

Despite the dip, another report by state regulators showed profits were also up substantially for the remaining casinos in the first six months of this year.

The July decline came as revenue brought in by the now closed Trump Taj Mahal in July 2016 was not completely offset at the remaining casinos. The Taj Mahal closed in October 2016.

The seven surviving casinos made $267.9 in July, down 2.7 percent from $275.3 in July 2016.

However, online gambling for the resort was up 18.5 percent for the month, helping to close the gap. The state took in about $20.6 million from online gaming for the month. The state’s online industry is dominated by slots and casino games, but online poker did bring in more than $2 million for the month, down slightly from 2016.

Total online revenue also passed the $600 million mark since online gaming was launched in 2013. New Jersey has collected about $108 million in taxes on that revenue.

Without the Taj Mahal, the city’s remaining casinos saw a 3.9 percent increase in revenue, though not all of the seven casinos saw revenue increases, according to an analysis of figures released by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement by the Associated Press.

“It is clear that business is building for the seven operating casinos and I am optimistic it will continue to grow in the months ahead,” said Matthew Levinson, chairman of the Casino Control Commission in a prepared statement. Levinson also pointed out that July 2017 had one less weekend day than July 2016.

Among city casinos, Resorts saw the biggest percentage increase, up 14.4 percent to $20.4 million. The Tropicana saw a nearly 13 percent increase to $37.5 million.

The Borgata continued to lead the market with $76.3 million, down from $80.3 million in July 2016. The Golden Nugget also saw a 2.6 percent decrease to $20.8 million, while Bally’s, Caesars and Harrah’s were slightly up, according to the AP.

The Golden Nugget continued to lead the state’s online industry, up nearly 69 percent to $6.2 million. Caesars Interactive-NJ brought in $3.2 million, down 5.4 percent from 2016 and Resorts Digital took in $3.8 million from online play, up 22.9 percent.

The casino’s revenue for the year through July was $1.417 billion, a 0.5 percent increase over 2016.

Profits for the casinos, however, was up about 16 percent in the first six months of this year, according to another report from the Division of Gaming Enforcement.

The seven casinos reported a collective second-quarter profit of $169.3 million, compared with $145.7 million for the same period last year.

“For three consecutive quarters now, the current operators reported double-digit growth in gross operating profits. They must be doing something right,” CCC Chairman Levinson said in another release. “Revenue, occupancy rates and profits all increased, and with everything else that’s going on or going up in Atlantic City right now I think the industry’s future looks a little bit brighter every day.”

The report showed gross operating profits for the year are up 19.1 percent to $308.6 million over the same period last year.

Gross operating profit reflects earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and other charges. It’s a widely accepted measure of profitability in the gambling industry.

The Tropicana reported the biggest increase, up 105 percent in the second quarter to $35 million, compared with the same period last year. Resorts reported profits of $9.5 million, up 63 percent; Golden Nugget posted a profit of nearly $17 million, an increase of 27 percent; Caesars saw a profit of $45.6 million, up 25 percent; and Borgata was up to $129 million, or up about 22 percent, the AP reported.

Bally’s reported nearly $16 million in profits, down 5.8 percent from last year. Harrah’s profits were down 13 percent to $50 million.