eSports Named Medal Event at 2022 Asian Games
eSports will be an official medal sport at the 2022 Asian Games in China. The Olympic Council of Asia has announced a partnership with Alisports to introduce eSports as a demonstration sport at next year’s games in Indonesia. The companies expect eSports to be named a full medal event at the Hangzhou Games in 2022.
Nevada OKs Prop Bets on NFL Draft
Action on specific players won’t be allowed, but regulators have rescinded a ban on the state’s sports books taking any bets at all on the National Football League draft. Along with the Raiders coming to Las Vegas, it’s another sure sign that the casinos industry and the NFL are growing more comfortable with each other.
Arkansas Lawmakers OK Debit Cards For Lottery Buys
Arkansas Scholarship Lottery players will be able to purchase tickets using debit cards starting in late July. Ticket sales have been cash-only since the lottery began in September 2009. Arkansas Lottery Director Bishop Woosley said “is as much about remaining relevant in an increasingly cashless economy as it is increasing sales.”
Florida House, Senate Postpone Negotiations
Chairman Bill Galvano (l.) postponed negotiating a compromise gambling bill between the House and Senate in his conference committee after the state Supreme Court approved a proposed constitutional amendment to give Florida voters the “exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling.” The House and Senate have passed dramatically different gambling bills this session, which ends May 5.
Massachusetts May Let Casino Customers Drink Later
Some readers of the state budget proposed by the Massachusetts House were surprised to discover a proposal that would allow alcohol to be served until 4 a.m. in the state’s casinos. That’s a change from the current law, which shuts the bottles at 2 p.m. Senate President Stanley Rosenberg (l.) isn’t a fan of the proposal.
Casino Bill Advances in New Hampshire
The always-reticent New Hampshire House is considering a bill by Senator Lou D’Allesandro that would allow two casinos in the state. D’Allesandro’s bills have passed the Senate several times in the past and always died in the House. A difference this time is that no specific sites are mentioned for the casinos. Governor Chris Sununu (l.) has dampened enthusiasm for the bill.
Round of State Funding Goes to Atlantic City Projects
In a series of developments, various state agencies are funding projects in Atlantic City. The projects include funding seasonal police officers and partial funding of a “Polercoaster” project (l.) on the Boardwalk. The city has also bonded to pay the Borgata casino $80 million in a tax settlement. And finally, ground was broken for the Stockton University Atlantic City campus last week.
Raiders, Vegas Roll Up Their Sleeves
Executives with the NFL franchise are meeting with the Las Vegas Stadium Authority this week to hammer out a lease agreement governing the team’s move to the city. The lease is just the first of several agreements that must be cleared before construction of a $1.9 billion, 65,000-seat home for the team can begin.
Rendell Distances Himself From Saipan
Former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell (l.) has quit his job as a $5,000-a-month advisor to Saipan’s Best Sunshine casino. The property is in the cross-hairs of the FBI and U.S. anti-money laundering authorities, and the Democratic Party honcho says he’s too far away to know what’s going on.
Q&A: Online, Onsite & In the Game at Resorts AC
The 1,000-square-foot Resorts iGaming Lounge, the first internet gaming lounge in the United States, debuted in April 2015. We talked about this innovative space with Ed Andrewes, CEO of EA Gaming Consultancy, who’s running the show.
How Blackjack Has Evolved (According to a Pro)
John Bukofsky, author of “Blackjack: Play Like the Pros,” is wistful for the good old days but still finds appeal in the game. We spoke to him about how blackjack has evolved over the years.
An Online Poker Player’s Tell
In brick-and-mortar casinos, you can look around the table and notice your opponents’ tells. In online play, there is at least one very important tell that exists, and predictable players are easily beaten.
