MGM Sells Bellagio, Circus Circus
MGM Resorts International has reached agreements to sell two of last three resorts it owns on the Las Vegas Strip, Bellagio and Circus Circus. In the much larger of the two transactions, Bellagio will go to a new division of private equity giant Blackstone Group, which also owns the Cosmopolitan next door, for $4.25 billion. […]
New Hampshire Lottery Criticized for Keeping Bidders Secret
The New Hampshire Lottery, which received 13 proposals to operate sports betting in the Granite State, is coming under criticism for keeping the names of those bidders a secret. Last week Lottery Director Charlie McIntyre announced that the lottery would, for the time being, keep the names under wraps, saying in a statement that because […]
Judge Blocks D.C. Sports Betting Contract
A Washington, D.C. Superior Court judge has extended a temporary restraining order blocking the District from proceeding on its controversial $215 million sports betting contract. The lawsuit was filed by resident and technology developer Dylan Carragher, who said the no-bid contract awarded to Greece-based Intralot violates the city’s procurement laws and allows officials to circumvent […]
Ohio Sports Betting Measure Moves Forward
In Ohio, state Rep. Dave Greenspan announced he’ll introduce three amendments to the sports betting bill H 194 at a House Finance Committee. Greenspan said the amendments will help strengthen the integrity of sports wagering. The hearing will be the fifth in committee for the legislation. Greenspan said a full House vote could take place […]
No Change In Michigan Sports Betting Tax
In Michigan, the latest draft version of state Rep. Brandt Iden’s House Bill 4916 maintains an 8 percent tax rate on sports betting adjusted gross revenue. Governor Gretchen Whitmer previously said she wants a 15 percent tax rate. Iden introduced the bill on September 4; a fiscal analysis of the original bill estimated adjusted gross […]
Mississippi Faces Sports Betting Competition
Sports betting has been legal in Mississippi for slightly more than a year, and Mississippi Gaming Commission Deputy Director Jay McDaniel has said, “We are right where we thought we would be.” Year-to-date, the state has taken in $176.5 million in sports wagers, grossing $19.1 million. McDaniel said, “Football season is gonna more than double […]
Study: Apps Masquerade as Legit to Snare Gamblers
It’s easy to find gambling software in both Apple’s App Store and on Google Play. However, both tech giants regulate this industry to prevent overcharging, misuse, abuse, and flouting of local laws, which vary from country to country. Simple steps can make the difference between losing your online accounts and maintaining privacy. Recent research has […]
DraftKings Signs Deals with NFL, Pepsi
The NFL last week named DraftKings the league’s first official daily fantasy sports partner. As part of a multiyear deal, DraftKings will receive exclusive sponsorship and NFL branding across its fantasy platform. The two entities will collaborate on content for the DraftKings app, including marks, logos, data, NextGen Stats and NFL-produced video clips. What the […]
California: Let College Athletes Turn a Profit
Living up to its reputation as a pioneer, California’s legislature has unanimously passed and Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a law that will give university athletes the same rights that the pros have to profit from their names and images, to hire agents and to make endorsements. The NCAA is not amused and will likely […]
Florida Track Can Keep Slots, Drop Racing, Offer Jai Alai
A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal in Florida recently unanimously ruled Calder Race Course in Miami-Dade County can discontinue horseracing and offer jai alai games—and keep its slot machines, too. The court’s opinion upheld a decision by the state Division of Pari-Mutuel Racing, part of the Department of Business and Professional […]
Senecas Mourn Passing of Former President Barry Snyder
Former Seneca Nation President Barry Snyder, who was instrumental in bringing the tribe into the casino era, has died at the age of 79. Snyder was a force in the affairs of the western New York tribe for more than half a century, serving five terms as president. Seneca Nation President Rickey Armstrong Sr. said, […]
Churchill Downs Picks Up Kentucky Track
Jack Entertainment continued its inexorable exit from the gaming industry last week when it sold Turfway Park in Florence, Kentucky to Churchill Downs for $46 million. Jack has recently sold its Greektown casino in Detroit to Penn National, and its Jack casino in Cincinnati to Hard Rock. Northern Kentucky’s Turfway Park will be completely renovated […]
