Latest News from US Casino Industry

Back in December of 2018, MGM Resorts International sold Treasure Island Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas to Phil Ruffin. He’s continued to operate this popular venue ever since. In July, it was reported that this property would officially join the Radisson Group. This week, the popular Las Vegas hotel-casino has officially become a Radisson Hotel.

It’s great news for members of the Radisson Rewards. Some are unclear of exactly what this news means, though. Here’s what we know about this situation.

History of Treasure Island Hotel & Casino

Anyone familiar with Las Vegas has probably heard of Treasure Island. It’s one of the most popular venues in the city. It first opened to the public in 1993 and grew famous for its unique outdoor show.

This venue has a large, 95,000 square-foot gambling space. The casino offers just about every type of game imaginable including a high-limit slots area and poker space.

The hotel is hugely popular, as well. It received the AAA Four Diamond award every year from 1993 to 2013. There are more than 2,800 rooms, including 220 suites. Its location near the northern area of the Strip isn’t necessarily ideal, yet it still draws in a huge number of visitors every year.

Treasure Island Hotel & Casino has gone through several renovations over the years. The first came in 2003 when its owners paid more than $65 million to include the hotel’s rooms.

The Sirens Of Ti show was hugely popular with visitors to the city. It was free and took place every day. In 2013, the last show was held here in order to make room for a new multi-level shopping complex.

Ownership of this venue has changed hands several times over the years. This week, it officially joined the Radisson Group.

Treasure Island Becomes Radisson Hotel

Radisson Group is one of the largest hospitality companies in the world. It has locations in more than 115 countries and has a hugely popular rewards program. This program, called Radisson Rewards, offers unique benefits for guests staying in different locations.

This week, Treasure Island joined the Radisson Group. Members of Radisson Rewards can soon earn valuable points by staying at this venue. It’s the first hotel-casino that Radisson Hospitality controls on the Las Vegas Strip.

This news is likely to help draw in many new visitors. Travelers for business, in particular, are beginning to flock to this venue. It’s home to a massive 30,500 square-foot convention center that can hold up to 1,200 attendees.

Phil Ruffin, the owner of this venue, believes that the move to the Radisson Group will help reach a wider audience, as well. The room renovations that are expected to be completed next year will help things, as well. Ruffin also has big plans for his newest Las Vegas Strip purchase.

Phil Ruffin Speaks About Plans for Circus Circus

Circus Circus is a well-known Las Vegas property, yet it’s gained a reputation amongst guests as one of the city’s worst. It’s location, amenities, and overall atmosphere leaves much to be desired. MGM Resorts International owned this property for years, yet recently decided it was time to sell.

MGM officials began looking for buyers. Before long, the company struck a deal with Phil Ruffin. On October 23rd, Ruffin purchased the venue for $825 million.

It was unclear exactly what Ruffin planned to do with this venue. This week, he spoke to the media about his plans for this venue. According to the casino mogul, he plans to bring some exciting new shows here.

“We have a long-term relationship with Cirque du Soleil, we have the ‘Mystere’ show at Treasure Island, a very successful show,” Ruffin told board members. “We have a commitment from the president of Cirque du Soleil to put a show in Circus Circus and so we’ve had meetings on that. I firmly believe that a Strip property has to have a permanent show and that’s the deal struck.”

Many feel this is a good idea. Shows are known to help increase the number of guests to the casino. We’ll need to wait and see which show comes to Circus Circus.

Treasure Island is joining the Radisson Group. Stay tuned for more news on Las Vegas casinos over the next few months!

Posted on December 10, 2019Updated on December 11, 2019

Gambling Laws, Michigan, news

Michigan’s Online Gambling Laws Are Set to Change Dramatically

By Nickolas Branson

For years, certain lawmakers in Michigan have been working to make sports gambling legal. This week, it appears these efforts are finally paying off. Michigan’s online gambling laws are set to change in a major way.

Several new forms of gambling are going to become legal here. It’s extremely exciting news for both casino and sports betting fans around the state. Today, we’re looking at exactly what’s coming here.

Let’s get into it!

Gambling Laws in Michigan, Explained

Michigan is thought of today as a very gambling-friendly state. This wasn’t always the case, though. For many years, lawmakers here only allowed Class II tribal casinos to operate. Eventually, a bill was approved to allow Class III gambling establishments.

This completely revamped the state’s gaming industry. Before long, 19 fully-operational tribal casinos began operating here. They’re hugely popular with both locals and residents of nearby states where casino gambling is banned.

Laws towards online gambling were much more ambiguous here. The legality of online casino gambling and internet sports betting seemed to lie in a grey area. Despite this fact, many individuals continued to make wagers online. Lawmakers realized the state was earning no revenue from these markets and decided it was time for a change.

In 2017, officials presented a bill to make sports gambling legal and regulated. It was nearly approved in 2018 before a veto from the Governor.

Fortunately, things are moving ahead as originally planned. The House Committee approved new measures in September. It appears that Michigan’s online gambling laws are now set to change.

Michigan’s Online Gambling Laws Are About Change

As we just mentioned, lawmakers in Michigan very nearly approved sports betting in 2018. Unfortunately, Governor Gretchen Whitmer vetoed the bill at the last minute. This week, a package of bills is once again being presented to the Governor and this time, it seems highly unlikely she’ll put up any resistance.

Michigan’s Senate Regulatory Reform Committee voted unanimously to approve the bill. State officials agree to the proposed tax bracket for both sports betting and online casino gambling. At the moment, sports betting operators will be taxed at 8.4%. Internet casino operators face a tax between 20% and 28%.

This package of bills also lays out plans to regulate and tax the daily fantasy sports industry.

The majority of revenue earned from this industry will go to help fund schools and other social programs. Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr., a democrat that supports the changes to Michigan’s online gambling laws, commented on the timeline to the media this week.

“The intention is to get this to the governor’s desk and have votes today,” he said. “It makes us like a lot of other states.”

That’s certainly true. More than 20 states have already approved sports gambling legislation. Most of these states have their sports betting operations up and running. If all goes according to plan, Michigan will join these states by the end of the week.

More States Likely to Legalize Sports Betting in 2020

Michigan’s online gambling laws are changing in a major way. Soon, both online casino gambling sports betting will be available to residents. This is far from the only state making changes, though. It’s likely that many more states change their laws in 2020.

Lawmakers around the country are simply realizing how much money can be earned with gambling expansion. New Jersey, which was one of the first states to allow both online sports betting and casino gambling, is now earning millions of dollars every month by taxing this industry.

Even small states such as Rhode Island are earning an impressive amount of money thanks to the legalization of sports betting.

Several states are on-track to legalize sports betting next year. Many believe that Massachusetts is heading in this direction. This state is well-known for having one of the most passionate sporting fan bases in the country. The legalization of sports betting here would likely bring in major revenue earnings each year.

Some believe California has a chance to legalize this industry, as well. Unfortunately, lawmakers are in a legal quarrel with Native American tribes over the matter.

Michigan’s online gambling laws will completely change this week. Gambling fans are about to have a whole new list of options to make wagers.

Stay tuned for more US casino news over the next few months!

Posted on December 10, 2019

Casino, Las Vegas, news

Derek Stevens Gives Update on Circa Resort & Casino

By James Murray

Some locals and visitors to Las Vegas claim the downtown area is where the city really comes to life. Others feel it’s the shadier, less attractive part of the city compared to the Strip. Several companies have been working to make downtown LV just as exciting as the area on South Las Vegas Boulevard. This week, Derek Stevens gave an update on Circa Resort & Casino.

This new property is one of the biggest and most impressive ever built downtown. It’s expected to draw in a huge number of tourists once it’s finally opened. Here’s what we’ve just learned about this massive casino-resort.

Construction Continues on Downtown LV’s Circa

Downtown Las Vegas is home to many popular casinos. In fact, this is where the real Las Vegas was born. Some historic gambling venues are located here, such as the Golden Nugget, which first opened to the public in 1946.

Unfortunately, some still have an unfavorable opinion about the downtown area. Most of the venues are smaller and less visually appealing than the biggest hotel-casinos on the Strip. Gambling revenue in this area is also significantly less than what it is on the Strip.

Some see an opportunity here. Derek and Greg Stevens currently own several hotel-casinos in the downtown area. In 2015, these brothers purchased the Las Vegas Club. A year later, they bought the Mermaid Club, both located downtown. In 2019, the pair announced they were constructing Circa Resort & Casino.

Construction on this property officially began in April of 2019. In June, reports showed there were more than 600 construction workers on the project. It’s likely the most ambitious casino-resort ever built in downtown LV.

As of now, this property is slated to open in December of 2020. Its owners believe that Circa will completely change the way downtown Vegas is thought about.

Derek Stevens Offers Update On Circa Resort & Casino

As we just mentioned, Derek and his brother Greg Stevens own several major properties in downtown Las Vegas. This includes the D Las Vegas and the Golden Gate. Both men believe that Circa will be their crowning achievement.

This week, Derek Stevens spoke with the media and offered a major update on Circa Resort & Casino. Based on what he’s saying, this is going to be a truly incredible venue.

One of the most interesting things that Stevens revealed was that the casino-resorts’ pools will be open 24 hours a day.

“These pools are going to be heated in a way similar to what you would have in Vail or Aspen (Colorado), you have an outdoor pool product in the middle of the winter, so we’re going to be using these pools year-round,” Stevens said.

It’s an impressive piece of news, especially considering there will be six different pools located on the resort’s roof. Stevens also commented on the “Garage Mahal,” a massive nine-story parking garage for guests.

“It’s the very first fully integrated ride-share hub designed into a new hotel-casino resort,” Stevens said. “The whole first floor of Garage Mahal is the ride-sharing area. It’s going to be very important for Uber, Lyft and everybody else who comes in after them.”

It’s always fun to receive an update on Circa Resort & Casino. Soon, we’ll begin to get a glimpse of what the inside of this new venue will look like.

Las Vegas Gambling Revenue Fluctuates in 2019

Las Vegas is having an interesting year. At first, competition from Atlantic City seemed to be taking a toll here. Over the past several months, however, things have been improving considerably. 2019’s third-quarter brought a major increase in gambling revenue in Las Vegas.

Several of the biggest casino operators here, including Caesars Entertainment, saw their revenue earnings increase significantly between July and September. Caesars’ experienced a revenue increase of 2.3% during this time period.

The majority of money still comes from the Las Vegas Strip. Downtown Las Vegas is beginning to generate more money in recent months. With the addition of Circa, this area of the city may soon begin competing with the Strip.

Derek Stevens has just given a major update on Circa Resort & Casino. More information on this gambling venue will come out over the next few months.

Make sure to stay tuned for more Las Vegas casino news over the next few months!

Posted on December 9, 2019

Las Vegas

What’s Happening in Vegas? December 8th-14th

By James Murray

Check Out What’s Happening in Vegas This Week

What's Happening in Vegas Banner

There’s always something exciting happening in Las Vegas. More entertainment options are available in this city than anywhere else in the world.

Here’s a quick look at what’s happening in Las Vegas over the next few days:

Golden Knights vs. Rangers
Terry Bradshaw Live
Modest Mouse
Ron White
Steve Aoki

Sunday: December 8th

Golden Knights vs. Rangers

At 4 pm on Sunday, the Las Vegas Golden Knights take on the New York Rangers in a very important West vs. Eastern Conference matchup. Both teams have very similar records and are both hoping to secure enough victories to make the playoffs. It should be a highly competitive game.

The two teams will play inside the T-Mobile Arena on Sunday, not far from the New York New York Hotel & Casino. Tickets can be purchased for around $108. If you’re an NHL fan, this is a game that you’ll want to be in attendance for!

Tuesday: December 10th

Terry Bradshaw Live

One of the NFL’s most decorated players and analysts has recently taken a new and exciting career path. Terry Bradshaw is now performing live in front of audiences with hilarious stories and comedy routines. This Tuesday, the former quarterback is taking his show to the Luxor Hotel & Casino.

This is a different move for Bradshaw, yet one that he appears to be excelling in. The event officially kicks off at 8 pm. Tickets are still available with prices starting at around $77.

Wednesday: December 11th

Modest Mouse

One of the most beloved rock bands in the US is set to perform another show in Vegas this week. Modest Mouse is heading back to the Brooklyn Bowl, located by the Linq Hotel & Casino. The band that produced hit singles such as “Float On” and “The World at Large” is starting their show at 7 pm.

Modest Mouse has been putting out critically acclaimed songs for the past two decades and is showing no signs of slowing down. Those wishing to see them perform live in Las Vegas can still be purchased tickets starting at just under $60.

Friday: December 13th

Ron White

One of Comedy’s living legends is taking his act to The Mirage this week! Ron White, a former member of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, has been a professional comedian since the 1980s. He’s known for this laid-back style that includes having a cigar and glass a scotch while performing.

Hardcore comedy fans will tell you that White is one of the best out there. There’s a good reason why so many world-class comics hold him in such high regard. You can check out his latest routine on Friday for just $76.

Steve Aoki

One of EDM’s top musicians will once again be performing live at Omnia Nightclub in Las Vegas, Nevada this week. Steve Aoki has already accomplished almost everything you can in the music world. Now, it appears, he’s putting on shows just for the love of his craft.

Keep your eyes open during the show! The iconic musician is known to throw pies into the crowd during his performances. Tickets to see the iconic musician perform live are now available, starting at around $30.

December is a fantastic time to visit Sin City. Decorations in Las Vegas are starting to appear everywhere. If you’re in the city this week, make sure to check out some of the events listed above!

Posted on December 9, 2019Updated on December 10, 2019

Casino, Las Vegas, news

More Details About Resorts World Las Vegas Are Coming Out

By James Murray

Since 2015, construction has been underway on a massive new casino-resort in the northern area of the Las Vegas Strip. This new venue is expected to be incredible. Scott Sibella, President of this new property, has just revealed some exciting new details about Resorts World Las Vegas.

Billions of dollars are being invested in Resorts World. It’s owned by Genting Group, who are working to make it one of the most impressive gambling establishments in Vegas. Let’s look at some of the new reveals we’re hearing about this property.

It’s Been a Long Road to Construct Resorts World

Opening a major gambling venue on the Las Vegas Strip is obviously not easy. There are a plethora of hurdles that need to be overcome in order to construct anything here. The money it costs alone to open a casino-resort is enough to put more casino companies out of business.

Resorts World Las Vegas has been a work in progress for nearly a decade. In 2012, negotiations began for Genting Group to purchase the land on the Strip where the casino would be constructed. In December of 2013, plans for this venue were being finalized and it was estimated to cost $4 billion to finish.

Unfortunately, several delays would soon hit this venue. Throughout 2014, officials working on the property were focused on redesign work. Some company heads also left and new ones were brought in.

Finally, groundbreaking on the venue began in 2015. For the next few years, the massive venue has been under construction. It will now feature 110,000 square-feet of gaming space, a 220,000 square-foot swimming pool, and a 27,000 square-foot spa.

For many years, officials within Genting Group kept most of the updates on this venue under wraps. This week, several new details about Resorts World Las Vegas were revealed.

Scott Sibella Offers New Details About Resorts World Las Vegas

Right now, construction is underway on Resorts World. If all goes according to plan, this exciting new venue will open to the public in 2021. Scott Sibella, President of Resorts World, claims that it will be unlike any other property in the city.

Sibella offered some clarity on why the opening date was pushed back. Initially, it was expected to open in December of 2020. Recently, the opening date was pushed back to the Summer of 2021.

“The timeline did change a little as we were originally looking to open in December of 2020. We added some scope since I’ve been here, including a 5,000-seat theater and some additional convention space. We felt it was important to have everything 100% completed when we do open,” he said.

Scott Sibella was also asked about some of the rumors that have been circulating about this property. As we’ve already stated, he believes it will be one of the most unique gambling venues in the entire city.

“I think what I’d want to get across is that this will be a property like nobody’s ever seen in Las Vegas. It’s going to be designed and operated with service in mind, like the good old days of Las Vegas,” he said. “This is a family-owned company that cares about its customers and employees. The rumors about us not opening or about when we’re going to open, that’s past now. We’re very comfortable now that we’re going to open during the summer of 2021.”

It’s exciting to hear the new details about Resorts World Las Vegas. Hopefully, the casino-resort is as great as the owners believe it will be.

More Venues Set to Open in Las Vegas

The best casino-resorts in the US can be found in Las Vegas. Recently, several major companies have begun working to open new gambling venues in this city. One is the new Virgin Hotel, which will open where the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino once sat.

The Hard Rock was sold the Virgin Hotels in March of 2018. It’s Virgin’s first major gambling venue. The company has hired several experts in hotel-casino design and want this property to be one of the best located off the Strip. It will open in 2020.

The MSG Sphere is another exciting venue that’s opening in Las Vegas. This isn’t a hotel-casino. Instead, it’s a massive entertainment venue that will host many of the world’s best musicians and performers. It’s expected to open in 2021.

Over the next few months, more details about Resorts World Las Vegas are likely to come out. Soon, we may even start seeing pictures of the resort’s interior.

Stay tuned for more Las Vegas casino news over the next few months!

Posted on December 7, 2019

Casino, news

US Casino Ads on Google Are Being Allowed in Four States

By James Murray

The United States is truly beginning to embrace the online gambling industry. US casino ads on Google will soon be allowed in four different states. It’s the first time that Google has changed its stance towards internet gambling.

This is fantastic news for online casino operators in the country. Soon, it’s likely that almost every state will begin allowing some form of online gambling. Let’s look at why Google has recently taken this approach.

More States Begin to Legalize Online Casino Gambling

US laws towards online gambling are a little unusual. Essentially, the government allows states to set their own regulations on the industry. For a time, laws were set in place that banned and forms of online gambling that crossed state lines.

Throughout the 1990s, online gambling was a booming industry in the United States. Eventually, lawmakers here made it illegal for any online gambling companies to base their operations in the US. The government also determined that the Wire Act applied to online casinos.

Internet gambling seemed dead here. Eventually, several fantastic casino websites based in other countries began operating here. The popularity of online gambling once again began to surge.

In recent months, several states have changed their laws to make online casino gambling fully legal. Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey all have legal internet casino options up and running. Nevada allows online poker.

Google recognizes that this industry is becoming more mainstream. With several states already on board with legalization and many more also interested in doing so, US casino ads on Google are finally starting to be allowed.

US Casino Ads on Google Will Be Allowed in Four States

Google is finally warming up to the online gambling industry. The massive search engine revealed that its set to allow internet casino advertisements in four different states. For now, these ads are only being permitted in the states that have legalized interstate gambling.

US casino ads in Google will be allowed in the four states we listed above. Licensed online casino operators here have the ability to market their services using Google Ads, Google Display Network, YouTube, and AdMob.

In June, Google began the process of allowing online sports betting advertisements. The search started to allow sports betting ads to appear in New Jersey, West Virginia, and Nevada. In October, Google began allowing these ads in Indiana, Iowa, Montana, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.

These ads are proving to be a success. Many of the top online sportsbooks in the aforementioned states are paying money to promote their services online. Google is earning millions of dollars a month through these paid ads.

Why Is Google Allowing These Casino Ads?

For many years, Google took a hardline stance against the online gambling industry. This was likely to appease lawmakers who wanted to ban online gambling. Now that this industry is becoming more accepted around the country, Google recognizes the opportunity to earn money from its advertisements.

Google now dominates the online gambling ad market. In 2018, the company generated $116.32 billion in revenue from its advertisements.

The addition of gambling advertisements will certainly help to bring in even more money. As more states begin to legalize online casino gambling, Google will earn more revenue from this industry.

US casino ads on Google will soon be allowed. Stay tuned for updates on this situation over the next few months!

Posted on December 6, 2019

Casino, Las Vegas, news

Caesar Entertainment’s Sale of the LV Rio Hotel Casino is Complete

By James Murray

In September, Caesars Entertainment announced it was selling the LV Rio Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Obviously, a deal of this magnitude takes months to complete. This week, the Rio’s sale was officially completed.

LV Rio Hotel Casino

This company is looking to earn as much money as possible right now. It’s set to merge with Eldorado Resorts in 2020. Here’s what the Rio sale means for Caesars moving forward.

Caesars Entertainment Posts Solid Q3 Revenue Figures

Caesars Entertainment is having an interesting year. In March, news surfaced that the company was in talks to merge with Eldorado Resorts. In June, the company officially accepted Eldorado’s offer to be acquired for an astounding $17.3 billion.

This deal is taking quite a while to complete. Before the companies can merge, they both need approval from various gambling commissions around the country. This is taking much longer than initially expected.

Fortunately, Caesars is continuing to perform well this year. New reports indicate that the company generated serious revenue earnings in 2019’s third-quarter. From July to September, It generated $2.24 billion.

Despite an operating and net loss, Caesars Entertainment still managed to see a profit gain of $110 million. The majority of this money came from Las Vegas. Revenue from the city increased by 7% last quarter to $973 million.

One way that Caesars is generating revenue is from selling property. Earlier this year, the company announced it was putting the LV Rio Hotel Casino up for sale. This week, the sale was finally completed.

Caesars Entertainment Completes Sale of LV Rio Hotel Casino

Property sales are becoming a common trend in Las Vegas. Several of the biggest casino operators in the city are beginning to sell some of their most valuable venues. MGM Resorts International, for example, recently sold both Circus Circus and The Bellagio.

In September, Caesars announced that it was selling the LV Rio Hotel Casino. The company claimed it was being purchased for $516.3 million. This week, the sale of this hotel-casino was finally wrapped up.

According to an official press release, the venue has been purchased by Dreamscape Companies, owned by Eric Birnbaum. Under the terms of this agreement, Caesars will continue to operate the LV Rio Hotel Casino for the next two years and will pay an annual rent of $45 million.

For now, the Rio will stay under the Caesars Rewards program. This may end once the company’s lease expires. The 2020 World Series of Poker will also continue to be held here during this time.

The completion of this sale comes at a great time for Caesars Entertainment. Hopefully, it helps to speed up the merger with Eldorado Resorts.

Missouri Approves Eldorado Resorts-Caesars Entertainment Merger

The merger between Eldorado Resorts and Caesars Entertainment is the biggest ever made between two casino companies. Unsurprisingly, this deal is taking months to complete. Before the companies can officially join together, they need approval from the 17 gambling commissions that they both operate here.

This week, members of Missouri’s gambling commission officially gave their approval for the merger. Both Caesars and Eldorado Resorts operate gambling venues here.

More states are likely to give their approval of the deal soon, as well. Tom Reeg, CEO of Eldorado Resorts, feels confident that the merger will be completed during 2020’s first half.

The LV Rio Hotel Casino has officially been sold. Caesars is likely to put more of its Las Vegas venues up for sale in the next few months.

Stay tuned for more updates on the situation over the next few months!

Posted on December 5, 2019Updated on December 6, 2019

Casino, news

Missouri Approved the Eldorado-Caesars Merger

By James Murray

Back in June, Eldorado Resorts announced it was paying more than $17 billion to acquire Caesars Entertainment. Before this deal could be finalized, however, the two companies need approval from several state gambling commissions. This week, Missouri approved the Eldorado-Caesars merger. Stamp Of Approval

It’s a huge step in finally getting this deal finished. Of course, the companies still need approval from several other commissions. Let’s look at what led to Missouri’s official approval.

Officials Continue Working to Get Eldorado-Caesars Merger Done

Eldorado Resorts and Caesars Entertainment are two of the biggest casino companies in the world. Both currently operate gambling venues around the world. Since June, officials within both companies have been working to get their merger complete.

Eldorado has paid an astounding $17.3 billion to acquire Caesars and its venues. It’s the largest deal ever made between two gambling operators. For obvious reasons, Eldorado Resorts is looking at ways to make some of this money back.

One way to accomplish this goal is through property sales. In July, the company announced it was selling two of its major properties. In the future, many more of these sales will begin taking place.

Eldorado already has plans to sell some of Caesars’ properties in Las Vegas. This is becoming more common nowadays, with MGM recently selling two of its biggest Las Vegas venues over the past few months.

It’s been a long, difficult road for these companies to complete this merge. Approval is still needed around the country. Fortunately, one state has just finally given the green light for the deal to go through.

Missouri Lawmakers Approve Merger This Week

Both Eldorado and Caesars need approval from all 17 states that they operate in. This is a crucial and difficult process in getting the Eldorado-Caesars merger completed. On Wednesday, members of Missouri’s gambling regulatory body announced they were accepting the terms of the merger.

Caesars Entertainment currently operates one property in Missouri, called Harrah’s North Kansas City. Eldorado Resorts runs four different venues here. Isle of Capri Casino Boonville, Isle Casino Cape Girardeau, Lady Luck Casino Caruthersville and Isle of Capri Casino Kansas City are all run by the major casino company.

Interestingly, Eldorado plans to put three of these venues up for sale. It’s clear the company is hoping to make as much money from its real estate as possible.

Eldorado Resorts CEO Tom Reeg recently commented on the timetable for the merger’s completion to the media.

“We’re still targeting a first half of 2020 closing date,” Reeg told investors during a third-quarter earnings call in November. “If I were to place a bet today, I’d be betting on a first-quarter close versus a second-quarter close. But we’re going through regulatory and antitrust in real time.”

It’s an exciting time for these companies. Hopefully, Missouri’s approval of the Eldorado-Caesars merger helps push other states to do the same.

Are More Las Vegas Property Sales on the Horizon?

As we’ve already mentioned, hotel-casino sales seem to be the new fad taking place in Las Vegas. In 2019 alone, some of the city’s biggest and most popular venues have changed ownership. One that many expected was the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s sale to Virgin Hotels.

Virgin Hotels is still extremely new and has limited experience in the casino industry. Officials in the company are working with professionals to deliver the best possible product. Based on what we know about this venue, it’s going to be fantastic.

MGM Resorts International is also focused on selling some of its venues. Not long ago, it sold Circus Circus to Phil Ruffin. That same month, it sold The Bellagio for more than $4 billion. It will now lease the property back from The Blackstone Group.

Several other companies including Wynn Resorts and Las Vegas Sands also claim that Las Vegas property sales are a possibility for the future. All of these companies are focused hard on breaking into the newly-emerging Japanese market.

The Eldorado-Caesars merger is moving ahead as planned. Time will tell how these two companies will manage together.

Stay tuned for more US casino news over the next few months!

Posted on December 5, 2019Updated on December 5, 2019

Casino, news, Oklahoma

Oklahoma Ranks As One of the Top Gambling States in the Country

By James Murray

States around the country are beginning to embrace the casino industry. Some areas allow only tribal gambling. Others allow commercial casinos to operate. This week, a study was revealed that shows Oklahoma is one of the top gambling states in the country. State Map Of Oklahoma

It’s interesting news, yet not entirely unexpected. Now is the perfect time to look at this state’s current gambling regulations. We’ll also look at some of the issues that Oklahoma’s gambling industry has faced over the past few months.

Let’s get into it!

Gambling Laws in Oklahoma, Explained

Nowadays, Oklahoma is known for having one of the biggest casino industries in the country. The first casinos began operating here back in the 1800s. In 1890, lawmakers here passed legislation that banned all forms of gambling.

In 1992, the state began allowing Native American tribes to begin operating Class II casinos. 10 years later, lawmakers began allowing bingo games to be offered inside these gambling venues. For decades, the tribes here pushed lawmakers to allow Class III gambling which includes traditional casino games and slot machines.

Eventually, the tribes took the issue to court. They managed to win and in the year 2002, casinos in this state were granted permission to officially offer Class III games. This decision proved to be highly profitable for the state.

More than 100 land-based casinos now operate in Oklahoma. They’re hugely popular with locals and tourists and help to generate millions of dollars for the state every single month. The huge number of casinos helped to make Oklahoma one of the top gambling states in the country.

Tribes here have begun to fight with lawmakers over potential changes to the state’s tax structure. Fortunately, gambling venues here continue to be highly popular.

Oklahoma is One of the Top Gambling States in the Country

Everyone knew that Oklahoma was a major gambling destination. It draws in a huge number of individuals from states such as Texas and Tennessee who want to gamble inside casinos. This week, a report surfaced that proves Oklahoma is one of the top gambling states in the country.

The American Gaming Association recently held a study that shows Oklahoma is one of the highest states in the nation when it comes to the average amount each resident gambles. Only Nevada has a larger gambling market, according to the study.

Here is the breakdown of the top five gambling states’ average annual resident gambling spending.

Nevada: $3,928
Oklahoma: $1,141
Mississippi: $717
Louisiana: $674
Rhode Island: $620

This is obviously good news for Native American tribes operating casinos here. Many of these tribes are working to open new venues every single year.

As we mentioned earlier, there have been some issues between the tribes and lawmakers. Let’s look at what the problem stems from.

Tribes and Lawmakers Continue to Negotiate Tax Structure

For many years, a harmony has existed between Oklahoma’s state officials and Native American tribes. The two parties have agreed on a tax system that works. Earlier this year, however, the state’s governor began calling for changes.

Governor Kevin Stitt believes that the current structure is outdated. He wants the tribes to begin paying the state more for the profits they earn from the gambling industry. To say this didn’t sit well with the tribes here would be an understatement.

For months, these tribes refused to negotiate with lawmakers. In October, things took a turn and the tribal leaders finally agreed to speak about the proposed changes.

This has helped to move things forward in a positive light. The Shawnee Tribe recently opened a new gambling venue in September. More casinos are scheduled to open over the next few months.

Oklahoma is one of the top gambling states in the country. Hopefully, it stays this way for years to come.

Stay tuned for more US casino news over the next few months!

Posted on December 4, 2019

Las Vegas, news

The Front Yard Opens in Las Vegas This Week!

By James Murray

There’s no shortage of incredible bars in Las Vegas. In recent years, a number of great breweries have begun opening around the city. This week, The Front Yard opens to the public and promises to bring some fantastic new beers to both locals and tourists. Picture Of Beer

Vegas is truly becoming a hub for craft beer fans. Today, we’re going to look at what this new venue has to offer. We’ll also look at some of the other great breweries currently operating here.

Let’s get into it!

The Front Yard Officially Opens at Ellis Island Casino

Ellis Island Casino isn’t one of Las Vegas’ most prestigious casinos. It’s located off the Las Vegas Strip on Koval Lane and first opened to the public in 1967. In 1997, the casino underwent a $12 million expansion project yet it’s still not a particularly popular gambling venue when compared to many others.

It’s not for a lack of trying, though. This venue has worked on new ways to attract gamblers for years. It’s opened several restaurants, some of which have gained favorable reviews with tourists and locals. This week, Ellis Island Casino is opening up one of its most exciting new venues to date.

The Front Yard is officially scheduled to open on Friday. Interestingly, the owners have decided to open the brewery’s doors a week early. Christina Ellis, the casino’s marketing director, commented on the early opening to the media this week.

“We opened our doors on Friday, the night after Thanksgiving,” she said. “So we were able to capture some of that drinking night, day after Thanksgiving, where everybody’s kind of sick of their families. People were able to come, try some of the food, and all of that stuff.”

Despite opening every day at 3 pm, this still counts as a “soft opening.” The official opening of the venue is still scheduled for Friday. There will be more than a dozen house-made beers available and food by the creators of Metro Pizza. If you’re in the city this week, make sure to check it out!

Other Breweries Available in Las Vegas Right Now

As we’ve already mentioned, Las Vegas is beginning to emerge as a real craft beer hub. Over the past few years, several world-class breweries have opened in this city. Some of them put on events for guests every single week.

Hop Nuts Brewing is one venue that’s grown hugely popular in Las Vegas. It offers a huge number of home-made beers in a relaxed, quiet atmosphere. It’s rated one of the best breweries in Las Vegas and two taprooms for guests to check out.

CraftHaus Brewery is another fantastic beer venue currently operating in this city. It was established in 2014 and has already been awarded several prestigious awards including the Favorite Local Brewery, Reader’s Choice, and Nevada’s Greenest Brewery award. There are beers on tap and available in cans that guests can purchase.

Many locals here also recommend Big Dog’s Draft House. It’s home to many award-winning beers and puts on some of the best events of any brewery in the city. There’s even a brew school here that helps to teach individuals how to make beer!

The Front Yard opens this week and is expected to become a hit. It will join the list of amazing beer venues now available in Vegas.

Las Vegas Cocktail Bars Are World-Class, As Well

Not everyone is a beer fan. Many individuals still prefer a classic cocktail. Fortunately, Las Vegas is known for having some of the best cocktail bars on the planet.

If you want to try one of the city’s best drinks, make sure to head over to Vesper Bar at the Cosmopolitan Hotel & Casino. It’s notorious for featuring some of the city’s best bartenders. These mixologists can make just about anything you want, so make sure to give it a visit.

SkyBar is another fantastic venue that you can visit for a cocktail. There are some amazing drink creations available here. It also features one of the very best views in the city overlooking the entire Las Vegas Strip.

There are too many incredible Las Vegas cocktail bars to list. Just about every single hotel-casino in the city features some amazing places to grab a mixed drink.

Friday marks the true opening of The Front Yard at the Ellis Island Casino. Craft beer fans here are excited to see everything there is to see when the doors officially open.

Stay tuned for more Las Vegas bar news over the next few months!