Posted on Updated on
Casino, news, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Satellite Casinos Are Not Gaining Interest

Nickolas BransonBy Nickolas Branson

Back in 2017, lawmakers in Pennsylvania approved a new plan to significantly expand the state’s gambling options. Under the new laws, 10 new satellite casinos, or mini-casinos, can open in various parts of the state. Unfortunately, these Pennsylvania satellite casinos are failing to gain much interest.

Casino Floor Picture

A recent auction took place for the sixth mini-casino here. Unfortunately, no bidders took part. Let’s take a quick look at why this is.

More Mini-Casinos Are Coming to Pennsylvania

It’s clear that Pennsylvania is looking to cash in on its gambling industry. For more than a year, this state has been actively expanding the number of gambling options available to residents. It all started in 2017 when the state government passed an aggressive new gambling expansion plan.

Initially, the state approved plans for five mini-casinos to open up. Under the expansion plans, land-based casinos already operating in this state can bid to run these mini-casinos. The satellite casinos can hold up to 750 slot games and 40 table games.

Five of these mini-casino licenses have already been handed out. Recently, Pennsylvania lawmakers approved plans to open an additional five satellite casinos. The same regulations apply to these gaming venues. The state’s Gaming Control Board is currently working to auction off these casinos.

Unfortunately, the state is having a difficult time finding bidders for the five additional Pennsylvania satellite casinos. Many casino operators have raised concerns over how profitable these small gambling establishments will be.

Pennsylvania Satellite Casinos Struggle to Find Bidders

This week, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board held an auction for the sixth mini-casino. Minimum bids for this casino were set at $7.5 million. It was a failed attempt, as not a single casino operator bid to host this new gaming venue.

There are a few reasons why this is. First, Pennsylvania has set exclusion zones around many of the state’s metropolitan areas. This means that the new mini-casinos can only open in rural areas in Northern Pennsylvania or small cities such as Altoona and Williamsport.

The high tax rates set on casino companies is also pushing casino operators to stay away from the satellite casinos. Joe Weinert, a gambling consultant for Spectrum Gaming Group, recently gave his take on why these new mini-casinos are failing to pique casino operators’ interest.

“You have to look at the constraints posed by the regulating jurisdictions, you have to look at what can be built in what area, what’s the tax rate, what’s the licensing fee and you have to put all those ingredients into a big pot of stew and see whether it’ll turn into a palatable product,” he said. 

Under the expansion plan, the state would cease all auctions if no bidders were interested in opening a sixth mini-casino. Interestingly, House Gaming Oversight Committee Chairman Jim Marshall believes that lawmakers may continue to push for additional Pennsylvania satellite casinos to open. He’s keeping his eye out for any casino operators that express interest in hosting another one of these gaming establishments.

Sports Betting Proves Successful in Pennsylvania

Satellite casinos aren’t the only new addition to Pennsylvania’s gambling industry. Shortly after PASPA was struck down, the state officially legalized sports betting. The Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course took the state’s first legal sports bets in mid-November of 2018.

Today, every casino in the state has a fully-functioning sportsbook. There are now several online sportsbooks available here, as well. Fortunately, sports gambling is proving to be an incredibly lucrative industry for the state.

More than $300 million has already been spent on sports bets here. Overall, the state has earned $8,849,233 in sports betting tax revenue. In time, this state’s sports betting revenue may compete with New Jersey and Nevada.

Pennsylvania has even begun to allow online casino gambling. In July, three casinos in this state officially launched their internet casino gambling options. Much like sports betting, the online casino industry is earning the state millions of dollars in revenue already.

Pennsylvania satellite casinos aren’t taking off the way that lawmakers initially anticipated. Make sure to stay tuned for more updates on this state’s gambling laws over the next few months!

Posted on
Esports, Las Vegas, news

Esports Betting in Las Vegas Isn’t Taking Off

James MurrayBy James Murray

Esports is growing more popular every single year. Many gambling experts predicted that wagering on this new form of sport would become the next big thing in the sports betting industry. Unfortunately, Esports betting in Las Vegas is failing to bring in as much revenue as initially thought.

Esports Tournament

This week, several panelists discussed the reasons why Esports betting is failing to gain much traction. Hope is that in time, this new form of gambling brings Las Vegas sportsbooks huge revenue earnings. Let’s look at what gambling experts are saying.

The Esports Industry Continues to Grow

It’s been incredible to watch Esports grow so popular. Just a few years ago, this industry was completely non-existent. Thanks to streaming services such as Twitch and Facebook Live, more people are watching competitive Esports than ever before.

Just a few weeks ago, the Fortnite World Cup took place. The event features a $30 million total prize pool. Several players earned themselves more than $1 million in prize money. An estimated 2.3 million individuals watched the event online.

As you might expect, the Esports industry is extremely intriguing for those in the gambling industry. Sports betting in the United States is more popular than ever before, and many have anticipated that Esports is the next big thing. This doesn’t seem to be the case.

Esports betting in Las Vegas is not generating nearly as much revenue as analysts predicted. It’s surprising, considering this city is home to one of the biggest competitive gaming venues in the world.

Initial reports claimed that Esports gambling would bring in $1.5 billion in revenue by 2020. Based on the way things are going, this is unlikely to happen. Several Esports panelists discussed why they believe this is.

Reasons Why Esports Betting in Las Vegas is Struggling

Gambling operators in Las Vegas want to know exactly why gambling on Esports is failing to take off. As we just mentioned, several panelists gave their opinions on why it’s struggling right now. Hope is that this helps gambling companies to better cater to the Esports community.

One key issue that came up was the age of many Esports fans. It’s well-known that a significant percentage of Esports fans are below the age of 21. In Nevada, you must be at least 21 years old in order to place bets.

Some have also pointed out the limited options for Esports betting in Las Vegas. Panelists Karl Bennison revealed that only three Esports events have been approved for gambling over the past two years.

Bennison claims that many in the Esports industry simply aren’t interested in promoting gambling.

“We’re capable (of regulating events), but we’re not getting the requests for these, so whether the argument is that our hurdles are too high or there just isn’t the drive, the operators aren’t seeing the market out there,” Bennison said. “We’re open to the idea and we’re trying to streamline the process and hopefully, eventually, we’ll make it a sport like any other sport, but there’s a ways to go.”

This doesn’t mean that Esports gambling is dead. This is a very new industry and in time, it’s likely that more people will begin to place wagers on the event outcomes.

Esports Betting Options Around the US

Esports betting in Las Vegas may not be taking off as much as some thought it would, yet many individuals around the country are choosing to place bets on events over the internet. There are a huge number of great US gambling sites that offer odds on every single Esports event. One of the best betting sites right now is Bovada.

There’s a good chance you’ve heard of Bovada. This online gambling website launched years ago and is now one of the most popular internet gambling sites in the country. It’s gained a fantastic reputation for offering safe payment options and a wide range of different odds.

Bovada offers its members to place bets on just about every single Esports event taking place around the world. Right now, for example, this site is offering odds on the League of Legends Master Series.

One of the most popular matches to bet on takes place between Mad Team and G-Rex. At the moment, Mad Team is entering this match as the considerable favorites with odds of -190. G-Rex comes in as the significant underdog team with current odds of +135.

We’ll need to wait and see how much money Esports betting in Las Vegas manages to bring in this year. Stay tuned for more updates!

Posted on Updated on
news, Sports Betting

Sports Betting at Buffalo Wild Wings is Almost Here!

Nickolas BransonBy Nickolas Branson

The most popular sports bar chain in the US is getting a major upgrade. According to multiple reports, sports betting at Buffalo Wild Wings is just around the corner. The popular chain has officially teamed up with MGM Resorts to offer sports betting platforms around the country.

Buffalo Wild Wings Sign

It’s clear that the US is embracing the sports betting industry. Now is the perfect time to look at why BWW is choosing to offer sports betting. We’ll also look at what this decision means for the US sports betting industry overall. Let’s get into it!

Buffalo Wild Wings Announces Move into Sports Betting Industry

In case you’re unaware, the US has been actively embracing sports betting for more than a year. In May of 2018, the Supreme Court struck down PASPA, giving every state the option to legalize this form of gambling. Today, 13 states have live sports betting options available and six more are set to launch their sportsbooks over the next few months.

Sports gambling is proving to be an incredibly lucrative industry. Some states, such as New Jersey, are earning millions of dollars every single month from their new sports betting platforms. The revenue potential is the key reason why so many states are now interested in regulating this industry.

This week, Buffalo Wild Wings has announced that it has entered into a partnership with MGM Resorts to officially offer sports betting services in their restaurants. In an official announcement, MGM CEO Jim Murren said the goal is to offer a new digital betting option, called BetMGM, inside these sports bars within the next few months.

Lyle Tick, president of Buffalo Wild Wings, also commented on the partnership to the media today.

“As the largest sports bar in the country, Buffalo Wild Wings has the opportunity to pioneer sports gaming experiences for fans, and we are taking the first critical step on that journey through our partnership with BetMGM,” Tick said. 

Where Will Sports Betting at Buffalo Wild Wings Be Available?

As we just mentioned, 19 states have outright legalized and regulated sports betting. Many more states have presented bills to start regulating this industry. When sports betting at Buffalo Wild Wings begins, it will only be available in the states that have approved sports betting bills.

Fortunately, Buffalo Wild Wings has restaurants in every state across the country. This means that in time, the restaurants in states with regulated sports gambling industries will begin offering sports betting services. It’s great news for those looking to make wagers outside of their local casino.

It’s very likely that MGM Resorts and BWW will initially focus on major states such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Both of these states have extremely successful sports betting markets.

That’s not the only new thing coming here. Today, Buffalo Wild Wings and MGM Resorts have announced that they will soon offer a new mobile football game that allows players to win great prizes. This “betting” platform is set to launch over the next few months.

‘Picks and Props’ Will Soon be Available at BWW Restaurants

It will be some time before official sports betting at Buffalo Wild Wings is available. Fortunately, a new unique form of sports wagering will be unveiled at BWW restaurants over the next couple of months. MGM and Buffalo Wild Wings have announced details of the ‘Picks and Props’ service.

This unique mobile football game will feature point spreads and prop bets to customers. Players can pick on which players they believe will different games. Some amazing prizes will be awarded to the top players including free trips to Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

The official sports betting platform will become available sometime before the end of 2019, according to company officials. Buffalo Wild Wings is making it clear that the restaurants will remain the same, and not turn into full-blown sportsbooks.

“We’re a sports bar that is based on being social, watching the game, having a good time,” Lyle Tick said to ESPN. “We’re very conscious, with second and third screens, the way people engage with content has evolved. The more you can make it fun … that’s to the benefit of the guest, to us and BetMGM as well.”

More US sports betting platforms are becoming available every day. Make sure to stay tuned for more sports gambling news over the next few months!

Posted on Updated on
news, Sports Betting

NFL Betting in the US is Growing Extremely Popular

Nickolas BransonBy Nickolas Branson

The US sports betting industry is exploding with popularity right now. It seems like every month, a new state chooses to legalize and regulate the industry. This week, new reports indicate that NFL betting in the US is growing at an unprecedented rate. NFL Logo

It’s exciting for sports fans around the country. Today, we’re going to look at the top sports betting states in the country. We’ll also talk about how popular NFL betting is becoming right now.

US Sports Gambling Industry Growing Extremely Quickly

Just a few years ago, sports gambling in the US was only regulated in Nevada. This was due to PASPA, a set of laws that made it illegal for states to set laws on the sports betting industry. The US Supreme Court struck down PASPA in May of 2018 and now, every single state can set its laws on this form of gambling.

More than 10 states now have fully-regulated sports betting markets. Some states allow both online and land-based betting. Others only allow sports betting to take place inside casinos.

Several states with legalized sports betting are now profiting massively. New Jersey, for example, now has a huge number of land-based and online sports betting platforms available. This state is earning millions of dollars every single month from this industry.

Even New York, which has previously implemented some extremely strict laws on gambling, now allows sports betting. It’s great news for sports fans in these states. They are able to place wagers on their favorite teams quickly and easily.

The 2019 football season is just around the corner. New reports show that NFL betting in the US is going to bring in an incredible amount of money.

NFL Betting in the US Will Bring in Billions of Dollars This Year

The NFL remains the most popular sports league in the United States. The upcoming season will officially begin tomorrow, on September 5th. The first game will take place between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers.

With sports betting now available throughout much of the country, gambling on the NFL is expected to bring in more money than ever before. A new report from the American Gaming Association claims that 38 million Americans are expected to bet on this NFL season.

That represents 15% of all adults in the country. Seven million of these adults claim they will make their bets through regulated casino sportsbooks. Millions of others claim they will make their wagers through online betting sites, or with privately with friends.

It’s clear that Americans love to bet on sports. According to the AGA poll, 75% of sports gamblers claim that they are more likely to watch a game that they bet on than ones that they do not. Nearly 30% claim they are also more likely to attend a game that they’ve wagered on.

There are still a huge number of states that have not yet regulated the sports betting industry. Fortunately, there are some great internet sports betting websites available throughout the entire country right now.

Online Sports Betting Sites Available Throughout the US

Many states are currently in the process of regulating sports betting. Unfortunately, most of these states will not have their sports gambling operations up and running by the time the NFL season concludes. Fortunately, there are some fantastic internet sports betting websites that are currently available in almost every state.

One of the most popular US online football betting sites available right now is Bovada. This site has grown extremely popular over the years with both casino and sports betting fans thanks to its safe payment system and a wide range of different wagering options. Members of this site can still place their bets on tomorrow’s game between the Bears and Packers.

The Chicago Bears enter this game as the considerable betting favorites. Bovada lists the team’s odds to win at -160. The Packers aren’t the team they were just a few years ago, and enter this game with odds to win at +140.

There is a complete set of this week’s NFL betting odds available through Bovada. Check out our Bovada review today to learn more about what this US gambling site offers right now!

Sports betting is growing quickly around the country. Make sure to stay tuned for more updates to US sports gambling laws over the next few months!

Posted on
Casino, Las Vegas, news

Wynn Las Vegas Earns Another Prestigious Award

James MurrayBy James Murray

One of the most popular hotel-casinos in Las Vegas just earned another incredible award. Reports indicate that Wynn Las Vegas is now the only casino-resort to receive a ‘Great Workplace’ certification from the Great Place to Work independent analysis group. It’s an impressive accolade for this amazing venue on the Strip.

Wynn Las Vegas Casino Resort

Wynn Resorts has had a busy year. Now is the perfect time to look back at what this company has accomplished in 2019. We’ll also talk about how the Wynn casino-resort in Las Vegas earned the recent workplace award. Let’s get started!

Wynn Resorts Continues to Expand its Portfolio

Wynn Resorts is well-known as one of the biggest and most successful casino operators in the world. It’s headquartered in Las Vegas and controls numerous casinos throughout the world. Recently, this company expanded into Massachusetts with the Encore Boston Harbor casino-resort.

A number of major casino companies have been pushing to open a gaming establishment in Massachusetts. Wynn Resorts chose to open their new casino in Everett, located directly north of Boston. There were concerns that Everett wouldn’t be a viable location for a casino, yet the Encore Boston Harbor is proving to be extremely successful.

This company is also actively pushing to open an integrated resort in Japan. Last year, lawmakers in Japan approved a bill to allow three casino-resorts to open in the country. Most of the biggest US casino operators are now lobbying for their right to operate in the country.

Japan is expected to become one of the most lucrative casino markets in the world. Wynn Resorts is starting to heat up its lobbying effort in this country, recently claiming that the company will build the “world’s largest” casino-resort here. Many gambling analysts claim that Wynn Resorts will manage to secure one of the three licenses to operate here.

Wynn Las Vegas Receives ‘Great Workplace’ Award

Las Vegas is home to many of the best casino-hotels in the United States. Most of these are located along the Las Vegas Strip. Wynn Las Vegas is considered by many to be the very best casino-resorts in the city.

Not long ago, this hotel was ranked the best casino in the United States by TripAdvisor. Many visitors here praise the service, design, and huge gambling space. Interestingly, the Encore Las Vegas, also owned by Wynn Resorts, is ranked as the second-best casino in the country.

This week, the Great Place to Work analysis group granted Wynn Las Vegas one of their prestigious ‘Great Workplace’ certifications. This group uses anonymous feedback from employees to describe their experience working at Wynn.

Wynn Resorts CEO Matt Maddox commented on the award to the media this week.

“We believe that true luxury is defined by people, not buildings, and so we have focused on our Company’s greatest asset: our employees.  One of our guiding principles is to ‘care about everyone and everything,’ which makes our Great Place To Work certification very meaningful to me,” he said. “I believe that no team is more committed to excellence than ours, and I am fortunate to work alongside such caring and talented professionals.”

It’s clear that Wynn Resorts is one of the best casino operators in the United States. Unfortunately, this company’s operations in Macau are struggling to generate revenue right now.

Macau Continues to Struggle in 2019

Wynn Resorts isn’t the only company to struggle in Macau. Many US casino companies including Las Vegas Sands also operate casinos in this small territory. For most of 2019, Macau’s gambling revenue had decreased.

There are several reasons why this is. Many individuals point to the ongoing trade war between the US and China as a reason for Macau’s revenue decline. This trade war has significantly impacted the Chinese economy. As a result, many wealthy individuals here are choosing not to gamble. Without these VIP gamblers, Macau is struggling to increase its revenue earnings.

The recent protests in Hong Kong have also affected this city’s gambling revenue. Fewer tourists are heading to this area and many Chinese locals are preferring to stay in the mainland while the situation in Hong Kong carries on.

Gross Gaming Revenue in August dropped by 8.6% compared to the same time last year. Most feel that this downward trend will continue for the rest of 2019. Wynn Resorts isn’t deterred and continues to invest in its three properties in Macau.

There’s no doubt that Wynn Las Vegas is one of the best casino-resorts in the world. Make sure to stay tuned for updates on this casino and others in Las Vegas over the next few months!

Posted on Updated on
Casino, Las Vegas, news

The Las Vegas North Strip is Slowly Transforming

James MurrayBy James Murray

Las Vegas is no stranger to new developments. It seems like every single year, several new projects begin in this city. Recently, the Las Vegas North Strip has begun to transform. A number of exciting new projects are now under construction here. Sahara Las Vegas Logo

Today, we’re going to look at some of the biggest changes coming to this area of the Las Vegas Strip. We’ll also talk about how much gambling revenue this city is earning right now. Let’s get into it!

SLS Las Vegas Officially Renamed the Sahara Las Vegas

The Sahara Las Vegas Hotel & Casino first opened its doors in October of 1952. For years, it was one of the most popular gaming establishments in the city. Unfortunately, in 2011, it was forced to close due to financial constraints.

Shortly afterward, the hotel-casino was rebranded to the SLS Las Vegas. This hotel officially opened in 2014 with 1,600 rooms, a renovated casino, and four nightclubs. It was an impressive venue, yet the SLS continued to struggle pulling in visitors.

Finally, in 2019, the hotel announced that it was going back to its iconic roots. The SLS Las Vegas was officially renamed the Sahara Las Vegas once again. This famous hotel officially reopened on August 29th of this year.

Part of the reason to rebrand the hotel is to drive in more visitors to the Las Vegas North Strip area. The northern area of the city is one of the least popular parts of the Strip, due partly to the lack of luxury hotels and entertainment options. Fortunately, this is beginning to change.

Las Vegas North Strip Area Begins to Change

The recent recession wrecked the north part of the Las Vegas Strip. After the recession ended, this area was filled with unfinished projects and unpopular gaming venues. In recent years, however, this section of the city has started to transform.

One of the biggest projects opening in this area is Resorts World Las Vegas. This mega-resort is owned by Genting Group, who have invested billions of dollars to create the ultimate Las Vegas gambling and entertainment venue. Resorts World has faced numerous issues and delays during its construction, yet it’s now slated to open by the end of 2020.

In 2007, developers began working on the Fontainebleau Resort in the Las Vegas North Strip area. Unfortunately, the recession forced this project to stop. Now, several investors have resumed plans to open a hotel-casino here. It’s being named The Drew Las Vegas and will feature 95,000 square feet of gaming space and more than 2,800 hotel rooms. Hope is that the project is completed by 2022.

It’s a very exciting time for this part of the city. It’s not the hottest part of the city right now, yet the numerous projects coming here could change this. Fortunately, gambling revenue in Las Vegas is beginning to increase.

Las Vegas Gambling Revenue Continues to Increase

According to new reports, Las Vegas’ gambling revenue has increased for the second straight month. It’s a relief for many casino operators here, many of which have seen revenue losses for most of 2019. Interestingly, slots and poker helped to drive the majority of this revenue.

In a press release, the city’s gaming board stated that overall gaming revenue was up 2.91% in July compared to the same period last year. The Strip brought in the most money ($541,804,525) and an increase of 1.63% compared to July of 2018. Part of this revenue increase comes from the recent World Series of Poker event in Las Vegas.

The 50th edition of the WSOP brought in more entrants than ever before. More than 8,500 players competed in the event in total. This competition also helped to attract many gamblers to the city.

Las Vegas Gaming Board member Michael Lawton claims that slots brought in the most revenue in July. He also claims that slot revenue has been on a “constant increase” for the past several months.

Things in Las Vegas are looking good. The Las Vegas North Strip is beginning to transform and several other major projects will soon open in other parts of the city.

Stay tuned for more Las Vegas news updates over the next few weeks!

Posted on Updated on
Iowa, news, Poker

Is Regulated Online Poker in Iowa Coming Next Year?

Nickolas BransonBy Nickolas Branson

Not long ago, lawmakers in Iowa officially approved a bill to legalize and regulate sports betting. Many casinos in this state now offer sports betting options. This week, several major gambling operators started calling for online poker in Iowa to become regulated, as well.

Playing Cards And Poker Chips

Internet poker gambling is growing more popular than ever before. Based on Iowa’s acceptance of sports betting, there’s a very good chance that the state will begin regulating the online poker industry. Let’s look at what to expect here.

Iowa’s Gambling Laws Continue to Evolve

Gambling has taken place in Iowa for years. In 1991, lawmakers began allowing individual counties to vote on whether or not they want to allow casinos. Since that time, 20 casinos have opened in this state.

The horse race business is also booming in Iowa. There are three race tracks here, one of which acts as a “racino,” offering horse racing odds and casino-style gaming options. Many locals head to these race tracks every single day.

In 2019, a new sports betting bill was introduced to the state legislature. It was quickly approved and lawmakers began planning on how to allow launch sports betting in the state. On August 15th, eight different casinos here began officially offering sports betting odds. Just two weeks later, the popular Diamond Jo Casino launched its sportsbook, as well.

Now, many are calling for online poker in Iowa to become legalized. There have been numerous attempts to legalize this industry yet they’ve all been pushed aside. With sports betting now legal, this may be the perfect time to start regulating Iowa’s online poker market.

Online Poker in Iowa May Soon Become Legal

It’s clear that politicians in Iowa are interested in expanding the state’s gambling market. Sports betting is expected to bring the state millions of dollars in additional revenue every single year. Some major online gambling operators are now pushing for internet poker to be legal here.

There are a number of reasons why this may happen. First, poker is considered to be a game of skill. Under Iowa’s set of gambling laws, games of skill can be wagered on. Many states have already legalized online poker. These states are profiting massively as a result.

Many feel that online poker will also help to bring more visitors to the state’s land-based casinos. It’s well-known that those new to poker prefer to make their wagers online to gain experience. As these players gain more experience, they will choose to play inside real poker rooms.

Yaniv Sherman, head of commercial development for 888, recently gave his take on legalized online poker in Iowa.

“Absolutely, we think that poker is the next logical thing,” he said. 

Online Gambling Continues to Grow More Popular in Iowa

Despite the fact that online gambling is not yet regulated in Iowa, many residents here choose to make their wagers online. Today, there are a huge number of amazing online casinos sites in IA. Most of these websites offer all major casino games including blackjack, slots, and poker games.

One of the most popular sites to play online poker in Iowa is Bovada Casino. This site has gained a fantastic reputation for its safe payment options and a wide range of amazing games. It’s a great website for those looking to try their hand at internet poker.

Lawmakers in this state recognize that many locals are gambling online. Unfortunately, there is no legal framework in place to collect money from this industry. Many gaming analysts predict this will change in the next few years.

We’ll need to wait and see what lawmakers decide. There is clearly an interest in online gambling and several states now have fully-operating online gambling markets. Make sure to stay tuned for updates on this situation over the next few months!

Posted on
Las Vegas, news

Las Vegas is Getting a Chickie’s & Pete’s Soon

James MurrayBy James Murray

One of the most popular restaurant chains in Pennsylvania has announced that it’s officially moving into Las Vegas. Chickie’s & Pete’s has announced that it’s officially opening a new restaurant in the gambling capital of the United States. It’s great news for fans of crab fry in this city. Chickie's & Pete's Logo

Las Vegas is home to many of the country’s best restaurants. Today, we’re looking at why Chickie’s & Pete’s is making the move here. We’ll also look at some more of the best cheap-eats in Las Vegas right now. Let’s get started!

Chickie’s & Pete’s Announces Opening of Las Vegas Restaurant

The famous Chickie’s & Pete’s chain first started in Philadelphia more than 42 years ago. It’s grown into one of the most popular restaurant chains in the state of Pennsylvania. ESPN even ranked it as the top sports bar in American in 2011.

There are now 19 different Chickie’s & Pete’s restaurants located around the country. Most of these are located in Pennsylvania. A few can be found in other nearby states This week, the company announced that it was making its way to Las Vegas.

It’s just in time for the 2019/2020 NFL season. Las Vegas is no stranger to sports bars. Hope is that this restaurant can attract tourists visiting from the East Coast area who are familiar with the brand.

The Las Vegas Chickie’s & Pete’s restaurant will be opening in the recently-rebranded Sahara Las Vegas casino-hotel. If you’re visiting Las Vegas and want to try some crab fry, make sure to give it a visit!

Best Cheap Eats in Las Vegas Right Now

As we just mentioned, Las Vegas is home to many of the best restaurants in the country. Those looking for some cheap eats will have no trouble finding a fantastic restaurant. Below are some of the top restaurants in Las Vegas that won’t break the bank.

Steak n’ Shake

There’s a great chance you’ve heard of Steak n’ Shake before. This Indianapolis-based fast-food chain has hundreds of restaurants located around the world. In recent years, it’s grown to become one of the most popular cheap eats in Las Vegas.

This small restaurant is known for its steakburger. There are also some fantastic sides available here such as chili and seasoned french fries. A meal here shouldn’t cost more than $10. Head over to the Hooters Casino & Hotel (soon to become the Oyo Hotel) and give Steak n’ Shake a try!

Earl of Sandwich

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more delicious sandwich than the ones made at Earl of Sandwich. This small restaurant, located at Planet Hollywood, offers a variety of delicious sandwich options for a very affordable price.

This restaurant is one of the highest-rated on TripAdvisor right now. There are some delicious options available, from the classic Reuben to a buffalo chicken wrap. Most sandwiches cost around $7, making this place one of the best cheap eating options in Las Vegas right now.

Village Eateries

Many locals in Las Vegas claim Village Eateries is one of the best inexpensive restaurants in the city. It has a very unique design and offers some of the best pizza in the city. There is also a full bar available for those looking to match their meal with a cold beer.

This restaurant is located inside the popular New York-New York casino. It’s the perfect place to stop for a meal after playing inside the casino. Check it out next time you’re in Las Vegas!

The Chickie’s & Pete’s Las Vegas restaurant should be opening in Las Vegas within the next few months. Make sure to stay tuned for more Las Vegas restaurant news over the next few weeks!

Posted on Updated on
Iowa, news, Sports Betting

Diamond Jo Casino in Iowa Launches its Sportsbook

Nickolas BransonBy Nickolas Branson

The state of Iowa officially began allowing sports betting on August 15th of this year. Many casinos around the state now offer sports betting odds. This week, the Diamond Jo Casino officially opened its sportsbook.

Iowa Welcome Sign

It’s great to see Iowa embracing sports gambling. Hopefully, this industry brings the state millions of dollars in additional revenue every year. Let’s take a quick look at why lawmakers here decided to make sports betting legal.

Iowa’s Road to Sports Betting Legalization

Iowa is thought of as a very liberal state when it comes to gambling laws. For years, most forms of gambling have been legal here. There are 19 casinos spread around the state, as well as several horse racing tracks.

For decades, only Nevada was legally allowed to offer sports betting. This changed in May of 2018 when the US Supreme Court struck down PASPA. Immediately afterward, every state had the right to set laws on the sports betting industry.

Many states around the country have now legalized sports gambling. A sports gambling bill was introduced here earlier in the year and approved during the most recent legislative session. Eight casinos officially began offering sports betting odds on August 15th, and several more have begun to offer sports betting since that time.

Several casinos offer online sports betting, as well. In order to make online bets here, however, you will need to register inside of a land-based sports casinos. It’s the same set of laws that states like Nevada have in place.

This week, the Diamond Jo Casino officially launched its sports betting platform. It’s great news for sports fans in the Worth County area. Let’s look at what this casino is now offering.

Diamond Jo Casino in Iowa Unveils New Sportsbook

Competition in Iowa’s casino industry is extremely competitive. As you might expect, many casinos are trying to lure in gamblers with their new sportsbooks. The Diamond Jo Casino brought in a number of famous sports stars to give their sportsbook new exposure.

Visitors to this casino were surprised to see former Minnesota Viking and NFL Hall of Famer John Randle make the casino’s very first sports wager. Like several US casinos, Diamond Jo is teaming up with FanDuel to offer sports bets.

Scott Smith, general manager of this casino, spoke about the process of launching a sportsbook to the media this week.

“It is just training but we hire great people to work at the sportsbook and the property itself,” he said. “It’s been pretty smooth. We have great partners and are excited for this opportunity.”

“Be safe, have fun with it and good luck,” he added. 

Diamond Jo’s online sports betting platform will soon be up and running. We’ll need to wait and see how successful this sportsbook is compared to others in the state.

More States Will Soon Offer Sports Betting

Iowa is the 11th state to officially legalize and regulate sports betting. Many other states have pending legislation to allow this industry. Several gambling analysts predict that Montana will be the next state to officially launch sportsbooks.

Montana Governor Steve Bullock officially signed a sports betting bill into law back in May of this year. The state’s lottery will be in charge of regulating this industry. Land-based and online sports betting will become available here sometime over the next few months.

Tennessee is also scheduled to launch sports betting this year. Lawmakers approved a sports gambling bill in May, with a 20% tax rate applied to all sports betting operators. Like the rest of the US, Tennessee requires you to be at least 21 years old in order to place sports wagers.

There is also a wide range of great online sportsbooks available in the US. These sites are based in other countries and are not regulated by state governments. One of the most popular gambling sites is Bovada, which offers great casino and sports betting options to its members.

In time, it’s likely that every state will have regulated sports betting options. Make sure to stay tuned for updates on how the Diamond Jo Casino fares with its new sportsbook!

Posted on Updated on
Casino, Japan, news

Caesars Entertainment No Longer Interested in Japan

James MurrayBy James Murray

One of the biggest US casino companies has announced that it’s no longer pursuing a casino in Japan. It’s surprising news, as Japan is expected to become one of the most lucrative casino markets in the world. The company claims that it is focused on expanding in the United States. Caesars Entertainment Logo

It makes sense for Caesars to focus on the US market. Now is the perfect time to look at why this company is staying out of Japan. We’ll also talk about which companies are still in the running for a casino license in this country.

Caesars Entertainment Set to Merge With Eldorado Resorts

Not long ago, Eldorado Resorts announced that it purchased Caesars Entertainment for $17 billion. It’s the largest merge ever made in the gambling industry. Eldorado will be taking control of Caesars’ properties around the world.

Many steps still need to be taken before this merger can be completed. Several state gambling regulators are getting involved to ensure that everything is done by the book. The SEC must also approve of the deal before the companies can officially combine.

Caesars is rumored to sell some of its properties before the deal is complete, as well. According to numerous reports, the company will put some of its Las Vegas Strip properties for sale. Several companies have already expressed interest in buying one of these Strip hotel-casinos.

Hope is that this deal is done by the end of 2020.

When Japan legalized casinos in July of 2018, Caesars announced that it was interested in opening a resort there. Now, the company is taking a turn. Officials at Caesars Entertainment claim they are no longer pursuing a Japanese casino license.

Caesars Removes Itself From Japanese Casino License Running

As we mentioned at the top of this page, Japan is expected to become one of the most lucrative casino markets in the world. Many of the top US casino companies are pushing to obtain a license here. Interestingly, Caesars is no longer one of them.

This company released a statement on Wednesday that explains their decision to stay outside of Japan. Brendan Bussmann, a partner at Global Market Advisors, gave his take on the news.

“Considering the current talk of the (Eldorado) merger, it’s not surprising,” he said. “To see a large American brand that has a global presence, that has a good shot of landing the license bow out, it’s disappointing … It’s a missed opportunity.”

Caesars is focusing entirely on its merge with Eldorado Resorts. The company needs to ensure that everything is prepared before this deal can go through. Of course, it’s still somewhat disappointing to see the company choosing not to enter Japan.

Other US casino companies have to be pleased. It’s still anyone’s guess which of these companies will be granted a license to operate here. Let’s look at which gaming companies are still working to enter the Japanese casino market.

Several Companies Still Looking to Enter Japan

Most gambling analysts predict that Japan will become one of the biggest casino destinations in the world. Only three integrated resorts will open here. Several cities including Osaka, Yokohama, and Tokyo are bidding for their rights to host one of these casino-resorts.

MGM Resorts International, Las Vegas Sands, and Wynn Resorts have all stated their intentions to open a Japanese casino. In order to obtain a gaming license here, these companies must receive approval from the government. No companies have been granted one of these licenses yet.

Las Vegas Sands seems the most likely to obtain one of these licenses. LVS has deep roots in Japan and has a proven track record of operating casinos overseas. This company already runs a highly successful casino-resort in Macau.

MGM Resorts International is also very likely to receive a Japanese casino license. This company secured a sponsorship with the MLB during the opening games in Tokyo. It’s already a well-known brand in Japan and also has shown that it can operate gaming venues outside of the United States.

Caesars Entertainment is no longer pursuing a casino in Japan. We’ll need to wait and see which of the companies we just mentioned obtain a license to operate here. Stay tuned for more updates over the next few months!