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Casino, news

A New Glendale Casino is Opening to the Public This Week

Nickolas BransonBy Nickolas Branson

Arizona’s casino industry continues to expand. On Wednesday, a brand new Glendale casino officially opens its doors to the public. Based on several reports, this will be one of the best new gaming venues in the state.Desert Diamond Casino West Valley

There’s a lot happening here. Several lawmakers continue the push to have sports betting legalized in Arizona. Today, we’re going to talk about what this new casino has to offer and look at the road to make sports betting legal here.

Arizona’s Gambling Laws, Explained

Today, Arizona has a large and highly successful casino industry. This wasn’t always the case, though. Just a few decades ago, this state banned almost all forms of gambling.

In 1988, the Supreme Court passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. This allows Native American tribes throughout the country to operate gambling venues on sovereign land. Not long after this law was passed, tribes in Arizona began requesting permission to open casinos.

Unfortunately, lawmakers here didn’t make things easy. Politicians began fighting the tribes in court, arguing they had no right to open casinos under state law. This legal battle lasted for five years and finally, tribes were granted permission to operate casinos.

There are now a huge number of gambling venues spread all around the state. All of these casinos are operated by tribes. They help to bring in millions of dollars to the state every single year through taxes.

A brand new Glendale casino is opening up this week. Here’s what it has to offer!

New Glendale Casino Finally Opens on Wednesday

As we’ve already mentioned, there are a huge number of fantastic casino gaming options available in Arizona right now. On Wednesday, another is opening up. The Desert Diamond Casino West Valley officially opens to the public and gambling fans have a lot to look forward to.

Construction on this venue first started in 2017. It’s now a 1.2 million-square-foot facility that features a massive range of different gambling options.

Gamblers here can choose from 1,100 slot machines, 36 poker tables, 48 blackjack tables, five different restaurants, and a VIP lounge. This makes it one of the biggest casinos in the state. The Talking Stick Resort & Casino in Scottsdale, for example, offers only 900 slot machines.

It’s operated by the Tohono O’odham Nation, who believe this will be an extremely popular gambling venue. Treena Parvello, director of Government Relations and Communications for the nation, commented on the opening of the new Glendale casino to the media this week.

“This has been a long time coming,” she said. “We’re excited to finally unveil the next phase for this unique amenity in the West Valley, which is creating jobs and opportunities. This would not have been possible without the leadership of the Tohono O’odham Nation, and the guidance of the Enterprise Management Board.” 

The ribbon-cutting ceremony officially begins at 8 pm on Wednesday. Tribal leaders expect a huge turnout for opening day. Hopefully, venues like this one can soon begin offering sports betting options.

When Will Sports Betting Be Allowed in Arizona?

This is the million-dollar question. In May of 2018, PASPA was officially struck down. This instantly gave every state in the country the ability to legalize sports betting. In the past, only Nevada was legally allowed to offer sports betting options.

Today, 21 states now have regulated sports betting options. Many more have bills being reviewed to open their sports betting markets. Arizona is one of the states currently looking into legislation to legalize sports gambling.

Several lawmakers presented HB 1158 to legalize sports betting in 2019. It failed to get approved before the end of the year. That isn’t stopping this push, though.

The main issue with bill 1158 was that it went against tribal rules. It seems that State Senators are now looking for an amendment that allows sports betting to be done throughout the state. Many analysts believe that 2020 is the year that sports betting becomes available here.

This state’s gambling industry is still growing. A new Glendale casino is opening this week and more will likely be constructed in the near future.

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

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Arkansas, Casino, news

Cherokee Nation Reveals Study on New Russellville Casino

Nickolas BransonBy Nickolas Branson

Arkansas’ casino industry is growing rapidly. Since 2018, Class III gambling venues have been able to operate here. The state’s Native American tribes have been preparing to open new casinos in the state ever since. This week, the Cherokee Nation revealed a new study that shows how much revenue the new Russellville casino will generate.Arkansas

It’s a great time to be a casino fan in Arkansas. Several new gaming venues are scheduled to open here over the next few years. Today, we’re going to look at how much money a casino-resort in Russellville could generate.

Let’s get into it!

Arkansas Finally Expands Its Gambling Industry

Arkansas hasn’t always been a gambling hub. In fact, most traditional forms of gambling were banned here until fairly recently. Finally, in 2018, lawmakers in this state decided it was time to make a change.

A bill was passed that year that allows four Class III casinos to open in the state. These venues will be operated by Native American tribes. Not long after this bill was passed, tribes began coming up with casino plans.

Arkansas also now allows sports betting. In July of 2019, the first legal sports wager was placed here.

There are now several popular gaming venues in this state. One that’s beginning to generate serious revenue is the Southland Casino. Recently, this casino began offering its first sports betting options just in time for the Super Bowl.

More casinos are scheduled to open here over the next few years. The Cherokee Nation has worked hard to have plans for a new Russellville casino approved. This week, the tribe released information about how much revenue this new casino could generate for the state.

The New Russellville Casino Will Generate Billions

Arkansas is shaping up to be a major new casino market. All of the casinos that open here are likely to be successful. According to the Cherokee Nation, the new Russellville casino will be a serious revenue generator.

The tribe released a study that indicates this casino will generate billions of dollars. An economic impact of more than $3 billion is expected over the first 10 years of operating. This study was made by the Economic Impact Group, which used information from six different counties to form these statistics.

Chuck Garrett, CEO of Cherokee Nation Businesses, commented on the report to the media this week.

“In forming our plans for Legends Resort & Casino, we turned to a network of experts to help us understand how this project would impact the region’s economy,” he said. “It was fitting for us to engage this research through Dr. Russell Evans and EIG who are already very familiar with current CNB operations.”

The study also claims that more than 1,700 jobs will become available once the casino is up and running. Lawmakers are likely to see these figures and should give the green light to begin construction within a couple of months.

Casinos Already Generate Millions in Tax Money for Arkansas

Most analysts predicted that Arkansas would become a hot casino market. These predictions seem to be correct. Since casinos began opening here, revenue from this industry has been skyrocketing.

In October of 2019, a revenue record was set. Casinos in the state brought in an incredible $554.4 million. That beat the state’s forecast by $36.8 million. With sports betting now up and running, revenue earnings are increasing even more.

The new Russellville casino will be a major revenue generator for the state, as well. If the estimates are correct, it will bring in billions to the state within a decade.

As of now, only four casinos are allowed to open here. That may change in the future. As time goes now, state officials may decide to allow more gambling venues to start operating.

We’ll need to wait for the state to approve the Cherokee Nation’s new gaming venue. Stay tuned for updates over the next few months!

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Casino, New York, news

Revenue From Upstate NY Casinos is Slowly Increasing

Nickolas BransonBy Nickolas Branson

Over the past couple of years, New York lawmakers have worked hard to expand their casino industry. Unfortunately, revenue from Upstate NY casinos failed to increase for months. New reports indicate that in 2019, things began to turn around for casinos in the Upstate area.Flag Of New York

Lawmakers in this state are looking to earn more money from the gambling industry. More gaming options may soon become available here. Today, we’re going to look at how the Upstate casinos performed in 2019.

New York’s Expanded Casino Laws, Explained

For decades, New York was considered a very anti-gambling state. Lawmakers here implemented a blanket ban on casinos back in the late 1800s. Despite laws against it, many small, illegal gambling venues continued to operate in the state.

Eventually, state officials began allowing horse race wagering. In the 1950s, lawmakers decided to legalize bingo and five years later, opened a state lottery. It wasn’t until the late 1980s that officials began looking at the possibility of legalizing casino gambling.

In 1989, the Supreme Court passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. This set of laws made it legal for Native American tribes to operate casinos on sovereign land. Not long after this bill was approved, New York began allowing the state’s tribes to run gambling venues.

In 2013, lawmakers completely changed their stance and decided to officially legalize commercial casinos. Since that time, several of these gambling venues have opened up, most of which are in the Upstate area. Unfortunately, revenue from Upstate NY casinos hasn’t been quite as high as many initially predicted.

There are several reasons why this is. Most cite the competition as the primary reason why these casinos have struggled to make money. According to new reports, things are beginning to improve.

Revenue From Upstate NY Casinos is Going Up

It hasn’t been an easy road for casinos in New York. As we just mentioned, almost all of these are located in the Upstate area. Many are within close proximity to each other. Competition is extremely high here and just about every single casino has struggled to bring in players.

It seems things are improving, though. The four casinos in Upstate New York are beginning to see an increase in gaming revenue. Each one saw its revenue increase last year.

Resorts World Catskills, one of the largest casinos here, saw a massive 48% jump in revenue. In total, revenue at Upstate NY casinos increased by 18% last year. That’s fantastic news for the state, as lottery sales dropped by more than 35%.

Bob DeSalvio, president of Genting New York State, says he’s not surprised to see things start to get better.

“If you look at the history of regional gaming properties over their lifetime, it’s about two years for them to really click in,” he said. “A 24-month ramp up period is not unexpected in today’s environment.”

There has been fear that the state’s casino industry might fail. Lawmakers have discussed new ways to help these gambling venues generate more money. Things are beginning to improve, and new sports betting options may help make things even better.

New Sports Betting Options Might Be Coming to New York

In May of 2018, the Supreme Court officially struck down PASPA. This decision immediately gave every state in the country the ability to legalize sports betting. Today, more than 20 states have decided to legalize this form of wagering.

New York began working to legalize sports betting in early 2019. On July 16th of that year, the first sports wager was placed here inside the Rivers Casino in Schenectady. As of now, only land-based sports betting is available in the state.

This could change soon, though. For months, lawmakers in New York have discussed legalizing online sports betting. Many feel this will help to increase revenue from NY casinos.

This is currently being decided in the courts. Officials argue that allowing online sports betting will help to bring the state more revenue and make things more competitive with New Jersey, which allows sports wagering to be made over the internet. It’s still unclear whether or not the courts will agree with this assessment.

Revenue at Upstate NY casinos is beginning to increase. State officials hope that this trend continues. We’ll need to wait and see whether or not these officials can succeed in allowing online sports wagering.

Stay tuned for more updates over the next few months!

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Las Vegas

NFL Enthusiastic About Vegas Hosting A Future Super Bowl

Joy NoelBy Joy Noel

Raider's Football Player Catching Ball on Football Field, Raider's LogoIt’s the most exciting year Las Vegas has ever experienced when it comes to sports, and it’s a year of firsts. First, the Oakland Raiders will be making their new home in the valley, making them Las Vegas’ very first professional football team. Secondly, Vegas will host the 2020 NFL Draft this year (April 23-25), their first time hosting the NFL Draft in the city’s history. And finally, Allegiant Stadium, the Raiders’ new $2-billion home, will officially open its doors August 2020, making it Las Vegas’ first football stadium.

NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, said that Las Vegas’ hosting of the NFL draft will essentially serve as the Raiders’ welcome party with the league planning to “incorporate all the iconic features of this city.” Goodell said:

“This city knows how to put on big events, there’s no question about that. You have the infrastructure and it’s Super Bowl ready. You have Allegiant Stadium, which is going to be a world-class stadium that will be our stage ultimately. You have everything here.”

NFL Draft Predicted to Bring Substantial Economic Impact

Jeremy Aguero, a principal analyst with Applied Analysis, says that since Las Vegas has never hosted the NFL Draft before, it’s tough to really say the kind of impact it will have on the local economy. But, when factoring in information from last year’s host city, Nashville, it’s becomes easier to predict an outcome.

According to Aguero, that outcome looks positive. This is largely considering the fact that Vegas is a hot location, and one that’s able to accommodate and entertain the large crowd the NFL Draft will undoubtedly bring:

 “When you think about what the draft did in Nashville, about 600,000 people, and you see some of the other markets it’s been in, our expectation is Las Vegas has a good opportunity to beat some of those numbers, and that economic impact would be pretty substantial for the community.

“Not only are we superior to other locations, and I don’t mean that in any derogatory way, but we have more hotel rooms, access is easier here, we have a lot of entertainment options, we’re going to draw people to the event, we believe. And, in addition to that, every visitor that comes to Las Vegas spends more than $800 per person, per trip.”

How Hosting the Super Bowl Could Impact the City

With the Raiders making the move to Las Vegas, it marks the beginning of a shift of seeing Vegas as strictly a “casino town” to becoming a “sports town.” With Sin City the hosting Super Bowl, which the NFL wouldn’t predict to happen for at least the next five years (due to the location of the next four Super Bowl’s already being set), would further drive the economy in substantial ways.

Las Vegas hosting the Super Bowl could successfully marry the elements of what the city has been known for, gambling, with the valley’s newly infused sports culture in major ways.

“We think sports gambling in many ways creates a lot more engagement for our fans. It’s another opportunity for them to engage with our game.

What I see now is a city that has emerged from the Strip and primarily a casino-driven town to a city that’s really quite remarkable,” Goodell said. “I think we’ll all be grateful that Mark Davis made the decision to come here.”

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Las Vegas

Daily Fantasy Sports Provider DraftKings Opens Las Vegas Office

Joy NoelBy Joy Noel

Town Square Offices in Las VegasDraftKings, the Boston-based daily fantasy sports contest provider, just opened up an office in Las Vegas.

President and co-founder, Matt Kalish, and DraftKings race and sports director, Johnny Avello, welcomed guests to the Town Square office on Wednesday, where 70 employees currently work. The company moved into their flexible new workspace on Monday – which it leases from WeWork – and plan to have more than 300 employees in the upcoming months.

Why Las Vegas is the Perfect Fit

When asked why the company chose Las Vegas to hold their office, Kalish said this:

“This is an iconic city when it comes to sports betting. It’s been the hub of all of that activity in our country for many decades. We see ourselves as looking to integrate as deeply as possible into the community.”

The opportunities with sports betting keep opening up nationwide. We want to make sure we continue to lead the pack and, to do that, we needed to invest in Las Vegas and take advantage of some of the great talent that’s here in this market.”

The Las Vegas office established a dedicated back-of-the-house call center that will handle customer experience, fraud, casino, sportsbook traders, human resources and information technology. Local employees are expected to handle customer inquiries around the clock. Once the DraftKings’ Las Vegas office is fully operational, it will be the second largest in the country behind the Boston operation.

Currently, the company offers its sports-betting app in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana, New Hampshire and West Virginia with physical retail sportsbooks in New Jersey, New York, Iowa and Mississippi. According to Kalish, the company hasn’t decided how they’ll pursue a retail outlet or become a licensed operator in Nevada just yet, instead focusing solely on growing the company’s presence in the Silver State as of now.

Help from Local Talent

Former Wynn Las Vegas sports book director, Johnny Avello, was one of the first local talents to come aboard. He was hired by DraftKings in 2018 to work in the same capacity. Avello’s Las Vegas team includes sportsbook personnel that also formerly worked at other Las Vegas resorts.

Avello said this of finding a sweet spot for the company in town:

“Finding this location, it’s been in the works for a long time and, to me, it’s perfect. Town Square has great amenities, and this is a great work environment. It’s also close to the airport for people who need to get in and out. Anywhere where sports betting is legal, we’re looking to be in that market.”

DraftKings Continues to Expand

The company got its humble start out a spare bedroom. Founded in 2012 by Kalish and his two friends, Jason Robins and Paul Liberman, DraftKings quickly became a known brand once the popularity of fantasy sports was met with more loosened sports rules in different parts of the country.

Currently, the company’s daily fantasy product is available in eight countries, with its sports book division offering mobile and retail betting in eight states. DraftKings is also the official daily fantasy partner of the National Football League and the PGA Tour.

i
For the past five years, DraftKings has had its eye on operating in Nevada. Last February, they announced their multi-state partnership deal with Caesars.

Under terms of that agreement, Caesars is offering DraftKings market access for its online gaming products, subject to passage of applicable laws and the parties securing applicable gaming licenses.

Their partnership with Caesars could result in new growth in the months ahead with Caesars on the verge of merging with Reno-based Eldorado Resorts Inc., in a proposed $17.3 billion deal. The deal is expected to close in the first half of this year.

The strategic plan to open a company office in the US gambling capital will only continue to expand their highly sought-after product and presence. Kalish said:

“DraftKings is in a great position. We have a ton of interest in the company because of our story. Everybody’s drawn in because of what’s going on with sports betting in the U.S. People want to change industries and change their career path to come work for us. I think we got 45,000 job applications last year.”

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Gambling Laws, Michigan, news

Online Gambling in Michigan is Officially Legal

James MurrayBy James Murray

For years, officials in Michigan have been working to expand the state’s gambling laws. This week, their efforts have finally paid off. Online gambling in Michigan is now officially legal. It’s extremely exciting for gaming fans here.Michigan State Outline

That’s not all! Sports gambling has also been made legal in this state. Today, we’re going to look at the road to make this happen. We’ll also talk about exactly what forms of gambling are now legal in this state.

Let’s get into it!

Michigan’s Long Road to Sports Betting, Online Gambling Legalization

Since PASPA was struck down in May of 2018, several politicians in Michigan have stated their desire to see sports betting legalized in the state. It’s a highly profitable industry, helping to earn many states millions of dollars every month. Unfortunately, some of the most powerful politicians in Michigan have been hesitant to embrace any new gambling expansion plans.

Michigan has been close to sports betting legalization several times. In 2018, it was approved by both the House and the Senate, yet Governor Gretchen Whitmer vetoed the bill at the last minute. It was extremely disappointing news, particularly for sports fans here.

As soon as 2019 kicked off, lawmakers once again began working to legalize new forms of gambling in the state. House Bill 4916 was introduced and eventually made its way through the state’s legislative bodies. In September, the bill was officially approved by Michigan’s House Committee.

Some had concerns that Governor Whitmer would once again shut down this bill at the last minute. She had voiced her concerns over the bill, particularly with its tax structure.

Fortunately, the Governor decided that it was time for Michigan to embrace some new forms of gambling.

Sports Betting and Online Gambling in Michigan Are Now Legal

House Bill 4916 slowly made its way through Michigan’s legislative bodies. This week, the bill had its final test with Governor Whitmer. She decided to approve the bill, meaning both sports betting and online gambling in Michigan are now legal.

Many supporters of this bill believe that the newly-expanded gambling laws will help bring millions of dollars to the state. The majority of the money will go towards the School Aid Fund. Some will be used to help pay for firefighters’ medical costs, as well.

Gretchen Whitmer commented on the approval of the bill to the media this week.

“My top priority in signing this legislation was protecting and investing in the School Aid Fund, because our students deserve leaders who put their education first,” she said. “Thanks in part to the hard work and leadership of Senator Hertel and Representative Warren, these bills will put more dollars in Michigan classrooms and increase funding for firefighters battling cancer.”

An 8.4% tax rate will be applied to sports betting operators in the state. Taxes for online gambling range from 20% to 28%.

Many are now wondering when exactly the new gambling options will become available here.

When Will Sports Betting and Online Gambling Be Available in Michigan?

This is the million-dollar question. Several states legalized sports gambling, yet took months to actually get their sports betting operations up and running. Hopefully, this is not what happens here in Michigan.

Ultimately, it will come down to how long it takes the Michigan Gaming Control Board to set specific regulations on the industry. Of course, there will be different rules for sports betting and online gambling in Michigan.

Once a set of gambling laws are established, lawmakers will need to choose which sports betting companies can operate in the state. Several of the biggest sports betting companies in the UK are now actively working to break into the US market.

Several lawmakers are pushing to have this industry available to the public before March Madness. If it does, the state will likely earn millions of dollars via revenue from the bets placed on the popular NCAA tournament.

Online gambling in Michigan is finally here. If you’re a gambling fan in the state, things just became a lot easier.

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

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California, Casino, news

There’s a New High-Limit Gaming Area at San Manuel Casino

James MurrayBy James Murray

California is home to a huge number of popular tribal casinos. One of the best is the San Manuel Casino, located in Highland. This week, a new high-limit gaming area opened up inside this popular gambling venue. Hundred Dollar Bills

This property has been working to expand its facilities. The opening of the new high-roller gaming area is extremely exciting for the high rollers here. Let’s take a quick look at what exactly this new area has to offer.

San Manuel Casino Continues to Attract Gamblers

As we just mentioned, California is home to a massive number of Native American-run casinos. They’re spread around the state and help to generate millions of dollars to California’s government. The San Manuel Casino is one of the most popular.

It’s located about 60 minutes outside of Los Angeles. The San Manuel Band of Serrano Indians runs the gambling venue, which is open to guests 24/7. Not long ago, it was voted the best buffet, steakhouse, and casino in the state.

There’s a lot to love about the San Manuel Casino. More than 4,300 slot machines are available here and just about every traditional table game. Since it’s opening in 1986, more than $2 billion has been paid out to players here.

Some detractors of this venue claim it doesn’t cater to high-rollers the same way that casinos in Las Vegas do. The owners heard this complaint and immediately began working to make a change. This week, a brand new high-limit gaming area opened up at San Manuel Casino.

Here’s what we know about this new area.

What Does the High-Limit Gaming Area Have to Offer?

The San Manuel Casino is currently under a massive $550 million expansion. Part of this expansion project was adding a new high-end area to the casino. This plan is now complete and visitors have reason to get excited.

Today, the owners of this casino announced the opening of a brand new high-limit gambling area. Both high-limit tables and high-limit slot machines are available here. A new restaurant, called the Hong Bao Kitchen, has also opened here.

Peter Arceo, General Manager of the San Manuel Casino, commented on the opening of this new high-end gambling area to the media this week.

“At San Manuel Casino, we always strive to give our guests new and exciting options, which led us to open the new high limit space and Hong Bao Kitchen,” he said. “Providing these unique and luxury entertainment options is just the latest way to offer our guests a best-in-class experience and sets us apart as one of Southern California’s top entertainment destinations.”

More than 200 high-limit slots are available here. Some have denominations up to $1,000. Some of the highest table games in California are now being offered here, too.

“Our newest gaming space brings our highest table limits yet – $25,000 – making San Manuel Casino one of the best high limit experiences in the country,” Arceo said. 

If you’re looking to make some major bets, San Manuel Casino might be the venue for you. Check it out if you’re in the Southern California area!

California Lawmakers Are Still Working to Legalize Sports Betting

Back in May of 2018, the Supreme Court struck down PASPA. This gives every state in the country the ability to legalize sports betting. More than 20 states have already legalized this industry and many more are currently working to do so.

Certain lawmakers in California have been working hard to officially legalize this industry. Unfortunately, they’re facing serious opposition by many of the Native American tribes in the state.

Some of these tribes believe that the legalization of sports betting will take away from their revenue. Lawmakers are working to come up with a plan to make all parties happy.

Most believe that sports betting will become legal in California in the next year or two. Once it does, California will likely become the largest sports gambling market in the country.

At the moment, gambling fans here are stuck with casino gambling. Stay tuned for more California casino news over the next few months!

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Arkansas, news

Arkansas’ Gambling Industry is Surging Right Now

Nickolas BransonBy Nickolas Branson

Arkansas FlagArkansas just recently began legalizing and regulating casino gambling. According to new reports, the casinos operating here are a major success. Arkansas’ gambling industry is surging right now and many companies are attempting to break into the market.

It’s great news for the state government, which is earning millions of dollars through taxes. Today, we’re going to look at the history of Arkansas’ gambling industry and talk about how much it’s grown.

Let’s get into it!

The Road to Casino Legalization in Arkansas

For decades, Arkansas took a hardline stance on the gambling industry. No casinos were allowed to operate here and those caught gambling were subject to harsh penalties. In November of 2018, this all changed.

That month, voters here approved Issue 4, a constitutional amendment that allows for four casinos to open in the state. It was a surprise for many, as voters here had previously worked hard to keep legal gambling options away. Certain lawmakers attempted to challenge Issue 4 court yet ultimately the amendment was made.

Before long, casino companies began pushing operating here. There are now three casinos in the state. Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs, Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluffs, and Southland Casino Racing in West Memphis. They quickly grew popular with locals and tourists.

The Saracen Casino Resort has just recently begun operating. Before opening to the public, this casino flirted with the idea of banning smoking. Ultimately, this idea was scrapped.

As we’ve already mentioned, several companies have expressed an interest in opening a gambling venue in this state. It’s clear that people see the potential in Arkansas’ gambling market.

Arkansas’ Gambling Industry Continues to Grow

The casinos currently operating in Arkansas are generating serious revenue right now. It’s likely that many more gambling venues will begin operating here over the next few years. Earlier this month, one of the biggest Native American tribes in Oklahoma began pushing to open a casino in this state.

New reports indicate that the Oklahoma-based Cherokee Nation has officially filed an application to begin operating a casino in Arkansas. If all goes to plan, this venue will open in either Russellville or Dover.

The state’s gambling commission will now review this application. In the past, several cities have seen their applications to open a casino rejected. It’s unclear whether or not Arkansas will allow a tribe from another state to start operating a casino here.

Arkansas’ gambling industry broke records in October. That month, casinos generated an impressive $554.4 million. John Shelnutt, the state’s chief economic forecaster John Shelnutt, the state’s chief economic forecaster, claims that October’s revenue report shows “very good growth across all the sectors. We’ll just have to see if it continues at this rate,” he said.

Sports Betting in Arkansas is Also Generating Serious Revenue

Arkansas’ gambling industry is one of the most unique in the country. Just a few years ago, almost no forms of gambling were allowed here. Now, both casino gambling and sports betting are available in the state.

Lawmakers here approved a sports betting bill in mid-2019. In July, the first legal sports wager was placed here inside the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort.

Unfortunately, mobile sports betting is not allowed here. Bets must be placed in-person at a licensed casino.

Revenue from the state’s sports betting industry has been increasing steadily over the past few months. Arkansas is one of just a few states that does not release its exact sports gambling revenue figures. Based on numerous reports, however, it’s increasing significantly.

Arkansas’ gambling industry is one of the newest in the country. Amazingly, it’s already growing bigger than some others that have been around for years.

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

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Casino, news, Virginia

Hard Rock May Operate a Casino in Bristol, VA

Nickolas BransonBy Nickolas Branson

Earlier this year, lawmakers in Virginia officially approved a plan to expand the state’s gambling industry. Almost immediately afterward, many of the top US casino companies began pushing to open a casino here. News has just come out that Hard Rock International may soon operate a casino in Bristol, VA.Hard Rock Logo

Virginia could establish a strong casino market on the East Coast. Having Hard Rock running casinos here is a great first step. Here’s what we know about these plans.

Virginia Allows More Casinos to Open Up

Virginia isn’t necessarily thought of as a gambling-friendly state. It’s unfortunate, as many lawmakers have continued to push for the legalization of casinos here. The first real attempts came in 1995 when state officials began pushing to open riverboat casinos.

These efforts were all unsuccessful. Another push to open these gambling venues came in 2013. Once again, no bills managed to make it onto the casino floor. Officials tried to convince state politicians that Virginians are gambling in Maryland, which is benefiting the most through taxes.

Finally, things took a turn. In March, legislators in Virginia approved a bill to allow commercial casinos in the state. Several cities are now lobbying to gain approval to open a casino.

Bristol is one city that’s ready to welcome a gambling venue. Randy Eads, city manager of Bristol, commented on the idea of opening a casino to the media this week.

“I cannot think of a better place for Hard Rock Casino to be than here in Bristol, Virginia,” Eads said. “Hard Rock is synonymous with music. With our storied history of music here in Bristol, to have a new partner aligned with the music industry like Hard Rock is, I cannot think of a more exciting time to be in the city of Bristol.”

Hard Rock is Open to Running a Casino in Bristol, VA

Hard Rock International is one of the fastest-growing casino companies in the US. The Seminole Tribe-owned company now has casinos in many states including Nevada, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Oklahoma, among others. It seems that Hard Rock is now open to running the proposed casino in Bristol, VA.

Proponents of this casino recently met with officials at Hard Rock International. According to reports, this meeting was successful.

“Hard Rock’s iconic brand speaks to its deep roots in live music entertainment and world-class memorabilia collection, which will play a prominent role at Hard Rock Casino Bristol. This focus on music will complement our region’s country music heritage and dynamic music scene in the Twin City,” said Jim McGlothlin, CEO of The United Company and a co-partner on the Bristol resort and casino development.

At the same time, Hard Rock is investing $300 million into a new land-based casino in Gary, Indiana. The company is also preparing to open a gambling venue in Rockford, Illinois.

The casino in Bristol, VA, has not been officially approved. It seems likely that state officials will give it the green light within the next few months. It’s an exciting time for gambling fans in this state.

Virginia Isn’t Quite Ready to Legalize Sports Betting

Lawmakers in Virginia are just beginning to embrace the gambling industry. Unfortunately, they don’t seem ready to start regulating sports betting. A bill was presented here that would legalize this form of wagering, yet it hasn’t made much progress in the state legislature.

This is frustrating for many individuals who believe the state would benefit massively from the legalization of this industry. Today, 20 states have officially legalized sports gambling. Most of them are earning millions of dollars every month by taxing this industry.

There’s a chance that sports betting in Virginia could be legalized in 2020, though. House Bill 4 is currently being reviewed by state lawmakers. Specific details of this bill are being withheld.

In order for it to be legalized, cities would need to officially approve this bill. Voters will also need to approve the legalization of sports betting on the 2020 ballot.

Stay tuned for more news on the casino in Bristol, VA over the next few months!

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Atlantic City, news

Atlantic City Casino Revenue Increases Massively in Q3

James MurrayBy James Murray

Over the past year, Atlantic City has grown to become one of the most profitable gambling hubs in the country. New reports show that Atlantic City casino revenue increased massively in 2019’s third quarter. It’s fantastic news for the state and casino companies operating here.

Atlantic City Sign

Both sports betting and casino gambling continues to generate revenue here. Let’s take a look at exactly how much money the city’s gambling industry managed to generate over the past several months.

New Reports Show Atlantic City Casino Revenue is Increasing

You can’t cover the US casino industry without talking about Atlantic City. Decades ago, this was one of the most profitable gambling markets in the world. Unfortunately, the recession took a major toll on this city and it seemed on the brink of collapse.

Recently, however, things have improved dramatically. Revenue in this city has continued to increase for almost all of 2019. There are a few major reasons why this is.

The legalization of sports betting is certainly helping. New Jersey made sports gambling legal in May of 2018. Every casino in the state now operates a sportsbook. It’s helped to generate millions of dollars for the state government via taxes. New Jersey now has the most profitable sports betting market in the world.

New reports show that Atlantic City casino revenue increased massively during this year’s third quarter. Gross profit for the three months increased to $26.5 million, representing a 12.5% increase from the same time period in 2018. Atlantic City’s nine casinos generated $928.9 million in net revenue.

Things are looking very good here. Based on the way things are going, this will be the best year in the city’s history.

Which Casinos Generated the Most Money in Q3?

July, August, and September are all popular gambling months. It’s not a huge surprise to see so much money flowing into the casinos during this quarter. Some casinos managed to earn considerably more than others, though.

Borgata Casino generated the most money. It’s the most popular casino in the city and blew all of its competitors out of the water. In total, this gambling venue brought in $210,141,863. Hard Rock Atlantic City brought in the second-most money at $106,663,788.

These properties have reason to celebrate. James T. Plousis, Casino Control Commission Chairman in NJ, states that non-gambling amenities in the city proved successful last quarter, too.

“Positive trends also continued with important tourism indicators,” he said. “Non-gaming amenities continue to create a competitive advantage, and visitors like the diverse dining, entertainment and leisure activities that Atlantic City has to offer.”

Just about every casino had a solid few months. Things are obviously slowing down as winter approaches yet many are still generating more money than they did last year.

Sports Betting Revenue Surges in AC, As Well

There’s never been a better time to be a sports fan in Atlantic City. Sportsbooks in this city are continuing to improve. Both online and land-based sports gambling is legal here. For almost all of 2019, revenue from this industry has increased.

In October, sports betting helped to increase gambling revenue in this city to $266.23 million. Statewide, sports bettors here placed $487.9 million in legal sports wagers last month. 85% of these bets were placed online.

Altogether, more than $3.5 billion has been spent on sports bets in this state.

“New Jersey sportsbooks have surpassed Nevada’s in recent months, and it continues to show significant promise for the gaming industry,” said Steve Callender, president of the Casino Association of New Jersey and senior vice president of operations for the East Region of Tropicana Atlantic City’s parent company, Eldorado Resorts Inc.“We are optimistic as we approach the end of this year that we will finish 2019 out in a strong position.”

Atlantic City casino revenue and sports betting revenue continue to increase. This city has the potential to become the country’s true gambling center.

Stay tuned for more Atlantic City gambling news over the next few months!