Gambling in the USA
Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – March 15-21
Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! It was again an eventful week in the USA, despite the still-active virus attack.
Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news, new partnerships and compliance updates. Read on and get updated.
Latest News
Konami Gaming’s DIMENSION 49J video slot cabinet and All Aboard video slot series have got nominated in three separate categories in the Annual EKG Slot Awards by Eilers & Krejcik Gaming. DIMENSION 49J has been nominated for Top Performing NEW Cabinet, while All Aboard has been nominated for Top Performing NEW Premium Game and Top Performing Proprietary Branded Game.
Caesars Entertainment has announced a $32.5 million expansion to its Indiana Grand Racing & Casino. Construction is set to start on April 1 and the project is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The expansion is expected to create more than 100 new casino jobs. Currently, Indiana Grand has about 100,000 square feet of gaming space. The 25,000-square-foot expansion will provide space for 100 new slot machines and 25 additional gaming tables.
NASCAR partner WynnBET, the digital gaming division of Wynn Resorts, has launched the WynnBET mobile app in the Commonwealth of Virginia in conjunction with being awarded an online sports betting permit in the state. With the recent announcement from the Virginia Lottery, WynnBET is now a legal gaming operator in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the WynnBET mobile app has been launched for sports betting enthusiasts to register and use throughout the state. Players who are 21 years of age or older can now download the app on Apple or Android devices with a $500 risk-free bet.
Inspired Entertainment has generated total revenue of $71.7m and adjusted EBITDA of $34.9m in the fourth quarter of 2020. These results include a payment from a UK LBO customer related to the company’s contractual revenue share of their value-added tax rebate, which positively impacted revenue by $32.5m and adjusted EBITDA by $31.7 million (in conjunction with third party fees).
Gross gambling revenues at MGM Springfield rose in February to $16.89 million, up from $14.5 million in January. But gross gambling revenue at the downtown casino still lags pre-pandemic figures in a pattern that holds true elsewhere and reflects the hospitality industry’s continued efforts to rebound from COVID-19 and the shutdowns necessary to prevent its spread.
Partnerships
Sportsbet.io has signed a two-year sponsorship agreement with Copa do Brasil. The agreement involves collaboration between the two brands, visibility on signs (LEDs and static), panels and rugs on the lawn, in addition to the traditional backdrops and materials in digital media. According to Justin Le Brocque, Head of Marketing at Sportsbet.io, this association with the national tournament is more of a connection with the Brazilian fan and a reason for pride for the company.
Pragmatic Play, a leading content provider to the gaming industry, has extended its presence in South America through its new partnership with Grupo Cordialito in Venezuela. The operator, one of the largest in the South American nation, will soon gain access to the supplier’s complete collection of Slots, including its latest titles, such as Eye of the Storm and Joker King, as well as its leading Live Casino products and the Virtual Sports offering.
FanDuel Group has announced a new multi-year partnership with two-time NBA champion and Inside the NBA analyst Kenny “The Jet” Smith. This new partnership designates FanDuel as the exclusive sports betting and daily fantasy provider for Kenny Smith. Additionally, Smith will appear in FanDuel advertising and TNT promotions featuring FanDuel’s free-to-play contests. Smith will also provide unique content for FanDuel Group’s social media channels.
Dignitas and HyperX have renewed and extended their partnership. The renewed partnership is the continuation of HyperX and Dignitas’ relationship that dates back to 2013. HyperX will continue to be the official peripheral partner of Dignitas. Through the partnership, HyperX and Dignitas will collaborate on exciting new content for Dignitas’ die-hard esports fans. HyperX Cloud Comms, a new and recurring content series, will bring Dignitas fans closer than ever before to their favourite players.
Kindred Group has teamed up with Gamban to offer Unibet customers in the US the ability to block online gambling sites across devices. Kindred has a long-standing cooperation with Gamban since 2017 across Europe and Australia. Gamban’s gambling blocking software works as an online gambling self-exclusion tool, preventing access to any online gambling site on individual devices.
Scientific Games Corporation has announced that its instant scratch games are coming to the Idaho Lottery. Scientific Games will design and manufacture Idaho Lottery scratch games under a new two-year contract, which begins in March 2021 and may be extended by the lottery for up to six additional years.
New Appointment
Everi Holdings has appointed Kate C. Lowenhar-Fisher as Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer – General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary, effective 22 March 2021, subject to customary regulatory approvals. She will have responsibility for the Company’s legal and regulatory compliance affairs and will report to Everi’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael Rumbolz.
Compliance Updates
Nuvei Corporation has announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Nuvei Technologies (Nuvei) has been approved to support the sports betting industry in Virginia. The Virginia Lottery has issued a sports betting vendor registration to Nuvei in accordance with the state’s sports betting regulation. The Company can now offer its innovative payment technology and industry expertise to provide an optimised payment experience and increased revenue opportunities for licensed gaming operators across the State.
Golden Nugget Online Gaming Inc. has announced that it has received a temporary permit to commence online sports wagering in the State of Virginia.
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A new research has revealed the stark reality behind a notable downturn in tourism to the renowned resort city, Las Vegas, with the number of visitors falling sharply compared to previous years.
The study, conducted by leading casino and sports betting community OLBG, shows that Vegas has seen a drop off of around 264,248 tourists on average per month – a decline of approximately 7.6%. It means over a quarter of a million fewer people are heading to the city each month marking one of the most significant slowdowns outside of pandemic years.
Post-Covid recovery stalling
Despite a steady period after the 2020 lockdown, Las Vegas saw consistent growth up until 2024. Recent OLBG data however shows a clear reversal with average monthly visitors falling from 3.47million to 3.21million. The city is now facing renewed pressure to maintain its global appeal.
The drop in tourism is reflected across key hotel metrics. Average room occupancy has declined to 80.4%, down from 84.4% the previous year – the lowest level in four years.
At the same time, the average daily room rate has fallen by nearly 10%, indicating that hotels are reducing prices to attract visitors. Revenue per available room has also dropped by 13% year-on-year, reaching its lowest level in over nine years outside of the pandemic.
Gaming revenue shows some resilience
Gaming revenue has seen a modest increase of 3.8% year-on-year, reaching a monthly average of $1.11 billion (inflation-adjusted). However, this follows a decline the previous year and remains below earlier peak levels.
While the sector is holding relatively steady, it is not enough to offset the wider decline in tourism and hospitality performance.
The data also reflects broader changes in consumer behaviour. The continued growth of online gambling, combined with more value-driven travel decisions, is reshaping the global gambling landscape.
Shift toward lower-cost destinations
Rising travel costs and changing consumer priorities appear to be driving a shift toward more affordable gambling destinations. Travellers are increasingly seeking locations that offer similar entertainment experiences at a lower overall cost.
Destinations such as Atlantic City and Biloxi in the US, alongside European cities like Prague and Budapest, are gaining traction due to cheaper accommodation, lower travel costs, and competitive casino offerings. International resort destinations, including Sun City in South Africa, are also emerging as cost-effective alternatives.
This growing competition is putting pressure on Las Vegas, particularly among price-sensitive travellers.
An OLBG spokesperson said: “Las Vegas has been the benchmark for global gambling tourism, but latest figures suggest its dominance is being tested. Continued rising costs in terms of travel and accommodation, plus spending in the city, means many players are more selective on destinations.
“Destinations that offer similar casino experiences but at lower prices are becoming more popular – whether that’s still in the US in Atlantic City and Biloxi or across Europe in cities such as Prague and Budapest. Value is becoming the key driver for tourists’ decision-making.
“However, continued growth of online gambling is giving players more flexibility than they’ve ever had. In some cases, this reduces the need to travel altogether whilst others choose short, cost-effective trips with digital play.
“Sin City isn’t going anywhere, though. It remains a world class destination but it’s operating in a much more competitive global market compared to previous years.”
The post New Research Shows Stark Reality of Tourism Decline in Las Vegas appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Aristocrat Gaming
MONOPOLY Big Board Bucks by Aristocrat Gaming Makes its Official Debut at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino
Aristocrat Gaming has officially launched its new MONOPOLY Big Board Bucks slot game in the US, with Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel becoming the first casino in the world to debut the game.
Ushering in a new era, MONOPOLY Big Board Bucks is the first game title released by Aristocrat Gaming, under its newly awarded multiyear licensing partnership with Hasbro. Powered by the company’s industry-leading innovation, this first title brings nostalgia, iconic iconography and dynamic gameplay to the forefront.
“We are incredibly proud to see our introductory MONOPOLY title, Big Board Bucks, make its debut on casino floors. The journey to this moment has been filled with energy, excitement, and a deep appreciation for the opportunity to innovate with one of the world’s most iconic brands. Yaamava’ Resort & Casino truly embraced the significance of being the first to launch, and we’re kicking things off with tremendous momentum. We look forward to the continued excitement from players as the game rolls out nationwide,” said Craig Toner, CEO of Aristocrat Gaming.
With this historic game launch, Yaamava’ is hosting its largest promotion to date, culminating on May 29 when one Club Serrano member will receive the biggest single prize in the property’s history — the “Own It All” package valued at more than $1.6 million, including $500,000 towards a mortgage, $500,000 in travel credit and a Ferrari 296GTS worth over $640,000.
“Launching the World Premiere for MONOPOLY Big Board Bucks gives us the opportunity to do what we do best—deliver next-level entertainment paired with meaningful rewards for our players. From the immersive reveal to our largest promotion ever, this launch reflects our commitment to creating moments that feel big, celebratory, and uniquely Yaamava’,” said Kenji Hall, General Manager of Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel.
MONOPOLY Big Board Bucks infuses nostalgia into gameplay with the player experience feeling like playing the actual board game, including player-selectable game tokens, Mr. Monopoly, Free Parking, houses and hotels and even the famous game board itself. Players are presented with triple metamorphic gameplay with Extra Spins, Extra Properties and Extra Houses. These metamorphic features lead to the Big Board Bucks Bonus, and may be awarded individually, in pairs, or all together to enhance the bonus. Any of these triggers will lead to the Big Board Bucks Bonus. In the Big Board Bucks Bonus, players have the chance to trigger rewards around the game board and land money bags, properties, houses and hotels, Free Parking and even the GO Jackpot Wheel. There’s also an exciting fourth metamorphic with Free Games that will trigger once the meter bar has been filled.
MONOPOLY Big Board Bucks is available on The Baron Portrait cabinet and is available in a never-before-seen signage package, the Skyline, featuring LED-lit themed panel dividers and dual-tier LED toppers adorned with lit Monopoly signature property game pieces crowning the top.
The post MONOPOLY Big Board Bucks by Aristocrat Gaming Makes its Official Debut at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
The Plaza Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas will open a High Limit Gaming Room later this summer, offering an exclusive slot play area with the newest, most popular games.
Located on the main casino floor, the Plaza’s new High Limit Gaming Room will be an intimate gaming space with approximately 60 state-of-the-art games, including several electronic table games, for an enhanced gaming experience.
“The Plaza continues to diversify its offerings to meet the changing needs of our guests,” said Jonathan Jossel, CEO of the Plaza Hotel & Casino. “Adding a High Limit Gaming Room is just another amenity we want to provide so our guests know they have a variety of gaming options at the Plaza, including an exclusive, comfortable, and personalized area for slot play.”
Jossel added that the High Limit Gaming Room is being added due to the Plaza’s growing slot business, new higher-end players making the Plaza home, and requests from longstanding customers.
To create a uniquely opulent ambiance, the design of the Plaza’s High Limit Gaming Room blends classic Las Vegas glamour with modern sophistication, featuring rich dark tones, gold Art Deco detailing, and plush upholstery.
The Plaza’s new High Limit Gaming Room will also offer players convenient amenities like a concierge desk where casino hosts can assist guests with booking dinner reservations at the award-winning Oscar’s Steakhouse, hotel room upgrades, reserving a cabana at the Plaza’s rooftop pool, and more.
Dedicated cocktail servers will provide personalized service to guests round-the-clock, while the room will also feature chilled beverages available to guests at their leisure. Additionally, guests will have convenient access to an ATM/TITO redemption machine installed for use only in the High Limit Gaming Room.
To ensure the experience in the new High Limit Gaming Room feels intimate and personalized, the Plaza capped its size to 2,000 sq. ft. It is also being designed with the functionality to transform into a private event room with ample counter space to accommodate party platters, buffets, and beverages.
The Plaza’s new High Limit Gaming Room will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and a grand opening event will be held later this summer.
The post Plaza Hotel & Casino to open new High Limit Gaming Room this summer appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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