Bruce Deifik, the owner of the new Ocean Resort Casino in Atlantic City, wants patrons to feel like guests in his home. In fact, he and his family will greet guests at the door when the casino opens June 28.
The post Meet The Deifiks: Owners Will Welcome Guests To Ocean Resort On Opening Day appeared first on Play NJ.
The Event #3: $3,000 No-Limit Hold’em SHOOTOUT and the Event #4: $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better are underway with some notable players still in.
Las Vegas poker dealer Jordan Hufty has emerged victorious from a field of 566 entries to win the 2018 World Series of Poker $565 casino employees event. For the win …
This week was landmark for Pennsylvania Lottery.
As part of a gambling expansion bill passed in 2017, Pennsylvania introduced its selection of instant-win online lottery games dubbed PA iLottery. It was a soft launch, allowing PA Lottery to work out any bugs or glitches that may arise.
Unfortunately, users over the past few days have been out in full force to point out those hiccups.
Bluntly, user reviews of the Pennsylvania Lottery app have been poor. Prior to the soft launch of the new instant win games, the Loterry app reviews were generally positive. Its features, like a ticket checker that can scan to see if you bought a winning ticket, were useful tools for regular Lottery players. However, now that the app is configured for mobile play, problems seem to be arising.
They have complained about the app crashing, about constantly having to verify their ages and being forced to constantly log back into their accounts.
Certainly, not all users have faced these issues. Yet many are clearly unhappy with the app recently.
It could be a number of things. In order to participate in the app’s games, users must be Pennsylvania residents. Geolocation software to verify such may have caused the app to glitch. It could be the age verification that requires users to check a box confirming they are at least 18 years old followed by them inputting the last four digits of their social security number.
The go-to cause, however, may be an out-of-date app. It is recommended that iOS users experiencing troubles visit the Apple Store and update the app. Android users, meanwhile, should go to the PA Lottery website and re-download the app. It is no longer available in the Google Play Store because Google does not allow apps with iLottery online gaming.
As the iLottery grows, the mobile app will become a more crucial part of PA Lottery’s strategy. So, if there are kinks now, presumably the tech team for the Lottery will be quick to fix things. Moreover, there is probably a learning curve for Lottery players. The app is equipped with new tech for new products. Learning how to navigate it will likely take some time.
The post PA Lottery App Upgrade Creates Some Technical Headaches appeared first on Play Pennsylvania.
One of the largest casino companies in the country continued to expand its interests on the East Coast this week. Plus it promised there’s much more to come. Las Vegas-based MGM Resorts International announced on May 29 it has entered into an agreement to acquire Empire City Casino in the New York City inner suburb of Yonkers.
MGM will reportedly pay $850 million for the Yonkers racino, a property which is everything but a full-fledged casino. It features 120,000 square feet of gaming space with more than more than 5,300 video lottery terminals, including popular slot titles and various electronic table games like Roulette, Craps, and Blackjack.
Empire City Casino also hosts live and simulcast harness racing at the historic Yonkers Raceway. Plus, there is a wide variety of food, drink, and entertainment options on site, all just minutes from New York City.
The deal will likely close in the first quarter of 2019. Although, it is still subject to regulatory approvals and various closing conditions.
MGM Resorts International Chairman and CEO Jim Murren said the acquisition solidifies the company’s presence on the East Coast.
“We are excited to announce the addition of Empire City to the MGM Resorts portfolio. This acquisition represents an excellent opportunity to further solidify our presence on the East Coast, and in particular, expand our reach into the high-density New York City region.”
MGM’s presence on the East Coast has been on the rise over the past few years.
In 2016, the company bought out Boyd Gaming’s 50 percent interest in Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, giving it full ownership of the Atlantic City, New Jersey casino.
In December 2016, it also opened the $1.4 billion MGM National Harbor casino resort in Maryland, just outside Washington D.C. MGM National Harbor features a 23-story hotel and 135,000 square foot casino.
MGM will also open Massachusetts’ second commercial casino operation this summer. The $950 million MGM Springfield is scheduled to open in Springfield on August 24. It will feature a 250-room hotel and 125,000 square feet of gaming space. The casino will include 3,000 slot machines, 100 gaming tables, a poker room, and high-limit VIP gambling area. Plus, MGM Springfield will also include close to 55,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space.
In the meantime, MGM also remains committed to the idea of building a casino resort in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Despite the fact, the proposed location of the facility is less than 50 miles from Empire City Casino.
MGM revealed its plans to build a $675 million casino resort in Bridgeport in September last year. Plans include a 300-room hotel and a casino with 2,000 slot machines and 160 table games. The facility is also expected to include a 700-seat theater and various retail stores and restaurants.
In early May, the Connecticut House approved legislation allowing for the submission of new commercial casino proposals. The Connecticut Senate has yet to even debate the legislation, and isn’t likely to do so until 2019.
Previously, only tribal casinos have been proposed, approved, and opened in Connecticut. This includes the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe’s Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard and the Mohegan Tribe’s Mohegan Sun in Uncasville. Plus, a third proposed satellite casino in East Windsor, jointly owned by the two tribes. The project got the thumbs up by state lawmakers, but still awaiting federal approval.
The $300 million satellite casino is planned for an area only 12 miles south of Springfield. The Tribe’s hope is revenues will help offset the loss of business expected when MGM Springfield opens across state lines.
Since its approval by state lawmakers, MGM has been lobbying hard for the right to propose new commercial casino plans. It’s also hoping to negotiate a better revenue-sharing agreement than the one the state has with the tribes.
After announcing the agreement to acquire Empire City Casino, MGM issued a statement confirming its commitment to Bridgeport:
“While we remain hopeful that Connecticut will build on this year’s legislative progress and ultimately authorize a competitive process for a commercial casino license, the state’s delay will not deter us from executing our company’s comprehensive growth strategy. For years, MGM Resorts has been unwavering in its interest in Connecticut, and in Bridgeport in particular, but thus far Connecticut has rejected all attempts to have an open competitive process for a commercial casino license.
“We continue to believe that with its proximity to the New York City (metropolitan area) and its excellent existing infrastructure, Bridgeport provides substantial opportunity to unlock real value for not only a casino developer, but for the people of Connecticut and the state itself. Just as other jurisdictions in the northeastern region of the United States have modernized their gaming laws to take advantage of shifting market dynamics, we renew our call on Connecticut to do the same.”
The post Its Newest Casino Is 50 Miles Away, But MGM Still Wants Bridgeport appeared first on Play MA–Legal gambling for Massachusetts.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) is ready to review the first sports betting applications.
Thursday morning, the board announced that the window is open, and existing casino licensees can begin submitting paperwork immediately. Operators were given the news directly prior to the public release. Regulators are also fielding applications for daily fantasy sports and online gambling. Online lottery expansion is well underway, too.
Today’s PGCB announcement follows Wednesday’s approval of the “first in a series” of temporary regulations for sports betting. There’s not much to them so far, but there’s plenty to get the industry rolling. You can read the working regulations here.
Executive Director Kevin O’Toole says the board will update the framework often going forward:
The actions taken by the Board are the first in our efforts to launch sports wagering in Pennsylvania as soon as possible. In the coming months, we expect to regularly ask the Board for approval of additional temporary regulations that will move us toward a launch of this new gaming initiative.
The PGCB is also soliciting public feedback on its temporary regulations.
Sports betting licenses are available to all PA casino operators, contingent on PGCB approval. There are 12 PA casinos right now, and a 13th is on the way in the coming years. Not all will seek licenses, though. The $10 million fee and 36 percent tax rate will serve as disincentives to some.
Per temporary regulations, brick-and-mortar sportsbooks must be either (1) connected to the gaming floor or (2) in “a non-primary location” conducting pari-mutuel wagering. The latter seems to leave open the possibility of sports betting at off-track betting facilities.
Licensees are allowed to use temporary sportsbooks for up to 18 months while they prepare permanent solutions.
The 2017 law also has internet and mobile wagering baked in, and the board has authorized the use of those platforms. In addition to the land-based sportsbooks, betting will be available everywhere the internet reaches within the state’s borders.
You read it from O’Toole. Regulators want to facilitate PA sports betting “as soon as possible.” That doesn’t really nail it down very much, and it’s tough to gauge from the outside looking in.
We can peek across the border into New Jersey for some possible context though. The state ventured into online gambling in 2013, passing its law in late February. Applications were posted in July and approved in October, and the first sites went live in late November. It took exactly 10 months from passage to launch — and about five months from licensure.
The PA law has been on the books since last October, so 10 months from passage won’t happen. Launching wagering five months from applications, though, seems to be on the ambitious side of possible. Pencil in November as the most ambitious posisbility.
Sports betting and online gambling are two different beasts, though. And Pennsylvania is not New Jersey.
PA is among the group of states blazing the first trails into this wilderness, a wilderness that Congress had roped off until this month. There are countless logistics to sort out before the first bets can be placed. Regulations aren’t even finalized yet, for that matter.
The good news is that the keystones are coming into place. Workable regulations are on paper, and the first license applications should get submitted soon. From this point, six months or so seems like a reasonable timeline for launch.
In the spirit of speculation, we’ll set the over-under for the first PA sports bet at Jan. 1, 2019. The sharp money is on the over, though.
The post Day After Temp Regs Approved, PGCB Opens Sports Betting License Applications appeared first on Play Pennsylvania.
GeoComply’s Lindsay Slader explains why the company’s geolocation technology will have a pivotal role in states with online sports betting, similar to how New Jersey online casinos use geolocation.
The post Geolocation Technology Will Play A Critical Role In Online Sports Betting appeared first on Play NJ.
The Pennsylvania Lottery soft-launched its online lottery website this week, offering the first-ever legal and regulated online gambling products available in the state.
The post Get Ready To Log On To The PA iLottery appeared first on PA Online Casino.
Ever wanted to win a WSOP bracelet? How about a bracelet and $1 million? OK, what about winning a bracelet, $1 million, and paying just $22 for the pleasure?
Well, if you join the action at WSOP.com NJ this week, you could be on your way to doing exactly that. With shared liquidity between New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware now in full swing, the tournament team is upping the ante ahead of the WSOP Colossus.
Known as one of the best value events of the summer series, the Colossus is an affordable way to win at least $1 million. Now, before we tell you how you can get into the mix for just $22, let’s quickly talk about the Colossus.
Launched in 2015, the Colossus was the WSOP’s first big venture into sub-$1,000 tournaments. In a bid to give low stakes players more value, the organizers created a $565 tournament with a guaranteed prize pool as large as its name.
Unsurprisingly, with at least $5 million up for grabs, players anted up in droves. By the time the registration desks closed, a record-shattering 22,374 buy-ins had been collected.
With the prize pool pushed to an impressive $11,187,000, Texas native Lance “Cord” Garcia took home $638,880 after beating Bradley McFarland heads-up. Off the back of this initial success, the Colossus has gone from strength to strength.
This summer, the aptly named event gets underway on June 2 and will be as big as ever.
If that seems like it’s a little close for comfort, fear not. With six starting flights running until June 4, there’s plenty of time to satellite in and win your way to Vegas. Indeed, if you’re suitably enthused by the prospect of winning a seat in the big one and winning at least $1 million, all you need to do is play the Colossal XXII on June 3. Taking place on WSOP NJ at 8 p.m. ET, the qualifier guarantees at least 22 seats in the $565 tournament.
Unfortunately, you won’t win your travel or accommodation expenses. However, for $22 and a shot at a million, that probably won’t matter. In fact, what’s great about this satellite promotion is that it takes place at the same time as WSOP #10, the $365 online bracelet event.
With a prize pool of at least $500,000, this is another low-cost, high-value tournament. What’s more, it’s your chance to win a prestigious bracelet without leaving the comfort of your own home.
Basically, if you’re willing to double dip on June 3, you could win a bracelet and a seat in the Colossus. Yes, the right combination of good fortune, timing and skill are necessary if you want to win. However, the opportunity to turn a small investment into a life-changing win is there.
Naturally, if you’re not already a member of WSOP NJ, now is the time to join. By following our secure sign-up link, you’ll receive two rewards.
Firstly, because we’re in the business, we’ve managed to secure a sick no deposit bonus you won’t find anywhere else. Once you click our link, create an account, enter the bonus code 10FREE, and you’ll get $10 to use in cash games or tournaments. As long as you wager the bonus amount 1x and earn a single Action Point, you can request a withdrawal without losing your free credits.
Play At WSOP NJ With Free Signup Bonus
Visit WSOPIn addition to our exclusive no deposit bonus, you can receive a 100 percent deposit bonus worth up to $1,000 when you fund your account for the first time. This reward is dripped into your account in $10 increments. To release each payment, you’ll need to rake $50. Do this as many times as required within 60 days and the bonus credits are yours to keep.
When you combine these impressive offers with the WSOP.com’s Colossal XXII qualifier, there really is no better time to jump into the mix. With WSOP fever in full swing in Las Vegas, you could be swapping bets with the pros if you ante-up and win on June 3 at 8 p.m. ET.
The post For Just $22, You Could Win Your Way To The Colossus Event Via WSOP NJ appeared first on NJ Online Casino.
Fledgling online poker site Virtue Poker is ready to announce itself to the world at the 2018 WSOP. The Blockchain powered poker site has patched up big names like Phil Ivey to help get the word out.
The post This Summer’s Hottest WSOP Patch: Cryptocurrency Site Virtue Poker appeared first on Online Poker Report.