How Much Could You Save by Uninstalling PokerStars?

If you find your computer is running slower than it used to, or that security scans are taking much longer, it could be attributable to the volume of cached files and logs PokerStars saves to your hard drive. You can easily save a considerable amount of space by uninstalling and reinstalling the PokerStars client.

Christmas Came Early For NV, NJ, And DE Online Poker Players

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first ever tri-state shared player pool online poker games launched in New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware on Monday night.

The games were played on the WSOP.com sites in New Jersey and Nevada, 888 Poker in New Jersey, and the 888-powered Delaware online poker network’s Delaware Park, Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway sites.

It appeared some of the sites saw a small bump in traffic and the games went off without any technical problems. The tri-state shared liquidity games actually launched one night before they were expected to.

The sites announced in mid-April they had submitted games and software to regulatory bodies in all three states for testing. Approval was anticipated and the online poker rooms sounded hopeful interstate play would go live on Tuesday, May 1.

New Jersey signed on to the Multi-State Internet Gaming Association (MSIGA) interstate compact in October 2017. Nevada and Delaware online poker sites have shared player pools under the agreement since 2015.

888 Holdings is the long-time software provider for Caesars Interactive Entertainment and it’s World Series of Poker-branded online poker sites. It also provides a similar service to all three sites in the exclusive Delaware racino online poker network.

888 and Caesars are the only organizations with sites in all three states. That made it obvious they would be the first to apply for and launch tri-state shared liquidity games.

Bigger tournament prize pools and more cash game traffic

Now that the games are live and players in all three states are competing against one another, they can begin to look ahead at a schedule promising to bring larger tournament prize pools and increased cash game traffic across the board.

Of course, the immediate uptick in traffic will be more noticeable in the smaller markets of Nevada and Delaware. However, if WSOP’s head of online poker Bill Rini is correct, significant growth will be seen across all three states over time. Particularly as the increasing numbers continue to attract even more poker players back online for the first time in years.

In fact, all signs point to legal and regulated online poker in the US seeing significant growth over the next while. Pennsylvania lawmakers approved online poker legislation in October 2017. The first sites will likely launch in late 2018.

It will likely double the size of interstate online poker if Pennsylvania becomes the fourth state to sign on to the MSIGA interstate compact. Most expect Pennsylvania to sign on at some point.

Plus, it could create a domino effect with other states on the fence about online poker passing legislation once Pennsylvania goes live.

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The immediate benefits of interstate online poker

For now, only players in New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware can enjoy the benefits of interstate online poker. Including completely revamped tournament schedules with $15 million worth of guarantees from May through September.

The tri-state tri-state shared liquidity tournament schedule now features tournament guarantees worth $250,000 every Sunday. This includes a $320 buy-in $100,000 guaranteed tournament at 7 p.m. every Sunday.

There is at least one tournament with a guarantee of $10,000 or more running every day. Plus, there is a full range of freerolls into guaranteed tournaments and WSOP satellites over the next two and a half months.

WSOP online bracelet events in Nevada and New Jersey

Players in New Jersey and Nevada will also have the ability to play for a World Series of Poker bracelet from either state coming up in June. Delaware players cannot play in WSOP online bracelet events.

Previously, Nevada players were the only ones able to enter WSOP online bracelet events. The WSOP is planning to host four online WSOP bracelet events this June.

The four 2018 WSOP online bracelet events include:

  • $365 WSOP.com ONLINE No-Limit Hold’em on June 3
  • $565 WSOP.com ONLINE Pot-Limit Omaha 6-Handed on June 22
  • $1,000 WSOP.com ONLINE No-Limit Hold’em Championship on June 29
  • $3,200 WSOP.com ONLINE No-Limit Hold’em High Roller on June 30

Additionally, tri-state shared liquidity has seen the sites update all cash games offerings. Nevada and New Jersey loyalty programs have also been upgraded.

Players in those two states will now take part in the Poker Rewards loyalty club. It offers up to 32 percent rakeback based on the amount of play.

Finally, WSOP.com wants everyone to celebrate the player pooling with a big splashy MTT to kick things off. The Coast to Coast Online Poker Classic. The event features $1 million in guarantees and runs from May 11-May 20. The Main Event will feature a $200,000 guarantee and a $500 buy-in. The full schedule is available on WSOP.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Pennsylvania Lottery Launches Keno in Local Bars and Restaurants

On May 1, the Pennsylvania Lottery begins modernizing its portfolio of offerings by adding games, venues, and wagering options. The changes are made possible through Pennsylvania’s 2017 gaming expansion law that passed last fall.

“We pride ourselves on responding to market conditions,” lottery executive director Drew Svitko said in a press release. “We recognize the opportunities presented by new technology and the need for modernizing our operations and points of purchase and the way we’re delivering products.

The Pennsylvania Lottery introduces Keno at your local bar

Beginning Tuesday, May 1, lottery players can take part in a fast-paced game of Keno at their favorite bar or restaurant. It is the first new game to roll out as part of the expansion.

How to play Keno:

  • Purchase a payslip for $1 to $20 per play
  • Choose up to 10 numbers from 1 to 80
  • A computer randomly draws 20 numbers
  • Match the computer’s numbers for a chance to win

The Lottery’s processor generates a new draw every four minutes. Players can watch the draws live on a monitor in the venue where they are playing. Winning numbers are also posted online at palottery.com and on the Lottery’s mobile app.

According to Svitko, Keno will pay players about $0.65 for every dollar wagered, similar to lottery’s current return. Find complete Keno game rules, prizes, and chances of winning on the PA Lottery website.

“Pennsylvania Lottery Keno players are going to love this exciting, new way to play and win,” said Svitko. “Although you can play Keno at any Lottery retailer, it’s the first game we’ve specifically marketed to businesses where adults gather to have fun – such as bars and restaurants.”

Svitko acknowledged that players having more opportunities to wager brings additional risk to its customers To help mitigate the risk; players will have the ability to monitor and limit the amount of money they wager or the amount of time they spend wagering through their online accounts.

Players must be 18 years of age or older and physically be located within Pennsylvania to play.

Online wagering coming soon to the Pennsylvania Lottery

Keno is only the first phase of the Pennsylvania Lottery expansion. Sometime in late May, players can set up online lottery accounts and purchase 10 to 15 different games.

“These games are meant to appeal to a new audience,” Svitko said. “These are a lot closer to a game like Candy Crush than what people are accustomed to in a game like Powerball. These are meant to be engaging, entertaining, relevant games. We have fewer young people playing now than we would like.”

Following the implementation of the online lottery, Xpress Sports will launch. Xpress Sports allows players to place bets on fantasy outcomes in simulated football games and auto races.  Like Keno, wagers happen in local bars and restaurants. Monitors will be available to show the games and races.

Svitko said Pennsylvania will be the first U.S. lottery to launch these specific games when it rolls out in about two months time.

Online gaming revenue projections

Last year, lottery revenue unexpectantly fell. This year, income is ahead of last year’s numbers. Lottery officials predict $4.2 billion in sales and $1.1 billion in profits this year.

Live and online gambling profit projections for the new offerings are:

  • Keno – $27 million
  • Online lottery games – $30 million
  • Xpress Sports – $13 million

The Pennsylvania Lottery is the only lottery in the nation to allocate 100 percent of its profits to elderly citizens in the Keystone State.

The revenue, including that generated from the new offerings, will help seniors with:

  • Costs of prescription drugs
  • Rent and property taxes
  • Transportation services
  • In-home assistance

The expansion of the Lottery portfolio will not only grow the lottery’s customer base; it will ensure future revenue growth and continued support of Pennsylvania’s seniors.

More Lottery venues and new customers

Expect the fast and frequent play of Keno and Xpress Sports to introduce new and younger customers to the Pennsylvania Lottery.

If projections hold true, Keno will supplement the revenue generated by its existing games including the Daily Number and Powerball. Expanding into bars, restaurants, and clubs across the state is a win for the new lottery retailers and for the Lottery itself.

Svitko estimates 500 new venues applied to participate in Keno by installing monitors on site. The Lottery is actively recruiting new retailers across the state and hopes the number will reach between 2,000 and 3,000 within the next two years.

The biggest challenge is the competition for attention and space between the Lottery monitors and TVs showing sporting events that are in high demand.

However you look at it, your local bar and restaurant are likely to become a favorite hangout.

Photo by Aeronautics / Shutterstock.com

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Nevada Poker Report March 2018: Nevada Poker Rooms Set The Stage For A Big Summer

Las Vegas had another strong month in March, with total gaming revenue topping $1 billion for the third consecutive month. Poker only accounts for a fraction of that total, but it’s safe to say that Nevada poker rooms were buzzing in March.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board reported a 5.68 percent year-over-year increase in poker revenue for the month, marking the first time poker revenue surpassed $10 million in March since 2014.

Poker revenue reached $10,154,000 in March, compared $9,608,000 the state’s poker rooms collected in March 2017.

For the month, the NGCB counted 62 poker rooms and 567 tables, compared to 66 poker rooms and 596 poker tables the state boasted last year.

On a per table basis, March 2018 blew last year’s numbers out of the water:

  • March 2017 table average: $16,121
  • March 2018 table average: $17,908

2018 live poker revenue in Nevada

12-month poker room and table trend

  • April 2017: 64 poker rooms and 586 poker tables
  • May 2017: 62 poker rooms and 724 poker tables
  • June 2017: 62 poker rooms and 731 poker tables
  • July 2017: 63 poker rooms and 724 poker tables
  • August 2017: 63 poker rooms and 603 poker tables
  • September 2017: 62 poker rooms and 598 poker tables
  • October 2017: 61 poker rooms and 572 poker tables
  • November 2017: 62 poker rooms and 580 poker tables
  • December 2017: 61 poker rooms and 562 poker tables
  • January 2018:  63 poker rooms and 568 poker tables
  • February 2018:  64 poker rooms and 587 poker tables
  • March 2018: 62 poker rooms and 567 poker tables

Poker in Clark County

The NGCB counted 39 poker rooms and 454 poker tables in Clark County in the month of March. Clark County includes the heavily trafficked and larger poker rooms from Las Vegas.

Clark County can lay claim to 90 percent of the total poker market share in Nevada. In March, Clark County poker rooms accounted for $9,206,000 of the $10,154,000 poker dollars collected by the state’s card rooms.

The 39 rooms and 454 tables are a decline from a year ago when there were 40 poker rooms and 478 poker tables. It’s also a decrease of 17 tables compared to last month’s numbers. But like the state as a whole, Y/Y revenue was up significantly in Clark County. Despite 24 fewer tables, poker revenue rose 6.75 percent in March.

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Poker on the Las Vegas Strip

The Las Vegas Strip’s poker rooms tallied $6,510,000 in March, even though the Strip only accounts for a fraction of the poker rooms and tables in the state, 18 and 260 respectively.

Nevada poker rooms by the numbers

The largest poker rooms in Las Vegas are mainly found on the Las Vegas Strip:

  • Venetian (The Strip) – 37 poker tables
  • Bellagio (The Strip) – 37 poker tables
  • Orleans (Las Vegas off-strip)- 35 poker tables
  • Wynn (The Strip) – 28 poker tables
  • Aria (The Strip) – 24 poker tables
  • South Point Casino (Henderson) – 22 poker tables
  • Green Valley Ranch Casino (Henderson) – 22 poker tables
  • Red Rock Casino (Summerlin) – 20 tables

Historical data and trends of poker in Nevada

Here’s a look at several key poker metrics from the UNLV Center for Gaming Research, which has been tracking the number of poker rooms, tables and revenue since 1992:

Year # of Rooms # of Tables Total Revenue % Change YoY
1992 92 564 74,701,000 -2.57
1993 89 571 70,814,000 -5.20
1994 93 586 71,667,000 1.20
1995 92 574 66,520,000 -7.18
1996 82 539 64,485,000 -3.06
1997 77 490 61,509,000 -4.61
1998 76 526 58,873,000 -4.29
1999 70 546 63,244,000 7.41
2000 68 473 63,064,000 -0.28
2001 65 475 59,673,000 -5.38
2002 57 386 57,791,000 -3.15
2003 58 383 68,276,000 18.15
2004 79 484 98,862,000 44.80
2005 96 701 140,224,000 42.00
2006 106 886 160,929,000 14.77
2007 113 907 167,975,000 4.38
2008 113 913 155,724,000 -7.29
2009 114 905 145,580,000 -6.54
2010 109 920 135,200,000 -7.13
2011 104 872 131,877,000 -2.46
2012 99 809 123,253,000 -6.54
2013 88 774 123,891,000 0.56
2014 79 736 119,904,000 -3.18
2015 76 681 118,023,000 -1.57
2016 73 661 117,753,000 -0.18
2017 71 615 118,455,000 0.60

 

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NJ Online Poker Players Split $150,000 In 888poker BLAST Sit And Go

Four online poker players in New Jersey won pieces of a $150,000 prize pool last week through the WSOP.com and 888poker network’s lottery sit and go game BLAST.

BLAST sit and go games are four-person super-turbo Texas Hold’em tournaments that randomly award prize pool multipliers of anywhere from two times to 10,000 times the buy-in. The multiplier is drawn randomly before play begins and is also used to determine the blinds and length of the tournament.

With all prize pool multipliers the blinds increase every two minutes. However, the bigger the multiplier, the more levels players will compete in before time runs out. Once it does, players are automatically forced to go all-in every hand until a winner is determined.

Having a BLAST

888poker BLAST

BLAST was developed by 888poker. Buy-ins range from as little as $0.10 all the way up to $30. As a result, prize pools can reach as high as $300,000.

All BLAST tournaments with a multiplier of 1,000 times or more feature six levels of play before players are forced all in. The winner earns 60 percent of the prize pool and the runner up collects 20 percent. The third-place and fourth-place finishers each receive 10 percent.

Smaller multipliers pay fewer players. In fact, in BLAST sit and go games with a two times multiplier, only the winner gets paid. In games with a five times multiplier, 70 percent of the prize pool goes to the winner and the runner-up earns 30 percent. Plus, in games with anywhere from a 10 times to 100 times multiplier, 60 percent of the prize pool goes to the winner, the runner-up earns 25 percent, and the third-place finisher grabs 15 percent.

Only BLAST sit and go games with a multiplier of over 1,000 pay all four players.

Multipliers are not revealed until registration is complete and the tournament begins.

Of course, the lower multipliers are the most commonly drawn. In fact, there’s a better than 50 percent chance (549,990 in 1 million) that a two times multiplier will be drawn. Plus, the five times multiplier is drawn with a frequency of 408,450 in 1 million. That means there’s a better than 95 percent chance players will draw a multiplier of five times or less.

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A ten in 1 million shot

The maximum 10,000 times multiplier is drawn with a frequency of just 10 in 1 million. However, that’s exactly what happened to four $15 BLAST players on Thursday, April 26. They drew the 10,000 times multiplier and competed for pieces of a $150,000 prize pool.

In the end, two WSOP.com players won $15,000 each, taking third and fourth place. However, the lion’s share of the prize pool was scooped up by two 888poker players. The winner earned $90,000 and the runner-up collected $30,000.

888poker and WSOP.com in NJ

888poker originally launched in New Jersey under Bally’s internet gaming license. It struggled to gain market share due to poor brand recognition.

The site was brought under the Caesars Interactive Entertainment internet gaming license umbrella and began sharing player pools with WSOP.com in New Jersey in 2015.

The sites combine to lead the New Jersey market until PokerStars NJ launched in March 2016. The WSOP/888 network still manages to capture significant cash game market share at times. Plus, traffic is expected to increase significantly now that the sites are sharing player pools with the Nevada WSOP.com site and online poker sites using 888poker software in Delaware.

WSOP.com is a World Series of Poker branded online poker site. It operates in New Jersey under the Caesars Interactive Entertainment internet gaming license using 888poker software.

WSOP.com has been one of the most successful New Jersey online poker sites since it launched in November 2013. In terms of traffic and revenue, it was right behind the Borgata and partypokerNJ network at launch. It then took the market share lead when it began sharing player pools with 888poker in January 2015.

PokerStars now leads the New Jersey online poker market. However, traffic at WSOP.com in NJ often exceeds that of its top competitor.

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Penn National Strikes A Deal With Lightning Box For Online Slots

Penn Interactive Ventures (PIV) is making room for more shelves in its online casino library.

Last week, the digital subsidiary of Penn National Gaming (PNG) announced a long-term partnership with slots developer Lightning Box. The deal will bring new titles to PNG’s portfolio of online casinos starting this year.

Although the games will initially be limited to social casino platforms, both parties have clear ambitions in the real-money space.

PNG has been pressing especially hard in recent years, locking up major deals across both land-based and digital properties. This one represents a small but relevant piece of a much-larger expansion.

Sydney-based Lightning Box is establishing a presence on American soil itself, counting Penn among a growing list of partners.

Penn Interactive + Lightning Box

Under the deal, some of Lightning Box’s titles will be available within Penn’s online casino library this year. The popular Chilli Gold will be the first to go live in Q3, followed by Dolphin Gold, Respin Rhinos, Silver Lion and others from the company’s 50-title library.

The games will launch on PIV’s three social clients:

  • Hollywood Casino
  • Big Bonus Slots
  • Viva Slots

These are free-to-play products, but this deal also turns an eye toward a paid platform down the road. Lightning Box has experience in both spaces, including a real-money position in the young New Jersey market.

PIV Managing Director Chris Sheffield highlighted as much in his statements:

“Lightning Box’s gaming content is proven across real-money and social gaming platforms. And with its already established U.S. credentials, we look forward to working together for the foreseeable future.”

Penn putting pieces into place

Land-based expansion comes first…

PNG has spent about 20 years acquiring property around the country, starting with a few more race tracks within the region. It branched out geographically and conceptually in 2000, entering the casino business with standalone properties in St. Louis and Biloxi.

The group acquired the Hollywood brand in 2003, then Argosy Gaming two years later. It was buying so much property that it formed its own real-estate entity for tax purposes, Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. There were even rumors that PNG was maneuvering for a Harrah’s buyout at one point.

Penn has owned Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course since the beginning, too. With PA horse racing running through its veins, PNG recently fortified its position in its home state.

Late last year, it announced plans to purchase Pinnacle Entertainment in a landmark deal worth $2.8 billion. The closing will add another dozen properties to PNG’s portfolio, including Meadows Racetrack and Casino near Pittsburgh. It also scooped up two PA satellite casino licenses at auction, with plans for those licenses pending.

By the time the transactions settle out, the group will own or operate more than 40 properties in 20 jurisdictions.

Then social online gaming…

Online gaming has come into PNG’s sights during recent years, too. As the first states started to legalize the industry, PNG began assembling the pieces for its own product.

It formed the Interactive Division around the start of 2015, pulling a former UK gaming executive to lead the endeavor. Penn said that Sheffield would be “responsible for setting the Company’s strategy as it prepares for the launch of online gaming initiatives across its portfolio.”

Social gaming came quickly.

PNG immediately entered into a partnership with Scientific Games, one of the leaders in online casino technology. Its free Play4Fun platform is widely used across the industry, both in the US and abroad. Sheffield and his team had two social casinos up and running the same year, both under Hollywood branding.

A year later, PNG added mobile capabilities. It acquired Rocket Games for $60 million, unveiling its first mobile product within weeks.

Then real-money online gambling?

Real-money online gambling seems to be next, and PNG has a strong headquarters on home turf.

The Keystone State is both the most recent to pass enabling legislation and the largest to do so. Regulators have just begun reviewing license applications, and the industry should roll out in the coming months.

PNG will be well-positioned to participate when launch day arrives. During the Pinnacle acquisition, the group was forthcoming about its long-term plans:

The acquisition will leverage Penn National’s portfolio of regional and destination gaming properties and social gaming platforms across Pinnacle’s portfolio of complementary assets. The combined company will benefit from additional promotional opportunities in online and social gaming, which will help provide an additional boost to property level performance.

As other markets have shown, online gaming is an effective tool for customer retention and cross-promotion. This is especially true for large groups with sprawling portfolios, which can leverage their databases and services across multiple markets.

After taking up a second position in PA, it’d be no surprise to see PNG enter the real-money online space in the near future. How exactly those plans come together, though, remains to be seen.

 

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