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Poker Industry PRO: Market Monitor: Denmark Q4 and FY 2017

 

In Denmark, online poker (denoted by the Danish Gambling Authority as multi-player casino games that generate revenue on a commission basis) grew by 1.3 percent between the third and fourth quarter. However, online poker continued its year-over-year decline during Q4 2017.

In its report on Q4 2017 figures, the Danish Gambling Authority noted that the average daily Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) from online poker had fallen by 31.6% since Q1 2014, the period chosen by the regulator as its benchmark which allowed the market to stabilize for two years after the liberalization of the betting and online casino markets in 2012.

Read the full article on pokerfuse →

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Poker Industry PRO: Market Monitor: New Jersey February 2018

 

Online poker generated $1.77 million in revenue in New Jersey during February 2018. Resorts continues to hold the largest market share (39%) with Caesars and WSOP.com surpassing partypoker and the rooms on its network (Borgata being the largest) for the first time in the last 12 months.

Revenue figures from February represent the twelfth consecutive month in which revenue from online poker declined from the same month in the year prior, down 18.3%. Furthermore, operators generated the least amount of revenue last month than any other February since the market opened.

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Sands’ New Owner Trying To Save The Iconic Steel Mills

New ownership may feel some pressure over the Sands Casino Bethlehem sale, but not for the reasons people might initially think.

Wind Creek Hospitality, an Alabama tribal casino group, purchased Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem for $1.3 billion March 8.

The point of contention to local leaders is the 120 acres of the Bethlehem Steel plant that surrounds the casino, a recent Morning Call article reported. This area extends from the casino to the blast furnaces.

Locals say that this piece of history remains a tourist attraction. They want to keep the historic integrity of the location.

At least so far, Wind Creek has not commented about its plans for the casino, except to say that it intends to create “important and lasting bonds between the communities that may be miles apart, but still share the same values and dreams for the future.”

Until Wind Creek meets with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, community leaders, and others, a representative said communication will be limited.

“The addition of this fantastic team and property to our portfolio furthers our desire to secure a long and prosperous future for our tribe,” said Stephanie Bryan, tribal chair and CEO of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. “We look forward to working with our new team members and the community to cement Wind Creek Bethlehem’s position as the premier entertainment destination in the northeast.”

Brian Carr, president of Sands Bethlehem, said this in a prepared statement:

“We’ve become an important regional entertainment destination because of our commitment to our customers. That’s not going to change regardless of what the sign on the top of the building might read.”

New development stays historically relevant

The site of the Pennsylvania casino integrates the industrial part of the city with casinos in particular and stands as a model for how cities can develop a cultural and historical interpretation around its past infrastructure.

The number of buildings still standing – the No. 2 Machine Shop, High House, the Iron Foundry, and Riggers Welfare buildings – make the location unique. While the city almost lost the space when the steel plant shut down and declared bankruptcy, Sands came onto the scene in 2007.

Instead of making waves, the establishment chose to reinvent the space as part of its effort to receive a gaming license. Sands did that by donating 9.5 acres to nonprofits and government agencies to establish the $98 million SteelStacks.

Locals aim to protect a cultural center

According to the Morning Call, SteelStacks, an arts and cultural campus surrounded by industrial buildings, draws in over 800,000 people a year for events. This includes a number of museums, plazas, centers, and a popular elevated walkway to showcase the furnaces.

The Urban Land Institute gave SteelStacks its Global Award for Excellence in 2015. Currently, no city ordinances protect the buildings, some of which are privately owned.

While Sands had previously developed a new master plan, a $90 million expansion, Sands backed out of its efforts when it began negotiating a sale with MGM International Resorts. The deal would sour before any action was taken.

More casinos changing hands

In Pennsylvania alone, four casinos changed ownership since December.

Even if this trend continues in PA, it’s too soon to tell if Wind Creek will do its best to blend into the community or make an issue by standing out.

The post Sands’ New Owner Trying To Save The Iconic Steel Mills appeared first on Play Pennsylvania.

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Virginia’s Pamunkey Tribe Planning $700 Million Mega-Resort

The Pamunkey Indian Tribe is dreaming big in Virginia, looking to place its first casino in the state to the tune of $700 million.

According to the Daily Press, the tribe’s council already approved the idea. Now, they start the search for land for the $700 million facilities, which could house a spa, hotel, shows, and gaming options.

“We want partnership. We’re simply business people trying to figure this out, as an Indian tribe that wants to do its best for our people and for the commonwealth.”

While the council does not want to place the venture on its 1,200-acre reservation in King William County, the location they choose would need approval from the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs. The land would also need to be former tribal territory.

Even without a timeline, Pamunkey Indian Chief Robert Gray and the council imagine a revenue-sharing agreement. Already, the tribe began negotiations with an investor group that helped other tribes get through strategy, agreements, and financing.

Job generator for east Virginia

  • Projections from the Daily Press put the resort itself at 4,000 employees.
  • Construction jobs would number 3,000 to 5,000.
  • With indirect economic impact at $1 billion a year, the resort projects a $200-million payroll.
  • Documents from the tribe place the room count at 1,200 for the incoming hotel.

Granted recognition by the federal government in 2015, the tribe also got the green light for pursuit of a gambling development. This came despite the fact that the state didn’t have any casinos.

Initial pushback won’t stop ‘em

This recognition initially gave the tribe access to federal grants, housing, and education. Among the competition though, if this tribe can get into the market, is MGM National Harbor.

The Washington Post reported that MGM International was one of the multiple groups who opposed the recognition. The Congressional Black Caucus also stated that the tribe prohibited marriage with African Americans.

Despite these claims, the federal government granted their request for recognition after 33 years of effort. This perk makes them a sovereign entity, and the first to receive federal recognition in Virginia in 2016.

The longstanding tribe, one of the oldest in the United States, signed its first treaty with Virginia colonizers in 1646. Reconfirmed in 1677, the tribe won over BIA standards for recognition with their historical and genealogical research.

Getting out of the gambling red tape

The National Indian Gaming Commission oversees the operation of a casino and any agreement between tribal councils and management firms.

The Daily Press reported that the tribal government can operate casino games and slots, if legal in the state, if the state negotiated a compact with the state, and if the tribal government gambling ordinance was approved by the commission chair.

Comparatively, non-casino games do not require a state compact, since the players bet against each other instead of the house. Virginia does not currently allow gambling for games of chance, but Virginia code doesn’t list card games specifically.

The Pamunkey could very well utilize this form of gaming in the state.

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Embrace The Madness Of March With The March Mayhem Promo At Caesars NJ

If there’s one month of the year you can cut loose and go mad, it’s March. With March Madness currently occupying the hearts and minds of basketball fans across the US, CaesarsCasino.com is currently laying up its own three-pointer.

Dubbed March Mayhem and filled with more bonuses than there are NCAA D1 hotshots, this NJ online casino promo is perfect for casino fans with a competitive edge.

Be fast, but follow the rules

Before we get into the specifics of this offer from Caesars NJ and how you can boost your bankroll during March Madness, let’s talk about the one thing you need to succeed: speed. Like a power forward racing toward a defensive line, you need to play hard and fast to profit from this promotion. The reason you can’t sit on any of these bonuses is that they expire in a day.

Unlike many of New Jersey’s latest giveaways, you won’t have days, weeks, or even months to get something extra. When you opt-in to March Mayhem, you really do need to play like a madman or woman in order to boost your bankroll. Of course, before you start bashing the bet button like you’re dribbling a basketball, you need to know the rules.

For this Caesars NJ online casino bonus, you’ll need to make the following plays:

  • Log into your CaesarsCasino.com account.
  • Click on “My Account” and then “My Bonuses.”
  • Look through the list of “Available Bonuses” and select that day’s deal.
  • Click “Deposit” or “Claim” next to the bonus and you’re all set.

Ante-up when the time is right

Speed is undoubtedly the secret ingredient in this promotion, but so is timing. Just as the NCAA Division 1 tournament is split into rounds, so is March Mayhem. At this point, the first round has already been and gone.

Fortunately for you, there are two rounds left and that means you’ve got seven bonuses left to collect on the following dates:

  • March 22 to March 25 (four bonuses)
  • March 31 to April 2 (three bonuses)

OK, so we can’t tell you exactly what bonuses you’ll find when you log in on those dates because they’re a mystery. However, what we can say is that they’ll be lucrative. Whether it’s free spins, reload bonuses or casino credits, there’s plenty of value up for grabs until April 2.

Naturally, each offer you claim will be subject to some sort of wagering condition. What these are will depend on what you get. But, you should expect to stake at least your bonus amount once before hitting the cashout button.

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Should I go mad for this Caesars NJ promotion?

Overall, when you look at this deal from afar, it really does encapsulate the frenetic energy of March Madness. With so much going on in such a short period of time, anything can happen.

Regardless of whether you’re a veritable underdog in the casino game or a first-round draft, you’ve got a chance of winning. In fact, this is what we love about this deal. Because you never know what you’re going to get, there’s a sense of anticipation that captivates players of all persuasions.

What’s more, because the prizes are unknown, they have to be tailored to a general audience. So you can rest assured that the wagering requirements and everything else in between won’t just be suitable for high rollers and no one else.

Essentially, if you’re a casual player that’s looking to add some extra spice to this year’s March Madness, Caesars Casino’s March Mayhem is perfect. Running alongside the college basketball spectacle and packed with just as much excitement, this is one deal you can’t afford to miss out on if you’re an NJ casino fan.

Image credit: Al Sermeno Photography / Shutterstock.com

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