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PA Is A Month Away From Starting Online Casino Licensing Process

Things are starting to feel real when it comes to online gambling in Pennsylvania. Gov. Tom Wolf signed the gambling expansion law legalizing online casinos less than five months ago. Now the state is almost ready to start accepting applications for those wanting an iGaming license.

License application period should start mid-April

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) revealed the license period was forthcoming during a House budget hearing. As local news outlet CBS Philly reported, PGCB Executive Director Kevin O’Toole was on hand to offer some updates on the online casino front. When asked about the application timeline, O’Toole offered the following:

“And that will probably be mid-April. So that first 90-day period will be mid-April and will go through mid-July.”

The 90-day period O’Toole referenced is an important window. Pennsylvania casinos that apply in that window can get what amounts to a discount on the cost of online casino and poker licenses. For $10 million, casinos get the following licenses:

  • Online slots
  • Online table games
  • Online peer-to-peer gaming, like poker

In fact, during this period, the all-in-one license is the only kind of license available. Casinos wanting one license, but not the others will need to wait until the 91st day of the application period. Then each one will cost $4 million.

PGCB has 90 days to review these applications once they receive them. On that timeline, it looks like PGCB will award the first licenses in the fall. It will be close to year’s end before any site launches.

Outside applicants can try in August

The other important thing to keep in mind with this timeline is when non-Pennsylvania entities can start applying. After 120 days, approved outside entities can apply for the individual $4 million licenses.

On the current timeline, that means the group can apply in August. This four-month head start will be an opportunity for PA companies to claim market share, as any outside groups without a partner in the state will likely not launch until 2019.

Other applications and deadlines lining up

Online casinos are not the only new element for Pennsylvania gambling. Applications and launch dates are in motion on several different fronts.

For example, O’Toole projects video gambling terminals (VGTs) should launch around the same time as online casinos. Meanwhile, the PA online lottery begins in May, less than a month after online casino applications begin.

Last week, PGCB also released details on applying for a fantasy sports license.

On the mini-casino front, it looks like outside entities looking for a way into Pennsylvania could do so faster if they buy a satellite casino site.

Last week, there were no bidders in the initial auction for satellite properties. With no bidders, the second round of auctions begin. These open up the process to Category 3 casinos and Category 1 and 2 casinos that already purchased one of the four licenses during the first round of auctions.

With 12 licenses total, it is entirely possible this second round of auctions concludes with no bidders, but remaining licenses. If that does happen, outside groups approved by PGCB will be eligible for the third and final auction series.

Keep in mind though that all these outside groups get is a Category 4 license to run a mini-casino. Those licenses are not eligible to purchase online gaming licenses, so this is not a backdoor for outside groups to skip the line to get online.

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This March Madness Don’t Wait In Line, Bet Online

On a normal day, mobile sports wagering accounts for more than 60 percent of the handle for Nevada sportsbook operator CG Technology. This information comes from the VP of Business Development for CG Technology Matthew Holt on a recent Sharp 600 podcast.

The percentage of the handle from mobile wagering drops massively when there’s a major event. Mobile wagering is closer to 40 percent for CG Technology when there’s a major event like the first weekend of March Madness.

All CG Technology sportsbooks in Nevada are located in Las Vegas, so it’s safe to assume the majority of wagers happen in Las Vegas. Anecdotally, this can be seen at other sportsbooks in Las Vegas casinos that cater mostly to tourists. The casinos farther away from the Vegas Strip tend to have slightly shorter lines to place wagers since many already use mobile wagering apps.

Why sports wagering apps are necessary during March Madness

Convenience.

Nobody visits Las Vegas, or any casino, to stand around for 30 to 60 minutes doing nothing. This is the case at sportsbooks throughout Nevada during the first weekend of March Madness.

There are 16 games on the first two days of the NCAA basketball tournament.There are also people looking to place wagers from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. There are still longer lines than usual on Saturday and Sunday when there are only eight games per day.

Sports wagering apps help alleviate the time wasted standing in line for anyone visiting a sportsbook in Nevada. It only takes 10-15 minutes to sign up for a mobile sports wagering account.

Once signed up and funded, bettors can wager on games from anywhere inside the state. Since visitors decend on the casinos before game day, it’s wise to set up an account before the crowds arrive to bet.

Being able to wager on a mobile device allows bettors to place wagers and avoid the lines unless there’s a need to fund an account again or withdraw winnings.

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In-play wagering

Wagering via mobile app allows bettors to enjoy more ways to gamble on the games. Sportsbook operators offer a variety of in-play wagering options. These wagering opportunities change so frequently that it’s just not possible to stand around to place a bet at the sportsbook.

Last year STN Sports joined William Hill and CG Technology offering in-play wagering. In-play wagering takes sports betting to a whole new level.

Mobility

Being at a sportsbook or party to watch the first weekend of games at March Madness is great. Besides not leaving a seat to place a wager the mobile wagering apps all bettors to wager from anywhere in the state. The apps allow bettors to spend the day at a pool, any bar or restaurant, and visit anywhere in the state of Nevada.

The ability to wager on March Madness games from anywhere is handy when on a casino vacation. Mobile sports wagering apps allow a guest to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day outide on the Vegas Strip or a DJ dropping beats at a dayclub pool.

Shop around

The ability to open up multiple sports wagering accounts with different sportsbook operators allows bettors to find the best odds around. In Las Vegas a sports bettor can walk from Harrah’s to fund a Caesars Entertainment account, next door to Casino Royale to fund a William Hill account, and next door again to The Venetian to fund a CG Technology account.

The same bettor can cross the street west to fund an MGM Resorts account at The Mirage and an account next door at Treasure Island. After The Venetian, a bettor can also cross the street to the north and fund an account with Wynn Las Vegas.

This will take some time but being able to shop around will allow a sports bettor to find the best lines and hopefully win more often. If a bettor is simply curious about lines available at different sportsbooks they can download most apps (not CG Technology, William Hill or South Point) and just look at what’s available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Pennsylvania Plans On Making Online Gaming Licenses Available In April

During a recent House budget hearing, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Executive Director Kevin O’Toole offered up a general timeline for the implementation of online poker in Pennsylvania.

O’Toole told lawmakers that the Board is in the process of not only crafting temporary regulations for online gambling, but expects to begin the licensing process for operators in mid-April. The PGCB began accepting non-operator interactive applications last month.

What happens next?

Thanks to provisions in the law, the mid-April date provides us with a good jumping off point for when Pennsylvania online poker might launch.

Once the licensing process commences, there is a 120-day window for Pennsylvania’s land-based casinos to apply for the available operator licenses. If any licenses remain after that initial 120-day period, those licenses would be made available to qualified out of state casinos and online gaming companies.

Within that 120-day period is an initial 90-day period when the state’s Category 1, Category 2, and Category 3 casinos can only apply for a full online gaming license. The cost of that license is $10 million and authorizes the licensee to offer online slots, online table games, and online poker.

Beginning on day 91, the $10 million, all-inclusive license splits into three categories – slots, table games, and poker. Each of those licenses costs $4 million and the state’s land-based casinos can apply for an individual slot, table game, or poker license, or mix and match.

After 120 days has elapsed the same bifurcated licenses are available to the previously mentioned “qualified” outside entities, at the same cost – $4 million per license.

Additionally, a second clock begins once the PGCB begins accepting license applications, as by law, the PGCB is given 90 days to approve a received application.

Upshot

The current lack of even temporary regulations, coupled with the above licensing timeline suggests that online gaming might not launch until at least Q4 of 2018.

What we might learn during the licensing process

The number of applications received in the first 90 days will act as an important bellwether for Pennsylvania online poker and will provide watchers with a clearer picture of how the future market will shake out.

Meaning, will the state’s land-based casinos:

  • Gobble up all of the licenses, and be the sole providers of online gaming.
  • Control the majority of the available online gaming licenses.
  • Have to compete with out-of-state interests in what would be a very open environment.

The lack of clarity on this front stems from a known provision in the gaming reform act, and a yet to be determined decision on skins.

Not only has the state handicapped online gaming operators with an onerous 54 percent tax rate on online slots (the known), but there is now talk of limiting the number of branded websites (skins) an operator can possess to as few as one.

Either one of those things is enough to drag the market down, the combined burden might be enough to keep some of the state’s land-based operators out of the market entirely.

That said, the smart money is still on the state’s casinos grabbing most of, if not all of the available licenses.

Other updates

Online gaming isn’t the only thing on Pennsylvania’s gaming menu in 2018, and during his remarks O’Toole provided updates on three other gaming related topics.

According to O’Toole:

  • Video gaming terminals (VGTs) could roll out at truck stops by the end of the year.
  • The PGCB recently made daily fantasy sports licenses available.
  • Construction on the proposed Philadelphia Live! Casino will begin following demolition of the current site in June.

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Borgata Garden State Super Series Spring 2018 Schedule Released

After a week of nor’easters, spring is finally in the air. Borgata just released the Spring 2018 schedule for the Garden State Super Series (GSSS) in New Jersey.

We are heading into what has been historically a busy time for online poker in New Jersey. And Borgata is hoping to capitalize on that trend to redeem last fall’s series.

GSSS Fall ’17 had some mild success. The two most significant events on the schedule exceeded their guarantees. However, several events did not.

Even so, Borgata appears committed to building the series and looking to make it a destination for online poker players.

GSSS Spring ’18 Tournament Details

GSSS Spring ’18 includes 17 events with $365,000 in total guarantees – that’s three more events than last fall.

The series is mostly comprised of no-limit hold’em, but mixed game players will find a PLO six-max event to spice things up.

The eight-day tournament series begins March 18 and includes buy-ins ranging from $55 to $1060. As with past series, most events are allowing for up to three re-entries per event with guarantees for the tournaments range from $5,000 to $100,000.

Mark your calendars for these notable events:

  • Event #2: $215 buy-in NLH with $60,000 guaranteed
  • Event #12: $55 buy-in PLO 6-Max with $5,000 guaranteed
  • Event #15: $320 buy-in Main Event with $100,000 guaranteed
  • Event #16: $1,060 buy-in High Roller with $50,000 guaranteed

GSSS Spring ’18 tournament schedule

Day Time (ET) Event Buy-In Guarantee
Sunday, March 18 4:30 p.m. Event #1 – Six-Max NLH $109 $10,000
Sunday, March 18 5:00 p.m. Event #2 – NLH $215 $60,000
Sunday, March 18 9:30 p.m. Event #3 – NLH Turbo $215 $10,000
Monday, March 19 7:30 p.m. Event #4 – NLH $162 $15,000
Monday, March 19 8:30 p.m. Event #5 – NLH Turbo $55 $7,500
Tuesday, March 20 7:30 p.m. Event #6 – Mega Tuesday Six-Max NLH $535 $25,000
Tuesday, March 20 8:30 p.m. Event #7 – NLH Turbo $109 $7,500
Wednesday, March 21 7:30 p.m. Event #8 – NLH Bounty $129 $10,000
Thursday, March 22 6:30 p.m. Event #9 – Mega Thursday NLH $535 $25,000
Thursday, March 22 8:30 p.m. Event #10 – NLH Turbo $109 $7,500
Friday, March 23 7:30 p.m. Event #11 – NLH with 1 Rebuy and 1 Addon $109 $10,000
Saturday, March 24 7:30 p.m. Event #12 – PLO 6-Max $55 $5,000
Saturday, March 24 8:30 p.m. Event #13 – NLH Turbo $109 $7,500
Sunday, March 18 4:30 p.m. Event #14 – NLH Six-Max $109 $10,000
Sunday, March 18 5:00 p.m. Event #15 – Main Event $320 $100,000
Sunday, March 18 6:00 p.m. Event #16 – High Roller $1,060 $50,000
Sunday, March 18 9:30 p.m. Event #17 – NLH Turbo $215 $15,000

Satellites and promotions

Players that don’t want to pay the buy-ins can start qualifying for events with satellites beginning March 12th.

It will pay to play the early events in the GSSS Spring ’18 tournament series. The top three finishers in events 1 – 13 will earn entry to the GSSS $100,000 guaranteed Main Event.

You will also want to be on the GSSS Leaderboard when the series ends. The top 300 players on the leaderboard will claim entry into partypokerLIVE Millions freeroll where five event packages are guaranteed.

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Qualify for partypokerLIVE MILLIONS

In addition to qualifying for GSSS Spring ’18, players can earn a package to partypokerLIVE MILLIONS North America at Playground Casino in Montreal.

Satellites to the live festival begin March 12th. Five $5,000 packages will be awarded every Sunday through April 22nd through a $535 buy-in Super Satellite.

The packages include a $4,100 entry to the CAD 10 million Main Event plus $900 cash for travel expenses.

Players can earn a Super Satellite ticket through daily satellites beginning at $10.

partypokerLIVE MILLIONS qualifier schedule

Day Time Event Buy-In Guarantee
Daily (March 12 – April 21) 5:40 p.m. partypokerLIVE Millions Qualifier $10 Two $55 Online Entries
Daily (March 12 – April 21) 8:40 p.m. partypokerLIVE Millions Qualifier $10 Two $55 Online Entries
Daily (March 12 – April 21) 7:20 p.m. partypokerLIVE Millions Super Satellite $55 One Super Satellite Entry
Sundays (March 18 – April 21) 5:20 p.m. partypokerLIVE Millions Turbo Super Satellite $55 One Super Satellite Entry
Sundays (March 18 – April 21) 6:20 p.m. Super Satellite to partypokerLIVE Millions North America $535 Five $5,000 partypokerLIVE Millions packages

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MGM Springfield Swinging For The Fences When It Comes To Entertainment

MGM has a new marketing campaign called “Welcome to the Show” that focuses on the non-gaming entertainment options at its casino properties.

MGM recently commissioned research into the importance of entertainment in people’s lives. Not surprisingly, it was very important.  Chief Experience & Marketing Officer for MGM Resorts International Lilian Tomovich explains:

“MGM Resorts has long been committed to creating moments guests can’t find elsewhere. This research reinforces our belief that entertainment is critical to the human experience and provides the backbone of our new corporate marketing campaign, ‘Welcome to the Show.’ With our 78,000 employees around the world, we are committed to wowing guests at every turn.”

No shortage of entertainment options at MGM Springfield

Entertainment is a key component at MGM Springfield. The Massachusetts commercial casino is slated to open in September.

In addition to the usual array of casino entertainment, MGM announced the Springfield casino will contain:

  • A cinema
  • Bowling alley
  • Topgolf Swing Suite

“We’re super excited about this partnership and we think it rounds out our entertainment programming but there is still more to come,” Sarah Moore, MGM Springfield’s vice-president of marketing and retail, told MassLive.com. “It provides golf enthusiasts with year-round golf play. No longer will golf enthusiasts be at the mercy of the seasons and the weather.”

The Topgolf space is the first in Massachusetts. Additionally, MGM Springfield will be the third MGM property with Topgolf. It joins MGM Grand in Las Vegas and MGM Detroit.

The MGM Springfield Topgolf experience

According to MGM, the 2,800 square-foot Topgolf Swing Suite will house three simulators, a bar and lounge, and access from the property’s outdoor plaza.

In a statement to MassLive.com, a representative or Topgolf summed up the Swing Suite as:

“An immersive social experience offering guests a comfy lounge to play and enjoy fantastic food and beverage service. With a massive screen and a selection of exciting virtual games, the Topgolf Suite delivers a one-of-a-kind simulation that’s fun for golfers and non-golfers alike.”

MGM’s focus on entertainment

The Welcome to the Show campaign first debuted in late September.  However, MGM delayed the full rollout following the tragedy at Mandalay Bay on Oct. 1.

The campaign is an attempt to shift the company’s current image from hospitality and gaming to entertainment by “turning the spotlight on the incredible array of entertainment experiences that form the nexus across the company’s 27 distinctive resort destinations.”

As MGM Resorts Chairman and CEO Jim Murren said in September:

“Our new Welcome to the Show campaign is an epic invitation, designed to declare our point of view to the world and tie together our deep and diverse portfolio of resorts, from those that define the famed Las Vegas Strip to those across the U.S. and around the world.”

Photo courtesy of stock_photo_world / Shutterstock.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Hot New Trend In Gaming Is Buying A Pennsylvania Casino

When asked about gambling hotspots in the United States, few people would think of Pennsylvania. But, at over $3 billion annually, the Pennsylvania casino market is the second-largest in the country, trailing only Nevada.

The Pennsylvania gaming market is expected to grow even larger thanks to a comprehensive gaming expansion law. That law passed in October, allowing for online gaming, VGTs, and mini-casinos, to name a few. As the Pennsylvania market expands, so do the opportunities. Naturally, multiple gaming companies are jumping at these opportunities.

One-third of casinos change hands

In the six months since the state passed its gaming reform law, four Pennsylvania casinos have undergone a change in ownership.

In all three instances the new owners mentioned, and in at least one case highlighted, the new opportunity presented by the legalization of online gaming.

Penn National sees the opportunity

Penn National’s acquisition of Pinnacle Entertainment was a blockbuster deal, with national implications.

Even though the sale wasn’t Pennsylvania-centric, Penn National made a point to mention online gaming opportunities.

In a press release announcing its acquisition of Pinnacle, Penn National said:

“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.”

Boyd Gaming sees the same opportunities

Unlike the Penn National-Pinnacle deal, the purchase of Valley Forge by Boyd Gaming has everything to do with Pennsylvania and the new opportunities in the market.

Following his company’s acquisition of Valley Forge, Boyd Gaming President and CEO Keith Smith said:

“…  With this acquisition, we will expand into the second-largest gaming state in the country, establishing a presence in a densely populated, high-traffic area just west of Philadelphia.

“And thanks to Pennsylvania’s recent passage of gaming expansion legislation, there are new opportunities to drive incremental growth at Valley Forge through the expansion of the property’s slot capacity and the introduction of new forms of gaming.”

CDI positioning itself to be a major player in online gaming

Earlier this month, Churchill Downs purchased Presque Isle. Even more so than Valley Forge, the acquisition of Presque Isle is all about the passage of online gaming legislation.

Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen was very blunt about his company’s targeting of Presque Isle, saying:

“Presque Isle will give us a foothold in Pennsylvania which has recently passed legislation authorizing real money online gaming.”

Churchill’s website touts its experience with online gaming thanks to its TwinSpires advanced deposit wagering platform. That’s followed by the following statement about other online gaming opportunities:

“CDI’s investment in online wagering technology and customer support systems also positions the company to take advantage of additional Internet gaming opportunities, such as online poker, as those activities are authorized at the state or federal level.”

How CDI’s online gaming will manifest is anyone’s guess.

And Sands’ blockbuster sale makes it four casinos

A year ago, Sands Bethlehem was ahead of the curve. The company talked extensively with MGM Resorts International about an acquisition.

Given Las Vegas Sands Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson’s revulsion and opposition to online gaming, getting out of PA was a no-brainer. Especially when other Pennsylvania properties are generating big price tags.

The buyer is surprising. Wind Creek is a regional chain of Southern casinos, with a couple of properties in the Caribbean. Additionally, not one of its properties even offers table games. To jump into the PA market with one of the top two casinos in the state is a huge and expensive risk.

However, Wind Creek thinks it is a risk worth taking. And, as we see, they are not alone by any means.

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