Bond Themed Hotel - James Bond themed hotel: Hotel Bergland: Home of James Bond
Thursday, September 15, 2022
Sunday, September 11, 2022
Property News Media Blog: Media Man Casino, Gaming, Sports and Pop Culture; Las Vegas, Canada, UK, Australia and beyond
Media Man Casino, Gaming, Sports and Pop Culture; Las Vegas, Canada, UK, Australia and beyond
The Media Man Group including Media Man Int, Media Man Australia, Casino News Media, Global Gaming Directory, Hottest On TV, Wrestling News Media, Bitcoin News Media and Cafe News Media have searched the world once again and deliver some of the freshest, most up-to-date casino, gaming, sports and pop culture news and intel to be found anywhere.
Nevada Gaming Control Board preparing for disciplinary hearing against Steve Wynn
The Nevada Gaming Control Board on Tuesday confirmed that it is preparing for a disciplinary hearing before the Nevada Gaming Commission against former Wynn Resorts Ltd. CEO Steve Wynn on sexual harassment charges. Wynn, now a Florida resident, has said that because he is no longer licensed by state gaming regulators and has divested all financial connections with the company that he believes he is no longer subject to its discipline.
The plan for a downtown Chicago casino now has a surprising ally: river lovers
Chicago’s push for a casino has stirred fervent debate focused mostly on the predictable: whether the right site was chosen, how much tax revenue it will generate and whether it will worsen noise, traffic or problem gambling. But river advocates and ecological preservationists see the complex in a different light. To them, the Bally’s plan to replace the Tribune printing plant in River West can be a meaningful next step in the ongoing makeover of the city’s riverfront — if done right.
Ontario: More staff back, but border issues continue to be a challenge for Caesars Windsor
While the bulk of the staff at Caesars Windsor have returned to work, officials say there's still more work to do as they prepare for the fall. Back in March, unionized workers at Caesars voted 93 per cent in favour of a new three-year collective agreement, covering the roughly 1,800 workers at the casino. With restrictions related to COVID-19 mostly lifted, one of the remaining issues involves the border and being able to get more visitors from the US back.
Michigan Gaming Control Board highlights need for gaming education
The Michigan Gaming Control Board is trying to do its part to help raise awareness on responsible gaming among the state’s youth in tandem with the American Gaming Association’s “Responsible Gaming Education Month.” According to a press release from the MGCB, and citing statistics from the National Council on Problem Gambling, between 60% and 80% of high school students say they’ve gambled for money in the past year, and some 4% to 6% of them are considered gambling addicts.
Mixed ruling filed in Apple, Google, Meta social casino case
The Northern District of California issued an opinion partly siding with social casino users late last week, determining that the defendants, Apple, Google, and Meta Platforms defeated only two of three theories of liability on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act grounds.
Caesars Atlantic City debuting the first east-coast location of Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen
What’s opening next? This question applies to all three of Caesars Entertainment’s Atlantic City casinos. There are so many projects on the to-do list that something new is debuting every month.
Survey suggests many in Ontario cool to sports wagering
Over three months after the full launch of Ontario’s sports-betting industry, a survey conducted by Canada Sports Betting suggests a majority of people in the province haven’t taken to wagering on athletic events. Canada Sports Betting surveyed 1,222 people between July 19-20 regarding their views on the regulated sports-betting market.
North Carolina: Catawba Nation opens sportsbook inside temporary Two Kings casino
Another sports-gambling venue opened on Tuesday in North Carolina, this time at the temporary casino opened by the Catawba Nation last year along Interstate 85 near the South Carolina border.
Caesars opens two retail sportsbooks in Louisiana on the eve of football season
Caesars Sportsbook made a big splash less than a week before the NFL season begins, opening two new retail locations for sports betting in Louisiana.
Hard Rock Sportsbook launches in Indiana, Tennessee
Hard Rock Sportsbook is officially live in Indiana and Tennessee, just days ahead of the start of the 2022 NFL season. The mobile sportsbook is now operational in Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Liz Truss’s UK premiership raises hopes of countering affordability checks, lawmaker says
Liz Truss's appointment as prime minister has been hailed as a major positive for racing by fellow Conservative MP Laurence Robertson, who hopes she will oppose the controversial affordability checks, which are set to feature in the upcoming gambling white paper and would cost the sport millions. Robertson, whose Tewkesbury constituency includes Cheltenham racecourse, has long campaigned against strict betting restrictions.
Camelot drops legal challenge over UK National Lottery licence transfer to Allwyn
Outgoing National Lottery operator Camelot has dropped a legal challenge which was preventing the handover of the lottery licence to rival Allwyn. Allwyn has ended its counter-claim against Camelot for damages due to delaying the £6.4bn contract.
Player protection and responsible gambling at the core of the agenda for SBC Summit Barcelona
Hundreds of player safety professionals will gather at SBC Summit Barcelona September 20-22 to share their gambling harm prevention strategies and help improve the industry's understanding of the subject of responsible gambling.
Wednesday, September 07, 2022
Property News Media Blog: Media Man, Casino News Media and Greg Tingle Promotions news: Pop culture, casinos, gaming, sports...
Media Man, Casino News Media and Greg Tingle Promotions news: Pop culture, casinos, gaming, sports...
New Las Vegas resident Mark Wahlberg promises ‘Hollywood 2.0’
Nevada (Las Vegas) - John Katsilometes, Review-Journal - Mark Wahlberg is not moving to Las Vegas. He already has. We need to shift to the present-tense when referring to Vegas plans for the Hollywood A-lister, who has purchased a two-story estate in The Summit Club for $14.5 million. “My hometown,” is how Wahlberg referred to Las Vegas in the latest episode of BeondTV’s “Lights, Camera, Vegas,” hosted by Rachel Smith. “I live in Nevada. I plan on making, hopefully, a film studio, and we want to build a shoe factory in Nevada. “We want to create a lot of jobs, and a lot of excitement. Hollywood 2.0.”
Summer tourism profitable despite nagging inflation
New Jersey (Atlantic City) - Eric Conklin, The Press - Between Atlantic and Cape May counties, tourism officials say the summer season may not have been as hindered by inflation as was feared months ago. “I think the summer was strong,” said Michael Chait, president of the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce. Cape May County tourism director Diane Wieland said, “This year, as we went into it, we kind of predicted that things were not going to be as great, but it was still going to be good,” Wieland said. Wieland said beach badge sales and occupancy tax collections — two revenue streams the county uses to gauge its tourism economy — were slightly down from a year ago 2021 but remain strong.
Turning Stone plans biggest expansion since it opened
New York (Indian gaming) - Don Cazentre, Post Standard - Turning Stone Resort Casino is about to embark on its largest expansion project since opening in 1993. The project, which will be completed over a period of several years, will nearly double the Oneida Indian Nation-owned resort’s convention and conference space, while also adding a new hotel, dining options and other amenities.
Suppliers relocate resources to other Asian gaming markets
Asia (Macau) - Tony Lai, Macau Business - Suppliers of casino gaming equipment with operations in Macau are relocating manpower and resources to other gaming jurisdictions in Asia like the Philippines and Singapore, Bloomberg reported. The financial news agency quoted Jay Chun, chairman of the Macau Gaming Equipment Manufacturers Association, saying at least four multinational casino suppliers in Macau were doing so. Data from Bloomberg Intelligence said the gaming revenue of Macau only recovered to about 18 per cent of the 2019 level…the Philippines and Singapore recuperated back to 79 per cent and 68 per cent of the pre-pandemic levels respectively in the six months ended June 2022.
Circa still faces $4.5M overlay in football contests
Nevada (Las Vegas) - Todd Dewey, Review-Journal - Five days before Saturday’s entry deadline, Circa Sports is a long shot to meet its $6 million in guaranteed prize money for its $1,000-entry Circa Million IV contest. The downtown sportsbook needs 6,000 entries to meet its guarantee, up from $4 million last year. “I have a better chance of making the NBA than we do of reaching the guarantee in the Circa Sports Million,” said 5-foot-8, 130-pound Circa sportsbook operations manager Jeff Benson.
Flanker at Mandalay Bay could be Las Vegas’ next big sports bar
Nevada (Las Vegas) - Brock Radke, The Weekly - RM Seafood at Mandalay Bay was a paragon of Strip dining for nearly 15 years…seemed like an impossible act to follow after closing in late 2018…“As the sports scene in Las Vegas has evolved with professional teams coming to town, sports bar and grill concepts have also evolved,” Christie said in a statement. “Flanker Kitchen and Sports Bar will strive to become the next generation leader by delivering an approachable premium dining, drinking and sports-viewing experience.”
‘If you’re a gaming company, wouldn’t you want to be in Nevada?’
Nevada (Reno/Sparks) - Howard Stutz, The Independent - Century Casinos’ pending $195 million acquisition of the Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks will rewrite the company’s corporate profile. The regional casino operator, which began in Europe, doesn’t have what gaming observers consider a flagship resort…Northern Nevada provides Century an opportunity to prove its operational expertise in a destination market. The Nugget has 1,382 hotel rooms, more than triple the combined hotel rooms Century has in its U.S. portfolio.
Changes make Colorado an enticing casino market
Colorado (Black Hawk/Cripple Creek) - Howard Stutz, The Nevada Independent - Nevada’s major gaming companies avoided Colorado for nearly two decades after casinos were legalized in the historic mining towns of Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek. Initially, bets in the state were limited to $5 and casinos were not open 24/7…There was zero interest by Las Vegas or Reno casino operators to enter Colorado. Expansion from tiny storefront casinos to mid-sized resorts has been taking place over the last few years. In Black Hawk, three properties account for more than 1,300 hotel rooms, roughly 85 percent of the total market. In Cripple Creek, a 300-room hotel-casino that is being built by Las Vegas-based Full House Resorts will double the market size when it opens next year. Las Vegas and Reno gaming companies committed millions of dollars to change the perception of the Colorado casino communities.
Muckleshoot Tribe lifts final iron beam onto future hotel tower
Washington (Indian gaming) - Robert Whale, The Reporter - To the beating of drums, dancing and the chanting of sacred songs, the Muckleshoot Tribe gathered to celebrate the topping-off ceremonies for its 18-story, 400-room, luxury hotel tower on Aug. 26. Then, to a loud cheer, construction workers hoisted the final steel beam for the Muckleshoot Casino’s highly anticipated resort tower into place, and as it slid into place, the tribe celebrated the feat with fireworks. The event heralds the first major addition to the casino since the gaming establishment opened 27 years ago at 2402 Auburn Way S.
Foxwoods’ new $85 million casino project will create “vibrant hub”, CEO says
Connecticut (Indian gaming) - New London Day - Foxwoods Resort Casino’s plan to add a sixth gaming space is as much about rearranging the layout at North America’s biggest casino as it is expanding, Foxwoods’ top executive said Thursday. "The thought is to create a vibrant hub of activity in the heart of the property,” Jason Guyot, president and chief executive officer, said in a phone interview. "We’re spread out so far, from the Rainmaker Casino on one side to The Fox Tower on the other side, it’s difficult for guests to manage. There’s no better place to put it (a new gaming space) than Grand Pequot, the busiest section of the property ― the heartbeat of the property.” Guyot said the new gaming space, which will replace the Grand Ballroom, will have around 500 slots, including 175 high-limit machines, and 24 table games, including the usual mix of blackjack, roulette, craps and the like, as well as a 40-seat bar.
Sunday, September 04, 2022
Property News Media Blog: Las Vegas' Circa Sports Expands to Northern Nevada with Launch of New Sportsbook at Legends Bay Casino
Las Vegas' Circa Sports Expands to Northern Nevada with Launch of New Sportsbook at Legends Bay Casino
SPARKS, NEV. – Las Vegas-based sports betting brand Circa Sports has continued its rapid expansion with the launch of a new Circa Sports sportsbook at Olympia Gaming’s Legends Bay Casino in Sparks, Nev. The new book officially opened its doors Tuesday, Aug. 30, marking the sports betting brand’s first northern Nevada venture. Circa Sports at Legends Bay delivers an ultramodern and technology-forward sportsbook to the region and now offers northern Nevada residents the opportunity to participate in its record-breaking pro-football contests Circa Million IV and Circa Survivor, promising its largest guaranteed payout ever of $12 million, no rake.
“We are thrilled to welcome guests to our Circa Sports sportsbook at Legends Bay and expand our offerings to northern Nevada,” said Derek Stevens, CEO of Circa Sports. “Our team has brought some of the industry’s top oddsmakers and a menu featuring some of the best odds in the country. We are excited to kick off the new book with the Circa Sports contests and for northern Nevada residents to be able to join the fun.”
Circa Sports CEO Derek Stevens and Olympia Gaming’s Chairman and CEO Garry Goett welcomed the new sportsbook to the property with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting followed by remarks from executives.
Garry Goett, Chairman and CEO of Olympia Companies, said, “This is a momentous occasion for northern Nevada. Derek Stevens and his team at Circa Sports have been an excellent partner in helping us deliver a sports betting offering worthy of this property. We look forward to ushering in a new era for Sparks together.”
Circa Sports at Legends Bay
Circa Sports at Legends Bay is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and boasts a 10-by-15-foot Daktronics video board displaying live odds and six of the day’s hottest games. The biggest events in sports are always be broadcast, including the full Sunday football lineup.
With a capacity of nearly 140, the venue features multiple 60-inch TVs and a variety of seating options. Each seat includes USB and power outlets for guests’ convenience. During their visit, guests can order a variety of gameday bites or libations. Three ticket counters and an ADA window are open for bettors to place bets, register for the sports betting app, make deposits/withdrawals and more.
Circa Million IV & Circa Survivor
Circa Million IV and Circa Survivor are taking entries through September 10 at Legends Bay, either in person or via proxy beginning the opening day of the book. Details are as follows:
Circa Million IV will deliver $6 million in guaranteed total prizes, with a $1 million first place prize that comes with a coveted, handmade Circa Sports blue jacket. The contest includes no rake, and any extra fees go into the quarter and full-season prize pools.
$3.65 million will be allocated amongst places two through 100 and $300,000 of prizes per quarter will be awarded every four to five weeks. The last place booby prize winner will receive $100,000 and second to last place booby prize winner will receive $50,000.
Each player will make five professional football picks against the spread each week. One point will be awarded for each correct selection and one-half point for each push. Each entry for Circa Million IV is $1,000, with a maximum of three entries per person.
Circa Survivor will offer a $6 million payout for the last entry standing. A $1 million undefeated bonus prize will be gifted for any entry that goes 20-0. To be eligible for this bonus prize, an entrant must not choose either of the teams that played in the 2022 Big Game.
Circa Survivor will consist of up to 20 legs throughout the year, one for every week of the football season plus two special weeks. Each week, participants will choose one different team to win straight up, but the player cannot pick the same team twice for the duration of the season. Thanksgiving and Christmas will each be considered their own contest weeks. Entries are $1,000 each, with a maximum of six entries per participant. An entrant can purchase up to six additional entries if they lose their original entries on the opening Thursday Night Football game. An entrant cannot go into the Saturday deadline with more than six active entries.
Entries are eliminated from the contest by selecting a team that subsequently loses or ties its game that week. If more than one entry remains after 20 legs, the pool will be split equally amongst all the entries that successfully submitted a selection during the leg. If an entry wins before the 20th leg of the contest, the winner will have the opportunity to continue making selections each week to try and achieve the 20-0 record.
Promising guests one of the most approachable betting scenes, Circa Sports is defined by incredible customer service, as well as an unrivaled team of experts leading the charge. This includes a diverse menu of wagering options and the option to take custom bets from the public. In addition to its new Legends Bay location, the betting brand is available to bettors in five properties across Southern Nevada – including the brand’s flagship location: the world’s largest sportsbook at Circa Resort & Casino in Las Vegas – via mobile betting offerings in Colorado and Iowa, and soon in a temporary book in Waukegan, Ill.
# # #
About Circa Sports
Helmed by casino owner and downtown Las Vegas developer Derek Stevens, Circa Sports is blazing a new trail in the gaming industry by combining customer-first approach to business with a team of the country's top oddsmakers. Circa Sports boasts one of the most competitive wagering menus in Las Vegas and is a leader in the city for sports futures. The venture currently operates in the world’s largest sportsbook at Circa Resort & Casino, as well as sister properties Golden Gate Hotel & Casino and the D Las Vegas. Stevens launched his first Las Vegas books outside of his downtown properties at Tuscany Suites & Casino and The Pass Casino in Henderson. Additionally, Circa Sports’ mobile app is available in Colorado and Iowa. This summer, the brand launched a sportsbook at the new Legends Bay Casino in Sparks, Nev.
About Olympia Gaming
Olympia Gaming is the gaming development division of Olympia Companies, whose subsidiaries and related entities include Casino Fandango in Carson City and Legends Bay Casino in Sparks, opening in summer 2022. In addition, through its affiliated companies, Olympia owns the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Carson City and co-owns the Hampton Inn and Suites, and Residence Inn hotels in Sparks. For more information, visit Olympia Gaming.
About Legends Bay Casino
Building upon Olympia’s success in Carson City, Legends Bay Casino will feature the latest slots and table games, northern Nevada’s only Circa Sports | Sportsbook, several original dining and bar concepts, as well as seamless access to the open-air shopping and dining at The Outlets at Legends and the adjacent Sparks Marina. For more information, visit Legends Bay Casino.
Tuesday, August 30, 2022
Property News Media Blog: Probe into Star's Qld operations wraps
Probe into Star's Qld operations wraps
Star Entertainment must wait a month for the outcome of damning public hearings into the gambling giant's Queensland operations.
After three days of testimony in Brisbane, public hearings into Star's suitability to hold a casino licence have concluded.
Counsel assisting Jonathan Horton QC told the final day of submissions on Monday the casino operator had committed a raft of questionable operational errors.
The inquiry was told that the casino repeatedly allowed banned high rollers to gamble at Queensland venues in breach of its exclusion policies.
Star also 'pursued' high rollers to visit its Queensland operations, playing for them to travel by private jet and stay in luxury accommodation for free as banned southern players hit the tables in Queensland.
Case studies outlined in the hearing revealed Star allowed patrons banned from casinos in NSW and Victoria, and linked to the Italian mafia, to gamble in its Queensland venues for years.
One man became one of the top 10 players at the Star Gold Coast after being banned from Crown Melbourne in 2014 and The Star, Sydney, by NSW police seven months later.
Another case study, Person 1, was banned from The Star Sydney in 2007 due to alleged involvement in criminal activities but gambled millions of dollars at the Gold Coast's Star casino.
Mr Horton said that of the 768 people banned from NSW casinos, 36 were later allowed to play the tables in Queensland.
"On that topic, we say the errors placed in serious jeopardy the integrity of Queensland casino operations," Mr Horton said.
"The errors place in serious jeopardy the integrity of Queensland's casino operations," Mr Horton said.
Counsel for Star Entertainment argued the company's advice was it did not have grounds to ban interstate gamblers.
"The understanding, based on legal advice at the time ... was we could not use the NSW exclusion to justify a Queensland exclusion," Gareth Beachem said.
"The failure to immediately exclude somebody in Queensland was not based on some perception that there might have been better information around, but on the fact that the lawyers would say that that piece of evidence wasn't admissible in court to use in Queensland to justify an exclusion."
Mr Beachem said that because the interstate ban was inadmissible, the onus fell on Star to "find some other evidence" to exclude patrons.
Star's anti-money laundering general manager says that person would have been banned under the company's current policies.
The probe also heard the casino operator allowed China UnionPay cardholders to withdraw cash to bet at its Brisbane and Gold Coast casinos but recorded those transactions as "hotel purchases" with National Australia Bank.
Using debit cards for gambling isn't illegal in Queensland, but the Chinese lender prohibits the practice.
Judge Robert Gotterson will report to the attorney-general by September 30.
Tuesday, August 23, 2022
Property News Media Blog: Star posts FY loss after Sydney casino hit
Star posts FY loss after Sydney casino hit
Casino operator Star Entertainment Group has swung to an annual loss, weighed down by extended COVID-related closures and a hefty writedown at its flagship Sydney casino amid regulatory troubles.
Australia's second-biggest casino operator on Monday posted a full year loss of $198.6 million for the year to June 30, compared to a $57.9 million profit a year earlier.
The company said it took a financial hit after its three properties on the east coast were collectively closed for 125 days in the first half of the year due to pandemic restrictions.
It also slashed the value of goodwill for its main Star Sydney property by $162.5 million "due to regulatory and other uncertainties".
Star said normalised net loss, excluding the significant items, was $32 million. Revenue for the year to June 30 dipped 1.2 per cent to $1.53 billion.
"Clearly, in the regulatory environment we're working our way through it was appropriate to consider a higher level of risk and so we effected that through the weighted average cost of capital. The consequence of that was an impairment on the Sydney property," interim Chairman Ben Heap told AAP.
By 1415 AEST, shares in the company were down 1.7 per cent to $2.86, adding to the nearly 20 per cent drop in value so far in 2022.
Star's fortunes have sagged in recent months amid regulatory scrutiny after hearings at an NSW inquiry unearthed allegations about money laundering, fraud and links to organised crime at its Sydney casino.
The company is now awaiting the outcome of that review into its suitability to hold a NSW casino licence by the end of this month.
It faces a separate investigation from the financial crimes regulator, as well as an inquiry on its suitability to hold a casino licence in Queensland, which is set to hear from witnesses from Tuesday.
Star is also facing competition from bigger rival Crown, which opened the doors of its Sydney casino earlier this month following the long-delayed green light from the NSW watchdog, after recently emerging from its own regulatory troubles.
Star, currently the dominant casino operator in Sydney, says it's too early to form a view on the impact of Crown, but added that "it recognises that it will be operating in a competitive marketplace".
While domestic gaming demand has picked up, international business is still down significantly as Australian casinos steer clear of junket operators, which previously contributed significant numbers.
They have also been affected by the slow recovery of the international tourism market, which is likely to rebound to pre-COVID levels only over the next couple of years.
Still, the group says it's seeing the positive revenue trends from the fourth quarter of FY22 continuing into the current financial year.
Domestic revenue for the period from July 1 to August 18 rose 9 per cent on the comparative pre-COVID period of 2019, largely thanks to a 26 per cent recovery in the Gold Coast's domestic revenue.
Domestic revenue at the Star Sydney was in line with pre-COVID levels.
"That sort of run rate is very encouraging. It indicates our growth sits above pre-COVID numbers, and given all the factors that we're facing at the moment, the underlying performance of the business has been terrific," Mr Heap said.
Star will not pay any final dividend, meaning it has not paid any dividend for the FY22 year.
Property News Media Blog: Hard Rock International Announces Key Leadership Appointments for Las Vegas and Atlantic City Properties
Hard Rock International Announces Key Leadership Appointments for Las Vegas and Atlantic City Properties
HOLLYWOOD, Fla., Aug. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Joe Lupo has been named President of the future Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, subject to regulatory approval of Hard Rock International's previously announced plans to purchase The Mirage Hotel & Casino from MGM Resorts International. Lupo will take over the role once the Nevada Gaming Commission licensing process has concluded. An Ohio native, Lupo has more than three decades of casino gaming experience. He was named President of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City in November 2018, after spending two successful years at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa.
Lupo's new position in Las Vegas was announced today by Hard Rock International Chairman Jim Allen, who is the driving force and vision behind Hard Rock International's purchase of The Mirage Hotel & Casino and the company's plan to construct an iconic Guitar Hotel on the Las Vegas strip. Allen said Lupo is uniquely qualified to become the President of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas.
"As president of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City for the past four years, Joe Lupo has achieved amazing results," said Allen. "Thanks to his dedication and expertise, financial results continue to outperform expectations, while our team members share an unmatched commitment to guest service and satisfaction. I am confident Joe Lupo will achieve even greater success at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas."
Lupo is no stranger to Las Vegas, having worked at various Boyd Gaming properties in Las Vegas and in Laughlin, Nevada, including the former Stardust Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, where he was the Director of Race and Sportsbook. He is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
In Atlantic City, Anthony Faranca will be promoted to property President, subject to regulatory approval, effective September 1. A Philadelphia native, Faranca is a seasoned casino executive with extensive experience managing large gaming properties in several states including Maryland, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
"Anthony's deep knowledge of the Atlantic City and Northeast region is an invaluable asset to the company," said Jim Allen. "We are confident that Anthony will continue Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City's legacy of success and impactful leadership in the community."
Faranca began his casino career in Atlantic City as a Guest Services Manager and was promoted through the ranks to Regional Vice President of National Casino Marketing at the four Caesars Atlantic City properties. Faranca eventually relocated to Philadelphia and was appointed Vice President and General Manager of Parx Casino in 2009. Faranca then moved to Las Vegas to join Station Casinos and served as Vice President and General Manager for the Palms Casino Resort while also managing the company's enterprise-wide strategy for Table Game operations.
Faranca returned to the east coast in 2019 and joined the Cordish Companies as Vice President and General Manager of Live! Casino in Hanover, MD. In this role Faranca navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, launched a FanDuel Sportsbook, and opened a 5,000-seat event center.
About Hard Rock®:
Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies with venues in over 70 countries spanning 265 locations that include owned/licensed or managed Rock Shops®, Live Performance Venues and Cafes. HRI also launched a joint venture named Hard Rock Digital in 2020, an online sportsbook, retail sportsbook and internet gaming platform. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's largest and most valuable collection of authentic music memorabilia at more than 86,000 pieces, which are displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock Hotels has been honored with Outstanding Guest Satisfaction and above for four consecutive years among Upper Upscale Hotels in J.D. Power's North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Study and in 2022, the iconic brand was ranked as the number one brand for the second year in a row. HRI is the first privately-owned gaming company designated U.S. Best Managed Company by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal for the second year. Hard Rock was also honored as one of Forbes' Best Employers for Women, Diversity and New Grads and a Top Large Employer in the Travel & Leisure, Gaming, and Entertainment Industry. In 2021, Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos received first place ranking in the Casino Gaming Executive Satisfaction Survey conducted by Bristol Associates Inc. and Spectrum Gaming Group for six of the last seven years. For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com or shop.hardrock.com
SOURCE Hard Rock International
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
Monday, August 15, 2022
Property News Media: High rollers still on the menu as Crown and Star lock horns
High rollers still on the menu as Crown and Star lock horns
After a decade of drama, Sydney finally has two casinos vying for its gambling dollar - separated by the barest sliver of a harbour.
Crown Resorts and Star Entertainment Group have been put through the regulatory ringer, many would say belatedly, for their shoddy approach to compliance. But suitably chastened, both are now ready to go toe-to-toe in their pursuit for punters.
However, as Crown Sydney’s marketing brochures highlight, the multibillion-dollar resort dreamed up by billionaire James Packer is staying true to its promise of focusing on high rollers. There is no enticement for the grind market, which is the staple of The Star and the poker machine dens across Sydney.
A $10,500 bar tab is the sort of spend needed to get a punter through Crown Sydney’s VIP gaming room doors at Barangaroo, which opened for the first time this week. This figure is based on Crown’s rewards program for Barangaroo which, ironically, does not specify how much gambling is needed to reach the Gold and Platinum status needed to gain entry to its gaming facilities.
One thing is clear, Crown clearly does not have to worry about the “RSL on steroids” tag, which dogged The Star for years.
Crown, under the new ownership of US private equity group Blackstone, has also remained faithful to Packer’s mantra that the gaming operation - which was originally due to open alongside the hotel in December 2020 - remains central to the economic feasibility of the entire resort.
“Crown Sydney is quite a unique facility and integrated resort. I think that integrated nature will also extend itself to the integrated nature of income,” Crown Sydney chief executive Simon McGrath said.
“It’s got a very good balance of gaming, hospitality, restaurants, bars and spas and other facilities. And I think that’s really important.”
Barangaroo needs to be firing on all cylinders. Blackstone paid $8.9 billion for the entire Crown operation in Australia, a price that took the casino operator back to a valuation that pre-dated the scandals and a regulatory nightmare that has seen it deemed unfit to hold a casino licence in all three states in which it operates.
The inquiries were triggered by a series of reports by The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and 60 Minutes in 2019 that examined Crown’s irresponsible treatment of problem gamblers and its relationship with high-roller “junket” operators linked to powerful Asian criminal gangs.
The regulatory upheaval, which is still impacting both Crown and Star, is another unwelcome juggle for the newly opened facility.
“First, and foremost, we’ve got to make sure that we deliver safe and responsible gaming, and then we deliver the curated experience of luxury service,” McGrath says. “I think the combination of both those will give us a strong and sustainable business going forward.”
Also making life tougher is the fact that the disgraced junket operators, which did the dirty work of attracting Chinese high rollers, and extracting the cash when they lost - for a significant fee - have been banned.
But Crown’s new operation offered a not-so-subtle hint that Chinese gamblers are still on the radar with its opening date 08.08.22: eight is the luckiest number in Chinese culture with its traditional association with wealth.
Whether it succeeds in wooing them will be clearer in October when its exclusive high-roller floor opens.
To enter the hallways of Barangaroo’s Mahogany room - which houses 30 private salons for the serious high-rollers that Crown once enticed with its own private jets - a minimum spend of $45,000 across its bars, restaurants and hotel is needed to attain the Platinum status necessary for entry. Once again, Crown’s brochures do not specify the level of gambling spend needed for Platinum status.
Of course, the serious high rollers will be offered the Black tier membership which is by invite only.
Market analysts no longer track Crown as it is a private company, but in December last year, Macquarie forecast that Barangaroo could end up with 35 per cent of Sydney’s tables-based gambling market by the 2025 financial year. This is expected to be worth $923 million. Macquarie forecast VIP turnover of $10 billion by 2025.
Meanwhile, analyst reports focused on the ASX-listed Star following a July market update highlighted that poker machine and non-gambling revenue, across its Sydney and Queensland casinos, have soared above pre-COVID levels. Table gaming revenue, which is all Crown is relying on in Sydney, remains subdued.
Crown will have 160 tables, plus 66 electronic tables operating across the Crystal Room and 30 private salons on the Mahogany floor. While Crown Sydney will ensure Star’s table gaming revenue does not recover in Sydney, Star does have a secret weapon that Crown cannot rely on: the grind market.
“In NSW, we note that Club electronic gaming machine (EGM) data to May-22 is consistent with Queensland, with profit per EGM running at 129 per cent of pre-COVIDlevels,” a report from Goldman Sachs said last month.
And as JP Morgan analyst Don Carducci pointed out in a recent research note, The Star has a lot at stake as it extracts roughly $115 million in EGM, or slot, revenue from its top-tier gamblers on top of what it gets from their table-based gaming.
“The slot support for Star cannot be overstated; approximately one-third of Sydney (VIP) revenues are linked to slot play,” he said.
A fund manager who watches the casino market closely, says Crown has had the edge with high rollers in Melbourne due to the assets it had at its disposal including golf, horse racing and the Grand Prix.
“They always attracted that tier one player and probably didn’t have to do as much as what Star needed to do to attract those players to this market,” the fund manager, who did not wish to be identified due to the sensitivities of the high roller business, said.
But high roller rooms are not where the big money is made.
“Crown had the advantage on that part of the business, but it’s worth remembering. It’s not the best part of the business,” he said.
“The grind, that’s where you make your margin. That’s 80 per cent of your profit.”
Monday, August 08, 2022
Property News Media Blog: The Complete Guide to Local SEO and How it Can Help Your Business Grow
The Complete Guide to Local SEO and How it Can Help Your Business Grow
Local SEO is also called Local Search Engine Optimization, or SEO.
Introduction: What is Local SEO?
Local SEO is a type of search engine optimization that focuses on getting a website to rank higher in the search results for searches related to geographic areas.
Local SEO is also called Local Search Engine Optimization, or SEO. It is a type of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) that focuses on getting a website to rank higher in the search results for searches related to geographic areas.
Local SEO services typically target specific cities, towns, and neighborhoods where they live or work. Local SEO Expert helps businesses rank high in Google Maps and Google Business listings.
How to Perform a Mobile Ranking Check and Best Practices for Local SEO
Mobile devices have surpassed desktop in usage, and this trend will only continue.
Local SEO is a key part of any successful marketing strategy. It’s important to know how to perform a mobile ranking check and best practices for local SEO.
To start, you need to find out what the major search engines are looking for by visiting the following sites: Google’s Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide, Bing’s Local SEO Guide, and Yahoo’s Small Business Site Setup Guide.
A good place to start with your mobile ranking check is by downloading Google’s Mobile-Friendly Tool. This tool will tell you if your site is mobile-friendly or not. You can also use it to see how your site compares against other sites in terms of loading speed or if it has any errors.
3 Steps to Boosting Your Local Business with Search Marketing
Optimize your website
Optimize your content
Optimize your social media
Local businesses are at a disadvantage when it comes to online marketing because they don’t have the resources that larger companies do.
However, there are a few things you can do to boost your local business with search marketing: optimize your website, optimize your content, and optimize your social media.
Importance of Local SEO for businesses
Local SEO has been trending for the past few years and it is not going anywhere. It is a great way for businesses to stay relevant in their local communities.
Local SEO is a powerful tool that can help your business rank higher on search engines and attract more customers to your site. Local SEO helps you rank higher on search engines, increase your visibility and get more customers through the door.
Conclusion and Recap
As more and more consumers switch to search engines as their primary source for finding local businesses, it’s important for businesses to have a strong presence in the search rankings.
Local SEO is an important part of building a strong presence in the search rankings because it promotes a business to the first page of results on Google, Yahoo, and Bing.
Local SEO has been trending for the past few years and it is not going anywhere. It is a great way for businesses to stay relevant in their local communities.
Local SEO is a powerful tool that can help your business rank higher on search engines and attract more customers to your site. Local SEO helps you rank higher on search engines, increase your visibility and get more customers through the door.
Website Network
Friday, August 05, 2022
Thursday, August 04, 2022
Property News Media: Crown’s Sydney casino to open next month
Crown’s Sydney casino to open next month
The Crown gaming empire’s flagship skyscraper on Sydney Harbour will open its luxury casino in two weeks.
“The doors to Australia’s only VIP casino will begin opening to members and guests from 08.08.2022,” Crown said in a statement on Monday.
Crown had been prevented from opening the casino in its $2.2 billion dining and hotel tower in Barangaroo for more than a year.
The opening was delayed and then blocked after an inquiry led by former Supreme Court judge Patricia Bergin found Crown was not fit to operate a casino.
Last month the troubled gambling behemoth was given approval by the NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority for the members-only gaming facilities inside the upscale Barangaroo complex to finally open on a conditional basis.
The conditional period, which will run for 18 to 24 months, will allow the authority to monitor changes made at Crown Sydney and ensure they are “embedded” in the business.
“The opening of our gaming operations at Crown Sydney is a defining moment for Crown, and the culmination of months of hard work from our dedicated team,” Crown Sydney CEO Simon McGrath said.
“The entire team at Crown Sydney has been preparing for this moment for a long time and we felt the symbolism of the 08.08 date represented ideal timing to open our doors.”
The number eight is believed to be the luckiest number in China because eight is associated with wealth.
LGA chair Philip Crawford said last month the Bergin inquiry highlighted the scale and scope of issues to be remedied by Crown, with potentially billions of dollars having been laundered through its casinos.
“With a complete clean-out of the board and senior executive, Crown has made significant progress and has agreed to ongoing work to regain its casino licence,” he said in a statement.
Crown says its gaming operations are set “over two luxurious VIP gaming floors – Crystal Room and Mahogany Room – with 12 additional exclusive private Sky Salons located on levels 28 and 29”.
The facilities accommodate approximately 160 gaming tables and 70 electronic table games.
The Crystal Room gaming floor will open on day one, with Mahogany Room set to open at a later date.
“We are committed to delivering a safe and responsible gaming environment for all, and Crown Sydney’s restricted gaming facility has been designed with the highest levels of governance and compliance,” Mr McGrath said.
All patrons are required to be a member or guest of a member and undergo comprehensive checks.
“The gaming floors at Crown Sydney set a new standard in luxury and elegance,” Mr McGrath said.
The once-listed Crown is being taken private by US investment firm Blackstone after a successful $8.9 billion takeover was ticked off last month.
Tuesday, August 02, 2022
Property News Media: SEO, Search Engines, Hunt Machine on the web and more; Gonzo news for business
SEO, Search Engines, Hunt Machine on the web and more; Gonzo news for business
SEO or Hunt Machine Optimisation is the process of perfecting the website’s visibility to have applicable quests on hunt machines. More visibility in hunt results makes the point attract the attention of the druggies.
Search Machines similar as Google, Yahoo, Bing use technology to bottleneck on the web on different spots. They collect information about each point and also put them in an indicator. Further, the algorithm analyses the runners in the indicator grounded upon numerous different factors to determine the applicable spots that appear in a hunt result. The ranking factors for seo toronto can be keywords, unique content, applicable length of content, image attributes, etc. Optimizing the point with SEO factors can grease crawling and indexing and help the point rank advanced in hunt results. Unlike paid hunt advertisements, organic rankings on point can’t be achieved on hunt machines. thus, it becomes important to optimize websites to rank advanced in hunt results.
When it comes to Statistics, The first five Google quests on the first runner account for 67.60, while only 0.78 of Google quest click on the alternate runner. 70 of the marketers consider SEO more effective than PPC for generating deals. 51 of shoppers surveyed say they use Google to probe a purchase they plan to make online. These are a many statistics to punctuate the significance of SEO in 2021.
An effective SEO strategy can help the runner rank advanced and reach the right followership and increase website business when it comes to businesses. It can also help in getting transformations. Readout why SEO is important for businesses in 2021.
1. Increases visibility of a website
SEO, when done right, can help businesses increase their visibility on the website. It’s the direct motorist of bettered visibility and prints in the hunt results. Using the right keywords, adding backlinks from high sphere authority websites, optimizing metadata on the point, and participating unique content are among the many factors that can help the point increase visibility. SEO facilitates crawling and indexing, which helps in adding the visibility of a website.
2. Increases website business
Organic hunt is pivotal to a business. Search Machines contribute to a business’s visibility, and SEO can help druggies land to the point. SEO builds an online presence, increases website business, and helps the business to grow. The advanced the website ranks, the further business the business shall admit. The first Google hunt result has a28.5 click- through rate which falls down to2.5 for the tenth hunt result.
3. Enhances stoner trust on website
SEO establishes the authority of content on the hunt machine by admitting parameters like unique content, quality backlinks, advanced runner ranking, and stoner geste, which enhances stoner trust in the website. spots that are listed on the hunt machine are considered believable than the runners that are n’t. Quality SEO helps establish business credibility, gives exposure, and enhances its character.
4. This leads to a better consumer experience of the website.
SEO can help in perfecting the consumer experience and furnishing quality content to the consumers. It makes the content dependable through quality backlinks and the right keywords. SEO helps search machines in relating the right spots that are helpful to the stoner. Website speed is another criterion that plays an important part. A slow website will have a high brio and tends to distort the stoner experience.
5. Search Machines aren’t perfect, and if you do n’t take applicable way, your website will be ranked lower.
Hunt Machines need or, as we call, colorful conditions to identify point applicability. SEO enables the hunt machine to effectively judge its applicability and show the same in the hunt results. The better these conditions are satisfied, the advanced the runner ranks, which can help the business get website business, make credibility, and lead to transformations.
6. High website business would lead to advanced transformations.
Transformations can be appertained to the asked thing the point or business has. That can be enabling deals, subscribing to a service, adding readership, etc. Quality SEO promotes high website business which in turn leads to advanced transformations. High-engaging websites are bound to get a better conversion as they can gather maximum eyeballs.
Conclusion
SEO has come a critical element to the online success of businesses. Businesses who want to make sure of their strong online presence need to invest in SEO.
Tell them the Media Man Group including Media Man Australia, Media Man Int and Search News Media sent you.
Thursday, July 14, 2022
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Property News Media Blog: Star Entertainment Group names Robert Cooke as new Managing Director and CEO
Star Entertainment Group names Robert Cooke as new Managing Director and CEO
Australia’s Star Entertainment Group Limited has named former Tatts Group boss Robert Cooke as the company’s new Managing Director and CEO.
Cooke replaces Matt Bekier in the role, his predecessor having stepped down amid the recent regular review into Star’s operations which uncovered a series of failings around anti-money laundering controls at The Star Sydney. Chairman John O’Neill also departed last month.
“A comprehensive search conducted by global executive recruitment firm Spencer Stuart identified a number of quality candidates,” said Interim Chairman Ben Heap.
“Following a thorough process, the Board concluded that Robbie was the standout candidate with the ideal combination of experience, capabilities and attributes to lead The Star.
“Robbie is a trusted, respected and highly experienced chief executive. He has been the CEO of major ASX 200 listed companies and brings extensive commercial experience in operating and driving transformation programs within highly regulated environments, overseeing large workforces and building executive teams in multi-jurisdictional locations.
“As CEO of the lotteries, wagering and gaming operation at Tatts Group, he led a comprehensive transformation program and secured valuable licence agreements with various State governments. In his role at Wotif.com, Robbie helped build a market leading business across the hotel sector during a period of significant industry disruption. Most recently at the Australian bank and payment fintech, Tyro Payments, he led the company through the post Financial Services Industry Royal Commission environment with a focus on risk culture, cultural alignment and employee engagement whilst driving strong transaction growth from ~$13 billion [AUD] to in excess of $30 billion [AUD] over 4 years.
“Given The Star’s significant investments to develop world-class tourism and entertainment destinations in South East Queensland and Sydney, the Company will benefit significantly from both his understanding of the industry’s regulatory environment and extensive insights and experience across the hotel and broader hospitality sector.
“Robbie is well placed to lead The Star and restore confidence in the organisation. He is an outstanding choice to guide the Company through its critical ongoing renewal program, a body of work already underway that will deliver a number of near and medium-term initiatives focused on governance, culture, training, systems and technology.”
Cooke, whose appointment and commencement date will be confirmed upon gaining regulatory approval, said he was committed to helping Star rebuild its reputation.
“There are challenges for The Star that have been well documented,” he said. “They will be my priority and focus. Ensuring continuity of the business through a comprehensive renewal program is of paramount importance.”
Property News Media: Blackstone gets green light to operate Crown Sydney Casino
Blackstone gets green light to operate Crown Sydney Casino
The NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority has approved funds manager Blackstone’s suitability to hold a casino licence in NSW, paving the way for the company to become the operator of Crown Sydney casino.
The NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority has approved funds manager Blackstone’s suitability to hold a casino licence in NSW, paving the way for the company to become the operator of Crown Sydney casino.
Authority Chairperson Philip Crawford said Blackstone had been subject to an extensive probity assessment that examined its capacity to address the risks and issues of concern identified in the Bergin Report.
“The probity assessment has also resulted in certain persons being approved to become “close associates” of Crown Sydney,” Mr Crawford said.
“These approvals are a key step in the Authority’s ongoing work to ensure Crown Sydney is able to fully meet its undertakings for major operational, governance and structural reforms.
“As the prospective owner of Crown Resorts, Blackstone has been required to demonstrate the highest standards of probity as well as a commitment to deliver the full suite of operational changes recommended by the Bergin Inquiry.
“This commitment is vital to ensure Crown Sydney is free from criminal influence and properly manages the risks of harm associated with casino activities.”
The Authority’s regulatory approvals follow a meeting of Crown shareholders on 20 May that voted overwhelmingly to accept Blackstone’s takeover offer.
Mr Crawford said Blackstone has also been required to meet certain conditions under a private equity model of ownership.
“These approvals and conditions are dependent on Blackstone gaining Federal Court approval for its takeover of Crown, as well as the necessary regulatory approvals from Victorian and Western Australia regulators, Mr Crawford said.
“Separately, the Authority has worked closely with Crown on plans for a conditional opening of gaming at Crown Sydney
“This would allow the Authority to monitor the implementation by Crown of its obligations under revised internal control measures.”
Tuesday, June 21, 2022
Property News Media: Star 'not suitable' for casino licence
Star 'not suitable' for casino licence
A period of "deep reflection" is needed at Star Entertainment before the gaming giant is fit to hold a casino licence, an inquiry into its Sydney casino has been told.
The NSW gaming regulator inquiry has examined claims the ASX-listed company enabled suspected money laundering, organised crime, fraud and foreign interference at The Star Sydney as part of assessing its fitness to hold a casino licence.
The 36 day inquiry was told notorious junket Suncity operated an illegal cage at the casino, that the venue flouted rules on China Union Pay debit cards on which $900 million was transacted, and that Star staff lied to banks and did not do enough in dealings with regulators.
There was evidence that Star worked covertly to stop the public hearings taking place.
"We submit that the evidence in the public hearing establishes that The Star is not suitable to hold the casino licence and that its close associate Star Entertainment is not suitable either," counsel assisting Naomi Sharp SC said in closing submissions on Tuesday.
Ms Sharp said Star and its Sydney casino were only at the start of their journey "about what has gone wrong within these organisations".
"There has not yet been the period of deep reflection which of course will be necessary in order to develop a concrete plan about what ... can bring these corporations into a position of suitability," she said.
She urged Adam Bell SC, who is helming the inquiry, to adopt the approach set out in the Finkelstein review of rival Crown Resorts that if "most norms" are infringed then a company's "journey is at its end".
Ms Sharp said there was a lack of supervision in Star's international VIP team, headed by John Chong and then Marcus Lim, with "certain shortcomings" existing on high-value patrons, and failures to notify Star's board.
The inquiry has previously been told a Chinese-born high roller about whom The Star Sydney harboured potential money-laundering concerns turned over more than $2 billion at the venue. There was also testimony of Star staff providing fake source of funds documents to the Bank of China in Macau.
Star's legal team also came in for criticism, with Ms Sharp pointing to "abuse" of legal professional privilege and describing some Star legal practices as unethical.
She attacked evidence of Star lawyers, especially that of ex-chief legal and risk officer Paula Martin, labelling her testimony pedantic, technical, and non-responsive, and arguing she failed to take personal responsibility.
Ms Sharp also critiqued evidence of Star's former general manager of financial crime and investigations, Kevin Houlihan, over his statement she said was "like entering a labyrinth" and "not a forthcoming account".
There was "very considerable concern" about the evidence of former chief financial officer Harry Theodore, while the testimony of former chief executive Matt Bekier, who stepped down earlier this year, was praised as "frank and candid".
On risk management, Ms Sharp described Star's framework as containing "very serious" failings in the international VIP team and within The Star Sydney, and the venue's possible underpayment of gaming duty.
Responsibility for risk shortcomings lay with internal casino divisions, senior management and the board, she said.
Ms Sharp SC outlined 26 areas she would address in closing, including looking at whether Star failed to pay sufficient NSW gaming duties and if it breached continuous disclosure obligations in selective briefings to investors.
There has been a clean-out of Star top brass since the inquiry began, including Mr Bekier, Mr Theodore, chief casino officer Greg Hawkins, Ms Martin and board chairman John O'Neill.
The inquiry continues on Tuesday.
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