Category Archives: Casino

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BACKSTORYOver the course of 2021, Travis Boersma, Oregons newest billionaire, developed an entertainment venue in Grants Pass called the Flying Lark basically an illegal casino joined to a horse track. The Oregon Racing Commission, a state agency, shepherded the project toward license approval for 225 historic horse racing machines, or HHRs, which resemble slot machines but use internal math based on horse betting. At every step of the process, tribes across Oregon expressed concern about how the development would impact tribal economies, the public and the states legal framework for gambling oversight. They also objected that no state agencies consulted with the tribes (Gambling on a Lark, February 2022).

FOLLOWUPThis month, the Oregon Department of Justice published an opinionthat HHRs are games of chance, not skill, and as such are considered illegal lotteries. The opinionfurther states that an entertainment facility with 225 HHRs would qualify as an unlawful casino.

Anna Richter Taylor, a public affairs specialist, spoke to HCN on behalf of the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, saying the tribe is pleased with the decision. This opinion validated and confirmed what weve believed all along: that the Flying Lark would be unconstitutional, Taylor said. She reiterated the tribes support of horse racing and economic development, and added that she hopes this will become an opportunity to form a special joint committee to find mutually beneficial solutions before any other gambling expansions take place in the state.

The current regulatory framework is not adequate to address the role of technology in gambling, and the current process for these policy discussions have not been inclusive of all of the different components social, economic, tribal that will be impacted, she said.

The decision is a major obstacle for the Flying Lark, but its not necessarily the end of the road. At a meeting on Feb. 17th, the Oregon Racing Commission disagreed with the opinion, but reluctantly (and unanimously) voted to issue a formal notice of intent to deny the Flying Larks HHR application. I cannot provide the commission any legal advice, even though Im an attorney, said ORC chair Diego Conde. Nevertheless, he added, There is a high likelihood that this matter does not conclude here.

My team and I believe the opinion is wrong and deeply flawed, said Boersma during public comments at the same meeting, adding that hes confident theres a path to continue the process. Meanwhile, he said hell fund his horse track out of pocket through the fall season. Im not giving up. Im gonna continue to be a force for God and a force for good in this endeavor.

There have still not been any formal government-to-government consultations.

Theo Whitcomb is an editorial internatHigh Country News. We welcome reader letters.Emailhim at[emailprotected]or submit aletter to the editor.

Brian Oaster (they/them) is a staff writer atHigh Country Newsanda member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. They are anaward-winning investigative journalist living in the Pacific Northwest. Email them at[emailprotected]orsubmit a letter to the editor.

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A bump in the road for southern Oregon's illegal private casino - High Country News

A notable drop in January attendance contributed to a sharp month-over-month falloff in casino revenue in Illinois as the states gaming board reported $87.8 million in adjusted gross revenue.

The total represented a 25.1% drop versus Decembers revenue figure of $109.8 million and ended a streak of 10 straight months of at least $100 million in revenue generated. It was the lowest total since the Illinois Gaming Board reported revenue totaling $78 million last February. Casino revenue does not include sports betting figures as those are reported under a different set of deadlines per state regulations.

Because casinos were operating under limited capacity last January due to COVID-19 mitigation measures, this years figure was more than three times higher than the $26.3 million generated in 2021. It was 12.8% lower, however, than the $100.7 million reported in January 2020. Illinois has 11 casinos and no online casino gaming since video game terminals (VGTs) dominate the state landscape.

Monthly tax receipts from the casinos also took a sharp downturn, as the state collected close to $9.9 million, 67% less than Decembers total of $29.9 million. Illinois averaged $20.7 million monthly in tax receipts from casino revenue in 2021 and collected $248.7 million overall.

Weather had a small contribution to the decline in attendance with two significant days of snowfall late in the month, but all 11 venues reported month-over-month drops in patronage. Overall, attendance lagged 21.3% compared to December as 571,882 admissions were reported compared to 726,780 for the final month of December.

Some of the novelty of Hard Rocks temporary casino in Rockford may have worn off as the slots-exclusive venue had a 38.1% dip in attendance. Seven venues in all had double-digit percentage dips in attendance, with Rivers Casino in Des Plaines the bell cow of gaming revenue in the state itself absorbing a 36.6% drop.

Rivers, though, did account for slightly more than one-third of the states overall revenue with $29.7 million. It accounted for more than half the $21.5 million in revenue generated via table games, with close to $12.1 million. Only four other venues surpassed $1 million in that category. Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin, which was a distant second in table games revenue at $2.5 million, was the only other casino to have more than 10% of its overall revenue originate from table games in January.

On the EGD/slots side, Rivers revenue haul of $17.6 million was more than double its closest peer as Grand Victoria finished second with $8.6 million and Harrahs Joliet was third with nearly $8.5 million. Grand Victoria was also the lone venue outside Rivers to post an eight-figure revenue total in January with close to $11.1 million, while Harrahs in Joliet took the final podium spot with nearly $9.6 million.

Despite the drop in attendance and revenue, average revenue per admission actually inched 1.6% higher to $153.47. Rivers easily paced that category with $214.21 per admission, followed by Harrahs Joliet ($184.07) and Harrahs Metropolis ($168.33). Nine of the 11 venues averaged more than $100 per admission, with Ballys Quad Cities falling just short at $98.84 and Argosy Casino Alton last at $62.

The quiet engine of Illinois gaming revenue, video gaming terminals (VGTs), also sputtered out of the gate to start the new year in comparison to the close of 2021. The net terminal income of close to $195.5 million represented a 9.8% drop compared to Decembers total of $216.8 million.

There was nearly 10% less play in January, with more than $2.3 billion versus the $2.6 billion to close out 2021. The funds in the amount of money put in the terminals lagged close to 10% with $762.3 million compared to $846.5 million. Taxes from the 41,657 machines in operation spanning 7,784 locations statewide totaled nearly $66.5 million, of which $56.7 million went to the state and the remainder to local municipalities.

Similar to casino revenue in terms of a year-over-year comparison, the totals were notably higher than in January 2021. The first month of VGT play last year generated $80.8 million in net terminal income, resulting in $23.4 million for state tax coffers. Illinois raised $717.7 million in state taxes from VGT play in 2021, nearly triple that of casino revenue.

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Illinois Casino And VGT Revenue Drop Sharply To Start 2022 - US Bets

Today, neither a tuxedo nor a bow tie or evening gown is required to enter a casino. All a user needs are a stable internet connection, a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, or a PC. The big casinos focus on their digital clientele. They have created a multi-layered range of games on the World Wide Web that attracts the interest of an ever-growing target group. Beginners in particular are therefore wondering where they can find the best casino offers.

On http://www.gamblingguy.com, the well-known and most popular gaming platforms come together in a direct comparison. On the basis of helpful criteria, it should thus be possible to find suitable providers within a very short time. Most players are looking for bonuses, lucrative promotions, worthwhile odds, free spins, and a wide range of games. Looking at the current ratings gives a first hint and a realistic assessment of how satisfied other users are with a platform. In this way, beginners have the opportunity to better assess a casino.

A reputable bookmaker offers every new customer the chance to first open a customer account completely free of charge. If you already have to pull out your wallet at this point, your stomach shouldnt be the only thing grumbling. The skepticism is justified at this point. No customer should be satisfied with second-rate offers that he cannot view for free.

On the contrary, the competition has risen sharply in recent months. For example, many new customers even have the chance to get a lucrative discount for registering and opening an account. Other bonus promotions and offers are tied to the first deposit. The 100% voucher, for example, is the deposit amount again on top. Who deposits 100$, receives in this case from the casino another 100$ and thus has 200$ at his free disposal on the gaming platform.

With other casinos, free spins are added, which relate to the slot machines. In this way, users have the chance to get a taste of the slots and familiarize themselves with the settings and functions without using their own money. Attention, if you want to make a monetary credit out of credit and your own winnings, you have to fulfill the bonus conditions first.

Another decision criterion for a good casino is the selection of payment options. Most providers offer the chance to pay by credit card. They accept Mastercard and Visa. Others offer their players digital alternatives, such as PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, or the Paysafecard. Many tests and analyses have shown that more and more users are no longer satisfied with the credit card payment option.

With the digital alternatives, it is partly possible to send money directly to the player account without opening an external account or to have the winnings paid out to the checking account. Stingy every user should deal with the external fees of the casinos. Most bookmakers do without them completely. They focus on the fun of the game and do not take a cent of their stakes away from their customers.

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Where can you find the best casino deals? - Hardware Times

LARCHWOODA 52-year-old Sioux Falls, SD, man was arrested about 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 21, on charges of first-offense possession of a controlled substance methamphetamine, first-offense possession of a controlled substance marijuana, two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and fourth-degree theft at Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort northwest of Larchwood.

The arrest of John Christopher Ulrich stemmed from him stealing a wallet off a chair while on the gaming floor of the casino on Sunday, Feb. 13, according to the Lyon County Sheriffs Office.

Ulrich then went to the bathroom and left the casino through a back door.

The wallet contained $400-$600 in cash, credit cards and gift cards.

Ulrich returned to the casinos gaming floor on Feb. 21. He was placed in handcuffs and removed from the casino.

While in the parking lot, Ulrich tossed a drawstring bag that he had.

Authorities found individual bags containing methamphetamine, two meth pipes, a container of marijuana and a marijuana pipe in the drawstring bag, according to court documents.

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Man charged for meth and theft at casino - nwestiowa.com

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Imagine being completely immersed in more than 300 of the greatest works of post-Impressionist artist Vincent Van Gogh. Now imagine experiencing all of this art liberated from its two-dimensional limitations into a three-dimensional experience that exhilarates every sense and brings to life one of the most influential artists the world has known. Its all part of Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, which has sold over 2.5 million tickets globally making it one of the most popular current traveling exhibitions. The sensory extravaganza produced by Paquin Entertainment Group and presented by Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City will open at the resort on July 8. Open for a limited engagement, Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience was created by French-Canadian Creative Director Mathieu St-Arnaud and his team at Montreals world-renowned Normal Studio.

While journeying through Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience guests witness more than 300 iconic masterpieces, including such instantly recognizable classics as The Starry Night, Sunflowers, and Caf Terrace at Night, as well many revealing self-portraits. Prices start at $39.99 for adults and $23.99 for children (ages 5-15), plus ticketing fees. Tickets, which will sell out quickly, will be on-sale to the general public beginning Friday, February 25 at http://www.vangoghatlanticcity.com

An imaginative and fully-immersive adventure, Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience takes on the challenge of breathing new life into Van Goghs vast body of work. Through the use of cutting-edge 3D projection technology and music to illuminate all of his genius, guests can experience the artist with all their senses, says Mathieu St-Arnaud, Normal Studio.

Guests are transported into Van Goghs world through an all new, exclusively designed space comprised of three areas that segue fluidly into each other. The Education Room leads into the unique Waterfall Room which flows into the Immersive Experience Room. Freed from their frames, Van Goghs spectacular paintings appear on projection-swathed walls inviting guests to fully immerse themselves into the incredible detail of his work and be enveloped in his ever-shifting, swirling and colorful flowers, cafes and stunning landscapes. And, hearing the artists own dreams, thoughts and words set to a symphonic score drives an unmatched narrative experience.

This distinctive and unique multimedia artistic adventure is deeply resonating with audiences. Encompassing a refreshing new twist unlike art lovers have seen before, Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience gives a new appreciation of this tortured artists stunning work. Unsurprisingly millions of people all over the world credit Van Gogh with enhancing their relationship with art. Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience will only strengthen that connection, says Justin Paquin, co-producer, Paquin Entertainment.

Cinematic Van Gogh exhibitions have crossed the ocean from European cities to North America in recent years and met with great critical acclaim, with sold-out audiences in every market. Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience continues to amaze audiences and will stay in Atlantic City for a limited engagement before moving across North America. Art lovers near and far will have the opportunity to live this truly unique and unforgettable experience.

WHEN:

July 8 August 28

Monday Thursday: 10:00 a.m. 9:00 p.m.

Friday & Saturday: 10:00 a.m. 10:00 p.m.

Sunday: 10:00 a.m. 9:00 p.m.

Final entry 1 hour before closing

WHERE:

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City

100 Boardwalk

Atlantic City, NJ 08401

TICKETS:

vangoghatlanticcity.com

Media Assets

About Normal Studio:

Pushing the boundaries of performing arts, entertainment, and public installations since 2009, Normal Studio believes in making life legendary. Using multimedia magic and fusing physical and technological elements to transform spaces into full-on immersive experiences, Normal Studio tells stories in new and different ways by reimagining whats possible. The result is a unique adventure that sparks awe and wonder, making an unforgettable impact on peoples everyday lives.

About Paquin Entertainment Group:

Established in 1985, Paquin Entertainment Group is a leading, full-service North American arts and entertainment company with offices operating in Winnipeg, Toronto, Vancouver and Nashville. Paquin Entertainment Group is home to a diverse portfolio, including artist agency and management, film and television, theatrical production, brand partnership, and touring exhibitions. Since its inception, Paquin Entertainment Groups core vision remains unchanged: to foster a creative culture that seeks and develops the worlds premier artists and productions. For more information visit paquinentertainment.com

About Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City

With the legendary Atlantic City Boardwalk as its backdrop, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City has become Atlantic Citys go-to entertainment destination. The property features an award-winning gaming floor that offers 2,250 slots, 120 table games, and dedicated Sportsbook. The highly regarded resort has been recognized as Forbes Best Place to Work in New Jersey, as well as awards from Casino Player Magazines 2020 and 2021 Best of Gaming Awards and USA Todays 10Best Casinos. Boasting more than 16 food and beverage offerings, guests are able to enjoy fine dining at Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, Kuro, Sandpiper and Il Mulino, to casual fare at Hard Rock Cafe, YOUYU Noodle Bar, Sugar Factory and Fresh Harvest Buffet. The music-inspired resort offers guests a glimpse into the worlds most valuable and largest music memorabilia collection, along with services from Rock Spa & Salon, which offers rhythm and music inspired treatments like the Soul Survivor Massage. With more than 150,000 square feet of meeting and event space, Hard Rock Atlantic City can fit any bill from intimate board meetings to large-scale conferences. For more information or to book your stay, please visit hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com.

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Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience Opens July 8 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City - Business Wire

Milwaukee's Potawatomi Hotel &Casino willbe allowed to offer sports gambling under a new agreement between the tribe and Gov. Tony Evers.

The compact, announced Friday, allows the Forest County Potawatomi to offer event wagering on sports and non-sports events.

The signed agreement was sent to the U.S. Department of Interior. It will undergo a 45-day review by the department before taking effect.

The tribe plans to open a sports book venue at the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, 1721 W. Canal St., by the end of 2022.

The agreement also allows sports and event betting at the tribe's Forest County casino.

Evers has signedsimilar compacts with the Oneida Nation and the St. Croix Chippewa Indians to allow sports bettingat their casinos in Green Bay and northwestern Wisconsin.

In a statement, Evers praised his Department of Administration, the tribe andNed Daniels Jr., Forest County Potawatomi chair, for working "to get this done so folks can enjoy sports and other event wagering in our state while benefiting the tribes economic growth."

We appreciate Governor Evers and his administration working with us in a government-to-government manner to provide our tribe the tools needed to compete in the marketplace and giving us the business certainty to continue our investments in Milwaukee and throughout the state,Daniels saidin a statement.

More: Here's what we know about legalized sports betting at tribal casinos in Wisconsin

In addition, the agreement extends the term of the current compact to 2061.

The Department of Administrations Office of Indian Gaming and Regulatory Compliance conducts on-site audits of casino operations.

Under the amended compact, that agency will have oversight to ensure regulatory compliance and the integrity of event wagering, according to the announcement.

The introduction of sports gambling atPotawatomi Hotel &Casino comes after the tribe last summer reported a steep decline in revenue due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.

The casinowon at least $293 million from gamblers during the 12-month period that ended June 30, a figure that is more than 28% below its 2019 total, according to tax records reviewed by the Journal Sentinel.

The 2020 win was at least $292 million.

The tribe won more than $400 million through bets taken at its Milwaukee slot machines, off-track betting windows and a range of table games that includes poker, craps and blackjack during the year that ended June 30, 2019.

The revenue drop caused the Potawatomiand other tribes seeing similar declines tolay off employees,cut dividends to tribal members and end a variety of services.

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

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Sports betting is coming to Potawatomi Hotel & Casino in Milwaukee under a new agreement between the tribe, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers - Milwaukee...

In need of a break? Then consider taking a getaway to the following resort in Maryland. This spot is sure to make for a memorable weekend with its scenic surroundings, cozy accommodations, fun casino, and more. Read on for the details and plan your stay today!

During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.

For more information about Rocky Gap Casino Resort, visit the website. You can also follow the official Facebook page to stay up to date with events at the resort, and more.

Now, how about a historic hotel in the Old Line State? Check it out by clicking on: The Most Famous Hotel In Maryland Is Also One Of The Most Historic Places Youll Ever Sleep!

Address: Rocky Gap Casino Resort, 16701 Lakeview Rd NE, Flintstone, MD 21530, USA

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This Maryland Resort In The Middle Of Nowhere Will Make You Forget All Of Your Worries - Only In Your State

Sports bettors in January wagered a Pennsylvania state record $793.7 million. About 93% of all bets were placed online, which has been the norm since sports betting apps started arriving in the commonwealth in the summer of 2019. It isnt surprising, since you are either reading this on your phone or its less than an arms length away.

The preference of the public to wager online didnt stop Parx and Chickies & Petes from opening the first race and sportsbook outside a casino or a racetrack in the United States.

On a rainy February weeknight, the recently opened Chickies & Petes in Malvern has a good dinner crowd. Its a mix of families with young children, groups of middle-aged men, and thirtysomething couples.

I can just bet on my phone, was the common consensus of the people I asked about the Parx Race & Sportsbook.

While so much about sports betting is about dollars, this was about senses. Since March 2020 and all that has followed, the experience of watching a game in public while all five senses are engaged is priceless.

READ MORE: Sixers on pace to fall just short of preseason number for wins, unless pace with Joel Embiid is factored in

Olfactory recollection is when a scent triggers a memory. The smell of Crabfries immediately transports me to right field at Citizens Bank Park on a summer day, or walking around the concourse before a game at the Wells Fargo Center. Crabfries are a signature Philadelphia game-day scent. You dont have to be Craig LaBan to know that Crabfries arent the best dish on the Philadelphia food scene, but for some reason, they just taste better when you are watching a game. Like beer from the tap just tastes better, and the first few sips never disappoint, even if the home team might.

Theres a TV everywhere you turn at Chickies & Petes in Malvern. Horse racing is always on. The talking heads eventually yield to the Villanova-UConn game and eyes widen with anticipation of an epic Big East matchup.

Then there is the actual touching high fives, handshakes, and people sharing appetizers while watching games. That has always been the beauty of sports, it brings us together. There is only so much swiping we can do on our couch before we crave something more and maybe some Crabfries.

How did we get here? Parx moved and scaled back operations of the permanently closed Oaks Race & Sportsbook. It tried to move the South Philadelphia Race & Sportsbook inside the Chickies & Petes on Packer Avenue but was denied zoning approval. However, it is pending appeal.

When Parx got approval for the race and sportsbook in Malvern from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board in November, Joe Wilson, the chief operating officer of Parx Racing, made a bold prediction.

We see this as the future for both retail sports wagering and sports betting, Wilson said.

Are we in the future already?

Having a proper sportsbook inside of Chickies & Petes, the No. 1 sports bar restaurant in the United States, in a strip mall in the suburbs of Philadelphia is a big deal. Its the first of its kind and it is truly the beginning of mainstreaming regulated legal sports betting in North America, said Wayne Kimmel, managing partner at SeventySix Capital, a Conshohocken-based venture capital company that invests in tech startups in sports, esports, and sports betting.

I asked a few parents of smaller children what they thought of a sportsbook being in a restaurant. It was met with a shrug and none had a problem with it. The 600-square-foot sportsbook area with tellers and kiosks is partitioned off from the restaurant. When I entered the sportsbook, an employee kindly asked me for identification and if I had any children in the car. Children being left unattended in vehicles has been a big problem at Pennsylvania casinos and one that regulators are working hard to address.

Katie Kohler is the Managing Editor at PlayPennsylvania where she writes about sports betting and casinos. Follow her on Twitter at @kkohler1129.

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We see this as the future: Sports betting lands at a strip mall in Malvern - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Wynn Resorts is selling off its Encore Boston Harbor casino property in Everett, though patrons shouldnt notice any difference at all.

On Tuesday, Wynn announced a $1.7 billion sale to Realty Income, a large real estate investment trust, and aims to use the proceeds, in part, to help fund development plans across Broadway from the casino. But no, Wynn isnt going anywhere: The Las Vegas-based casino operator will lease the Encore property from Realty Income, starting at $100 million a year, escalating slightly each year, essentially to keep pace with inflation.

Chief executive Craig Billings said the sale-leaseback will free up cash, to invest in Wynns expansion in Everett as well as a recently announced casino resort project in the United Arab Emirates, and to retire some higher-cost debt. The transaction is expected to close at the end of the year and will likely be one of the biggest commercial real estate deals in Massachusetts in 2022.

Wynn had spent $2.6 billion to develop and build the casino, which opened in June 2019. The 3 million-square-foot complex, which sits on nearly 35 acres, includes a 671-room luxury hotel, 3,900 gaming positions, and a 2,800-space parking garage.

The company also has ambitious plans for 13 acres it owns across Broadway from the casino.

For the first phase of development there, Wynn has proposed a 2,300-car garage, a nearly 1,000-seat events venue, and a 20,000-square-foot restaurant space, to be connected to the casino property via a footbridge over Broadway. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is currently weighing whether that project should be regulated as casino land. This could limit the seating capacity of the venue Wynn could build there, although the company has already downscaled its plans from an initial proposal of 1,800 seats, to stay just under the state casino laws 1,000-seat threshold. At least two hotels and more restaurants are expected in later stages of the Broadway development.

Wynn has the option to sell this land across the street, also to Realty Income, for up to six years after the casino sale-leaseback closes. Although this is the first such deal for Wynn, sale-leasebacks are becoming increasingly common in the casino industry. MGM Resorts sold its casino in Springfield, for example, for $400 million last year to MGM Growth Properties, and then leased it back.

Billings emphasized in a conference call with analysts that the Everett sale-leaseback was not being driven by a short-term need for cash. Instead, it was a result of the company looking at the cost of debt, such as raising money through the bond market, and weighing that against the lease costs, among other things.

We werent in the market just to raise cash, right? Billings said. This was a cost-of-capital question first and foremost.

He praised the Everett casinos 3,400-person workforce, pointing out that the casino posted a record operating profit of $68 million in the final quarter of 2021.

The team in Boston has really done a tremendous job, particularly in the casino, but were just getting started, Billings said. Our next phase of growth in Boston will be driven by [gambler] database growth ... and through our upcoming expansion project across the street.

Jon Chesto can be reached at jon.chesto@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @jonchesto.

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Wynn Resorts cashes in on Everett casino in $1.7 billion deal - BetaBoston

Americas commercial casinos won $53 billion in 2021, their best year ever according to figures released Tuesday

By WAYNE PARRY Associated Press

February 15, 2022, 4:45 PM

4 min read

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- America's commercial casinos won $53 billion in 2021, their best year ever according to figures released Tuesday.

The American Gaming Association, the gambling industry's national trade group, released year-end figures showing that in-person gambling continues to be the main source of revenue for the gambling industry, even as internet and sports betting continue to grow in the U.S.

The $53 billion won by casinos is more than 21% higher than the previous best year, which came in 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic hit.

They also show that many gamblers have not been deterred from visiting a casino in person, even during the pandemic, when highly contagious variants of the virus were surging. The casinos have spent millions on health and safety protocols to try to limit the spread of the virus.

These results are nothing short of remarkable, Bill Miller, president and CEO of the association, said in a webinar to discuss the results. The success of 2021 reflects our commitment to health and safety, and how Americans have welcomed gamings expansion across the country. Todays industry is effectively meeting customers how and where they want to engage, whether at a casino or through mobile gaming.

The numbers do not include tribal casinos, which report their revenue separately. But Miller said that tribal leaders have similarly shared with me that 2021 was their best year on record.

Of the 33 states plus Washington D.C. that have commercial gambling, 23 set records for revenue last year.

Almost $45 billion was won from in-person gamblers at casinos last year, up 6.6% from 2019.

Sports betting continued its rapid growth, with more than $57 billion wagered legally on games last year, an increase of 165% from 2020. Of that total, casinos and racetrack sportsbooks saw nearly $4.3 billion in revenue after winning bets and other expenses were paid. That's up 177% from 2020.

It was helped by the launch of new commercial sports betting markets in Arizona, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maryland, South Dakota, Virginia and Wyoming.

Two new internet gambling markets, Connecticut and Michigan, also opened in 2021, helping the sector to a record $3.7 billion in revenue.

Combined sports betting and internet gambling revenue for the year totaled $8 billion, up 158% percent from 2020 and accounting for a record 15.1% percent of annual gambling revenue.

The group did voice concern over the slow return of business and leisure travel during the pandemic. Miller said overall travel spending is down 20% from pre-pandemic levels.

Business travel, meetings and events, and entertainment significant revenue-drivers for many operators have been slow to return, he said. The impact of this is compounded by depressed international visitation to the U.S., which is critical for the full recovery of destination markets like Las Vegas. And visitation among the older, core casino audience is only just getting back to pre-pandemic levels.

Gamings total recovery is still reliant on the full return of travel and large events, which requires a safe health environment, and an open economy, he said.

Miller said 2022 is looking promising for the casino industry, citing the launch of mobile sports betting in Louisiana and New York, which in just four weeks has become the No. 1 sports betting in the nation, with over $2 billion wagered.

He said he expects sports betting in Ohio and Nebraska to go online in 2022, and noted Maryland's mobile launch is in the works.

Miller also said seven additional states are considering sports betting legislation and four are weighing online gambling legislation.

Physical casinos will open this year in Virginia and several new racetrack casinos will open in Nebraska, he added.

Follow Wayne Parry on Twitter at @WayneParryAC

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US casinos won $53 billion in 2021, their best year ever - ABC News