
The Delaware land-based casino sector has been struck hard by increased competition from brand new areas in neighboring states, as the more recent and shinier casinos of Pennsylvania and Maryland outperform its three struggling, and highly taxed, racinos.
Dover Downs is Delaware’s biggest and just publicly traded racino, but high taxes that are domestic increased competition across the state line means hard times for the property and the state’s two other racinos.
The sector, which comprises Harrington Raceway, Dover Downs, and Delaware Park, peaked in 2006, the year Pennsylvania started issuing its first casino licenses, when slot revenues hit more than $650 million. By 2016, slots and table revenues combined had plunged to $398 million.
Meanwhile, outfall from the new MGM nationwide Harbor, which started in Maryland year that is late last stands poised to be the final nail in the coffin. That property caused other casinos in Maryland and West Virginia to ramp up their own marketing drives, drawing even more customers away from Delaware’s ailing properties.
The three racinos cannot compete because they pay higher state taxes than their counterparts across the edge, and they’re begging legislators for help.
Taxed From the Market
This week, the Delaware’s Video Lottery Advisory Council (VLAC) met to discuss the status of Diamond State’s three casinos. The council is tasked with advising government policy on gambling and could urge lawmakers to pass a casino relief measure.
However the racinos will have to wait. VLAC will not publish its guidelines until the fall, and until then, it is keeping tight-lipped.
Legislation that will have supplied relief by creating marketing and capital credits, while quashing the table game fee and lowering the taxation rate on dining table games, received short shrift in the typical Assembly in 2015 and 2016.
Begging for a Lifeline
A large budget deficit has made it difficult for a bill advocating tax relief to gain much traction while there is sympathy for the racinos’ plight in the legislature. Nevertheless, something has become done, says Ed Sutor, president and CEO of Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, as he urged VLAC to toss the racinos a lifeline.
Sutor told the Delaware State Information that a simple concession that could be easily enacted should be to permit the racinos to operate on Christmas and Easter, which would bring in an estimated $2.25 million more.
‘We’re the casinos that are only the country that shut down completely on Easter and Christmas,’ said Sutor. ‘We can’t call it quits, folks, and now we can’t sit another year out of not doing such a thing.’
Impossible Odds? Betting Sites Offer Lines on Political, Celebrity Absurdity
Political betting markets are doing their best to keep appropriate since the highly engaging 2016 presidential campaign, by providing online bettors unique lines on activities that seem to have little potential for occurring.
Lines on Kid Rock while The Rock’s future in government are two areas to be had at political sites that are betting. (Image: Terry Renna/Associated Press/WWE/Collage by Casino.org)
From Kid Rock’s running for the US Senate to talk associated with Rock building a serious bid for the White home in 2020, political betting networks are attempting to maintain a connection between celebrity entertainment and governmental influence. It undoubtedly worked in 2016 with Donald Trump.
Betting on governmental outcomes is illegal throughout the US (also in nevada), but American politics is a popular wager that is exotic Europe and elsewhere on the planet.
PredictIt.org offers change betting, which really is a slightly different variant of wager that trades shares in real time on predicted outcomes of governmental events. (Exchanges charge a commission on trades in place of setting odds.)
Kid Rock for Senate?
Musician and Trump that is avid supporter Rock has recently teased a bid to run for Michigan’s US Senate chair in 2018 against incumbent Democrat Debbie Stabenow (D). But, betting cash is currently against Rock officially running.
PredictIt shares of Kid Rock, aka Robert Ritchie, running can sell for 40 cents, while no, he won’t run shares are at 60 cents. Carrying out a tweet in early July from rap star that showed a yard indication reading ‘Kid Rock for all of us Senate,’ shares laying claim to 1xbet зеркало Ñкачать the idea that he would certainly run soared to 70 cents.
Rock implemented the image with a statement of political philosophy that read, ‘we believe you should certainly easily navigate the laws, taxation codes, health care, and anything else the us government sets in position that affects us all. in the event that you work your butt off and pay taxes,’
The 46-year-old singer from Michigan hasn’t run for or held elected office, but that don’t stop the existing president that is american. Ritchie apparently has yet to file official campaign paperwork, however, which undoubtedly factors into why the PredictIt line remains open.
President The Rock
Bettors, of course, need to be cautious not to confuse Kid Rock with The Rock. PredictIt is asking whether actor Dwayne Johnson will throw his name in to the ring for the US presidency in 2020.
A campaign committee called ‘Run the Rock 2020’ recently did file documents because of the Federal Election Committee, which appeared like a larger action in a direction that is serious. The Rock, nonetheless, isn’t actually behind the organization attempting to elect him. It’s instead the work of the fan who just hopes he’ll run.
Even though the seed’s been planted, enthusiasm for a Rock presidency is rather low on PredictIt. Shares that Johnson will run are trading for 25 cents, while owning ‘no’ will cost you three quarters.
PredictIt’s willingness to offer the market on Johnson despite his public declaration that he is not also considering a 2020 run suggest that celebrity lines with without any chance of hitting are a revenue that is popular for the exchange.
ElectionBettingOdds.com, meanwhile, offers the actor a 3.5 per cent chance of actually winning the White House, similar odds it offers for Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg, who will turn 35, the age that is minimum allowed for A us president by the Constitution, in 2019.
Just What Hath Paddy Power Wrought
Sites and markets such as for instance PredictIt may be seeing the value of offering opportunities for wagering on wishful thinking and fears that are irrational but really they truly are simply after in the footsteps of Paddy Power.
The infamous Irish bookmaker set the typical for allowing individuals to bet the unthinkable, at one time asking customers whether or not then-President Barack Obama would be assassinated.
Paddy Power’s current odds on the champion associated with 2020 election feature Trump as the favorite (2-1), followed by Democratic Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and current Vice President Mike Pence at 15-2.
But a slew of ridiculous names are included on the odds sheet. Leonardo DiCaprio (80-1), Kanye West (100-1), Beyoncé (200-1), fictional home of Cards president Kevin Spacey (200-1), and Kim Kardashian (275-1) are just a couple of the picks readily available for those who think they may see something within an extreme longshot.
Macau Police Bust Scam ‘Pop Up’ VIP Casino Op
Director of Judiciary Police Chau Wai Kuong said that gaming related crime in the gambling hub remained ‘serious’ despite the apparent economic recovery. (Image: Macau Regular Times)
Macau authorities have busted a bogus ‘pop-up’ VIP casino racket that bilked high-rollers out of millions in presumably crooked baccarat games, according to the South China Morning Post.
The police research began in after a man told authorities he had been defrauded of HK$4 million (around $500,000) june.
Officers from the Judiciary Police raided an unidentified hotel in the gambling hub on Wednesday, arresting 15 males and four women, all from the Chinese mainland.
They’ve been accused of luring high-rollers to hotel rooms that the gang had gone to elaborate lengths to disguise as bona fide VIP rooms.
Ruse Meticulously Planned
Police said the ruse, which had been in operation since 2015, was intricately planned and executed, with members of the gang posing as dealers, VIP hosts, VIP room operators, protection guards and shill gamblers in order to trick their victim.
Four ‘customers’ were found in the process to be scammed whenever authorities swooped on according to Macau’s public broadcaster, TDM wednesday.
More than HK$75 million ($9.6 million) worth of gaming chips were available at the scene. While reports did not specify, it is likely these were ‘rolling chips,’ non-redeemable tokens issued to high rollers by casino as credit to gamble with, instead of the type of chips that may be exchanged directly for cash. HK$200,000 in difficult currency ended up being also seized, around US$25,600.
The suspects, aged between 35 and 53, are facing numerous charges, ranging from fraud to owning a syndicate that is criminal.
Last week, 15 mainlanders had been detained and accused of owning a loan-sharking that is high-interest targeting casino gamblers in the Cotai Strip.
Taking Crime Seriously
Gaming-related crime has risen within the enclave since Beijing’s anti-corruption drive almost 3 years ago. The crackdown on the junket industry has put the squeeze on the gambling hub’s criminal underbelly, with reports of the increase that is sharp triad-related criminal activity.
Police have said that the number of illegal detentions, which largely involve the forced collection of gaming debts by loan-sharking triads, are up 11.8 percent year-on-year, after having almost doubled between 2014 and 2015.
‘Although the performance of Macau’s gaming industry has stabilized since the second 1 / 2 of final year, the gaming-related crime situation remains serious,’director of Judiciary Police Chau Wai Kuong said this week in a statement.
‘We have witnessed an escalation in the amount of cases of unlawful detention related to operations that are loan-sharking’ he added. ‘As such, police have actually strengthened patrols, having detected 20 cases of gaming-related unlawful detention in a single day.’
Macau’s Judiciary Police recorded a total of 734 suspected gaming-related crimes in the first five months of this year, up by 74 instances in contrast to the period that is corresponding of.
New Jersey’s Chris Christie Urges President Donald Trump and Congress to Support States’ Rights in Online Gaming Battle
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (R) put his signature on a bill later a week ago that urges President Donald Trump, members of his administration, and Congress to oppose any legislation that could prohibit individual states from authorizing and regulating online gambling.
Nj State Representative Vincent Mazzeo has authored a bill that asks federal leaders to break the rules against any measures that could impede states’ right in the online gambling arena, and it’s really gained the support of Governor Chris Christie. (Image: Jackie Schear/Press of Atlantic City)
Introduced by State Rep. Vincent Mazzeo (D-Northfield) in January, the resolution that is joint to notify the president and Congress how internet gambling enterprises are playing a vital role within the recovery of Atlantic City. Of program, it’s an opinion just and one that carries no given weight, as state governments don’t have any direct input into federal laws.
The main issue is yet again the Restoration of America’s Wire Act (RAWA), legislation that would reverse a 2011 US Department of Justice opinion that stated the longstanding Wire Act applied only to recreations betting, and maybe not other kinds of gambling.
Mazzeo’s resolution explains, ‘Recent federal measures, such as [RAWA], introduced in the 114th Congress, if pursued by the 115th Congress and supported by President Trump and his administration, would prohibit the transmission of cable communication of any bet or bet … including internet gaming.’
A copy of this legislation that is signed being sent to the president, US House and Senate leaders, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and various other political powers in Washington, DC.
Internet Gaming Wins
Garden State politicians have plenty of reason to aid Mazzeo’s bill. Atlantic City’s staying seven casino operators are finally posting gains, and online gambling is playing a leading role in the fiscal recovery.
Through June, land-based gaming win is up 1.5 percent. However, internet gambling has soared over 28 per cent, bringing the casinos’ main point here to 3.5 percent.
Online gambling has delivered $121.4 million to operators through June, about $26.6 million ahead of where they certainly were this time around last year.
‘A federal prohibition against internet gaming would directly and negatively impact brand New Jersey by dismantling the investments that hawaii and Atlantic City casinos have actually currently made,’ Mazzeo explained.
iGaming’s prominent role in revitalizing Atlantic City is excatly why Mazzeo had small difficulty in garnering support for the joint resolution. Just a single ‘nay’ vote came in from either chamber, State Senator Shirley Turner (D-Mercer) being the opponent that is lone.
Not Biting
There doesn’t be seemingly much enthusiasm in Washington to take up RAWA, or similar anti-online gambling legislation. Previous committee hearings in the home and Senate didn’t change the fact that most in Congress simply are not terribly invested in discussing gaming that is internet at the federal level, a matter that the Republican-controlled Congress would seemingly prefer to leave up to each state to opt for themselves.
RAWA was introduced into their respective chambers by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and previous Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah). It’s mostly thought that those actions came at the behest of Las Vegas Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson, A gop that is powerful financier has made it his life’s work to block iGaming.
After lingering for 2 years, RAWA has not been re-introduced to Congress for the 115th session.
Scott Blumstein Wins $8.15M at World Series of Poker Main Event with Three-Outer on River
Scott Blumstein, a 25-year-old medium stakes poker pro from nj, decided to play his first World variety of Poker tournament a few days ago, the 2017 Main Event. It turned out to be a pretty decision that is good as late into Saturday night, Blumstein survived an original industry of over 7,200 entrants to collect $8.15 million and also a jewel-encrusted champion’s bracelet worth another half-million.
WSOP 2017 Main Event winner Scott Blumstein, now in a greater tax bracket than he was when he entered the World Series of Poker’s many prestigious tournament a couple of weeks ago, says fame and fortune will not change who he is. (Image: ABCNews.com)
It absolutely was not long after midnight Pacific Time on Sunday morning, on hand 256 of the WSOP Main Event table that is final Blumstein defeated Pennsylvanian Dan Ott to become poker’s new world champion.
‘I’m still in shock,’ Blumstein told reporters afterwards. ‘ I thought I would get even more emotional that what I got in real time but it’s just the feeling that is best, I can’t also place it into words.’
First Time’s the Charm
Despite earning money as an online grinder back house in nj-new jersey, it was the first time Blumstein had ever ventured to the Rio in Las Vegas to play reside in a World Series event.
With all the November Nine concept scrapped in favor of three consecutive portions of final-table play, broadcast with a 30-minute wait by ESPN on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Blumstein began the new format final table with a commanding chip lead. It was a lead he relinquished only one time over the program of this match, whenever crowd that is jovial and British granddad John Hesp briefly wrestled top spot through the chip-stacking juggernaut.
Hesp busted out in fourth, establishing up a last nights three-handed action between Americans Blumstein and Ott, and France’s Benjamin Pollack.
Two Plus Two Equals $8.15 Million
The short-stacked Pollack had everything to get and was prepared to get his chips in and gamble. Ultimately, though, he hit the rail immediately after 9 o’clock PT, after some intense action that is three-way.
Pollack shoved from the button with Q-T, while Ott lived as much as his name, coming over the top (OTT in poker parlance), re-raising all-in from the small blind with K-9. Blumstein saw potential to go all down right there, and called from he big blind with A-Q. Blumstein ended up being ahead pre-flop, while the tournament that is entire have ended then and there. Alternatively, a king on the flop tripled-up Ott and sent Pollack to the rails.
The ultimate moment was postponed for the next 60-odd hands, and when it came, it came via a slice of luck for Blumstein, who played solidly throughout the event that is 10-day. A spot in poker history with all the chips going in pre-flop, Ott was ahead with A-9 versus Blumstein’s A-2, but one of three remaining deuces hit on the river, ending the Main Event and assuring Blumstein.
The new champ states that, even though the cash is nice, it’s not going to change his lifestyle all that much. The Temple University graduate, who holds an accounting degree, told WSOP officials after his win:
‘Just two weeks hence I happened to be a New Jersey online grinder and nothing has really changed.