While every internet-based casino these days has a live casino, there is nothing quite like visiting a brick-and-mortar establishment. Hearing all the sounds, seeing the bright lights, and enjoying the ambiance are all things that can only be achieved when you arrive at a great casino. As it turns out, there are more than a few great destinations that aren’t Las Vegas.
The top 5 hottest USA gambling destinations for 2024:
Reno, Nevada
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Tunica, Mississippi
Chicago, Illinois
Biloxi, Mississippi
Reno, Nevada
While we aren’t including Vegas on the list of the best gambling destinations, you certainly don’t have to leave the state to enjoy top-notch gaming. Known as “The Biggest Little City in the World,” Reno has become a prime destination for those seeking the in-person casino experience. Home to Caesars Palace Reno and Harrah’s Reno, gamblers have thousands of choices for games, access to top-notch spas, and even a movie theater (at Caesars).
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Many feel that Atlantic City – lovingly referred to as A.C. – is right up there with Vegas for premier gambling destinations. Considering it is the second-largest gambling city in the United States, not to mention the top site on the East Coast, it is easy to see why so many love it. The Boardwalk offers Caesars Atlantic City Hotel & Casino, Resorts Casino Hotel, Golden Nugget, and more, all offering premier gaming, entertainment, and hotel accommodations.
Tunica, Mississippi
Mississippi has quietly become a haven for casinos in the United States. With a reputation for fantastic casinos and a certain southern charm and hospitality, it certainly stands apart from destinations like Las Vegas and Atlantic City. The town has six main casinos and a surprisingly robust set of nightlife options to choose from. If you want to feel like an Old West cowboy, visiting the likes of Sam’s Town Casino Resort, Hollywood Casino, and Gold Strike Casino Resort can provide an authentic southern experience like no other.
Chicago, Illinois
Here’s an interesting fact: casinos are not allowed on dry land in Illinois. Chicago changes up the experience and gets around that issue by having one of the best riverboat casino operations in the country. Highly respected establishments, these riverboat casinos can provide an interesting, far different experience that no brick-and-mortar casino can match. Taking a nice cruise while enjoying top casino games cannot be beat.
Biloxi, Mississippi
In the 25 years since gambling became official in Mississippi, it has grown into a top gambling destination. Biloxi had a reputation for great riverboat casinos. Following Hurricane Katrina in 2009, casinos were allowed to move inland. Now, there are more than a dozen casinos in Biloxi. The Hard Rock Hotel, Golden Nugget, Palace Casino Resort, and Beau Rivage Resort & Casino are just a few of the premier destinations that provide an excellent combination of casino gambling and unique southern amenities.
Conclusion
If Vegas seems a bit too cliché for you, there are plenty of tremendous options to choose from. East Coast, West Coast, or even a little out of the way, it isn’t hard to find top-tier gaming and accommodations across the United States. Each city has its own unique charm as well, providing a different gambling experience with each new destination.
The post Top 5 Hottest USA Gambling Destinations for 2024 appeared first on Casino.com Blog.
Playing quarterback in the NFL is often considered one of the toughest positions in all professional sports. The best quarterbacks of all time must understand complex plays, read a defense, dodge oncoming tacklers, rush, and throw with precision, all within a few seconds.
Luckily, the NFL has been blessed with some outstanding quarterbacks, but who is the greatest? In this article, we break down the best NFL quarterbacks based on their skills, stats, and achievements. Ready? Set hut!
20. Kurt Warner (1998 – 2009)
The first name on our list, Kurt Warner, is a true NFL underdog story. After a solid but unspectacular college career, he went undrafted in the 1994 NFL draft before playing in the Indoor Football League (IFL) and NFL Europe.
Warner was signed by the St. Louis Rams as cover for Trent Green who had suffered a torn ACL. In each of Warner’s first three NFL starts, he threw three touchdown passes and went on to have one of the best seasons by a quarterback in NFL history.
He threw for 4,353 yards and 41 touchdown passes with a completion rate of 65.1%. He was named NFL MVP and won the Super Bowl. In total, he played 12 seasons for the Rams, Cardinals, and Giants, throwing 32,344 yards and 208 touchdowns.
Warner was a four-time Pro Bowler, two-time MVP, Super Bowl MVP, Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017. Warner is certainly worth of being named one of the best quarterbacks of all time.
19. Jim Kelly (1986 – 1996)
Image credit: Richard Bartlaga/Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Jim Kelly was selected as the 14th overall pick by the Buffalo Bills in the 1983 NFL Draft. This turned out to be a great move for both the franchise and the player. Kelly led the Bills to a record four consecutive Super Bowls, though was unable to convert these appearances into wins.
He may not be the best quarterback ever, having never won the Super Bowl, but Kelly was an outstanding performer for the Bills, who employed a no-huddle offense and thrilled fans with their attacking play. He played 11 NFL seasons and threw for a total of 35,467 yards and 237 touchdowns, both of which are Buffalo records. Kelly was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002.
18. Terry Bradshaw (1970 – 1983)
Image credit: The ASI Show/Wikipedia Commons
Terry Bradshaw was the leader of the Pittsburgh Steelers dynasty that dominated the NFL in the mid to late 1970s. During this time they won four Super Bowl championships in six years. Bradshaw was selected as the number one pick in the 1970 draft by the Steelers, but things could have been very different.
At the end of the 1969 season, both the Steelers and the Chicago Bears had identical 1-13 records. So, to decide which team would get the first pick in the draft, they settled it with a coin flip. Pittsburgh won, and the rest is history.
Terry Bradshaw went on to play 14 seasons for the Steelers and threw for 27,989 yards and 212 touchdowns. He was a three-time Pro Bowler, one-time MVP, two-time Super Bowl MVP, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.
17. Warren Moon (1984 – 2000)
Warren Moon had a long and successful football career where he played in both the CFL and NFL. Another player who went undrafted out of college, Moon honed his skill by playing for the Edmonton Eskimos. Here he led the team to five consecutive Grey Cup victories.
The same level of team success did not follow when Moon joined the Houston Oilers in the NFL in 1984, but he still made outstanding individual contributions. He lead the Oilers to seven consecutive playoff appearances between 1987 and 1993.
In his 22-year NFL career, he threw for 49,325 yards and 291 touchdowns. He was a nine-time Pro Bowler, one-time Offensive Player of the Year, and Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006, becoming the first African-American and the first undrafted quarterback to do so. Moon is also the only player who has been inducted into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
He is well-deserving of a place on our list of the best quarterbacks of all time.
16. Otto Graham (1946 – 1955)
Otto Graham is a legend in Cleveland. He led the Browns to an unprecedented seven championship wins in just 10 seasons from 1946 to 1955. Despite playing a lot of his career before the Super Bowl era began, Graham’s impact can not be underestimated.
He still holds NFL records for career average yards gained per pass attempt (8.63) and the highest career winning percentage for an NFL starting quarterback (81.0%). This has helped him be remembered as one of the best NFL quarterbacks.
In total, Graham played 6 NFL seasons for the Browns, throwing 13,499 yards and 88 touchdowns. He was selected to play in 5 Pro Bowls and won 3 championships. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1965.
15. Troy Aikman (1989 – 2000)
Troy Aikman was always destined for greatness. A standout in both football and baseball in high school, the New York Mets offered Aikman a contract to join them when he graduated. Aikman turned the offer to play pro baseball down and instead chose to play football for the University of Oklahoma Sooners.
After a stellar college career, Aikman was selected as the first overall pick in the 1989 draft by the Dallas Cowboys. Cowboys fans are still thanking their lucky stars that Aikman didn’t choose baseball.
In 12 seasons for the Cowboys, Aikman threw for 32,942 yards and 165 touchdowns. He was selected to play in 6 Pro Bowls, won the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award, 1 Super Bowl MVP award, and 3 championships. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006.
14. Bart Starr (1956 – 1971)
Image credit: Tullio Saba/Flickr, PDM 1.0
Bart Starr is another legend of 50s and 60s football that makes our list. He played for the Green Bay Packers and was a five-time NFL champion, including Super Bowl I and II, where he also collected MVP awards. Starr was outstanding in big games and clutch moments and held a postseason record of 9-1.
In total, he threw for 24,718 yards and 152 touchdowns, was selected to play in four Pro Bowls, and won 1 MVP award, 2 Super Bowl MVP awards, and 5 championships. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977.
13. Ben Roethlisberger (2004 – 2021)
Image credit: Brook Ward/Flickr, CC BY-NC 2.0
Ben Roethlisberger delivered outstanding performances individually and at a team level during his 18 seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers. After being selected as the 11th overall pick in the 2004 draft, he shone in his early NFL career.
He won the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award in 2004, and in 2005 became the youngest Super Bowl–winning quarterback in NFL history, aged just 23. Big Ben and the Steelers followed this Super Bowl victory up with another one three years later, claiming the franchises’ second title in four seasons.
In his career, Roethlisberger threw for 64,088 yards and 418 touchdowns and was selected to play in the Pro Bowl six times.
12. Roger Staubach (1969 – 1979)
Roger Staubach is the only Heisman Trophy winner to appear on our list of the greatest NFL quarterbacks ever. He followed up his domination of the college game with an outstanding pro career.
Like many of the great quarterbacks on this list, Staubach spent his entire career with one franchise. This stability helped him become one of the most memorable players of the 1970s.
Staubach played 11 seasons for the Cowboys where he threw for a total of 22,700 yards and 153 touchdowns. He was a two-time Super Bowl champion, one-time Super Bowl MVP, six-time Pro Bowler, and recipient of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985.
Staubach is even one of the richest NFL players in history, having sold a real estate business for $613 million.
11. Fran Tarkenton (1961 – 1978)
Fran Tarkenton aged like a fine wine. Although he was an exceptional college player and had remarkable success in his early NFL career, it was his 15th season in the league that cemented him as one of the best quarterbacks of all time.
In 1975, he was named both the NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year. He was just the fourth player in league history to do so at the time. He led the league in both completions and touchdowns and took the Minnesota Vikings to the Super Bowl in back-to-back seasons.
Despite never winning a Super Bowl, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his era. He threw for 47,003 yards and 342 touchdowns.
10. Dan Marino (1983 – 1999)
Image credit: Casey Florig/Flickr, CC BY 2.0
Dan Marino is arguably the greatest quarterback (and the highest-ranked on our list) to never win a Super Bowl. He reached the Super Bowl just once. Yet another one-team man, Marino was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 1983. He went on to become one of the most iconic and effective players of the 1980s and 90s.
Marino was an outstanding passer, and led the Dolphins to the playoffs in 10 of his 17 seasons. When he retired he held more than 40 NFL single-season and career passing records, and was the first quarterback to throw 400 career touchdowns.
In total, he threw for 61,361 yards and 420 touchdowns, was selected to play in nine Pro Bowls, and won one Offensive Player of the Year award, one MVP award, and the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.
Marino doesn’t need a Super Bowl win to be remembered as one of the best NFL quarterbacks of all time!
9. Steve Young (1985 – 1999)
Steve Young is known as one of the most efficient and effective passers in NFL history. After starting his pro career in the USFL, he eventually joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1985. After a shocking two years with the Bucs, where Young went 3–16 as a starter, he moved to the San Francisco 49ers to act as a backup to superstar quarterback, Joe Montana (more on him later).
Thanks to a long-term injury to Montana in 1990, Young finally got his chance to start for the 49ers. In the subsequent seasons, he was named Offensive Player of the Year and league MVP twice. He led the league in most passing stats for several years, and eventually led the 49ers to victory at Super Bowl XXIX.
In his career, he threw for 33,124 yards and 232 touchdowns. He was selected to play in seven Pro Bowls, won one Super Bowl MVP award and three championships in total. Young was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.
8. Aaron Rodgers (2005 – present)
Image credit: All-Pro Reels/Wikipedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Aaron Rodgers is one of the most individually decorated quarterbacks in history. He has held more records than most players have made appearances in the NFL. It therefore comes as no surprise that he is widely regarded as one of the best quarterbacks of all time.
Rodgers is the first quarterback in history who has had a career passer rating over 100. He also has the best touchdown-to-interception ratio in NFL history at 4.52. During his 18-year career with the Green Bay Packers, the biggest surprise is that he only won one Super Bowl.
So far in his career, he has thrown for 59,055 yards and 475 touchdowns. He has been selected to play in 10 Pro Bowls, won four MVP awards and one Super Bowl MVP award.
7. Johnny Unitas (1956 – 1973)
Image credit: Joe Haupt/Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0
Like many of the best quarterbacks in NFL history, Johnny Unitas is proof that you don’t have to be drafted as the first pick or have a glittering college career to go on to greatness in the NFL.
Unitas was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the ninth round of the 1955 draft but never made the team. A year later, he joined the Baltimore Colts where he would enjoy an unbelievable period of success.
In the next 17 seasons with the Colts, he was selected to play in 10 Pro Bowls (a record for a quarterback at the time), won three MVP awards, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award, and four NFL championships. In his career, he threw for 40,239 yards, 290 touchdowns and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.
6. Brett Favre (1991 – 2010)
Image credit: Elvis Kennedy/Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Brett Favre is undoubtedly one of the best quarterbacks of all time and a legend of the modern era. But, he didn’t always have universal approval. His first head coach in the NFL, Jerry Glanville, even said it would take a plane crash for him to put Favre into the game.
Clearly, it was never meant to be for Glanville and Farve at the Atlanta Falcons. That all changed when Farve was traded to the Green Bay Packers in 1992. Across 16 seasons in Green Bay, Farve became the only player in NFL history to win the league MVP award three seasons in a row. He also led the team to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances at XXXI and XXXII, winning the first.
Favre eventually moved on from the Packers, giving way to Aaron Rodgers. In 20 seasons for four teams he threw for a total of 71,838 yards and 508 touchdowns. He was also selected to play in 11 Pro Bowls, won one Offensive Player of the Year award, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.
5. John Elway (1983 – 1998)
John Elway is synonymous with the Denver Broncos as he is the only person in the franchise’s history to be associated with each of their three Super Bowl wins. Two came as a player in 1997 and 1998, and one as the general manager when they won Super Bowl 50.
As a player, Elway was a dual threat. He could easily escape trouble with his running ability while also being an accurate passer. It’s this that helped him become one of the best quarterbacks of all time. In 16 seasons for the Broncos, he threw for 51,475 yards and 300 touchdowns. He played in nine Pro Bowls, won one MVP award, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award, and one Super Bowl MVP award. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.
4. Drew Brees (2001 – 2020)
Image credit: Football Schedule/Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Despite a successful college career, where he finished in fourth and third positions in Heisman Trophy voting, NFL teams were unsure whether Drew Brees could be effective in the pro ranks. He was perceived as having a small stature and lack of arm strength. Brees was therefore only selected as the 32nd overall pick in the 2001 draft.
He established himself as a starter in his second season with the San Diego Chargers, but would truly find his home when he signed with the New Orleans Saints in 2006. During his time with the Saints, he became a passing powerhouse. He still holds the record for most seasons as passing yards leader in NFL history (seven).
In 20 total seasons in the NFL, he threw for 80,358 yards and 571 touchdowns. He was selected for 13 Pro Bowls, won one Comeback Player of the Year award, two Offensive Player of the Year awards, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award, one Super Bowl MVP award, and Super Bowl XLIV.
3. Joe Montana (1979 – 1994)
Image credit: Richard Bartlaga/Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
As we reach the top three best quarterbacks of all time, it goes without saying that these guys could perform under pressure.
Joe Montana is arguably the best clutch quarterback in history, known for producing his best at crucial moments. This includes a game-winning touchdown pass to Dwight Clark in the 1981 NFC Championship Game vs. Dallas (known as “The Catch”) and a championship-winning 92-yard drive against the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII.
“Joe Cool” held several NFL records when he retired in 1994. He was victorious in four out of four Super Bowl appearances, was named MVP in three, and holds Super Bowl career records for most passes without an interception (122) and the highest passer rating (127.8).
Montana threw for a career total of 40,551 yards and 273 touchdowns. He was selected to play in eight Pro Bowls, won one Offensive Player of the Year award, and two league MVP awards. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.
2. Peyton Manning (1998 – 2015)
Image credit: Mike Morbeck, Wikipedia Commons
While some may have hoped to see two Mannings on this list (we see you Giants fans), there is no doubt that Peyton deserves his place amongst the very best NFL quarterbacks of all time. He entered the league after the Indianapolis Colts selected him with the first pick of the 1998 draft.
In his glittering career, Manning amassed a huge number of individual records, including the most MVP awards (five), most touchdown passes in a season (55), and most First-Team All-Pro selections (seven).
Despite winning two Super Bowls (one with the Colts and one with the Broncos), his outstanding regular season stats did not translate to the playoffs, and his career postseason record is just 14–13. Although there have been questions asked of Manning in this regard, he is a hugely gifted player.
In total, he threw for 71,940 yards and 539 touchdowns. He was selected for 14 Pro Bowls, won one Comeback Player of the Year award, two Offensive Player of the Year awards, and the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2021.
1. Tom Brady (2000 – 2022)
Image credit: Jeffrey Beall/Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0
It couldn’t have been anyone else, could it? Tom Brady is the best quarterback of all time.
What Tom Brady lacked in talent (he was the 199th overall pick in the 2000 draft) he made up for with sheer hard work, grit, and determination.
He won the most games in NFL regular season history (251), has the most career passing yards (89,214), most touchdown passes (649), most NFL championships of any player (seven), and most Super Bowl MVPs (five). So, no, it couldn’t have been anyone else.
Brady’s efficiency and longevity are testament to his ability as a competitor. But his relationship with Bill Belichick formed the most formidable head coach-quarterback combination in NFL history. With Belichick and Brady at the helm, the Patriots became the most dominant dynasty in the modern NFL. Brady’s accomplishments will probably remain unmatched for as long as the NFL exists.
In his career, Brady threw for 89,214 yards and 649 touchdowns, was selected to play in 15 Pro Bowls, won one Comeback Player of the Year award, two Offensive Player of the Year awards, and three MVP awards.
Kindred Group is battling a lawsuit from a prominent fashion designer in Sweden. Per Holknekt is seeking SEK10m (USA$1m) in damages, claiming that the gambling group and its subsidiary Spooniker Ltd contributed to his addiction. The lawsuit hearing began on Tuesday in the Stockholm District Court.
lost more than SEK26m (US$2.5m) on Unibet
The Odd Molly clothing brand founder lost as much as SEK100m (US$9.5m) gambling on 30 different online platforms. Holknekt liked using Kindred brands the most and said he lost more than SEK26m (US$2.5m) on Unibet between 2005 and 2019. In one month alone he spent SEK2.7m (US$257,897).
The majority of the events that Holknekt describes in the lawsuit took place before Sweden’s new Gambling Act came into place in 2019; he believes that Kindred violated the previous laws. The 63-year-old has not gambled since 2018.
Highlighting issues
The designer explained that in certain moments of desperation when he vowed to quit gambling, he would receive a phone call within a couple of days from a Unibet representative who would tell him they had credited his account with bonus money. He believes that the operator was afraid that he had moved to a competing platform. Kindred contested on Tuesday that Holknekt was never a VIP customer, while he said that GDPR excerpts refute this statement.
There is a track record of customers who lost big sums of money gambling online in Sweden receiving damages from the operator. Betsson AB has to pay a former customer SEK5.8m (US$554,000) for “aggravating his mental illness” following a decision in December by the Swedish Patent and Market Appeal Court.
The ruling states that the operator targeted the customer with aggressive marketing and that the staff encouraged him to keep gambling. His lawyer was able to show that the gambling company knew about his serious gambling problem. Holknekt welcomed this decision and also noted that similar judgments have taken place across Europe.
A potentially landmark case
Holknekt has pushed for gambling reform over the years in Sweden. He reportedly compiled a long list of irregularities and deficiencies within Kindred platforms after filing the lawsuit in the summer of 2022. The designer worked alongside data experts to identify how the gambling group allegedly exploits problem gamblers and does not meet its anti-money laundering obligations.
The Swedish government will be implementing new rules in April that will bolster protections for gamblers and introduce higher fines for operators that have anti-money laundering failings.
Holknekt believes that a positive ruling would mean that other people who lost money through platforms that were operating in Sweden before the regulated market launched would be entitled to their money back. These types of rulings are already happening in Germany and Austria. Holknekt is also working on building an app that will allow people to block unlicensed gambling platforms.
The post Kindred Squares Off in Liability Lawsuit Against Fashion Designer Who Gambled Away $9.5m appeared first on Vegas Slots Online News.
Stakelogic, the innovative Malta-based iGaming provider, has started the year strong with several new partnerships.
In this sense, it first allied with AB Trav och Galopp (ATG) on January 18th, and then on January 19th, it extended its already existing alliance with 888casino, the flagship online casino brand that is part of 888 Holdings plc.
New partnership with ATG:
With this alliance, Stakelogic hopes to solidify its presence in the regulated market of Sweden and attract an additional number of players from that country. Examples of the plethora of modern and classic online slots that will be hosted on ATG’s platform include Wild Hogs, Wild Wild Bass 3, which is the newest title in the firm’s famous Wild Wild Bass series, and Rooster Mobs.
Among the classic online titles, which blend modern gameplay mechanics and bonuses with old-school designs, players at ATG will have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of titles that include Bar Bells, 7s, favorite fruit symbols, easy-to-trigger free spins and simple mechanics, which will only enhance the overall experience for fans of classic games, according to the official press release.
Furthermore, the provider’s titles are widely-known for their remarkable innovation, meaning that they include engaging gameplay and one-of-a-kind bonus features that are the provider’s trademark.
On a related note, Stakelogic is one of the leading providers known for its innovation, especially when it comes to changing the game with bonuses, as demonstrated via the recent debut of the Super Wheel™ feature. This outstanding feature blends Stakelogic’s remarkable brand of slots with thrilling live casino action. Once activated, it takes players out of the game they are playing and into a live studio. There, they are offered the chance to spin a cash wheel equipped with various rewards including 3 extra bonus rounds.
Extension of partnership with 888casino:
888casino and Stakelogic have a pre-established business partnership as mentioned above, meaning that the Malta-based provider provides its slots portfolio to the aforementioned online brand in Malta, UK and Sweden among other regulated markets. The main reason for this partnership extension is Stakelogic’s goal to continue expanding into the regulated market of Ontario, which is one of the largest growing markets in the industry of online gaming.
In this sense, players at 888casino in Ontario will be able to play the provider’s portfolio of classic online titles, including few famous titles created to evoke nostalgia in players, providing an escape to the good old days when classic fruit machine slots were all the rage.
Beside the aforementioned classic slots, players will also have access to the provider’s modern titles, including the ones mentioned earlier. These games are known to offer an exciting experience to players, blending memorable and stylish designs with unique and explosive gameplay.
Commenting on the partnership expansion, Stakelogic’s Head of Account Management, Daniela Fricchione, commented according to the official press release: “The Ontario market is a key focus for us in 2024, and we are delighted to have a partner like 888casino by our side as we continue this journey. Our partnership with 888casino has proved incredibly fruitful for both of us in Europe, and we are excited to provide our unique brand of online slot action to their players in Ontario. 888casino is an industry-leader, and their players want the best online slots on the market, by extending our partnership, we are providing their players in Ontario with exactly that.”
Group Head of Content at 888 Holdings, Ofir Gal-Mor, added: “Our existing partnership with Stakelogic across Europe has proven extremely popular, adding variety and quality to our casino game lobby and strengthening our position as the go-to operator for players seeking a thrilling online slot experience. We are sure our players in Ontario will also be impressed with Stakelogic’s groundbreaking slot portfolio as we further establish ourselves as a must-play operator in Ontario.”
While the integration of robots and artificial intelligence (AI) into everyday life seemed like a far-off reality just a few years ago, this is no longer the case. The rollout of ChatGPT to the general public in late 2022 opened people’s eyes to the capabilities of these technologies.
300 million full-time jobs could be automated through AI
Workers across many sectors are now expressing concern over the future of their jobs. The fear is that everything from writers to cooks to accountants to coders could be phased out to some extent in the coming decades if things keep going the way they are. Goldman Sachs has predicted that 300 million full-time jobs could be automated through AI. Could casino jobs be among those replaced by machines?
Automation is nothing new
Robots are already vitally important to many industries. Car factories rely heavily on them to assemble vehicles, while Amazon has more than 750,000 robots working in warehouses to manage inventory. Machines can now carry out everyday tasks with a high level of accuracy.
It often isn’t until individuals see these robots with their own eyes that they begin to realize what’s on the horizon. The recent CES 2024 convention in Las Vegas schooled many casino workers, with some of the exhibits showing machines that can prepare, cook, and deliver food.
Unions across the globe are already aware of the potential dangers of emerging technology. The Culinary Workers Union, which represents about 40,000 casino employees in Las Vegas, threatened strike action for much of last year when fighting for new five-year contracts.
job protections relating to the adoption of new technology
One of the most heavily debated topics during the negotiations was job protections relating to the adoption of new technology. The union eventually secured assurances in the new contracts that workers would receive training on any new technology and if new adoption leads to job losses, people can possibly move to a different role or receive additional severance pay.
Changes to the customer experience
Some Las Vegas casinos already use robots in different aspects of their businesses. They can help lower hefty labor costs and fill in the gaps when there are staff shortages. Robots prepare and serve drinks at bars in The Venetian and Planet Hollywood, while the M Resort has a robot security officer patroling the parking lot. Customers also no longer need to manually check in to their rooms.
A 2019 Nevada Independent article estimated that between 38% and 65% of Southern Nevada jobs could be automated by 2035.
Patrons could theoretically spend their entire stay at a casino without having to directly interact with any staff. They can use the automatic ticketing valet service upon arrival, self-check-in, order room service delivered by a robot, and have machines make their drinks at the bar. If they feel like gambling, they can play electronic table games or slot machines.
Increasing profitability
Casinos are always looking for ways to boost their bottom lines. Replacing non-customer-facing roles like cooks and cleaners with machines could be a big money saver without compromising the guest experience.
The savings that it could achieve through automation could be substantial.
Robots won’t need health or retirement benefits, can work longer hours, don’t go on strike, or get paid. MGM Resorts International employs about 75,000 people around the world and the company accrued payroll-related liabilities of $478m in 2022. The savings that it could achieve through automation could be substantial.
A powerful robot vacuum cleaner would cost about $30,000 and a bartender machine would typically cost between $100,000 and $200,000. While repairs and replacements will be necessary from time to time, casinos will weigh the trade-offs to see what will be the most beneficial to their long-term profitability.
Not entirely gloomy
While nobody will be able to stop the continual march of new technology and jobs will inevitably be lost, it isn’t total doom and gloom for casino workers. There will always be a place for the human touch in the service industry. People enjoy chatting with bartenders and wait staff, rather than sitting in silence sipping their drinks. They like interacting with dealers and their fellow players when gambling.
Concerns remain about underage people bypassing robot bartender systems to purchase alcohol. Bots also struggle to identify when to cut someone off after they have had too many drinks.
Many casino workers don’t even oppose some level of automation as it would mean a lighter workload. They do want to get a proper heads-up from employers about its arrival, though. A more efficient workplace in which robots take over certain unsavory or labor-intensive jobs could even help boost the happiness levels of the workforce.
The post Are Robots Coming to Replace the Jobs of Casino Workers? appeared first on Vegas Slots Online News.
When it comes to online casino games, there is no question that slots are the king. Every top online casino has hundreds, if not thousands, of slot titles to choose from. Entering January 2024, there are five slot titles that stand a good chance of joining the top online slot titles.
Blade & Fangs – Pragmatic Play
Cygnus 4 – ELK Studios
Sticky Bandits Unchained – Quickspin
Frozen Age – Peter & Sons
Vault Cracker Megaways – Red Tiger
Blade & Fangs – Pragmatic Play
If you want to take a walk on the dark side, Blad & Fangs is a fantastic way to do so. It features a horror theme across two sets of reels but the real excitement is the ability to merge them into one when free spins and re-spins become available. Set in a church adorned with spooky skulls, this is one of those online slots that creates a real atmosphere. There are more than 240 ways to win with an RTP of 96.05%. It is also enticing for players with higher budgets thanks to a max bet of $240.
Cygnus 4 – ELK Studios
There is nothing like historic London as a backdrop to really make you feel immersed in the action. With four rolls (expanding to eight) and six rolls, there are as many as 262,144 ways to achieve a victory. Even better, it is fantastic for players regardless of budget thanks to bets ranging from $0.20 to $100 per spin. An RTP of 94% is solid, creating a medium/high volatility level for players.
Sticky Bandits Unlimited – Quickspin
Sticky Bandits understands the nature of good online slots. On any given spin, you can feel as though you have just made off with a bounty of loot. This isn’t a friendly Old West, either. Chaos rules the town of Dustwood thanks to five reels and 10 paylines. There are some truly cool features, including wilds that can trigger free spins rounds and the 2×2 Colossal Wilds. There are three free spins features and a win potential of up to 30,000x the bet.
Frozen Age – Peter & Sons
Getting away from the darker titles, this game ventures into Batista with the goal of finding frozen ancient creatures. With bright, colorful characters and 50 pay lines, it is all too easy to become immersed in this game. With Free Spins and Wild Re-Spins, players can look for a top payout of 8,000x the bet. The charming graphics really send this title over the top.
Vault Cracker Megaways – Red Tiger
Vault Cracker Megaways takes all of the best aspects of a good online casino game. There are features like the Heist Mater Bonus, Hold-Up Artist, and Cash Safes, providing free re-spins and a huge array of multipliers. The top payout is one of the lowest around – 2,484x the bet – but it is a fantastic option for players on a tighter budget. The game has a 95.68% RTP rate and offers nearly 118,000 ways to win, providing a world of opportunities.
Conclusion
With everything from cartoon villains to bandits, dark specters to historic London, players of all backgrounds and interests will find something from these titles. Each game features a very good RTP percentage, chances to earn free spins and drops, and big jackpots to make every spin an exciting one.
The post Top 5 Online Casino Games Coming Out in January 2024 appeared first on Casino.com Blog.
An ad posted by Mecca Bingo suggests gambling could be used as a way of boosting a person’s self-esteem.
Unsurprisingly, the company faced criticism following a complaint over its Instagram ad, posted in August. The ad in question featured two images of celebrity drag queen Baga Chipz.
Don’t you just love that post-bingo glow?
One image presented Chipz in plain clothes with no makeup and the other showed Chipz wearing a red sequined outfit with jewelry and makeup. To complete the ad, a caption read: “A good game can transform you! Don’t you just love that post-bingo glow?”
The UK’s Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) received complaints from viewers who believed the ad suggested that gambling could boost a person’s image and self-esteem if they gambled. The ASA upheld the complaints, asserting that it did give this impression based on the contrasting images of Chipz.
Mecca Bingo responded, claiming that the “post-bingo glow” was meant to imply the feeling one has after a night of playing bingo and was meant to highlight the “positive” experience the company aims to deliver.
The post UK Regulator Agrees That Mecca Bingo Ad Suggests Gambling Boosts Self-Esteem appeared first on Vegas Slots Online News.
Loading…
Bank Wire Transfer
