Adele’s Las Vegas Residency Extension Set to Make Her and Caesars Millions

Adele


Multiple sources have reported that pop star Adele is planning to extend her current Las Vegas residency at Caesars Palace.

Adele’s residency extension is not just a win for the British singer, but also a massive boost for Caesars. Industry insiders speculate that she could earn up to $1.2m per show and increase her performances to three times a week, the extension bringing in millions for the famed Vegas casino.

one of Las Vegas’ all-time highest paid performers

Lady Gaga’s estimated $1m per show at Park Theater pales in comparison to what her rival songstress’s potential earnings could be. It would make Adele one of Las Vegas’ all-time highest paid performers.

While the mostly British sources didn’t confirm the exact dates for the continuation of her “Weekends With Adele” run of shows, they suggested she may perform at the venue from August through the first week of November, or even as early as June.

According to Vital Las Vegas, Adele’s residency has become an ace up Caesars’ sleeve, drawing “the perfect casino customer, with lots of disposable income.”

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Big Gambler Refuses to Pay Aspinall’s Because He Got Drunk

Big Gambler Refuses to Pay Aspinall’s Because He Got Drunk


Gambling “whale” Lester Hui is defending himself against a claim of almost £600,000 by an exclusive Mayfair casino in London. Hui maintains that Aspinall’s Clubs Ltd helped him get “blackout drunk” in order to help him lose more than half a million Pounds playing double chance baccarat at Aspinall’s casino at Curzon Street.

Hui claims the casino kept bringing him drinks of Moutai, a particular style of baijiu, a distilled Chinese liquor that is crafted in the town of Maotai in China’s Guizhou province and often referred to as “firewater”.

Claims Failure of Club’s Social Responsibility

Under Gambling Commission rules, Hui maintains that the casino failed to fulfill its social responsibility to him when staff failed to intervene in his self-destructive behavior by continuing to serve him the potent liquor so that he would be likely to lose large sums of money to the house edge and Aspinall’s financial benefit at his expense.

Aspinall’s is having none of it if they can help it and are demanding he pays up the money it says he owes through the gambling contract. The casino contends he remained sober enough to make clear game decisions and drove himself home when he was done gambling.

Aspinall’s is a members-only club that has entertained celebrities and various royalty over the years since opening in the 1960s. The purported gambling debt dates back to early 2016. Hui has reportedly been a member since 1996.

As is usually the case with a game like baccarat, his winnings reportedly fluctuated throughout his gambling session but he ended up in the hole after spending £600,000 in pursuit of wins. When he was done playing he wrote a check for £589,724, representing his spend minus a smaller amount the club owed him from earlier.

However, the check didn’t clear the bank.

Attempted to Settle Out of Court

According to a report in the Mirror, the club has tried on several occasions to help Hui settle the debt out of court but has been involved in the court process since late 2019.

According to Hui, he planned to get drunk and informed staff while also asking them to limit his losses to £30,000 and then got too drunk to know what he was doing while the club allowed him to lose five times his self-imposed limit he claims he asked the club to help him enforce. Being in a state of “blackout” drunkenness, Hui claims he was not legally capable of entering a gambling contract to lose money.

Club barrister, Alexander Robson doubts Hui’s claim of asking for limits and forcefully defends against the main notions put forward by the gambler.

If Mr. Hui had made any such formal request to limit his gaming to a particular amount, the request would have been recorded and requested.

“Further, if Mr. Hui had said he was going to get drunk, he would not have been permitted to play at all,” said the barrister.

Providing complimentary drinks, enforcing insufficient breaks from the tables, and continuing to serve drinks after he began gambling are claimed as a breach of Aspinall’s social responsibility to its customer.

Source: High roller claims top Mayfair casino plied him with ‘firewater’ as he gambled away £600k, The Mirror, March 13, 2023

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Grand Casino Bucharest ▶️ Romania’s Top Casino & Hotel

The Table Games at Grand Casino Bucharest in Romania


Grand Casino Marriott Bucharest – Map and Details

Established in 2000, the Grand Casino Marriott in Bucharest has decades of experience in the industry. It is located in the heart of Bucharest, close to the Parliament Palace, in the JW Marriott Grand Hotel. The casino also holds licence L1180570H000917 from the National Gambling Office (ONJN). As such, you can be confident it is an entirely legitimate gambling establishment, just like the operators that are listed among the best online casinos in Romania.

The Grand Casino Bucharest owner is Marriott International, a world-famous hotel chain originating in America, with Amiran Janashvili acting as CEO. The hotel has over 400 rooms and 20 suites with luxurious decorations and in-room dining. Meanwhile, the casino offers more than 150 slots, many live table games and some great entertainment events.

📛 Name: Grand Casino
🗓️ Founded: 2000
👨‍💼Owner: Marriott International
📍 Address: 90 Calea 13 Septembrie, Bucharest, Romania
🃏Games: Slots, Poker, Roulette, Blackjack, E-Tables
🏨 Amenities: Hotel, Restaurant, Shops, Spa, Fitness
☎️ Phone: 0723.155.555
📧 Email: [email protected]
🤵 Partners: NetBet, Platinum Casino
🖥️ Website: www.grandcasinobucharest.ro

Furthermore, the JW Marriott Grand hotel casino is a vast complex with numerous amenities. It has 11 000 sq. ft. of office space alongside a spa and fitness centre. There are also many shops, from clothing stores to a pharmacy, and even a restaurant with international cuisine. We will cover all these amenities later, but you can be certain their quality rivals those at the best gambling resorts in the world.

Bucharest Grand Casino Games – Outstanding Variety

The JW Marriott Grand Hotel Casino features an excellent selection of games whose quality rivals the titles at the best Romanian online casinos. You can find more than 150 slots, electronic tables and various table games, with wide bet limits and exciting options for veterans. We will now cover each of the game types in the following paragraphs:

Grand Casino Bucharest Slots and Electronic Tables

Fans of slot games will undoubtedly be thrilled to try the library of 159 slots at Bucharest Grand Casino. Casual players can try some of the best IGT slots, while veterans can test their luck with the numerous Mystery Jackpots. The bet limits accommodate all budgets, and all the games are verified fair, so you can have a comfortable experience.

💻 Developer 🕹️ Games
Austrian Gaming International Lucky Lady’s Charm, Book of Ra, The Money Game, Dolphin’s Pearl, American Poker, Plenty on Twenty
Casino Technology Duck of Luck, Lucky Clover, 40 Treasures, 20 Star Party, Aztec Gold
EGT Bulgaria Burning Hot, Dice and Roll, Witch’s Charm, Versailles Gold, Zodiac Wheel, Majestic Forest
IGT Tiger and Dragon, Tropical Paradise, Sun Spirit, Princess of the Amazon, Treasure Cats
Aristocrat Queen of the Nile, Buffalo, 5 Dragons

The table above contains information on some of the developers and slots you can find at Grand Casino Bucharest. You can also find games from Novomatic, which ensures this casino provides high-quality games from top software providers. There are even some progressive jackpot slots, such as King Kong Cash and Cat 4 Cash, alongside mystery jackpots that can go up to 50,000 Lei.

If you’re looking for something different, you can try the electronic tables from Interblock. These allow you to play electronic or live roulette games, with high-quality screens showing various statistics and a closer view of the wheel. You can even earn some extra prizes with the Golden Chip Jackpot feature. A random player may receive a golden chip, which they can place on any bet and potentially win a prize.

Grand Casino Bucharest in Romania Table Games

Those who prefer the authentic casino experience can sit at the various live table games at Grand Casino Marriott Bucharest. Fans of European roulette games can find plenty of tables with all the classic betting options, such as neighbours and called bets, while blackjack fans can enjoy a relaxing game with a fantastic atmosphere. There’s even a bar so that you can get drinks while playing.

This land-based casino certainly excels in card games and will please all poker fans. You can play against the dealer in Ultimate Texas Hold’em or compete against players in Texas Hold’em. There’s also Three Card Poker and Caribbean Stud Poker for those seeking some unique gameplay. Experience the excellent strategic aspect of poker games and remember to familiarise yourself with the rules of poker before playing.

Regardless of your tastes, you can be certain that these games are suitable for players of all budgets. There is even a private room for VIP players who wish to play roulette and blackjack in a separate room. Additionally, the casino’s website contains detailed explanations of every game’s rules, and you can always ask the dealers for help if necessary.

Dining and Accommodations at Grand Casino in Bucharest

You can always relax at one of the many restaurants whenever you need a break from the games. The casino has one, suitable for casual and business dinners, with cuisine from around the world. Themes change every week, so there is always something new to try, such as Indian, Italian and Japanese nights. You can even watch the casino games as you eat.

Aside from that, there are many other restaurants and bars, such as the Champions Sports Bar, where you can watch your favourite sports events and drink a few beers. There’s also a steakhouse, coffee shop, fancy lounge and more. Every restaurant has different working hours, and some can be booked for events or meetings, which is why we have prepared the following table:

🍗 Restaurant ⏰ Working Hours 👔 Dress Code
JW Steakhouse 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM on Wednesday through Saturday, 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM on Sunday Smart Casual
Cucina 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM on Monday through Saturday, 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM on Sunday Smart Casual
Champions 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM on Monday through Friday, 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM on Saturday through Sunday Casual
The Garden April to September Casual
Pavilion Lounge 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM Every Day Casual
Vienna Lounge 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM on Monday through Saturday Casual

As Marriott International is the Grand Casino Bucharest owner, you can be sure the accommodations rival the best hotels in Las Vegas. It is a 5-star hotel with 402 guestrooms and 23 executive suites, each featuring exquisite decoration, king-sized beds and high-speed internet. They even include desks, safes, and HD TVs for a more comfortable experience.

The executive suites are even more luxurious, as they have special benefits, such as complimentary beverages or evening turndown services, so you can quickly go to bed. All rooms also have in-room dining and room service, so you can have breakfast without leaving your room. The hotel is also pet-friendly, allowing you to bring your beloved pets along on your travels.

Other Amenities at JW Marriott Grand Hotel Casino

What makes the JW Marriott Grand Hotel Casino rival the best casinos in Vegas is that it is also a complex with various amenities. Aside from the ample office space, you can find an astounding fitness centre, with the latest equipment, a sauna, and a swimming pool. There’s a spa, and you can participate in group classes with experienced trainers.

Interesting fact:

The casino is located in the centre of Bucharest and is the only 5-star hotel in the district. It is close to the Parliament Palace, People’s Salvation Cathedral and the Old Town, giving visitors a great chance to explore the city.

Grand Casino Bucharest in Romania also includes an exquisite shopping centre – The Grand Avenue. It contains stores from popular luxury brands, such as Rolex, Louis Vuitton and Dolce & Gabbana, alongside a pharmacy, beauty clinic, beauty salon and laundry service. You can even make use of a personal shopper to help you with some fashion advice.

Finally, players can also become members of the Club Connoisseur or Marriott Bonvoy programme and earn various benefits. As you stay in hotels and travel, you can gain points and use them for shopping, better hotel rates, dining discounts and more. You can even upgrade your level and earn more benefits, such as paying entirely with your points or late checkout.

Grand Casino in Bucharest Events

If you’re looking for an exciting party, the Grand Casino Marriott in Bucharest also frequently hosts live events. These are special events where players can listen to live music and participate in lottery draws while enjoying snacks, drinks, and a fun atmosphere. There are even some seasonal and themed parties, including daily draws. Below, you can find a list of previous celebrations organised by the casino:

🎉 Event 📆 Date
Autumn Party 1st of October 2015
Halloween Party 29th of October 2016
New Year’s Eve Party 31st of December 2018
Greek Party 1st of July 2017

Bucharest Grand Casino also has 12 event rooms, allowing you to organise your own meetings. The Grand Ballroom is its biggest one and seats 800 people, though there’s 1561 sq m. of event space. Whether you’re looking to organise a business event or a grand wedding, you can coordinate with planners to decorate and modify the halls however you wish, which includes microphones, AV equipment, and even catering.

Grand Casino Bucharest Conclusion

Overall, the Grand Casino in Bucharest has certainly earned its reputation. Players can have fun with a decent selection of games, from high-stakes jackpot titles to exquisite poker games, while also relaxing at the great hotel. You can also dine at various restaurants, shop in luxurious stores or participate in fun live events.

Whether you’re visiting and looking for a casual experience or want to play some excellent gambling games, this land-based casino will undoubtedly suit your needs. If you prefer playing online, you can try NetBet casino RO, as it partners with the Bucharest Grand Casino.

Grand Casino Bucharest FAQ

Before we wrap up our Grand Casino Bucharest review, we will answer all your pressing questions regarding this magnificent gaming destination. You can learn more about the games and their availability alongside information on the casino itself. We will also give further details on the hotel, restaurants and other exciting amenities.

Who is the Grand Casino Bucharest owner?

As we mentioned in our Grand Casino in Bucharest overview, the place is owned by Marriott International. Founded in 1927 by J. Willard Marriott, this is one of the biggest hotel chains in the world, ensuring you will find a quality experience. You can also be certain that the National Gambling Office of Romania fully licenses the casino.

What games can I play at the Grand Casino Marriott in Bucharest?

Among the many excellent Grand Casino Marriott Bucharest games, you can find exciting slots and table games. The slots are ideal for players of all budgets, with games from top developers such as Novomatic and IGT. Meanwhile, fans of table games can find many roulette and blackjack tables alongside some excellent poker variants.

Does the JW Marriott Grand Hotel Casino allow pets?

Yes, whenever you stay at the JW Marriott Grand Hotel and Casino, you can bring your pets. You will need to pay an extra charge, but the rooms are big enough to accommodate them. Some even have living rooms and kitchens or offer evening turndown services, ensuring visitors have the most comfortable experience.

What other amenities are available at the Bucharest Grand Casino?

Aside from the gambling area, Bucharest Grand Casino features an entire complex known as The Grand Avenue. It is located on the ground floor and has many shops from luxury brands, alongside a beauty salon and a pharmacy. There is also a fitness centre, a swimming pool, a spa and wellness services centre, and more if you wish to relax.

Are there any events at Grand Casino in Bucharest?

The Grand Casino Bucharest in Romania visitors can join some of its outstanding events and parties. Whether it’s a themed event, celebrating Halloween or New Year, or a party with prize draws, you can be certain it is full of exciting moments. There are also 12 event spaces to organise your business or wedding events.



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North Carolina Sports Betting on the Docket With New Bill

UNC Chapel Hill


A North Carolina lawmaker has introduced a bill to legalize online sports betting after an attempt fell at the final hurdle last year.

Rep. Ashont Clemmons, the House Deputy Democratic Leader, is the one sponsoring Monday’s HB347. It contains many of the same details as the failed 2022 bill, which was blocked by the Senate. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper previously said that he believes this is the year that sports betting legislation is passed.

10-12 online operators

The bill stipulates that North Carolina would house 10-12 online operators plus gambling areas at NASCAR tracks, professional sports stadiums, and large golf courses. Notably, these would not be full-fledged retail betting locations, but rather places for customers to interact with customer support.

Licenses would be good for five years and cost $1m. Sports betting revenues would come with a 14% tax rate and promotional deductions would be unlimited until 2025.

Last year’s bill failed for several reasons, one of which was its block on betting on in-state college teams. Although that is a fairly common principle in other states, and states without that rule have experienced issues, North Carolina officials did not want to see it pass. That is largely because college sports teams at the University of North Carolina and Duke University, among others, are extremely popular and would become major online betting prospects.

Sports betting is already legal at Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos in Cherokee and Murphy.

The post North Carolina Sports Betting on the Docket With New Bill appeared first on VegasSlotsOnline News.

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Learn more about old China in 3 Oaks’ new slot: Dragon Wealth

Learn more about old China in 3 Oaks' new slot: Dragon Wealth


On March 9, 3 Oaks Gaming, a fast-growing iGaming distributor based in Douglas, Isle of Man, released Dragon Wealth, one more installment in its lineup of online slots enhanced with the exciting Hold and Win game mechanic.

The provider’s previous Hold and Win hits include Sunlight Princess, Sticky Piggy and Green Chilli.

This latest slot entices players to travel to the Far East, discover ancient Chinese culture and join an epic adventure.

Outstanding visual:

True to its title, the main theme of the game is Asian culture, specifically Chinese culture. The red-colored background of the game shows trees, silhouettes of Chinese mountains and historical Pagoda buildings.

To win, players must form a combination of at least 3 matching symbols that appear next to one of the 25 win lines on the new, dynamic 5×4 grid.

The basic low-value symbols are the A-J card ranks, while the high-value bonus symbols are frogs, lions, trees and an ascending order of gold coins. A combination of 5-of-a-kind low or high-value symbols is worth 2x to 8x a player’s bet.

However, there are Wilds, aka Dragons, and they are key symbols in the game. Furthermore, they can replace any regular symbol in winning combinations. In addition, their combination is worth up to 15x a player’s bet.

The game’s volatility is in the high range, with a below-average RTP of 95.61% and a maximum win of 5,000x a player’s bet. The game can be played on any device.

Slot features:

Hold and Win respins feature – this is the most important feature of the game. To access it, players need cash symbols, aka gold coins. They always show random bet multiplier values that are between 0,5x to 15x, and if 6 or more land at the same time, the feature is activated.

Upon activation, players move to special reels, where only bonus symbols and Multipliers are available and where players are rewarded with 3 Respins to begin.

As soon as they start, the triggering symbols are locked in place and all bonus symbols become sticky throughout the respins. When a new symbol appears on the reels, it holds its position for as long as the feature lasts, and resets the number of respins to 3.

This further causes the Multiplier symbols to be collected and added to the meter on top of the corresponding reel they land on. Multiplier symbol values range from 2x to 10x and are added to any cash values on that reel at the end of the feature.

Beside cash values, some of the bonus symbols can reward one of 4 Jackpots such as Mini, Minor, Major and Grand individually worth 20x, 50x, 100x and 5,000x the stake.

Free Spins- a combination of 3 or more Scatters, landing on the reels on the same spin, activates this feature. At the start of a round, players get up to 15 Free Spins, which work just like in the base game.

However, there is one big difference – Wilds now have Multipliers and their number depends on the number of Scatters that activated the feature.

  • 3 Scatters – 2x Multiplier Wilds;
  • 4 Scatters – 3x Multiplier Wilds;
  • 5 Scatters – 5x Multiplier Wilds.

Commenting on the launch, Sebastian Damian, Managing Director of 3 Oaks Gaming, said: Dragon Wealth sees us take our popular Hold and Win mechanic and significantly boost it with massive multipliers that can bring players huge wins.

“It is a hallmark of our portfolio that every game adds new elements of innovative and immersion, and Dragon Wealth is another stellar example of this.”





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Parimatch Sanctioned by Ukraine President Zelensky Despite Charitable Work for War Effort

Parimatch logo


Gambling-linked sanctions

Despite its charitable work for the war effort, Parimatch has been sanctioned by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, forcing the company to shut up shop in its home country. The sportsbook is just one of 287 gambling-linked legal entities sanctioned by Ukraine, in addition to 120 individuals.

President Zelensky signed Decree No. 145/2023 to set the sanctions, announced on Friday by the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.

financed various Russian schemes.”

In a statement, Zelensky said that the sanctioned individuals and organizations “through gambling business schemes, worked against Ukraine, withdrew funds from our state and financed various Russian schemes.”

The other sanctioned legal entities include Betcity, Bet.Ru, Leo Financial Company, Sportbet, Sportloto, PokerMatch UA, and Matchbet. The duration of the sanctions imposed on Parimatch and the other firms is 50 years.

Parimatch pulls the plug

Expanding on the decision to issue sanctions, Zelensky said it had taken some time to come to the resolution, but it had “been thoroughly worked out and:

closes schemes worth tens of billions.”

State enforcers have blocked Parimatch’s website in Ukraine in accordance with the sanctions, which industry observers expect will have a significant impact on the betting and lottery industry in Ukraine.

According to UKrinform.net on Monday, Parimatch has now suspended its operations in the country. The company said its next step will be to provide refunds to clients who it claims will all receive their balances in full. The operator is also looking for a legal mechanism to repay all debts.

A charitable firm

Parimatch — who’s co-CEOs Syrotian and Maksym Liashko are from Ukraine — previously made significant contributions to the war effort in Ukraine. The company’s charitable work included supplying medical equipment, supporting veterans, and contributing to the building of military barracks.

At the end of 2022, Parimatch confirmed its foundation had raised more than $500,000 in support for the humanitarian effort in Ukraine.

In March last year, Parimatch also used its advertising space with Premier League partner clubs such as Chelsea FC to show support for Ukraine. The advertising space showcased the tag line “The World is Against War” with the hashtag #StandForUkraine.

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Wizard Games Launched New Video Slot Thor’s Hammer Strike

wizard games


Are you ready for battle? Wizard Games, NeoGames S. A subsidiary gives their customers a chance to fight alongside Thor, conquer the sky, and control the thunder. 

The new 5×3 slot Thor’s Hammer Strike enables the players to travel in the future and win fantastic awards. This video slot possesses 50 paylines.

How to help Thor:

The player set the reels in motion, allowing Thor’s Hammer to work its magic towards the intense player experience

Thor Bonus symbols can trigger respins – six of them activate six respins, and each additional symbol grants the extra respin. During respins, Bonus symbols stay at their place, allowing more of them to land. They can merge into Mega Bonus Symbols, granting the player up to 750x the initial bet. If the player is lucky, they can also get a Mega Bonus Prize.

Scatter symbols are there to trigger the Free Spins round. Three Scatter symbols unlock 15 Free Spins. While the round lasts, the whole middle reel is full of Scatters and Wilds. 

The multipliers can increase up to 1,527.9x, and the biggest potential win is €486.816. It is worth playing, isn’t it?

The default bet is € 2.00. If you want to invest less than that, the minimum is € 0.20. For the bravest ones, the maximum initial bet is € 320.00.

The game is already certified in many regulated markets, including the UK, Malta, Romania, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the Netherlands.

Joey Hurtado, Managing Director at Wizard Games, said: “It’s a privilege to introduce Thor’s Hammer Strike to players as we continue on our mission to deliver a catalog packed with exciting titles to thrill audiences all over the world. This is a game packed with energy and features and we believe it will prove to be another major hit for our wide network of operator partners in regulated markets globally.”

Wizard Games, or iGaming wizard:

Wizard Games is known for its thrilling slot releases, such as classic Joker Diamond and modern and exciting Dragons of the North Megaways, as well as the most recent hit, Princess Celina and the Frog. Currently, Wizard Games’ portfolio consists of more than 120 unique titles, and the company is present in many regulated markets in Europe, the USA, Canada, and Latin America.

The company’s slot games are famous worldwide, conquering even the markets such as North America. Their tools that provide players and partners with the best possible experience are also very modern and carefully crafted.





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OPINION: Protect the Health of Casino Workers and Ban Smoking Already

Man extinguishing a cigarette in an ashtray


Profits over people

There is currently a bill in the New Jersey legislature that would close a loophole in the law that allows smoking on 25% of the casino floor. Reports are that a majority of lawmakers on both sides of the aisle support it, yet it is not even close to a vote yet.

It is time for New Jersey state legislators to step up and do something for the people. This isn’t a situation where a company wants its employees to get a shorter lunch break or not be paid for setup they do before the work day technically starts. Those are bad enough, but this is literally a “profits over people” scenario.

 all my oncologists have told me this is a life-and-death choice”

“I don’t even know how long I’m going to live,” Holly Diebler, a craps dealer at Tropicana in the midst of chemotherapy treatments for throat cancer, said in front of a New Jersey state Assembly committee on Thursday. “I love my job; I don’t want to leave it. But all my oncologists have told me this is a life-and-death choice.”

New Jersey isn’t the only state in which smoking in casinos is a growing concern – there have been movements in Virginia, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania, as well – but Atlantic City is the hotbed for the debate.

Casino workers are begging for help

Tammy Brady, who has been a dealer in Atlantic City for nearly four decades, has stage 2 breast cancer. Also testifying in the Assembly, she admitted that nobody knows exactly why she got cancer, but: “I can’t help but wonder if it would have happened if the casinos hadn’t forced me to work in second-hand smoke.”

when a player 12 inches away blows a cloud of smoke at me, I can’t move”

There is nothing these employees can do about the smoke they have to wallow in every day except quit or fight the long fight in the halls of the legislature. Borgata dealer Pete Naccarelli said at a Senate hearing last month: “When a player 12 inches away blows a cloud of smoke at me, I can’t move, and I’m prohibited from waving the smoke away, a gesture that would be considered rude…We don’t think it’s fair that we should have to choose between a paycheck and our health.”

62-year-old craps dealer Janice Green said her employer, Tropicana, told her it would “embarrass the customer” to wave smoke away from her face. “You mean the customer that’s killing me?”

Casinos afraid of turning away gamblers

If the casinos knew for absolute certain that it would be profitable to ban smoking, they would do it. But they are afraid banning the activity would drive customers away, so screw it, light up those cancer sticks. Can’t come up with another way to attract gamblers. Impossible.

Bob McDevitt, president of Local 54 of the Unite Here casino workers union, believes that banning smoking would reduce industry revenue by 10% and could result in the closure of at least one casino. The Casino Association of New Jersey thinks that revenue losses could be 20-25%.

A person can’t work when they’re dead.

Industry groups and gambling companies are rightfully concerned about the continued climb out of the pit caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. And I empathize with the worry that banning smoking will turn away customers and thus cost jobs – my wife has been through multiple jobs since the start of the pandemic – but when the alternative is telling your employees to suck up carcinogens every day, then the business has a bigger problem. A person can’t work when they’re dead.

Studies support smoke-free casinos

Despite the casinos’ concerns, there has been evidence that a smoking prohibition doesn’t hurt business at all. In a June 2022 study, C3 Gaming found that “those casinos that implemented smoking prohibitions did not experience any drop in revenues or lost market share to nearby casinos that continued to offer smoking environments,” adding that 157 tribes have had no revenue drops after banning smoking. In fact, maintenance costs have gone down, boosting profitability.

non-smoking properties appear to be performing better than their counterparts”

C3 also said that states should look at recent trends, not data from a decade or two ago, when other factors may have played a role in decreasing casino revenue. Recent data, the consulting group found, shows that “non-smoking properties appear to be performing better than their counterparts that continue to allow smoking.”

Another study by Meczka Market Research/Consulting in 2021 of gamblers in the Pacific Northwest found that when choosing a casino to visit, “smoking is allowed” was the primary reason for only 4% of respondents. On the flip side, “smoking is not allowed” was the primary reason for 26% and the top reason was “location, proximate to one’s home” at 32%.

It would be nice if all casinos would voluntarily ban smoking, but if they won’t, lawmakers must act.

The post OPINION: Protect the Health of Casino Workers and Ban Smoking Already appeared first on VegasSlotsOnline News.

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OPINION: The Odds of the Golden State Warriors Making the Finals are Profoundly Worse than Sportsbooks Believe

Golden State Warriors championship parade


Odds the Golden State Warriors make the Finals

The Golden State Warriors are third in the list of odds to win the Western Conference and advance to the NBA Finals against all logic.

Yes, the reigning NBA champions, who are fifth in the West and have an opportunity to move up even further with Kevin Durant’s freakish injury and Ja Morant’s indefinite suspension, are nothing more than pie in the sky. 

third-most likely to win the West at +600

DraftKings is one of several major sportsbooks that have the Dubs as the third-most likely to win the West at +600, behind the Phoenix Suns (+230) and Denver Nuggets (+280). While many casual bettors see this as a great value bet, there is no value for losers, and that’s what the Warriors are destined to become.

The dynasty is over

The Warriors dynasty started in 2015 when they broke through and won their first title in the modern era by defeating LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love were both injured before or during the six-game series, but regardless, the Warriors had arrived. 

Golden State followed up that win by taking home three of the next four Larry O’Brien trophies and returned to the promised land in 2022 with a 4-2 win over the Boston Celtics. Stephen Curry won his first Finals MVP award as the Celtics’ youth fell victim to the Warriors’ experience and championship mettle.

They are just 7-26 away from home, a 21.2% win rate.

This year, however, everything has changed for the Warriors. They are just 7-26 away from home, a 21.2% win rate. For comparison, the team with the worst road record to reach the NBA Finals in modern history, the 1981 Houston Rockets, went 15-26 on the road—a 36.6% win rate.

Golden State sitting in the fifth seed also means that it will likely be on the road in every playoff series in which it participates during the upcoming playoffs. Having a history of winning one of every five road games and being asked to win four straight best-of-seven series where four games are on the road would be quite the order.

That’s just the tip of the unfortunate iceberg. The Warriors are only 20-21 with their best player, Steph Curry, in the lineup. That means they are 14-12 and playing better without him, which is almost unfathomable seeing as he has been the engine of this dynasty from its inception.

Clear regression

The Warriors’ case doesn’t get any better when analyzing the numbers. They are only 18th in defensive rating (113.6), which is nowhere near where they were in the four years they won chips. 

They were first in 2015, second in 2017, 11th in 2018 (but they had Durant), and first in 2022. The team with the worst defensive rating to win an NBA championship, for comparison, is the 2020-21 Milwaukee Bucks, who ranked 10th in the league with a 111.4 rating. 

It’s not as if the Warriors have an unstoppable offense either—they are just 15th in offensive rating (114), which is noticeably behind the Bucks’ mark of 117.2 during the same 2020-21 season. 

the Warriors are arguably more likely to miss the playoffs than they are to win the conference finals

To take it one step further, the Warriors are arguably more likely to miss the playoffs than they are to win the conference finals. They are only one and a half games above the 10th seed, the last to make the play-in tournament, and two games from the 11th seed, the first to miss the postseason. Tankathon ranks the Warriors’ remaining schedule as the eighth-hardest in the league, and eight of their 15 games are on the road.

There’s also no guarantee that the Warriors win their play-in game if they end up having to play one. In 2020-21, they lost to the young Memphis Grizzlies and the experienced Los Angeles Lakers in consecutive games to go flaming out of the postseason before the bracket even started.

The Warriors are big in name, but they have been small on the court this season. They would need to defy all modern precedents to pull off what sportsbooks are suggesting they have a great shot of doing.

The post OPINION: The Odds of the Golden State Warriors Making the Finals are Profoundly Worse than Sportsbooks Believe appeared first on VegasSlotsOnline News.

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Russians Are Hacking US Casino Companies to Fund War in Ukraine, Says UK Cyber Expert

Hacker in front of Russian flag


A worrying increase

A UK cyber expert believes that Russian-state hackers are behind a recent increase in cyber attacks around the world, with US casinos often taking much of the damage. David Rees, executive director, cyber at Howden Insurance Brokers, made the comments at the Cyber Security Summit on Thursday.

helping to fund Russia’s war effort in Ukraine

The total number of cyberattacks dropped off last year and in the early weeks of 2023. They are now on the rise once more, however, and Rees believe that the resulting ransom money is helping to fund Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. 

During his talk, Rees emphasized that he does not claim every ransomware attack originates in Russia, but that a lot of them do. The cyber expert highlighted that Russia appears to need more funds now that it is one year on from the beginning of its invasion of Ukraine. He blamed this for the increase in hacking attacks originating from the country.

Issues for US tribes

Kimi Gordy is a partner in the BakerHostetler law firm focused partly on cybersecurity breach response. She confirmed that “ransomware has gotten crazy in the last three weeks” and that these attacks have been more aggressive and creative.

While hackers go after a wide range of industries, tribal casinos in the US are a common target. In recent years, attacks on these operations have led to property closures and substantial ransomware payouts. Hackers are not just seeking a quick windfall from tribal casinos, but also targeting other organizations in these communities, such as hospitals, government, and schools. Hackers have even accessed tribal cyber insurance policies to see how much coverage they have in the event of an attack.

In a typical ransomware attack, hackers lock down a system and encrypt all of the data. They then demand payment in return for giving back the data.

Much for casinos to consider

Rees wasn’t the only one commenting on the issue this week. A former spy for the US military warned that casino-surveillance executives will have a lot of cyber attacks to deal with in the coming years.

Speaking at the World Game Protection Conference at the Tropicana Las Vegas, Vaillance Group CEO Shawnee Delaney, formerly a Defense Intelligence Agency clandestine officer, detailed some of the vulnerabilities that are completely unique to the casino sector.

at least half of all US gambling companies have experienced some sort of data breach

He mentioned that casinos rely on various third-party services and hackers often successfully access casino networks through these service providers. Delaney estimates that at least half of all US gambling companies have experienced some sort of data breach as a result of a third-party issue.

Delaney also has concerns that cameras, mobile hotel check-ins, and trackable casino chips all utilize internet connections. He noted one instance in which a casino suffered a hack through its fish tank. The thermometer in the tank was connected to the internet through which the hackers gained access to the casino’s network.

The post Russians Are Hacking US Casino Companies to Fund War in Ukraine, Says UK Cyber Expert appeared first on VegasSlotsOnline News.

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