Among blackjack variations that are rising in popularity in online casinos, Super Fun 21 Extreme has intrigue written in its very name.
What’s Super Fun about it? What’s extreme?
Super Fun 21 Extreme is a variation on Super Fun 21, a blackjack-based game that has been available since the beginning of the 2000s. The “super fun” part comes in offering players extra chances to double down and incorporating the late surrender rule.
In standard blackjack, you may double only on the first two cards. In Super Fun, you may double after any number of cards. Surrender isn’t common in standard 21, but when offered, you may surrender half your bet after the first two cards instead of playing the hand and risking it all. In Super Fun, you may surrender after any number of cards.
To continue reading this article, please visit: https://www.888casino.com/blog/super-fun-21-extreme
Former Crown Resorts owner James Packer has resurfaced following his fall from grace. In a lengthy interview with news media outlet The Nightly, the 56-year-old revealed that he will never do business in China again or invest in casinos.
had to sell his 37% stake in Crown Resorts
Packer had to sell his 37% stake in Crown Resorts to the Blackstone Group in 2022 for AU$3.4bn (US$2.2bn) following extensive revelations about the company’s operations.
Multiple inquiries into the casino firm highlighted major failings across its Australian properties, including money laundering, shady relationships with triad-linked junkets in Asia, and employees getting arrested for illegally promoting gambling in mainland China. Packer did not attend board meetings for over three years.
Adamant in his views
Talking about Crown’s struggles, Packer said the company “did things that it shouldn’t have done and I apologize for that.” He shipped some of the blame to governments for changing tax rates and breaking contracts, which is why he no longer wants to get into a heavily regulated industry again.
Speaking about China, he believes that its economic climate isn’t what it was 15 years ago. He thinks that the country is experiencing significant issues with growth and that not many people are willing to invest big money into the region anymore.
He is still very proud about the development of the Crown Sydney casino resort which opened in 2021 after a AU$2.2bn (US$1.4bn) investment. It was unable to offer gambling for more than 18 months due to the company’s issues. Packer owns an apartment at the property and intends to spend more time in the country going forward.
Crown overcoming its issues
Crown Resorts is now working to meet the remediation standards that regulators have required for it to continue operating casinos. Its financial results are not publicly available anymore since its new owner took the company private, so it is hard to know how the business itself is performing.
James Packer is the grandson of media mogul Frank Packer and inherited Consolidated Press Holdings, as well as investments in other companies like Crown Resorts.
Blackstone subsequently admitted that its task to turn the company around was a lot bigger than it envisioned when taking over. Crown avoided another scandal recently when its CEO was cleared of any wrongdoing after allowing banned patrons to enter the Crown Sydney casino.
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Political lobbyists in New York City raked in huge sums in 2023 and may be set for more this year as the battle to build lucrative downstate casinos heats up. A new report outlines how total lobbyist compensation rose 8% year-on-year, up to $131m.
biggest spenders were groups linked with billionaire Steve Cohen
The biggest spenders were groups linked with billionaire Steve Cohen, who hopes to develop a casino adjacent to New York Mets stadium Citi Field. He is partnering with Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment on the project, the entities spending more than $2m on lobbyists in 2023.
Two of Cohen’s companies splashed out almost $1.4m altogether and employed the services of seven different firms.
Competition heating up
The other interested parties for these licenses are also investing plenty of money to curry favor for their own plans. Pushing for a casino in Hudson Yards, Wynn Resorts invested $314,000 in lobbyists last year.
The frontrunners for two of the three available licenses are existing slots parlors in the state, namely MGM Resorts-owned Empire City Casino and Genting-owned Resorts World New York City. They both spent $300,000 in 2023 as they tried to expand their current licenses to allow them to offer table games.
Bally’s retainers totaled $285,000 as it attempted to get approval for a casino in The Bronx, while Caesars Entertainment has proposed an ambitious Times Square project and spent $185,000 on lobbyists in 2023.
The New York City Clerk’s Office, which regulates the state’s lobbyists, produces an annual study detailing the expenditures. The sector with the most expenditure on lobbying was real estate firms, accounting for approximately one-third of the 2023 total.
Big business
The job of the lobbyists is to showcase the advantages of specific casino proposals to political figures. This can include showing lawmakers PowerPoint presentations and renderings of the planned developments, while also underlining the benefits for the local areas and the state.
companies don’t have to disclose the big money they spend on other services
While these types of relationships and compensation have to be made public, companies don’t have to disclose the big money they spend on other services like public relations, political strategy, and consulting.
The official application process for the casino licenses has yet to begin, with each permit carrying a license fee of $500m. It might not be until 2025 that the New York State Gaming Commission finally decides on the recipients of the licenses. Current estimates suggest annual tax revenue from these downstate casinos would reach into the hundreds of millions of dollars.
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Casinos can be found on almost all of the major cruise ships in America or Europe, and for good reason. According to a study from Cruise Market Watch, nearly half of the onboard spending comes from the casino floor.
This leaves cruise lines with every incentive to make their casino bigger and better. So, without further ado, here are the seven best cruise ship casinos out there right now.
1. Allure of the Seas: 18,000 square feet
Image credit: Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean is one of the world’s best cruise lines, with casinos operating on all seven seas. Their Oasis class ships were some of the biggest cruise ships on the ocean until the last few years. The Allure had her maiden voyage in 2010 and can comfortably handle 5,400 guests.
She has two dozen restaurants, 15 bars and lounges, and many other amenities, like rock climbing, an outdoor movie theater, minigolf, and a beautiful theater. Also, check out the zipline, the Aqua Theater, and their version of Central Park on a ship.
The casino on the Allure is currently the biggest on any cruise ship, coming in at 18,000 square feet. For comparison, a good-sized Las Vegas property might only be 100,000 square feet. However, the biggest casino in the world, the Winstar in Thackerville, Oklahoma, comes in at 600,000 square feet.
They have 27 table games, including fan favorites like blackjack, craps, roulette, and baccarat, as well as some of the carnival games like Three Card Poker, Mississippi Stud, and similar games. The slot total is 456, with all the usual hits like Buffalo, Buffalo Stampede, and 88 Fortunes.
They have a small non-smoking casino on Deck 4 with a few tables and several dozen slots if you need to be away from the smoke of the main casino. Overall, it’s the best cruise casino today.
2. Oasis of the Seas: 15,000 square feet
Image credit: Royal Caribbean
A fun fact: while the Oasis was built to the exact same specifications as her Sister ship, Allure of the Seas, the Oasis is 2 inches shorter in length. That being said, this Royal Caribbean flagship of the Oasis Class is a beauty. Her maiden voyage was in 2009.
Unlike her sister ship, Oasis had extensive renovations in 2019, so she has some newer amenities like an eleven-story slide and a waterpark. She also has several newer restaurant concepts that were not found on the Allure.
The Oasis lost some casino space during the remodel, but still has 15k gaming square footage, including 24 tables and 464 slot machines. The no-smoking casino has three tables and 46 slot machines to choose from. This is a good option if looking for the best slots on cruise ships.
3. Norwegian Epic: 13,000 square feet
Image credit: Norwegian Cruise Line
The Epic was launched in 2010 and was planned to have two sister ships in the same Epic class, but the deal fell through, so Epic became the only Epic class ship in the Norwegian fleet. She can hold about 5,300 guests and is 19 decks tall.
There are 15 restaurants onboard, as well as a dozen bars and lounges and the usual amenities, like water slides and rock climbing walls, as well as two pool areas and the Broadway-type Theaters that Norwegian is known for.
The Norwegian Epic once had one of the largest casinos on a cruise ship anywhere. However, after her remodel in 2020, she returned with a still respectable 348 slot machines and 28 tables over about 13,000 square feet.
You can find about any table game you wish to play, as well as every hot new slot you’ve been dying to try. While some other Norwegian casinos have poor reviews for ventilation, the sheer size of the Epic casino helps with the irritating cigarette smoke.
4. Symphony of the Seas: 12,000 square feet
Image credit: Royal Caribbean
As one of the best cruise lines with casinos, it’s no surprise to see Royal Caribbean make the list again.
Royal Caribbean has five ships in the Oasis Class, and they span almost a decade of shipbuilding. The Symphony of the Seas was launched in 2018. While generally adhering to the Oasis model, she has upgraded staterooms and amenities that more closely match those of Oasis of the Seas after her remodel, than those of the Allure of the Seas, eight years her senior.
The casino on Symphony has also been somewhat reduced in size, down to about 12,000 square feet. But it seems similar in size to the one on Oasis and has almost the same number of tables (24) and slots (452). So we’re still happy to consider it as one of the best cruises with casinos.
5. Sun Princess: 9,000 square feet
Image credit: Princess Cruises
One of the best casino cruise ships is also the newest. Princess Cruise Lines Sphere class of cruise ships kicked off their maiden voyage in late February 2024 with the Sun Princess.
She has a capacity of 4,300 guests in a double stateroom, and if the name sounds a little familiar, it’s because she is named after the iconic Princess Line boat from the television show “Love Boat.”
The Princess has state-of-the-art cabins, and the usual zip lines and rock climbing. The dining room encompasses three full stories and looks over the ship’s stern, promising grandiose views. The Piazza is a glass sphere, which inspired this class’s name. It functions as the ship’s atrium and features several cafes and bars with views along the ship’s interior from its multi-floor perch.
The casino comes in at 9,000 square feet with 17 table games and 227 slots. They’re not getting the memo about scaled-back casino space; it’s the largest they’ve ever built.
Three great additions are table games linked progressives on blackjack and various poker games. A Buffalo Zone, often found in land-based casinos, is just a dedicated space for many Buffalo slot machines with cool signage. A new high-limit slot area will feature enhanced luxury seating for those long hours at the machines.
To be in with a chance of winning an all-expenses paid trip on this cruise ship, check out this casino cruise tester competition.
6. Norwegian Escape: 8,000 square feet
Image credit: Norwegian Cruise Line
The Escape is a Breakaway Plus class ship. It was launched in 2015 and can comfortably carry just over 4,000 guests. Norwegian is known for its best-in-class Broadway-quality shows and entertainment and its relaxed approach to cruising. There are no formal dinner nights here.
The Escape has over two dozen dining options and 15 bars, as well as the de rigueur Aqua Park, rope climbing, rock climbing, and mini golf. There are two pool areas and a huge spa as well as a fitness area.
The casino covers about 8,000 square feet but squeezes in 23 tables and 318 slots. They have many poker variants like Three Card Poker, Pai Gow, and Ultimate Texas Hold’em, as well as the staples of craps, blackjack, and roulette. The machines are newer and feature most of the same titles that you would find in a modern Las Vegas casino.
7. Carnival Celebration: 5,000 square feet
The Carnival Celebration is one of Carnival’s Excel Class ships. Launched in 2022, she can comfortably hold just over 5,300 guests and spends much of her time in the Caribbean on six- and eight-day cruises.
They have 24 restaurants, and if, for some inexplicable reason, you’re a huge Guy Fierro fan, they feature his Barbeque Smoke House concept, along with his Guy’s Burger Joint. There are 15 bars and lounges, none of which have any Guy-inspired cocktails that we are aware of, and the usual movie theater, climbing wall, and splash pad-type amenities.
What separates the Celebration from the competition is Bolt, its 800-foot-long, 40 mph rollercoaster on the top deck. This has upped the ante regarding onboard sports deck amenities and, at least on paper, looks a lot more entertaining than another rock-climbing wall.
While smaller than some of our other entries, it covers almost 5,000 square feet of space, has 15 tables, and has slightly more than 200 slot machines. It was voted Best Cruise Ship Casino in a reader’s choice poll in Newsweek in 2023.
FAQs About Cruise Ship Casinos
Are Cruise Ships Rigged?
As multi-billion dollar companies with millions of customers yearly, it simply doesn’t make economic sense to “rig” games.
That being said, there are no gaming commissions on the high seas that you can raise a dispute with, or that have mandated a minimum Return To Player percentage for slot machines.
Many believe that while most slots in the USA are set close to a 90% Return to Player, those in cruise ship casinos are set at closer to 80%, but there is no hard proof of that.
Do You Pay Taxes on Cruise Ship Winnings?
If you are a US Citizen and you win a slot jackpot in the waters off Mombasa or Monte Video or anywhere else in the world, the US government will want their piece of it, and you must pay federal taxes. Any jackpot over 1,200 will trigger the dreaded W2G and 24% withholding on major cruise lines. Technically, all winnings should be reported on a 1040.
If you are a UK citizen, there doesn’t seem to be the same tax burden, though please consult a tax professional should the need arise.
Do All Cruise Ships Have Casinos?
Nope. Even some of the major companies, like Norwegian, have boats that lack casinos, though usually with good reasons. For instance, their Pride Of America never leaves Hawaiian waters, so they would never be in a position to open the casino. Check the casino status before you book, though the vast majority will have them due to their significant revenue contribution.
Are Cruise Ship Casinos Regulated?
Most would be regulated by the country they are registered in, such as the Bahamas. Many have signed agreements and regulations with the CLIA (the Cruise Line International Association) – an industry trade group that provides some rules and oversight – but market forces do most regulation.
The FBI is investigating a cyberattack at the Casino Del Sol in Arizona which led to disruption at the property. Guests were unable to check into their hotel rooms, use the Wi-Fi, or withdraw money from ATMs.
While the casino shut down bingo games, the slot machines, table games, and sportsbook remain functional. The bars and restaurants are still only accepting cash and the loyalty rewards program is offline.
The Tucson casino issued a statement on its website about the issues, explaining that “An outside attempt was made to access Casino Del Sol’s systems.” Both the FBI and Pascua Yaqui Police Department are looking into the matter.
promised to provide updates as the systems return online
The casino did not provide any further details about the incident or reveal if the attackers accessed customer data or demanded a ransom. It promised to provide updates as the systems return online and apologized for any inconvenience that the incident caused.
The Pascua Yaqui Tribe operates the property, as well as the Casino of the Sun, which is also dealing with the cyberattack. Casinos are a popular target for hackers – MGM Resorts International suffered a high-profile attack last year that led to extensive disruption for weeks at its Las Vegas properties.
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Francis Ngannou is a huge underdog in his fight against heavyweight Anthony Joshua on March 8, but don’t tell Ngannou, who’s looking to cement one of the largest upsets in boxing history.
almost resulted in him pulling off one of the most unexpected victories
The 37-year-old longtime MMA fighter shocked the world by stepping into the ring for a debut match against world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in October 2023. His brash carelessness for his opponent led many to believe that he would lose quickly, yet it almost resulted in him pulling off one of the most unexpected victories in the sport’s history.
As the burly Cameroonian returns to fight Joshua, he’s potentially 12 rounds away from joining boxing lore forever—and with only two bouts under his belt.
Ngannou vs. Joshua
Ngannou is a +370 underdog against Joshua, a -500 favorite, according to FanDuel. The implied probabilities of these odds suggest that Ngannou has a 21.3% chance of victory, while Joshua has an 83.3% chance.
Those odds, while still lopsided, give Ngannou much more of a chance than the majority of boxing fans and experts would have expected for his second fight. After all, he was as high as a +850 underdog (10.5% implied probability) at some sportsbooks for the Fury fight, while many live betting odds suggested he was the favorite to win heading into the final round.
Although Fury is considered a better fighter than Joshua, the latter may present a more difficult matchup for the 37-year-old novice. He’s stronger and more willing to take power shots and to throw his own, whereas Fury quickly realized he could not stand in the center of the ring and survive.
Joshua also has tape of Ngannou to watch, whereas Fury had very little outside of his decorated MMA career.
A Ngannou victory wouldn’t mark the first time a former heavyweight champion fell victim to one of the numerous upsets, but it would be one of the more memorable underdog victories. Here are a few of the sport’s best thus far.
Remembering the greatest heavyweight boxing upsets
Buster Douglas TKOs “Iron” Mike Tyson
Tyson was the most feared man on the planet in 1990. He had a record of 37-0 with 33 KOs and was fighting for the WBA, WBC, IBF, and The Ring heavyweight titles when he met Douglas, a 6-foot-4 fighter with a record of 29-4-1 (19 KOs).
landing quick jabs to keep Tyson away from the inside and throwing punishing power shots
Pundits believed that Tyson was going to crush the seventh-ranked heavyweight contender, who was given betting odds of 42-1 (+4200 – 2.3% implied probability). But Douglas showed from the opening moments that he envisioned the fight differently, landing quick jabs to keep Tyson away from the inside and throwing punishing power shots when given the window.
Just about a month after his mother passed away and in the 10th round, Douglas floored Tyson with a fierce uppercut that sent him stumbling backward. He pounced on the wounded champion and landed four shots to the head, putting him on the canvas for the first time in his career. Tyson attempted to get back to his feet but did not make the count, and the greatest of all upsets in heavyweight boxing was secured.
Boxing’s “Cinderella Man” delivers
James J. Braddock, a poor man from New Jersey who outlasted the Great Depression and rose to heavyweight champion of the world, was a +1000 (9.1% chance) underdog against champion Max Baer when the pair set their sights on a June 1935 fight date.
Braddock had a rugged style and was past his peak as a fighter with 27 career losses. Meanwhile, Baer was taller, stronger, smoother, more powerful, and more dominant.
Braddock earned a unanimous decision and received control of all three heavyweight titles
While many expected Baer, already the Ring, NBA, and NYSAC heavyweight champion, to steamroll his way past Braddock, the pair went through all 15 of the scheduled rounds and had their fate decided at the judges’ table. Braddock earned a unanimous decision and received control of all three heavyweight titles, which he retained for two years until he lost to Joe Louis.
Muhammad Ali beats Sonny Liston…twice
Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, was just 22 years old and already an Olympic champion when he locked eyes on Liston, the most feared man of the time. Johnny Tocco, a trainer who also helped George Foreman and Mike Tyson, said that Liston was the hardest hitter of the three, and he was arguably even scarier than Tyson in his prime.
The young challenger was given little chance as a +800 underdog after he’d been knocked down and narrowly edged out a couple of decisions on the judges’ scorecards against lesser-tier opponents earlier in his career. But that didn’t stop him from his customary verbal gymnastics and pre-fight headline-making.
Liston came out enraged and looked for a knockout of the smaller, younger Clay, only to quickly find out that he did not have the speed to keep up with his young opponent. Controversy arose in the middle of the fight when Clay claimed that Liston smeared his gloves in a substance that caused his eyes to burn and for him to lose his vision.
Undeterred, Clay continued his assault until Liston’s corner threw in the towel, citing a shoulder injury suffered during training. That set up a rematch between the two, as Liston did not believe that Clay was the better fighter.
However, that fight also ended in controversy. Clay, now Ali, landed a right-handed shot in the first round that sent Liston clattering to the ground, though the shot came so quickly and subtly that many in the crowd did not even notice it.
The referee did not pick up the count as he attempted to usher Ali back to his corner, leaving the timekeeper to handle those duties. There was no microphone or easy way for the pair to communicate, but it was ultimately decided that Liston did not meet the ten-second window to arise, and Ali was declared victorious.
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Games Global, a leading provider of unique and innovative iGaming content, continues to boost its in-demand portfolio with stunning titles coming from the provider’s exclusive game development studio Just For The Win. This time, the global net of Global Games’ partner operators will have a chance to include the provider’s exciting new release in their respective offerings and draw even more players to their seats. The Dark Waters Power Combo slot game is going live now to bring a range of engaging free spins features, cash prizes and as many as four jackpots to turn the player’s gaming chair into a hard rocking experience.
Slot Release Set to Reach Global Audience:
Games Global boasts its prestigious aggregating platform rolling out more than 1,000 titles coming from its own library or supplied through B2B partnerships with 36 exclusive content suppliers. The aggregated content is distributed to more than 900 operating partners worldwide through a first-class distribution channel. Games Global also boasts a record-breaking progressive jackpot network set to instantly bring the latest Just for the Win‘s development to the worldwide audience.
5,000x Win Potential:
The Dark Waters Power Combo game couples the popular pirate theme with the highly-effective Power Combo™ mechanics to secure an immersive game play featuring three free spins features and the thrilling possibility of their simultaneous activation bringing around some rewarding activity of the reels. The game play also features money symbols with the cash-rewarding potential ranging between 1x and 10x. Their random occurrence will become a pay-out rule when a collect symbol lands on reel six to collect cash prizes and automatically triggers the payout. But that’s not all! Players may win up to 5,000x their bet when MINI, MINOR, MAJOR or MEGA Jackpot symbols land on the reels!
Free Spins Features:
In addition, the slot features the Giant Reels, Multi-Collect and Golden Reel features carrying the potential to award 10 free spins each. But when simultaneously displayed during the bonus round, these features may trigger a massive win potential. For example, the Giant Reels free spins feature will expand the grid into a 6×6 layout to offer as many as 46,656 ways to win. Free spins rounds respectively running during the Multi-Collect and Golden Reel features will additionally offer cash prizes and transforming money symbols. Finally, any active bonus may contribute three free spins to the impressive count and significantly increase the player’s chances to win.
Boosting Award-Winning Slot Library:
The latest development of the provider’s Just For The Win studio extends its innovative portfolio. The laureate of the 2023 Game of the Year Award continues to expand its unique library beyond the current 60 online slot developments to keep adding a significant value to Games Global and Just For The Win brands along the way.
Johan Persson, CEO and Founder of Just For The Win, said:“There has been a boatload of excitement surrounding this release thanks to its gripping Power Combo™ features which offers players true excitement and engagement. We take free spins to a new level in this game, with the addition of Giant Reels, Multi-Collect and a Golden Reel, offering a twist to the title’s bonus mode.”
Andy Booth, Chief Product Officer at Games Global, said: “Just For The Win® has had a fantastic start to 2024 and with this new release the studio elevates its already high-performing slots portfolio. Dark Waters Power Combo™ looks set to be a very strong performer based on the data gathered from our early exclusive release to some of our key operators in core markets.”
Online gaming sites Casino Extreme and Casino Brango are back with another tournament offering mouth-watering prizes – this time totalling a staggering $300,000 in value. The competition, Vault Breakers, gives players the chance to win a Ducati Superbike, a Rolex watch, and even a Tesla Model Y car.
make a non-credit card deposit of at least $20 on either site from March 1 to 31, 2024
All players have to do is make a non-credit card deposit of at least $20 on either site from March 1 to 31, 2024. You will then compete against other players, earning points based on how much you wager and deposit on the sites. The prizes you can win depend on the amount of your first deposit, with two tournaments on offer. But don’t worry, players can participate in both at the same time.
If you deposit between $20 and $99.99, you will be enrolled in the Silver Tournament. This one is offering a Ducati Superbike for first place, a Macbook Pro M3 Max and iPhone 15 Pro for second, and an Apple Vision Pro for third. They are valued at $15,000, $6,000, and $4,000, respectively. The top 100 players will also earn weekly prizes, valued at $15,000.
For those with a little more cash to spare, you can make it into the Gold Tournament with a first-time deposit of $100 or more. This competition is offering a $50,000 Tesla for first, $15,000 Rolex for second, and $10,000 gold bar for third. There will also be $35,000 in weekly prizes on offer for the top 50 players.
In an example of the points on offer, players will receive one point for every $200 wagered, two points for every $100-$249.99 deposit, and eight points for every $250-499.99 deposit. Those eager for more points can make 20 points for every $500 deposit or even 100 points for every week of wagering more than $1 in five days.
To be in with a chance of winning these great prizes and find the additional terms, use the following links:
International Game Technology (IGT), a global leader of entertaining and responsible gaming experiences, separates its lottery and gaming operations. Following internal audits of its Global Lottery, Global Gaming, and PlayDigital divisions, the company reportedly moves to continue its lottery operations as an independent business. At the same time, IGT Global Gaming and PlayDigital divisions will merge with a leading supplier of gaming platforms and technology solutions, Everi Holdings, into a single company worth $6.2 billion, as Reuters reports.
Separating Lottery Operations from Gaming and Betting Units:
IGT Global Lottery reportedly generates more than 50 percent of the group’s revenues. Therefore, it will continue to exclusively focus on own operations, while the two units will join forces to continue offering gaming systems, iGaming, and sports betting as a part of the new entity formed with Everi Holdings. As reported, IGT Global Gaming and PlayDigital will hold title over around 54% of shares of the new venture while Everi will hold the remaining 46%. The source reports that the value of the merger is assessed at around $6.2 billion.
Merger Looking to $2.7Billion in 2024 Revenues:
IGT and Everi expect the deal to bring extensive benefit to shareholders. The combination of a comprehensive and diverse portfolio of gaming and sports betting content, coupled with the fintech solutions, will render the new entity a significant competitive advantage. According to Reuters, the merger is projected to generate 2.7 billion in revenues still in 2024. IGT CEO Vince Sadusky will lead the combined company which will be based in Las Vegas, while IGT Global Lottery will be led by a new CEO, as reported by Reuters.
In the press release, Vince Sadusky, IGT CEO, said: “We are bringing together two businesses with complementary strengths that are stronger and more valuable together. The combination results in a comprehensive and diverse product offering, addressing more aspects of the gaming ecosystem across land-based gaming, iGaming, sports betting, and fintech. The creation of separate gaming and lottery companies, each with experienced management teams and simplified business models, better positions each company to service customers and create significant value for stakeholders.“
Michael Rumbolz, Everi Executive Chairman stated: “We believe this merger combines two highly complementary businesses in a transformational manner, creating a global, land-based and digital gaming, fintech and systems business. We expect the combined company will deliver a comprehensive range of products and services that will engage gaming patrons and drive efficiencies and revenues to our customers.”
Regulatory Approvals Posing Risks to Projected Revenues:
As reported by Reuters, Truist analyst Barry Jonas commented:“The deal doesn’t assume a huge premium for either businesses but could setup over time for a gaming tech powerhouse.”
In addition, the deal is reportedly expected to save around $85 million in costs. But the revenue projected for 2024 may depend on potentially lengthy regulatory approvals. The Truist analyst refers to these as ”significant risks posed by the deal’‘, according to the source.
The merger deal is reportedly expected to close by the end of 2024 or early in 2025. Once regulatory approval have been received, the combined company will launch its operations under the name International Game Technology, according to Reuters. The same source reports that the company will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange as IGT.
Online sports betting has not yet launched in North Carolina – that comes in a week and a half – but the engine is getting warmed up as operators have been granted licenses and player registration has begun.
On Thursday, February 29, the North Carolina State Lottery Commission (NCSLC) announced the first eight operators to be granted licenses. They are (in alphabetical order): bet365, BetMGM, DraftKings, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, ESPN Bet, Fanatics Sportsbook, FanDuel, Underdog Sports. Caesars, which has a supplier license, will run the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ online sportsbook.
State law permits up to a dozen online sports betting licenses, and though the commissioners believe they will see more applications, it may be unlikely that every slot gets filled, as most of the major players are accounted for. The Catawba Indian Nation also applied for one of the $1m licenses, but has not gotten the green light yet.
actual betting, however, does not start until noon on Monday March 11
Customers at least 21 years of age can begin registering accounts and depositing funds starting at noon today, Friday, March 1. The actual betting, however, does not start until noon on Monday March 11, just in time for all or portions of the NCAA basketball conference tournaments and about week before the men’s and women’s national tournaments begin.
North Carolina has three retail sportsbooks at casinos: Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River in the western part of the state, just north of Georgia, and Catawba Two King’s Casino west of Charlotte.
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