Las Vegas Advisor

Posted on October 26, 2023October 26, 2023 by Eddie Rivkin

Hockey Knights in Vegas Episode 57: Is 82-0 out of the question? Just kidding!

The VGK improved on its NHL record 6-0 start with a 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers Tuesday night. The heroics were provided by Paul Cotter with the filthiest goal of the year with under 8 minutes to play in the 3rd period and Shea Theodore sealing the deal with 32.5 seconds left in regulation.

Lindsey, Chris, and Eddie discuss the streak and how the VGK are winning, even when not playing their best hockey. Concerns about the play of Chris Chapman’s man crush Ivan Barbashev are debunked and put to rest. The crew does a deep dive into the evolving and maturing of Paul Cotter and Lindsey debuts what will be a new weekly segment, “Notes From the Net.” This fast-moving episode ends with a shameless ask and PRIZE GIVEAWAY for subscribing to the channel!

Posted on October 26, 2023 by David Mckee

SCOTUS whiffs, big time; Political roundup

Our august Supreme Court had the chance to decisively outline the parameters of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act—and blew it. SCOTUS had been petitioned by parimutuel owner West Flagler Associates to block implementation of Florida‘s compact with the Seminole Tribe, one which gives the Seminoles exclusive rights to sports betting in the Sunshine State. The highest court voted 8-1 against hearing West Flagler’s appeal, made after activist appellate judges redefined “tribal lands” in IGRA as extending throughout cyberspace, which neatly turns the Act on its head. Only Justice Brett Kavanaugh realized that there were bigger issues at stake and was acutely aware of the IGRA contradiction. Would that he was not alone. The compact, he wrote, also “raises serious equal protection issues.” We’d like to hear those litigated and there’s a chance that West Flagler will get another bite at the SCOTUS apple, although the chances seem bleak. The Seminoles have been green-lit to start taking sports wagers and once that particular ship has sailed it will be difficult to sink it.

Posted on October 25, 2023February 7, 2024 by Richard Munchkin

Podcast Frank Frigo episode 11

My guest this week is Frank Frigo. Frank is one of the founders of Edj Analytics, and we talk about their football model named Zeus which they licensed to various NFL teams to make better playing decisions.

You can reach me at [email protected], or find me on Twitter @RWM21. If you like the show please tell a friend you think might like it, or if you are really ambitious leave a review wherever you listen.

Podcast – https://www.spreaker.com/user/7418966/frankfrigoepisode11f

NY Times article mentioned in the show.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/02/sports/football/eagles-analytics-super-bowl-lii.html

Posted on October 25, 2023 by David Mckee

Tough quarter for Boyd

Third quarter results are out for Boyd Gaming and they could have been a good deal better. J.P. Morgan analyst Joseph Greff minced few words, headling his investor note “Revenue upside more than offset by higher costs.” Ouch. He ratcheted his price target on the stock all the way down to $72/share from $79 (it’s currently trading at $55). Third quarter cash flow of $321 million was just 1% below what Wall Street expected but the disappointment was palpable. Weaker results at the core casinos were largely mitigated by strong ones at tribal Sky River, near Sacramento, and by online operations, which include an invaluable alliance with FanDuel.

Posted on October 24, 2023October 24, 2023 by LVA — 1 Comment

Paradox Museum — You Won’t Believe Your Eyes

A museum devoted to paradoxes (meaning “contrary to expectation” or “the true is false and the false is true”) was conceived in Zagreb, capital of Croatia, and the first Paradox Museum debuted in Oslo, Norway, in April 2022. Since then, branches have opened in Stockholm, Paris, Barcelona, and Cyprus, as well as Miami, East Rutherford (New Jersey), Orlando, and most recently Las Vegas, with more coming to Edmonton, New York, Denver, Atlanta, Toronto, and Montreal.

Posted on October 24, 2023October 24, 2023 by Bob Dancer — 4 Comments

Gambling Aboard the Norwegian Jade — Part II of II

I wrote last week about my gambling aboard the cruise ship. I mentioned that over the two weeks, I was ahead $1,100. I want to address today how typical that result was.

In a casino, the more games you know the more opportunities you have. For me it is video poker and some slot machines. Other players include blackjack and/or poker, and other games as well, into the mix.

Posted on October 24, 2023 by David Mckee

Jottings for a slow news day

It’s business as usual in Atlantic City. For example, it’s no wonder that the Golden Nugget (pictured) is at the bottom of the burg’s casino pile. Our man on the Boardwalk visited the Nugget recently and was charged a steep $90 in resort fees—for a comped room, no less … MGM Resorts International needs to be more George with its Las Vegas Grand Prix guests. It recently sent out an offer for four-day race tickets, free Wolfgang Puck food, opening-ceremony access—but only $40 in free play. That’s not going to attract the big spenders. Maybe event barkers are succumbing to their own hype that gambling revenue is going to triple (we’re not making that up) during Formula One weekend … Bally’s Corp. has quickly redubbed short-term Bally’s Casino as Bally’s Chicago. They’re promoting it to their customer base via Bally’s Vicksburg fliers mailed to Philadelphia customers. As though Vicksburghers are going to fly up to Chicago, especially when no special offers are on the table.

Posted on October 23, 2023October 23, 2023 by LVA

Monday Night Football Parties

Not much has changed this year compared to last with regard to Monday Night Football parties. As we’ve noted for several years now, the days of the must-have-Monday-night-parties are long gone and every year that it becomes more evident. Not that NFL games in general aren’t big events. The sports books and bars are as busy and raucous as ever. But the organized parties are, for the most part, no longer offered. Of course, there are hold-outs, the prominent being the two tried-and-trues: South Point and Sapphire gentlemen’s club.

Posted on October 20, 2023 by David Mckee

Seeing red; Cancer good for biz in South

Talks are resuming, albeit with an apparent lack of urgency, between the Culinary Union and the Big Three of the Las Vegas Strip. True, MGM Resorts International sits down with the Culinary on Monday. But Caesars Entertainment doesn’t meet with the union until a week from today—and Wynn Resorts not until Oct. 30. Wall Street thought the labor negotiations would be resolved by now. It thought wrong. Golden Entertainment execs look damned prescient for predicting a mid-November resolution. It will take the oncoming prospect of the Las Vegas Grand Prix to focus everyone’s minds—and maybe not even then. Yesterday, someone predicted on X that Formula One spectators would be greeted by the sight of picketing. We replied that it was too close to the truth to be funny. It would certainly get Big Gaming’s attention in a grave way.

Posted on October 19, 2023October 19, 2023 by Eddie Rivkin

Hockey Knights in Vegas: Episode 56

WARNING! There’s more naughty language in this episode than usual! LOL

The VGK have opened their defense of the Stanley Cup with a 4-0 start. It’s the first time since the 1997-98 Detroit Red Wings. While the first 3 wins were against less-than-top-flight teams, the 3-2 shoot-out win over the Dallas Stars Tuesday night was the first true test and, in our opinion, the actual beginning of the regular season. Lindsey, Chris, and Eddie break down the game in detail and shed some light on some other significant factors that bode well for the VGK down the road.

The crew discusses the evolution of Jack Eichel since Game 1 of last year’s playoffs and ends the discussion about the goalie rotation going forward. Oh, and be careful! The episode opens with Eddie going on an expletive-laden rant about the lack of professional coverage by some of the press corps. Buckle up! Eddie was really on one!

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