Category Archives: FanDuel

Cosmo quits buffet biz (for now); NFL going out with a bang

South Point will have to go it alone in the Strip buffet department now that The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas has shut down Wicked Spoon “temporarily.” Wicked Spoon had a good, seven-month run during the pandemic but the language used … Continue reading

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Dining, Donald Trump, DraftKings, FanDuel, Health, MGM Resorts International, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Tourism, Transportation, William Hill | 1 Comment

Pigskin parade

In spite of high hold percentages and no brick-and-mortar venues, Tennessee sports books came out of the blocks at a blinding pace. November handle was $131.5 million, the most for any first month in any state, ever. (Indiana debuted at … Continue reading

Posted in DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Indiana, Las Vegas Raiders, MGM Resorts International, New Jersey, Sports, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Tennessee, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 4 Comments

Culinary vs. Wynn; Illinois sports betting explodes

Is the Culinary Union cutting off its nose to spite its face? The local had a contractual agreement that all Wynncore members would be keep on full health benefits, even if reduced to part-time status. But when Encore semi-closed, the … Continue reading

Posted in Bally, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Culinary Union, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, GLPI, Golden Nugget, history, Illinois, Internet gambling, Louisiana, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

In case you missed it …

Pennsylvania closed all its casinos Sunday, starting with Rivers Casino Pittsburgh at 12 a.m. The shutdown is to last until Jan 4. The Keystone State joins Michigan (until Dec. 20, probably longer) and Illinois (indefinite). In Nevada, although Covid-19 is … Continue reading

Posted in Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Connecticut, Conventions, Downtown, FanDuel, Foxwoods, Health, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, Louisiana, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Scientific Games, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, West Virginia, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Palazzo closes; iGaming here to stay

There’s no room at the inn at Palazzo. Not permanently. But it’s not a good sign for a Las Vegas Strip whose room rates are bumping along the bottom, even during New Year’s Eve weekend. As Las Vegas Sands said, … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Atlantic City, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Colorado, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Hard Rock International, Health, Iowa, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, South Dakota, Sports, Sports betting, The Rio, The Strip, Tourism | 1 Comment

Wall Street crowns DraftKings; Hsieh: Grey Goose vs. cold turkey

Credit Suisse analyst Ben Chaiken is initiating coverage of DraftKings but not getting carried away. He’s put a “neutral” rating on the heavily hyped stock, with a $48 price target that mirrors its recent trading range. “We believe there is … Continue reading

Posted in Barstool Sports, Caesars Entertainment, California, China, Colorado, Culinary Union, DFS, DraftKings, e-sports, FanDuel, Health, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, Marketing, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Politics, Prostitution, Tony Hsieh, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, William Hill | Comments Off on Wall Street crowns DraftKings; Hsieh: Grey Goose vs. cold turkey

Sports betting accelerates but NFL oddsmakers baffled

If it weren’t for Coronavirus, this year’s top story in gaming would undoubtedly be the rapid spread and runaway popularity of sports betting. Case in point, Colorado‘s $211 million October handle. The continuing climb in wagering is notable in that … Continue reading

Posted in Barstool Sports, Colorado, DraftKings, FanDuel, Genting, Health, Las Vegas Raiders, Michigan, New York, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes | Comments Off on Sports betting accelerates but NFL oddsmakers baffled

New rules, green shoots on the Strip; Mixed messages in Michigan

Casinos in Nevada will take a gut punch tomorrow when new state restrictions go into effect. They’ll have to reduce players on the floor to 25% of capacity, and the same holds true for bars and restaurants. Citing “wildfire” levels … Continue reading

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Colorado, Cordish Co., Detroit, DraftKings, Entertainment, FanDuel, Golden Nugget, Health, Illinois, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Sports betting salvages Pennsylvania

An extra weekend notwithstanding, Pennsylvania casinos were down 16% last month. They grossed $218 million, with $155 million of that coming from the slots (-17%). Table games held their ground better, off 13% for $63 million. Sports betting chipped in … Continue reading

Posted in Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, DraftKings, FanDuel, Greenwood Racing, Health, Internet gambling, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Sports betting salvages Pennsylvania

Sports betting boffo in Illinois; Structural shift at Churchill Downs

Illinois gamblers can’t seem to find their way to a casino nowadays—but they love themselves some sports betting. The state has reached $300 million in handle faster than any in U.S. history—$305 million and change during September. “Illinois’ launch in … Continue reading

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, DraftKings, FanDuel, Health, Horseracing, Illinois, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New Jersey, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Sports betting boffo in Illinois; Structural shift at Churchill Downs

Horseplay in Massachusetts and Monday mega-jottings

At age 86, horse owner Armand Janjigian is as alive and kicking as the thoroughbreds he wants to race in Massachusetts. No, he doesn’t have a track but he’s busily snapping up land for one. He’s also going to need … Continue reading

Posted in California, Card rooms, Churchill Downs, Crown Resorts, Detroit, DFS, DraftKings, Economy, Election, FanDuel, Galaxy Entertainment, Golden Nugget, Health, Horseracing, Illinois, International, Japan, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, New York, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Scientific Games, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Atlantic City looking good but casinos gripe

An extra weekend in October was just what the doctors ordered for Atlantic City, where casino revenues were down just 8% last month, while sports betting surged 26%. Casinos took in $186 million and sports books $58.5 million. Internet gambling … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Detroit, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Health, Internet gambling, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Ocean Resort, Penn National, Regulation, Sports betting, Twin River, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Gaming slows across Midwest … except in Ohio

Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg must have dropped some extra-potent LSD before his last investor call. His comments were summarized by one auditor as, “When we get into a Post-COVID world Pent-Up demand you’re going to see for Gaming And … Continue reading

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Dan Gilbert, Detroit, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Full House Resorts, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Indiana, Las Vegas Raiders, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Penn National, Spectacle Entertainment, Sports, Sports betting, Twin River, West Virginia, William Hill | Comments Off on Gaming slows across Midwest … except in Ohio

Election Special: “The biggest political event ever”

An anonymous British financier will have to wait another 24 hours to find out if his $5 million bet on Donald Trump comes up a winner. He’ll pocket $15 million from Curaçao bookies if it does. The flutter, made after … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Colorado, Culinary Union, Donald Trump, DraftKings, Election, FanDuel, International, Internet gambling, Louisiana, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, Nevada, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, South Carolina, South Dakota, Sports, Tribal, Virginia | 2 Comments

Baker’s casino crackdown; NFL playoffs diluted

No more all-night gambling for you, Massachusetts! Seeing a rise in Covid-19 cases, Gov. Charlie Baker (R) has curtailed casino hours. They have to close by 9:30 p.m. until further notice. If you’re buying booze (essential for Election Night) or … Continue reading

Posted in DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Health, International, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Baker’s casino crackdown; NFL playoffs diluted

At long last, Circa; Las Vegas Strip, empty city

Yesterday was Circa Day, the opening of the most-anticipated Las Vegas casino in a long time (yes, even before Aria). Much of that buzz was due to owner Derek Stevens‘ canny mastery of PR but a spiffy new Downtown casino … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Derek Stevens, Donald Trump, Downtown, Downtown Grand, DraftKings, Economy, Entertainment, FanDuel, Golden Nugget, Health, Illinois, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sports betting, Terry Caudill, The Strip, Tourism, Vdara Death Ray, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Adelson abandons Vegas; Boyd salvages bad quarter

Sheldon Adelson may have flung $75 million at deciding who’s going to run the country for the next four years but he’s giving up on America. News broke yesterday that Las Vegas Sands is shopping Venelazzo for six billion. We’ve … Continue reading

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Conventions, Current, Downtown, DraftKings, FanDuel, G2E, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Rush Street Gaming, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Wall Street | 3 Comments

First Amendment 1, Sahara 0; Pennsylvania sets record

In what must have been an easy call for jurisprudence, a Clark County judge has ash canned the Sahara‘s frivolous lawsuit against Vital Vegas author Scott Roeben. “Ill-considered” was about the nicest thing Judge Trevor Atkin had to say in … Continue reading

Posted in Alex Meruelo, Atlantic City, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Cretins, Dining, DraftKings, FanDuel, Hard Rock International, Ocean Resort, Pennsylvania, Rush Street Gaming, Sahara, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Twin River | 3 Comments

Ill winds in Louisiana; Boyd gets a boost

Gambling win in Louisiana was dealt a double blow last month by those twin vixens Hurricanes Laura and Sally. Hardest-hit as usual was storm magnet Lake Charles, where revenue plunged 65%. Treasure Chest in Kenner lost two days of business, … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Donald Trump, FanDuel, GLPI, Golden Nugget, Louisiana, Money laundering, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Twin River, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Sports, Internet buoy Atlantic City; Detroit struggles

As we predicted, Atlantic City is coming back faster than Las Vegas. It doesn’t hurt that it is not A) primarily a destination market; B) dependent upon conventions; C) reliant upon international travel; or D) at the mercy of the … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Detroit, DraftKings, FanDuel, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, Ocean Resort, Penn National, Regulation, Revel, Sports betting, Twin River, Wall Street | 1 Comment