In what is either a grand compromise or the cynical conclusion to months of backbiting, International Game Technology and Twin River Holdings have patched up their differences, and formed a joint venture to run the Rhode Island state lottery. (The deal would still need the approval of the Lege, which has balked at Gov. Gina Raimondo‘s 
20-year, no-bid juice job for IGT.) The new company will be split 60/40 in IGT’s favor and be contracted to provide slot machines and electronic lottery terminals to the state. For its part, Twin River would put $100 million into upgrades to its casino in Lincoln. Regulation will continue to reside with the Rhode Island Division of Lotteries, which rides herd on the $400 million/year industry. Raimondo was noncommittal, saying through a spokesman, “We look forward to reviewing this new proposal as it makes its way through the legislative process.” Senate President Dominick Ruggerio (D) and scandal-plagued House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello (D) were both more effusive about the deal.
Neither side made many concessions, although Twin River committed to Continue reading
incrementally, albeit flat in casino-resident cities like Plainville and Springfield. Heck, even casinos had the foresight to offer lottery-ticket sales. Says Massachusetts Lottery Commission Executive Director Michael Sweeney, “I don’t think it’s had any marginal impact, either negatively or positively.” In other words, lottery players 
blew out the 1.5-point money line on the margin of victory, though. As for prop bets, no, Jennifer Lopez and Shakira did not kiss (yes, that was a real prop bet). Pitbull did not take the stage at halftime (ditto) nor did Alex Rodriguez (ditto and what would he be doing up there anyway?). And now a moment of silence for the million dollars that John “Mattress Mack” McIngvale blew on the 49ers, bringing his postseason losses to $3 million. Obviously it does not pay to bet against the Chiefs. But it does pay for sports books to take McIngvale’s action, considering his chronic inability to pick winners (remember his big World Series loss?). He’s as conspicuous a mark as has come down the pike in quite a while and the books should be lining up to take his money, er, bets. Results from the books won’t be available until tomorrow but it looks like bettors other than McIngvale will have done well this year.
knowledge and the incentive to do it? If the Malosos want to make a Brady-to-Vegas deal happen for a certainty they could give Coach Jon Gruden the sack (which would be 
to expand its exposure in sports betting, which will reduce its marketing costs and the price of customer acquisition. Penn is hoping it lures younger gamblers into its retail and online offerings as well,” reported CNBC, which also disclosed that Barstool’s core audience members are known as “Stoolies,” which sounds rather cloacal to us.
on 29.5% less wagering. (Really bad when you consider that the comparison was a 19% slide in December 2018.) Baccarat has been pretty much a non-event for the Strip lately, down 25.5% for the fourth quarter. Non-baccarat table win surged 13.5% and slot win was up 10% on 6.5% higher coin-in. Man, those slots must have been tight (92%). A day’s worth of November slot win was rolled into the December numbers, which didn’t hurt either. Locals slot win consequently shot up 17%, coming off a strong prior-year comparison, even though coin-in was microscopically down.
and “was solidly in line” on the Las Vegas Strip, according to JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff. Protests in Hong Kong and an extended visit by China President Xi Jinping were blamed for the not-quite-disappointing Macanese numbers but, as Greff wrote, that is all “less relevant” than what is going to happen in 1Q20 with coronavirus 
the job. Congratulations … we think. Also, Chairman John Alexander is out and Executive Director Helen Coonan takes his place. “Alexander stepping down is not a good thing but the greater problem that they do seem to have is all the issues related to the sale to” Melco Resorts & Entertainment, said CPS Capital Associate Director Dale Raynes. “They needed to tighten the ship and prove that they have the relevant management in place.” Coonan describes the moves as a response to investor feedback. Crown is being probed, in part, to determine if the Melco sale benefited Stanley Ho, persona non grata Down Under.
the Indiana Gaming Commission to 
plunge. Santarelli’s opposite number at JP Morgan, analyst Joseph Greff countered that “There’s value for those who are patient.” He began by noting a 16% falloff in shares of MGM Resorts International, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Las Vegas Sands and Wynn Resorts. He observed that “a very harsh [cash flow] impact is already being reflected at current levels, and thus we have some level of reasonable confidence that there are values to pick through in 
rationale and a clear conflict of interest. Hard Rock engaged its legal counsel in Greece and has retained counsel in Brussels to review the matter,” the company stated. The “inaccurate rationale” would be a complaint that Hard Rock didn’t explain how its project was to be financed. The “clear conflict of interest” is that “The law firm advising the Hellinikon IRC Tender Committee and the Hellenic Gaming Commission on our disqualification has also represented a member of the competing bidder since 2008.” An unnamed member of the Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment-led consortium is also accused of being part of a “price-fixing cartel.”
United States. China President Xi Jinping has taken various safety precautions, including cracking down on animal markets, which are believed to be instrumental in spreading the disease. Tour groups are being temporarily shut down, while Chinese New Year is being extended to incentivize people to stay at home. The U.S. government, meanwhile, has waffled on getting diplomats and private citizens out of the “hot zone.”