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Casinos
of the world
Websites Media
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Media Media
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Casino News Media Australian
Sports Entertainment
Casino,
Gaming and Hotel Stocks
Markets/Trades
January
2026
Current
Jan
7 into 8
Sin
City Sydney to Wall Street and Vegas
MGM
Resorts International $34.12 -1.62 -4.53%
Wynn
Resorts Ltd $116.37 -4.14 -3.44%
Las
Vegas Sands $61.43 -2.35 -3.68%
Boyd
Gaming Corporation $86.07 -1.74 -1.98%
Caesars
Entertainment, Inc. $23.00 -0.77 =3.24%
Red
Rock Resorts, Inc. $61.27 -0.82 -1.32%
Hilton
Grand Vacations Inc. $46.04 -0.36 -0.78%
PENN
Entertainment, Inc. $13.82 -0.99 -6.68%
Light
& Wonder Inc CHESS $157.26 +0.36 +0.23% (ASX)
Profile
Light
& Wonder, Inc., FKA Scientific Games Corporation,
is an American corporation that provides gambling
products and services. The co HQ in Enterprise, Nevada.
The gaming division provides products such as slot
machines, table games, shuffling machines, and casino
management systems. Bally, WMS & Shuffle Master.
January
2026
Jan
3
MGM
Resorts International $36.49
Wynn
Resorts Ltd $122.57 +2.24 +1.86%
Las
Vegas Sands $65.21 +0.12 +0.18%
Boyd
Gaming Corporation $86.19 +0.95 +1.11%
Caesars
Entertainment, Inc. $23.56 +0.17 +0.73%
Red
Rock Resorts, Inc. $62.97 +1.02 +1.65%
Hilton
Grand Vacations Inc. $45.49 +0.74 +1.65%
PENN
Entertainment, Inc. $14.85 +0.100 +0.68%
Light
& Wonder Inc CHESS $156.00 -1.57 -1.00% (ASX)
News
Flashback
Markets/Trades
News
(post Xmas)
Dec
26
December
2025
New
York, USA and Sin City Las Vegas
MGM
Resorts International $37.68 +0.59 +1.59%
Wynn
Resorts Ltd $124.36 -0.66 -0.53%
Las
Vegas Sands $66.20 -0.13 -0.19%
Boyd
Gaming Corporation $86.60 +1.19 +1.39%
Caesars
Entertainment, Inc. $24.79 +0.29 +1.18%
Red
Rock Resorts, Inc. $62.74 +0.69 +1.11%
Hilton
Grand Vacations Inc. $45.22 +0.18 +0.40%
PENN
Entertainment, Inc. $15.10 +0.46 +3.14%
Light
& Wonder Inc CHESS $158.00 +0.54 0.34% (ASX)
News
Flashback
Hotels
offering up to 50% off rooms ahead of Black Friday
Nevada
(Las Vegas)
A
Strip casino-hotel has announced discounted room rates
ahead of Black Friday, including up to 50 percent
off rooms and resort credits. Sahara announced its
“cyber steals” Wednesday, offering discounted
rates on bookings into the first half of 2026. Until
Dec. 3, travelers can book and receive 50 percent
off “best available” room rates for stays
through June 30, 2026, with no booking fees and guaranteed
room type.
News
Three
days of Formula One excitement about to hit the Strip
Nevada
(Las Vegas)
The Las Vegas Grand Prix returns for its third year
this week, transforming the Strip into a three-day
motorsports extravaganza — complete with racing
action, associated events and road closures across
the corridor. This year’s spectacle is expected
to draw 300,000 fans. “What I love about this
event is that there truly is something for everyone,”
said Emily Prazer, president and CEO of the Las Vegas
Grand Prix.
News
Fallout
exhibit anchors new era of atomic pop-culture tourism
Nevada
(Las Vegas)
As Fallout fans converged on Southern Nevada for their
annual pilgrimage, the National Atomic Testing Museum
was transforming itself, stocking fridges with ice-cold
Nuka-Cola, showcasing pristine bright blue Vault 33
suits and lighting up the iconic “Welcome to
New Vegas” sign. The preparations heralded an
unprecedented partnership between the museum and game
publisher Bethesda Softworks, bringing the world’s
largest publicly available Fallout collection to its
spiritual home in Southern Nevada.
News
The
Lead Up/Flashback
Casino,
Gaming and Hotel Stocks
Markets/Trades
November
10, 2025
New
York, USA and Sin City Las Vegas
MGM
Resorts International $32.85 +0.19 +0.58%
Wynn
Resorts Ltd $130.24 +4.10 +3.25%
Las
Vegas Sands $66.35 +1.14 +1.74%
Boyd
Gaming Corporation $83.06 +1.79 +2.15%
Caesars
Entertainment, Inc. $20.27 +0.45 +2.27%
Red
Rock Resorts, Inc. $59.21 +1.38 +2.39%
Hilton
Grand Vacations Inc. $40.31 +0.58 +1.45%
PENN
Entertainment, Inc. $15.81 +1.27 +8.71%
Light
& Wonder, Inc. $89.50 +8.94 +11.10%
News
(In
Case You Missed It - over a month ago)
Crown
Resorts/Crown Perth, Australia
Writes:
We
couldn’t be more proud of our Crown team members
who volunteered their time to support Telethon7, a
West Australian charity supporting sick kids and their
families. For the 17th year, we were honoured to support
the incredible work of Telethon, hosting the Telethon
Ball at Crown Perth, answering phones in the call
room, giving the Little Telethon Stars and their families
a staycation at Crown Towers and sponsoring the Telethon
Community Stage. On behalf of the Crown Resorts Foundation,
Crown Perth CEO Brian Pereira FCA GAICD FAIM closed
out the weekend with a $2.5 million donation towards
Telethon. (Source: Crown Resorts/Crown Perth)
News
Current
U.S
Sports
Two
MLB pitchers indicted in gambling investigation
Two
Major League Baseball pitchers allegedly conspired
with sports bettors to rig pitches they threw so the
bettors would profit from illegal wagers, federal
prosecutors in Brooklyn and the FBI announced in an
indictment on Sunday. Cleveland Guardians player Luis
Leandro Ortiz was arrested Sunday at Logan Airport
in Boston.
News
Non-gaming
spending up 10.7%, per-capita down 2.6%
Asia
(Macau)
Macau visitors spent MOP20.38 billion (US$2.55 billion)
on non-gaming offerings last quarter, with this amount
up by 10.7 per cent year on year…same-day visitors
spent some MOP3.62 billion, an increase of 27.6 per
cent – versus MOP16.76 billion by visitors who
spent more than one day, up 7.6 per cent…per-capita
spending fell 2.6 per cent, at MOP1,950…the third
quarter of 2025 welcomed an increase of 13.6 per cent
in visitation, which totalled 10.45 million.
News
F1
Las Vegas Grand Prix race weekend rooms
Nevada
(Las Vegas)
Room rates on the Las Vegas Strip during this year’s
Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend at the top
two resort companies are mixed compared with last
year. The average three-night room rate at MGM Resorts
properties on Las Vegas Boulevard are higher for this
year’s race weekend than last around the first
week of November, while Caesars Entertainment’s
rates are running lower than a year prior. The lowest
available room rates at the nine MGM Resorts properties
are averaging $1,624.08 for Nov. 20-23, up 24 percent.
News
Vanderpump,
‘I’m not going to price myself out of the
market’
Nevada
(Las Vegas)
Lisa Vanderpump has stamped her brand across the Strip.
Her Vanderpump Hotel will replace the Cromwell next
year. Vanderpump says she’s planning “attainable
luxury” on the corner of the Strip and Flamingo
Road. “It has to be something that everybody
who has supported me can afford,” Vanderpump
said. “I’m not going to price myself out
of the market.”
News
Casino
News
Resorts
World estimates it will generate $2.5B for transit
by 2030
New
York (New York City)
Resorts World has estimated that it will send $2.5
billion to the MTA [over the next four years if it
is awarded one of the gaming licenses by the state
in December. Resorts World, which has operated a racino
in South Ozone Park for the last 14 years and has
long been considered one of the frontrunners to receive
one of up to three downstate gaming licenses.
NBA,
sportsbooks review most vulnerable bets, wager limits
National
(sports)
In the wake of the NBA betting scandal, the league
and its partner sportsbooks continue to review what
types of bets are most vulnerable to manipulation
and how much bettors should be allowed to wager on
such bets, sources familiar with the discussions told
ESPN on Thursday.
Macau
Macau’s gaming operators recorded gross gaming
revenue of $3.01 billion in October, up 15.9%. The
October GGR figure was 8.7% higher than the previous
post-COVID record month of August. For the first 10
months of 2025 combined, GGR climbed to $25.7 billion
– up 8.0%.
Major
Strip operator predicts strong fourth quarter
Nevada
(Las Vegas)
A slower summer in Las Vegas, marked by declining
September visitation and muted gaming revenue, is
prompting casinos to adjust their strategies, but
top Strip executives remain cautiously optimistic
about a rebound in the fourth quarter and into 2026…
Bill Hornbuckle, president and chief executive officer
of MGM Resorts, said, “Vegas is fine. Fundamentally,
we feel good about the fourth quarter (of 2025).”
Developers
of stalled casino project seek to keep plans alive
Nevada
(Las Vegas)
Last fall, the developers of a stalled casino project
faced some stark words at a Clark County Commission
meeting. With the team behind Dream Las Vegas asking
for more time on their approvals again, Commissioner
Jim Gibson said the situation “can’t go
on forever,” that officials want projects they
“believe are really happening,” and the
likelihood of more extensions down the road was “remote.”
Now, the developers are back with yet another request
for more time…commissioners on Wednesday are
scheduled to consider a request for a third time extension
on the Dream hotel-casino project.
Kelly
Clarkson adds August 2026 dates Caesars Palace
Nevada
(Las Vegas)
Grammy-winning singer Kelly Clarkson is adding four
performances in August 2026 to her “Studio Sessions”
residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. The
new shows are scheduled for Aug. 7, 8, 14 and 15.
Clarkson, 43, launched the residency in July then
postponed several dates after her ex-husband died.
She rescheduled those performances to July and August
2026.
Off-Strip
resort sets Elvis series, no-cover NYE shows
Nevada
(Las Vegas)
Westgate is leaning into — and gyrating with
— favorite showmen past and present. The off-Strip
resort has formally announced details of what we posted
some weeks ago, a series of Elvis revivals in 2026.
“The King: 1973 Live — Aloha From Westgate”
plays Jan. 14.
Thousands
turn out in downtown Las Vegas for no-cover events
Nevada
(Las Vegas) - John Katsilometes, Review-Journal -
Crowds are eating up Feed The Block on Fremont East.
And the annual Halloween adventure on the abutting
Fremont Street Experience drew a mass of humanity
on Friday night. Downtown was jammed on both nights.
Diplo’s headlining performance drew about 10,400
people, city of Las Vegas stats, to the third Feed
The Block event. This was on a Monday night, mind
you. By comparison, about 2,200 people were counted
in the same area on the Monday before Halloween. An
average Friday night in September with no event is
about 5,000 on the block.
News
Flashback
Casino
News
Nov
3, 2025
U.S.
Online and Social Casinos
Fanatics
Casino Expands with Major Launches: Fanatics Casino,
which debuted its standalone real-money app in May
2025 across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and
West Virginia, continues to gain traction with aggressive
promotions and a robust game library, positioning
it as a top new entrant for November.
New
Sweepstakes Casinos Hit the Market:
Fresh platforms like Sweeps Royal and BankRolla launched
in late October 2025, offering over 1,000 slots each,
generous sign-up bonuses (e.g., 750,000 Gold Coins
+ 1 Sweeps Coin), and themed promotions for Halloween
and beyond, targeting social gaming enthusiasts.
Top
Social Casinos Ranked for November: McLuck and Crown
Coins lead the list of U.S. social casinos with free
Gold Coins play, welcome bonuses up to 500 spins,
and 5,000+ titles, emphasizing no-risk sweepstakes-style.
November
Bonus Offers Surge: Sites like BetMGM are rolling
out 100% deposit matches up to $1,000 plus $25 no-deposit
credits, while others like Bet365 offer spin bonuses,
capitalizing on the month's promotions to attract
new players.
Physical
Casino Developments
Resorts
World New York Boosts Economic Projections: The casino
has revised its forecast for contributions to the
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) upward
to $2.5 billion, highlighting ongoing revenue growth
from slots and table Casino Dotorg
Arizona
Tribe Eyes Major Redevelopment: The Salt River Pima-Maricopa
Indian Community is seeking proposals to transform
a former mine site near Loop 101 into a potential
replacement for Casino Arizona, promising economic
boosts and new gaming facilities.
Canadian
Casino Relocation Breaks Ground: The Battlefords Agency
Tribal Chiefs broke ground on a $100 million project
to relocate the Gold Eagle Casino to a 67-acre site
in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, aiming to enhance
tourism and community development.
International
and Regulatory News
Finland Ends State Gambling Monopoly: On November
3, 2025, Finland introduced a new licensing system,
allowing private operators to enter the market for
the first time and breaking Veikkaus Oy’s long-standing
exclusivity on slots, lotteries, and betting.
UK
Faces Backlash Over 24-Hour Slot Casino: Tynemouth
MP Alan Campbell criticized the approval of a controversial
24-hour slots venue at Preston Grange, calling it
a "terrible decision" amid concerns over
gambling addiction and community impact.
YouTube
Cracks Down on Gambling Content: Starting November
2025, YouTube is enforcing stricter rules on gambling
and gaming videos, including age restrictions and
demonetization, to protect younger audiences from
promotional content.
Legal
and Industry Updates
BetMGM Lawsuit Advances: A federal judge denied BetMGM's
motion to dismiss a lawsuit from VIP gambler Larry
Murk, who alleges the operator unfairly inserted him
into an online promo contest; oral arguments are scheduled
for January 26, 2026.
No-KYC
Casinos Gain Popularity: Platforms like BetWhale and
BitStarz are seeing a 68% uptick in users opting for
anonymous play without ID verification, offering faster
payouts and privacy-focused real-money gaming.
News
WWE
and UFC Themed Slot Games Continue To Build Upon Popularity;
TKO Beancounters See Strong Merit; No Official Betting
On TKO's/WWE Action Pro Wrestling Match Outcomes!
UFC
MMA Match Betting Remains Bullish! UFC themed 'The
Smashing Machine' movie gets strong industry and fan
reviews; UFC/MMA themed movie 'Brawler' still happening;
Tipped to be a big hit in Vegas (Media Man Group/Casino
News Media)
News
Flashback And Lead Up
News
Will
Las Vegas be awarded another Super Bowl this week?
Nevada
(Las Vegas)
Las
Vegas could learn this week whether it will be named
the host city for the 2029 Super Bowl when NFL owners
hold their fall meetings. Future Super Bowl sites
will be a topic of discussion, but whether those talks
result in a decision remains to be seen. What’s
known is that the NFL and Las Vegas recently began
exclusive negotiations for hosting duties for Super
Bowl 63 in 2029 at Allegiant Stadium. The Las Vegas
Convention and Visitors Authority has formally submitted
Las Vegas’ bid, and the NFL is reviewing the
package, according to a person with knowledge of the
situation.
News
Analyst
predicts 2026 comeback for Las Vegas
Nevada
(Las Vegas)
Weakness in Las Vegas will continue through the third
quarter, but the fourth quarter "could be better"
...Truist Securities
“In
the current environment, we don’t expect many
earnings surprises, but continue to favor companies
with best-in-class assets.”
Citing:
Monarch Casinos, Churchill Downs, and Station Casinos.
Jonas also liked real estate investment trusts (REITs)
and digital B2B firms, lauding their safety, earnings
growth, and cash flow.
News
Green
Valley Ranch Resort unveils new logo to coincide with
renovations
Nevada
(Las Vegas)
Green Valley Ranch Resort in Henderson has unveiled
a new logo, timed to coincide with property-wide renovations.
Parent company Station Casinos says the "refreshed
identity" is meant to reflect the resort's transformation
and the guest experience. That includes a monogram
that blends the initials G-V-R into a shorthand. "As
Green Valley Ranch approaches its 25th anniversary,
this was the perfect moment to step back and celebrate
our journey while looking ahead to the future,"
Ken Janssen, the resort's vice president and general
manager, said. “The refreshed logo reflects the
on-going $200 million transformation of the property
in terms of being contemporary in design."
News
Major
film studios could be here if some unions have their
way
Nevada
(Las Vegas)
Movies like “The Hangover” and “Ocean's
Eleven” piqued interest in the Las Vegas Strip
long ago. But now Nevada labor unions hoping to boost
jobs and tourism are pushing state officials to offer
tax credits aimed at bringing more Hollywood filmmaking
to the state. The effort to offer up to $95 million
in tax credits to Sony Pictures Entertainment and
Warner Bros. Discovery for a new film production facility
in the Vegas suburbs didn't win enough legislative
support earlier this year. But more than a dozen labor
unions are pushing to revive the proposal during an
expected special session next month. (Wires)
News
Developer
celebrates opening of new Las Vegas hotel
Nevada
(Las Vegas)
The developer of Symphony Park’s new hotel held
a grand opening celebration for the project. Dallas
real estate firm Jackson-Shaw, which opened its dual-branded
hotel in the sprawling mixed-use Las Vegas spread
this summer, threw a flashy party Thursday to give
people an inside look at the AC Hotel and Element
property. The five-story, 441-room hotel boasts 18,000
square feet of meeting space, including a 10,000-square-foot
ballroom, as well as a restaurant and a piano lounge.
Casino
News: Las Vegas
Key
Expansions and Projects
Durango
Casino & Resort Growth:
Red Rock Resorts is accelerating its Durango expansion
in southwest Las Vegas, adding 25,000 square feet
of gaming space and 250 hotel rooms. Construction
starts July 2028, following record Q2 2025 earnings
of $108.3 million (up 55% YoY). The project targets
the booming residential corridor near the resort.
Bally's
Tropicana Site Redevelopment:
Bally's Corp. unveiled a three-year timeline for a
3,000-room hotel-casino-entertainment complex around
the new Oakland Athletics ballpark. Groundbreaking
is set for April 2026, with the $1.5 billion project
aiming to transform the former Tropicana site into
a mixed-use hub.
Henderson
Casino Approval:
Clark County commissioners greenlit a new casino in
Henderson's Water Street District, including street
vacations and design reviews. This off-Strip project
could boost local gaming options by late 2026.
Operational
Changes and Challenges:
Golden Gate Goes All-Virtual: Downtown's historic
Golden Gate Casino has fully phased out live table
game dealers, replacing them with electronic roulette
and blackjack terminals. Owner Derek Stevens calls
it a "doubling" of projected revenue, appealing
to younger players, though tourists are mixed—some
miss the human element, others praise the faster pace
and lower house edge.
Las
Vegas Sands Digital Shutdown:
The company axed its live-dealer streaming platform,
cutting 150 local jobs. The initiative targeted legal
iGaming states but couldn't compete in a crowded market.
Cyberattack
Hits Off-Strip Resort:
An unnamed casino-hotel suffered a breach between
Jan. 8-11, 2025, exposing data of ~4,700 guests, staff,
and partners. No ransomware details were disclosed,
but it highlights ongoing cybersecurity risks in gaming.
North Las Vegas Sale: Poker Palace Casino changed
hands for $9.4 million, per county records. The buyer
plans minor upgrades to the locals-focused property.
Tourism
and Competition Pressures:
California Rival Looms: The $600 million Hard Rock
Casino Tejon opens November 13 near Bakersfield, featuring
2,000 slots and 150,000 sq ft of gaming—rivaling
MGM Grand-scale floors. It's expected to siphon West
Coast gamblers, exacerbating Vegas's 1 million visitor
drop in early 2025.
No
Panic Yet:
Despite sluggish Strip hotel rates and airport traffic,
experts like Citizens' Jordan Bender forecast a rebound,
with conventions driving 15-20% growth in 2026. The
$600 million Las Vegas Convention Center expansion
is key to this outlook.
Big
Wins and Buzz:
Jackpot Fever: A gambler turned a $3 bet into a life-changing
payout at Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa near Las
Vegas. Details on the exact amount weren't specified,
but it lit up social media as a feel-good story amid
industry woes.
Governor's
Blackjack Streak:
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker reported $1.4 million in
Vegas winnings on his tax return, crediting "incredibly
lucky" blackjack hands.
Dining,
Events, and Accolades:
Michelin Milestone: Fontainebleau Las Vegas earned
the first "One Key" designation for a Nevada
gaming resort in the 2025 Michelin Guide, recognizing
its luxury amenities alongside 37 other U.S. hotels.
New
Eats:
High Steaks Vegas, a modern steakhouse by chef James
Trees, debuted atop Rio's Masquerade Tower mid-month.
Meanwhile, Bellagio's Yachts of Monaco boat tours
launch October 3 from the new Carbone Riviera dock.
Halloween
Hype:
Vegas ranks #7 in North American Halloween excitement
per Betway's study. Red Rock hosts "Fright Night
Bingo" on October 30 with free drinks, DJs, and
costumes. Citywide events include the When We Were
Young Festival (Oct 18-19) and Downtown Rocks concerts.
G2E
Spotlight:
SuzoHapp returned to the Global Gaming Expo with innovations
in gaming tech partnerships, drawing crowds to booth
displays. (Grok)
News
Cleopatra
wins Media Man 'Casino Classic Game Of The Month'
award
News
News
Flashback
MGM
CEO says Dubai casino approval still pending as 2028
resort construction advances
MGM
Resorts International has yet to receive approval
to operate a casino at its upcoming $2.5 billion integrated
resort in Dubai, CEO Bill Hornbuckle said, despite
earlier expectations that a decision would have been
made by now.
“I
thought by now, Abu Dhabi would have ruled on what
they were doing,” Hornbuckle said during a recent
industry conference, referring to the anticipated
regulatory green light. “There’s a lot of
dialogue around that.”
The
resort, currently under construction on a 25-acre
artificial island near Jumeirah Beach and the Burj
Al Arab, is being developed in partnership with the
government-owned Wasl group. It will feature MGM Grand,
Bellagio, and Aria-branded hotels, along with a 250,000-square-foot
podium that has been purpose-built to accommodate
a casino should regulatory conditions allow.
While
a federal gaming regulator, the General Commercial
Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), was established
in recent years to oversee commercial gambling activities
across the UAE, the final decision to authorize casino
operations remains with the rulers of individual emirates.
Hornbuckle
noted that the company is still waiting on an official
directive from Dubai’s leadership. “We don’t
have permission yet from the ruler of Dubai to go
forward,” he said. “I don’t know when
we’ll hear, but I do believe this ... If this
gets a casino, and I believe it will over time, we
think it’s a massive opportunity.”
MGM
submitted its license application to the GCGRA in
September 2024. Any future approval would likely involve
both federal coordination and local consent. The GCGRA
is currently chaired by Jim Murren, MGM’s former
CEO.
Meanwhile,
competition in the UAE's nascent casino sector is
heating up. Wynn Resorts is preparing to open the
country’s first casino at its upcoming property
in Ras Al Khaimah.
Scheduled
for a 2027 launch, the resort on Al Marjan Island
will likely be the UAE’s only licensed casino
at the time of opening, according to Wynn CEO Craig
Billings. He said last month that he anticipates it
will be “the first and only casino in the country.”
Wynn
has also expanded its footprint in Ras Al Khaimah
by acquiring an additional 70 acres of land, raising
speculation of a potential second property in the
emirate. Analysts estimate that the UAE gaming market
could generate annual revenues of up to $8 billion,
while Wynn has projected figures closer to $5 billion.
Despite
Wynn’s confidence in securing a dominant position,
sources cited by Arabian Gulf Business Insight suggest
that other operators may eventually receive licenses,
casting doubt on the prospect of a long-term monopoly.
Promotion Marquee
Sydney. The Star, Sydney, Australia; In pictures and video 
(Creative:
Human Statue Bodyart) 
Hulk
Hogan and Ric Flair Bring “Legends of the Ring” to Seminole Hard Rock
Hotel & Casino 
Johnnie
Walker VIP event at Marquee Sydney.
(Creative: Human Statue Bodyart)
Profiles Casinos
Gaming Business
Movies Hollywood
Sports Television
Entertainment 
Monte
Carlo, Monaco: Perched above the Mediterranean, Monaco provides a spectacular
setting. Home to the Monaco Grand Prix and the Casino de Monte Carlo, it is not
the place for those on a tight budget. Paradise
Island, Bahamas: Paradise Island is best known for its sprawling resort, Atlantis,
which spans 2.8ha along a lagoon. Guests can choose from a variety of outdoor
gaming areas. Away from the tables, there is a private beach and 20 pools. Melbourne,
Australia: Crown Casino, on the banks of the Yarra River, is one of the largest
casino complexes in the southern hemisphere. The main gambling floor stretches
for more than half a kilometre. Macau,
China: The gambling capital of Asia, Macau has 33 casinos, plus horse and greyhound
racing venues. The Wynn Macau casino has a 24-carat gold Tree of Prosperity at
the entrance. Baden-Baden,
Germany: On the western foothills of the Black Forest and on the banks of the
Oos River, Baden-Baden is not your typical casino town. However, in addition to
its hot springs and picturesque countryside, the town is also known for its 200-year-old
Spielbank casino. Las
Vegas, United States: With over 1700 licensed casinos in operation, Las Vegas
offers the ultimate package for travellers who fancy a flutter. A visit to the
famous Strip is a must for any player. Manila,
The Philippines: Manila offers a range of shopping and entertainment options,
along with a world-class casino at the Hyatt Hotel, t a short distance from Manila's
tourist hub. Sun
City, South Africa: This luxury resort and casino complex, just two hours from
Johannesburg, boasts two large casinos, two 18-hole golf courses and a wildlife
reserve. Sun City Casino is the entertainment Mecca of the resort, featuring an
indoor jungle of native foliage and water fountains. Atlantic
City, United States: Atlantic City in New Jersey is renowned for its gambling,
shopping and fine dining. The Trump Taj Mahal casino has an on-site shopping district
and an abundance of restaurants and bars.
Genting
Highlands, Malaysia: Nestled on the Titiwangsa mountain
range, just an hour's drive from Kuala Lumpur and
6000 feet above sea level, the Resorts World Genting
offers 360deg views of the surrounding countryside.
The on-site casino, which covers 200,000 square feet,
is Malaysia's sole gaming venue.
Online
Casinos: A Gonzo Journalism Explanation
Online
casinos, aka as virtual casinos or Internet casinos,
are online versions of traditional "brick and
mortar" casinos. Online casinos enable punters
to play and test their luck on casino games via the
WWW. You might say it is a rather prolific form of
online gambling, popular with Yankees, Aussies, Kiwis,
The Japs, Islanders and Europeans. Yep, basically
all four corners of the world.
Online
casinos generally offer odds and payback percentages
that are a modest bit higher than land-based casinos.
Some
online casinos pitch higher payback percentages for
slots, and some publish payout percentage audits on
their websites. Let us assume that the online casino
is using an appropriately programmed random number
generator, table games like blackjack have an established
house edge. The payout percentage for these games
are established by the rules of the game. We don't
want any dodgy accounting systems do we.
The
majority of online casinos rent or buy their software
from companies like CryptoLogic Inc (now Amaya), International
Game Technology, Microgaming, Playtech, Golden Race
and Realtime Gaming. There's always other brands that
come and go, but these are the main ones at present,
as far as we know. Mind you, things move very quickly
on the web - you know its been also named 'The Matrix',
in reference to the Wal Brothers.
Web-based
online casinos
Web-based
online casinos are websites where users may play casino
games without downloading software to their local
computer. Games are primarily represented in the browser
plugins Adobe Flash, Adobe Shockwave (or equivalent),
or Java and require browser support for these plugins.
In addition, bandwidth is needed since all graphics,
sounds and animations are loaded through the web via
the plugin. Some online casinos also allow gameplay
through a HTML interface. Apple devices such as iPod,
iPad and iPhone cannot play Flash games as the technology
is not supported. Again, subject to change, with all
the bells and whistles on Apple smartphones. Hello
to our friends at Apple Headquarters!
Download-based
online casinos
Download-based
online casinos require the download of the software
client in order to play and bet on the casino games
offered. The online casino software says G'day to
the casino service provider and handles contact without
browser support. Download-based online casinos generally
run fast like a rabbit.. than web-based online casinos
since the graphics and sound programs are cached by
the software client, rather than having to be loaded
from the Internet. On the other hand, the initial
download and installation of a download-based online
casino client does take time. You won't be a turtle,
but you won't be a rabbit either. As is the case with
any download from the web et 'Matrix', the risk of
the program containing malware exists. You must be
'The One' or Neo, and not get blocked by the station
guard or caught by a virus spreader - the type in
neo arty Arnie films - watch out for the Ex Machina
wantabees!
Virtual
casino games
In
a virtual casino game, the outcome of each game is
dependent on the data produced by a pseudorandom number
generator aka (PRNG). This determines the order of
the cards in card games, the outcome of a dice throw,
or the results produced by the spinning of a slot
or roulette wheel. PRNGs use a set of mathematical
instructions known as an algorithm (you heard that
word in relation to Google friends), to generate a
long stream of numbers that give the impression of
true randomness. While this is not the same as true
random number generation (computers are incapable
of this without an external input source), it provides
results that satisfy all but the most stringent requirements
for true randomness.
When
implemented correctly, a PRNG algorithm such as the
Mersenne Twister will ensure that the games are both
fair and unpredictable. However, usually the player
has to trust that the software has not been rigged
up to the hilt - to increase the house edge, as its
inner workings are invisible to the user. Australian
and New Zealand newspapers have covered this type
of sandal over the years, so hopefully all is fine
with that aspect now. Properly regulated online casinos
are audited externally by independent regulators to
ensure that their win percentages are in line with
the stated odds, and this can provide a degree of
assurance to the player that the games are fair, assuming
the player trusts the regulator. Yep, all we want
is a fair shake. Like a fair days pay for a fair days
work... enough of the We Economy aka 'Gig Economy'
already Mr Matrix,
Live
dealer casino games for guys and gals
In
a live casino game, a real life human dealer runs
the game in real time from a casino gaming table,
which can be seen via a live streaming video link.
Players can make betting decisions via a console on
their computer screen, and can communicate with the
dealer using a text chat function. No bots or Ex Machina's
here... they are real life people!
The
results of the physical transactions by the dealer,
such as the outcome of the roulette wheel spin or
the dealing of cards, are translated into data that
can be utilized by the software by means of optical
character recognition (OCR) technology. This enables
the player to interact with the game in much the same
way as they would with a virtual casino game, except
for the fact that the results are determined by real-life
actions rather than automated processes. You like
the sound of Real, Yes?
These
games are a lot more expensive for websites to host
than virtual games, as they involve a heavier investment
in tech and staffing. A live casino studio typically
employs one or more camerapersons, several croupiers
running the various games, an information technology
manager to ensure that any technical hitches are dealt
with swiftly, and a pit boss that acts as an adjudicator
in case of disputes between players and croupiers.
In
the majority of cases this requires at least a three-room
setup, comprising a live studio, a server/software
room, and an analyst’s room. The configuration
of these rooms varies from casino to casino, with
some having several gaming tables in one room, and
some having a single table in each room. There's eyes
everywhere.. so nothing untoward should happen to
players. Might even be safer than a real casino -
probably is, if you believe the news media reports
punters.
The
high running costs involved with operating live dealer
games is the reason why online casinos only tend to
offer a handful of the most popular games in this
format, such as roulette, blackjack, sic bo, and baccarat
(the fav of the late, great, Kerry Packer... and also
the James Bond character). In comparison, the running
costs associated with virtual games are very low,
and it is not uncommon for online casinos to offer
hundreds of different virtual casino games to players
on their site.
Online
casinos vary in their approach to the hosting of live
games, with some providing live games via their own
television channel, and others offering the games
exclusively via their website. In the case of televised
games, players can often use their mobile phone or
television remote controls to place bets instead of
doing so via a computer connected to the web. The
most common live dealer games offered at online casinos
are baccarat, blackjack and roulette. Just pick your
poison, throw back a drink to suit, and give her Guernsey,
not matter what part of the world you are testing
your luck in.
Monte
Carlo, Monaco 
Crown
Melbourne, Australia 
Las
Vegas, United States 
Atlantic
City (vintage photo) 
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