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Markets, Cryptos, Biz and Culture

April 9, 2026

Sydney, Australia to Wall Street, New York

The Wolf Of North Sydney and ASX vs The Wolf Of Wall Street; Spy vs Spy; All That Glitters?

Media Man Biz Watercooler

Pop Culture themes

"Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" (Cannonball Adderley)
"Gold" (Spandau Ballet)
"The Wall Street Hustle" (10cc)
"Down Under" (Men at Work)
"Thursday's Child" (David Bowie)
"Friday I'm in Love" (The Cure)

Crypto Never Sleeps
The Art Of War
The Fog Of War

"Nothing Ever Ends" (WATCHMEN)

Markets

ASX 200 futures down 22 points/0.2%: 8967
AUD +1% to US70.46¢
Bitcoin $71,000.71 -0.49%
Wall St:
Dow +2.9%
S&P +2.5%
Nasdaq +2.8%
VIX -4.74 to 21.04
Gold +0.3% to $US4719.15 an ounce
Brent oil -11.5% to $US96.70 a barrel
Iron ore -1.2% to $US105.40 a ton
10-year yield: US 4.29% Australia 4.85%

Numbers Double Check

Australian Dollar: $0.7040 USD (up $0.0070 USD)
Iron Ore: $105.40 USD (down $1.15 USD)
Oil Price: $96.50 USD (down $13.84 USD)
Gold Price: $4,719.14 USD (up $12.76 USD)
Copper Price: $5.7530 USD (up $0.1580 USD)
Dow Jones: 47,909.92 (up 1,325.46 points)

News (Aust)

ASX jumps after ceasefire; Woodside dives

The Australian sharemarket rallied on Wednesday, after the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire; the S&P/ASX 200 recorded its strongest session in a year, adding 2.6 per cent to close at 8,951.8 points. Bellevue Gold rose 18.9 per cent to $1.86, WiseTech Global was up 10.7 per cent at $43.35 and Virgin Australia advanced 11.7 per cent to end the session at $2.57. However, a sharp fall in the price of Brent crude oil weighed on the energy sector, with Karoon Energy down 13.1 per cent at $1.89 and Woodside Energy shedding 10.5 per cent to finish at $32.06. (RMS)

News (Aust)

'Dodgy lotteries' facing ban as Albanese moves to shut down new betting front

Communications Minister Anika Wells says the federal government will broaden its crackdown on the gambling industry by banning online keno and offshore lotteries. The move follows the government's announcement of new advertising restrictions for wagering firms; the reforms are not as extensive as the ones that were recommended in 2023 by a parliamentary committee that was headed by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy. However, that report did not consider the issue of online keno games and offshore lotteries. Wells says the crackdown on offshore lotteries will protect legitimate Australian lottery operators and newsagencies that sell lotto tickets; she adds that online keno is a "grubby industry" that has few redeeming features. (RMS)

News

Crypto News

The crypto market gained 4% with a sigh of relief

Market Overview

The crypto market capitalisation surged by 4% over the past 24 hours to $2.45 trillion, making a promising move above the 50-day moving average. Leading the gains were ZEC (+22%), ICP (+13%) and Avalanche (+9.5%); underperforming the market were TRX (-0.2%), BNB (+2.5%) and Monero (+2.8%). News of a two-week ceasefire brought a sigh of relief, sharply boosting demand for risky assets.

The sentiment index stood at 17 at the start of the day on Wednesday. However, significantly higher levels are to be expected unless the situation changes dramatically by the end of the day, as much of the market’s positivity emerged after today’s figures were released.

Bitcoin slipped above $72.7K on positive news from the Middle East, retreating slightly at the time of writing to $71.8K, up 4.8% over the past 24 hours. This consolidation above the 50-day MA and a move above the late-March highs are setting an optimistic tone. The immediate focus remains on the $75K area, near which lies the 61.8% resistance level of the latest downward impulse and two March pivot points.

News Background

According to CoinShares, global investments in crypto funds rose by $224 million last week following an outflow the week before. Investments in Bitcoin increased by $107 million, in XRP by $120 million, and in Solana by $35 million. Investments in Ethereum fell by $53 million.

The inflow into XRP was the most significant among all assets and the largest since mid-December 2025.

According to BitInfoChart, the number of daily active addresses on the Bitcoin network has fallen to its lowest level since autumn 2013. The decline in network activity has negatively impacted transaction fees and mining profitability.

Bitcoin’s hash rate, smoothed by a 30-day SMA, fell during the first quarter from 1,066 EH/s to 1,004 EH/s, according to Hashrate Index. The 5.8% drop was due to the decommissioning of outdated equipment.

Bitcoin is vulnerable to risks posed by quantum computers, but the main risk lies not in the technology itself but in the community’s inability to reach consensus, according to Grayscale. Deciding on a course of action carries the risk of protracted disagreements and could take years. (FxPro)

News

$A an unlikely powerhouse amid oil shock

The Australian dollar has fallen by less than three per cent against its US counterpart since the start of the Iran war; it has also fallen by only two per cent against a basket of currencies of Australia's major trading partners. The dollar peaked at a four-year high of $US0.7151 in mid-March, and is currently fetching arond $US0.69. It has benefited from Australia's status as a major exporter of gas and coal, amid the global ructions arising from the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The dollar has also been boosted by the carry trade, given that Australia is the only member of the G10 nations to have increased official interest rates since the war began. (RMS)

News

The crypto market is in no hurry to gain ground

Market Overview

The crypto market capitalisation has fallen by 0.6% over the past 24 hours to $2.35 trillion. The market continues to hover around its 50-day moving average, reflecting a fierce battle for the medium-term trend. Top coins are predominantly down following renewed caution in traditional financial markets. The day’s leaders are Zcash (+3.1%), Filecoin (+0.9%) and Basic Attention Token (+0.6%). Among the underperformers are Avalanche (-9.7%), Algorand (-8.6%) and Ethereum Classic (-5.5%).

Bitcoin briefly exceeded $70K on Monday but failed to hold the level, retreating to $68.6K by Tuesday morning. This represents further fluctuations within the corrective rebound pattern in which the leading cryptocurrency has been trading for the past two months. The latest price action serves as a stark reminder of the market’s current volatility and how difficult it is to shift sentiment.

Solana is trading below $80, remaining near its lows since the start of the month and at the lower boundary of its trading range since early February. The coin has not traded consistently below this level since late 2023, and its price is now below the 50- and 200-week moving averages, which further point to a long-term bear market.

News Background

The rise in negative comments about Bitcoin on social media has reached a five-week high. This may indicate the likelihood of a trend reversal, according to Santiment.

Only a sustained move above $75K in Bitcoin will signal a recovery in structural demand and the end of the downtrend. Otherwise, BTC risks plummeting to $10K, according to Mike McGlone, senior strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence.

Bitcoin and dollar-pegged stablecoins are in a ‘symbiosis’ that mutually reinforces each other amid the growing adoption of crypto assets. This contradicts the widespread view that BTC will undermine the dollar, the Bitcoin Policy Institute notes.

According to CoinDesk, the US financial firm Charles Schwab plans to launch trading in Bitcoin and Ethereum in the second quarter. Initially, clients will not be able to transfer cryptocurrency to external wallets.

Strategy purchased a further 4,871 BTC ($329.9 million) last week at an average price of $67,700 per coin, following a week-long pause. Strategy now holds 766,970 BTC, purchased for $58 billion at an average price of $75,600 per Bitcoin.

BitMine acquired a further 71,252 ETH for $152 million over the past week. The company’s reserves have reached 4.8 million ETH, which is almost 4% of the Ethereum supply. (FxPro)

News

News: Numbers Today

April 9 (Sydney, Australia)

Coffee $294.95 +7.95%

News

TKO Group Holdings Inc
$197.05
+4.09 +2.12%
Lead Up
$192.96
-4.06 -2.06%

Alphabet Inc Class A
$317.32
+11.86 +3.88%
Lead Up
$305.46
+5.47 +1.82%

Caterpillar Inc
$771.58
+47.14 +6.51%
Lead Up
$724.44
+3.20 +0.44%

Netflix Inc
$99.39
+0.57 +0.58%
Lead Up
$98.82
-0.11 -0.11%

Tesla Inc
$343.25
-3.40 -0.98%
Lead Up
$346.65
-6.17 -1.75%

Wynn Resorts Ltd
$105.24
+4.81 +4.79%
Lead Up
$100.43
-2.28 -2.22%

Light & Wonder Inc
$89.00
+4.25 +5.01%
Lead Up
$84.75
+0.75 +0.89%

Blackstone Inc
$117.67
+4.94 +4.38%
Lead Up
$112.73
+0.49 +0.44%

MGM Resorts International
$37.10
-0.79 -2.08%
Lead Up
$37.89
+0.29 +0.77%

Red Rock Resorts Inc
$57.07
+1.38 +2.48%
Lead Up
$55.69
-0.050 -0.090%

Amazon Dotcom Inc
$221.25
+7.483.50%
Lead Up
$213.77
+0.98 +0.46%

Playboy Inc
$1.58
Flat
Lead Up
$1.58
+0.020 +1.28%

Flutter Entertainment PLC
Lead Up
$109.51
+5.88 +5.67%
$103.63
-1.04 -0.99%

Bally's Corp
$11.32
+0.91 +8.74%
Lead Up
$10.41
+0.030 +0.29%

Formula One Group Series A
$81.47
+1.67 +2.09%
Lead Up
$79.80
+0.24 +0.30%

Red Light Holland Corp
$0.020
-0.00090 -4.31%

Porsche Automobile Holding SE Unsponsored Germany ADR
$3.72
+0.10 +2.76%

Volvo ADR
$35.45
+2.21 +6.65%

Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings PLC
GBX 40.72
+3.24 +8.64%

BHP Group Ltd
$76.96
+3.65 +4.98%

Mp Materials Corp
$54.44
+4.951 +0.00%

Arafura Rare Earths Ltd
$0.32
+0.020 +6.78%

Paramount Skydance Corp
$10.82
-0.080 -0.73%

Warner Bros Discovery Inc
$27.55
+0.18 +0.66%

Walt Disney Co
$99.18
+3.40 +3.55%

Reference:

Google Finance
https://google.com/finance/

News

Gaming (U.S)

The United States Igaming Revenue Report — February 2026

U.S National (igaming/results)

Complete Igaming - Total igaming revenue for February 2026 in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, West Virginia, Delaware, and Rhode Island added up to $885.5 million as compared to $711 million in 2025

Michigan generated $273.1 million compared to $209.1 million.
New Jersey $251.8 million compared to $207.8 million.
Pennsylvania $239.9 million versus $207.6 million. Connecticut $63.4 million compared to $51.9 million.
West Virginia $37.1 million compared to $24.9 million.
Delaware $14.4 million versus $6.6 million.
Rhode Island $5.8 million and $3.1 million in February 2025

News

Vegas News

Weakness’ persists in Las Vegas, now affecting locals properties, Jefferies analyst says

Group and convention business in Las Vegas is performing as expected, Jefferies Equity Research analyst David Katz wrote in an April 6 investor note. However, leisure-customer “weakness continues to persist,” finally spilling over into the locals market. Consequently, Katz was continuing to keep a “tempered” stance toward the Las Vegas Strip. “The more economically sensitive portion of gaming demand is likely to face continued near-term headwinds, as consumers contend with elevated airfares [fares],” he explained.

News

Business/Politics/ASX Market (Australia)

April 9

ASX jumps after ceasefire; Woodside dives

News

Pop Culture themes

"Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" (Cannonball Adderley)
"Gold" (Spandau Ballet)
"The Wall Street Hustle" (10cc)
"Bulls on Parade" (Rage Against the Machine)
"White Rabbit" (Jefferson Airplane)

News

Mining (Australia)

Rio Tinto iron ore chief is on a $20b, two-decade mine opening treadmill

Rio Tinto aims to bring a major new iron ore mine into production each year until the end of this decade. However, Rio Tinto's head of iron ore Matt Holcz is facing a number of challenges in achieving this target, including the growing push to re-unionise the Pilbara and China's attempts to leverage its purchasing power to get a better deal when buying iron ore from Australia; BHP is the focus of the latter, although profit margins across the industry could be affected if China Mineral Resources Group prevails. Ray David from Airlie Funds Management says that ensuring sufficient diesel supplies, falling ore grades, the high cost of mine replacements and the impact of the Simandou project in Guinea are the four major concerns for Rio Tinto's iron ore division at present. (RMS)

News

Media (Aust)

Top media bosses unite to fight AI giants over copyright law changes

Australian media industry executives have urged the federal government against watering down the nation's copright laws to accommodate AI platforms. News Corp Australasia's executive chairman Michael Miller contends that the existing copright system is not broken, and says it is instead a 'blueprint' for negotiations with AI platforms. Nine Entertainment CEO Matt Stanton says AI is a transformative technology that local companies are embracing, but he warns that relaxing copright laws would "rip off" Australian creatives. Guardian Australia MD Rebecca Costello in turn says the government's priority should be to ensure that the existing righs-based system functions effectively for AI use. (RMS)

News

Oil faces falling volatility, but unlikely prices

The US is offering Iran negotiations.

Without dialogue, we must be prepared for an escalation. The oil market is nearing a mutually agreed conclusion, but the lack of mutual trust between the parties is significantly complicating the situation. The US has provided Iran with a list of 15 points, the completion of which would resolve the conflict in the Middle East. Previously, there were reports that Iran had presented its own conditions.

These have not been officially confirmed, but we have heard on numerous occasions of demands for non-aggression guarantees and reparations for damage already inflicted. At stake is the reopening of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 15 million barrels of crude oil and 5 million barrels of refined fuel previously passed.

According to JP Morgan estimates, the current shortfall is approximately 16 million barrels per day. This figure will decrease as barrels from the strategic reserves of IEA member countries are released into the market and as Gulf states explore alternative routes, such as the Red Sea. Nonetheless, the global economy faces the threat of a long-term deficit of 10 million barrels per day, which increases the risk of stagflation and recession. According to estimates by Oxford Economics, without a deal between Washington and Tehran, the Strait of Hormuz will only regain 50% of its pre-war capacity by May. Iran is gradually softening its stance, permitting tankers from countries not involved in the conflict to pass through while charging them a $2 million fee.

According to Israeli television reports, the US is seeking a one-month ceasefire to discuss a plan that includes dismantling Iran’s nuclear programme, ending support for terrorist groups, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Even in the most optimistic scenario, it will take months for Gulf countries to restore pre-war production levels. Coupled with difficulties in replenishing onshore stocks, this casts doubt on a quick fall in Brent prices.

Most likely, North Sea crude will remain above $65–70 per barrel by the end of 2026. The absence of constructive dialogue between the US and Iran could lead to further escalation, including other regional countries joining the US-Israeli coalition and possibly a ground operation by Washington. In such a scenario, Brent may rise to $160 a barrel. This is the price that some countries are already paying for oil from the Middle East that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz. (FxPro)

News

The miners to own in diesel crisis

Bell Potter's survey of Australian-listed mining companies concluded that diesel fuel accounted for up to 15 per cent of their operating costs prior to the start of the Iran war. Stuart Howe from Bell Potter says the war and the surge in crude oil prices will result in higher costs for much of the mining sector, while production could be impacted by the availability of diesel. Bell Potter recommends that investors rotate into mining stocks that are less exposed to diesel prices. Analysts note that miners with large-scale open-cut operations are most at risk of a supply crisis due to their heavy reliance on diesel-powered truck fleets. (RMS)

News

Batteries, coal push out east coast LNG shortage to 2029

The Australian Energy Market Operator now expects any gas supply shortage in the south-eastern states to occur in 2029, compared with its previous forecast of 2028. AEMO says gas shortfalls in 2029 are now regarded as a risk only during "extreme peak day demand conditions". It has cited a number of factors for its revised forecast, including expectations of lower demand for gas for power generation, an extension of the Eraring coal-fired power station's operating life and the estimated 30 gigawatts of battery storage projects that are currently being developed. Energy Minister Chris Bowen says the improved outlook shows that the federal government's "balanced" energy plan is working. (RMS)

News

News Lead Up

Streaming News Watercooler

Netflix CEO allegedly won’t speak to Meghan Markle on phone without lawyer

Meghan Markle is caught in a fresh Netflix storm with rumors claiming CEO Ted Sarandos is refusing to take her calls without a lawyer. Netflix denies everything but whispers of canceled deals and rising tension have fans questioning the truth!

News

A.I News

Watchdog warns against 'dangerously' positive AI advice amid crypto trading spike

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has expressed concern about the growing tendency for young Australians to use artificial intelligence platforms like ChatGPT for financial advice. Its figures show young people are following 'dangerously' positive AI recommendations about investing in risky investments such as crypto, with their faith in what has been referred to as 'unverified, risk-averse digital advice' occurring as many Australians are struggling with major cost of living pressures; ASIC's figures also show that 23 per cent of Gen Z now hold crypto assets; up from just 9 per cent in 2023. (RMS)

News

Resources

Drill, baby, drill: Boom for mineral, petroleum explorers

Advisory firm BDO has calculated that ASX-listed mineral and petroleum explorers raised a record $5.63 billion in the final quarter of last year. It broke the previous record for fund raising of $3.75 billion that was set in the same period in 2021, with the $5.63 billion in fund raising leaving mineral and petroleum explorers with record cash reserves of $12 billion. It comes as the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that spending on mineral exploration hit a two-year high in the final quarter of 2025, while spending on petroleum exploration was at a decade high. (RMS)

News

A.I News

Global giants join Australia in fight to make AI companies pay for content

Both the US and the UK appear to be backing the stance of the federal government of wanting AI companies pay for their use of content that has been produced by artists, musicians and journalists. In a document released on Friday that was titled 'Respecting Intellectual Property Rights and Supporting Creators', the White House stated that US copyright laws - under which content theft for the training of AI models, or any other use, is illegal - will remain. For its part, the UK government stated last week that it no longer had a "preferred option" on copyright reform, which comes after it last year endorsed a proposal that would have allowed tech companies to use copyrighted work without permission unless rights holders 'opted out' of the process. Its change of stance follows a longrunning campaign – led by artists including Elton John and Thom Yorke from Radiohead – which warned that the unlicensed use of copyrighted material for training AI models was threatening the livelihoods of people working in the creative industries. (RMS)

News

Gold News

Gold is back in focus as markets react to geopolitics

The market is fixated on the threat of accelerating inflation driven by high energy prices. As a result, central banks are expected to adopt a tighter monetary policy, keeping rates at high levels or even raising them. This has a positive impact on fiat currencies and strips gold of its key feature as a store of value amid currency debasement. It is no surprise that the precious metal, which had got off to a strong start, has been losing out to Bitcoin and the US dollar since the start of the armed conflict in the Middle East. Although gold is generally regarded as a safe-haven asset, in the early stages of financial market turmoil, investors often choose to flee to liquidity. They favour fiat currencies and are far more willing to buy US dollar-nominated short-term treasuries.

Gold prices usually recover only if market shocks worsen, fears of recession or stagflation rise, and central banks start adding liquidity. Bank of America believes that the markets are still underestimating the scale of the potential consequences of geopolitical tension. They are fixated on the threat of accelerating inflation and are not considering a global economic downturn. Therefore, the longer the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran lasts, the better it is for the precious metal.

UBS Global Wealth Management notes that gold serves as a hedge against currency devaluation, rising budget deficits and recession. All of these could result from a geopolitical shock. The firm therefore maintains its bullish outlook on gold. In its view, the precious metal could rise to the $5,900-$6,200 range before the end of this year. However, gold must first weather the storm of numerous central bank meetings. The RBA has already raised its cash rate to 4.15%. Investors now expect ‘hawkish’ rhetoric from the rest. The ECB and the Bank of Japan are ready to tackle inflation, and the futures market expects them to tighten monetary policy. The Fed and the Bank of England are most likely to talk about prolonged pauses in their cycles.

Thus, gold appears to be a win-win option. It will gain if the conflict in the Middle East drags on, and will not lose if it ends. Investors just need to be patient for a little while. (FxPro)

News

Best Quotes

"A bet on yourself is the best investment" Greg Tingle, Founder, Media Man Group

"Everyone you meet knows something you don't" Fred Schebesta, Finder/Crypto Castle

"There's a customer born every minute" P.T. Barnum

"Everything is competition" Paul Levesque aka "Triple H", WWE

News

Awards

Roy Morgan wins Media Man 'Media Series Company Of The Month' award

The Australian Financial Review wins Media Man 'Newspaper Of The Month' award; Runner-up: The Australian

Google wins Media Man 'Search Engine Of The Month' award

Netflix wins Media Man 'Streaming Service Of The Month' award

WWE wins Media Man 'Wrestling Promotion Of The Month' award

UFC wins 'Combat Sports Brand Of The Month' award; Runner-ups: Most Valuable Promotions, Everlast, BKFC

Mack Trucks wins Media Man 'Truck Brand Of The Month' award

CAT wins Media Man 'Heavy Industry Brand Of The Month' award

Dynasty: The Murdochs wins 'Streaming Show Of The Month' award (Netflix)

Media Man

Markets, Cryptos and Culture

April 3, 2026

Thank God It's Friday Edition

Sydney, Australia to Wall Street, New York, and beyond the Blackstump and Internet Matrix Of Things!

Pop Culture themes

"Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" (Cannonball Adderley)
"Gold" (Spandau Ballet)
"The Wall Street Hustle" (10cc)
"Bulls on Parade" (Rage Against the Machine)
"White Rabbit" (Jefferson Airplane)
"I've Got Friday On My Mind" (The Easybeats)

Markets

AUD -0.03% to US69.08¢
BTC $66,899.15 -1.79%
Dow -0.1%
S&P +0.1%
NAS +0.2%
VIX -0.67 to 23.87
Gold -1.7%: $US4676.76 an oz
Silver 73.002 -2.081
Brent oil +7.8% to $US109.13 a b
Iron ore -0.1% to $US106.25 a ton
10-year yield: US 4.30% Aust 5.03%

News

The Lead Up (Approx 12 Hours Ago)

ASX futures down 65 points/0.8%: 8487
USD flat: US68.84¢
BTC $66,233.27 -0.73%
Dow -1.7%
S&P -1.7%
NAS -2.2%
Gold +2.7% to $US4494.09 an oz
Silver 68.646 -0.869
Brent oil +4.2% at $US112.57 a barrel
Iron ore -0.1% at $US107.25 a ton

News

Numbers Double Check

April 2

The Lead Up

Australian Dollar: $0.6930 USD (up $0.0030 USD) Iron Ore: $106.30 USD (up $0.82 USD) Oil Price (WTI): $99.32 USD (down $2.54 USD) Gold Price: $4,756.87 USD (up $83.53 USD) Copper Price: $5.6225 USD (down $0.0175 USD) Dow Jones: 46,565.74 (up 224.23 points on yesterday's close)

News

April 2

Shares And Markets News

Iron ore giants BHP (down 2.5 per cent), Fortescue (down 4 per cent) and Rio Tinto (down 2.3 per cent) all declined, while gold miners Northern Star Resources (down 0.9 per cent) and Evolution Mining (down 4.6 per cent) also fell.

Tech stocks slumped after their surge on Wednesday, with software makers WiseTech, Xero and Technology One down 4.3 per cent, 3.8 per cent and 3.6 per cent, respectively, and data centre operator NextDC losing 3.8 per cent.

Oil prices rose back over the $US100-mark per barrel following Trump’s speech, with Brent Crude, the international benchmark, climbing 4.4 per cent to $US105.64 amid waning hopes for a swift resolution to the conflict. Energy stocks were mixed, with Woodside falling 0.6 and while Santos gained 1.4 per cent.

Surf and outdoor apparel retailer KMD’s shares tanked 54.8 per cent as it emerged from its trading halt after the owner of the struggling Rip Curl brand said it completed a $58.5 million emergency capital raising from institutional investors to shore up its balance sheet.

It was a mixed day of trading for the big four banks, with Commonwealth Bank rising 0.6 per cent and ANZ Bank adding 0.7 per cent, while Westpac lost 0.5 per cent and National Australia Bank shed 0.3 per cent.

News

Oil News

Oil is in no hurry to reverse course

March was a record-breaking month for Brent
Rumours of peace are easing tensions but have not yet reversed the trend. The oil market was swept up in euphoria following Donald Trump's comments that the conflict in the Middle East would end within 2–3 weeks. After a record 63% rally in March, Brent took a step back. Investors are ready to use TACO and sell what they bought earlier. However, complacency is the main risk for black gold. Firstly, the US continues to deploy troops to the region, and the past year has taught investors to watch the actions, rather than the rhetoric, of top American politicians following the dashed hopes surrounding the Iran–US negotiations. But even if this is true, the Americans' withdrawal from the Middle East does not mean the end of the conflict. The US President is calling on countries in the region to learn to defend themselves and on importers to come and take the oil they need by force. As a result, the UAE is prepared to get drawn into the conflict. According to estimates by FGE NexantECA, a closure of the Strait of Hormuz would result in losses of 100 million barrels per week and 400 million barrels per month. If it lasts another 6–8 weeks, Brent could reach the $150–200 range. This forecast is in line with Sociénéété Generale's estimate of $150 per barrel and Macquarie Group's estimate of $200. The Iranians are also warning the world of a rise to the upper end of this range, while the US presidential administration calls $100 the 'base' price and does not rule out $200. Even if the Strait of Hormuz is reopened, it will take considerable time to restore pre-war infrastructure. The flow of tankers will not return immediately; supply issues will ease but will not disappear. It is unlikely that Brent will return to levels near $60 by the end of the year, as seen at the end of last year. Unlike in 2022, US drillers are in no hurry to come to consumers' aid, producing an average of 13.2 million bpd in January, down from 13.9 million bpd in October. The decline in production over the last three months is one of the largest in the last ten years. The US oil industry prefers paying dividends to shareholders rather than developing new fields and increasing production, despite Donald Trump's "drill, baby, drill" call. Consequently, without an end to the conflict in the Middle East and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, it is premature to expect prices to return to February levels. (FxPro)

News (Aust)

The Lead Up (48 Hours Ago)

Alphabet Inc Class A
$295.77 -0.54%
(-1.62) Today
Lead Up
$274.34 -6.63 -2.36%

TKO Group Holdings Inc
$203.76 +2.69 Today 1.34%
Lead Up
$189.20 -3.44 -1.79%

Netflix Inc
$98.66 +3.11 +3.25%
Lead Up
$93.43 +0.11 _0.12%

Wynn Resorts Ltd
$102.03 -0.57 0.56%
Lead Up
$96.59 -2.88 -2.90%

Caterpillar Inc
$717.22 -13.10 1.79%
Lead Up
$695.40 -7.79 -1.11%

News

24 Hours Ago

The crypto market has lost 3% but has not broken through support

Market Overview
The crypto market has lost approximately 3% of its market capitalisation, falling back to $2.29T and returning to the lower boundary of the trading range seen over the last seven days. Trump’s latest comments on the war with Iran triggered a sharp sell-off amid a lack of de-escalation signs. TRON (-0.2%), Toncoin (-0.9%) and Neo (-1.3%) appear relatively stable. Dash (-8.6%), Uniswap (-8.0%) and Solana (-5.9%) have been hit hardest.
The Fear and Greed Index rose by 4 points today to 12, partially recovering from yesterday’s drop to 8 — the lowest level in recent weeks. Nevertheless, the index remains deep in the extreme fear zone, where it has been virtually uninterrupted for the past month.

Bitcoin lost 2.8% over the day, returning to levels near $66.2K. Once again, the 50-day moving average acted as resistance, preventing the price from consolidating above it. The leading cryptocurrency quickly swung to the other extreme and is now testing the support of the uptrend. Key support ($66K) and resistance ($69K) levels are converging, bringing the moment of a definitive trend decision closer.

Ethereum looks slightly more confident, remaining above the $2K round figure, above the 50-day MA and the support line of the multi-year trend. Should pressure on the crypto market intensify, it will be worth monitoring whether the second-largest cryptocurrency can hold above $1.8K. A break below this level would be a significant bearish signal, potentially triggering sell-offs across a wider range of coins and bringing an end to the crypto market’s recent resilience to external threats.

News

Pop Culture

Danhausen Launches Official WWE Mask for WrestleMania Fans

The eccentric wrestler, who joined WWE from AEW in late February, released a $14.99 plastic mask on April 1 that lets fans channel his 'very nice, very evil' cursed persona. Timed for WrestleMania 42 on April 18-19 in Las Vegas, the merch follows hot-selling T-shirts and sold-out meet-and-greets since his surprise debut from a mystery crate at Elimination Chamber. Fans shared memes comparing it to 3 Ninjas while dreaming of masked takeovers, though some noted the plastic feels basic compared to custom versions. Media Man Peg On: WWE Unmasked vs KISS Unmasked!

News

WrestleMania X-Seven Marks 25 Years as Attitude Era Peak

The April 1, 2001, event grossed $3.5 million and featured classics like TLC II where the Dudley Boyz won the Tag Team Titles, The Undertaker's 9-0 streak over Triple H, and Kurt Angle submitting Chris Benoit. The main event saw Stone Cold Steve Austin shock everyone by aligning with Vince McMahon to beat The Rock for the WWF Championship in a bloody No DQ brawl. Attendees still recall the massive crowd pops and glass-shattering entrances, with fans today sharing iconic hype videos that capture the raw intensity of wrestling's golden peak. Media Man Peg-On: Is WWE currently approaching another "Golden Era"?!

News Lead Up/Flashback

March 27

Crypto has pulled back, but appears stronger than stocks

Market Overview

The crypto market’s capitalisation fell by 3.4% over the past 24 hours to $2.36 trillion, remaining close to the uptrend line. The downward momentum was once again driven by stock indices, which returned to their lows at the start of the week. However, whilst the Nasdaq 100 has shown a steady downward trend on weekly charts since late January, cryptocurrencies have been forming a sequence of higher local lows since early February, when the market touched the 200-week moving average – a key long-term trend line.

Bitcoin has fallen below $69K, testing the strength of the 50-day MA and the support of the upward trend of the last two months. The nervous mood in the financial markets makes cryptocurrencies, and Bitcoin in particular, vulnerable in the event of a large-scale sell-off. For BTC, the 200-week MA has historically been the most important long-term support level. It currently sits near $60K. However, it is worth remembering that in 2022–2023, the price fell more than 30% below this line before finding structural support for many weeks.

News Background

Bitcoin miner MARA has sold 15,133 BTC for $1.1 billion since the start of the month. The company intends to use the proceeds to buy back its own bonds. The miner’s remaining reserves are estimated at 38,689 BTC.

The cost of Bitcoin mining for public companies has reached $80K and, for some miners, exceeded $100K, according to CoinShares. The fourth quarter of 2025 has been the most challenging for Bitcoin miners since the last halving. The US (38%), Russia (17%), and China (12%) continue to dominate global Bitcoin mining, collectively accounting for around 68% of the world’s hash rate.

Adam Livingston, an analyst and author of the book ‘The Great Harvest: AI, Labor, and the Bitcoin Lifeline’, believes the risk of a Bitcoin crash, as seen in 2022, is minimal due to the market’s more mature structure. According to his calculations, BTC volatility has been steadily declining over the past 11 years.

US investment firm Franklin Templeton, in partnership with Ondo Finance, will launch tokenised versions of its ETFs, accessible directly via crypto wallets. (FxPro)

News

Media (Aust)

Top media bosses unite to fight AI giants over copyright law changes

News

Oil faces falling volatility, but unlikely prices

The US is offering Iran negotiations.

News

AI News (Aust)

Attorney-General Michelle Rowland has told an event hosted by the media and creative sectors at Parliament House that Australia's existing copyright regime has served it well for many years. She said the federal government had said for some time that it has no plans to weaken copyright protections when it comes to artificial intelligence, while Australia's creative and media sector have made it clear that they are prepared to do licence deals with AI firms, and that existing copyright laws enable them to do just that. (RMS)

News

The miners to own in diesel crisis

News

Batteries, coal push out east coast LNG shortage to 2029

News

News Lead Up

Streaming News Watercooler

Netflix CEO allegedly won’t speak to Meghan Markle on phone without lawyer

News

A.I News

Watchdog warns against 'dangerously' positive AI advice amid crypto trading spike

News

Resources

Drill, baby, drill: Boom for mineral, petroleum explorers

News

A.I News

Global giants join Australia in fight to make AI companies pay for content

News

Betting on Americas and keeping BHP whole

BHP has ended long-running speculation about succession planning after announcing that Brandon Craig will succeed CEO Mike Henry. The BHP veteran has ruled out demerging assets such as the resources group's copper mines during his tenure, which will start on 1 July. Craig says he believes that a diversified model is still superior, especially in the mining sector. He argues that BHP's ability to use its flagship iron ore division to fund projects such as copper and potash mines differentiates it from rivals. Craig says BHP may be open to mergers and acquisitions, although he says any such opportunities would need to be compelling to compete with its internal growth options. He has also indicated that BHP's focus will shift to the Americas, where many of its growth projects are located. (RMS)

News

X Newsfeed

WWE

Cody Rhodes and Matt Cardona Dish on Indie-to-WWE Return

WWE Champion Cody Rhodes hosted Matt Cardona on 'What Do You Wanna Talk About?', where Cardona detailed his path back to WWE after six years as the 'Indy God.' It started with his wife Chelsea Green nudging President Nick Khan during a TNA spot on NXT, leading to Cardona's direct text and a January 2026 SmackDown deal. They fantasy-booked a fun ladder match in WWE 2K26, and Cardona shouted out indie standouts Big Trouble Ben Bishop and Richard Holliday as future WWE stars, sparking excitement online about their friendship and the indie-WWE bridge. Media Man Peg-On: Cardona'a indi matches and feud with Killer Kross was excellent. Our Cardona indy highlight. Vs Holliday was great too, as was Kross vs Holliday.

News

Gold News

Gold is back in focus as markets react to geopolitics

Thus, gold appears to be a win-win option. It will gain if the conflict in the Middle East drags on, and will not lose if it ends. Investors just need to be patient for a little while. (FxPro)

News

Roy Morgan wins Media Man 'Media Series Company Of The Month' award

The Australian Financial Review wins Media Man 'Newspaper Of The Month' award; Runner-up: The Australian

Google wins Media Man 'Search Engine Of The Month' award

Netflix wins Media Man 'Streaming Service Of The Month' award

WWE wins Media Man 'Wrestling Promotion Of The Month' award

UFC wins 'Combat Sports Brand Of The Month' award; Runner-ups: Most Valuable Promotions, Everlast, BKFC

Mack Trucks wins Media Man 'Truck Brand Of The Month' award

CAT wins Media Man 'Heavy Industry Brand Of The Month' award

Dynasty: The Murdochs wins 'Streaming Show Of The Month' award (Netflix)

Feb 25, 2026

ASX 200 futures are pointing up 62 points or 0.7 per cent to 9043.
All US prices near 2.25pm New York time.

AUD +0.04% to US70.58¢
Bitcoin -1% to $US64,301
On Wall St: Dow +0.8% S&P +0.7% Nasdaq +1%
VIX -1.41 to 19.60
Gold -1.5% to $US5149.38 an ounce
Brent oil -1.1% to $US70.72 a barrel
Iron ore +0.8% to $US96.65 a tonne
10-year yield: US 4.03% Australia 4.69%

Biz News

Company/Brand Spotlight

December 2025: Past, Present and Future

Wynn

Analysts at Goldman Sachs just added Wynn to its conviction buy list. The firm is confident with Wynn’s “Wynn Al Marjan in the UAE in 1Q27, plus WYNN’s best-in-class Las Vegas assets, leverage to a higher-income consumers, a strong 2026 Las Vegas event calendar, and an improving backdrop in Macau should drive transformative upside at WYNN,” as quoted by CNBC.

News

(Approx 48 hours Ago)

Nvidia

Analysts at Morgan Stanley just reiterated an overweight rating on Nvidia, with a $250 price target. The firm says NVDA will maintain a dominant market share and that threats are becoming overstated.

“We continue to see NVIDIA maintaining dominant market share, as threats are becoming overstated, though we aren’t sure exactly what will turn sentiment around,” they said, as quoted by CNBC. “Customers’ biggest anxiety for the next 12 months is their ability to procure enough NVIDIA product generally, and Vera Rubin specifically.”

Alphabet

Analysts at Guggenheim say Alphabet could run even higher. The firm raised its price target on GOOG to $375 from $330 with a buy rating. The firm is confident in Alphabet because of strong cloud backlog growth, which is being supported by enterprise AI demand. It’s also confidence with Google Gemini’s rise as a leading AI platform with rapidly growing adoption metrics, as noted by CNBC.

News

Polymarket Partnership Could Be a Game Changer for TKO Group Holdings (TKO)

Nov 17 (In Case You Missed It)

Polymarket/UFC/TKO

Polymarket recently announced a multi-year partnership making it the Official and Exclusive Prediction Market Partner for UFC and Zuffa Boxing, introducing real-time fan prediction metrics directly into UFC broadcasts and social media experiences. This collaboration marks the first time major sports organizations have integrated prediction market technology into the live fan experience, creating new ways for audiences to interact and for TKO's sports brands to differentiate themselves. We'll explore how this innovative fan engagement initiative could strengthen TKO Group Holdings' investment narrative by deepening audience connection and content value.

What Is TKO Group Holdings' Investment Narrative?

To see the value in TKO Group Holdings as a shareholder, you really have to believe in its ability to keep building out top sports entertainment brands like UFC and WWE into global, multi-platform franchises. A lot of the story is about continuing to grow earnings and revenue faster than the overall market, attract loyal audiences, and evolve with changes in media rights, streaming, and digital fan engagement.

Recent announcements, such as the multi-year partnership with Polymarket, reflect TKO’s push to unlock new monetization avenues and deepen fan involvement.

However, it’s unlikely this news will materially change the core short-term catalysts, which are still dominated by performance in key international deals, broadcast partnerships, and the rollout of new events. The biggest risks remain legal challenges, compression of media rights value, and questions about board experience. The new fan engagement efforts add differentiation, but don’t directly reduce these core risks for now. On the flip side, investors should pay close attention to ongoing legal proceedings against TKO and UFC.

TKO Group Holdings' shares have been on the rise but are still potentially undervalued by 15%. Ten retail investors in the Simply Wall St Community produced fair value estimates for TKO ranging from US$63.92 to a very large US$37,618.47. While community views can be widely split, ongoing legal challenges remain a topic several market participants keep circling back to as a concern for TKO’s future performance. Explore these diverse perspectives and see how the risks and opportunities stack up.

News Flashback

September 13, 2025

Jones Financial Companies Lllp Acquires 77,883 Shares of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. $TKO Jones Financial Companies Lllp significantly increased its stake in TKO Group Holdings by 149,775%, now owning 77,935 shares valued at approximately $11.9 million.

Several institutional investors, including Vanguard and Invesco, have also raised their stakes in TKO Group, indicating a strong interest in the company, which is now 89.79% owned by institutional investors. TKO Group recently declared an increased quarterly dividend of $0.76, up from $0.38, reflecting a strong return for investors despite a high dividend payout ratio of 125.62%. Jones Financial Companies Lllp increased its position in shares of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:TKO by 149,775.0% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 77,935 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 77,883 shares during the period. Jones Financial Companies Lllp's holdings in TKO Group were worth $11,909,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. Hemington Wealth Management grew its stake in TKO Group by 425.0% during the 1st quarter. Hemington Wealth Management now owns 168 shares of the company's stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 136 shares during the last quarter. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in TKO Group during the first quarter worth $26,000. Sentry Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in TKO Group during the first quarter worth $25,000. Bartlett & CO. Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of TKO Group in the first quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of TKO Group by 129.8% in the first quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 216 shares of the company's stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 122 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.79% of the company's stock. Insider Buying and Selling at TKO Group In related news, Director Nick Khan sold 45,168 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Monday, July 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $170.82, for a total value of $7,715,597.76. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 156,494 shares in the company, valued at $26,732,305.08. This represents a 22.40% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 73,725 shares of company stock valued at $12,767,807. Corporate insiders own 61.30% of the company's stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In TKO has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Baird R W raised TKO Group to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Friday, September 5th. Zacks Research upgraded TKO Group from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 2nd. Bank of America upped their target price on TKO Group from $200.00 to $210.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, August 12th. Robert W. Baird began coverage on TKO Group in a report on Friday, September 5th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $225.00 target price for the company. Finally, Roth Capital raised their target price on TKO Group from $208.00 to $210.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $192.21.

News Flashback

TKO Group Stock Up 0.0% Shares of NYSE:TKO traded up $0.09 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $202.33. 897,072 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 683,611. TKO Group Holdings, Inc. has a 52-week low of $114.01 and a 52-week high of $204.10. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $178.94 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $165.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a current ratio of 1.30. The company has a market capitalization of $40.12 billion, a PE ratio of 83.61 and a beta of 0.79. TKO Group (NYSE:TKO) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The company reported $1.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.23 by ($0.06). TKO Group had a net margin of 5.40% and a return on equity of 2.82%. The business had revenue of $1.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.23 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.72 earnings per share. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 53.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that TKO Group Holdings, Inc. will post 3.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

TKO Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will (was) be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 15th will be paid a $0.76 dividend. This is an increase from TKO Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.38. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 15th. This represents a $3.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.5%. TKO Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 62.81%.

TKO Group Profile TKO Group Holdings, Inc operates as a sports and entertainment company. The company produces and licenses live events, television programs, and long-form and short-form content, reality series, and other filmed entertainment on digital and linear channels and via pay-per-view. It is involved in the merchandising of video games, apparel, equipment, trading cards, memorabilia, digital goods, and toys, as well as sale of travel packages and tickets.

News Flashback

TKO Bullish Friday And Weekend Media Man Edition!

TKO Group Holdings, Inc. is an American sports and sports entertainment company. Established on September 12, 2023, the public company was formed by a merger between Endeavor subsidiary Zuffa—the parent company of mixed martial arts promotion Ultimate Fighting Championship —and the professional wrestling promotion World Wrestling Entertainment. TKO is led by CEO Ari Emanuel and president Mark Shapiro, both of Endeavor; Dana White and Nick Khan retained their roles as CEOs of UFC and WWE respectively upon the merger, while WWE co-founder Vince McMahon served as executive chairman until resigning from the company in January 2024 amid a sex trafficking scandal. The merger marked the first time that WWE has not been solely and primarily majority-controlled by the McMahon family, which founded the company and owned it for over 70 years. As of 2024, the UFC and WWE were the two most valuable combat sports organizations in the world according to Forbes. UFC was listed as the most valued mixed martial arts company with a revenue of $1.406 billion and WWE being the most valued professional wrestling promotion with a revenue of $1.398 billion in 2023. (Wikipedia)

TKO owns iconic properties including UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization; WWE, the global leader in sports entertainment; and PBR, the world’s premier bull riding organization. Together, these properties reach 210 countries and territories and organize more than 500 live events year-round, attracting more than three million fans.

TKO also services and partners with major sports rights holders through IMG, an industry-leading global sports marketing agency; and On Location, a global leader in premium experiential hospitality. (Credit: TKO Group)

News Flashback
September 2, 2025

Market regime change: Microsoft weakening whilst Alphabet strengthens

Nvidia and OpenAI have become synonymous with the AI revolution, each offering its own breakthrough solutions. This has made Nvidia the most valuable company on the market. OpenAI remains private for now. However, the old guard of IT giants, such as Microsoft and Alphabet, are not standing on the sidelines of the AI race, although they are conducting it in different ways, which is affecting their shares differently. Microsoft owns a stake in OpenAI, giving it access to the latest developments, but integrates them into its own programmes, including chatbots. For a long time, betting on Microsoft was an indirect bet on OpenAI with their well-known ChatGPT. This approach paid off earlier this year, as the share price recovered faster than many competitors after the April slump. From its lows at the start of April to its highs at the end of July, the stock soared 55%, already making its way to historic highs since the beginning of June. For a long time, Alphabet shares lagged their competitor in terms of share price growth over the past five years. They were also weaker in their recovery after the April correction, adding 40% to their lows before peaking at the end of July. However, since August, the markets have clearly shifted into a different mode, with MSFT falling 7.5% against GOOG's 13% growth. This divergence began even before the release of GPT-5, the latest model, which faced widespread criticism from users, forcing the company to revert to GPT-4, originally announced over two years ago. Negative sentiment was also fuelled by comments from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who acknowledged that the market is currently in a bubble due to inflated expectations. Google Gemini is steadily developing and gradually gaining consumer support due to its convenient integration into the company's extensive ecosystem. This aspiration resonates with investors. It seems that market participants are seeking to diversify their bets on AI agents, creating demand for Alphabet shares at the expense of Microsoft.

September marks the end of the financial year in the US, and investors often use August and September to switch to new trends or restart existing ones. September is historically the worst month for stock indices, but it can also be a good entry point during a downturn. It is only important to understand whether we are seeing the start of a trend reversal or a temporary correction. Signals of this should be sought in MSFT's dynamics. Technically, with the stock trading at $506, it remains within a corrective pattern as long as it stays above the $450–$470 range. The upper bound aligns with last year's peak and the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement of the rally from the April lows to the July highs, while the lower boundary corresponds to the 200-day moving average. A break below this level would signal a deeper trend reversal. GOOG shares are close to local overbought conditions, as the RSI on daily timeframes is approaching 75, near which the shares have experienced local corrections over the past six years. Therefore, there is a high chance that both shares will soon experience increased selling pressure; the only question is how deep this correction will be. (FxPro)

News

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"An investment in ones self is always the best bet" Greg Tingle, Media Man Group

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Markets, Cryptos and Culture

January 2026

Jan 27

Sydney, Australia re-opens

to Wall Street, New York

Media Man's X Returns With A Bang

Gold Glitters And Crypto's Start To Shine Edition

"Ruby Tuesday" In Sin City Sydney
"Tuesday's Gone" Lynyrd Skynyrd
"Gold" Spandau Ballet
"Stretch Your Face" Silicon_Valley theme (Tobacco. Composer)
"Mercy, Mercy, Mercy"(Cannonball Adderley). The Wolf of Wall Street theme

Markets

ASX 200 futures up 52 points/0.6% to 8880
AUD +0.4% to US69.18¢
BTC $88,344.02 +0.64%

Wall St:
Dow +0.8%
S&P +0.6%
NAS +0.5%
VIX -0.26 to 15.83
Gold +1.1% to $US5043.71 oz
Oil -0.4% to $US65.61 a barrel
Iron -1% to $US103.55 a ton

10-year yield: US 4.21% Aust 4.81%

Cryptos

The crypto market rose due to dollar weakness

Market Overview

The crypto market cap has fallen by 5% over the past seven days. The decline resumed at the start of the new week, with total capitalisation falling to $2.9T amid slippage in an illiquid market. In recent hours, however, positive momentum has prevailed, bringing the market back to $2.97T due to the weakness of the US dollar and global purchases of risky assets. But even now, cryptocurrencies remain a lagging class of risk-sensitive assets, falling short of metals and the strongest global currencies.

Bitcoin hit a low for the day near $86K, its lowest level since December. After that, the market received support from the weak dollar, which, like a tide, lifted all boats at once. The technical bearish picture remains relevant, despite the gains in recent hours. BTC remains below its key moving average lines and has not attempted to break through the support of the last two months. News Background

Outflows from spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US over the past shortened week nearly offset the previous week's inflows, reaching their highest level in almost 11 months. According to SoSoValue, net outflows from spot BTC ETFs amounted to $1.33 billion. Net weekly outflows from spot Ethereum ETFs in the US exceeded $611 million.

Bitcoin holders began to record net losses for the first time since October 2023, signalling the asset's entry into an ‘early bear market.’ Bitcoin is now trading below the acquisition price of 75% of the total supply, signalling growing pressure from sellers, Glassnode notes.

The main reason for BTC's weakness is large-scale sales by long-term holders, rather than concerns about quantum computing, according to Checkonchain.

Activity on the Ethereum mainnet has exceeded that of layer 2 (L2) solutions since the Fusaka upgrade. Token Terminal has called this trend a ‘return to the mainnet.’ At the same time, there has been an outflow of liquidity from ‘add-ons.’

The adoption of cryptocurrencies by banks, large corporations and investment companies is no longer an ‘optional or peripheral’ process, notes auditing firm PwC in its report on global cryptocurrency regulation for 2026. ‘Institutional participation has passed the point of no return.’

DAT companies accumulating cryptocurrencies on their balance sheets will face ‘severe consolidation’ in the coming year — only a few of the largest players with Bitcoin and Ethereum on their balance sheets will survive, warns Pantera Capital. (FxPro)

News

Interventions spooked the dollar

Rumours of coordinated intervention caused the USD index to plummet.

The risk of a new shutdown is putting pressure on the greenback.

The US dollar started in the last week of January with a down gap amid investor fears of coordinated currency intervention. Japan's Deputy Finance Minister Atsushi Mimura said that the authorities would respond to speculative actions on the Forex in close cooperation with the US. In 1985, such cooperation ended in a spectacular collapse of the USD. Will we see history repeat itself?

Politics is encroaching on the economy. Donald Trump intends to use non-market methods to lower the key policy rate by replacing the Fed chair and filling the FOMC with doves. The US president has repeatedly spoken out in favour of a weaker currency, which would increase the competitiveness of American manufacturers. Tokyo's interest in strengthening the yen to lower import prices and slow inflation is being exploited by Washington for its own purposes.

Countries are forced to respond to the uncertainty of Donald Trump's policies and the associated slowdown in economic growth with fiscal stimulus measures. According to Apollo Global Management estimates, government support measures will accelerate GDP growth in the US and Germany by 1 percentage point in 2026 and in Japan by 0.5 percentage points. This leads to an increase in public debt. The Germans can afford this, which has a positive effect on the EURUSD.

Pressure on the US dollar has intensified due to the growing risks of another shutdown. Dissatisfied with the shootings in Minneapolis, Democrats are not going to vote for the government funding package without serious changes to the national security system. The government risks being sidelined again, which will negatively affect GDP growth. The same goes for the devastating winter storm, which could bring hardship to nearly 200 million Americans. Already, 11,900 flights have been cancelled at airports from Dallas to Boston, and about 900,000 consumers are without power.

In 2025, the US economy managed to withstand tariffs and the shutdown thanks to investments in artificial intelligence, productivity growth and the wealth effect. However, will it be resilient in 2026? If not, the US dollar risks weakening.

Gold was the main beneficiary of the fall in the USD index. Its price rose by 17% so far this year and is approaching $5,100 per ounce. (FxPro)

News

Jan 27

Gold and silver mania lifts ASX to 3-month peak

The Australian sharemarket climbed to a three-month high on Tuesday as investors returned from the long weekend to surging precious metal prices, looking past the noise of shifting US trade policies.

President Donald Trump said in a social media post that he will increase tariffs on South Korean goods, including autos, from 15 per cent to 25 per cent as he accused the ally’s legislature of “not living up” to its trade deal with Washington.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index gained 85.3 points, or 1 per cent, to 8945.40, rebounding from last week’s 0.5 per cent loss. If sustained, it would be the index’s biggest one-day rise this year.

Of the 11 sectors, nine were in the green, led by materials and energy.BHP leapt 2.9 per cent, regaining its position as Australia’s most valuable listed company for the first time in 18 months, unseating the Commonwealth Bank, which managed a modest 0.6 per cent gain.

Miners led the charge as gold and silver set fresh records. Bullion hit $US5100 an ounce, and silver topped $US114 on Monday. As a result, Horizon Minerals jumped nearly 8 per cent, Alkane Resources leapt 3.9 per cent, and Newmont rose 1.8 per cent.

Among silver mines, Investigator Silver and Silver Mines advanced 8.3 per cent each, while, Sun Silver pushed up 6 per cent.Elsewhere, Rio Tinto gained 2.2 per cent, and Capstone Copper was the biggest index gainer, up 8 per cent.

In the index-heavy financial area, all the big banks were in the green, led by Macquarie Group, up 2 per cent. National Australia Bank rose 1.3 per cent.

Family app Life360 and mining group Alcoa were the two biggest laggards, down more than 8 per cent.

In currencies, the Australian dollar climbed to US69.40¢, nearing its strongest level in three years, on growing expectations the Reserve Bank will lift the cash rate next month.

Higher borrowing costs would boost the appeal of Australian-denominated assets such as government bonds.

Also supporting the Aussie was a broadly weaker greenback on fears of a partial US government shutdown this week.

Republicans and Democrats are at odds over funding for the Department of Homeland Security after the fatal shooting of a second US citizen by federal immigration officers in Minnesota. (AFR) *full coverage via subscription to The Australian Financial Review

News

Jan 27

Stocks

Shares in DroneShield cratered 6 per cent despite doubling revenue in the December quarter, from a year ago.

Iron ore giant Fortescue Metals rose 1.3 per cent after sweeping up all remaining shares of dual-listed Alta Copper at $C1.40 ($1.47) per share, as the mining giant expands into the red metal.

Wholesaler company Metcash rallied 1.2 per cent following the appointment of Bruce Sabatta as the new chief executive of its food service and convenience business, from next month.

Brazil-focused explorer and producer Karoon Energy trimmed early gains and was trading flat despite posting a lower output in the December quarter, from the September period.

Jewellery retailer Michael Hill International jumped 4 per cent after reporting a stronger half-year profit than a year ago despite record gold prices.

Insurer group AUB was placed on a trading halt after launching a $400 million institutional placement to finance a UK acquisition.

Santos leapt 3.1 per cent on news it had finally shipped its first liquefied natural gas cargo from a delayed Barossa project in the Timor Sea.

Health tech group Cyclopharm soared 18 per cent after its lung imaging technology received a major endorsement from America’s top medical professionals.

News

Numbers Double Check

Australian Dollar: $0.6918 USD (up $0.0080 USD)
Iron Ore Feb Spot Price: $103.55 USD (down $0.10 USD) Oil Price): $60.58 USD (up $1.25 USD)
Gold Price: $5,036.89 USD (up $117.01 USD)
Copper Price: $5.9240 USD (up $0.1240 USD)
Dow Jones: 49,446.27 (up 347.56 points on Friday's close)

News/Profile

Wall Street

Physical Street and Landmark

Wall Street is an eight-block-long street in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan.

Location: It runs between Broadway and South Street, ending at the East River.

Key Landmarks: It is home to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Federal Hall National Memorial, where George Washington was inaugurated.

History: The name originates from a 17th-century defensive wall built by Dutch settlers to protect New Amsterdam from potential British or Native American attacks.

Financial Industry Metonym

The term is a metonym for the U.S. financial markets, including stock exchanges, investment banks, and brokerage firms.

Institutions: Major firms associated with Wall Street include JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley.

Current Activity (January 2026):

As of January 24, 2026, markets have seen volatility following a week of "policy whiplash" related to international tariff threats. Recent trading shows the S&P 500 flat, while the Nasdaq has risen 0.3% despite a 17% tumble in Intel stock.

Media and Publications

The Wall Street Journal: A premier business-focused international newspaper headquartered in Midtown Manhattan.

Pop Culture: The street’s high-stakes culture has been immortalized in films like Oliver Stone’s Wall Street (1987) and Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street (2013).

News

Best Quotes Of The Day

Media Man

Cryptocurrency, Finance and World

"Volatility is Satoshi’s gift to the faithful." - Michael Saylor

"Bitcoin is a tool for freeing humanity from oligarchs and tyrants, dressed up as a get-rich-quick scheme." — Naval Ravikant

"We have elected to put our money and faith in a mathematical framework that is free of politics and human error." — Tyler Winklevoss

"You can't stop things like Bitcoin. It will be everywhere, and the world will have to readjust. World governments will have to readjust." — John McAfee

"Bitcoin is the most important invention in the history of the world since the Internet." — Roger Ver

"Cryptocurrency is such a powerful concept that it can almost overturn governments." — Charles Lee

"In the future, national currencies will become obsolete. Bitcoin will become the single global currency." — Jack Dorsey

"The future of finance is crypto, whether it’s in payments, contracts, or savings." — Changpeng Zhao

"Crypto offers freedom to the unbanked and hope to the underprivileged." — Elizabeth Stark

"The new frontier of innovation is in decentralization. Blockchain leads the charge." — Don Tapscott

"Digital currency is here to stay, and it’s only a matter of how long before governments embrace it." — Brad Garlinghouse

Pop Culture

Dream Matches: Fantasy Booking

Santa vs Grinch

Bulls vs Bears

Crypto King vs Mr World Bank

Citizens vs NWO

Neo vs Agent Smith

John McAfee vs You Know Who!

TKO vs Naysayers
Jake Paul, Polymarket and BETR vs Naysayers
Pro Boxing vs Newspaper Reports
VKM vs The World
Paul Bros vs Mainstream Wokes
Mr X vs Mr Bluesky
Chris Jericho vs Dirtsheets
NFL vs everyone
Zuffa vs MVP
Netflix vs World
Meta vs Australia
White Light vs Dark Matter

News

Pop Culture

It’s All About the Money [”The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase]

By Jimmy Hart & J.J. Maguire

Intro

(Money, money, money, money, money...)

[Verse 1]
(Money, money, money, money, money...)
Everybody's got a price
Everybody's gonna pay
(Money, money, money, money, money...)
Because the Million Dollar Man...
Always get his way
(Money, money, money, money, money...)

[Verse 2]
(Money, money, money, money, money...)
Some might cost a little
Some might cost a lot
(Money, money, money, money, money...)
But I'm the Million Dollar Man...
And you will be bought
(Money, money, money, money, money...)

[Outro]
(Money, money, money, money, money...)

News/Profile Flashback

Vinnie Vegas was a professional wrestling persona used by the actor and retired professional wrestler Kevin Nash from 1992 to 1993 in World Championship Wrestling (WCW). This gimmick was a wisecracking pseudo-mobster character, inspired by Steve Martin's character in the 1990 film My Blue Heaven.

Career Overview

WCW Debut: Kevin Nash was repackaged as Vinnie Vegas on January 21, 1992, at the event Clash of the Champions XVIII.

Stables and Tag Teams: He was initially part of a stable of large wrestlers called "A Half-Ton of Holy Hell," managed by Harley Race. Later, he joined the "Diamond Mine" stable led by Diamond Dallas Page, forming a tag team known as the Vegas Connection. Other stablemates included the future Scott Hall (Diamond Studd) and Raven (Scotty Flamingo).

Departure to WWF: The Vinnie Vegas character was not considered successful due to a lack of character development and inconsistent booking. Nash left WCW for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in June 1993, where he achieved superstardom under the ring name Diesel.

Later Success: Nash later returned to WCW in 1996 and was a founding member of the influential New World Order (nWo) faction under his real name, Kevin Nash, and the nickname "Big Sexy".

News/Profile Flashback

Michael Wall Street

"Michael Wall Street" most commonly refers to Michael Wallstreet, a ring name used by professional wrestler Mike Rotunda (born 1958). It can also refer to Michael Douglas, the actor famous for portraying the corporate raider Gordon Gekko in the film Wall Street.

Professional Wrestling (Mike Rotunda)

Mike Rotunda adopted the persona of Michael Wallstreet (and later V.K. Wallstreet) in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) starting in 1990.

The Gimmick: A wealthy "financial wizard" from Lower Manhattan who used a computer (managed by Alexandra York) to predict the length and outcome of his matches.

Signature Moves: His finishing move was often called the "Stock Market Crash".

Notable Teams: He is also well-known for his time in the WWF as Irwin R. Schyster (I.R.S.), where he teamed with Ted DiBiase to form Money Inc..

Legacy: Rotunda was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024 as part of The U.S. Express.

Film and Finance (Michael Douglas)

Gordon Gekko: Michael Douglas won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Gordon Gekko in the 1987 film Wall Street.

Cultural Impact: The character became the archetypal symbol of 1980s corporate greed, famous for the line "Greed, for lack of a better word, is good".

Sequel: Douglas reprised the role in the 2010 sequel, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.

Current Status (2026)

Mike Rotunda: As of early 2026, Rotunda remains a respected veteran in the wrestling industry. Recent reports from late 2025 indicated he had been hospitalized for a serious heart condition but was moved to a rehabilitation center for recovery.

Michael Douglas: He continues to be active in the entertainment industry as an actor and producer.

Miners

Hancock Prospecting

Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd is a privately owned Australian company primarily involved in the mining of iron ore and, increasingly, the agriculture sector. It is led by Executive Chairwoman Gina Rinehart, Australia's richest person.

Company Overview

Founded: 25 November 1955 by Lang Hancock.
Headquarters: Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

Ownership: The company is privately held, with Gina Rinehart owning the majority stake (76.6%).

Core Business: Hancock Prospecting has evolved from purely mineral exploration into a major producer, primarily in iron ore and agriculture, and is considered one of the most successful private mining companies in the world.

Major Projects and Investments

Hancock Prospecting has a diverse portfolio of major projects and strategic investments.

Roy Hill: This is a mega integrated iron ore mine, rail, and port project in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, which is Australia's largest single iron ore mine.

Hope Downs: A significant iron ore project operated as a 50/50 joint venture with Rio Tinto Iron Ore, which includes four open-pit mines.

Atlas Iron: Hancock Prospecting acquired Atlas Iron in 2018, which operates several iron ore mines including Mount Webber, Sanjiv Ridge, and Miralga Creek.

Agriculture: Through its agribusiness division, Hancock Prospecting is Australia's second-largest producer of beef with ownership interests in numerous cattle stations and a majority stake in S. Kidman & Co. It is also a 50% partner in the award-winning Bannister Downs Dairy.

Critical Minerals and Energy: The company has diversified its investments into other strategic commodities necessary for the "green transition", including stakes in publicly traded companies involved in:

Lithium: Investments in Australian firms like Liontown Resources and Azure Minerals, as well as Germany's Vulcan Energy Resources.

Rare Earths: Significant shareholdings in global rare earths producers such as US-based MP Materials and Australia's Lynas Rare Earths, as well as exploration-stage companies.

Copper, Coal, Oil and Gas: Exploration and production interests in these commodities across Australia and internationally, including projects in Ecuador, Canada, and the UK.

Pop Culture Flashback

Heart Of Gold
Song by Neil Young ? 1972

Lyrics

I want to live
I want to give
I've been a miner
For a heart of gold

It's these expressions
I never give
That keep me searching
For a heart of gold
And I'm getting old
Keep me searching
For a heart of gold
And I'm getting old

I've been to Hollywood
I've been to Redwood
I crossed the ocean
For a heart of gold

I've been in my mind
It's such a fine line
That keeps me searching
For a heart of gold
And I'm getting old
Keeps me searching
For a heart of gold
And I'm getting old
Keep me searching
For a heart of gold

You keep me searching
And I'm growing old
Keep me searching
For a heart of gold
I've been a miner
For a heart of gold

Markets, Crypto and Culture

Cryptos Struggle again, Medium Bull Update: Round 1! Bloody Noses and Black Eyes Cont! Red And Black Attack! All That Glitters. Bells To Be Rung! Aussie - US Connection

November 24, 2025

Sin City Sydney, Australia
Mad Monday Aussie

ASX futures up 92 points/1.1% to 8519

Wall Street:
S&P 500 +1%
Dow Jones: +1.1%
Nasdaq +0.9%
Europe: Stoxx 50 -1%
FTSE +0.1%
DAX -0.8%
CAC flat

Australian dollar at US64.59 cents

Bitcoin +3.3% to $US87,532

Gold -0.3% to $US4065.14
Oil -1.6% to $US58.06 a barrel
Brent crude oil -1.3% to $US62.56 a barrel
Iron ore +0.3% to $US104.25 per ton

10-year yield:
US 4.06%
Australia 4.46%
Germany 2.70%

Bitcoin: (Near Live) $87,749.31 +3.95%

News Update: (Near Live)

News

New York/Wall St via Mr Wolf!
The November Man!
23 Nov
NYC!

Cryptos Today: (Near Live)

Moody: Cryptos lost shine!

Bitcoin $87,749.31 +3.95%
Ethereum $2,833.20 +3.10%
Tether $1.0005 +0.06%
Binance Coin $853.96 +2.91%
XRP $2.0762 +6.95%
Solana $133.00 +4.96%
TRON $0.2755 +0.52%
Dogecoin $0.1470 +4.85%
Cardano $0.4158 +3.49%

Market scares! Mood: Medium:; Picking up for some in traditional sectors! Hardcores keep dream! Many bears selling out!

Media Man Favs:

(Near Live)

Bells Rung by Mr Wolf! TKO kicks out. Comeback! Christmas Grinch Comes Early for some! Santa gives little for miners, gamers, some tech heads and grapplers!

Wall St, New York

TKO Group Holdings Inc $178.17 +1.680.95%
NVIDIA Corp $178.88 -1.76 -0.97%
Formula One Group Series A $85.18 -0.72 -0.84%
Alphabet Inc Class A $299.66 +10.21 +3.53%
News Corp Class A $25.69 +0.89 +3.59%
Netflix Inc $104.31 -1.36 -1.29%
Caterpillar Inc $550.43 +4.30 +0.79%
Trump Media & Technology Group Corp $10.33
-0.020 -0.19%
Tesla Inc $391.09 -3.96 -1.00%
Walt Disney Co $104.28 +1.58 +1.54%
Wynn Resorts Ltd $119.60 +2.46 +2.10%
Meta Platforms Inc $594.25 +5.03 +0.85%
Elders ADR $19.73 (US) 53.08 +0.50 +0.95% (NYSE)
Mercedes Benz Group ADR $16.45 +0.32 +1.98%
Elders ADR $19.73 (US)
Rio Tinto Ltd $84.00 -1.00 - 1.18% (US)
Paramount Skydance Corp $15.89 +0.21 +1.34%
Red Light Holland Corp $0.018 -0.0013 -6.84%

News

The Dollar's new edge: from shield to sword

• The dollar is losing its safe-haven status. • The scale of the Fed's rate cuts has been overestimated. • The yen is the main favourite for 2026. • BoJ may not raise rates until March. If the US dollar was previously a shield, it is now turning into a sword. (FxPro)

News

Crypto market accelerates decline

Market Overview

The crypto market is experiencing a sharp decline, losing another 4% over the past 24 hours and falling back to $3.07 trillion, its lowest level since early May. The decline is accelerating relative to the trend observed since 10 October. At this stage, the market is being dragged down by major coins — Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP — which are losing more than 5%, while some altcoins remain in the shadows. It is unlikely that this should be considered a sign of strength for coins such as Monero (+2.7%), Tron (-1.8%) or Bitcoin Cash (-2.4%). It would be more accurate to say that the bears have not yet reached them.

Bitcoin fell below $90K, trading at its lowest levels since the end of April. As expected, the dip below the 50-week moving average at the end of last week triggered sellers, confirming the breakdown of the bullish trend that had lasted for the previous two years. Now, the working scenario appears to be a chance for BTC to dip to its 200-week moving average. In 2022, this path took 9 weeks, and over 30 weeks to form the bottom.

Ethereum fell below $3,000, following Bitcoin, which rolled back below its 50-week moving average. In this case, the 200-week average (approximately $2,300) will deter sellers, and we are considering a decline to $1,700 as a working pessimistic scenario.

News Background

According to CoinShares, global investment in crypto funds declined by $2.036 billion last week, marking the third consecutive week of outflows. Investments in Bitcoin fell by $1.378 billion, in Ethereum by $689 million, in XRP by $16 million, and in Solana by $8 million. Investments in Sui rose by $6 million, in Litecoin by $3 million, and in ETFs with multiple crypto assets by $31 million.

The fall of Bitcoin from its record highs in October was triggered by the capitulation of short-term holders, rather than the distribution of coins by long-term investors, according to XWIN Research.

Ethereum is entering a Supercycle phase like the one that brought Bitcoin a hundredfold increase since 2017, said BitMine CEO Tom Lee. In his opinion, the market decline is attributed to issues with several large market makers attempting to provoke liquidations in Bitcoin.

The inflow of stablecoins to Binance reached $9 billion in 30 days. The indicator is close to historical peaks, which previously preceded strong market movements, notes CryptoOnchain analyst. In his opinion, capital in standby mode can quickly change the market dynamics in favour of the ‘bulls’.

Strategy's business model is entirely dependent on funds buying its shares and is built on ‘fraud,’ said Peter Schiff, a well-known cryptocurrency critic and gold advocate. Since July, Strategy's shares have fallen by more than 50%, and recently, its capitalisation has fallen below the value of its assets. (FxPro)

News

The crypto is set for a short-term rebound, not a full recovery

Market Overview

The crypto market cap has lost 9.5% over the past seven days. The decline took place on weekdays last week, with the level stabilising around $3.25 trillion over the weekend. Among altcoins, the standout is the unsinkable Zcash at $700, nearing its highs, and weak Solana and Ethereum, which have lost 45% and 40% from their August and September highs, respectively.

The crypto sentiment index recorded values of 10 on Saturday and Sunday, marking a return to the lows of late February this year. Although this was a good point to buy on the rebound in the following days, the downward trend continued for almost a month and a half. Market dynamics since the beginning of October have been reminiscent of those seen at the end of January. This is good news for short-term buyers but may cause medium-term buyers to stay on the sidelines for a while.

Bitcoin slipped below $93K during illiquid trading early in the day, but found impressive buyer interest there, rising to $95.6K. Whether this is a short-term rebound or the beginning of a recovery can only be determined after it consolidates above $100,000. There is a high chance that the strategy of selling on rebounds will remain prevalent.

News Background

Outflows from spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US continue for the third week in a row. According to SoSoValue, net outflows from spot BTC ETFs totalled $1.11 billion last week, slightly lower than the previous week's outflows, resulting in a total inflow of $58.85 billion into these products since January 2024.

Net outflows from spot Ethereum ETFs in the US continue for the second week in a row, amounting to $728.6 million. The cumulative net inflow since the launch of ETFs in July 2024 has fallen to $13.13 billion.

Inflows into the recently launched Solana spot ETFs in the US have continued for the third consecutive week, totalling $382.1 million. However, during this time, the price has fallen by a third, reinforcing the idea that entering traditional financial markets does not necessarily promise price growth.

Long-term Ethereum holders have increased their sales to 45,000 ETH per day, the highest level since February 2021, according to Glassnode. Long-term Bitcoin holders are also actively selling their holdings. According to CryptoQuant, they have dumped 815,000 BTC on the market over the past month.

Miner Bitfarms has announced a gradual phase-out of Bitcoin mining and a transition to developing infrastructure for artificial intelligence. The company reported a net loss of $46 million in its third-quarter report. (FxPro)

News

Gold stabilised at $4,000, but the upward trend has already broken down Gold has stabilised around the $4,000 mark over the last ten days, ending the week at roughly the same level as it started. Attempts by sellers to push the price below $3,900 are meeting with impressive buying interest.

This is facilitated by the Supreme Court, which is considering the illegality of US tariffs. If Donald Trump is defeated, the money will have to be returned. As a result, the budget deficit and public debt will increase, leading to chaos in the financial markets. Concerns about this are prompting investors to seek refuge in safe-haven assets. However, this all appears to be an attempt to play the old card, which can only delay the inevitable.

According to estimates by the World Gold Council, central bank purchases of bullion in 2025 are expected to amount to 750-900 tonnes. In each of the previous three years, the figure exceeded 1,000 tonnes. China's cancellation of VAT credits for precious metal retailers will increase prices for the jewellery industry and lead to a decline in demand. ETF stocks are falling.

HSBC, Bank of America and Societe Generale continue to stick to their forecasts of $5,000 per ounce. However, the gold rally has broken down. Selling on the rise is becoming relevant. (FxPro)

News

Crypto bulls fail to maintain momentum

Market Overview

The crypto market has gained 1% over the past 24 hours, the first increase after four days of decline. The market is stabilising at levels just above $3.4 trillion, close to May's local highs. The situation currently resembles a pause in the decline rather than a serious reversal, due to somewhat cautious sentiment in the stock markets and the strengthening of the dollar since the second half of September. Ironically, this reversal coincides with the resumption of the easing cycle of monetary policy. The sentiment index has emerged from the zone of extreme fear, which also coincided with a market rebound. According to the creators of such an index, now is the right time for bulls. Still, traders should be cautious with such an interpretation, as the previous rebound from extreme fear was not long-lasting, and the market is now 5% below the local low of 17 Oct, when sentiment last recovered from extreme anxiety. Bitcoin is trading near $103,000, pausing its rebound but remaining far from its recent lows. The bulls managed to bring the coin back above the 50-week moving average, but there is still a lot of time left until the end of the week, and for now, time is on the bears' side. On intraday charts, it looks as if the rebound has run out of steam and sellers are ready to seize the initiative again.

News Background

Cryptocurrencies are under pressure from general risk aversion in global markets. Among the factors are concerns about the Fed's interest rate and the situation in the credit sector, according to Hashdex. Wintermute attributes the worst performance of cryptocurrencies among all other asset classes to the redistribution of cash flows to other markets. Short-term Bitcoin holders continue to sell cryptocurrencies at a loss, using any rebound as an opportunity to sell, notes analyst Darkfost. However, accumulator addresses — wallets that only buy and never sell — have acquired a record 375,000 BTC over the past month. Amid the asset's decline, French company Sequans Communications, which accumulates Bitcoin, was forced to sell 970 BTC to partially repay its convertible debt. The company's reserves fell from 3,234 to 2,264 BTC. Japanese company Metaplanet, on the other hand, is raising funds to purchase bitcoins. On 31 October, the company received a $100 million loan secured by its reserves. Ripple announced that it had raised $500 million in strategic investments (with a valuation of $40 billion) from major institutional players. Zcash (ZEC) could become an alternative to Bitcoin among those who fear the centralisation of BTC due to Wall Street and are concerned about the tracking of on-chain transactions, according to Galaxy Digital. Supporters of the private coin refer to it as ‘encrypted Bitcoin’ and a return to the principles of the cypherpunks. (FxPro)

News Lead Up

Price Movements and Market Outlook

Spot Gold Dips Slightly: Gold traded at $4,068.70 per troy ounce on November 17, down 0.36% from the previous day. This extends a two-day losing streak amid fading bets for a December Fed rate cut, with the probability dropping below 50%. However, the metal remains up 55.75% year-over-year, supported by broader safe-haven demand.

Recent Rally: Prices surged nearly 3% earlier in the week to a two-week high, driven by soft U.S. economic indicators that bolstered rate-cut hopes and lifted non-yielding assets like gold.

Forecast: Analysts see potential upside if gold sustains above $4,100, targeting $4,140–$4,145, and possibly $4,200. A break below $4,000 could accelerate declines toward $3,900. A weaker USD and softer risk sentiment are keeping a floor under prices, amid concerns over the ongoing U.S. government shutdown impacting economic momentum.

Global Demand and Regional Updates

India and China Cooling: Physical demand in India stayed subdued due to volatile prices, leading to steep discounts for the first time in seven weeks post-festivals. In China, a state bank halted new retail gold accounts after tax exemptions were tweaked, likely curbing demand in the world's top consumer market. Premiums rose in other Asian hubs as global rates eased.

Investment Trends: First-time gold investing hit its strongest levels since the Global Financial Crisis, per recent surveys, signaling renewed interest amid uncertainty.

Buzz on X (Recent Posts) Social discussions highlight gold's role as a hedge against crypto volatility and inflation: Users are buying gold amid Bitcoin's dip into the $80Ks, viewing it as a tangible alternative to "digital tulips."

News

Gold: correction is not over yet

The strengthening of the US dollar and higher Treasury yields have brought the gold price back below $4000.

Yellow metal is gradually losing its wild cards. It managed to reach a record high thanks to devaluation trading, expectations of aggressive monetary expansion by the Fed, Donald Trump's threats of 100% tariffs against China, geopolitics, pessimistic forecasts for the global economy, and active purchases of bullion by central banks.

However, the White House is no longer attacking the Fed as aggressively as before. The US and China have found common ground. The Middle East conflict has been resolved, and the global economy is proving resilient in the face of tariffs. The Fed is cautious about lowering rates, and central bank activity in the bullion market is declining.

The other two examples of similar velocity of gold rose were 1979 and 2011. The experience of those years shows that the surge and collapse were followed by long periods of consolidation. In other words, after a period of retreat from the top, the precious metal will find its trading range and settle within it. But for the weeks ahead, we continue to see more risks of further decline. (FxPro)

News Flashback

Oil Holds Strong Despite Bearish Fundamentals

Weekly data from the EIA noted that the US returned to record oil production rates last week, supplying an average of 13.6 million barrels per day to the market, according to the latest EIA data. The trend towards increased supply began in August, but producers have only now returned to the peak levels recorded at the end of last year. Despite a 5.5-million-barrel increase in US commercial inventories over the past two weeks, inventories stay at the lower end of the range seen over the past decade, leaving considerable room for growth. The same can be said for the strategic reserve, which holds nearly 40% less oil than it did five years ago, before the start of the active sell-off. It is an interesting game in which, on the one hand, the US (the largest oil producer) is increasing supplies, while OPEC+ is increasing quotas on a monthly basis. This extremely bearish combination of factors did not cause oil prices to collapse; it was only because of global trade in currency depreciation that caused precious metals, stock indices, and cryptocurrencies to rise. Oil prices have not peaked in recent weeks .. To be cont .. (FxPro)

News

Gold hits new highs due to political turmoil

Gold is outside the realm of politics.

While currencies and securities depend on the actions of presidents and governments, precious metals do not. Therefore, political turmoil forces investors to use them as safe-haven assets.

The impressive 52% rally in gold started in April with the introduction of tariffs on America's Liberation Day. It continued due to the US government shutdown, the political crisis in France, and the change of leadership in Japan. he rise of gold above 4,000 dollars per ounce is not only the result of the weakness of fiat currencies. There are tectonic shifts in the structure of investment portfolios and fears of financial crises due to government recklessness.

The share of precious metals is growing both in speculators' assets and in the gold and foreign exchange reserves of central banks. The indicator has already exceeded the share of the euro. According to Eurizon Capital, if it equals the share of the US dollar, the price per ounce will soar to 8,500 dollars. The Supreme Court's abolition of tariffs will inflate the US budget deficit. France does not intend to reduce it, and Japan plans to increase bond issuance. All this creates a tailwind for commodity assets. (FxPro)

News

Pop Culture News

Dream Matches: Fantasy Booking/Sports; Media Man Group Dream Match Series; Crack The Code!

Million Dollar Man vs IRS
Michael Wall Street vs Billionaire Ted
Mr X vs Mr BTC
Mr Green vs Mr Cash
VKM vs Easy E
Vinnie Vegas vs Mr Corbin
Mr Corp Merch vs Mr Freelance
Masked Superstar vs John McAfee
Sid Justice vs Mr Blood Diamond
Mr Bluey Chipper vs Street Fighter - King Of The Streets Mr Dotcom vs Mr Wiki
Mr Gold vs Mr Green - Money In The Bank Ladder Match Khan vs Khan - Winner Take All Match
Mr Wolff vs The Cleaner
Mr News vs Mr Vice - U.S Market Footprint Stipulation Mr Paramount vs Mr Netflix
Mr ESPN vs Mr Fox
Mr Kross vs Mr H
Cesaro vs Rollins
Dirty Dom vs Mr AAA
Punks vs Egos
Kross vs H
Murdoch Title vs Title
Mr Black Coffee vs Mr Claudio's Cafe Blend
Mr Warner vs Mr Netflix: Broadway draw thus far! Re-match! Winner take all?!
TMZ vs Riddle UFC vs PFL
The Oracle vs Cincinnati, Ohio
Mr X vs Hollyweird
Succession vs Billions
Mouse House vs Art House
NFL vs UFL
ABC vs Mainstream Aussies
Reigns vs Blanka
Cody Rhodes vs Joe
E. Honda vs NJPW
Capcom vs Warner
Cena vs ACME
Combat Sports Players vs Father Time
NXT vs TNA Wrestling (Showdown, not Invasion)!
Alpha vs Meta
TED X vs The Others
WWE's Solo vs NYC and Western Australia
UFC Predator vs MMA Predator
UFC Legal vs UFC Bad Egg Betting Disruptors
Bulls vs Bears
Logan Paul vs WWE babyfaces
Santa's Helper vs Grinch
John McAfee vs FBI + + +, Running .... Netflix Wins again!
Killer Kross vs Matt Riddle - Shoot Fight/Wrestling (MLW)!
VKM vs Numerous!
MLW vs The World
The Big Event vs US Promoters
Storm vs WWE Locker Room. Lash Legend on side!
NXT Gold Rush: Page & Green vs Hendry & Hail
Baszler vs Itoh - HOG Superclash - Nov 15
MSG, NY winning with WWE and UFC in Nov
The Vision vs WWE Lockerroom
John Cena vs Dirty Dom
Miz vs Management
Jericho vs Internet Marks
Mr Gold vs Mr Fool's Gold
Neo vs Mr Smith
PBR vs Others. No Bull?!
Aus Gvt vs Big Tech
Banks vs Cryptos
NVIDIA vs World
White House vs Wokes
Packer vs Devil D
Lucha Bros vs AAA Heels

News

Cryptocurrency Movies
Docos

The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin (2014)
Follows early Bitcoin adopter Daniel Mross, exploring Bitcoin’s origins, its volatile rise, and the community behind it. Great for understanding Bitcoin’s early days and its potential to disrupt finance.

Banking on Bitcoin (2016)
Examines Bitcoin’s history, ideological roots, and impact on global financial systems through interviews with pioneers and experts. A solid primer for newcomers.

Cryptopia: Bitcoin, Blockchains, and the Future of the Internet (2020)
Directed by Torsten Hoffmann, this documentary dives into blockchain’s broader applications beyond cryptocurrency, addressing scalability and regulatory challenges. Ideal for those interested in blockchain’s transformative potential.

Trust Machine: The Story of Blockchain (2018) Narrated by Rosario Dawson, it explores blockchain’s societal impact, from financial inclusion to voting systems. A comprehensive look at real-world applications.

Bitcoin: The End of Money as We Know It (2015)
Traces the history of money and introduces Bitcoin as a decentralized alternative, critiquing centralized financial systems. Features interviews with crypto experts.

Deep Web (2015) Narrated by Keanu Reeves, this documentary focuses on the Silk Road marketplace and its creator, Ross Ulbricht, highlighting Bitcoin’s role in dark web transactions.

Bitconned (2024) Explores the Centra Tech crypto scam, detailing how three individuals defrauded investors during the 2010s crypto boom. A cautionary tale about unregulated markets.

Feature Films

Crypto (2019)
A crime thriller starring Beau Knapp, Luke Hemsworth, and Kurt Russell. It follows a young anti-money laundering agent investigating corruption and cryptocurrency in his hometown. Critics note its exaggerated portrayal but praise its entertainment value.

Silk Road (2021)
A dramatization of Ross Ulbricht’s creation of the Silk Road, a dark web marketplace using Bitcoin. It explores his rise and fall, blending crime and drama.

Dope (2015) A coming-of-age comedy-drama featuring Bitcoin as a plot device. High schooler Malcolm uses Bitcoin for a dark web transaction, reflecting its early association with illicit activities.

Bonus Mentions

Life on Bitcoin (2014): Follows a couple attempting to live solely on Bitcoin for 100 days, showcasing early adoption challenges.

Bitcoin Heist (2016): A Vietnamese action-comedy about hackers chasing a crypto criminal, blending humor and thrills.

Notes Documentaries are generally more educational, focusing on Bitcoin’s history, blockchain technology, and real-world implications. They’re great for beginners and enthusiasts alike.

Feature films often dramatize crypto’s association with crime or scams, sometimes oversimplifying or exaggerating for effect. They prioritize entertainment over accuracy. For a deeper dive, check streaming platforms like Prime Video, Fandango at Home, or YouTube, where many of these are available.

News

Wall Street (Movie)
Wall Street (1987), directed by Oliver Stone, is a drama about ambition and greed in the 1980s financial world. It follows Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen), a young stockbroker desperate to succeed, who gets entangled with Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas), a ruthless corporate raider. Gekko’s mantra, “Greed is good,” drives the story as Bud is lured into insider trading and unethical deals, compromising his morals for wealth and power.

The film explores themes of capitalism, loyalty, and betrayal, with Bud navigating pressures from Gekko, his father (Martin Sheen), and his own conscience.

Key Details: Cast: Michael Douglas (Gordon Gekko), Charlie Sheen (Bud Fox), Daryl Hannah (Darien Taylor), Martin Sheen (Carl Fox).
Runtime: 2h 6m.
Genre: Drama/Crime.
Rating: R. Box Office: ~$44 million (US).

Awards: Michael Douglas won the Academy Award for Best Actor.

Notable Aspects:

Gekko’s “Greed is good” speech is iconic, reflecting 1980s excess. Inspired by real-life figures like Ivan Boesky and Michael Milken.

A sequel, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010), continued the story.

Where to Watch (as of 2025):
Streaming: Available on platforms like Peacock or rentable on Amazon, YouTube, or Apple TV (check current availability).
Physical: DVD/Blu-ray via retailers like Amazon.

News

Best Quotes

An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." — Benjamin Franklin

"Bottoms in the investment world don't end with four-year lows; they end with 10- or 15-year lows." — Jim Rogers

Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy only when others are fearful." — Warren Buffett

Media Man "Bullish is a mindset"

Casino, Gaming and Hotel Stocks

Markets/Trades

November 20, 2025

New York, USA and Sin City Las Vegas

MGM Resorts International $30.90 -0.20 -0.64%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $117.95 -0.37 -0.31%

Las Vegas Sands $64.13 + 0.14% +0.047%

Boyd Gaming Corporation $78.25 -0.38 -0.48%

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. $20.02 +0.040 +0.20%

Red Rock Resorts, Inc. $54.30 -0.41 -0.75%

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. $37.26 -0.13 -0.35%

PENN Entertainment, Inc. $13.98 +0.020 +0.14%

Light & Wonder, Inc. $88.72 -2.20 -2.42%

News

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 - 2 Weeks 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 Lead Up

Markets/Trades

November 3, 2025

New York, USA and Sin City Las Vegas

MGM Resorts International $32.13 +0.10 +0.31%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $125.73 +6.74 +5.66%

Las Vegas Sands $61.73 +2.38 +4.01%

Boyd Gaming Corporation $79.45 +1.58 +2.03%

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. $20.45 +0.35 +1.74%

Red Rock Resorts, Inc. $54.07 +0.76 +1.43%

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. $41.85 +0.40 +0.97%

PENN Entertainment, Inc. $16.62 +0.16 +0.97%

Light & Wonder, Inc. $73.62 +0.92 +1.27%

News Bonus

NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) $206.88 +4.39 +2.17%

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

Casino, Gaming and Hotel Stocks

Markets/Trades

Oct 21, 2025

New York, USA and Sin City Las Vegas

MGM Resorts International $32.90 +1.03 +3.23%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $121.13 -0.81 -0.66%

Las Vegas Sands $50.62 +0.89 +1.79%

Boyd Gaming Corporation $83.38 +0.67 +0.81%

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. $22.69 +0.49 +2.21%

Red Rock Resorts, Inc. $60.12 +0.69 +1.16%

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. $43.78 +1.01 +2.36%

PENN Entertainment, Inc. $17.46 +0.44 +2.59%

Light & Wonder, Inc. $74.94 +1.25 +1.70%

News Bonus

NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) $181.16 -1.48 -0.81%

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

The Lead Up

Markets/Trades

September 21, 2025

New York, USA

MGM Resorts International $35.80 -0.14 -0.39%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $129.52 +0.84 +0.65%

Las Vegas Sands $53.87 +0.66 +1.24%

Boyd Gaming Corporation $83.30 Flat

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. $25.56 -0.84 -3.18%

Red Rock Resorts, Inc. $60.76 -0.23 -0.38%

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. $44.53 -0.35 -0.78%

PENN Entertainment, Inc. $19.09 -0.12 -0.62%

Light & Wonder, Inc. $87.28 -0.94 -1.07%

News Bonus

NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) $176.60 +0.20% +0.36

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.

Casino, Gaming and Hotel Stocks

Markets/Trades

October 21, 2025

New York, USA and Sin City Las Vegas

MGM Resorts International $32.90 +1.03 +3.23%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $121.13 -0.81 -0.66%

Las Vegas Sands $50.62 +0.89 +1.79%

Boyd Gaming Corporation $83.38 +0.67 +0.81%

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. $22.69 +0.49 +2.21%

Red Rock Resorts, Inc. $60.12 +0.69 +1.16%

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. $43.78 +1.01 +2.36%

PENN Entertainment, Inc. $17.46 +0.44 +2.59%

Light & Wonder, Inc. $74.94 +1.25 +1.70%

News Bonus

NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) $181.16 -1.48 -0.81%

News

Will Las Vegas be awarded another Super Bowl this week?

Nevada (Las Vegas)

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

News

Major film studios could be here if some unions have their way

News

Developer celebrates opening of new Las Vegas hotel

Casino News: Las Vegas

Key Expansions and Projects

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.

Governor's Blackjack Streak:
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker reported $1.4 million in Vegas winnings on his tax return, crediting "incredibly lucky" blackjack hands.

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

The Lead Up

Markets/Trades

September 21, 2025

New York, USA

MGM Resorts International $35.80 -0.14 -0.39%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $129.52 +0.84 +0.65%

Las Vegas Sands $53.87 +0.66 +1.24%

Boyd Gaming Corporation $83.30 Flat

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. $25.56 -0.84 -3.18%

Red Rock Resorts, Inc. $60.76 -0.23 -0.38%

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. $44.53 -0.35 -0.78%

PENN Entertainment, Inc. $19.09 -0.12 -0.62%

Light & Wonder, Inc. $87.28 -0.94 -1.07%

News Bonus

NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) $176.60 +0.20% +0.36

News

MGM CEO says Dubai casino approval still pending as 2028 resort construction advances

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.

News

Lead Up ...

Casino, Gaming and Hotel Stocks

Markets/Trades

September 16, 2025

New York, USA

MGM Resorts International $35.36 -0.28 -0.79%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $120.68 -2.17 -1.77%

Las Vegas Sands $51.86 -1.23 -2.32%

Boyd Gaming Corporation $82.15 -1.32 -1.58%

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. $25.58 -0.32 -1.24%

Red Rock Resorts, Inc. $59.71 -1.37 - 2.24%

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. $45.45 -0.100 -0.22%

PENN Entertainment, Inc. $18.92 +0.090 +0.48%

Light & Wonder, Inc. $88.69 -1.74 -1.92%

News Bonus

NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) $174.84 -2.91 -1.64%

Lead Up

Markets/Trades

September 15, 2025

New York, USA

MGM Resorts International $35.64 +1.09 Today +3.15%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $122.85 +1.40 Today +1.15%

Las Vegas Sands $53.09 -0.41 -0.77%

Boyd Gaming Corporation 83.47-1.03 -1.22%

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. 25.90 +0.81 +3.23%

Red Rock Resorts, Inc. 61.08 -0.01 -0.02%

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. 45.55 +0.34+ 0.75%

PENN Entertainment, Inc. 18.83 -0.78 -3.98%

Light & Wonder, Inc. 90.43 +1.36 + 1.53%

News Bonus

NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) 177.75 -0.07 -0.04%

Media/Marketing/Comms/Brands/News/Culture/
Streaming/Events: Australia and World

October 2025

Media/Entertainment Stocks

Oct 15

Netflix $1,203.29 -12.06 -0.99%
TKO Group $191.21 +1.24 +0.65%
Google Class A $251.03 +5.58 +2.27%
Apple $249.34 +1.57 +0.63%
Warner Bros. Discovery $18.45 +0.47 +2.61%
Paramount Skydance Corp $17.43 +0.14 +0.81%
Walt Disney Co $111.71 +0.54 +0.49%
News Corp Class A $26.57 -0.070 -0.26%
Meta Platforms $717.55 +8.90 +1.26%
Amazon $215.57 -0.82 -0.38%
Trump Media & Technology Group Corp $16.27
-0.010 -0.061%

News

SNL

Sabrina Carpenter channelled her inner Carrie Bradshaw on Wednesday in a promo for an upcoming episode of Saturday Night Live.

Carpenter will both host and appear as musical guest on the show's Oct. 18 episode, marking her first time hosting and second time performing.

Sits down to a computer to type:

"The woman wondered what she'd gotten herself into. Having won over the cast and crew, the only thing left to do was ... ."

Brennan interrupts, asking what Carpenter is writing.

"No idea. The computer's not even on," Sherman responds.

News (Australia)

Oct 15

Bunnings, Kmart and Samsung are the Most Trusted Brands in Retail and Consumer Products for 2025
(Market Research Update)

Roy Morgan has presented the Roy Morgan Trusted Brand Awards for 2025 for Retail and Consumer Products industries. The broader Retail category (not including Supermarkets) was again topped by leading home hardware brand Bunnings, with a seventh consecutive victory as the 'Most Trusted Retail Brand' in Australia. Bunnings recorded a clean sweep at the awards, picking up the 'Best of the Best' Most Trusted Brand in Australia award for a second straight year. The 'Most Trusted Brand in Department & Discount Department Stores' award has been won by Kmart for the seventh year in a row. The winner of the 'Most Trusted Consumer Products Brand' was South Korea-based Samsung, also for a seventh straight year. Meanwhile, Apple is the 'Most Trusted Technology Brand' for a fifth consecutive year, and Aldi has retained the title of the 'Most Trusted Supermarket Brand' for 2025.

Sports News/Marketing

Sydney FC is again the most widely supported A-League club ahead of the new 2025-26 A-League season

Research from Roy Morgan shows Sydney FC topping the 2025 Roy Morgan A-League club supporter ladder with 686,000 fans; this is over 100,000 more fans than any other club in the league. Sydney FC has been the most successful club in the A-League Men, winning 5 Championships and 4 Premiers Plates since the league began in 2005. There is a close contest for second place between the Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory. The Roar has 556,000 supporters, just ahead of the Melbourne Victory with 531,000 supporters. In fourth place overall are Adelaide United with 404,000 supporters, followed by Perth Glory with 360,000 supporters and current A-League Men's Champions Melbourne City with 292,000 supporters. Meanwhile, 16.1% of Australians (3.7 million people), now support an A-League club, and 6.8% (almost 1.6 million) watch the A-League on TV. However, a much larger 5.6 million (24.5%) Australian have watched any soccer match on TV, which includes overseas leagues and international tournaments. (RMS)

News

Talkback revival a boost for Nine sale

GfK's latest radio ratings survey shows that Nine Entertainment's 2GB has increased its audience share across all timeslots. Its breakfast show's audience share rose to 16.8 per cent, overtaking KIIS FM's popular Kyle and Jackie O show; 2GB's morning show also reclaimed top spot in its timeslot, with audience share growth of 3.6 per cent compared with the previous survey. Nine's 3AW in 4BC talkback stations also performed well overall in the latest ratings, with the company seeking a buyer for its radio stations. Meanwhile, the ABC has increased its audience share in every timeslot in Sydney and Melbourne. (RMS)

News

Pro Wrestling

WWE: Oct 13

World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins proclaimed The Vision's dominance after he triumphed over Cody Rhodes to win the WWE Crown Jewel Championship and Bronson Reed posted a huge victory against Roman Reigns.

Vision Members Breakker and Reed Turn On Rollins!

News Flashback

October 9, 2025

Free-to-air TV ad slump deepens as digital media eats bigger share

Data from Guideline SMI shows that advertising revenue in Australia's free-to-air TV market fell nearly 10 per cent in the first eight months of 2025. Ad revenue also declined by 18 per cent year-on-year in August, and by 17 per cent over the last three months. The figures do not include ad revenue from the networks' increasingly popular broadcast video-on-demand platforms, such as 7plus and 9Now. However, the advertising market has grown by about one per cent overall since the start of the year. (RMS)

News

Why Australia needs to protect its identity

Data from the Public Interest Journalism Initiative shows that 161 news outlets across Australia closed in the five years to March 2023; this is a threefold increase compared with the previous decade. The future of the nation's media industry and content creators are at risk due to technology companies' use of copyrighted works to train their AI models. The federal government must rule out ever changing Australia's copyright laws to include a proposed 'text and data mining exception' for AI companies. Australian journalism, Australian creativity and Australian voices must be protected before it is too late. (Roy Morgan Summary)

News

'AI is here to stay and change things': Mad Max director George Miller on why he is taking part in an AI film festival

Legendary Australian film director George Miller will head the judging panel for Australia's inaugural awards festival for films that have been generated entirely via artificial intelligence. Miller says he joined the judging panel for the Omni 1.0 AI film festival out of "intense curiosity" about the evolving role of AI in storytelling. Miller also contends that art has to evolve, and likens the impact of AI on the film industry to previous innovations in the arts sector such as the introduction the use of oil paint by artists and the advent of photography. Miller argues that AI will make film-making more egalitarian. (RMS)

News (Australia)

Supercheap Auto, Red Bull and Repco are the brands most firmly associated with the V8 Supercars and Bathurst 1000
(Roy Morgan Summary)

Research from Roy Morgan shows that three key brands -Supercheap Auto, Red Bull and Repco - stand out as associated most strongly with the V8 Supercars Championship, which includes the Bathurst 1000. Supercheap Auto, which was the naming rights sponsor for the Bathurst 1000 from 2005 to 2020, is still associated with V8 Supercars by 13% of Australians (3.1 million). Red Bull, the naming rights sponsor of the most successful V8 Supercars team since 2013, is associated with the V8 Supercars by 11% of Australians (2.6 million). Repco, which has been the naming rights sponsor of the Bathurst 1000 since 2021, is associated with the V8 Supercars by 9% of Australians (equivalent to 2.1 million people). Other brands associated with V8 Supercars include Ampol, Dunlop and Mobil (6% of Australians for each), Beaurepaires (5%), Boost Mobile (4%), and Armor All, BP, Coca Cola, Coates Hire and Jim Beam (all 3%). Meanwhile, almost 2.6 million Australians aged 14+ said they watched the Bathurst 1000 in the year to June 2025; this is equivalent to 11.3% of Australians. (RMS)

News

Free TV's dire state on show (Australia)

Free-to-air television has been both a dominating force in Australian media and one of the nation's great profit power houses for nearly 70 years. However, the terms of the proposed merger between Seven West Media and Southern Cross Media Group confirm that the days of free-to-air media dominance and its profit bonanza are over. Evans & Partners estimates that the Seven Network is priced in the merger at just four times forecast 2025-26 earnings, while the Southern Cross radio network is priced at more than twice that level at nine times. The decimation of free-to-air TV follows the same pattern to that of major newspapers, where the so called "rivers of gold" classified advertising were decimated by online classifieds. When an industry suffers the sort of fall that FTA is experiencing there is normally pressure from the major players to merge. Politicians in Canberra have very little understanding of the fundamental change taking place, so this is politically impossible. (RMS)

News

Commonwealth Bank, AustralianSuper, PayPal, HCF and NRMA Insurance are Australia's most trusted finance and insurance brands
(Roy Morgan Summary)

The Roy Morgan Trusted Brand Awards bring together outstanding companies and brands from across a range of industries to celebrate and recognise the unmatched levels of trust these organisations hold when compared to their competitors in their respective categories. All 22 winners for the 12 months to June 2025 have displayed market-leading levels of trust, and exceedingly low or negligible levels of distrust, to outstrip their rivals on the key metric of 'Net Trust'. The Commonwealth Bank has been rated as the 'Most Trusted Bank Brand' in Australia for the first time, while AustralianSuper has emerged as the 'Most Trusted Superannuation Brand' for a fifth straight year. The other winners in the key finance and insurance categories are PayPal (Most Trusted Brand for Payments, Cards & Loans), NRMA Insurance (Most Trusted Brand in Insurance) and HCF (Most Trusted Brand in Private Health Insurance). (RMS)

News (Australia)

ANZ, Seven West write down View Media

Roy Morgan Summary

Sources have indicated that the ANZ Bank has written down the value of its stake in View Media Group. The bank acquired an initial stake of 20 per cent in early 2023, at a cost of $50m; it subsequently invested a further $2m in the property listings group, which was founded by Antony Catalano and Alex Waislitz. ANZ is expected to disclose the extent of the writedown in its upcoming annual report. Meanwhile, Seven West's 2025 annual report showed that View Media Group accounted for the bulk of the $29.1m writedown in the value of its ventures portfolio. Catalano is also one of the biggest shareholders in Southern Cross Media Group, which has proposed merging with Seven West Media. (RMS)

News

October 7, 2025

LG and Ten plotting return of linear TV

The Ten Network's free-to-air channels will become accessible via LG's connected TVs via a new alliance with the South Korean electronics giant. Owners of LG smart TVs will be be able to watch live streams of Ten's linear channels without the need for a terrestrial antenna. Lachlan Roach from Ten's parent company Paramount Australia believes that free-to-air broadcasting still has a future, despite the growing shift to streaming video platforms. (RMS)

News

Australia

Oct 6

Seven weighs new bid for next NRL rights

There is speculation that Seven West Media could pursue new talks with US-based NBCUniversal regarding a joint venture streaming service if the proposed merger with Southern Cross Media Group proceeds. Industry sources have indicated that NBCUniversal's requirement for the Stokes family to reduce their stake in Seven West to just 20 per cent had been a 'deal breaker' when the talks were held in 2022. The Stokes family's stake will fall to 20 per cent if the merger with Southern Cross goes ahead. Seven insiders have also suggested that having its own streaming service could also Seven to bid for the NRL broadcasting rights; Seven has limited options at present given that its holds the AFL rights. (RMS)

News

ARN chief flags further local consolidation

ARN Media's CEO Ciaran Davis contends that more consolidation in Australia's media sector is inevitable. He notes that the sector must compete with global companies that are not subject to local content quotas and do not face the same regulatory constraints. Davis is also upbeat about the outlook for Australia's radio and digital audio sector, with ARN owning radio stations such as KIIS and the iHeart digital platform. Davis recently advised that he will step down in January after 16 years as CEO: Davis says his departure had been planned for nearly a year, and he believes that ARN is in better shape than it was when he took on the role. (RMS)

News

News boss slams AI copyright 'theft'

News Corp Australasia's executive chairman Michael Miller will use a Melbourne Press Club speech on Wednesday to caution against relaxing Australia's copyright laws. He will contend that technology companies must not be allowed to use Australian content to train their artificial intelligence platforms without adequately compensating the producers of that content. The Productivity Commission recently proposed adding a 'fair dealing exception' to the Copyright Act for AI platforms. (RMS)

News

'Future of journalism is bright'

Media industry veteran Campbell Reid says the digital age has been positive for news publishers because the rise of citizen journalism has resulted in greater scrutiny of traditional media; it has also provided the industry with more sources of information about things that happen in public, including video footage. Reid will step down as News Corp Australia's head of corporate affairs in November, after 11 years in the role. His five-decade career in the media industry began as a cadet journalist in New Zealand; he eventually moved into editorial, becoming the editor of The Australian in 2000 and later The Daily Telegraph. (RMS)

News

Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video extend lead over local streamers

Data from technology analyst firm Telsyte shows that Netflix now has 6.4 million subscribers in Australia, which is three per cent higher than a year ago. Amazon Prime Video has in turn recorded year-on-year growth of six per cent, and it now has 5.1 million local subscribers. In contrast, the subscriber base of home-grown streaming video platform Stan was steady at 2.6 million. Foad Fadaghi from Telsyte says factors such as strong population growth and the launch of more lower-cost advertising-supported plans have contributed to growth in streaming video subscriptions. (RMS)

News Flashback
(In Case You Missed It)

News

Lachlan's win means his mates Down Under can breathe easily

Andrew Bolt is perhaps the News Corp Australia employee most relieved that Lachlan Murdoch has won the succession battle regarding control of the Murdoch family media empire. Bolt had stated last year that he would quit if James Murdoch and the other siblings of Lachlan Murdoch involved in the battle had won control of the empire. Lachlan Murdoch is also a big supporter of News Corp Australia boss Michael Miller, who retains his role despite ongoing rumblings that Sky News boss Paul Whittaker is after his job, while Daily Telegraph editor Ben English is said to be Lachlan Murdoch's favourite editor. (RMS)

News

Paramount/Warner deal could buck merger trend (RMS)

Peter Supino from Wolfe Research estimates that a merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros Discovery would generate initial cost synergies of about $US3bn. He says it would create the world's biggest film and TV studio and one of the top five streaming video companies. Shares in both companies have rallied in response to media reports that Paramount is preparing an all-cash takeover bid for Warner Bros Discovery. The merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media was completed in August. (RMS)

News

September 12, 2025

Fox's path now clear, says Lachlan

Fox Corporation's executive chairman and CEO Lachlan Murdoch says the deal to resolve a long-running family trust dispute will ensure clarity about the media company's future strategy. The $US3.3bn deal will give Lachlan Murdoch full control of the family's stakes in both Fox and News Corporation. Murdoch says the deal with his siblings will allow Fox to continue on the path that it set in 2019 when the Murdoch family sold its entertainment assets to Disney. He notes that Fox's revenue has increased by $US5bn since the sale to Disney. (RMS)

News Flashback

September 10

Siblings paid to exit Murdoch media empire

Sources have indicated that the Murdoch family has settled the long-running dispute over future control over its media empire in a deal worth $US3.3bn ($5bn). Rupert Murdoch's eldest son Lachlan is set to assume full control of the family's stakes in News Corp and Fox Corporation, ending the dispute with his siblings. Prudence MacLeod, Elisabeth Murdoch and James Murdoch will each receive $US1.1bn, while they have also agreed to sell all of their shares in the two companies over the next six months. The family trust that was at the centre of the legal dispute between the Murdochs will be dissolved as part of the deal. (RMS)

News

Kayo, Binge remain key pillars of Foxtel

Foxtel Group executive Mark Frain has emphasised that the pay-TV company remains committed to the Binge streaming service under its new owner, the sports-focused DAZN. The CEO of Foxtel Media says the entertainment-focused Binge is a key part of the group's future plans; he argues that Binge provides DAZN with an opportunity to bolster and complement sport. Meanwhile, Frain expects demand for Kayo Sports to continue growing amongst both from advertisers and subscribers. Foxtel will hold its 2006 'upfronts' event ths week. (Roy Morgan Summary)

News

Antitrust suit against Fox News dismissed

US District Court judge Aileen Cannon has ruled in favour of Fox News in an antitrust case launched by cable news rival Newsmax. The latter had alleged that Fox News had used its market power to coerce distributors into unfair terms that bar them from carrying its competitors' broadcasts. Cannon essentially found that the complaint against Fox News had been poorly drafted, but she ruled that Newsmax can lodge a revised complaint by 11 September. (RMS)

News

Netflix: October 2025

Movies

A House of Dynamite (Oct 24): A political thriller directed by Kathryn Bigelow, starring Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, and others. It centers on a nuclear threat to the U.S., touted as a potential Best Picture nominee.

The Woman in Cabin 10 (Oct 10): A psychological thriller starring Keira Knightley as a journalist uncovering a mystery on a luxury yacht, based on Ruth Ware’s novel.

Steve (Oct 3): Cillian Murphy stars as a headteacher at a reform school facing personal and professional struggles, based on Max Porter’s novella Shy.

About My Father (2023, Oct 1): A comedy with Sebastian Maniscalco and Robert De Niro, focusing on a clash between an Italian father and his fiancée’s family.

Blue Crush (2002, Oct 1): A sports drama starring Kate Bosworth about a woman pursuing her dream of becoming a pro surfer.

Casper (1995, Oct 1): A family-friendly supernatural comedy with Christina Ricci about a kind-hearted ghost.

Elysium (2013, Oct 1): A sci-fi action film by Neill Blomkamp starring Matt Damon, exploring class struggles between Earth and a luxurious space station.

Hacksaw Ridge (2016, Oct 1): Mel Gibson’s WWII drama about medic Desmond Doss, starring Andrew Garfield.

Dirty Dancing (1987, Oct 1): The iconic romantic dance film with Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey.

Austin Powers Trilogy (Oct 1): All three films (International Man of Mystery, The Spy Who Shagged Me, Goldmember) bring Mike Myers’ comedic spy antics.

Series:

Nobody Wants This Season 2 (Oct 23): The rom-com starring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody returns, following Joanne and Noah’s chaotic relationship.

The Diplomat Season 3 (Oct 16): Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell navigate political intrigue, with Bradley Whitford joining as the First Gentleman.

The Witcher Season 4 (Oct 30): Liam Hemsworth takes over as Geralt of Rivia, adapting the final novels of Andrzej Sapkowski’s series. A Rats special may accompany it.

Love Is Blind Season 9 (Oct 1): Set in Denver, this reality dating show explores love without physical attraction.

Monster: The Ed Gein Story (Oct 3): Ryan Murphy’s anthology series continues with Charlie Hunnam as the infamous serial killer Ed Gein, joined by Laurie Metcalf and Addison Rae.

Splinter Cell: Deathwatch (TBD): An animated espionage series based on the video game, following Sam Fisher.

The Resurrected (TBD): A Taiwanese series about two mothers resurrecting a criminal to avenge their daughters.

Genie, Make a Wish Season 1 (Oct 1): A Korean rom-com starring Kim Woo Bin as a genie and Bae Suzy as a stoic woman.

Dudes Season 1 (Oct 1): A German comedy spinoff of Alpha Males.

The New Force Season 1 (Oct 1): A Swedish drama about Stockholm’s first female police officers.

Documentaries

Victoria Beckham (Oct 9): A three-part series tracing her journey from Spice Girls fame to fashion mogul.

The Perfect Neighbor (Oct 17): A Sundance award-winning documentary on the 2023 Ajike Owens murder and Florida’s stand-your-ground laws.

Starting 5 Season 2 (Oct 16): Follows NBA stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Kevin Durant during the 2024-2025 season.

Who Killed the Montreal Expos? (Oct 21): Explores the demise of the Canadian baseball team.

The White House Effect (Oct 1): Examines climate policy under George H.W. Bush and its lasting impact.

Rockstar: Duki From the End of the World (Oct 1): An Argentine documentary on trap star Duki.

Specials and Animation

Dr. Seuss’s Horton! (Oct 1): An animated adaptation from Brown Bag Films.

Ranma 1/2 Season 2 (Oct 1): Weekly anime episodes continue the classic series.

Rurouni Kenshin Season 2 (Oct 1): A Japanese anime about a samurai seeking redemption.

Six Kings Slam 2025 (Oct 15): A live tennis showcase featuring top players.

Matt McCusker: A Humble Offering (Oct 1): A stand-up comedy special.

News

Netflix: October 2025

Highlights include:

WWE RAW
Sacramento, CA
October 20
Golden 1 Center

WWE SmackDown (numerous international markets. Not US)
Friday Night SmackDown
San Jose, CA
October 17
Sap Center

WWE SmackDown
Tempe, AZ
October 24
Mullett Arena

WWE NXT
NXT Halloween Havoc
October 25
Prescott, AZ
Findlay Toyota Center

WWE RAW
October 27
Anaheim, CA
Honda Center

IP Man (complete series at time of publication)
Wingwomen

News

Netflix: November 2025

Boxing: Jake Paul vs Tank Davis - Nov 14

WWE: Survivor Series (Netflix for Aussies) - Nov 29
Petco Park
San Diego, California

Stranger Things S5 - Nov 27

News

Media Man

Netflix wins Media Man 'Streaming Service Of The Month' award

Google Finance wins Media Man 'Business News Website Of The Month' award

Runner-ups: Yahoo! Finance, The Australian Financial Review, FOX Business and Sky News Australia

Yahoo! Finance Sports Report wins Media Man 'Sports Business Podcast Of The Month' award

News

Brand News via Media Man

Netflix wins Media Man 'Brand Of The Month'; Runner-up: MAX

WWE wins Media Man 'Wrestling Promotion Of The Month' award

UFC wins Media Man 'MMA Promotion Of The Month' award

TKO Group wins Media Man 'Entertainment Promoter Of The Month' award

AEW wins Media Man 'Challenger Brand Of The Month' award

Prime wins Media Man 'Beverage Of The Month' award

Claudio's Cafe wins Media Man 'Coffee Brand Of The Month' award; Runner-up: Nespresso

Casino/Gaming/Hotels

News, Background, Stockmarket

Markets/Trades

October 6, 2025

New York, USA

MGM Resorts International $33.92 -0.0100 -0.029%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $124.59 +0.93 +0.75%

Las Vegas Sands $52.27 +1.30 +2.55%

Boyd Gaming Corporation $85.49 -0.99 -1.14%

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. $26.38 -0.89 -3.26%

Red Rock Resorts, Inc. $59.46 -0.94 -1.56%

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. $43.85 +0.12 +0.27%

PENN Entertainment, Inc. $18.49 -0.51 -2.68%

Light & Wonder, Inc. $83.01 -1.68 -1.98%

Bonus

NVIDIA Corp $185.51 -2.11 -1.12%

News

Lead Up

Markets/Trades: Near Live

September 30, 2025

New York, USA

MGM Resorts International $34.66 -1.87 -5.12%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $128.27 -4.16 -3.14%

Las Vegas Sands $53.79 -1.46 -2.64%

Boyd Gaming Corporation $86.45 -0.93 -1.06%

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. $27.03 -0.85 -3.03%

Red Rock Resorts, Inc. $61.06 -1.67 -2.66%

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. $41.81 -1.51 -3.49%

PENN Entertainment, Inc. $19.26 -0.45 -2.28%

Light & Wonder, Inc. $83.94 -1.63 -1.90%

Bonus

NVIDIA Corp $186.58 +4.72 +2.60%

News Lead Up

News, Background, Stockmarket

Markets/Trades: Near Live

September 26, 2025

New York, USA

MGM Resorts International $35.60 +1.12 +3.25%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $128.97 +3.13 +2.49%

Las Vegas Sands $54.01 +0.95 +1.79%

Boyd Gaming Corporation $85.94 +1.45 +1.72%

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. $27.04 +1.13 +4.36%

Red Rock Resorts, Inc. $61.73 +1.75 +2.92%

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. $43.49 +0.59 +1.38%

PENN Entertainment, Inc. $19.80 +0.26 +1.33%

Light & Wonder, Inc. $84.96 +0.30 +0.35%

News Bonus

NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) $178.19 +0.50 +0.28%

TKO Group $199.04 +3.25 +1.66%

Casino News

Casino: a public room or building where gambling games are played. "He was a keen gambler and often went to casinos". A facility for gambling. Casinos are often built near or combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships, and other tourist attractions.

Some casinos are also known for hosting live entertainment, such as stand-up comedy, concerts, and sporting events. The term casino is of Italian origin, from the root word casa meaning "house." Originally, the term referred to a small country villa, summerhouse, or social club. During the 19th century, casino came to encompass other public buildings where pleasurable activities took place.

The precise origin of gambling is unknown, but it is believed to have existed in nearly every society in history. The first known European gambling house, the Ridotto, was established in Venice, Italy, in 1638 to provide controlled gambling during the carnival season. In the United States, early gambling establishments were known as saloons. In the early 20th century, gambling was outlawed in the U.S. by state legislation. However, in 1931, gambling was legalized in Nevada, leading to the rise of Las Vegas as a major gambling center. In 1976, New Jersey allowed gambling in Atlantic City, which is now the second-largest gambling city in the U.S.

Slot machines have become one of the most popular forms of gambling in casinos. The design of a casino, including factors like sound, odour, and lighting, is often carefully controlled to encourage gambling.

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!

News

New York City's Casino License Race Heats Up:

Manhattan Proposals Rejected, Yonkers and Queens Advance

All three proposed casino projects in Manhattan have been voted down by local community committees, including the high-profile $11.2 billion Freedom Plaza bid near the UN headquarters, operated by Mohegan and developer Stefan Soloviev. This leaves no casino developments in Manhattan for now.

On a positive note, MGM Resorts' $2.3 billion expansion of Empire City Casino in Yonkers and Genting Group's $5.5 billion Resorts World upgrade in Queens received key approvals from advisory panels on September 25, moving them to the state licensing board. Developers are promising billions in community investments, jobs, and infrastructure to sway officials.

Social buzz: X users are debating the economic impact, with some calling it a win for suburban gambling hubs over urban congestion.

Michigan Cracks Down on Unlicensed Online Casinos

The Michigan Gaming Control Board issued cease-and-desist orders to eight unlicensed online operators targeting residents, emphasizing risks to player data and fair play. This aligns with broader U.S. enforcement trends under state laws like the Lawful Internet Gaming Act.

Boom in New Online and Sweepstakes Casinos for U.S. Players

New sweepstakes options include LoneStar Casino (500+ games, 100K Gold Coins no-deposit bonus), Sixty6 (1,500 slots), and Rich Sweeps (5,000-game launch).

Standouts for social/sweepstakes play: GameDayZone (NFL-timed debut), Shuffle us (spin-off from Shuffle dotcom), and Sweeps Royal (mobile-first with generous promos). These focus on no-purchase entry, quick redemptions, and AI personalization.

Other Notable Stories

Mining Stocks Tie-In: Casino-adjacent sectors like mining (key for casino construction materials) saw gains, with BHP up 1.32% to $42.22 on September 26.

For more details follow X handles like
@casinonewsmedia

Casino, Gaming and Hotel Stocks

Markets/Trades

September 21, 2025

New York, USA

MGM Resorts International $35.80 -0.14 -0.39%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $129.52 +0.84 +0.65%

Las Vegas Sands $53.87 +0.66 +1.24%

Boyd Gaming Corporation $83.30 Flat

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. $25.56 -0.84 -3.18%

Red Rock Resorts, Inc. $60.76 -0.23 -0.38%

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. $44.53 -0.35 -0.78%

PENN Entertainment, Inc. $19.09 -0.12 -0.62%

Light & Wonder, Inc. $87.28 -0.94 -1.07%

News Bonus

Prices: Near Live!

NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) $176.60 +0.20% +0.36

News

MGM CEO says Dubai casino approval still pending as 2028 resort construction advances

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.

News

Lead Up ...

Casino, Gaming and Hotel Stocks

Markets/Trades

September 16, 2025

New York, USA

MGM Resorts International $35.36 -0.28 -0.79%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $120.68 -2.17 -1.77%

Las Vegas Sands $51.86 -1.23 -2.32%

Boyd Gaming Corporation $82.15 -1.32 -1.58%

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. $25.58 -0.32 -1.24%

Red Rock Resorts, Inc. $59.71 -1.37 - 2.24%

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. $45.45 -0.100 -0.22%

PENN Entertainment, Inc. $18.92 +0.090 +0.48%

Light & Wonder, Inc. $88.69 -1.74 -1.92%

News Bonus

NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) $174.84 -2.91 -1.64%

Lead Up

24 hours ago approx

Markets/Trades

September 15, 2025

New York, USA

MGM Resorts International $35.64 +1.09 Today +3.15%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $122.85 +1.40 Today +1.15%

Las Vegas Sands $53.09 -0.41 -0.77%

Boyd Gaming Corporation 83.47-1.03 -1.22%

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. 25.90 +0.81 +3.23%

Red Rock Resorts, Inc. 61.08 -0.01 -0.02%

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. 45.55 +0.34+ 0.75%

PENN Entertainment, Inc. 18.83 -0.78 -3.98%

Light & Wonder, Inc. 90.43 +1.36 + 1.53%

News Bonus

NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) 177.75 -0.07 -0.04%

Casino, Gaming and Hotel Stocks

Markets/Trades

September 22, 2025

New York, USA

MGM Resorts International $35.80 -0.14 -0.39%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $129.52 +0.84 +0.65%

Las Vegas Sands $53.87 +0.66 +1.24%

Boyd Gaming Corporation $83.30 Flat

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. $25.56 -0.84 -3.18%

Red Rock Resorts, Inc. $60.76 -0.23 -0.38%

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. $44.53 -0.35 -0.78%

PENN Entertainment, Inc. $19.09 -0.12 -0.62%

Light & Wonder, Inc. $87.28 -0.94 -1.07%

News Bonus

NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) $176.60 +0.20% +0.36

News

MGM CEO says Dubai casino approval still pending as 2028 resort construction advances

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.

News

Lead Up ...

Casino, Gaming and Hotel Stocks

Markets/Trades

September 16, 2025

New York, USA

MGM Resorts International $35.36 -0.28 -0.79%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $120.68 -2.17 -1.77%

Las Vegas Sands $51.86 -1.23 -2.32%

Boyd Gaming Corporation $82.15 -1.32 -1.58%

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. $25.58 -0.32 -1.24%

Red Rock Resorts, Inc. $59.71 -1.37 - 2.24%

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. $45.45 -0.100 -0.22%

PENN Entertainment, Inc. $18.92 +0.090 +0.48%

Light & Wonder, Inc. $88.69 -1.74 -1.92%

News Bonus

NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) $174.84 -2.91 -1.64%

Lead Up

24 hours ago approx

Markets/Trades

September 15, 2025

New York, USA

MGM Resorts International $35.64 +1.09 Today +3.15%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $122.85 +1.40 Today +1.15%

Las Vegas Sands $53.09 -0.41 -0.77%

Boyd Gaming Corporation 83.47-1.03 -1.22%

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. 25.90 +0.81 +3.23%

Red Rock Resorts, Inc. 61.08 -0.01 -0.02%

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. 45.55 +0.34+ 0.75%

PENN Entertainment, Inc. 18.83 -0.78 -3.98%

Light & Wonder, Inc. 90.43 +1.36 + 1.53%

News Bonus

NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) 177.75 -0.07 -0.04%

Markets, Crypto and Culture

August 11, 2025

Sydney, Australia

Markets

ASX futures up 5 points or 0.1% to 8768

Australian dollar at 65.24 US cents

Wall Street:
S&P 500 +0.8%
Dow Jones +0.5%
Nasdaq +1%

Europe:
Stoxx 50 +0.3%
FTSE -0.1%
DAX -0.1%
CAC +0.4%

Bitcoin +1.2% to $US118,168

Gold flat at $US3397.75 per ounce
Oil flat at $US63.88 a barrel
Brent crude oil +0.2% to $US66.59 a barrel
Iron ore -0.2% to $US102.05 per ton

10-year yield:
US 4.28%
Australia 4.24%
Germany 2.69%

News

Cryptos Today: (Near Live)

Bitcoin $118,766.62 USD +2.25%
Ethereum $4,233.35 USD -0.37%
Tether $0.999 USD -0.01%
XRP $3.17 USD -1.31%
BNB $802.27 USD +0.79%

News

Summer Break for the Crypto Market

Market Overview

The cryptocurrency market began August with a relatively narrow range of $3.6-3.8 trillion, ending Wednesday at $3.72 trillion. The support received in the area of previous peaks set in December and January suggests that this is a temporary pause to lock in profits and gain liquidity before a new surge. At the same time, however, such sluggishness is turning away the most active traders, who are used to seeing multiple rallies. Now they have moved on to very small projects.

On Tuesday, Bitcoin was again approaching its 50-day moving average. Such frequent testing of the medium-term trend signal line indicates accumulated fatigue in the first cryptocurrency. For comparison, the crypto market's total capitalisation is still moving significantly above its 50-day average, which is currently around $3.57 trillion.

News Background

Institutional investors are actively buying up Ethereum, while retail traders remain on the sidelines. SharpLink bought 83,561 ETH ($264.5 million) last week at an average price of $3,634. The company's reserves amount to almost 522,000 ETH (~$1.9 billion). However, Bitmine Immersion Tech remains the leader, with 833 coins worth over $3 billion. A total of 64 corporations now own 2.96 million ETH ($10.81 billion) or 2.45% of the total Ethereum supply.

Large companies continue to buy Bitcoin, adding 26,700 BTC to their reserves in July. Strategy bought 21,021 BTC for $2.46 billion last week. According to BitcoinTreasuries, public and private companies now hold 1.35 million BTC ($155 billion) on their balance sheets — more than 6% of the total digital gold supply.

US regulators have proposed new rules for the crypto industry. The CFTC has launched an initiative to legalise spot trading of cryptocurrencies on registered exchanges, and the SEC has updated its guidance on stablecoin accounting rules.

USDe from Ethena Labs has become the third-largest stablecoin. Since mid-July, its capitalisation has grown by 75% to $9.5 billion. Demand for the asset may have been spurred by high yields ranging from 10% to 19% per annum. The total capitalisation of all stablecoins has been growing for the seventh month in a row and is approaching $275 billion. (FxPro)

News

S&P500’s buy-the-dip sentiment helped Bitcoin

The sell-off of Bitcoin following Congress's passage of a law regulating the circulation of stablecoins and the retreat of US stock indices from record highs allowed Bitcoin bears to push prices below the lower boundary of the $116k—$120k consolidation range. When it looked like a severe correction was coming, US stocks stepped in again. Investors bought up the S&P 500 dip, and Bitcoin immediately bounced back.

Changes in global risk appetite continue to be the main driver of cryptocurrency prices. July saw a series of record highs for the S&P 500, making it a successful month for Bitcoin. Meanwhile, Bitcoin-focused ETFs attracted $6 billion, the third-best result in the history of specialised exchange-traded funds. Ether ETFs were not far behind, with a record inflow of $5.4 billion.

The situation changed dramatically at the turn of July and August. Interest in digital assets began to cool. Coinbase's Bitcoin premium fell into the red for the first time since May, indicating a decline in demand from US investors. Open interest in Bitcoin and Ether futures contracts fell by 13% and 21%, respectively, compared to Bitcoin's record high. According to Coinglass, on the last day of July, $800 million in long positions across all cryptocurrencies were liquidated.

Speculators doubt the rally's continuation, while crypto treasuries are buying Bitcoin under any conditions. On pullbacks or at market prices, ‘Strategy’ acquired more than 21,000 coins worth $2.46 billion during the week of July 28th to August 3rd. This is the third-largest cryptocurrency purchase by Michael Saylor's company since records began. The average price is the second highest in history. As a result, Strategy's reserves have grown to more than $71 billion.

The future dynamics of Bitcoin will depend on the fate of US stock indices and capital flows into ETFs. If the S&P 500's successes are temporary, Bitcoin will be forced to undergo a deep correction. If its quotes remain below the middle of the previous consolidation range of $116k—$120k, the bears are in control.

News

Bitcoin tests support at 50-day MA

Market Picture

The crypto market rolled back at the end of last week following a reduction in risk appetite in the financial markets. However, on Sunday, sentiment changed with the return of active buyers near the total capitalisation of $3.60 trillion. At the time of writing, the market is at $3.73 trillion (+3.6%). Less than 10% of the top 100 coins show gains over 7 days, among which the largest are TRON (+2.2%) and TON (+4.5%).

The crypto market sentiment index fell to 53 by Sunday morning, a six-week low, but recovered to 64 on Monday, reflecting a resurgence of bullish sentiment. However, another impressive upward move will be needed to confirm a local victory for the bulls.

On Saturday and Sunday, Bitcoin received support from buyers on declines below $112K near the 50-day moving average - the fourth touch of this curve since April. On the “buy the dip” sentiment, the first cryptocurrency recovered to $115K on Monday morning. The rebound from support is a bullish signal for the next couple of days, but the fact that it has been tested frequently raises concerns for the medium term. News Background

According to SoSoValue, net outflows from spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US amounted to $812.3 million on August 1, the highest since February 25. As a result, the weekly outflow from BTC ETFs amounted to $643 million, a record high for the past 16 weeks.

The net outflow from spot Ethereum ETFs in the US on Friday amounted to $152.3 million. However, inflows in the previous days of the week managed to keep the indicator in positive territory (+$154.3 million). The positive trend has continued for 12 consecutive weeks.

Analyst Ali Martinez says that over the past two days, Bitcoin whales have bought 30,000 BTC. According to Santiment, over the past four months, whales with balances ranging from 10 to 10,000 BTC have accumulated 0.9% of the total coin supply.

According to The Block, trading volume on centralised crypto exchanges exceeded $1.7 trillion in July (the highest since February 2025), and trading volume on decentralised exchanges (DEX) also reached its highest level since January.

Galaxy Digital warned of risks in the public company sector, which accumulates cryptocurrencies by issuing shares. The model creates systemic vulnerability and could lead to a cascade collapse.

US SEC Chairman Paul Atkins announced Project Crypto. The project’s key objective is to establish clear rules for cryptocurrencies and turn the US into the “world’s crypto capital.” (FxPro)

News Flashback

Three blows to oil in three days

Oil has been under triple pressure since the end of last week, losing more than 7% per barrel of WTI since 31 July, reaching the important psychological level of $65.

The latest wave of oil sell-offs began with the realisation that US trade tariffs from August will be higher than initially expected, as higher tariffs are associated with an economic slowdown and weaker demand for energy. Fears of an economic slowdown intensified after the release of unexpectedly weak US employment data on Friday. Over the weekend, concerns were heightened by OPEC+'s increase in production quotas, which was reflected in the markets on Monday.

After its latest meeting, OPEC+ announced that it would increase production quotas for eight countries by 547,000 barrels per day starting in September.

Considering the quota increases since April, the entire voluntarily reduced volume of 2.2 million barrels per day will return to the market. This is a rather bold decision, given the growing fear that the global economy is slowing down.

Some link such steps by the cartel to the risks of supply disruptions due to potential sanctions from the US and the EU. In our opinion, it is also worth considering the cartel's intention to regain its market share from the US in this way.

Oil producers in the US are very sensitive to price, sharply cutting investment when prices fall. At the beginning of April, there were 489 oil rigs in operation, but according to data published on Friday, this number has fallen to 410. In the long term, a gradual increase in production efficiency should be considered, but at intervals of six months, it is unlikely that there will be any sharp progress. Therefore, we can expect some US production reduction and a gradual recovery in the share of traditional oil producers such as Saudi Arabia, Russia and the UAE.

The price of WTI crude oil, which rose to close to $70 at its peak last week, has returned to the lower end of the range since early June at $65. Closing the day below 66 will mark a failure below the 200- and 50-day moving averages, increasing the potential for further declines.

If OPEC+ really plans to increase its share of the oil market, it may not oppose further price declines. The intensification of negative trends in the global and US economies could bring the price back to this year's lows of $55 by the end of September and to the lower end of the downward corridor of $50 by the end of the year. However, further trends will depend heavily on the reaction of monetary authorities and oil producers. (FxPro)

News Flashback

July 29, 2025

Ethereum continues attempt to climb above $4,000

Market Picture

The crypto market lost 1%, falling back to a capitalisation of $3.9 trillion. This was a natural pullback against the backdrop of the dollar's impressive strengthening the day before. However, on Tuesday, the bulls were back in charge, bringing the market back to a level above Monday's opening but not yet reaching its peak.

Bitcoin is trading near $118.7K, unable to break through the resistance at $120K. This indecision to break out of the range is likely to continue until the market sees the Fed's key rate decision on Wednesday evening.

Ethereum rose to $3,930 at the end of the day, fell back to $3,700 on Monday, where it found interest from new buyers and rose to $3,830 at the time of writing. The last seven days have seen a fairly sharp upward trend, and if this trend continues, the price will rise above 4,000 by the end of this week.

News Background

According to CoinShares, global investment inflows into crypto funds last week amounted to $1.908 billion. Investments in Ethereum increased by $1.595 billion, Solana by a significant $312 million, XRP by $190 million, and Sui by $8 million. Investments in Bitcoin decreased by $175 million.

Japan's Metaplanet announced the acquisition of 780 BTC ($92.5 million) at an average price of $118,600. The company's total reserves now amount to 17,132 BTC, worth over $2 billion.

According to Blockware, Bitcoin will no longer show ‘parabolic’ rallies or ‘devastating’ bear cycles, as institutional investors have changed the market dynamics and reduced volatility.

According to Strategic ETH Reserve, the volume of the second cryptocurrency on the balance sheets of public companies has reached 2.32 million ETH (~$9.11 billion) — 1.92% of the total Ethereum supply. Bitmine Immersion Tech, associated with Fundstrat founder Tom Lee, pursues the most aggressive strategy. The company has ~566,800 ETH ($2.23 billion) on its balance sheet.

BNB, the fifth-largest cryptocurrency by capitalisation, updated its historical high above $860 on Monday. Against this background, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao's estimated fortune exceeded $76 billion. According to Forbes, Zhao owns 64% of the BNB supply — about 89.1 million tokens. (FxPro)

News

Pop Culture News

Dream Matches: Fantasy Booking/Sports; Media Man Group Dream Match Series

News

Cryptocurrency Movies
Documentaries

The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin (2014) Follows early Bitcoin adopter Daniel Mross, exploring Bitcoin’s origins, its volatile rise, and the community behind it. Great for understanding Bitcoin’s early days and its potential to disrupt finance.

Banking on Bitcoin (2016) Examines Bitcoin’s history, ideological roots, and impact on global financial systems through interviews with pioneers and experts. A solid primer for newcomers.

Cryptopia: Bitcoin, Blockchains, and the Future of the Internet (2020)

Bitcoin: The End of Money as We Know It (2015) Traces the history of money and introduces Bitcoin as a decentralized alternative, critiquing centralized financial systems. Features interviews with crypto experts.

Deep Web (2015) Narrated by Keanu Reeves, this documentary focuses on the Silk Road marketplace and its creator, Ross Ulbricht, highlighting Bitcoin’s role in dark web transactions.

Bitconned (2024) Explores the Centra Tech crypto scam, detailing how three individuals defrauded investors during the 2010s crypto boom. A cautionary tale about unregulated markets.

Feature Films

Crypto (2019) A crime thriller starring Beau Knapp, Luke Hemsworth, and Kurt Russell. It follows a young anti-money laundering agent investigating corruption and cryptocurrency in his hometown. Critics note its exaggerated portrayal but praise its entertainment value.

Silk Road (2021) A dramatization of Ross Ulbricht’s creation of the Silk Road, a dark web marketplace using Bitcoin. It explores his rise and fall, blending crime and drama.

Dope (2015) A coming-of-age comedy-drama featuring Bitcoin as a plot device. High schooler Malcolm uses Bitcoin for a dark web transaction, reflecting its early association with illicit activities.

Bonus Mentions

Life on Bitcoin (2014): Follows a couple attempting to live solely on Bitcoin for 100 days, showcasing early adoption challenges.

Bitcoin Heist (2016): A Vietnamese action-comedy about hackers chasing a crypto criminal, blending humor and thrills.

Notes

Documentaries are generally more educational, focusing on Bitcoin’s history, blockchain technology, and real-world implications. They’re great for beginners and enthusiasts alike.

Feature films often dramatize crypto’s association with crime or scams, sometimes oversimplifying or exaggerating for effect. They prioritize entertainment over accuracy.

For a deeper dive, check streaming platforms like Prime Video, Fandango at Home, or YouTube, where many of these are available.

News

Wall Street (Movie)

Key Details:

Cast: Michael Douglas (Gordon Gekko), Charlie Sheen (Bud Fox), Daryl Hannah (Darien Taylor), Martin Sheen (Carl Fox). Runtime: 2h 6m. Genre: Drama/Crime. Rating: R. Box Office: ~$44 million (US).

Awards: Michael Douglas won the Academy Award for Best Actor.

Notable Aspects:

Gekko’s “Greed is good” speech is iconic, reflecting 1980s excess.

Inspired by real-life figures like Ivan Boesky and Michael Milken.

A sequel, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010), continued the story.

Where to Watch (as of 2025):

Streaming: Available on platforms like Peacock or rentable on Amazon, YouTube, or Apple TV (check current availability). Physical: DVD/Blu-ray via retailers like Amazon.

News

Gold, copper, & silver: How metals are moving this year

News

Best Quotes

An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." — Benjamin Franklin

"Bottoms in the investment world don't end with four-year lows; they end with 10- or 15-year lows." — Jim Rogers

Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy only when others are fearful." — Warren Buffett

Media Man

"Everything is a gamble" Greg Tingle, Media Man Group

Casino News

June 2025

Las Vegas Explosion at Aria Resort and Casino: A significant explosion occurred outside the Aria Resort and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip on June 14, 2025, prompting a swift response from emergency services. Terrifying footage captured the blast, which follows a recent shooting near the Bellagio fountains, raising concerns about safety on the Strip.

Brisbane Star Casino Incident: On June 13, 2025, emergency services responded to an incident outside the Star Casino in Brisbane, Australia, following a reported hammer attack and heist on George Street. This adds to ongoing scrutiny of the casino’s operations.

Crown Sydney Poker Machine Ban: Australia’s largest casino group, Crown, was blocked from expanding poker machine operations at its Sydney casino on June 12, 2025. NSW Premier Chris Minns rejected legislation to allow poker machines at Crown’s Barangaroo facility, citing community agreements and prior regulatory issues.

Chicago Casino Settles Discrimination Lawsuit: Bally’s Chicago casino settled a lawsuit on June 12, 2025, after accusations of barring White men from investing in its $250 million IPO. The casino dropped its minority- and women-only investment policy, opening ownership to all investors.

The Star Casino Money Laundering Scandal: The Star casino in Sydney faces a potential $400 million fine for enabling risky transactions, including $167 million in credit to a known money launderer. Financial watchdog AUSTRAC is pursuing the case, with the casino admitting to inadequate processes.

Las Vegas Tourism Slump and Layoffs: A slowdown in Las Vegas tourism has led to layoffs of casino dealers, with resorts like Fontainebleau and Resorts World affected. The average hourly wage for dealers in Nevada is $19.96, aligning with the national average.

Wynn Resorts UAE Expansion: Wynn Resorts announced plans for a major casino in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, featuring a 224,000 sq. ft. main casino and a private “sky gaming” floor. Wynn remains the only casino license holder in the UAE.

Online Casino Developments:
In the Philippines, iGaming.com released updated rankings for licensed online casinos for 2025, emphasizing regulation and responsible gambling practices.

In the UK, Tea Spins launched as a new online casino, offering innovative games and fast payouts while adhering to strict UK regulations.

New UK Mastercard casinos for 2025, like Pub Casino and BetMGM UK, were highlighted for secure payments and attractive bonuses.

Bitcoin Casino Promotions: Posts on X promoted a new Bitcoin casino offering a weekly 1 BTC giveaway, a VISA card for crypto spending, and cashback rewards, reflecting the growing trend of cryptocurrency in online gaming.

Tribeca Festival Celebrates Casino’s 30th Anniversary: Martin Scorsese’s 1995 film Casino was screened at the Tribeca Festival, with Robert De Niro and Scorsese discussing its themes and production challenges, including its depiction of Las Vegas’s mafia era.

News

Vegas Casino News

Crime and Safety: A suspect in a deadly shooting at Aliante Casino, Aerion Warmsley, faces potential death penalty charges following a violent crime spree involving murder, carjackings, and a high-speed chase. Separately, an explosion outside Aria Resort and Casino, caused by fireworks thrown from a vehicle, set a palm tree ablaze but caused no injuries.

Casino Rankings: A study by SlotMatrix ranked Las Vegas fourth among U.S. casino cities, behind Chicago, Detroit, and Atlantic City, surprising some given Vegas’s iconic status.

Expansions and Renovations: El Cortez Hotel & Casino completed a $20 million expansion, adding a high-limit lounge, new bars, a restaurant, and nearly 200 slot machines. Palms Casino Resort reopened its “Til Death Do Us Part” wedding chapel with unique pop art decor.

Jackpots and Events: A gambler won over $28,000 on an 88-cent bet at Palms’ Dancing Drums slot machine. Circa Resort and Casino plans “Slotapalozza,” a major slot tournament on July 19 with $15,000 in prizes.

Economic Trends: Las Vegas Strip casinos face declining tourism (down 6.5% from January to April 2025) and gaming revenue (down 3.3% over nine months). Some casinos, like Fontainebleau and Resorts World, have laid off table game dealers due to reduced visitors and increased automation.

Policy and Regulation: Casinos remain cautious about cannabis due to federal illegality, despite local legalization, to protect their licenses. Paris Las Vegas introduced a “Luck of the Draw” room booking option, letting guests gamble on their room type.

Entertainment: The Las Vegas Strip sees extended residencies, with The Backstreet Boys scheduling 21 shows at Sphere and Kenny Chesney performing through June 21.

News

Australian Casino News

Regulatory Actions and Fines: The Star casino has faced scrutiny, with calls to avoid a $400 million fine that could threaten its operations due to systemic failures in tackling money laundering and terrorism financing. Meanwhile, PointsBet Australia was fined $500,800 for sending 508 marketing messages to self-excluded individuals, breaching spam and gambling laws.

Poker Machine Restrictions: The NSW government, led by Premier Chris Minns, blocked Crown Resorts' bid to install poker machines at its Barangaroo casino in Sydney, maintaining strict licensing conditions. This decision followed a damning report on poker machine regulation, highlighting community concerns about gambling harm. NSW accounts for half of Australia's poker machines, with significant losses reported daily.

Money Laundering Concerns: Casinos in Townsville and Darwin (Mindil Beach Casino Resort) are under audit by AUSTRAC due to high risks of money laundering. This follows similar actions against major operators like Crown Resorts and The Star, indicating heightened regulatory oversight.

Online Casino Trends: The online gambling sector is booming, with Australians spending over $2.5 billion annually. Players prioritize platforms with robust security, extensive pokies libraries, and generous bonuses. Roby Casino was named the best PayPal casino, while Highflybet emerged as a top new online casino for 2025. Mobile gaming is significant, with over 70% of players using smartphones.

Gambling Harm and Advertising: There’s growing concern over gambling advertising, with 76% of Australians supporting a phased ban. Independent Senator David Pocock criticized Tabcorp’s plans to expand gaming rooms, citing government inaction. The Labor government faces pressure to address underage gambling and harmful practices.

Industry Leadership Changes: Entain Australia’s CEO, Dean Shannon, announced his departure by June 30, 2025, amid legal challenges over money laundering compliance.

Physical Casino Developments: Crown Towers Melbourne is reportedly in need of refurbishment to remain competitive, while a violent incident outside The Star Casino in Brisbane involved a hammer attack.

News

UAE: Casino News

Wynn Al Marjan Island: Wynn Resorts is spearheading the UAE's first legal casino, set to open in early 2027 in Ras Al Khaimah. The $5.1 billion Wynn Al Marjan Island resort is nearly 60% complete, with construction progressing at one floor per week, currently at the 42nd of 70 planned floors. It will feature a 224,000 sq. ft. main casino—larger than its Las Vegas counterpart—and a private “sky gaming” floor on the 22nd level. Wynn secured the UAE’s first commercial gaming license in October 2024, granting an exclusive 15-year term for casino operations in Ras Al Khaimah. The resort aims to attract Middle Eastern tourists while being culturally sensitive, leveraging Wynn’s acquisition of Crown London to draw regional visitors. A survey by duke+mir via YouGov indicates 25% of UAE residents are likely to participate in casino activities, with interest in poker (19%) and bingo (15%) notable. The project is expected to boost tourism and position Ras Al Khaimah as a global gaming destination, comparable to Singapore’s casino launch in 2010.

Fennica Gaming License: Veikkaus subsidiary Fennica Gaming has become the latest supplier to secure an online gaming license from the UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). This allows Fennica to partner with licensed operators, offering online casino content like slots, video poker, and instant-win games via its Google Cloud-powered GaaS platform. Fennica is also approved in markets like the UK, Sweden, and the Netherlands.

Regulatory Developments: The GCGRA, established to oversee the UAE’s gaming sector, has introduced frameworks for lotteries, online gaming, sports betting, and casinos. In 2024, The Game LLC received the first license to operate the UAE Lottery, which began in November 2024. The GCGRA also signed an MOU with New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement to collaborate on responsible gambling, technology, and cybersecurity, leveraging New Jersey’s experience with regulated online gaming since 2013.

Online Gaming Crackdown: The UAE is cracking down on unregulated online casino websites, with several major platforms blocked recently. Industry insider Jad Moubarak suggested this could signal the introduction of regulated online gaming platforms to fill the gap, though the GCGRA may proceed cautiously. Research indicates 41% of UAE residents engage in sports betting, with online casino interest growing.

Economic and Tourism Impact: The gaming sector is seen as a key pillar for the UAE’s economic diversification, driving tourism and foreign investment. Wynn Al Marjan Island’s proximity to 150 million people positions it to attract international visitors, with infrastructure upgrades underway to support an influx of tourists. The project is expected to have a significant economic impact, mirroring trends in mature gaming markets like the UK.

These developments indicate the UAE’s strategic move toward regulated gaming, balancing cultural sensitivities with economic opportunities.

News

Casino News Media

Las Vegas Crime: A 19-year-old, Aerion Warmsley, is accused of a deadly shooting at Aliante Casino’s parking garage, followed by multiple carjackings. Grand jury evidence, including video footage, was obtained by FOX5.

Casino Del Sol Expansion: In Tucson, Arizona, Casino Del Sol and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe celebrated a construction milestone for a new property on Grant Road, expected to create jobs and economic opportunities.

Online Casino Trends: RoboCat Casino in Canada launched a $1 minimum deposit option, making online gaming more accessible. Meanwhile, Lucky Creek Casino added new real-money games to enhance its 2025 offerings.

Crypto Casinos: A 2025 study by Radcred highlights the rise of crypto casinos, emphasizing their transparency and speed due to blockchain technology. Only a few platforms earned high trust ratings.

Macau Closures: Nine satellite casinos in Macau, including Casino Grandview and Casino Waldo, will close by December 2025 due to new gaming law reforms, impacting 6,000 jobs.

Tribal Casino Developments: In Idaho, the Shoshone-Paiute and Coeur d’Alene tribes blessed land for a new casino south of Boise. In Vancouver, the Tsleil-Waututh Nation is negotiating to buy a casino at Hastings Park.

Regulatory Changes: Sweden plans to extend its ban on gambling with credit, while Maine is discussing online casino legalization through tribal compacts.

Social Media Sentiment: Posts on X highlight a mix of casino-related news, from Las Vegas incidents to new game promotions, reflecting ongoing public interest.

News

Bitcoin Casinos: News

Growing Popularity in Australia: Bitcoin casinos are gaining traction among Australian players due to their fast payouts and generous bonuses. Platforms like Betpanda offer anonymous gaming with instant withdrawals, while BC.Game is noted for provably fair instant win games. CoinCasino is highlighted for its extensive game selection and sports betting options, supporting a wide range of cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and even meme coins like Shiba Inu.

Crypto Casinos in 2025: The crypto gambling market is projected to reach $55.3 billion by 2032, driven by fast transactions, enhanced privacy, and lower fees compared to traditional casinos. Bitcoin casinos like Jackbit, with over 7,000 games and 10-minute withdrawal times, are praised for their no-KYC (Know Your Customer) models, appealing to privacy-conscious players.

Provably Fair Gaming: Many Bitcoin casinos now offer provably fair games, allowing players to verify outcomes using blockchain technology. This transparency, seen in games like Crash, Plinko, and Dice, builds trust. Platforms like Crypto Royal feature Bitcoin-themed slots such as Satoshi's Secret with high RTP rates (up to 99%).

Innovative Bonuses: Casinos like JACKBIT and MIRAX are introducing no-wagering bonuses, letting players cash out winnings without complex requirements. For example, JACKBIT’s no-wagering welcome bonus and MIRAX’s crypto-specific rewards cater to modern players. KatsuBet offers a 325% welcome pack up to 5 BTC plus 200 free spins.

Social Media Buzz: Posts on X highlight the rise of no-KYC Bitcoin casinos, emphasizing privacy and speed with support for multiple cryptocurrencies like BTC and ETH. Additionally, platforms like BTComcasino are promoting weekly 1 BTC giveaways and real cashback without wagering requirements.

New Platforms: Discasino, a new crypto-only casino accessible via Discord, offers over 2,000 games and supports more than 20 cryptocurrencies. BoxBet Casino stands out with its native BXBT token alongside major cryptocurrencies.

Global Trends: The shift toward crypto-friendly casinos is a worldwide movement, with platforms in regions like the UK, Canada, and Asia increasingly accepting Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as primary payment methods. Some casinos are crypto-exclusive, reflecting a broader digital payment revolution.

Note: Gambling involves risks, and players should only wager what they can afford to lose. Always verify local regulations and choose licensed platforms.

News

Sports Betting: Casino News

Sports Betting Scandals and Regulations: The gambling industry faces scrutiny due to high-profile scandals, with DraftKings' responsible gaming chief aiming to shift the narrative by enhancing user data transparency and personalized responsible gaming messages. Studies indicate that legal sports betting has led to a 1% decline in average credit scores and a 28% increase in bankruptcy likelihood in states where it’s legal, raising concerns about financial impacts.

Club World Cup Betting: The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, running from June 14 to July 13 in the U.S., has drawn significant betting interest. Manchester City is favored at 5/1 odds, with analysts like Jones Knows highlighting their strong midfield, led by Rodri, as a key factor. The tournament offers a massive $1 billion prize pool, with up to $125 million for the winner.

Match-Fixing Concerns: Soccer players in Australia are pushing for a ban on yellow-card bets due to recent A-League match-fixing scandals, citing the potential for manipulation. In the UK, West Ham United, despite star player Lucas Paqueta’s spot-fixing probe, signed a £12 million shirt sponsorship deal with BoyleSports, replacing Betway.

Fan Harassment and Betting Culture: Legal sports betting, now in 39 U.S. states, has led to increased harassment of athletes by bettors, with incidents like Gabby Thomas being heckled at a track meet. The NCAA reported 12% of abusive messages to college athletes during championships were betting-related. MLB players also note a shift in fan interactions, with betting lines often referenced, impacting the sport’s culture.

Casino Developments: In the Philippines, Bloomberry Resorts launched an online casino platform, capitalizing on the country’s booming internet gambling sector, which surpassed brick-and-mortar casino revenue last year. In the U.S., Resorts World exited New York’s sports betting market, while TAB bid $150 million for an online betting license.

Promotions and Bonuses: Betting platforms like Mostbet and 1xBet offer substantial welcome bonuses in India, with promo codes unlocking up to ?65,000 for sports betting. BetMGM, named Online Casino of the Year 2025, provides £40 in free bets for new users.

News

UFC Slot Games

UFC-themed slot games are digital casino slots that capture the excitement of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) with fighter likenesses, Octagon imagery, and intense soundtracks. Here are key details about UFC slot games based on available information:
Endemol Games' UFC Slot:
Overview: Developed by Endemol Games, this is an officially licensed UFC slot with 5 reels, 20 paylines, and a 93.99% RTP. It features realistic graphics, heavy metal music, and symbols like UFC fighters, ring girls, and the UFC logo. Players choose a fighter at the start, who becomes the wild symbol.

Bonus Features:
Expanding Wild: Triggered by a golden wild on the center reel, adding random wilds for bigger wins.

Fight Night Bonus: Activated by three championship belt symbols on reels 1, 3, and 5. Players select fight moves to win cash prizes, with an extra bonus for winning the fight.

Training Bonus: Three fist symbols on reels 2, 3, and 4 start a free spins round, where players earn spins based on battle outcomes.

Availability: Playable on desktop, mobile, and tablet, with free demo versions available on sites like Slotorama and Slots Temple.

Bet Range: From $0.01 to $25 per line, suitable for low to medium volatility play.

Games Global Partnership:
Overview: In 2024, Games Global signed a three-year exclusive deal with UFC to produce UFC-themed slots, brokered by UFC’s licensing agency, IMG. The first title, UFC Gold Blitz Extreme, launched globally on July 23, 2024, after a soft launch in May.

Features: These slots include UFC fighter imagery, wild symbols, free spins, and themes reflecting the Octagon’s intensity. They’re available in regulated iGaming markets like Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

Developers: Fortune Factory Studios, part of Games Global, developed UFC Gold Blitz Extreme. More titles are planned over the three-year period.

Accessibility: Playable via local betting platforms in regulated regions, with operators announced pre-launch.

Other UFC-Themed Slots:
Playzido’s UFC Slot: Another UFC slot exists by Playzido, offering free spins and deposit bonuses in some markets, though less detailed information is available.

UFCSLOT99: A site claiming high win rates and UFC branding, but its legitimacy is unclear, and it may not be officially licensed. Caution is advised.

Roobet.fun Partnership: Roobet.fun, UFC’s official social casino partner since 2023, offers free-to-play games with UFC branding, including slots, but focuses on sweepstakes and fan engagement rather than traditional gambling.

Where to Play:
Free Demos: Available at Slotorama, Slots Temple, Spin Castle, and Sim-Slots.eu.

Real Money: Offered at regulated online casinos like FanDuel Casino (for UFC Gold Blitz Extreme) and PaddyPower Games. Check local regulations for availability.

Promotions: Some platforms, like Blockbet, advertise UFC-related casino rewards, but verify their licensing.

Player Experience:
These slots appeal to UFC fans with authentic visuals, fighter selections (e.g., Georges St-Pierre, Ronda Rousey), and immersive bonus rounds. Non-fans also enjoy the high-energy gameplay and frequent bonuses.

The games balance entertainment with moderate win potential, though RTPs (e.g., 93.99% for Endemol’s slot) are slightly below some modern slots.

Note: Always play on licensed platforms and check local gambling laws. Some games, like Endemol’s UFC slot, may be retired or unavailable in certain regions. For the latest UFC slot titles, visit Games Global or UFC’s official sites.

News

Vegas Casino Revenue News

Las Vegas Strip casino revenue has been declining in 2025. In April, gaming revenue fell 2.9% year-over-year to $646.87 million, marking the third consecutive month of declines. Statewide, Nevada's gaming revenue dropped 0.5% to $1.23 billion, though it maintained a 50-month streak of exceeding $1 billion monthly. March saw a 4.78% revenue drop to $681.6 million, and February was down 13.78% to $690.3 million, partly due to a tough comparison with 2024's Super Bowl. Rising costs, fewer international visitors, and increased automation are cited as factors, alongside higher hotel rates (up 3.9%) despite a 7.8% drop in March visitors. However, smaller markets like Downtown Las Vegas (up 11.6% in March to $85 million) and Boulder Strip (up 10.2% to $86.3 million) showed resilience. Layoffs, notably at Fontainebleau and Resorts World, reflect operational cutbacks amid these trends.

News

Famous Vegas Casinos

Las Vegas is renowned for its iconic casinos, each offering a unique blend of gaming, entertainment, and luxury. Here’s a rundown of some of the most famous casinos on the Las Vegas Strip and beyond, based on their historical significance, size, and cultural impact:
Bellagio
Why Famous: Known for its elegance and the iconic Fountains of Bellagio, a choreographed water show. It’s a luxury hotel and casino with a 116,000-square-foot gaming floor.

Highlights: High-end poker rooms, upscale dining (e.g., Le Cirque), and the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art.

Fun Fact: Featured in the movie Ocean’s Eleven for its high-stakes vibe.

Caesars Palace
Why Famous: A Vegas staple since 1966, known for its Roman-themed opulence and massive 124,181-square-foot casino.

Highlights: The Colosseum hosts major acts like Celine Dion, and the Forum Shops are a luxury shopping destination.

Fun Fact: It’s been a backdrop for films like The Hangover and hosts high-profile boxing matches.

The Venetian
Why Famous: Inspired by Venice, Italy, with indoor canals and gondola rides. Its 120,000-square-foot casino is one of the largest.

Highlights: The Grand Canal Shoppes, Tao Nightclub, and a replica of St. Mark’s Square.

Fun Fact: Its sister property, The Palazzo, connects seamlessly, creating a massive resort complex.

MGM Grand
Why Famous: One of the largest casinos in Vegas with a 171,500-square-foot gaming floor. Known for its Hollywood glamour.

Highlights: Hakkasan Nightclub, the MGM Grand Garden Arena for concerts and events, and a sprawling pool complex.

Fun Fact: Home to the famous lion habitat (now closed) and the setting for many UFC events.

Wynn Las Vegas
Why Famous: Synonymous with luxury, offering a 111,000-square-foot casino and a reputation for high-end service.

Highlights: Award-winning golf course, XS Nightclub, and fine dining like SW Steakhouse.

Fun Fact: Its sister property, Encore, adds to its prestige with a more intimate vibe.

The Cosmopolitan
Why Famous: A modern, trendy casino with a 100,000-square-foot gaming floor, known for its chic design and nightlife.

Highlights: The Chandelier Bar, Marquee Nightclub, and rooftop pools with Strip views.

Fun Fact: Popular with younger crowds for its vibrant, social atmosphere.

Aria Resort & Casino
Why Famous: A sleek, modern casino with 150,000 square feet of gaming space, part of the CityCenter complex.

Highlights: High-tech gaming, the Jewel Nightclub, and a focus on sustainability.

Fun Fact: Known for its art collection and cutting-edge architecture.

The Mirage
Why Famous: A pioneer of the mega-resort era with its Polynesian theme and iconic volcano show (currently paused). Its casino spans 100,000 square feet.

Highlights: Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and performances like The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil.

Fun Fact: Opened in 1989, it set the standard for modern Vegas resorts.

Flamingo Las Vegas
Why Famous: One of the oldest casinos, opened in 1946 by Bugsy Siegel, with a 77,000-square-foot gaming floor.

Highlights: Flamingo-themed pool area and the Wildlife Habitat with live flamingos.

Fun Fact: A historic landmark tied to Vegas’s mobster past.

Resorts World Las Vegas
Why Famous: One of the newest additions (opened 2021), with a 117,000-square-foot casino and cutting-edge tech.

Highlights: Three hotels (Hilton, Conrad, Crockfords), Zouk Nightclub, and a massive LED globe.

Fun Fact: The first major new resort on the Strip in over a decade.

Off-Strip Bonus:
The D Las Vegas (Downtown): Known for its vintage Vegas vibe and the SlotZilla zipline.

Circa Resort & Casino (Downtown): A modern adults-only casino with a massive sportsbook and Stadium Swim pool deck.

These casinos are iconic for their gaming, entertainment, and cultural significance.

Crypto, Fintech, Markets, News and Politics via Media Man

March 12/13, 2025

The crypto bounces back from extreme fear

Market picture

The cryptocurrency market bounced 2% in the last 24 hours to $2.67 trillion. So far, the situation looks like a small rebound after the collapse. We should not talk about the beginning of recovery as long as the market is below its 200-day moving average of $2.83 trillion.

Sentiment in the crypto market has shifted from dread to fear at 34. The indicator was last higher more than three weeks ago, indicating that now is a good time to buy. However, it's worth paying attention to the nervous stock market before considering investments in more volatile cryptocurrencies.

Bitcoin was climbing above $83,000 on Tuesday, hitting resistance in the form of the 200-day moving average. If a long-term trend line is repurposed as resistance, that's a worrisome bearish fact.

Ethereum ended Tuesday with growth and was trading near $1900 at the start of Wednesday, but this is a timid rebound within the steep peak the coin has been in since February 24th and the broader downtrend of the past three months.

News Background

CryptoQuant states a sharp drop in open interest in Bitcoin and Ethereum futures, suggesting a ‘leverage washout’ and a chance of market stabilisation. The Kobeissi Letter admits a wave of short position unwinding in risk assets after extreme fear levels are reached.

Clearstream, the post-trading arm of Deutsche Börse, will offer cryptocurrency settlement and custody services to institutional clients as early as next month, starting with Bitcoin and Ethereum. It then plans to add support for other cryptocurrencies and services for staking, lending and brokerage.

Glassnode notes that Solana fell below its realised price of $134 for the first time in three years. The metrics show the average cost for investors to purchase the coin.

According to Arkham Intelligence, on 11 March, bankrupt exchange Mt. Gox transferred 11,501 BTC (~$905 million) to an unknown address. Mt. Gox-related addresses hold a total of 35,915 BTC worth $2.89bn. (FxPro)

News

SEC vs Ripple Case: Negotiations Underway for Settlement

Recent developments indicate that the legal dispute between Ripple Labs and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) could be nearing a conclusion. Reports suggest that Ripple's legal team is currently negotiating more favorable terms related to a $125 million fine and an injunction on XRP sales to institutional investors. The anticipation of a settlement has led to increased interest and speculation within the cryptocurrency community regarding the outcome and its potential impact on XRP. (Grok)

News

U.S. Plans Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Acquisition

Senator Cynthia Lummis has reintroduced the BITCOIN Act, which proposes that the United States government purchase one million Bitcoins over five years to create a strategic reserve. This legislative move reflects a growing acknowledgment of Bitcoin as a digital asset for national economic strategy, garnering support from both traditional financial sectors and cryptocurrency advocates. Alongside this, there is an ongoing debate about the implications, risks, and potential benefits of such a reserve. (Grok)

News

Trump's Crypto Banking Deregulation

President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to sign an executive order that would reverse regulations set by the Biden administration aimed at restricting banking activities for cryptocurrency firms. This move could impact how crypto companies interact with the Federal Reserve, potentially leading to greater integration of cryptocurrencies within the traditional financial system. (Grok)

News

Rumble's Strategic Bitcoin Acquisition

Rumble, a video platform and competitor to YouTube, has announced the purchase of 188 Bitcoins for approximately $17.1 million. This acquisition is part of Rumble's strategy to integrate Bitcoin into its treasury management, aiming to hedge against inflation and participate in the growing trend of corporate cryptocurrency adoption. The move reflects a broader acceptance of Bitcoin as a legitimate financial asset among companies. (Grok)

News

Trump Predicts Market Surge Amid Economic Indicators

President Trump has publicly stated his belief that the U.S. financial markets are poised for significant growth, making his comments at an event with business leaders. This optimistic forecast follows recent economic indicators showing inflation cooling to levels not seen in years, despite mixed responses from markets regarding Trump's economic policies including tariffs. (Grok)

News

Ethereum's Lowest BTC Ratio Since 2020 Triggers Liquidation Risk

The Ethereum Foundation faces potential liquidation of over $100 million in assets if Ethereum's price drops to $1,100, amidst a historic low in the ETH/BTC trading ratio not seen since May 2020. This financial maneuver is part of Ethereum's strategy to manage its treasury through decentralized finance (DeFi), highlighting both the risks and innovative approaches to crypto-asset management in a volatile market. (Grok)

News

Gold funds burst out of the blocks in 2025 as returns rocket

Australian gold funds are shaping up for a bumper year as mining companies start to capitalise on record prices, helping the stocks to finally catch up to the performance of the precious metal.

Portfolio managers were left frustrated last year after a jump in production costs held back ASX-listed gold producers from riding the rally in the spot prices to record levels. The VanEck Gold Miners exchange-traded fund climbed nearly 20 per cent in 2024 versus a 38 per cent rally for the gold price in Australian dollars.

But easing cost inflation that has plagued the mining sector for the last three years and an ongoing surge in prices has seen the trend reverse course. VanEck’s Gold Miners ETF is up 17 per cent already this year while the Aussie dollar spot price has climbed 6.3 per cent.

Local fund managers are bullish that gold has much further to run after the US dollar price climbed above $US2942 an ounce for the first time and the Australian dollar gold price breached $4500 an ounce.

Victor Smorgon Partners’ Resource Gold Fund returned a chunky 13.3 per cent in January and portfolio manager Cameron Judd believes the valuations of ASX gold stocks still don’t reflect the outlook for the yellow metal.

“Gold’s performance in times of uncertainty or crisis could see it push towards $US3600,” Mr Judd said. “Despite the strong gold price performance and fundamentals supporting further appreciation, gold miners are trading at discounted valuations on the ASX.”

Wall Street’s biggest banks believe a $US3000 price tag is imminent. Citi said it was possible within the next three months, while JPMorgan has a year-end target of $US3150. Bank of America said on Thursday that gold could reach $US3500 an ounce if investment demand rises 10 per cent this year.

The unprecedented surge in the gold price has been fuelled by investors seeking safe haven assets as US President Donald Trump unleashes aggressive trade and geopolitical policies. There are fears the president will accelerate inflation, forcing central banks to raise rates in a way that damages global growth.

Victor Smorgon’s top holdings include ASX-listed Vault Minerals and the world’s largest gold miner, US-based Newmont, which recently acquired Newcrest. The fund also owns Australia’s biggest gold miner Northern Star, which agreed to buy rival De Grey in a $5 billion deal. (AFR) *Full article and coverag via subscription to The Australian Financial Review.

News

Australia

Northern Star paying top dollar for gold rival

Northern Star has offered $5 billion to buy De Grey Mining, with De Grey shareholders to vote on the offer on 16 April. De Grey is the company behind the Hemi gold prospect in Western Australia, which is thought to hold at least 11 million ounces of gold and which is slated to produce 530,000 ounces annually in its first decade of operation. KPMG, which was engaged to provide an independent assessment of Northern Star's offer, has valued DeGrey at between $4 billion and $4.79 billion, inclusive of a premium for control. It concludes that the offer is "fair and reasonable and therefore is in the best interests of De Grey shareholders, in the absence of a superior proposal". (Roy Morgan Summary)

News

March 12, 2025

Crypto market tumbles after stocks

Market picture

Crypto market capitalisation has been falling to $2.5 trillion following the rumbling fall of the US stock market. It is dipping below the peaks of early 2024 and late 2021. Previously, a similar decline would complete a corrective pullback, attracting buyers. However, the chances of such an outcome are now lower than in previous years due to the powerful influence of traditional financial companies, which has strengthened the link between the crypto market and stock dynamics.

For now, though, we can argue that there is less terror in crypto. The Fear and Greed Index is at 24 (+4 points for the day), while the low point was a week earlier at 10.

Bitcoin slipped towards $76.5K in the early hours of Tuesday but has popped above $80K at the time of writing, approaching Monday’s consolidation levels. A bearish pattern persists on the daily timeframes, which suggests a strengthening sell-off after a failure under the 200-day moving average. The scenario of a pullback to the $70-74K area still looks the most probable for us. This is all the truer as the consolidation and rebound in early March has taken the short-term oversold stance out of the market.

Ethereum is trying to find a pivot point after falling towards $1750 at the start of Tuesday. These were the lowest values in the last 17 months. On weekly timeframes, the RSI oscillator hit its lowest point since mid-2022 - near the bottom of the bear market. Does this signify an opportunity for the recklessly bold or a breakdown in the leading altcoin? We will find out in the coming days.

News Background

According to CoinShares, global crypto fund investments fell by $876 million last week after record outflows of $2.911 billion a week earlier. Investments in Bitcoin fell by $756 million; in Ethereum, by $89 million. Investments in Solana rose by $16 million, in XRP by $6 million, and in Sui by $3 million.

As a result of another recalculation, Bitcoin mining difficulty increased by 1.43% to 112.15T. The growth did not compensate for a 3.15% drop two weeks ago. However, the figure came close to the all-time high of 114.17T reached in January.

Strategy (former MicroStrategy) intends to raise $21bn through the sale of preferred shares as part of its At-The-Market program. The proceeds will be used to buy Bitcoin and other corporate purposes. (FxPro)

News

March 11, 2025

US Senator And Congressman Introduce Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Bills To Buy One Million BTC

Speaking at the “Bitcoin for America” summit, lawmakers announced their plans to create a federal bitcoin reserve that would see the U.S. buy one million BTC.

Today at the Bitcoin Policy Institute’s “Bitcoin for America” summit in Washington DC, U.S. Senator from Wyoming Cynthia Lummis announced that she is going to reintroduce her strategic Bitcoin reserve legislation in the Senate today.

“I am so pleased to announce that today I will be reintroducing The Bitcoin Act,” Senator Lummis stated. “And I’ll be joined here shortly by Senator Justice of West Virginia, who is one of the cosponsors. And we have several other additional cosponsors. And a lot of it is a result of the excitement that’s been building.” (Bitcoin Magazine). *Full article via Bitcoin Magazine

News

XRP wins Media Man 'Crypto Of The Month' award

News

Markets

Australian Dollar: $0.6317 USD (up $0.0020 USD)
Iron Ore Apr Spot Price (SGX): $100.60 USD (up $0.15 USD)
Oil (WTI): $67.70 USD (up $1.14 USD)
Gold: $2,931.74 USD (up $13.03 USD)
Copper (CME): $4.8425 USD (up $0.0500 USD)
Bitcoin: $82,880.91USD (up 0.32% in last 24 hours)
Dow Jones: 41,350.93 (down 82.55 points)

News

Roy Morgan wins Media Man 'News Services Company Of The Month' award

News Media

Australia

Peter Dutton More Crypto Friendly And Switched On Than Albanese (Media Man Group)

News

"Dutton A Genuine Contender" (Sky News Australia)

March 10, 2025

ASX futures are pointing up 69 points, or by 0.9 per cent, to 8011.

All US prices are as of 4.15pm Sunday in New York:

Bitcoin -3.7% to $US83,138
On Wall St: Dow +0.5% S&P +0.6% Nasdaq +0.7%
VIX -1.5 to 23.37
Gold -0.1% to $US2909.10 an ounce
Brent oil +1.3% to $US70.36 a barrel
Iron ore +0.3% to $US100.70 a tonne
10-year yield: US 4.3% Australia 4.4%

January 10, 2025

ASX futures up 33 points or 0.4%

AUD -0.3% to 61.98 US cents
UK pound -0.4% to $US1.2309
Bitcoin -2.9% to $US91,275 at 7.23am AEDT
US markets closed for Jimmy Carter’s funeral
Stoxx 50 +0.4% FTSE +0.8% DAX -0.1% CAC +0.5%
Spot gold +0.3% to $US2671.00/oz at 1.55pm in New York
Brent crude +1.2% to $US77.08 a barrel
Iron ore +1% to $US97.40 a tonne
10-year yield: US 4.69% Australia 4.48% Germany 2.56%
US prices as of 1.59pm in New York

Markets and Commodities

October 10, 2024

Australian Dollar: $0.6710 USD (down $0.0040 USD)

Iron Ore Nov Spot Price (SGX): $105.15 USD (unchanged - public holiday)

Oil Price (WTI): $73.36 USD (down $0.55 USD)

Gold Price: $2,607.14 USD (down $15.75 USD)

Copper Price (CME): $4.4080 USD (down 0.0605 USD)

Bitcoin: $60,908.07 USD (down 2.11% in last 24 hours)

Dow Jones: 42,512.00 at 4.20pm NY time (up 431.63 points on yesterday's close)

Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson | Official Trailer | Netflix

Jake “El Gallo” Paul faces Mike Tyson, the Baddest Man on the Planet, in the highly-anticipated fight the world’s been waiting for. Live on Netflix. Friday, November 15th at 8pm ET | 5pm PT.

Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano Mario Barrios vs. Abel Ramos Neeraj Goyat vs. Whindersson Nunes

Watch on Netflix: https://netflix.com/title/81764952

About Netflix: Netflix is one of the world's leading entertainment services, with 278 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, films and games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can play, pause and resume watching as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, and can change their plans at any time.

Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson | Official Trailer | Netflix

Jake Paul battles Mike Tyson as they headline this must-see boxing mega-event streaming live in five languages from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Credit: Netflix)

BAD BOYS COLLIDE IN TEXAS on NOVEMBER 15, 2024

Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Is Officially One Month Away
https://netflix.com/tudum/articles/jake-paul-vs-mike-tyson-live-release-date-news

It’s all happening: For the first time ever, Netflix and Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) are teaming up for a boxing mega-event headlined by Jake “El Gallo de Dorado” Paul versus The Baddest Man on the Planet, Mike Tyson. The event will stream live on Netflix from the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Nov. 15. A rematch between undisputed super lightweight champion Katie Taylor (23-1, 6 KOs) and unified featherweight champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (47-2-1, 31 KOs) is also rescheduled for the same day in the co-main event. Explore more on the main, co-main, and undercards below; win tickets to the fight here; and be sure to tune in on Netflix on Nov. 15 at 8:00 p.m./5:00 p.m. ET to watch. (Credit: Netflix)

Media Man: Pumped. KO excitement and action. What the world is talking about and will continue to for quite some time. All power to both fighters. The fans win!

Combat Sports

December 14, 2024
Saturday Night's Main Event XXXVII

WWE Crown Jewel
November 2, 2024

November 30, 2024
WWE Survivor Series: WarGames

October 27, 2024
UFC 308
Etihad Arena
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Ilia Topuria vs Max Holloway
Robert Whittaker vs Khamzat Chimaev

October 13, 2024
UFC Fight Night Vegas
APEX, Las Vegas
Brandon Royval vs Tatsuro Taira

October 12, 2024
BKFC Spain
Marbella, Spain
3 Title Fights

WWE Bad Blood
Rhodes and Reigns vs The Bloodline
October 5, 2024
Atlanta, Georgia

October 6, 2024
UFC 307
Salt Lake City, Utah

September 29
UFC Fight Night France
Renato Moicano vs Benoît Saint Denis

WWE Speed

September 27, 2024
WWE SmackDown
Hayes vs Andrade 6

September 13, 2024
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
BKFC 66 - Blas vs Reber
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel. Hollywood, Florida

September 14
UFC
UFC Noche aka UFC 306
Sphere, Las Vegas
O'Malley vs Dvalishvili

September 14
Premier Boxing Champions
MGM T-Mobile Arena

Pro Wrestling

August 2024

WWE Raw - Bronson Reed Destroys Seth Rollins with numerous Tsunami's on RAW

All Elite Wrestling - Kyle Fletcher gets a strong promotional push

WWE - Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest are now the Terror Twins; Target Judgment Day

WWE - Grayson Waller and Austin Theory continue to have miscommunications

WWE - Dakota Kai (New Zealand) continues to improve and impress

AEW - "Switchblade" Jay White remains one of the top workers in the promotion and world

Hotel, Casino And Gaming News: U.S, Global

October 9, 2024

Hard Rock Casino Rockford has 2nd largest GGR

Illinois

Hard Rock Casino Rockford brought in the 2nd highest casino gambling revenue of any casino operating in Illinois. In September 2024, Hard Rock Casino Rockford brought in $13,717,722 in revenue. That makes Rockford’s casino the second largest in revenue in the state, behind the Rivers Casino Des Planes, which brought in $41.5 million in September. The total GGR for Illinois in September was $138.9 million with 1,140,023 admissions; the 2023 GGR was $132.1 million with 1,038,436 admissions.

News

Tropicana implosion paves way for A's stadium

Nevada

The Tropicana Casino and Resort, one of the last true mob buildings on the Las Vegas Strip, was reduced to rubble Wednesday morning. The implosion cleared land for the proposed $1.5 billion baseball stadium for the relocating Athletics, which is part of the city's latest rebrand into a sports hub.

News

Shift to attract millennials to casinos

Nevada

Innovations in gaming space and expanding technology in the postpandemic era continue to attract a new, younger generation to Las Vegas and its casinos, MGM Resorts International President Bill Hornbuckle said Tuesday at the Global Gaming Expo.

News

Allegiant Stadium to host Gold Cup soccer matches

Nevada

International soccer will once again kick off at Allegiant Stadium next summer. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority approved an event production agreement during its Tuesday board meeting, including matches in the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament in June 2025.

News

Ten Vegas restaurants together grossed almost $200M in 2023

Nevada

Never underestimate the power of a seat on the Las Vegas Strip. Alexxa’s in Paris Las Vegas, which offers some of the best street-side dining on the boulevard, was the highest-grossing independent restaurant in the city in 2023, according to Restaurant Business. Alexxa’s brought in $28.8 million in food and drink sales, and about 600,000 meals served. The restaurant ranked No. 9 on the list…The 10 Vegas restaurants (all but one on the Strip) in the top 100 together racked up nearly $200 million in sales for 2023.

News

Revenue Surges 48% Year-Over-Year in September 2024

West Virginia

West Virginia’s sports betting revenue surged in September 2024, seeing a 48% increase compared to the same month last year…the state generated $7.1 million in revenue from a $46.4 million handle, marking the second-highest monthly revenue ever recorded for the state’s sportsbooks…the total handle—$46.4 million wagered—was down 7% compared to September 2023.

Casino And Gaming News

Macau

October 2024

Macau's gaming revenue jumps 15 percent

Macau's gaming revenue rose 15.5 percent year-on-year in September, exceeding analysts' forecast as casinos gear up for one of China's biggest holidays, which usually fuels travel to the gambling hub.

Gross gaming revenue reached 17.25 billion patacas (HK$16.73 billion) for the month, according to data released by the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau. The result is compared to the median analyst estimate of a 14.2 percent increase and has returned to 78 percent of the pre-pandemic level seen in 2019.

The reporting was still lower than in the previous month, as September - when children go back to school and it being a peak typhoon month - is historically a weak season for Macau.

Expectations for the Golden Week holiday, which started yesterday, are high. Advanced bookings for hotel rooms are strong, with bigger gamblers making reservations earlier than usual, Citigroup analyst George Choi wrote in a note.

Affluent players remain able and willing to spend, and the trend seems to be accelerating, Choi said, citing a survey of gaming table performances.

Still, retail sales in Macau have shown signs of weakness. Lower-spending players appear to be betting less for the first time since China's reopening from Covid early last year, according to Choi. It is expected that this trend will ease as Beijing's recent announcement of a series of economic stimulus measures boosts disposable income, he added.

News

Global Gaming

Eklutna tribe clears land for anticipated casino

Alaska

A tribe near Anchorage has begun clearing land for the possibility that it will soon win federal approval to build a 50,000-square-foot facility with a tribal gaming operation. The casino would be the first of its kind outside Southeast Alaska. The Native Village of Eklutna has long pursued the idea of building the gaming hall on 8 acres of land…The parcel is in Birchwood, about 20 miles northeast of downtown Anchorage.

News

Julapun pushes for talks on casino complex plan

Thailand

Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat is calling on all relevant state agencies to discuss the government's push to allow casinos to operate within entertainment complexes. He hopes the discussion can be concluded by the middle of the month. He said the discussion will focus on the mechanism for tax collection, as there are restrictions in the State Fiscal and Financial Disciplines Act that the government must adhere to.

News

Nevada

Sports Betting Revenue Grows in August

Nevada sports betting posted August gains in handle and revenue, total August volume surpassed $455.2 million, a boost from the $431.6 million bet during the same month last year. Nevada sports betting operators cleared $25 million behind a 5.5% August win rate…The 5.5% hold for NV sportsbooks is one of the lowest this year, though on par with the market’s average win rate of less than 6%.

News

Florida

Slot revenue rises to $54.9 million in August

Florida Gaming Control Commission has revealed that the state’s non-tribal casinos collected almost $54.9 million in net slot revenue in August from around $825.6 million in wagers. That’s a 1.5 percent year-on-year increase from the $54.1 million generated in August 2023. With 1,236 machines, Harrah’s Pompano Beach Casino, reported as the Isle Casino & Racing at Pompano Park, led with $9.8 million of the total.

News

Pete Rose dies at age 83

Pete Rose, baseball’s career hits leader and fallen idol who undermined his historic achievements and Hall of Fame dreams by gambling on the game he loved and once embodied, has died. He was 83. Stephanie Wheatley, a spokesperson for Clark County in Nevada, confirmed on behalf of the medical examiner that Rose died Monday. Wheatley said his cause and manner of death had not yet been determined. Rose is in the WWE Hall of Fame (Celebrity Wing) Rose was grabbed around the neck in a staged skit by the late, great, Andre The Giant. And yes, there are some WWE themed slot games, mainly found in Vegas, Atlantic City and Florida from what the foot soldiers tell us.

News

Australia

Star Sydney could be worth as little as $8m: Barrenjoey consultants; Star Entertainment’s Sydney casino has emerged as a laggard in the troubled company’s property portfolio with one estimate putting its valuation as low as $8m!

News

Atlantic City

Atlantic City hotels defeat latest class action over casino room rates

Major casino-hotel operators in Atlantic City including Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts have persuaded a U.S. judge to dismiss a proposed consumer class action accusing them and a revenue management platform of overcharging for room rentals.

U.S. District Judge Karen Williams in Camden, New Jersey, ruled, opens new tab on Tuesday that the consumers had failed to present enough evidence to let their price-fixing lawsuit move ahead.

Williams dismissed the consumers’ lawsuit with prejudice, meaning it cannot be filed again. The case was part of a wave of new lawsuits claiming the use of revenue management platforms that rely on rivals' data can be deemed price-fixing.

The judge’s ruling marked a second setback for plaintiffs claiming that major hotels schemed to artificially jack up room rates. Consumers in a related case have appealed a Nevada federal judge’s order dismissing their lawsuit against Wynn Resorts, Caesars and others.

In both cases, the plaintiffs alleged hotel owners fed sensitive internal information — such as real-time price and occupancy data — to a shared software platform that offered pricing recommendations.

The hotels and the software maker, Cendyn, which was also a defendant, have denied any wrongdoing.

Representatives from Cendyn, Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts and Hard Rock on Tuesday did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

The plaintiffs’ attorneys in the New Jersey case at law firms Lite DePalma Greenberg & Afanador; Burns Charest; and Susman Godfrey did not immediately respond to a similar request.

The consumers said in their lawsuit that the hotels used Cendyn’s “Rainmaker” software “as their shared pricing brain” that “does all the hard work for them.”

They said “while the AI-driven technology at issue may be fairly novel, the underlying conduct is not.” (Wires)

Casinos/Profile via Grok

Here's an overview of the latest updates and trends regarding casinos as of October 2024, based on the information available:

Global Expansion and New Developments:

Jamaica is re-opening the application period for an integrated casino-resort license, indicating interest in expanding its tourism and entertainment offerings through casino gaming.

Norfolk, Virginia has given final approval for a new casino project, which will likely contribute to local tourism and economy, reflecting a trend where cities are increasingly seeing casinos as economic development tools.

Japan and UAE are among the regions moving towards establishing casino facilities, aiming to attract tourists. However, these might be restricted to non-locals, a common practice to control potential social impacts of gambling within the local population.

New York continues to explore online gambling legislation, which could significantly expand the casino industry's reach in the state by legalizing online casinos.

Economic Performance:

Nevada, particularly Las Vegas, reported a slight decline in casino winnings for August 2024 compared to the previous year, suggesting possible market saturation or shifts in gambling preferences towards other forms like online betting.

Innovation and Entertainment:

Steve Cohen, the owner of the New York Mets, has proposed an $8 billion casino and entertainment complex next to Citi Field, illustrating how casinos are increasingly integrated with sports and entertainment complexes to offer multifaceted experiences.

Technological and Gaming Trends:

There's a noted trend towards tightening up on various casino offerings like comps, free play, and even slot machine payouts, possibly in response to increased competition from online gambling platforms and a need to adjust profit margins.

Online Gambling continues to grow, with platforms like Ignition Casino, Cafe Casino, and DuckyLuck Casino highlighted for their offerings in the U.S. This reflects a broader shift towards digital platforms, where convenience, a variety of games, and bonuses are key attractions.

Security and Social Responsibility:

Casinos globally are enhancing their surveillance and security measures, often referred to as "the eye in the sky," to combat cheating and fraud, ensuring a safer environment for all patrons.

There's an ongoing emphasis on responsible gambling, with various regions implementing measures and support systems for gamblers, recognizing the potential social and economic impacts of casino gambling.

Market Sentiment:

From posts on X (formerly Twitter), there's a mix of excitement about new casino developments and concerns over the tightening of casino offerings, suggesting a complex relationship between gamblers and the industry.

In summary, the casino industry in 2024 is witnessing expansion into new markets, integration with broader entertainment complexes, technological adaptation towards online platforms, and a strategic focus on security and responsible gambling. This reflects an industry evolving to meet new consumer behaviors, technological capabilities, and regulatory environments. (Grok)

Casino News/Profile via Grok

The term "casino" refers to a facility where gambling activities take place, which often integrates with other entertainment options like hotels, restaurants, and live shows, making it a central hub for leisure and gambling. Here's an overview based on current insights and historical context:

Evolution of Casinos: Originating from the Venetian Ridotto in 1638, casinos have evolved from exclusive gambling houses to multifaceted entertainment centers. Today, they are known for merging traditional gambling with modern technology, offering everything from classic table games to digital slots and live dealer sessions.

Modern Online Casinos: The digital age has ushered in online casinos, providing an accessible platform for gambling from anywhere. These platforms, like those highlighted in recent promotions on X, offer various incentives such as bonuses for new sign-ups, free spins, and the integration of cryptocurrencies for transactions, enhancing user engagement with promises like "deposit now and receive FREE BTC!" This reflects a trend towards digital currencies in gambling for increased security, anonymity, and efficiency.

Cultural Impact and Controversy: Casinos, both physical and online, are not without controversy. They're often discussed in terms of their societal impact, including issues like gambling addiction. A perspective shared on X questions the legality and morality of state-run casinos like Holland Casino in the Netherlands, pointing out the potential for addiction due to high stakes gambling, contrasting it with smaller community events like bingo nights.

Entertainment Beyond Gambling: Besides gambling, casinos are pivotal in the entertainment industry, hosting concerts, stand-up comedy, and even sports events. This diversification aims at attracting a broader audience, not just gamblers, enhancing their appeal as comprehensive entertainment hubs.

Global Presence: Casinos like Marina Bay Sands in Singapore and those along the Las Vegas Strip are not just gambling venues but architectural marvels and economic powerhouses, contributing significantly to local economies through tourism.

Technological and Thematic Innovation: Modern casinos incorporate advanced technology for surveillance and game fairness, alongside themes that range from historical to futuristic, creating immersive environments for visitors.

Community and Legal Perspectives: There's an ongoing debate about the accessibility of casinos to locals, especially in regions where gambling might be viewed as culturally or legally sensitive. This reflects in discussions on platforms like X, where the impact of allowing locals into casinos like in Vietnam is pondered, weighing tourism benefits against social costs.

In summary, "casino" in today's context represents more than just gambling; it's a convergence of technology, entertainment, and sometimes, societal debate. The integration of online platforms and cryptocurrencies is pushing the boundaries of traditional gambling, making it more inclusive yet sparking discussions on regulation, addiction, and societal impact. (Grok)

UFC 307

Delta Center
Salt Lake City, Utah

October 5, 2024

Alex Pereira vs Khalil Rountree Jr

Raquel Pennington vs Julianna Peña

José Aldo Mario Bautista

Ketlen Vieira vs Kayla Harrison

Roman Dolidze vs Kevin Holland

Preliminary card:

Stephen Thompson vs Joaquin Buckley

Marina Rodriguez vs Iasmin Lucindo

Austin Hubbard vs Alexander Hernandez

César Almeida vs Ihor Potieria

Early prelims:

Ryan Spann vs Ovince Saint Preux

Carla Esparza vs Tecia Pennington

Court McGee vs Tim Means

Fighter Quotes:

"I owed them one, because I didn't get to fight last time" Stephen Thompson

"Obviously, I want to win the fight, but I also want to put on a good show" ... "Hopefully me and Joaquin will put that on this Saturday" ST

"Salt Lake City and Park City are in my top-10 favorite places in the world right now. This place is beautiful" Khalil Rountree Jr

"We had a fun time at the Utah Hockey Club game; great crowd, and a great team. They came out strong for an exhibition game. The fans are so supportive. "Amazing coffee shops, great food ... "I love to ski, so seeing all the ski slopes in Park City and what's out there — I'm a fan. I'll be back" Khalil Rountree Jr

"I think it's kind of cool" ... "That's definitely a fun way to look at it, especially from the fan standpoint, if they see Alex as the final boss. And I get to go and take my shot at the final boss" Khalil Rountree Jr

Grok News

UFC 307: Anticipation for Dual Belts

UFC 307, set in Salt Lake City, is generating significant anticipation among fans and fighters due to its high-stakes main event where two championship belts are at stake. The event features Alex Pereira defending his title against Khalil Rountree, with discussions focusing on Pereira's experience in title fights and Rountree's potential to cause an upset. Other notable fighters like Kayla Harrison, who weighed in at 136 lbs, and Jose Aldo, who made weight at 136 lbs, are also highlighted. The event promises intense fights, with fans and analysts predicting outcomes, discussing betting odds, and anticipating memorable moments. The excitement is palpable as the community looks forward to what could be one of the most violent and memorable nights in UFC history. (Grok)

News

UFC 307: High Stakes

UFC 307, scheduled for October 5, 2024, features two title fights that have captured significant attention from MMA enthusiasts. The main event highlights Alex Pereira defending his title against Khalil Rountree in what is anticipated to be a highly explosive fight, with many expecting a knockout. This marks Pereira's fourth title fight within a year, showcasing his dominance and experience at the top level. Additionally, Alexander Hernandez is favored in his bout, reflecting on his experience against tougher opponents. The event has spurred widespread discussion and predictions, with fans and analysts alike engaging in betting and sharing their expectations for various fights, particularly focusing on potential finishes. The community's anticipation is palpable, with many expecting standout performances across the card. (Grok)

News via Grok

October 5, 2024

UFC 307 Referee Controversy

At UFC 307, held on October 5, 2024, in Salt Lake City, there was significant controversy surrounding the refereeing, particularly during the fight between Cesar Almeida and Ihor Potieria. Here's a summary of what transpired based on fan reactions and reports:

Multiple Eye Pokes and Fouls: Fans and commentators expressed outrage over the referee's handling of fouls, particularly eye pokes. There were reports of at least four eye pokes, with one instance not even stopping the fight, and a low blow, all without any point deductions or stern warnings.

Clinch Separations: The referee was criticized for breaking up clinch situations too quickly, often within seconds of fighters engaging, which is seen as not allowing fighters to work their game plan effectively, especially in MMA where clinch work is a strategic part of fighting.

Public Reaction: Social media, specifically X posts, were flooded with criticism towards the referee's performance, with users calling for his removal or reassessment due to what they perceived as incompetence or bias. Phrases like "worst ref" and demands for his license to be revoked were common sentiments.

Fight Outcome Influence: While not directly impacting the official result, these refereeing decisions potentially influenced the fight's dynamics and possibly the fighters' strategies, leading to a broader discussion on how refereeing can affect the sport's integrity.

This event has sparked a broader conversation about referee standards in UFC, particularly how fouls are managed and the consistency in allowing fighters to execute their strategies, especially in clinch and ground positions. The controversy underscores ongoing issues within combat sports regarding referee training, decision-making under pressure, and the need for clearer guidelines or stricter enforcement of rules to maintain fairness in bouts. (Grok)

News

Lucindo's Split Decision Victory at UFC 307

Iasmin Lucindo secured a split decision victory over Marina Rodriguez at UFC 307. The judges' scores were close, with Lucindo winning by split decision with scores of 29-28 across the board, but split in favor of Lucindo. This fight was part of the undercard for UFC 307, which took place at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 5, 2024.

The decision was met with mixed reactions. Some observers felt the fight could have gone either way due to its closeness, while others believed Rodriguez deserved the win. There was also mention of controversy, possibly related to eye pokes or other in-fight incidents, which added to the debate over the decision. However, the official outcome stands, with Lucindo gaining a crucial win in her career against a tough opponent like Rodriguez. (Grok)

News

UFC 307 Referee Controversy

During UFC 307, a referee overseeing the fight between Almeida and Potieria was heavily criticized for poor performance. The referee failed to adequately address multiple rule infractions, including several eye pokes and a groin shot, leading to widespread fan dissatisfaction. This led to calls for the referee's removal from future events, with some fans suggesting he should be fired. Subsequently, reports emerged that the UFC had indeed fired the referee, reflecting a response to the backlash and the perceived incompetence during the event. (Grok)

Criticism of Refereeing at UFC 307

During UFC 307, fans expressed widespread dissatisfaction with the performance of one of the referees. The referee was heavily criticized for perceived incompetence and poor decision-making throughout the event, with particular incidents involving eye pokes and a groin shot drawing ire. Fans online called for the referee's removal from future events, highlighting what they described as the worst refereeing they had seen in UFC history. The criticism was not focused on a single incident but rather the referee's overall handling of the fights, suggesting a broad consensus of disapproval. (Grok)

News

Carla Esparza's Career Celebration

Carla Esparza concluded her illustrious MMA career at UFC 307 on October 5, 2024, with a closely contested split-decision loss to Tecia Pennington. This fight marked her retirement from professional mixed martial arts, taking place at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Here are the key highlights from her career celebration and finale:

Career Retrospective: Esparza, known affectionately as "The Cookie Monster," celebrated a journey that included becoming the first-ever UFC Women's Strawweight Champion and regaining the title years later, showcasing her resilience and skill in the sport.

The Fight: Against Pennington, Esparza displayed her trademark wrestling, securing takedowns, but struggled with Pennington's striking, particularly leg kicks. Despite a competitive performance, the judges scored the fight in Pennington's favor, leading to Esparza's retirement decision.

Emotional Farewell: Post-fight, the event took an emotional turn as Joe Rogan, the UFC commentator, became visibly emotional during Esparza's post-fight interview. Esparza, holding her son dressed in a Cookie Monster onesie, thanked her fans and spoke about her journey, marking the end of her fighting career with grace.

Fan Reaction: The audience in Salt Lake City showed their appreciation for Esparza, booing Pennington's victory speech, but cheering loudly for Esparza during her retirement announcement, indicating her respect among fans despite her fighting style not always being the most exciting.

Legacy: Esparza's career highlights include not just her UFC championships but also her win on The Ultimate Fighter, her championship under Invicta FC, and her significant contributions to women's MMA, being recognized as a trailblazer in the division.

Retirement Speech: In her speech, Esparza reflected on her journey, from her beginnings in wrestling to becoming a pivotal figure in women's MMA, all while balancing her career with motherhood.

This event not only marked the end of Carla Esparza's fighting career but also celebrated her as a pioneer and a fighter who, through hard work and determination, made a lasting impact on women's mixed martial arts. (Grok)

News

Kayla Harrison Wins UFC 307 Decision

At UFC 307, Kayla Harrison secured a unanimous decision victory against Ketlen Vieira, with judges scoring the bout 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28. This win marked Harrison's second in the UFC, highlighting her skill despite experiencing her first career bloodshed. Post-fight, Harrison expressed her focus on becoming the best in the world rather than seeking fame or fortune, setting her sights on a title shot. However, the decision was not well-received by all in attendance, indicating some controversy or dissatisfaction with the judges' scores. Harrison's performance and subsequent comments have positioned her as a strong contender in the bantamweight division, potentially leading to significant future matchups. (Grok)

News

Buckley Knocks Out Thompson at UFC 307

At UFC 307, Joaquin Buckley achieved a notable victory by knocking out Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson in the third round, marking only the second knockout in Thompson's career. Buckley's win came via a powerful punch at 2:17 of the round. Additionally, Kayla Harrison secured a unanimous decision victory over Ketlen Vieira, despite experiencing her first significant bloodshed in the fight. Harrison's performance further solidified her standing in the UFC, showcasing her dominance in the women's division. (Grok)

News

UFC 307 Results

Here are the results from UFC 307 based on the information available:

Main Event: Alex Pereira defended his Light Heavyweight Championship against Khalil Rountree Jr. via TKO in the 4th round.

Co-Main Event: Julianna Peña defeated Raquel Pennington by split decision to win the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship.

Other Main Card Results:

Mario Bautista defeated Jose Aldo via split decision.
Roman Dolidze defeated Kevin Holland via TKO due to a rib injury.

Kayla Harrison won against Ketlen Vieira by unanimous decision.

Preliminary Card Results:

Joaquin Buckley knocked out Stephen Thompson in the third round.

Iasmin Lucindo won against Marina Rodriguez by split decision.

Alexander Hernandez defeated Austin Hubbard by split decision.

Cesar Almeida won against Ihor Potieria via unanimous decision.

These results summarize the key matches from UFC 307, reflecting a night of intense competition with significant outcomes in both the light heavyweight and bantamweight divisions.

Websites

UFC
http://ufc.com

UFC 307
http://ufc.com/event/ufc-307

UFC YouTube
http://youtube.com/@ufc

Gaming, Hotel And Casino News: U.S

September 2024

New Jersey Internet gambling sets new record at $198M in revenue, but land casinos lag

Internet gambling in New Jersey had its best month ever in August, bringing in over $198 million in revenue even as most of Atlantic City’s land-based casinos continued to win less than they did before the COVID-19 pandemic. Figures released Monday by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement show that internet gambling brought in $198.4 million, the highest monthly total ever recorded in the state and an increase of nearly 28% from a year earlier. That was the good news for Atlantic City’s gambling industry.

News

BetMGM impresses in NFL Week One, Jefferies analyst says

BetMGM handily outperformed the field in New York state in the first week of NFL wagering, according to data published September 15 in a Jefferies Equity Research investor note penned by analyst James Wheatcroft. According to Wheatcroft’s analysis, BetMGM grew its handle 54 percent from last year, revenue 24 percent, and winning margins 8.2 percent. For the market overall, the handle grew by 14 percent, but revenue dropped 43 percent and margin was down 6.8 percent. FanDuel recorded a seven percent decrease in handle and 54 percent lower revenue.

News

llinois: Casino revenue shoots up 3.1% in August after a slow summer

Illinois casinos posted positive monthly revenue for the first time since the spring. The state’s 15 casinos combined for a win of $140 million in August, up 3.1% from July’s total of $135.8 million. Revenue totals do not include online casinos because iGaming is illegal in the Prairie State. Illinois is a leading earner for land-based revenue and sports betting handle (total amount bet). But, is nowhere to be found in the world of online casinos. The state’s legislators made two attempts to legalize IL online gaming this year, but both fell short.

News

F1 not moving the Vegas needle, Truist analyst says

“F1 stuck in neutral for now,” wrote Truist Securities analyst Barry Jonas, leading off a September 16 investor note on the subject of Las Vegas room rates. He deemed them “fairly stable but soft” into the fourth quarter. A Truist survey of Las Vegas hotel-room prices had shown growth in August followed by slowness throughout the fall. Jonas said these findings were congruent with MGM Resorts International’s forward-looking commentary during its second-quarter earnings call. Wrote Jonas, “While our survey is just one facet of the market and can change, we note continuing investor concerns around slowing growth amidst tough comparisons.”

News

August casino revenue $63 million

Virginia (results) - Lottery Commission - The Virginia Lottery released its report on casino gaming activity for the month of August 2024. There are three operating casinos in Virginia: HR Bristol, Rivers Casino Portsmouth, and Caesars Virginia. During August, gaming revenues from Virginia casinos totaled $63.1 million. Hard Rock Bristol $15.9 million, Rivers Casino Portsmouth $26.6 million, and Caesars Virginia $20.4 million. Virginia law assesses a graduated tax on a casino’s AGR, or wagers minus winnings, and $11.8 million in taxes were paid to the Gaming Proceeds Fund.

News

MGM getting more solar energy with rural Nevada solar farm

Nevada (Las Vegas) - A solar farm in the remote Nevada desert will double MGM International’s capacity to use solar energy. It entered a power purchase agreement with a utility-scale solar company to use its forthcoming facility in Lincoln County. The company is expected to begin using that boost in green energy in 2026. MGM uses 90 percent renewable energy for 11 of its Las Vegas resorts’ daytime needs, the company said, but the new solar farm and battery storage facility will power 100 percent of daytime needs and some of what’s needed for nighttime.

News

Three Strip casinos get new top exec

Nevada (Las Vegas) - Three casino properties on the Las Vegas Strip will soon have a new boss following the company departure of the trio’s former top executive. Ken Ostempowski will be assuming the role of senior vice president and general manager of Paris Las Vegas, Planet Hollywood and Horseshoe. Ostempowski currently holds similar roles overseeing The ROW Reno, a three-casino resort destination in Northern Nevada operated by Caesars. According to Ostempowski’s LinkedIn profile, he has held executive-level positions in multiple gaming markets, including Las Vegas, the Gulf Coast, the Midwest and Colorado.

News

Strip resort reveals rare tier-match offer

Nevada (Las Vegas) - For the first time since introducing a new player rewards program, a Las Vegas Strip casino is offering to upgrade gamblers’ loyalty cards to a comparable level from other casinos. The Venetian casino-hotel is launching a tier-match promotion that will allow customers to receive a Venetian Rewards card status that is on par with or better than what they currently have with another casino operator. The Venetian Resort Las Vegas’ tier-match event begins Oct. 1, according to a recent email, and will run through Jan. 1.

News

Boyd bets big on large sportsbooks even as mobile betting flourishes

Nevada (Las Vegas) - The largest sportsbook operated by Boyd Gaming Corp. may not be the place “where everybody knows your name.” But that sentiment is the reason the company (with its nine Las Vegas casinos) and other gaming operators continue to invest millions of dollars into expanding or modernizing large sportsbooks with massive viewing screens, comfortable seating areas and food and beverage options. Those expenditures happen even as more than 65 percent of Nevada’s $8 billion sports gaming industry come through mobile wagering accounts — bets made anywhere outside the casino. “A sportsbook is more than just a place to make wagers,” said Boyd Gaming Vice President of Race & Sports Bob Scucci. “At our properties, the sportsbook is the place where people come four or five times a week. It’s where they go to meet their friends and congregate.”

News

Opening sportsbook with Jay-Z at Ocean Casino, Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin explains Atlantic City’s appeal

Michael Rubin’s love for Atlantic City goes back to when he was about 12 years old. “The gambling age was 18 when I was a kid,” the once-small kid from Philadelphia recalled. “I remember when I was 12 years old, I went to an Atlantic City casino, to Caesars. It was 40 years ago. I won $2,500. I called my mom from a pay phone and said, ‘Mom, I got great news! I just won $2,500!’ She asked how, and I said, ‘I’m in a casino in Atlantic City,’ and she goes, ‘You’re grounded, get home.’ That’s my favorite story.”

News

A jobs boon from a casino at Manhattan’s Hudson Yards? Experts aren’t betting on it.

When casino giant Wynn showed off plans for its Hudson Yards West casino proposal last month, it enlisted progressive heavyweights to make the case that the venture would be a jobs bonanza for poor and working-class New Yorkers. The endorsements were full-throated and infused with hope and promise. Leaders from the NAACP, National Urban League and Win, New York City’s largest provider of family shelter and permanent supportive housing, were among the groups that said the proposal would bring significant career opportunities.

News

Maine’s first in-person sports betting bar opens in Portland

Maine’s first, in-person sports-betting bar is officially open. “Oddfellahs” opened on Market Street on Friday… The bar has partnered with Caesars Sportsbook, one of two sportsbooks authorized under Maine’s new law to run sports betting, the other being DraftKings. The founder of “Oddfellahs” says there’s more to the bar than just sports betting.

News

IIlinois Gaming Board renews Rivers Casino’s license

The Illinois Gaming Board on Thursday renewed Rivers Casino’s gaming license as well as Hawthorne Race Course’s master sports wagering license. Both renewals by the state agency came via unanimous 4-0 votes and are good for four years, with Rivers now licensed through August 2028 and Hawthorne through September of that year.

News

Bellagio removing trees as F1 prep begins on the Las Vegas Strip

The Las Vegas Grand Prix is around the corner and the Bellagio casino-hotel is days away from starting race preparations. On Monday, work crews will begin removing the trees in front of the Fountains of Bellagio along Las Vegas Boulevard to make room for the construction of the Bellagio Fountain Club (an F1 spectator area for VIPs). (Wires, A.I News)

Noche UFC aka UFC 306

Combat Sports

UFC Noche aka UFC 306

The Sphere
Las Vegas, Nevada

September 13, 2024

Video Highlights

Dana White Post-Fight Press
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKNLWJXHP18

UFC 306: Post-Fight Press Conference
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDNl6M0WeVQ

Diego Lopes Post-Fight Press Conference | UFC 306
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oapas9F-bec&t=3s

MEXICO TODAY AND TOMORROW – Chapter Six | UFC 306
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9HpN4_tZb4

Directed by Paul Trillo, Studio: Factory Fifteen The final chapter envisions a future Mexico—a city and civilization evolving from its rich lineage, as its people propel their culture forward into eternity. Chris O’Reilly, Co-Founder & ECD of Nexus Studios, remarks: “The Sphere is the most exciting screen in the world to be creating stories for right now. It’s been an incredible journey collaborating with the visionary Carlos López Estrada and a host of exceptionally talented directors, designers, VFX artists, and technical teams to bring this project to life. This venue pushes the boundaries of immersive storytelling, and we can’t wait for audiences to experience the innovation and creativity that have gone 25 into making this a reality.” (Credit: UFC)

FIGHTERS & HEROES – Chapter Five | UFC 306
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dB5h_kGj48

Directed by Shynola, Studio: Nexus Studios. Spanning from the origins of Mexico's history to the present, iconic figures—from ancient leaders to modern sports heroes—embody the relentless spirit that defines the nation’s identity. Shynola, Director at Nexus Studios, shared: “Crafting a film for Sphere is truly unlike anything we’ve made before. The screen fills your field of vision, which means it has a filmic language all its own unique to this venue. That’s been both a challenge and a lot of fun: thinking about shots, composition, lighting, and movement in new ways to play with and fully utilize this incredible screen so the audience has the best experience. Sphere has given us a special opportunity to tell the story in a new, astounding way. It’s breath-taking." (Credit: UFC)

BATTLE FOR INDEPENDENCE – Chapter Four | UFC 306
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2VwMxZspaQ

Directed by Diego Huacuja, Studio: BASA Estudios. At a defining moment in history, Mexico stands against centuries of colonial oppression, as the fight for independence shatters the chains and reshapes the future. Diego Huacuja, Director at BASA, highlights the artistic inspiration: “As a Mexican director, this project has been a unique challenge, particularly from a pictorial perspective. Inspired by the greatest muralist artists of Mexico—Diego Rivera, Juan O'Gorman, and David Alfaro Siqueiros—we symbolized 11 years of struggle for independence through an epic animated piece serving as an ode to the entire movement for Mexican independence.” (Credit: UFC)

RITUALS & TRADITIONS – Chapter Three | UFC 306
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yo9-QYBcsms

Directed by Paul Nicholls, Studio: Factory Fifteen. Through the rituals and traditions of Mexico's earliest civilizations, the essence of the ancestors lives on, immortalized in customs that endure across generations. Paul Nichols of Factory Fifteen describes the creative process: “This project blended the fascinating research of Mexican rituals and traditions with the creation of an epic fantasy world for UFC306 inside The Sphere. It perfectly showcases our detail-oriented maximalist style—beginning with a single flame drawing back through a ritualistic cave and culminating in a striking symbol of Mexico: a colossal skull. We aimed to leave the audience utterly awestruck.” (Credit: UFC)

EARLY CIVILIZATIONS – Chapter Two | UFC 306
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9wJt3MW69o

Directed by Saad Moosajee, Co-produced by Analog Studios Saad Moosajee, a Brooklyn-based artist renowned for his multidisciplinary approach to animation and visual effects, transports viewers to the beginnings of Mexican civilization. In the dawn of what we now call Mexico, the first settlers forge a legacy of resilience, igniting a fighting spirit that will shape the nation for centuries to come. (Credit: UFC)

IN THE BEGINNING – Chapter One | UFC 306
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYAgJRyh0W8

Directed by Joe Sill and Brian Tang, Studio: Impossible Objects. Three decades since the world first witnessed a new era of combat, we gather where echoes of warriors past resonate through time, honoring Mexico’s enduring legacy. Joe Sill, Director at Impossible Objects, emphasizes the collaboration: “This film was an incredible collaborative opportunity to merge the universes of Mexico’s culture, UFC’s history, and Impossible Object’s love of world-building into one unprecedented experience. Seeing this inside the epic showcase of the Sphere is a breath-taking view into what the future of storytelling may hold, and we are thrilled to be a part of it.” (Credit: UFC)

A Love Letter To Mexico | UFC 306
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWoPknJquiM

Merab Dvalishvili Octagon Interview | UFC 306
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3SsQXDulA8

Valentina Shevchenko Octagon Interview | UFC 306
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJsJvF5eaq4

UFC Official YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube/ufc

Media Man Ed: Strong thumbs up. We largely agree with many of Dana White's comments and quotes on the event, such as "The Sphere is the star". It was a historic happening with world class production and a real buzz in the air, whether you were there in person, viewing from a club in Sin City Sydney, Australia, somewhere in the Middle East or other. The sports and sports business world was buzzing. In a way like say pro wrestling at the highest level, the on the mat action is part of the equation. It's all about the experience and sports entertainment elements to a large degree. We popped big time for the wins by Dvalishvili, Shevchenko and Lopes.

More middleweights and heavyweights will have a chance to shine at upcoming UFC major events. UFC may just win an Emmy and/or a range of big event production awards for this world class event. Congratulations to those both in the around the Octagon who helped make it a mega success. Credit where credit is due in our estimation.

Media Man summary: Strong thumbs up. World class production. Very entertaining.

Results, Review And Event Lead Up, History and Overview

Merab Dvalishvili def Sean O’Malley by unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)

Valentina Shevchenko def Alexa Grasso by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)

Diego Lopes def Brian Ortega by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)

Esteban Ribovics def Daniel Zellhuber by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Ronaldo Rodríguez defs Ode Osbourne by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)

Norma Dumont def Irene Aldana by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Ignacio Bahamondes def Manuel Torres by TKO (strikes) at 4:02 of Round 1

Ketlen Souza def Yazmin Jauregui by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:02 of Round 1

Joshua Van def Edgar Chairez by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Raul Rosas Jr. def Aoriqileng by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

The Card

Sean O'Malley vs Merab Dvalishvili

Alexa Grasso vs Valentina Shevchenko

Brian Ortega vs Diego Lopes

Daniel Zellhuber vs Esteban Ribovics

Ronaldo Rodríguez vs Ode Osbourne

Prelims:

Irene Aldana vs Norma Dumont

Ignacio Bahamondes vs Manuel Torres

Yazmin Jauregui vs Ketlen Souza#

Edgar Chairez vs Joshua Van

First Prelim:

Raul Rosas Jr. vs Aoriqileng

News

UFC News via Grok

Sean O'Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili for the UFC Men's Bantamweight Championship. This fight was highly anticipated, with O'Malley defending his title against Dvalishvili, who was on a 10-fight winning streak.

Co-Main Event: Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko in a trilogy for the UFC Women's Flyweight Championship. This bout aimed to settle the score after Grasso submitted Shevchenko in their first meeting and they fought to a draw in their rematch.

Other Main Card Fights:
Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes at featherweight. Ortega, known for his submission skills, faced the up-and-coming Lopes, setting the stage for a potential title contention if Lopes won.
Daniel Zellhuber vs. Esteban Ribovics in a lightweight bout.
Ronaldo Rodríguez vs. Ode Osbourne at flyweight.

Preliminary Card Highlights:
Included fights like Manuel Torres vs. Ignacio Bahamondes, which was highlighted as one of Dana White's 'If you don't know, now you know' fights, indicating potential for an exciting or breakout performance.

Event Significance: This event was not only about the fights but also marked as the first live sporting event at The Sphere in Las Vegas, showcasing UFC's innovation in event presentation. The card was celebrated for its alignment with Mexican Independence Day, featuring a fight kit symbolizing national pride.

Broadcast and Viewing: The event was available live on ESPN+ Pay-Per-View, with prelims starting at 7:30 pm ET and the main card at 10 pm ET, marking the first 1080p TV broadcast of a UFC event in ESPN history.

This card was designed to be a spectacle, combining high-stakes championship fights with cultural celebration, all within a groundbreaking venue, The Sphere, making UFC 306 a landmark event in UFC history. (Grok)

UFC Noche News via Grok

UFC Noche is an event that has been highlighted for its unique setting and significant matchups, particularly UFC 306, which took place at The Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada, on September 14, 2024. Here's what you need to know based on the information available up to that date:

Event Significance: UFC Noche at UFC 306 was not just another fight night; it was described as a once-in-a-lifetime immersive sporting event, emphasizing its unique venue, The Sphere, which adds a layer of spectacle to the traditional UFC fight card.

Main Event: The main event featured Sean O'Malley defending his bantamweight title against Merab Dvalishvili. This fight was highly anticipated due to O'Malley's rising star status and Dvalishvili's impressive winning streak.

Co-Main Event: Alexa Grasso, the UFC women's flyweight champion, was set to face Valentina Shevchenko in what would be their third encounter. Grasso previously submitted Shevchenko to win the title and later fought to a split draw in their rematch.

Cultural Celebration: The event coincides with Mexican Independence Day, adding cultural significance, especially with fighters like Alexa Grasso representing Mexico.

Fight Card Highlights:

The card included other notable fights like Irene Aldana vs. Norma Dumont, showcasing a diverse range of talents and styles within the UFC.

There was also mention of Brian Ortega preparing to move up in weight but facing challenges with the weight cut, indicating a potential shift in his career trajectory.

Public and Media Sentiment: From X posts, there's excitement around the event, with fans and commentators discussing the fights, the venue's uniqueness, and the overall atmosphere of the event.
The use of terms like "steel cage match with an LED exterior" humorously captures the innovative setting of The Sphere.

Outcome: Given the date and time provided, the outcomes of these fights would be known by now, but for the sake of this summary, let's focus on the anticipation and setup rather than results, as per your instructions.

UFC Noche, especially UFC 306, was not just about the fights but about creating a memorable experience through its venue, the cultural timing, and the high-stakes matchups, particularly in the bantamweight and flyweight divisions. This event underscores UFC's strategy to blend sports entertainment with cultural and technological innovation. (Grok)

News

Mexican Independence Day News via Grok

Mexican Independence Day is celebrated on September 16th every year, commemorating the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence from Spain in 1810. Here are some key points about this significant celebration:

El Grito de Dolores: The celebration typically begins on the evening of September 15th with "El Grito," a reenactment of the famous cry for independence by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a priest who called for the end of Spanish rule in the early morning of September 16, 1810. This event takes place in Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, and is also reenacted by the President of Mexico from the National Palace in Mexico City.

Celebrations: The festivities include fireworks, parades, parties, and patriotic events. The Mexican flag is prominently displayed, and there are often military parades, especially in larger cities.

Food and Drink: Traditional Mexican foods like chiles en nogada (which represent the colors of the Mexican flag), mole, tamales, and traditional drinks like atole or tequila are commonly enjoyed during this time.

Cultural Significance: Unlike Cinco de Mayo, which commemorates the Mexican Army's victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla, Mexican Independence Day is a celebration of the country's independence from Spain, marking a pivotal moment in Mexican history and national identity.

Parades and Festivities: The day of September 16th itself is filled with parades, music, dancing, and cultural performances. Schools, towns, and cities organize events to celebrate this national holiday.

If you're interested in how this year's celebrations might differ due to recent events or changes, or if there are any special events planned for 2024, I'd need to check more recent sources. Would you like me to look that up for you? (Grok)

Media Man: Much respect to all the men and women fighters in the Octagon.

UFC 307

Media Man Int

Media Man Int X

Pro Wrestling: Elon Musk's Grok/X Helps Publishers And Fans Wrestle The Web For Last Results, News, Creative As WWE's Raw On USA Network Hits Canadian Soil Leading Towards Bad Blood PLE: Media Man

WWE
@WWE
Storylines And Behind The Curtain Talk Of The Town On Grok/X: Media Man

News

CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre in Hell in a Cell at WWE Bad Blood.

The latest updates from WWE programming and discussions on X confirm that CM Punk and Drew McIntyre are scheduled to face off in a Hell in a Cell match at the WWE Bad Blood event on October 5, 2024, at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. This match was officially announced following a series of confrontations and a brutal feud between the two wrestlers, culminating in this decisive bout. Here are the key points:

Feud Background: Their rivalry has been described as one of the bloodiest and most gruesome on WWE Raw, with previous encounters including a Strap Match at WWE Bash in Berlin where CM Punk tied their series after Drew McIntyre had won at SummerSlam.

Announcement: The match was announced by Adam Pearce during the September 9 episode of Monday Night RAW. Pearce made it clear that this match would be the final confrontation to settle their score once and for all inside Hell in a Cell, a match type known for its intensity and potential for high drama and violence.

Fan Reaction: Fans and wrestling commentators on platforms like X have expressed excitement and anticipation for what's being billed as a potential classic, with many looking forward to how this feud will culminate in such an iconic match structure.

Event Details: WWE Bad Blood 2024 is set to revive the Hell in a Cell match in this event, adding to the event's allure given the match's history of being both a fan favorite and a career-defining moment for wrestlers involved.

This match is set to be one of the highlights of WWE Bad Blood, promising to deliver a conclusive end to the ongoing saga between CM Punk and Drew McIntyre. (Grok)

News

Natalya's Triumphant Return to WWE Raw

Natalya made her much-anticipated return to WWE Raw on September 9, 2024, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. This event was highlighted as a significant moment not only because it marked her return in her hometown but also because it was her first appearance since re-signing with WWE earlier in the summer. Here are the key points of her return:

Return Details: Natalya returned as the mystery partner for Lyra Valkyria and Zelina Vega in a six-woman tag team match against the Pure Fusion Collective (Shayna Baszler, Sonya Deville, & Zoey Stark). The match concluded with Natalya, Valkyria, and Vega securing a victory by simultaneously applying Sharpshooters on their opponents, a move that thrilled the hometown crowd.

Post-Match Reaction: After the match, Bret Hart, another WWE legend and Natalya's uncle, was shown greeting her with a hug backstage, emphasizing the emotional significance of her return in Calgary, known as "Hart country."

Fan Reaction: There were mixed reactions regarding the crowd's response to Natalya's return, with some posts on X (formerly known as Twitter) noting a surprisingly lackluster reception in her home country, while others celebrated her return enthusiastically.

Context of Her Return: Before this event, there had been speculation about Natalya's future with WWE due to her contract nearing its end. However, it was confirmed that she had re-signed with WWE, putting rumors of her potentially leaving for other promotions to rest.

Emotional Significance: Natalya expressed in a post-match interview how special the return was for her, referencing her family's history in the venue and the emotional weight of returning to where she had significant family memories tied to WWE events.

This return not only signifies Natalya's continued commitment to WWE but also adds another chapter to her storied career within the company, where she's respected for her lineage in the Hart family and her contributions to the women's division. (Grok)

News

Wade Barrett's Potential In-Ring Return

During a recent episode of WWE Raw, fans were abuzz with speculation and excitement over a potential in-ring return of Wade Barrett, sparked by his interactions with Drew McIntyre. Barrett, previously known for his roles as both a wrestler and commentator, engaged in a face-to-face confrontation with McIntyre, hinting at his possible involvement in future matches. Although no official confirmation was given, this interaction has fuelled widespread discussions and a strong desire among fans for Barrett to return to active wrestling. (Grok)

News

WWE Raw's Explosive Street Fight

Based on posts from X, here's what's been happening with WWE Raw's Explosive Street Fight:

Match Start: WWE Raw kicked off with an 8-person Street Fight, which has grabbed the attention of the viewers right from the beginning of the show. This match continues a storyline involving the Wyatt Sicks and another group, where a feud was sparked possibly due to a dramatic narrative twist involving a simulated or misinterpreted act of violence.

Reactions: Fans are expressing excitement over the match, with posts indicating high energy and appreciation for how the show has started. There's mention of the match being "cooking" and an "AMAZING Street Fight," suggesting it's been well-received.

Storyline Elements: The narrative around this Street Fight includes complex elements like feuds, dramatic returns, or twists involving characters like Gable, who was seemingly "killed" in the storyline but got better, indicating some creative or supernatural elements typical to WWE storylines.

Commercial-Free Start: The event was significant enough to start the show without commercials for the first hour, highlighting its importance to the night's programming.

Outcome Speculation: While there's no direct result mentioned in the X posts, there's a post implying some form of resolution or climax in a related or similar context with "the case is closed now, it ended up with a fine only WAR IS OVER," though this might not directly refer to the match outcome but could be metaphorically related to the storyline's conclusion or a segment of it.

Remember, while X posts provide real-time reactions and some insights, they might not always give the full picture or conclusive outcomes of events like wrestling matches where storylines evolve over time. (Grok)

News

Gunther's Shoutout to Goldberg on WWE Raw

During a recent WWE Raw episode, wrestler Gunther declared Bill Goldberg as his all-time favorite wrestler in front of Bret Hart, a WWE legend. This statement, made in the presence of Hart who was returning to WWE Raw, was seen as either disrespectful or humorously provocative by fans and commentators. Bret Hart, celebrated for his significant contributions to WWE, was on the show to mark his influential role in its history. The interaction between Gunther and Hart sparked a variety of reactions, from amusement to disbelief, among wrestling enthusiasts, highlighting the ongoing drama and entertainment within WWE programming. (Grok)

News

McIntyre vs Punk III: Hell in a Cell

Adam Pearce has officially announced that Drew McIntyre will face CM Punk in a Hell in a Cell match at WWE's 'BAD BLOOD' event scheduled for October 5, 2024, at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta. This match represents the third encounter between McIntyre and Punk, following two previous highly anticipated confrontations. The announcement has generated significant excitement among wrestling fans, positioning the match as a key attraction for the event. Additionally, Rhea Ripley is set to defend her Women’s World Championship against Liv Morgan at the same event, adding another high-profile match to the card. (Grok)

News

Bret Hart Returns on WWE RAW

The season premiere of WWE Raw on September 9, 2024, featured a significant event with the return of WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart in his hometown of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The episode included a packed lineup with several high-stakes matches. Highlights included a street fight between Wyatt Six and American Made, a women's tag team title match where Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill defended against Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn, and a fatal four-way match to determine the number one contender for the Intercontinental Title involving Jey Uso, Ilja Dragunov, Pete Dunne, and Braun Strowman. Other matches included Dominik Mysterio facing Dragon Lee and a six-woman tag team match. Bret Hart's appearance was particularly anticipated, marking a sentimental return as the Saddledome, where the event took place, is scheduled for demolition soon. (Grok)

News

Bronson Reed's Shocking Return on WWE RAW

Bronson Reed made a dramatic return on WWE RAW on the September 9, 2024 episode. During this episode, Reed intervened in a #1 contender's fatal four-way match for the Intercontinental Championship involving Jey Uso, Braun Strowman, Ilja Dragunov, and Pete Dunne. Reed attacked Braun Strowman, effectively taking him out of the match by putting him through the broadcast table with his signature move, the Tsunami. This attack not only prevented Strowman from competing further but also marked Reed's return with a significant impact, as noted by various posts on X, where fans and wrestling news accounts highlighted the surprise and intensity of Reed's comeback. (Grok)

News

Jey Uso's Quest for IC Title

Jey Uso has recently made significant strides in his quest for the Intercontinental Championship. On the September 9, 2024, episode of WWE Raw, Jey Uso won the WWE Intercontinental Championship Number One Contender's Tournament. He emerged victorious in a fatal four-way match against Ilja Dragunov, Pete Dunne, and Braun Strowman. This win has earned him a shot at the current Intercontinental Champion, Bron Breakker.

Following his victory, Jey expressed his readiness to prove himself and win his first singles championship in WWE, emphasizing his determination to succeed for himself, his family, and the WWE Universe. While there's excitement around his win and upcoming title match, as of the latest updates, the exact date for when Jey Uso will challenge Bron Breakker for the title has not been specified. (Grok)

News

Rhea-Liv Feud to Continue at Bad Blood

The WWE storyline involving Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan has captured significant attention, particularly with their feud leading up to the Bad Blood event. Fans and observers are debating the ideal timing for Ripley to potentially regain the Women's World Title, with many arguing that Ripley should not win it back until WrestleMania for maximum impact. Suggestions for their match at Bad Blood include high-stakes formats like Hell in a Cell or Last Woman Standing, which would fit the intense narrative of their rivalry. There's also a strong sentiment that their match should headline the event, highlighting its significance. Meanwhile, WWE has officially announced that CM Punk will face Drew McIntyre in a Hell in a Cell match as the main event of Bad Blood, overshadowing some of the discussions around Ripley and Morgan. The ongoing feud between Ripley and Morgan is seen as pivotal for character development and future WWE storylines, with fans speculating on how it might conclude or extend to WrestleMania. (Grok)

News

WWE Raw Returns to Two-Hour Format

Based on the latest information available up to September 9, 2024, WWE Raw is set to return to a two-hour format starting on October 7, 2024, and this change will last through the end of the year. This announcement was made during the September 9 Season Premiere of WWE Raw, with the news being confirmed by WWE via social media and discussed among fans and analysts on platforms like X. However, it's noted that this change might only be temporary as WWE Raw prepares for its transition to Netflix in January 2025, where further format changes could be implemented. The return to the two-hour format has been met with positive reactions from many fans and commentators who believe it could lead to more concise and engaging content. (Grok)

News

RAW's Return to Three Hours on Netflix

WWE's Monday Night Raw, previously a three-hour show, will temporarily revert to a two-hour format from October 7, 2024, until the end of the year, as decided by USA Network before Raw transitions to Netflix in January 2025. This change is part of USA Network's programming adjustments, not WWE's direct decision. Speculation suggests that once on Netflix, Raw might return to its three-hour format, although WWE has expressed flexibility in the show's duration based on content needs. The adjustment has elicited mixed reactions from fans; some appreciate the potential for tighter content, while others are concerned about reduced airtime for wrestlers. This shift also prompts discussions on the ideal length for wrestling shows to maintain viewer engagement and content quality. (Grok)

News

Logan Paul - Kevin Nash

The situation between Logan Paul and Kevin Nash has caught some attention in the wrestling community as of September 2024. Here's a summary based on various reports and social media reactions:

Criticism from Kevin Nash: Kevin Nash, a WWE Hall of Famer, has openly criticized Logan Paul on his podcast "Kliq This." Nash's main points of contention are that Logan Paul isn't "one of the boys," suggesting Paul hasn't immersed himself in the wrestling culture or learned the insider terms like "shoot" and "work." Furthermore, Nash expressed discontent over Paul's reported earnings of $5 million for a limited schedule in WWE, contrasting this with other wrestlers working full schedules for less.

Logan Paul's Response: Logan Paul didn't hold back in his response. He posted on social media, questioning Nash's relevance and claiming to be better at Nash's job than Nash ever was. Paul highlighted his success in WWE despite not being a full-time wrestler, suggesting that he could dominate the sport even more if he committed fully. He also expressed a lack of knowledge about who Nash was, which stirred further controversy and discussion among fans and observers.

Public Reaction: Social media and wrestling news outlets have been buzzing with this feud. Some posts on X (formerly Twitter) reflect a divide between those who see Paul as an outsider who hasn't paid his dues and others who admire his ability to generate buzz and perform well in the ring despite his limited schedule.

There's also a sentiment that Paul's claim of not knowing Nash might do more harm to his image among traditional wrestling fans.

Context of Their Careers: Kevin Nash is a veteran in the wrestling world, known for his time in WWE and WCW, where he was a significant figure in the 90s. Logan Paul, on the other hand, entered WWE much more recently, bringing a massive social media following and transitioning from a celebrity outsider to a surprisingly adept wrestler, earning both praise and criticism for his rapid rise and part-time status.

This feud encapsulates a broader narrative often seen in wrestling: the clash between traditional wrestling figures and new celebrities who enter the ring with different backgrounds and expectations. (Grok)

News

Impaulsive

The "Impaulsive" podcast, hosted by Logan Paul along with co-hosts and guests, is described as the world's greatest, most thought-provoking, mentally stimulating podcast, albeit humorously self-proclaimed by a bunch of individuals referring to themselves as "idiots." Here's a general overview based on the information available up to September 10, 2024:

Platform: It's primarily available on YouTube, where viewers can watch the episodes, but it's also accessible on various podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and others.

Content: The podcast covers a wide range of topics, often diving into personal stories, current events, controversial subjects, and interviews with a variety of guests from different fields like entertainment, sports, and more. They've had episodes discussing everything from personal beefs, like with other YouTubers or celebrities, to broader topics like politics, sports, and cultural phenomena.

Notable Episodes and Guests: The podcast has featured a diverse set of guests:

High-profile interviews include figures like Donald Trump, KSI, Mike Tyson, and The Undertaker, where they discuss everything from personal anecdotes, career highlights, to current events affecting their lives or the world.

Discussions on Controversial Topics: They've tackled subjects like conspiracy theories, personal feuds, and societal issues, often bringing a light-hearted or provocative angle to serious topics.

Collaborations: There have been episodes where other big names in entertainment or sports join in, providing insights into their lives, careers, or simply engaging in banter with the hosts.

Cultural Impact: "Impaulsive" has managed to capture a significant audience, partly due to Logan Paul's existing fame (or notoriety) and the controversial or engaging content they produce. Their episode with KSI, for example, was highlighted for being particularly popular, showcasing the draw of personalities who already have a large following.

Recent Activity: As of the latest information, they've covered recent events like discussions around political figures, sports events, and personal milestones or controversies involving the hosts or their guests.

Style: The podcast is known for its informal, often comedic approach, even when discussing serious topics. This style appeals to a younger audience or those looking for entertainment mixed with occasional deep dives into more thoughtful content.

Remember, while "Impaulsive" often engages with real-world topics and high-profile guests, its primary aim leans towards entertainment rather than being a factual or news-oriented broadcast. (Grok)

Sports, Combat Sports; Grok Continues To Assist Media And Online Media Firms At The Speed Of News; Nears 99 Percent Accuracy - Media Man Group

August 22, 2024

News

Cena Declares Reigns as WWE GOAT

John Cena has publicly declared Roman Reigns as the greatest of all time (GOAT) in professional wrestling, attributing the significant rise in WWE/TKO stock value during Reigns' tenure as evidence. This statement has ignited a debate among wrestling fans and enthusiasts. Some fans agree with Cena, highlighting Reigns' current dominance and his impact on WWE's financial success. However, others argue that while Reigns is exceptional, he does not surpass historical figures like The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, or even Cena himself in terms of overall influence and legacy. The discussion reflects a generational shift in wrestling's GOAT debate, with newer fans potentially viewing Reigns differently than veterans who recall the era of The Rock and Austin. (Grok)

News

Danielson Declares Wrestling Supremacy

During a recent episode of AEW Dynamite, Bryan Danielson confidently declared himself the best wrestler in the world, a claim he has upheld for the past 20 years. This statement was a focal point of the episode, drawing significant attention and support from fans and commentators. Danielson's promo not only showcased his confidence but also set the stage for his upcoming match at AEW's All In event, where he is expected to challenge for the AEW World Title. The episode also featured other matches, but Danielson's proclamation and the crowd's enthusiastic response highlighted the high stakes and anticipation for the future event. (Grok)

News

Danielson Claims Best Wrestler Title

The latest episode of AEW Dynamite, which aired on August 21, 2024, from Cardiff, was a pivotal go-home show leading up to the AEW All In event at Wembley Stadium. The episode was marked by high energy from both the performers and the audience. Bryan Danielson made a bold claim, declaring himself the best wrestler in the world, a statement that was met with significant fan and commentator support. The show featured strong promos from key figures like Britt Baker, Mercedes, MJF, and Will Ospreay, all contributing to the anticipation for All In. AEW President Tony Khan expressed his gratitude for the audience's support, highlighting the show's importance in setting the stage for the upcoming major event. The episode was widely praised for its wrestling quality and storytelling, effectively building momentum towards AEW All In. (Grok)

News

UFC Vegas 96 Betting Highlights

Ahead of UFC Vegas 96, fans and analysts are actively discussing predictions and betting strategies for the event. Key points include Jared Cannonier being seen as a value bet despite his underdog status against Caio Borralho, and the addition of a last-minute fight between Zygimantas Ramaska and Fletcher. Discussions are centered around potential outcomes, with some focusing on specific bets like Llontop at +186 odds. The main event features Edmen Shahbazyan, with speculation on whether he will secure another finish. The community is engaging with detailed fight breakdowns, betting tips, and varied predictions, reflecting a mix of professional analysis and casual fan insights. (Grok)

News

Beterbiev vs. Bivol Set for Boxing Showdown

The upcoming boxing event on October 12th features a much-anticipated match between Dmitry Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, widely considered one of the top fights in recent boxing schedules. Beterbiev, known for his knockout streak, will face Bivol, who is recognized for his technical boxing skills. Predictions for the fight are split, with some believing Bivol's skill might lead to Beterbiev's corner stopping the fight, while others anticipate Beterbiev's aggressive style could overpower Bivol. This event has sparked significant discussion among fans and analysts about the potential outcomes. Additionally, there was a notable fight on ProBox TV between Jarrett Hurd and Jeison Rosario, which ended controversially in the second round, aimed at keeping the fighters relevant in their divisions. (Grok)

News

One Month to Joshua-Dubois Showdown

The upcoming boxing event, #RiyadhSeasonCard: Wembley Edition, is scheduled for September 21 at Wembley Stadium, UK, featuring a headline fight between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois for the IBF World Heavyweight Crown. This event has generated significant anticipation among boxing fans, with tickets available through various platforms. Prominent figures in the boxing community, including Turki Alalshikh, have actively promoted the event, highlighting its importance in the boxing calendar. Discussions around the event include the potential for an upset, with some backing Dubois to defeat Joshua. The event is part of a broader series of boxing matches, marking a notable moment for fans of the sport. (Grok)

News

BKFC

The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) is an American bare-knuckle boxing promotion that has become quite popular since its inception in April 2018. Here's what you need to know based on the latest information:

Events and Schedule: BKFC has upcoming events including BKFC 65 FEREA VS MASSON-WONG on September 6, 2024, and BKFC 66 BLAS VS REBER on September 13, 2024. They're also expanding internationally with BKFC SPAIN set for October 12, 2024.

Regulation and Structure: BKFC is the first promotion allowed to hold legal, sanctioned, and regulated bare knuckle events in the U.S. since 1889. Fighters are allowed to wrap and tape their wrists, thumbs, and mid-hand, but no gauze or tape can cover the knuckles within 1 inch.

Fighter Rankings: BKFC employs a ranking system where champions and interim champions automatically hold the top spots in their respective weight classes.

Fighters inactive for over 12 months are dropped from the rankings.

Media and Accessibility: BKFC has an official app where fans can watch live events, past fights, and access fighter profiles for a subscription fee. This indicates their push towards digital media for broader accessibility.

Public Sentiment and Coverage: From posts on X, there doesn't seem to be any direct discussion or updates specifically about BKFC's latest events or fighter news, but the platform's nature means there could be discussions or updates in various threads or posts that might not be directly linked to BKFC but could discuss related topics like combat sports trends or fighter performances.

Critical Examination: While BKFC has brought back the historical aspect of bare knuckle fighting, the sport's resurgence also sparks discussions on safety, the spectacle of violence, and its appeal in modern combat sports culture. Critics might argue about the ethics of promoting a sport where the lack of gloves could lead to more severe injuries, while fans and participants might highlight the raw, unfiltered nature of the competition as its primary draw.

Remember, while X posts can give insights into public sentiment or real-time reactions, they're not always factual or comprehensive sources for event-specific updates or official news. For the most accurate and current information on BKFC, checking directly with their official website or app would be advisable. (Grok)

News

Josh Barnett's Bloodsport

Josh Barnett's Bloodsport is a series of professional wrestling events that blend elements of mixed martial arts (MMA) with traditional pro wrestling, focusing on a more realistic and hard-hitting style. Here's what's been happening recently around this event:

Event Details: The latest Bloodsport event, Bloodsport XI, took place on July 28, 2024, at Roulette Intermedium in Brooklyn, New York. This event featured a mix of well-known names from both wrestling and MMA backgrounds, showcasing matches that end by knockout, submission, or referee stoppage, reflecting the event's ethos of minimal rules.

Notable Matches and Results:

Heddi Karaoui defeated Brian Johnson in what was likely an opening match, setting the tone for the event.

Julius Creed from WWE had a victory over Matt Makowski, highlighting WWE talent's participation in the event.

Masha Slamovich won against Jody Threat, another match that ended with a referee stoppage.

Royce Isaacs managed to defeat Charlie Dempsey, which was surprising given Dempsey's WWE background.

Brutus Creed also from WWE, defeated "Filthy" Tom Lawlor, another notable match where WWE talent was showcased.

Homicide won against Mike Santana, showing a mix of TNA and indie wrestling talent.

Josh Barnett himself competed, defeating Bad Dude Tito by knockout, which is in line with the event's theme of showcasing real combat skills.

MVP's Confrontation: Post-event discussions highlighted a confrontation between MVP and Josh Barnett, where MVP challenged Barnett to a future fight, indicating a potential storyline or match setup for future events.

International Expansion: Josh Barnett has taken Bloodsport international with Bloodsport Bushido in Tokyo, Japan, on June 22, 2024, at Ryogoku Kokugikan, featuring names like Minoru Suzuki, which underscores the event's global appeal and its blend of wrestling cultures.

Fan and Media Reaction: The event has been praised for its unique approach to wrestling, bringing in fans from both the wrestling and MMA communities. The inclusion of WWE talent in Bloodsport events has been a point of interest, suggesting a crossover appeal that might attract a broader audience or serve as a platform for WWE stars to show a different side of their wrestling skills.

This series continues to push the boundaries of what's expected in professional wrestling, focusing on a more grounded, combat sports approach, which appeals to fans looking for something different from the usual scripted wrestling fare. (Grok)

News

Bloodsport

The Sport: In a broader context, "bloodsport" refers to any sport or entertainment that involves bloodshed, often to the death or serious injury of animals or humans. This can include:

Historical Context: Events like gladiatorial combat in ancient Rome or medieval jousting.

Modern Interpretations: Some might consider extreme fighting sports like MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) or underground fight clubs as modern forms of bloodsport, though these are highly regulated to prevent serious injury or death.

Cultural Impact: The term "bloodsport" has also been used metaphorically to describe any highly competitive or ruthless activity, not necessarily involving physical combat, where participants might be seen as fighting for survival or dominance.

If you're referring to something specific about "Bloodsport," like a sequel, a remake, or a particular scene, let me know! (Grok)

News

Pay-Per-View (PPV)

Pay-Per-View (PPV) is a television distribution model where viewers pay to watch specific events or programs, typically on a one-time basis. Here's a deeper look into how it functions:

Business Model:
Revenue: PPV events generate revenue directly from viewers, which can be particularly lucrative for high-demand content like major sporting events, boxing matches, concerts, or exclusive movie premieres.

Cost: The price for viewing can vary widely, depending on the event's popularity, exclusivity, and the platform offering it.

Content Types:
Sports: Boxing, UFC, WWE wrestling, and major sports finals like the Super Bowl or NBA Finals are often broadcast via PPV.

Entertainment: Special concerts, stand-up comedy shows, or exclusive movie releases might also be offered through PPV.

Special Events: Weddings of celebrities, royal events, or unique live performances.

Distribution:
Cable and Satellite TV: Traditionally, PPV was offered through cable or satellite TV providers where viewers would call in or use their remote to order the event.
Streaming Services: With the rise of digital platforms, PPV has evolved. Services like Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and various sports streaming platforms now offer PPV events online.

Advantages:
Exclusivity: Viewers get access to content that might not be available through regular broadcasting.
Revenue for Content Creators: PPV allows for direct monetization of content, which can be beneficial for artists, athletes, or event organizers.

Challenges:
Piracy: High-profile PPV events are often targets for illegal streaming, which can cut into profits.
Market Saturation: With many events going PPV, there's a risk of viewer fatigue or competition for viewership.

Future Trends:
Integration with Subscription Models: Some platforms offer PPV within a broader subscription service, providing additional revenue streams.

Virtual Reality (VR): There's potential for PPV to expand into VR, offering immersive experiences for events.

If you're interested in a specific aspect of PPV, like its history, how to set up a PPV event, or its impact on media consumption, feel free to ask! (Grok)

News

TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) represents a significant merger in the sports and entertainment industry, combining World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE) and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) under one corporate umbrella. Here's a detailed overview based on the latest information:

Formation and Ownership: TKO Group Holdings was formed by Endeavor Group Holdings as part of a merger between WWE and Zuffa, the parent company of UFC. This merger was completed on September 12, 2023, marking a historic moment as it was the first time WWE was not solely owned by the McMahon family, who had founded and owned it for over 70 years. Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: EDR) is the majority owner of TKO, with Vince McMahon personally owning approximately one-third of the Class A Common Stock of TKO Group Holdings, Inc.

Business Structure: Both WWE and UFC operate as divisions under TKO, maintaining their individual branding and operations but now under the same corporate governance. This structure aims to leverage combined resources for global expansion and cost savings, with an estimated value of more than $21 billion at the time of the merger.

Financial Performance: Recent financial data indicates TKO's stock price at around $119.78, with significant fluctuations in its financial metrics year-over-year. For instance, net income saw a decrease, while cash from operations increased dramatically, showcasing a mixed bag of financial health but with a strong operational cash flow.

Strategic Moves and Market Impact: The merger has led to various strategic decisions, including cost-saving measures, with expectations of saving between $50 million to $100 million. Additionally, WWE's deal with Netflix for content distribution was highlighted as transformative, indicating TKO's approach to expanding its media presence.

Board and Leadership: The board of TKO Group Holdings includes notable figures like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who joined to help expand the business globally, alongside other industry leaders from both WWE and UFC backgrounds. This diverse board aims to steer the company towards further integration and growth in the entertainment sector.

Public Sentiment and Media Coverage: From posts on X, there's a mix of excitement about the merger's potential for growth and concerns over the implications for WWE's traditional ownership structure. The listing on the NYSE and the involvement of high-profile figures like Ari Emanuel and Vince McMahon have been points of discussion, reflecting both optimism for the future of combat sports and entertainment and skepticism regarding the cultural shift within WWE.

Stock Performance: TKO's stock experienced a significant rise after reporting a strong second-quarter earnings report, nearly tripling its revenue from the previous year's quarter, indicating investor confidence in the company's direction under the new structure.

This merger not only reshapes the landscape of sports entertainment but also positions TKO Group Holdings as a major player in the global entertainment industry, with ambitions to expand its reach and influence through combined resources and strategic partnerships.

News

Verstappen's Trophy or Bust

Formula 1 is set to resume with the Dutch Grand Prix this weekend, generating excitement among fans, particularly for Max Verstappen who has a perfect record at this event since its return to the calendar in 2021. Discussions are centered around Verstappen's potential to win again, with fans expressing high expectations and some playful skepticism about others' interest in the sport. Meanwhile, there have been significant team changes; Lewis Hamilton's long-time race engineer, Peter 'Bono' Bonnington, has been promoted to Head of Race Engineering at Mercedes, ending speculation about his move to Ferrari with Hamilton. This news has stirred reactions among fans and within the F1 community, highlighting the dynamic shifts in team structures and driver-engineer relationships. (Grok)

News

Ronaldo Breaks YouTube Subscriber Record

Cristiano Ronaldo launched his YouTube channel and within less than 24 hours, he amassed over 14 million subscribers, breaking the previous record held by Mr. Beast who took 132 days to reach 10 million subscribers. Ronaldo's channel not only set a new benchmark for the fastest growth in subscribers but also highlighted his immense global popularity, with his first video garnering millions of views shortly after its release. This achievement was celebrated by fans and commentators alike, noting Ronaldo's unparalleled influence both on and off the football pitch. (Grok)

Media Man Int: Editor

The Grok reference for TKO Group is not 99 or 100 percent. A number of references are 6 to over 12 months out of date. The information regarding TKO Group is published as is, just as Grok AI directs us. This editor post may potentially assist Grok to further improve its otherwise excellent service, in the view of Media Man Group management. Media Man Int/Media Man Group management/staff finds Grok A.I to be overall much superior than that of the general A.I offerings of the industry and believes that under Elon Musk management and direction that the sky's the limit! Combat sports on Mars anyone?! Grok/X Championship Of The World!

Elon Musk’s X Files Antitrust Suit Against Global Advertising Alliance

August 6, 2024

Elon Musk’s social media platform X has launched a significant antitrust lawsuit against the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) and several of its member companies, alleging an illegal ad boycott that targeted the platform. The lawsuit, filed in Texas, is aimed at GARM, its parent firm World Federation of Advertisers (WFA), and members including CVS Health, Mars, Orsted and Unilever.

In an open letter to advertisers, X CEO Linda Yaccarino highlighted the reasons behind the lawsuit, stating that it was a direct response to GARM’s actions which allegedly cost the company billions of dollars. “This is not a decision we took lightly, but it is a direct consequence of their actions,” Yaccarino wrote. “The illegal behavior of these organizations and their executives cost X billions of dollars” per The New York Post.

The lawsuit is seeking trebled compensatory damages and injunctive relief, according to a complaint viewed by The New York Post. GARM, led by Robert Rakowitz, is an initiative of the WFA, which represents many of the world’s largest companies and ad organizations, including Disney and Coca-Cola. Its members control 90% of global marketing spending, nearly $1 trillion per year.

Yaccarino emphasized that the issue extends beyond financial damages. “This case is about more than damages — we have to fix a broken ecosystem that allows this illegal activity to occur,” she added.

According to The New York Post, the suit argues that the boycott undermined the marketplace of ideas by financially harming certain viewpoints over others. (Credit: PYMNTS)

Full article and coverage via PYMNTS

https://pymnts.com/cpi-posts/elon-musks-x-files-antitrust-suit-against-global-advertising-alliance/

PYMNTS is a former Media Man 'Business News Outlet Of The Month' award winner and finalist

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Elon Musk takes GARM, several companies to court over alleged advertising boycott of X outlined in bombshell report

August 7, 2024

Tech billionaire Elon Musk has taken several companies and an advertising alliance to court over allegations of a "boycott" of X.

Elon Musk has waged “war” against advertisers as his social media platform X filed an antitrust lawsuit against a global ad alliance and several major companies, accusing them of illegally boycotting the site.

X filed a suit in a federal court in Texas against the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA), the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) and its members CVS Health, Mars, Orsted and Unilever.

The suit comes after a report from the US House of Representatives Judiciary Committee found GARM and its members “directly organised boycotts” and employed other indirect tactics to target disfavoured “platforms, content creators” and news organisations to demonetise them.

It alleges that GARM’s boycott led advertisers to pull money from X under the guise of “brand safety” concerns.

X’s CEO Linda Yaccarino argued this tactic hindered users on the social media platform from accessing a wide breadth of ideas by funding alternative viewpoints.

“The consequence - perhaps the intent - of this boycott was to seek to deprive X’s users, be they sports fans, gamers, journalists, activists, parents or political and corporate leaders, of the Global Town Square,” she wrote.

“To put it simply, people are hurt when the marketplace of ideas is undermined and some viewpoints are not funded over others as part of an illegal boycott.”

Mr Musk shared his colleague’s statement to the platform and boldly declared: “We tried peace for 2 years, now it is war.”

He later encouraged “any company who has been systematically boycotted” to file a suit.

Following his post, video sharing platform Rumble joined Mr Musk’s lawsuit, claiming it has also been impacted towards GARM’s alleged skew away from right wing voices and ideologies.

The platform announced its move on X where it accused GARM of being “a conspiracy to perpetrate an advertiser boycott of Rumble and others, and that's illegal”.

Since Musk took over the social media platform in October 2022, X has suffered a serious dive in ad dollars with the platform taking in US$2.5 billion in 2023, according to Bloomberg.

This was down from the US$1bn it was bringing in every quarter of 2022.

Musk triggered controversy again in November 2023 when he endorsed an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory that Jewish communities push “hatred against whites”.

The X owner responded: “You have said the actual truth,” sparking an advertiser exodus that was reported to have lost the company as much as $75m, per The New York Times.

He made headlines again in the same month after blasting advertisers boycotting the social media platform, boldly declaring: “Go f**k yourself”.

“If somebody is going to try to blackmail me with advertising, blackmail me with money, go f**k yourself. Go f**k yourself. Is that clear? I hope it is,” he said. (Sky News Australia)

Full article and coverage via Sky News Australia

https://www.skynews.com.au/business/media/elon-musk-takes-garm-several-companies-to-court-over-alleged-advertising-boycott-of-x-outlined-in-bombshell-report/news-story/7bac6243aada770042d14ca84afc23e7

Technology News (Media Man Int) https://mediamanint.com/news3.html

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Media News (Media Man Int) https://mediamanint.com/news2.html

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Market, Commodities and Financial News Snapshot via Media Man

August 7, 2024

Australian Dollar: $0.6520 USD (up $0.0024 USD)

Iron Ore Sep Spot Price (SGX): $102.85 USD (down $0.70 USD)

Oil Price (WTI): $72.96 USD (down $1.02 USD)

Gold Price: $2,389.45 USD (down $19.96 USD)

Copper Price (CME): $4.0095 USD (up $0.0085 USD)

Bitcoin: $56,485.71 USD (up 3.10% in last 24 hours)

Dow Jones: 38,997.66 at 5.02pm NY time (up 294.39 points on yesterday's close)

(Roy Morgan Summary)

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Promos Matter In Pro Wrestling

WWE's Karrion Kross Has Developed Into One Of World's Best Over Past Year + ; WWE Creative Offered Time To Shine; Can't Wait For The Netflix Killer Version: Media Man

Mr Kross @realKILLERkross Is A Former Media Man 'Pro Wrestler Of The Month' and 'Sports Entertainer' Of The Month winner and finalist. What some don't know is that Kross would wipe the mat with most of the world's pro wrestlers in an uncontrolled aka real- insert your own word, situation. Wrestler, fighter, MMA and master promo.

Promos In The Who Have Impressed Of Late In Addition To Kross Include: Logan Paul, LA Knight, Paul Heyman, Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton, Liv Morgan, Lexis King and Sol Ruca. Promos are subjective in nature, but these days Karrions are motion picture grade in our view. Netflix Movies, Blumhouse and others surely have an eagle eye on.

Previously known as names such as:

"The White Rabbit"
"The People's Executioner"
"The Devil Of Monterrey"

The WWE Universe should wake up and know him as a man not to mess with. Ala the legendary "Macho Man" Randy Savage, "The cream always rises to the top". Cheers to the worldwide Kross Cult/Kult. So Sayeth.

Promo:

"What are you doing, Woods? What are you doing? No, no, no. Please don’t do that. Do not involve other people in our business. I don’t like that. I don’t appreciate it. Not only that, it defeats the entire purpose of everything I’m trying to do for you. I’m trying to help you stand on your own two feet. I never said, ‘Don’t ever talk to Kofi again,’ or, ‘You can’t visit him on the holidays,’ or, ‘You can never tag with him again.’ All I suggested was that you take a step away from New Day. You had I guess your own interpretation of that. Don’t turn me into the bad guy here. Kofi’s the bad guy. You, I’m suspicious of at this point because all you’re gonna do for those guys is get them severely hurt. I don’t know what you’re trying to do here. Are you trying to replace the New Day? You think these two guys are gonna be the next Big E and Kofi Kingston? No, brother. It doesn’t work that way. This is not going to help you. The only thing that’s going to help you is to learn how to stand on your own two feet and then, you come with me. If you’re not going to do that, well, next Monday, I’m gonna see you, like I always do. When I do, I’m gonna step on your head. Then I’m gonna leave you where I find you, just like I do. Because after all, you beat me once, right? Haha. Sure you did. You beat me where Kofi couldn’t. That’s the confidence we want. I’m telling you right now, that’s never gonna happen again. You understand what I’m trying to tell you? Get rid of these guys, or else. Tick tock" Karrion Kross

https://x.com/realKILLERkross/status/1813032453449347141

Websites

Real Killer Kross
https://www.killerkross.com/

WWE: Karrion Kross
https://www.wwe.com/superstars/karrion-kross

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SURVIVOR SERIES NEWS: NXT stars debut in PPV main event angle, plus other news from annual PPV - 18th November 2012

-- NXT champion Seth Rollins (formerly Tyler Black), Dean Ambrose, and Roman Reigns debuted on WWE TV by attacking Ryback and preventing him from capturing the WWE Title in the Survivor Series PPV main event.

Rollins, Ambrose, and Reigns were identified by announcer Michael Cole as being from the NXT Developmental system. After they took out Ryback via powerbomb through the Spanish announce table, Punk pinned John Cena, who had received Shell Shock from Ryback before Ryback was taken out by the NXT trio.

-- No titles changed hands during the PPV. In the other top title match, Sheamus beat Big Show via DQ after Show pulled referee Scott Armstrong in the way of a Brogue Kick. Sheamus then delivered a massive beat down to Show using a chair, which likely sets up a World Title re-match at the TLC PPV next month.

-- In the other title matches, Antonio Cesaro retained the U.S. Title over Kofi Kingston and Eve retained the Divas Title over Kaitlyn.

-- In the top Survivor Series elimination match, Dolph Ziggler pinned Randy Orton to be the sole survivor for Team Ziggler over Team Foley. Earlier in the show, WWE teased tension between Orton and Mick Foley, playing up their historical feud from Orton's early days. Also earlier in the show, David Otunga was named as Cody Rhodes's replacement on Team Ziggler following Rhodes's injury at last week's Smackdown TV taping.

-- Tamina, who recently trained with The Rock, returned to WWE TV as Vickie Guerrero's hired bodyguard. The set-up was that A.J. Lee noted that if Vickie places her hands on her, then Vickie will be removed as interim Raw authority figure. Tamina then blindsided A.J. and Superfly Splashed her to establish her new role as Vickie's enforcer (Pro Wrestling Torch)

News

Three-time WWE heavyweight champion Mick Foley together with award-winning Australian comedian Brendon Burns, will visit Australia soil in February 2013 for a first ever Australian tour with their brand new double-handed stand-up comedy show ‘Good God Almighty!’.

Good God Almighty! Australian Tour Dates 2013

February 04 Adelaide, SA
Dunstan Playhouse
February 06 Brisbane, QLD
The Tivoii
February 09 Sydney, NSW
Enmore Theatre Sydney
February 11 Melbourne, Victoria
Athenaeum Theatre Melbourne

Get Tickets here
Visit www.facebook.com/LiveNationOzNz

Wrestling News Flashback

Brock Lesnar vs Jon 'Bones' Jones being speculated by sports media commentators; Will WWE top brass make it happen for WrestleMania

For months there's been speculation running rampant about the potential match up of Brock Lesnar aka 'The Beast' vs Jon 'Bones' Jones.

Due to Jones recent drug testing fail it would appear that the obvious place for the match up to happen would be under the WWE umbrella, and what better event to have it take place than WrestleMania.

WWE is always looking for unique, high interest (and grossing) main event matches, and there's little doubt that this dream match would draw massive publicity, and would certainly help sell out an arena (and boost WWE Network subscriber numbers at the same time).

Would the risk of booking such a dream match be worth the potential risk and payoff? Only a few select top brass in the WWE would know, those individuals would be the likes of Vince McMahon and Triple H. Pat Patterson would possibly be in the decision making also, and could very well help book the match, should it be scripted, as all WWE matches are. Or, would the WWE just have these men fight for real? Problem is if its for real, as the WWF Brawl For All was, both men could get seriously hurt and be out of action for many months. Then again, both men would be part-times and are special attractions, so it's not like they have to be out on the road going to arena to arena, following such a bout.

There's also talk whether UFC / MMA sensation Conor McGregor may seriously look at one or more matches under the WWE banner no matter what the result from his clash with Floyd 'Money' Mayweather, who is not a stranger to the WWE ring, having previously fought and beat 'The Big Show' at WrestleMania 24.

It's certainly interesting times for the WWE / Sports Entertainment - MMA - Boxing connection.

Let's all hope that a Lesnar vs Jones and the upcoming McGregor vs Mayweather fight surpass the infamous Ali vs Inoki match from 1976.

As Bruce Buffer says, Let's get ready to rumble. Let's now cross to ringside with Mauro Ranallo for the call of the action.

Websites

WWE.com - Brock Lesnar

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UFC.com - Conor McGregor

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WWE.com - Vince McMahon

WWE.com - Triple H

WWE.con - Antonio Inoki

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