News

Brendan Bussmann interviewed on Focus Gaming News

Brendan Bussmann: “Japan is one of the last strong markets that can exist”

Exclusive interview – Brendan Bussmann, partner and director of government affairs at Global Market Advisors, shares his views on the future of gaming in Asia and Las Vegas’ bounce back from Covid-19.

In Las Vegas, things are starting to look up.  Summer is in sight and casinos are looking forward to getting back to full capacity from June.

You can read and watch the interview here

GMA quoted in the Las Vegas Review Journal

Virgin Hotels CEO says Vegas property to grow with market

by Mike Shoro

The Las Vegas Valley’s newest integrated resort is still without a pool, a beach club, multiple planned restaurants, an operating sportsbook and hotel occupancy rates in line with the average.

All as expected, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas executives said Friday.  But that situation will change soon.

You can read the rest of the article here

GMA quoted in the Las Vegas Review Journal

Good news about tourism economy comes in bunches

by Richard N. Velotta

When it comes to good news about Southern Nevada’s tourism economy, it doesn’t get much better than it did last week.

The good vibrations came in bunches.

The McCarran International Airport passenger numbers started things off with the report that passenger traffic was up 60 percent from February to March and up 25 percent from March 2020 to March this year.

You can read the rest of the article here

GMA quoted in iGamingBusiness.com

Las Vegas goes back to the future

by Buck Wargo

Las Vegas takes a step closer to normalcy on Saturday when it expands to 80% of its capacity and prepares for the return of full-scale entertainment this summer- a big milestone since non-gaming amenities set the city apart from other US casinos.

Las Vegas took a step back in that regard when it reopened in June 2020 after a two-and-a-half-month novel coronavirus (Covid-19) shutdown.  It went wihtout entertainment, conventions, nightclubs and other amenities when it reopened to a 50% capacity on its gaming floors and restaurants and strict social distancing requirements.

You can read the rest of the article here

GMA quoted on OnlinePokerReport.com

Voices of Support Were Plentiful at Today’s Committee Hearing For Online Casino Gambling in Illinois

by Heather Fletcher

Illinois lawmakers are moving forward on their promise to consider legalizing online casino gambling in 2021.  To that end, members of the Illinois House Executive Committee held a hearing today on the proposed Internet Gaming Act.

Anyone watching the Illinois General Assembly consider the act probably came away with an optimistic impression.  If there’s any remaining cause for skepticism, it’s mainly about the launch date.  although Illinois sports betting became legal in spring 2019, the first app only launched on June 18 the following year.  The state is hoping for a much faster timeline from iGaming legalization to launch.

You can read the rest of the article here

GMA quoted in CDC Gaming Reports

Nevada casinos top $1B in gaming revenues in March; LV strip totals up 67%

by Howard Stutz

Nevada’s gaming revenue figures for March offer some comfort the state is showing the beginnings of a rebound from the year-long economic devastation brought about by the pandemic.

Casinos statewide collected more than $1 billion in gaming revenues during March, an increase of 72.6% compared to the same month a year ago when gaming was halted for 78 days due to COVID-19.

You can read the rest of the article here

GMA quoted on Online Poker Report

Voices of Support Were Plentiful at Today’s Committee Hearing for Online Casino Gambling in Illinois

by Heather Fletcher

Illinois lawmakers are moving forward on their promise to consider legalizing online casino gambling in 2021.  To that end, members of the Illinois House Executive Committee held a hearing today on the proposed Internet Gaming Act.

Anyone watching the Illinois General Assembly consider that act probably came away with an optimistic impression.  If there’s any remaining cause for skepticism, it’s mainly about the launch date. Although Illinois sports betting became legal in spring 2019, the first app only launched on June 18 the following year. The state is hoping for a much faster timeline from iGaming legalization to launch.

You can read the rest of the article here

GMA quoted in Las Vegas Review Journal

Las Vegas Valley casinos allowed 80% occupancy starting May 1

by Richard N. Velotta

The Nevada Gaming Control Board late Friday issued a new health and safety directive that will enable 80 percent occupancy in most casinos and a 3-foot social distancing requirement, effective May 1.

The state’s directive for wearing facial coverings as a means to slow the coronavirus pandemic remains in place.

The board’s notice offers a county-by-county directive on capacity limitations for gaming areas.

You can read the rest of the article here

GMA quoted in GGR Asia

Japan still draw for casinos, doubts on returns: panel

Japan was likely to remain a major opportunity for investment by international casino firms, though the eventual level of return on capital investment was subject to many variables.  So heard a Thursday panel session of the Japan IR Forum, an online conference about he casino industry in that country.  Such gaming venues with tourism facilities are known in Japan as integrated resorts, or IRs.

The panel was moderated by Peter Cohen, director of regulatory affairs at The Agenda Group, and a former state regulator in Australia for gaming.

You can read the rest of the article here

GMA quoted in CDC Gaming Reports

NFL signs sports betting partnerships with Caesars, DraftKings and FanDuel

by Howard Stutz

The National Football League, which long opposed any connection to legalized sports betting, announced Thursday its first-ever partnership with three of the largest sportsbook operators in teh U.S. – Caesars Entertainment, DraftKings, and FanDuel.

Through the agreement, the gaming companies have the “exclusive ability” to utilize NFL trademarks within their sports betting operations both in retail settings and online.  The sportsbook operators will also engage with fans through NFL-themed free-to-play games.

You can read the rest of the article here