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Markets, Cryptos and Culture

FinTech, Big Tech, Big Biz

May 14, 2026

Sydney, Australia to Wall Street, New York

Digital Bush Telegraph

Australia Continues To Ring Bells

Markets

ASX 200 futures down 22 points/ 0.3%: 8636

AUD +0.3% to US72.59¢

Bitcoin $79,510.16 -1.46%

Wall St:
Dow -0.1%
S&P +0.6%
Nasdaq +1.2%

VIX -0.12 to 17.87
Gold -0.6% to $US4688.77 an ounce
Brent oil -1.9% to $US105.70 a barrel
Iron ore +0.7% to $US110.95 a ton

10-year yield:
US 4.47%
Australia 5.06%

News

May 14

Numbers Double Check

Australian Dollar: $0.7260 USD (up $0.0020 USD)
Iron Ore: $110.95 USD (up $0.85 USD)
Oil Price (West Texas): $101.00 USD (down $1.01 USD)
Gold Price : $4,689.17 USD (down $26.23 USD)
Copper Price): $6.6190 USD (down $0.0145 USD)
Dow Jones: 49,693.20 (down 67.36 points)

News (Australia)

ASX down as investors wipe $30b from CBA

The Australian sharemarket lost ground on Wednesday, with the S&P/ASX 200 shedding 0.5 per cent to close at 8,630.4 points. Bank stocks were sold down for a second day in the wake of the federal budget, with the Commonwealth Bank falling 10.4 per cent to $153.67. PEXA Group was down four per cent at $11.90 and Temple & Webster ended the session 6.4 per cent lower at $4.98. However, BHP rose 2.9 per cent to a record high of $61.52 and Aristocrat Leisure was up 13.3 per cent at $51.94. (RMS)

News

The Lead Up

TKO Neg With Talent/Wrestling With Numbers And Contracts; If The New Price Is Right Mr Wrestling and Ms Wrestling

UFC MMA and U.S Admin Mix It Up With Fighters Visiting White House; Patriots Well Received In And Around Oval Office; Present Trump Gets Welcome Image Revamp Of Sorts; Keeping The Wars In The Octagon!

Red Turns To Green And Gold!

Pop Culture Ref: "The Wall Street Shuffle" (10 cc)

LinkedIn b2b Business Continues To Lift For Media Man Group and Associates

Media And Broadcasting Legend Ted Turner Dies (May 6); 100s Of Tributes Globally; Media, Entertainment And Sports Business World Pays Tribute; Turner Company Helped 1000s Globally In Career And Business

News (ICYMI)

Alphabet/Google Cracks TIME 100 Cover; Positive Buzz

Beast Industries aka MrBeast TIME Top 100 Influencer;

Post Buzz Continues For TIME Media Darlings

TKO/WWE In And Out Of The Ring Continues; Up and Down Cycle; TKO's Nick Khan Offer Positive Vibes To US Admin Re Ali Act Amendment; Counter Punch by some competitors; Road To WWE Clash In Italy and WWE SNME

TKO's LinkedIn Continues To Enjoy Strong News Media Buzz; Google LinkedIn Numbers Up; Search Engine Journal LinkedIn; Rio Tinto (Mining) Strong LinkedIn Media Vibes And Buzz

WWE's Danhausen Offers Mega Exposure To Rootless Coffee And WWE Merch; Number 3 Best Seller Of WWE Merch With Human Monies; Danhausen ESPN News! Very Nice!

Media Man LinkedIn and X Up; Road To WWE Clash In Italy and WWE SNME

Google/Alphabet Earnings Ultra Bullish

May 14, 2026

(Sydney, Australia To Wall Street, New York)

Markets

Coffee 280.70 +0.55

Cocoa 4418.00 -169.00

Sillicon 8585 -50.00

Silver 87.554 +0.123

Newsfeed

May 13

Culture/WWE NXT

Naraku Crushes Lince Dorado in Dominant WWE NXT Debut

The 39-year-old Japanese powerhouse, formerly EVIL in New Japan Pro-Wrestling and an ex-IWGP Heavyweight Champion, signed with WWE in April and debuted Tuesday on NXT airing on The CW. After vignettes and a chilling promo revealing his hellish new name, Naraku grabbed a quick win over Dorado, then snarled into the mic: "NARAKU is not a man of honor. I am pure EVIL!" His intact NJPW gimmick and House of Torture flair drew fan buzz, with eyes now on NXT Champion Tony D'Angelo as the King of Darkness eyes gold. (Media Man Peg-On): In Australia WWE NXT airs on Netflix. Highlights via the official WWE YouTube channel.

News

Pop Culture/WWE

Randy Orton's WrestleMania 41 Card Sells for $42,100 Record Price

The one-of-a-kind card from Topps' 2025 Royalty WWE set features a patch from Orton's WrestleMania 41 match in Las Vegas, signed with 'WM#20' and 'The Viper.' It shattered records by doubling the prior No. 2 WWE card sale, beating out a Steve Austin 1/1, after Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns bid nearly $40,000 before losing in the final seconds. Orton reacted by promising the winner his WM41 throwback gear—he still has his iconic 2004 SummerSlam trunks from becoming WWE's youngest world champion at age 24. (Media Man Peg-On): Some collectors making an RKO killing. Punt kick to a real job! Coiled up big ballers!

News Lead Up

12 + Hours Ago

BTC/Cryptos

Bitcoin hits the pause button at $80K

Market Overview

The crypto market capitalisation has stalled at around $2.70 trillion, reflecting Bitcoin’s indecision around $80,000. At the same time, risk aversion is mounting in global markets, which can be easily linked to profit-taking following the rally and the US dollar's upward momentum. Among the top coins, the leaders over the past day were Theta (+8.5%), Toncoin (+4.9%) and NEAR Protocol (+2.1%). The underperformers were Dash (-4.2%), Official Trump (-3.5%) and Zcash (-3.5%).

The sentiment index has settled just below the midpoint of the range, recording readings of 47, 48 and 49 over the last three days. At the same time, we continue to note how difficult it is for the crypto market to consolidate at the upper end of the spectrum, which indicates a predominance of bears.

Bitcoin points to much the same thing, having lost its upward momentum as it approached the 200-day moving average. Although this line is trending downwards, the market has failed to break through it for the past six days. On the other hand, as the decline is quite modest, it resembles nothing more than a breather following a rally, leaving a strong chance of growth resuming.

News Background

According to CoinShares, global investments in crypto funds rose by $858 million last week. Investments in Bitcoin increased by $706 million, in Ethereum by $77 million, in Solana by $48 million, and in XRP by $40 million. Outflows from Bitcoin short positions totalling $14 million marked the largest of the year.

Investments rose amid a compromise on stablecoin yields under the CLARITY Act. The Senate Banking Committee is expected to consider the bill next week, CoinShares notes.

Strategy acquired 535 BTC for $43 million last week — at an average price of $80,340 per coin. The week before, the company skipped its weekly BTC purchase ahead of its quarterly report. Strategy now holds 818,869 BTC, purchased for $61.86 billion at an average price of $75,540 per Bitcoin.

Strategy will continue to build up its reserves of the leading cryptocurrency. At the same time, the volume of purchases will significantly exceed any potential sales, stated the company’s founder, Michael Saylor. According to him, it is important to remain a ‘net buyer’ and end each year with more coins than at the start.

Jordi Visser, founder of 22V Research, has increased his investment in Ethereum. In his view, this year will see the start of mass asset tokenisation, which will form the basis for payments by AI agents. For autonomous transactions, they will need digital assets such as Ethereum or stablecoins. (FxPro). (Media Man Peg-On): Can we call Michael Saylor the "King Of Bulls". Awesome PR machine and LinkedIn buzz. Join the dots!

News

Media Man with Cafe News Media Watercooler

Beer killer? Rise of the vodka RTD

Gold Coast-based drinks maker Hard Fizz emerged at around the time of the pandemic, while the ready-to-drink canned beverage market boomed after the pandemic. Hard Fizz originally focused on alcoholic seltzer drinks, but it is now switching to vodka-based canned drinks, with CEO Wade Tiller saying the change is because you are more limited with flavour when you use seltzer. Hard Fizz's seltzer sales have slumped over the past year, at a time when there is a broader consumer shift to RTDs, while vodka-based light RTDs account for 75 per cent of Australian RTD sales. (RMS)

News

oOh!media rejects $770m offer, triggers bidding war

The board of listed outdoor advertising group oOh!media has advised that it is open to further takeover approaches after spurning two suitors. The company has indicated that it assessed both offers and deemed that neither reflected its intrinsic value. US-based private equity firm I Squared Capital had offered $1.45 per share, valuing its bid at $770m; it had trumped a previous offer from Pacific Equity Partners of $1.40 per share. Brian Han from Morningstar says the rejection of both offers means that oOh!media's directors have effectively put up a 'for auction' sign. (RMS)

News Media

Truescope's co-founder and CEO John Croll contends that Australian companies are not getting much value from traditional media monitoring firms. He says they s are paying large sums of money each year for monthly media intelligence reports that are based on daily press clippings, and are therefore usually out of date before the client receives them; he adds that the analysis in these reports is often outsourced to low-cost workers offshore. In contast, Truescope processes content within minutes of publication and performs sentiment analysis at sentence level rather than story level; it also uses artificial intelligence to produce an executive summary. Croll was previously the CEO of iSentia.

News

AI News

The hidden expenses in banking's AI rollout

Tokens have been described as the hidden cost of using artificial intelligence, with tokens being a basic unit that measures how much data is being processed through autonomous AI models such as Anthropic's Claude. Westpac's CEO Anthony Miller told a recent investment banking conference that the bank was still in the process of working out how to disclose token use and productivity, with the cost of tokens depending on the model used. Noel Williams from PwC says the cost of tokens is definitely something that the big banks need to take into consideration, while Goldman Sachs analysts claimed recently that token consumption would increase 22-fold by 2030 and 55-fold by 2040. (RMS)

News

AI/Aviation (Aust)

Union demands Qantas AI talks

The Australian Services Union has asked for a meeting with Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson, following comments by her at a recent conference that suggest she intends to accelerate the airline's adoption of artificial intelligence. With the ASU representing clerical and call centre staff at Qantas, assistant national secretary Scott Cohen said attempts to enshrine protections into work agreements for staff around the implementation of AI had not been agreed to by Qantas, making Hudson's comments all the more concerning; he says he hopes that the ASU can work with Qantas to find ways by which AI can improve customer service and perhaps even lead to more human interaction. (RMS)

AI News

'Red tape is killing Australia's AI dream'

Data centre company Iren was called Iris Energy and operated as a bitcoin miner when it tried to list on the ASX in 2021, but the ASX knocked it back. That proved a blessing in disguise, as Iren instead floated on the tech-heavy Nasdaq exchange in the US, with co-founder Dan Roberts noting that on Friday it traded $US10bn in just that one session, which he says is more than the ASX's on-market dail turnover of $7.5bn. Roberts contends its rejection by the ASX was sign of Australia's unwillingness to " back next-generation technology at scale", while Iren has signed a $4.7bn deal with Nvidia to house its processing chips in Iren data centres.

News

(ICYMI)

Politics/MMA/UFC

Trump Hosts UFC Stars in Oval Office for White House Fight Event

Trump welcomed lightweight champ Ilia Topuria, challenger Justin Gaethje, light heavyweight titleholder Alex Pereira, and heavyweight Ciryl Gane to preview UFC Freedom 250 on June 14. The free event on the South Lawn features a 4,500-seat arena for Topuria vs. Gaethje and Pereira vs. Gane, tying into America's 250th anniversary and Trump's 80th birthday, with overflow crowds on giant screens nearby. Banter flew in the meeting—Trump joked about Pereira's powerful hand, while Topuria teased him lightly—building hype for this historic first pro sports event on White House grounds. (Media Man Peg-On): Win-Win-Win. Even if you lose on whe White House, you also win at the game and biz of MMA! Much respect to all.

News Lead Up

100 + Hours Ago

Cryptos

Altcoins are surging amid a steady rise in BTC price

Market Overview

The crypto market capitalisation has risen by 0.75% over the past 24 hours, reaching $2.69 trillion. The top three performers are Zcash (+29%), Toncoin (+23%) and Filecoin (+16%). The underperformers are Ethereum (-0.4%), Algorand (-0.5%) and Basic Attention Token (-4.6%).

Bitcoin is approaching $81.5K, continuing its movement within an upward channel and hitting new highs since February. This positive momentum can easily be linked to the continued rise in stock indices, which is boosting risk appetite and bringing a more significant technical battle into view. The leading cryptocurrency is approaching its 200-day moving average (currently at $83.3K); a firm consolidation above this level would be a further sign of bullish dominance. We saw the first such sign – consolidation above the 50-day moving average – exactly one month ago. It is quite likely that, as Bitcoin approaches $83K, a short-term profit-taking phase awaits, allowing some of the gains to be taken.

The performance of altcoins clearly shows how BTC’s steady growth is encouraging increased risk-taking. First Toncoin, and today Zcash, have gained nearly 30% over the past 24 hours. The latter has been rising every day since 3 April, gaining 80% during this period; it was one of the first major cryptocurrencies to climb out of the slump at the end of January and reach highs last seen in November of last year. The key pivot zone in 2018 and 2025, near $800, looks well within reach in the coming days.

News Background

The total USDT market capitalisation has increased by $5.9 billion over the last 60 days, whereas prior to March, the market was losing around $2 billion monthly, notes analyst Darkfost. The inflow of capital into the crypto market is boosting asset values.

Morgan Stanley suggests that US banks may be able to hold Bitcoin on their balance sheets in the future, despite current regulatory barriers. The bank recently launched a Bitcoin-based exchange-traded product (ETP). Later this year, Morgan Stanley will launch spot trading in cryptocurrency on its Wealth platform.

The international payment system Western Union has launched its own stablecoin, USDPT, on the Solana blockchain. Integration with SOL will allow the company to speed up settlements and move away from traditional interbank systems, which are prone to delays.

BitMine has increased its Ethereum reserves to $13 billion, purchasing over 100,000 ETH for the third week in a row. The company’s reserves have reached 5,180,131 ETH, or 4.29% of the Ethereum supply.

Toncoin (TON) jumped by 45% amid fee reductions and the reorganisation of TON. Pavel Durov announced that Telegram would take over management of the TON crypto project from the current operator, the TON Foundation. The entrepreneur promised to reduce fees on the TON network sixfold and turn the eponymous token into a mass-market product.

News

Advertising expectations and experience: Australians have their say about AI

The second wave of Ad Standards' Community Sentiment Tracker, which was conducted by Roy Morgan, has found that 72% of Australians are concerned about the use of AI-generated content in advertising, particularly its potential to mislead or deceive people with unrealistic or fake content. Around half are also worried that the use of AI could reduce authenticity and creativity in advertising and promote unrealistic body or beauty standards. Australians believe AI-generated content is already widely used in advertising, with more than half saying that it is used very often (21%) or often (37%). Despite this, confidence in recognising AI-generated content remains low, with one in five Australians saying they are not at all confident they could identify when AI-generated content has been used in an ad. Some 64% of Australians believe it should always be necessary to disclose when advertising contains AI-generated content. The Ad Standards-Roy Morgan Community Sentiment Tracker Survey was conducted online with a cross-section of 1,000 Australians aged 18+ between 19 February and 2 March 2026. (Roy Morgan)

News

Sports/Media/Broadasting

Seven boss flags interest in NRL

Southern Cross Media Group's CEO Rohan Lund has indicated that the Seven Network owner could potentially bid for the NRL's broadcasting rights. Lund says media companies like Seven have an important role in helping audiences and partners to connect with their sports teams. He adds that Seven could be interested in the annual State of Origin series in particular. The Nine Network's current free-to-air rights deal for the NRL expires next year, and the NRL aims to finalise its next deal by the end of July. (RMS)

News

Shares

TKO Group Holdings Inc
$183.70
+0.37 +0.20%

Alphabet Inc Class A
$402.62
+15.27 +3.94%

NVIDIA Corp
$225.83
+5.05 +2.29%

Meta Platforms Inc
$616.63
+13.63 +2.26%

Netflix Inc
$87.56
-0.100 -0.11%

News

(ICYMI)

MGM Vegas

Heyman Hustle/Paul Heyman - Live At MGM

News

Heyman’s involvement ties into his Looking4Larry Agency’s creative work and a broader MGM Studios partnershipMGM Live is the new entertainment/content brand for MGM Resorts International’s Las Vegas properties. It launched on Instagram with a debut reel featuring Paul Heyman and UFC President Dana White together at an EZ Baccarat table at the Live at Park MGM venue on the Las Vegas.

This marks a notable crossover, as UFC and WWE are both under TKO Group Holdings. Park MGM has hosted WWE events (like the 2026 Hall of Fame) and UFC PPVs.

Heyman shot disruptive/late-night content there during WrestleMania week, including:His TikTok debut from Park MGM (talking about Brock Lesnar, WrestleMania, etc.).

"Heyman on Heyman" interview with his son Jacob for HeymanHustleTV. Multiple Instagram/TikTok reels embracing his "King of New York (and everywhere else)" persona while promoting MGM.

News

Pop Culture/WWE

Danhausen Reopens Cameo for Sports Curses and Uncurses

The Metro Detroit wrestler, now with WWE, offers personalized videos for around $125 to curse or uncursed sports teams, just as NBA playoffs heat up. A Knicks fan's uncursing video preceded their 140-89 Game 6 blowout over the Hawks, sparking requests from Chiefs, Nets, Panthers, Cavs, Bears, Arsenal, Ferrari, and Jets fans. His 'very nice, very evil' persona has fans half-jokingly linking his hexes to real results, with Cameo now swamped and unavailable. (Media Man Peg-On: You are not cursed, and you are on Media Man!

News

Big Tech

(ICYMI)

Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta Platforms Report Q1 2026 Earnings Beating Expectations

Alphabet reported Q1 2026 revenue of $109.9 billion and EPS of $5.11, surpassing estimates, with Google Cloud revenue up 63% to $20 billion.

Microsoft reported fiscal Q3 2026 revenue of $82.89 billion and EPS of $4.27, beating expectations, driven by 39-40% Azure growth.

Amazon reported Q1 2026 revenue of $181.5 billion and EPS of $2.78 exceeding forecasts, with AWS up 28%, while Meta reported Q1 2026 revenue of $56.3 billion and EPS of $10.44 above estimates.

News

News Lead Up

100 approx Hours Ago

Bitcoin has begun hunting down short sellers

Market Overview

The crypto market capitalisation has continued to hit new highs since early February, reaching $2.67 trillion. This time, the movement was not uniform, consisting of individual surges led by Toncoin (+29%), followed by Algorand (+4.5%) and Basic Attention Token (+4%). The underperformers include Dash (-5.5%), Aptos (-2.1%) and VeChain (-1.6%).

The sentiment index has reached 50, the midpoint of the indicator’s range, where it last stood on 17 January. The market is approaching a significant turning point. Since last October, there have been only brief surges in sentiment to higher levels, but these have provided excellent opportunities for bears to sell at higher prices.

Although Bitcoin faced some pressure midday on Monday, it overcame it on Tuesday, reaching $81K and gaining 1.3% for the day, though, by and large, it covered this ground in just the last 4 hours. We attribute this rally to short squeezes, as the rise occurred during the period of the most aggressive movements ahead of the start of active trading in Asia, when liquidity is at its lowest. Meanwhile, on the stock markets, there was only a slight pullback following the downward momentum. In any case, on the daily charts, Bitcoin is recording its sixth bullish candle, and the entire April uptrend now fits within a new upward channel, with the upper boundary currently at the 200-day moving average.

News Background

The Capriole investment fund has noted a sharp rise in demand for Bitcoin from major players. Institutional investors are buying up more than 500% of the daily mining output of the leading cryptocurrency every day. Historically, such a supply shortage has led to a 24% rise in BTC over the following month.

Bitcoin appears poised for an upward surge. A break above $80K opens up the possibility of reaching $86K–$88K in the coming period, notes MN Trading founder Michael van de Poppe.

Following the latest adjustment, Bitcoin’s mining difficulty has fallen by 2.3% to 132.47 T. According to Glassnode, the network’s average hash rate, smoothed by a 7-day moving average, stands at around 955 EH/s.

Senators Tom Tillis and Angela Olsbrooks have reached a compromise regarding stablecoin yields in the CLARITY Act. This bill regulating the US crypto market may be considered by the Senate Banking Committee in the week following 11 May. (FxPro)

News

Pop Culture/Lucha Libre

AAA Announces New General Manager Reveal on May 23

On the April 25 episode of AAA on Fox, President Marisela Peña announced that Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide will get a new General Manager, with the live reveal set for May 23 in Mexico City. This follows her son Dorian Roldán's recent plea for the role, which she decided to open to other candidates after careful thought. Fans are speculating on names like Zelina Vega, Rey Mysterio, or even The Undertaker, amid AAA's growth since WWE's majority stake acquisition last April and its new Fox broadcasts blending lucha action with WWE polish. (Media Man Peg-On): Ariba. Triple A has massive influence from The Undertaker, and it's paying off as far as entertainment value for fans and in other creative and business ways from what we see and hear. Can see see Danhausen in Triple H also? Lucha Hausen! And Vice City Rocks!

News Lead

UFC - MMA Building Stars Again; SS King Of Division, Substance And Hype; Yan UFC Bonus

New York Kind Of Feeling

US Stocks - Black Friday aftermath

Road To WWE Clash In Italy and WWE SNME

WWE Management And Wrestlers Bullish; Wrestling and Boxing

Sports Biz Event Tickets And Merch Drive

Danhausen Lifts WWE Merch Hausen

News

Media Man Group Weekly Series

Pop Culture Dream Matches

New Blood vs New Day vs Old News

GCW Bloodspot vs The Others

MGM Wrestling vs Atlantic City

Mr UFC vs Numerous Mainstream Media

Bam Bam vs Father Time

UFC vs Outlaw Mud Shows

MVP vs Weekend Warriors

WBD Wrestling vs Own Goal

Mr Dingo Driver vs Naysayers

New School vs Old School

Paul Heyman and Son and MGM Gamification vs others!

PopWrecked vs Karen

Studio97 vs others: Catfight Rules!

Danhausen and Minihuasen vs Bully Ray and Easy E

Oba Femi vs Lockeroom

x AI vs others!

T. Abbott (Aust) vs Wokes

Netflix vs Paramount Plus vs YouTube - 3 Way Dance! Special Ref: Easy E. Share The Love! Enough For The Big 3!

Ultra A.I vs Human Full Bloods

Ex Machina vs Cave Man

Rudos vs Technicos (Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide)

News

Best Quotes Of The Day

"What's your hustle" Paul Heyman

"Everyone you meet knows something you don't know" Anon

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

Media Man

Global Gaming Directory is part of Media Man

News

Casino News Gambling News

Casino Culture News

Casino def:

a public room or building where gambling games are played. Origin: early 18th century (in the sense ‘small house’): from Italian, diminutive of casa ‘house’, from Latin casa ‘cottage’. The sense ‘public room for gambling’ dates from the mid 19th century.

History:

The history of casinos is a transformation from ancient social rituals to highly regulated, multi-billion-dollar global entertainment hubs. While gambling is as old as human civilisation, the "casino" as a dedicated physical building emerged in 17th-century Italy.

Key Historical Eras

Ancient Origins (3000 BC – 1600 AD) Earliest Evidence: Archaeological finds in Mesopotamia show six-sided dice made of bone used around 3000 BC.

China: Early forms of lotteries and tile games (precursors to dominoes) were used to fund state projects as early as 200 BC.

Rome & Greece: Betting on chariot races and gladiatorial contests was common, leading Romans to invent the first gambling chips to bypass anti-gambling laws.

The Birth of the "Casino" (1638 – 1800s), established in 1638, is recognized as the world's first official government-sanctioned gambling house.

Venice, Italy: The Ridotto established in 1638, is recognized as the world's first official government-sanctioned gambling house.

Etymology: The word "casino" comes from the Italian casa (house), originally referring to a small country villa or social club where people met for music and dancing.

European Expansion: Elaborate gaming houses spread to cities like Paris and Monte Carlo in the 19th century, catering to the aristocracy.

The American Frontier (1800s – 1931)

Saloons: Early American gambling thrived in western saloons and Mississippi riverboats, with New Orleans serving as an early hub.

Prohibition: By the early 20th century, most US states had outlawed gambling, pushing it underground until Nevada's legalization in 1931.

The Modern Era (1931 – Present)

Las Vegas: The legalization of gambling in Nevada (1931) led to the rise of the "Strip," with iconic resorts like the Flamingo (1946) pioneered by figures like Bugsy Siegel.

Global Shifts: Macau overtook Las Vegas in revenue in 2007, becoming the world's largest gambling market.

Digital Revolution: The first online casinos launched in 1994, transitioning the industry into the multi-billion-dollar digital space it is today.

Markets, Cryptos, Miners, Politics and Pop Culture

Friday PM into The Weekend Edition

WrestleMania Weekend Trends Upward With Media and Social Media Blitz

All That Glitters Can Sometimes Be Gold! Gold Overall Media and Long Term Save Haven; Cash King In Short Term; Money In The Bank Mixed Strategy: Media Man Group

April 17/18, 2026

Markets

S&P/ASX 200 8946.90 +0.41%
S&P 500 7126.06 +1.20%
NIKKEI 58475.90 -1.75%
FTSE 10667.63 +0.73%
AUD/USD 71.73 +0.03%
GOLD 4829.40 -0.79
SILVER 80.755 +2.35
BTC $77,298.39 +3.58%

Cryptos

Bitcoin is gathering momentum around $75K

Market Overview

The cryptocurrency market capitalisation stands at $2.55T, up 0.56% over the past 24 hours. The cryptocurrency sentiment index has fallen from 23 to 21, while US stock indices are rallying. The top performers among the most liquid coins are APT (+7.2%), AAVE (+6.4%) and IOTA (+5.2%); the underperformers are NEAR (-1%), ZEC (-2.5%) and DASH (-3.2%).

Bitcoin remains near $75K, showing little change over the last two days. However, this is not a lull but a build-up of momentum, as the leading cryptocurrency is at a key resistance level where the 61.8% retracement of the decline and the March highs converge. In the first half of 2025, this area acted as support, halting the correction, while in 2024 the rally ended at this level. Given this background, the direction chosen could determine the fate of the entire crypto market over the coming months. And here, both sides need thorough preparation.

Solana has significantly outperformed the market over the last day, attempting to bounce off an important long-term support line, but failing to do so for over two months now. We will only be able to declare a victory for the bulls once it has consolidated above the $105 level, at which point we can talk about a return above the 200-week moving average, a break above previous local highs and a breach of the round figure.

News Background

The crypto market has entered a ‘no-trade zone’ and is awaiting a signal from the US Federal Reserve, said BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes. According to him, the current range-bound movement is due to the lack of clear macroeconomic signals.

Pension funds, insurance companies and large investors no longer view Bitcoin as a speculative instrument. They regard it as a standard component of an investment portfolio — regardless of capital inflows or outflows from crypto ETFs, Sygnum Bank notes.

Over the next few years, Ethereum could exceed $62,000, suggested BitMine CEO Tom Lee. According to him, the recent downturn in the crypto market can be viewed as a ‘mini-crypto winter’, which is nearing its end.

One of the Bitcoin developer groups has presented a new proposal to improve the first cryptocurrency’s network (BIP-361). The proposal involves freezing 1.7 million BTC held in obsolete P2PK addresses that are potentially vulnerable to quantum attacks.

News

The dollar is retreating

The de-escalation in the Middle East has left the dollar vulnerable

The Bank of England is managing rate expectations, maintaining the outlook for two hikes.

Over the past two weeks, the US dollar has fallen to its lowest level since early March, giving back almost all the gains made since the start of the armed conflict in the Middle East. Talks with Iran are set to resume in the coming days. Donald Trump continues to insist that the war will end soon and that an extension of the ceasefire will not be necessary. Coupled with record highs in US stock indices, this is contributing to the continued rally in EURUSD, as geopolitics has ceased to support the greenback, bringing macroeconomics back into focus.

Investors’ attention has also shifted to corporate earnings reports and Congress’s deliberations on Kevin Warsh’s nomination for the post of Fed Chair. Contrary to Trump’s promises, the replacement of the Fed Chair may coincide with accelerating inflation driven by rising oil prices, requiring a tightening of monetary policy. What will Warsh choose? To justify the president’s trust or to demonstrate the central bank’s independence and adherence to its principles?

Investors are drawing parallels with the 1970s, when an inflationary shock amid the oil crisis saw the Fed chair, loyal to the White House, ease monetary policy. The rate cuts resulted in an even sharper rise in consumer prices and the entrenchment of high inflation expectations. At that time, the US dollar collapsed. It was only the subsequent change in the central bank chief and the aggressive tightening of monetary policy, despite the recession, that put the dollar on a path of steady growth from the summer of 1980.

Currency interventions could put pressure on the greenback. Japan’s Finance Minister Satsuko Katayama has long spoken of selling USDJPY. However, following a conversation with Scott Bessent, the intensity of her pressure on speculators has increased. This suggests that the US is not opposed to intervening in the Forex market. In 1985, coordinated currency interventions led to a multi-year decline in the USD.

Other European currencies are rising in tandem with the euro. The British pound has returned to pre-war levels, partly due to the ‘hawkish’ rhetoric of Bank of England officials. Megan Green believes that the futures market’s expectations of two rate hikes in 2026 are justified. Meanwhile, Andrew Bailey stated that previous market estimates of four hikes were too high. (FxPro)

News

Stocks driven by FEAR on TACO

Confidence in an approaching end to the war in the Middle East, the resilience of the US economy to geopolitical shocks, and expectations of a strong first-quarter earnings season enabled the S&P 500 to surpass the January record highs.

About a year ago, after the White House introduced tariffs, the broad stock index first fell and then surged as Trump Chickens Out. Nowadays, since late March, the fear of missing out on TACO has been driving strong volumes, as investors who missed last year’s rally rush to catch up.

Usually, such sharp surges occur from the very bottom of a bear market. This time, the S&P 500 has lost less than 10% from its January highs. So, it has not even been officially called a correction. Something similar occurred only in March 2000, on the eve of the dot-com bubble bursting. (FxPro)

News

April 15

The euro sees no obstacles to growth

Global risk appetite and monetary policy divergence are driving gains in EURUSD

The Bank of Japan gave no signal of a rate hike in April.

The US dollar continues to retreat amid falling demand for safe-haven assets, as the de-escalation of the Middle East conflict has raised global risk appetite. Investors are confident that US-Iran peace talks will resume shortly. This is aided by the White House’s shift from a military strategy to economic leverage through a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

A prolonged blockade could lead to the IMF’s adverse scenario. Under this scenario, oil prices would remain above $100 per barrel for an extended period, global GDP would slow to 2.6%, and inflation would rise to 5.4%. In the baseline scenario, economic growth in 2026 will be 3.1%, 0.2 percentage points lower than the previous forecast. The International Monetary Fund believes that the eurozone will suffer more than the US. The shared currency bloc is dependent on energy imports.

However, the euro has a positive correlation with risk appetite, and its bulls have capitalised on the strong rally in US indices, pushing them towards record highs. At the same time, the rising correlation between the VIX volatility index and the US dollar is putting pressure on the greenback.

MUFG Research notes that the 40% rally in Brent since the start of the war in the Middle East should have led to a 3% fall in EURUSD. The firm attributes the euro’s return to pre-war levels to rising global risk appetite and divergence in monetary policy. The futures market is pricing in a 35% probability of a Fed rate cut in 2026. Investors are confident of two ECB rate hikes and a 30% chance of a third.

Other global currencies have benefited from the US dollar’s weakness. However, the yen is in no hurry to rise as Kazuo Ueda’s comments unsettled USDJPY bears. The BoJ Governor stated the Bank would continue to monitor developments in the Middle East and gave no signals of a tightening of monetary policy. This is a dovish tone, as he has given such signals before. As a result, the futures market has reduced the probability of monetary tightening in April from 55% to 32%. (FxPro)

News

April 16

Crypto stalls as risk appetite shows cracks

Market Overview

The crypto market capitalisation fell by 0.74% over the past 24 hours to $2.5 trillion. Today’s top performers include Immutable (+3.2%), SushiSwap (+0.8%) and Tron (+0.7%). The underperformers were Dash (-5.4%), Toncoin (-4.5%) and NEAR Protocol (-4.4%). The crypto market took a step back, despite further gains in stock indices. From its local low at the end of March, the crypto market has risen by 8.6%, a more modest increase than the Nasdaq 100’s 13.6%.

Bitcoin briefly rose above $76K on Tuesday, almost matching March’s peak levels, but had retreated to $73.6K at the time of writing. Buyers are looking for a catalyst to push the price to a new level beyond the consolidation range. If Bitcoin is looking for external signals, it may remain indecisive until key US stock indices hit new highs. However, we are more inclined to believe that the first cryptocurrency’s stagnation is a sign of a fragile risk appetite that will soon manifest in the broader market.

News Background

The conflict in Iran has increased the appeal of non-sovereign money and brought Bitcoin closer to serving as a real medium of exchange, according to Bitwise. Since the start of the war in the Middle East, BTC has risen by 12%, whilst the S&P 500 and gold have fallen by 1% and 10% respectively.

Bitcoin could fall to $30K only if the US economy enters a deep recession, according to analyst Benjamin Cowen. A correction of 65–70% from the highs is in line with historical trends and is not exceptional.

According to CoinDesk, derivatives accounted for 76.5% of the total trading volume on centralised crypto exchanges (CEX) in March — the highest figure since September 2023. Derivatives trading volume on CEXs stood at $3.99 trillion — 3.2% lower than in February.

Trump’s nominee for Fed chair has disclosed his cryptocurrency investments. Kevin Warsh has invested in the Polymarket prediction market and several decentralised startups, according to his financial disclosure statement.

News

Australia

April 17

Australian Dollar: $0.7159 USD (down $0.0011 USD)
Iron Ore: $106.25 USD (up $1.95 USD)
Oil Price (West Texas): $93.37 USD (up $1.98 USD)
Gold Price : $4,788.31 USD (down $2.53 USD)
Copper Price: $6.0340 USD (down $0.0445 USD)
Dow Jones: 48,578.72 (up 115.00 points)

News

World warned 'don't deal with Iran oil'

The Trump administration has confirmed that the temporary sanctions waiver on Iranian oil exports that was introduced on 20 March will not be extended. It is due to expire within days, and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says that reinstating the oil sanctions will be the "financial equivalent" of a bombing campaign in terms of Iran's ability to generate revenue. Bessant has also warned that the US is willing to impose secondary sanctions on companies or nations that buy Iranian oil or have Iranian money in bank accounts. Meanwhile, Iran has urged the US to end its blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that it will be regarded as a breach of the two-week ceasefire if it remains in place. (RMS)

News

Machinery or maintenance failure in focus at Geelong refinery

Viva Energy believe a gas leak was responsible for an explosion and the resulting fire at its Geelong oil refinery, although the exact cause is still under investigation. Bill Patterson from Viva Energy has downplayed suggestions that the disaster is linked to delayed maintenance work at the plant; he notes that some such work has been deferred due to the Iran war, but this had not been scheduled for the part of the refinery where the incident occured. Fire Rescue Victoria's Deputy Commissioner Michelle Cowling says the initial indications suggest that a mechanical or engineering failure within equipment in a transfer section of the refinery may have been responsible for the disaster. (RMS)

News

'I'm not happy': Trump renews criticism of Australia, ignores defence spend boost

US President Donald Trump has again criticised Australia for not helping the US in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, with Trump making his comments while being questioned as he left the White House on Thursday US time. Ignoring the federal government's recent announcement that it will spend an extra $53 billion on defence over the next decade, an decision partly made to assuage criticism from the Trump administration about Australia's low military spending, Trump said "I'm not happy with Australia because they were not there when we asked them to be there", while he did not respond to questions as to whether he was still on good terms with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. (RMS)

News

War a chance to wound illicit tobacco market

Retailers of illegal cigarettes say that supply chain problems resulting from the Iran war have pushed up the prices of their products. A pack of popular Double Happiness cigarettes has risen from about $7 a pack to $17 in recent weeks, while a carton of 10 packs, that would have previously sold for between $60 and $70, is now selling for as much as $140. The rise in the price of illegal cigarettes has led to calls for the federal government to 'wound' the tobacco black market by cutting the tobacco excise, thereby reducing the cost of legal cigarettes. (RMS)

News

Auto

We will not survive': Toyota, Honda and Ford CEOs issue chilling warning about China - and it could hit your portfolio

70 per cent of all new electric vehicles now come from China, leaving Toyota, Honda and Ford worried about projects and overhauling their strategy. Honda President and CEO Toshihiro Mibe said after a recent visit to a Shanghai parts factory that "we have no chance against this", with Ford and Toyota leaders having expressed similar sentiments regarding Chinese makers' sheer speed in not just building cars, but designing them. Automotive stocks are a common part of many broad-based mutual funds and ETFs, while Tesla, Ford and Toyota remain among the best-known investment options in the sector. However, big shifts in focus under the threat of Chinese manufacturing, along with disappointing sales figures by foreign car makers in China, could make investors with holdings in those stocks nervous. (RMS)

News

X News

Elon Musk Proposes Universal High Income to Offset AI Job Losses

On Friday, Musk posted on X that universal high income payments from the federal government offer the best fix for AI-driven unemployment, arguing AI and robotics will create abundant goods and services without inflation. He differentiates this from universal basic income, pointing to AI's potential for far greater wealth that makes work optional. Reactions divided sharply, with supporters praising adaptation to tech changes and critics warning of lost purpose, government overreach, and economic pitfalls like eroded work incentives.

News

WWE/Pro Wrestling/Pop Culture

Shawn Michaels Marks 30 Years Since Iron Man Classic with Bret Hart

On March 31, 1996, at WrestleMania XII in Anaheim, Bret Hart defended his WWF Championship against Michaels in a grueling 60-minute Iron Man Match before 18,853 fans. The bout ended 1-1 after regulation, but Michaels won his first world title in sudden-death overtime with Sweet Chin Music at 61:52, fulfilling his 'boyhood dream' as announcer Gorilla Monsoon declared. Fans cherish it as wrestling's blueprint for storytelling, with many crediting the match for sparking their lifelong passion, while Michaels' anniversary post brought back waves of nostalgia for the reconciled rivals' endurance test.

News

WWE

Stephanie McMahon Headlines WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026

The WWE Hall of Fame ceremony at Dolby Live in Las Vegas features Stephanie McMahon leading the Class of 2026 alongside AJ Styles, Demolition, Sid Eudy, Bad News Brown, and Dennis Rodman, hosted by Michael Cole and The Miz. Triple H's heartfelt tribute drew her warm reply, 'Forever baby, with you, I can fly,' amid fan reflections on the 10th anniversary of Chyna's death and ongoing calls for her solo induction. Reports indicate Vince McMahon won't attend, highlighting family dynamics as WWE honors its evolving legacy.

News

WWE Unveils Hulk Hogan Statue at WrestleMania 42 Weekend

The statue anchors the 'Hulkamania Forever' exhibit at WWE World in Las Vegas, packed with relics like championship belts, a Hulkamobile motorcycle, and vintage posters from Hogan's 1980s peak. Triple H dubbed it 'Immortal,' honoring the six-time champion who brought wrestling mainstream, though some fans noted ironies like Nick Hogan's 2007 car crash near the motorcycle display and joked about the statue's dark bronze patina. This first post-death WrestleMania tribute coincides with Netflix's 'Hulk Hogan: Real American' docuseries premiere on April 22, drawing crowds to celebrate the complicated icon.

News

Pop Culture/Gaming/Movies

Street Fighter Live-Action Trailer Unleashes 1990s Arcade Vibes

The official trailer for the live-action Street Fighter movie, set during the Super Street Fighter II era, stars Andrew Koji as Ryu, Noah Centineo as Ken Masters, and Callina Liang as Chun-Li, who draws them into the World Warrior Tournament. Directed by Kitao Sakurai, it features WWE stars like Cody Rhodes as Guile and Roman Reigns as Akuma, alongside Jason Momoa as Blanka and 50 Cent as Balrog, embracing the game's campy fun over gritty realism. The cast appeared at WrestleMania in full regalia, and most reactions praise the trailer's goofy spirit, though some note cosplay-like vibes; it hits theaters October 16.

News

WWE

Cody Rhodes and CM Punk share emotional promo and hug on final SmackDown before WrestleMania

Cody Rhodes delivered a promo praising CM Punk as the new Mr. WrestleMania, stating that his father Dusty Rhodes would be proud of Punk, and expressing love for him. CM Punk reciprocated the sentiment toward Cody Rhodes before they embraced to close the show.

News

Danhausen Curses Stephen A. Smith on ESPN's First Take

The WWE wrestler, real name Donovan Danhausen from Warren, Michigan, crashed Friday's First Take in Las Vegas to hype WrestleMania 42, declaring Stephen A. cursed while hosts Molly Qerim and Keyshawn Johnson laughed. Fresh off signing with WWE in February 2026 after his AEW contract ended, Danhausen debuted dramatically at Elimination Chamber and has fans buzzing with his 'very nice, very evil' antics, including a Goodyear Blimp ride where he gleefully cursed the city below. The stunt amps up excitement for the two-night event at Allegiant Stadium on April 18-19, with rumors of more surprises alongside host John Cena. (Media Man Peg-On). Danhausen got off to a bit of a rough start in his WWE debut but has more than made up for it. Catch the Danhausen Fever and Mania. Media Hausen! Wrestle Hausen Weekend!

News

Bitcoin News Byte

Despite a 47% Price Drop, Bitcoin Traders Aren’t Selling:

A survey of U.S. Bitcoin holders and crypto subreddit posts found that despite anxiety and market turbulence, most investors (69%) held onto their Bitcoin, with only 8% panic selling.

Bitcoin faced a dramatic market correction in early 2026, plunging 46% from its $126,000 all-time high and briefly dipping below $61,000 on February 6.

The drop erased over $1 trillion in market value and prompted headlines warning of a defining crypto moment. Social media feeds filled with reactions, yet most holders remained on the sidelines.

A survey by Oobit of 1,006 American Bitcoin holders and sentiment analysis of 117,630 posts across 10 major crypto subreddits reveals that fear did not translate into widespread selling.

News Flashback

Last Week

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

Media Man Awards

Roy Morgan wins Media Man 'Media Services 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)

Casino, Gaming and Hotel Stocks

Markets/Trades

January 2026

Current

Jan 7 into 8

Sin City Sydney to Wall Street and Vegas

MGM Resorts International $34.12 -1.62 -4.53%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $116.37 -4.14 -3.44%

Las Vegas Sands $61.43 -2.35 -3.68%

Boyd Gaming Corporation $86.07 -1.74 -1.98%

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. $23.00 -0.77 =3.24%

Red Rock Resorts, Inc. $61.27 -0.82 -1.32%

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. $46.04 -0.36 -0.78%

PENN Entertainment, Inc. $13.82 -0.99 -6.68%

Light & Wonder Inc CHESS $157.26 +0.36 +0.23% (ASX)

Profile

Light & Wonder, Inc., FKA Scientific Games Corporation, is an American corporation that provides gambling products and services. The co HQ in Enterprise, Nevada.
The gaming division provides products such as slot machines, table games, shuffling machines, and casino management systems. Bally, WMS & Shuffle Master.

January 2026

Jan 3

MGM Resorts International $36.49

Wynn Resorts Ltd $122.57 +2.24 +1.86%

Las Vegas Sands $65.21 +0.12 +0.18%

Boyd Gaming Corporation $86.19 +0.95 +1.11%

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. $23.56 +0.17 +0.73%

Red Rock Resorts, Inc. $62.97 +1.02 +1.65%

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. $45.49 +0.74 +1.65%

PENN Entertainment, Inc. $14.85 +0.100 +0.68%

Light & Wonder Inc CHESS $156.00 -1.57 -1.00% (ASX)

News Flashback

Markets/Trades

News (post Xmas)

Dec 26

December 2025

New York, USA and Sin City Las Vegas

MGM Resorts International $37.68 +0.59 +1.59%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $124.36 -0.66 -0.53%

Las Vegas Sands $66.20 -0.13 -0.19%

Boyd Gaming Corporation $86.60 +1.19 +1.39%

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. $24.79 +0.29 +1.18%

Red Rock Resorts, Inc. $62.74 +0.69 +1.11%

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. $45.22 +0.18 +0.40%

PENN Entertainment, Inc. $15.10 +0.46 +3.14%

Light & Wonder Inc CHESS $158.00 +0.54 0.34% (ASX)

News Flashback

Hotels offering up to 50% off rooms ahead of Black Friday

Nevada (Las Vegas)

A Strip casino-hotel has announced discounted room rates ahead of Black Friday, including up to 50 percent off rooms and resort credits. Sahara announced its “cyber steals” Wednesday, offering discounted rates on bookings into the first half of 2026. Until Dec. 3, travelers can book and receive 50 percent off “best available” room rates for stays through June 30, 2026, with no booking fees and guaranteed room type.

News

Three days of Formula One excitement about to hit the Strip

Nevada (Las Vegas)
The Las Vegas Grand Prix returns for its third year this week, transforming the Strip into a three-day motorsports extravaganza — complete with racing action, associated events and road closures across the corridor. This year’s spectacle is expected to draw 300,000 fans. “What I love about this event is that there truly is something for everyone,” said Emily Prazer, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

News

Fallout exhibit anchors new era of atomic pop-culture tourism

Nevada (Las Vegas)
As Fallout fans converged on Southern Nevada for their annual pilgrimage, the National Atomic Testing Museum was transforming itself, stocking fridges with ice-cold Nuka-Cola, showcasing pristine bright blue Vault 33 suits and lighting up the iconic “Welcome to New Vegas” sign. The preparations heralded an unprecedented partnership between the museum and game publisher Bethesda Softworks, bringing the world’s largest publicly available Fallout collection to its spiritual home in Southern Nevada.

News

The Lead Up/Flashback

Casino, Gaming and Hotel Stocks

Markets/Trades

November 10, 2025

New York, USA and Sin City Las Vegas

MGM Resorts International $32.85 +0.19 +0.58%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $130.24 +4.10 +3.25%

Las Vegas Sands $66.35 +1.14 +1.74%

Boyd Gaming Corporation $83.06 +1.79 +2.15%

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. $20.27 +0.45 +2.27%

Red Rock Resorts, Inc. $59.21 +1.38 +2.39%

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. $40.31 +0.58 +1.45%

PENN Entertainment, Inc. $15.81 +1.27 +8.71%

Light & Wonder, Inc. $89.50 +8.94 +11.10%

News

(In Case You Missed It - over a month ago)

Crown Resorts/Crown Perth, Australia

Writes:

We couldn’t be more proud of our Crown team members who volunteered their time to support Telethon7, a West Australian charity supporting sick kids and their families. For the 17th year, we were honoured to support the incredible work of Telethon, hosting the Telethon Ball at Crown Perth, answering phones in the call room, giving the Little Telethon Stars and their families a staycation at Crown Towers and sponsoring the Telethon Community Stage. On behalf of the Crown Resorts Foundation, Crown Perth CEO Brian Pereira FCA GAICD FAIM closed out the weekend with a $2.5 million donation towards Telethon. (Source: Crown Resorts/Crown Perth)

News

Current

U.S Sports

Two MLB pitchers indicted in gambling investigation

Two Major League Baseball pitchers allegedly conspired with sports bettors to rig pitches they threw so the bettors would profit from illegal wagers, federal prosecutors in Brooklyn and the FBI announced in an indictment on Sunday. Cleveland Guardians player Luis Leandro Ortiz was arrested Sunday at Logan Airport in Boston.

News

Non-gaming spending up 10.7%, per-capita down 2.6%

Asia (Macau)
Macau visitors spent MOP20.38 billion (US$2.55 billion) on non-gaming offerings last quarter, with this amount up by 10.7 per cent year on year…same-day visitors spent some MOP3.62 billion, an increase of 27.6 per cent – versus MOP16.76 billion by visitors who spent more than one day, up 7.6 per cent…per-capita spending fell 2.6 per cent, at MOP1,950…the third quarter of 2025 welcomed an increase of 13.6 per cent in visitation, which totalled 10.45 million.

News

F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix race weekend rooms

Nevada (Las Vegas)
Room rates on the Las Vegas Strip during this year’s Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend at the top two resort companies are mixed compared with last year. The average three-night room rate at MGM Resorts properties on Las Vegas Boulevard are higher for this year’s race weekend than last around the first week of November, while Caesars Entertainment’s rates are running lower than a year prior. The lowest available room rates at the nine MGM Resorts properties are averaging $1,624.08 for Nov. 20-23, up 24 percent.

News

Vanderpump, ‘I’m not going to price myself out of the market’

Nevada (Las Vegas)
Lisa Vanderpump has stamped her brand across the Strip. Her Vanderpump Hotel will replace the Cromwell next year. Vanderpump says she’s planning “attainable luxury” on the corner of the Strip and Flamingo Road. “It has to be something that everybody who has supported me can afford,” Vanderpump said. “I’m not going to price myself out of the market.”

News

Casino News

Resorts World estimates it will generate $2.5B for transit by 2030

New York (New York City)
Resorts World has estimated that it will send $2.5 billion to the MTA [over the next four years if it is awarded one of the gaming licenses by the state in December. Resorts World, which has operated a racino in South Ozone Park for the last 14 years and has long been considered one of the frontrunners to receive one of up to three downstate gaming licenses.

NBA, sportsbooks review most vulnerable bets, wager limits

National (sports)
In the wake of the NBA betting scandal, the league and its partner sportsbooks continue to review what types of bets are most vulnerable to manipulation and how much bettors should be allowed to wager on such bets, sources familiar with the discussions told ESPN on Thursday.

Macau
Macau’s gaming operators recorded gross gaming revenue of $3.01 billion in October, up 15.9%. The October GGR figure was 8.7% higher than the previous post-COVID record month of August. For the first 10 months of 2025 combined, GGR climbed to $25.7 billion – up 8.0%.

Major Strip operator predicts strong fourth quarter

Nevada (Las Vegas)
A slower summer in Las Vegas, marked by declining September visitation and muted gaming revenue, is prompting casinos to adjust their strategies, but top Strip executives remain cautiously optimistic about a rebound in the fourth quarter and into 2026… Bill Hornbuckle, president and chief executive officer of MGM Resorts, said, “Vegas is fine. Fundamentally, we feel good about the fourth quarter (of 2025).”

Developers of stalled casino project seek to keep plans alive

Nevada (Las Vegas)
Last fall, the developers of a stalled casino project faced some stark words at a Clark County Commission meeting. With the team behind Dream Las Vegas asking for more time on their approvals again, Commissioner Jim Gibson said the situation “can’t go on forever,” that officials want projects they “believe are really happening,” and the likelihood of more extensions down the road was “remote.” Now, the developers are back with yet another request for more time…commissioners on Wednesday are scheduled to consider a request for a third time extension on the Dream hotel-casino project.

Kelly Clarkson adds August 2026 dates Caesars Palace

Nevada (Las Vegas)
Grammy-winning singer Kelly Clarkson is adding four performances in August 2026 to her “Studio Sessions” residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. The new shows are scheduled for Aug. 7, 8, 14 and 15. Clarkson, 43, launched the residency in July then postponed several dates after her ex-husband died. She rescheduled those performances to July and August 2026.

Off-Strip resort sets Elvis series, no-cover NYE shows

Nevada (Las Vegas)
Westgate is leaning into — and gyrating with — favorite showmen past and present. The off-Strip resort has formally announced details of what we posted some weeks ago, a series of Elvis revivals in 2026. “The King: 1973 Live — Aloha From Westgate” plays Jan. 14.

Thousands turn out in downtown Las Vegas for no-cover events

Nevada (Las Vegas) - John Katsilometes, Review-Journal - Crowds are eating up Feed The Block on Fremont East. And the annual Halloween adventure on the abutting Fremont Street Experience drew a mass of humanity on Friday night. Downtown was jammed on both nights. Diplo’s headlining performance drew about 10,400 people, city of Las Vegas stats, to the third Feed The Block event. This was on a Monday night, mind you. By comparison, about 2,200 people were counted in the same area on the Monday before Halloween. An average Friday night in September with no event is about 5,000 on the block.

News Flashback

Casino News

Nov 3, 2025

U.S. Online and Social Casinos

Fanatics Casino Expands with Major Launches: Fanatics Casino, which debuted its standalone real-money app in May 2025 across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia, continues to gain traction with aggressive promotions and a robust game library, positioning it as a top new entrant for November.

New Sweepstakes Casinos Hit the Market:
Fresh platforms like Sweeps Royal and BankRolla launched in late October 2025, offering over 1,000 slots each, generous sign-up bonuses (e.g., 750,000 Gold Coins + 1 Sweeps Coin), and themed promotions for Halloween and beyond, targeting social gaming enthusiasts.

Top Social Casinos Ranked for November: McLuck and Crown Coins lead the list of U.S. social casinos with free Gold Coins play, welcome bonuses up to 500 spins, and 5,000+ titles, emphasizing no-risk sweepstakes-style.

November Bonus Offers Surge: Sites like BetMGM are rolling out 100% deposit matches up to $1,000 plus $25 no-deposit credits, while others like Bet365 offer spin bonuses, capitalizing on the month's promotions to attract new players.

Physical Casino Developments

Resorts World New York Boosts Economic Projections: The casino has revised its forecast for contributions to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) upward to $2.5 billion, highlighting ongoing revenue growth from slots and table Casino Dotorg

Arizona Tribe Eyes Major Redevelopment: The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community is seeking proposals to transform a former mine site near Loop 101 into a potential replacement for Casino Arizona, promising economic boosts and new gaming facilities.

Canadian Casino Relocation Breaks Ground: The Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs broke ground on a $100 million project to relocate the Gold Eagle Casino to a 67-acre site in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, aiming to enhance tourism and community development.

International and Regulatory News
Finland Ends State Gambling Monopoly: On November 3, 2025, Finland introduced a new licensing system, allowing private operators to enter the market for the first time and breaking Veikkaus Oy’s long-standing exclusivity on slots, lotteries, and betting.

UK Faces Backlash Over 24-Hour Slot Casino: Tynemouth MP Alan Campbell criticized the approval of a controversial 24-hour slots venue at Preston Grange, calling it a "terrible decision" amid concerns over gambling addiction and community impact.

YouTube Cracks Down on Gambling Content: Starting November 2025, YouTube is enforcing stricter rules on gambling and gaming videos, including age restrictions and demonetization, to protect younger audiences from promotional content.

Legal and Industry Updates
BetMGM Lawsuit Advances: A federal judge denied BetMGM's motion to dismiss a lawsuit from VIP gambler Larry Murk, who alleges the operator unfairly inserted him into an online promo contest; oral arguments are scheduled for January 26, 2026.

No-KYC Casinos Gain Popularity: Platforms like BetWhale and BitStarz are seeing a 68% uptick in users opting for anonymous play without ID verification, offering faster payouts and privacy-focused real-money gaming.

News

WWE and UFC Themed Slot Games Continue To Build Upon Popularity; TKO Beancounters See Strong Merit; No Official Betting On TKO's/WWE Action Pro Wrestling Match Outcomes!

UFC MMA Match Betting Remains Bullish! UFC themed 'The Smashing Machine' movie gets strong industry and fan reviews; UFC/MMA themed movie 'Brawler' still happening; Tipped to be a big hit in Vegas (Media Man Group/Casino News Media)

News Flashback And Lead Up

News

Will Las Vegas be awarded another Super Bowl this week?

Nevada (Las Vegas)

Las Vegas could learn this week whether it will be named the host city for the 2029 Super Bowl when NFL owners hold their fall meetings. Future Super Bowl sites will be a topic of discussion, but whether those talks result in a decision remains to be seen. What’s known is that the NFL and Las Vegas recently began exclusive negotiations for hosting duties for Super Bowl 63 in 2029 at Allegiant Stadium. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has formally submitted Las Vegas’ bid, and the NFL is reviewing the package, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

News

Analyst predicts 2026 comeback for Las Vegas

Nevada (Las Vegas)
Weakness in Las Vegas will continue through the third quarter, but the fourth quarter "could be better" ...Truist Securities

“In the current environment, we don’t expect many earnings surprises, but continue to favor companies with best-in-class assets.”

Citing: Monarch Casinos, Churchill Downs, and Station Casinos. Jonas also liked real estate investment trusts (REITs) and digital B2B firms, lauding their safety, earnings growth, and cash flow.

News

Green Valley Ranch Resort unveils new logo to coincide with renovations

Nevada (Las Vegas)
Green Valley Ranch Resort in Henderson has unveiled a new logo, timed to coincide with property-wide renovations. Parent company Station Casinos says the "refreshed identity" is meant to reflect the resort's transformation and the guest experience. That includes a monogram that blends the initials G-V-R into a shorthand. "As Green Valley Ranch approaches its 25th anniversary, this was the perfect moment to step back and celebrate our journey while looking ahead to the future," Ken Janssen, the resort's vice president and general manager, said. “The refreshed logo reflects the on-going $200 million transformation of the property in terms of being contemporary in design."

News

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

Nevada (Las Vegas)
Movies like “The Hangover” and “Ocean's Eleven” piqued interest in the Las Vegas Strip long ago. But now Nevada labor unions hoping to boost jobs and tourism are pushing state officials to offer tax credits aimed at bringing more Hollywood filmmaking to the state. The effort to offer up to $95 million in tax credits to Sony Pictures Entertainment and Warner Bros. Discovery for a new film production facility in the Vegas suburbs didn't win enough legislative support earlier this year. But more than a dozen labor unions are pushing to revive the proposal during an expected special session next month. (Wires)

News

Developer celebrates opening of new Las Vegas hotel

Nevada (Las Vegas)
The developer of Symphony Park’s new hotel held a grand opening celebration for the project. Dallas real estate firm Jackson-Shaw, which opened its dual-branded hotel in the sprawling mixed-use Las Vegas spread this summer, threw a flashy party Thursday to give people an inside look at the AC Hotel and Element property. The five-story, 441-room hotel boasts 18,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 10,000-square-foot ballroom, as well as a restaurant and a piano lounge.

Casino News: Las Vegas

Key Expansions and Projects

Durango Casino & Resort Growth:
Red Rock Resorts is accelerating its Durango expansion in southwest Las Vegas, adding 25,000 square feet of gaming space and 250 hotel rooms. Construction starts July 2028, following record Q2 2025 earnings of $108.3 million (up 55% YoY). The project targets the booming residential corridor near the resort.

Bally's Tropicana Site Redevelopment:
Bally's Corp. unveiled a three-year timeline for a 3,000-room hotel-casino-entertainment complex around the new Oakland Athletics ballpark. Groundbreaking is set for April 2026, with the $1.5 billion project aiming to transform the former Tropicana site into a mixed-use hub.

Henderson Casino Approval:
Clark County commissioners greenlit a new casino in Henderson's Water Street District, including street vacations and design reviews. This off-Strip project could boost local gaming options by late 2026.

Operational Changes and Challenges:
Golden Gate Goes All-Virtual: Downtown's historic Golden Gate Casino has fully phased out live table game dealers, replacing them with electronic roulette and blackjack terminals. Owner Derek Stevens calls it a "doubling" of projected revenue, appealing to younger players, though tourists are mixed—some miss the human element, others praise the faster pace and lower house edge.

Las Vegas Sands Digital Shutdown:
The company axed its live-dealer streaming platform, cutting 150 local jobs. The initiative targeted legal iGaming states but couldn't compete in a crowded market.

Cyberattack Hits Off-Strip Resort:
An unnamed casino-hotel suffered a breach between Jan. 8-11, 2025, exposing data of ~4,700 guests, staff, and partners. No ransomware details were disclosed, but it highlights ongoing cybersecurity risks in gaming.
North Las Vegas Sale: Poker Palace Casino changed hands for $9.4 million, per county records. The buyer plans minor upgrades to the locals-focused property.

Tourism and Competition Pressures:
California Rival Looms: The $600 million Hard Rock Casino Tejon opens November 13 near Bakersfield, featuring 2,000 slots and 150,000 sq ft of gaming—rivaling MGM Grand-scale floors. It's expected to siphon West Coast gamblers, exacerbating Vegas's 1 million visitor drop in early 2025.

No Panic Yet:
Despite sluggish Strip hotel rates and airport traffic, experts like Citizens' Jordan Bender forecast a rebound, with conventions driving 15-20% growth in 2026. The $600 million Las Vegas Convention Center expansion is key to this outlook.

Big Wins and Buzz:
Jackpot Fever: A gambler turned a $3 bet into a life-changing payout at Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa near Las Vegas. Details on the exact amount weren't specified, but it lit up social media as a feel-good story amid industry woes.

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

Dining, Events, and Accolades:
Michelin Milestone: Fontainebleau Las Vegas earned the first "One Key" designation for a Nevada gaming resort in the 2025 Michelin Guide, recognizing its luxury amenities alongside 37 other U.S. hotels.

New Eats:
High Steaks Vegas, a modern steakhouse by chef James Trees, debuted atop Rio's Masquerade Tower mid-month. Meanwhile, Bellagio's Yachts of Monaco boat tours launch October 3 from the new Carbone Riviera dock.

Halloween Hype:
Vegas ranks #7 in North American Halloween excitement per Betway's study. Red Rock hosts "Fright Night Bingo" on October 30 with free drinks, DJs, and costumes. Citywide events include the When We Were Young Festival (Oct 18-19) and Downtown Rocks concerts.

G2E Spotlight:
SuzoHapp returned to the Global Gaming Expo with innovations in gaming tech partnerships, drawing crowds to booth displays. (Grok)

News

Cleopatra wins Media Man 'Casino Classic Game Of The Month' award

News

News Flashback

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

MGM Resorts International has yet to receive approval to operate a casino at its upcoming $2.5 billion integrated resort in Dubai, CEO Bill Hornbuckle said, despite earlier expectations that a decision would have been made by now.

“I thought by now, Abu Dhabi would have ruled on what they were doing,” Hornbuckle said during a recent industry conference, referring to the anticipated regulatory green light. “There’s a lot of dialogue around that.”

The resort, currently under construction on a 25-acre artificial island near Jumeirah Beach and the Burj Al Arab, is being developed in partnership with the government-owned Wasl group. It will feature MGM Grand, Bellagio, and Aria-branded hotels, along with a 250,000-square-foot podium that has been purpose-built to accommodate a casino should regulatory conditions allow.

While a federal gaming regulator, the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), was established in recent years to oversee commercial gambling activities across the UAE, the final decision to authorize casino operations remains with the rulers of individual emirates.

Hornbuckle noted that the company is still waiting on an official directive from Dubai’s leadership. “We don’t have permission yet from the ruler of Dubai to go forward,” he said. “I don’t know when we’ll hear, but I do believe this ... If this gets a casino, and I believe it will over time, we think it’s a massive opportunity.”

MGM submitted its license application to the GCGRA in September 2024. Any future approval would likely involve both federal coordination and local consent. The GCGRA is currently chaired by Jim Murren, MGM’s former CEO.

Meanwhile, competition in the UAE's nascent casino sector is heating up. Wynn Resorts is preparing to open the country’s first casino at its upcoming property in Ras Al Khaimah.

Scheduled for a 2027 launch, the resort on Al Marjan Island will likely be the UAE’s only licensed casino at the time of opening, according to Wynn CEO Craig Billings. He said last month that he anticipates it will be “the first and only casino in the country.”

Wynn has also expanded its footprint in Ras Al Khaimah by acquiring an additional 70 acres of land, raising speculation of a potential second property in the emirate. Analysts estimate that the UAE gaming market could generate annual revenues of up to $8 billion, while Wynn has projected figures closer to $5 billion.

Despite Wynn’s confidence in securing a dominant position, sources cited by Arabian Gulf Business Insight suggest that other operators may eventually receive licenses, casting doubt on the prospect of a long-term monopoly.

News

April 2024

Las Vegas sees big convention decline, visitation up slightly - April 2024

Visitor volume in Las Vegas increased slightly in March despite a huge decline in convention attendance for the month, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reported Thursday. Meanwhile, hotel occupancy and average daily room rates fell despite near-record traffic at Harry Reid International Airport and a slight uptick in vehicle traffic on major highways to Las Vegas. Visitation was up 0.4 percent to 3.67 million, but convention attendance fell by 37.2 percent compared with a year ago — a statistic more reflective of a tough comparison with March 2023 when the ConExpo-Con/Ag construction equipment trade show was in Las Vegas than a poor showing this year

Visitation up slightly in March despite convention decline - April 2024

Nevada (Las Vegas) Visitor volume in Las Vegas increased slightly in March despite a huge decline in convention attendance for the month…Visitation was up 0.4 percent to 3.67 million, but convention attendance fell by 37.2 percent compared with a year ago. Hotel occupancy fell 3 percentage points to 85.3 percent in March and the average daily room rate dropped 16.4 percent to $178.26 a night. For the first quarter of 2024, visitation is up 4.2 percent from last year to 10.43 million, while convention visitation is off 7.2 percent to 1.8 million for the first three months of the year.

Rio unveils Brazilian oasis with various pools, dining options

Nevada (Las Vegas) - - A new local oasis is making its debut at the Rio Hotel & Casino just in time for summer. The new casino pool, inspired by the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, features a colorful array of brand-new umbrellas, bright yellow cabanas, and an abundance of chaises. Guests will be able to enjoy each pool, the Nautius pool, Fish pool, Lagoon pool, and Shell pool —each with its distinct charm. Additionally, the Lagoon pool is flanked by two hot tubs on each side, providing an enchanting experience.

Downtown Grand to pay $720K to settle disability discrimination claims

Nevada (Las Vegas) - - A downtown hotel-casino will pay $720,000 to settle allegations of disability discrimination and retaliation in a lawsuit with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, it said Thursday. The EEOC alleged that Downtown Grand discriminated against employees multiple times since at least 2018, including “failing to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities and terminating an employee with colon cancer because he wore an ostomy bag,” according to a news release.

Beware the T-Rex: Dinosaur Outpost to open in Town Square

Nevada (Las Vegas) - Dinosaur lovers and Jurassic Park junkies alike in Las Vegas can thank Tim Clothier’s son for the latest store to open at Town Square. Clothier, the founder of the Las Vegas-based show props and display company Illusion Pro

Donna Kelce in Vegas with QVC, smiling on giant Sphere

Nevada (Las Vegas) - The last time Donna Kelce publicly traveled to Las Vegas was to support her son Travis Kelce, who was playing with the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. She’s back in Vegas this week, but this time she’s the show. And Mama Kelce is larger than life, looming over the skyline on the dome of the Sphere arena, the world’s largest spherical structure lit by more than a million LED lights…QVC chose Kelce for a campaign celebrating women over the age of 50.

Two major commercial projects eyeing similar timelines

Nevada (Las Vegas) - Two major commercial mixed-use projects in North Las Vegas could both open in the next two years, according to the developers. One of the projects is Hylo Park, a 73-acre mixed-use neighborhood on the site of the former Texas Station and Fiesta Rancho casinos. The other is the 19-acre NLV Gateway Village, which is made up of six different individual sites located near each other east of Interstate 15 along Lake Mead Boulevard.

‘Free Solo’ climber Alex Honnold advocates for rock climbing bill

Nevada (Las Vegas) - Alex Honnold often feels like an ambassador for Las Vegas and its outdoor recreation scene; the world- famous free soloist rock climber often advocates for Vegas’ “incredible” access to the wilderness when he’s on his travels. “The proximity between giant walls and an airport in a normal city, it’s, like, unparalleled in the world,” he said. “I think that’s something that a lot of people in Vegas don’t really appreciate. People come from all over the world to appreciate this resource.”

WWE AND UFC JOIN FORCES TO BRING NXT BATTLEGROUND TO UFC APEX ON SUNDAY, JUNE 9

Limited Premium VIP Seating Available Through Exclusive Partner On Location

April 22, 2024

WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), in partnership with UFC today announced that NXT Battleground will emanate from UFC APEX in Las Vegas on Sunday, June 9. This marks the first-ever WWE event to be hosted at the state-of-the-art, 130,000-square foot event and production facility, which is home to UFC Fight Night events, Dana White’s Contender Series and more.

"We are always exploring new frontiers to showcase NXT and we are excited to bring Battleground to this world-class event and production facility in partnership with UFC,” said WWE Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative Shawn Michaels.

Limited NXT Battleground Priority Passes will soon be available through exclusive partner On Location, giving fans the chance to be ringside for every exhilarating moment, including premium seating, all-inclusive pre-show hospitality with WWE Superstar appearances, ringside photo opportunities, and much more. Starting today, fans can place a deposit to secure access ahead of the general public, as well as register for exclusive pre-sale opportunities. To learn more or to place a deposit, please visit https://onlocationexp.com/battleground.

About WWE WWE is an integrated media organization and the recognized global leader in sports entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly entertainment on its television programming, premium live events, digital media, and publishing platforms. WWE’s TV-PG programming can be seen in more than 1 billion households worldwide in 25 languages through world-class distribution partners including NBCUniversal, FOX Sports, TNT Sports, Sony India and Rogers. The award-winning WWE Network includes all premium live events, scheduled programming and a massive video-on-demand library and is currently available in approximately 165 countries. In the United States, NBCUniversal’s streaming service, Peacock, is the exclusive home to WWE Network. WWE is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO). Additional information on WWE can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com.

About UFC UFC is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and 259 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while broadcasting to over 975 million households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 80 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC.

Casino News - July 2023

Online Casino Gambling in NJ Nears $1 Billion in 2023

Online Casino Gambling in NJ Nears $1 Billion in 2023 (July 14, 2023)

Online casinos in New Jersey are way ahead of last year's record-setting pace with data released on Friday by the NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement showing the activity generated $149.3 million in revenue in June, an increase of 12.1 percent year-over-year for this month.

Online casinos netted more than $930 million in revenue, which represents a 12.1 percent year-over-year clip growth compared to 2022.

June’s numbers are coming in below May’s $161.4 million. Casino gambling to some extent will likely come down with fewer people betting sports during the last spring and summer months.

The DraftKings-owned Golden Nugget has reclaimed the top spot for all NJ online casinos, knocking off Borgata, which is part of the BetMGM group of casinos.

Golden Nugget took in over $41.7 million.

Half of the Recent 850 Referred Gambling Addicts at One Clinic Are Children (July 14, 2023)
More than 850 people have been referred to a clinic for video game addicts since it opened in 2020 and half of those were children, according to a report appearing in the Guardian on Friday.

The National Centre for Gaming Disorders (NCGD), a London clinic, was originally given NHS funding based on seeing just 50 people a year. That nunber, however, ballooned to 30 people a month since the end of March this year – more than seven times anticipated demand.

Loot boxes were among the chief culprits and accounted for about a quarter of those seeking treatment. These comprise of gambling-style features offering randomised rewards.

Almost 12% of patients who played video games compulsively referred to playing Fortnite, with 10% citing Minecraft, 8% mentioning Call of Duty and 4.7% using the gaming platform Roblox.

Of the 855 referrals, 408 were gamers, of whom 227 were under 18.

Maine's Head of Sports Betting Claims White Supremacist Sympathizing Tweets 'Meant to Be Humerous' (July 12, 2023)

Maine's top gambling law officer, Milt Champion, returns to work on Monday after serving a 40-hour suspension. He was also expected to undergo in-person state training on workplace harassment and social media policies.

This all stemmed from a series of tweets back in May deemed to contain racist and misogynistic subject matter.

"While the two tweets were intended to be humorous, I recognize they were anything but. They were a mistake and an error in judgment, and I apologize for my actions," Champion said in the release. "I thank the employees of the Unit for their hard work and commitment in my absence."

On May 6, Champion expressed frustration about being told “ladies” was an unprofessional term for females, and suggested “Bitches” would be more appropriate.

Sure that could be viewed by some perhaps as a bad attempt at humor.

But as Gambling911.com also noted at the time, Champion somehow felt compelled to defend a tweet by Brian Krassenstein describing the Patriot Front as a "hate group in the United States that espouses white nationalism and neo-fascist ideologies".

Kentucky Sports Betting to Go Live September 7 (July 10, 2023)

Steve Bittenbender breaks things down following today's meeting in Kentucky regarding the upcoming launch of regulated sports betting in the commonwealth.

"Monday was really just a checkpoint for Kentucky officials responsible for rolling out sports betting statewide. They still have 59 more days of work ahead of them and that's just to get brick/mortar sportsbooks up and running and 80 to get online apps live."

He had a few key takeaways:

1. Tracks and operators will be able to start applying for sports betting licenses in Kentucky as soon as tomorrow (July 11, 2023).

2. The Sept. 7 brick/mortar launch date appears to be universal, according to the KHRC, if the tracks are ready.

3. The KHRC also tells me that tracks could theoretically have one brick/mortar operator at their track and another at their HHR satellite parlor. Remains to be seen how many (if any) may take advantage of that.

As many as 27 licensees could have the ability to operate in Kentucky apparently. It's not likely we'll get anywhere close to that number.

Unibet Vows Fixes Following Gambling911 Scathing Reports (July 10, 2023)

Unibet appears to have finally recognized it can't keep allowing its website and retail sportsbook business in Pennsylvania to keep going down and making as if nothing is wrong.

The company advised its PA customers over the weekend that "site improvements are on the way".

It's about time.

Unibet has already switched over to proprietary software in neighboring New Jersey.

Our own Thomas Somach had highlighted how folks were unable to place bets with the Unibet mobile app over extended periods of time in the state. The walk-in book at The Downs at Mohegan Sun in the Lehigh Valley, which is run by Unibet, also was shuttered during this time.

The company appeared to be more concerned about customer cleanliness than they were about keeping their website and sportsbook operational.

Somach also reported on how the company’s facility at the Downs at Lehigh Valley had erected signs warning customers that if they don’t get the smell out, they can get the hell out.

Man Charged With Riding Motorcycle Through Vegas Casino (July 6, 2023)
A motorcyclist is facing numerous charges after doing wheelies along Las Vegas Boulevard and riding through a casino, and on stairs and escalators.

Las Vegas Metropolitan police posted the arrest on one of the department’s social media accounts. It said R.A.I.D. officers took the man they referred to as the “reckless rider” into custody.

The rider is yet to be identified. He was wearing a shirt that read “Till the (expletive) wheels fall off.”

“The rider thought he would never get caught,” the police post stated.

He is facing the following charges:

3 felony counts of driver disobeying police officer, endangering person or property

4 gross misdemeanor counts of disregard for the safety of person or property

4 misdemeanor counts of reckless driving

1 felony count of assault with a deadly weapon

1 felony count of child abuse and/or neglect

1 felony count of coercion with force or threat of force

Pro Sports Care More About Gambling Than Violence Against Women and Racism (July 6, 2023)

Deadspin's Carron J. Phillips writes that "if you’re talented or rich enough, it’s becoming clear what will and won’t be forgiven in sports."

Gambling on games or in team facilities will not.

"Greg Hardy got to play football again. Antonio Brown keeps hanging around. Donald Sterling and Robert Sarver made millions after selling their teams," Phillips writes.

He points out that the Titans Hassan Haskins was arrested last month for allegedly strangling his girlfriend.

"Society didn't blink," he writes.

Wouldn’t it be great if sports took racism and violence against women this seriously from the jump? Imagine where we would be if that happened.

But, for something like that to occur it would mean that society, let alone sports, would have to take a stand against both transgressions — and we know that’s a pipedream.

Now, it seems like the rest of the sports world is following the NFL’s lead — as it often does. And once you realize that the NFL is usually a mirror of society, it becomes quite clear why racism and violence against women are easily forgiven while “gambling” is a blasphemous offense.

Last week, the NFL suspended indefinitely more players for violating the league's gambling policy. They included Isaiah Rodgers, Rashod Berry, and Demetrius Taylor.

“The gambling policy, which is annually reviewed with all NFL personnel, including players, prohibits anyone in the NFL from engaging in any form of gambling in any club or league facility or venue, including the practice facility,” read the NFL’s statement after the latest round of suspensions.

Phillips does note that the New York Yankees suspended relief pitcher Jimmy Cordero on Wednesday for the rest of the season for violating Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy.

ASA Bans Jake Paul Ladbrokes Tweet (July 5 2023)
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has determined that a Ladbrokes tweet violated its terms and conditions.

They claim that boxer and YouTube influencer Jake Paul was featured in the tweet and that his appeal is too geared towards minors. It's not immediately clear now many of his more than 20 million subscribers are actually teenagers. Paul does appeal to adults as well, thanks in no small part to his boxing skills.

Of course the irony in all of this is that Jake Paul now has an ownership interest in a sportsbook, Betr.

The tweet in question appeared back in February.

"@TommyTNTFury beat @JakePaul by split decision last night. So, we've got to ask the question… What's next for Jake Paul? Vote here now."

At the bottom of the tweet, the gambling company also linked to a poll with the options: "Win the re-match", "Head to the MMA", "Return to YouTube" and "Join the WWE".

it's not immediately clear what fine, if any, will be imposed.

Churchill Downs Extends Baffert Ban Through 2024 (July 3, 2023)

Churchill Downs Inc. has decided to extend Bob Baffert's two-year suspension for at least another 18 months, per a release. That would keep the Hall of Fame trainer from running horses in next year's 150th running of the Kentucky Derby.

“Mr. Baffert continues to peddle a false narrative concerning the failed drug test of Medina Spirit at the 147th Kentucky Derby from which his horse was disqualified by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission in accordance with Kentucky law and regulations," Churchill Downs said in a statement. "Prior to that race, Mr. Baffert signed an agreement with Churchill Downs which stated that he was responsible for understanding the rules of racing in Kentucky and that he would abide by them. The results of the tests clearly show that he did not comply, and his ongoing conduct reveals his continued disregard for the rules and regulations that ensure horse and jockey safety, as well as the integrity and fairness of the races conducted at our facilities.

"A trainer who is unwilling to accept responsibility for multiple drug test failures in our highest-profile races cannot be trusted to avoid future misconduct. Mr. Baffert will remain suspended from entering horses at all racetracks owned by CDI through 2024. After such time, we will re-evaluate his status.”

Ohio Will Reportedly Double its Tax Rate on Sports Betting (July 2, 2023)
Mobile gambling analyst Steve Brubaker tweeted this weekend:

"Lots of chatter about Ohio doubling the tax rate on the already nearly destitute OSBs. Boo hoo. Don’t forget that this same industry marched all over the country telling legislators that the hold was only 5% and to keep taxes and fees low. Hold rate is now 8% and climbing. 60% (up arrow)."

His tweet comes after that state's House and Senate reached an agreement on a budget for the state and that budget with the budget conference committee agreeing on a version doubling the current tax rate of 10% on sports betting to 20%.

Jessica Wellman had this to offer:

Alex Cane, CEO of Sports Trade responded:

"Horrible precedent. What other businesses in Ohio are taxed by revenue, much less *over 1,000% of revenue*?"

These costs will almost certainly be passed onto gamblers in the form of less competitive lines and bonus offerings.

West Virginia House Minority Whip Foresees Sports Betting Content Creator Oversight Bill Passing in Next Session (July 2, 2023)

West Virginia House minority whip Shawn Fluharty foresees the sports betting content creator oversight bill passing in the next session.

This is proposed regulation that applies to content creators in the industry. Such concerns were in the spotlight over the past week after it was revealed that an NBA insider, Shams Charania, forced a line change based on his wrongful information while employed by a sportsbook.

Maryland already requires disclosure and independent evaluation of influencers and media partners by its regulated sportsbooks.

Fluharty tells Legal Sports Report this is bigger than the Shams controversy.

“I’m not saying FanDuel had any unclean hands here. But if they wanted to, they certainly could. That’s because there is no regulatory boundary in place,” Fluharty told LSR on Monday. “… This is kind of the forecast of what’s next in the regulatory and legislative realm. And it shines a light on something we’ve been talking about for months. You just needed a clear example, and this is a clear example.

“I think really what the Shams thing did was it blurred the lines of influencer and reporter,” Fluharty said. “ … It used to be, in Las Vegas, the public drove the lines. Now, the sportsbooks are driving the lines 100%. They have the ability to do that now. Because they can influence the public using their own people.”

Casino Theft Cage Scheme Involves at Least 3 Properties, Mexican Phone Numbers (June 30, 2023)
A scheme to dupe casino employees into thinking they were transferring money from cages to a legitimate business involves at least three casinos and Mexican phone numbers, the 8 News Now Investigators have learned.

Documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained Friday reveal the allegations involve thefts at Circa Hotel & Casino, Eureka Casino Resort in Mesquite and the Golden Nugget in Laughlin — as well as federal investigators, including the U.S. Secret Service.

SpankOdds Free Indefinitely (June 29, 2023)

SpankOdds to be Free for All Eternity - Well, at least indefinitely. At some point the nearly one-year-old line service is likely to begin charging, but its founder, Gadoon “Spanky” Kryollos, announced via Twitter there will be no charge entering this football season (2023) at least.

SpankOdds is one of the few line services incorporating US regulated books and those out of Vegas along side offshore mainstays.

The platform bills itself as "a real-time odds monitoring and injury alerting software that gives sports bettors an advantage".

CBS Sports: Isaiah Rodgers Among Those to be Suspended for Violating League Gambling Rules (June 29, 2023)
Colts veteran Isaiah Rodgers is one of several NFL players facing full-season 2023 suspensions as part of the league's latest investigation into gambling allegations, according to CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones - Read More
Kim Zolciak’s Estranged Husband Has His Own Issues Amid Controversial Claims (June 29, 2023)
Kroy Biermann claims he and Zolciak's financial debts are because of her gambling problem, but he has his own personal gambling bills to worry about. Zolciak appeared on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Biermann, she claims, owes the Baha Mar Casino in the Bahamas $52K in unpaid gambling debts. The casino filed suit and the complaint has since been obtained by TMZ. According to the suit, Kroy obtained a $100,000 line of credit for use at Baha Mar Casino in advance of a November 2021 trip, and he ended up using $52,500 to gamble. The company in charge of handling Baha Mar Casino's credit line allege the reality TV star and NFL player drew $52,500 in chip markers at the casino and didn't repay the amount before leaving. Ugly divorce allegations continue. The couple's marriage fell apart after 13 years. Read More
More Gambling Suspensions Coming: Colts Isaiah Rodgers Among Them
(June 28, 2023) - Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (an arm of NBC Sports) has been doing an admirable job of covering the hypocrisy surrounding the National Football League's gambling policy and its attempts to reign in players while reaping the rewards of US regulated sports betting partnerships.

ESPN warns of more suspensions coming by week's end. We don't know who or how many, though Indianapolis Colts' Isaiah Rodgers is being named in media reports.

The good news is that the league seems to be trying harder, when it comes to properly educating players. The bad news is that flaws seem to remain.

Florio writes:

And they surely will. As previously mentioned, it becomes difficult for the NFL to have true moral authority when it comes to properly enforcing “thou shalt nots” when the NFL is stuffing its pockets full of cash from those who shalt continue to lose it.

Only when the league creates a true firewall between football and wagering will the league truly be equipped to create safeguards that players can understand, honor, and accept — especially since the entire situation currently oozes with hypocrisy.

Current Hot Headlines

Report: Colts' Isaiah Rodgers Among NFL Players Facing Yearlong Gambling Suspensions
Charles Barkley on His Gambling: 'I Wanna Be Dead Broke When I Keel Over'
DraftKings Drops Bid for PointsBet
$35K Fine Imposed After Underage Gambling At Harrah's Casino
Philadelphia Man Sentenced in Stabbing Death of Girlfriend at Atlantic City Casino

Holy Smoke! Circa Casino Scammed Out of $1 Million

(June 27, 2023) - A popular Las Vegas casino has reportedly been scammed out of $1 million in what's being called a "fire extinguisher scam".

Say what?

Erik Gutierrez, 23, has been charged with theft of more than $100,000.

He is alleged to have contacted Circa’s casino cage claiming to be the owner of the property and said he needed $320,000 for an emergency payment to the fire department in order to check fire extinguishers and other gear.

Ultimately, a cage supervisor ended up allegedly handing over $1.17 million during off-site exchanges believing they were giving it to Circa’s owner.

While Las Vegas police have recovered $850,000, $314,000 remains missing.

The casino’s CEO Derek Stevens said, “Although I love a good PR story, this isn’t one of them. Circa Resort & Casino is cooperating with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department in this investigation. We greatly appreciate their efforts to date and cannot comment further due to an ongoing investigation.”

Joe Theismann Backs NFL's Gambling Crackdown
(June 27, 2023) - "We can't have fans believing games are 'fixed'," said football legend Joe Theismann, noting that he supports the league's crackdown on sports betting.

The NFL policy reinforcements and "re-education" come in response to the sport-wide surge of athlete suspensions for violating gambling rules. Sports analysts like Mike Florio still point to the hypocrisy.

"It better work. I think the NFL, because of the stringent nature of these rules that have been put in place, realizes that you just don't want to let anything seep into the game to give people the perception that the games are fixed, they're really trying to make sure of that," Theismann said Thursday during an appearance on "Varney & Co".

"From an NFL player standpoint, you think of the millions of dollars that the players are making. If you wanted to go into a facility, I guess in the off-season, it might be okay. But I don't think they're going to say if you play in the NFL, you can't gamble. But they certainly want to protect the integrity of the game as much as they possibly can. And I can certainly understand it," he continued.

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PrizePicks Sued

(June 25, 2023) - PrizePicks has fast become a behemoth on the Daily Fantasy Sports scene with its hybrid DFS product that comes the closest to sports betting without requiring a license in most US states.

Now that the company is so big, it's also a target for what some say are frivolous lawsuits.

Case in point, a lawsuit filed this week alleges PrizePicks stole technology to use on its prop product, an accusation the company denies.

“After years of trying unsuccessfully to get us to buy its technology and intellectual property, Vetnos has now apparently resorted to a frivolous lawsuit to change our minds. That is not a good business or legal strategy. We intend to aggressively defend against this lawsuit and point out its many errors and outright falsehoods,” said Jason Barclay, Chief Legal Officer and Head of Public Policy at PrizePicks.

Mirage Hotel in Vegas to be Converted Into Guitar-Shaped Structure - 14th December 2021

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Hard Rock International said Monday it wants to see how a guitar-shaped hotel will play at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip.

In what MGM Resorts International CEO and President Bill Hornbuckle called “a significant milestone for MGM Resorts and for Las Vegas,” the companies announced MGM Resorts will sell operations of The Mirage to Hard Rock International in a cash deal worth almost $1.1 billion.

In a statement, Hard Rock Chairman Jim Allen said the Florida-based hospitality and entertainment giant plans to build a guitar-shaped hotel at the 80-acre (32.4-hectare) property. An artist’s rendering depicts a shapely purple guitar with six light beams depicting strings stretching skyward.

It wasn’t immediately clear if the iconic Mirage volcano fountain will remain at the property that former casino mogul Steve Wynn opened with a Polynesian theme in November 1989. MGM Resorts acquired the 3,000-room resort in 2000.

The underlying Mirage real estate is now owned by MGM Growth Properties, which is being bought by New York-based VICI Properties in a $17.2 billion deal expected to close next year.

“This announcement marks the culmination of a series of transformational transactions for MGM Resorts during the last several years,” said Paul Salem, Chairman of the MGM Resorts board of directors.

“The monetization of our entire real property portfolio, together with the addition of CityCenter and our agreement to acquire The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, will position the company with a fortress balance sheet, premier portfolio and significant financial resources to pursue our strategic objectives,” he said.

Jonathan Halkyard, MGM Resorts treasurer and chief financial officer, said that as the real estate owner of The Mirage, VICI will be expected to reach a new lease agreement with Hard Rock.

Allen said Hard Rock International will welcome The Mirage’s 3,500 employees to its roster.

He noted that his company had no previous involvement with the former Hard Rock Hotel & Casino that operated from 1995 to 2020 east of the Las Vegas Strip. That property was purchased in 2018 and renovated and rebranded by Virgin Hotels Las Vegas with a gambling floor operated by Mohegan Sun Casino.

Hard Rock International bought the naming rights in May 2020 with plans to eventually open a Las Vegas Strip property.

Under the terms of the agreement, MGM Resorts will keep The Mirage name and brand, licensing it to Hard Rock royalty-free for up to three years while it finalizes its plans to rebrand the property.

The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2022, following regulatory approvals.

The sale is one of several involving MGM Resorts in recent months on Las Vegas Boulevard. The company currently operates 13 hotel-casino properties in Las Vegas and 32 worldwide.

The Las Vegas-based company said in July it would buy out its partner in the sprawling CityCenter development for $2.1 billion, take control of The Aria and Vdara resorts, and lease the property to New York private equity firm Blackstone Group for nearly $3.9 billion.

MGM Resorts announced in September it will buy operations of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas for $1.6 billion from Blackstone. That is part of a $5.65 billion deal to put ownership of the 3,000-room Cosmopolitan in hands of the Cherng Family Trust, headed by Panda Express billionaires Andrew and Peggy Cherng; real estate investment firm Stonepeak Partners; and a Blackstone real estate fund, Real Estate Income Trust Inc.

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