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UAE casino update: Wynn Al Marjan nears structural completion ahead of 2027 opening

November 2025

305-meter tower reaches 70th floor with 73% of façade installed ahead of spring 2027 opening

Wynn Resorts’ 305-meter tower at Al Marjan Island is approaching completion of the building’s structure, expected in late November 2025 as the UAE’s first integrated resort takes shape ahead of its 2027 opening.

Developing news story ...

News

Wynn Al Marjan

Wynn Al Marjan Island: UAE's First Integrated Gaming Resort

Wynn Al Marjan Island is an ambitious luxury integrated resort under construction by Wynn Resorts in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. Positioned as the centerpiece of the man-made Al Marjan Island archipelago, it promises to blend high-end hospitality, entertainment, and gaming in a pristine beachfront setting overlooking the Arabian Gulf. Developed in partnership with Marjan and RAK Hospitality Holding, the project represents a $5.1 billion investment and is slated to open in early 2027, marking the UAE's first casino resort.

Key Features and Amenities

Accommodations: 1,542 rooms and suites, including 22 exclusive marina-side Villa Estates and the ultra-luxurious Enclave—a "destination within a destination" on the top floors of the 1,000-foot (305-meter) tower. Enclave emphasizes opulence with bespoke service, tranquil palettes of platinum, sapphire, and gold, and panoramic Gulf views.

Dining and Nightlife: 24 restaurants and lounges, with early announcements including a two-level French-American steakhouse by chef Alain Ducasse and Delilah, a glamorous supper club from Wynn Las Vegas. Additional venues will cater to diverse global tastes.

Entertainment and Gaming: A theater, nightlife experiences, state-of-the-art events center, and a dedicated gaming area—the first licensed casino in the UAE, granted to Wynn in 2024 by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). This gives Wynn a temporary monopoly on gaming in the region.

Wellness and Leisure: A 3.6-hectare poolscape, five-star spa, luxury shopping esplanade, and a full marina for yacht access.

Design and Sustainability: Overseen by Wynn Design & Development, the resort features airy, garden-like public spaces, floor-to-ceiling windows for natural light, and culturally sensitive details to appeal to an international clientele.

Location and Accessibility

The 62-hectare site juts into the Arabian Gulf, with white-sand beaches and views of the Hajar Mountains. It's about 50 minutes from Dubai International Airport and just 15 minutes from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, which is undergoing upgrades including a new VVIP terminal to support the emirate's tourism goal of 3.5 million visitors annually by 2030.

Construction and Timeline

Groundbreaking occurred in early 2023, with the structure currently around 40 meters tall (as of mid-2024 updates). The tower is expected to be topped off in Q4 2025, with full operations by spring 2027.

Financing was secured by February 2025, and there's already strong demand for retail space. Wynn has also acquired Wynn Mayfair in London (rebranded in June 2025) to attract British high-rollers.

This development is poised to elevate Ras Al Khaimah as a global tourism hub, drawing comparisons to Las Vegas while respecting local culture.

For the latest visuals and updates, check Wynn's official site or their YouTube channel. If you're planning a visit post-opening, it's already generating buzz among investors and luxury travelers. (Grok)

Media Man: Gaming, lifestyle and resort paradise for many.

Casino, Gaming and Hotel Stocks

Markets/Trades

November 20, 2025

New York, USA and Sin City Las Vegas

MGM Resorts International $30.90 -0.20 -0.64%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $117.95 -0.37 -0.31%

Las Vegas Sands $64.13 + 0.14% +0.047%

Boyd Gaming Corporation $78.25 -0.38 -0.48%

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

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

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

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

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

News

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

Nevada (Las Vegas)

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

News

Three days of Formula One excitement about to hit the Strip

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

News

Fallout exhibit anchors new era of atomic pop-culture tourism

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

News

The Lead Up/Flashback

Casino, Gaming and Hotel Stocks

Markets/Trades

November 10, 2025

New York, USA and Sin City Las Vegas

MGM Resorts International $32.85 +0.19 +0.58%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $130.24 +4.10 +3.25%

Las Vegas Sands $66.35 +1.14 +1.74%

Boyd Gaming Corporation $83.06 +1.79 +2.15%

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

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

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

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

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

News

(In Case You Missed It - 2 Weeks Ago)

Crown Resorts/Crown Perth, Australia

Writes:

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

News

Current

U.S Sports

Two MLB pitchers indicted in gambling investigation

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

News

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

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

News

F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix race weekend rooms

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

News

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

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

News Lead Up

Markets/Trades

November 3, 2025

New York, USA and Sin City Las Vegas

MGM Resorts International $32.13 +0.10 +0.31%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $125.73 +6.74 +5.66%

Las Vegas Sands $61.73 +2.38 +4.01%

Boyd Gaming Corporation $79.45 +1.58 +2.03%

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

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

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

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

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

News Bonus

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

News

Casino News

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

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

NBA, sportsbooks review most vulnerable bets, wager limits

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

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

Major Strip operator predicts strong fourth quarter

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

Developers of stalled casino project seek to keep plans alive

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

Kelly Clarkson adds August 2026 dates Caesars Palace

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

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

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

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

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

News Flashback

Casino News

Nov 3, 2025

U.S. Online and Social Casinos

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

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

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

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

Physical Casino Developments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

News

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

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

News Flashback And Lead Up

Casino, Gaming and Hotel Stocks

Markets/Trades

Oct 21, 2025

New York, USA and Sin City Las Vegas

MGM Resorts International $32.90 +1.03 +3.23%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $121.13 -0.81 -0.66%

Las Vegas Sands $50.62 +0.89 +1.79%

Boyd Gaming Corporation $83.38 +0.67 +0.81%

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

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

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

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

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

News Bonus

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

News

Will Las Vegas be awarded another Super Bowl this week?

Nevada (Las Vegas)

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

News

Analyst predicts 2026 comeback for Las Vegas

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

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

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

News

Green Valley Ranch Resort unveils new logo to coincide with renovations

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

News

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

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

News

Developer celebrates opening of new Las Vegas hotel

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

Casino News: Las Vegas

Key Expansions and Projects

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

News

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

News

The Lead Up

Markets/Trades

September 21, 2025

New York, USA

MGM Resorts International $35.80 -0.14 -0.39%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $129.52 +0.84 +0.65%

Las Vegas Sands $53.87 +0.66 +1.24%

Boyd Gaming Corporation $83.30 Flat

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

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

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

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

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

News Bonus

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

News Flashback

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Casino/Gaming/Hotels

News, Background, Stockmarket

Markets/Trades: Near Live

September 26, 2025

New York, USA

MGM Resorts International $35.60 +1.12 +3.25%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $128.97 +3.13 +2.49%

Las Vegas Sands $54.01 +0.95 +1.79%

Boyd Gaming Corporation $85.94 +1.45 +1.72%

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

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

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

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

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

News Bonus

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

TKO Group $199.04 +3.25 +1.66%

Casino News

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

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

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

Casinos offer a variety of games of chance, which in some cases involve an element of skill. Common games include craps, roulette, baccarat, blackjack, and video poker. All casino games have a mathematically determined advantage for the house, known as the house edge, which ensures that the casino will make a profit in the long run. The percentage of funds returned to players as winnings is known as the payout. Slot machines have become one of the most popular forms of gambling in casinos. The design of a casino, including factors like sound, odour, and lighting, is often carefully controlled to encourage gambling.

News

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

New York City's Casino License Race Heats Up:

Manhattan Proposals Rejected, Yonkers and Queens Advance

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

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

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

Michigan Cracks Down on Unlicensed Online Casinos

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

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

September 2025 has seen a surge of fresh platforms, with experts ranking sites like Ignition, Jackbit, Wild io, BitStarz, and Rakebit for their fast payouts, crypto support, and bonuses up to $1,000 match + free spins. New sweepstakes options include LoneStar Casino (500+ games, 100K Gold Coins no-deposit bonus), Sixty6 (1,500 slots), and Rich Sweeps (5,000-game launch).

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

Other Notable Stories

Tragic NFL Shooting Linked to CTE: Shane Tamura, a Las Vegas casino worker, was revealed to have chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) after fatally shooting four at NFL headquarters in July, blaming the league for hiding head injury data.

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

For more details follow X handles like
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Casino, Gaming and Hotel Stocks

Markets/Trades

September 21, 2025

New York, USA

MGM Resorts International $35.80 -0.14 -0.39%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $129.52 +0.84 +0.65%

Las Vegas Sands $53.87 +0.66 +1.24%

Boyd Gaming Corporation $83.30 Flat

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

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

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

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

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

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Prices: Near Live!

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

News

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

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

News

Lead Up ...

Casino, Gaming and Hotel Stocks

Markets/Trades

September 16, 2025

New York, USA

MGM Resorts International $35.36 -0.28 -0.79%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $120.68 -2.17 -1.77%

Las Vegas Sands $51.86 -1.23 -2.32%

Boyd Gaming Corporation $82.15 -1.32 -1.58%

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

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

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

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

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

News Bonus

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

Lead Up

24 hours ago approx

Markets/Trades

September 15, 2025

New York, USA

MGM Resorts International $35.64 +1.09 Today +3.15%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $122.85 +1.40 Today +1.15%

Las Vegas Sands $53.09 -0.41 -0.77%

Boyd Gaming Corporation 83.47-1.03 -1.22%

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. 25.90 +0.81 +3.23%

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

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. 45.55 +0.34+ 0.75%

PENN Entertainment, Inc. 18.83 -0.78 -3.98%

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

News Bonus

NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) 177.75 -0.07 -0.04%

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Markets/Trades

September 22, 2025

New York, USA

MGM Resorts International $35.80 -0.14 -0.39%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $129.52 +0.84 +0.65%

Las Vegas Sands $53.87 +0.66 +1.24%

Boyd Gaming Corporation $83.30 Flat

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

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

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

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

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

News Bonus

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

News

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

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

News

Lead Up ...

Casino, Gaming and Hotel Stocks

Markets/Trades

September 16, 2025

New York, USA

MGM Resorts International $35.36 -0.28 -0.79%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $120.68 -2.17 -1.77%

Las Vegas Sands $51.86 -1.23 -2.32%

Boyd Gaming Corporation $82.15 -1.32 -1.58%

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

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

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

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

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

News Bonus

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

Lead Up

24 hours ago approx

Markets/Trades

September 15, 2025

New York, USA

MGM Resorts International $35.64 +1.09 Today +3.15%

Wynn Resorts Ltd $122.85 +1.40 Today +1.15%

Las Vegas Sands $53.09 -0.41 -0.77%

Boyd Gaming Corporation 83.47-1.03 -1.22%

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. 25.90 +0.81 +3.23%

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

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. 45.55 +0.34+ 0.75%

PENN Entertainment, Inc. 18.83 -0.78 -3.98%

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

News Bonus

NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) 177.75 -0.07 -0.04%

Nine shareholders in line for $780m dividend from Domain sale

(In Case You Missed It)

May 9, 2025

By Sam Buckingham-Jones

US real estate giant CoStar has agreed to buy property sales portal Domain in a $3 billion deal that will create a more powerful, cashed-up competitor to News Corp’s REA Group, and deliver a windfall to Nine Entertainment shareholders.

After almost six weeks of due diligence, CoStar has agreed to pay $4.43 a share for Domain. This is a 60 per cent premium to the price Domain was trading at before CoStar first expressed interest in the business in February.

Domain’s controlling shareholder Nine said it supported the sale and told investors it would receive $1.4 billion for its 60.1 per cent stake. Nine expects to give roughly half of that – 47¢ to 49¢ a share, or about $777 million – back to shareholders as a fully franked special dividend.

CoStar chief executive Andy Florance, who flew to Australia on his private jet several times to personally oversee the negotiations, said his company had a track record of building online marketplaces and saw an opportunity to “enhance the Australian property market”.

“By combining Domain’s deep expertise with our global experience and best practices, we will build a more compelling user experience at a lower cost – driving greater value for agents, vendors, and home buyers,” he said in a statement.

“We are confident this acquisition will foster more competition in Australia.”

Florance said CoStar, which is listed on the Nasdaq and has a market cap of $US32 billion ($50 billion), would build a better user experience at a lower cost and apply lessons from Domain to its international residential real estate platforms http://Homes.com in the US and OnTheMarket in the UK.

CoStar bought 16.9 per cent of Domain on February 21 before lobbing an initial bid at $4.20 a share, which it later increased. The acquisition will go to a shareholder vote in mid-August.

Nine, which owns the Nine Network, streaming service Stan, radio stations including 2GB and 3AW and publishing assets The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Australian Financial Review, has struggled to grow Domain on par with REA, which is majority-owned by the Murdoch family-backed News Corporation.

REA has grown its market capitalisation 163 per cent to $33 billion over the past five years. Domain has grown 50 per cent during that same period to $2.7 billion.

Nick Falloon, Domain’s chairman, said CoStar’s interest was “an endorsement of the strong fundamentals” of the company he had led for the past eight years.

The sale of Domain means Nine’s market capitalisation will likely fall below $1 billion. Nine told investors the proceeds would strengthen its balance sheet and position it to look for growth areas – “both organic and inorganic”.

Domain’s shares rose 11¢ to $4.36, while Nine’s shares increased 7 per cent to $1.60. REA’s shares fell $3.87 to $246.21. (AFR)

Full article and coverage via subscription to The Australian Financial Review
@FinancialReview

https://afr.com/companies/media-and-marketing/nine-shareholders-in-line-for-780m-dividend-from-domain-sale-20250509-p5lxvr

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Gaming And Casino News

April 2025

Star Entertainment is a ‘new operator’ despite ‘sins of the past’

Inside Asian Gaming Chief Executive Andrew W Scott says Star Entertainment will have nothing to do with the “sins of the past”.

“Bally’s have got the opportunity to say look, we’re a new operator, we have nothing to do with the sins of the past,” Mr Scott said.

“I think they didn’t want to let it rain to receivership because they felt that would be too complicated, they wanted to pick it up as a going concern … and see if they can turn it around.”

News

Star Entertainment: News

Star Entertainment Group, an Australian casino operator, has been in the spotlight in April 2025 due to significant financial and operational developments. Here’s a concise overview of the latest news based on available information:

Financial Struggles and Rescue Deal: Star

Entertainment reported a $300 million half-year loss for the period ending December 2024, driven by a 25% revenue decline to $650 million. Stricter payment regulations, including mandatory pre-paid cards to curb money laundering, have pushed gamblers toward pubs and clubs, hurting Star’s market share. The company secured a $300 million investment from Bally’s Corporation and Investment Holdings (linked to the Mathieson family), with $100 million injected in April 2025, providing critical liquidity. Star’s cash reserves were at $98 million as of April 11, 2025, narrowly avoiding collapse.

Bally’s Takeover and Overhaul Plans: Bally’s, a U.S. casino giant, is set to control about 56% of Star’s capital, pending regulatory approval. Bally’s chairman, Soo Kim, emphasized a “back-to-basics” approach, aiming to strip away the luxury focus of Star’s casinos (Sydney, Brisbane, and Gold Coast) and make them more accessible, likening them to large-scale RSL clubs. Kim noted Bally’s history of turning around distressed properties but acknowledged Star’s turnaround as a significant challenge.

Operational and Market Challenges: Star’s Brisbane casino, Queen’s Wharf, was written down in value, and its sale to partners Far East Consortium and Chow Tai Fook Enterprises provided $53 million. The company faced a trading halt in February 2025 due to delayed financial reporting, with shares resuming trading on April 16 at 11 cents, briefly jumping 14% before crashing. Regulatory issues, including a $100 million fine and a suspended license, continue to weigh on the company.

Leadership and Strategic Focus: CEO Steve McCann highlighted the “very challenged” trading environment but is now focusing on revenue growth following the rescue deal. Bally’s pitched its investment after Star failed to secure a $940 million lifeline from Salter Brothers, signaling a shift in strategy to stabilize operations.

Critical Perspective: While Bally’s intervention offers a lifeline, Star’s deep losses and regulatory burdens suggest a tough road ahead. The shift to a less glamorous, mass-market model may alienate high rollers, and stricter regulations could continue to erode revenue. The narrative of a “rescue” should be scrutinized, as Bally’s own motivations—acquiring a distressed asset at a discount—may prioritize its interests over Star’s long-term viability.

News

Domain earnings outlook causes Fairfax hit - 3rd November 2016

Fairfax Media has flagged a drop in first-half earnings for its Domain real estate business as homeowners hesitate to put their houses up for sale in Sydney and Melbourne.

Chairman Nick Falloon said on Thursday that listings have failed to recover since dropping in July amid uncertainty over superannuation and negative gearing during the federal election campaign.

'Now, it's basically a lack of stock - people are not putting their houses up for sale,' Mr Falloon said after Fairfax's annual general meeting in Melbourne.

'It (real estate) is a cyclical business, which will change - it's just a question of when.'

Volumes of new listings to the end of October were down 18 per cent in Sydney and five per cent lower in Melbourne.

Fairfax pointed out that the comparative period in 2015 was one of very strong listings growth for Domain, which at the time boasted a 43 per cent increase in digital revenue.

So far this financial year, Domain's revenue is up by two per cent.

Fairfax shares closed down 3.5 cents, or 4.3 per cent, at 77.5 cents.

They had dropped as low as 72 cents after Fairfax warned Domain's first-half earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) would be slightly lower because of the 'listings softness' and continuing investment in the business.

Chief executive Greg Hywood told shareholders that Fairfax nonetheless remained confident on the outlook for Domain.

Overall group revenue for the year-to-date is six-to-seven per cent below that of a year ago.

That's better than the eight-to-nine per cent revenue fall forecast in the 2016/17 outlook at the company's full-year results in August.

Revenue from Metro Media, which publishes the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Australian Financial Review newspapers, was down about eight per cent.

Revenue from the Australian Community Media division was down about 10 per cent.

At the annual general meeting, one shareholder asked if Fairfax might one day decide to sell its newspapers and concentrate on Domain.

'We have the view that publishing is a sustainable business in its own right - all publishing,' Mr Hywood said.

Mr Hywood said, however, that consumers of news were now accessing the product more through digital platforms than printed newspapers.

'Clearly, if closer to 70 per cent of the audience (seek) access through digital means, we have to focus on the journalism and where people access it,' he said.

'So what we've done is invest in the digital platform.'

(AAP)

Gaming, Hotel And Casino News: U.S

September 2024

New Jersey Internet gambling sets new record at $198M in revenue, but land casinos lag

Internet gambling in New Jersey had its best month ever in August, bringing in over $198 million in revenue even as most of Atlantic City’s land-based casinos continued to win less than they did before the COVID-19 pandemic. Figures released Monday by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement show that internet gambling brought in $198.4 million, the highest monthly total ever recorded in the state and an increase of nearly 28% from a year earlier. That was the good news for Atlantic City’s gambling industry.

News

BetMGM impresses in NFL Week One, Jefferies analyst says

BetMGM handily outperformed the field in New York state in the first week of NFL wagering, according to data published September 15 in a Jefferies Equity Research investor note penned by analyst James Wheatcroft. According to Wheatcroft’s analysis, BetMGM grew its handle 54 percent from last year, revenue 24 percent, and winning margins 8.2 percent. For the market overall, the handle grew by 14 percent, but revenue dropped 43 percent and margin was down 6.8 percent. FanDuel recorded a seven percent decrease in handle and 54 percent lower revenue.

News

llinois: Casino revenue shoots up 3.1% in August after a slow summer

Illinois casinos posted positive monthly revenue for the first time since the spring. The state’s 15 casinos combined for a win of $140 million in August, up 3.1% from July’s total of $135.8 million. Revenue totals do not include online casinos because iGaming is illegal in the Prairie State. Illinois is a leading earner for land-based revenue and sports betting handle (total amount bet). But, is nowhere to be found in the world of online casinos. The state’s legislators made two attempts to legalize IL online gaming this year, but both fell short.

News

F1 not moving the Vegas needle, Truist analyst says

“F1 stuck in neutral for now,” wrote Truist Securities analyst Barry Jonas, leading off a September 16 investor note on the subject of Las Vegas room rates. He deemed them “fairly stable but soft” into the fourth quarter. A Truist survey of Las Vegas hotel-room prices had shown growth in August followed by slowness throughout the fall. Jonas said these findings were congruent with MGM Resorts International’s forward-looking commentary during its second-quarter earnings call. Wrote Jonas, “While our survey is just one facet of the market and can change, we note continuing investor concerns around slowing growth amidst tough comparisons.”

News

August casino revenue $63 million

Virginia (results) - Lottery Commission - The Virginia Lottery released its report on casino gaming activity for the month of August 2024. There are three operating casinos in Virginia: HR Bristol, Rivers Casino Portsmouth, and Caesars Virginia. During August, gaming revenues from Virginia casinos totaled $63.1 million. Hard Rock Bristol $15.9 million, Rivers Casino Portsmouth $26.6 million, and Caesars Virginia $20.4 million. Virginia law assesses a graduated tax on a casino’s AGR, or wagers minus winnings, and $11.8 million in taxes were paid to the Gaming Proceeds Fund.

News

MGM getting more solar energy with rural Nevada solar farm

Nevada (Las Vegas) - A solar farm in the remote Nevada desert will double MGM International’s capacity to use solar energy. It entered a power purchase agreement with a utility-scale solar company to use its forthcoming facility in Lincoln County. The company is expected to begin using that boost in green energy in 2026. MGM uses 90 percent renewable energy for 11 of its Las Vegas resorts’ daytime needs, the company said, but the new solar farm and battery storage facility will power 100 percent of daytime needs and some of what’s needed for nighttime.

News

Three Strip casinos get new top exec

Nevada (Las Vegas) - Three casino properties on the Las Vegas Strip will soon have a new boss following the company departure of the trio’s former top executive. Ken Ostempowski will be assuming the role of senior vice president and general manager of Paris Las Vegas, Planet Hollywood and Horseshoe. Ostempowski currently holds similar roles overseeing The ROW Reno, a three-casino resort destination in Northern Nevada operated by Caesars. According to Ostempowski’s LinkedIn profile, he has held executive-level positions in multiple gaming markets, including Las Vegas, the Gulf Coast, the Midwest and Colorado.

News

Strip resort reveals rare tier-match offer

Nevada (Las Vegas) - For the first time since introducing a new player rewards program, a Las Vegas Strip casino is offering to upgrade gamblers’ loyalty cards to a comparable level from other casinos. The Venetian casino-hotel is launching a tier-match promotion that will allow customers to receive a Venetian Rewards card status that is on par with or better than what they currently have with another casino operator. The Venetian Resort Las Vegas’ tier-match event begins Oct. 1, according to a recent email, and will run through Jan. 1.

News

Boyd bets big on large sportsbooks even as mobile betting flourishes

Nevada (Las Vegas) - The largest sportsbook operated by Boyd Gaming Corp. may not be the place “where everybody knows your name.” But that sentiment is the reason the company (with its nine Las Vegas casinos) and other gaming operators continue to invest millions of dollars into expanding or modernizing large sportsbooks with massive viewing screens, comfortable seating areas and food and beverage options. Those expenditures happen even as more than 65 percent of Nevada’s $8 billion sports gaming industry come through mobile wagering accounts — bets made anywhere outside the casino. “A sportsbook is more than just a place to make wagers,” said Boyd Gaming Vice President of Race & Sports Bob Scucci. “At our properties, the sportsbook is the place where people come four or five times a week. It’s where they go to meet their friends and congregate.”

News

Opening sportsbook with Jay-Z at Ocean Casino, Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin explains Atlantic City’s appeal

Michael Rubin’s love for Atlantic City goes back to when he was about 12 years old. “The gambling age was 18 when I was a kid,” the once-small kid from Philadelphia recalled. “I remember when I was 12 years old, I went to an Atlantic City casino, to Caesars. It was 40 years ago. I won $2,500. I called my mom from a pay phone and said, ‘Mom, I got great news! I just won $2,500!’ She asked how, and I said, ‘I’m in a casino in Atlantic City,’ and she goes, ‘You’re grounded, get home.’ That’s my favorite story.”

News

A jobs boon from a casino at Manhattan’s Hudson Yards? Experts aren’t betting on it.

When casino giant Wynn showed off plans for its Hudson Yards West casino proposal last month, it enlisted progressive heavyweights to make the case that the venture would be a jobs bonanza for poor and working-class New Yorkers. The endorsements were full-throated and infused with hope and promise. Leaders from the NAACP, National Urban League and Win, New York City’s largest provider of family shelter and permanent supportive housing, were among the groups that said the proposal would bring significant career opportunities.

News

Maine’s first in-person sports betting bar opens in Portland

Maine’s first, in-person sports-betting bar is officially open. “Oddfellahs” opened on Market Street on Friday… The bar has partnered with Caesars Sportsbook, one of two sportsbooks authorized under Maine’s new law to run sports betting, the other being DraftKings. The founder of “Oddfellahs” says there’s more to the bar than just sports betting.

News

IIlinois Gaming Board renews Rivers Casino’s license

The Illinois Gaming Board on Thursday renewed Rivers Casino’s gaming license as well as Hawthorne Race Course’s master sports wagering license. Both renewals by the state agency came via unanimous 4-0 votes and are good for four years, with Rivers now licensed through August 2028 and Hawthorne through September of that year.

News

Bellagio removing trees as F1 prep begins on the Las Vegas Strip

The Las Vegas Grand Prix is around the corner and the Bellagio casino-hotel is days away from starting race preparations. On Monday, work crews will begin removing the trees in front of the Fountains of Bellagio along Las Vegas Boulevard to make room for the construction of the Bellagio Fountain Club (an F1 spectator area for VIPs). (Wires, A.I News)