Gambling in the USA

Boyd Gaming Reports Second-Quarter 2018 Results

Published

6 years ago

July 27, 2018

Boyd Gaming Reports Second-Quarter 2018 Results

Reading Time: 12 minutes

Second-Quarter 2018 Highlights
— Revenues, Adjusted EBITDA, Operating Margins Increase Across All Segments
— Las Vegas Locals Posts Double-Digit Adjusted EBITDA Growth
— Midwest & South Achieves Strongest Operating Margins in 16 Years

LAS VEGAS, July 26, 2018 — Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE: BYD) today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018.

Keith Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boyd Gaming, said: “We continued to achieve strong results in the second quarter, making significant progress executing against our strategic plan. We delivered revenue and Adjusted EBITDA growth across every segment of our business, as Companywide operating margins reached record levels. We continued to make steady progress toward completing the acquisition of five new properties in the Midwest and Northeast. We further diversified our business by purchasing a distributed gaming operation in Illinois, and are actively preparing to participate in expanded sports betting across the United States. And we used our growing free cash flow to further deleverage the balance sheet, increase our cash dividend, and continue our share repurchase program. In all, this was another quarter of significant progress, and I remain confident about the direction of our Company.”

Boyd Gaming reported second-quarter revenues of $616.8 million, up 2.1% from $604.1 million in the second quarter of 2017. Income from continuing operations, net of tax, for the second quarter was $38.6 million, or $0.34 per share, compared to $27.7 million, or $0.24 per share, for the prior-year second quarter. The Company reported net income, including discontinued operations, of $38.9 million, or $0.34 per share, for the second quarter of 2018, compared to $48.7 million, or $0.42 per share, for the year-ago period. Discontinued operations, net of tax, reflects income of $0.3 million in the second quarter of 2018 and $21.0 million in the prior-year second quarter for payments received related to a previously-sold interest in Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa.

Total Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾was $163.4 million, up 8.0% from $151.4 million in the second quarter of 2017. Adjusted Earnings⁽¹⁾ for the second quarter 2018 were $44.0 million, or $0.38 per share, compared to Adjusted Earnings of $30.4 million, or $0.26 per share, for the same period in 2017.

Operations Review

Las Vegas Locals
In the Las Vegas Locals segment, second-quarter 2018 revenues were $220.0 million, increasing from $216.7 million in the year-ago quarter. Second-quarter 2018 Adjusted EBITDA was $70.2 million, up 11.0% from $63.3 million in the second quarter of 2017. Operating margins rose more than 270 basis points year-over-year, reaching their highest second-quarter levels since 2005.

Adjusted EBITDA grew for the 13^th straight quarter in the Las Vegas Locals segment, as revenues, Adjusted EBITDA and operating margins increased at every major property in the segment. Results benefited from continued marketing refinements, operating efficiencies throughout the business, and a strong regional economy.

Downtown Las Vegas
In the Downtown Las Vegas segment, revenues were $61.2 million in the second quarter of 2018, compared to $59.6 million in the year-ago period. Adjusted EBITDA rose 8.0% to $13.5 million, compared to $12.5 million in the second quarter of 2017.

All three downtown properties posted revenue and double-digit Adjusted EBITDA growth during the quarter, with strong gains from the recently renovated hotel room product at the California Hotel and Casino. Continued growth in visitation throughout the downtown area contributed to record revenues and Adjusted EBITDA at the Fremont Hotel and Casino. Strength in property operating results was partially offset by significantly higher fuel costs at the Company’s Hawaiian charter service.

Midwest and South
In the Midwest and South segment, revenues were $335.6 million, up from $327.8 million in the second quarter of 2017. Adjusted EBITDA was $98.5 million, increasing 5.1% from $93.7 million in the year-ago period. Results for the segment include contributions from Lattner Entertainment, a distributed gaming operation in Illinois, acquired by the Company on June 1, 2018.

Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA growth was broad-based in the segment, as operating margins reached their highest levels in 16 years. Positive results were driven by refinements to marketing programs, ongoing operational efficiencies, and healthy economic conditions across the Company’s regional markets.

Balance Sheet Statistics
As of June 30, 2018, Boyd Gaming had cash on hand of $632.8 million, and total debt of $3.56 billion. Cash and debt balances reflect the Company’s issuance of $700 million in 6.000% Senior Notes due 2026, completed in June 2018.

Full-Year 2018 Guidance
For the full year 2018, Boyd Gaming is increasing its guidance for total Adjusted EBITDA to $618 million to $633 million. This revised guidance includes expected contributions from the Company’s recently-acquired distributed gaming operation in Illinois, as well as revised estimates for Blue Chip Casino Hotel and Spa. It does not include any contributions from the Company’s pending acquisitions of the four Pinnacle Entertainment properties or Valley Forge Casino Resort.

Conference Call Information
Boyd Gaming will host a conference call to discuss second-quarter 2018 results today, July 26, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. The conference call number is (888) 317-6003, passcode 1451257. Please call up to 15 minutes in advance to ensure you are connected prior to the start of the call.

The conference call will also be available live on the Internet at www.boydgaming.com, or https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/964/26696

Following the call’s completion, a replay will be available by dialing (877) 344-7529 today, July 26, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Eastern and continuing through Thursday, August 2, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. The conference number for the replay will be 10122590. The replay will also be available on the Internet at www.boydgaming.com.

BOYD GAMING CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
*(In thousands, except per share data)*	2018		2017 (a)		2018		2017 (a)
Revenues
Gaming	$	447,788	$	437,125	$	888,251	$	881,070
Food and beverage	87,601		87,644		173,000		174,249
Room	49,434		47,834		97,346		94,684
Other	31,970		31,521		64,314		64,186
Total revenues	616,793		604,124		1,222,911		1,214,189
Operating costs and expenses
Gaming	193,991		189,620		383,026		381,553
Food and beverage	81,619		84,427		164,309		168,775
Room	21,654		21,442		42,587		42,749
Other	21,645		21,119		42,450		42,534
Selling, general and administrative	88,041		93,037		175,624		184,650
Maintenance and utilities	28,673		25,864		56,599		52,263
Depreciation and amortization	53,923		52,563		105,199		106,527
Corporate expense	24,063		23,251		49,920		44,049
Project development, preopening and writedowns	5,801		2,784		9,241		5,756
Impairments of assets	993		—		993		—
Other operating items, net	132		463		1,931		949
Total operating costs and expenses	520,535		514,570		1,031,879		1,029,805
Operating income	96,258		89,554		191,032		184,384
Other expense (income)
Interest income	(522)		(455)		(979)		(915)
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	44,959		42,728		89,218		86,402
Loss on early extinguishments and modifications of debt	—		378		61		534
Other, net	(24)		559		(404)		670
Total other expense, net	44,413		43,210		87,896		86,691
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	51,845		46,344		103,136		97,693
Income tax provision	(13,247)		(18,652)		(23,139)		(34,925)
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	38,598		27,692		79,997		62,768
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	347		21,017		347		21,392
Net income	$	38,945	$	48,709	$	80,344	$	84,160

Basic net income per common share
Continuing operations	$	0.34	$	0.24	$	0.70	$	0.54
Discontinued operations	—		0.18		—		0.19
Basic net income per common share	$	0.34	$	0.42	$	0.70	$	0.73
Weighted average basic shares outstanding	114,543		115,225		114,459		115,247

Diluted net income per common share
Continuing operations	$	0.34	$	0.24	$	0.70	$	0.54
Discontinued operations	—		0.18		—		0.19
Diluted net income per common share	$	0.34	$	0.42	$	0.70	$	0.73
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding	115,218		115,923		115,186		115,911


(a)	Prior-period information has been restated for the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606 (ASC 606), Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which the Company adopted effective January 1, 2018, utilizing the full retrospective transition method.

BOYD GAMING CORPORATION
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income
(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
*(In thousands)*	2018		2017 (a)		2018		2017 (a)
Total Revenues by Reportable Segment
Las Vegas Locals	$	219,974	$	216,673	$	442,149	$	438,914
Downtown Las Vegas	61,202		59,632		121,670		120,579
Midwest and South	335,617		327,819		659,092		654,696
Total revenues	$	616,793	$	604,124	$	1,222,911	$	1,214,189

Adjusted EBITDA by Reportable Segment
Las Vegas Locals	$	70,248	$	63,300	$	141,278	$	129,214
Downtown Las Vegas	13,543		12,545		26,761		26,246
Midwest and South	98,510		93,730		192,756		188,043
Property Adjusted EBITDA	182,301		169,575		360,795		343,503
Corporate expense (b)	(18,878)		(18,207)		(36,900)		(36,370)
Adjusted EBITDA	163,423		151,368		323,895		307,133

Other operating costs and expenses
Deferred rent	294		257		550		687
Depreciation and amortization	53,923		52,563		105,199		106,527
Share-based compensation expense	6,022		5,747		14,949		8,830
Project development, preopening and writedowns	5,801		2,784		9,241		5,756
Impairments of assets	993		—		993		—
Other operating items, net	132		463		1,931		949
Total other operating costs and expenses	67,165		61,814		132,863		122,749
Operating income	96,258		89,554		191,032		184,384
Other expense (income)
Interest income	(522)		(455)		(979)		(915)
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	44,959		42,728		89,218		86,402
Loss on early extinguishments and modifications of debt	—		378		61		534
Other, net	(24)		559		(404)		670
Total other expense, net	44,413		43,210		87,896		86,691
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	51,845		46,344		103,136		97,693
Income tax provision	(13,247)		(18,652)		(23,139)		(34,925)
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	38,598		27,692		79,997		62,768
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	347		21,017		347		21,392
Net income	$	38,945	$	48,709	$	80,344	$	84,160


(a)	Prior-period information has been restated for the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606 (ASC 606), Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which the Company adopted effective January 1, 2018, utilizing the full retrospective transition method.
(b)	Reconciliation of corporate expense:

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
*(In thousands)*	2018		2017		2018		2017
Corporate expense as reported on Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations	$	24,063	$	23,251	$	49,920	$	44,049
Corporate share-based compensation expense	(5,185)		(5,044)		(13,020)		(7,679)
Corporate expense as reported on the above table	$	18,878	$	18,207	$	36,900	$	36,370

BOYD GAMING CORPORATION
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Reconciliations of Net Income to Adjusted Earnings
and Net Income Per Share to Adjusted Earnings Per Share
(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
*(In thousands, except per share data)*	2018		2017 (a)		2018		2017 (a)
Net income	$	38,945	$	48,709	$	80,344	$	84,160
Less: income from discontinued operations, net of tax	(347)		(21,017)		(347)		(21,392)
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	38,598		27,692		79,997		62,768
*Pretax adjustments:*
Project development, preopening and writedowns	5,801		2,784		9,241		5,756
Impairments of assets	993		—		993		—
Other operating items, net	132		463		1,931		949
Loss on early extinguishments and modifications of debt	—		378		61		534
Other, net	(24)		559		(404)		670
Total adjustments	6,902		4,184		11,822		7,909

*Income tax effect for above adjustments*	(1,467)		(1,491)		(2,574)		(2,880)
Adjusted earnings	$	44,033	$	30,385	$	89,245	$	67,797

Net income per share, diluted	$	0.34	$	0.42	$	0.70	$	0.73
Less: income from discontinued operations per share	—		(0.18)		—		(0.19)
Income from continuing operations per share	0.34		0.24		0.70		0.54
*Pretax adjustments:*
Project development, preopening and writedowns	0.05		0.03		0.08		0.05
Impairments of assets	—		—		—		—
Other operating items, net	—		—		0.01		0.01
Loss on early extinguishments and modifications of debt	—		—		—		—
Other, net	—		—		—		—
Total adjustments	0.05		0.03		0.09		0.06

*Income tax effect for above adjustments*	(0.01)		(0.01)		(0.02)		(0.02)
Adjusted earnings per share, diluted	$	0.38	$	0.26	$	0.77	$	0.58

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding	115,218		115,923		115,186		115,911


(a)	Prior-period information has been restated for the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606 (ASC 606), Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which the Company adopted effective January 1, 2018, utilizing the full retrospective transition method.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Regulation G, “Conditions for Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures,” prescribes the conditions for use of non-GAAP financial information in public disclosures. We believe that our presentations of the following non-GAAP financial measures are important supplemental measures of operating performance to investors: earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted Earnings Per Share (Adjusted EPS). The following discussion defines these terms and why we believe they are useful measures of our performance. We do not provide a reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the corresponding forward-looking GAAP measure due to our inability to project special charges and certain expenses.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
EBITDA is a commonly used measure of performance in our industry that we believe, when considered with measures calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), provides our investors a more complete understanding of our operating results before the impact of investing and financing transactions and income taxes and facilitates comparisons between us and our competitors. Management has historically adjusted EBITDA when evaluating operating performance because we believe that the inclusion or exclusion of certain recurring and non-recurring items is necessary to provide a full understanding of our core operating results and as a means to evaluate period-to-period results. We refer to this measure as Adjusted EBITDA. We have chosen to provide this information to investors to enable them to perform comparisons of past, present and future operating results and as a means to evaluate the results of core on-going operations. We have historically reported this measure to our investors and believe that the continued inclusion of Adjusted EBITDA provides consistency in our financial reporting. We use Adjusted EBITDA in this press release because we believe it is useful to investors in allowing greater transparency related to a significant measure used by our management in their financial and operational decision-making. Adjusted EBITDA is among the more significant factors in management’s internal evaluation of total company and individual property performance and in the evaluation of incentive compensation related to property management. Management also uses Adjusted EBITDA as a measure in the evaluation of potential acquisitions and dispositions. Adjusted EBITDA is also used by management in the annual budget process. Externally, we believe these measures continue to be used by investors in their assessment of our operating performance and the valuation of our company. Adjusted EBITDA reflects EBITDA adjusted for deferred rent, share-based compensation expense, project development, preopening and writedown expenses, impairments of assets, loss on early extinguishments and modifications of debt and other operating items, net.

Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted EPS
Adjusted Earnings is net income before project development, preopening and writedown expenses, impairments of assets, other items, net, gain or loss on early extinguishments and modifications of debt, other non-recurring adjustments, net, and income from discontinued operations, net of tax. Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted EPS are presented solely as supplemental disclosures because management believes that they are widely used measures of performance in the gaming industry.

Limitations on the Use of Non-GAAP Measures
The use of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Earnings, Adjusted EPS and certain other non-GAAP financial measures has certain limitations. Our presentation of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Earnings, Adjusted EPS or certain other non-GAAP financial measures may be different from the presentation used by other companies and therefore comparability may be limited. Depreciation and amortization expense, interest expense, income taxes and other items have been and will be incurred and are not reflected in the presentation of EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA. Each of these items should also be considered in the overall evaluation of our results. Additionally, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not consider capital expenditures and other investing activities and should not be considered as a measure of our liquidity. We compensate for these limitations by providing the relevant disclosure of our depreciation and amortization, interest and income taxes, capital expenditures and other items both in our reconciliations to the historical GAAP financial measures and in our consolidated financial statements, all of which should be considered when evaluating our performance.

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Earnings, Adjusted EPS and certain other non-GAAP financial measures are used in addition to and in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Earnings, Adjusted EPS and certain other non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating income, or any other operating performance measure prescribed by GAAP, nor should these measures be relied upon to the exclusion of GAAP financial measures. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Earnings, Adjusted EPS and certain other non-GAAP financial measures reflect additional ways of viewing our operations that we believe, when viewed with our GAAP results and the reconciliations to the corresponding historical GAAP financial measures, provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our business than could be obtained absent this disclosure. Management strongly encourages investors to review our financial information in its entirety and not to rely on a single financial measure.

Forward-looking Statements and Company Information
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements contain words such as “may,” “will,” “might,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “could,” “would,” “estimate,” “continue,” “pursue,” or the negative thereof or comparable terminology, and may include (without limitation) information regarding the Company’s expectations, goals or intentions regarding future performance. In addition, forward-looking statements in this press release include statements regarding: the Company’s continued progress towards completing its pending acquisitions, progress towards executing on its strategic plan, continued progress of repurchasing shares under the Company’s repurchase plan, and the overall direction of the Company and all of the statements under the heading “Full-Year 2018 Guidance.” Forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those discussed in any such statement. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: fluctuations in the Company’s operating results; recovery of its properties in various markets; the political climate and its effects on consumer spending and its impact on the travel industry; the state of the economy and its effect on consumer spending and the Company’s results of operations; the timing for economic recovery, its effect on the Company’s business and the local economies where the Company’s properties are located; the receipt of legislative, and other state, federal and local approvals for the Company’s development projects; whether online gaming will become legalized in various states, the Company’s ability to operate online gaming profitably, or otherwise; the consummation of the Company’s pending acquisitions on the terms and timing as currently anticipated, or at all; consumer reaction to fluctuations in the stock market and economic factors; the fact that the Company’s expansion, development and renovation projects (including enhancements to improve property performance) are subject to many risks inherent in expansion, development or construction of a new or existing project; the effects of events adversely impacting the economy or the regions from which the Company draws a significant percentage of its customers; competition; litigation; financial community and rating agency perceptions of the Company and its subsidiaries; changes in laws and regulations, including increased taxes; the availability and price of energy, weather, regulation, economic, credit and capital market conditions; and the effects of war, terrorist or similar activity. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ are discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” and in other sections of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and in the Company’s other current and periodic reports filed from time to time with the SEC. All forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date hereof, based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

About Boyd Gaming
Founded in 1975, Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE: BYD) is a leading geographically diversified operator of 24 gaming entertainment properties in seven states. The Company currently operates nearly 1.4 million square feet of casino space, more than 31,000 gaming machines, 630 table games, 9,400 hotel rooms and more than 280 food and beverage outlets. With one of the most experienced leadership teams in the casino industry, Boyd Gaming prides itself on offering its guests an outstanding entertainment experience, delivered with unwavering attention to customer service.

Source: Boyd Gaming Corporation

Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – November 4-10

Published

6 days ago

November 12, 2024

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.

Latest News

PENN Entertainment and ESPN announced that account linking between ESPN BET and ESPN is now available for customers, creating an even more deeply integrated media and betting experience. By linking accounts, fans now have the ability to seamlessly track upcoming, live and settled bets within the ESPN app and on ESPN.com. With this product enhancement, ESPN BET will soon bring fans more personalised bets and timely promotions based on their favourite sports, teams, players and fantasy rosters.

Accel Entertainment Inc. has announced that it has completed the acquisition of 85% of the ownership interests of Toucan Gaming LLC and LSM Gaming LLC, two Louisiana-based route operators and owners of multiple licensed video poker establishments (collectively, “Toucan”), for approximately $40 million. The combined business will operate as Toucan Gaming throughout Louisiana and will be led by Stan Guidroz, an industry-leading gaming executive and current CEO of Toucan Gaming. Mr. Guidroz owns the remaining 15% of Toucan’s ownership interests and will lead the Accel team supporting Toucan’s continued growth.

INTRALOT S.A. has announced the undertaking of a new project between the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), the sole lottery operator for the Government of British Columbia in Canada, and INTRALOT, its US subsidiary, for the provision of an online lottery platform. The project also includes the digitalisation of the existing land-based network. The solution will be based on the Player X platform, part of the Lotos X ecosystem, and adds to the company’s overall partnership with BCLC, which has been extended until 2028.

BetMGM Poker has become the third US operator to offer multi-state online poker. The company has merged its player pools in Michigan and New Jersey. Both states are a part of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement, which allows online poker networks to share liquidity and players in participating markets. The two-state network went live Wednesday afternoon after morning maintenance.

Betsson Group has celebrated its success at the SBC Awards Latinoamérica 2024, winning two prestigious awards: Sportsbook Operator of the Year and Leader of the Year, which was awarded to Kevin Saliba, Commercial Director (Business Development) for Latin America. This marks the second consecutive year Betsson has earned the Leader of the Year accolade, following Andrea Rossi’s win in 2023 – an achievement that underscores Betsson’s consistent leadership in the region.

Partnerships

Play’n GO has announced a new operator partnership with renowned gaming brand Hard Rock Digital for their top-rated Hard Rock Bet online casino platform in New Jersey. The Hard Rock brand is synonymous with entertainment worldwide, and this partnership will see Hard Rock Bet players in New Jersey gain access to hit Play’n GO titles such as Piggy Blitz, Book of Dead and Rise of Olympus 100.

SCCG Management, a global leader in gaming innovation and advisory, has announced a strategic partnership with Chata.AI, a technology provider specialising in self-service, proactive analytics that enables businesses to access real-time insights without requiring extensive technical expertise. This partnership introduces Chata.AI’s technology to the gaming industry, providing operators with powerful tools to streamline decision-making and increase operational efficiency.

Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – October 28-November 3

Published

2 weeks ago

November 4, 2024

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Latest News

Elray Resources Inc. has announced a significant milestone in the company’s growth strategy. The company has completed the sale of proprietary technology to 180 Life Sciences Corp. (NASDAQ:ATNF), a NASDAQ-listed company in exchange for preferred stock convertible into a 40% stake in ATNF and warrants to purchase 3 million shares of ATNF common stock, the conversion/exercise of which is subject to stockholder approval. The technology stack contained within Elray’s technology package will assist ATNF in launching an iGaming Blockchain casino.

PrizePicks, the largest daily fantasy sports operator in North America, has announced that it has been awarded Daily Fantasy Sports Operator Licenses in Delaware and Missouri. The company will launch Arena, its innovative peer-to-peer fantasy sports contest, in both states. With these new state launches, Arena will now be available in 15 states across the US.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (Board) unanimously voted to renew the Category 2 stand-alone casino license of Wind Creek Bethlehem LLC, operator of Wind Creek Bethlehem casino in Northampton County. In making the decision, the Board determined that Wind Creek Bethlehem LLC had fulfilled the obligations under its previously approved casino operator’s license and therefore qualified to have its license renewed for an additional five-year period.

Aristocrat announced that the company was the first international slot and online technology company to be granted a Gaming-Related Vendor license by The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), the federal entity overseeing commercial gaming activities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This announcement grants Aristocrat the ability to provide the company’s land-based electronic gaming machines (EGMs) and online games and technology solutions to commercial gaming operators licensed by the GCGRA.

Partnerships

SCCG Management, a leading global advisory and consulting firm in the gambling industry, has entered into a strategic partnership with Slot Machines Unlimited, a premier provider of refurbished slot machines and gaming equipment. The partnership between SCCG Management and Slot Machines Unlimited leverages both companies’ strengths: Slot Machines Unlimited’s expertise in refurbished gaming equipment and SCCG’s deep industry insight, global network and strategic growth capabilities. The collaboration will enhance Slot Machines Unlimited’s international sales and service operations, ensuring gaming establishments worldwide have access to high-quality slot machines and support.

Galaxy Gaming Inc. has announced that the Galaxy Operating System (GOS) is now live on over 50 ships worldwide with Carnival Corporation & PLC, the world’s largest leisure travel company. Since the installation, tables powered by GOS have awarded over $5 million in jackpot payouts to players. GOS is the jackpot progressive system for all Carnival Corporation ships, including Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line and Princess Cruises. Launched in 2024, GOS is the next-generation game management system developed by the industry’s leading table game experts.

The hottest new game from Aristocrat Gaming, Phoenix Link, is now live on casino floors, with Yaamava’ Resort & Casino being the first in North America to offer the highly-anticipated game. As the next evolution of the international hit game, Dragon Link, Phoenix Link features player-favourite mechanics from top games with all-new themes, features and bonuses.

Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – October 21-27

Published

3 weeks ago

October 28, 2024

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Latest News

Bally’s Interactive, the digital and sports betting division of Bally’s Corporation, announced the official launch of the Bally Bet Sportsbook app in Tennessee, marking its expansion into the tenth state. This milestone comes on the heels of recent successful Bally Bet launches in Massachusetts and Maryland. Sports enthusiasts across the Volunteer State can now revel in the comprehensive offerings of the Bally Bet sportsbook app. With a wide array of betting options, including spread, money line and total bets, as well as in-game betting and same game parlays, Tennessee sports fans will have an unparalleled wagering experience.

ESE Entertainment Inc., a gaming company that provides a range of services to leading video game developers and publishers, has announced that it has acquired Bombee Global Entertainment (Bombee Americas), the North American arm of Bombee Event Production AB, (Bombee), a global production company specialised in live production, special effects, broadcast and event management for the gaming sector. Bombee has successfully collaborated with ESE to bring its premier event production services and world class customer service to North America and beyond. The North American arm of Bombee, Bombee Americas, will continue to grow and scale in this new organisational structure under ESE, while maintaining its entire team and global support.

Matthew Wantman has become the overall champion of the PokerGO Tour PLO Series II presented by PLO Mastermind. Wantman secured the prestigious honor after an impressive showing at PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas, outperforming a talented field of the best PLO players in the world to earn the $10,000 PGT Passport bonus. The PGT PLO Series II featured a series of high-stakes pot-limit Omaha tournaments. Wantman’s consistent performance set him apart from the competition and solidified his spot atop the leaderboard.

Partnerships

SYNOT Games has announced its further expansion into the Colombian market through a partnership with BetPlay. This alliance highlights SYNOT Games’ commitment to increasing its presence in Latin America and providing its engaging and innovative games to a wider audience. Through this partnership, BetPlay’s online platform will feature a curated selection of SYNOTGames’ top-performing titles, including fan favourites like Aztec Jaguar, Diamond Fever, Realm of Lions.

Internet Sports International, a global provider of turnkey race and sportsbook software solutions, announced its partnership with the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort in Fort McDowell, Arizona. Through this consultancy, ISI is powering the casino’s sportsbook and retail sports wagering operations on its gaming floor with its award-winning system. WKP Sportsbook is currently operating, allowing patrons to elevate their excitement by wagering on their preferred sporting events with up-to-the-minute odds and live action. The automated sportsbook kiosks provide access to a wide range of sports propositions for both the beginner and expert bettor.

Aristocrat Gaming, a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of regulated slot games, announced it is now a promotional partner for Princess Cruises, one of the world’s most iconic cruise lines. Through this exciting collaboration, Aristocrat Gaming will design innovative gaming experiences for guests onboard Princess ships as well as create promotions with land-based casinos that offer Princess cruises as rewards.