Gambling in the USA
Plaza Hotel & Casino hires new director of table games, promotes leaders of its food & beverage team
The Plaza Hotel & Casino has hired Christiaan van Buuren as its director of table games and promoted two leaders within its food & beverage team.
A graduate of the University of Johannesburg, van Buuren’s background in casino and hotel operations ranges from pre-opening planning and design with Gold Reef Casino Resorts in his native South Africa to traveling the world managing casino operations on board 6-star luxury cruise liners with Regent Seven Seas Cruises. He was hand-picked to head up the casino gaming division of Kangwon Land Inc., a large-scale integrated casino resort in Korea where he innovated their casino and surveillance operations. He came to Las Vegas to be part of the SLS opening team and then moved to spearhead the rebranding of the casino at The STRAT.
The Plaza promoted Ryan Rowland to vice president of the property’s food & beverage program. Rowland joined the Plaza’s food & beverage team in 2019 as its director and has successfully elevated the property’s culinary offerings to create unmatched dining experiences in the heart of downtown Las Vegas. Prior to coming to the Plaza, Rowland was director of restaurants for the transition of the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino to Park MGM, and his career includes management positions at famed restaurants such as Spago Las Vegas, Michael Mina Bellagio, StripSteak at Mandalay Bay, and Jean-Georges Prime Steakhouse.
Courtney Allen will take over as director of food & beverage. Allen started at the Plaza as general manager of its rooftop pool operations in 2018 and then transitioned to property’s culinary management team. Prior to her tenure at the Plaza, Allen worked at Downtown Grand Las Vegas. She began her career in the San Francisco Bay area as a manager for Blue Mermaid and Puccini & Pinetti restaurants and then as food and beverage manager at Parc 55.
“Having a qualified and dedicated executive team enables the Plaza to provide guests with an unmatched experience in the heart of downtown Las Vegas,” said Jonathan Jossel, CEO of the Plaza Hotel & Casino. “I am excited to welcome Christiaan and am confident his diverse background will further enhance our casino operations. And I congratulate Ryan and Courtney on their success in elevating our food & beverage program. From delivering an authentic steakhouse experience at Oscar’s to developing a unique craft cocktail program at our new Carousel Bar, their creative vision and seamless execution will be critical as the Plaza continues to create new offerings for our guests.”
Gambling in the USA
Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – September 23-29
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
International Game Technology PLC (IGT) has announced that Shondra DeLoach-Perea, IGT Vice President Field Services, Call Centers and Technology Operations, has been named a recipient of Global Gaming Women’s (GGW) 2024 “Patty Becker Pay it Forward Award”. The annual award programme honors women in the gaming industry who have contributed to GGW’s initiatives and helped support women in their organisation and community.
Caesars Entertainment has launched the Caesars Sportsbook Muckleshoot app, which is now accepting mobile sports bets at Muckleshoot Casino Resort in Auburn, Washington. Guests 21 and older who are interested in wagering on mobile devices can download the Caesars Sportsbook Muckleshoot app and must be physically present on the property at Muckleshoot to verify their registration for an account and place wagers during their visit, in accordance with state law.
Aristocrat Technologies, a leading global provider of gaming solutions, has achieved a significant legal victory in Aristocrat’s case against Light & Wonder (L&W) concerning infringement of Aristocrat’s intellectual property, including misappropriation of Aristocrat’s trade secrets in connection with L&W’s Dragon Train game. On September 23, 2024, Judge Gloria M. Navarro of the United States District Court for the District of Nevada issued a decision granting Aristocrat’s motion for a preliminary injunction on its trade secret claims against L&W.
Jim Collopy has become the champion of the 2024 Poker Masters presented by the PokerStars NAPT. Collopy cashed in four consecutive events during the eight-event series, amassing $521,600 in prize money and securing the coveted Poker Masters Purple Jacket. He also earned a $25,000 PokerGO Tour (PGT) Passport and a PokerStars Gold Pass for his victory.
JCM Global has been licensed by the Colorado Division of Gaming, authorising JCM to sell the TITA Table Game System directly to customers throughout the state, in addition to its other leading transaction and automation solutions. The license builds on JCM’s more than 170 active gaming licenses the company holds and maintains across North America and around the world. Most recently, JCM earned licensing in the State of New Mexico.
New Partnerships
LexisNexis Risk Solutions has announced a strategic alliance with Radar, a recognised leader in geofencing technology. This collaboration integrates Radar’s robust geofencing, mapping and geo-compliance capabilities with the advanced data and technology from LexisNexis Risk Solutions. Together, they will deliver a robust solution for gaming and gambling operators, that will help ensure that devices used for online gambling in the US comply with applicable state regulations.
Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) and The Casino at Nemacolin have announced a strategic partnership that promises to revolutionise the gaming and hospitality industry in the western Pennsylvania market. This strategic alliance sets the stage for an exciting fusion of technology and hospitality, with The Casino at Nemacolin at the forefront.
Sportingtech has announced a new partnership with 23:59. The partnership reinforces Sportingtech’s dedication to offering operators efficient tools to enhance their ability to develop localised campaigns and reach clients globally, particularly in Brazil. 23:59, with its global sports events and holiday consolidation, simplifies the planning of successful campaigns aligned with these events.
Gambling in the USA
Dealer’s Choice: Uncovering the Truth About Casino Dealer Salaries in 2024, OnlineUnitedStatesCasinos Reports
With the gambling market booming, the role of the casino dealer is becoming an increasingly enticing career prospect for many. As demand for dealers continues to rise, an estimated 43,370 jobs will be filled in the US by 2029, opening up a promising path for those interested in the industry.
While entry-level positions offer modest wages, the potential for substantial earnings is significant. Typically, dealers start with a baseline rate (with experienced individuals earning more) and boost their income through tips or “tokes,” as they’re known in the industry. Historically, dealers pocketed these tokes directly. Now, casinos are adopting a more even-handed approach by pooling and distributing them among staff.
Although Las Vegas would appear to be the pinnacle of lucrative tips for casino dealers, the reality is more complex. In an oversaturated market such as Sin City, where staff numbers are large, tip-sharing often results in lukewarm wages. In 2024, the average salary for casino dealers in Nevada is $19.96 an hour, closely aligning with the national average of $19.25 per hour. Nevada didn’t even make the list of the top five highest-paying states. The ranking is as follows.
Arizona: The average salary of casino dealers in Arizona is $66,370 yearly, the highest in the nation, with 1760 employed.
Washington: In Washington, 4030 dealers make an average of $61,290 annually.
New York: New York employs 1660 dealers, making an average of $56,080 annually.
West Virginia: The 630 casino dealers in West Virginia average $55,700 a year.
New Jersey: With 3490 dealers, New Jersey offers an average of $46,120 annually.
Aspiring casino dealers should carefully consider location and casino size when searching for opportunities. Nonetheless, many find that job satisfaction can outweigh these elements.
Jeffrey Biship, a former dealer in Missouri, said: “I dealt blackjack and craps in the worst casino in St. Louis. But even in the worst casino in probably one of the worst gambling markets in America, it had its definite plusses. On a good night, it was a blast. Sometimes I couldn’t believe that I was paid to have so much fun.”
Heather Ferris, founder and CEO of Vegas Aces and former Las Vegas dealer, said: “Dealing table games was the best job I ever had! Once you know how to deal, you don’t even think about it anymore. It becomes routine. So basically, you spend your entire time talking to people from all around the world…”
She also highlighted how events can significantly boost tips, “Special events or holidays, such as boxing matches or New Year’s Eve, can drastically increase a dealer’s tips. For example, during the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight, some dealers made up to $1500 in a single shift.”
As potential dealers enter the industry, setting realistic expectations and balancing enjoyment, salary and location is essential.
For more about casino dealer salaries in 2024, check out Heather Ferris’s article at Online United States Casinos, where she dives deep into pay rates and shares insights from her first-hand experience navigating this career.
Online United States Casinos is a comprehensive resource for gambling information with an adept team of specialists committed to accuracy. It is dedicated to empowering readers to make well-informed choices through in-depth research, unbiased reviews, and expert insights.
Gambling in the USA
Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – September 16-22
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
Bally’s and SC Gaming announced the termination of their agreement to open and operate a Category 4 satellite casino near Penn State University at the Nittany Mall. Despite the split, the project remains on track to open in the first half of 2026. The decision comes three years after the two companies agreed to develop a “mini casino” in what was previously a Macy’s department store at the Nittany Mall, located just five miles from Penn State’s campus.
FanDuel, North America’s premier online gaming company, has announced it has appointed Caralyn Cooley as the company’s new Chief People Officer (CPO). Cooley will join FanDuel’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT) reporting to CEO Amy Howe. In her role as CPO, Cooley will be responsible for the continued acceleration of FanDuel’s people strategy reflecting the company’s extraordinary growth trajectory.
Interblock, the global leader in luxury table gaming products, has taken a significant step in strengthening its market leadership with the acquisition of majority share in Zuum Limited (acquisition), a premier manufacturer of Class II and Class III electronic table games (ETGs), slots, and bingo products. This strategic acquisition will enable Interblock to deliver a broader range of innovative and cost-effective gaming solutions to its customers while driving significant growth in key markets.
JCM Global (JCM) has successfully passed regulatory review and is now licensed by the New Mexico Gaming Control Board. This license enables JCM to sell and service customers directly throughout the state. This license is the latest in JCM’s wide array of awarded gaming licenses across North America and around the world and underscores JCM’s commitment to holding itself to the highest regulatory standards. JCM now maintains more than 170 active gaming licenses.
Partnerships
CT Interactive, a global provider of online gaming solutions, has announced the launch of its games on Novibet’s platforms for Mexico (www.novibet.mx) . This partnership underscores CT Interactive’s commitment to expanding its reach and delivering high-quality gaming experiences to players worldwide. Striving to offer exciting content to its users, Novibet.mx will now feature a selection of CT Interactive’s newest and most innovative games.
Hardware platform and embedded software solutions specialist Quixant has partnered with Novatrade as it continues its expansion in the Brazilian market. Novatrade specialise in expanding and accelerating organisations’ international presence and operations, with tailored solutions for every expansion phase. This collaboration positions Quixant to better support its customers in the rapidly evolving Brazilian market, as sports betting and online gaming are legalised.
Playtech announced its games supplier partnership with Rush Street Interactive. This strategic collaboration has proven successful with the launch of a variety of slots and live dealer games, on RSI platforms across New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ontario and Mexico under the multi-state agreement, underscoring the strong demand and performance of Playtech’s products in these markets.
SYNOT Games has made further expansion into the Peruvian market through a partnership with Betsafe, one of Betsson Group’s brands. This collaboration underscores SYNOT Games’ commitment to growing its footprint in Latin America and bringing its top-quality, innovative games to a broader audience.
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