Online Gaming is lifeline for Atlantic City

After reviewing the news and insights from the East Coast Gaming Congress this past Monday and Tuesday, I was not thrilled to say the least. Analysts were agreeing with Caesars CEO Gary Loveman that "right sizing" may be in order for Atlantic City casinos. This is the millennial way of saying "we are about to downsize and make ourselves profitable". This way does little for the economy. Another closing similar to the Atlantic Club will put over 1,000 people out of work and lower tax revenue.

 

The other notable information from the conference came from Hard Rock CEO James Allen. He indicated that Hard Rock had minimal interest in Revel at this time. The amount of property reinvestment needed appears to be a huge factor. This may seem peculiar since Revel is the newest hotel in Atlantic City. The design is appealing to a tourist but not to the gaming public. Any buyer would be able to get this stunning resort for a fraction of what it cost to assemble. 

 

The glowing news came from the IGaming seminars. Regulators from New Jersey,Nevada and Delaware expressed optimism in the potential growth of the online gaming market. The compact between Delaware and Nevada was cited as one the methods to increase liquidity. The marketing opportunities in the state of New Jersey are abundant. The general public in the Garden State is still unaware and uneducated about online gaming. This is from a region where gambling is one of the major industries. There is a tremendous upside here.

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NBA Conference Finals

The NBA Conference Finals have started and feature the favorites. Miami is playing Indiana and
the Spurs are matched against the Thunder. Let's jump right into the analysis of the two.

Miami did not improve their team. Not one significant addition. They are still two time champions and have Lebron James and Dywane Wade. The dynamic duo always finds a way to win. The Pacers
are dysfunctional and do not show up for every game. They have lost at home in the previous rounds to Atlanta and Washington. It is likely they will lose 1 game to Miami as well.

The Pick - Miami is weak defending the rim. If they don't shoot the 3 well and Lebron doesn't drop 35 to 40 they will have problems.  The lack of size creates bad matchups inside. When Hibbert plays well, the Pacers win. Paul George and David West play consistent this entire series. Not everyone else. Lebron will make the Heat prevail. Miami win this series in 6.

OKC does not have Serge Ibaka. That changes their defensive concepts. They are weak inside and Spurs will take advantage of them. Leonard will play extremely well and shine in his match up with Kevin Durant. Westbrook will make his mental lapse sometimes late in game 3 and 4. Duncan and Parker have enough for one more run.

The Pick - Spurs have the coaching and match up advantage. The bench will have more production than the Thunder reserves. OKC will need Durant to drop 40 to win. He will do it twice.

                                                                      Not enough!

                                        Spurs win this series in 6. Kawhi Leonard is MVP

 

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Online Gaming at the 18th East Coast Gaming Congress

This year's East Coast Gaming Congress will include a day long track devoted to online gaming. This
is Spectrum Gaming and Cooper Levenson  staying current with the latest insights on casino trends and topics. Online wagering is the new hot button of the gaming industry. They are factions that are strong supporters and opponents. The view of the conference and the attendees will be in favor.  Some of the speakers and moderators of the module will include:

Moderator:

• Gene Johnson, Senior Vice President, Marketing Research and Online Studies, Spectrum Gaming Group

• Speakers:
  • Tom Ballance, President & Chief Operating Officer, Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa
  • William Fasy, Chief Operating Officer, Delaware Park
  • David Rebuck, Director, New Jersey Department of Gaming Enforcement
  • A. Jeff Ifrah, Founding Member, Ifrah Law
  • Mark Lipparelli, Former Chairman, Nevada State Gaming Control Board

I have had the privilege of meeting or interviewing all but one member of the aforementioned group.
This panel will discuss some of the best I Gaming practices and how things are progressing in Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware.

The second panel will address two primary questions. Which technologies are most effective in providing safe and reliable interactive gambling? What are the technology challenges and how are they being addressed? The distinguished members of this panel include Melissa Blau, Director, iGaming Capital and Eamonn Toland, President, Paddy Power North America.Joseph Pappano, Senior Vice President of Vantiv Gaming Solutions will lend his expertise as well.

The opening speaker will be Brian Mattingley, Chief Executive Officer, 888.com. 888 is doing business in England and each jurisdiction in the United States that offer I Gaming.  Mattingley is an excellence choice to give the keynote presentation.

I will tweet any updates I receive during this opening day event. You can follow me on Twitter at
https://twitter.com/GamingguyM and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/gaming.guym

Philly Casino Connection reunited in Hollywood

This past weekend 3 members of the Philly Casino connection met up in Hollywood. Two of them, Deitra Leak and Mike Perkins are residing in California. Steve Rinaldi flew across country to connect with them. It is hard to believe that a year ago this time all three of them were in Philadelphia working together. What is easy to believe is that each of them left to pursue their dreams. Deitra was the 1st and set the example.  She had a plan and is doing well. Mike has some connections in place and is developing new contacts. Rinaldi is working his comedy routine and performing at several clubs in Philly and New Jersey.

I commend each of them for having the heart to go after what they want. I was fortunate to write about each of them and watch their careers take off.  I found that each of them shared certain traits that are imperative for success. One is perseverance. Two is faith. The ability to take a step without seeing the stairs. Third is the support of family and /or friends. The love and energy you receive from them will carry you when things are not going well. These are attributes each of them value.  This is their blueprint. What's your?

These are the 3 posts about Deitra, Steve and Mike below.

http://thegamingguyproductions.blogspot.com/2013/11/deitra-leak-california-my-way.html
http://thegamingguyproductions.blogspot.com/2013/02/south-philadelphias-stephen-rinaldi.html
http://thegamingguyproductions.blogspot.com/2013/07/mike-perkins-aspiring-person-of-week.html

                                        I will have updates on each of them soon. Ladies first.

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Online Gaming in Pennsylvania

A study was submitted to the Pennsylvania legislature on Wednesday about online gaming. It was conducted by Econsult and Stephen Mullin. The findings give a projection of over 300 million a year
and that would create addition tax revenue. This number is on target with the current analysis of the New Jersey market. Atlantic City casinos are looking at approximately 200 million this year if this current trend continues. This would bring between 19 to 30 million in taxes. Over 175,000 people are registered to play in New Jersey. This number has increased exponentially every month.

Online Gaming would help reduce shortfalls in the Pennsylvania budget. It would be good if a portion of the money was earmark for public education. A tax of 10 to 15% would be feasible so the casinos could make a profit and market effectively. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh would provide the liquidity needed to support gambling outside of the current brick and mortar casino operations. This is an advantage over New Jersey.


                                         Compare the two largest cities in Pennsylvania
                                          Philadelphia - 1,450,000     Pittsburgh - 305,000
                                                                                to
                                                     the two largest cities in New Jersey
                                          Newark - 277,000               Jersey City - 254,000


This accompanies the new of a mobile gaming proposal last week from WMS Gaming. A window of 3 to 6 months was set as a timetable to determine if the technology works properly. I would not expect this to be enacted before the middle of 2015.

 

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NBA Playoffs Round Two

Whew! After the most exciting opening round of NBA Playoffs in recent memory, it is on to the 2nd
round. But I want to give a look back and give my 1st round what ifs.  I will share three of them.

What if Zach Randolph had played in game 7 against the Thunder?
What if the Clippers had any other coach other than Doc Rivers?  Considering the Donald Sterling situation.
What if the Rockets knew that the only way they could lose game 6 with 0.9 seconds in regulation was if someone name Damien Lillard shot a three and they should deny any attempt beyond the arc?

Now on to round 2!

The Heat open tonight against the Nets. They did not beat them in the regular season.  They are
not as good as they were last year. But Lebron James can almost will them to win. This goes 7.
Heat survive!

Pacers are in trouble. The Wizards are rested and not in awe of them. Pacers peaked too early in the season and are paying now. Nene inside, Ariza outside and John Wall leading the break spells upset in 6.

 

Out west, I like the Spurs to take out Portland in 5. I don't see the Blazers ready for this onslaught.
Spurs play defense and can score in half court. Things the Rockets could not do.


OKC and Clippers will be the most exciting series to watch.  Not sure who wins. The consensus of the crew of #GTLivechat is Thunder Up. Join us and give your opinion before the start of the game. We are the Twitter Sports and Entertainment Version of  +GMA.  My co host is @KeshisCuties

                          Here are the odds to win the +NBA championship for each team


                                                           Miami Heat 7/5
                                                           San Antonio Spurs 3/1
                                                           Oklahoma City Thunder 9/2
                                                           Los Angeles Clippers 15/2
                                                           Indiana Pacers 12/1
                                                           Brooklyn Nets 16/1
                                                           Portland Trail Blazers 25/1
                                                           Washington Wizards 25/1


                   Follow me thru out the playoffs on Twitter at https://twitter.com/GamingguyM &
                          Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/gaming.guym


              

Online Gaming embraces Technology in Nevada & New Jersey

As the number of people participating in online gaming sites increases, the technology associated with the casinos is improving. The geolocation that tells where a player is and if they are able to play is picking up most players. This is better than the 1st month or two when certain phone numbers and areas that were close to the borders of New Jersey were not allowed access.

 

The major obstacle now is the refusal of many banks to authorize payment thru debit

and credit cards.The association between the casinos, the banks and the online gaming websites

must develop to a point where cards are an acceptable method of payment. In the meantime third party payment processors are licensed in New Jersey and Nevada. They are suitable substitutes until this situation is alleviated.

Traditional gaming and wagering patrons are taking a wait and see approach to all of this. But those same people did not bank online when it was 1st introduced to the American public. They did not make payments or deposits into their banking institutions using their phones initially. This same player would never play at a blackjack table with a shuffle machine over a decade ago. But the convenience of all of these situations won out over time and are now considered the norm.

              Online Gaming will change the entire landscape of how we wager in America!

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