This Week in Gaming Review

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf submitted his budget proposal for 2017-18. His budget includes over 250 million from new gaming revenue. This is a great sign for online gaming in the Commonwealth. There are two bills that are being talked about during this legislative session.

One is the bill sponsored by State Rep Youngblood and Dunbar. This bill includes online gaming and fantasy sports. It expands gaming to the Philadelphia International Airport via tablets. This bill also allows multi state linkage  on slots to increase jackpots. It also allows for the PGCB to set up new regulations to authorize skill based and hybrid slot games.

The second bill is sponsored by State Senator Acosta. Acosta's bill would impose a 25-percent tax on gross revenue from either form of gambling. The most recent House-approved bill from 2016 had  an online gambling tax rate of 16 percent and a DFS rate of 12 percent. In traditional casinos, the state gets 54 percent of gross slot revenue and 16 percent of table game revenue. Costa's proposal would ban Internet gaming on casino property because of the difference in tax rates. He anticipates some action on his bill by April 2017.

Both bills have similarities but the Youngblood and Dunbar bill has language stressing consumer protection that reins in  black market and off shore operators that target compulsive and underage gamblers. The proposed tax is casino favorable with a rate of 14% along  with a 2% local share. Youngblood and Dunbar's bill does not get blinded by the numbers and wants government and the economy to work for all people. There is a provision for Pre K Funding for Philadelphia I Gaming that occurs at the airport from ticketed passengers.

MGM Grand National Harbor

MGM Grand National Harbor has been open a little over two months and doing phenomenal numbers. They have surpassed Maryland Live as the top grossing revenue casino in their region.

The new Prince George's County casino, which opened in early December, generated $48.8 million from slot machines and table games, making it the state's top money maker by nearly $5 million, the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency reported Monday.

The Baltimore Sun reported that Maryland Live Casino, historically the top money-maker, brought in about $44 million in January, down 15.6 percent from the same month last year.

Horseshoe Casino Baltimore generated $20.2 million in January, down 14.5 percent from the same period a year ago. The State of Maryland showed prudent leadership by anticipating some measure of cannibalization from MGM's arrival. They allowed both casinos to keep more of their profits to account for the loss of revenue. Click here and read the entire article.

                                                          #SmartResponsibleGaming 

                          Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for updates!
                          Check out our app, Smart Responsible Gaming at thegamingguym.com

Top 3 things to do at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas

We came up with our personal top 3 things to when you visit Caesars Palace Las Vegas.

Check out the Forum Shops. The top designers are in there. After a winning night on the gaming floor, indulge yourself with a gift that you can take home as a momento of your visit.

Have a cocktail in the Alto Bar. During this period until 2/25, you can enjoy virtual reality along with one of the signature drinks. Technology with a buzz.

Finally,enjoy the wagering in the Caesars Palace Sports Book. Bet Fantasy Sports with US Fantasy.
If your stay extends into March, you may want to book a spot during March Madness. A price of $199 includes a premium buffet and beer specials. This is available 3/16 and 3/17.

                                                        #SmartResponsibleGaming 

                          Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for updates!
                          Check out our app, Smart Responsible Gaming at thegamingguym.com

NFL or NBA: Who is in the best position?

The top two sports leagues in the United States are the NFL and NBA. While both are successful I pose the question of who in the best position. Let's compare. Both have expanded into international
markets. The NFL plays at least 3 games in London a year. The NBA has players from all over the world and is playing preseason games in Mexico and China.
The NFL is allowing Twitter to stream their games. This extends the social media aspects of their product. The NBA is going in the direction of analytics and providing stats to the fans and media announcers. This is important to daily fantasy sports participants.

When we compare the ratings of both leagues, we see a disparity. The NFL numbers are down while NBA is trending up. The NBA fans tends to be younger than the NFL. The NBA has expressed a support of sports betting as the NFL has shown a reluctance to acknowledge that is a reason for their popularity. The NBA has taken strong stances with socially conscious issues. The NFL has consistently mishandle off the field issues with domestic violence.

While the NFL is still the leader in popularity, their margin is shrinking. The NBA seems to get it.

They market their players and are about to place advertisements on jerseys. The NFL does neither and does not appear to embrace change. The NBA is in the better position for the next 5 years. The NFL would do well to emulate them.

Super Bowl LI

The game is two days away. Patriots vs Falcons. Brady vs. Ryan.

New England is favored by 3 points. The line is consistent and shown no movement so the number is solid.  3% of the amount wagered on the game will be legally done in Nevada. 97% or over 3.5 billion will be wagered illegally in the United States.

Facts - Brady has never lost to the Falcons.
Coaching Edge- Belichick gets the nod based on experience and ability to adjust at halftime.
Facts- Atlanta loses when a team run the ball against them more than 25 times. Keep their offense off the field.
Quarterback Edge- Brady over Ryan. Ryan had MVP year. Brady has MVP career.
Defensive Edge- Patriots have the edge. Atlanta does have speed and can put pressure on Brady.

Herm Edwards, Ron Jaworski , Louis Riddick and Brandon Marshall picked the Pats.
Dan Marino, Charles Barkley and Deshaun Watson picked the Falcons.

Our Pick- New England can win a chess match. Atlanta can win a shoot out. Pats checkmate Falcons. Pats win by a touchdown 27-21. Take the under. Total stands at 59.

Fantasy players to watch. Tom Brady will have at least 2 TDs and 350 yards.
LeGarrette Blount is our sleeper pick as a running back
Mohamed Sanu is the play for Fantasy receiver.
Play #FantasyFootball  at +USFantasy Sports in Nevada.

                                                   #SmartResponsibleGaming

                          Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for updates!
                          Check out our app, Smart Responsible Gaming at thegamingguym.com