Gaming Stocks to Watch in 2022

The gaming and casino industry took some hits during the last quarter of 2021 in the stock market. Most of this was attributed to the spread of the Omicron strain of Covid. The anticpation that we will go back to a period of less social engagement has made some investors leary of the hospitality industry. Keep in mind that the level of gaming online has never been higher. So while the 1st quarter of 2022 will require management adjustments based on restrictions and staffing, the top teams will still retain market share. You can find value by investing in companies that are historically resilient.

Rush Street Interactive: Current price is $16.78. The 52 week high is $26.55 while the low is $9.47. The recent ground breaking of a new property in Portsmouth Virginia and the prospect of expanding into Chicago Illinois are reasons for optimism. RSI has an outstanding reputation and a proven track record with sportsbooks and gaming in several jurisdictions. RSI is the retail market leader in the three most populous states that have legalized retail sports betting – Pennsylvania, Illinois and New York.

Penn National Gaming: Current price is $51.30. The 52 week high is $142.00 while the low is $43.36. Penn just opened a new casino in Morgantown,Virginia.Penn has been working with Barstool Sports on  opening sports bars in Philadelphia and Chicago as they promote the sports betting app.Louisiana is expected to offer additional sports betting licenses in January and Penn is in consideration.

Boyd Gaming Corporation: Current price is $65.39. The 52 week high is $71.00 while the low is $41.12. Boyd recieved 6 Buy reccomendations from a group of respected stock analysts. They project Boyd as having a high range of $88.00 over the next 6 months.

DraftKings:Current Price is $28.46. The 52 week high is $74.38 and the low is $25.80. DraftKings recieved an overwheming consensus to buy from 32 stock analyst. Name recognition has this as a brand that people are familar with when there is a conversation about sports betting. If the stock price goes up by 20% in 2022, you are looking at a price $34.15. If you purchase 100 shares today,your investment would increase in value by $569.00 in 2022.

 

I look at gaming stock as opportunities to invest in companies that have a presence in major markets that cater to tourism and city that have large populations.As more states add sports betting to their gaming offerings,the price and revenue of casino related stocks that have a strong online presence will go up. Do some research and find the stock and company that is right for you. Keep in mind that buying stock is an investment and should be viewed as long term speculation. Have a number in mind to sell any stock that is descending in price and value. 

If you are on LinkedIn, we can have a professional exchange there. If you chat on Twitter you can follow me for NFL & NBA.

The Metro Report: What's Next?

The year is winding down! as we approach the holidays I want to share with you what I have on my agenda. This is my personalize version of the Metro Report. I am covering the gaming in the following cities. Philadelphia,New York City and Washington DC. are taking center stage between now and Christmas.

In Philly, I had the opportunity to interview two of the top General Managers on the East Coast. I am strongly considering doing more of these. Two of the top restaurants in the city are mentioned and recommended. Check out the interview here. 

Next week in New York City and the Meadowlands Exposition Center in New Jersey. the SBC North America will convene. I am honored to be part of a panel that will tackled the question of How to nurture talent to your sports betting operations. The panel will be moderated by Bronwen Gregg, The other panel members include Allison Bassman,Director of People and Culture for Penn Interactive,Noemie Levy, Talent Acquisition Manager for Bet MGM and Holly Gagnon Co-CEO of Artemis Strategic Investment Corporation. Some of the subjects we will cover include job opportunities,working remotely vs. working on property and diversity. I may have a surprise interview while in NYC. Stay tuned!

Here is a look back at SBC 2019. It includes part of the team from SeventySix Capital. Former Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie and Newly Reelected Governor Phil Murphy attended this event.

 

Then I'll easy down 95 to Washington DC to the Capital One Arena. James Van Stone and the team at Monumental Sports and Entertainment are among the leaders in bringing sports betting to a stadium style venue.  They are the model to emulate and started trends with sports wagering centric broadcasts of Washington Wizards and Washington Capital games. I will be seeing how a world class organization does it first hand with a game day experience that you will not want to miss. The Wizards are currently 4th in the NBA Eastern Conference and will be playing the Utah Jazz.

So this is what's next for me. If you are on LinkedIn, we can have a professional exchange there. If you chat on Twitter,then follow me and we can tweet about gaming and professional sports like NFL & NBA.  Videos similar to what  you saw earlier can be found on Instagram and Facebook.  Stay with me and we can roll into 2022 together. 

3 Takeaways from the G2E 2021

These are my 3 Takeaways from the 2021 G2E. This was my 1st trip to Las Vegas in 2 years so I could have easily added more to my list. But these three are areas I envision that will gain traction over the next 18 months. Watch the video and read my commentary, Tell me what you think about where the gaming industry is going.

1). CashLess Transactions: Even before Covid 19 changed the way we interact with each other,cashless gaming transactions were available in Europe & the UK. Covid is expediting the transition to having those transactions here in the United States. As oppose to counting  a large sum of money and transfering it from your facility to a finacial institution, a digital trnsaction would save time and money. Jonathan Micheals,SVP for Strategic Development of Sightline Payments is instrumental in the conversation about the advantages associated with going cashless.

2). Mobile Technology expansion to the casino floor: Remember the days when using your phone in the sports book or near a table game was totally prohibited. Well look for the advent of a mobile expierience that the casinos will welcome. Resorts World Las Vegas has a loyalty system that a player can utilize if they did not bring their player's card to the casino. If the player has his phone the play can be tracked and the player can recieve an accurate rating of his action. This saves money because the casino does not have to print up a new loyalty card everytime the guest forgets to bring it. It also allows the marketing team to know when you are playing and increases the opportunities for the casino to connect with the guest. A player could have match play downloaded to his phone while playing blackjack or an odd boost tailored to his favorite team after a score.

3).The Importance of Media: The sucessful operators are partnering with media companies to promote brand awareness. So the way to stand out is to have content that is engaging and spurs conversation. How is your message extending beyond your facility? Is it being communicated within your building? The use of social media is imperative to reach outside of your geographical radius. There is a substantial gain associated with a strategic digital marketing plan that operators & media collectively work toward. The propect of gaming and media has me at the perfect intersection.

Follow me on Twitter for more gaming and sports betting related content. During the NBA & NFL season,you can access my work with the hashtag #GTLivechat. Join me and my cohost @KeshisCuties during prime time telecasts when games are on ESPN,TNT,NBC, ABC & NFL Network.

 

The G2E Experience in Espanol

 

Avance de G2E 2021: Mims se dirige a Las Vegas ya que la exposición de juegos será en vivo y virtual este año.

El G2E 2021 es la próxima semana. Estoy emocionado por la oportunidad de ir y tengo la suerte de ser parte de un equipo que valora mis esfuerzos y empeños. No tomo su compromiso conmigo a la ligera y me enorgullece ser miembro de una organización que ve la utilidad de una conferencia como esta.

 Este año, el G2E será un evento virtual y presencial. Empieza el 4 de octubre y termina el 7 de octubre. Los avances tecnológicos en la industria del juego aún estarán en exhibición en la Venetian Expo en Las Vegas, Nevada. Los seminarios educativos cubrirán temas como E Sports, Sports Betting & I Gaming. 

Algunas de las empresas y organizaciones notables que participan en el G2E de este año incluyen Rush Street Gaming, Scientific Games, Seventy-Six Capital, UNLV y Global Gaming Business. Daré más información sobre otros grupos antes del inicio de la conferencia.

 Hay 3 paneles en los que me he registrado: Asisto al panel moderado por Contessa Brewer sobre juegos y diversidad. El segundo panel al que voy a ir es Modernización de pagos de juegos. Este panel es un punto de énfasis que revolucionará la industria de los casinos. El tercer panel sobre dólares y sentido; La forma en que los deportes, las apuestas y los medios están impulsando los resultados es relevante para cualquier profesional de los juegos como yo. 

Anticipo varias oportunidades para establecer contactos mientras estoy en la sala de exposiciones y proporcionaré actualizaciones diarias en las redes sociales. Podrás ver mis tweets en Twitter y mis fotos y videos en Instagram. Mientras le proporciono cobertura y acceso, es posible que esté pensando en asistir. Existen mandatos y precauciones de seguridad vigentes con respecto a las máscaras, las pruebas de covid y las vacunas. Vaya al sitio web de G2E para obtener detalles e información. Tendré un resumen cuando regrese aquí en Bettors Insider.

 

The sports betting coverage of the New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC markets will have the thousand of viewers looking for an edge. I would normally just focus on Las Vegas, Philly and Atlantic City.I expect this to be the most action ever wagered on professional sports over the next calendar year. So I will expand with my Gaming Guy News minutes into the 3 top cities on the East Coast.

The New York Giants play the Washington Football Team on Thursday Night Football. The Giants are getting 3 and the total is 41. The Giants lost to the Denver Broncos and were not able to establish a running game. Giants only gained 60 yards on 20 carries. I am not expecting a great deal of production from Saquon Barkley. This will be two games in 5days after a major injury. Daniel Jones must eliminate the turnovers, Washington lost QB Ryan Fitzpatrick for several games due to a hip injury.

                                                   Eagles +3.5 vs the Niners- Total 50

                                                   Jets +5.5 vs the Patriots - Total 43

The surprise of the week was he play of the Eagles. I thought the Birds could win but I was not thinking domination. I am not as confident with the Niners coming in. It is the 2nd straight road game for San Francisco.

Jets must protect  QB Zach Wilson better in Game 2 against the Pats. The Panther's sacked Wilson 6 times. New York did close with 5 with under 2 minutes to play. Jet have lost 10 straight to the Patriots,

                                                       In The NBA

The Brooklyn Nets improved their team by adding several free agents. Patty Mills, James Johnson and DeAndre Bembry will add depth to the star studded lineup.They will be better defensively. Grade B-.

The Sixers signed Andre Drummond and George Niang to replace Dwight Howard and Mike Scott. While Howard brought energy,Drummond will be more level headed.  Niang is a better shooter than Scott. Grade B+.

The New York Knicks made the biggest impact in free agency with the signing of Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier. The resigning of Derrick Rose means the guard play will improve dramactically. Grade: A.

The Washington Wizards signed Spencer Dinwiddie. If he return to his 2019 numbers of 20.6 points and 6,8 assists,the Wizards are getting a steal of a player.Grade B.

                                                       And now, A Sports Betting Tip

Follow me for more in depth coverage on NFL and NBA on Twitter and Bettors Insider My website  is Smart Responsible Gaming.

The Metro Report: Sports Betting in Philly,New York & Washington DC

 

The sports betting in the New York,Washington DC & Philadelphia markets is about to explode with the start of the NFL. I will share how I think the teams in those regions will fare in their repective divisions.

The New York Giants will finish second in the NFL East. I have them winning 8 or 9 games. If Daniel Jones can eliminate the turnovers and interceptions,they could challenge for the division title.  Sports Illustrated is predicting the Dallas Cowboys to win the NFC East. 

The Washington Football Team will finish third with 8 or 7 wins. I am not convince that a 38 year old Ryan Fitzpatrick will be able to improve this ream signifigantly. No NFC East team has repeated as champion since 2004. This statistic eliminate Washington Football.

The Eagles win finish last with 8 or 7 wins. Philly will be better than last year but not enough to make the playoffs. They will be a run oriented team and Jalen Hurts will operate from the pocket.He will run enough to keep the defenses honest. Expect a good year from Miles Sanders.

The Jets will finish last in the AFC East. I have them winning under 4 games and losing to every team in their divison for the 2nd consecutive year.

Now I will look at individual accomplishments. Which of these teams will have a 1000 yard rusher.It is a little easier to achieve because of the 17 game schedule.

                                                                    Eagles - Miles Sanders

                                                                    Giants- Saquon Barkley

Which one has a quarterback that throws for over 4,000 yards?  

                                                                          None of them

                                             The best reciever on each respective team is

                                                      Washington Football - Terry McLaurin

                                                                     Eagles - Zach Ertz 

                                                                     Giants - Kenny Golladay

                                                                      Jets - Elijah Moore

I am getting ready for the NBA season early. I plan to go to the Barclay Center to see the Nets play the Los Angeles Lakers on 1/25/22. The story lines in that game are exceptional. Russell Westbrook against Kevin Durant. Lebron James and kyrie Irving on opposing teams 5 years after winning a championship together. Add in Anthony Davis against the stat line of James Harden. I chose this game over seeing the Lakers against the Sixers because of the uncertainty of Philly's roster.

 Follow me for more in depth coverage on NFL and NBA on Twitter and Bettors Insider My website   is Smart Responsible Gaming.

The Metro Report: Sports Betting in Philly, Washington DC & New York

The sports betting coverage of the New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC markets are essential to prognosticators. I would normally just focus on Las Vegas, Philly and Atlantic City but times have changed. So I will expand with my Gaming Guy News minutes into the 3 top cities on the East Coast.

The wins totals projected for the NFL season is a very popular wager. These are the projections for the Eagles,Washington Football,Giants & Jets.

                                               Eagles 6.5 Over -150 /Under +120

                                               Washington Football 8.5 Over -120 / Under +100

                                               Giants 7 Over -130 /Under +110

                                               Jets 6 Over +100 / Under -120

I have the Eagles over the 6.5. I project them to beat the Jets,Carolina,Denver, Dallas, Washington,Atlanta and Detroit. 2 possibles with Las Vegas and Giants at home. If the offensive line can stay healthy, the Birds will improve their win total by at least 3. Philly record last year was 4-11-1.

I have Washington under the 8.5. Their schedule is extremely difficult. They play each of last's year playoffs semifinalists, Those 4 games are losses. I have the Giants beating them twice and Eagles & Dallas taking them once. Possible losses to Seattle & Denver on the road.

I have the Giants over 7.  Giants were 4-2 in the division last year. I expect the same record this season.If Saquon Barkley returns to 2019 form, the offense will improve.  I project them to win against Carolina, Miami,Chicago and Atlanta.

I have the Jets under 6. They were 2-14 last year.A new coach and  starting a rookie QB is not the recipe for a 5 win improvement over last year. Jets have won under 5 games in 4 of the last 5 seasons.They go 0-6 in the division again. Jets go 1-3 against the NFC South. Losses to Eagles,Denver,Colts and Tennessee give them 13 L's. Book it!

                                                             Surprise Cuts

                                             Eagles - Jordan Howard RB, Travis Fulgham WR

                                             Washington Football - Peyton Barber RB

                                             Giants - Corey Clement RB, David Sills WR

                                             Jets - Ronnie Blair DL, Josh Adams RB

 

Looking at the NBA matchups in 2021, I am excited about attending the Sixers and Nets on October 22nd at the Wells Fargo Center. I will preview the game on Bettors Insider. These teams are projected to be two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.  My question to you. Will Ben Simmons still be on the team?

My gaming video tip of the week is about the NBA and In Game Betting.

Follow me for more in depth coverage on NFL and NBA on Twitter and Bettors Insider My website is Smart Responsible Gaming.

Getting Ready For the NFL,E Sports & G2E

Labor Day is less than 3 weeks away! So I have to get ready for the best time of the year for me. What time is that? My answer is always when the NFL is about to start and my anticipation of attending the G2E. So I want to prepare you for some of the things you can expect this fall.

I will continue to preview the Thursday Night Games starting on September 9th. My post will appear each week on Bettors Insider. I will share videos that will highlight some of the top fantasy football players every week on Instagram

The Metro Report will return this fall with NFL conversation about the teams in Philly, Washington DC & New York, When the NBA returns on Oct 19, the coverage will expand to the respective teams in the aforementioned cities. This will post every Wednesday.

The Monday Motivation and the Throwback Thursday segments on LinkedIn,Facebook & Twitter will continue. You will reach encouragement and mentorship to start your work week. On Thursdays, expect history concerning gaming & entertainment. If you want to be part of either of these formats as a way to expand your audience, you should check out my website.

GTLHottopics remains on Twitter every Tuesday with a new format. Most of the tweets will be a retweet of the trending sports news item with my commentary along with members of the GTLivechat crew. GTLHottopics and/or GTLivechat will start everyday on Twitter at Sunday thru Thursday at noon. Look for the hashtag #GTLivechat & #GTLHottopics.

The G2E 2021 will start October 4th and end October 7th. I plan to attend and provide coverage of this prestigious event. I will go on record that I will visit and share my opinion about the two newest Las Vegas properties, Circa Las Vegas Casino & Resorts World Las Vegas.

Esports is making it's way back to my website with articles and tournament information. If you or your children are gamers, you will enjoy the bi-weekly commentary.

The things that I am involved in  my role at Rivers Philadelphia Casino would take another blogpost to cover. I can tell you to expect exciting new stuff when it comes to sports betting,slots and table games play.  The team of General Manager Justin Moore, Vice President of Gaming Shawn Harris with the addition of Bennie Mancino (Table Games) & Paul Toennes (Marketing) is going to rock! Go to Rivers Casino Philadelphia for updates.  

                                                                   GET READY!

5 Takeaways from the SBC Digital North America Conference

 

These are some of the takeaways of the SBC Digital North America, an online event that was held June 9^th and 10^th.
I Gaming and Sports Betting are moving the needle in the Gaming and Casino Industry. While there will always be a need for a land base casino hotel, there is a need for the convenience factor that playing online gives to a player. The mobile apps that replicate the brick-and-mortar facilities will resonate with the existing customer.
The use of Social Media is a great opportunity to engage with your clientele and attract new patrons. Using push notifications and tweets that give information are ways that have the public interested in your promotions, if sent at the right time as well as to the right customer.
Innovation will separate successful operators from the masses.
I participated in two panels at the SBC. The 1^st was From the Gaming Floor to Online Slots: Harnessing the Omnichannel Opportunity. I was able to share my expertise in casino operations and how important the loyalty program is. I suggested that the digital wallet program and the brick & mortar should work together. This will keep the player with your organization longer because you are working collaboratively to fulfill their needs. This type of marketing will ultimately increase the lifetime value of the player to your organization.
The second panel address the careers in gaming and sports betting. I was on this panel with George Diemer, associate professor at Temple University. George and I concurred about internships, regulation, and responsible gaming. The industry could be doing more to increase our labor pool and alleviate employment concerns. An increase in flexibility regarding shifts and hours should be a consideration. 

I plan to do my part to help in a recruitment endeavor. I will be going to colleges and universities this fall to advocate what gaming has to offer. I will also have at least one video per month that highlights a job that a college student or job applicant with an aptitude for learning could fulfill. I will not limit my scope to jobs just in one region because of the size and growth of the gaming industry. If there are any casinos that are having recruitment and retention challenges, reach out to me and I will highlight the position that you are trying to fill.  

Follow me on Twitter where I discuss #sportsbetting and #gaming entertainment.  Check out my articles in Bettors Insider and in the January edition of Igaming player. 

The Casino Outlook for the Summer 2021

The wait is over. Casinos have been  given the green light to increase the number of guests they can  accommodate to pre Covid 19 levels. This is welcoming news for the gaming and entertainment industry.The gaming operators have been forced to be resilient over the past 14 months. Most have found challenges with employee retention and acqusition. While that was eased because of the reduction of gaming space,the effort to attract employees must now intensify. Casinos on each coast are offering job referral incentives to current workers and propective hires. One consideration could be to reach out to former employees to gauge their interest in returning in a flexible or part time capacity.

There will be several revenue streams that will recieve a spike in the next 3 months. The Food and Beverage departments along with  hotel  occupancy will approach the historical month to month numbers of 2019. Entertainment will also be a draw to customers looking to go out to shows and concerts. The professional teams are going to full capacity for indoor events so the casinos should be looking to follow suit. Looking at local talent would be a win - win as a gate attraction. 

FYI for those looking for the two hottest concerts in Las Vegas. First is Usher at Caesars Palace. Here is a glimpse of what to expect from the IHeart Radio Awards 2021 and his residency . 

Performance: Usher Sings "Confessions/Love In This Club/My Boo/Yeah" | iHeartRadio Music Awards 2021 - YouTube 

Sports is the vertical that the casinos are betting on. Partnerships with professional teams will boost the use of mobile gaming and sports betting apps.  The marketing opportunities are not just related to wagering on the pre match odds. Extended options involving futures and in game betting should be explored. 

Atlantic City's  revival will be peak during the summer season. Las Vegas will see an increase in their mid week business. The covenience markets like Philly,Washington and Baltimore will have to become creative because they will be competing with other comericial venues for the entertainment spend in those respective cities. 

The leader in all of the aforementioned markets must find their niche and promote themselves effectively. Determine who your customer is and keep that person connected to you. I could expand and give concepts but it would behoove me to share those thoughts in a conversation. For now, you can follow me on LinkedIn and Twitter. 

I will have some exciting news to provide to all you very shortly. Enjoy your summer.

The second performance is Bruno Mars who will be performing at the Park MGM in July. 

Performance: Silk Sonic Sings “Leave The Door Open” | iHeartRadio Music Awards 2021

Follow me on Twitter where I discuss #sportsbetting and #gaming entertainment.  Check out my articles in Bettors Insiders and in the January edition of Igaming player. 

  

 

Take a shot at a new Career

 

This is a unique opportunity for anyone that lives or works in Philadelphia. If you are looking for a new career or one of the many Americans that are open to getting a coronavirus vaccine but have not manage to do so, keep reading.

Rivers Casino Philadelphia is opening the gateway to both scenarios. It is no secret that Rivers is one of the best places in the region to work. The commitment to the staff and patrons is to provide a safe work environment. Hence, the coronavirus clinic.

So where do you fit in?

Rivers is hiring in several departments.

Bryan Meloy,the Food and Beverage Director, has been with Rivers for 10 years. Bryan's career has several highlights that include opening the Wild Wild West in Atlantic City and opening the Rivers Casino Sports Book. He is looking for culinary employees. He would be a great mentor to a food and beverage worker.

Sheri McQueen is a “Day One Leader” joining the Rivers Family in 2010. Sheri was chosen from a group of stellar applicants to be the Table Games Instructor for new dealer candidates. She has taught hundreds of dealers that have went on to supervisory positions with Rivers. The classes are on going and are available on the weekends. A dealer starting hourly rate is approximately 20-23 dollars an hour including tips. This may be a come up for somebody. I forgot to mention the classes are free.

Mike Mastrangelo is our H/R specialist that specializes in matching you up with the position that matches your skill set. If your background involves banking or cashiering, Mike can direct you to a casino cage position. If you have other interest,Mike will find a fit. Rivers wants you to maximize your area of expertise.

So, on Wednesday, May 26 between 2PM and 6PM, Rivers Philadelphia will have a recruiting area at our COVID vaccine clinics “Take a shot at a new Career”.  A Shot, A Career or both. Click this link to see what positions are available.

If you are 12 years old or older (between 12 -17) and are accompanied by a parent or guardian, you can be vaccinated. Free parking is available.

Here is the scheduling link for the vaccine. I look forward to seeing you!

 

Gaming and Entertainment Stocks: Investing in Sports Betting

Many of us have recently recieved stimulus money from the federal government.This is also income tax season. There will be millions of Americans entitled to tax refunds. If you are in a position to speculate on the stock market, the stimulus money and /or the income tax return can jump start that initiative. Looking for reasons and an industry to invest in? Read more!

The economy is slowly returning to Pre Covid levels. Restaurants are expanding their capacity and hours of operations. Casinos are allowing food and beverages to be served in gaming areas. Alcohol has returned to the pit table games. The states are looking to expand revenue options thru gaming.

Sports Betting and online gaming are two popular concepts that have been adopted by as many as 22 states presently.  This is the ideal time to look at investing opportunities in gaming and sports wagering companies. 

I look for stocks based on affordability and profit magin. I research what the price is presently and look at the historical trends of the stock. If a stock is trading at $25 and a year earlier  had a purchase price of $50, I see a potential growth. I will look at the business plans of that company and determine if they are a good buy. I also set a price that I would be content to sell the stock at. If I bought 100 shares at $25, I would be happy to have the stock reach $35 a share. Contrastly, I have a depreciation price where I would sell and cut my losses. If the stock goes under 20 and has never done that in a 3 year period, I will sell and look to start again with another stock.Looking for the hottest deals and best gaming stocks?  continue reading after the video.

Draft Kings: The current price is $48. The median expected price in the next 12 months is $75. It has a high estimate of 105 and a low of 41. Draft Kings made a recent acquisition of VSIN Network. “VSiN creates authentic and credible content that resonates with sports bettors at every level, whether they’re experienced or new to sports betting,” said Jason Robins, DraftKings’ co-founder, CEO and Chairman of the Board. CNN Money grade this stock as a buy.

Penn National Gaming: The current price is $86. The outlook for Penn National is good because they own Barstool Sports. Barstool is presently in 3 states and projecting to be in as many as 10 by the end of the year. The Street's Jim Cramer gave Penn a definite buy on 5/7/21. Jay Snowden,CEO of Penn National Gaming, expess optimism because of Barstool approach to player acquisition and the reopening of the economy.

Rush Street Interactive: RSI rang the opening bell on Wall Street on 1/5/21.The current price is $13. The recent moves by Rush Street are the signs of encouragement. Rush Street was nominated for the Operator of the Year by the EGR Awards for 2021. Then the announcement of Lauren Seiler as Associate Vice President of Investor Relations and Development. She brings expertise in i-gaming,sports wagering, land based operations and finance. BetRivers.com is thriving in Pennsylvania and is postioned in several new jurisdictions. Growth opportunity at the current price.

Several sports and gaming stocks have made major acquisitions. Caesars Entertainment acquired William Hill within the last two weeks.MGM Grand with  it's sports betting app, Bet MGM ,have stated they are in the top 3 in the each of the markets where the platform is available. Fan Duel or Flutter Entertainment is a definite watch because of the name recognition of the brand. PointsBet has extended into a partnership with Penn National that will include 7 states. 

There are several prominent companies that are not mentioned. You should take time to research the gaming ,sports betting and i gaming industries to find the best buy for your buck. There is a synergy between the three that offers value to the stock holder. I hold shares of several of the companies mentioned in this post.

Follow me on Twitter where I discuss #sportsbetting and #gaming entertainment.  Check out my articles in Bettors Insider and in the January edition of Igaming player. 

Metro Report: NFL NFC East Draft Grades

I just finished watching the top 3 rounds of the NFL Draft 2021. I will give my grade of how each team in the NFC East fared with their first three selections. My grades are based on the team and their needs going into the Draft.

Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles started out by moving up in the draft to 10 and selecting Devonta Smith. Smith was the Heisman Trophy Winner and the top reciever in college. His weight of 166 pounds did not scare the Eagles. It should be noted that Ja'Marr Chase and Jaylen Waddle were selected before Smith. The Eagles went after another Alabama standout in Landon Dickerson. He is a beast but has a history of injuries. He tore his ACL during the SEC championship game in December. In the 3rd round,Philly aded depth to the defensive line with the addition of Milton Williams, defensive tackle from Louisiana Tech. The selection of Dickerson and Williams were perplexing because the o line is relatively young with the exception of Jason Kelce. Birds had a glaring need to add to the secondary and they did not do it.  Grade B-.

Dallas Cowboys: Dallas traded with their rival,the Eagles and selected Micah Parsons from Penn State.Parson was thought to be the best defensive player in the draft. He did not play in 2020 because he opted out to prepare for the NFL. The Cowboys added more defensive help with their 2nd and 3rd round selections of  Kelvin Joseph and Osa Odighizuwa. The Cowboys addressed their abysmal defense with each of these selections. They should improve immediately if two of these picks become starters.Grade A.

New York Giants: The Giants traded back and gain a number one pick in next years's NFL Draft. They selected Kadarius Toney,a wide reciever from Florida. He is a play maker but the Giants appear to have address that need during free agency when they signed Kenny Galladay. Georgia's Azeez Ojulari  will bring immediate help to the outside linebacker position by being selected 2nd. Ojulari was projected as a late first round pick. Adoree Robinson is a CB from Central Florida. He was selected in the 3rd round. While cornerback was also a position that free agent Adoree Jackson was signed to fill, you can always use additional coverage personnel.  By adding more picks, the Giants made this draft and 2022 look very good. Grade A+

Washington Football: Washington improved the team by adding Jamin Davis an inside linebacker from Kentucky. The defense was already elite so adding speed to the linebacker position fits. There is a concern at QB that would have require Washington to move up to go after Justin Fields, The 2nd selection was Samuel Cosmi, OT from Texas. Benjamin St-Juste and Dyami Brown were both taken in the 3rd round. Justus will help in coverage and Brown give Washington another weapon at WR.  Brown can compliment Terry McLaurin. Grade B.

Check out this week's poll on my website and tell me which NFL NFC East team did the best job in the 1st three rounds of the Draft?

Follow me on Twitter where I discuss #sportsbetting and #gaming entertainment.  Check out my articles in Bettors Insider and in the January edition of Igaming player. 

Back to Sporting Events and Casino Entertainment

Last week,I went to my first sporting event in over a year. I attended the Sixers and Phoenix Suns game at the Well Fargo Center.   I was not sure what to expect but I was prepare to execise all precautions that the venue has in place. Since there was a capacity on attendance the traffic going to the game was non existent. What would normally take about 20 -24 minutes took about 15. 

Parking was easily accessible with only certain lots being utilize. Entering the facilty was similar to any other time attending a game. Everyone was wearing a mask. There is a mandatory tempature check.There were no programs that highlight the team and the opponent's game information. Seating was set up to conform with social distancing. There was no one on the row with us.  

If you plan to purchase something from the concession stands or gift shops, prepare to wait in line. There is no social distancing regarding the line. You must have a credit or debit card because all transactions are cashless. I did not see any vendors bring food or drinks to the patrons at their seats. I imagine if you were in a suite that amenity would be available. Time to avoid the restroom is during halftime and a break between quarters. 

I was told that the Phillies have a unique way of enforcing the mask on policy. They have an usher on patrol that will hold up a sign requesting that you keep your mask up if you forget or neglect to do so. While the capacity at the baseball games are larger, the precautions are still in place for you to have an enjoyable and safe expierience.

If you are planning to attend a casino for the first time since the pandemic shut hotels and gaming operations down over a year ago, expect a reduction in gaming spots. Table games that would have accomodated 6 people are now set for 4 patrons.  Casino shows are about to return soon with Dave Chappelle at Foxwood Resort in Connecticutt on June 25th. Usher will begin his residency in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace on July 16.  I would look into booking a flight now to save money. As the summer approaches, airlines will raise prices to meet the demand of more people flying domestically.

I''m looking forward to this fall when the G2E will return Oct 4th thru the 7th. I plan to arrive early and take in a show while I am in town. I will let you know who is headlining as the conference approaches. As more people are vaccinated the level of normalcy will return and the interactions will resume. Keep adhering to the CDC guildlines and we will prevail against COVID- 19.

Follow me on Twitter where I discuss #sportsbetting and #gaming entertainment.  Check out my articles in Bettors Insider and in the January edition of Igaming player. 

Sweet Sixteen

The Sweet Sixteen is set. Not exactly how I envisioned it. But that is the beauty of the tournament. Let's look ar the matchups and try to get an Elite Eight.

Gonzaga beats Creighton: Gonzaga is the most explosive team and have scored over 80 points in both of their games. Creighton does not have enough firepower and must play exceptional just to hang around. Bulldogs -13.5 and 158.

Oregon over USC: Oregon controled Iowa and never let them in the game. I expect the same again when they play the Trojans. Should be a high scoring game. Ducks -2.5 and 139.

Alabama destroys UCLA: Alabama is the 2nd best team in the tournament right now. They will shoot exceptional from distance. Bruins run out of the gym. Bama -6 and 145.5

Michigan defeats Florida State: Michigan is deeper and more talented. They wear State down in a close game early and pull away late. Wolverines -3 and 143.5.

Houston over Syracuse: Houston will solve the Cuse zone and dominate the glass. Defensively sound enoughto hold Buddy Bonheim under 20 points. He has to get 25 or more for Orangeman to stay in it. Cougars -6 and 140.5.

Loyala Chicago beats Oregon State: Loyala control the tempo and wins this game. I can't go against Sister Jean after she prdicted the win over Illinois. Pac 10 have been impressive but styles dictate a Ramblers win. Ramblers -6.5 and 125.

Oral Roberts upsets Arkansas: The high powered Golden Eagles continue their impressive run and defeat the Razorbacks. Oral Roberts +11 and 159.

Baylor over Villanova. Nova is tournament ready and surprise me to get this far without Collin Gillespie. Baylor is too strong and will wear the Wildcats out. Bears -6.5 and 140.5.

My bracket that I selected prior to the tournament needs wins from Baylor, Houston,Gonzaga, Alabama and Arkansas to stay in the hunt. In making my selections, I looked at how the teams are playing now. If you view the entire remaining teams as a reseed then it is easier to evaluate the field. When you get to the Elite Eight I would look at the higher seeded team winning in each game. So they will be one or wo more upsets left before the Final Four.  To quote Jay Z, "Choose One".

Hopefully your teams will be on to the next one and meet in the Elite Eight. Follow me on Twitter where I discuss #sportsbetting and #gaming entertainment.  Check out my articles in Bettors Insider and in the January edition of Igaming player. 

The Battle for Philadelphia Gaming: Round One

The official opening of Live Casino & Hotel in South Philadelphia expanded the gaming casinos in this region to five. They include Rivers Casino Philadelphia, Harrah's Philadelphia Casino, Parx Casino and Valley Forge Casino and Resort. Each of the existing venues has it's own niche. It was a competive and comfortable environment with 4 players. Philadelphia's population of 1.5 million people can accommodate gaming and entertainment for 4 casinos. Live Casino is betting that 5 casinos can coexist and they will be the premiere destination. 

The revenue in Pennsylvania Gaming dropped by more than 20% in 2020. This was largely due to the closing of casinos due to COVID -19. Traditional land-based casino revenue nearly halved. Pennsylvania's casinos racked up approximately 1,500 closure days, or 33% of the days the casinos would have operated normally. Slot-machine revenue fell by $1 billion to $1.3 billion, while table games revenue fell by $400 million to $500 million. However, internet gambling shot up 17 times from $34 million in 2019 to $566 million, and sports betting more than doubled to almost $190 million.

These numbers give two conclusions. The first is the appetite for online gaming is substantial. There is a tremendous opppotunity because of sports betting to introduce new customers to your gaming operation. The second conclusion is that due to limits on capacity, each of the two casino in Philadelphia is on even ground. The relaxing of the food and beverage restraints will level the playing field equivalent to the venues outside the city limits that were able to continue those operations with safety protocols in place.

So each property in the Philadelphia region has the opportunity to rearraign it's share of the market. Some people see competition as a threat. I look at it as an opportunity to improve your game. Identify your strengths and shore up your weaknesses. Find ways to energize your staff and reconnect with your customers. COVID has made managing a gaming operation extremely challenging. One of the best owners I ever work for told me you can't be afraid to try new stuff. It's time.

                                                                      Time is Now

The challenge is there for all 5 casinos. The bell just rang! It's Round One!

Follow me on Twitter where I discuss #sportsbetting and #gaming entertainment.  Check out my articles in Bettors Insider and in the January edition of Igaming player. 

Tribute to 3 Trail Blazers:

The month of January saw 3 iconic Black trail blazers transition from this earth. In the spirit of Black History Month, I want to acknowledge each of them. 

John Chaney was the legendary coach of Cheyney State and Temple University. Coach Chaney gave opportunities to inner city youthsto play Division One Basketball. He was one of the few coaches that would recruit  prop 48 players that were declared ineligible as freshmen. This rule was later changed because it was found to be discriminatory against black students because of the use of standardize testing that had cultural bias against minorities. Coach Chaney was a father figure to many of his players. He was instrumental in making the Atlantic Ten one of the top conferences in the country. 

Hank Aaron was the home run king of Major League  Baseball. He was able to surpass Babe Ruth record that has stood for decades. As he approved 714 home runs, he was besieged with hate mail and death threats. He kept the mail but never allow it to deter his pursuit of the record. He was playing in the deep South where discrimination was prevalent and a norm. Aaron was named to the MLB Hall of Fame and is still considered one of the best baseball players of all time.

Cicely Tyson was an actress and fashion model. She was known for her portrayal of strong black characters. Tyson refused to play stereotypical roles that demeaned people of color. Her stance cost her money and acting opportunities. Tyson felt it was more important to be a credit to her race and give an example of setting a standard that others could follow. She was nominated for an Oscar, won Emmys and NAACP Image Awards thru out her career that spanned 7 decades. 

If you think you are going threw it, think about the real struggles that these trailblazers went thru. Each of them raise their voices so you could be heard.

The Super Bowl Contest

The Super Bowl 55 Contest is here. Are you ready to win some NFL gear?  This is going to be fun and easy. Here are the steps. 

Enter for a chance to win one of five prizes of sport apparel, worth approximately $200, collectively. The merchandise is from the NFL Shop and Fanatics.

Restrictions: Must be over 21 years of age to submit an entry. No entries from any social media accounts that appear to be created solely for the purpose of this contest will be considered.

Start date is 1/31/21 at 9:00 AM  and the End date for submitting entries is Sunday 2/7/21 at midnight.

                                                              Compete on Twitter

Follow @GamingguyM & @KeshisCuties on Twitter. Tweet your best question pertaining to Super Bowl 55. Tag two people with your question along with GamingguyM & KeshisCuties. If you don't have a question, you can submit a GIF or a Meme. We only ask that you do not submit multiple entries. We pick the best one submitted. No profanity or inappropriate comments will be considered. Think PG-13. 

                                                              Compete on Instagram

Follow @SmartResponsibleGaming on Instagram. Post your best photo or video pertaining to the Super Bowl. Tag two people with your photo or video along with me. We pick the best one. This contest is not sponsored or associated with Instagram.  Only one entry per this medium.

                                                               Compete on LinkedIn 

Become part of my LinkedIn Network. You can share my post to your network and leave a comment on my post. Give your Super Bowl prediction of the winner and the total points scored in the game. The tie breaker is the order of your comment. Example, if your comment is third and someone that has the same prediction as you is the fourth to answer, you win because you answered and shared before they did. You must share and comment to be considered. Only one prediction and total points entry per person.

                                                                    The prizes include

 

Pick the one item you want of these 5 and it will be shipped to you, if your entry is selected. You can enter on each social media platform to increase your chances of winning. So if you have a Twitter account and a Instagram page, you can submit something on both.  I almost forgot the most important thing. This contest is free!  Good Luck and enjoy the game!

Winners will be announced on Monday, February 8th. All entries must be submitted by midnight on February 7. The same day as the Super Bowl.

Follow me on Twitter for conversations  leading up to the game and watch my videos on Instagram.