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.