Wednesday, December 30, 2020

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



Since the advent of Sports Betting the coverage of the New York, Washington DC and Philadelphia markets are essential to prognosticators. So I will expand with my Gaming Guy News minutes into the 3 top cities on the East Coast.



Washington Football stunned the fan base and media by cutting Dwayne Haskins from the team. This season has not been very good statistically for the 1st round pick of 2019. He had 5TD and 7 interceptions this year with a rating of 73. Haskins had 5 fumbles and was sacked 20 times. He was receiving more attention for his off the field actions that resulted in him losing his captaincy and being fined 40,000 for violations regarding COVID protocols. He was not claimed on waivers but there is interest around the league. Expect him to be in some NFL camp next summer.

The Eagles are eliminated from the playoff picture after losing to the Cowboys. They play Washington on SNF. If Washington wins, they clinch the division. The Giants play the Cowboys earlier in the day. The winner of that game makes the playoffs if the Eagles defeat Washington. Washington Football is favored by 1.5 and the over/under is 43.5 The Cowboys are favored by 3 with a total of 44. 

The Nets lost Spencer Dinwiddie for the remainder of the season due to a partial torn ACL.  They are extremely deep, so expect Landry Shamet and Caris LeVert to get more minutes. Earlier this week, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving sat out because of back to back games. This is something to expect with the shortest off season in NBA history. Here is a sports betting minute that will help you wager on the NBA. 


On Tuesday, the Sixers beat the Raptors 100-93. Joel Embiid lead the team with 29 points and 16 rebounds. They play again on New Year's Eve against the Orlando Magic. Sixers should be a slight favorite. 

The Knicks are playing inspired basketball and have won two straight.  They demolished the Bucks by 20 and proceeded to beat the Cavaliers 95-86. Julius Randle had a triple double with 28 points,12 rebounds and 11 assists. They play the Raptors on New Year's Eve on the road. Raptors should be favored by 7 to 9 points.


The Wizards are off to a disappointing start of 0-4 with 3 of those losses coming at home. Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal have played well but the team is not strong defensively.  Beal is averaging 32 a game and Westbrook flirts with a triple double every game. Expect the Wizards to handle the Bulls in the 2nd game of a back to back. 

The sports betting action in New York is being done with Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment at the PointsBet Counter. The hours of operation are 11-6 PM, seven days a week. They are not open on holidays. If you are in New Jersey, you can do live and traditional pre match betting via mobile app. PointsBet has received accolades for their unique weekly promotions.

Follow me on Twitter for conversations and watch my videos on Instagram.







Wednesday, December 23, 2020

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




Since the advent of Sports Betting the coverage of the New York, Washington DC and Philadelphia 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.



Nets had their season opener on Tuesday Night. They defeated the Warriors 125-99.  Kyrie Irving had 26 points. Kevin Durant scored 22 and had 5 rebounds. The Warriors were led by Stephen Curry who scored 20 and had 10 assists. I see the Nets winning the division and having the best conference record. They should get a better test against the Celtics on Christmas Day.

The Sixers open tonight against the Wizards. The defense did not look formidable in the Wizards pre season games. The Sixers are favored by 7.5 and the total is 229. Joel Embiid looked sharp in his one preseason game. His prop bets total are 26.5 in points and 11.5 in rebounds. I am looking at the chemistry of Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook. Great players can figure things out.  



Washington Football is still leading the division with 2 games left. Dwayne Haskins is starting as of this report. He will go against the Carolina Panthers. Panthers just held the the Packers to 3 points in the 2nd half of their game on Saturday. The extra day of rest will help them. Haskins threw 55 times against Seattle. Keep that in mind when you look at his projected attempts this week. Washington is favored by 2.5 and the total is 44.5.

Giants are in 2nd right now a game in back of Washington. The Giants can't score with Colt McCoy under center. He showed he can move the team but they are poor in the red zone. This week they play the Ravens. Ravens are playing lights out and are favored by 11. Total is 45. Lamar Jackson is playing at the MVP level of last season. Giant chance of winning the division is 16%.

Eagles and Cowboys will play with the loser being eliminated from contention. Jalen Hurts will make his 3rd consecutive start. Cowboys have won two straight. Both teams need to win and get help to make the final game of the season be meaningful. The Eagles are -2.5 and the total is 49.5.

Sport Business and Wagering News: Rivers Philadelphia posted strong numbers in November. The Sports Betting Handle was approximately 27.4 million with 70.8% generated online. Due to COVID 19 restrictions, the retail operation will be closed until after the New Year. I would anticipate the handle to increase with some of the retail play shifting over to mobile, 

Follow me on Twitter for conversations and watch my videos on Instagram. Merry Christmas!


Tuesday, December 15, 2020

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

.


Since the advent of Sports Betting the coverage of the New York, Washington DC and Philadelphia 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 Giants are now in 2nd place in the NFC East. The Cardinals handle them easily and Daniel Jones did not look comfortable coming back from a hamstring injury. They are playing the Browns this week at home. Browns are favored by 3.5 in the opening line. After a thrilling loss to the Ravens on MNF in a game considered one of the best of the year, expect the number to go up.




The Washington Football team took over 1st place in the NFC East. After Dwayne Haskins came into the game for injured QB Alex Smith, the Washington defense rallied and took an interception to the end zone. They play the Seahawks at home this week and are 5.5 underdogs. While both team need the game, the betting public makes this number go to 6 or higher by game time.

The Eagles won for the 1st time in 5 weeks with Jalen Hurts having his 1st start as QB. He provided the spark the team needed and kept them in the race for the division. They are 1.5 games back with 3 to play. They have an 11% chance of winning the East. Their best scenario is to win out and Washington lose at least 1 of their next two games. They face the Cardinals this week and are getting 6.5. That line should stay static.


Sixers played a preseason game against the Celtics. They won 108-99 with the starters playing most of their minutes in the 1st half. No news on the James Harden watch. If the Sixers do go in on Harden ,the pieces they would have to consider moving are Tobias Harris, Matisse Thybulle and Mike Scott. The depth on the team would be lessened considerably. The addition of Harden would make the Sixers a championship contender. The Sixers have a projected win percentage of 58.5%. They would have to win 43 games to surpass that projection.

Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving looked impressive in his preseason game against the Wizards. Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal  sat the game out. After the game, Westbrook and KD embraced and spoke briefly. That was good for both of them considering how their relationship frayed when KD left OKC 4 years ago. The Wizards have a projected winning percentage of 45,5%. To exceed that projection they would have to win 33 games.

Sports Business and Sports Betting in DC is doing well on the retail side. William Hill & Monumental Sports and Entertainment  are increasing their handle every month. The average bet on a kiosk is approximately $125.  Parx Casino in Philadelphia had a combine retail and online gross revenue in October of 3,2 million before taxes. Those numbers will increase when the NBA returns to action.

Follow me on Twitter for conversations and watch my videos on Instagram.



Saturday, December 12, 2020

Christmas Gifts that a Gambler or Gaming Executive would love



With Christmas just a little more than a week away ,the scramble is on to pick out the perfect gift for the gambler or gaming executive in your life. There is a commonality in those two people. Not only do they share the same environment such as a casino, racetrack or sports book  but they are knowledgeable about the world of risk. They like the excitement and the fanfare of participating or watching games. So any of these gifts that I mention now are stocking stuffers.

The 1st is a scratch off or lottery ticket. The chance of a $1.00 ticket turning into a 6 or 7 figure payout is extremely low. But the recipient will feel like a million dollars until the drawing takes place or the result is revealed.

The 2nd is a smart watch from Apple. This serves no many functions other  than telling time. It can track the gaming executive's steps per day and the gambler withdrawals from the ATM. Either of those individuals will call and thank you on that same watch. The cost is approximately 199.00.


The 3rd is a trip to Las Vegas in 2021. No gambler or gaming executive would want to go right now, but if you plan a trip for the beginning of the 3rd quarter, they would take you up on it. A vaccine should be readily available by then. If the tickets and accommodations are booked no, you could get a good rate especially if the trip is planned mid week. Usher begins his Caesars Palace residency on July 16 2021. Tickets start at 150.00. 

Before I share the last two options here is my gift to you.

The 4th is buying a gift card from Draft Kings. This is an sports betting industry first. The recipient would love it if they live in a state that has sports betting. They could use the card to add funds to an already existing account. The account must be with Draft Kings. I am sure other operators will emulate this. The card will be available in $25 and $50 denominations  in convenience stores like Sheetz, 7 Eleven, Dollar General and Speedway. 

The 5th and final gift option is purchasing a stock from a publicly trading casino or gaming company. You may want to look at a sports betting company for the recipient. If you want to start the process you can open an E Trade account or confer with your broker if you already invest on Wall Street. Why not give a gift that gives your friend or family member more? There are several options that I see as definite buy situations. I will expand on that in a future article.

Follow me on Twitter for NBA and NFL conversation. You can see my videos and photos on Instagram. Reach out professional thru Linkedin. My website is smartresponsiblegaming.com I also write articles for Bettors Insider, where you will receive the most comprehensive gaming, casino and sports betting coverage from an outstanding staff of former writers for the Philadelphia Inquirer & Daily News.


Saturday, December 5, 2020

The Key Takeaways from the Bet on Sports America Conference

I was so impressed with the Bet on Sports America Conference that I wanted to follow up with 5 key takeaways for anyone that is working or interested in gaming, media and sports betting.


The advent of sports betting is in it's infancy. Sports betting has been legal in states outside of Nevada for just under 3 years. So many states have yet to legalize it. More over so many people are not aware that you can do it legally. Most sports books are populated by men. Hmm!!  Educate and Advertise. 

The pandemic has prompted an increase in online gaming and mobile sports betting. In October, Nevada books set a monthly record for betting handle at 659.6 million. 376.9 million was wager via mobile. Since we can't gather due to COVID the way to stay engaged with your players is remotely. Use all mediums available to you. Be consistent with your content and attempt to respond as close to real time as possible.

The partnerships between the media outlets and professional sports teams now have sports betting operators as a common denominator. Imagine if Google or Facebook enter the equation. They have the followers and could generate liquidity. Yahoo is involved and has it's own Sports division. Yahoo's sports betting platform is powered by BetMGM. 


Some of the professional teams that participated in the conference were the Sixers, Eagles, Flyers and New Jersey Devils.



The time is perfect for entrepreneurs and developers. If you can come up with an app or program that is easy to navigate and appeals to a gaming centric audience,  major corporations will find you. If someone comes up with a way to monetize Esports on a betting platform that makes gaming legislators and operators comfortable, they will be rich!  Nearly half a billion people play Esports or watch others play by streaming.

Don't be afraid to fail. If you're not taking risk on new technology and concepts now, when will you? I'll give you one concept. Meet with other industries that you can partner with. Make sure the partner aligns with your mission statement and core values. Don't sleep on small local businesses as a way of helping generate interest in what you are doing.  

This is the 4th conference that I have attended this year. 3 of them were after the pandemic shutdown in March. Add that to my expertise about casino operations along with my education regarding sports betting and you get a composite view of gaming  If you want more information or insight, we need to talk. In closing I want to quote Ben Franklin. "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest."

If you want a recap of the entire conference click here.

My website is  smartresponsiblegaming.com.  Follow me on Twitter and Facebook for conversations & Instagram for photos/videos.

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

History and Why So Long



This past two weeks, there have been several notable accomplishments in the world of sports. The Florida Marlins hired Kim Ng as the first woman to become an MLB general manager. She has been in the conversation for GM jobs for more than a decade. She has interviewed for more than 6 teams since 2015.Ng was an assistant GM with the New York Yankees during a 4 year period. Under that tenure, the Yankees won 3 World Series and 4 AL pennants.



Last night. the NFL set history by having an all Black officiating crew during the Monday Night Football game between the Buccaneers and the Rams. Referee Jerome Boger led the crew, which also included umpire Barry Anderson, down judge  Julian Mapp, line judge Carl Johnson, side judge Dale Shaw, field judge Anthony Jeffries and back judge Greg Steed. The 1st Black official in any major sport was Burl Toler ,hired by the NFL in 1965.

                                                Now the Question. Why so long?

MLB was started in 1869 and is 151 years old. NFL hired it's 1st official of color 55 years ago. So it took collectively 206 years to find a qualify woman and 6 African Americans to run a baseball organization and officiate a professional football game. Studies have shown that the most successful organizations are the ones that embrace and advocate diversity. While accepting change is a not easy it is a necessity. Too often the same people get another chance after failing while another group gets overlooked and told you just missed the cut.

"It's easy to stay sleep but it is hard to be awoke." A quote from Sade Mims.  This statement challenges decision makers to accept the responsibility to make opportunities equal to all qualified applicants. 

                                                              What's the solution?

A resume that is gender and color free. No mention on the application of sexual orientation or ethnic origin. If these characteristics are removed, the decision makers are now looking at the educational history and the professional accomplishments of the job seekers. HR fact checks the applicant and ask them to submit to an assessment test. Then you get the best candidates going before a panel that will make the final decision. If someone is close but does not get the position, tell them what they can do to put them over the top when they apply again. The progressively thinking companies have manager training courses. They are able to institute a pipeline that levels the playing field for women and minorities.  A management team should be reflective of their clientele. If a business caters to 40% women patrons, the managerial and corporate team should have a representation that is fairly indicative of that clientele. These practices work in corporate America and Professional Sports.  You just have to be awoke to use them. 

The historical events of the past 2 weeks should not take another 206 years to happen again. 😎

                              Follow me for more insights on Twitter and LinkedIn.


Saturday, November 7, 2020

Mid Season MVP: Wilson or Mahomes


Russell Wilson is having a phenomenal year. He leads the NFL in touchdowns and his team is 6 -1. He has  thrown for 2151 yards. He has never won the MVP award. 


Patrick Mahomes is also playing excellent, He has thrown for 2315 yards & 21 TDs. His team is 6 -1.  He won MVP in 2018.

Let's look at their stats  Mahomes is on the top line

CMPATTCMP%YDSAVGTDINTLNGRTG
19028466.92,3158.221154115.0
18325671.52,1518.426662120.7

These two Super Bowl Champions have two of the top teams in football. They are being challenged by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Pittsburgh Steelers.






 I will initiate a Twitter poll that you can participate in. Pick the MVP by clicking here. Select the best team by clicking here.




                                                        Follow me on Twitter and Facebook.

Friday, October 23, 2020

GQ, BOYDS and Me

 

Last week, I was able to have one of the best moments in my life. I was asked to interview for a segment of the Conde Nast and GQ installment, "The Breakdown”. The episode was focusing on Pit Managers.  I was pleasantly surprised when contacted. The surprise did not stem from the being asked questions about gaming and casino operations. I have always been a fan of GQ and patronized the magazine for information and visual inspirations for what to wear.  



My business attire comes from Boyds of Philadelphia. The store is one of the best men stores on the East Coast and has been mentioned several times in GQ.

Some of the questions posed to me by the producers were about my background and some of the places that I have worked. The questions about the relationship between the dealers and the players is what I want to share with you. The dealer is really hoping that the player does well so he will receive a tip or gratuity. The players have the impression that the dealers are their adversaries. The dealer makes most of his money from tips, so it is important to build a synergy with the player.

The best and most popular games are Blackjack and Baccarat.  The odds are player friendly and the availability of a game is generally high. While Covid 19 has changed the amount of people allowed to play at one time, the public demand has not diminished.  The producers seemed pleased with my responses. They laughed when I told them I subscribe to the magazine. That 35 minutes was my WOW moment. It was done on Zoom. I dressed up as if I were going to work. They noticed!



I felt like I has received an Academy Award nomination. 

                                 And the winner is

Just to be considered means all the social media posts, the articles and the blog post are being noticed by people and organizations that I have the utmost respect for. Keep watching and get ready for my next big move. Look for me at the G2E.


Follow me for more insights on LinkedIn,Twitter Facebook and Instagram.



Saturday, September 12, 2020

Gaming Forecast for the remainder of 2020

I decided to assess what I see for 3 gaming regions. The regions are Nevada, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Everything that I hypothesis is based on COVID 19 levels. The CDC has projected a rise in cases this fall. The cold and flu season is approaching and will impact the public willingness to convene in crowded venues.



I will focus on the major cities in each of the regions. Las Vegas will still be slow to move toward recovery. Airline flights are still under capacity with extremely limited international passengers. All major convention business has been scrapped for this year.  There is talk of some concerts being scheduled in show rooms. Usher is planning a residency performance in 2021 at Caesars Palace. There are tremendous deals on room rates during the week that may tempt you to fly out for a three day - two-night getaway.




Atlantic City is still one of the top ten trip destinations in the United States according to Trip Adviser.  The casinos just received a boost with the return of dine in restaurant service. Casino restaurants, like every other restaurant, must observe the many restrictions put into place including 25% percent capacity, tables spaced 6 feet apart, patrons required to wear masks while not eating or drinking. This will entice visitors to come to the shore during the months of September thru November. The price of gas is relatively low and will motivate patrons to take a drive to America’s greatest playground. I would strongly suggest having a reservation if you are dining. Atlantic City is allowing the resumption of smoking on the casino floor. This is not in the best interest of the employees and patrons at the casinos. It allows the shore to offer something that will bring in additional revenue. The risk does not appear to be worth it. 

 

 





Philly has also extended the amenities to include food. This is consistent with the casinos that are operating outside of Philadelphia County. 24-hour gaming is going to return on September 18.  The casinos have beefed up their efforts to keep the facilities clean and have maintain temperature check policy that protects the guests and the employees. An increase of deep cleaning and disinfecting the front and back of house areas is already underway. When the capacity levels are increased to accommodate more guests, the challenge the casinos will face will be staffing. If the capacity level were increased to 40-50% by October 31, that would be a treat. Lastly, Poker should be revisited and opened with a limitation on the amount of people allowed at a table. Other modifications should include no smoking, changing cards frequently and online reservations during peak times of play.

My view is this week's Monday Motivation of optimism. The gaming industry will return to profitable levels in convenience and urban markets quicker than the resort areas. All operators must find ways to create the environment that places safety first while providing an exceptional entertainment experience. The opinions expressed are my own. The creativity I shared is to inform you of what can be accomplished during difficult circumstances.


Follow me for more insights on LinkedIn,Twitter Facebook and Instagram.




Friday, August 28, 2020

The Twitter Expansion of GTLivechat and GTLHottopics

Robert M.Mims


I want to share some exciting news about my plan to expand my engagement on Twitter. At the start of the NBA shutdown due to COVID 19, I started a doing a twitter chat 3 nights a week. The conversations included sports, sports business and sports betting. It was expanded to include music from contemporary artists and delve into their music catalogues. The audience grew exponentially over the 4 months and expanded to cover both the east and west coast.  The chat achieved approximately 30,000 impressions during the ESPYS on June 21st.

Since sports have returned the format has changed. The conversation or threads can't last as long in the evening because the games are rightfully taking center stage. A mid day version of the chat was added to engage the audience longer. This addition captured positive results. With the NFL coming in two weeks, it makes sense to expand the coverage, Start on September 1st, the chat will be on 4 nights. Those nights will be Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. A mid day version will happen on each of the aforementioned days of the week with Wednesday included at noon. 

The night chats will start at 7:30 prior to an NFL game. The conversation before any other game(NBA,MLB,NHL,WNBA or Tennis) will start 30 minutes before the contest.  There will still be polls that will gauge your opinions, questions that pertain to your sports betting selections and data that will help you make an informed decisions. We also highlight our followers by sharing their tweets and applaud their creativity when they include a GIF. On Thursday, there is a women in media segment that spotlights the achievements of  female athletes, reporters and business executives. On Fridays, we will still do Shout Outs and #FF. If you follow we follow back. 

Nkeshi Free 


The chat are cohosted by Nkeshi Free. She adds the creative side to the collaboration and is knowledgeable in all sports. Her twitter handle is @KeshisCuties. My twitter handle is @GamingguyM.

Tuesday is the #GTLHottopics day. All other days we use the #GTLivechat.

You can get updated information at smartresponsiblegaming.com


Saturday, August 8, 2020

What's Next?

 


I am starting to look at universities and colleges this fall. Hold up. I am not thinking about taking a course or getting my Masters. I plan to offer my presentations virtually. I have visited several schools in this immediate region. They include Saint Joseph University, Temple University, Drexel University, Penn State, Delaware State University and Stockton University. Since the COVID pandemic makes going to the schools a risky venture even for a gaming professional like myself, I decided to use technology and make things easier. 

I am looking at schools not only in the mid Atlantic region but any state that is considering  adding  sports wagering to it's gaming statues. This includes Virginia, Washington DC, Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida and Georgia. The states of Illinois, Indiana and Colorado have recently legalized sports betting so I would anticipate ther would be some interest there as well.

So many educators will be curious why sports betting is a topic that their student would want to learn about. I will share two reasons. One is it is a revenue generator that is part of every professional sports pre game telecast.  Second are the business partnerships that are associated with sports wagering include the professional sports leagues, casinos, hotels and major restaurant chains. Each of these organizations will be employers for many of your students that are majoring in Hospitality, Tourism, Marketing, Business Management and Graphic Design. 

I have found that the interest in the gaming industry has never been higher. Within the past 3 years the taboo of "What is the line and did they cover ",has disappeared. The average age and demographic of a sports bettor is between 23 -34 and predominately male. In an American Gaming  Association survey found that 45% of the core bettors are in this group. The technological evolution and the use of mobile devices lend to the expansion of gaming and the opportunities to be a part of it. 

If you think your students would like to learn about how gaming and sports betting in particular is changing how we view a professional games and interact with each other then we should have a conversation.


Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Managing a Casino floor during Covid-19



Here is a glimpse of what the  responsibilities are now during a pandemic. This is a dramatic change from March 12th. The parameters are in place to insure a safe gaming environment.
The protocols for wearing a mask, sanitizing your hands and temperature checks before entering the
venue are adhered to. There is an occasional  reminder to be given regarding the mask covering the 
nose but the guests and employees are compliant when ask to do so.
The challenges that present themselves are in the areas of social distancing. The players that come
with a group or companion still stay together in close alignment while near the games or slot machines. While they are doing what  seems natural, they are not exercising social distancing. This requires that 
the management team must politely request that some degree of separation must be maintain, especially around the table games. This provides a level of comfort for the staff that is dealing to the patrons.
The limitation on occupancy makes scheduling games and deploying staff a creative process. You are now going with the demand for play as oppose to offering a full compliment of all the games. If three  people are requesting a baccarat game and one person is requesting Three Card Poker, I can tell you without hesitation the game I am opening first. Certain slot machines are not operable to make social distancing a mandate.
There is more area to cover during the work day because the gaming floor is more spread out. Pre Covid configurations were based on games being adjacent to each other. Plexiglass shields and visors are available at each game. This is for the safety of the employees and guests. 
How should you manage a casino floor during a pandemic?  You should follow all of the things I mentioned above. In addition, look to be innovative in how you connect with your guest. Use social media to let them know that you appreciate their business and that you want them to know that. Maintain a staffing level that allows for flexibility and gives you the ability to react to the unforeseen.
                   
                  Follow me for more insights on LinkedIn,Twitter Facebook and Instagram.
                  Here is my latest sports betting  & sports business article in Bettors Insider.

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Sports Webinar: Become Better at Betting




It took approximately 6 weeks but here it is. Smart Responsible Gaming launched the website with the concept of doing a sports betting webinar. The timing is perfect because 3 of the 4 professional leagues are about to resume play. Most of the public had to find other ways of coping with out sports. 
We no longer have to watch Netflix, binge watch an entire television series that we missed or replays of games played earlier in the season.
Live sports will mean we can watch our favorite past times on a consistent basis. Included in that group are the millions pf people that bet on the games. The lack of action left a void for so many adults. It is our wish that if you are going to watch the game and bet on it, that you do it more effectively.
Our webinar will facilitate that for you. You will learn 3 principles that will improve your wagering strategy. If you are a novice, you will learn the terminology associated with sports betting. Our webinar will appeal to women. Women make up approximately 20% of the sports betting population.
We think that is a growth marketing opportunity. 
The date of the webinar is July 29th at 11:00 AM. The cost is $30.  This information will make you a smarter bettor that looks at statistics and analytics. It will require you to rely less on emotional attachments and more on probability. If you are prepared to do that and maintain more of your money as you bet on games  then this is how you sign up.

                                                         Webinar Registration

                              GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800 GAMBLER
                                         MUST BE OVER 21 YEARS OF AGE

Tuesday, July 7, 2020

PIVOT (2)

Lebron about to pivot


This is the second part of my PIVOT post on Smart Responsible Gaming.  The use of the term pivot in basketball is to help a player avoid a defender and find an opening on the court to take a shot, make a pass or drive to the basket. It opens up the court to you. You are that player and the world is your court.


The next letter in the acronym is O.

O is for optimistic about what you are trying to do. Don't expect the road to be easy. But never
become downtrodden or thinking you should give up. If not today then tomorrow. If not this week
then the next.

T is for tenacity in your pursuits. You refuse to be easily dispelled. Denzel Washington gave a motivational speech and stated "Ease is a greater threat to progress than hardship."  "Without commitment you will never start and without consistently you will never finish." He ended by saying, "see you at work."

                                       
                                                         SEE YOU AT WORK!

                                              Part one of PIVOT can be read here.


Sunday, June 28, 2020

PIVOT




This is my latest series of post that will be a part of Smart Responsible Gaming.
As a percentage of the gaming, casino and hotel industry returns to work, many 
co-workers are still on furlough or in between job opportunities. Since we 
are all in this together, this series is to help make this transition a successful one.

That is why I have chosen the acronym PIVOT in the form of initialism. I will 
share the 1st three letters today. 

The P is for planning what your next move will be. First, find out when the next 
wave of call backs to your current employer are projected for. Then you can 
determine how long you may have to wait. You can gauge the length of your 
unemployment benefits and and take advantage of any training module that may 
be available to you.

The I is for intelligently mapping out your strategize. Reach out to other members of 
your professional network and let them know that you are looking for opportunities. 
Update your resume. Have 2 copies available. One is for the type of job that you had
previously. The second will be tailored to industries that are hiring your skill set. 
Highlight the characteristics that make you appealing to a recruiter. Be prepared to have 
a phone interview or a virtual meeting via Zoom.

The V is for value you place on your self worth. You must decide how much you should be 
compensated for what you can do. Then negotiate with yourself and determine what percentage
 you could accept from any employer. Keep in mind this is a competitive job market.

I will complete the PIVOT acronym in my next blog post.

Follow me on FacebookTwitter and Instagram





Monday, June 8, 2020

Smart Responsible Gaming

Responsible Gaming never felt so good!


I want to announce the unveiling of our website, Smart Responsible Gaming.com. From the end of March, I have had time to think about what would be useful to people during a pandemic and serve an audience that actively consumes gaming and sports.
I wanted to include some of the popular aspects that sports aficionados could appreciate. They include Esports, Sports Betting and Casinos. There are sections that give nutritional and fitness information.Videos are included.
There is a Twitter section that highlights GTLHottopics. This is a segment that covers the trending topics in the sports betting and sports business world. You can see all of the tweets that come from Smart Responsible Gaming. The social media links to Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn are prominently featured as well. 
There is a blog series that is devoted to helping anyone navigate a return to work after Covid-19.If you are looking for specialist advice on a subject related to sports and gaming, you can use the email, info@smartresponsiblegaming.com. This is in the event that your question is not covered by the information on the website.
I am proud of what we were able to accomplish during this pandemic. It has heighten my creativity. I hope you like it and check back periodically for updates. The next step on the journey is...

                                                               Can you say Webinar!😊😊


Friday, June 5, 2020

10 years! That went fast..

Just saw my LinkedIn notification that this month marks 10 years at Rivers Casino Philadelphia / SugarHouse Casino. Wow! That went so fast. I started to reflect on the many people that I worked with over that period. Most of them I got along with and enjoyed. There were a few that I could have done things differently with and some that just did not work out well professionally. I am glad for the experience  of all of them. I wish anyone that I came in contact with during the 10 years the utmost success in where you are now and in future endeavors.

So as I continued to reflect over the decade on Delaware Ave, four faces keep going across my mind.
                        
                  I want to share the next few sentences talking about each of them.



Leigh Whitaker

First is Leigh Whitaker. Leigh helped me get in the company. She advised me on things to do professionally and made me smarter. Leigh also embraced my attending gaming sessions in Harrisburg where I watched her artfully represent our organization. She was my ear when I was planning my next step.

Rosemarie Cook

Second is Rosemarie Cook. Rose hired me in the table games department as a Pit Manager. I was her ninth hire. She gave what I called her "state of the union address" to our team every year by telling us how we were doing and the plans for the coming year. She would break it down quarter by quarter. She supported my efforts with my blog and encourage my endeavors.She gave me the impetus to go to universities and give presentations. 

Wendy Hamilton

Third is Wendy Hamilton. Wendy paid me the highest compliment a GM can pay to an employee that she did not interact with regularly. She said "You are always thinking". That showed she was noticing what I brought to our company. When Wendy developed a task force that changed the public perception of our organization, she selected me to be a part of it. That increase my visibility and led to me representing  the company at civil and corporate events. 

Greg Carlin

Last is Greg Carlin. Greg took notice of me when I flew to Chicago for a meeting with Rush Street Interactive. From that point on we would engaged at different gaming conferences in Atlantic City and Las Vegas. Greg has made it a point to hear what I think and has included me in meetings and gatherings that were normally director level and above. Highly appreciative that Greg went that far for me. That allowed me to developed a relationship with the members of our prestigious executive team, I am honored by that. This prepared me to enhance my strategic thinking.

Without these four people, my 10 years would not be the best and longest tenure gaming job I have held. I am looking forward to what is ahead and thankful for the role each of you has played.
                                                                 WOO HOO !