Pennsylvania Gaming Expansion: Is more actually better?

As 2018 comes in, the gaming expansion in Pennsylvania will accompany it. We see that slot growth is not part of the equation. Online Gaming will not stem this trend due to the high tax rate.

Table Games is showing incremental growth every year. The tax rate online is favorable to operators so expect most sites to offer more core games that you find in brick and mortar facilities. These games include poker, blackjack and baccarat.

An area of concern is Philadelphia and the addition of  a second casino less than 15 miles from the present gaming operation. This will undoubtedly lead to battle over the patrons that are presently playing in Philly. Market share will diminish. How much remains to be seen.

The possible addition of 10 satellite casinos that can not be located near a currently operating site will bring jobs and some new operators but little growth.  Any rise in revenue will come from the most innovative online operators. Who will they be?

If you want to be ahead of your competition as an operator or a player, you can reach out to us.

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What effect the Pennsylvania Gaming Expansion will have on Atlantic City

The thought of Pennsylvania's Gaming expansion has the attention of the mid Atlantic region. The reasons are obvious. Operators within the Commonwealth will have additional options along with new competitors to choose from. Neighboring states like New York, Ohio and West Virginia will look harder at I Gaming as a way to keep their residents from coming to Pennsylvania for gaming related activities.

The effect on Atlantic City was considered minimal and not a major concern. We disagree with that premise. This is the same ideology that occurred in 2004 when gaming was legalized in Pennsylvania.That was the last major year before the decline of revenue at the shore. Imagine a gaming patron that goes to AC now that lives in Pennsylvania. The patron can't play online on a New Jersey site. The customer can play online from home. This will result in fewer trips to the Garden State. It will decrease the spend and affect the bottom line of the shore brick and mortar site.

Increase competition requires attention and strategy to maintain market share. Failing to plan is planning to fail!

If you want intelligent ways to prepare for your online experience as an operator or a player, you can reach out to us.

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Pennsylvania Gaming Expansion: Will Taxes limit Interest in Online Gaming?

Pennsylvania Gaming Expansion has an extremely high rate of taxation for I Gaming. While the rate for table games and fantasy sports are moderate and in the teens, the legislature took a more aggressive posture with slot play. The tax on slots for casino operators is at 54%. While this matches the amount that brick and mortar facilities pay presently, it is high for a online situation. The initial thought is that will diminish interest in the product. 

Our take is a resounding no. It is too large an upside not to take part of. We will share one creative way that intelligent operators can find success in the I Gaming world. Look at the compact agreement that Delaware, New Jersey and Nevada have. They can share players and increase liquidity. Imagine the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania added to such an agreement. The monetary upside would be worth the cost of investment.

If you want more shrewd ways to build your online experience as an operator or a player, you can reach out to us.

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G2E 2017 Instagram Photos

                                 Here are 6 people to follow as you reflect on the G2E 2017.

Shekinah Hoffman- UNLV

Jan Jones Blackhurst- Caesars Palace

David Purdum - ESPN

Donna Vecere - Cooper Levenson

Jay Jabczynski - Rush Street Gaming

Bo Bernhard-UNLV

Over the next three weeks, we will cover the different facets of the Pennsylvania gaming expansion in detail.This would be a good time to follow me on Twitter or download my Smart Responsible Gaming app.

                                                                 Stay informed!

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                         Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for updates!
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Pennsylvania Gaming Expansion: How will it impact you

It is finally here. After over a year of debates and haggling, Pennsylvania passed their 2017 budget and included sweeping gaming legislation. They are the 4th state to have internet gaming. Pennsylvania also has extended the number of casinos allowable in the commonwealth. There can be up to 10 additional satellite casinos. The current operators will have the first bid to purchase one of these locations.

How will this impact you? The obvious is more job opportunities and positions that require middle management experience. This possibility is exciting to every gaming employee in the Mid Atlantic Region. Internet Gaming will change the entire landscape of how we do business.

We are excited and await 2018 with great anticipation. It will give us more to write about and increase the engagement with the audience. The expansion will challenge me professional to be more innovative and a stronger asset than I am presently. I encourage anyone that reads this to do the same.

Over the next three weeks, we will cover the different facets of the gaming expansion in detail.

This would be a good time to follow me on Twitter or download my Smart Responsible Gaming app.

                                                                 Stay informed!

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

G2E Interview with Andre Barnabei: Part 2

These questions were design to show the personal side of Andre.

5). What book would you recommend as a motivational tool? "Rich Dad Poor Dad."

6). What is your favorite restaurant and what would you order? "La Tavola. I would order a selection from the homemade pasta."

7).If you had a choice of a concert ticket, who would you go see out of this group?  Bruno Mars. Beyoncé or Lady Gaga. Tell the reader why. "Definitely Bruno Mars. He came to Pittsburgh and I wanted to take my wife but the tickets sold out before I could order two!"

8). What advice would you give a college student that is looking a gaming as a career?  "What are you waiting for! Get in the door as quickly as possible. Consider a PT job while in school or focus on securing an internship. Once you have your foot in the door, do not be afraid to try multiple departments Take the opportunity seriously,build your skill set and develop positive business relationships along the way."

This link to part one of this interview is here.

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G2E interview with Andre Barnabei - Rivers Casino

Andre' Barnabei serves as the Vice President of Slot Operations for Rivers Casino. Barnabei has more than 19 years of Human Resources and Operations experience in the gaming industry. He has been with Rivers Casino for 10 years and spent the initial 8 as the VP of Human Resources. Barnabei has work for Harrah Philadelphia and Mountaineer Casino in West Virginia. He earned his bachelor's degree in business administration & human resource management from Washington & Jefferson College in Washington Pa.

Andre' is attending G2E 2017 and agreed to answer a range of questions.

1). Describe your typical day?  "There is no typical day in the casino as every day bring new and exciting challenges. The only guarantee is that they will be guest interaction,team member interaction and business strategy discussions. The level of detail and involvement range  on a regular basis. I do my best each day to be home in time to be with my family prior to my children going to bed. Once they are settled in, I spend time with my wife, review some e-mail for work and watch TV."

2). What are you looking for when you attend the G2E?  "The next big thing! My goal is to keep our slot floor as refreshed as possible. Electronic Table games will surely be on the list of things to review closely."

3).You attended a pre G2E meeting in Atlantic City. Tell us what goes on prior to the conference in Las Vegas? "Multiple vendors conduct pre-G2E meetings which provide a more in depth personal review of their new software and hardware. It allows me the opportunity to better understand the vendors release schedule for their products but they always keep a few things back for the game show!"

4}. What are the differences between the gaming experience in a resort versus an urban market? 

"A big difference is the quanity regular guests. In an urban market, guests frequent the casino more often. Some of the urban guest have multiple trips per week. With that level of repeat customers. it is very important to find innovative ways to provide excellent guest service and to continue to refresh the gaming floor regularly."

Stay tune for Part two of this interview at the conclusion of the G2E.

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