NYSE owner to invest $2 billion in betting platform Polymarket
National (Investments) - Katherine Doherty, Bloomberg - Intercontinental Exchange Inc., owner of the New York Stock Exchange, plans to invest as much as $2 billion in cash in Polymarket, a crypto-based betting platform. The transaction values the company, which lets traders wager on the outcome of real-world events such as elections and sports, at roughly $8 billion, ICE said in a statement Tuesday. ICE will become a global distributor of Polymarket’s event-driven data, providing customers with sentiment indicators on topics in the market, according to the statement.
Maryland casinos see revenues decrease 5% year-over-year in September
Maryland (Results) - Charlotte Capewell, Special to CDC Gaming - Casinos in Maryland generated $151.5 million in September, a 5% year-over-year decline from the $159.5 million generated in September 2024. A recent report from the Maryland Lottery and Gaming shows that of the six casinos in the state, only two recorded year-over-year revenue increases. These were the Horseshoe Casino, which rose from $13.1 million to $14 million, up 6% year-over-year, and the Rocky Gap Casino, which increased from $4.4 million to $4.6 million, a 5.1% year-over-year rise.
CDC Gaming and Global Gaming Women celebrate Day Zero Party ahead of 2025 G2E at Resorts World Las Vegas
Nevada (Las Vegas) - , CDC Gaming - CDC Gaming, in partnership with Global Gaming Women (GGW), celebrated this year’s 10 Women Rising in Gaming at a stylish cocktail party held at Allē Lounge on 66 at Resorts World Las Vegas (RWLV) on Sunday night. The re-branded Day Zero Party, which welcomed almost 200 guests, saw all 10 honorees in attendance where they were individually welcomed on stage to receive a trophy as part of a brief presentation ceremony. Running from 6pm to 8pm, the Day Zero Party was a combined stand-up/sit-down cocktail event with guests enjoying a fine array of hors d’oeuvres plus free flow beer, champagne and wine.
Famed former Wynn, Melco and Crown executive Todd Nisbet passes away suddenly
Asia (Macau) - Ben Blaschke, Inside Asian Gaming - Todd Nisbet, a renowned casino executive who helped shape the Macau developments of both Wynn Resorts and Melco, and later became a key figure at Australia’s Crown Resorts, has passed away suddenly, aged 57. According to media reports, Nisbet suffered a brain aneurysm in his hometown of Melbourne, where he moved almost two decades ago after being handpicked by then-Crown supremo James Packer to oversee its expansion projects. One of the original founding members of Wynn Resorts, where he served as Executive Vice President and Project Director for Wynn Design and Development, Nisbet was responsible for all project development and construction operations in Las Vegas and Macau.
Aristocrat to acquire slot streaming provider Awager Ltd
Global (Mergers & Acquistions) - , Inside Asian Gaming - ASX-listed gaming giant Aristocrat Leisure Limited will acquire Awager Ltd (Awager) – a leading provider in the regulated Live Slot Streaming segment – from funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. for an undisclosed sum, the company has revealed. The transaction remains subject to regulatory pre-approvals. According to information contained in a news release, Awager offers gaming operators a new digital channel to engage and entertain players, delivering a genuine, real-time casino gameplay experience leveraging a portfolio of third-party content.
Las Vegas: Fontainebleau offering free self-parking for locals, rewards members
Nevada (Las Vegas) - David Danzis, Las Vegas Review-Journal - The Strip’s newest megaresort is the latest casino to roll out an exclusive perk for locals as Las Vegas casinos try to boost business amid a months-long tourism downturn. Fontainebleau is offering free parking for Nevada residents until the end of the year, according to a news release. The offer is part of Fontainebleau’s “Locals Only” program, which also includes waived resort fees, dining discounts, complimentary access to LIV and LIV Beach, and buy-one, get-one-free tickets to the Hall of Excellence attraction.
Gaming Analytics and Mindway AI partner to advance casino sustainability, RG
National (Suppliers) - , CDC Gaming - Gaming Analytics has announced a strategic partnership with Mindway AI to enhance player protection and address key compliance and social responsibility challenges within the gambling sector. The partnership is designed to provide land-based casinos with an all-in-one solution that combines operational optimization with player protection. Gaming Analytics, a leader in A.I. technology, and Mindway AI, a provider of responsible gaming solutions, will integrate Mindway AI’s GameScanner — identifying and mitigating at-risk gambling behavior — with Gaming Analytics’ real-time A.I.
Gaming Laboratories International names Sally Wong client services director
National (Suppliers) - , CDC Gaming - Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) continues to expand its client services team and has appointed Sally Wong as Client Services Director. Wong will be based in GLI’s Las Vegas lab and will be responsible for strengthening relationships with clients while serving as an essential technical resource. GLI Chief Revenue Officer Ian Hughes said, “Our mission is to make every client’s journey as seamless and productive as possible and Sally has the background and insights to help our clients successfully navigate the future of gaming.” GLI clients will benefit from Wong’s operator and supplier gaming experience as they consult directly with her to map a path of viable efficient solutions for their products and services.
Las Vegas: Amid troubling economic trends, hiring has ‘leveled off’
Nevada (Las Vegas) - Eli Segall, Las Vegas Review-Journal - Isaiah Thompson and Shawn Herron were looking for a job for months but struck out. So, the Las Vegas friends in their 20s made money another way: donating blood. Thompson, who indicated that he sends out at least 20 job applications a day, several days a week, estimated that he can make upward of $800 per month giving away his plasma. He uses the funds to pay his rent. It was easy to find a job three or four years ago, but Las Vegas’ job market is “honestly terrible” now, he said last month.
Las Vegas promotions have modest impact on projected visitation, analyst says
Nevada (Las Vegas) - Buck Wargo, CDC Gaming - An analyst with Truist Securities reported its latest room rate survey for the Las Vegas Strip shows a soft third quarter. The summer doldrums are spilling into October, followed by a more promising November, but Las Vegas promotions pushed by tourism officials so far have had a modest impact. In another report based on visitation at U.S. regional casinos in September, a second analyst is predicting the nation’s gaming revenue will grow 2% year over year.
Ontario: More than 45 jobs impacted by planned Sarnia casino closure: operator
Canada (Casinos) - Tyler Kula, Windsor Star - Approximately 46 jobs will be impacted by the planned closure of Sarnia’s casino, a spokesperson with the operator says. Robert Mitchell said Gateway Casinos and Entertainment, which also operates casinos in Point Edward, Chatham-Kent, London, and elsewhere in Ontario, learned about the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. (OLG) decision last week. The Gateway Casino Sarnia closure is the result of an Optional Slots at Racetracks Program (OSARP) sunset clause taking effect March 31, 2026, OLG officials said this week.
Virginia: Rivers Casino Portsmouth to host groundbreaking for $65M Landing Hotel
Virginia (Casinos) - , WAVY-TV - Rivers Casino Portsmouth and Rush Gaming will host a ground breaking for The Landing Hotel Portsmouth Oct. 15, according to casino officials. The $65 million hotel was privately funded and will feature an upscale, eight-story property with 106 rooms — 32 of which will be expansive suites and two “super suites,” which provide an indoor and outdoors space — a lobby bar and other amenities. The hotel is set to open early 2027. S.B. Ballard Construction Company, a Norfolk-based company, was selected as the general contractor for the project back in July.
Virginia: Gambling interests pump donations into political groups
Virginia (Casinos) - Michael Pope, Radio IQ - Gambling interests are placing their bets in Virginia, making campaign contributions in the high-stakes 2025 election. And most of the money is going to one side. “They’re betting on the Democrats winning,” says Alex Keena at Virginia Commonwealth University. He points out that the Sports Betting Alliance has given more than $2 million to Democrats and less than a quarter of that amount to Republicans. “They spend to members of both parties, but they don’t want to pick the wrong side by investing in opponents of people who are powerful.”
Chicago: Bally’s Casino hotel tower starts going vertical
Illinois (Casinos) - Daniel Schell, Chicago Yimby - The Bally’s Casino hotel tower is starting to sprout upward, as construction crews from The Chicago Community Builders Collective continue their work on the 34-story, 500-room hotel in River West. The Chicago Community Builders Collective is a joint venture of contractors that includes Gilbane Building Company, Brown & Momen Inc., d’Escoto Inc., Milhouse, Powers & Sons Construction, SQN Associations, Ujamaa Construction Inc., and Riteway-Huggins Construction Inc. McHugh Concrete is the concrete contractor. That large team is very much needed, as the hotel and its conjoined casino are expected to open in December 2026.
Iowa: Construction updates on Cedar Rapids casino, parking lot
Iowa (Casinos) - , Iowa's News Now - Construction is progressing for the Cedar Crossing Casino and Entertainment Center as walls get coats of paint and parking lots are laid out. The new $275 million facility will include more than just gambling games. New restaurants and bars are in the works, along with an arts and cultural center and STEM learning lab. A state record 8% of gambling revenue, an estimated $6 million, will go to local nonprofits each year through the Linn County Gaming Association.
Tribes developing regulations to deal with Class II mobile gaming
National (Indian gaming) - Buck Wargo, CDC Gaming - Current regulatory standards for mobile Class II gaming are outdated and insufficient and tribes in turn are developing alternative safeguards and modernizing their regulations. The session on mobile Class II gaming kicked off the tribal segment at the Global Gaming Expo Monday in Las Vegas. Dave Viaplando, executive director of the Pala Gaming Commission, outlined the pitfalls and challenges that tribes face from a regulatory standpoint. “It’s a whole new paradigm of regulation,” said Viaplando, former executive director of the Pokagon Band Gaming Commission in Michigan.
San Manuel and Palms Casino award $1.2M in grants to Las Vegas nonprofits
Nevada (Indian gaming) - , CDC Gaming - Continuing their mission to uplift southern Nevada through philanthropy and community investment, the San Manuel Gaming & Hospitality Authority (SMGHA) and Palms Casino Resort recently announced the awarding of $1.2 million in grants to support 51 diverse nonprofit organizations serving education, health, workforce development, cultural preservation, and underserved populations across the Las Vegas Valley. The 2025 grants range from $5,000 to $100,000 and will fund impactful programs, such as PEF’s Teacher FastTrack initiative working to fully staff Nevada classrooms for the first time since 1994, emergency shelter and wraparound support for homeless youth, and the purchase of 300 combination smoke/carbon monoxide detectors for high-risk housing.
Harrah’s Ak-Chin expands community youth career program
Arizona (Indian gaming) - , Indian Gaming - For the Ak-Chin Indian Community, preparing the next generation for success has become a defining priority – and at the center of that effort is the Harrah’s Development System (HDS) at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino. More than a workforce training initiative, HDS serves as a long-term pipeline for community development and career growth. Since fall 2024, its Community Youth Program has offered year-round opportunities for tribal youth to build job skills, develop leadership abilities, and explore career paths that extend well beyond school.
Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood to host World Poker Tour RRPO
Florida (Indian gaming) - , Indian Gaming - Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and the World Poker Tour (WPT) will host the Seminole Hard Rock “Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open” (RRPO) from Wednesday, Nov. 19, through Wednesday, Dec. 3. The RRPO series features 52 primary events, kicking off with a $400 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry) with a $2 million guarantee. The series is also headlined by a $3,500 WPT Rock ‘N’ Roll Championship, boasting a $3 million guaranteed prize pool. The final table for the championship will take place on Wednesday, Dec.
LOTREC GAMES making a push for U.S. distribution of its table games
National (Indian gaming) - Buck Wargo, CDC Gaming - A Canadian who’s the creator and founder of Oklahoma-based LOTREC GAMES LLC is making a push to get his games distributed in the United States. Classified as Class III games by the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC), the table games may be played lawfully on Indian lands pursuant to a tribal-state compact, where players challenge the house with no skill involved. The LOTREC games series has already been assessed by Gaming Laboratories International and meets the requirements of the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
Hard Rock Tulsa to host Cherokee Art Market October 11–12
Oklahoma (Indian gaming) - , Indian Gaming - Cherokee Art Market will return to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa on Oct. 11–12, marking its 20th year celebrating Native art, culture, and tradition. Two decades since its launch, Cherokee Art Market has grown into one of the largest Native American art markets in the state, bringing together artists and collectors from across the country. Nearly 50 tribes will be represented by 170 artists, with artwork ranging from beadwork, pottery, paintings, basketry, sculptures, textiles and more.
It’s Our Time to skip Breeders’ Cup, likely to run in Kentucky next
National (Racing) - David Grening, Daily Racing Form - It’s Our Time, the 17 3/4-length debut winning 2-year-old at Saratoga who finished fourth in Saturday’s Grade 1 Champagne at Aqueduct, could very well run again this year, but it won’t be in the Breeders’ Cup. “We’re going to take it a little slower than we did after that last race,” trainer Tom Amoss said. “I foresee him running probably in Kentucky once he recovers. What kind of race, I don’t know.” It’s Our Time, the 2-5 Champagne favorite, chased an extremely fast pace set by the winner, Napoleon Solo, before backing up frrom second to finish fourth, beaten 8 1/4 lengths.
Not This Time’s remarkable weekend
National (Racing) - Eric Mitchell, BloodHorse - Stakes-loaded weekends such as Oct. 3-5 provide ample opportunity for stallions to elevate their commercial standing but few enjoy the rare, pinch-me, remarkable deluge of elite performances seen recently from the progeny of Taylor Made Stallions' marquee sire Not This Time.The 11-year-old son of Giant's Causeway was represented by 11 winners Oct. 3-5 at Aqueduct Racetrack, Gulfstream Park, Keeneland, Laurel Park, and Woodbine. These wins included five in black-type stakes, of which four were graded. These stakes ranged from 5 furlongs to 1 1/16 miles on turf and dirt.
OBS October yearling sale kicks off October 7
Florida (Racing) - Olivia Newman, BloodHorse - As the yearling season begins to wind down in North America, Ocala Breeders' Sales hopes the momentum from the strong season carries over to its October Yearling Sale that begins Oct. 7 at noon ET. The two-day sale has 551 horses cataloged. "We've had spotty rain the last couple of days, but between raindrops everybody is getting horses looked at," said OBS director of sales Tod Wojciechowski. "There's been a lot of activity in the barn area."
Thomas, Penny, Rice to headline NYTB seminar Sunday
New York (Racing) - , Thoroughbred Daily News - The New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. will host its annual general membership meeting and educational seminar Sunday at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion in Saratoga Springs. This year's seminar, titled “Keeping or Selling? Mapping Your Breeding Goals,” will focus on how breeders and owners can forecast and manage their breeding strategies, while balancing market demands and long-term objectives for breeding and racing. Sponsored by the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding & Development Fund, the seminar will feature Becky Thomas, owner of Sequel New York and Sequel at Winding Oaks in Ocala; Linda Rice, a leading New York trainer for more than a decade; and Peter Penny, one of the foremost yearling inspectors for the Fasig-Tipton sales company.
Handle, purses see increases relative to race days in Q3
National (Racing) - Frank Angst, BloodHorse - While racing continues to see a decline in race days, races, and starts, the all-important third quarter economic indicators saw growth in purses and handle for those remaining race days. According to the Thoroughbred racing indicators for the third quarter released Oct. 6 by Equibase, wagering per race day improved 4.9% in the months of July, August, and September, while purses per race day were up 4.4% during that three-month stretch. Third quarter metrics always have been important for the racing industry as they include summer racing from tracks such as Saratoga Race Course and Del Mar.
U.S. wagering declines in September
National (Racing) - , Thoroughbred Daily News - Wagering on U.S. races declined 5.93% in September, according to year-to-year comparison figures released Monday by Equibase. For the month of September, $737,296,717 was wagered on U.S. races–including worldwide commingled wagering on races in the country–down from $783,788,708 for the same month in 2024. With 36 fewer race days and 210 fewer races in September this year, average wagering per race day increased 3.63% to $2,082,759. Similarly, while total available purses for the month decreased 6.98% to $128,545,895, average available purses per race day increased 2.48% to $363,124.
Calls grow to grant London’s transit system power to ban gambling ads
Europe (United Kingdom) - Kumail Jaffer, MyLondon - Ministers are facing fresh calls to agree on a formal definition of harmful gambling so the Mayor of London can impose a ban on betting adverts on public transport. Sir Sadiq Khan has previously promised to ensure Transport for London (TfL) prohibits the promotion of casinos and gambling websites across the Tube network. However, until the Government draws up a definition, any City Hall policies could be subject to legal challenge. Last week London Assembly Member Krupesh Hirani, the Labour group’s health spokesman, set up a London-wide action group to tackle gambling harms across the capital’s boroughs using the powers they currently have.
Sportradar gets competition green light for IMG Arena takeover
Europe (United Kingdom) - Ted Orme-Claye, SBC News - Sportradar’s acquisition of IMG Arena has been cleared by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), enabling the firm to form a giant in sportstech and data. The CMA, the UK’s competition regulator, announced today that it had “cleared the anticipated acquisition by Sportradar Group AG of IMG Arena US parent, LLC”. Its information so far has been limited, but it states that it will publish the full text of the decision ‘shortly’. Its reasoning for clearing Sportradar’s takeover of IMG is thus so far a mystery.
Opposition party minister says UK government gambling with lives over possible tax hike on operators
Europe (United Kingdom) - Matt Hardy, City AM - Rachel Reeves has been accused of “gambling with lives” ahead of a mulled tax rise on the gambling sector in November’s Budget. The Chancellor is tipped to hike the levy on bookies from 15 per cent to 21 per cent, in line with online casinos, in a move critics say could decimate horse racing and those who work in the industry. Speaking at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, shadow sport minister Louie French attacked the Chancellor, and described her mooted plans as “disastrous“.
Bribery case against former execs of Entain predecessor heads to court November 3
Europe (United Kingdom) - Zak Thomas-Akoo, Next.io - The blockbuster bribery case involving former GVC Holdings chief executive Kenny Alexander will go to Crown Court in November. All 11 defendants in the criminal case, including many prominent current and former prominent gambling industry executives, will appear in Southwark Crown Court on 3 November. During [Monday’s] hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, the magistrate in the case said it was likely Southwark Crown Court would further send the case on to be conducted in Leeds Crown Court.
Melco to promote medical tourism as new iRad private hospital at Studio City officially opens
Asia (Macau) - Pierce Chan, Inside Asian Gaming - Melco Resorts & Entertainment’s new private hospital at Macau integrated resort Studio City, iRad Imaging and Diagnostic Medical Center, officially opened Monday, marking what the company describes as a new chapter for Macau’s medical tourism industry. Occupying approximately 15,000 square feet on the second floor of Studio City – adjacent to its expansive water park – the hospital integrates modern medical technology with a resort-inspired ambience to deliver a comfortable and efficient diagnostic experience, according to Melco.
JP Morgan: Weather impacts Macau’s Golden Week but early signs positive
Asia (Macau) - Ben Blaschke, Inside Asian Gaming - Macau’s gross gaming revenues are estimated to have reached MOP$5.5 billion (US$688 million) during the first five days of the October Golden Week holiday at a daily run-rate of MOP$1.1 billion (US$138 million) – the best Golden Week print in over five years according to investment bank JP Morgan. That’s despite more bad weather negatively impacting visitation on Sunday, which saw a 25% drop off in arrivals and ultimately resulted in Macau gaming stocks falling by between 3% and 5%.
Citi: Lower bet limits in Macau could signal operator efforts to lure former satellite casino players
Asia (Macau) - Ben Blaschke, Inside Asian Gaming - Macau’s concessionaires could be attempting to lure former satellite players to their casinos by offering lower betting limits at their integrated resorts than previously, according to investment bank Citigroup. The commentary formed part of Citi’s monthly Macau Table Survey via which analysts visit the gaming floors of all six concessionaires to evaluate latest initiatives as well as betting volume on their premium mass tables. Despite the bank’s latest visit coming during the ongoing October Golden Week holiday, analysts George Choi and Timothy Chau observed new gaming areas with lower minimum bet tables at both Galaxy’s StarWorld – where 16 tables were priced between HK$300 and HK$1,000 (US$39 and US$128) – and Melco’s City of Dreams where 15 tables were priced at HK$500 to HK$1,000 (US$64 to US$128).