Areas of Expertise
7892 stories by Devin O'Connor
Manila Casinos Close Again, Government Blames COVID-19 Protocols Violations
Manila casinos are once again closed after the Philippines government ordered the four integrated resorts to shutter their operations because of COVID-19. It was only two weeks ago that government officials in the Manila capital said City of Dreams, Okada, Solaire, and...
Macau Casino Revenue Climbs 44 Percent in 2021, But Industry Remains Unsettled
Macau casinos fared significantly better in 2021 than they did in 2020. But the world's richest gambling market still has far to go to return to pre-pandemic levels. A slew of unsettled issues and regulatory matters pose considerable threats to such a...
Lake Tahoe Resort Developer Acquires Beesley Cottages on California Side
A developer bullish on Lake Tahoe despite recent wildfires and a global pandemic has acquired another property, this one coming with lake frontage. EKN Development Group, a real estate developer based in Newport Beach, Ca., announced just before Christmas that it purchased...
Michigan Gambling Losses Now Tax-Deductible, State Joins Others in Write-Offs
Michigan gambling losses are now tax-deductible in state income filings. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed Senate Bill 764 last week. The tax legislation amends the state's Income Tax Act of 1967 to allow gamblers to deduct their gaming losses from their...
Powerball New Year’s Day Jackpot Estimated $500M, First Millionaire Draw Live Tonight
The Powerball jackpot for the January 1 draw is an estimated $500 million, the largest lottery prize to kick off a new year in the history of the United States. Ticket sales, Powerball officials say, have been sturdy throughout the holidays. Ticket...
Arkansas Mobile Sports Betting Rules Pass Racing Commission, But With Controversy
Arkansas voters legalized commercial casino gambling through a November ballot referendum. Along with allowing two racinos to transition into full-scale casinos with slot machines and table games - as well as two brand-new from-the-ground-up casinos - Issue 4 legalized sports betting in...
Florida Sports Betting Initiative Reports Promising Signature Gathering
Backers of the Florida sports betting initiative expect to have the necessary signatures from state residents to force a ballot referendum on the expanded gaming topic in 2022. Legal sports betting was short-lived in Florida after a federal judge tossed out a...
Beau Rivage Casino Gambler Wins $642K Wheel of Fortune Jackpot on 25-Cent Wager
The Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Ms., was the site of a lucky 25-cent wager that won more than $642,000 just days before the Christmas holiday. 'Tis the season of giving, and a Wheel of Fortune progressive slot machine at...
Las Vegas Visitor Volume Doubles, Casino Hotel Occupancy Increases
Las Vegas continues to rebound. New statistics supplied by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) reveal that more and more leisure travelers are returning to the Strip and elsewhere in Southern Nevada. Over 3.11 million people ventured to the valley...
Nevada Regulators Remind Casinos to Enforce Mask Mandate Ahead of New Year
Nevada casino regulators are responding to escalating new COVID-19 case numbers by warning operators that they face penalties for not enforcing the statewide indoor face mask mandate. In a notice issued to licensees today, December 29, the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB)...