There are over 35 million fantasy sports players in the US and Canada. Fantasy sports is a multi-billion dollar business with no signs of decreasing popularity. Every major sports league actively supports and/or sponsors their own fantasy sports games.
However, some fantasy sports players are truly in a league by themselves. One particular fantasy league was featured on NBC's Tonight Show. The person who ends up in last place actually has to get a tattoo (a permanent one) of a design chosen by the person who wins the league.
Check out these Tonight Show clips and see for yourself! (Clips courtesy and credit to NBC.com)
Part 1
Part 2
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Analyst Reports Modest I-Gaming Revenue for USA
Contrary to some of the larger estimates of I-Gaming revenue in the US, an analyst has put forward some more modest numbers. The story reported here, states that internet gaming will only generate $1.9 billion in revenue by 2020, not the $7 to $12 billion in revenue estimated by others. You can click the hyperlink above to find out who was estimating the higher numbers.
This lower estimate by Eilers Research makes some points that I personally agree with, which helps buttress the more modest projections. The main assumption for the lower estimates is the assumption that if the states do authorize online gaming, it will be poker only. Now, it is almost a certainty that the first online gaming activity authorized would be poker, with other casino games being added later. But I agree with the analyst that poker might only be the ONLY online gambling activity authorized.
If that indeed is what happens, all is not lost. Poker would be authorized online, and operators can add casino games in a social gaming/subscription mode. Social casino game play in the US can be a generator of revenue - see the activities of all the major slot vendors, particularly IGT's DoubleDown Casino on Facebook.
One assumption that is made by Eilers Research that I am not in total agreement with is that I-Gaming will not cannibalize the land-based casinos. I will agree if only poker is authorized and other casino gaming will be of the social gaming kind. Of course, online poker to an extent will cannibalize land-based card rooms. If full-blown casino gaming is allowed by a state, that will cannibalize some of the casino business.
This lower estimate by Eilers Research makes some points that I personally agree with, which helps buttress the more modest projections. The main assumption for the lower estimates is the assumption that if the states do authorize online gaming, it will be poker only. Now, it is almost a certainty that the first online gaming activity authorized would be poker, with other casino games being added later. But I agree with the analyst that poker might only be the ONLY online gambling activity authorized.
If that indeed is what happens, all is not lost. Poker would be authorized online, and operators can add casino games in a social gaming/subscription mode. Social casino game play in the US can be a generator of revenue - see the activities of all the major slot vendors, particularly IGT's DoubleDown Casino on Facebook.
One assumption that is made by Eilers Research that I am not in total agreement with is that I-Gaming will not cannibalize the land-based casinos. I will agree if only poker is authorized and other casino gaming will be of the social gaming kind. Of course, online poker to an extent will cannibalize land-based card rooms. If full-blown casino gaming is allowed by a state, that will cannibalize some of the casino business.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Atlantic City Gets a Warning
New Jersey governor Chris Christie is laying down the law on Atlantic City's casinos. He is giving them the year of 2014 to make strides to improve their financial health. The Press of Atlantic City story quotes Christie:
"It's obviously a critical year because we need to begin to see progress in Atlantic City or we're going to start considering alternatives," and, "It's a year when we have to show some significant results."
Can't be much clearer than that. So, what happens if results aren't obtained? Well, Atlantic City's casino gambling monopoly would be at risk. Competing interests, such as the horse racing industry, are desirous of getting casino gaming at their properties. Another lackluster year out of Atlantic City would only fuel that fire.
How Atlantic City will intend to meet this hurdle is to consolidate - reduce the number of casinos and to an extent, reduce the number of hotel rooms. The remaining casinos would hopefully be in better shape as they will make more money on a per property basis, even if the result would be less overall revenue, from both gaming and non-gaming sources. If not, the competing interests will want to move casino gambling outside of Atlantic City to make their venues more competitive with increased casino gaming in adjoining states like New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Time may be running out on Atlantic City's casino monopoly.
"It's obviously a critical year because we need to begin to see progress in Atlantic City or we're going to start considering alternatives," and, "It's a year when we have to show some significant results."
Can't be much clearer than that. So, what happens if results aren't obtained? Well, Atlantic City's casino gambling monopoly would be at risk. Competing interests, such as the horse racing industry, are desirous of getting casino gaming at their properties. Another lackluster year out of Atlantic City would only fuel that fire.
How Atlantic City will intend to meet this hurdle is to consolidate - reduce the number of casinos and to an extent, reduce the number of hotel rooms. The remaining casinos would hopefully be in better shape as they will make more money on a per property basis, even if the result would be less overall revenue, from both gaming and non-gaming sources. If not, the competing interests will want to move casino gambling outside of Atlantic City to make their venues more competitive with increased casino gaming in adjoining states like New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Time may be running out on Atlantic City's casino monopoly.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Common Sense: Casino Gaming Needs to Return to Cuba...Viva Casino!
Professor Nelson Rose, an expert on gaming law, penned a recent article entitled, "Cuba Needs Casinos." In it, he describes past and recent history and noted how when liberalization comes to Cuba (it will, just a matter of time), that casino gaming and the revenues generated therefrom, will help bring Cuba back economically.
They had gambling back before Castro, but organized crime took in the lion's share of the revenues. Now, with regulated wagering in place, all parties will benefit. Notice that governments, even authoritarian ones like Vietnam and China, have casino gambling. It is become apparent that the issue with gambling from governments is not the right or wrong with gambling; it's who is getting the money. If the government is getting enough money, in its view, gambling is fine.
That fact bodes well for Cuba. Proper regulated gambling, coupled with the great resort venue Cuba was, and will be again, makes Cuba an excellent bet for gambling reintroduction. I'm betting on Cuba reintroducing gambling within the next ten years.
Another venue that is a great opportunity for casino gambling is Hawaii. Why there aren't a casino resorts on Waikiki, Kona, Maui and Kauai is a travesty. If Macao and Singapore are enjoying great casino gambling success, just think what success a resort venue like Hawaii would enjoy? They do well now with regard to tourism, but add casino gambling and Hawaii would rival Macao and Singapore with regard to casino revenues. This similar resort locale profile is why there was interest in opening casino gambling in Miami a couple of years back. Sooner or later government will see the light and make a play for that revenue.
As gambling becomes even more mainstream, gambling will be increasingly viewed as a painless tax. If locales like Havana, Miami and Maui embrace casino gambling, Las Vegas will have even more worries.
To check out more of Professor Rose's excellent articles, go to his website.
They had gambling back before Castro, but organized crime took in the lion's share of the revenues. Now, with regulated wagering in place, all parties will benefit. Notice that governments, even authoritarian ones like Vietnam and China, have casino gambling. It is become apparent that the issue with gambling from governments is not the right or wrong with gambling; it's who is getting the money. If the government is getting enough money, in its view, gambling is fine.
That fact bodes well for Cuba. Proper regulated gambling, coupled with the great resort venue Cuba was, and will be again, makes Cuba an excellent bet for gambling reintroduction. I'm betting on Cuba reintroducing gambling within the next ten years.
Another venue that is a great opportunity for casino gambling is Hawaii. Why there aren't a casino resorts on Waikiki, Kona, Maui and Kauai is a travesty. If Macao and Singapore are enjoying great casino gambling success, just think what success a resort venue like Hawaii would enjoy? They do well now with regard to tourism, but add casino gambling and Hawaii would rival Macao and Singapore with regard to casino revenues. This similar resort locale profile is why there was interest in opening casino gambling in Miami a couple of years back. Sooner or later government will see the light and make a play for that revenue.
As gambling becomes even more mainstream, gambling will be increasingly viewed as a painless tax. If locales like Havana, Miami and Maui embrace casino gambling, Las Vegas will have even more worries.
To check out more of Professor Rose's excellent articles, go to his website.
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