This Week in Gambling

For the first time since February of 2020, the Nevada gaming win has topped $1 billion. This is yet another strong indication that the state is recovering strongly from the pandemic. The Nevada Gaming Control Board reported that gaming in the state raked in a win of $1.066 billion in March, which was up from just over $770 million in February. Casinos and other gaming establishments in the state should continue to see a strong rebound, as more workers and residents receive vaccinations, and capacity limits and social distancing rules become more relaxed. The state announced plans to raise the…

We have another big week of gambling news! This time it takes us to Las Vegas, where things are moving in the right direction for the city’s COVID recovery. Also, mobile and online gambling news from New York state, and police raids on gambling dens in Arkansas! Hello friends! Thanks so much for streaming another edition of This Week in Gambling, where we have gambling news from New York all the way to Arkansas! But first, it’s this week’s big story! On our last show I told you that the Governor of Nevada plans to have casinos in his state…

As Las Vegas casinos move toward the state’s goal of 100% capacity limits by June 1st, the Nevada Gaming Control Board announced that they will be allowed to raise those limits to 80% beginning on May 1st. Along with the rising capacity limits, social distancing will also be reduced to just three feet as of the first of next month. Both of these moves come as the Gaming Control Board released an emergency directive last week to let casinos follow directives of local authorities. In addition, the Board stated each individual property could submit a waiver that would allow fewer…

A month long investigation into illegal gambling dens in Arkansas led to a SWAT Team raid, five arrests, 12 gambling machines and over $60,000 being seized. A confidential informant told investigators that gambling was taking place at two pool halls in Fort Smith. In Arkansas, gambling is legal only at three licensed casinos. Captain Philip Pevehouse of the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Department said that gambling occurred in backrooms of these pool halls. In addition to the five arrests, 11 people were issued misdemeanor citations in connection with the unlicensed gambling devices. Gambling has been a popular activity in the United…

After enjoying great success and positive player response to their first versions of Nothin’ But net, GameCo has released the Nothin’ But Net Multiplayer Challenge Mode. This new system can be implemented into many of their casino skill games, and will allow up to 64 players to compete head to head, bringing an eSports experience to the casino floor. GameCo launched its latest product innovation, the Multiplayer Challenge Mode for their casino skill games. Complete with a leader board system for tracking results and payouts, the Multiplayer Challenge Mode brings a true esports style experience to land-based casinos. The Multiplayer…

Casinos in Sin City are desperate to get to 100% occupancy levels. Now, one Vegas casino is willing to incentivize their employees with cash if they will get the Coronavirus vaccination. The Cosmopolitan is putting their money where their mouth is and offering up to $1 million in bonus cash for their workers who receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Those bonuses will kick in once the staff reaches a 60% vaccination rate. Once 60% of Cosmopolitan employees have been vaccinated, workers who received the shot will receive a $50 bonus. At 70% the bonus is $100, 80% nets them $250, and…