This Week in Gambling

The Bellagio sold yesterday, as MGM has made a deal with a real estate investment trust to buy the property for $4.25 billion. In a joint news release, MGM and real estate firm Blackstone today announced the deal, which will not alter MGM’s operation of the Strip casino and resort. Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust will own the property when the deal closes, which is expected to happen before the end of the year, according to a news release. As part of the deal, a subsidiary of MGM will sign a long-term lease and pay annual rent of $245 million….

Circus Circus has been sold by MGM for $825 million to Phil Ruffin, the owner of Treasure Island. “Circus Circus has anchored the north end of the Las Vegas Strip for over 50 years, and I am excited to add it to my casino portfolio,” Ruffin said in a statement. “I have tremendous respect for Jim Murren and the MGM team, and my relationship with them goes back to my friendship with Kirk Kerkorian and continues to this day.” The property includes 3,767 guest rooms, an RV park, more than 101,000 square feet of gaming and the Adventuredome theme park,…

The NCAA has been fighting sports betting for years, and now they have another reason to oppose it. A match fixing incident in New York has been tied to organized crime, according to a US District Court. Also, we have another new game review to share. You can also watch on YouTube. Hello players and thanks for joining me on another edition of This Week in Gambling, and today I’m gonna make you a show you can’t refuse, as we’re talking about sports betting, and… the Mafia! This week’s big story involves a US District Court in the state of…

The National Collegiate Athletic Association is looking for a federal sports betting law. Now, if the NCAA has its way, no one will be able to bet on collegiate games. Any such move will be met with a legal challenge as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn the sports betting ban last year, but that won’t stop the body from trying to exert its influence on legislation that is now in the early stages of discussion between Senator Chuck Schumer (D-New York) and Senator Mitt Romney (R-Utah). The legislation could be similar to the Sports Wagering…

We speak to Aristocrat Gaming about their amazing new Buffalo Diamond Slot Machine! The Buffalo slot machines have been some of the most popular and successful in the world, and this newest slot machine celebrates the 10 year anniversary of Buffalo slots! Now, the Buffalo Diamond slot comes with a $500,000 wide area progressive jackpot and an unusual 4x5x6x5x4 diamond shaped reel configuration. There is also a wheel feature, free games, and new character symbols like the eagle, wolf, cougar, and elk, among others. The Buffalo Diamond Slot Machine is delivered on the new Aristocrat Flame55 cabinet with an amazing…

Voters are set to make a decision on Colorado sports betting next month when Proposition DD is put before them. The measure would legalize and regulate sports betting through online or mobile sports platforms operated by casinos. Recent polls show more voters support sports betting than oppose it, Rep. Alec Garnett (D), sponsor of the bill (H.B. 1327) referring the measure, said Sept. 27. The ballot measure fares even better in polling when its backers clarify the tax will be on casino’s profits, not on individual winnings, he said. Colorado requires voter approval for any new taxes or tax increases….