Online Gaming News from Pennsylvania

The Online Gaming talks are continuing in Pennsylvania with both sides presenting bills and testimony before the PA Gaming Oversight Committee in Harrisburg. The bills before the committee

include one by the Chairman Rep  John Payne with Bill 649, and Rep Tina Davis with HB 920.

There is another bill that is Poker only. The two that are mentioned have the best chance of moving forward with bi partisan support.

The opponents of any online gaming legislation are lead by Sands Bethlehem Casino and Vice President of Government Relations, Andy Abboud, stated the position that online gaming would not protect underage children from gaming. He also cited that gaming online would not support the brick and mortar operations. Mr. Abboud was questioned by Rep Davis about mobile apps that are currently used by Sands in Nevada and how that differentiate from what would be considered in Pennsylvania. There was no definitive answer given. She also ask Mr. Abboud about a fine Sands received in Las Vegas for a substantial amount of money. Mr. Abboud was not able to recall the fine and averted the question.

The proponents of the online gaming legislation included Caesars Vice President Michael D. Cohen and Penn Gaming Vice President of I Gaming Chris Sheffield. Cohen cited the success of Caesars Interactive in Nevada and New Jersey while Chris spoke of the integrity and safety nets of the international online gaming community. Sheffield also highlighted the employment opportunities online gaming would add to the state. Cohen and Sheffield jointly agree that the perspective of their testimony would transmit to a proposed online gaming environment in Pennsylvania.

Entertainment at its best

 

The technical side of the process was provided by GLI Vice President of Government Relations, Kevin Mullaly and GeoComply Operations Manager Lindsay Slader. Each gave either a demonstration or explanation of how technology works in other jurisdictions with gaming online. The consensus was that this is something that can be done and regulated with the controls that the Commonwealth would feel are appropriate.

My take is that all businesses that are successful must have an online presence. If it is minimize, then the amount of revenue is dramatically reduced. If I have a competitor in a neighboring state that can provide a service that I can't, I am at a competitive disadvantage. Will that disadvantage be limited to geographic boundaries?  No! If I want to play in New Jersey, I can still drive there. So if the promotions of playing online entice me to do so, I would play less in my home state. If the same promotion was available where I live, I would play there. Note the staggering decline in gaming revenue in Atlantic City was parallel to the increase of money spent wagering in Pennsylvania once tables and slots were approved. There was a direct correlation.

If this online gaming initiative continues thru May and gains traction in the PA State Senate, things could get very interesting. Stay Tuned!

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Poker or Fantasy Sports: Which one is the skill game?

Poker and Fantasy Sports are getting a lot of conversation. Both are receiving more consideration as games of skills and not chance. This interpretation makes both of them socially acceptable and widely popular. I decided to compare the two and give my assessment.

Poker has the statistics to determine probability of what may happen based on what cards you have. Stats in poker are constant and absolute. Psychology has a part to play, but a solid understanding of math and probability will increase your chances of winning. The hand and the chances of winning with it have a percentage that is comparable to the other players in the game. When watching shows like Poker Night in America , you are updated as what each poker player's chances are throughout.

Analytical variables are given to players in fantasy leagues that give them value based on past performance.  During the NFL playoffs, a prognosticator was giving predictions based on analytics related to the point spread. Variables in fantasy are subject to exponents that fall outside of the player's control. Weather, illness  and coaching decisions are things that can alter a fantasy player productivity. Think how many people wagered that Marshawn Lynch would score more than 1 touchdown during Super Bowl 49. We all know how that ended.

Poker is the true skill game of the two. I think that fantasy leagues will have a more diverse following that will include women. Poker is played predominately by males.  While there is a poker community that is established, there is not enough liquidity yet for it become profitable. Delaware Lottery reported a combine total of $600,000 for the year ending 2014. This number included casino and slot play. In 2014, several of the online gaming sites in Nevada and New Jersey shut down. Trump Taj Mahal just closed their poker room in Atlantic City. They anticipate reopening in the summer.

The acknowledgement of the professional leagues will build the support for more fantasy leagues. Fan Duel has commercials that air during ESPN telecasts.  DraftKings has added two more teams to its growing list of partnerships in the NBA . Shortly after announcing a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, DraftKings has struck separate deals with the Sacramento Kings and the Golden State Warriors.  There is also a  Daily Fantasy Expo this year in Miami. The Expo will focus on management, technology and marketing for the fantasy sports industry. Since 2006, fantasy sports has grown from USD $1.6 billion industry to a USD $15 billion industry. It's meteoric rise is considered the tip of the iceberg, given the new dynamic of Daily Fantasy Sports.

Imagine That!

The upside for poker is it can be played for low limits in the online gaming world.  Borgata and Caesars  are two of the top poker sites in  New Jersey. 888  is one of the leading software providers. Many states are talking about the legalization of poker. We will see who enters the game in 2015

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G2E & Casino Marketing: Where is your next customer?

While you're at the G2E 2014 , take a look at what you see as you walk thru the casinos. Many would notice the restaurants, the customer interactions and the showroom headliner. What you don't see is your next customer. The reason you don't see him is that he or she does not gravitate to the product that 's on the casino floor. The appeal of slots is not there for them.

So when the area that you generate most of your revenue from does not appeal to your new customer what do you do?  You connect with them and find what does. While most of your budget is for player retention and development, you must divert a portion to cultivation. This will enable you to achieve a standard 3% growth in market share annually.

The past 4 years of attending social media and I gaming conferences has given me insight on how this can be done. I'll share more  over the next week.
Learn more about online gaming and how it can shape your future entertainment experiences.

So when they look at their phones, they'll see you.

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Fantasy Sports Betting: Skill or Chance?

 

 

I watched Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel this week.  This segment, the HBO award winning series  goes in depth on whether fantasy sports betting is  gambling or a skill. The way fans play today is not

your father's fantasy sports. 

 

 

The old version was pick a join a league of friends, select players for your team, pay your league fee and play a schedule of games. If you  have the best record at the end of the season, you won the lion share of the money collected. Much different now.

 

Today millions of dollars is wagered daily by people that don't know each but operate under the original fantasy betting premise. When the day's games end the winner gets the money minus a 10%

handling fee. The players today use data and analytical spreadsheets to determine their selections. That why the question of skill versus risk comes in. The comparison of today's player to a day trader on Wall Street come to mind. Yesterday's player would be an avid fan of the sport or a particular athlete. Past performances, weather and time are all considerations when picking a fantasy team today. As of this writing, over 30 million people play fantasy sports. Football and Baseball are the two most popular games.

 

This is still gaming but with sophistication. Formal gaming that includes the lottery and slot machines tend to appeal to a clientele that has less funds and limited game awareness. Informal gaming such as sports betting and fantasy wagering requires more money and greater knowledge of  the game.  Any way you look at it, this is a billion dollar business about to explode. Mobile gaming and the legality of wagering on sports in New Jersey make fantasy a money making reality.

Follow me for more insight during G2E 2014 week.

 

Learn more about online gaming and how it can shape your future entertainment experiences.

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Online Gaming In New Jersey: What's next?

The 1st year of online gaming in New Jersey did not live up to expectations. The bar was set too high and the players were not aware of the product. Here why the 2nd year will be better. The following is a graph of wagering done internationally. New Jersey will ultimately reflect comparable numbers.

Marketing efforts have started now before the cold weather sets in. This gives the casino players a viable option if we have a winter as severe as 2013- 14.  Geo traffic location improvement will increase the number of players that will be allowed to participate. I think the online gaming market will be the beneficiary of a compact agreement between Nevada and New Jersey in 2015.  Gaming as we know it will change.

From this

 

 

 To This

 

 

Meanwhile, the online gambling world continues to thrive, with additional online casinos joining the mix in the coming weeks. Striving to provide a “lifelike casino experience”, these sites offer a plethora of games, betting options, and financing methods designed to keep gamblers in their armchairs. Follow me for more insight during G2E 2014 week.

 

Learn more about online gaming and how it can shape your future entertainment experiences.

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Sports Betting a reality in New Jersey??

I was at work when I got the news. Sports Betting is going to start in New Jersey within 45 days. The Supreme Court may have something to say about this. For now, Governor Christie is looking at a interpretation from a appellate court that would allow sports betting without actual sanctions from the state. Wagers would take place at racetracks and casinos. No bets can be placed on contest involving college teams playing in New Jersey or in state college teams anywhere.  All bets must be made in person.

 

The timing is perfect because of the closings of several casinos this year in Atlantic City.  Something must be done to generate interest in New Jersey. Sports Betting can do that.  Now additional weeks of full rooms and restaurants. Long weekends starting with Thursday Night Football and ending with Monday Night Football. March Madness with collegiate basketball for 3 consecutive weeks. The revenue from sports betting would create a ripple effect on the current offering of casino entertainment and pari-mutuel wagering.

The professional leagues have not issued a comment on this pending development. The NBA and Commissioner Adam Silver did give insight about the possibility of betting on games.  — given Silver's comments last week at the Bloomberg Business Summit in New York.

"It's inevitable that if all these states are broke that there will be legalized sports betting in more states than Nevada and we will ultimately participate in that," Silver said. "If you have gentleman's bet or a small wager on any kind of sports contest, it makes you that much more engaged in it. That's where we're going to see it pay dividends. If people are watching a game and clicking to bet on their smart phones, which is what people are doing in the United Kingdom right now, then it's much more likely you're going to stay tuned for a long time."

In Nevada, you can presently wager on any professional sport on your phone if you have an account with a casino. One of the prominent sports betting sites is William Hill.

You must be within the state to do so. Just another extension of online gaming thru mobile device. New Jersey is coming to the new millennium. Are you?

Learn more about online gaming and how it can shape your future entertainment experiences.

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