31 August 2022

Media Man and Casino News Media: Casino News Media and Media Man Group: News from Las Vegas, Canada, Australia and across the globe

Media Man and Casino News Media

Casino News Media and Media Man Group: News from Las Vegas, Canada, Australia and across the globe


Nevada records fourth highest July gaming win in history and second highest on the Strip

Nevada gaming surpassed $1 billion in revenue for the 17th consecutive month in July, marking the fourth highest monthly total in history at $1.31 billion and the second highest ever on the Las Vegas Strip. It took a record July 2021 to keep last month from surpassing that total. July 2022’s revenue decreased $43 million, a drop of 3.2%, from the $1.35 billion in July 2021, according to the Nevada Gaming Control Board.


IGT to pay $270 million to settle social gaming lawsuit

Global gaming giant IGT says it will pay almost US$270 million to settle a class action lawsuit brought against it by customers of its former social gaming subsidiary DoubleDown Interactive Co Ltd (DDI). The company said this week that it has reached an agreement in principle in the case of Benson v DoubleDown Interactive LLC, which was first launched in 2017 just a few months after IGT disposed of DDI in a hefty US$825 million deal.


Ontarians wager $4 billion (CAD), market produces $162 million gaming revenue in first quarter

The public can finally see numbers indicating how Ontario‘s new regulated iGaming and online sports betting market is performing since its launch on April 4. Ontarians wagered more than $4 billion (CAD) and the market produced $162 million total gaming revenue — from iCasino, online sports betting, and online poker — for the period of April 4-June 30, according to the first revenue report released by iGaming Ontario. (As of Aug. 30, $1 CAD is equal to $0.76 USD.)


California: Top elected officials voice opposition to Proposition 27

Though California Gov. Gavin Newsom deems himself neutral on Proposition 27, the digital sports betting ballot initiative with funding earmarked for homelessness and mental health programs, several other key elected officials voiced strong opposition to the measure Monday in describing it as a sham. “Proposition 27 exploits California’s tribes and our resources while making no real investments in California,” Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis said in a press release shared by the No on 27 campaign.


VSiN’s announces new fall lineup featuring Broadcast Hall of Famer Brent Musburger

VSiN’s new fall schedule that launches today will be headlined by a member of the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame. “Countdown to Kickoff with Brent Musburger,” is the centerpiece of NFL football coverage on Sundays by the Las Vegas-based sports betting network owned by DraftKings. “The addition of this new programming and its industry leading talent will position VSiN to provide the growing number of sports bettors in the U.S. with expert betting insights and premium content,” said VSiN General Manager Len Mead in a statement.


Las Vegas: Circa, Able Baker Brewing partner to create ‘Vegas Vickie Neon Blonde’ beer

Las Vegas’ famous neon kicking cowgirl now has her own beer. Able Baker Brewing Company and Circa Resort & Casino in downtown Las Vegas have teamed up to create a custom blonde lager beer – the Vegas Vickie Neon Blonde. The new brew pays homage to the iconic kicking neon cowgirl, Vegas Vickie. According to a news release, the the 4.5% ABV beverage, which is only available at Circa, will be served in a 16 oz. can. The drink is described as a crisp and clean lager with more character and depth of flavor than the standard light beer.


Ainsworth returns to profit in FY22 as American markets boost recovery

Australian slot machine supplier Ainsworth Game Technology Limited (AGT) returned to profit in the financial year ended 30 June 2022, aided by improved performance in Latin America and the global-wide recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Profit After Tax reached AU$11.8 million (US$8.2 million), reversing an AU$53.4 million (US$37.1 million) loss in FY21 on the back of a 38% year-on-year increase in revenue to AU$220.2 million (US$152.9 million). This included revenue of AU$100.7 million (US$69.9 million) in the first six months of the financial year and AU$119.5 million (US$83.0 million) in the second half.

Media Man Int Blog: Gonzo Journalism profiled via Media Man network and dedicated social media channel

Gonzo Journalism profiled via Media Man network and dedicated social media channel


28 August 2022

Media Man Int: Profiles

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Media Man Int: Tim Ferriss wins Media Man 'MBS Podcast Of The Month' award: When to Quit – Lessons from World-Class Entrepreneurs, Investors, Authors, and More (#254) and Why (and How) Creative People Need to Say "No"

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Tim Ferriss wins Media Man 'MBS Podcast Of The Month' award:  When to Quit – Lessons from World-Class Entrepreneurs, Investors, Authors, and More (#254) and

Why (and How) Creative People Need to Say "No"


Social Media

Greg Tingle

Absolute gold as usual from you Tim. As a concept, I'm not into quitting, but I do believe in pausing,  assessing, regroup, adjust, and continue to move forward. I'm interested to learn what you and your readership thinks of my approach! "It's impossible to beat a man who never gives up" - Greg Tingle, Media Man.


Why (and How) Creative People Need to Say "No" 

Greg Tingle

This is gold. Having been in and around media for over two years one big thing I learned is that the more I said "no" to so many things, the more successful and less stressed I was. Decision on what to focus on, sticking to the plan, and still finding time to smell the roses. Doing what you love and you will never work a day in your live, as the universe days.


Websites

Tim Ferriss Official Podcast

26 August 2022

Media Man Int Blog: Billy Corgan’s music fame helped his NWA return to the Chase in St. Louis. NWA 74 is there next (Miami Herald)

Billy Corgan’s music fame helped his NWA return to the Chase in St. Louis. NWA 74 is there next (Miami Herald)


NWA president Billy Corgan continues to make history thanks to his alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. 

Last year the NWA presented its 73rd anniversary show (NWA 73) at the Chase, becoming the first pro wrestling group to utilize the historic venue in St. Louis, since 1984.

How? 

Because, as Corgan noted, someone working in a key position at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel is a fan of The Smashing Pumpkins. Take advantage of it and rightfully so. The NWA will do it again with NWA 74 on Saturday and Sunday via FITE TV from that Chase Khorassan Ballroom

Plenty of talent and fan interaction during the two-day extravaganza.

Here is my video interview with Corgan.

“Wrestling at the Chase” was a weekly program during the territory days of professional wrestling. The brainchild of legendary promoter and hall of famer Sam Muchnick, the weekly pro wrestling series aired from May 23, 1959, to September 10, 1983. The show was promoted by the St. Louis Wrestling Club, a member of the National Wrestling Alliance.

Click here for full article and multimedia



Social Media

Greg Tingle

NWA...the name on the marquee says Wrestling. Well written and explained article that the majority of readers will get. We've always enjoyed the wrestling and music connection, that the WWE started pushing circa 1984 with Hulk Hogan and friends, which was known as the Rock N Wrestling connection, and that was part of the bridge that some wrestling later became known as "sports entertainment". Michael P.S Hayes may have been the original wrestler that did the whole rock star - wrestler thing, with music videos (Bradstreet U S.A), and the like, and also 'Exotic' Adrian Street with Miss Linda did a couple of music videos so. Then the late Randy "Macho Man". Savage followed suit and the Road Warriors would come out to the ring to 'Iron Man' by Black Sabbath! Back to the NWA, great to see 'The National Treasure' Nick Aldis back on the NWA 74 card, even if he's not in the official main event. The fans are a big part of who is a star and is "over" per kayfabe industry banter. Hopefully at the upcoming NWA event it's a Win-Win-Win (for the wrestlers / promoters / business associates, the fans and the industry). Here's to great action and a quality and enjoyable experience for all. Cheers from Sydney, Australia.

Media Man Profiles

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Media Man Int: PM Malcolm Turnbull addresses Google presented conference: Let's Put Our Businesses On The Map with Google. (Question by Greg Tingle - Media Man Australia and Media Man Int) video

PM Malcolm Turnbull addresses Google presented conference: Let's Put Our Businesses On The Map with Google. (Question by Greg Tingle - Media Man Australia and Media Man Int) video




23 August 2022

Media Man Int: Star posts FY loss after Sydney casino hit

Star posts FY loss after Sydney casino hit

Casino operator Star Entertainment Group has swung to an annual loss, weighed down by extended COVID-related closures and a hefty writedown at its flagship Sydney casino amid regulatory troubles.

Australia's second-biggest casino operator on Monday posted a full year loss of $198.6 million for the year to June 30, compared to a $57.9 million profit a year earlier.

The company said it took a financial hit after its three properties on the east coast were collectively closed for 125 days in the first half of the year due to pandemic restrictions.

It also slashed the value of goodwill for its main Star Sydney property by $162.5 million "due to regulatory and other uncertainties".

Star said normalised net loss, excluding the significant items, was $32 million. Revenue for the year to June 30 dipped 1.2 per cent to $1.53 billion.

"Clearly, in the regulatory environment we're working our way through it was appropriate to consider a higher level of risk and so we effected that through the weighted average cost of capital. The consequence of that was an impairment on the Sydney property," interim Chairman Ben Heap told AAP. 

By 1415 AEST, shares in the company were down 1.7 per cent to $2.86, adding to the nearly 20 per cent drop in value so far in 2022.

Star's fortunes have sagged in recent months amid regulatory scrutiny after hearings at an NSW inquiry unearthed allegations about money laundering, fraud and links to organised crime at its Sydney casino.

The company is now awaiting the outcome of that review into its suitability to hold a NSW casino licence by the end of this month. 

It faces a separate investigation from the financial crimes regulator, as well as an inquiry on its suitability to hold a casino licence in Queensland, which is set to hear from witnesses from Tuesday. 

Star is also facing competition from bigger rival Crown, which opened the doors of its Sydney casino earlier this month following the long-delayed green light from the NSW watchdog, after recently emerging from its own regulatory troubles. 

Star, currently the dominant casino operator in Sydney, says it's too early to form a view on the impact of Crown, but added that "it recognises that it will be operating in a competitive marketplace".

While domestic gaming demand has picked up, international business is still down significantly as Australian casinos steer clear of junket operators, which previously contributed significant numbers.

They have also been affected by the slow recovery of the international tourism market, which is likely to rebound to pre-COVID levels only over the next couple of years.

Still, the group says it's seeing the positive revenue trends from the fourth quarter of FY22 continuing into the current financial year.

Domestic revenue for the period from July 1 to August 18 rose 9 per cent on the comparative pre-COVID period of 2019, largely thanks to a 26 per cent recovery in the Gold Coast's domestic revenue.

Domestic revenue at the Star Sydney was in line with pre-COVID levels.

"That sort of run rate is very encouraging. It indicates our growth sits above pre-COVID numbers, and given all the factors that we're facing at the moment, the underlying performance of the business has been terrific," Mr Heap said. 

Star will not pay any final dividend, meaning it has not paid any dividend for the FY22 year.

Hard Rock International Announces Key Leadership Appointments for Las Vegas and Atlantic City Properties

Hard Rock International Announces Key Leadership Appointments for Las Vegas and Atlantic City Properties

HOLLYWOOD, Fla., Aug. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Joe Lupo has been named President of the future Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, subject to regulatory approval of Hard Rock International's previously announced plans to purchase The Mirage Hotel & Casino from MGM Resorts International. Lupo will take over the role once the Nevada Gaming Commission licensing process has concluded. An Ohio native, Lupo has more than three decades of casino gaming experience. He was named President of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City in November 2018, after spending two successful years at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa.

Lupo's new position in Las Vegas was announced today by Hard Rock International Chairman Jim Allen, who is the driving force and vision behind Hard Rock International's purchase of The Mirage Hotel & Casino and the company's plan to construct an iconic Guitar Hotel on the Las Vegas strip.  Allen said Lupo is uniquely qualified to become the President of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas.

"As president of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City for the past four years, Joe Lupo has achieved amazing results," said Allen. "Thanks to his dedication and expertise, financial results continue to outperform expectations, while our team members share an unmatched commitment to guest service and satisfaction. I am confident Joe Lupo will achieve even greater success at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas."

Lupo is no stranger to Las Vegas, having worked at various Boyd Gaming properties in Las Vegas and in Laughlin, Nevada, including the former Stardust Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, where he was the Director of Race and Sportsbook.  He is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

In Atlantic City, Anthony Faranca will be promoted to property President, subject to regulatory approval, effective September 1. A Philadelphia native, Faranca is a seasoned casino executive with extensive experience managing large gaming properties in several states including Maryland, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

"Anthony's deep knowledge of the Atlantic City and Northeast region is an invaluable asset to the company," said Jim Allen. "We are confident that Anthony will continue Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City's legacy of success and impactful leadership in the community."

Faranca began his casino career in Atlantic City as a Guest Services Manager and was promoted through the ranks to Regional Vice President of National Casino Marketing at the four Caesars Atlantic City properties. Faranca eventually relocated to Philadelphia and was appointed Vice President and General Manager of Parx Casino in 2009. Faranca then moved to Las Vegas to join Station Casinos and served as Vice President and General Manager for the Palms Casino Resort while also managing the company's enterprise-wide strategy for Table Game operations.

Faranca returned to the east coast in 2019 and joined the Cordish Companies as Vice President and General Manager of Live! Casino in Hanover, MD. In this role Faranca navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, launched a FanDuel Sportsbook, and opened a 5,000-seat event center.

About Hard Rock®:

Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies with venues in over 70 countries spanning 265 locations that include owned/licensed or managed Rock Shops®, Live Performance Venues and Cafes. HRI also launched a joint venture named Hard Rock Digital in 2020, an online sportsbook, retail sportsbook and internet gaming platform. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's largest and most valuable collection of authentic music memorabilia at more than 86,000 pieces, which are displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock Hotels has been honored with Outstanding Guest Satisfaction and above for four consecutive years among Upper Upscale Hotels in J.D. Power's North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Study and in 2022, the iconic brand was ranked as the number one brand for the second year in a row. HRI is the first privately-owned gaming company designated U.S. Best Managed Company by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal for the second year. Hard Rock was also honored as one of Forbes' Best Employers for Women, Diversity and New Grads and a Top Large Employer in the Travel & Leisure, Gaming, and Entertainment Industry. In 2021, Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos received first place ranking in the Casino Gaming Executive Satisfaction Survey conducted by Bristol Associates Inc. and Spectrum Gaming Group for six of the last seven years. For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com or shop.hardrock.com

SOURCE Hard Rock International

Media Man 'Digital Business Tips Of The Week': Have helpful content that Google and your audience will like and see value in. Be Google Friendly...

Media Man 'Digital Business Tips Of The Week': 

Have helpful content that Google and your audience will like and see value in. Be Google Friendly. Further develop your niche. And, have back-ups. Keep learning new skills for web and media business #tipoftheweek #digital #digitalbusiness #publishing #online #seo #content #articles #news #serp #serps #seo #metatags #business #media #mediaman #mediamanaustralia #mediamanint #mediamangroup



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19 August 2022

Media Man Int: News, Pop Culture, Entertainment, Sports, Business...

News, Pop Culture, Entertainment, Sports, Business...

Podcast Of The Month: Marketers That Matter® Releases Podcast, "MTM Visionaries"

Network: Be Your Own Network Says Media Man Group

Karrion Kross wins Media Man 'Wrestler Of The Month'

Broken Skull Sessions wins Media Man 'Wrestling Podcast Of The Month' award again

AEW Rampage ratings fine improvement while WWE SmackDown suffers amidst NFL preseason

AEW Fight Forever 

National Wrestling Alliance ((NWA) wins Media Man 'Wrestling Promotion Of The Month' award again

Gene LeBell Dies: Stuntman, Actor And Wrestling Legend Who Fought Bruce Lee & Chuck Norris Onscreen Was 89

Josh Quinlan wins Media Man 'MMA Of The Month' award

BJ Penn wins Media Man 'Martial Artist Of The Month' and 'Combat Sports Website Of The Month' awards   

Mike Tyson makes sad statement he is going to die ‘really soon’ 

Dave Smith aka The Fighting Father wins Media Man 'Social And Community Entrepreneur Of The Month' Award  

The boy bosses of Silicon Valley are on their way out  

High rollers still on the menu as Crown and Star lock horns 

Tosca Musk on her big brother Elon’s advice   

Madonna says MTV performance nearly ruined her career on 'Fallon'  

'She-Hulk: Attorney-at-Law' posters feature Tatiana Maslany, Jameela Jamil

Betting booming for Aussie sports: NRL, AFL and basketball; Flows to games, online casino games'

Forex trading media, advertising and publicity opportunities via Media Man Int and Media Man Australia websites  

News Articles On Pop Culture, Entertainment, Sports, Casino, Wrestling... 

Bet On Anything  

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18 August 2022

Media Man Int: NJ gambling revenue up 6.7% in July, but 5 casinos still lag

NJ gambling revenue up 6.7% in July, but 5 casinos still lag


ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey’s casinos, horse tracks that offer sports betting and the online partners of both types of gambling outlets won $480.7 million in July, an increase of 6.7% from a year ago.

But the resorts nine casinos continue to struggle to return to pre-pandemic levels in terms of the amount won from in-person gamblers, with five of them winning less in July 2022 than they did in July 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic began.

Figures released Tuesday by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement show that the casinos collectively won just under $299 million from in-person gamblers. That’s more than the $277 million they collectively won in July 2019.

But five casinos — Bally’s, Borgata, Golden Nugget, Harrah’s and the Tropicana — won less from in-person gamblers last month than they did in July 2019.

Nonetheless, Atlantic City’s performance in July “showed indications of a strong summer season fueled by a return to normal operations and consumer behavior,” said Jane Bokunewicz, director of the Lloyd Levenson Institute at Stockton University.

“Unlike last summer, Atlantic City casinos in 2022 are operating without official public health restrictions, which were still in place at the start of summer 2021,” she said. “There also isn’t the COVID-19 drag of persisting public health concerns that kept some visitors from returning to pre-pandemic behaviors even after an end to the COVID-19 public health emergency in New Jersey.”

James Plousis, chairman of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission, said the resort is off to a good start to the crucial summer season.

“Casino win reached its highest level for the month of July in a decade, reflecting the strength of Atlantic City as a gaming and leisure destination,” he said. “Year-to-date, every casino hotel has surpassed its casino win, internet gaming win, and total gaming revenue compared to the same period last year.”

While internet gambling and sports betting add to the revenue totals reported by the state for each casino, gambling executives say those figures are misleading because substantial portions of such revenue are kept by third-party providers such as tech platforms.

Because of that reason, they say in-person gambling revenue is a more accurate measure of how well the casinos are doing.

The Borgata won $124 million from in-person gamblers, sports bettors and internet gambling in July, up 16.4% from a year earlier. Hard Rock won $59.8 million, up nearly 8%; Golden Nugget won $49.1 million, virtually flat from a year earlier; and Ocean won $43.3 million, up 29.5% from a year ago.

Tropicana won $35.8 million, down 2.5% from a year ago; Harrah’s won $26.3%, down 10%; Caesars won $25.5 million, down 3.2%; Bally’s won $20.7 million, up 28.4%, and Resorts won $18.3 million down nearly 3%. (Resorts Digital, the company’s online arm, won nearly $39 million, an increase of nearly 15% from a year earlier.)

Among racetracks that offer sports betting, the Meadowlands in East Rutherford won $25.2 million in July, down from $31.7 million a year earlier. Monmouth Park in Oceanport won $1.6 million, down from $2.4 million a year earlier, and Freehold won $675,089, up from $165,792 last year.

All told, gamblers wagered $531.8 million on sports in July, down from $578.7 million a year ago.

New Jersey’s sports betting market is facing a new challenge from New York, which began offering mobile sports betting earlier this year and quickly seized the nationwide lead in terms of the amount of sports bets taken.

15 August 2022

AEW: Fight Forever wrestling videogame

AEW: Fight Forever wrestling videogame


Developed by YUKE’s Co, Ltd., creators of numerous, multi-million unit selling wrestling games, AEW: Fight Forever combines that nostalgic arcade-wrestler feel with innovative All Elite Wrestling finishers and tandem offensive moves. All Elite Wrestling is currently taking TNT and TBS networks by storm every week with their Rampage and Dynamite shows, featuring some of the biggest legends to enter the ring plus a stable of brand new, high-flying, AEW talent. AEW: Fight Forever brings the best of the best from that talent roster together in one game! Online co-op wrestling is going completely next level in Fight Forever with Tag Team matches that feature sequences of team maneuvers performed with simple commands. A deep career mode, wrestler customization, signature AEW arenas, multiple match types and more match types than you can count, including some good ol’ fashioned, unsanctioned fun, all await!

AEW Fight Forever

Has WWE 2K met its match?

THQ Nordic

ALL ELITE WRESTLING is finally getting its long-awaited video game. Titled AEW Fight Forever, this is the wrestling promotion’s first fully-fledged console game, hopefully serving as a worthy competitor to the WWE 2K series.

It’s also developer Yuke’s first professional wrestling project since creating WWE 2K19 in 2018, after working on WWE games for over 18 years. With that in mind, there’s a lot of excitement for the upcoming game. Here’s everything we know about it so far.


MATCH TYPES

Single Matches

Tag-Team

3-Way

4-Way

Ladder Matches

Casino Battle Royale

Falls Count Anywhere

Unsanctioned Lights-Out (allows use of weapons)

Exploding Barbed Wire Déath Matches


WHO IS THE AEW FIGHT FOREVER DEVELOPER?

Yuke’s, the Japanese team that worked on WWE games since 2000 is in charge of developing AEW Fight Forever. The studio ended its partnership with 2K in 2019 and began working on the AEW game shortly thereafter.

Given the developer’s rich history in developing professional wrestling games, expectations for the upcoming AEW game are through the roof.


WHAT IS THE AEW FIGHT FOREVER ROSTER?

AEW Fight Forever

Thunder Rosa, Abandon, and Yuka Sakazaki perform in a triple-threat match.

The full roster for AEW Fight Forever has yet to be revealed, but there are several wrestlers confirmed to make an appearance:

Abandon

Adam Cole

Adam Page

Chris Jericho

CM Punk

Cody Rhodes

Darby Allin

Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D.

Hikaru Shida

Jade Cargill

Jon Moxley

Jungle Boy

Kenny Omega

Kris Statlander

Nyla Rose

Owen Hart

Pentagon

Thunder Rosa

Yuka Sakazaki


Websites

AEW: Fight Foverever

AEW Games Facebook