Las Vegas, a perennial target for potential threats, is ensuring robust security measures as it prepares for the upcoming Super Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on 11 February. Past high-profile events like the New Year’s Eve and the Formula 1 Grand Prix have provided invaluable experience, allowing for better-organized security preparations. Police plans to extend its coverage beyond the stadium to locations hosting parties and Super Bowl experiences.

The Super Bowl’s Scale Presents Unique Challenges

The Department of Homeland Security has designated the Super Bowl as a SEAR 1 event, signifying the highest level of security. Metro aims for successful law enforcement through communication and collaboration involving public safety groups. Despite the challenges, Clark County Sheriff McMahill stressed the importance of keeping officers motivated and focused to ensure the community’s safety.

In an interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, McMahill highlighted the department’s approach to high-profile events, drawing parallels with past gatherings. McMahill noted the additional challenges posed by numerous events surrounding the game. Many resorts on the Strip plan on attracting fans with activities like pool parties, adding to the NFL-approved events.

“We are prepared for the Super Bowl like we were prepared for any other major event.”

Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill

Sheriff McMahill acknowledged the challenges faced by his officers, noting that on any given weekend, around 1,200 officers work overtime to cover high-profile events in the tourist corridor. Metro has accumulated substantial experience responding to emerging issues, leveraging its resources to achieve maximum effect. The upcoming Super Bowl should be a suitable test of the Metro’s expertise.

Preparations Are Well Underway

Security measures have evolved significantly since the tragic mass shooting on 1 October 2017 during a country music festival on the Strip. The incident remains a cautionary tale when planning security for high-profile events, as it offers painful lessons on managing such large crowds. New technologies and increased awareness should hopefully lead to a trouble-free experience for Las Vegas visitors.

To ensure the success of security measures, Metro Lt. Kendall Bell, co-chair of the Las Vegas Super Bowl Host Committee’s public safety and security subcommittee, highlighted the importance of information-sharing and joint efforts. The committee has been actively assisting the authorities, attending the past two Super Bowls in California and Arizona to familiarize themselves with the event.

As Las Vegas prepares for the Super Bowl, the city remains vigilant against potential threats, drawing on past experiences to implement robust security measures for the upcoming major event. Although the Metro cannot eliminate every possible danger, it is hard at work to ensure the high-profile game will happen seamlessly and without significant issues. 

The post Las Vegas Police Gears Up for Super Bowl Security appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Super Bowl LVIII, one of the most-anticipated National Football League (NFL) events for the year, is scheduled to take place on February 11, 2024, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. While there are plenty of festive activities planned throughout the week before the game, Sin City visitors may see hospitality worker picket lines in front of downtown and Strip hotel casinos.

Last week, the Culinary Union, representing casino workers in the city successfully negotiated a new five-year contract for the employees at Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas. While this was a major success for the union and the workers, negotiations with 20 hotel casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip and downtown continue and picket lines may be seen.

In a recent interview for The Nevada Independent, Ted Pappageorge, the Culinary Union’s secretary-treasurer, confirmed that picket lines can be seen in front of the properties just in time for the Super Bowl LVIII celebrations planned early in February. Pappageorge reaffirmed the need for a deadline, something that was announced by the Culinary Union earlier this month. At the time, the Union set February 2 at 5 AM as the deadline for the negotiations with the remaining 20 downtown and Strip hotel casinos.

Hospitality Employees Are Prepared to Go On Strike

Pappageorge spoke about the importance of the new contracts with the outstanding casino hotels, explaining that the workers there deserve the same benefits as the deals negotiated with the major operators in Sin City. He revealed that February 2 represents exactly nine months since the contracts of the hospitality workers expired.

While Pappageorge confirmed that the Unions want to avoid a strike, he said that “any responsible labor leader is going to do their best to reserve that right.” He confirmed that the workers at the resorts where contracts are outstanding are prepared to go on strike to secure better conditions, fair wages and job benefits.

“At the same time, these companies need to know things have changed since the pandemic. These companies are doing well and workers want their fair share and they’re prepared to strike to achieve that goal.“

Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer for the Culinary Union

Last year, the Union reached agreements for new five-year contracts with Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts International and Wynn Resorts, the three leading casino and entertainment operators in Las Vegas. Recognized as a major win, the negotiations secured better working conditions, increased pay and job security for some 40,000 employees in the sector.

The post Las Vegas Workers Ready for Strike Ahead of Super Bowl appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The first day of 2024 brings us an interesting duel at State Farm Stadium where the Liberty Flames will try to upset the odds and beat the Oregon Ducks.

If they do it, it’s going to be their 14^th straight win. Meanwhile, the Ducks are looking to bounce back after losing their most recent game to the Washington Huskies.

Liberty Flames vs. Oregon Ducks Fiesta Bowl Odds

9560 players claimed the offer this month

When, Where, and How to Watch?

• Place: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona   
• Date: Monday, January 1, 2024
• Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
• How to Watch: ESPN

The confidence is high in the locker room of the Liberty Flames, who have been brilliant under coach Jamey Chadwell. With him in charge, they won every single game they played in 2023.

We saw them go 13-0 in the Conference USA, with their most recent game seeing them beat New Mexico State for the conference title.

These guys were brilliant offensively in 2023, scoring 40.8 points per game on average. That makes the Flames the No. 5 offense in the nation. The Flames are 1^st in the nation when it comes to rushing yards per game with 302.9 yards on average.

Their running back Quinton Cooley looks like someone who’s got a very bright future in the NFL. This guy will have to put on a real good show on January 1 in the 2024 Fiesta Bowl because his team is taking on one of the best defenses in the nation.

Can Oregon’s Defense Stop Liberty?

The Ducks are the eighth-highest-ranked college football team in the US, going 11-2 in 2023. Noth of their losses happened to the Washington Huskies, who are the No. 2 team in the nation.

However, they’ve been doing great against teams ranked outside the top 10. In 2023, we saw them win against Oregon State, USC, Arizona State, and many others.

Their offense has been good constantly for (at least) the past 12 months, with their average being 41.1 PPG. When it comes to their defense, they’re 12^th in the nation, allowing 18.2 points per game on average.

Liberty Flames vs. Oregon Ducks 2024 Fiesta Bowl

The Oregon Ducks are just better than the Liberty Flames, which is why they’re favored to win the 2024 Fiesta Bowl. We think they’re going to win it, but we don’t think they’re going to have an easy job on January 1.

The Flames are great when it comes to running the ball and their defense is alright as well. Although they don’t look capable of winning, we can definitely see them covering the 17-point spread.

Pick: Liberty Flames +17.0

The post Liberty Flames vs. Oregon Ducks 2024 Fiesta Bowl Odds, Time, and Prediction appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The Alabama Crimson Tide are 12-1 and are ranked fifth in the nation. Coached by legendary HC Nick Saban, the Tide are hoping to cash in on their good form which saw them win 11 games in a row.

Unfortunately for ‘Bama’s fans, their opponents in the 2024 Rose Bowl have been even more impressive – the Michigan Wolverines have won every single game in more than a year.

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Michigan Wolverines 2024 Rose Bowl Odds

1

9527 players claimed the offer this month

When, Where, and How to Watch?

• Place: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California 
• Date: Monday, January 1, 2024
• Time: 5:00 p.m. ET
• How to Watch: ESPN

Crimson Tide Is Back in the CFP After One-Year Hiatus

The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Georgia Bulldogs in the 2023 SEC Championship Game, ahead of which the Bulldogs were the No. 1 ranked college football team in the nation. Georgia entered the game as a six-point favorite, but Alabama ended up winning by three points.

Fast-forward to January 1 and the Crimson Tide are taking on the new No. 1 NCAAF team. Can they stage another upset? The 2024 Rose Bowl odds aren’t in their favor, but their confidence seems to be high.

All of their key men are in top shape, most notably, their quarterback Jalen Milroe, who’s turning into a real superstar of college football. He’s one of the best NCAAF QBs, but is he good enough to outsmart the nation’s best defense?

Wolverines to Prove They’re the Best

The Michigan Wolverines are the highest-ranked team in college football at the moment. They went 13-0 in the regular season, beating a couple of ranked teams along the way.

In their most recent game – the 2023 Big Ten Championship Game – the Wolverines beat the #20 Iowa Hawkeyes 26-0. Before that, they beat the #7 Ohio State Buckeyes 30-24.

The Wolverines are the nation’s 12^th-best offense in the league with a PPG of 36.7. Their quarterback JJ McCarthy has been sensational, especially in big games. Still, Michigan’s strongest weapon this season has been its defensive team.

With just 9.5 points conceded per game, the Wolverines are the best defense in the 2023-24 college football season.

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Michigan Wolverines 2024 Rose Bowl

Alabama’s offense is great, but even Milroe & Co. cannot do much against Michigan’s defense. The Wolverines haven’t conceded more than 30 points in more than a year, and we doubt the Crimson Tide will change that.

Instead, we think Michigan will keep them to just a touchdown or two. But what about the other way around? We think the Wolverines’ offensive team will do a fine job on January 1. As a result, Jim Harbaugh’s men should win the 2024 Rose Bowl, covering the spread along the way.

Pick: Michigan Wolverines -1.5

The post Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Michigan Wolverines 2024 Rose Bowl Odds, Time, and Prediction appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The Texas Longhorns vs. Washington Huskies game is the semifinal of the 2023-24 College Football Playoffs. Whoever wins the 2024 Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome will get to fight for the national title.

Judging by the Sugar Bowl odds, bookies think the Longhorns are more likely to win. That’s no surprise as they’ve been brilliant throughout this season, winning the Big 12 Championship in their most recent outing.

The Huskies, however, have no intention of giving up without a fight. They too have been brilliant so far, winning the Pac-12 Championship the last time they went on the football field.

Texas Longhorns vs. Washington Huskies Sugar Bowl Odds

4

9639 players claimed the offer this month

When, Where, and How to Watch?

• Place: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana       
• Date: Monday, January 1, 2024
• Time: 8:45 p.m. ET
• How to Watch: ESPN

Texas Longhorns Want Revenge

The Texas Longhorns went 12-1 in 2023, winning the Big 12 Championship in their most recent game. The game saw them destroy the Oklahoma State Cowboys 49-21.

This season, we also saw them beat a couple of big teams, most notably, the Alabama Crimson Tide. Their only loss of the 2023 campaign happened against the Oklahoma Sooners who scored the winning touchdown in the final minute of the game.

It was their first loss since December 29, 2022, when they lost 27-20 to the Washington Huskies. The game in question was the Alamo Bowl, which saw Washington’s quarterback Michael Penix Jr. win the MVP award. Will we see him do the same in the 2024 Sugar Bowl?

All Eyes on Michael Penix Jr. and Washington’s Offense

Many analysts believe that Michael Penix Jr. is Washington’s biggest asset and the key man for the game with Texas. This guy has been brilliant for the Huskies, helping them get to a 37.7 PPG in 2023.

He’s one of the best quarterbacks in the NCAAF, so the Huskies fans have every right to hope for a good offensive display of their team in the 2024 Sugar Bowl. But what about the performance of their defensive team?

Washington’s defense is 46^th in the nation, allowing 23.6 points per game. In fact, their defense is to blame for making a couple of their recent games more tense than they were supposed to be. The thing is that the Huskies conceded 20+ points in each of their last six games, winning their last three by no more than a field goal.

Texas Longhorns vs. Washington Huskies Sugar Bowl Prediction

The Texas Longhorns’ offense has the potential to wreak havoc on the Washington Huskies, possibly scoring more than their average of 36.2 points per game. Unfortunately for their fans, their defensive players just do not look capable of stopping Penix Jr. & Co.

The result is that, even though we’re likely to see a lot of points on both ends, the Washington Huskies will be the ones to win the 2024 Sugar Bowl in the end.

Pick: Washington Huskies & Over 63.0 Points

The post Texas Longhorns vs. Washington Huskies 2024 Sugar Bowl Odds, Time, and Prediction appeared first on Keno Wizard.