In a determined effort to combat the recent ruling legalizing skill games in Pennsylvania, several casinos have appealed to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. 

Parx Casino and Others Lead Legal Battle Against Skill Games Ruling

Leading the charge, Parx Casino Bensalem and Shippensburg are among the establishments that have sought an appeal from the Supreme Court. 

Despite the Commonwealth Court’s decision, the battle appears far from its conclusion. The appeal filed by Parx Casino and others argues that skill games pose a significant threat to the licensed, regulated, and supervised casino industry in the state. 

The appeal contends that these games, exempt from gaming taxes and oversight, undermine the contributions of the casino industry, which employs thousands, supports tens of thousands of jobs, and generates substantial tax revenues for the state.

A majority of Pennsylvania casinos, including Mohegan Pennsylvania, Hollywood Casino, Penn National Race Course, and others, have joined the legal fray. 

The appeal to the Supreme Court emphasizes the potential repercussions of the Commonwealth Court’s decision, asserting that the ruling of the Commonwealth Court allows unlicensed, unregulated, and illegal slot machines to potentially dominate the gaming scene in Pennsylvania, contrary to the intentions of the General Assembly.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Joins Casinos in Legal Challenge Against Skill Games

The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office, hinting at an appeal last month, has officially filed one this week, aligning itself with the casinos in challenging the legality of skill games. Both briefs argue that skill games should be treated as slot machines within the context of Pennsylvania’s legal framework.

The concerns highlighted in the briefs go beyond legal technicalities. They raise issues of social responsibility, noting that unregulated skill games lack the same restrictions and oversight as their regulated counterparts. 

Skill games in Pennsylvania have been a source of debate regarding regulation and taxation, gaining popularity and sparking controversy among businesses. The Commonwealth Court, which recognized the legality of wins from skill games, paved the way for potential regulation with its decision last month.

This week, Mike Barley, Chief of Public Relations at Pace-O-Matic, urged casino operators to reconsider their stance on skill games, emphasizing the need for regulation to benefit small businesses. The recent court victory has given hope to supporters of skill games, who anticipate effective regulation shortly. 

For example, Sen. Gene Yaw’s proposed bill, advocating for taxation and regulation, aims to generate an estimated $300 million for the state in its first year. 

However, casino operators remain opposed to such regulations, with Barley accusing them of hindering the process. Pace-O-Matic supports the regulation of skill games and calls for lawmakers to take necessary action.

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Last month, unionized casino workers at Detroit’s three casinos, MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino and Hollywood Casino at Greektown, launched a strike. The move came at a time when the workers asked for better working conditions, including pay raises, job security and workload reduction. The strike saw 3,700 casino workers, including dealers, housekeepers and other employees protest for more than a month.

On Sunday, November 19, 2023, the strike for Hollywood Casino at Greektown and MotorCity Casino employees ended. At the time, the Detroit Casino Council (DCC), representing the workers, confirmed that the employees of the two casinos had voted and ratified the new contract “with historic wage increases and other gains.”

Despite their decision, MGM Grand Casino employees who voted on the same contract turned it down. As a result, now, more than a week later, the strike for MGM Grand’s casino employees continues. As announced by Click on Detroit, unions confirmed Wednesday that they are “back at the negotiation table” with MGM Grand Casino.

Reportedly, the workers at MGM Grand filed a new proposal to the operator on Wednesday. The union representing them confirmed that the casino is yet to respond to that proposal. Specific details regarding the proposal were not disclosed at the time of writing.

Talks with the Casino Employees on Strike Continue

While negotiations continue, the DCC did not disclose why MGM Grand’s casino employees rejected the initial proposal that was accepted by the workers at the two other Detroit casinos. Instead, the Council explained that there are additional dates scheduled for negotiations and outlined that each casino property voted separately for the proposed five-year gaming contracts.

“Union members at MGM Grand Casino voted to reject the proposed deal and will continue to strike. More bargaining dates will be scheduled. Membership at each casino property voted separately about whether to accept the deal,“

reads a statement released by the Detroit Casino Council

Matt Buckley, MGM Resorts Midwest Group’s president and COO revealed earlier this month that it is disappointing to see MGM Grand’s employees reject the proposal. “This is a very disappointing result, especially considering the historic nature of our offer and the fact that it would immediately and positively benefit our DCC-represented MGM Grand employees and their families,” he explained at the time.

Moreover, Buckley was left baffled by the decision of the employees at MGM Grand, considering that the workers of the two other Detroit casinos voted in favor of the proposal. Speaking about the DCC, he said that even they deemed the gaming contract proposal as “historic” and one that offers good benefits along with an increase in pay for the casino workers.

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For nearly two decades, casinos in Atlantic City have been exempt from the statewide ban that prohibits smoking within public areas across New Jersey. The exemption in the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act enabled casino operators to allow indoor smoking for up to 25% of their gaming floors. During the pandemic, Atlantic City’s casinos banned indoor smoking temporarily. However, with the pandemic residing, indoor smoking was reinstated. Unlike other states where the temporary smoking ban became the new normal, operators in Atlantic City continue to fear the possible negative impact of such a measure.

Despite fears, one proposal that calls to close the existing smoking loophole in the legislation is gaining traction in New Jersey. Senate Bill 264 (SB 264) proposes the elimination of the smoking ban exemption that is applicable to casinos and simulcasting facilities. The bill’s primary sponsors are Joseph Vitale and Shirley Turner, but it is also co-sponsored by two dozen lawmakers.

The proposal marks the latest effort by lawmakers that want to put an end to the exemption of smoking for casinos. Enjoying bipartisan support, SB 264 gained traction recently after it was heard by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. Supporters of the proposal hope for it to gain further traction and those efforts come at a time when bills can advance at a faster pace ahead of January, which marks the expiration of the legislative session.

The latest progress comes after a hearing with the Assembly dating back to March. At the time, supporters of the new proposal, as well as opponents, were heard. Besides bipartisan support, the smoking ban is backed by Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE), a group that fights against smoking inside casinos.

Smoking Ban Opponents Voice Their Concerns

Despite the concerns about the impact of smoking on casino employees’ health, not everyone agrees with the proposed smoke ban in New Jersey. Groups against the smoking ban continue to claim that it may result in significant losses for casino operators. They claim that in turn, this can result in layoffs and reducing the number of employees.

Previously, Unite Here claimed that a smoking ban could have a devastating impact on Atlantic City’s casino sector. According to them, the implementation of a smoke ban may decrease gross gaming revenues for casinos by a staggering 11%.

Contradictory to anti-smoking groups, supporters of the smoke ban claimed that it wouldn’t have such a dire impact on the casino sector. Supporting this statement, the groups reiterated that a temporary ban imposed due to the pandemic did not hurt the sector.

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The strike by unionized casino workers at MGM Grand Detroit continues after they rejected a tentative five-year labor contract. The decision stands in contrast to the resolution reached at MotorCity Casino and Hollywood Casino at Greektown, where workers overwhelmingly approved the proposed agreements, ending their 34-day strike.

Detroit Casino Council Faces Scrutiny as MGM Grand Workers Decline Tentative Agreement

The Detroit Casino Council, representing five unions, had brokered a tentative deal on November 17 to cover 3,700 workers across the three casinos. While the rejection by MGM Grand workers raises questions, the council refrained from disclosing specific reasons behind the decision.

Wendy Abraham, a union member and dealer at MGM Grand Detroit, expressed apprehension about the extended 64-month contract, stating that she had reservations, believing it to be excessively long, reported WMYD Detroit. Another significant issue for several individuals involved the suggested upfront pay raise of $3 per hour. Catherine Bilek Roberts, also affiliated with MGM, maintained that they should receive a minimum of $6 or $7 per hour in the initial year.

Notably, the rejection by MGM Grand workers has left them isolated, with MotorCity and Hollywood Casino employees returning to work. The broader context of labor struggles in Detroit sees parallels with ongoing strikes, such as those by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan workers.

MGM’s Strong Finances Clash with Detroit’s Casino Strike

The rejection carries significance against the backdrop of MGM Resorts International‘s robust financial performance, reporting net revenues of $4 billion in the third quarter, a 16% increase from the previous year. 

At the same time, the month-long strike has led to temporary closures and disruptions in services, impacting valet services and amenities at the affected casinos. The Michigan Gaming Control Board reported substantial revenue losses in October, ranging from $5 million to $7 million for each casino, resulting in an 18% drop in overall revenue compared to the previous month. 

The MGM casino management expressed disappointment at the rejection, with Matt Buckley, President & COO of MGM Resorts Midwest Group, calling the offer “historic” and emphasizing its potential benefits for employees and their families.

Buckley emphasized that the proposal comprised the most extensive wage hikes ever seen in the 23-year history of the Detroit casino industry. As the strike persists, the impact on Detroit and Michigan’s economy remains a concern, with projected daily losses of approximately $738,000 in city and state tax revenues and $3.4 million in casino operator revenues.

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Negotiations between unionized workers across Las Vegas and the three leading casino and entertainment giants, Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts International and Wynn Resorts continue. Approximately 60,000 workers from the casino and entertainment vertical, including dealers, bartenders, housekeepers, bellmen and other employees are represented by the Culinary Workers Union. Ultimately, the Union proposes better conditions for the workers under a new five-year contract.

Last week, leaders of the Union met with Caesars and MGM Resorts. This week, negotiations continued with discussions with Wynn Resorts on Monday. Despite the talks, negotiations are slow and tension remains high, especially considering the recent arrest of peaceful protesters.

Now, as announced by KTNV, Ted Pappageorge, the lead negotiator for the Culinary Union and secretary-treasurer, progress is made but more needs to be done. He spoke about the importance of financial benefits, including health care, for the whole duration of the new five-year contract.

“I am happy to say we have made more progress than we made in quite a while. Unfortunately, not nearly enough,”

explained Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer of the Culinary Union

Moreover, Pappageorge addressed growing concerns related to technology, including a reduction in the number of employees. He revealed that while it is yet for technological solutions to replace humans, employees within the hospitality, entertainment and gaming industries need to have guarantees that their jobs would be protected.

Workers Ready for a Strike

The demands of employees from the gaming and entertainment sector come at a time when auto workers across the US have been on strike for several weeks. Only recently, they were able to reach a deal with the country’s top automakers, pushing for better pay and working conditions.

Similarly, some of the most important demands within the Unions’ negotiations with the leading gaming and entertainment companies include better wages, health care benefits as well as job security.

However, despite the recent progress, Pappageorge said that the workers remain ready for a strike. “I think we’ve been able to make some movement, but if we were having to make the decision today, it wouldn’t be enough. And I think these workers would authorize a strike,” he explained according to a report by the Las Vegas Sun.

He said that just like gambling operators make record profits, workers deserve “record contracts.” Pappageorge confirmed that while negotiations are ongoing, preparations for a strike continue. According to him, if the workers go on strike, this may be the largest one in the history of Sin City.

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The property company has continued to build up its portfolio of options, introducing a $433 million sale-leaseback arrangement with Mechanicsville, Virginia’s Bowlero Corp, and 38 of the bowling centers operated by the latter. The company has been building its revenue steadily, with the company raking in serious results in the third quarter and reporting $556.3 million in funds from operation in Q3 2023.

VICI Properties Beats Forecasts in Q3 2023

Revenue fared even better, as the company posted a 20.3% increase to $904.3 million, beating expectations that put the revenue at $902 million. The new figure was also a significant increase from the $751.5 million from last year’s results.

The company, which is the landlord for some of the biggest Las Vegas casino resorts, including the Mandalay Bay, Caesars Palace, The Venetian, and MGM Grand, has been smartly buying up landmark properties and renting them out to ownership-reluctant gambling companies, who have found not owning a property pay off better in the long term.

VICI President and COO John Payne has been welcoming of the opportunities the changing nature of the business has presented. He said that the REIT has now occupied a place that allowed it to skillfully derive dividends from its Las Vegas properties, but also push into new markets and expand its business.

Payne welcomed the changing nature of Las Vegas, which now included world-class attractions such as The Sphere, and Formula 1 event, and not least, the 2024 Super Bowl, which is going to continue and drive significant results for VICI.

Financially Sound and Ready to Reap Profits

Financially, VICI is also doing very well, with CEO Edward Pitoniak saying during a recent earnings call with journalists that the company was smart about its long-range leverage targets, recently using $1 billion of equity in cash and only $55 million of debt.

Meanwhile, the company has been pushing forward with many acquisitions. This summer, VICI acquired the Rocky Gap Casino, Resort & Golf in Maryland. It also bought four gaming properties by Century Casinos in Alberta, Canada, and consolidated its standing with Canyon Ranch, offering a mortgage loan to help offset some of the costs for the operator, and also ensure that the property remains a sustainable source of revenue that will pay off in the future.

VICI’s FFO guidance for the year now sits between $2.17 billion and $2.18 billion, which is once again ahead. This is still slightly behind the $2.6 billion in revenue posted in 2022, however, which means there is still room for improvement at the heart of one of the biggest landlords for the gambling industry.

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The Potawatomi Casino Hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has a serious problem with car thefts. According to reports, a total of 11 cars have been stolen since September 24.

FOX6 News spoke with one of the victims, Mike Sheridan, whose rented car was stolen from the parking garage on October 4. Sheridan was visiting the casino resort, unaware that he was about to get in trouble.

The man told the news outlet that he also lost all the valuables he had in the car, which included a $700 camera and a pair of earbuds. He regretted leaving these items unattended and slammed the police and casino hotel for not warning him of the thefts.

The car thieves have been active since September 24, targeting primarily Kia and Hyundai cars. This was also information that the casino staff did not clearly communicate, with Sheridan arguing that they had put his safety at risk.

The man used the interview with FOX6 to warn car renters to be vigilant and not repeat his mistake. Sheridan concluded that he is almost certain the thieves would continue to strike unless the casino resort improved its security and surveillance. The victim hopes that the police will make arrests to dissuade further car stealing attempts.

Potawatomi Casino Hotel Advised Guests to Be Careful

The car Sheridan had rented is one of 11 stolen cars. It turned up some ten days later, although the man’s valuables were still missing.

The Potawatomi Casino Hotel staff said they are aware of the incidents. Because of that, the resort promised to monitor all parking lots and entrances 24/7. Despite that, the property advised its guests against leaving valuable items in their cars.

In the meantime, Potawatomi Casino Hotel’s senior security manager, Travis Gervais, released a statement, informing that Kia and Hyundai cars are in extra danger. He said that the Potawatomi Casino Hotel parking lot is, sadly, not much safer than other streets or parking structures in Milwaukee.

According to Gervais, the thieves are able to steal a car in less than a minute. Because of that, he asked all guests to park in high-trafficked and well-lit areas and lock their cars’ doors securely. The manager added that investing in a quality anti-theft system or steering wheel locking device is advisable.

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Play’n GO, a Swedish-based casino entertainment provider, has unveiled a continuation of its partnership with the Växjö Lakers, a Swedish professional ice hockey club from Växjö. The casino provider has been serving as the title sponsor of the team for over a decade now.

Because of its Växjö roots, Play’n GO is firmly committed to supporting the local team. Having emerged victorious last season, the Växjö Lakers now boast a whopping four champion titles.

Under the renewed sponsorship, Play’n GO’s logo will continue to feature at the Lakers’ games. Last season, the gaming supplier’s logo appeared on the Växjö Lakers’ helmets. In addition, the gaming company’s logo appeared all over the Vida Arena and across a private Play’n GO lounge with customized interior.

In addition, Play’n GO’s logo was visible on the Lakers’ jerseys and helmets during European champions league play.

Bringing Together Two Great Champions

Play’n GO’s chief executive officer, Johan Tornqvist, commented on the renewed sponsorship agreement, saying that it brings together two great champions – Play’n GO and the Växjö Lakers. Tornqvist added that his team is thrilled to continue supporting its local team.

As the puck is just about to drop on a new season everyone at Play’n GO wishes the team the very best of luck. We’ll be watching intently and cheering on our Lakers throughout the campaign.

Johan Tornqvist, CEO, Play’n GO

Johan Markusson, Växjö Lakers’ chief executive officer, also released a statement on the matter, welcoming Play’n GO as the Laker’s title sponsor for another season. He thanked the casino supplier for its unwavering support and said that such deals are vital to the club and Swedish hockey as a whole.

They [sponsorship agreements] allow us to be able to compete at the highest possible levels in Sweden and Europe, as well as maintain an inclusive, community focused club that supports hockey for all ages.

Johan Markusson, CEO, Växjö Lakers

Markusson concluded that his team’s partnership with Play’n GO is a really “creative” one and said that he is looking forward to the new season.

In other news, Play’n GO just expanded its reach in the United States as it agreed to supply content to BetMGM in West Virginia.  

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Two years ago, the Nordic gaming group, Paf, announced the launch of an innovative tech education program called grit:lab. After it was presented, the program started accepting admissions and a year later, it started educating students. By now, 60 students from 20 countries around the world are in their final year of the intensive tech education program.

Building on the success of the first year, Paf confirmed Monday that the program will continue. The company revealed that applications for the grit:lab program will be open through December 2023 with online tests up until February 2024. According to Paf, the new group of students will start its grit:lab studies next autumn.

Paf’s education program within grit:lab represents a unique product that enables students to learn from each other without the need for teachers. The program is fast-paced and not everyone might find it suitable. However, for those participating, grit:lab helped accumulate important skills, including as time management, leadership and leveraging innovation.

A schedule released by Paf reveals that grit:lab includes four different phases. Throughout the education program, students will learn programming languages, including Go! and JavaScript. Each of the phases lasts for six months and culminates with Phase 4 which presents specialization options in different areas, including Cybersecurity, DevOps, Mobile Development, Blockchain and Crypto and other important tech verticals.

Crucially, grit:lab meets students with different backgrounds and enables them to collaborate together, promoting personal growth and an open mindset. The tech education program is completed in collaboration with Ålands Yrkesgymnasium on behalf of the Government of Åland, an autonomous region of Finland.

The Program Is Expected to Make Åland a Nordic Tech Hub

Anna-Lena Svenblad, the development director for Paf and director of grit:lab, revealed that the company saw approval from visiting groups and students for its tech education program. “It is a form of education that will meet the future needs of the job market,” she added.

“The fantastic response we have received both from the students and from many visiting groups is proof that there is a need for this type of education.“

Anna-Lena Svenblad, development director for Paf and director of grit:lab

Additionally, Svenblad explained that the program teaches students how to adopt and learn new technologies. According to her, grit:lab teaches important skills related to communication, troubleshooting, time management and self-leadership. Ultimately, those skills in combination with extensive training help the students to grow.

“grit:lab is a complement to traditional education and it will contribute to making Åland a tech hub in the Nordics.“

Daniela Johansson, deputy CEO and chief responsibility officer at Paf

Daniela Johansson, Paf’s deputy CEO and chief responsibility officer, praised the tech education program, predicting it will help develop Åland as a major technology hub for the Nordics. Finally, she spoke about the positive impact Paf’s program brings.

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Steve Birch, Sky Betting and Gaming’s chief commercial officer, addressed his company’s partnership with the English Football League (EFL) and the two parties’ commitment to responsible gambling. Now entering its second decade, the partnership between the operator and the league continues as strong as ever.

In a statement provided to Britain’s Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), Birch said that his company’s relationship with the soccer league is one of the longest-running and most successful in professional sports. He praised the two parties’ emphasis on social responsibility and thanked the UK government for providing the partnership as an example of a healthy sponsorship to other companies and leagues amid the ongoing gambling reforms.

Birch teased that Sky Betting and Gaming will be doubling down on its safer gambling messaging and promised that there would be changes around the side of the pitch.

The representative noted that the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final between Luton and Coventry incorporated the company’s new perimeter advertising. Previously, the company has also promoted safer gambling initiatives such as “Take Time to Think” through sleeve badges on shirts.

The CCO concluded that nothing beats messaging that is visible at the arena, which is why his team would continue to promote safer gambling through perimeter messaging.

Safer Gambling Is at the Forefront of Sky Betting’s Philosophy

In his statement, Birch promoted the safer gambling tools his company offers to its customers. This includes deposit limits, loss limits and timeouts that help people enjoy gambling without harming themselves. He noted that customers who use deposit limits are much more likely to stick to their budget.

Birch also pointed out that Flutter, Sky Betting and Gaming’s ownership group, has set an ambitious target of having 75% of its customers use such tools by 2030. Currently, around 50% of Sky Bet’s customers are using such solutions, attesting to the company’s commitment to player safety.

Our latest approach is just the latest example of safer gambling being more than just words to us at Sky Bet. It’s a key priority for our business and we are constantly seeking to use our tech and data to put the right protections in place – and to ensure our marketing campaigns are as impactful and effective as possible.

Steve Birch, CCO, Sky Betting and Gaming

Birch recognized that most players who wager, do so safely. However, he pointed out that it is crucial to protect the few who may be at risk of harm. The representative concluded that Sky Betting and Gaming and the EFL share the same values when it comes to safer gambling and will prioritize player safety during the new soccer season.

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