In a decision that echoes through the Australian business landscape, Crown Resorts has finally secured approval to operate its Sydney casino. This long-awaited green light, granted on April 23rd, 2024, by the New South Wales Independent Casino Commission (NICC), signifies a turning point for the company.

However, the path to this point has been controversial, forcing Crown to undergo intense scrutiny and implement significant reforms. The approval will have significant implications, not only for the company but also for the broader Australian gambling industry and the local economy.

A Look Back at Crown’s Tumultuous Journey

Crown’s Sydney aspirations were initially met with enthusiasm. In 2013, the development of a $1.5 billion luxury resort with an integrated casino at Barangaroo, a prime location in Sydney Harbour, was approved.

However, the path to opening wasn’t smooth. In 2021, a devastating inquiry led by former judge Patricia Bergin, SC, exposed a series of concerning practices within Crown Resorts. The issue unearthed evidence of money laundering, irresponsible gambling practices, and connections to organized crime syndicates through the company’s dealings with high-roller junket operators.

These revelations sent shockwaves through the Australian public and regulatory bodies. Crown’s license for the Sydney casino was suspended, and its suitability to operate in New South Wales was called into question.

Regaining Trust

Faced with the potential loss of its Sydney venture, Crown embarked on a comprehensive reform program. The company underwent a leadership overhaul, with a complete restructuring of its board and senior management.

Furthermore, the organization focused on cultural change. It puts a high priority on responsible gambling, anti-money laundering, and strong governance. Crown also implemented stricter compliance protocols and risk management strategies.

This commitment to reform was further strengthened by a change in ownership. In June 2022, US private equity giant Blackstone acquired Crown Resorts for $8.9 billion. Blackstone, known for its focus on responsible investment, pledged to uphold the highest standards of governance and compliance. This commitment resonated well with regulators, demonstrating Crown’s dedication to reform.

What’s more, this shift brought in new leadership and significant investment. It includes $200 million specifically allocated to support responsible gambling initiatives and anti-financial crime initiatives.

Notably, Crown Sydney adopted cashless gaming for all electronic table games, a first for casinos in New South Wales. This demonstrated its commitment to addressing money laundering concerns.

A New Dawn for Crown

The NICC’s decision to grant Crown Sydney its license reflects confidence in the company’s reform efforts. However, the approval comes with a set of stringent conditions. The NICC will maintain close oversight, and Crown will be obligated to demonstrate ongoing adherence to new regulations and compliance protocols.

This period of conditional operation serves as a probationary phase. During this time, Crown must consistently prove its suitability as a responsible casino operator.

For the Australian gambling industry, Crown’s Sydney approval signifies a potential turning point. The industry has faced increased scrutiny in recent years, with calls for stricter regulations to curb problem gambling and enhance anti-money laundering measures.

Crown’s experience serves as a cautionary tale. It highlights the severe consequences of non-compliance and the importance of responsible practices. The industry will likely see a ripple effect with other gambling operators, including the online casino in Australia. They will re-evaluate their own internal controls and compliance measures to avoid a similar situation.

The economic impact of Crown Sydney’s opening is expected to be substantial. The casino complex is projected to create thousands of jobs and generate significant tax revenue for the New South Wales government. It should also contribute to the revival of Sydney’s tourism industry.

However, concerns remain regarding potential social costs associated with increased gambling activity. Measures to mitigate problem gambling addiction and ensure responsible practices will be crucial in the long run.

The Public’s Verdict: A Jury Still Out

While the green light for Crown Sydney signifies a step towards regulatory reconciliation, the court of public opinion remains in session. The controversies that engulfed Crown have left a deep scar on the company’s image. Regaining the public’s trust won’t be a quick fix; it will be a long and arduous process demanding sustained commitment from Crown.

Regaining trust requires more than just regulatory compliance. Crown needs to demonstrate a genuine commitment to responsible gambling practices. As part of this effort, it is important to implement effective player identification and monitoring systems as well as provide support services for problem gamblers. It should also encourage a culture that prioritizes player well-being over maximizing profits.

Transparency will be a key factor in this process. Open communication with the public about Crown’s reform efforts, including detailed information on implemented changes and their effectiveness, is crucial.

Crown should be proactive in engaging with stakeholders. This includes community groups, problem gambling organizations, and the media. Regularly publishing independent audits and reports on its compliance efforts would also demonstrate a commitment to transparency.

A Second Chance, a Continued Watch

The story of Crown Sydney goes beyond the fate of a single casino. It represents a critical moment for the Australian gambling industry. As Crown Sydney prepares to open its doors, the industry as a whole face a period of heightened scrutiny and potential reform.

Whether Crown can capitalize on this second chance and the industry can navigate a more responsible path remains to be seen. Only time will tell if the lessons learned from Crown’s tumultuous journey will lead to a more sustainable and responsible future for Australian gambling.

The post Crown Resorts Secures Green Light to Run Sydney Casino. appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The approval, listed in URA data released at the end of the December 2023 quarter, allows Marina Bay Sands (MBS) to proceed with its expansion project, which significantly bolsters guest capacity, expanding the venue’s impressive hotel and retail space. The project is situated alongside MBS’s existing three towers and should help attract new customers, significantly bolstering revenues.

The Operator Met All Regulatory Requirements

The approved project encompasses the construction of a hotel with 587 rooms, covering 153,100 square meters of hotel space and an additional 12,185 square meters allocated for retail space. The new tower will occupy an empty plot adjacent to MBS’s existing three towers. MBS has not provided a firm timeline, but the project’s scale means its completion will likely extend beyond 2024.

Securing official government approval marks a crucial milestone in the integrated resort operator’s expansion plans. MBS parent firm Las Vegas Sands (LVS) president and COO Patrick Dumont noted that the company maintained close collaboration with the Singapore government, ensuring that the fourth tower project would meet all regulatory requirements.

There’s a lot of moving parts here, a lot of things we have to satisfy. We want to make sure that everyone is comfortable with it and that we get all the proper approvals.

Patrick Dumont,  Las Vegas Sands president and COO

While MBS’ initial 2019 plans envisioned a fourth hotel tower with roughly 1,000 new rooms, recent upgrades to the property’s existing hotel spaces have focused on introducing new suite products. The revamp of Towers 1 and 2 increased the number of suites from 137 to 422, giving the company more flexibility with the design of Tower 4.

Tower 4 Will Elevate the Guest Experience to New Heights

Las Vegas Sands is targeting an annualized EBITDA of over $3 billion for MBS once the construction of the fourth tower is completed. Following the release of financial results for Q4 and FY23, which showed MBS recording annual EBITDA of $1.86 billion, with a record $544 million in the December quarter, LVS chairman and CEO Robert Goldstein expressed confidence in continued profit growth.

MBS likewise hopes the planned expansion will bolster the resort’s popularity, attracting more guests. The company highlighted that the new tower will contain a “rooftop attraction” featuring a sky pool and signature restaurant, MICE facilities comprising meeting rooms, function rooms, and exhibition halls, along with a state-of-the-art live entertainment area seating a minimum of 15,000 people.

LVS sees substantial potential for profit growth in the coming years, leveraging the iconic status of Marina Bay Sands and ongoing upgrade works. The resort has become a mainstay of Singapore’s tourism sector and should continue enjoying significant success, revitalized by the addition of the upcoming tower and its industry-leading amenities.

The post Marina Bay Sands Receives Green Light for Fourth Hotel Tower appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Both the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings are 7-8 in the 2023 season. These teams are on the bubble when it comes to making the playoffs, meaning that the Packers vs. Vikings game on December 31 is crucial for both of them. Whoever wins on Sunday will increase the probability of making the playoffs to at least 50%.

Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings Week 17 Odds

9399 players claimed the offer this month

When, Where, and How to Watch?

• Place: U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota     
• Date: Sunday, December 31, 2023
• Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
• How to Watch: NBC

Green Bay Packers Doing Great in Big Games in 2023

In their first season without Aaron Rodgers as their quarterback, the Green Bay Packers are doing surprisingly well. They’re 7-8 right now, with wins over some real heavyweights including the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions.

In their most recent game, they defeated the Carolina Panthers by a field goal. That wasn’t much of an achievement, but a win is a win. Still, they need to be concerned about the fact that they conceded 30 points against the Panthers whose offense is the fourth-worst in the league.

On the bright side, they did very well offensively, with quarterback Jordan Love going 23-for-36 for 312 yards and two touchdowns. Further, Chuba Hubbart, and Ihmir Smith-Marsette scored a rushing TD each.

Minnesota Vikings Putting Their Hopes in Home Support

The Minnesota Vikings still have a chance to make the playoffs, but their recent form is what needs to worry them. They lost four of their last five games, with their only win happening against the Las Vegas Raiders in a game that finished with 3-0 on the scoreboard.

To be fair to the Vikings, they did put on a big fight in the last two games. They took the game with the Cincinnati Bengals to overtime, losing by a field goal in the end. In their most recent game, they lost to the in-form Detroit Lions by six points. 

The Lions are the team they’ll take on in the final game week of the regular season. But that game won’t matter to them unless they beat the Packers on December 31. So, can they do it?

Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings Prediction

The Packers vs. Vikings New Year’s Eve game will be a real thriller. For both teams, this is a must-win game as the one that loses can say farewell to the playoffs. We expect both to go all-in on December 31, the result of which is that we might even see the game go to overtime.

We won’t see many risky moves in this game, with both teams probably focusing more on running the ball rather than passing. The result is that we probably won’t see too many touchdowns, which is why under 46.5 points is out pick. Our pick for the Packers vs. Vikings game-winner is Minnesota.

Picks: Minnesota Vikings & Under 46.5 Points

The post Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings Week 17 Odds, Time, and Prediction appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Kindred Group announced today that it has received final approval for its proprietary gaming platform in New Jersey and is preparing to go live in mid-May before rolling it out across North America.

Preparing to Launch

The final approval granted to Kindred Group by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) will allow the group to introduce its proprietary gaming platform and elevate the customer experience, improve the quality of analytical data and raise the level of flexibility.

Commenting on the key development, Henrik Tjärnström, chief executive officer of Kindred Group, was pleased that the company would soon be able to launch its proprietary platform in New Jersey, feeling proud of everyone at Kindred and the collective effort that made the launch possible.

“Introducing the Kindred platform to our customers in New Jersey will provide the entertainment and experience enjoyed by our customers in Europe,” Tjärnström said, stressing that the company will finally be able to showcase its Unibet product, and also thankful to the regulator for “a professional collaboration during the approval process.”

Following the approval, Kindred Group is expected to debut its gaming platform in New Jersey in mid-May and then continually improve its functionalities. The New Jersey launch is seen as an important step toward the platform’s rollout across North American gaming jurisdictions and strengthening the group’s footprint in the US.

Kinder Group is planning to expand its proprietary platform into Pennsylvania next, with the launch in the Keystone State planned for the second business quarter of 2023.

Unibet’s US Presence

Kindred’s flagship Unibet brand is currently live in New Jersey in partnership with Hard Rock Casino Atlantic City, Pennsylvania with Mohegan Sun Pocono Casino, Indiana with Caesars Horseshoe Hammond Casino, Iowa with Harrah’s Casino, Virginia via a direct market access permit, and Arizona, in partnership with the Fort Yuma Quechan Tribe.

At the end of 2022, Kindred Group teamed with the Swinomish Tribe in a six-year agreement for the launch of the Unibet & Swinomish Sportsbook at Swinomish Casino & Lodge in Anacortes, Washington, pending licensure and regulatory approvals.

As part of its commitment to supporting sport, Unibet partnered with the Northern Ontario Curling Association (NOCA) to become the official sponsor for both the Men’s and Women’s Curling Championship for the entire 2022-2023 season.

Outside of North America, Kindred’s Unibet extended its current soccer commitment in France to include basketball, setting itself a 2023 target of delivering sports kits and equipment to 400 amateur clubs from both sports.

The post Kindred Group’s Platform Receives Green Light in New Jersey appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Online gaming group 888 Holdings, the parent behind 888, William Hill, SI Sportsbook and Mr Green brands, announced today the launch of Mr Green in Germany.

Building German Presence

The launch of Mr Green in Germany represents the first time when the online gaming brand is available to play on the 888 proprietary technology platform following the acquisition of William Hill by the Gibraltar-based gaming group in July last year.

Commenting on the launch of Mr Green in Germany, Amit Berkovich, vice president of poker and managing director, ROW, outlined the important role the online gaming brand is expected to play for the wider group in the country.

Mr Green will be the Group’s spearhead brand in the German market, alongside our 888 brands,” Berkovich said, hailing the launch of the brand as “a great example of what focus, collaboration, and dedication can deliver.

Amit Berkovich, VP of poker & MD ROW, 888

“We’ve been live since late March, thanks to the existing 888 platform in Germany and the powerful collaboration of all teams across the business who have enabled a totally new set-up in record time,” he added.

The gaming group sees Germany as one of the markets offering strategic growth opportunities and is planning to build a strong presence in the country by enticing local players with a customer-focused approach and best-in-class products and brands.

We are excited to introduce thousands more players in the market to our enhanced offer, and look forward to bringing other Mr Green markets onto our single technology platform in the coming months.

Amit Berkovich, VP of poker & MD ROW, 888

Following the acquisition of a gaming license in early 2023, 888 Holdings moved quickly to launch its Mr Green brand, leveraging the group’s in-house proprietary technology platform and the strong existing brand awareness across European gaming jurisdictions.

Mr Green’s Regulatory Woes

It was not all smooth sailing for Mr Green in European regulatory waters, though, after the brand faced some headwinds in the Netherlands, where the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) sanctioned it in 2018 for taking bets from Ditch citizens without a license in 2017, and last year Mr Green lost the legal battle.

Another market where Mr Green faced significant challenges was the UK and in August last year, the brand announced the end of Mr Green Sportsbook in the country, while keeping its sportsbook offering in Ireland operational.

The flagship brand acquired by 888 Holdings from Caesars Entertainment, William Hill, was also subjected to regulatory enforcement actions after being slapped recently with a record £19.2 million ($23.67 million), of which £3.7 million was allocated to Mr Green.

The post 888-Owned Casino Brand Mr Green Goes Live in Germany appeared first on Keno Wizard.