Former US President Donald Trump has emerged as the clear front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination following the withdrawal of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis from the race. 

DeSantis’ Withdrawal Reshapes GOP Landscape, Boosting Trump’s Odds Beyond 90%

DeSantis’ departure has significantly boosted Trump’s odds, with the latest figures from OddsChecker indicating a more than 90% chance of him securing the nomination.

DeSantis, once considered a formidable contender, faced challenges in gaining support within the GOP primary, securing only 21.2% of the Iowa caucus vote. With the New Hampshire primary looming and polling showing a mere 7.5% support for DeSantis, the Florida governor made the unexpected decision to suspend his presidential campaign.

Recognizing the prevailing sentiment among Republican voters, DeSantis stated that he had signed a pledge to support the Republican nominee and affirmed his commitment to honoring that pledge. Despite past disagreements with Trump, he endorsed the former president, further consolidating Trump’s position in the race.

Additionally, DeSantis said that Nikki Haley, the only other major candidate remaining in the primary race, represents the “old Republican guard of yesteryear” and is a “repackaged form of warmed-over corporatism.”

Trump’s recent triumph in Iowa, where he garnered an impressive 51% vote share, has translated into a substantial boost in his odds. According to OddsChecker, Trump is now priced at evens (implying a 50% chance) to win the 2024 US election. Other platforms, such as 888sport, offer odds of 6/5 (45% chance) for Trump’s victory.

Trump’s Dominance in Early Contests Positions Him as the Clear Favorite Over Nikki Haley

As the Republican primary unfolds, Nikki Haley remains the sole challenger to Trump, with odds of 12/1. However, the dominance displayed by Trump in the early contests, coupled with the endorsement from DeSantis, positions him as the overwhelming favorite among political bettors and analysts.

The OddsChecker stats not only underscore Trump’s ascendancy within the Republican Party but also highlight the increasing likelihood of a Trump-Biden rematch in the 2024 general election. Both Trump and Biden are currently priced at 45 cents on the PredictIt market, signaling a neck-and-neck race.

The landscape of the 2024 presidential race is marked by skepticism and disbelief, with Republicans questioning Biden’s ability to secure the Democratic nomination and Democrats expressing concern over the potential impact of legal challenges on Trump’s candidacy. 

The intricate dynamics set the stage for a closely monitored and intriguing electoral contest, with the odds pointing to a compelling showdown between Trump and Biden.

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As the race for New York City casino permits intensifies, potential operators find themselves facing a high-stakes gamble not only for the coveted licenses but also in terms of financial risk. A recent report from financial analysts at S&P Global Ratings suggests that successful bidders may find themselves shouldering substantial debt burdens.

Major Players Vie for Lucrative Downstate Casino Licenses in the Battle for the Big Apple

The New York state government is set to award three downstate casino licenses, opening the doors to what is considered one of the last untapped gaming frontiers in the United States. The competition is fierce, with major players like MGM Resorts International, Las Vegas Sands, and Wynn Resorts vying for the lucrative opportunity.

S&P Global Ratings, in a comprehensive new report, outlined the potential financial implications for the winning operators. The proposed projects range from $2 billion for expansions or redevelopments of existing properties to over $5 billion for entirely new developments. The report indicates that the impact of the associated leverage could materialize within the next 12-18 months.

One of the key concerns raised by the analysts is the strain on corporate credit metrics as companies seek to secure a foothold in the highly competitive New York market. MGM Resorts International‘s Empire City Casino in Yonkers and Resorts World New York in Queens are rumored to be strong contenders, although nothing is confirmed at this stage.

Rumors Swirl, Anticipating Record-Breaking $1 Billion License Fees

New York is not holding back in capitalizing on its sought-after status, with recent rumors suggesting that winning bidders could be slapped with licensing fees as high as $1 billion each. This figure far exceeds the initially anticipated cost of $500 million per permit. When factoring in construction costs, operators like Las Vegas Sands and Hard Rock International may be looking at a staggering total investment of up to $6 billion and $8 billion, respectively.

Despite the potential financial challenges, experts believe that New York could offer a short-term pain, long-term gain scenario for victorious operators. The prospect of dominating the New York market is seen as a strategic move that could pay off handsomely in the long run. However, the timeline for these developments is extended, with S&P suggesting that licenses may not be awarded before the second half of 2024. Significant capital spending is not expected until 2025, given the complexities of building in New York and the ambitious scale of the proposed projects.

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BetMGM provided some insights into the betting markets for the highly anticipated F1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023. As it turns out, Verstappen commands the bigger part of the F1 handle.

BetMGM is preparing for the historic race, believing that it could become the formula racing event with the largest handle in the company history. Now available in 26 markets, BetMGM operates nine retail sportsbooks within MGM Resorts International’s Las Vegas properties.

According to Matt Prevost, BetMGM’s chief revenue officer, the growth of motorsports’ popularity is nothing short of remarkable.

Race weekend in Las Vegas has the potential to shatter every company record for the sport. Popularity for automotive sports in the U.S. continues to grow and the activity we’re already seeing around this event is remarkable.

Matt Prevost, CRO, BetMGM

BetMGM Provides Insights into the Betting Markets

Publishing some insights into how bettors feel about the event, BetMGM remarked that Max Verstappen’s odds to win moved from -350 to -275. Charles Leclerc’s odds, on the other hand, moved from +2200 to +1600. Fernando Alonso’s odds, meanwhile, changed from +4000 to +2500.

BetMGM also published information about the handle percentage recorded by Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Sergio Perez. Verstappen remains confidently ahead of his rivals, commanding 58.6% of the total handle. Far behind is Norris with 12.6%, followed by Sergio Perez at 6.8%.

BetMGM’s biggest liability, however, is not Verstappen but Logan Sargeant. Next up are Lando Norris and Sergio Perez.

In terms of the highest ticket percentage, Lando Norris takes the lead with 15.8%. He is followed by Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez with 12.7% and 10.9% respectively.

Finally, the company published information about most bet props. The Sergio Perez to finish top 3 market is currently at +160. The any other driver to win the race versus Verstappen market, meanwhile, is at +200. Finally, the Mercedes car to win the race prop stands at +1200.

Speaking of BetMGM, MGM Resorts’ Bellagio Fountain Club will offer premium experiences during the event, including state-of-the-art dining, cutting-edge viewing experiences, the chance to see the race live and a post-race commentary panel featuring the top racers.

However, some of the arrangements surrounding the event, including the pedestrian bridge view blocks and the disruption of homeless people’s lives have attracted criticism from Las Vegas citizens and tourists.

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Australia braces as the Melbourne Cup looms. The four-day Race that Stops a Nation is set to kick off on November 7, bringing tons of excitement to fans of racing and bettors alike. The $8.4 million feature race is set to take place at Flemington Racecourse and will be presented by 25 broadcasters in 209+ countries and territories.

The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) is set to produce a bespoke world feed for expectant audiences. This year’s broadcast will have the international racing community in mind, helping the club popularize the event among the global community.

 In the meantime, HBA Media, VRC’s dedicated global distribution agency, has improved distribution with eight major networks showcasing all the action.

FOX Sports will headline VRC’s international programs in the USA, allowing Americans to follow the exciting action. TransVision Indonesia, Premier Sports and FanCode will meanwhile air the Melbourne Cup in Indonesia, South East Asia and India, respectively.

In addition, Sky Sports Racing, ESPN, SportsMax and SuperSport will provide coverage to audiences in the UK & Ireland, South & Central America, the Caribbean and Africa, respectively. Meanwhile, DMI will continue to showcase the cases in the Middle East.

Full coverage details and the full list of broadcasters are available on HBA Media’s official website.

Executives Are Excited for the Event

David Campbell, VRC’s executive general manager of VRC Media, shared his thoughts, saying that the Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup will be the highlight of the carnival. He added that the partnership with HBA Media will allow his team to connect with the international racing audience.

This year we celebrate 30 years since Vintage Crop became the first internationally trained horse to win the Lexus Melbourne Cup and since that historic moment the VRC has been able to build our global footprint and ensure that the Melbourne Cup Carnival has a strong presence on the world stage.

David Campbell, executive general manager of VRC Media, VRC

HBA Media’s chief executive officer, Henry Birtles, also commented on the matter, expressing his team’s delight to guarantee the event a global footprint

The VRC’s continued investment in live and on-demand international content is an invaluable asset, and we are delighted that a global audience will be able to experience the full Carnival in all its splendor.

Henry Birtles, CEO, HBA Media

Birtles added that this year’s event marks a decade of partnership between HBA and the VRC and thanked the club for its continued support.

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Leading real estate development and investment firm Silverstein Properties, and Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment, a prominent casino operator, have announced their intentions to bid for a commercial casino license in downstate New York. The collaboration between these two companies brings them in direct competition with other high-profile operators hoping to obtain one of the limited licenses.

The Developers Promise Enduring Prosperity

Manhattan’s far West Side presents a lucrative opportunity for casino operators, encompassing densely populated areas with developed tourism infrastructure. Silverstein Properties and Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment have recognized the region’s merits. They are eager to capitalize on its growing demand for entertainment and gaming options, proposing a new high-profile casino establishment.

Avenir will feature a complete and luxurious casino experience with a dedicated hotel, multiple amenities, and a residential complex. The two developers expect the project to significantly bolster the local economy, creating 5,500 new permanent jobs and uplifting the surrounding area’s standard of living through competitive wages and community-focused programs.

The Avenir is an opportunity to create much needed affordable housing, jobs, and economic development… in an isolated and often-overlooked part of the city.

Larry Silverstein, Silverstein chairman 

Urban planning and strategy consulting business Karp Strategies and engineering company AKRF will aid the project, assessing its impact on the surrounding area. Silverstein and Greenwood reaffirmed their commitment to local communities, noting the new casino would attract many international visitors while preserving New York City’s unique spirit and character. 

Heated Competition Demands Excellence

Silverstein and Greenwood’s bid for a commercial casino license will put them face to face with significant competition from other established casino operators and development firms vying for the opportunity. Factors such as financial strength, industry experience, and the proposed casino’s design and amenities will play crucial roles in the evaluation process conducted by regulatory authorities.

The two companies must also convince residents of the merits of their project, or they may encounter significant resistance. Coney Islanders have banded together to protest the Boardwalk casino bid, fearing the negative impact on crime, traffic, and pollution. Many residents also fear that a self-contained casino establishment will scarcely benefit the surrounding businesses, solely burdening the area with the industry’s negative impact.

The Avenir project combines Silverstein and Greenwood’s significant expertise, positioning them as strong contenders for the coveted casino license. If successful, the project has the potential to enhance the region’s entertainment offerings, generating significant economic benefits and job opportunities. As the bidding process progresses, stakeholders and industry observers eagerly await the outcome and the potential transformation the chosen bids will bring.

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The Short Races promotional tool is designed to help operators engage with their customers and offer modern players a brand-new format to experiment with. The contests introduced by Short Races are fast-paced and offer quick-fire gameplay that turns Playson titles into strong engagement gateways for operator audiences.

Playson Enhances Engagement Opportunities for Its Titles

There are motivating prize pools, bigger chances to win and climb a leaderboard, and so many other different fresh experiences, that Playson insists are much different from regular slot tournaments. This claim will surely be put to a test before long.

The Short Races tool is very easy to inject into the content and doesn’t require additional integration. It is simple to configure and it delivers on Playson’s commitment to creating and delivering products that are designed to help improve overall engagement with customers.

The format is designed in such a way as to allow operators to address the individual needs of their audiences and further deliver powerful and worthwhile titles. Playson Product Owner for Promotional Tools Ganna Guseva welcomed the arrival of the new tool and what it can do for both partner operators and the Playson brand as a whole.

We’ve devised the Short Races tool to help operators keep a new generation of players with shorter attention spans engaged and boost dwell time when gamer activity is low.

Playson Product Owner for Promotional Tools Ganna Guseva

Playson promotions manager Mihai Dumitrescu said that Playson was constantly on the lookout for engaging with players and helping operators. “We are always looking for new ways to innovate new and exciting products at Playson, which is why I’m thrilled to announce the launch of our Short Races feature,” Dumitrescu said.

The Short Races format will certainly help boost engagement and offer players new experiences; the promotions manager wrapped up.

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Hard Rock International’s bid for a gaming license in New York may be jeopardized due to the company’s ties with Russia.

The company’s franchises in Moscow and St Petersburg go against Governor Kathy Hochul’s directive that no New York entity should do business with any company having relations with Russia while the war in Ukraine is ongoing.

The order states: “All Affected State Entities are directed to refrain from entering into any new contract or renewing any existing contract with an entity conducting business operations in Russia.”

READ: Mohegan partners with Soloviev Group for New York casino bid

A spokesperson for Hard Rock told the New York Post that the company has slated the St Petersburg venue to be closed by March 13, while the Moscow venue had been shut down for a while now. They added that although both venues had the company’s name on them, they were independently owned and thus the company has no ties or business in Russia.

Despite this, Yale University School of Management released a working paper discussing the efforts of international companies at shutting down their businesses in Russia since the country’s invasion of Ukraine began. Hard Rock International was on the paper’s list of companies that scored an ‘F’ for not reducing their activities or exiting the country.

This will hurt Hard Rock’s chances of snaring one of the three downstate New York casino licenses up for grabs. Despite competition from Bally’s, Caesars Entertainment, Las Vegas Sands and many others, the company had a good standing in the race.

Reports have it that the tribal gaming operator donated $150,000 to Gov. Hochul’s re-election campaign and $230,000 to lobby politicians for casino plans. Added to that, the operator is New York Mets owner Steve Cohen’s preferred partner for a gaming project near Citi Field in Queens.

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The New York State Gaming Commission recently opened the application bidding process for three new downstate casino licenses, and the list of applicants continues to grow. Bally’s is the latest operator to submit its proposal. While the operator’s project seems sound, it will have to compete with other industry heavyweights sporting equally compelling propositions.

The Operator Has Made Extensive Plans

Bally’s proposed new casino will occupy part of Ferry Point’s Trump Golf Link. The plans place the new establishment in a prime location in the Bronx, occupying 17 of the course’s 192 acres. The operator has already reached an agreement with the Trump Organization, which gave its approval for the $2.5 billion casino project.

If Bally’s successfully secures one of the coveted licenses, it will gain the right to remove the former president’s name from the golf course, hopefully avoiding any negative associations. Bally’s Corporation chairman Soo Kim stated in an interview for the New York Times that the company was ready to proceed as soon as it received a license.

We have the right to exercise our option at any time to make a payment and essentially step into their lease.

Soo Kim, Bally’s Corporation chairman

Building a casino at Trump Golf Link presents several hurdles despite initial arrangements. Since the property is still under lease with the city, Bally’s will need to secure regulatory approval to repurpose the land. Furthermore, the course stands on a former landfill, which could complicate the construction process.

All These Preparations May Be for Naught

The above considerations would still be pointless if Bally’s does not secure one of the three available New York casino licenses. The operator will have to compete with established and successful venues like MGM-owned Empire City Casino and Resorts World New York City, which can easily upgrade. Industry heavyweights like Caesars Entertainment and Wynn Resorts have also expressed interest.

Overall, at least ten companies have entered the contest with a spattering of projects varying in size and scope. For example, integrated resorts company Las Vegas Sands recently announced plans for a new multi-billion-dollar integrated casino project in Nassau County, western Long Island. The NYGC has kept quiet regarding their preferred specifications, so Bally’s still stands a chance.

The company is in an excellent position to pursue expansion opportunities, explaining its New York hopes. The recent preliminary Q4 and full-year results showed record profits in the Casinos & Resorts sectors, encouraging investments into these verticals. The operator’s project for a new $1.7 billion flagship casino in Chicago is proceeding as planned, recently clearing another big regulatory hurdle.

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