Each week, CasinoBeats breaks down the numbers behind some of the industry’s most interesting stories. In the latest edition we take a look at two US based developments, an ongoing scam in the Netherlands and a “rags to riches” story.

$1m

A joint venture launched by the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes, titled MMCT Venture, has made a one million dollar payment to the state Department of Consumer Protection regarding the Tribal Winds Casino, report media outlets.

The planned $300m project, being undertaken by the tribal operators of Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino, proposes to build the state’s third such property in East Windsor, in a bid to recover losses felt by the eight month old MGM Springfield, just over its northern border.

In the face of declining slot revenues for a large portion of the last twelve months, this new manoeuvre represents the first step in financing the joint venture.

Payment of $1m has made to offset the state’s regulatory costs for the project, and is said to have been a necessary measure in the ongoing process to finance and build the new gaming and entertainment complex.

3

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets has published details of an ongoing scam within the nation, which sees three agencies seek to reclaim non-existent gambling debts from consumers.

Lootsma and Partners, Bailiff Smits and Co and Inter Payment Service have all been named as forming part of the scam by the ACM, with the country’s gaming regulator, the kansspelautoriteit, backing the warning and subsequent advice issued.

It is explained that people are contacted either via telephone or email, with information that there are overdue payments that they are urged to pay, as the agencies in question stress that the debt emanated from a lottery or other game of chance.

In a media release issued by the kansspelautoriteit, it is stated: “Reports show that the collection agencies mentioned are putting consumers under pressure to pay an outstanding bill. Often there is no agreement at all, so the claim is unjustified.

“Sometimes it concerns alleged agreements from years ago. The collection agencies claim that the consumer is obliged to pay. They threaten consumers with far-reaching measures such as seizure of goods or bank accounts.”

2020

Las Vegas developer and casino owner Derek Stevens is aiming to blaze a new trail in the gaming industry, as it was revealed that his new sportsbook venture, titled Circa Sports, has received unanimous approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission for its first location.

Set to launch at the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino on June 1, a satellite program will subsequently commence at the D Las Vegas in late June of this year, designed to pave the way for the highly anticipated multi-level, stadium-style sportsbook that will debut at Circa Resort and Casino in December 2020.

The new casino property, which it has previously been stated will “be a mecca for sports gamblers,” will be Downtown Las Vegas’ first casino resort to be constructed from the ground up in over three decades.

Stevens said of the plans following being awarded a green-light: “It’s no secret that I’m an avid sports bettor, I’m taking everything I’ve learned and everything I love and bringing it all to Circa Sports, to create the best possible experience for our guests.

$5.1m

PokerStars is daring people to dream as part of new national advertising campaign set to be rolled out across Spain, as it presents the “rags to riches” story of Ramon Colillas.

The TV and digital marketing campaign documents Colillas journey from fitness trainer to global poker champion, after lighting up the poker world earlier in the year via his unlikely journey.

The new PokerStars ambassador went from winning a Platinum Pass for free entry to the $25,000 buy-in PokerStars Players No Limit Hold’em Championship, to winning the tournament and its $5.1 million prize.

Colillas fronts the new national campaign titles ‘Dare to Dream,’ which will be aired in his native Spain, highlighting the story of the 30-year-old’s “determination to compete among the elite players of the poker world and his life-changing win”.