Each week, CasinoBeats breaks down the numbers behind some of the industry’s most interesting stories. Today, we take a look at a UKGC licence suspension being lifted, Universal Music casino plans, a Bally’s buyout and Greek integrated resort plans.

3,000

GamCare has found that a reluctance among women to seek the support they need, due to gambling being perceived as a ‘male’ activity, can lead to greater harm being experienced.

This follows the first report from the group’s Women’s Programme, which receives funding from the Tampon Tax to deliver outreach, education and awareness on the subject.

Outlining the “worrying trends amongst women who are being harmed by gambling,” in the first year of the programme GamCare focused on barriers to women accessing help and worked with 300 organisations and over 3,000 professionals to deliver their CPD accredited training.

Among the key findings of the report, it was said that gamblers identifying as female who were interviewed highlighted feeling high levels of shame and stigma, because of societal perceptions that gambling is a ‘male’ activity in which women should not, or do not, take part.

14

Genesis Global has been awarded the green-light to resume the operations of its roster of online casino brands within the United Kingdom, after the UK Gambling Commission lifted the suspension of its remote operating licence yesterday (Wednesday 14 October 2020).

Those sites now listed as active are Casoola Casino, Casino Planet, Kassu, CasinoCruise, Casino Gods, Casino Joy, Genesis Casino, Pelaa, Sloty Online Casino, Spela, Spinit and Vegas Hero.

Lauded as a “swift licence suspension lift,” the decision enables Genesis to resume trading with immediate effect, after being hit with the interim suspension to its operating licence in July.

The group asserts that it has “started working hard” to take the improved casino brands live again in the next few days, with an ambition stressed to ensure that their customers are given the responsible and safe gaming environment “which they have always worked hard to deliver”.

15

The European Gaming and Betting Association, with support 15 online gambling associations, have renewed a commitment to safer online gambling and responsible advertising as more severe COVID-19 related restrictions return across Europe.

As individuals again face the prospect of spending prolonged periods at home, gambling organisations have been urged to remain vigilant to promote safer gambling and protect their customers.

To strengthen and promote safer gambling in these challenging times, a number of essential measures have been outlined which organisations have implored to rigorously apply to protect their customers.

20

Twin River Worldwide Holdings could be plotting a sweeping rebrand of much of its property portfolio after purchasing the iconic Bally’s brand from Caesars Entertainment.

Although financial terms were not disclosed, the New York Post notes Hedge-fund investor Soohyung Kim, co-founder of Standard General, which owns a 39 per cent stake in the operator, paid Caesars $20m for the purchase.

The acquisition will allow Twin River to maintain the Bally’s name for the Atlantic City property that it has agreed to purchase from Caesars, pursuant to the previously announced agreement.

It would also enable the company to rebrand virtually all of its portfolio properties under the Bally’s name and logo, something very much on Kim’s mind who addressed a revival of a “brand that is synonymous with American gaming”.

Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment asserts that its Inspire Athens integrated resort and casino will launch a new era of tourism and economic growth for Greece and Southeast Europe.

The pledge comes after the Connecticut headquartered developer and operator become the recipient of an operating licence by the Hellenic Gaming Commission regarding the development.

The winning bid from MGE, submitted in partnership with Gek Terna, proposes a facility that includes a luxury hotel, premier entertainment venues, convention centre, shopping, dining, casino, and a comprehensive mix of premium amenities.

MGE comments that it expects the venue to attract an influx of international tourists, which it says will “provide a significant contribution to the pioneering Hellinikon Project that will redefine the modern identity of Greece”.

The casino property is to form one part of Lamda Development‘s wider €8bn Hellinikon Project, being developed on the site of the old Ellinikon International Airport which has sat empty for over 18 years after being replaced by the new Athens entity.

1.2

Universal Music Group has announced the launch of its UMUSIC Hotels chain, one of the first locations of which will be a $1.2bn casino resort in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Becoming the most expensive resort to be built in South Mississippi, the venture will become one of three facilities first announced with further properties into be constructed in Atlanta, Georgia, and Orlando, Florida. It is said that additional cities across the US and around the world will follow.

According to a Biloxi city resolution issued in June, council approval was given to “redevelop the former Broadwater Beach Resort into [a] 266 acre resort and casino with a golf course, spa, full service hotel, related amenities and on and off site improvements”.