Monthly Archives: February 2022

You’re Invited to My Birthday FundraiserAlso, My Husband Is on the Supreme Court – McSweeney’s Internet Tendency

Posted: February 24, 2022 at 2:22 am

The claim that the Justices opinions are politically neutral is becoming increasingly hard to accept, especially from Thomas, whose wife, Virginia (Ginni) Thomas, is a vocal right-wing activist. The New Yorker

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Please join me this Friday for a festive celebration and fundraiser. Its going to be a fun, low-key time. Also, my husband is on the Supreme Court.

In keeping with my ongoing philanthropic efforts, Ive pledged to make my birthday event all about giving back, and your generous donations are highly encouraged. Obviously, I cant promise you anything in return for participating other than the pure feeling of contributing to a worthy cause. Also, my husband does sit on the highest court in the United States.

It is my birthday, but no need to bring a giftjust yourself and your checkbook. (A $5,000 minimum donation is required to attend the party.) Contributions are tax deductible and, to keep things simple, checks can be made payable directly to me. My last name is spelled the same way as one of the justices on the Supreme Court.

The fundraiser benefits the BWF Foundation (Babies With Firearms), an incredible organization that makes sure that babies can easily register for guns at the hospitals theyre born at. We all know that life begins at conception, and gun ownership should begin at birth. (Side note: Christian babies only.)

If over $500,000 is raised, your name will also be etched on a commemorative plaque that will be installed on a bollard near the Supreme Court building as a reminder of your vital First and Second Amendment rights. And so that my husband can see it as he goes to work and can remember what a good time he had at this party.

The evening will include some light music, no dancing, and spirited conversation about what used to, and will again soon, make America so great. Have you thought about fireworks recently? How great are they? If you pledge at least $10,000 right now, Ill let you onto the lawn to watch a red, white, and blue firework displaywhich my husband will also be watching. Hell be the one in the robe.

Im already looking forward to your attendance so we can support a great cause and talk about important topics facing this country, like how January 6th was just a fun lawn party/indoor parade that the media blew totally out of proportion. What, we cant have indoor parades now? Also, did you know there are only nine Supreme Court justices, and my husband is one of them?

Well round out the evening with a patriotic toast from yours truly, reminding you how much freedom your money is helping to buyand that Im available for very private paid speaking engagements. If youre ready to commit $25,000 right now, Ill make sure you, or a think tank of your choosing, are mentioned by name (depending on your tax situation). My husband loves to hear me give toasts, and also, the Supreme Court is a lifetime appointment, and hell be there for the foreseeable future.

Hoping you (or your corporations chief philanthropy officer) will be able to attend. There will be a lot of governors there (but only from the good states). Looking forward to seeing you and your money soon!

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You're Invited to My Birthday FundraiserAlso, My Husband Is on the Supreme Court - McSweeney's Internet Tendency

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Redistricting, challenges from the right test Texas House GOP incumbents coming off most conservative session ever – The Texas Tribune

Posted: at 2:22 am

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Texas lawmakers passed legislation last year that allowed the permitless carry of handguns, imposed a near-total ban on abortion and cracked down on the alleged teaching of critical race theory in public schools twice.

Now as Republican members of the Texas House return to the voters in the first primary election since what many of them deemed the most conservative legislative session ever, some are facing challenges from candidates who say they didnt push far enough to the right and ended the year with unfinished business.

If elected, those challengers, as well as some open-seat candidates, could push the state even further to the right seeking even more restrictive abortion laws, for example and end the Houses tradition of bipartisan committee chairs.

The primaries pose the first major electoral test for House Speaker Dade Phelan, who took over the gavel more than a year ago and steered House Republicans through four contentious sessions.

Combined with new district boundaries brought about through redistricting which made some districts even redder it has all made for a fluid, uncertain environment for incumbents and open-seat candidates.

The reelection bid of Rep. Kyle Kacal of College Station exemplifies the dynamic. His district has been significantly redrawn; it now encompasses part of Bryan and the outskirts of College Station and then stretches into rural areas to the north, east and south.

This is a new territory, Kacal said at a recent forum, acknowledging his districts significantly different boundaries. Its an incredible territory, and one thing you will get tired of is seeing me in town all the time.

Faced with challengers suggesting he is too moderate, Kacal has stuck to a common theme among incumbents in the hot seat this primary season.

We just came out of the most conservative session in the Texas Legislature, he said at the forum. I voted with it 99% of the time.

Speaking after Kacal, one of his challengers, Joshua Hamm, ripped the incumbents assessment of the session You gotta give me a break, Hamm said angrily while a second challenger, Ben Bius, piled on. Bius said Kacal is rated as the No. 1 most liberal state legislator in Texas and bashed Kacal for not fighting hard enough when House Democrats broke quorum last year over Republicans priority elections bill.

Folks, you dont negotiate with anarchists, Bius said.

The primaries are the first to happen since Phelan took over as speaker, and his campaign has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars assisting Republican members with primary opposition. While Phelan has ambitions to grow the GOP majority in November, particularly in South Texas, he first has to show he can shepherd incumbents through the political gauntlet that is the states action-packed primary season.

My team and I are carrying out one of the most robust strategies by a Texas House speaker for the 2022 primary election thats focused on supporting Republican incumbents and growing our majority in the chamber, Phelan said in a statement, calling his team's efforts this election cycle "unprecedented."

Leadership, which for years became accustomed to battling the anti-establishment Empower Texans in the primary, is confronting its modern iteration, the Defend Texas Liberty PAC. Led by former state Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, the political action committee has raised $5.4 million since the start of the year, mostly from a handful of hard-right donors, and had doled out nearly as much as of Saturday. Most of the money has gone to Don Huffines, a primary challenger to Gov. Greg Abbott, but the group has also cut checks to a host of other anti-establishment causes, including House primary challengers and groups that have targeted incumbents.

Defend Texas Liberty PAC exists to further the conservative movement in Texas, Stickland said in a statement. We aid the champions who fight for our values, and expose those who work against them.

Phelans No. 1 priority is Rep. Ryan Guillen, the former South Texas Democrat who switched to the GOP in November after the GOP-led redistricting process turned Guillens district, already Republican-leaning, into a solidly red one. He faces two primary challengers.

Phelan and his allies are out to set an example that new converts to their party will be welcomed with open arms and vigorously defended.

Supporting candidates and voters when they switch parties is critical for the long-term goals of the Republican Party, and we should encourage others to follow their lead, said Aaron De Leon, vice president of the Associated Republicans of Texas. Its simple math: More voters equal more wins and greater success.

Guillen has been airing a TV ad in which a narrator says Guillen was already one of us, citing an A+ rating from the National Rifle Association and support for the near-total abortion ban that Abbott signed into law last year. Guillen has the backing of not only Phelan, but also Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and former President Donald Trump.

Guillens primary challengers are unswayed, attacking him as a phony Republican. One of them, Mike Monreal, calls himself a Republican by conviction, not by convenience and notes that Guillen opposed legislation last year to restrict the teaching of so-called critical race theory, among other GOP priorities over the years.

Phelan is also deeply invested in the primary for House District 62, where Rep. Reggie Smith of Sherman is being challenged by Shelley Luther, the salon owner who became famous for refusing to shut down her business under COVID-19 restrictions. Luther, who unsuccessfully ran for state Senate in 2020, has become one of the loudest detractors of state Republican leadership both Phelan and Abbott and her defeat would be especially satisfying to them.

Luther has become even more of a lightning rod in her current race, saying Chinese students should be banned from Texas universities and lamenting that, when she was a teacher, her students could not laugh at transgender classmates.

With Phelans financial aid, Smith has been on TV in the race since December, and he has used airtime to tell voters Luther is all talk, saying in one ad that she has never voted Republican ever. However, election records show Luther has voted Republican at least once before, in the 2020 primary runoff for the party. A more recent Smith ad is more precise, saying she has never voted in a March Republican primary.

Luther and her allies are hitting back by invoking two sensitive issues for House leadership: the chambers tradition of appointing committee leaders from both parties and its decision last year to lower the penalty for illegal voting in a far-reaching bill that otherwise imposed new voting restrictions on Texans. Defend Texas Liberty PAC is airing a TV ad against Smith that attacks him over both issues, saying Smith talks conservative, votes liberal.

The PAC has flooded primaries with mailers bashing incumbents for allowing Democrats to chair committees, especially in light of their quorum break last summer over the GOPs priority elections bill. The attack is rooted in an amendment to the House rules last year from Rep. Bryan Slaton, R-Royse City, that proposed banning the minority party from having any chair positions. Only four other Republicans supported the amendment.

Incumbents have dealt with the attacks over committee chairs in various ways. During a forum earlier this month, Rep. Brooks Landgraf of Odessa responded to a question about the issue by telling voters to look at the results last year.

We shoved so many Republican Party principles down those Democratic chairs throats that they fled the state, Landgraf said, referencing the House Democrats move to break quorum and travel to Washington in an ultimately unsuccessful effort to block the voting bill. They choked on it. We got constitutional carry passed, the heartbeat bill passed, election integrity passed, all with those chairs. So when theyre on small committees like that, it doesnt really make a difference.

As for the decrease in the illegal voting penalty, it originated in the House and lowered the offense from a felony to a misdemeanor. Most Republicans supported the measure, and it flew under the radar until after Abbott signed the bill. Abbott ordered lawmakers to reinstate the penalty in another special session, but Phelan resisted, saying it was not the time to re-litigate the hard-fought elections bill.

As the primary nears, it is hard to find incumbents defending the penalty decrease. Landgraf, for example, wrote on Facebook last month he takes full responsibility for my vote, and I am going to fix that error when the legislature convenes next.

Across primaries, incumbent after incumbent is touting their role in the most conservative session ever while challengers seek to poke holes in the billing.

Rep. Stephanie Klicks primary has drawn considerable attention, if only because she has the most challengers: four. The Fort Worth representative chairs the House Public Health Committee, and her opponents are seizing on her failure to advance legislation to restrict what they call gender modification, or gender-affirming care for transgender kids.

One of her challengers, David Lowe, raises the issues in a radio ad that calls Klick an establishment moderate who cares more about what The Dallas Morning News wants than what Texans believe.

From historic advances in protecting the unborn, expanding Second Amendment freedoms, protecting religious liberty, working to protect girls sports, and increasing taxpayer rights Im extremely proud of my conservative record in the Texas House, Klick said in a statement for this story.

The debates regarding transgender kids also loom large in an open seat in North Texas where the four GOP candidates include Jeff Younger, who has waged a court battle over his childs transition. He has sharply blamed GOP leadership for failing to protect the child.

While some of the far-right primary challengers are long shots, they show how Republicans are not unanimous in their assessment of last years sessions.

You cant sit there with a straight face and tell me we had the most conservative legislative session ever when we got watered-down constitutional carry, Kacal challenger Joshua Hamm said at the forum. He did not say what was watered down about the permitless carry bill. You took voter fraud and took it from a felony to a misdemeanor and you got the heartbeat bill, which still isnt abolishing abortion, its just pushing it off for a couple weeks and then making it a civil [penalty] instead of criminal.

The push to totally end abortion in Texas has creeped into some other primaries. Klick and Rep. Lacey Hull have been hit with mailers from a group called Abolish Abortion Texas that bash them for failing to support a bill that would have made abortion punishable by the death penalty. The bill never got a committee hearing but became a litmus test for the far right.

Redistricting is fueling a lot of the activity, too. The decennial process gave way to dozens of open seats and added new geography to seats that lured in fresh faces.

Kacal, for example, is reckoning with the addition of Walker County, which is now the biggest slice of the district population by county. That attracted Huntsville businessperson Ben Bius, who is challenging Kacal with the support of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and one of Kacals colleagues, retiring Rep. Ben Leman of Anderson.

Redistricting also fielded a crop of primary challengers to Rep. Ernest Bailes of Shepherd. His three opponents include Janis Holt, a former member of the State Republican Executive Committee who had been running for an open seat in East Texas before redistricting. But then redistricting added her native Hardin County to Bailes district, and she reoriented her campaign.

Holt said she was excited when she saw the new district, knowing she had already worked with activists in the area on the SREC. She is running as more conservative than Bailes and said that she finds the most engaged voters are livid about the Democratic committee chairs, especially considering some were part of the quorum break.

New geography is also fueling conflict. In North Texas, the addition of Parker County to Rep. Glenn Rogers district gave rise to his lineup of three primary challengers. One of them is Mike Olcott, the co-founder of Parker Conservatives who has loaned himself $300,000.

Redistricting also led to a new, open seat that favors Republicans in Collin County, now known as District 61. Abbott, in his only open-seat endorsement so far, has backed Frederick Frazier, a veteran Dallas police officer who could be the first active cop to serve in the House. Trump, who had appointed Frazier to a law enforcement commission, endorsed him Tuesday.

This is an essential race for Texas because youre about to make history and put somebody on that House floor that has an unlimited resource on keeping our public safe, Frazier said in an interview.

Redistricting also forced some tough decisions by rising stars in the party. The new House District 19 in Central Texas ended up pitting two onetime allies, Justin Berry and Ellen Troxclair, against one another. Berry is an Austin police officer who unsuccessfully ran against Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin, in 2020. He was recently indicted in Austin for allegedly using excessive force during the May 2020 racial justice protests, though he denies wrongdoing and calls the charges politically motivated. Troxclair is a former Austin City Council member who was running for state Senate earlier in 2021 before redistricting made that race untenable.

Carrie Isaac is another valued GOP recruit from 2020 who had to find her place on the new map. She settled on the new House District 73 in the Hill Country but could not avert a matchup against former New Braunfels Mayor Barron Casteel. The two are locked in a brawl over their support for veterans, centered on Isaacs management of a nonprofit that provides assistance for them.

There are more unusual circumstances in other GOP primaries for state House.

In House District 14, Rep. John Raney of College Station has drawn a challenger with a high profile locally: John Harvey Slocum, son of the former Texas A&M University football coach RC Slocum. The two are not necessarily arguing over whos the most conservative but who is best positioned to deliver for a region that is famously loyal to A&M.

I think we need leadership in Austin, Slocum said at a recent forum. Im running against an incumbent thats been there for 11 years. Theres been three speakers, and he hasnt chaired a committee.

In another primary that does not neatly split along ideological lines, Rep. Valoree Swanson of Spring is confronting three primary challengers, including the incumbent she beat in 2016, Debbie Riddle. In an interview, Riddle acknowledged they are both conservative, pro-life Republicans but said the big difference is she would provide better constituent services. She promised to open three offices across the district, which she said has a dearth of local elected officials, increasing the need for a responsive state representative.

One Riddle ad drives a more vivid contrast.

We have enough weak-kneed Republicans in Washington, a narrator says in a Riddle ad, showing Swanson wedged between two of Trumps biggest GOP critics in Congress, U.S. Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger. Valoree Swanson just isnt fighting for us.

Texas A&M University has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

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Maryland Casinos Offer Slots, Tables, Sports Betting, and …

Posted: at 2:21 am

Posted on: February 22, 2022, 01:35h.

Last updated on: February 22, 2022, 02:19h.

Maryland casinos recently expanded their gaming operations with the introduction of sports betting. But that isnt all thats new at the six casinos.

Last week, the states casinos began offering guests on-site COVID-19 booster shots. The vax initiative is part of Governor Larry Hogans (R) booster action plan.

MGM National Harbor, Live! Casino & Hotel, Horseshoe Baltimore, Ocean Downs, Rocky Gap Resort, and Hollywood Perryville each have vax clinics on property. Hogan says getting a booster aka, a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine is the best bet a gambler can make while at one of the gaming venues.

Getting a booster shot is a safe bet on your health, and millions of Marylanders have already stepped up to get one, said Hogan. These clinics are another way to get more vaccines to the community, and I want to thank our casinos across the state for being such great community partners.

Live! Casino, which is operated by Baltimore-based Cordish Companies, has long been doing its part in making COVID-19 vaccines more widely available. The Anne Arundel casino was one of the first commercial casinos in the nation to open an on-site vaccination clinic when it did so in January of 2021.

Maryland is home to a little more than six million people. The latest health data shows that nearly 74% of the population is considered fully vaccinated or receiving at least two COVID-19 vaccine doses. Eighty-five percent of the population has received at least one dose.

That ranks Maryland in the top 10 of the 50 states in terms of vaccination. Hogan nonetheless wants more shots in arms.

Along with the casino vax clinics, Hogan has set aside an additional $2 million in government funds for a promotion running through the Maryland Lottery. Anyone who receives a booster at a state-approved location can enter into a random weekly drawing to win cash prizes.

Each week now through May 3, the Maryland Lottery will draw a single name and hand the lucky winner $50,000. The promotion dubbed VaxCash 2.0 began last week with a $500,000 winner being drawn. VaxCash 2.0 follows the original VaxCash lottery promotion held last year. It also paid out $2 million in winnings to Marylanders who got vaccinated.

Last weeks winning recipient, lottery officials revealed, is a resident of Dundalk. To be eligible to win, the person receiving a booster must be 18 or older, a Maryland resident, and have received all of their COVID-19 shots (primary doses and booster) in the state of Maryland.

VaxCash 2.0 is set to conclude with a life-changing $1 million prize drawing on May 3.

Hogans office celebrated last month the state administering its two millionth COVID-19 booster shot. As of the end of January, the Maryland Department of Health says more than 11 million coronavirus vaccine shots have been dispensed into arms.

More than 95% of the states adult population has reportedly received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Though the efficacy of vaccines slowing the spread of the coronavirus continues to be debated, Hogan flaunted his states high vaccination rate as a cause for the steep decline in recent positivity rates.

Getting a booster shot is the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself, your family, and your fellow Marylanders from this virus and its variants, the governor concluded.

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3 things to look forward to at this local casino – KSAT San Antonio

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Have you ever been to Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel?

If you havent, or its been a while since your last visit, perhaps now is the time to swing by or plan a trip.

Nyki Herrera, a spokeswoman for the casino, stopped by SA Live to tell us about some of the events coming up.

This kicks off this coming Saturday at 3 p.m., with a lucky winner taking home a grand prize of $75,000 in cash.

There will also be thousands of dollars in extra prize money.

Kickapoo will have such a fun lineup -- not only this week, but coming up in March as well, Herrera said.

This week, we have everything from Tejano to rock, and even a Johnny Cash tribute band, she added. And of course, every Sunday is karaoke night.

Its running in March through April, and Kickapoo will give away more than $200,000 in cash and prizes, including a brand new 2022 Dodge Challenger Hellcat.

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Kickapoo is located at 794 Lucky Eagle Drive, in Eagle Pass.

The casino is owned and operated by the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas.

Youre invited to play at the biggest casino in Texas, with 24-hour gaming excitement featuring more than 3,300 slots, including an expansive High Limit Room, a private poker room and live bingo. Theres also a full-service hotel, dining and nightlife. Learn more.

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3 things to look forward to at this local casino - KSAT San Antonio

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A bump in the road for southern Oregon’s illegal private casino – High Country News

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HCN photo illustration

BACKSTORYOver the course of 2021, Travis Boersma, Oregons newest billionaire, developed an entertainment venue in Grants Pass called the Flying Lark basically an illegal casino joined to a horse track. The Oregon Racing Commission, a state agency, shepherded the project toward license approval for 225 historic horse racing machines, or HHRs, which resemble slot machines but use internal math based on horse betting. At every step of the process, tribes across Oregon expressed concern about how the development would impact tribal economies, the public and the states legal framework for gambling oversight. They also objected that no state agencies consulted with the tribes (Gambling on a Lark, February 2022).

FOLLOWUPThis month, the Oregon Department of Justice published an opinionthat HHRs are games of chance, not skill, and as such are considered illegal lotteries. The opinionfurther states that an entertainment facility with 225 HHRs would qualify as an unlawful casino.

Anna Richter Taylor, a public affairs specialist, spoke to HCN on behalf of the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, saying the tribe is pleased with the decision. This opinion validated and confirmed what weve believed all along: that the Flying Lark would be unconstitutional, Taylor said. She reiterated the tribes support of horse racing and economic development, and added that she hopes this will become an opportunity to form a special joint committee to find mutually beneficial solutions before any other gambling expansions take place in the state.

The current regulatory framework is not adequate to address the role of technology in gambling, and the current process for these policy discussions have not been inclusive of all of the different components social, economic, tribal that will be impacted, she said.

The decision is a major obstacle for the Flying Lark, but its not necessarily the end of the road. At a meeting on Feb. 17th, the Oregon Racing Commission disagreed with the opinion, but reluctantly (and unanimously) voted to issue a formal notice of intent to deny the Flying Larks HHR application. I cannot provide the commission any legal advice, even though Im an attorney, said ORC chair Diego Conde. Nevertheless, he added, There is a high likelihood that this matter does not conclude here.

My team and I believe the opinion is wrong and deeply flawed, said Boersma during public comments at the same meeting, adding that hes confident theres a path to continue the process. Meanwhile, he said hell fund his horse track out of pocket through the fall season. Im not giving up. Im gonna continue to be a force for God and a force for good in this endeavor.

There have still not been any formal government-to-government consultations.

Theo Whitcomb is an editorial internatHigh Country News. We welcome reader letters.Emailhim at[emailprotected]or submit aletter to the editor.

Brian Oaster (they/them) is a staff writer atHigh Country Newsanda member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. They are anaward-winning investigative journalist living in the Pacific Northwest. Email them at[emailprotected]orsubmit a letter to the editor.

See ourletters to the editor policy.

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A bump in the road for southern Oregon's illegal private casino - High Country News

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Illinois Casino And VGT Revenue Drop Sharply To Start 2022 – US Bets

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A notable drop in January attendance contributed to a sharp month-over-month falloff in casino revenue in Illinois as the states gaming board reported $87.8 million in adjusted gross revenue.

The total represented a 25.1% drop versus Decembers revenue figure of $109.8 million and ended a streak of 10 straight months of at least $100 million in revenue generated. It was the lowest total since the Illinois Gaming Board reported revenue totaling $78 million last February. Casino revenue does not include sports betting figures as those are reported under a different set of deadlines per state regulations.

Because casinos were operating under limited capacity last January due to COVID-19 mitigation measures, this years figure was more than three times higher than the $26.3 million generated in 2021. It was 12.8% lower, however, than the $100.7 million reported in January 2020. Illinois has 11 casinos and no online casino gaming since video game terminals (VGTs) dominate the state landscape.

Monthly tax receipts from the casinos also took a sharp downturn, as the state collected close to $9.9 million, 67% less than Decembers total of $29.9 million. Illinois averaged $20.7 million monthly in tax receipts from casino revenue in 2021 and collected $248.7 million overall.

Weather had a small contribution to the decline in attendance with two significant days of snowfall late in the month, but all 11 venues reported month-over-month drops in patronage. Overall, attendance lagged 21.3% compared to December as 571,882 admissions were reported compared to 726,780 for the final month of December.

Some of the novelty of Hard Rocks temporary casino in Rockford may have worn off as the slots-exclusive venue had a 38.1% dip in attendance. Seven venues in all had double-digit percentage dips in attendance, with Rivers Casino in Des Plaines the bell cow of gaming revenue in the state itself absorbing a 36.6% drop.

Rivers, though, did account for slightly more than one-third of the states overall revenue with $29.7 million. It accounted for more than half the $21.5 million in revenue generated via table games, with close to $12.1 million. Only four other venues surpassed $1 million in that category. Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin, which was a distant second in table games revenue at $2.5 million, was the only other casino to have more than 10% of its overall revenue originate from table games in January.

On the EGD/slots side, Rivers revenue haul of $17.6 million was more than double its closest peer as Grand Victoria finished second with $8.6 million and Harrahs Joliet was third with nearly $8.5 million. Grand Victoria was also the lone venue outside Rivers to post an eight-figure revenue total in January with close to $11.1 million, while Harrahs in Joliet took the final podium spot with nearly $9.6 million.

Despite the drop in attendance and revenue, average revenue per admission actually inched 1.6% higher to $153.47. Rivers easily paced that category with $214.21 per admission, followed by Harrahs Joliet ($184.07) and Harrahs Metropolis ($168.33). Nine of the 11 venues averaged more than $100 per admission, with Ballys Quad Cities falling just short at $98.84 and Argosy Casino Alton last at $62.

The quiet engine of Illinois gaming revenue, video gaming terminals (VGTs), also sputtered out of the gate to start the new year in comparison to the close of 2021. The net terminal income of close to $195.5 million represented a 9.8% drop compared to Decembers total of $216.8 million.

There was nearly 10% less play in January, with more than $2.3 billion versus the $2.6 billion to close out 2021. The funds in the amount of money put in the terminals lagged close to 10% with $762.3 million compared to $846.5 million. Taxes from the 41,657 machines in operation spanning 7,784 locations statewide totaled nearly $66.5 million, of which $56.7 million went to the state and the remainder to local municipalities.

Similar to casino revenue in terms of a year-over-year comparison, the totals were notably higher than in January 2021. The first month of VGT play last year generated $80.8 million in net terminal income, resulting in $23.4 million for state tax coffers. Illinois raised $717.7 million in state taxes from VGT play in 2021, nearly triple that of casino revenue.

Photo: Shutterstock

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Illinois Casino And VGT Revenue Drop Sharply To Start 2022 - US Bets

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Where can you find the best casino deals? – Hardware Times

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Today, neither a tuxedo nor a bow tie or evening gown is required to enter a casino. All a user needs are a stable internet connection, a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, or a PC. The big casinos focus on their digital clientele. They have created a multi-layered range of games on the World Wide Web that attracts the interest of an ever-growing target group. Beginners in particular are therefore wondering where they can find the best casino offers.

On http://www.gamblingguy.com, the well-known and most popular gaming platforms come together in a direct comparison. On the basis of helpful criteria, it should thus be possible to find suitable providers within a very short time. Most players are looking for bonuses, lucrative promotions, worthwhile odds, free spins, and a wide range of games. Looking at the current ratings gives a first hint and a realistic assessment of how satisfied other users are with a platform. In this way, beginners have the opportunity to better assess a casino.

A reputable bookmaker offers every new customer the chance to first open a customer account completely free of charge. If you already have to pull out your wallet at this point, your stomach shouldnt be the only thing grumbling. The skepticism is justified at this point. No customer should be satisfied with second-rate offers that he cannot view for free.

On the contrary, the competition has risen sharply in recent months. For example, many new customers even have the chance to get a lucrative discount for registering and opening an account. Other bonus promotions and offers are tied to the first deposit. The 100% voucher, for example, is the deposit amount again on top. Who deposits 100$, receives in this case from the casino another 100$ and thus has 200$ at his free disposal on the gaming platform.

With other casinos, free spins are added, which relate to the slot machines. In this way, users have the chance to get a taste of the slots and familiarize themselves with the settings and functions without using their own money. Attention, if you want to make a monetary credit out of credit and your own winnings, you have to fulfill the bonus conditions first.

Another decision criterion for a good casino is the selection of payment options. Most providers offer the chance to pay by credit card. They accept Mastercard and Visa. Others offer their players digital alternatives, such as PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, or the Paysafecard. Many tests and analyses have shown that more and more users are no longer satisfied with the credit card payment option.

With the digital alternatives, it is partly possible to send money directly to the player account without opening an external account or to have the winnings paid out to the checking account. Stingy every user should deal with the external fees of the casinos. Most bookmakers do without them completely. They focus on the fun of the game and do not take a cent of their stakes away from their customers.

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Where can you find the best casino deals? - Hardware Times

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Man charged for meth and theft at casino – nwestiowa.com

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LARCHWOODA 52-year-old Sioux Falls, SD, man was arrested about 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 21, on charges of first-offense possession of a controlled substance methamphetamine, first-offense possession of a controlled substance marijuana, two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and fourth-degree theft at Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort northwest of Larchwood.

The arrest of John Christopher Ulrich stemmed from him stealing a wallet off a chair while on the gaming floor of the casino on Sunday, Feb. 13, according to the Lyon County Sheriffs Office.

Ulrich then went to the bathroom and left the casino through a back door.

The wallet contained $400-$600 in cash, credit cards and gift cards.

Ulrich returned to the casinos gaming floor on Feb. 21. He was placed in handcuffs and removed from the casino.

While in the parking lot, Ulrich tossed a drawstring bag that he had.

Authorities found individual bags containing methamphetamine, two meth pipes, a container of marijuana and a marijuana pipe in the drawstring bag, according to court documents.

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Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience Opens July 8 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City – Business Wire

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ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Imagine being completely immersed in more than 300 of the greatest works of post-Impressionist artist Vincent Van Gogh. Now imagine experiencing all of this art liberated from its two-dimensional limitations into a three-dimensional experience that exhilarates every sense and brings to life one of the most influential artists the world has known. Its all part of Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, which has sold over 2.5 million tickets globally making it one of the most popular current traveling exhibitions. The sensory extravaganza produced by Paquin Entertainment Group and presented by Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City will open at the resort on July 8. Open for a limited engagement, Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience was created by French-Canadian Creative Director Mathieu St-Arnaud and his team at Montreals world-renowned Normal Studio.

While journeying through Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience guests witness more than 300 iconic masterpieces, including such instantly recognizable classics as The Starry Night, Sunflowers, and Caf Terrace at Night, as well many revealing self-portraits. Prices start at $39.99 for adults and $23.99 for children (ages 5-15), plus ticketing fees. Tickets, which will sell out quickly, will be on-sale to the general public beginning Friday, February 25 at http://www.vangoghatlanticcity.com

An imaginative and fully-immersive adventure, Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience takes on the challenge of breathing new life into Van Goghs vast body of work. Through the use of cutting-edge 3D projection technology and music to illuminate all of his genius, guests can experience the artist with all their senses, says Mathieu St-Arnaud, Normal Studio.

Guests are transported into Van Goghs world through an all new, exclusively designed space comprised of three areas that segue fluidly into each other. The Education Room leads into the unique Waterfall Room which flows into the Immersive Experience Room. Freed from their frames, Van Goghs spectacular paintings appear on projection-swathed walls inviting guests to fully immerse themselves into the incredible detail of his work and be enveloped in his ever-shifting, swirling and colorful flowers, cafes and stunning landscapes. And, hearing the artists own dreams, thoughts and words set to a symphonic score drives an unmatched narrative experience.

This distinctive and unique multimedia artistic adventure is deeply resonating with audiences. Encompassing a refreshing new twist unlike art lovers have seen before, Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience gives a new appreciation of this tortured artists stunning work. Unsurprisingly millions of people all over the world credit Van Gogh with enhancing their relationship with art. Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience will only strengthen that connection, says Justin Paquin, co-producer, Paquin Entertainment.

Cinematic Van Gogh exhibitions have crossed the ocean from European cities to North America in recent years and met with great critical acclaim, with sold-out audiences in every market. Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience continues to amaze audiences and will stay in Atlantic City for a limited engagement before moving across North America. Art lovers near and far will have the opportunity to live this truly unique and unforgettable experience.

WHEN:

July 8 August 28

Monday Thursday: 10:00 a.m. 9:00 p.m.

Friday & Saturday: 10:00 a.m. 10:00 p.m.

Sunday: 10:00 a.m. 9:00 p.m.

Final entry 1 hour before closing

WHERE:

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City

100 Boardwalk

Atlantic City, NJ 08401

TICKETS:

vangoghatlanticcity.com

Media Assets

About Normal Studio:

Pushing the boundaries of performing arts, entertainment, and public installations since 2009, Normal Studio believes in making life legendary. Using multimedia magic and fusing physical and technological elements to transform spaces into full-on immersive experiences, Normal Studio tells stories in new and different ways by reimagining whats possible. The result is a unique adventure that sparks awe and wonder, making an unforgettable impact on peoples everyday lives.

About Paquin Entertainment Group:

Established in 1985, Paquin Entertainment Group is a leading, full-service North American arts and entertainment company with offices operating in Winnipeg, Toronto, Vancouver and Nashville. Paquin Entertainment Group is home to a diverse portfolio, including artist agency and management, film and television, theatrical production, brand partnership, and touring exhibitions. Since its inception, Paquin Entertainment Groups core vision remains unchanged: to foster a creative culture that seeks and develops the worlds premier artists and productions. For more information visit paquinentertainment.com

About Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City

With the legendary Atlantic City Boardwalk as its backdrop, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City has become Atlantic Citys go-to entertainment destination. The property features an award-winning gaming floor that offers 2,250 slots, 120 table games, and dedicated Sportsbook. The highly regarded resort has been recognized as Forbes Best Place to Work in New Jersey, as well as awards from Casino Player Magazines 2020 and 2021 Best of Gaming Awards and USA Todays 10Best Casinos. Boasting more than 16 food and beverage offerings, guests are able to enjoy fine dining at Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, Kuro, Sandpiper and Il Mulino, to casual fare at Hard Rock Cafe, YOUYU Noodle Bar, Sugar Factory and Fresh Harvest Buffet. The music-inspired resort offers guests a glimpse into the worlds most valuable and largest music memorabilia collection, along with services from Rock Spa & Salon, which offers rhythm and music inspired treatments like the Soul Survivor Massage. With more than 150,000 square feet of meeting and event space, Hard Rock Atlantic City can fit any bill from intimate board meetings to large-scale conferences. For more information or to book your stay, please visit hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com.

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Sports betting is coming to Potawatomi Hotel & Casino in Milwaukee under a new agreement between the tribe, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers – Milwaukee…

Posted: at 2:21 am

Milwaukee's Potawatomi Hotel &Casino willbe allowed to offer sports gambling under a new agreement between the tribe and Gov. Tony Evers.

The compact, announced Friday, allows the Forest County Potawatomi to offer event wagering on sports and non-sports events.

The signed agreement was sent to the U.S. Department of Interior. It will undergo a 45-day review by the department before taking effect.

The tribe plans to open a sports book venue at the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, 1721 W. Canal St., by the end of 2022.

The agreement also allows sports and event betting at the tribe's Forest County casino.

Evers has signedsimilar compacts with the Oneida Nation and the St. Croix Chippewa Indians to allow sports bettingat their casinos in Green Bay and northwestern Wisconsin.

In a statement, Evers praised his Department of Administration, the tribe andNed Daniels Jr., Forest County Potawatomi chair, for working "to get this done so folks can enjoy sports and other event wagering in our state while benefiting the tribes economic growth."

We appreciate Governor Evers and his administration working with us in a government-to-government manner to provide our tribe the tools needed to compete in the marketplace and giving us the business certainty to continue our investments in Milwaukee and throughout the state,Daniels saidin a statement.

More: Here's what we know about legalized sports betting at tribal casinos in Wisconsin

In addition, the agreement extends the term of the current compact to 2061.

The Department of Administrations Office of Indian Gaming and Regulatory Compliance conducts on-site audits of casino operations.

Under the amended compact, that agency will have oversight to ensure regulatory compliance and the integrity of event wagering, according to the announcement.

The introduction of sports gambling atPotawatomi Hotel &Casino comes after the tribe last summer reported a steep decline in revenue due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.

The casinowon at least $293 million from gamblers during the 12-month period that ended June 30, a figure that is more than 28% below its 2019 total, according to tax records reviewed by the Journal Sentinel.

The 2020 win was at least $292 million.

The tribe won more than $400 million through bets taken at its Milwaukee slot machines, off-track betting windows and a range of table games that includes poker, craps and blackjack during the year that ended June 30, 2019.

The revenue drop caused the Potawatomiand other tribes seeing similar declines tolay off employees,cut dividends to tribal members and end a variety of services.

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

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