No Bets on Pacquiao-Mayweather?
The fight of all times is supposed to happen on March 2010. The two greatest boxers had agreed to fight off each other in the most anticipated boxing match in the history. MGM Grand was set to be the setting of the Pacquiao vs Mayweather fight. However, all hopes were shattered when the camp of Floyd Mayweather Jr. demanded an Olympic-style drug test. This was faced with a loud disagreement from Manny Pacquiao’s camp.
Pacquiao is currently Ring Magazine’s number 1 pound for pound fighter with seven title belts from seven weight class divisions (a world record) while Mayweather ranks second.Each of them had set record-breaking fight grosses during their last bouts against other well-known boxers, with the bets always on their favor.
Bob Arum mediated the agreement which led to both parties agreeing on a 50-50 cut from the match’s revenue. However, Mayweather’s manager Leonard Ellerbe announced this week that in order for them to proceed with the match, Pacquiao should undergo a drug test. Pacquiao’s coach, Freddie Roach responded he would not allow any blood samples to be taken from Pacquiao if it is going to be done the day before the actual match, but he also said that he could permit it if the test is done a week prior.
With fans and boxing enthusiasts holding their breath for this much-awaited bout, the organizers may be scrambling to get another agreement from the two. Both athletes’ fights had generated millions of dollars from pay-per-view subscriptions, audience outcome and even online sports betting. This issue needs to be resolved.
The Fall of the Atlantic
The recession started last year with the collapse of large financial institutions in the United States. Since then, it had undergone a domino effect affecting major industries all over the world. Buyouts became more common as one by one, companies fell to debts and bankruptcies.
The casino industry is no exception. 2009 has been a very bad year for the gaming world and the industry has been severely damaged. This just seems logical considering that people have to cut down on unnecessary expenses and truthfully speaking, gambling is a vice with no guaranteed rewards.
Atlantic City is a host to a number of casinos. The Trump Entertainment with three casinos under its wing has already fallen victim to the flailing economy. It is now under bankruptcy protection. The latest addition though to this downfall is the buyout of Resorts Atlantic City, the oldest of its kind in the area. It has been taken over by the Credit Suisse Group, a European bank. With this takeover, it only signifies a hard hit on the industry.
With the recession predicted not to be over so soon, the gambling industry is yet to face more obstacles in the coming year. Even with tougher times looming ahead, recovery plans are also being enforced.
Online casino launched by Harrah’s
Another casino is now online, this time brought to you by Harrah’s Interactive Entertainment. They recently “soft launched” their long anticipated casino, which has a very recognizable face on it.
The new online casino is called Caesar’s Casino Online, and has the very familiar black and gold Caesar’s branding.
Powered by Dragonfish software, the online casino offers a variety of games, including blackjack, video slots, video poker, three-card poker, Caribbean poker, craps and roulette.
Currently, Caesar’s Online Casino is not accepting any U.S. or German players. Users from those countries who attempt to access the site are redirected to an general information page on Harrah’s physical casino properties.
The casino is also offering a loyalty points program based on the amount of wagering. Harrah’s did not say if this program will be tied into the Harrah’s Total Rewards Program.
Portalvision: A new innovation to slot machines
Upon a visit to the casino are you inexplainedly drawn and then hooked by the slot machines? Well, guess what? Now it will be even more difficult to pull yourself away from those slots because of a new technology called Portalvision. This innovation allows slots players to bet on horse racing and to swict games without ever leaving the machine. Wow!
The casinos already bank on the thought that players spend more time on slots, because of course that’s more revenue. But the casinos are not the only benefactors from the new Portalvision. The player also benefits by having the ability to bet the horse races and to never leave the machine. The new platform would allow the player a separate portion of the screen where there would be options to either view or bet the horse race while still playing the slots.
Portalvision has not reached all casinos yet, but it will. It is currently being tested inmany markets to make sure that customers find it to be enjoyable as well as useful.
