Gambling in the USA
New executive team at Plaza Hotel & Casino raises the bar for the property’s guest experience
The Plaza Hotel & Casino has brought on several new executives to further elevate the guest experience at the iconic downtown Las Vegas property, which has witnessed a significant turnaround and has outpaced downtown’s overall growth since Jonathan Jossel took over as CEO in 2015.
In recent months, Jossel has recruited new leadership for key departments, including casino marketing/operations, food and beverage, and brand management. “As part of my effort to grow the Plaza’s offerings and attract new customers, I wanted to recruit leaders with a wealth of experience and knowledge to help us build on the success we’ve achieved so far,” said Jossel.
John Janicky, a 25-year gaming industry veteran, joined the Plaza as vice president of casino marketing and operations. Janicky most recently worked at SLS Las Vegas and Aliante Casino, a AAA Four Diamond Resort. At the Plaza, he will focus on leveraging technology and developing new and exciting marketing programs to enhance the players’ experience.
Ryan Rowland will lead the Plaza’s food and beverage program seeking to elevate the property’s offerings and create unmatched dining experiences in the heart of downtown Las Vegas. He comes to the Plaza with a distinguished resume in management at famed restaurants such as Spago Las Vegas, Michael Mina Bellagio, StripSteak at Mandalay Bay, and Jean-Georges Prime Steakhouse. Most recently, Rowland was director of restaurants for the transition of the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino to Park MGM.
Rowland is joined by Michael Vakneen who returns to the Plaza after co-founding the popular Pop Up Pizza, one of downtown’s first gourmet pizzerias located on the Plaza’s casino floor. With a background in commercial real estate and restaurant development, including opening nine restaurants and bars in three years for a Las Vegas based restaurant group, Vakneen now works as a concept developer, food and beverage analyst, and director of special projects for the Plaza.
Rounding out the new team is Bronson Olimpieri. With 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Olimpieri is owner and operator of TCB Strategic, a hospitality marketing and branding agency. Olimpieri is working with the Plaza on brand management and to develop new concepts and creative initiatives for the property.
“The experience that John, Ryan, Michael and Bronson bring to the Plaza is unparalleled. Working with them and our dedicated and talented team at the Plaza, we are charting a new course for the property that will result in continued growth while also diversifying the downtown experience,” added Jossel.
About the Plaza Hotel & Casino:
Located in the heart of downtown Las Vegas, the Plaza Hotel & Casino combines a vintage Rat Pack attitude with modern styling and personal customer service for the ultimate Vegas experience. First opened in 1971 and built on the site of the original Las Vegas railroad depot, the Plaza has 1,003 updated rooms and suites, a classic Vegas showroom, downtown’s only bingo hall and 30,000 square feet of renovated ballroom and meeting space. Guests enjoy a variety of dining options led by the Rat Pack-styled Oscar’s steakhouse in the hotel’s iconic glass dome overlooking the Fremont Street Experience. Hundreds of slot machines, from the latest games to traditional coin machines, and nearly two dozen table games comprise an 80,000-square-foot casino floor, which is also home to downtown’s largest race and sports book. A fully renovated rooftop pool and recreation deck, complete with private cabanas, hot tub, food truck, tennis court and dedicated Pickleball courts, provide guests with a variety of outdoor amenities. For more information on the multiple award-winning Plaza Hotel & Casino, visit www.plazahotelcasino.com .
Compliance Updates
Arizona Department of Gaming Releases October Sports Betting Figures
Bettors in Arizona wagered approximately $791 million on sports in October of 2024, according to a new report by the Arizona Department of Gaming. This represents an approximate 22% increase when compared to October of 2023.
The state collected approximately $2.35 million in privilege fees in the month.
Gambling in the USA
Neosurf & Betting Hero to reveal results of their in-depth study into US online gambling and payment habits in exclusive two-part webinar series
Neosurf, the globally trusted provider of swift and secure cash-to-digital payment solutions, has announced it will be sharing the findings of a recent study into the online betting habits, preferences and frustrations of US players in an exclusive two-part webinar series beginning on January 14th.
Neosurf commissioned the research via Betting Hero – a leading US-based iGaming portal with expertise in casino, sports betting and DFS. The webinars will see Neosurf CEO Americas, Sue Page, Betting Hero’s Co-Founder and President, Jai Maw, and Senior Director of Product and Research, Ernie Ropas, dive into the report’s key findings and discuss what some of the more surprising results could mean for operators.
The survey, which featured respondents from New Jersey, Colorado and North Carolina, aimed to help operators and regulators within the gambling industry better understand the typical US bettor – how and why they bet, what tools they use to manage their budget and what Responsible Gaming means to them. The findings will be revealed in the webinars and used to identify areas where Neosurf’s products can help operators provide a better user experience.
The research highlighted several aspects of payments and responsible gaming that bettors felt could be improved. Problems with payments remain an issue – 52% of respondents said that they’d experienced payment issues in the past year, and with over 50% depositing and withdrawing multiple times each month, there is a significant cost impact to the operators.
Additionally, respondents indicated they’d be in favour of using a service that could share pre-verified ID information with operators, with ease of use for new payment methods and seamless integration across multiple platforms identified as important factors in their choosing and remaining loyal to a single sports betting platform.
Sue Page, Neosurf CEO Americas, said: “It was important to us to gain a more detailed insight into the US sports bettor. We wanted to talk to the players and ask questions that no one else is asking, and through our collaboration with Betting Hero I’m delighted that we now have a comprehensive piece of research.
“Offering valuable insights into player habits – how and why they bet, the ongoing pain points they’re experiencing with payments and their thoughts on Responsible Gaming—we’ll be taking a deep dive into the results of the survey in our two-part webinar series starting at 10:00 ET on January 14th, and we encourage all US-focused operators and regulators to join us.”
Gambling in the USA
Saracen Casino Resort Chooses QCI Chatalytics to Enhance Casino Operations with Integrated AI Solutions
Saracen Casino Resort has selected Quick Custom Intelligence’s (QCI) Chatalytics, an integrated AI-driven suite, to revolutionize its casino operations and elevate guest experiences. The QCI Chatalytics solution, which includes Slot Copilot, Player Copilot, Dashboard, and the Robot Button, leverages OpenAI integration to provide real-time insights and streamlined decision-making across the casino floor.
QCI Chatalytics offers a powerful blend of AI-powered tools designed to optimize both player and slot management. With Slot Copilot, operators gain enhanced capabilities for real-time slot performance monitoring, predictive analytics, and dynamic task assignment. Player Copilot delivers personalized player engagement by analyzing customer data to inform service decisions and reward recommendations. The Dashboard component offers an intuitive, real-time display of key metrics, enabling data-driven insights at a glance. Additionally, the innovative Robot Button automates routine processes, allowing staff to focus on higher-value tasks and improve overall efficiency.
Clayton Mason, Senior Director of Marketing of Saracen Casino Resort, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “Integrating QCI Chatalytics into our operations marks a significant step in our strategy to harness the power of AI. With advanced tools like the Robot button, Slot Copilot and Player Copilot, we can deliver a more tailored and efficient experience for our guests while gaining deeper insights into our gaming operations.”
Dr. Ralph Thomas, CEO of QCI, shared his vision for the collaboration: “We’re excited to bring the capabilities of QCI Chatalytics to Saracen Casino Resort. By integrating OpenAI technology, our solution provides unprecedented levels of automation and insight. We believe Chatalytics will play a crucial role in optimizing floor operations and enhancing guest satisfaction through real-time, data-driven decision-making.”
The QCI Chatalytics platform is part of Quick Custom Intelligence’s commitment to driving innovation in the gaming industry, offering a comprehensive suite of solutions to streamline operations and enhance the player experience.
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