Gambling in the USA
NFL’S WEEK 17 PRODUCES UNIQUE CHALLENGES FOR BETTORS
Six games feature at least one team playing for playoff positioning, leaving the remaining schedule to the unknown, according to TheLines
(LAS VEGAS) — The final week of the NFL season is unlike any other, according to analysts from TheLines, which tracks odds in the U.S. regulated sports betting market. Most teams’ playoff fortunes are already decided, making it difficult to gauge motivation for certain teams. And the best teams often rest their top players in preparation for more important games ahead.
For those games with playoff ramifications, Week 17 offers high drama. And those games typically offer more dependable odds. Games between the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams, and the matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants all feature at least one team playing for the playoffs. Four of those games offer a spread of a touchdown or less, according to a consensus of the nation’s largest legal online sportsbooks — including DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet, PlaySugarHouse, BetMGM, Unibet, and William Hill.
The two outliers include games against the hapless Jaguars and injury-riddled Bengals, who enter their games as 13.5-point and 11.5-point underdogs, respectively. Such games, with one team making a playoff push and the other playing out the string, can produce the unpredictable, particularly against the spread.
“The first and last week of the NFL season are typically the two most difficult to handicap,” said Brett Collson, lead analyst for TheLines.com. “The final week in particular brings a level of uncertainty not seen in any other week, and why odds on games with playoff implications tend to be more dependable. It’s uniquely challenging — and fun — for oddsmakers and bettors, alike.”
The consensus point spreads for Week 17 and remaining Week 16 games, as of Monday, Dec. 28:
- Buffalo Bills (-7) at New England Patriots; over/under 46.5
- Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-6); over/under 50
- Minnesota Vikings (-6.5) at Detroit Lions; over/under N/A
- Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills (-3.5); over/under 40
- Baltimore Ravens (-11.5) at Cincinnati Bengals; over/under 44.5
- Dallas Cowboys (-2.5) at New York Giants; over/under 45.5
- Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts (-13.5); over/under 49.5
- New Orleans Saints (-5.5) at Carolina Panthers; over/under 51
- New York Jets at New England Patriots (-5.5); over/under 43
- Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns (-6.5); over/under N/A
- Tennessee Titans (-7.5) at Houston Texans; over/under 56
- Las Vegas Raiders at Denver Broncos (-1); over/under 50.5
- Green Bay Packers (-4) at Chicago Bears; over/under 50
- Seattle Seahawks (-4.5) at San Francisco 49ers; over/under 47.5
- Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams (-4); over/under N/A
- Washington Football Team at Philadelphia Eagles (-1.5); over/under 42
To access the updated futures lines for every NFL team, and for more analysis, visit TheLines.com/odds/super-bowl. To access Week 17 odds, visit www.thelines.com/nfl-week-17-lines-2020.
Gambling in the USA
Phoenix Link by Aristocrat Gaming Now Lighting Up Casino Floors
The hottest new game from Aristocrat Gaming, Phoenix Link, is now live on casino floors, with Yaamava’ Resort & Casino being the first in North America to offer the highly-anticipated game. As the next evolution of the international hit game, Dragon Link, Phoenix Link features player-favorite mechanics from top games with all-new themes, features, and bonuses.
“We have been humbled by the incredible global fanfare Dragon Link has received over the years but are never ones to rest on our laurels. The teams have been working tirelessly on a follow-up that brings together all the player-favorite elements in a new and exciting way with Phoenix Link as the proud result. We were thrilled to partner with Yaamava’ to premiere Phoenix Link with flair, excitement, and celebration,” said Victor Duarte, executive vice president of product for Aristocrat Gaming.
Phoenix Link players will enjoy the game’s additional denominations, configurations, and jackpots on each of the launch game theme titles. Gameplay features include Hold & Spin, Free Games with multiplier wilds or twin spin reels, Phoenix Mystery trigger, and more new bonus twists. Phoenix Link is available on the Neptune Single cabinet.
“Yaamava’ is thrilled to host yet another world premiere in gaming with the launch of Phoenix Link by Aristocrat Gaming. Our Club Serrano members are already raving about this captivating extension of the player-favorite Dragon Link. It’s a great addition to the Yaamava’ gaming floor,” said Kenji Hall, General Manager of Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel, said.
Gambling in the USA
NOVOMATIC shines at G2E 2024: A street smart showcase of innovation and engagement
In line with its commitment to innovation, NOVOMATIC unveiled several ground breaking product launches that left a significant impact on the gaming industry. The V.I.P. X™ cabinet series emerged as one of the main attractions, highlighting models such as the V.I.P. X Royal™ 1.85, V.I.P. X Dream™ 3.43, and the V.I.P. X Lounge™ 2.32. The crown jewel of the presentation was the V.I.P. Galaxy™ 2.65, setting a new benchmark for luxury cabinets with its perfect blend of comfort and state-of-the-art gaming technology. Featuring high-definition screens and immersive sound systems, the fully adjustable lounge design promises an unparalleled gaming experience, leaving customers eager to introduce these innovations onto their gaming floors.
The unveiling of a new LED wall as part of the DIAMOND X™ series, including the DIAMOND X™ 1.55J, showcased the U.S.-style designed Piggy Prizes title. The modern and interactive design sent a clear message: NOVOMATIC Americas has fully arrived, enhancing its reputation for premium entertainment experiences.
Groundbreaking Progressives and a Robust VGT Lineup
NOVOMATIC introduced a variety of THUNDER CASH™ GOLD Progressives featuring new titles like Charming Lady’s Boom Coins™ and Red Amazon Explosion™. The Globe Link™ Xtension Volume 1 & 2 also attracted considerable interest, marking a significant impact with several new themes. The excitement surrounding these progressive games was palpable, bolstered by innovative math models and enticing bonus structures.
The VGT product range received special emphasis, particularly with the Street-Smart-themed area dedicated to highlight the themes and flexible assortment of cabinet styles for markets in Illinois, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, and Georgia. This dynamic showcase reinforced NOVOMATIC’s commitment to providing leading solutions in performance and player appeal within the VGT sector. Featuring both NOVOLINE™ and Magic HD customer favorite themes, this area showed the new game mixes on DIAMOND X™ 2.32, BLACK EDITION II 3.27 & BLACK EDITION II 1.49J, V.I.P. X Lounge™ 2.32 and FUNMASTER 2.27. Specifically in Illinois, featuring the Magic HD game mix consisting of the Overlay Magic Play Lock & Spin feature, and the new Poker3™ multi-hand video poker mix. NOVOLINE™ games were shown on the Black Edition II 1.49J cabinet with popular games like ULTRA BOOST™ and Money Party™ themes. Georgia Skill showed three new game titles in the Magic HD mix while more new titles lined the streets of the NOVOMATIC booth.
Advancements in Sports Betting and Casino Management
In addition to its product line, NOVOMATIC showed their cutting-edge sports betting kiosks including the ActionBook™ Edge 1.43J, and ActionBook™ Plus 2.27 models. With advanced graphics and rapid processing capabilities, these kiosks offer operators unmatched flexibility and performance. The premiere of the award-winning NOVOVISION™ casino management system was another highlight, leveraging biometric technology for enhanced player recognition and streamlined operations. Already acknowledged as a ‘Best CMS/Software Product’ at the European Casino Awards, this system generated significant buzz regarding its potential to revolutionize the gaming landscape.
Industry Recognition for Creative and Commercial Success
The combination of NOVOMATIC’s innovative product launches and captivating booth design earned widespread acclaim. The company was recognized for its Street-Smart booth, praised for creativity, interactivity, and the memorable experiences it fostered. Industry experts and attendees alike hailed NOVOMATIC’s presence at G2E 2024 as one of the most impactful.
Alexander Merwald, CEO at NOVOMATIC Americas, stated, “G2E 2024 was an incredible success for NOVOMATIC. We were proud to showcase the V.I.P. X™ cabinet series – Our ‘Street Games, Street Smart’ focus resonated strongly, as we demonstrated how our tailored solutions meet the real-world needs of both casino and VGT operators. The response from customers reaffirmed NOVOMATIC’s position as a leader in delivering innovation, performance, and market-specific strategies for North America.”
Thomas Schmalzer, VP of Global Sales, and Product Management at NOVOMATIC AG, added, “The product diversity and innovation showcased at G2E 2024 have been enthusiastically received by both operators and players. Our V.I.P. X™ series and extensive range of progressives reflect our unwavering commitment to delivering premium solutions to the global market.”
With new partnerships established and product placements secured at G2E 2024, NOVOMATIC is primed to expand its market presence across North America. The success at this year’s expo signifies a vital step forward in the company’s mission to set the standard for gaming entertainment.
Gambling in the USA
Century Casinos Announces Opening Date for New Land-Based Century Casino & Hotel Caruthersville, MO
Century Casinos Inc. announced that its new land-based casino and hotel in Caruthersville, Missouri will open on November 1, 2024.
This news follows the Missouri Gaming Commission’s approval to transfer the Century Casino & Hotel Caruthersville gaming license from a temporary pavilion to the new land-based location.
The new Century Casino & Hotel Caruthersville will have 599 slot machines and nine live table games, a 50% increase in gaming positions compared with the temporary location. The number of hotel rooms will double to 74. The construction of this new land-based casino and hotel started in December 2022 and will be finalized on time and on budget with an estimated project cost of $51.9 million, which has been funded by VICI Properties Inc. (VICI). VICI will own the real estate improvements associated with the Caruthersville project, which will become part of the Company’s triple net master lease agreement with subsidiaries of VICI. Annual rent under the lease will increase by approximately $4.2 million.
The opening of the new land-based casino will be celebrated with a ribbon-cutting event at 11:30 a.m. Central Time on Friday, November 1, and a flurry of activities over the opening weekend.
-
Latest News5 days ago
Leading Brazilian Lottery Operator Grupo da Sorte Selects Optimove as CRM Marketing Solution to Accelerate Growth through Personalized Journey Orchestration
-
Latest News4 days ago
BetRivers Introduces PropPacks, an Innovative Feature for the NBA Season
-
Latest News4 days ago
ProntoPaga Transforms its Operating Model in Brazil to Ensure Risk-Free Transactions
-
Compliance Updates4 days ago
Brazilian Ministry of Finance and IBIA sign sports betting integrity agreement
-
Latest News2 days ago
Brazilian Ministry of Finance and Sportradar Join Forces to Strengthen Integrity of Sports
-
Latest News2 days ago
Carnival Corporation & PLC Fleet Go “All-In” With Galaxy Gaming’s Galaxy Table Games Progressives
-
Gambling in the USA1 day ago
Phoenix Link by Aristocrat Gaming Now Lighting Up Casino Floors
-
Latest News2 days ago
Panel on the benefits of regulation in the Mexican iGaming market