Gambling in the USA
TheLines.com: NFL Week 18 a challenge for oddsmakers, bettors

NFL’S FIRST-EVER WEEK 18 WILL PROVIDE CHALLENGES FOR ODDSMAKERS THAT ARE UNIQUE TO THE SEASON’S FINAL WEEK, ACCORDING TO THELINES.COM
(LAS VEGAS) — The majority of playoff berths are clinched ahead of NFL’s first-ever Week 18, which can make games more unpredictable than a typical slate of games, according to TheLines.com, which tracks odds in the U.S. regulated sports betting market.
Week 18 games with playoff ramifications, though, can be more dependable for oddsmakers. The Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos, the San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams, and the win-or-go-home Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders are among those featuring teams fighting for their playoff lives or have significant seeding implications. Three of those games offer a spread of 5.5 points or less, according to a consensus of that nation’s largest legal online sportsbooks — including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars, and PointsBet.
“The final week, in particular, brings a level of uncertainty not seen in any other week because the motivation for teams out of the playoff race is uncertain, and the top teams often rest their best players,” said Brett Collson, lead analyst for TheLines.com. “Games with playoff implications tend to be more dependable, but even then you never quite know how teams respond to playing for their postseason lives. It’s uniquely challenging — and fun — for oddsmakers and bettors.”
The consensus point spreads for Week 18 games, as of Monday, Jan. 3:
- Kansas City Chiefs (-10) at Denver Broncos; over/under 44.5
- Dallas Cowboys (-2.5) at Philadelphia Eagles; over/under 41.5
- Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns (-2.5); over/under 44
- Green Bay Packers (-11) at Detroit Lions; over/under 46.5
- Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings (-3.5); over/under 44.5
- Washington Football Team (-6.5) at New York Giants; over/under 38.5
- Indianapolis Colts (-15.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars; over/under 44
- Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (-4.5); over/under 42
- Tennessee Titans (-10.5) at Houston Texans; over/under 43
- New Orleans Saints (-4.5) at Atlanta Falcons; over/under 40
- New York Jets at Buffalo Bills (-16.5); over/under 45
- New England Patriots (-5.5) at Miami Dolphins; over/under 40
- Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-9.5); over/under 42.5
- San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams (-5.5); over/under 44.5
- Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals (-6.5); over/under 48
- Los Angeles Chargers (-3) at Las Vegas Raiders; over/under 48.5
Gambling in the USA
Major Casino Operators Ready to Invest if Georgia Lifts Casino Ban

As discussions about legalizing gambling in Georgia gain momentum, major casino operators like Wynn Resorts and Boyd Gaming are poised to lead the charge if the state changes its restrictive laws.
During a recent Georgia House study committee meeting, Christopher Gordon, president of Wynn Resorts’ development arm, expressed keen interest in building a multibillion-dollar casino should legal barriers be removed. Similarly, Boyd Gaming’s government affairs vice president Ryan Soultz highlighted Georgia’s market attractiveness.
Wynn’s model would be similar to its $2.6 billion Encore Boston Harbor, suggesting that a new Georgia casino could employ up to 4000 workers and contribute substantial gaming tax revenue.
Although specific locations have not been chosen, both companies have indicated they would need constitutional changes to move forward. Their willingness to invest heavily in the Peach State demonstrates a strong belief in the untapped potential of the state’s gambling market.
Such developments offer a compelling argument for lawmakers to consider gambling expansion, marking a shift toward economic incentives as a primary motivator for legislative change.
Should Georgia proceed with legalizing casino gambling, the legislative language will be crucial in shaping the industry’s landscape. Key proposals may include requiring casino companies to invest at least $1.2 billion per resort and generate a minimum number of jobs, often set at around 10,000 per license. This ensures that any developments bring tangible benefits to the local economy.
Additional legislative demands include rigorous background checks for key personnel, proven industry experience, and adherence to strict technical and financial standards. Only companies with substantial capital and robust infrastructure, like Wynn Resorts and Boyd Gaming, are likely to meet these stringent requirements.
Gambling in the USA
Plaza Hotel & Casino to welcome the U.S. National Champions Summerlin South All Stars to be TNT Ignitors for Welcome to the Weekend Friday Fireworks, next Friday, Sept. 5

The Plaza Hotel & Casino will welcome the U.S. National champions, the Summerlin South All Star team to be the special guest TNT Ignitors of the property’s Welcome to the Weekend Friday Fireworks show, next Friday, Sept. 5 at 9:15 p.m., taking place on the Plaza’s rooftop pool deck.
“Getting to ignite the Plaza’s amazing fireworks show is a great honor for the team,” said Chris Mallory, president of Summerlin South. “And we thank the Plaza and Jonathan for the warm welcome and fun celebration planned for the team, including a pizza party for them and their families.”
“All of Las Vegas is proud of the accomplishments that the Summerlin South team made in the All Star postseason,” said Jonathan Jossel, CEO of the Plaza Hotel & Casino. “We look forward to hosting the team and their families, and we hope all of their fans come out to celebrate with them and enjoy the fireworks show.”
The summer fireworks shows are staged from the top of the Plaza’s South Tower every Friday at 9:15 p.m. from May through September.
The public can watch the Welcome to the Weekend Friday Fireworks Show for free at the rooftop pool, at Carousel Bar under the Plaza’s iconic dome, and from in front of the Plaza on Main Street, which will be closed to vehicular traffic during the show for viewing the fireworks from Carson Avenue to Ogden Avenue.
The Plaza’s fireworks will be dependent on weather conditions and are subject to change or cancellation. Updates will be available on the Plaza’s social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Gambling in the USA
New Hampshire Charitable Gaming Revenue Hits $24.8M in July

New Hampshire charitable gaming revenue has reached $24.8 million last month, up from the previous year’s figure of $14.5 million, boosted by the opening of new casinos.
The latest figures come from the New Hampshire Lottery and Gaming Commission, which shows that of the 15 casinos, only four saw losses, while four others were not in operation last July.
The Nash Casino, which opened in March, generated the highest revenue of all the casinos – $5.8 million.
The highest year-over-year increase was seen by the Revo Casino Lebanon, which opened in a new location in December, and saw revenue rise by 321% from $387,836 to over $1.6 million.
Other notable rises were seen from the Lakes Region Casino, which generated an increase of 24% year-over-year and The Brook, which saw a 17% rise from $4.7 million to $5.5 million.
The biggest declines came from The Lucky Moose Casino, where profits dropped by 79% from $666,454 to $139,748, and the Gate City Casino, which saw profits fall by 16% from $2.7 million to $2.3 million.
Historic horse racing revenue rose by 85% year-over-year, from $10.6 million to $19.7 million, while games of chance revenue increased by 53% from $3.3 million to $5.1 million.
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