SYNKROS will allow the Ohio-based operator’s guests to claim clubJACK loyalty rewards – including specialised offers, awards, and bonus events updated in real-time – at any JACK Entertainment gaming location.

“As one of the region’s premier entertainment destinations, JACK remains dedicated to providing unparalleled guest experiences by embracing cutting-edge advancements and innovations,” stated Van Baltz, SVP & Chief Information Officer for JACK Entertainment. 

“Our collaboration with Konami underscores this commitment, as we aim to engage more guests with exciting and rewarding experiences, leveraging their reliable and cutting-edge systems.”

SYNKROS creates, automates, deploys and tracks targeted player rewards and offers, including drawings and tournament events delivered digitally to players directly at their game machine. 

JACK Entertainment’s portfolio includes more than 2,600 gaming machines and 85 table games across JACK Cleveland Casino in downtown Cleveland and at JACK Thistledown Racino, located approximately 10 miles to the southeast.

Randy Caron, Vice President of Systems Sales at Konami Gaming, added: “Since opening as Ohio’s first full-service casino, JACK Entertainment has operated with a focus on creating extraordinary moments for guests.

“The technology that powers the gaming enterprise is an important piece in creating unique engagement opportunities for guests and ensuring a smooth player experience, which Konami is excited to support through this key SYNKROS launch.”

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The offering, titled betJack and available via the Apple Store and Google Play, has launched ahead of the arrival of retail and online sports betting in Ohio, which has a January 2023 deadline for the establishment of a regulatory framework.

Developed alongside Shape Games and Kambi, alongside whom Jack formed a multi-channel partnership in 2019, is intended for players to try their hands without spending a dime. 

“Our tried-and-tested sportsbook platform has the flexibility and openness needed to adapt to evolving market regulations and meet the various needs of partners by facilitating third-party integration,” said Sarah Robertson, SVP of Sales at Kambi. 

“We look forward to working with Shape Games once again and as Ohio makes the transition to real money sports betting, we’re excited to leverage this experience helping to prime consumers and the market for the forthcoming real money offerings.”

Sports fans using the betJack app receive a daily allotment of tokens to use to place their bets. While learning the ropes of sports betting, users are encouraged to explore everything that the app has to offer, and earn virtual trophies by winning strategic bets and in-app challenges.

“Jack is thrilled to provide a fun and engaging platform to help sports fans become familiar with the world of sports betting in a free-to-play environment,” explained Brian Eby, President of Jack Entertainment. 

“We wanted to provide an entertaining way for sports fans to learn and become comfortable with sports betting before real money wagering goes live in Ohio, and we are excited to partner with Shape and Kambi to create an exceptional product.”

Adding: “We are excited about offering the region a fun and engaging platform to help familiarise them with the world of sports betting in a risk-free environment. 

“We are grateful for the expertise of our partners at Shape and Kambi to help offer our players the strongest experience possible.”

Shape Games is driving the front-end consumer engagement and loyalty aspects of the offering and places a focus on customer acquisition and retention, while solidifying long-term engagement for users as they transition from free-to-play to real money.

“We are so pleased to launch in the US with this free-to-play product, offering Ohioans a risk-free and consumer friendly entry into real money gaming in the future,” noted Morten Tonnesen, Shape Games Chief Commercial Officer. 

“We’ve had great success with this approach globally, with the poker market as a proven case study, and we’re looking forward to partnering with Kambi to help lead the charge in the sports betting space through betJack.”

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The firm has secured 100 per cent of the membership interest of two subsidiaries of Jack Ohio, which owns the casino-entitled land and real estate and related assets of Jack Cleveland Casino, and the racing and video lottery-authorised land and real estate and related assets of Jack Thistledown Racino, located approximately 10 miles southeast of downtown Cleveland in the city of North Randal.

Simultaneous with the closing of the transaction, the real estate investment trust has entered into a master triple-net lease agreement with subsidiaries of Jack Entertainment related to the assets. 

This sees an initial total annual rent of $65.9m, and an initial term of 15 years with four 5-year tenant renewal options. The company also closed on a $50m loan to a subsidiary of Jack Entertainment, which bears interest at a rate of 9 per cent per annum.

John Payne, president and chief operating officer of Vici Properties, explained: “We are thrilled to close the transaction with Jack Entertainment, adding our fifth tenant to our portfolio and increasing our exposure to the limited license state of Ohio, which continues to be one of the healthiest gaming markets across the country. 

“This acquisition adds two new, high-quality assets to our portfolio and represents our ability to creatively structure transactions that meet the needs of our tenants while creating value for our shareholders.”

Jack Cleveland Casino opened in May 2012 in downtown Cleveland and features approximately 96,000 square feet of gaming space, 1,300 gaming machines, over 120 table games and eight food and beverage outlets.  

Jack Thistledown Racino opened in April 2013 in North Randall, Ohio and is lauded as “the leading thoroughbred racino in the Cleveland MSA”. The property is situated on 129 acres and features approximately 57,000 square feet of gaming space, 1,459 gaming machines and six food and beverage outlets.

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18

Victoria has become the first Australian state to make headway into the National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Wagering, with several new rules set to be put in place to heighten consumer protection.

First established in November of last year, the framework is to see the progressive implementation of a suite of measures over an 18 month period, following uniformed agreements from Australia’s state governments.

Coming under the guidance of Daniel Andrews, the 48th Premier of Victoria, and coming into force in the state next week, online operators will have to adhere to strict requirements for betting account deposit limits, restrictions on direct marketing and a ban on perks that encourage consumers to continue betting.

It is said the new rules are to prohibit awarding vouchers as referral incentives, stop the awarding of free bets if a customer cannot subsequently withdraw the funds and will require customers to opt-in to receive direct marketing.

2020

A blow has been dealt to the progression of Japan’s proposed integrated resort developments, after it was revealed that the initial proposed date for the establishment of the country’s Casino Management Board is to be pushed back, reports Asia Gaming Brief.

The government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe revealed the delay recently, which could see the ruling party not take up the IR issue once again until early 2020, which also pushes back the issuance of further specific bidding regulations, with only three licenses to be initially up for grabs.

As a number of global casino resort organisations begin to deepen proposals to cement their place within the country, Abe cites concern of the Japanese public, and the still hostile opinions that still exist regarding the legalisation of casino gambling, as the primary reason for the delay.

The Casino Management Board was to be established under the IR Implementation Bill, consisting of five members and operating under the umbrella of the Cabinet Office.

It has previously been stated that they will oversee IR operations, possessing the power to suspend or terminate licenses should violations of law come to the fore.

€2m

EveryMatrix is to put its sole focus into operating as a software service supplier, after shedding its Jetbull B2C brand for €2m.

Agreeing the deal with Amgo Igaming, which counts five fully owned gaming brands as part of its stable, the deal consists of €1m in cash a further €1m in newly issued shares.

Beginning on July 1, 2019, Amgo is to receive the full ownership of Jetbull, with it said that the transition phase to operate and manage the brand has already begun.

Operating on the EveryMatrix white label platform, Jetbull is a brand that offers casino and sportsbook and boasts in excess of 600,000 registered customers.

Enjoying “substantial growth over the last 24 months,” Jetbull is to continue to be operated under EveryMatrix’s Maltese, UK and Danish licenses.

$1bn

Penn National Gaming and Vici Properties have completed the previously announced $1bn deal to acquire Detroit’s Greektown Casino Hotel from Jack Entertainment.

Taking its US footprint to 42 properties in 19 jurisdictions, Penn secured the operating assets for approximately $300m, which coupled with the real estate investment trust’s $700m purchase of the land and real estate assets.

Simultaneous with the closing of this transaction, Penn National entered into a triple-net lease agreement with Vici for an initial 15-year term for approximately $55.6m per annum, with four 5-year tenant renewal options included.

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15

Genting has unveiled a bolstering of its gaming portfolio after entering into an agreement to purchase LeoVegas’ live gaming specialist Authentic Gaming.

The leisure and entertainment operator is to pay €15m on a debt free basis for the subsidiary of the online gambling operator, a price that represents a return of more than 100 per cent during a period of a little over three years.

Bringing together offline and online experiences, Genting is to utilise Authentic’s streaming technologies and expertise across its land-based and digital estate, both in the UK and internationally.

Continuing to operate independently from the larger group, the purchase comes as Genting strives for growth across a European live casino sector that analysts estimate to be worth €2.5bn.

1,500

Full House Resorts has outlined further plans for American Place, after submitting plans to the Illinois Gaming Board outlining its proposed casino development in the city of Waukegan.

Submitting to an owners gaming licence application, it follows Waukegan City Council certifying American Place as one of three proposals at a recent special meeting.

The Full House submission ranked as the top proposal with North Point Casino and Rivers Casino also progressing for further consideration, however the spurned Potawatomi Casino is said to be suing the city over a decision to reject its plans.

Should the group ultimately be successful, its first phase American Place would include a “world-class” casino with a “state-of-the-art” sportsbook, a boutique hotel comprised of twenty villas, each ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 square feet with full butler service, a 1,500-seat live entertainment venue, a gourmet restaurant that it is said “will rival the finest restaurants in Chicago,” additional eateries and bars and other amenities that it is hoped will attract gaming and non-gaming patrons from throughout Chicagoland and beyond.

638,680

The Spelinspektionen is appealing an Administrative Court judgement that saw a penalty package previously issued to Casino Cosmopol be reduced from SEK 8m (£638,680) to SEK 3m (£239,505).

Stressing that it “does not consider that the reduction is justified,” the Swedish regulator also commented that it is “not clear from the judgement of the Administrative Court why the court chose to reduce the penalty fee”.

Appealing to the Administrative Court of Appeal in Jönköping, the authority also expressed puzzlement at the Linköping court sharing its viewpoint that the company was guilty of serious and systematic violations of the regulations.

Sweden’s Administrative Court in Linköping reversed the decision earlier this month, following an initial ruling made by the country’s regulator last year.

843.3

New York headquartered real estate investment trust Vici Properties has entered into a $843.3m agreement with Jack Entertainment that will see the firm acquire two Ohio-based entities.

Vici is to purchase 100 per cent of the membership interests of affiliates that own casino-entitled land and real estate and related assets associated with Jack Cleveland Casino, located in downtown Cleveland, and Jack Thistledown Racino, situated in the city of North Randall.

Simultaneous with the closing of the transaction, expected to be early 2020 subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions, Vici will enter into a triple-net lease agreement with Jack Entertainment.

Coming at an initial term of 15-years, with four 5-year tenant renewal options, the master lease will have an initial total annual rent of $65.9m.

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Proposing to conduct racing in January through March and in December 2020, phase one of the project include a historical racing machine facility featuring up to 1,500 machines, a clubhouse, food and beverage venues, one-mile synthetic main race track, inner dirt track and stabling facilities.

The application requests that NKYRG, a wholly owned subsidiary of CDI, be issued a racing license to conduct live racing, with the New Latonia Racing and Gaming entity to remain open year-round as a training facility.

CDI states that allocation of the dates to NKYRG “is a critical, short-term measure to support the thoroughbred racing circuit in Kentucky.”

If approved by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, upon completion of the new racing facility, the race dates would permanently move to the proposed New Latonia facility.

Phase Two of the proposed project would see the addition of a hotel, representing an incremental investment of up to $50m.

Kevin Flanery, president of Churchill Downs Racetrack, explained: “Churchill Downs is stepping up to protect and grow Kentucky’s Thoroughbred racing circuit. Our willingness to make a sizeable investment in the neglected northern Kentucky market is our latest effort to improve Kentucky’s valuable horse racing and agriculture industries.

“Just as Derby City Gaming’s historical racing machines have supercharged purses at Churchill Downs Racetrack, we plan to do the same for northern Kentucky’s racing fans at New Latonia. 

“Our goal is to deliver an ultra-competitive racing product with more entries and high-quality horses that appeal to bettors and horseplayers nationwide.”

Turfway Park, which is in the middle of changing hands from Jack Entertainment to Hard Rock international, has expressed shock at the news to apply for winter dates that it traditionally holds.

“We are shocked and thoroughly disappointed by Churchill Downs’ recent attack on Turfway Park, which has been a significant part of the northern Kentucky community for over 60 years,” said Mark Dunkeson, CEO of Jack Entertainment.

Issuing its own statement on the news, HRI said: “Hard Rock’s Turfway Park project, that was recently presented to members of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, is a rewarding project, not only for Florence, but for all thoroughbred racing in Kentucky.

“We’ve heard of another company trying to take over the existing race dates, however, we are focused on bringing our world-class entertainment to Northern Kentucky, as well as working hard to keep those dates at our venue, which were submitted by the Jack team on July 30, 2019 to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

“With venues in 74 countries, Hard Rock is a world-renowned entertainment company with proven success in restaurants, horse racing, hotels and casinos. In phase one, we will invest significant dollars to provide a first-class facility for horse racing and we’re excited to add historical horse racing machines, which will significantly increase purses and provide an improved horse racing experience in Northern Kentucky.”

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Taking its US footprint to 42 properties in 19 jurisdictions, Penn secured the operating assets for approximately $300m, which coupled with the real estate investment trust’s $700m purchase of the land and real estate assets.

Simultaneous with the closing of this transaction, Penn National entered into a triple-net lease agreement with Vici for an initial 15-year term for approximately $55.6m per annum, with four 5-year tenant renewal options included.

Timothy Wilmott, Penn National’s chief executive officer, said of the acquisition: “We are pleased to be entering one of the nation’s largest regional gaming markets, and to be operating the only casino in the heart of the revitalised downtown Detroit area.

“We look forward to welcoming patrons from high profile nearby attractions, such as Comerica Park, Ford Field, Little Caesars Arena, the city’s theatre district, GM’s Renaissance Center and the Cobo Conference Center.

“We’re also excited to be adding the largest single property customer database to mychoice, our soon-to-be re-launched and enhanced player loyalty program.

“Our expanded scale will allow us to generate synergies over the first six quarters of operations, at which time we anticipate an OpCo purchase multiple of 6.3x projected annual run-rate adjusted EBITDA. With the expected increase to our free cash flow per share, we will remain well positioned to reduce lease-adjusted net leverage to 5.0x to 5.5x by the end of next year.”

First opening in 2000, Greektown features 100,000 square feet of casino space, approximately 2,700 gaming machines and 60 table games, a poker room, three restaurants, seven fast casual food outlets, four bars and a coffee shop.

John Payne, president and chief operating officer of Vici Properties, added: “The Greektown acquisition is our second transaction with Penn National, further solidifying our relationship with a best-in-class operator, and demonstrating our commitment to deliver portfolio income of the highest character and quality.

“In the past five months we have closed on three large-scale acquisitions, deploying $1bn  in proceeds, while adding approximately $100m of annualised rent, and broadening our geographic diversity by expanding into two new jurisdictions.”

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The US operator sees its interests spread across four states, and encompasses in excess of 400,000 square feet of gaming space and over 13,000 gaming positions, in addition to its www.playjack.com website.

Via the enhanced simulated gaming deal, an aim of driving further engagement with patrons across Jack’s property portfolio through increased visitation has been set.

Adam Suliman, vice president of online gaming of Jack Entertainment, commented: “Jack Entertainment is excited to renew and extend Gan’s simulated gaming experience for our casino guests.

“Gan has proved to be a great partner, offering our guests a fun and interactive way to engage with our properties.”

In a joint media release between the firms, a series of highlights have been set out as a result of the extended relationship, which are as follows:

• A delivery of Gan’s US-patented iBridge framework, linking the gamestack internet gaming system to Jack Entertainment’s existing casino management system, is to be deployed in Ohio and Michigan.
• Simulated gaming is an internet gaming service designed by Gan specifically for land-based US casinos, offering a gaming-as-entertainment consumer website and mobile apps that include over 200 casino slot and table games, including poker, backgammon, gin rummy, poker dice and blackjack tournaments.

Dermot Smurfit, chief executive officer of Gan, added: “As expected, and in line with our other casino operator clients’ reported experience, Jack has experienced increased patron loyalty through increased visitation on-property and increased on-property gaming revenues, as a consequence of engaging with their patrons online as well as on-property.

“Simulated gaming supports on-property casino visitation among patrons in competitive regional markets, and enables the operator to develop an income stream as well as an online database in advance of any expected regulation of Internet gambling.”

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