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July 4, 2024 – On Friday, lawmakers in New Jersey passed two legislation pertaining to horse betting to stabilize and sustain the racing business financially. The legislature's two houses agreed to keep the $20 million yearly horse racing purse subsidy in place. Both Senate Bill S3203 and Assembly Bill A2610 received unanimous votes on Friday. The horse betting business welcomed Gov. Phil Murphy's 2019 approval of an initial $100 million over five years to fund purses. The most recent bill increases those monies by an additional five years. Funding for the Sports Niche The state's general fund will provide the $20 million subsidy. The other half will go to harness racing, and the other half to Monmouth Park to sustain thoroughbred purses. When asked about the extra boost in funding, the CEO of Monmouth Park, Dennis Drazin had a lot to say. “This $10 million helps us remain competitive with other East Coast tracks and attract top-quality horses to New Jersey,” Dennis Drazin, CEO of Monmouth Park, told LSR on Monday. “Gov. Murphy has always had the industry’s back, and we expect him to sign the bill,” Drazin adds. The money is only intended to support racing purses. The track operations at Monmouth Park, where construction of a new Caesars Sportsbook is underway, will not be supported by it. The best horses are usually drawn to higher prizes, which in turn draws more horseplayers. The tracks use the increased money from greater horse betting to pay for operations, development projects, purses, and other expenses. The Jockey Club reports that Monmouth Park awarded prizes of $28.4 million for 541 races in the previous year. In 2010, 50 racing days with payouts of an average of $1 million were offered at Monmouth Park in collaboration with the state government. Racing purses reached a 20-year high in the middle of the 2000s when $67.8 million was given out in 2007. New Jersey held around 1,200 thoroughbred races in 2003; however, in the last few years, that number has been slashed in half. “We want to run more, but having more races means we could not be as competitive with purses,” Drazin adds.” Future Additional Revenue In order to compete with the upcoming casinos slated to open around New York City, Drazin wants to provide more gaming to New Jersey. Finding a means to maintain that business in New Jersey is the goal, he continued. He recommended a casino or playing slots at Monmouth Park or the Meadowlands. Retail sportsbooks are currently available on-site at both racetracks.

A year ago, precisely on Independence Day, July 4, the Sphere, as it is fondly called, started its enthralling reign over the skyline of Las Vegas. This dominance was not achieved through sheer height alone, but rather through unparalleled imagination and creativity. The largest LED screen in the world, the Exosphere, marked its debut with a vibrant display, featuring virtual fireworks along with a rotating flag to celebrate Independence Day. The inaugural message on the Exosphere one year ago was a simple yet symbolic "Hello World." Following this modest beginning, however, the Sphere captivated viewers with a continuous stream of images, including baseballs heralding MLB relocations, giant eyeballs, and the famous yellow emoji. This playful emoji, which appears to mock incoming plane passengers and even golfers enjoying a day in the sun, even displayed a sunburn in the summer - in tune with the intense Vegas heat. The Sphere: a novel and new attraction on the Vegas skyline Costing a staggering $2.3 billion, it's no wonder the Sphere has swiftly become the hottest destination in Las Vegas in the last year alone. The Exosphere, which spans an area equivalent to four football fields, has become a sight so mesmerizing that airline passengers are choosing their seats based on the best angle and view of the Sphere! This phenomenon has even led to a notorious ordinance that now bans stops along foot bridges on the Las Vegas Strip, as tourists often linger for extended periods to capture the perfect Sphere graphic. Inside the Sphere, the views are even more magnificent: the magic continues for those who can afford the steep ticket prices, with seats starting at $250 and even parking fees at $100. Audiences have also been treated to exclusive performances by U2, Dead & Company, and Phish, all enhanced by 160,000 sq. feet of singular psychedelic videos. For example, one of the most memorable interior graphics was during a Dead & Company performance, where the venue transformed into a spaceship launching from an iconic San Francisco street. Last week, the Sphere hosted its first NHL Draft, with Celine Dion announcing the first draft pick on the Montreal Canadiens, her hometown team. However, not all events at the Sphere have gone as part of a plan. In February, Maison Des Champs, the infamous "Pro-life Spiderman," a 23-year-old activist, free-climbed the Exosphere to make a statement that largely went unnoticed. Instead, Des Champs just wandered around and live streamed the event on Instagram before being arrested. The Sphere and financial challenges and setbacks Financially, the Sphere has faced challenges, perhaps due to its staggering cost. In its first quarter, the venue amassed a $193.9 million loss on a revenue of $167.8 million. As mentioned, this financial strain is largely due to its $2.3 billion construction cost, making it the costliest entertainment venue ever designed and built in Vegas. Additionally, U2’s residency at the Sphere was costly, with reports indicating that James Dolan (the owner of the Sphere) promised the band an unprecedented 90% of the proceedings from the gate plus an astonishing $10 million more for their visuals. But in spite of these initial financial losses, the Sphere's revenue has been rising for each new quarter. A significant contributor to this growth is the success of Darren Aronofsky's movie, "Postcard from the Edge," which has produced $44.5 million by November in ticket sales alone. While the Sphere is not yet what one would call a profitable venture, its future as part of the Las Vegas skyline seems secure. Its innovative approach and overwhelming popularity have cemented its place as an iconic landmark in the heart of Vegas, promising more captivating displays and unforgettable performances far into the future of Sin City.

Is it beginner's luck or just someone's good fortune? In an extraordinary turn of events, a man who claimed to have never gambled before hit a massive jackpot shortly after placing his first-ever bet at a casino resort in Atlantic City. The happy event took place at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, where the novice gambler walked away with nearly $1.6 million from a Wheel of Fortune slot machine. The winner, who has chosen to remain anonymous, arrived at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on June 26. He informed the casino staff that it was his first visit to a casino, but despite his inexperience, he decided to try his luck by inserting $100 into a Wheel of Fortune slot. After losing most of his money, he made one of his last $10 bets, which triggered the progressive jackpot, resulting in a huge payout of $1,593,457.33. Taking home the grand prize: luckiest player - and casino - ever? Hard Rock in Atlantic City, in its social media platforms and in a press release, stated: "We weren't voted the luckiest casino for nothing. Congratulations to the winner of the life-changing $1.5 million jackpot." It added that the guest was playing with just a $10 bet and $1 denomination. The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, boasting a total of 2,425 slot machines along with 130 live dealer games, was recently named the luckiest casino in New Jersey by Tripadvisor user reviews. Needless to say, this latest jackpot win only solidifies its reputation. Despite the excitement of the win, the payout will not be immediate. The game manufacturer, IGT, confirmed that the nearly $1.6 million jackpot would be paid out over a span of 20 years as a stipend. But this particular win ranks among the top five slot wins in Hard Rock Atlantic City's history, adding to the celebrations of the casino's sixth anniversary last June. IGT, the developer and manufacturer of the Wheel of Fortune slots, claims that these games are the most popular in the US tribal and commercial gaming sectors. Since their introduction in 1996, for instance, Wheel of Fortune slots have created 1,180 millionaires, awarding over $3.5 billion in jackpots. On average, a person wins a jackpot prize worth a minimum of $100,000 for every 72 hours on the machines. Beginner’s luck in play at slots The remarkable win by the Hard Rock guest epitomizes the concept of "beginner's luck," a term used to describe an unlikely success experienced by a novice in any sport, activity, or game. While it is often applied to skill-based pursuits, it also finds relevance in chance-based activities such as gambling. Some attribute beginner's luck to psychological factors such as "confirmation bias," where individuals tend to project outcomes based on their personal history. For example, newcomers to casinos who have never known the feeling that comes from repeated losses and lack the knowledge of the low odds of hitting a jackpot might be more likely to achieve a win. Regardless of the reason behind the win - whether it was beginner's luck, confirmation bias, or another factor altogether - the anonymous winner has undoubtedly experienced a life-changing event. And while the odds of repeating such a success are slim, the pull of another big win might tempt the lucky gambler to try his hand at the Wheel of Fortune slot machine again in the future. This extraordinary story of a first-time gambler striking it rich serves as a reminder of the unpredictability and excitement that casinos offer. For the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, it's another feather in the cap of what is already a celebrated reputation for luck and fortune.

It isn't only online casinos that are seeing a well-deserved revamp: land-based casinos in Atlantic City, New Jersey, are seeing a whole new line of slot games, too, starting with The Godfather slots, launched in 2023, to the newly-released Ace Ventura slots just a few weeks ago; and now, the Whitney Houston-themed slot from esteemed game developer IGT. Hard Rock Atlantic City has unveiled an exciting new addition to its gaming floor: a slot machine dedicated to the legendary artist and singer Whitney Houston. Developed by International Game Technology (more popularly known as IGT), this impressive new game was launched in June and offers a unique gaming experience for fans of the award-winning artist, who garnered an impressive six Grammys during her lifetime. Take a spin at slots with popular Whitney Houston songs complete with concert footage and photos The Whitney Houston slot machine is a towering presence at Hard Rock Atlantic City, standing 11 feet in height and featuring two curved LCD monitors measuring 55 inches. These high-definition screens provide stunning graphics and immersive sound effects, creating a captivating environment for players. The machine is also adorned with a prominent "Whitney Houston" text on its front, making it easy to spot on the casino floor. Of course, players can enjoy some of Whitney Houston's most iconic songs while playing the game, including hits like "So Emotional," "I Wanna Dance with Somebody," and "How Will I Know." The slot machine also incorporates various bonus game content and symbols that showcase Whitney Houston’s lasting legacy, including photos and concert footage. What's more, one of its standout features is a collection of platinum records, and these records are meant to trigger a re-spin bonus when they appear on the reels. IGT's Chief Operating Officer for Gaming, Nick Khin, expressed the company's excitement about the new game in an official statement. He says that IGT is more than thrilled to bring the star-studded Whitney Houston Slots game to casino floors all across the US, and Khin also added, "Whitney Houston slots exemplifies IGT's winning formula for licensed game themes: a world-class entertainment experience combined with a precise alignment of the licensed theme fan base and the slot player demographic." The creation of this game was made possible through a collaboration with Primary Wave Music and The Estate of Whitney E. Houston, ensuring that the slot machine honors the late singer's memory. As you may already know, Whitney Houston passed away more than twelve years ago, in February 2012, but her legacy continues to inspire and entertain fans around the world. Needless to say, the Whitney Houston slot machine offers players a chance to win big, with a maximum jackpot amounting to $500,000. Hard Rock Atlantic City has shared a video of the slot machine on their Instagram account, giving fans a glimpse of the game’s impressive design and features. Slot creativity at its finest with more movies and celebrity themes New Jersey's land-based casinos have been increasingly innovative with their game offerings, incorporating popular culture themes in order to attract players. The recent additions to the lineup include Cheers, the classic television series, and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective at BetMGM, and The Godfather slot machine was also introduced in 2023. These new themed games are apparently part of a broader trend aimed at enhancing the casino experience and boosting engagement among visitors. As these exciting new games hit the casino floors, industry observers will be keen to see how they impact monthly revenue figures in the coming months. The introduction of the Whitney Houston slot machine at Hard Rock Atlantic City is expected to draw significant interest from both fans of the singer and slot machine enthusiasts, contributing to the vibrant and dynamic gaming scene in New Jersey.

The MLB All-Star Game 2024 is coming in hot, and fans are keen to see the top stars after the starters list has been announced with the likes of Shohei Ohtani, Gunnar Henderson, Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and many other known stars leading the way when the Midsummer Classic takes on the big stage at the Globe Life Field this July 16th. Fans voted for the starters, and the results were announced today after the MLB has finished tallying the total votes. The rest of the All-Star rosters, which includes the pitchers and various reserves will be announced this Sunday at 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. Performances, statistics, and popularity have all played a huge role in helping the starters be voted by fans since the voting space opened months ago. The Philadelphia Phillies lead the All-Star starting lineups with a total of three players voted, while the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, Cleveland Guardians, Milwaukee Brewers, and San Diego Padres have a total of two stars each. In addition, there are a total of eight players who were voted into the All-Star game for the first time. A Star-Studded Star Lineup Top vote-getters in Phase 1 of fan voting were automatically named to the mix, with Yankees slugger Aaron Judge and Phillies lead star Bryce Harper winning those top spots. Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way star Shohei Ohtani, who is arguably the league’s biggest superstar right now, was also one of the top-voted players in the All-Star lineup. On top of that, 2023 Rookie of the Year and Silver Slugger Award winner Gunnar Henderson was also named to the All-Star lineup. Judge received the most votes in Phase 1 of fan voting, tallying a total of 3,425,309 votes. The Yankees star led the club to a promising climb for the whole month of June after a rough start in the season, which just says a lot about the hype that he has built to make a strong case for the All-Star Game. The 2024 MLB All-Star Game marks the 94th edition of the said event. It will be televised nationally and will be hosted by the Texas Rangers at the Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. In addition, Torey Lovullo of the Arizona Diamondbacks will manage the National League Team and Bruce Bochy of the Texas Rangers will manage the American League Team. 2024 MLB All-Star Game Rosters: As it Was Voted Bryce Harper is the player with the most All-Star selections in the National League lineup with a total of eight, and no other player has been selected more than five times, with Ohtani being the second-most player with selections at four. Here are the elected starters for the National League: Player (No. of Selections) Team William Contreras (2) Milwaukee Brewers Bryce Harper (8) Philadelphia Phillies Ketel Marte (2) Arizona Diamondbacks Alec Bohm (1) Philadelphia Phillies Trea Turner (3) Philadelphia Phillies Jurickson Profar (1) San Diego Padres Fernando Tatis Jr. (2) San Diego Padres Christian Yelich (3) Milwaukee Brewers Shohei Ohtani (4) Los Angeles Dodgers The American League boasts the most total All-Star selections across various players. Jose Altuve leads that list with a total of nine selections, while both Jose Ramirez and Aaron Judge tied for second with six selections each. Here are the elected starters for the American League: Player (No. of Selections) Team Adley Rutschman (2) Baltimore Orioles Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (4) Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (4) Jose Altuve (9) Houston Astros Jose Ramirez (6) Cleveland Guardians Gunnar Henderson (1) Baltimore Orioles Aaron Judge (6) New York Yankees Steven Kwan (1) Cleveland Guardians Juan Soto (4) New York Yankees Yordan Alvarez (4) Houston Astros

Electrified. Stunned. Silenced. You name it. That’s what the crowd in Latvia felt when Gilas Pilipinas escaped with an 89-80 victory against the host nation team. The Philippines isn’t much of a competitive presence when it comes to basketball, but it does seem that the squad is slated to make a massive rally that will bring it to the top of the basketball world in the coming Paris Games this late July. The Philippines, which was the host nation for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, emerged with a shot at the Olympics after flipping the script in a snap in the OQT against Latvia. For one, the game ended indeed in a blowout as many experts predicted, just not with the teams that will be on the winning side by the end of the game. Latvia was an easy favorite to win the game considering that the Philippines hasn’t won any games against European opponents in 64 years. Now the team seeks to end its 52-year drought in the Olympic men’s basketball tournament with a victory in their next game against Georgia. A Wire-to-Wire Victory for the Philippines Gilas Pilipinas is not much of a powerhouse team – despite basketball being the most prominent sport in the country. But after some managerial changes, which saw former coach Chot Reyes replaced with veteran master tactician Tim Cone at the helm, it did seem that Gilas would become a team to watch, especially after that gold finish in the 2022 Asian Games. For starters, this was a massive story for Gilas in ages. The Philippines jumped out to a 32-16 lead in the first quarter and was up by 21 points by halftime after a promising buzzer-beater three from CJ Perez. Gilas had to fight back against some rapid runs from Latvia in the second half, but they responded well in the final moments of the game to keep the home team from pulling off a massive comeback. Justin Brownlee – who was named Player of the Game – flirted with a triple-double in the victory with 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists. Kai Sotto added 18 points and eight rebounds and was a solid presence on the rim. The Philippines fielded an impressive triangle offense, which opened up a lot of promising offensive opportunities that saw them build a big lead early in the game. A Legendary Performance to Remember No one expected the Philippines to win big in the qualifiers, let alone against a team like Latvia. This was a massive upset for the ages, and coach Tim Cone could not stress enough the importance of this victory that will set the tone for their campaign in the Olympic stage should they get lucky. "I'm totally shocked to be sitting here in front of you guys after winning this basketball game," coach Tim Cone said. "This is not something we thought we were going to do. This is a big huge step for us to be able to play a Latvia team at home, and go at them face-to-face, and come out with a win. It's amazing, it's amazing for us." Latvia came out with the home advantage, but they missed out on a chance to salvage their hopes after building on an 83-55 victory over Georgia. The team also missed the services of Boston Celtics star and NBA champion Kristaps Porzingis in the game due to an injury. The Philippines now sets its eyes as it takes on Georgia later with a chance to seal their chances for the ticket to Paris. A win in their next game will see them advance to the semis and the final, with the lone winner securing the spot for the actual Olympics. Gilas has to either win outright or lose the game by not more than 18 points and avoid a 37-point turnaround in the standings.

Celebrate the 4th of July with WOW Vegas' exciting "Red, White, & Win!" promotion. This special event features a prize pool of SC 5K and will reward 159 lucky winners. The promotion runs through the 4th of July, providing ample opportunity for participants to join the fun and win big. WOW Vegas is known for its thrilling gaming experiences and generous promotions. This 4th of July, they are enhancing the festive spirit with a diverse lineup of games. Players can indulge in the sweet excitement of Sugar Rush 1000 and Sweet Bonanza 1000, venture into the wild with Congo Cash, or enjoy a culinary delight with Big Burger Load it Up with Extra Cheese. The celebration is topped off with the release of Crankit Up, a brand-new game launching on the 4th of July. Promo Name: Red, White, & Win! Validity: Through 04.07 Prize Pool: SC 5K Winners: 159 Mechanic: Prize Drop Games Included: Sugar Rush 1000, Sweet Bonanza 1000, Congo Cash, Big Burger Load it Up with Extra Cheese, Sweet Kingdom, Crankit Up (releasing on 4th of July). Join WOW Vegas for this special one-day event and seize your chance to win a share of the SC 5K prize pool. With 159 winners, the odds are in your favor to have a memorable and rewarding Independence Day! For more information about WOW Vegas and their promotions, read our WOW Vegas review, or visit their website.

July 3, 2024 – Another win for the now seven-time World Series Poker Bracelet holder, Scott Seiver. Leading the $10,000 Deuce-to-Seven Single Draw Lowball Championship, Las Vegas Poker Pro gains the advantage in the WSOP Player of the Year competition. Seiver’s historic win last Sunday, June 30th brought the 39-year-old poker pro to a prestigious $10,000 no-limit deuce to seven single-draw lowball championships. He took home the prize money amounting to a whopping $411,041, totaling over $26 million throughout the young pro’s poker career. In the annals of poker history, Seiver is the eighth player to win three bracelets in a single year, having previously won three in 1973, 1993, 1994, and 1995 with Puggy Pearson, 2002 with Phil Ivey, 2009 with Jeffrey Lisandro, and 2014 with George Danzer. Seiver is the first person to accomplish this amazing accomplishment in almost ten years. In the annals of poker history, Seiver is the eighth player to win three bracelets in a single year, having previously won three in 1973, 1993, 1994, and 1995 with Puggy Pearson, 2002 with Phil Ivey, 2009 with Jeffrey Lisandro, and 2014 with George Danzer. Seiver is one of the youngest and the first person to accomplish this amazing accomplishment in almost a decade. When asked about the historic win, Seiver exclaimed “I mean, I’m on cloud nine right now. I couldn’t be more excited. I thought I would do big things this summer, but I mean obviously you can never dream of something like this. But, I think I’m going to get more. I really do.” Coming up in poker in a professional setting has always been a proven challenge for many pros and Seiver was not spared from this. When asked about winning this specific tournament, “It means everything to me. I was really devastated when I got second in this two years ago. I’ve always wanted this bracelet so much. This final table was unbelievably difficult. From two tables down, everyone was tremendous and honestly, that makes it even more special. I am good at this game, but I am not like world-class great. Getting to play with Jason Mercier, Billy Baxter… these are people who have won this tournament 10 times or whatever. It was very special.” Seiver only had to say. Payouts and rankings were as follows: Place Player Earnings POY Points PGT Points 1 Scott Seiver $411,041 840 411 2 Jonathan Krela $274,217 700 274 3 David Lin $187,177 560 187 4 Jeremy Ausmus $130,794 420 131 5 Jennifer Harman $93,615 350 94 6 Michael Watson $68,672 280 69 7 Aaron Kupin $51,661 210 52 About the World Series of Poker 2024 On July 3rd, the main event of the World Series of Poker began and will continue until the 17th. In its 55th year in Las Vegas, numerous winners have already been named in almost 700 events. In the $50,000 Poker Players Championship, Daniel Negreanu set a new record by winning his sixth bracelet. The main event found Ramiro Favi of Argentina claiming victory. With both familiar and unfamiliar faces winning big in the summer series, the WSOP cemented its reputation as the world's best poker tournament venue. With 186 entries, a $1,729,800 prize fund was created for this tournament, which was divided among the top 28 finishers. Nearly all of the players who cashed were considered big names; among the numerous notables that ran deep were five-time bracelet winner Yuri Dzivielevski (17th), seven-time bracelet winner Billy Baxter (14th), six-time bracelet winner Jason Mercier (9th), and six-time bracelet winner Robert Mizrachi (8th).

July 3, 2024 – Saturday night’s winning Powerball numbers were 5, 9, 32, 39, and 55 with a Powerball of 9. The Power Play was 2X, however, no winners came forward since last Monday’s draw. Based on lottery calculations, the winner of Monday's jackpot might get a $60.4 million cash out after taxes. The estimated $127 million jackpot continues to stay on as a coveted prize. Playing the Powerball A $2 Powerball ticket can be purchased at your local grocery store, petrol station, or convenience store. In some states, it's even possible to purchase tickets online. To play, you have to write a total of six digits on your ticket. The numerals 1 through 69 will be represented by five white balls. The Powerball has a single red number between 1 and 26. To increase your chances of winning and up the payouts for all prizes other than the jackpot, you can add a $1 "Power Play". Here, winnings can be multiplied by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X. You can also choose a "Quick Pick" option, where a cashier produces a Powerball ticket with numbers produced by a computer. Powerball draws take place thrice a week, every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday evenings at 10:59 pm. If no one wins the jackpot, the monetary prize will rise by millions. Learn more about the draw results from Powerball.

July 3, 2024 – Friday night’s winning numbers were 4, 8, 19, 31, and 45, Mega Ball 8 with a Multiplier at 4x. Drawn after 11 pm ET, the estimated total jackpot is now $162 million. The lottery states that a winning player may get a lump sum payment after taxes that is estimated to be worth $74.5 million cash out. If anyone actually won the lottery, the estimated cash value would be $74.5 million, which would have been theirs for the taking. The Mega Millions jackpot has been won by two players so far this year: one from New Jersey won an incredible $1.13 billion earlier in March, while another from Illinois won $552 million earlier in the same month. Playing Mega Millions Megaplier Number of Balls 2x 5 3x 6 4x 3 5x 1 Buying a lottery ticket for Mega Millions is simple and can be purchased at any grocery, convenience store, or gas station. Keep in mind though, in certain places, tickets are also offered online. To be eligible to play, you need to choose six numbers. Five numbers will be represented by white balls with numbers ranging from 1 to 70. The gold Mega Ball is represented by a single number between 1 and 25. All you have to do to win in Mega Millions is match one number. However, the number has to be that Mega Ball. The next draw is on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. Draws are held every Tuesday and Friday at 10 pm CT. Learn more at Mega Millions winning numbers.

As Las Vegas landmarks like the Mirage and Tropicana prepare for their respective exits, tourists and visitors to Sin City looking for lodgings also prepare for more expensive prices, as they vie for the best rooms in the Strip, especially during peak times like weekends and holidays. Las Vegas is bracing for an increase in hotel room rates as two major resorts, the Tropicana and The Mirage, are set to close. But the impending closures, while bringing a sense of sadness, are also anticipated to benefit other casinos along the Strip and create investment opportunities, according to industry analysts. The Mirage will shut down later this month for an extensive multibillion-dollar transformation into a Hard Rock Hotel, a process that will temporarily take thousands of rooms off the market. In the meantime, Tropicana, which closed its doors in April, has already removed a grand total of 1,467 rooms from the Strip's inventory. With The Mirage’s impending closure on July 17, a whopping 3,044 rooms will also be unavailable for several years. Hard Rock International plans to overhaul The Mirage, originally developed by Steve Wynn in the late 80s, into a themed rock 'n' roll resort featuring a hotel with the iconic guitar shape. John DeCree, a gaming analyst at CBRE Equity Research, predicts that the removal of close to 5,000 rooms will significantly benefit other Strip operators, particularly Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts. He explains further that with "more customers chasing fewer rooms," room rates are expected to rise. Positive prospects for the Las Vegas strip amid closures Tropicana's closure is permanent, as the site is being cleared for a possible Major League Baseball stadium. The Mirage's rooms will eventually return to the market around spring 2027, following the completion of Hard Rock’s renovations. In the meantime, the reduced room supply is likely to boost business for other casino resorts and hotels on the Strip. DeCree notes that while the Tropicana's closure may impact some properties, the displacement of demand from The Mirage is substantial enough to affect all operators on the Strip. As a matter of fact, in the previous year alone, The Mirage's rooms produced almost $600 million in profit for MGM Resorts, with over 1 million inhabited room nights. But despite strong recent quarterly performances and record gaming revenues from publicly traded casino companies, investors remain cautious. DeCree points out that even with new room inventory from the openings of Resorts World in 2021 as well as Fontainebleau in 2023, daily room rates have carried on rising, and the levels of occupancy have yet to reach pre-pandemic numbers from 2019. With a robust event calendar and ongoing recovery in international travel and convention demand, we expect second-quarter 2024 earnings for the Strip to meet or at least slightly exceed expectations. The significant reduction in room supply could lead to conservative forward estimates, potentially boosting investor confidence, DeCree elaborates. Investment opportunities in Las Vegas DeCree believes that the contraction of room availability on the Strip could lead to stronger earnings for casino companies like Caesars, MGM, Wynn Resorts, and Golden Entertainment, which also owns and runs The Strat. Due to a busy schedule of events and conventions, the mid-tier guest rooms at Caesars and MGM properties are often booked solid months in advance. DeCree suggests that less-popular resorts, such as the Sahara and The Strat, might benefit from the overflow of bookings that would have otherwise gone to The Mirage or Tropicana. DeCree concluded that there are likely limits to how many additional room nights MGM and Caesars can accommodate, especially on the weekends and during peak events. This scenario could well present an opportunity for properties that are under-occupied, like The Strat, to see both higher occupancy and increased spending from guests. As the landscape of Las Vegas’s hotel industry shifts with these two significant closures, one permanent and one temporary, the remaining resorts on the Strip could capitalize on the increased demand and potential rise in room rates. As we speak, investors and operators alike are closely monitoring how these changes will unfold in the coming years.