Each week, CasinoBeats breaks down the numbers behind some of the industry’s most interesting stories. In this latest edition we get a Dutch update, see a plan to reinvigorate UK seaside towns and visit the US where Eldorado Resorts has shed a portion of its estate.

79

The Kansspelautoriteit has provided a further update regarding the pending legalisation of online gambling, after revealing that 79 parties have submitted an interest in obtaining a relevant licence.

The Dutch gaming authority started taking registrations from interested parties earlier this month, with organisations having until Friday 21 June to indicate that they are potentially interested in securing a permit through the Ksa website.

Currently setting up the licensing process in the context of the remote gambling act, the moves being undertaken by the regulator follows the Netherlands Senate passing the law in February of this year.

Set to make online gambling legal under a number of strict conditions, the Ministry of Justice and Security is currently elaborating the law, which when complete will allow the Ksa to draw up definitive permit conditions.

Bacta has unveiled its new campaign, which sees the trade association for the UK’s amusement and gaming machine industry set out to re-energise Britain’s seaside towns via six strategic priorities.

Titled ‘Sliding with the Seaside,’ the initiative is setting out to breathe new life in coastal communities throughout Britain, which it stresses have “faced increasingly challenging economic conditions” in recent years.

Emphasising the vital role tourism plays on the regions, Batca believes government policies must allow for tourism to thrive, preserve traditional seaside landscapes and provide investment and infrastructures for local businesses to encourage more visitors.

The association is urging the government to prioritise the renewal of seaside towns via “desperately needed” attention, emphasising six key areas of prioritising the regeneration of seaside towns, introducing land-based development programmes, investment in transport and connectivity and addressing car park charges.

Furthermore, Batca states a reduction in tax burdens for amusements should be relaxed to preserve historical and traditional landscapes, and has called approval to be given to the Tourism Sector Deal, that was presented to government in November 2018.

385

Vici Properties and Century Casinos have entered into a combined $385m deal to purchase three properties from casino entertainment firm Eldorado Resorts.

The definitive agreement relates to the Isle Casino Cape Girardeau in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Lady Luck Casino Caruthersville in Caruthersville, Missouri and Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort in New Cumberland, West Virginia.

The deal is to see Vici acquire the land and real estate assets of the properties for approximately $278m, with Century acquiring the operating assets for approximately $107m.

Simultaneous with the closing of this transaction, Vici will enter into a triple-net master lease agreement with Century related to the assets with an initial annual rent of $25m for 15 years, and containing four 5-year renewal options.

100

As reported in a letter sent to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, as seen by the BBC, a number of the industry’s largest stakeholders are said to have voluntarily pledged an additional £100m in levy contributions in the latest move to combat problem gambling.

Reported by the BBC, key figures from William Hill, Ladbrokes Coral, Paddy Power Betfair, Skybet and Bet365 have all allegedly committed to raise the voluntary levy on gambling profits from 0.1 per cent up to one per cent over the next five years.

The move is expected to raise upwards of £100m which will be distributed towards gambling charities and problem gambling initiatives across the UK.