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US – Formula 1 helps drive Nevada to its second most profitable month in November - Januaary 2024
Nevada’s casinos enjoyed their second-highest win ever, fuelled by the excitement surrounding the return of Formula One racing, which boosted the Strip’s performance by 22.6 per cent.
Only July earlier in the year was more lucrative for casinos in Nevada meaning that the state smashed its personal best twice in 2023.
Across the state, casinos generated $1.37bn, an increase of 12.5 per cent rise from November 2022 with Formula One clearly playing its part in an increase in tourism with 3,292,800 visitors in November.
Michael Lawton, senior economic analyst, said: “The four-day period beginning on November 16th was extremely profitable for both gaming and non-gaming activity on the Las Vegas Strip with some properties estimating those days established all-time record levels of revenue. The event’s success was more evident at luxury properties where the Las Vegas Strip’s baccarat increase accounted for 78.6 per cent of the state’s growth this month. Additionally, the 25 licensees that are included in the $72m or over revenue range for annual gross gaming win on the Las Vegas Strip increased by $160m or 25.8 per cent compared to last November and accounted for over 100 per cent of the state’s entire increase for the month.”
The Strip’s games win came in at $410.1m, marking the third highest total in Nevada’s history, and up 61.9 per cent from last year. This increase was led by baccarat which generated $178.3m, up 208.7 per cent from last year.
The influx of tourist spend wasn’t felt everywhere across the state though with Downtown Las Vegas down two per cent with revenues of $81.1m.
The Boulder Strip was down 2.1 per cent to $83.3m whilst North Las Vegas secured a 0.61 per cent increase to $23m. North Lake Tahoe experienced an eight per cent fall as did South Lake Tahoe.
For the year so far, Nevada GGR are on track to set a new record with revenues up 4.1 per cent over the first 11 months of the record-breaking 2022. November also saw the 33rd consecutive month that the state generated revenues of more than $1bn with November’s revenue coming in higher than November 2019’s total by 46.6 per cent.
US – Billion dollar plus months are the new norm for Nevada but could the Strip soon hit the milestone too? - March 2023
The Las Vegas Strip’s best ever February helped push the state of Nevada to yet another billion dollar plus month, marking two years of consecutive $1bn plus months and begging the question; is this now the norm for Nevada?
The Strip, with 28 casinos, generated $712.4m in revenue, increasing from $599.1m in February 2022 with the State’s 441 casinos bringing in $1.24bn in February, marking an 11.2 per cent increase from February 2022.
Clark County casinos alone surpassed $1bn for the 10th straight month, with analsysts now asking if the Strip could generate the milestone on its own.
Michael Lawton, Senior Economic Analyst for the Control Board, believes that following 24 months of $1bn plus months for Nevada, the figure has become the norm.
He said: “I think after 24 consecutive months you could safely say it is [the norm]. Obviously there is a lot of economic uncertainty, however that uncertainty has not spilled over into the record gaming win amounts we have witnessed over the last two years. Clark County has recorded over $1 billion in 10 consecutive months and in 17 out of the last 24 months. The Strip in December of 2022 recorded a win amount of $814.2 million which was the all-time record for the market. I think there is interest if the Strip on its own could hit the billion-dollar amount.”
In February, Clark County’s gaming revenue accounted for 87.4 per cent of Nevada’s total win with the Strip having 57.6 per cent of the state’s total.
For the state as a whole, slot win increased by 7.6 per cent to $822.8m whilst tables increased 18.6 per cent to $102.5m. Nevada sportsbooks won $41.2m, increasing 33.5 per cent from last year’s February, although the amiount staked was down 15.6 per cent to $659.4m.
Brendan Bussmann, Analyst at B Global, believes thee is still space for more revenue growth.
“We still do not have some of the foreign guests back, and the business customer is still returning, which will likely drive additional opportunity for gaming revenue,” he explained. “There are still a number of headwinds with economic and geopolitical forces that could impact the current trends in revenue. With a recession pending, a potential banking crisis, and other factors, Nevada continues to prevail through these challenges but these and other factors could have an overall impact on Clark County and the rest of the state.”
Pro Wrestling WWE RAW
Punk to McIntyre: “No one will stop me from winning the Royal Rumble”: Raw highlights, Jan. 8, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvW3l0FM8Fg&ab_channel=WWE
"I'm one of the new people on this roster still who travelled the world with you for years. I know the real CM Punk. I've seen what you're truely like and I've had so many things happen to me caused by you. I could go on for all night actually but we're only got a 3-hour show, so maybe I'll go over the first thing that comes to my head"... - Drew McIntyre
Media Man: The greatest wrestling promos are often the ones that have real situations and back stories to them, as is such the case here. The story somewhat writes itself! Hyped for tonight and the Royal Rumble. They are talking the fans into the building, in old school speeak.
#WWERaw #CMPunk #DrewMcIntryre #WWERoyalRumble #RoyalRumble #prowrestling #wrestling #entertainment #broadcast #broadcasting #USANetwork #popculture #story #storytelling #storylines #shoot #promo #promotion #trends #trending #buzz #TV #media
Image credit: WWE
Pro Wrestling
WWE RAW
CM Punk returns to Raw for first time in 2024: WWE Now, Jan. 8, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UciKUeh-R8&ab_channel=WWE
Punk to McIntyre: “No one will stop me from winning the Royal Rumble”: Raw highlights, Jan. 8, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvW3l0FM8Fg&ab_channel=WWE
Ludwig Kaiser unleashes a vicious attack on Kofi Kingston: Raw highlight, Jan. 8, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDWn-hoZlUQ&ab_channel=WWE
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Finn Bálor: Raw highlights, Jan. 8, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUScaRQzT2M&ab_channel=WWE
The Rock makes a surprise return to Raw: Raw highlights, Jan. 8, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_AHQt0rrQk&ab_channel=WWE
and more via the live broadcast and the Official WWE YouTube Channel
#WWERaw #WWERoyalRumble #RoyalRumble #CMPunk #DrewMcIntyre #LudwigKaiser
#KofiKingston #Ciampa #FinnBalor #JudgementDay #wwetag #prowrestling #wrestling #womenswrestling #entertainment #popculture #USANetwork #broadcast #YouTube #YT #video #highlights #hype #promo #trends #trending #buzz #TV #media
Image credit: WWE
UFC
Combat Sports
UFC Top Finishes | Slams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5Tmmd944G0&ab_channel=UFC
"Can not lift. She can't do it. There, now she's working on the problem which is the hand. No, can't lift there. Oh, she"...
Media Man: The "slam" title got us. Long time fans of the MMA and wrestling/pro wrestling connection. A good old fashioned (or new age) slam will do just anytime. Get the opponent into position with strikes and wear down holds, and SLAM"!
#UFC #MMA #mixedmartialarts #slam #slams #bodyslam #wrestling #combatsports #highlights #moments #video #YouTube #sportsmedia #sportsnews #media
Image credit: UFC
Pro Wrestling
WWE RAW
FULL MATCH – Cody Rhodes vs. Shinsuke Nakamura – Street Fight: Raw highlight, Jan. 8, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20ZWZ67LLYE&t=6s&ab_channel=WWE
"Shinsuke Nakamura says he wants to finish Rhodes' story for him" - Michael Cole
"Cody, Cody, Cody" Fans
"This is a street fight. Anything goes. You must win via pinfall or submission"... Michael Cole
"...Master of mind games. He is going to make Cody Rhodes wait" MC
"Yeah. Emotions can be a cruel mistress if you loose control of them and if you loose control in a street fight it can really come back to hurt you" Wade Barrett
Best Raw moments: Raw highlight, Jan. 8, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hhrx0TPMrUE&ab_channel=WWE
Jinder Mahal initiates a brawl with Seth “Freakin” Rollins: Raw highlight, Jan. 8, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWlqP-23L74&ab_channel=WWE
Nia Jax says she will choose Rhea Ripley when she wins the Rumble: Raw highlights, Jan. 8, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ1UdSANNEQ&t=8s&ab_channel=WWE
Otis vs. Ivar: Raw highlight, Jan. 8, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnxdnMMGI-Q&ab_channel=WWE
Carter & Chance vs. Green & Niven – WWE Women’s Tag Team Title Match: Raw highlight, Jan. 8, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqR4cS_jtxc&t=4s&ab_channel=WWE
R-Truth explains the love he shares with The Judgment Day: Raw highlights, Jan. 8, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTodBw_bhiU&ab_channel=WWE
and more via the official WWE YouTube Channel
www.youtube.com/wwe
#WWERaw #WWERoyalRumble #RoyalRumble #CodyRhodes #ShinsukeNakamura #CMPunk #DrewMcIntyre #LudwigKaiser #KofiKingston #Ciampa #FinnBalor #JudgementDay #RTruth #Miz #RheaRipley #NiaJax #wwetag #prowrestling #wrestling #womenswrestling #entertainment #popculture #USANetwork #broadcast #YouTube #YT #video #highlights #hype #promo #trends #trending #buzz #TV #media
Image credit: WWE
'Golden Globes' ratings increase by 50%
Entertainment giant CBS announced Monday that the Golden Globe Awards, which aired Sunday, averaged 9.4 million viewers. This is 50% more than the 2023 broadcast, according to the mega network.
2020 was the last year the Globes were watched by more people. Sunday's show was also the first ceremony since the Hollywood Foreign Press disbanded and expanded the voting body.
Jo Koy hosted the Golden Globes. Winners included Paul Giamatti and Da'Vine Joy Randolph for The Holdovers, Emma Stone for Poor Things, which also won Best Picture Comedy or Musical, as well as stars Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey, Jr., and director Christopher Nolan for Oppenheimer.
CBS said the Globes was the second largest CBS event ever streamed on Paramount+. The largest awards show on the network and streaming service before that was the 65th Grammy Awards in February.
The Golden Globes previously aired on NBC.
The Globes have been widly critized in most of the media and in the court of public opion over the past number of years for becoming highly political.
News
Sky News Australia report
Hollywood 'finally' got the 'Ricky Gervais memo' following Golden Globes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmoOlZbLL7U&ab_channel=SkyNewsAustralia
Under The Water Cooler...
"The entertainment er showbiz industry has always been political in one way or another, but the last 4 or 5 years saw certain chapters of it become even more so. Much of the general public has turned out and turned onto YouTube, Netflix, Rumble, niche streaming channels, or just consuming less entertainment content. The superhero genre is one of the hardest hit sectors, thanks in part due to political messanging that may please some entertainment producers and their clique, but not the public and large. Many entertainment company share prices have dived to long term lows as the general public votes with both their minds and wallets. The industry lives on but is embattled to say the least".
#GoldenGlobes #GoldenGlobes2024 #CBS #showbiz #entertainment #entertainmentnews #movies #politics #ratings #content #contentnews #TV #media #mediaman
Entertainment News via Sky News Australia
Hollywood ‘woken up’ to ‘reality’ after absence of virtue-signalling at Golden Globes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWMfrY8JwL0&ab_channel=SkyNewsAustralia
Sky News Australia host Piers Morgan says there seems to be a “movement” growing in Hollywood after this year’s Golden Globes featured no political speeches, virtue signalling or grandstanding.
Mr Morgan was joined by clinical psychologist and public intellectual Dr Jordan Peterson to discuss the matter.
“People basically did what Ricky Gervais told them to do three years ago, which is get up, you know, thank your agent, and sit down and just celebrate making movies or TV shows,” Mr Morgan said.
“I felt that there is a movement going on now of a real backlash from perhaps a majority that's been silent until now that's just said 'enough'.
(Credit: Sky News Australia)
#GoldenGlobes #GoldenGlobes2024 #SkyNewsAustralia #Sky #CBS #entertainmentnews #showbiz #popculture #movienews #movies #YouTube #video #politics #broadcast #newsmedia #media
Crypto News
Bitcoin to soar as ETFs on cusp of approval
- January 9, 2024
The price of Bitcoin is spiking and one analyst predicts it could more than triple in value and hit $300,000 by the end of 2025.
Bitcoin has risen above $US47,000 (A$70,000) for the first time since April 2022 and one analyst is predicting it could more than triple in value to be worth US$200,000 (A$298,000) by the end of 2025.
The prediction comes after news that US regulators appear ready to finally approve Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
In a note, Standard Chartered head of crypto research Geoff Kendrick wrote: “If ETF-related inflows materialise as we expect, we think an end-2025 level closer to US$200,000 is possible.”
It has been over a decade since the first applications for ETFs that invest directly in the digital currency were filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Prospective ETF issuers BlackRock, Fidelity, Invesco, Ark, Galaxy Digital and WisdomTree filed amended forms on Monday in what is seen by analysts as a final push to offer the investment products.
The regulator has until Wednesday to make a decision on the applications, which could result in an investment product tracking the daily price of the most popular digital currency traded on a stock market for the first time.
If approved, the advent of Bitcoin ETFs is expected to drive up Bitcoin’s price due to increased accessibility and liquidity of the digital currency.
The rise in Bitcoin also flowed through to a surge in the price of other cryptocurrencies, such as Ethereum, Cardano, SOL and Polkadot, while the share prices of listed crypto exchanges and miners such as Coinbase Global, Riot Platforms and Marathon Digital also rose.
Bitcoin’s previous all-time high of almost $US69,000 (A$103,000) was reached in November 2021.
#Bitcoin #BitcoinNews #BitcoinETF #BitcoinETFs #ETF #cryptonews #cryptocurrencynews #cryptocurrencies #fintech #BTC #SEC #BlackRock #Fidelity #Invesco #Ark #GalaxyDigital #Galaxy #WisdomTree #Ethereum #Marathon #SOL #Polkadot #Riot #RiotPlatforms #bizneews #biz #finnews #digitalnews #research #trends #trending #buzz #hype #cryptoculture #culture #AI #X #media
(Newsfeeds)
Bitcoin Rally Cools in Countdown to US Spot ETF Decision by SEC - 9 January 2024
Bitcoin consolidated after briefly rallying past $47,000 on optimism that regulators are set to approve the first US exchange-traded funds investing directly in the world’s largest digital asset.
The token dipped to $46,739 as of 6 a.m. Tuesday in London after a 6.5% jump on Monday in the US to a 21-month high. Bitcoin’s new year climb now stands at 10%, contrasting with drops over the same period in stocks and gold.
The crypto market expects a green light for US spot Bitcoin ETFs by a Jan. 10 deadline. Prospective issuers such as BlackRock Inc., Fidelity Investments and Ark Investment Management updated paperwork with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the regulator has until Wednesday to take action on at least one of the applications.
Speculators are wagering that the agency will announce a slew of decisions at once to avoid handing out a first-mover advantage. If the funds are approved, the next question is how much money they will woo. Bitcoin is up 172% in the past 12 months in a sign that traders anticipate wider adoption of the token.
“Participants seem to be coming around to thinking that the initial flows will actually exceed expectations,” said Kyle Doane, a trader at Arca.
Applicants amended forms on Monday in the US in a final push to offer spot Bitcoin ETF products more than a decade after the first attempt.
SEC Chair Gary Gensler has repeatedly argued that crypto is rife with fraud and misconduct. The agency cracked down on the sector following a 2022 rout and collapses such as the bankruptcy of Sam Bankman-Fried’s FTX exchange.
But the SEC last year lost a key legal fight against crypto asset manager Grayscale Investments LLC, spurring speculation that the regulator will have to acquiesce to the spot ETFs. The spat was over the $29 billion Grayscale Bitcoin Trust’s desire to convert into such a product.
ETF Critics
Critics contend that spot crypto ETFs would pose a risk for investors given that digital assets are notorious for volatility and attracting illicit activity.
“What’s going to happen, unfortunately, is lots and lots of Americans in our view, are going to get hurt financially,” said Dennis Kelleher, chief executive officer of financial reform nonprofit Better Markets.
The months-long advance in Bitcoin has lifted the digital-asset market more broadly, bolstering smaller tokens like Solana and Avalanche. US crypto-linked stocks mostly rose on Monday, providing a tailwind for Asian peers such as Japan’s Monex Group and Woori Technology Investment Co. in South Korea.
Pullback Risk
Some crypto watchers wonder whether Bitcoin is ripe for a pullback if and when SEC approval finally lands, since speculators may decide to bank a slice of profits from the token’s rally.
There are “no signs” of a so-called sell-the-news event just yet, Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone Group Ltd., wrote in a note. Based on chart patterns, the $51,000 level is a possible target before any such retreat, according to Tony Sycamore, a market analyst at IG Australia Pty.
Looking past short-term price gyrations, “the main result of Bitcoin spot ETF approval will be the marketing machine behind greater Bitcoin awareness, powered by some of the largest names in traditional finance,” wrote Noelle Acheson, author of the Crypto Is Macro Now newsletter.
The token reached a record high of almost $69,000 back in 2021 during a pandemic-era bull run fueled by ultra-low borrowing costs.
#Bitcoin #BitcoinETF #ETC #crypto #cryptonews #cryptocurrencies #SEC #markets #finance #fintech #digitalnews #digitalbiz #digitalbusiness #newsmedia #newsfeeds #media
Bitcoin News Media
January 8, 2024
Bitcoin ETF Insider Leak Powers Bitcoin Price Surge Over $45,000 After $1.6 Trillion Ethereum, XRP, Solana And Crypto Boom
Now, as panicked traders try to get ahead of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) "rug pull of the decade," an insider leak has revealed BlackRock has readied a huge $2 billion bazooka if its spot bitcoin ETF bid is approved.
"I heard from a pretty well placed source that BlackRock has more than $2 billion lined up in week one in new incremental flows from existing bitcoin holders who are adding to positions," Matthew Sigel, head of digital assets research at investment company VanEck, said during an X Spaces broadcast organized by The Block.
"I can't vouch for that," Sigel added. "But you know, that's what everyone is doing. Just making phone calls and trying to find the folks who can write checks into these products. And our estimates—that, you know, if that $2 billion happened in week one, you know, that would blow away our estimates."
1/8 update: The bitcoin price has shot over $45,000 per bitcoin as the Wall Street race to get a bitcoin spot exchange-traded fund (ETF) to market enters its final week. The price surge boosted the price of ethereum, XRP and solana as traders bet a historical spot bitcoin ETF would boost crypto prices across the board.
This week, spot bitcoin ETF hopefuls, including BlackRock, Fidelity and Grayscale, have met the deadline to file their amended documents.
This filing "is another important step towards uplisting GBTC as a spot bitcoin ETF," Grayscale spokeswoman Jenn Rosenthal said in a statement to Coindesk. Grayscale has been trying to convert its bitcoin trust to a fully-fledged spot bitcoin ETF for years, last year successfully suing the SEC over its rejection of its bid. "At Grayscale, we continue to work collaboratively with the SEC, and we remain ready to operate GBTC as an ETF upon receipt of regulatory approvals."
"Market participants maintain expectations for the approval of the 21Shares filing, potentially triggering a cascade approval for all issuers," Matteo Greco, a research analyst at investment company Fineqia International, said in emailed comments, referring to the Ark 21Shares spot bitcoin ETF bid that's first in line.
"Numerous meetings between the SEC, issuers, and exchanges have fuelled the narrative of an imminent approval. The introduction of ETFs could usher in new investor cohorts from traditional finance, significantly improving market transparency and liquidity and bringing long term capital inflow in the digital assets market."
Sigel said VanEck was anticipating "$2.5 billion in the first quarter of trading," a figure derived from "past flows into the first gold ETF and adjusting by the U.S. money supply. And we have a $40 billion market opportunity over two years based on a similar analysis."
"$2 billion week one into BlackRock alone would blow expectations out of the water," Travis Kling, the chief investment officer of Ikigai Asset Management, posted to X. "Half that from all ETFs combined would have been a pretty good outcome."
VanEck, along with other spot bitcoin ETF hopefuls BlackRock, Fidelity, Grayscale, Valkyrie, ARK 21Shares and InvescoIVZ +1.8% have rushed to finalize their applications this week ahead of a January 8 Monday morning deadline.
Five SEC commissioners will reportedly vote on the spot bitcoin ETF bids next week, according to Bloomberg, citing an anonymous source.
#Bitcoin #BTC #BitcoinNews #Crypto #CryptoNews #cryptocurrency #XRP #ETF #Ethereum #BitcoinETF #BitcoinETFs #fintech #digitalnews #newsmedia #newsfeeds #trend #trends #buzz #hype #bitcoinnewsmedia #x #media
(Sources: Wires, Newsfeeds, X)
"Sports Marketing Powerhouse" official; WWE and UFC Combo
The UFC and WWE global partnerships teams have officially become one in its pitch to provide brands with access to “one of the most formidable sports marketing portfolios in the world”.
Sports and entertainment company, TKO Group, announced the news this after the MMA (mixed martial arts) promotion and the professional wrestling based Goliath merged under the new company late last year.
Per media statement TKO said the move to join the teams will offer marketers expanded inventory, increased brand visibility and international reach.
Grant Norris-Jones will lead the new unit as Executive Vice President and Head of Global Partnerships for TKO (including all UFC and WWE entities), while Lou Koskovolis will take on the expanded role as TKO’s Executive Vice President of Global Partnerships.
“Since Endeavor acquired UFC in 2016, UFC’s global partnerships business has become a significant growth area,” TKO’s chief financial officer, Andrew Schleimer, said.
“And we believe WWE’s partnerships business has similar potential. Together, UFC and WWE create a sports marketing powerhouse, with hundreds of live events per year and a reach that’s equal to, or better than, the world’s biggest sports properties.
“The newly integrated global partnerships team will offer premium brands the opportunity to integrate and activate within UFC’s and WWE’s extraordinarily popular content to engage their massive fan bases around the world.”
The UFC is currently preparing for its highly anticipated, pub and cafe talk fodder UFC 300 event in Vegas in April, while the WWE’s February premium live event, Elimination Chamber, is set to go ahead at Perth’s Optus Stadium on 24 February.
WrestleMania Season has come early for many fans around the world. 2024 may end up being the biggest year in history for the WWE in most boxes including the bottom line, as well as excitement, perhaps equal to the very first WrestleMania back in 1985. This is cinema!
More News
WWE PLE's (Premium Live Events) 2024
Confirmed at time of publication
WWE Royal Rumble
January 27. Tropicana Field St. Petersburg, Florida
WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth
February 24. Optus Stadium Perth, Western Australia, Australia
WWE WrestleMania 40
April 6, April 7. Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
WWE Backlash: France
May 4. LDLC Arena Décines-Charpieu, Greater Lyon, France
WWE Money in the Bank
July 6. Scotiabank Arena Toronto, Ontario, Canada
WWE Bash in Berlin
August 31. Mercedes-Benz Arena Berlin, Germany
Media Man: WWE, part of the TKO Group @TKOGrp is riding a wave of momentium. Strike while the iron is hot. Global domination of the professional wrestling landscape continues. Premium Live Events is the newer term what previously were called Pay-Per-View (PPV) events. Under leadership of Nick Khan and Triple H WWE is powering ahead in a very much global major event direction, as well as presenting amazing storytelling and in-ring action, while the marketing, merch and media arms keep powering ahead, frequently breaking and smashing records. Back in our Optus TV PPV and Main Event TV collaboration work at Optus we always saw the potential of massive WWE growth, but certainly never saw it getting this big. - Greg Tingle, Media Man Group