Virtual Kentucky Derby Hailed a Success
1.7m viewers tuned in to watch the 13 Triple Crown winners battle it out in Te Kentucky Derby: Triple Crown Showdown created by Inspired Entertainment.
Secretariat emerged as the ultimate champion, winning the race 47 years after winning the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
KENTUCKY VIRTUAL SPORTS
"Te Kentucky Derby: Triple Crown Showdown" was an exciting part of Churchill Downs’ nationwide "Kentucky Derby at Home" party, and was televised at the culmination of NBC’s broadcast which included a look back at American Pharoah’s 2015 Derby win. Te day of programming celebrated the traditional date of the Kentucky Derby since the 146th running has been postponed until September 5th this year due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns. Te virtual race allowed viewers to experience the magic of the Derby using the latest, best-in-class graphics and animation and featured a fully accurate re-creation of the Twin Spires of Churchill Downs and the traditional atmosphere of the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May.
“Tis was a great event for everyone involved — Churchill Downs got to celebrate on their traditional Derby day, racing fans got to see the greatest-of-all-time face off, we had the opportunity to showcase the realism of our Virtual Horse Racing product, and it was all for a good cause,” said Brooks Pierce, President and
Hard Rock casino could return to Las Vegas after trademark deal
Nevada
Te Hard Rock casino brand could be set to return to Las Vegas following a deal which will lift restrictions on Hard Rock from developing, owning, licensing, managing or operating any Hard Rock- branded casino and integrated resort within Clark County, Nevada.
Te off-strip Hard Rock casino closed in Las Vegas in February to undergo renovations and reopen as Virgin Hotels Las Vegas in Autumn.
Te deal was struck between Hard Rock International, the world-renowned entertainment and hospitality brand, who purchased all rights to the Hard Rock brand and related trademarks in Las Vegas from Houston-based private equity firm, Juniper Capital, which purchased the Hard
Chief Operating Officer of Inspired. “Virtual Sports have been popular in Europe for years, but putting together Te Kentucky Derby: Triple Crown Showdown for a national television broadcast was a great marketing opportunity for our Virtual Sports in the U.S.
In addition to the extensive viewership, social media was abuzz for Kentucky Derby at Home, with 91 per cent positive sentiment before and after the race. Tis is a great example of how Virtual Sports can plug the gap and bring people together for some relief during these difficult times, just as real sports do.”
“While we await Kentucky Derby 146 in September, our partnership with Inspired Entertainment in creating the virtual Derby not only allowed fans celebrating Kentucky Derby at Home a chance to experience the thrill of a race at Churchill Downs together,” said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs Incorporated, “but the excitement leading up to it gave us a platform to raise and match funds for important COVID-19 relief efforts.”
Rock Hotel & Casino – Las Vegas in 2018 from Brookfield Asset Management.
Te transaction also allows HRI exclusive full rights to memorabilia, signage and merchandise, along with intellectual property rights for affiliated restaurant and entertainment trademarks and website domain names.
Last year, Hard Rock International and the Seminole Tribe of Florida and Seminole Gaming opened the $1.5bn expansion at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood with a 450ft. Guitar Hotel which would not look out of place in the Nevada skyline.
“Tis agreement marks an exciting chapter for Hard Rock, in Las Vegas and beyond,” said Jim Allen, Chairman, Hard Rock International. “We look forward to the opportunity of enhancing our presence in Las Vegas, which will always be one of the most iconic entertainment markets in the world.”
NEVADA – Caesars Entertainment plans to resume operations at some properties across its network when permitted by applicable government or tribal bodies. In Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Council Bluffs and Lake Tahoe, Caesars plans to reopen properties in phases in line with anticipated business demand. The Company plans to reopen in these markets and increase staff capacity as well as amenities such as restaurants and live entertainment in line with consumer demand and guidance from public health authorities. Across its network, Caesars properties will encourage social distancing practices consistent with recommendations from domestic and international authorities, including federal and applicable state and local public health authorities, and implement other enhanced health and safety protocols.
"We look forward to welcoming our guests and team members back to our properties as soon as it is appropriate to do so," said Tony Rodio, Chief Executive Officer of Caesars Entertainment. "We are implementing new protocols focused on the wellbeing of our team members, guests and communities to create environments with high standards of sanitisation and physical distancing practices. We are working closely with public health authorities, gaming regulators and infectious disease specialists to design our plan."
Colorado
IGT’s PlaySports platform is powering FanDuel Group’s FanDuel Sportsbook mobile app in Colorado, having successfully launched in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana and Colorado. “Colorado represents the ninth US state where IGT and FanDuel Group will team up to deliver leading sports betting entertainment,” said Enrico Drago, IGT PlayDigital Senior Vice President. “IGT’s PlaySports platform has enabled FanDuel Group to rapidly expand its U.S. sports betting footprint across retail and mobile, and to provide players in each state a compelling, reliable user experience across channels.”
Net revenues for the Las Vegas giant decreased $287m in the first quarter, primarily due to government or tribe-mandated property closures across its network. Performance in the first two months of the quarter was very strong with net revenue through February up 12 per cent year over year driven by increases in all verticals across all regions, highlighted by strength in Las Vegas and Indiana. However, revenue in the month of March was approximately half that of the prior year due to the temporary property closures. As a result, first quarter net revenues in Las Vegas declined year over year with decreases in gaming, hotel, food and beverage and other revenues. All other net revenues decreased $18 million year over year, primarily due to lower gaming volumes in the UK as a result of property closures.
Mr. Rodio added: "While we posted our best operating performance since 2008 in the first two months of the quarter, circumstances changed dramatically in March as we temporarily shut-down all of our casino properties, consistent with directives from various governmental and tribal bodies. Our first quarter performance reflects the significant revenue declines we experienced as a result of the closures and stable year over year labor costs in March as we continued to provide pay and benefits to our team members for the first two weeks of the closure period."
NEWSWIRE / INTERACTIVE / MARKET DATA P23 NORTH AMERICA
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