The Dalai Panda

What is The Dalai Panda?

The VGT dispute and construction reset are the latest chapters in a long and bumpy road for Bally’s since winning Chicago’s sole casino licence in 2022. Work has been halted for debris overflow and for unapproved contractors, and the company faced an $800 million funding gap that was eventually filled through a financing agreement with Gaming and Leisure Properties. Potential interference with city water lines also necessitated a significant redesign of the hotel plan.

At one point, the IGB ordered a temporary work stoppage at Bally’s permanent casino following reports of alleged ties between an unapproved dumpster service with organised crime.

Bally’s has been granted two years’ worth of extensions for the permanent project. State law allows for two-year temporary licences, but the Illinois Gaming Board approved an extension to three years in 2023. That pushed the deadline to this September, but Bally’s ultimately received another year’s worth of extensions through language included in the state’s omnibus revenue bill that was passed in June.

What is The Dalai Panda?

What else can Netherlands gambling operators do to stop the flow of players offshore? Holland Casino is a member of online gambling trade association VNLOK which represents 90% of the licensed operators, and Petra answers simply: “If we knew the answer, we would try to reach it.

“What I do think is that deciding together, not only as operators, but together with politicians and stakeholders, that a legal market is very important to get that done. We’re not there yet, and that’s what we’re saying.

“An unregulated market doesn’t become a safe market. People will always gamble, so we have to make sure that we have a strong legal market. And so you also need to give us some room to exist. And of course, we need to be regulated. A regulated market is always better than an illegal market.”

About The Dalai Panda

The Vegas Golden Knights launch their NHL preseason tonight against the Los Angeles Kings at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California—home to the Kings’ AHL affiliate. Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles was unavailable due to UFC 331.

Vegas will lean heavily on younger players for the opening stretch of exhibition games, according to general manager Kelly McCrimmon.

That strategy opens the door for Trevor Connelly, Vegas’ 2024 first-round pick. Connelly entered training camp skating on the club’s third line, and after the departure of several depth players this offseason, the 20-year-old left winger has a clear path to earn a roster spot.