The Gulf Coast has fallen victim to an array of tragic events over the last five years. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina left the entire Coast community ravaged and diminished tourism to virtually nothing. The casinos in Biloxi and Gulfport lost millions of dollars, while any room inventory that wasn’t destroyed was quickly filled with FEMA representatives and response units to help deal with getting things back up and running.

The effects of Katrina are still felt today, but the casinos eventually rebounded bigger and better than ever. Soon, gamblers and tourists were back in Biloxi, and the slots were ringing with winners. Although there are many projects still left to complete from the hurricane, the recovery showed the world that the area was tough and handled the situation aggressively and with enthusiasm.

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It is amazing what can happen when one of the most prestigious destinations in the world gives away a 5-day, 4-night vacation for two. In just over two months, we received over 50,000 votes for the 2010 Best of Southern Gaming Awards and we have to think that a lot of the incentive to vote was in efforts of winning the trip!

We want to thank our title sponsor, Atlantis Paradise Island, for providing what will surely be a trip of a lifetime. Without their support, you might have been competing for something of a lot less value! But, when they came on board for the vacation that includes airfare and $150 per day per diem for food, who could pass that up?

 So, we are thrilled to have had the response from gamers throughout the South for the awards this year. Not only does it show the desire to win an awesome vacation, but it also shows the drive to let everyone know what properties you like the most.

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I am willing to wager that a fair percentage of horseracing enthusiasts are unfamiliar with the historical significance attached to a thoroughbred named Chief’s Crown. This equine’s resume sparkles with notable victories including the 1985 Flamingo Stakes, Bluegrass Stakes, Travers Stakes and Marlboro Cup International Handicap. But these accomplishments are not what separate this son of Danzig from countless other horses who competed during the same era. That particular distinction was forged on Nov. 18, 1984, in the first race of the day at Hollywood Park located in Inglewood, Calif.

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The Breeders’ Cup is equivalent to Armageddon within the realm of the horseplayer, and the purpose of this year’s final battle is two fold. The 27th edition of the Breeders’ Cup will go a long way in determining whether or not we finish the 2010 horseracing season on a high note, but more importantly, the event serves as a last gasp bailout. For at the World Thoroughbred Championships, the despondent player is granted one final opportunity to erase the red ink off of their annual balance sheet.

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For those who watched CNBC’s special on online gambling, it is no secret that I spent a major part of my life and career in this racket moving “steam” for some of the most successful betting syndicates ever. The one thing I learned from each of them was that this is simply a numbers game. Getting the best number is the primary goal over the course of your betting career — it’s the difference between winning and losing.
Now when Bob Martin was the country’s main oddsmaker, there were only a select number of bettors who had the ability to make him move his line, while the rest were cut out of the action because they would get to bet into it before it was even offered to anyone else. During this era, the number was the sharpest they’ve ever been and most likely ever will be.
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We live in the heart of casino central in the South. From our house in any direction, we can enter casino doors after a few hours drive. From the Gulf Coast to Tunica and New Orleans to Florida, we’re casino people. When my husband and I heard the news about Wind Creek Casino in Alabama opening its doors, we started packing our bags for the first opportunity to visit. It’s always fun to see how a new casino stacks up against the others.

Wind Creek Casino sits on the reservation of the Poarch Band of the Creek Indians in Atmore, Ala. It is located approximately 40 miles north of Mobile off I-65, and we were delighted to find Wind Creek quickly and easily as we exited.

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Every year, millions of gamblers, tourists and vacationers swarm Las Vegas. Whether it’s to see Paris’ Eiffel Tower, the fountains at the Bellagio or to get married by Elvis, Vegas is known to have it all. Among these world-renowned attractions are some of the greatest shows to ever hit the strip. Every hour, countless acts are being performed, making history. Of these ongoing spectacles, you can see everything from your favorite Disney movie to your favorite stars — all performing live. With all of the shows at your disposal, it’s hard to decide which to see and which one is right for you. It’s merely impossible to make it to every single show in just one trip. There are specific shows that are worth taking time off work, hiring a babysitter and flying out to Vegas to see. It’s these shows that make Vegas, Vegas. These are the top shows to take in on a night out. Be it naughty or nice, these are great shows to see.

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When you enter a poker tournament, do you ever look around to see how many women are playing? Do you wonder if there will be a “pro” at your table to cause you stress and grief? The truth is, both are a good probability with women’s success on the rise in the poker industry. Still, women make up less than 5 percent of most playing fields in tournaments.

The most untapped market today in poker is women. The online sites want them and are patiently waiting to scoop up the next winner to add to their promotable stable of professional players. One very possible venue for these ladies on the rise to emerge from is ladies-only poker tours. New women’s poker tours are popping up on an average of two a year, promoting events for women and providing environments for women to learn how to build their game and move into open events.

One of the most successful women poker tours traveling around the United States is the High Heels Poker Tour (HHPT). With founder Lauren Failla at the wheel, she plans to make the tour international and increase women’s interest in poker. “The only tour that existed prior to 2007 when the HHPT began was on the West Coast. With research in hand and realizing that women’s poker was virtually non-existent on the East Coast, I decided to create an outlet where women could make their mark,” she says. “Understanding the market is paramount as I continue through this journey to bring women’s poker to the next level. The High Heels Poker Tour now has events all over the United States and abroad. In looking toward the future, my efforts will continue to focus on this demographic while creating new and exciting opportunities for the HHPT and HHPT Academy for Women.” (more…)

The gambling bug bit me back in 1992 when Splash Casino set up shop on the banks of the Mississippi River in Tunica County, about 25 miles south of Memphis. The excitement of having ready access to a casino was infectious. The Schilling brothers, Ron and Rick, did not have much to comp outside of a crowded buffet whose specialty was greasy steaks, and they kept their writing hands jammed deep in their pockets.

But in those heady days, comps were not on gamblers’ minds. They wanted action, and if you could squeeze your way onto a crowded table or find an empty slot machine, they got it. That quickly changed as other casinos found spots inside the Delta levees and gamblers learned how to score comps.

Many gamblers think comps are free and are a payback for the money they lost gambling. This is a myth. You earn them by your play, and the more you play, the more the comps pile up. (more…)

A combination of the Florida racinos, racetracks and jai alai frontons along with the Seminole Tribe of Florida have all added reasons for celebrations. The facilities are gaining various combinations of tax breaks and expansion of products and hours — courtesy of a wide-ranging gaming law the Florida Legislature and Gov. Charlie Crist approved in late April.

A central part of the new law is a Tribal-State Compact between the Seminoles and the state government that gives the Tribe the state’s permission to continue with Class III Las Vegas-style slot machines at all seven of their casinos and with blackjack and baccarat at five of those facilities. In return, the Seminoles will pay the state a minimum of $1 billion from their gaming revenues over the next five years.

The Compact will become effective upon approval of the National Indian Gaming Commission. As of late May, that federal agency was still reviewing the Compact. (more…)

Most people believe you have to be a total degenerate to bet on preseason football. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. Preseason can be beat if you understand what preseason football is all about. Forget trying to handicap preseason football like a regular season game. Don’t get overly excited about offensive and defensive stats, because that doesn’t apply in my handicapping when it comes to preseason games.

Here’s the first and most important factor when it comes to beating preseason football. These games don’t mean a thing, that’s why they are called exhibition games. Understand that, more importantly, you are handicapping agendas instead of team strengths and weaknesses. Every week the coaching staff has an agenda they want to accomplish for that week.

Coaches treat each week of the preseason differently. One week they may want to be looking at their young players in key situations. Maybe they have hired a new offensive line coach in the off-season and want to work on a new blocking scheme for the offensive line. If a coach wasn’t happy with a certain area of a team’s performance the previous week, he may put more of an emphasis on that area in the next preseason game. So if you know the coach isn’t happy with the running game or the blocking of the offensive line, then most likely they are going to make a point of working on the running game this week. That kind of information would have a major bearing on betting the total. (more…)

Southern Gaming’s Official Casino Comp Representative

Southern Gaming and Destinations is excited to announce our new Official Comp Representative, Casino Rated Players. Casino Rated Players (CRP) is a licensed independent casino representative who works directly with casinos in booking gamblers’ reservations at 25 casinos in North America and the Caribbean. Recently, we caught up with the CEO of the company, Bill Forhan, to discuss the services that Casino Rated Players can offer to readers
like you.
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In this article John Pappas, executive director of the Poker Players Alliance, urges you to become engaged in the political process and help exert the influence needed to protect your gaming rights.

Given the many critical issues facing the nation these days, the fate of gambling and poker is not very high on the priority list for lawmakers. Yet, there are efforts at the federal level and in the states to both curb citizens’ gaming rights as well as expand them. As our nation celebrates its independence this month, I call on you to become engaged in the political process and help exert the influence needed to protect your gaming rights. (more…)

The thought of summertime usually translates to baseball and beach getaways. But in addition to the ordinary road trips for sun and sports, there are other fan favorite events that come along with the warm Summer months – outdoor concerts. The Kentuckiana “River Region” is filled with an array of outdoor entertainment this year thanks to the inaugural Hullabalou Music Festival at Churchill Downs and the annual Outdoor Summer Concert Series at Horseshoe Casino in Southern Indiana. Organizers of both events have jammed their lineups with legendary acts in an effort to expand their customer base. By showcasing their venues and what they have to offer guests, both Churchill Downs and Horseshoe Southern Indiana officials say the concerts are an effective way to win new customers.

“Hullabalou will bring a lot of new people to our property and expose them to what we do,” says Todd Koesters, vice president of marketing and sales for Churchill Downs Entertainment Group. “This is a way to get them to this iconic facility. Yes, we’re known for the Kentucky Derby and horse racing, but we are an entertainment company, too, and entertainment is what we do.”
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The summer is a lively time for traveling and a perfect time for gamers to take their pick from an array of exciting promotions and special rates offered by the casinos, racinos and other gaming establishments. When planning a trip or getaway, it is always nice to mix up the itinerary and check out the towns and surrounding communities when you plan your adventure. Southern Gaming has put together a roadmap that outlines some of our favorite festivals for this summer that are in close proximity of gaming facilities. We encourage you to explore more and consider these options for your next trip. Good luck!

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/ra•ci•no/ noun : a racetrack at which slot machines are available for gamblers

Southern Gaming’s definition of a racino – a racetrack that combines the thrill of racing with gambling & luxuries of a casino.

Webster’s Dictionary can “define” a racino, but racinos are now much more than just slots at a racetrack. In addition to slot machines, many racetracks are now adding table games and elaborate poker rooms. Combine the thrill of live racing & convenience of simulcast racing with the luxuries & gambling experience of a casino…and you’ve hit the jackpot! There is no better place to be than the place that has it all- a Racino.
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Sir Barton

1919 Triple Crown Champion

The search for thoroughbred racing’s 12th Triple Crown champion will resume beneath the Twin Spires of Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on Saturday, May 1. A horse has not entered this elite fraternity since 1978, a record drought since Affirmed’s coronation. It reiterates that commandeering the title of “Triple Crown champion” ranks as one of the most difficult feats in American sports. (more…)

“While smoking a cigar, we are in the presence of eternity. The tobacco reminds us of the earth, from which it and we came. As with ourselves, the life of some cigars are short, while others last a while longer, but in the end all are consumed. But the smoke, ah, the smoke! The smoke drifts gently heavenward on its quest to combine with the great eternal oneness.”

—Prince Sined Yar Maharg

“If I cannot smoke cigars in heaven, I shall not go!”
—Mark Twain

Whether you’re a high roller, or a virtual vagrant when it comes to your gaming acumen, most casino-goers want to project an image of confidence and sophistication. Picture in your head the quintessential playboy strolling the casino floor — they’d look out of place without a bourbon in one hand and a cigar in the other, right?

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Premium casino properties are known to boast the finest of everything, from hotels and restaurants to shopping and spas. When it comes to attracting the high rollers, there isn’t much they won’t do — within the confines of the law. One of the most popular warm weather activities for those with the gambling gene is the game of golf. Men and women from around the globe have adopted this sport as one of their favorite passtimes and routinely build full-blown trips that center around the quality of golf courses at different gaming destinations. If you are looking for a trip that encompasses golf, gambling and great times, Southern Gaming has put together a road map of the top casino courses to consider.

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After three years, the racinos in Florida provide some important lessons to other states on how tax rates, competition from other gaming businesses, and the overall economy, can help determine the early success of new slot machine ventures. The financial results through early 2010 indicate that high tax rates and the inability to offer some of gaming’s most attractive products can be barriers to gaining high profitability, even in a large and gaming-hungry market like Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

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