Welcome to the Weekend Report, where iGB looks at the news that you may have missed across Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This week: SL Green CEO £10 million bonus hinges on Times Square casino, expert warns computer game addiction drives teens to gambling and OBE for GambleAware CEO.
SL Green CEO set for £10 million Times Square casino bonus
Up first, Marc Holliday, the CEO of real estate investment trust, will receive a $10 million (£8 million/€9.7 million) bonus if he can secure a land-based casino at New York’s iconic Times Square.
According to Crain’s New York Business, SL Green confirmed the bonus last week. The trust is hoping to gain permission from the state to convert a 54-storey tower into a casino and hotel.
SL Green is working in partnership with Caesars Entertainment and Roc Nation on the bid for a New York casino. However, the project faces competition from a host of other interested parties.
The Related Cos., Silverstein Properties, Bally’s, Miriam Adelson’s Las Vegas Sands, and New York Mets owner Steve Cohen have lodged bids. Applications are due in June, with a decision set to be made on the three downstate casino licences by December.
“SL Green is a New York City company that succeeds when this city succeeds,” an SL Green spokesman said. “Caesars Palace Times Square would be a massive win for the city, for Times Square, and for our company and its shareholders.”
Expert warns over links between computer game addition and gambling
Elsewhere, a senior therapist has issued a warning over apparent links between computer game addiction and gambling among Scottish teenagers.
Tony Marini from the Castle Craig rehab centre, said young people are becoming obsessed with computer gaming and social media. Marini, a former gambling addict, said he is seeing more young people with problems cross online gaming and social networking.
Speaking to the Sunday Mail, Marini said gaming websites are “hooking” youngsters in from a young age. This, he adds, can lead to addiction in other areas such as gambling and drugs.
“From personal experience I do think there is a connection with gaming and social media use and people developing problems with gambling,” Marini said. “There are platforms and sites which are filled with gambling adverts that draw youngsters in from such a young age.
“All the gambling sites are advertising on gaming sites, for example.”
All-in Diversity Project co-founder departs
Also in the UK, Kelly Kehn, co-founder of the All-in Diversity Project, has stepped down from her role with the organisation.
Kehn helped launch the All-in Diversity Project in 2017 and has helped lead the initiative for the past seven years. However, she has now left the organisation, with Christina Thakor-Rankin taking the reigns.
The All-in Diversity Project is a not-for-profit initiative that benchmarks culture and inclusion for businesses in gambling.
Aside from overseeing the project, Kehn co-founded start-up Defy the Odds in September last year. She is also a director of another start-up in igaming-focused FUNNZ.
“This decision is bittersweet,” Kehn said on LinkedIn. “I am filled with gratitude for what we’ve achieved and for the community that has supported us along the way. I’m proud of all of us and how far we’ve come.”
SMX League pens betting data deal
Meanwhile, the SuperMotocross League (SMX League) has entered a sports betting data partnership with ALT Sports Data.
Under the deal, ALT and its proprietary simulation trading platform will enable betting on the entire SMX World Championship Series. This includes the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, Pro Motocross and SMX World Championship Playoffs.
This represents the first data partnership of the SMX League in the US sports betting market. However, the deal also covers working with operators in markets around the world.
“We are very excited to join forces with ALT Sports Data,” said Dave Prater, vice president of Supercross for Feld Motor Sports. “We look forward to utilising their knowledge and experience to help elevate the opportunities fans have to engage with the sport.”
GambleAware CEO Osmond to receive OBE
And finally this week, GambleAware CEO Zoë Osmond has been awarded an OBE for services to tackling gambling harms.
Osmond, who has led the organisation since April 2021, was among those named in the New Year Honours List. She joined GambleAware in September 2018 as a campaign advisor.
Speaking about her OBE, Osmond said she was “deeply humbled and honoured”.
“This is recognition of the tireless efforts of the whole team at GambleAware, our partners, and the wider lived experience community who have shared their personal stories and insights with the hope of reducing gambling-related harm across Great Britain,” Osmond said.
“I am privileged to lead an organisation that is committed to supporting those affected by gambling harms, raising awareness, and driving meaningful change.”
