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Boyd Gaming Reports Second-Quarter 2020 Results

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Boyd Gaming Corporation reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020.

Keith Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boyd Gaming, said: “Across the country, our team members did a tremendous job getting our properties back open quickly and safely over the final six weeks of the quarter. And since reopening began, we are off to an excellent start. On a comparable basis at our reopened properties, we achieved Companywide EBITDAR growth and significant margin improvement while complying with state-regulated reductions in gaming capacity. During the reopening period, our Midwest & South properties posted double-digit EBITDAR gains, while our Las Vegas Locals properties also improved EBITDAR performance versus prior year. While overall visitation and revenues are down, spend per visit is robust, and we have successfully streamlined operating and marketing expenses to drive margin gains of more than 1,000 basis points in both the Midwest & South and Las Vegas Locals segments. These positive operating trends are continuing into July, giving us confidence that we can sustain increased efficiencies in our operating model.”

Smith continued: “We are also making great progress positioning our Company for the digital future of our industry. With the recent launch of our Stardust Social Casino mobile app, we established our first interactive gaming presence under the Stardust brand. We also continued to expand our strategic partnership with FanDuel Group as we introduced an online casino product in the state of Pennsylvania. With our industry-leading strategic partner and the iconic Stardust brand, Boyd Gaming is in an excellent position to capitalize on the compelling growth opportunity presented by interactive gaming and mobile sports betting.”

Due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Boyd Gaming reported second-quarter 2020 revenues of $209.9 million, compared to $846.1 million in the second quarter of 2019. The Company recorded a net loss of $108.5 million, or $0.96 per share, for the second quarter of 2020, compared to net income of $48.5 million, or $0.43 per share, for the year-ago period.

Total Adjusted EBITDAR(1) was $16.1 million in the second quarter of 2020, compared to $232.6 million in the second quarter of 2019. Adjusted Earnings(1) for the second quarter of 2020 reflect a loss of $110.5 million, or $0.98 per share, compared to Adjusted Earnings of $52.5 million, or $0.46 per share, for the same period in 2019.

Operations Review
During the period from March 18 through May 19, 2020, all 29 of the Company’s properties nationwide were closed under state and local orders aimed at mitigating the spread of COVID-19. The Company resumed operations at 26 properties on the following dates.(2)

May 20: Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, Treasure Chest
May 21: IP Casino Resort Spa, Sam’s Town Tunica
May 23: Kansas Star
May 27: Sam’s Town Shreveport, Amelia Belle
June 1: Ameristar St. Charles, Ameristar Kansas City, Diamond Jo Dubuque, Diamond Jo Worth
June 4: The Orleans, Gold Coast, Suncoast, Aliante, Cannery, Sam’s Town, Jokers Wild, California, Fremont
June 15: Blue Chip, Belterra Casino Resort
June 19: Belterra Park
June 26: Valley Forge
July 1: Par-A-Dice

The following comparisons reflect operating trends for the period from the reopening date of each property through June 30, 2020, as compared to the corresponding period of the prior year. All properties operated under significantly reduced capacity in compliance with local and state restrictions.

Combined revenues for the 16 reopened Midwest & South segment properties were down 18% from the comparable prior-year period, while combined Adjusted EBITDAR rose 16% and operating margins increased more than 1,200 basis points. The seven Las Vegas Locals properties that reopened on June 4, 2020, reported a combined revenue decrease of 28% from the prior year, while combined Adjusted EBITDAR grew 1% and operating margins increased nearly 1,300 basis points. The Company’s two reopened Downtown Las Vegas segment properties reported a combined revenue decline of 60% from the prior year while combined Adjusted EBITDAR for the reopening period was breakeven, reflecting the impact of reduced visitation to Las Vegas as well as lower business volumes from the Company’s Hawaiian customer base.

Segment results for the second quarter and year-to-date periods ended June 30, 2020, are presented in the financial tables accompanying this release.

(2) As of July 28, 2020, Eastside Cannery, Eldorado and Main Street Station remain closed to the public.

Balance Sheet Update

As of June 30, 2020, Boyd Gaming had cash on hand of $1.31 billion, and total debt of $4.98 billion. Cash and debt balances reflect the Company’s issuance of $600 million of 8.625% senior notes due 2025 on May 21, 2020, as well as $670 million drawn from the Company’s revolving credit facilities on March 16, 2020.

Conference Call Information

Boyd Gaming will host a conference call to discuss second-quarter 2020 results today, July 28, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. The conference call number is (888) 317-6003, passcode 6244842. Please call up to 15 minutes in advance to ensure you are connected prior to the start of the call.

The conference call will also be available live on the Internet at www.boydgaming.com, or: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/964/35870.

Following the call’s completion, a replay will be available by dialing (877) 344-7529 today, July 28, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Eastern and continuing through Tuesday, August 4 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. The conference number for the replay will be 10146576. The replay will also be available on the Internet at www.boydgaming.com.

About Boyd Gaming:
Founded in 1975, Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE: BYD) is a leading geographically diversified operator of 29 gaming entertainment properties in 10 states. The Company is also a strategic partner and 5% equity owner of FanDuel Group, the nation’s leading sports-betting and iGaming operator. With one of the most experienced leadership teams in the casino industry, Boyd Gaming prides itself on offering its guests an outstanding entertainment experience, delivered with unwavering attention to customer service. For additional Company information and press releases, visit www.boydgaming.com.

SOURCE Boyd Gaming Corporation

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AGLC

Casino ATM Scam in Edmonton Reveals Money Laundering and Drug Links

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Law enforcement in Alberta continues to search for the last suspect in a sophisticated fraud operation that targeted ATMs in Edmonton-area casinos and resulted in over CAD 1 million ($720,487) in losses throughout Western Canada.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has confirmed that Hisham Ismaeel, 28, remains at large with a province-wide warrant for his arrest. He faces charges of fraud exceeding $5000 and possessing proceeds of crime. Police have already arrested four other men linked to the scheme. Investigators describe the operation as a well-planned effort to exploit financial systems and clean dirty money.

The accused, Elliot Miao, 42, Van Bau Ta, 39, Hassan Jaafar Haydar Ahmad, 37, and Dennis Jones, 42, showed up in the Alberta Court of Justice last week. They face charges from fraud and money laundering to owning criminal property. Miao also has a narcotics trafficking charge after police found cocaine when they searched with warrants.

Investigators claim the group made coordinated withdrawals at several casino ATMs, timing their transactions to avoid getting caught. This action messed up ATM networks in the area and showed flaws in the systems that banks and casinos use to stop misuse.

The RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region led an investigation that involved six search warrants in Edmonton. The Edmonton Police Service, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC), and several banks supported this effort. Officials said the case shows how teamwork between public agencies and the private sector plays a key role in combating modern financial crime.

AGLC representatives pointed out that casino operators in the province must follow strict reporting and surveillance rules under Canada’s anti-money laundering laws. The specific casinos affected remain unnamed, but the Edmonton region has seven licensed facilities. AGLC said its policies helped spot problems and backed the RCMP’s investigation.

Compliance experts say this fraud shows how criminals change their methods to take advantage of weak spots in reporting limits and transaction checks. They claim that casinos, which deal with lots of cash, are still easy targets unless they keep improving their detection systems and teach their front-line workers to notice coordinated actions like several big withdrawals happening one after another.

For now, the case highlights both the money and crime aspects of casino-related fraud. Besides the million-dollar losses, finding drugs during the raids points to a bigger criminal operation where financial crimes and drug dealing overlap.

The post Casino ATM Scam in Edmonton Reveals Money Laundering and Drug Links appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Bragg Gaming

Bragg Confirms Cyber Attack – Hackers Access Internal IT Systems

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Bragg Gaming Group, a leading online gaming technology provider, has confirmed a major cybersecurity incident that compromised its internal IT infrastructure in the early hours of Saturday, August 16, 2025.

The company detected unauthorized intrusion attempts that successfully breached its internal network, triggering an immediate and comprehensive incident response.

Key Takeaways

  • Bragg Gaming Group experienced a cybersecurity breach involving access to internal IT systems.

  • No customer personal data or payment information appears to have been compromised.

  • The company has enacted full containment and investigation protocols.

Details of the Breach

According to a preliminary forensic analysis by Bragg’s internal security team, the attack was a targeted breach aimed at the company’s internal computer environment. While the exact method of intrusion is still under investigation, early indicators suggest a sophisticated exploit of internal network vulnerabilities.

Fortunately, the company’s customer-facing systems, including sensitive user data and financial information, appear to have been unaffected. Bragg’s existing encryption protocols and access control systems successfully prevented the attackers from accessing customer information.

Immediate Response Measures

In response to the breach, Bragg launched a multi-tiered containment strategy, including:

  • Network Segmentation to isolate affected systems

  • Enhanced Monitoring of data flows across its Remote Games Server (RGS) platform

  • Security Audits of critical infrastructure, including the Bragg Hub and PAM systems

  • Engagement of Independent Cybersecurity Experts to assist in incident analysis and system hardening

Bragg’s Security Operations Center has also elevated its alert level, initiating 24/7 monitoring across all server clusters and network endpoints. In addition, company-wide penetration testing is now underway to proactively identify any residual vulnerabilities.

Business Continuity Maintained

Despite the severity of the breach, Bragg reports that its operations remain unaffected. All gaming services, including iCasino and sportsbook offerings across regulated markets, continue to function without disruption.

“While this incident is deeply concerning, we are confident in the rapid and thorough response initiated by our team,” a company spokesperson stated. “We remain committed to protecting our infrastructure, our partners, and most importantly, our players.”

Looking Ahead

As part of its response, Bragg has also launched mandatory security awareness training for all employees to reinforce best practices and prevent future incidents.

Cybersecurity analysts will continue working with Bragg to determine the full scope of the attack, improve system resilience, and maintain the trust of its users and stakeholders.

Bragg’s handling of the incident highlights both the evolving nature of cybersecurity threats and the importance of robust, responsive defense systems in the digital gaming sector.

Source: cybersecuritynews.com

The post Bragg Confirms Cyber Attack – Hackers Access Internal IT Systems appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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AGCO

AGCO Removes Cap on Seller Commission for Charitable Lottery Products

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The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has updated several lottery policies to remove the cap on seller commission for Paper Raffles and Media Bingo, along with removing the prohibition on Catch the Ace paper lotteries, to align with other charitable lottery products.

Licensed charities may now negotiate commissions directly with sellers and determine commissions, provided they are reasonable and tied to the cost of service provided by the seller.

These updates further the AGCO’s commitment to adopt an outcomes-based regulatory approach and reduce burden for the charitable gaming sector. Local charitable organizations will have greater flexibility to make decisions that best serve their fundraising objectives.

Important Reminders

• Charities must still receive approval for other expenses incurred under their licence and retain receipts for seller commission paid.

• Licensing authorities will not require documentation to be submitted as part of the application process, however, charities are still subject to audit to determine compliance.

• Charities are reminded of their legal requirement to meet their obligations under the Criminal Code and with respect to conducting and managing a charitable gaming scheme.

• As with all licensed charitable lottery events, charities must take the necessary steps to ensure that they are conducting and managing the lottery event within Ontario.

For charitable gaming-related inquiries, email an AGCO Eligibility Officer at [email protected] or call AGCO Customer Service at 1-800-522-2876, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The post AGCO Removes Cap on Seller Commission for Charitable Lottery Products appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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