Japan Open to Two More Integrated Resorts
Japan has announced that applications for new casino resorts (integrated resorts) will be accepted starting May 2027. Round 1A – First IR Approved In July 2018, the Japanese government approved a bill to legalize casinos in the country and set up an application process for up to three IRs in Japan under the Integrated Resort…
Can AI Replace Casino Analysts? A Real-World Test of ChatGPT’s Market Forecasting Skills
Life moves pretty fast, but sometimes we need to slow it down a bit. You’re doing that right now by reading this blog post. The world of AI, or the world which AI is creating, is developing at break-neck speed. The capabilities of AI are growing and increasing so fast that even those actively trying…
Japan’s Integrated Resort Market Reopens?
The sun’ll come outTomorrowBet your bottom dollarThat tomorrow there’ll be sun The Land of the Rising Sun looks to be back in play for new IR licensing opportunities. While it is hard to get overly optimistic about the prospects after initial efforts resulted in only one surviving bid, there are several factors now that could…
Analytics · Casino · Community · Development · Economics · Integrated Resorts · Strategy · Tax · United States
Strategy and change in Today’s casino gaming industry
The casino gaming industry in 2025 is in flux, between tax law changes (i.e. sports betting tax rates in Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, and of course Illinois, and loss deduction provisions of the beautiful bill), evolving regulations (i.e. sweepstakes and VGMs), shifting consumer demographics and preferences, and the need to balance economic growth with community…
Omni-Channel (and Online Casino) Gaming
I was recently asked to speak on a panel during the Digital Play Summit at the Indian Gaming Association Tradeshow and Convention on the topic of Omni-Channel gaming (offering online casino games in addition to bricks and mortar), and how shifting consumer behaviors are reshaping gaming. Interesting and timely topic (check), highly successful and impressive…
Accept AI for its imperfections and use it to pull ahead
Perhaps I’ve been expecting too much from AI. Perhaps I need to dive in with both feet, accept AI for its imperfections, and figure out the myriad ways it can help me and my clients in our work. Today, I spoke with a long-time and dear friend, Kimberly Arnold of Escalate Solutions. Kimberly has spent…
Will AI Re-Invent Research Soon?
We live in a fast-paced world where everything seems to be at our fingertips – we can search out any answer, buy any product, or solve nearly any problem with just the phone in our hands. We “Google” and we ask Siri anything that pops into our heads. As AI continues to emerge into our…
Chinese Tourist Return and the Future of Asian Casinos
For the past several decades, rapid growth in international travel by Chinese residents has fueled the tourism and gaming industries in Asia. As with the rest of the world, this came to a grinding halt in 2020 as a result of the pandemic. However, unlike much of the rest of the world, the return of…
Gaming Meets Hospitality
Consumer desires have changed, and the gaming and entertainment industries are at a crossroads. For casino resorts to attract and retain customers, they must “reposition themselves as a premier destination for all consumers, including non-gamers, integrating various elements and attractions within as a part of a broader destination experience,” according to the latest piece by…
Cautiously Curious and Learning More about AI
I’ve got to admit a couple of things. First, I’m still curious about AI. Second, this year I fell a bit behind in my required continuing education to maintain my AICP certification. Between preparing for and completing the 16-week Goldman Sachs 10KSB Program and simultaneously managing and working in our company, I just didn’t finish…
Learning to be a better business leader and advisor
Nearly 16 weeks ago, I embarked on a grueling plan to make myself a better business leader and better advisor to my clients through the Goldman Sachs 10KSB program developed by Babson College (the nation’s top-ranked school for entrepreneurship).
Forever Learning, and Apparently Quicker and Better than AI
At Convergence Strategy Group, we are continually refreshing our skills, learning new things, questioning, and growing. Whether through mandated continuing education to maintain my AICP credentials, industry conferences, podcasts, books, or news articles, we are constantly expanding our knowledge base. That brings me to AI, the most hyped-up tool I can recall in some time….
Will Casino Gaming Come to the Lone Star State?
The December issue of GGB Global Gaming Business Magazine leads with the Top 10 industry trends for 2023, including integrated resorts in Europe, microbetting, casino marketing changes, and Trend #4: Texas Teases by CSG Managing Partner Suzanne P. Leckert. The article addresses the potential for casino gaming legislation in Texas: The rumors have been going around…
Check the Freshness Date
The following article by CSG Principals, Scott Fisher and Suzanne Leckert, was recently featured in GGB News: When seeking advice from consultants, don’t just take their word for it or even their data. Information compiled years ago may not be applicable to current situations so make sure your data is up to date. Making decisions…
Suzanne Leckert debates sports books at stadiums on “Chicago Tonight”
Convergence Strategy Group’s Managing Partner, Suzanne Leckert, was featured on WTTW’s popular program “Chicago Tonight” to debate the City of Chicago’s proposal to allow sports books near the city’s five sports stadiums. The ordinance allows for large-scale entertainment and wagering facilities within a 5-block radius of each stadium, operational 365 days per year. The impact…