New retail Caesars Sportsbook in Maryland; Baltimore casino evacuated

Caesars Entertainment has expanded its retail sportsbook reach in the state of Maryland. The company has opened a new location at Long Shot’s in Frederick, Md.

The new location adds to the company’s sportsbooks at Horseshoe Baltimore Casino, also in Maryland, and Capital One Arena in the District of Columbia.

“We’re proud to partner with Long Shot’s, a women-owned and operated business that has established a remarkable reputation in the growing Frederick community, to bring in-person sports betting back to the sports fans in the area,” said Dan Shapiro, SVP and chief development officer at Caesars Digital.

Caesars is not the first company to run a retail sportsbook at Long Shot’s. U.K.-based company BetFred opened a sportsbook at the location in October 2023. After posting low revenue numbers from both retail and online services, BetFred ceased retail operations in Maryland on June 30, 2024, followed by mobile online service ending on July 31, 2024.

“This partnership not only allows us to connect with more Maryland sports fans but also provides an exciting destination for those looking to experience the energy of in-person sports betting,” Shapiro said.

Shapiro thanked the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Commission and their new partner Cohenterprises Inc. for making the new location possible.

Caesars Sportsbook at Long Shot’s is a 4,900-square-foot space with a variety of viewing options, including a lounge and bar with seating that can accommodate single customers or larger groups. The space features eight self-service sports betting kiosks and three video walls. Sports fans who visit can now enjoy more ways to bet than previously offered at the location, including in-game wagering and same-game parlays. Long Shot’s also offers pari-mutuel horse race wagering.

Horseshoe Casino Baltimore Evacuated

Meanwhile, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment, had to evacuate all guests and staff on Sunday due to water damage caused by a pipe failure.

The casino was temporarily closed for crews to address the water damage. The facility’s 122,000-square-foot gaming floor holds 97 table games, 56 electronic table games, and over 1,600 slot machines.

The company announced on Facebook it planned to reopen at noon on Monday.

Negative Revenue Numbers in Baltimore

Horseshoe Casino Baltimore opened in August 2014. In recent months the facility has struggled with negative revenue numbers compared to 2023, according to data reported by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency.

November 2024

(1,340 slot machines, 115 table games)
$14,346,106 in November 2024, a decrease of $254,331 (-1.7%) from November 2023

October 2024

(1,344 slot machines, 115 table games)
$13,758,540 in October 2024, a decrease of $1,113,756 (-7.5%) from October 2023

September 2024

(1,344 slot machines, 115 table games)
$13,119,567 in September 2024, a decrease of $1,332,169 (-9.2%) from September 2023

August 2024

(1,349 slot machines, 115 table games)
$14,427,383 in August 2024, a decrease of $979,707 (-6.4%) from August 2023

July 2024

(1,347 slot machines, 115 table games)
$13,317,234 in July 2024, a decrease of $2,704,446 (-16.9%) from July 2023

June 2024

(1,380 slot machines, 115 table games)
$14,112,716 in June 2024, a decrease of $1,828,493 (-11.5%) from June 2023

New $270 million Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana ready for grand opening

The Cordish Companies announced Friday the highly anticipated grand opening of their new $270 million Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana will take place on Feb. 13 (pending approval from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board).

Situated along the scenic Red River in Bossier City, and adjacent to Shreveport, the $270+ million facility will be a transformative development bringing economic opportunity and inclusivity to local residents.

“Starting today, guests can book reservations at the luxury Live! Hotel online at Louisiana.LiveCasinoHotel.com,” The Cordish Companies said in a company press release.

Tickets are also on sale now at AXS.com or Louisiana.LiveCasinoHotel.com for the inaugural lineup of entertainment at the new Event Center at Live!, featuring Walker Hayes (Feb. 28), The Commodores (March 7), Matt Mathews (March 8), and Clint Black (March 29).

Whether you're a sports fan, a foodie, a gaming enthusiast, or just seeking an unforgettable night out, “you'll find it all under one roof,” said John Chaszar, executive vice president and general manager of Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana. "We are so ready to go Live! in 2025 and deliver this top-tier gaming and entertainment experience that is unmatched by anything else in the four-state region.”

“We couldn't be more pleased to be able to put our beautiful new hotel rooms and show tickets on sale now, just in time for the holiday, so our future guests could surprise their loved ones with a night on the town at the hottest new gaming and entertainment destination in the Shreveport-Bossier market," said Joshua Robinson, vice president of Marketing at Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana.

Property Features

• 47,000 square feet of gaming space
• More than 1,000 slots and electronic table games
• Over 40 live-action table games
• Dedicated High Limits Room
• Industry-leading sportsbook
• Luxury, 12-story, 549-room Live! Hotel with resort-style pool and fitness center
• A 31-site RV park with concrete pads and full hookups
• 30,000 square feet of dining and entertainment options
• Resort pool and fitness center
• Event Center featuring 25,000 square feet of customizable meeting space to accommodate groups of 12 to nearly 1,200 guests
• Convenient access to parking with an attached multi-level structured parking facility and adjacent surface parking

Restaurant Lineup

The lineup of premier dining and entertainment options will include:

Sports & Social, the premier sports bar and restaurant in the United States offers guests an immersive sports entertainment atmosphere as the next best game-watching experience outside of a stadium or arena.

Born from the toughest sport on dirt, the iconic PBR Cowboy Bar lives up to its legendary namesake, Professional Bull Riders, which embodies toughness, determination, and a true spirit of independence.

Luk Fu (pronounced "Luck Foo"), is a vibrant Asian-themed restaurant featuring the traditional flavors of Southeast Asia.

The Prime Rib is renowned for luxurious fine dining and exceptional service in an environment of timeless sophistication.

Ridotto Grand Café, conveniently located adjacent to the hotel lobby, will offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.

VIP Play gains access to West Virginia iGaming market

Mobile gaming operator VIP Play, Inc. has agreed to terms with Delaware North to operate in West Virginia under Delaware North's Wheeling Island Casino license. The company is already operating in Tennessee as ZenSports.

Delaware North is a global hospitality and entertainment company with a significant gaming division, including a portfolio of regional casinos in eight states.

As part of the agreement, VIP Play will pay Delaware North a percentage of its online net gaming revenue during the term.

The new agreement with Delaware North marks the start of VIP Play's 2025 U.S. expansion efforts. The team expects to launch in West Virginia (pending regulatory approval) before the 2025 collegiate football season and in coordination with the development of the newly branded and designed VIP Play app, set to debut in Tennessee next year.

Bruce Cassidy, CEO and chairman of the board at VIP Play, said West Virginia is an ideal market for the company.

“We welcome the addition of online casino – "iGaming" – to our list of offerings within the U.S. and are excited to bring the VIP Play mobile app to West Virginia residents and visitors in 2025.”

New customers at ZenSports received a No Danger First Wager Up To $100. If your first bet loses, get it back as cash up to $100.

App Upgrade

In November, VIP Play announced they had signed a multi-year agreement with the Kambi Group to power their sportsbook growth in Tennessee and in future markets.

VIP Play (formerly known as KeyStar Corp.) acquired the assets of the ZenSports platform in 2022 and has operated in Tennessee as ZenSports since July 2023.

VIP Play will use Kambi Turnkey Sportsbook and its proprietary technology to build an entirely customized version of the Kambi platform compared to what is available in the industry today. The new upgrade is designed to deliver speed, stability, and flexibility in highly competitive markets across the globe.

Tennessee Sports Betting Revenue

Sports bettors in Tennessee are supporting the market with big numbers.

In November, the monthly sports gaming report from the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council showed the state handled a record-breaking $594 million in bets during the month. That total marks an 8.5% increase on the previous all-time high of $547 million set in October.

Pegasus Airlines orders 100 Boeing 737-10 MAX jets

On Thursday, Boeing and Pegasus Airlines announced that Türkiye's leading low-cost carrier will grow and modernize its single-aisle fleet with an order for up to 200 737 MAX airplanes. The airline's purchase includes a firm order for 100 737-10 jets – plus options for 100 more.

The largest model in the 737 MAX family, the 737-10 can carry as many as 230 passengers and has a range of up to 5,740 kilometers (3,100 nautical miles). It reduces fuel use and emissions by 20% compared to the airplanes it replaces. “The airplane's efficiency and flexibility will enable Pegasus Airlines to serve more passengers on more routes with the lowest cost per seat of any single-aisle airplane,” Boeing said in a company press release.

Pegasus Airlines CEO Güliz Öztürk said the new aircraft will help the company open new routes.

"Boeing aircraft have been an integral part of our operations since Pegasus entered the aviation industry in 1990," Öztürk said. "We continue to invest in our fleet in line with our growth targets in Türkiye and globally, and to expand our network by launching new routes."

Ozturk added: "The first 100 aircraft are firm orders and we will be evaluating converting the remaining 100 aircraft options into firm orders in the coming years, based on market conditions and the needs of our fleet."

Pegasus Airlines launched operations with the Boeing 737 Classic nearly 35 years ago. The 737-10 will complement the airline's fleet of Next-Generation 737s by providing operational commonality and flexibility to meet growing travel demand.

The 737-10 will support Pegasus Airlines in reaching new markets across Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa. Boeing's Commercial Market Outlook forecasts that European and Central Asian operators will take delivery of nearly 7,900 single-aisle airplanes over the next 20 years.

"When considered within the scope of Boeing's National Aerospace Initiative launched with the Turkish government in 2017, our order will also open new doors and create production and export opportunities both for Turkish manufacturers and for the wider aviation industry," said Öztürk.

Pegasus Airlines' purchase of 100 737-10 jets will bring the total orders of the 737 MAX variant to more than 1,200 jets.

Incorporated in 1990, Pegasus was acquired by ESAS Holding in 2005 and launched as a scheduled low-cost carrier. Pegasus carries its guests to 144 destinations, with 35 in Türkiye and 109 on its international network, in 53 countries.

First Airbus A400M cargo plane for Kazakhstan

Airbus Defence and Space has delivered the first Airbus A400M to the Republic of Kazakhstan. The plane will become the cornerstone of the country’s tactical and strategic airlift operations.

Following a ferry flight from Airbus’ A400M Final Assembly Line in Seville, southern Spain, the first of two Airbus A400Ms was handed over during a ceremony in Almaty, south Kazakhstan.

“Proven for over a decade in military and humanitarian operations worldwide, the A400M is a game changer for the Kazakh Air Defense Forces, delivering unrivaled tactical and strategic capabilities in a single platform,” said Jean-Brice Dumont, head of air power at Airbus Defence and Space. “A second A400M, currently in production, will further strengthen these capabilities on its delivery in 2026.”

With the delivery of this aircraft, production number MSN139, Airbus will also provide a full range of maintenance and training support.

To date, more than 130 A400Ms have been delivered to nine countries and have accumulated 200,000 flight hours, participating in missions such as the evacuation of civilian and military personnel from Afghanistan, Sudan and Niger. The A400M can transport heavy and outsized cargo onto short, unprepared airstrips and drop up to 116 paratroopers or 25 tons of cargo.

DEA requests new airborne imaging systems for aircraft

The Aviation Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) wants to install new airborne imaging systems and mission equipment aboard its aircraft.

According to a Request for Proposal (RFP) document released in November, the new imaging equipment will be installed on Cessna 206 and Cessna 208 aircraft along with Bell 407 and Bell 412 helicopters.

The RFP document shows an estimated nine Cessna 206, two Cessna 208, two Cessna 208B, five Bell 407, and one Bell 412 will receive the new imaging equipment.

Cessna 206

The new airborne imaging systems for each Cessna 206 aircraft shall consist of one L3Harris Wescam MX-10 Gyro-stabilized EO/IR imager and associated equipment. The MX-10 shall be mounted on the left side of the aircraft just behind the rear most window via a fuselage camera mount. The operator console will be in the rear cabin area directly behind the pilot and copilot’s seats.

The contractor will also install and integrate the Janteq AViTR3 Transceiver System. This system will transmit C-Band frequencies while receiving L-Band frequencies allowing live video through a secure connection to and from Adaptive Central Receive Systems, or ACRx citywide systems.

ACRx is a video collection, transport, and centralized receive system designed to maximize coverage area and support a scalable number of subscribers. ACRx systems are deployed in many of the metropolitan areas across the United States and are shared by the FBI and other Department of Justice (DOJ) law enforcement agencies. All data collected is backhauled to a local DOJ facility located in the area of responsibility.

Cessna 208

The airborne imaging systems for each Cessna 208 aircraft shall consist of one L3Harris Wescam MX-15HDi Gyro-stabilized EO/IR imager and associated equipment. The MX-15HDi shall be mounted on the left side of the aircraft via a fuselage camera mount.

Bell 407

The airborne imaging systems for each Bell 407 shall consist of one L3Harris Wescam MX-10 Gyro-stabilized EO/IR imager and associated equipment. The imager for the Bell 407 shall be mounted on the aircraft’s nose utilizing an imager mount.

Bell 412

The airborne imaging systems for each Bell 412 shall consist of one L3Harris Wescam MX-10 Gyro-stabilized EO/IR imager and associated equipment. The Imager for the Bell 412 shall be mounted on the aircraft’s belly forward of the pilot’s position.

The Period of Performance under the contract will be one base year with four one-year options. The contractor will be required to complete the installation of each system within ten weeks after each aircraft is delivered to the contractor’s facility.

“Due to mission requirements, the government anticipates no more than two aircraft at a time undergoing an airborne imaging system and mission equipment installation,” the DEA said in the RFP.

Answering questions from contractors, the DEA provided a list of serial numbers for their fleet of Bell helicopters in the RFP document.

DEA Bell Helicopter Fleet

Bell 407, serial number: 53680

Bell 407, serial number: 53720

Bell 407, serial number: 53654

Bell 407, serial number: 53693

Bell 407, serial number: 53900

Bell 407, serial number: 53911

Bell 407, serial number: 53621

Bell 412, serial number: 36388

Bell 412, serial number: 36390

Bell 412, serial number: 36448

Bell 412, serial number: 36493

Missile Defense Agency awards $24.7 million 'flight campaign' to Stratolaunch

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has awarded Stratolaunch LLC a $24.7 million contract to provide a “flight campaign” that will support several test objectives for the agency. MDA announced the contract award on Friday.

Stratolaunch LLC, located in Mojave, Calif, is being awarded a competitive firm-fixed-price other transaction agreement valued at $24,749,990.00, MDA said in the announcement.

“Under this new agreement, the performer will provide a flight campaign in support of Missile Defense Agency test objectives,” MDA said in the brief announcement.

Aircraft Fleet

Stratolaunch operates two massive aircraft that can air-launch payloads to space and within the Earth’s atmosphere at a reduced cost with more flexibility than current vertical launch options.

One aircraft, named Roc, has six Boeing 747 engines and a wingspan of 385 feet – longer than an American football field, Roc is the largest of any plane ever assembled with a payload capacity of 550,000 pounds.

The company also operates a Boeing 747 known as “Spirit of Mojave.” The Boeing 747 is a readily deployable launch platform able to test a variety of payloads from a variety of locations.

Both aircraft operate as an air launch platform for space vehicles or hypersonic research.

Fully Funded Work

The work under the new MDA contract will be performed in Mojave. The period of performance is December 2024 through December 2025.

“This agreement was competitively awarded via the MDA Innovation, Science & Technology Broad Agency Announcement, Solicitation No, HQ0860-23-S-0001,” MDA said. “This effort will be fully funded with Fiscal Year 2024 Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) funds.”

The Missile Defense Agency Redstone Arsenal in Alabama is managing the contract. The announcement doesn’t state which aircraft will be used for the MDA flight campaign.

According to Aviation Week, Stratolaunch is going through final approvals to conduct its first reusable test flight of the Talon A hypersonic testbed by the end of the month. That test will use the Spirit of Mojave aircraft.

Success in March

In March, Stratolaunch completed the first powered flight of the Talon-A test vehicle, TA-1. This was the first flight in the development of the country's first privately funded, reusable hypersonic test capability.

“While I can’t share the specific altitude and speed TA-1 reached due to proprietary agreements with our customers, we are pleased to share that in addition to meeting all primary and customer objectives of the flight, we reached high supersonic speeds approaching Mach 5 and collected a great amount of data at an incredible value to our customers,” said Zachary Krevor, president and CEO of Stratolaunch.