Career Reflection & Transition - Bob Costas retired from play-by-play announcing due to not wanting to perform below his lifetime average, focusing on interviews, commentaries, and essays in an emeritus position [2][3] - Costas initially considered stepping away from the Olympics after his 11th appearance but returned for a 12th due to the "Pink Eye" incident in Sochi [5][6] - He emphasizes the fulfillment of achieving his childhood dream and the satisfaction of diverse career experiences, including sports and non-sports broadcasting [12][14] Sports Broadcasting Industry Changes - The sports broadcasting landscape has changed with tech giants like Amazon, Apple, and Netflix entering live sports coverage, fragmenting viewership [37][39] - Increased accessibility of sports content diminishes excitement, with gambling adding a transactional aspect and the internet fostering harsher criticism [40][41] - Journalism in sports coverage has diminished, with a shift towards sound bites, arguments, and clickbait content [42] Sports Betting & Regulation - Sports betting is generating billions in revenue but also leading to financial problems for some, raising concerns about the need for more regulation [46][47] - Costas personally refuses to read gambling promos due to the insidious aspect of encouraging potentially addictive behavior [49] Baseball & Rule Changes - The introduction of the pitch clock in baseball was necessary to address the plotting, lethargic pace of games, shortening game times by approximately 45 minutes [50][51] - Costas dislikes the automatic runner on second base in the 10th inning, suggesting it should be implemented from the 11th inning onwards [52] Olympics & Storytelling - Compelling stories drive interest in the Olympics, especially domestic storylines involving American athletes [54][55] - Broadcasters play a crucial role in familiarizing viewers with competitors and their backstories, filling in the blanks for the audience [56][57] Mental Health in Sports - There should be more support for athletes' mental health, addressing challenges beyond maximizing performance [58][59] - Simone Biles' experience at the 2021 Olympics highlights the ongoing issue and differing reactions to athletes prioritizing mental health [63][64] Sports & Unification - Sports, especially team sports, can unify people from diverse backgrounds in the service of a common cause [66] - Large sports events bring together a broad audience across the demographic spectrum, but the tone surrounding sports can also be angry and accusatory [67][68] Politics & Sports - Politics has inevitably intersected with sports throughout history, and those who deny this are unaware of historical context [69] - The gun control issue was widely misunderstood, with Costas clarifying that it was about gun culture in sports, not the Second Amendment [73][74] Social Media & Media Literacy - Social media has changed how athletes communicate with fans, making it harder for traditional media to get close to them [89][90] - Media literacy is crucial for young people to determine what is credible and form their own opinions [94][95]

Gamblers are raising the alarm about a $1.1 billion tax hike buried in Trump's tax bill that would slash their net winnings and potentially charge income tax when they break even or lose https://t.co/j9NKOoCNmt ...

RT s4mmy (@S4mmyEth)I used AI to pick my horse racing bets and it netted me an 86% ROI.However, this headline number isn't what it seems.A) Race Notes:i) I used ChatGPT 4.0 to pick the horses, it selected two in each race with a reasonable rationale.ii) I wagered £50 each race, allocating £40 on AI's first pick, then £10 on its second pick.iii) In race 3 neither of these horses started, so I personally decided to back Almuhit with £50 on him alone.iv) Most of the £303 profit came from the last pick, which I ...

Core Insights - The sin stock market, which includes companies in alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and gambling, is gaining attention from investors focused on returns rather than ethical considerations [2][11] - Sin stocks are characterized by their defensive nature, providing growth even during economic downturns due to consistent demand for their products [3][11] Industry Trends - The U.S. alcoholic beverages market is projected to grow from $544.19 billion in 2024 to $573.98 billion in 2025, with a CAGR of 5.5%, and expected to reach $709.13 billion by 2029 [8] - The U.S. tobacco market is shifting towards alternatives like vapes and smokeless options, with an estimated growth from $85.93 billion in 2024 to $112.28 billion by 2032, reflecting a CAGR of 3.4% from 2025 to 2032 [9] - The global online gambling market is anticipated to reach $12.81 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 16.5% from 2025 to 2030, driven by the rise of online platforms and sports betting legalization [10] Company Insights - Philip Morris International (PM) is transitioning towards reduced-risk products, maintaining strong pricing power and consistent earnings momentum despite declining smoking rates [5][12] - Caesars Entertainment (CZR) is enhancing its omnichannel strategy to integrate digital and physical offerings, positioning itself as a leader in the expanding gambling sector [6] - Constellation Brands (STZ) is focusing on premiumization and innovation, with the beer segment expected to grow 7-9% annually, while also expanding into premium wine and spirits [19][21]

Illinois recently announcing it will raise taxes on sports wagers and sports betting platform DraftKings introducing a 50cent transaction fee per bet in Illinois as in response. Now other states could be on the radar too. DraftKings CEO Jason Robbins joins us now.He is speaking at a Jeffre consumer conference. Jason, it's good to see you. Welcome.Thanks for having me. So, so when did this this 50 cent increase on bets go into into place and have you seen any any evidence about how consumers are absorbing it ...

Core Insights - Sin stocks, representing companies in industries like alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and gambling, have consistently outperformed broader markets due to strong cash flows and inelastic demand [2][4][11] Industry Overview - The U.S. alcoholic beverages market is projected to grow from $544.19 billion in 2024 to $709.13 billion by 2029, with a CAGR of 5.4% [8] - The global tobacco market is expected to increase from $921.4 billion in 2024 to $1,198.4 billion by 2035, reflecting a CAGR of 2.3% from 2025 to 2035 [9] - The global online gambling market was valued at $78.66 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.9% from 2025 to 2030 [10] Company Insights - Molson Coors (TAP) is focusing on market share growth through innovation and premiumization in the alcohol sector [7] - Boyd Gaming (BYD) is enhancing growth through property upgrades and strategic investments in the gambling industry [7] - Philip Morris International Inc. (PM) is transforming towards a smoke-free future, aiming for a majority of its revenue from reduced-risk products by 2030 [13][15] - MGM Resorts International (MGM) is well-positioned to capitalize on the recovery of the gaming and tourism industries, with a strong digital strategy through BetMGM [17][18] - Diageo Plc (DEO) is focusing on premiumization and innovation, with a strong portfolio of iconic brands and a strategy to enhance direct-to-consumer engagement [20][21][22]

Core Viewpoint - MGM Resorts International is expected to report a decline in earnings and revenues for the first quarter of 2025, with various factors influencing its performance, including strong domestic demand and macroeconomic challenges [1][2][6]. Financial Performance Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter earnings per share (EPS) is 50 cents, reflecting a 32.4% decrease from 74 cents in the same quarter last year [1]. - The consensus revenue estimate is approximately $4.27 billion, indicating a 2.5% decline from the previous year's figure [2]. Factors Influencing Performance - MGM's first-quarter performance is anticipated to benefit from robust domestic demand trends, strong Las Vegas operations, strategic convention bookings, and growth in digital platforms like BetMGM [3]. - Event-driven demand around the Super Bowl and January conventions is expected to have positively impacted performance, with Las Vegas operations' Average Daily Rates projected to grow in the mid-single digits, supported by record January occupancy levels of 94% [4]. Regional Operations and Bookings - The strong group bookings pipeline, enhanced by collaboration with Marriott and improvements to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, is likely to support performance [5]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter revenues from regional operations rooms is $67 million, slightly up from $66 million reported in the prior-year quarter [5]. Challenges and Headwinds - Persistent macroeconomic challenges, including inflation, competitive labor markets, and foreign currency fluctuations, are expected to negatively impact performance [6]. - Soft contributions from casino, rooms, and food and beverage sectors are anticipated, with estimated revenues of $2.2 billion, $937 million, and $740 million respectively, compared to higher figures in the prior-year quarter [7]. Cost Pressures - Elevated pre-opening costs related to MGM Grand hotel renovations and international expansion, particularly in Brazil, are likely to exert margin pressure [8]. - First-quarter EBITDAR growth in Las Vegas may be affected by an estimated $65 million year-over-year Super Bowl headwind and temporary room disruptions from renovation projects [8]. Earnings Prediction Model - The current model does not predict a definitive earnings beat for MGM Resorts, as it lacks a positive Earnings ESP and holds a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) [9][10].