Monthly Archives: April 2022

Casino Gambling Comes to Alabama

The Casino Environment

Before the recent economic downturn, commercial casinos collected at least $30 billion in revenues each year from 2005 through 2008.1 During this period, US casino owners built new facilities and expanded the size of their existing facilities. As a result of the economic downturn, new US commercial casino construction has come to a screeching halt and casino operators are now focused on existing facility cost reduction.

The Section 179(D) Tax Provisions

Increasingly, casino operators are taking advantage of the EPAct IRC section 179(D) commercial building energy efficiency tax provisions, which have been extended through 2013. EPAct tax deductions are available for qualifying energy reductions in lighting, HVAC(heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), and building envelope. (Building envelope consists of the building’s foundation, walls, roof, windows, and doors, all of which control the flow of energy between the interior and exterior of the building.)

The Nature of Casino Properties

Commercial casinos often encompass hotel resorts, which offer attractive packages of services for their corporate and family customers. Casinos are particularly suited to EPAct because of their large gaming floors, hotel occupancy rooms, meeting halls, and parking garages. Each of these features typically consumes large square footage and the EPAct benefit has a potential for up to 60 cents per square foot for each of the three measures described above. Some of the smallest commercial casinos are about 50,000 square feet while most American casinos are typically over 100,000 square feet. One of the largest ones, MGM Grand on the Las Vegas strip is almost 2 million square feet. Hotels themselves are the most favored of Section 179 building category. (See “Hotels and Motels Most Favored Energy Policy Act Tax Properties”)

It is common to think of commercial casinos as located in two states Nevada and New Jersey. While it is true that these two states have the largest commercial casino revenues, there are 12 states with commercial casinos in the United States, the other commercial casino states are: Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and South Dakota. Members of the American Gaming Association have publicized some of their commitments to energy reduction. Reporting casinos include Boyd Gaming Corporation, Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., and MGM Mirage. They have projects which include significant energy savings via cogeneration, ERV(energy recovery ventilation), more efficient HVAC units, replacing incandescent lights with energy efficient lightings, windows with energy efficient day lighting systems, solar thermal storage and numerous other energy saving initiatives.

The underlying rule set to qualify for the Section 179D lighting tax deduction makes casinos and particularly casino hotels the most favored property category for the tax incentive. The rule set requires at least a 25% watts-per-square foot reduction as compared to the 2001 ASHRAE (American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers) building energy code standard. Full tax deduction is achieved with a 40% watts-per-square foot reduction compared to the ASHRAE 2001 standard. The ASHRAE 2004 hotel/motel building code standard requires 40% wattage reduction, which means that any hotel or motel lighting installation that meets that building code requirement will automatically qualify for the maximum EPAct tax deduction.

Occupancy Rooms

For most other building categories, the Section 179D tax provisions require compliance with the bi-level switching requirement. The comparison is always based on wired rather than plug-in lighting. Casino hotel occupancy rooms have a major advantage in that they often use plug-in lighting, and because these rooms function as hotel and motel spaces, they are specifically excluded from the tax bi-level switching requirement. Since occupant rooms are usually one of the larger spaces in hotel casinos, casinos are typically able to use energy efficient lighting to generate large EPAct tax deductions for the facility.

Back of the House Spaces

Casinos often have large kitchen, storage, and laundry (so called back of the house) spaces that have historically used T-12 fluorescent lighting. This lighting is so energy inefficient compared to today’s lighting products that it will be illegal to manufacture in the United States after July 1, 2010.4 Once manufacturing of these prior generation lighting products ceases, the cost of replacing these inefficient bulbs will increase. Simply stated, casinos should consider acting now to replace these lighting fixtures to save both energy and lamp replacement costs. The EPAct lighting tax incentive can be used to address the opportunities related to these legally mandated product changes

Ball Rooms, Banquet Rooms and Restaurants

These areas of casinos have historically used designer type lighting that is energy inefficient and often very expensive to maintain and replace. In particular, replacing bulbs and lamps in high ceilings is very costly since expensive mobile hydraulic platform equipment must be rented or purchased to handle the replacements. New lighting products and, in particular, light emitting diode (LED) products, use a fraction of the energy and have a much longer useful life and are now being substituted. The combination of large energy cost reduction, operating cost reductions, utility rebates and EPAct tax deductions can greatly improve the economic payback from these more costly lighting upgrades.

Parking Garages

Many casinos have large adjoining parking garages that can save substantial energy costs and generate large tax deductions by upgrading to energy efficient fixtures. In Notice 2008-40 issued March 7th, 2008, the IRS announced that parking garages are a property class that is specifically entitled to use the EPAct tax deductions. Also, parking garages are excluded from the tax bi-level switching requirement. Please see the September, 2008 International Parking Institute article devoted to parking garages EPAct lighting deduction tax opportunities.5 토토사이트

Slot Machines and Gaming Floors

One of the biggest energy users on hotel gaming floors is slot machines. Although these were early adapters of fluorescent technology, even these energy efficient bulbs normally have to be changed 3 times a year because of 24/7 operating hours. Due to the high labor maintenance costs, casino owners are now transitioning to LED technology in their slot machines. LED’s, while they have higher up front costs, have high energy efficiency and much longer life cycle, offering significant savings in labor and maintenance costs.

HVAC

Casinos because of their typical 24 hour occupancy can achieve significant energy cost savings from energy efficient HVAC systems. In particular, Nevada’s hot climate further makes energy efficient HVAC a very worthwhile investment. Fortunately. Nevada with the highest revenues from casinos has America’s second highest capacity for energy efficiency through renewable geothermal energy.6 Certain categories of very efficient HVAC investments will often qualify for the HVAC EPAct tax incentive including geothermal and thermal storage.

LEED Casinos

We expect to see more casinos obtain LEED status. (See LEED Building Tax Opportunities Article7). In 2008, The Palazzo, Las Vegas Casino became the largest LEED certified building and one of the first certified LEED casinos in the US.8 Casinos and hotels find that certain categories of frequent travelers are very interested in staying in facilities that have clearly demonstrated they are focused on the environment and sustainable design. To become LEED certified, a casino must have a building energy simulation model created by a qualified engineer. Modeling is also required for the EPAct, HVAC and Building Envelope tax deductions. Qualified tax experts that know how to make the adjustments to convert LEED computer models to EPAct tax deduction models can evaluate LEED models and determine whether large tax deductions are probable. For example, a 500,000 square foot LEED casino that qualifies for the maximum EPAct tax deduction will receive an immediate tax deduction of $900,000 =(500,000*$1.80). Casino owners who understand the magnitude of these benefits can use the tax savings to help justify the costs related to achieving LEED status.

 

6 Foolproof Methods Of Evading Cybercrimes In Online Casinos

“Teaching and learning are not the simple transmission of a set body of knowledge from an authoritarian teacher and to a passive classroom of students.” -Bill Gates on Education Reform

Whether or not you like or agree with Bill Gates, you have to acknowledge his business and individual successes, and his passion for education reform. One thing that we should all agree upon is that the status quo is not acceptable. We need to find new ways to engage students at critical points in their development to insure that FUNDAMENTALS are not just learned and understood, but become second nature to them. Back before calculator were invented, students had to memorize multiplication tables. How many 5th graders today can rip out the multiplication tables as well as their parents? sm카지노

Some private schools and even charter schools that do not have their hands tied by the same constraints as general public schools have implemented new techniques designed to engage their students by introducing practical applications to fundamental mathematics and statistics. One of these techniques is the use of casino games.

Games of most any type capture the attention of students and adults alike. Take the game of Monopoly for example…the rule are laid out, the players each formulate their own individual strategy based upon the rules, there is an element of chance with the dice and the cards, and there is ultimately a winner. These are the primary element of just about any ‘game’, and games that help teach while in the process of playing them are a Win-Win for everyone. The one feature of all casino games is that they have all been developed by mathematicians and time tested to produce a statistical advantage for the casino, otherwise places like Las Vegas and Atlantic City wouldn’t exist. The fun part for the students is in learning and playing the games (not for real money of course), and CRACKING THE CODE of the statistical house advantage. Besides for learning mathematics and statistics, they will also learn that they CAN’T WIN in the long run!

Examples of Casino Game Math

Roulette is a popular casino game and probably the easiest example for illustrating mathematics and statistics. The roulette wheel has the numbers 1-36 plus 0 and 00 making for a total of 38 possible outcomes from a single spin. If you place a bet on a single number on the board and win, the casino will pay you 35-1. In this example, the casino has a statistical advantage of 5.26%. How did we get that? There is a probability of 1/38 that the player wins 35 times the bet, and a 37/38 chance that the player loses their bet. The expected value is:

−137⁄38 + 351⁄38 = −0.0526 (5.26% house edge)

The ‘House Edge’ is what keeps casinos alive and well. It means that for every $1 bet the casino will statistically make 5.26 cents on this particular bet.

Another bet in the game of roulette is called the “Top Line” where the player places a single wager which covers 1,2,3,0,00 (five numbers) and will pay 6-1 if any of those numbers are spun. In this case, the expected value is:

-1x 33⁄38 + 65⁄38 = −0.0789 (7.89% house edge)

Which bet will cost the player the most money in the long run?

Every bet on the roulette wheel (and on virtually every bet on every game in a casino) has a house edge, so more than others as you can see.

Another example is the game of Craps where 2-dice are used. Understanding the probabilities of rolling a given number using a pair of dice is critical to being able to calculate the house edge on any given bet.

2 (1): 1-1

3 (2): 1-2, 2-1

4 (3): 1-3, 2-2, 3-1

5 (4): 1-4, 2-3, 3-2, 4-1

6 (5): 1-5, 2-4, 3-3, 4-2, 5-1

7 (6): 1-6, 2-5, 3-4, 4-3, 5-2, 6-1

8 (5): 2-6, 3-5, 4-4, 5-3, 6-2

9 (4): 3-6, 4-5, 5-4, 6-3

10 (3): 4-6, 5-5, 6-4

11 (2): 5-6, 6-5

12 (1): 6-6

Two dice with six sides each which produces 6×6=36 possible combinations with symmetrical distribution of the numbers. For a one roll bet on the number 12 the casino will pay 30-1. What is the probability of rolling a 12? How do you calculate the house edge on this bet?

Endless Possibilities for Workshops

These examples show just a few of the bets on a few of the more popular casino games. These are the easy ones to illustrate and calculate. Throw cards and slot machines with virtual reels and jackpots into the mix and you will have an endless array of practical examples ever increase complexity into the underlying calculations. The professional dealers with iHostPoker have volunteered their time to perform educational workshops to assist the teachers in bringing these important disciplines to light and hopefully making a difference in the education experience for a few, and the well-being of our community as a whole.

 

Buying a Realme 2 Pro Mobile Online

If you’re interested in purchasing a new smartphone, Realme 2 Pro might be worth a look. This smartphone runs Android v8.1 (Oreo) and is powered by an Octa-core 2 GHz Cortex A53 processor. It also features an Adreno 506 GPU and 6GB of RAM, which should make it easy to navigate the phone’s menus and enjoy great visuals. Although there’s no app drawer, it does have a decent battery life and reliable imaging sensors.

For photographers, the Realme 2 Pro has a dual camera module. One camera features a 1/2.8-inch sensor and an F1.7 lens with a depth-sensing function. However, for a late-model smartphone, this camera setup is basic. Other devices feature 5 camera modules, higher megapixel counts, and AI operations. It also features a front-facing camera with a 32-megapixel f/2.4 aperture. realme 2 pro

In comparison, the iPhone X offers a fingerprint sensor and facial recognition that’s blazingly fast. It also has a headphone jack, a dual-SIM card slot, and volume and power buttons. This phone is very sturdy and comfortable to use with one hand, but it’s prone to smudges. Despite this, it’s an excellent choice for anyone looking for a new phone that comes with a price tag that’s a bit under a thousand dollars.

In addition to its waterdrop display and powerful Snapdragon chipset, the Realme 2 Pro is segment-first among phones with a waterdrop display and an affordable price tag. It also comes with a decent battery life and is available in a base variant priced at just Rs 13,990. A review of the Realme 2 Pro may be available soon. The real question is whether it will be a worthy investment. It certainly is worth a look if you’re in the market for a smartphone.

The Realme 2 Pro has been launched in India. It features a waterdrop notch design and dual rear cameras. It will be available in three variants – base with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, 6GB with 8GB of RAM and 128GB with 128GB of storage. Realme 2 Pro will be available exclusively on Flipkart starting October 11.

One of the biggest differences between the Realme 2 Pro and the Mi A2 is the software. Mi A2 offers a clean and uncluttered experience, while the Realme 2 Pro’s ColorOS is not a serious problem for most users. You can also use the Volume Rockers and Power button to navigate the device. When you’re done, press the power button again and the device should reboot. The Realme 2 Pro will restart in the same way.

Choosing an Online Slot Machine

If, for you, the worst part about going to online casinos is leaving then your sorrows are over. With online casinos you can bring the excitement of live casinos home with you! Online casino software emulates real casino games so well that you may even forget that you are in your own home and not in Las Vegas! Online casinos have everything that live casinos have to offer, so the next time that the urge strikes you to head to Caesar’s Palace all you have to do is turn on your computer.

An online casino is not so different from a live casino. When you play online you can choose from all of your favorite gambling games. Online casinos offer virtually any casino game you can think of including, but not limited to, slot machines, video poker, regular poker, blackjack, baccarat, keno, roulette, craps and even bingo! The games are played by the same rules as in live casinos and online gambling software is even designed to look just like real casino games! Some Internet casino websites even offer software in which you have a character that must walk around a three-dimensional casino space with other players and choose your games. https://www.sawan888.net/

It is the belief of many gambling enthusiasts that online casino games are not as exciting as real live casinos because when you play online you are sitting by yourself at your computer and there is no interaction with other players. This is not the case at all! In fact, most Internet casino sites encourage interaction between players, especially in multiplayer games like blackjack, craps and poker.

There are also tournaments in which players compete against each other in all forms of casino games, including slot machines. Online casino tournaments can be a fantastic social experience! When you play in online casino tournaments you pay an entry fee. For this fee you receive a predetermined amount of chips. Each player receives the same number of chips and has a specific amount of time in which they may play slots machines or poker or roulette or whichever game is specified by the tournament. At the end of the allotted time the player who has the most chips is the winner. The prize pot is made up of player entry fees and can be quite large depending on the number of players. Additionally, interaction is encouraged during the tournament through chat software and can make online tournaments a fantastic social experience.

As you can see, gambling online can be just as fun and exciting as playing in live casinos. The best part is you don’t have to book a plane ticket or even leave the comfort of your own home! If you have a computer and Internet access you can participate in Internet gambling twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week! All you have to do is choose a casino online and start playing and you’ll never be sad about leaving the casino again!

Online Casinos – The Excitement of Gambling at Home

If you love the thrill of gambling in live casinos then you will be excited to learn that you can play all of your favorite casino games online! Online casinos are rapidly growing in popularity as gambling enthusiasts around the globe are realizing that they can play online casino games twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week from the comfort of their very own homes. Online casino software makes it possible for you to play the exciting gambling games that you can play at the Luxor and Pyramids in Las Vegas without even leaving your house! situs slot gacor

If you love slot machines then you will be thrilled at the huge variety of Internet slots. Online slot machine software emulates real live casino slot machines so you can play literally hundreds of slots online including Fruit Fiesta, LotsaLoot, Jackpot Deuces, Triple Sevens, WowPot, Treasure Nile, Tomb Raider, Major Millions and more-with this variety you’ll never get bored! When you play slots in a casino online you can even bet real money, just like in a real casino. Slots are progressive, so the jackpot grows and grows as people play so you can win huge prizes by playing online slot machines.

If you prefer more traditional casino games then you can play Internet gambling games like craps, roulette, baccarat and blackjack. These are some of the most popular casino gambling games, online and off. When you play these games in an online casino you can almost forget that you are not really in Vegas-the software is just that good! Internet gambling software is extremely sophisticated and does an amazing job emulating the real casino game and experience. Many online casinos have graphics which make it look like you are really walking around inside a casino and chat features allow you to interact with other players as if you were really standing next to them, waiting for your next blackjack card to be dealt. The rules are the same in casino games online and offline as well as the game tables so when you are gambling online you are getting the true casino experience.

Online gambling software is set up to make your online casino experience unique and exciting and the best part about it is the convenience. You may have thought that the next time you wanted to play roulette or craps you would have to book a flight to Vegas but now you just have to download online casino software and you can bring Vegas home with you! Play all of your favorite casino games any time of day for real money without even leaving your house! With all of the convenience of online casino gaming what are you waiting for? Choose your favorite online casino website, download their software and you will be playing with the high rollers in no time!