Sports betting in Indiana enjoyed a huge month in October as licensed sportsbooks in the state posted a handle of $461.1 million. That’s according to figures released by the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) on Friday.

Not only did Indiana break the $400 million monthly handle mark for the first time ever, but the state also shattered the previous record handle – set in September – by nearly $105 million.

On the brick-and-mortar side, sportsbooks near the borders with non-sports betting states enjoyed strong months, too. Hollywood Lawrenceburg, the closest retail sportsbook to Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, reported a retail handle of $15.6 million.

Down the Ohio River, Caesars Southern Indiana and the Caesars Entertainment’s Winners Circle Off-Track Betting Parlor Clarksville sportsbook, both of which are across the river from Louisville took in more than $8 million in wagers combined.

The record handle did not lead to record revenues, though. In October, all Indiana sportsbooks collected gross revenues of $27.7 million. That led to the state collecting $2.6 million in taxes.

That’s down more than $6 million from September when the books won $33.9 million and gave the state $3.2 million in tax revenue.

DraftKings Still Top Dog in Indiana

Once again, DraftKings reigns supreme in Indiana as the online giant posted a handle of $150.7 million in October. However, FanDuel topped $100 million for the first time in the state as the operator tallied $115.6 million in bets, with $113.3 million of that online.

Caesars Sportsbook reported a total handle of $61.9 million. Nearly two-thirds of that was amassed through its online app, but $21.6 million was wagered at its network of retail sportsbooks across the state.

BetMGM users in Indiana wagered $47.7 million on its mobile app.

Of the top four, FanDuel was the biggest winner as reported gross revenues of $9.6 million. Of that, $9.2 million was won off online wagers. DraftKings reported gross revenues of $7.8 million.

Caesars’ revenues were $1.9 million, but only $435,658 was won from online bets.

At BetMGM, the MGM Resorts International-Entain joint venture won $3.5 million from its customers.

New Casino Leads in Revenue

Indiana’s casinos reported total adjusted gross revenues of $201.9 million for October, a $7.2 million increase from September’s revenues, according to the IGC monthly report.

Helping put Hard Rock over the top in October was the strong play at its table games. Despite having just 80, compared to Horseshoe’s 115, the Seminole Tribe of Florida-owned casino won $9.7 million at its tables. That’s $3 million more than its Hammond competitor.

Indiana Grand, the Shelbyville racino that’s 30 minutes southeast of Indianapolis, posted revenues of $26.2 million.

Coming in fourth was Caesars Southern Indiana, and the first full month under new ownership was a strong one. The casino now operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians reported gross revenues of $20.7 million.

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Once-hot MGM Resorts International (NYSE:MGM) stock is mired in a slump. But if historical trends repeat, the recent slide could prove to be a buying opportunity.

Shares of the largest operator on the Las Vegas Strip are off 1.11 percent today, extending the weekly decline to 4.67 percent. MGM is down 12.21 percent from its recently set 52-week high. A pullback of at least 10 percent for any stock is considered a correction. The recent weakness in MGM stock has the name hovering around its 40-day moving average — a technical indicator from which the shares have previously rallied.

According to data from Schaeffer’s Senior Quantitative Analyst Rocky White, six similar signals have occurred in the past three years. MGM Resorts stock enjoyed a positive return one-month return in 50% of those cases, averaging a 3.3 percent gain,” notes Schaeffer’s Investment Research.

Should that history repeat, shares of the Bellagio operator could reclaim previous highs.

Catalysts for MGM Stock

With third-quarter earnings in the bag, other fundamental catalysts need to emerge for MGM shares to complement the aforementioned technical trends.

Additionally, MGM could deploy some of its war chest in ways that could prop up the stock. At the end of the third quarter, the casino operator had $5.6 billion in cash and cash equivalents, and there’s more coming by way of previously announced, pending transactions.

Uses of that cash could include shareholder rewards, such as increasing buybacks or boosting the scant annual dividend of a penny a share per year. On the recent third-quarter earnings conference call, CFO Jonathan Halkyard said returning capital to investors is an idea that’s on the table. But he didn’t say if that will include buybacks, dividends or both. Nor did he reveal a time line for those actions.

Other Potential Sparks

As Schaeffer’s notes, analyst upgrades could potentially be catalysts for MGM shares. Nine analysts currently cover the name – five of which rate it “hold” or worse. Some other technical factors could facilitate a rally by the stock.

The consensus price target on the stock is $55.17, or 21.4 percent above the Nov. 11 close.

“It’s also worth noting that the security’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) of 38 is nearing ‘oversold’ territory, despite its recent positive price action. This means a short-term pop could be right on the horizon,” adds the research firm.

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Making a name for yourself in German League football is not an easy task for any player, but it is even more difficult at the German League perennial champion in the Bayern Munich football club.

The center – back from the United States of America, Chris Richards, is transitioning well to his new life in Europe, and Richards has now become a regular starting defenseman on loan at Hoffenheim. Chris is currently eyeing a spot on the parent club Bayern Munich’s first – team for the upcoming next season on a club that is one of the highest competitive football atmospheres anywhere in the world.

Alabama – born native and 21 – year – old Chris linked – up with Bayern Munich during the 2018 season from their partner football club in the Major League Soccer (MLS) league, FC Dallas. Richards was originally on loan before signing a permanent contract with the German football powerhouse in January of 2019.

Chris has played for Bayern Munich on 10 occasions including 3 – matches in last season’s highly – contested Champions League, but his largest and most notable impact has been while Richards has been playing on loan with Hoffenheim over 22 – contests, 19 of those were starts for the US born defenseman throughout this season as well as last season.

Playing for Hoffenheim enables Chris to get a lot more playing time and starts for what Richards refers to as, “grown man football,” playing his favorite position in the center – back role, following them experimenting with him at the full – back position in his role with Bayern Munich. It also matches him up versus extremely talented and truly experienced strikers each and every week as Chris says he is absolutely determined on refining his 1 – on – 1 defensive abilities and skills.

Returning to Bayern Munich for the upcoming next season would allow Richards a chance to earn a spot on their football club as he would be competing against some of the best football defenders in Europe for the few starting spots on the team, and Chris is excited for that opportunity.

Richards has now become part of a long – standing tradition of players from the United States of America playing in the highly – competitive German League. Players such as Landon Donovan and Eric Wynalda did just that during the 1990’s, and a more recent example would be a player like Christian Pulisic, who now plays for Chelsea’s football club. Richards has 4 goals for the United States of America, and Chris played the entire 90 – minutes in their 2 to 1 win over Costa Rica in October of 2021.

Even while Chris Richards is still making a strong name for himself playing soccer in Germany, he is trying to encourage more American players to do just the same. Bayern Munich’s partnership with the MLS team in the Dallas F. C. has enabled 6 football players to travel over to Munich from the United States last season just to train with the big boys. The 17 – year – old defender, Justin Che, has also been provided the opportunity to play 8 – matches for Bayern Munich’s reserve team on loan as well. This is great experience for U.S. footballers and the United States of America’s national team too.

Media Statements

“With a team like Bayern, you never really know how close you are to the first team or how close you are to making the starting 11,” Chris Richards stated. “All I can do is get good performances here and then go back next summer and give them a convincing argument as to why I should be in that starting 11.”

“If I continue doing what I should be doing here and continue to develop, I don’t see why I can’t push (Niklas) Süle, (Benjamin) Pavard or (Lucas) Hernandez, (Dayot) Upamecano, any of those guys out,” Richards goes on to say. “It’s one thing to say it and one thing to do it. I have a lot of work to do.”

“A lot of us played in the academy together. And so when they came over, I saw them around Munich,” says Richards.“We’ve always kept in contact since I’ve left the academy and wherever they are in their careers, we always kept contact. And so with them coming over here, they gained a lot of valuable experience and it’s their first look into European football. They were seeing how high the level was and how close they were to making it.”

Sources:

Ellingworth, James. “US defender Chris Richards making his mark in German league”. The Associated Press. November 8, 2021.

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With Real Madrid currently struggling to survive as they are being jeered by their fans, Karim Mostafa Benzemacame through once again for the Spanish powerhouse football club. Benzema scored a pair of goals against Shakhtar that involved a milestone for his team as Real Madrid has scored 1,000 goals during the European elite club competition.

Benzema’s assistance helped provide Real Madrid with a very tough and difficult 2 to 1 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk. This win put the club in the lead of its Champions League – Group D on Wednesday, November 3^rd, 2021.

Benzema found the net scoring Real Madrid’s huge milestone goal in European Cup – Champions League matches following the Shakhtar defense giving the football away in less than 15 – minutes into the game at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on Wednesday.

Fernando equalized for Shakhtar Donetsk right before halftime, but Benzema got the finishing goal during the second half in a contest that Real Madrid grappled hard in order to control, and they were even jeered by portions of the spectators at the Bernabéu in this highly – contested battle in Spain.

Madrid had yet to win at the Bernabéu in 3 consecutive football games throughout all leagues and competitions. They have come out victorious in only 5 of their past 13 European matches at home, as they have also recorded 5 losses as well as 3 draws.

The win on Wednesday left Real Madrid with 9 points in Group D of the Champions League, 2 more points than Inter Milan has earned. Inter Milan just won with a final tally of 3 to 1 against the 3^rd – place Sheriff. Sheriff has 6 points, and Shakhtar is in last place in Group D with just 1 point so far.

Real Madrid has finished in 2^nd place in their group in 3 of their past 5 seasons, and Madrid plays Sheriffnext, and Shakhtar Donetsk will travel to Italy to play Inter Milan next. Shakhtar was eliminated in the group stage of the Champions League in 11 of their last 15 seasons.

Benzema scored the incredible 1,000^th goal following the Shakhtar defender, Marlon, who failed to control a pass from his goalkeeper Anatolii Trubin, inside their area. Vinícius Júnior stole away the football then immediately passed it back to Benzema, and he had nothing but open net in front of him to score his 62^nd goal with Real Madrid in the European competition. Only Cristiano Ronaldo who has 105 goals and Raúl González who has 66 goals have potted more goal scores for their club in the competition than the French striker, Benzema.

Benzema’s winning goal occurred in the 61^st minute right after a sweet give – and – go involving Casemiro and Vinícius Júnior. Junior eventually came up with the assist for the French striker Benzema on his low-sailing shot inside the area.

At 33 – years – old and 319 days, Benzema just so happens to be the oldest Real Madrid footballer to score more than 1 goal during a game in the European competition since Ferenc Puskás accomplished this at the age of 38 back in 1965.

Benzema is the 4^th quickest player to net 75 Champions League goals, as he has done so in just 134 matches. The only other players to do that in fewer games were Lionel Messi in 92 games, Robert Lewandowski in 97 matches, and Cristiano Ronaldo in 111 contests.

Fernando scored the equalizer for Shakhtar with a dope one-timer into the top of the goal from inside the area during the 39^th minute following a set-up from Alan Patrick. Patrick utilized his chest to pass the ball to his teammate Fernando. This was the 6^th goal score in the past 7 matches for Fernando in all competitions.

That was Shakhtar Donetsk’s 1^st score in the Champions League so far this season, and Shakhtar’s only point came in a draw at home versus Inter Milan in the 2^nd round.

The Brazilian forward almost scored another goal on a low strike from outside the area that involved a complex and difficult save by the Madrid goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois. Patrick also hit Real Madrid’s post within 10 – minutes into the game.

Media Statements

“We didn’t play well but we got the victory,” Karim Mostafa Benzema of Real Madrid explained. “Sometimes you can’t play at your best. The most important thing was to win the three points. It was a difficult match for us, against a very good opponent.”

“Sometimes it’s good to hear some jeers to get the team going,” Real Madrid’s head coach Carlos Ancelotti expressed.“We weren’t aggressive enough after starting well in each half.”

Sources:

Azzoni, Tales. “Benzema nets twice in Madrid’s 2-1 CL win over Shakhtar”. The Associated Press. November 3, 2021.

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On Tuesday, November 2^nd, 2021 the champions of the German League, Bayern Munich, defeated Benfica with a final tally of 5 to 2. This victory for Bayern gives them a perfect record of 4 and 0 in the group stage cementing their place in the Champions League last 16.

The Polish-born striker Robert Lewandowski scored three goals for a hat trick during this last match for Bayern Munich. Lewandowski has now netted 81 goals throughout his 100 career Champions League contests.

The Glorious Return of Manager Julian Nagelsmann to Bayern Munich

Following his 4 – game absence from the Bayern Munich Football Club due to testing positive for COVID 19, Bayern’s head coach, Julian Nagelsmann, rejoined the squad for this satisfying and well-deserved win. Nagelsmann was not present for Bayern’s 4 to 0 victory over Benfica in Portugal during his required quarantine period over the last couple of weeks.

Julian also had to watch from a distance as his team’s usually sound defense gave up 5 goals in a 5 to loss to Borussia Mönchengladbach last week in their German Cup match. That loss marked Bayern Munich’s worst result in over 40 – years.

Early Signs of Weakness for Bayern Munich

In their match this week against Benfica poor marking early on demonstrated some signs of sloppy play which inevitably enabled Benfica to net a goal early which was narrowly ruled out due to offsides. The sloppiness continued later on when Bayern failed to stop a free kick leading to the Benfica defender Morato to score as Bayern Munich had held a 2 to 0 lead up to that point.

Bayern’s Strong Offensive Attack

Up front on the attack was business as usual for Bayern Munich’s deadly assassin striker quartet of Lewandowski, Leroy Sané, Kingsley Coman, and Serge Gnabry who combined forces in order to tactically destroy the defense of Benfica.

Bayern Munich struck first as Coman beautifully danced his way through Benfica’s penalty area beating 2 defenders then crossing for Lewandowski who headed in the opening goal of the match in the 26^th minute. The highly – skilled Polish striker, Lewandowski, was the big – play contributor just 6 minutes later by squaring the football for Gnabry to finish in style with a fancy backheel goal score.

Morato’s goal for Benfica as well as a missed penalty shot from Lewandowski who had scored his last 7 penalty shots) slowed Bayern Munich’s advances just prior to halftime. Just after the halftime break, Sané scored the 3^rd goal for Bayern with a devastating volley after Alphonso Davies flicked on a pass from Joshua Kimmich. Bayern’s 4^th tally was recorded on a counter-attack when Sané set up Lewandowski nicely as Robert scored his second goal of the match to with a well–placed chip – shot over the reach of Benfica’s goalkeeper.

Even with Bayern out in front, well in control of the contest, and the guarantee of qualifying with two group stage games remaining, there was some more stressful moments for their defense. The Benfica substitute Darwin Nuñez scorched the net with a consolation goal in the 74^th minute of play as the Bayern Munich defense reacted way too slow on a counter-attack.

Lewandowski finally earned his hat trick in the 85^th minute of this match vs. Benfica with another of his lovely chip-shot finishes. Bayern eventually looked up at the scoreboard after the final whistle of the game to realize they won 5 to 2 which advances them to the Champions League last 16.

Sources:

The Associated Press News Services. “Bayern beats Benfica to qualify for Champions League last 16”. The Associated Press. November 2, 2021.

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