Gaming Expertise

Jeff Hooke has a national reputation as an expert in the valuation of gaming licenses and the finances of slot machine gaming at racetracks. Unlike most gaming finance experts, Jeff Hooke does not derive the vast majority of his income from casinos or racinos; and, therefore, he can provide independent and objective advice to those parties negotiating with casinos or racinos.

His studies on casino-style gaming have led to testimony on the value of gaming licenses and the prospective revenues from state-sanctioned gaming expansion before the legislatures of Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Texas. His views on gaming expansion have been referenced in numerous publications, including the New York Times, Forbes, Washington Post, Chicago Sun Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Houston Chronicle, Baltimore Sun, Dallas Morning Post, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Boston Globe, Miami Herald, Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Singapore Straits Times, Gaming Observer, Bloodhorse and Thoroughbred Times.

Hooke co-authored the August 2003 report “Legalizing Video Slot Gaming in Maryland: A Business Analysis” (published jointly by the Maryland Tax Education Foundation (MTEF) and the Maryland Public Policy Institute), the October 2004 report, “Expanding Slot Gaming in California: A Business Analysis” (published by the Reason Foundation), the April 2005 report, “The State Legislature May Leave $4.5 Billion on the Table by Not Setting a Fair State Gaming Tax” (published by Florida Tax Watch), and the February 2006 report “New York State’s $2 Billion Trifecta: NYRA, VLTs & OTB” (published by MTEF).

Hooke is currently the financial advisor to the Florida Breeders and Horsemen, with respect to their negotiations with Magna Entertainment Corp. regarding a fair distribution of Gulfstream slots revenue. He is also advising the Thoroughbred Horse Owners of California in their discussions with racetracks regarding electronic gaming.