🥁 Axios PM: Biden's Russian appeal

🥇 Pic: That gold medal feeling | Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Facebook   Axios PM By Mike Allen ·Feb 15, 2022 Good afternoon: Today's PM — edited by Justin Green — is 485 words, a 2-minute read. 📺 More than 101 million Americans watched Super LVI on live TV, a rebound from last year's ratings that were a 10-year low. Go deeper. ⚡️ Sandy Hook settlement: Remington Arms agreed to a $73 million settlement of liability claims from families of Sandy Hook shooting victims.     1 big thing: Best year for casinos *2021 compared to 2019. Graphic: American Gaming Association. Used by permission. Call it a comeback. U.S. casinos smashed their record for winnings in 2021, powered by the rapid expansion of legal casinos and sports betting, according to figures out today from the American Gaming Association. The new record (2021): $53 billion. The previous record (2019): $43.65 billion. The big picture: Sports betting winnings were up 177% from 2020, totaling $4.29 billion in 2021. That includes expansion into Arizona, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maryland, South Dakota, Virginia and Wyoming, AP reports. The bottom line: All of this is happening despite a reduction in international tourism and domestic travel. "Business travel, meetings and events, and entertainment — significant revenue-drivers for many operators — have been slow to return," said Bill Miller, CEO of the American Gaming Association. "And visitation among the older, core casino audience is only just getting back to pre-pandemic levels."     2. Biden's Russian appeal President Biden arrives to speak in the East Room today. Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images President Biden turned to public outreach to deter a Russian invasion of Ukraine, Axios politics editor Glen Johnson reports. "To the citizens of Russia, you are not our enemy, and I do not believe you want a bloody, destructive war" with Ukraine, Biden said in a speech from the East Room. Why it matters: It's hard to penetrate propaganda machines, but the Internet makes it possible. Biden acknowledged reports that Russia has ordered the partial withdrawal of its troops near Ukraine's borders, but stressed that the U.S. has "not yet verified" the Kremlin's claims and that an invasion remains "distinctly possible," Axios' Zachary Basu reports. "If Russia proceeds, we will rally the world to oppose this aggression." Biden said U.S. analysts believe Russia's forces "remain very much in a threatening position," despite Moscow's claims of a military pullback. He added that Russia has more than 150,000 troops encircling Ukraine, a higher estimate than U.S. officials had previously provided.     A message from Facebook We're making investments in safety and security — and seeing results     Facebook has invested $13 billion over the last 5 years to help keep you safe. Since July, we've taken action on: 34.7M pieces of explicit adult content. 26.6M pieces of violent and graphic content. 9.8M pieces of terrorism-related content. See how we're working to help you connect safely.     3. Inside ManningCast Sara Fischer interviews Eli Manning. Photo: Sara Fischer Eli and Peyton are both committed to the next three seasons of ESPN's hit ManningCast — with plans for hosting around 10 shows next season, reports Axios Media Trends author Sara Fischer. The broadcasts feature Eli and Peyton commenting on live "Monday Night Football" games from their basements. Their man caves are often the subject of playful tweets from fans. Eli said he'll often call local beat reporters with expertise on a hometown team, in addition to watching film and talking to producers ahead of games. "There is a little reporting to it," he admitted. "But they know it's in a safe place. I'm not going to reveal anything that shouldn't be revealed." Go deeper.     4. 🏅 1 smile to go: That gold medal feeling Photo: Wang Zhao/AFP/Getty Images 🥇 USA's Erin Jackson on the podium in Beijing after winning the women's 500m speed skating competition.     A message from Facebook We're making investments in safety and security — and seeing results     Facebook has invested $13 billion over the last 5 years to help keep you safe. Since July, we've taken action on: 34.7M pieces of explicit adult content. 26.6M pieces of violent and graphic content. 9.8M pieces of terrorism-related content. See how we're working to help you connect safely.   Like this email style and format? Bring the strength of Smart Brevity® to your team — more effective communications, powered by Axios HQ.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. If you're interested in advertising, learn more here. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Suite 1300, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.   Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox.   Follow Axios on social media: