The iconic Mirage Hotel & Casino (l.) will close for good July 17 as its new owner, Hard Rock International, will begin large-scale renovations to the property, rebranding it as the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Star Entertainment will now await a final ruling from Commissioner Adam Bell SC as the Bell Two inquiry has ended. The last month has seen several disastrous developments for the company, and the fate of Star Sydney now potentially hangs in the balance.
Wynn Resorts is looking to build off of Encore Boston Harbor’s (l.) success with a major expansion. But issues over taxes and fees have put the plans on hold.
New York Mets owner Steve Cohen is embarking on a lobbying effort to pass a bill in the state legislature to rezone part of the parking lot of the Mets’ Citi Field ballpark (l.) for a casino.
If Thailand OKs a plan to develop integrated casino resorts, the emphasis will be on non-gaming attractions, says Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. Gaming floors could occupy about 5 percent of total space.
India stands poised to become a “global gaming innovation hub,” claims the industry. For that to happen, however, the government needs to support such growth with “light touch” regulations.
Amendments to Bulgaria’s Gambling Law, voted without opposition, became law after President Rumen Radev declined to veto them. However, media outlets, gaming operators and sports clubs are calling foul.
Running Aces racino in Columbus, Minnesota expanded its federal lawsuit from three to five casinos, alleging the casinos illegally offered unauthorized games, giving them “illegal and unfair competitive advantages.”
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (l.) has once again shot down speculation that government leaders and global gaming companies were discussing a second casino in the country.
Come July, Galaxy Entertainment in Macau will install its first “smart gaming tables” equipped with RFID chips. The tables alert operators to cheating and also provide valuable customer data.
The South Korean government has developed new guidelines to help curb illegal gaming halls and prosecute operators. Penalties include prison terms of up to seven years as well as hefty fines.
China has added eight cities to the Individual Visa Scheme for Macau to shore up a flagging tourism sector. Macau Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng said the SAR hopes to host more international events.
Henry Birch (l.), former chief executive officer of the Rank Group, is in the running to be CEO of Entain. The company’s former CEO Jette Nygaard-Andersen resigned last year.
Supporters and foes of casinos, bingo halls, horse racing wagering and “jogo do bicho” in Brazil are debating whether it would benefit tourism. A hearing was held before the Senate's Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ).
Senator Joseph Addabbo has introduced Bill 9226 in the New York Senate. The bill would legalize online poker and tax it at 15 percent. It would also put it under the umbrella of the New York State Gaming Commission.
The New York State Committee that oversees gambling has a flurry of bills it hopes to get passed as the session moves to the end. Award futures, DFS changes and additional allocations of taxes are on the docket.
In 2023, Fanatics Betting & Gaming got a huge jump into sportsbooks when it acquired PointsBet’s U.S. holdings, which included existing markets. They completed the transformation to shed the PointsBet moniker.
Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (l.) recently said that there “just wasn’t enough time” to pass gambling legislation in the recent session. Residents want more regulation of illegal gambling but without enforcement, so “nothing will change.”
Investing in Arkansas, backed by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, has formed to block a constitutional amendment that would repeal a casino license in Pope County.
Bally’s has been recognized by RG Check, the comprehensive gambling accreditation program. Bally’s Chicago also has formed partnerships with the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling and the Midwest Asian Health Association in Chicago.
A tribe in Northern California near Sacramento has put 77 acres into trust for a casino. The Elk Grove Sky River Casino will sit on land that was originally granted to the tribe in 1928.
Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns (l.) will retire June 30, after 37 years of public service. Johns oversaw the launch of sports betting in 2021, which now generates $100 million in annual revenue for the state.
Money manager Emmett Investment Management is urging investors of slot and table game supplier PlayAGS to reject a $1.1 billion takeover by Brightstar Capital Partners.
Aruze Gaming Global announced approvals from 14 tribal entities in the U.S. to sell its slot games, and commercial licenses in Louisiana, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
