Fri, Aug 27, 2010
High-energy casino executive Dennis Gomes buys Resorts Atlantic City in a deal that could mean as much for the city as it will for the troubled hotel. Few details on the deal are available, but some experts speculate that he paid less than $50 million for the property.
Fri, Aug 20, 2010
Alexander Tkachyov (l.), the governor of Russia’s only active gaming zone wants to move the action to an established Black Sea resort. But authorities in the neighboring region, which shares stewardship of the current zone, is opposing any change.
Fri, Aug 13, 2010
Harrah’s Entertainment was selected last week by casino developer Rock Gaming to operate two casinos in Cleveland and Cincinnati. Rock Gaming, controlled by the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers owner Jeff Gilbert, received one of the two licenses available in Ohio.
Fri, Aug 06, 2010
Harrah’s Entertainment is rumored to be in the final stages of an agreement with a Philippine company to manage a “Planet Hollywood” casino in the Entertainment City resort development in Manila.
Fri, Jul 30, 2010
A committee of the U.S. House of Representatives has approved an online gambling bill introduced by its chairman, Rep. Barney Frank (l.), that would legalize, tax and regulate online gaming in the United States. The bill favors U.S. land-based casino companies, as well as operators who have abided by the American ban on net wagering.
Fri, Jul 23, 2010
Governor Chris Christie (l.) outlines a plan that will bar gaming in other parts of New Jersey while setting up an autonomous casino tourism district in Atlantic City. The state will also seek to sell its racetracks and direct CRDA revenues directly to Atlantic City. The casino industry applauds.
Fri, Jul 16, 2010
Harrah’s Entertainment is negotiating to take over the troubled Foxwoods Philadelphia project (outdated rendering at l.), which could save the license for the developers. Steve Wynn pulled out in April after agreeing to take it over.
Fri, Jul 09, 2010
Two U.S. companies are out of the race for Aqueduct after trying to finagle better deals. That leaves only Genting NY, based in Kuala Lumpur, and headed up by K.T. Lim (l.), in the running to create New York City’s second racino.
Fri, Jul 02, 2010
Despite a weeklong effort a delaying and dealing with 164 amendments, the Massachusetts Senate last week passed a casino bill that will now have to be reconciled with an earlier bill passed by the House—before going to the governor, Deval Patrick (l.), who will decide whether to sign the bill.
Fri, Jun 25, 2010
Moody’s report indicates that the gaming industry may have hit bottom, but it’s still going to be a long way back after such a steep and precipitous fall.
Fri, Jun 18, 2010
Efriam Genuino (l.) resigned last week as chairman of the Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corporation under pressure from incoming president, Benigno Aquino III, after he received a “midnight appointment” from outgoing president, Gloria Arroyo.
Fri, Jun 11, 2010
The 4th annual G2E Asia was held last month at the Venetian in Macau, with thousands of attendees and the latest in products offered to casino operators in the burgeoning Asian market. A series of quality keynote presentations and conference sessions provided updates on all issues of importance to the Asian region. The 2010 G2E Asia Visionary Award was presented by AGA President Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr. to Ainsworth Gaming Chairman Len Ainsworth (c.).
Fri, Jun 04, 2010
The Massachusetts Senate is ready to begin work on a proposal by the leadership for three casinos resorts, but no racinos. That places the Senate in conflict with a bill already passed by the House. Senator Karen Spilka (l.) is leading efforts to finalize the gaming bill.
Fri, May 28, 2010
State Supreme Court ruling hands power over electronic bingo to Governor Bob Riley (l.) and his anti-gaming task force. But candidates in the primary election say they will reverse the stance if elected.
Fri, May 21, 2010
Hearing on Capitol Hill focuses on internet gaming taxation that would produce tens of billions of dollars over the next 10 years. Sponsors say they want to gauge the support for the measure within Congress. The financial reform bill being considered by the Senate may be a way to get it passed.
Fri, May 14, 2010
The pro-gaming premier of Bermuda, Ewart Brown (l.), has been handed another defeat in his effort to bring casinos to the ailing tourist economy of the island. Regardless, he seems to have an inexhaustible supply of optimism for the future.
Fri, May 07, 2010
Missouri has one casino license, its last, to dispense, and 15 potential developers who are interested in bidding for it. The license, formerly used by Pinnacle’s President Casino (l.), which will close in July, was surrendered in March and several major gaming companies are planning bids.
Fri, Apr 30, 2010
Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson and his wife Miriam join other Las Vegas Sands Corp. executives to cut the ribbon on Marina Bay Sands in Singapore; property executives predict the project will redefine the casino destination resort. The facility is the second “integrated resort” to open in the island nation, which plans to use the casino as a tourist attraction and a generator for MICE business.
Fri, Apr 23, 2010
Wynn Resorts’ Encore Macau opens in Macau, bringing yet a higher bar to the luxury end of the market in the SAR. The property features all suites (l.) with spectacular views and superior amenities. But he’s already eyeing his next Macau project on the Cotai Strip.
Fri, Apr 16, 2010
Massachusetts House Speaker Robert DeLeo (l.) won a very personal battle last week when he persuaded a veto-proof majority in the House to approve his legislation, which would allow two regional casino resorts and four racinos in the state.
Fri, Apr 09, 2010
In a surprising announcement just days after discussing the project with Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, Steve Wynn ditches his bid to take over the Foxwoods Philadelphia project. Wynn had submitted plans for the project, including renderings (l.), to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, earlier in the week.
Fri, Apr 02, 2010
It took three years of wrangling, but Florida lawmakers and the Seminole tribe may have reached an agreement everyone can live with. But this pact will last only five years, not 20. Tampa’s Derby Lane greyhound track (l.) won’t get slots but will get higher betting limits for the dogs and for poker.
Fri, Mar 26, 2010
In an effort to bring new development to Atlantic City, state Senator James Whelan (l.) pushes a bill that would reduce required gaming space and number of hotel rooms. Some casino execs are up in arms, but an analysis says the numbers may not work.
Fri, Mar 19, 2010
A deal to allow MGM Mirage to leave New Jersey was finalized last week as the Casino Control Commission released a report by the Division of Gaming Enforcement that cites organized crime connections by Stanley Ho, father of MGM partner in Macau, Pansy Ho (l.). Because Pansy received the money and the license from her father, the DGE says the partnership is not suitable.
Fri, Mar 12, 2010
A year after Delaware North was forced to withdraw from the Aqueduct racino deal in New York, its successor's winning bid has been overturned. Critics said the choice of Aqueduct Entertainment Group smacked of political favoritism, which has melted down the career of Governor David Paterson (l.)
Fri, Mar 05, 2010
Missouri now has 13 casinos with the recent opening of Pinnacle Entertainment’s River City Casino, a $375 million facility that opened near St. Louis. In addition, Pinnacle will have a chance to defend the lifting of its license for St. Louis’ President Casino, and have a shot at moving the license to a new location. At left, Missouri Gaming Commission Executive Director Gene McNary (l.) delivers River City’s gaming license to General Manager Todd George.
Fri, Feb 26, 2010
Casino mogul Steve Wynn (l.) will come to Philadelphia, as Wynn Resorts has signed a deal to take over majority ownership of the troubled Foxwoods Philadelphia project.
Fri, Feb 19, 2010
The second of Kansas’s four state-owned casinos has been approved to go forward. The Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission finished a background check last week and approved plans by Penn National Gaming Inc and International Speedway Corp. to build the Hollywood Casino just outside of Kansas City, as well as to Chisholm Creek, a casino near Mulvane, featuring partner Lakes Entertainment.
Sat, Feb 13, 2010
Genting’s Resorts World Sentosa wins the race to become the first casino to open when it received its license early last week and opened in time for the Chinese New Year’s celebration, always a very important holiday for the casino industry. Singapore residents have a separate entrance (l.).
Fri, Feb 05, 2010
The largest American gaming company badly wants into the burgeoning gaming city of Macau. But Harrah’s Entertainment is blocked by the “concession” and “sub-concession” system that limits the number of licensed operators in the city. One way in would be to buy the interest of a license holder and it appears that Crown Entertainment, co-owner of the City of Dreams (l.), is the target, although partner Lawrence Ho discounts the report.
Sat, Jan 30, 2010
After months of speculation and political infighting, the Aqueduct Entertainment Group, a consortium of seven partners, including the Navagante Group of Las Vegas, won the right to build and operate the slots casino slated for Aqueduct racetrack, New York’s busiest.
Fri, Jan 22, 2010
The first casino resort opened in Singapore last week in a race that turned out to be over before it began. Genting’s Resorts World on Sentosa Island opened several of its hotels with the casino (l.) scheduled to open as soon at the Singapore Casino Control Board issues the license, probably sometime in March.
Fri, Jan 15, 2010
With December gross gaming revenues being reported and final 2009 figures emerging, it is becoming clear that the industry continues to struggle with the economic downturn, increased competition, market saturation and customer reticence. But a few bright spots are emerging in the darkness.
Fri, Jan 08, 2010
Isle of Capri Casinos last week announced three potential deals that should significantly increase the company’s visibility in the gaming industry. The company took over management of Detroit’s Greektown Casino (l.), announced a deal with a Station debtor to possibly take over four casinos in Las Vegas, and entered a bid to operate a Class II casino in Pennsylvania.
Sat, Dec 26, 2009
The Cordish Companies’ planned slot casino at Arundel Mills Mall cleared its final legal hurdle when the Anne Arundel County Council approved a necessary zoning change. And now David Cordish (l.) says the company may apply to run the casino slated for Baltimore.
Sat, Dec 19, 2009
Five years after its conception, CityCenter’s lone casino is finally open for the public to enjoy. Las Vegas hopes that Aria, along with the rest of the CityCenter complex, can bring the city into the future. Thousands enjoy grand opening ceremonies as the full breadth of CityCenter becomes apparent.
Fri, Dec 11, 2009
A bidder for one of Kansas’s state owned casino has been asked to rework its proposal by the Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board, which approved another proposal last week from Penn National Gaming. And a third casino, the Boot Hill Casino (l.) in Dodge City, is ready to open.
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
The long-awaited CityCenter project is finally ready for guests, as MGM Mirage CEO Jim Murren kicked off the month of opening ceremonies with the Vdara Tower’s opening December 1.
Sat, Nov 28, 2009
The enforcement of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) regulations is delayed for six months, as hopes rise that new legislation will blunt any negative effect of the bill. Michael Waxman (l.), a spokesman for Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative, says the delay should give Congress time to consider a solution.
Sun, Nov 22, 2009
The Global Gaming Expo offered good business opportunities for exhibitors and garnered good reviews for its conference program as attendance reaches 25,000. Actor Christopher Noth (center, with scissors) of Law & Order and Sex In The City, helped gaming executives officially open the show at the ribbon cutting.
Fri, Nov 13, 2009
A nasty confrontation with St. Louis politician over the rezoning of land for another casino led to the resignation of Pinnacle Chairman and CEO Dan Lee (l.). The company acted quickly to replace him temporarily with board members who have extensive gaming experience.
Fri, Nov 06, 2009
Now that Issue 3, which would authorize four casino resorts in Ohio’s largest cities has been passed by the voters, it must survive tinkering by lawmakers and possible lawsuits. But right now proponents are just celebrating.
Fri, Oct 30, 2009
An independent government commission has released a 630-page draft report on gambling in Australia. Although the final report awaits hearings and submissions by interested parties, one recommendation has already found its way into anti-gaming legislation sponsored by anti-gaming Senator Nick Xenophon (l.).
Fri, Oct 23, 2009
Kirk Kerkorian (l.) questions the wisdom of his major investment in MGM Mirage, while the company announces non-cash charges and a lower valuation of its centerpiece, the CityCenter project, due to open in December.
Fri, Oct 16, 2009
Another billion-euro leisure development has been announced for the Vienna-Budapest-Bratislava region. In line to operate the project’s planned casinos and hotels is Harrah’s Entertainment Inc., along with developer TriGranit, which built the Millennium Towers (l.), an impressive group of office buildings in Budapest, Hungary.
Fri, Oct 09, 2009
A Miami bankruptcy judge ruled last week that an independent examiner will oversee the sale of Fontainebleau Las Vegas. Gaming company Penn National recently bid on the property and is considered the “stalking horse” at $300 million.
Fri, Oct 02, 2009
U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (l.) has introduced legislation that would clarify wording of the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, in effect overturning the U.S. Supreme Court decision that earlier this year said that tribes that are recognized after 1934 can’t put land into federal trust.
Sun, Sep 27, 2009
In a surprise result, a referendum on gaming on the Penghu Islands goes down to defeat, leaving casinos off the coast of Taiwan in doubt. Proponents of gaming are shocked and are carefully evaluating the next steps if gaming is to be approved on other Taiwanese islands.
Fri, Sep 18, 2009
Harrah’s Entertainment, just months ago teetering on the edge of insolvency manages to right the ship and now has made some aggressive moves. In Las Vegas, the company may be seeking to expand its monopoly on the east side of Las Vegas Boulevard after a purchase of Planet Hollywood’s (l.) debt, and in Ohio, the company buys one of the racetracks slated to host slots in the near future.
Fri, Sep 11, 2009
In the midst of the deepest downturn ever experienced by the Atlantic City casino industry, the only new development under way, Revel, seems to be close to reaching an agreement that will ensure the project gets completed in mid-2011.
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