RSS 2.0 Feed
Rivers Rolls
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
The $780 million Rivers Casino makes its debut on the shores of the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, giving Pennsylvania its ninth operating slot casino.
Vol. 7 • No. 31 • August 17, 2009 - Print This Issue
Cover Story
Featured Stories
WEEKLY FEATURE: Macau Government Sets VIP Rate
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
After several casinos acted on their own, the Macau government has issued regulations aimed at capping the VIP commission paid to operators who bring gamblers in from other regions, principally Mainland China. At left, a high-limit VIP room at Galaxy’s StarWorld in Macau.
Montevideo Games
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
The competition to refurbish Montevideo’s Hotel Carrasco and operate a casino inside the 100-year-old building was won months ago by a consortium of Spain-based gaming operator Codere and France-based hotel group Accor. However, runner-up bidder Liberman-Hyatt refuses to accept the decision, claiming the city violated its own judging criteria.
Harrah’s Racing to Ohio
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Harrah’s Entertainment is showing interest in Ohio now that the Buckeye State has legalized slot machines in its seven racetracks., including Thistledown racetrack near Cleveland (l.). Complicating that is the resignation of the state lottery director. But on the horizon is the initiative that would authorize Las Vegas style casinos in the state’s four biggest cities.
Trump Bondholders Fight Back
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
As The Donald touts his return to the Atlantic City casino game, bondholders battle for control of the three casino resorts and plan the sale of Trump Marina (l.).
Cold Water for Macau
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (l.) says tough times not over for Macau at the official sanctioning of new SAR chief executive.
Australian Challenge
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Changes in the Australian gaming landscape are driving some of the country’s long-established operators to rethink their game plan—or else. Tabcorp, which of late has been taking hits from government licensing decisions and increased competition, is looking to refocus its energy on the casino business, mostly at Sydney’s Star City (l.).
Shakeup in Singapore
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Las Vegas Sands dismisses two top executives at Marina Bay Sands and appoints hotel execs, including former Lodigian CEO Thomas Arasi (l.) to replace them, while Genting’s Resorts World eyes a late-2009 opening.
Power Poker Play
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
New legislation and a number of moves suggest that the global online gaming industry is expecting the U.S. online gaming market to open vary soon, even though even the most ardent supporters of regulation do not expect it to come anytime soon. Poker Player’s Alliance President Alfonse D'Amato (l.) supports the new bill.
Michigan Casino Opens With Great Fanfare
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
The new FireKeepers Casino, which opened in early August, is strategically placed to be highly competitive in the Grand Rapids, Michigan casino market.
Come On, Let’s Grow
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Adding revenue and streamlining operations will produce increased profits, the only sure-fire way to grow a gaming company—operator or manufacturer.
Columns : ASIAN GAMING
LV Sands Closer to IPO, Sales
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Company receives an amendment to credit facility that will make it easier to sell pieces of individual properties, such as Sands Macao (l.), or issue an IPO on its Macau developments.
Ho On the Mend
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Macau gambling magnate Stanley Ho is reportedly recovering in a Hong Kong hospital after undergoing brain surgery recently, ramping up speculation that his son, Lawrence Ho (l.), is being groomed to succeed him.
Penghu to Vote in September
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Residents of the Penghu Islands, where up to three casinos are approved, will vote on whether to accept gaming.
Indian Paper Chase
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
The authorities in Goa, India appear to be finally acknowledging some responsibility for the casino ships operating within the state’s waters.
Columns : EUROPEAN GAMING
Madrid OKs Slot Rules
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
One of Spain’s last holdouts has decided to bring its low-stakes slot machine regulations into line with the majority of the other regions.
Crime or Constitutional Question
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
The situation on Malta surrounding a class of arcade gaming machine goes to show the crucial importance of having clear and thorough gaming legislation from Day 1.
Hull Mulls It Over
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
The city of Hull in the U.K. is working to prepare its casino license tender process. Several areas are being touted as possible locations, with one in particular getting a push from a local development association.
British Tax Issues
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Traditional U.K. betting operators have found themselves torn between loyalty to country and the bottom line when it comes to choosing a home jurisdiction. With increasing pressure from competition, the choice is getting harder—or easier.
Columns : GLOBAL GAMING
Panama Red-Faced
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
A potential scandal that dates back to the 1990s and runs into the present has led the Attorney General of Panama to begin an investigation of that nation’s casino gaming industry. It starts with the former president, Ernesto Perez Balladares, of Panama but it is too early to tell where it will end.
Columns : ONLINE GAMING
Busted Online!
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
A Canadian man accused of processing more than $350 million in illegal internet gambling proceeds was indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice last week on charges of bank fraud and money laundering.
Poker Push
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Longtime rivals, card clubs and tribal casinos in California are joining forces in an effort to bring legalized online poker to the state.
Colorado Conundrum
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
An appeal of a decision to allow an expert to testify that poker is a game of skill could lead to the Colorado Supreme Court being asked to decide whether poker is gambling under state law.
Columns : UNITED STATES GAMING
Buying Out the Competition
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Boyd Gaming Corp. remains interested in buying some properties, including Green Valley Ranch (l.), from Station Casinos, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in late June. Boyd said an acquisition could help Station emerge from bankruptcy, and that with its experience in the locals market, and properties acquired would transition smoothly under new management.
Revel: Atlantic City’s Best Bet?
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
As landmark casinos sell for pennies on the dollar, upcoming mega-resort seen as the Rx for New Jersey’s ailing gaming empire; like Borgata in 2003, Revel is expected to jumpstart the city and bring in fresh demographic
Pennsylvania Closer to Tables
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Support is increasing in Pennsylvania’s state legislature for the addition of table games to the slot-only casinos, the impetus being a growing financial crisis and the need to balance next year’s budget.
Massachusetts Serious About Gaming
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Next month lawmakers in the Bay State will begin holding hearings on various gaming proposals for the state, ranging from slot machines at racetracks to full-fledged casino resorts. Developer Steve Wynn (l.) is deeply interested.
Iowa License Up for Grabs
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
As Isle of Capri concentrates on operations in Bettendorf, officials in Davenport seek new operator to spruce up and relocate riverfront casino
Opposition Forms to Missouri Casino
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Ruining a pristine conservation area that is the home to thousands of migratory birds are among reasons why many residents of St. Louis County, Missouri, oppose a proposed casino development near the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.
Kansas Adopts Self-Exclusion
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Kansas will have a program for problem gamblers to ban themselves from casinos just in time for when the state’s first state-owned casino resort opens in December.
Table Games Again in West Virginia
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Penn National Gaming hopes the dismal economy is enough to spur approval of the games at Charles Town and three other racinos; a similar measure was defeated in 2007
Miami Airport Slots Bid Hits Turbulence
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Novel approach to airport funding could be grounded by fine print and legislative language.
North Carolina Sets Poker Limits
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Previous prohibition against video games invalidated by presence of tribal gaming; now towns are racing to contain sudden growth
Delaware: Tables Will Wait; Sports Betting a Go
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
The governor and key members of the state legislature in Delaware have ruled out a special session to set rules for table games, pushing their implementation in the three racinos to next year, but sports betting will begin as planned September 1.
Tropicana Las Vegas Unveils New Logo
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
After emerging from bankruptcy, the Tropicana is ready to revolutionize its image, despite legal difficulties with former owner Tropicana Entertainment.
Las Vegas Books Join Forces
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Gaming industry veteran Michael Gaughan (l.) continues to demonstrate his diplomatic nature as he attempts to link a handful of sports books at his casino and others to provide a wider spread for players.
Northern Nevada Casino Sets Timetable
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
The Lazy 8 casino in Sparks, Nevada has endured its share of hard times, and the future may be more difficult with the faltering economy.
Fontainebleau Constructor’s License Suspended
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Fontainebleau’s construction company, Turnberry West Construction Inc., has voluntarily (and temporarily) surrendered its license for failure to pay subcontractors in the ongoing Fontainebleau saga.
MGM Cuts Equal To 14 Percent Of Staff
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
MGM Mirage has eliminated unnecessary spending with several maneuvers that have resulted in the monetary equivalent of 14 percent of its full-time staff being cut.
Columns : TRIBAL GAMING
United They Stand
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Four Indian nations opt for lengthier land-into-trust applications to get off-reservation casinos in New York State, in the hopes that the new Interior Secretary, Ken Salazar (l.), will approve it.
Losing Greektown
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
The Sault Tribe of Chippewa pinned the hopes for economic growth and tribal self-sufficiency on the Greektown Casino in Detroit. But the bankruptcy of the casino probably means that the tribe will be left out in the cold.
Seneca Ex-President Charged
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Tribe alleges that Maurice A. John Sr. engaged in “unethical behavior” and misappropriated $120K in tribal monies
California Scheming
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
When the economy hits the skids it’s time for creative casino managers to put on their thinking caps and try new ways to keep old friends and make new ones. That’s what casinos in California’s Inland Empire, such as Fantasy Springs (l.), are doing.
Texas Tribes Don’t Give Up Gaming Fight
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
The Texas legislature has long since gone home for two more years—without approving a gaming legalization bill that would allow the Lone Star State’s Indian tribes, including the Tigua Tribe, reopen their shuttered casinos. But they vow to fight on another day.
Michigan Tribe Attempts To Renegotiate Debt
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians is trying to renegotiate the payment terms of a loan secured to finance the construction of its Odawa Casino Resort.
Columns : PEOPLE
MGM Names Sanders To Newly Created Position
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
New COO, a former Mirage vet, will oversee 11 MGM Mirage casinos in Las Vegas.
GPI Chief Charlier to Retire
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Gerard Charlier, who has been president and CEO of Gaming Partners International Corporation since its 2002 inception, will retire effective September 12, and will be replaced by former Cadillac Jack President Gregory Gronau.
New York Casino Hires New GM
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
St. Regis Mohawk Tribe picks new general manager to fill departed GM’s shoes.
Boyd Appoints New Member To Board
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Boyd Gaming’s new board member, Christine Spadafor, is also CEO of the St. Jude’s Ranch for Children.
Columns : GOODS & SERVICES
Balkan Expo, Seminars in October
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Another try by the manufacturers and operators in the Balkans to highlight that region of the gaming world will be attempted again in Bulgaria in October.
Konami Secures Osage Contract
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Konami Gaming has been awarded the contract to install its Konami Gaming Management System to link and monitor the 3,200 slot machines operated by the Osage Nation of Oklahoma.
Resorts World Picks Agilysys
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Resorts World at Sentosa in Singapore has selected Infogenesis solutions by Agilysys to streamline operations at point-of-service terminals and other guest-service points.
Betting Show Melds with IGE
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Event organizer Clarion Gaming appears to be following a strategy of consolidating some smaller shows with its larger, more popular fixtures. The latest move will see bookmakers join what is fast becoming the most comprehensive gaming show around.