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Court Throws Flag on Sport Bets
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
Sports betting in Delaware will be limited to parlay wagers, as a federal appeals court has issued an injunction to the block single-game wagering planned by the state’s three racinos.
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WEEKLY FEATURE: And Then There Was One
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
Three rival casino developers, including Lakes Entertainment Chairman Lyle Berman (l.), have thrown in with each other to put together a more financially viable bid to build a state-owned casino for the South Central Zone of Kansas.
Crown Down, Not Out
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
Australia-based Crown Limited certainly took its share of the economic beating last year. The aggressive overseas expansion that began in 2006 may have turned out to be, in the words of Crown CEO Rowen Craigie, “ill-timed,” but good results at home, including flagship Crown Melbourne (l.), may hold the key to salvation.
LV Sands Begins Hong Kong IPO
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
Las Vegas Sands last week took the first step that would enable the company to spin off part of its Macau operations into an IPO, which could jumpstart the company’s stalled Cotai Strip development (l.).
California Must Permit 10,000 More Slots
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
The state has been digging its heels for nearly ten years to try to avoid issuing another 10,000 slot machine licenses to California’s gaming tribes. However a federal judge says it has to lift its feet.
Issue 3 and Ohio’s 4
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
Now that ballot language is nearly approved for Issue 3, which would authorize four regional casinos in Ohio, including one in Cleveland (l.), the battle can begin between Ohio Jobs and Growth Plan, which supports it, and TruthPAC, which opposes it.
World Poker Tour Sold to PartyGaming
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
After settling a dispute with the U.S. Department of Justice in April, PartyGaming made its first major move in the U.S. announcing the acquisition of WPT Enterprises Inc. and virtually all of its assets.
FANTINI'S FINANCE: Slot Makers Looking Up
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
With the legalization and/or expansion of gaming in many different states and jurisdictions, the big beneficiaries should be the slot manufacturers. Despite a spooky upcoming month, there are two companies that are poised to make big strides: Aristocrat and Konami.
Foxwoods Carrying Too Much Debt
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe of Connecticut is looking at restructuring some $2.3 billion in debt that it is carrying. Revenue from the tribe's Foxwoods Resort Casino can only support about $1.3 billion in debt, a tribal adviser stated.
GGB PODCAST: Lawrence Ho, Chairman, Melco Crown Entertainment
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
This week, the GGB Podcast presents an interview with Lawrence Ho, the president of Melco Crown Entertainment, one of the largest casino operators in Macau, taped in Macau in June.
Columns : ASIAN GAMING
Goa Casino Visits: Poor or Poorly Counted?
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
The casinos of Goa, India collectively reported just over 200,000 paid visits last fiscal year—a figure which some say is about 400,000 visits shy of reality. It is just the latest chapter in the ongoing attack of the anti-casino faction in the Goa parliament.
Business Groups OK Philippine Casino
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
Several business groups have come out in favor of a casino in Legazpi City in the Philippines on the grounds that it would increase tourism to the area, southeast of Manila. Legazpi (l) is home to Mount Mayon, one of the most active volcanoes on the Pacific Rim.
Palau Chiefs Don’t Want Casinos
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
Once bitten twice shy, Palau’s Council of Chiefs is hoping to defeat efforts to legalize casino gaming.
Columns : EUROPEAN GAMING
Spain Waiting for Gran Scala Request
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
It could just be the European vacation season, but the developers of Spain’s Gran Scala project have yet to take the first step towards realization of Europe’s largest mixed-use leisure resort.
Coventry U.K. Redo Underway
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
The casino at the Ricoh Center in Coventry, U.K. was originally a sort of consolation prize for U.S.-based operator Isle of Capri, which at one time had hoped for one of the ill-fated super-casino licenses. A few months ago the property passed to the Rank Group, which decided to turn it into a G Casino.
Russian Poker Ban Hits Federation
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
Russia banned poker from its list of sports in July, along with all casinos situated outside the four designated gambling zones. Now even the poker federation has been ordered to close.
Columns : GLOBAL GAMING
Intercontinental Approved for Uruguay
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
At the end of September, Uruguay will hold a tender for 24 hotel-casino properties. But a new luxury hotel project at a hot beach resort appears to have been enticing enough to warrant an early green light.
New Zealand Weighs Strict Anti-Laundering Move
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
The international drive to combat money laundering has led to a proposed bill in New Zealand that would tighten security but could end up hurting business—including the casino business.
Columns : ONLINE GAMING
Opposition Mounts To Online Poker This Year In California
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
The last gaming frontier, online poker, may have to wait a while in California, and if the latest polls are indicative, it may have to wait a LONG while.
More Screen Time for WSOP
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
The most well-known poker tournament on the planet reaches a deal to extend the U.S. broadcast of the event to ESPN. The programs are one of the highest rated for the sports channel.
The Revolution Televised
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
Interactive casino games like roulette are gaining prominence on television screens in the U.K. as broadcasters look to offset lost advertising revenues
B.C. Marches Online
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
Lottery Corp. defends decision to increase games, betting limits in the face of criticism from anti-gaming groups.
Ladbrokes Eyes Denmark
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
As monopoly restrictions drop, the U.K. betting giant is interested in providing online services in more countries.
Betfair Eyes IPO
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
Betfair is expected to test the waters with an initial public offering expected to value the company at £1.5 billion, as the company is challenged in Australia to show how it calculates fees.
Columns : UNITED STATES GAMING
Foxwoods’ Philly Futures
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
Foxwoods Philadelphia was set to make its case before state regulators on whether its casino license should be renewed, as a lawsuit to reopen bidding by Trump Entertainment Resorts looms. Officials want to know if the group has a valid lease on the former Strawbridge & Clothier department store (l.) in downtown Philadelphia.
Beacon Hill Bingo
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
As the prospects for the Mashpee Wampanoag tribal casino in Middleboro, Massachusetts sinks, those of commercial gaming proposals in the state capitol in Beacon Hill (l;), either for stand-alone casinos, or racinos, rise.
Icahn Gets the OK from Jersey Regulators
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
New Jersey’s Casino Control Commission gives thumbs-up to the billionaire, Carl Icahn (l.), who will add the Atlantic City Tropicana to his entertainment dynasty.
Casinos Equal Prosperity, Says Alabama Candidate
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
The Democrat candidate for governor, Ron Sparks (l.), hopes to woo minority vote by promoting casinos and a state lottery to balance the budget
Indiana Committee Hears Gaming Requests
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
The Indiana Gaming Study Commission formed to hear gaming-related issues and then make recommendations to the state legislature. It will meet once a month until the end of the year.
Up in Smoke
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
Many states have outlawed smoking in casinos, but Nevada is not one of them. However, its newest resort, CityCenter, is striving for the best air quality it can deliver.
Maine Legislators Look At Casino Development
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
A committee has a few short months to draft a bill that will outline the process of launching a new casino in the state.
No ‘Dinner in the Sky’ for Strip Visitors
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
A man with a crane and a great business idea—to hoist tourists into the sky for a meal among the stars on the Strip—has been turned away by Clark County commissioners.
Judge In Fontainebleau Case Rules In Banks’ Favor
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
In recent Fontainebleau bankruptcy news, the resort’s creditors have been found by a Miami court to be in the right regarding the terms of the project’s loan.
Smoke ‘Em if you Got ‘Em
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem was granted permission to increase the smoking section of its casino to the maximum 50 percent of the gaming floor allowed by law, after revenue studies satisfied the state’s requirement for expanded smoking areas.
Nevada Gaming Board Concerned About Slot-Makers
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
Slot machine technology companies are sending more labor to India, but the Nevada Gaming Commission is concerned that these third-party contractors are not licensed.
Illinois: Truck-Stop Casinos?
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
A provision of Illinois’ new law allowing video poker in bars and other liquor establishment also allows truck stops to install up to five video poker or video slot machines.
Rocky Mountain Highs
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
Colorado casinos, including Black Hawk gaming halls, saw near-record revenues last month after new, more relaxed regulations bringing longer hours and higher betting limits went into effect in July.
No TLC For Binion's Owner
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
Terry Caudill's TLC Casino Enterprises Inc. is now facing six lawsuits from landlords who say the casino operator is not paying the full amount of rent it owes monthly.
Nevada Tourism Board Declines Tax Fight
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
Some hospitality industry insiders think that travel websites should pay room tax based on the rate they sell to guests rather than the cheaper rate they pay hotels for bulk rooms.
Columns : TRIBAL GAMING
Shinnecocks Have Bargaining Power in Long Island
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
Indians may change their plans to build a casino in wealthy Southampton if they can get approvals for multiple off-reservation gaming halls.
Game On For Gun Lake
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
A judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging the decision to take into trust 147 acres where the Gun Lake Band of Pottawatomi want to build a casino, essentially eliminating the last legal hurdle holding back the casino.
Hogen Answers Critics Claims
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
Phil Hogen, chairman of the NIGC, said allegations that his group is implementing new regulations that will place undue burdens upon smaller gaming tribes, are misguided.
Poarch Creek Indians Buy Up Parimutuels
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
In its first non-tribal outing, an Alabama tribe forges an alliance with family-owned greyhound tracks.
Catskills Casinos Coming?
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
Senecas, Mohawks make important strides in their attempts to open the first casino in the Catskill Mountain region of New York state. Former Foxwoods President J. Michael “Mickey” Brown (l.), is involved now with Empire Resorts.
California Tribe, City, Begin Dance On Casino Proposal
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
The Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians has released an environmental impact report on its proposed Horseshoe Grande casino and hotel and the city of Hemet, California, is studying it closely.
California Recovery Delayed, Says Report
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
The bad real estate market, high unemployment and cautious consumers are among the reasons why California’s gaming market probably won’t begin to recover until the middle of last year, according to a report.
Minnesota Town May Sue Tribe For Payments
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in Minnesota says it’s unfair that it has to pay as much as $6 million to the town of Duluth. So it’s stopped. Duluth plans to sue.
California Casino Reopens Nightclub
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
The nightclub was attracting the wrong kind of people—not gamblers—so Pechanga Resort & Casino in Southern California closed down the Silk nightclub for over a year. Now it’s back.
Bay Area Casino Gains Support
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
People who might get jobs that could prevent their homes from being foreclosed were among the residents of Richmond, California who showed passionate support last week for the proposed Point Molate casino resort development.
Columns : PEOPLE
Cannery Names President, COO
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
In an effort by Cannery Casino Resorts to restructure its executive ranks so the company's founders can work on more long-term strategic planning, the company has created the new position of president.
U.K. Has New Levy Board Chair
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
One of the trickiest tasks within the U.K. horseracing industry is managing the levy collected from bookmakers for the benefit of the sport. The sports minister is hoping that a new, independent appointee is up to the job.
GameTech names VP, GM of Bingo
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
GameTech International has named Steve Smallman to the position of vice president and general manager of bingo for the U.S. and Canada.
Columns : GOODS & SERVICES
Aristocrat to ‘Transform’
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
Aristocrat Leisure Limited announces a significant loss for the first half of the year, but follows up with details of new CEO Jamie Odell’s (l.) “transformation program” to turn the manufacturer’s fortunes around.
Lawsuit Targets Shuffle Master’s e-Tables
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
Electronic table game supplier TableMAX is asking for a preliminary injunction in a patent infringement lawsuit that would prohibit Shuffle Master, Inc. from selling its popular Table Master electronic table games.
Bally Wins Coushatta Contract
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
Bally Technologies has secured a contract to provide its ACSC slot accounting and player tracking system to the Coushatta Casino in Kinder, Louisiana.
New South Wales Implements G2S Protocol
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
The Australian state’s gaming authority authorized the Gaming Standards Association’s Game-To-System protocol upon conclusion of the GSA’s Gaming Communication Technology Workshop in Sydney.
Aristocrat selects Wells-Gardner
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
Aristocrat Technologies will use Wells Gardner 22-inch LCD video monitors as a preferred monitor for use in the manufacturer’s new slot machines.
Atronic, Spielo Strategy
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
Sister slot-manufacturing companies Spielo and Atronic Americas are combining marketing strategies and will share technology between brands.
Konami launches Podium cabinet
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
The slot manufacturer announced the first installation of its new Podium video slot cabinet, introduced at last year’s Global Gaming Expo, at the Barona casino in San Diego.
Positive News from Australian Expo
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
Upbeat reports from the Australasian Gaming Expo are pointing to better times ahead for the industry in the region.
Novo TouchBet Live-Roulette Debuts at Gran Casino Aljarafe, Spain
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
The hybrid roulette game from Austrian manufacturer Novomatic combines a real roulette wheel with as many as 250 electronic player stations. The device has proved popular in other Spanish communities and now has been introduced in Andalusia.
AGEM Announces New Members
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
The Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers announced that IdeaWork Studios, Inc., Intralot S.A. and Talent Associates have joined the trade group, bringing its membership to 81 companies.
GCA, TSYS Form Alliance
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
Under a new agreement, Global Cash Access will use TSYS’ processing services to connect with card associations and electronic funds transfer networks in ATM cash transactions.
ACES’ Table Games Tutoring Comes to AC
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
Trump casino adds one-on-one training on “live” tables.
Canadian Casino Gets PokerPro
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
A third Atlantic Lottery Corporation property has installed PokerTek’s PokerPro tables, which it will offer in addition to sports betting, racing and slots.
Columns : WILD CARD
Lyin' King
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
MGM Mirage responded to a lawsuit alleging that company officials painted unrealistically rosy pictures of the company's financial health, while knowing the difficulties of CityCenter (l.), to prop up stock prices by saying the claim is “without merit.”
Racinos Peak?
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
The Mountaineer Casino in West Virginia, the first of what the industry would call “racinos” in the U.S., had a profitable run, but that runs may have run its course.
Columns : NUTSHELL
Columns : THEY SAID IT
News : Breaking News
Revel Gets Funding in Atlantic City
Wed, Sep 09, 2009
In the midst of the deepest downturn ever experienced by the Atlantic City casino industry, the only new development under way, Revel, has reached an agreement that will ensure the project gets completed in mid-2011.