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City’s Center Opens
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.
Vol. 7 • No. 46 • December 7, 2009 - Print This Issue
Cover Story
Featured Stories
WEEKLY FEATURE: Kansas Continues
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
Penn National Gaming and its partners get the OK for casino at Kansas Speedway (l.). A company that wants to build a casino in Kansas’s Southeast Gaming Zone last week was told by the Kansas Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board that it lacks both the financial wherewithal and the experience to carry out the task.
Harrah’s Plans To Purchase Planet Hollywood
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
Months after buying up $140 million of Planet Hollywood’s defaulted debt, Harrah’s Entertainment is now making a larger overture: submitting an application to take over the struggling resort.
Macau Growth Continues
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
Macau third-quarter revenue figures continue upward trend. Hong Kong IPOs encourage renewed construction (Galaxy Macau at l.). And the Chinese government gives the SAR approval to add more than 3 kilometers of undersea land to its area.
Hearing Considers Frank’s Internet Gaming Bill
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
Experts gather to discuss a bill legalizing and regulating internet gaming, proposed by Rep. Barney Frank (D-Massachusetts). Harvard professor Malcolm Sparrow (l.) releases a study that points out regulation not prohibition is the best way to control internet gambling.
Tribes Hang on Obama Decision
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
Two years ago the Department of the Interior adopted policies that make it very difficult for gaming tribes to locate casinos more than “commuting distance” from their reservations. Tribes all over the country are anticipating an announcement from Ken Salazar (l.), the secretary of Interior, that might change that.
Mixed-Use Mega-Project Proposed for Ireland
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
The trend towards large leisure centers that combine family-oriented attractions with casino gaming continues, this time in Ireland. The project’s developers are hoping for a future where Irish law will allow more than the current private-club model of gaming.
FANTINI'S FINANCE: The Talk Is Over, the Walk Begins
Sun, Dec 06, 2009
Discussion about the fate of CityCenter moves from the speculation phase to reality as the first element of the nation’s most costly private development ever launches in Las Vegas.
Binion’s To Close Hotel
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
Benny Binion’s legacy is in trouble as his namesake casino, Binion’s Gambling Hall & Hotel in Downtown Las Vegas, plans to shutter its hotel rooms beginning December 14.
Hard Rock Brand Coming to the Caribbean
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
Management at Hard Rock International has come up with a way to expand the brand into the Dominican Republic even in these times of tight credit. A licensing agreement with a proven operator there will give Hard Rock its newest casino resort.
Illinois Governor: Let's Look at Racinos
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
As dozens of communities opt out of video lottery machines at restaurants and bars, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn (l.) and lawmakers are looking for other ways to fund capital improvements.
Dubai Debts Focus of Regulators
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
Just weeks after issuing Dubai World a license for its 50 percent ownership interest in CityCenter (l.), Nevada regulators are looking at the financial implosion of the company that was revealed two weeks ago.
Game Design Legend Fiore Dies
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
Pioneering slot game designer Rich Fiore, whose credits include designs for IGT’s Megabucks and a wealth of work for Sierra Design Group, is dead at 50.
GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCAST: Sunder Advani, Chairman and Managing Director, Advani Hotels & Resorts India
Sat, Dec 05, 2009
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Sunder Advani, the chairman and managing director of Advani Hotels & Resorts India, on his role in developing the first casino operation in India’s Goa state and where the industry is headed in one of the world’s most populous nations.
Tables for Charles Town
Mon, Dec 07, 2009
On the second try, voters in West Virginia’s Jefferson County easily pass a measure permitting table games to be added to Charles Town Races & Slots.
Columns : ASIAN GAMING
Adelson: Further Asia Expansion Possible
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
The Las Vegas Sands chairman (l.) suggests his company is interested in expansion into other Asian countries with the “integrated resort” formula that has been used in both Macau and Singapore.
Singapore Self-Exclusion List Open For Business
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
The island nation’s council on problem gambling has launched the self-exclusion list that will allow residents to ban themselves from the two soon-to-open casinos.
Columns : EUROPEAN GAMING
Bulgaria Chooses 15-Percent Tax Rate
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
Governments the world over are quick to raise “sin” taxes when budgets get tight. In Bulgaria the prime minister chose to target gaming while giving alcohol producers a pass.
Norway Appoints Liberal Party Leader to Run Gaming
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
A new head has been appointed to chair Norsk Tipping, Norway’s government-owned gaming monopoly. The new chairman, Lars Sponheim (l.), comes from the party that wants to review the monopoly status of the organization and other aspects of gaming legislation.
Poland’s Anti-Gambling Bill Signed into Law
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
The law that was spawned by embarrassment over implied corruption among some ministers has been signed by Lech Kaczynski (l.), the president of Poland. However, a court review could still find the law unconstitutional.
Marketing Monaco
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
When the economy gets tough, the tough get back to promoting. For Monaco, that means hunting for those who still have the means to enjoy the legendary playground of the rich.
Cirsa EBITDA Up on Lower Revenues
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
Gaming operations revenue may be down, but Cirsa is still managing to wring increases in EBITDA from its activities in Europe and Latin America.
Columns : GLOBAL GAMING
December Hotel Opening for Chile’s Casino Monticello
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
The hotel at one of the largest mixed-leisure developments in Latin America is opening this month. The casino has already been operating for the past year and is starting to show better results.
Columns : UNITED STATES GAMING
Casinos Top Campaign Contributors
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
Gaming companies and gaming tribes are the top political contributors in some states, and among the top contributors in the nation, according to several reports.
Alabama Casino Opens Without Incident
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
More than 1,700 electronic bingo machines at the new Country Crossing in Houston County were certified by an independent firm, and deemed compliant with state requirements. Will Governor Bob Riley (l.) agree?
Foxwoods Philly Seeks More Time
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
As their deadline for submission of a project plan passes, he developers of Foxwoods Philadelphia seek more time to submit a plan for their riverfront project.
Detroit Casinos Keep Mum About Payouts
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
Detroit’s three commercial casinos have something in common with most Indian casinos in the country: They don’t have to tell anyone what their payout percentages are.
Hard Rock Unveils New Tower
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
The new Hard Rock Hotel Tower Suites are the latest upgrade for the property, and no expense was spared. Tower guests will also be able to enjoy a new spa and nightclub.
DeNaples Again Scrutinized
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
Pennsylvania regulators have interviewed the reputed mobster whose relationship with Mount Airy Casino licensee Louis DeNaples was the subject of perjury charges.
AC Mayor: Swap City Land for Airport
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
Lorenzo Langford (l.) says his plan would spur development of the historic former airport, vacant since it closed in 2006. He's targeting casino developers, but a former mayor says the plan makes no sense.
Battle of Gettysburg—Again
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
As local businessman David LeVan proposes a resort-class casino near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the same opposition that defeated his plans three years ago rises again.
Ohio Lawmakers Look at Racinos for Revenues
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
Some Ohio lawmakers who voted against a plan to deploy 2,500 video lottery terminals in the state’s seven racetracks are giving the issue another look. But first they have to see whether a group gathering signatures to put the issue before the voters succeeds in its efforts.
Maryland Lawmaker Targets Cordish Plan
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
State Delegate Ron George (l.) has pre-filed a bill that would ban video lottery terminals within 1,000 feet of various locations, including shopping malls, as Cordish Company has planned.
Herbst Bankruptcy Teaches Lessons
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
The outcome of Las Vegas-based casino company Herbst Gaming Inc.’s bankruptcy case could point the way for other Nevada gaming operators also going through bankruptcy.
GOP Candidates for Illinois Governor Stake out Gambling Positions
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
The next governor of Illinois will undoubtedly have to deal with gaming issues, so the Republican candidates for the job are staking out their often surprisingly different positions on the issues.
Ohio’s Issue 3 Victory Spawns Other Initiatives
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
Those who thought the fight over Ohio gaming ended with the win of Issue 3 in November, find that spurned Buckeye State lawmakers want to add their own salt to this soup—with several new initiatives that would amend the amendment that as it is written allows two developers the right to build casinos in the state’s four largest cities.
Illinois Casinos Fear Ripple Effect From Majestic Bankruptcy
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
The owners of casinos in Illinois are trying to figure out what the ripple effect, if any, will be from the bankruptcy of the Majestic Star Casino in neighboring Indiana.
Legislation Would Merge OTBs
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
Lawmakers are divided on possible bankruptcy filing by New York City OTB, which is struggling with $220M in debt. And Nassau County doesn't want to clean up the mess.
Columns : TRIBAL GAMING
Massachusetts Tribe Changes Partners
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe has ended its partnership with Len Wolman and Sol Kerzner (l.), and joined hands with the Genting Group, which is much more heavily capitalized, and more able to provide funds for the tribe’s proposed $1 billion casino in Massachusetts.
Pequots Will 'Set the Precedent'
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
Gaming industry keeps close eye on Connecticut tribe, which is grappling with $2 billion in debt. What happens at Foxwoods could set the standard for other tribes in financial distress
Tribe Throws Out No-Casino Vote
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
Councilors for the St. Regis Mohawks of New York did not give tribe enough time to consider before taking a vote that ruled thumbs-down on a Catskills casino. They'll try again in 2010.
Wisconsin Tribe’s Mississippi Investment at Risk
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
A Wisconsin tribe that has invested heavily in building a casino riverboat along the Mississippi River is seeing its investment melt away. It’s calling for an investigation by the FBI.
Columns : PEOPLE
MacDonald Joins Marina Bay Sands in Singapore
Sun, Dec 06, 2009
Highly respected gaming executive Andrew MacDonald (l.) has joined Las Vegas Sands as the executive vice president of gaming at the company's soon-to-open property Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.
IGT Names Chief Legal Officer, Chief of Staff
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
Slot manufacturer International Game Technology has announced two high-level appointments, naming a chief legal officer and a head of corporate development.
Godfrey Pegged to Head OLG
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
Tory publisher plans to clean house at Ontario's troubled lottery agency, starting with a new CEO and a new board of directors.
River Rock Loses CEO
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
The Dry Creek Pomo tribe’s River Rock Casino is currently seeking a new CEO, after former CEO Scott Garawitz decided to depart the property to “pursue other interests.”
IAGA Announces 2010 Officers
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
The International Association of Gaming Advisors has elected a group of new officers to lead the non-profit gaming law association in the new year.
DEQ Names Rep For Southeast Asia
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
DEQ Systems Corporation has chosen to go with experience in its search for a manager for its Australasia and Southeast Asia sales and marketing.
Columns : GOODS & SERVICES
Novomatic to Debut Server-based Gaming at IGE
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
Leading European gaming machine manufacturer Novomatic will introduce its new server-based gaming product at IGE 2010 in London.
Business Directory Released
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
Casino City Press has released the Winter 2010 edition of its flagship publication, the Gaming Business Directory.
GameAccount to Enter France
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
The provider of online skill games is providing free-to-play versions of its games ahead of the expected liberalization of online gaming in France.
Ainsworth License Approved
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
Australian slot manufacturer Ainsworth Game Technology has been approved for licensing by the Nevada Gaming Commission.
Bally Secures Fort Sill Contract
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
Bally Technologies will supply the Fort Sill Apache casino in Lawton, Oklahoma, with its ACSC slot monitoring, marketing and casino accounting system.
Huxley Launches Lunar Poker
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
TCS John Huxley launched a new poker game, Lunar Poker, which permits the player to compete against the house to build his strongest hand against the dealer.
Columns : WILD CARD
Wall Street Casino?
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (l.) wants anti-gambling laws applied to Wall Street when it comes to highly leveraged trades, calling it “casino capitalism.”
Big Loser
Fri, Dec 04, 2009
Gaming companies that fear the same sort of lawsuit that opened the way for tobacco companies to be hit for billions of dollars from smokers who got sick are looking askance at a lawsuit from a formerly rich importer who lost all his money—and claims the casino should have stopped him.