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Aria Awaits

Aria Awaits

by Staff

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.

Columns : ASIAN GAMING

Smoking Ban Coming to Macau—But Not Casinos

by Staff

Sat, Dec 19, 2009

The smoking ban being considered by the Macau government would prohibit smoking in public places, but exempt areas frequented by tourists— casinos, sauna and massage lounges, and dance halls.

Singapore Gets Tough

by Staff

Sat, Dec 19, 2009

Casinos will face hefty fines if they permit banned persons to enter casino floor, while the government notifies citizens in bankruptcy and receiving public assistance that they will be barred from entering either casino.

Singapore Sands Could Open in April

Singapore Sands Could Open in April

by Staff

Sat, Dec 19, 2009

Marina Bay Sands could see action as early as April 2010, but that represents a delay of almost six months from the expected opening at the end of this year.

Columns : GLOBAL GAMING

Interest Grows in Australian Pub & Slot Operator

by Staff

Sat, Dec 19, 2009

Licensing changeovers and the potential for regulatory reform are spurring activity among Australia’s gaming operators. The next few years could produce a very different landscape than exists now.

Room for Growth Says Panama Commission Director

by Staff

Sat, Dec 19, 2009

The relative health of Panama’s gaming industry is spurring government to encourage expansion in gaming at the same time that taxes on revenue are going up.

Chilean Casino Hotel Certified

by Staff

Sat, Dec 19, 2009

The developers of one of Chile’s busiest casinos are progressing towards completion of all non-gaming amenities promised in their proposal. Most recently the five-star hotel was approved by the casino commission.

Ontario Lottery May be for Sale

Ontario Lottery May be for Sale

by Staff

Sat, Dec 19, 2009

The government of Canada’s province Ontario is studying whether to privatize some of its more lucrative state-run enterprises, such as its gaming industry (including Caesars Windsor (l.), in order to try to close a huge budget deficit.

Poor Supervision Blamed For Saskatchewan Gaming Losses

by Staff

Sat, Dec 19, 2009

Bad supervision is at the root of a more than $1 million loss suffered by the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority last year—according to an auditor’s report.

Abu Dhabi Rescues Dubai World

by Staff

Sat, Dec 19, 2009

With just days to go before important interest payments were due from Dubai World, half owner of CityCenter, the government of Abu Dhabi tossed in $10 billion to keep the wolves at bay.

Columns : ONLINE GAMING

Online Poker Giants Deny Merger Talks

Online Poker Giants Deny Merger Talks

by Staff

Sun, Dec 20, 2009

PartyGaming and Bwin refused to confirm that they have been discussing a merger, which would create the largest online gaming site in the world.

Group Revives Internet Poker Idea in California

by Staff

Sun, Dec 20, 2009

A consortium of an Indian casino and some card clubs is pushing the idea of legalizing online poker in California.

Indian State Set to Award Online License

Indian State Set to Award Online License

by Staff

Sun, Dec 20, 2009

Sikkim, a state in the Himalayas, will issue one online gaming license after receiving bids from some of the world’s major online companies.

Columns : UNITED STATES GAMING

Delaware Racinos Seek Tax Break

Delaware Racinos Seek Tax Break

by Staff

Sat, Dec 19, 2009

Lower-than-expected sports betting revenues and a table game delay have Delaware’s racinos struggling under their agreed-upon higher tax. Governor Jack Markell (l.) says he's not going to change the deal.

Fight Shaping Up Over Laurel

Fight Shaping Up Over Laurel

by Staff

Sat, Dec 19, 2009

Joseph De Francis (l.), former owner of the two tracks of the Maryland Jockey Club, wants to buy the facilities back from Magna Entertainment, and add slots to Laurel Park. Cordish Company confirmed its own plan to bid for Laurel Park.

Mixed Results at Florida Racinos

Mixed Results at Florida Racinos

by Staff

Sat, Dec 19, 2009

Gaming analyst: Initial excitement at new racinos is quickly supplanted by ‘the reality of the marketplace.’ Hialeah Park (l.) is latest to plan a slot casino.

Beal, Icahn to Bid on Trump

Beal, Icahn to Bid on Trump

by Staff

Sat, Dec 19, 2009

Andy Beal (l.) and Beal Bank, which loaned almost $500 million to keep Donald Trump’s casinos afloat, will not step aside in favor of bondholders, who sought to acquire properties for $225 million. Instead, he's selling his interest to Carl Icahn.

Lake Tahoe Casino Closes

Lake Tahoe Casino Closes

by Staff

Sat, Dec 19, 2009

One of Harrah’s Entertainment’s Northern Nevada properties, Bill’s Lake Tahoe Casino, is closing January 4 due to financial troubles.

Full Smoking Ban Dodged in Atlantic City

by Staff

Sat, Dec 19, 2009

City will not float a 100 percent ban again until 2011; decision was handed down in closed-door session that excluded the city’s leading anti-smoking lawmaker.

Alabama Bingo Battles Wage On

by Staff

Sat, Dec 19, 2009

In Alabama, all sides are calling for 2010 vote to put the issue to rest. Some want a total ban; others call for regulation and taxation.

Former Coast Exec To Buy Mesquite Casinos?

by Staff

Sat, Dec 19, 2009

Franklin Toti, current South Point executive and a former VP at Coast Casinos, is reportedly in talks to take over Black Gaming’s properties in Mesquite, Nevada.

First Kansas Casino Opens

by Staff

Sat, Dec 19, 2009

One down and three to go. The first of the four Kansas casinos authorized in 2007 by the Legislature opened last week in Dodge City, where gambling has been illegal for over 130 years, since the heyday of “The Wickedest Little City in America.”

Massachusetts Governor Calls for Gaming Study

Massachusetts Governor Calls for Gaming Study

by Staff

Sat, Dec 19, 2009

After meeting with foes of expanded gaming Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick (l.) has sided with them on the need for an updated cost benefit study before voting on a bill next year.

Ohio Lawmakers Want to Move Columbus Casino

by Staff

Sat, Dec 19, 2009

Some lawmakers in central Ohio want to give the voters of that area a chance for a do over vote as to whether Columbus should have a casino. The residents of that city by a large margin voted against Issue 3, which passed narrowly in the state in November.

Minnesota Governor Opposes Racinos

Minnesota Governor Opposes Racinos

by Staff

Sat, Dec 19, 2009

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty (l.) reiterated his opposition to expanding gaming in his state, in spite of a contradictory statement attributed to him by a retiring state senator.

Harrah’s Re-Themes Tunica Casino

Harrah’s Re-Themes Tunica Casino

by Staff

Sat, Dec 19, 2009

The Sheraton Casino is now the Roadhouse in recognition of its proximity to the seminal American road, Highway 61. Harrah's officials, employees and local celebrities cut the ribbon on the new joint (l.).

Recession Hits Western States Hardest

by Staff

Sat, Dec 19, 2009

Las Vegas is at the top of the list of cities that have been devastated by the recession, according to a recent report from Brookings Mountain West.

Sahara Shuts Hotel Towers

by Staff

Sat, Dec 19, 2009

Slow business has lead to the closure of two hotel towers at the Sahara hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip. The property said it would reopen rooms as needed.

Report Calls for Beefed up Casino Enforcement in Louisiana

by Staff

Sat, Dec 19, 2009

A report requested by the head of Louisiana’s state police has offered some constructive criticism of the state’s Gaming Enforcement Division.

Columns : TRIBAL GAMING

California Ready to Shut Down Electronic Bingo

by Staff

Sat, Dec 19, 2009

In two weeks California will be able to start enforcing a ban against electronic bingo that was challenged by some charities that claimed that it violated the Americans With Disabilities Act. The courts disagreed.

County Board May Extend Wisconsin Casino Pact

by Staff

Sun, Dec 20, 2009

The Board of Supervisors of Kenosha County, Wisconsin may approve extending a city-county-tribal pact it has with the Menominee Nation for the Dairyland Greyhound Park, which the nation would like to develop into a racino.

California Gaming Compact Encounters Little Opposition

by Staff

Sun, Dec 20, 2009

The 205-member Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake seems to have done everything right to ensure that its tribal gaming compact with California encounters no rough seas on its passage through the legislature.

Build America Bonds Help California Tribe Finish Casino Hotel

by Staff

Sun, Dec 20, 2009

California’s San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians has been able to take advantage of the Obama administration’s Build America Bond economic stimulus money to issue $35 million in bonds to fund a hotel it is building.

Columns : PEOPLE

TCS John Huxley Names Head of Marketing

by Staff

Sun, Dec 20, 2009

TCS John Huxley has promoted its former head of communications to lead the marketing effort.

Potawatomi Bingo Casino Picks CFO

Potawatomi Bingo Casino Picks CFO

by Staff

Sun, Dec 20, 2009

The tribal gaming property in Wisconsin continues to add experienced leaders to its management team with the selection of financial industry veteran Kurt Schmidt as the property’s new chief financial officer.

Governor Appoints Wynn CFO to Forum

by Staff

Sun, Dec 20, 2009

Nevada’s five-member Economic Forum has a new voice now that Governor Jim Gibbons has appointed Wynn Resorts CFO Matt Maddox to the panel.

Second Planet Hollywood Exec Moves to Trop

by Staff

Sun, Dec 20, 2009

Former Planet Hollywood Vice President of Property Operations and Food and Beverage Thomas Recine is joining former Planet Hollywood President Thomas McCartney at the Tropicana Las Vegas.

Columns : GOODS & SERVICES

Kenilworth Systems Starts Simulcast

by Staff

Sun, Dec 20, 2009

Firm hopes for reconfigured U.S. law to permit online simultaneous gambling.

Jumbo Slots Debut at MGM Grand Macau

by Staff

Sun, Dec 20, 2009

Taiwan-based slot company installs new slots at MGM Grand Macau with ceremonies and hope for the future

Resorts World Picks TransAct

by Staff

Sun, Dec 20, 2009

The operator’s new resort in Singapore will use TransAct’s Epic 950 printer exclusively.

Alfastreet R-8 Approved for Mexico

by Staff

Sun, Dec 20, 2009

The Alfastreet R-8 automated roulette table, an eight-player automated roulette game, has been approved as the first certified gaming device in Mexico.

Kerzner Chooses TCS John Huxley for Mazagan Casino

by Staff

Sun, Dec 20, 2009

Casino supplier TCS John Huxley and operator Kerzner International have a long history of working together that goes back to earlier incarnations of these two legendary companies.

CryptoLogic Licenses Games to BetClic

by Staff

Sun, Dec 20, 2009

Ireland’s CryptoLogic continues to land new deals for its branded online games. French operator BetClic has joined the list of licensees.

Columns : WILD CARD

A Bad Day

by Staff

Sun, Dec 20, 2009

Former Pinnacle Entertainment Chairman Dan Lee dodges sanctions over his confrontation with a St. Louis County council member over his vote on casino zoning.

Bonus Babies

by Staff

Sun, Dec 20, 2009

Fontainebleau Las Vegas chief restructuring officer has asked Bankruptcy Judge A. Jay Cristol to grant the property’s key employees $1 million in bonuses. Fontainebleau’s creditors are less than pleased with the request.

Brooks Wins Over Wynn

Brooks Wins Over Wynn

by Staff

Sun, Dec 20, 2009

Some were unsure if the country superstar still had the chops to succeed in Las Vegas, but all doubts were silenced after Brooks wowed audiences during his first set of shows at Wynn Las Vegas.

Columns : NUTSHELL

NEWS & NOTES

by Staff

Sun, Dec 20, 2009

Columns : THEY SAID IT

QUOTABLE QUOTES

by Staff

Sun, Dec 20, 2009