Sat, Apr 02, 2011
A new statewide poll indicates 86 percent of Texans believe the public should vote on legalizing casinos, with 67 percent of respondents in favor of gambling and 29 percent against. They may have a chance to do that if gambling bills pass the Texas House. Houston’s Tilman Fertitta, whose Landry’s Inc. owns the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas and soon in Atlantic City, is a big supporter.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
April 1 was the 20th anniversary of legal riverboat gambling in the United States. The launch in Iowa started a wave that swept through the South and the Midwest and brought gaming to the heart of America. The Diamond Lady (l.) riverboat in Bettandorf was the first boat to set sail engineered by the late Isle of Capri Chairman Bernie Goldstein.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
Another domino falls as the Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta (l.), owners of Station Casinos, form an alliance with Full Tilt Poker just days after the Wynn-PokerStars deal was announced and the Caesars-888.com relationship finalized. Do these deals signal a new day in Nevada for online gaming?
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
State Senator Dennis Jones (l.) has withdrawn a bill that would have allowed five Las Vegas-style “destination resorts” in the state. Jones pulled the bill after Senator Jeremy Ring attached an amendment that would have allowed the state’s parimutuels to operate as casinos with the same tax rate as the proposed destination casinos—which would be lower than their current rate.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
The boom in Macau didn’t slow down in March as revenue increased by almost 50 percent over March 2010. And annual reports issued by the SAR’s gaming companies show dramatic results, including Melco Crown, owner of City of Dreams (l.).
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
The Canadian province of Nova Scotia has announced its new strategy on gaming policy. The plan calls for the use of mandatory player cards for VLTs (l.) and reaffirms the province’s earlier refusal to enter the online gaming market. Rejected is a proposed C$45-million racino for the Halifax area.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
The Illinois House of Representatives, by a vote of 62-52, approved a bill to repeal the state’s ban on smoking in casinos. Since the prohibition on smoking began on January 1, 2008, the state has lost $800 million in casino tax revenue. Senate passage is not nearly as certain, however.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
As state legislatures meet, discussions about legalizing or expanding gaming take on a heightened urgency. Too many times, however, the talk is just that and nothing happens. Reign in your enthusiasm.
Sat, Mar 26, 2011
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Jim Ryan, the CEO of PartyGaming, just a week before the merger with sports-betting giant bwin is completed.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
The new administration running the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., led by Cristino “Bong” Naguiat (l.), has made it a priority to cut costs and streamline operations, but a cut targeted at casino managers has engendered some bad feelings.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
Even with a proposal to leave at least half the casino floor open for smokers, Macau casino operators are still concerned that a proposed anti-smoking bill before the SAR’s legislature will hurt business.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
The casinos of Goa, India have been the object of continuous battling between the state’s government and opposition politicians. Now the leader of the opposition claims to have discovered a new reason to be concerned with the offshore casino industry.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
At an investors’ conference, LV Sands Chairman Sheldon Adelson outlined the case against former Sands China CEO Steve Jacobs, who has filed lawsuits against the company after being fired last July. Allegations in the lawsuits have sparked investigations in the U.S. and now in Hong Kong.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
Stanley Ho’s fourth wife, Angela Leong (l.), now owns more of the casino company, SJM Holdings. A stock filing clarifies the arrangement that disbursed the bulk of the portion of the company owned by Ho, who is now left with a miniscule percentage.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
The desire of the Chinese and Macau governments to diversify the SAR’s economy is a goal, but unlikely to be reached any time soon, says an expert.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
The Court of Justice of the European Union has been slowly zeroing in on consistency in its rulings on gaming monopolies. Advocate General Yves Bot (l.) of the CJEU continued that progress in his recent opinion on a case involving Austria.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
When Poland’s LOT Airlines is privatized later this year, the acquiring company is likely to sell off the firm’s one-third interest in Casinos Poland.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
At the end of March, the Christchurch Casino in New Zealand was still closed due to damage suffered in the February 22 earthquake. Employees have been kept on the payroll all this time, but whether that will last beyond April 5 is unknown.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
While parties pro and con battle over Vancouver’s proposed B.C. Place replacement for the existing Edgewater Casino, an internal report from B.C. Lottery Corporation gives a conservative estimate of the potential revenue increase the project would generate.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
Panama-based Thunderbird Resorts is continuing with its plan to eliminate non-gaming assets from its holdings in Peru. The recently contracted sale of two hotels for $18 million is expected to close sometime in the next three months.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
A proposal to amend the Criminal Code to allow sports betting on a single event has been introduced into Canada’s the House of Commons.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
A question to allow casinos in the town of Port Moody has been put on the November ballot, while Vancouver debates the expansion and relocation of one of its most lucrative gaming halls.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
Now entering its ninth year of existence, online gaming industry watchdog eCOGRA has taken steps to ensure that it is perceived as an independent body. A recent management buy-out has resulted in a board of directors free of any operator involvement.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
Now that a deal with Wynn Resorts has been announced, the renegade—and market leading—poker site has launched a campaign to legalize online poker in the U.S. in one form or another.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
Not every online gaming company has been a rousing success. Despite some innovative content and technology, Dublin-based Cryptologic is hoping to bail out investors by selling the company.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
The Dutch government has instituted a sort of “UIGEA-light” plan for financial transactions between players and online gaming sites. Each bank is allowed to decide whether it will comply with the voluntary measure.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
B.C. Lottery Corporation is trying to amend legislation to allow direct international wire transfers, but opponents say it will increase money laundering.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
A bill to legalize online poker in Iowa would allow players, who must be at least 21 years old and live in Iowa, to deposit cash into accounts with Iowa casinos, log on to password-protected sites and gamble online. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission would oversee activities.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
The newest resort on the Las Vegas Strip expects to turn a profit over time, but pre-opening expenses resulted in a multi-million dollar loss for 2010. The property was only open for two weeks in December.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
Casino activity is picking up in Ohio, in Toledo, where a casino has started to rise, but not in Columbus, where building hasn’t begun yet due to a dispute between the city and the developer, Penn National.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem in Pennsylvania announced that its 300-room hotel will open in May along with a new restaurant from celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
A bill passed by the Maryland Senate would again lower the tax rate for gaming revenue for any casino operator at Rocky Gap Lodge (l.) in the state park, as an enticement to draw new takers for the license.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
Caesars Entertainment in Vegas proposed a plan to increase sales taxes around the Strip to fund a new sports arena. A bill now in the senate, if passed, would prohibit that action.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
The Kansas House has decided against advancing a bill that would have made it easier to locate a casino in the state’s southeast gaming zone.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
Governor Chris Christie’s law to deregulate the Atlantic City gaming industry has shrunk the budget and workforce of the state’s Casino Control Commission.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
A near-unanimous vote sends all parties back to the bargaining table. Dealer representatives balked at sharing tips with casino management.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
With the threat of new gaming competition in neighboring states, a Connecticut University professor proposes a radical solution, one that does not find favor with Indian tribes. With the tribal deals struck back in the 1990s, the state finds no easy solution for falling tax revenue.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
A New York real estate developer’s plan to take over New Jersey’s Meadowlands Racetrack has been postponed due to hesitation from the track’s union.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
Ground recently was broken in Cape Girardeau, Missouri for the Isle of Capri’s $125 million casino, located north of the downtown area. The development, featuring 1,000 slots and 28 table games, will be completed late next year.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
After a few years of silence, interest in opening a card room in Orange City, Florida, is on the rise. An application is in progress for West Volusia Racing.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
Proponents of a Nevada state lottery bring in the big guns: high school students, who tell lawmakers that lottery revenue could offset educational costs in the state. Casinos have traditionally opposed the introduction of a lottery in Nevada and will likely do so again.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement has fined Harrah’s for security violations, including theft, underage gambling and unattended cash boxes.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
The Hawaii Senate is considering a gambling bill would create a Peer-to-Peer Entertainment Commission that would license poker tournaments. The measure also would allow online poker, calling it a game of skill, not chance.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton said new gambling activities must limit excessive profits, serve the public and be state-owned. Supporters of racinos say they meet all three requirements.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. has successfully completed refinancing its senior secured facility with new revolving and term loans with extended maturity dates. The company issued bond and equity offerings earlier this year.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
New buffet, to open April 18, will be the first phase of Palace’s major renovation, which also will include the gaming floor and hotel lobby. The entire project will be completed by late summer.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
Annual report shows the number of serious gamblers who visited Sin City dropped by 4 percent in 2010. But other forms of spending are stable or on the upswing.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
Resorts Atlantic City fired 15 cocktail servers after the applicants were judged unfit to wear the new, sexy uniform. Bob McDevitt (l.), president of the Local 54 union representing the workers, has filed a discrimination complaint against the casino.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
Two Trump properties in Atlantic City have added a total of over 700 new slots and will extend their free promotions through April.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
Labor board defends the right of off-duty casino employees to lobby for union representation, both inside and outside the property. One board member dissented.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
Fred M. Gabbard was named to the new position of senior vice president of product development operations for slot manufacturer WMS Industries.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
As vice president at the Innovation Group, Steinagel will work with corporate and international clients out of the firm’s Orlando, Florida office. Previously he worked at Boyd Gaming and MGM Resorts.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. has named Carlos Ruisanchez as chief financial officer. He also will continue to serve as executive vice president of Strategic Planning and Development.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
California’s Cache Creek Casino Resort named Michael Traum as its new communications manager.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
Online expert is a “proven dealmaker” who previously worked with Nike, McDonald’s, Microsoft and Intel, among others.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
No reason was forthcoming for the departure of Mountaineer president/GM, who served just over a year. Sours is a defendant in an alleged gender discrimination case.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
The ICE Totally Gaming trade show will take place in Earls Court next year, and possibly in 2013 and beyond under the latest plan.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
The National Center for Responsible Gaming last week unveiled a website that will help college students struggling with problem gaming. A website and treatment program just another way the NCRG advances the cause of responsible gaming.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
International Game Technology will distribute wide-area progressive products to CNIGA member tribes through CNIGA’s for-profit subsidiary.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
Global hospitality plan will entice customers of both companies, based in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, with rewards perks, special offers.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
Ainsworth Game Technology debuts a new game and its new wide-screen A560 cabinet at California’s Fantasy Springs Resort & Casino.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
As part of a marketing makeover to match new leadership in the company, NEWave is revealing a new branding effort along with its new company name and logo.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
Mobile applications will enable guests to “experience the opulence” of the Las Vegas Sands casinos at the touch of a mobile device.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
TCSJohnHuxley’s new table game, which combines elements of craps with the game of football, will launch at O’Sheas on the Las Vegas Strip.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
Slot manufacturer Atronic has launched its “Oxygen” cabinet at casinos in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
Bettorlogic has released two new products that should enable sports books to increase revenue from existing users. Nextbet and Multibet use available data to present additional bet options to clients.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
The bingo version of the Classic Slingo game is now being played at a bingo hall in New York.
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
A new attraction at the Tropicana Las Vegas is the first of two exhibits to open this year celebrating the nefarious history of Vegas and the mob.
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