Vol. 9 • No. 13 • April 4, 2011 - Print This Issue
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Vol. 9 • No. 13 • April 4, 2011, Featured Articles, PODCASTS
GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCAST: Jim Ryan, CEO, PartyGaming
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.
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Jim Ryan leads the most successful public company currently involved in online gaming. And the company is about to become bigger as it completes a merger with the online leader in sports betting, bwin. Ryan explains how important the combined company will be in the online gaming sector, and then talks about the possibility of online gaming being legalized in the U.S. He describes the possibilities of the industry in the states, and why PartyGaming-bwin is in an enviable position whether legalization comes at the federal or the state level. He spoke with Global Gaming Business Publisher Roger Gros from his office in Gibraltar in February.
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WEEKLY FEATURE: Remember the Riverboats
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.
The Full Fertitta
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?
Florida 'Destination Resort' Casino Bill Dies
State Senator Dennis Jones (l.) has withdrawn a bill that would have allowed five Las Vegas-style “destination resorts” in the state.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.
Macau Sets March Record
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.).
Nova Scotia Plans Generate Controversy
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.
Illinois House Lifts Casino Smoking Ban
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.
FANTINI’S FINANCE: Counting Your Chickens
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.