Sat, May 14, 2011
A game of slow motion chicken is shaping up between casino developers in Ohio on one side, and the governor and legislature on the other side. Governor John Kasich wants to raises taxes on gaming, and one casino developer has stopped construction of two casinos, including the Horseshoe Casino in Cleveland (l.), in response, while the other threatens a lawsuit should governor follow through on his threats.
Sat, May 14, 2011
A new “white paper” outlining the position of the American Gaming Association towards online gaming was released last week in Washington D.C. complete with a “fly in” by gaming executives to lobby members of Congress. AGA President and CEO Frank J. Fahrenkopf (l.) says U.S. gaming companies should be allowed to serve people who want to play poker online.
Sat, May 14, 2011
A Texas House committee recently approved a bill to allow slots at racetracks and Native American reservations. At the same time, no action has been taken on a bill allowing up to seven destination resort casinos throughout the state. Rep. Mike “Tuffy” Hamilton (l.) said he could not get consensus on the casino bills.
Sat, May 14, 2011
Now that some sort of expanded gaming in Massachusetts looks more likely, some of the biggest players in gaming are showing interesting and unveiling ambitious casino resort projects. Mohegan Sun’s Mitchell Etess (l.) is looking to build a resort in Palmer.
Sat, May 14, 2011
The still-to-be-completed MGM China IPO has now tripled since it was announced last year. The company is now looking to raise $1.5 billion, much of which will got to partner Pansy Ho, who sells half of her stake, while MGM gets 51 percent.
Sat, May 14, 2011
The Italian VLT market continues to grow as planned venues come on line. The latest addition is from Azzurro Gaming, the joint venture between operator Casinos Austria International and license-holder Cogetech of Italy. At left, Josef Leutgeb (CFO Casinos Austria International) and Fabio Schiavolin (CEO Cogetech and president of Azzurro Gaming) in Vincendo Meran.
Sat, May 14, 2011
Crown continues to tweak its properties in the Australian market—if spending another $300 million on top of upgrades costing $1.5 billion-plus can be considered “tweaking.” In any case, Crown appears to be going full tilt to capture the growing Asian VIP market, with improvements at Crown Melbourne (l.) and other sites.
Sat, May 14, 2011
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Ralph Topping, the chief executive of British bookmaker William Hill, and the three heads of his recently acquired U.S. divisions, all based in Nevada.
Sat, May 14, 2011
Taiwan is making a second attempt to install a casino gaming industry on its offshore islands. But the locals who will be voting on whether or not to allow it are demanding more specific answers to questions. Presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen (l.) is anti-gaming and gaining on the current president.
Sat, May 14, 2011
A new report from Standard & Poor’s predicts 25-percent-plus growth for Macau in 2011. That of course depends on the economy of China performing as forecast.
Sat, May 14, 2011
Crown has acquired complete ownership of a high-end London casino it has held jointly with the Aspinall family. The purchase of Aspinalls Club is the latest move in Crown’s efforts to coordinate its VIP business worldwide.
Sat, May 14, 2011
Hong Kong investment group Guoco has been picking up large chunks of stock in U.K. gaming operator Rank Group PLC for the past three and a half years. Guoco recently acquired another 11.6 percent, which took its holding above the magic number that mandated a bid for Rank.
Sat, May 14, 2011
A proposed mandatory pre-commitment measure for slot players is now predicted to cost Australia’s casinos A$280 million if implemented. The industry and the state governments, which regulate and benefit from gaming are opposing the move.
Sat, May 14, 2011
SkyCity Entertainment has announced the pending reopening of Christchurch Casino. The property was forced to close due to earthquake damage in the area. Also on the agenda are upgrades to gaming and hotel amenities in Auckland and a bid for New Zealand’s first international convention center.
Sat, May 14, 2011
Raids on the headquarters of PokerStars and Absolute Poker in Costa Rica were reportedly aimed at capturing their fugitive executive, to no avail. Meanwhile, Absolute has reached an agreement with the U.S. government to return funds they hold that belong to U.S. players.
Sat, May 14, 2011
The government of Poland is on the verge of creating a regulated market for online sports betting. Unfortunately, if reports are accurate, high taxes and other negatives in the current bill may drive away respectable operators.
Sat, May 14, 2011
Online betting company Sportingbet is poised to purchase bookmaker Centrebet in a deal worth AU$175.5 million.
Sat, May 14, 2011
Danish gaming authorities considering online gaming regulations have proved to be unusually flexible compared to some of their E.U. counterparts. The latest give is in the area of server location. Denmark is still awaiting a decision from the European Commission on a tax matter.
Sat, May 14, 2011
The online poker giant is re-evaluating a former plan to sell its Ongame poker network in light of the impending purchase of poker network Entraction by IGT. The company also released its first quarterly results since the merger of the two giants. A slight overall increase was registered, with the potential for future growth as always dependent on changes effected within the world’s regulatory bodies.
Sat, May 14, 2011
In light of the recent shut down of online poker sites in the U.S., the PPA is planning a fly in to Washington, DC to fight for their cause.
Sat, May 14, 2011
Gaming tribes are governed by regulations that don’t hamper commercial casinos. This might create problems if they try to move fast to take advantage of legalized online gaming, if online gaming is legalized, according to some experts in tribal gaming. John Tahsuda and Sheila Morago talk about it at a recent conference.
Sat, May 14, 2011
Lenders could not convince a judge to delay the sale of Green Valley Ranch, a Station casino, until their interests were considered. Creditors say the fix was in to keep the Fertittas in charge.
Sat, May 14, 2011
Business is lackluster in Jean, Nevada, resulting in the closure of the largest of two hotel towers at the Gold Strike, owned by MGM. Sixty-four people will lose their jobs, but may find others within the company.
Sat, May 14, 2011
A 27-year tradition will end as of May 30, and at least 200 employees will lose their jobs. VictoryLand’s owner, Milton McGregor (l.), is facing trial in June for bribery.
Sat, May 14, 2011
Despite reservations, the Detroit City Council recently approved a resolution backing Mayor Dave Bing's (l.) controversial plan to increase taxes on Detroit's by 3 percent for one year. The plan, which would raise $20 million, would have to be approved by the state legislature.
Sat, May 14, 2011
Judging by the Las Vegas Strip alone, the economic rebound seems to be under way. But off the Strip, casinos continue to see downturns.
Sat, May 14, 2011
A series of table games layoffs at all 11 Atlantic City casinos follows in the wake of gaming deregulation and competition as table games have been legalized in surrounding jurisdictions over the past year.
Sat, May 14, 2011
A Senate committee is considering a bill to allow special gaming rooms where patrons may smoke, as long as casinos in neighboring states allow smoking. Proponents say Illinois casinos have been losing hundreds of millions of dollars to casinos that allow smoking in Indiana, Missouri and Iowa.
Sat, May 14, 2011
A judge has paved the way for a ballot initiative that would raise the sales tax on and around the Vegas Strip to fund the construction of a sports arena. The question will be answered by Nevada voters next November.
Sat, May 14, 2011
Penn National Gaming has applied to return standardbred horseracing and year-round simulcasting to its recently purchased Rosecroft Raceway.
Sat, May 14, 2011
Philadelphia’s SugarHouse casino has received approval from regulators to add 10 tables and approximately 70 new employees in an expansion of its pit area.
Sat, May 14, 2011
Flooding and rising water levels recently forced the closure of all nine casinos in Tunica, Mississippi. All casinos will continue to pay employees of those casinos during the flood. However, Biloxi's 11 casinos are open for business, despite a report to the contrary on CNN.
Sat, May 14, 2011
As CEO Mark Giannantonio (l.) prepares to depart from Atlantic City’s Tropicana Casino, a $5.8 million blackjack win sinks his chances of leaving on a high note.
Sat, May 14, 2011
A new $24 million campaign launched by the LVCVA will focus on bringing summer visitors to Las Vegas.
Sat, May 14, 2011
During the recent session of the Hawaii legislature, lawmakers considered—and killed--16 gambling bills. The proposals included opening a casino in Waikiki, legalizing gambling aboard ships and hosting televised high-stakes poker tournaments.
Sat, May 14, 2011
At the 2011 Southern Gaming Summit held in Biloxi, Mayor A. J. Holloway (l.) said the gaming industry in Biloxi is slowly recovering. But what's really needed to boost the economy is "tourism infrastructure" like family attractions, restaurants, water slides and water parks, miniature golf and more.
Sat, May 14, 2011
Resorts Atlantic City is seeing a rise in revenue with their innovative marketing strategy, including the opening of a new gay nightclub. It’s one in a series of programs designed to establish the company in this rich, lucrative market.
Sat, May 14, 2011
The Deadwood Gaming Association will not challenge a new law in South Dakota that allows video lottery establishments to offer games resembling slot machines. However, in 2012 the group may ask the legislature to raise the bet limit above $100 and allow craps and roulette in casinos.
Sat, May 14, 2011
In a recent Star Tribune Minnesota poll, 72 percent of adults surveyed said they would like Native American tribes' monopoly on casino gambling in the state to come to an end (Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in suburban Minneapolis at left). By law, the state's 18 tribal casinos, which generate $1.5 billion a year, do not pay taxes.
Sat, May 14, 2011
California Senator Dianne Feinstein (l.) last week continued her crusade against a Class II Indian casino in San Pablo, near San Francisco with a bill designed to cap the casino’s growth.
Sat, May 14, 2011
The tribe’s focus has shifted to the Belmont Park racetrack (l.), only a few miles from Genting’s Aqueduct casino, which has often been cited as a possible location for the Long Island Indian nation tribal gaming enterprise.
Sat, May 14, 2011
The Glendale City Council recently voted to appeal to the Arizona Supreme Court the state's latest ruling regarding the Tohono O'odham Nation's proposed casino. The tribe wants to build a Las Vegas-style casino resort on land it owns in the city.
Sat, May 14, 2011
The roof of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma collapsed last winter during a blizzard. Now, instead of simply replacing the damaged areas, the Cherokee Nation will build a 10,000 square foot dining and entertainment area, 45,000 square feet of gaming space, plus a $52 million, 100-room hotel tower.
Sat, May 14, 2011
Tribal casino boosters question authority of a New Jersey gaming consultant who is weighing in on Alabama’s fight with the Poarch Creek Indians.
Sat, May 14, 2011
After five years, the annual European Dealer Championship has become a fixture on the European calendar. This year’s winner of the trip to Las Vegas is Liisa Rennstein (l.) of the Olympic Casino Group in Estonia.
Sat, May 14, 2011
Alexander Mirza, a former aide to Gary Loveman, takes the reins to develop luxury hotels and restaurants in Vegas, Atlantic City, and elsewhere around the globe.
Sat, May 14, 2011
Longtime IGT executive Rich Schneider will assume the role of chief product officer at Aristocrat Technologies.
Sat, May 14, 2011
JCM Global has named former Konami senior sales executive Mike Colburn as the company’s new sales representative for the Northwest U.S.
Sat, May 14, 2011
Four-year deal includes possible incentives for superior returns; Herbst CEO David Ross will lead the consulting team, advising on strategy and budgets.
Sat, May 14, 2011
Bally Technologies announced final results of its modified “Dutch Auction” tender offer, showing nearly 10 million shares tendered.
Sat, May 14, 2011
Dr. B.J. Fogg from Stanford University heads a lineup of speakers at the IGT Systems Global Users Conference at Aria Resort June 29-30.
Sat, May 14, 2011
Bally Technologies has re-introduced the cartoon vixen in a new version of its cartoon-themed slot called “Betty Boop’s Love Meter.”
Sat, May 14, 2011
NEWave announced that it has successfully installed its “myCompliance” Title 31 software solution at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino.
Sat, May 14, 2011
A total of 98 Atronic games in the new “Oxygen” cabinet have been installed at major German casinos, along with new linked games, core games and game suites.
Sat, May 14, 2011
Elektroncek d.o.o. and French distributor Tranchant Gaming Technology announced the first installation of the Interblock G4 Roulette game in France.
Sat, May 14, 2011
Italy’s Casino di Campione has announced a changeover to all MEI note validators. As one of Italy’s four full casinos, the decision is viewed by MEI management as important for the expanding VLT market there as well.
Sat, May 14, 2011
SAGSE Panama 2011 is set to run June 22 and 23. The organizers report that the trade event has almost sold out of available exhibition space.
Sat, May 14, 2011
One of the companies hired to assist Ohio Governor John Kasich (l.) on deciding what is “fair” when it comes to taxing casinos in Ohio will get a cut of any increase in revenue that results from its recommendations.
Sat, May 14, 2011
Gambler won under a false name and carried fake ID, apparently to avoid paying taxes on his $8K stash. But he was upset when he was arrested and handcuffed.
Sat, May 14, 2011
A recent editorial in the Fort Worth, Texas Star Telegram declared legalized gambling could provide a significant source of revenue for public education. Charles Reasons, a Community Columnist for the newspaper, said since public education funds from the Texas Lottery have been falling steadily, it could be "time to look at another source of revenue: Full casino gambling."
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