Vol. 9 • No. 20 • May 23, 2011 - Print This Issue
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Vol. 9 • No. 20 • May 23, 2011, Featured Articles, PODCASTS
GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCAST: Frank Fahrenkopf, President and CEO, American Gaming Association
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Frank Fahrenkopf the president and CEO of the American Gaming Association, on the group’s recent announcement that it would support legislation to legalize online poker in the U.S.
Download this Podcast Episode or Click Below to Play it.
The American Gaming Association changed its previous policy toward online gaming in March 2010. Rather than oppose any measure to legalize online gaming, the association indicated it would support reasonable legislation to legalize, regulate and tax online poker in the U.S. A recent white paper released by the AGA has increased the interest in legalization and Black Friday, April 15, when the three leading online poker sites were shut down by the U.S. government, has given some urgency to the movement. Frank Fahrenkopf talked to Global Gaming Business Publisher Roger Gros about why he believes that internet poker is legal but how the actions of the U.S. government prevent American casino companies from serving the online poker players. He talks about why online poker is more palatable than casino gaming and why sports betting is far down the road.
More Featured Articles
WEEKLY FEATURE: That’s What Friends Are For
Billionaires commit to invest millions in the IPO for MGM China. MGM Resorts founder Kirk Kerkorian, billionaire hedge fund operator John Paulson (l.) and two other “whales” contribute almost $200 million to get the offering off the ground. The offering is seeking to raise $1.5 billion.
Barden Dies
Don Barden, the first African-American owner of a major casino company, died last week after a long battle with cancer. Barden owned the casinos in Gary, Indiana, and the Fitzgerald’s casinos in Las Vegas, Reno, Colorado and Mississippi.
Mississippi Casinos Reopen As Flooding Recedes
Casinos in Tunica, Mississippi are reopening one by one as the threat of flooding diminishes along the Mississippi River. All 10 Tunica casinos closed for the first time since gaming began there in 1994, leading to an estimated loss of $7 million - $10 million in gaming tax revenue to state and local governments. Hollywood Casino and Resorts in Tunica (l.) will open later because they are closer to the river.
Wynn: Cotai Opening in 2014
Observing the opening of Galaxy Macau, Steve Wynn expects to begin construction soon and is targeting a 2014 opening for his next lavish project in the Cotai region.
Sayonara, Sahara
The Vegas gaming hall closes its doors after more than half a century of glamour, glitz and high-rolling success. Legendary status could not save it from the Great Recession. One of the original casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, the property simply fell apart.