Sun, Jun 12, 2011
The long-stalled Macau Studio City project will reportedly be taken over by Melco Crown Entertainment, led by Lawrence Ho. The Studio City site (rendering of the original project above) is located on the Cotai Strip past the Venetian and near the Wynn Resorts site. The agreement with the previous owners would give Melco its third casino in the SAR, the second in Cotai.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
The fifth annual G2E Asia was held last week in an environment of exploding growth for Macau. Delegates learned about expansion opportunities across the Pacific Rim and explored a trade show floor represented by almost 200 exhibitors. Sheldon Adelson (shown with American Gaming Association head Frank J. Fahrenkopf) received the show’s Visionary Award.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
Two weeks after halting construction in Cleveland and Cincinnati, Rock Ohio Caesars COO Matt Cullen (l.) has cut a deal with Ohio Governor John Kasich to increase payments to the state, although the established tax rate will not change, and racinos would be approved.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
U.K. gaming operator Rank Group has been taken by surprise at the success of a low £1.50-a-share offer from Malaysia’s Guoco Group. The mandatory bid managed to take Guoco’s stake in Rank from 41 percent to 56 percent in a matter of days.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
Politicians, regulators and executives gathered to officially cut the ribbon on the new 300-room hotel at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
Gaming fans in India will be happy to hear the country is getting its first land-based, full-service casino. The Mayfair Gangtok resort (l.) in Sikkim will be the first of its kind on the subcontinent.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
Founder of game-changing customer loyalty program, Total Rewards, says hail and farewell after 13 years with the international casino company.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
Newly appointed Hollywood Casino Toledo General Manager Richard Saint Jean (l.) brags that his casino will be the first of Ohio’s four regional casinos to open, unless the Ohio government throws another wrench into the mix.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Dan D’Arrigo, the chief financial officer for MGM Resorts International, on how the company’s finances have improved and the impact of CityCenter.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
A Las Vegas judge has dismissed the defamation suit filed by former Sands China President Steve Jacobs against Las Vegas Sands Chairman Sheldon Adelson (l.). But the same judge refused to dismiss a wrongful termination suit also brought by Jacobs against the company.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
The demerger of Tabcorp into two separate entities—for “casinos” and “all other gaming”—is now complete. Casino operator Echo Entertainment began trading under symbol EGP just one week ago, but already the talk is of when and at what price a takeover would make sense.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
On the day before MGM China stock started training, Grant Bowie (l.), the company CEO, said that it will be at least 10 years before non-gaming revenues in Macau achieve a significant level.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
Las Vegas Sands President Michael Leven says the company would consider selling the shopping mall in Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands within the next couple of years, a transaction that could bring up to $4 billion.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
The U.K. has finally privatized the Tote. Bookmaker Betfred won the auction with a bid of £265 million. Not the £400 million that was offered four years ago, but then, what hasn’t gone down in value since then?
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
A “yes or no” decision on a proposed €450 million casino/race track/leisure facility in Ireland is being delayed by the national planning board. Even if the decision is ultimately positive, the government first needs to change the law and allow full-fledged casinos before the entire project can be developed.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
The U.K. spa town of Bath has allowed all four applications for the lone “small casino” license to pass through to the second stage of the selection process. The four will now be judged on the specifics of their proposals.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
The German states are expecting to sign their new agreement on sports betting this coming October. First, the plan must receive the approval of the European Commission. Then, the states will have to find commercial operators willing to pay a tax rate of 16.66 percent of betting turnover.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
Two internet gambling bills put forth in the state of New Jersey will likely not be taken up until 2012, after the legislature adjourns for summer recess on June 30.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
Blocking payments between unlicensed online gaming sites and their clients has become the main weapon in governments’ battles with the industry. Belgium is the latest nation to adopt the technique, but there are still those who doubt the illegality of unlicensed websites, given the absence of a licensing process.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
Playtech Limited has teamed with iGaming developer Buongiorno to bring mobile games to the Italian market.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
Leander Games and OpenBet recently signed a partner agreement. Now licensed operators of OpenBet’s Remote Gaming Interface will be allowed to access Leander Game’s full suite of Reely Series slots.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
Ira Rubin recently was ordered to be detained for his role in allegedly assisting online poker companies bypass United States laws that prohibit processing payments for internet gambling. Federal prosecutors allege the internet poker companies hid billions of dollars from U.S. gamblers as payments to phony online merchants for golf balls, jewelry, flowers and other merchandise through third-party payment processors.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
JPM Interactive has converted two of its most popular games in the AWP market for use in online casinos.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
Illinois could dramatically increase the number of casinos and slot machines if Governor Pat Quinn (l.) signs a bill passed by both houses of the legislature. But Quinn has objected to such a massive expansion in the past and could veto it.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
The commission that controls Colorado’s casinos last week voted to give them a tax break. Governor John Hickenlooper (l.) isn’t happy about it.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
The end of the legislative session arrived in Nevada last week with several bills signed into law that will impact the gaming industry.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
Isle of Capri Casinos has signed a letter of intent to sell its Rhythm City Casino in Davenport riverboat to MSEG, LLC of Chicago. The agreement clears the way for a new $75 million land-based casino in downtown Davenport.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
Federal corruption charges were leveled against nine people including state senators, lobbyists, casino owners and former attorney general Troy King (l.). Three have already pleaded guilty.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
Ed Sutor (l.), the head of Delaware’s Dover Downs, says a new bill to add two casinos in the state would simply force at least one current property to close.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
For the second time in two months, Tropicana Casino Hotel and Resort has been taken for over $5 million. This time, the player was not limited to blackjack.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
The applicant in the failed bid for a casino in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, requested that the board reconsider its award of the last resort license to Nemacolin Woodlands.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
Between April 2010 and April 2011, tax revenues at Indiana casinos dropped by three percent. But, during the same period, tax revenues rose by seven percent at the state’s two racinos—Hoosier Park in Anderson and Indiana Live! in Shelbyville, primarily due to the economy.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
‘Pseudo-gambling businesses’ responsible for increased crime, say some lawmakers and enforcers. They also may prompt addictive behavior among players.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
On June 14, Palace Casino in Biloxi will become the first smoke-free casino resort in Mississippi. Smoking only will be allowed in the casino’s new $1 million smoking lounge, located next to the casino floor, which is equipped with its own heating and air-conditioning system.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
Maine lawmakers recently passed legislation allowing Bangor Raceway’s simulcast betting facility to move to the Hollywood Slots racino on Main Street without having its classification changed from simulcast to off-track betting facility. Industry insiders say the move will increase the betting facility’s visibility and help raise revenues.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
Las Vegas businessman Rory Bedore gets preliminary approval to buy Carson Station casino hotel in downtown Carson City.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
The Lansing, Michigan Jobs Coalition, hoping to bring a Native American casino to the area, submitted only 3,400 of the 4,101 signatures required to place the issue on the August 2 primary election ballot. The greatest obstacle to signature-collecting was the weather, said the group’s chairman.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
In another addition to its re-branding effort, Resorts in Atlantic City unveiled its new Asian gaming pit, East Wind Casino.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
Maturing gaming tribes are more sophisticated than they once were, and often don’t need management companies to run their casinos for them.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
The Montana Supreme Court has overturned one of its own precedents, with far reaching potential results for Indian tribes and sovereignty on land within the reservation, even when it is not “trust land.”
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
With a large debt and increased competition from New York and Massachusetts, Foxwoods Casino Hotel CEO Scott Butera (l.) is tailoring their new marketing strategy to its loyal customers.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
The Jemez Pueblo has applied for 70.2 acres in Anthony, New Mexico, to be placed into federal trust. The tribe wants to build a 24,000 square foot temporary casino there, then a 103,500 square foot permanent facility and a 90,000-square foot hotel.
Tue, Jun 14, 2011
Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Larry Echo Hawk has rescinded a 2008 Interior Department guidance memorandum that restricted off-reservation gaming.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
John D. Smith, a former retail executive, has been hired as the general manager at Harrah's Resort in Atlantic City. His branding experience may help reposition the casino with a focus on non-gaming amenities.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
As he prepares to leave his post as executive director of the Mississippi Gaming Commission, Larry Gregory said legislators need to find ways to help the state’s gambling industry as it faces increased competition from online gambling and from new, non-gaming tourist attractions. But, despite the economy and other challenges, he noted gambling in Mississippi is growing—Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville is proof.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
In the wake of the recent online poker indictments and the corresponding difficulty in returning funds to players, the Poker Players Alliance has a new vice president of player relations.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
Bob Mulcahy, a close Christie advisor and former head of the N.J. Sports and Exposition Authority, has been nominated as a member of Atlantic City’s Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
The “6 Card Bonus” side bet on Shuffle Master’s popular Three Card Poker game, which debuts this month at Caesars Entertainment properties, pays off $1 million.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
Aristocrat’s new “Tarzan Lord of the Jungle” video slot is being launched at 10 Station Casinos in the Las Vegas Valley with a free-pull promotion.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
Bally Technologies will use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube to communicate with players, casino operators, stakeholders and customers.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
American Gaming Systems has licensed the “Cherry Master” brand of video gaming titles for its line of video slots to be introduced into the Illinois market.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
International Game Technology plans to repurchase up to $500 million in shares, using cash on hand and cash generated from operations.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
Inspired Gaming has been selected to provide non-casino slot content to another of Europe’s highly regulated markets. Norway’s monopoly operator Norsk Tipping recently chose the U.K.-based company as one of three new content sources for its interactive video terminal network.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
No, it’s not longtime Mayor Oscar Goodman (l.), but his 72-year-old wife Carolyn, who swept to victory last week with more than 60 percent of the vote.
Sun, Jun 12, 2011
A conservative columnist and radio host in Florida predicts a “massive campaign” for expanded gaming come 2012, and faults Rick Scott for his seeming complicity.
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