Vol. 9 • No. 27 • July 11, 2011, Featured Articles, GLOBAL GAMING
GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCAST: Mitchell Etess, CEO, Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Mitchell Etess, the CEO of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, on expansion plans for the tribally owned company.
Download this Podcast Episode or Click Below to Play it.
The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority operates one of the largest casinos in the U.S., the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, but has some aggressive expansion plans in Massachusetts and New York, where much of its market is located. Mitchell Etess was recently named CEO for the authority following many years as CEO at Mohegan Sun. Etess met with Global Gaming Business Editor Frank Legato in Atlantic City last May to discuss the plans and explain how the campaigns to get those casinos approved will be conducted.
More Featured Articles
WEEKLY FEATURE: Silence Is Golden?
Months after U.S. indictments of three online poker websites very little has been heard from the international online gaming regulators. While there is no expectation that all regulators will agree with the indictments, there certainly should have been an investigation. But outside of the Alderney regulators, nothing has happened. What’s going on?
Rivers Casino Opens In Des Plaines
Pending final state gaming board approval, the new $435 million Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, Illinois, located just 16 miles from downtown Chicago and up the road from O’Hare Airport, will open July 18. The 147,000 square foot casino, open 22 hours daily, will offer 1,050 slots and 48 table games with Illinois’ highest betting limits.
Full Tilt Deal Nearly Done?
France is the latest country to pull the license of Full Tilt Poker in a cascade of problems that started when the website was indicted by the U.S. Justice Department in April. And then a group of Las Vegas players filed a class-action lawsuit against the company. But a deal with a group of European investors to buy the company could be accomplished by next week and begin to resolve the problems surrounding the company.
Illinois Gambling Bill On Hold
Illinois Senate President John Cullerton (l.) has put a bill to expand gambling on hold for a period that could last until January 2013. Approved on May 31, the legislation would add slot machines at horse racing tracks, Chicago airports and the state fairgrounds, and allow five new Illinois casinos in Danville, Chicago, Lake County, southern Cook County and Rockford. Supporters say the state would benefit from $1.6 billion dollars in upfront fees and $500 million dollars or more annually in tax revenue.
Pokagon Band Expanding Four Winds; Buy Out Lakes
Construction has begun on a nine-story, 250-room hotel tower and a 1,600-seat multi-use event center at the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians’ Four Winds Casino Resort in New Buffalo, Michigan. The tribe also announced a $410 refinance and the early buyout of its management agreement Lakes Entertainment, Inc.
Cut Taxes? You’re Fired!
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper (l.) has fired all five members of the state gaming commission after they agreed to reduce taxes on an already struggling state gaming industry.
Italy Set to Grow Offer
The Italian VLT and non-casino slot markets are booming. Economy Minister Giulio Tremonti (l.), who recently had to cut 43 billion euros from the budget, has taken notice. Now a new round of licensing is expected to pass the Senate, with implementation to follow quickly.
New Thai PM Seen As Good Thing for Casinos
The landslide election of Yingluck Shinawatra (l.), Thailand’s first woman prime minister, could start the ball rolling toward gaming legalization, according to one respected consulting firm.
IGT Names President
International Game Technology once again goes outside the gaming industry to fill the newly created position of president with Eric Berg (l.), while the company announces the departure of a longtime sales executive.
10th Annual Gaming & Technology Awards to be Presented at Global Gaming Expo
The leading awards for technology in the gaming industry return once again to Global Gaming Expo, where the 10th annual edition will presented in October. Novomatic received the award in 2010 for the “Best Table Gaming Product.”