Sun, Jul 17, 2011
The Illinois State Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of the 2009 Video Gaming Act, striking down a lower court’s decision, clearing the way for thousands of new slots at bars and restaurants. The decision is separate from a proposed massive increase in gaming positions proposed by the state legislature and being considered by the governor.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
Whether the Bay State will legalize casinos this year is still up in the air, with no agreement in sight between the governor and the two legislative kingpins. But talks will resume in September, with success hinging on the flexibility of the players, including Governor Deval Patrick and House Speaker Robert DeLeo.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
Terry Lanni, who took MGM Resorts to new levels while he ran the company for a decade, passed away last week. Lanni retired in 2008 and spent the intervening years battling cancer. He will be remembered as a gaming visionary.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
A recent Notice of Violation issued by the National Indian Gaming Commission claimed the lease and revenue-sharing agreement between Duluth, Minnesota and the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians does not comply with federal law. The tribe stopped paying the city in August, 2009.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
The new leaders of the Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corp. have charged more than 40 former company executives with “plunder.” Former Chairman Ephraim Genuino (seated) and former President Rafael “Butch” Francisco are charged with using PAGCOR funds for political campaigns.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
When it comes to online gaming, the U.K. is used to leading. But that nation is about to follow the examples of France and Italy and require online operators doing business with its citizens to be licensed in-country. The move could severely impact operators outside of the current white-listed jurisdictions.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
The author of Illinois’s massive casino expansion bill wants to do something to force the state’s governor, Pat Quinn (l.), to either veto or sign the bill before long.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
The low-tax environment for casinos in South Africa’s Gauteng Province could be on the verge of changing. Operators who have invested there based on a 9 percent tax rate are not amused, including the owners of the Gold Reef Casino Resort (l.) in Johannesburg.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
The movement to introduce casino gaming in Japan may have been helped or hindered by the earthquake and tsunami, depending on which arguments one feels carry the most weight. Either way, casinos are now being seen as inevitable.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
Although it’s a distressed market, a development company is bidding to be the third or fourth new casino project as it eyes the last and largest piece of land in Atlantic City.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
Third quarter financial reports have emphasized the huge revenues being produced in Macau and brings up the question of how long can they be sustained.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Tony Rodio, the president and CEO of the Tropicana Atlantic City, on the improvements to his property.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
A Macau employee union has said that more than 1,000 more workers will be need to handle the opening of new casinos and the existing vacancies, backing up the casinos’ contention that more workers are needed.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
Entertainment Gaming Asia has changed the terms of its revenue sharing deal with the owner of the land upon which its Dreamworld Casino Pailin will stand. The small casino will pay more in rent but retain a larger share of profits.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
As the economy of Vietnam grows, so does the need to entertain the country’s largely young population. Theme parks and bars and casinos are all expected to be in demand over the next 10 years.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
A troubled jai alai operation in the Cagayan Economic Zone has been shut down by the Philippine government resulting in the arrest of at least 36 people.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
The drama created by the takeover of Rank Group by Guoco Group is nearing its final act. With increasingly fewer shares of Rank in the hands of Guoco, it appears the U.K. casino, bingo and betting firm will remain a listed company.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
The coming IPO of Spain’s government-owned lottery operator LAE is on track to be the largest in the nation’s history. The move has local commercial operators wondering what the environment will be like post-IPO.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
The anti-slots movement in Australia has awakened what could prove to be its most powerful foe: organized professional sports. TV commentator and former rugby player Phil Gould blasted proponents of pre-commitment for all slot play, following the trail blazed recently by the National Rugby League.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
Brazil may soon get its own UIGEA-style online betting prohibition. A legislative committee has approved a bill that would make transactions with online betting sites illegal, closing a loophole that has allowed offshore operators free reign. Bank and legal lottery operator Caixa may try to benefit from the move.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
Legalizing online poker in the Golden State probably won’t happen anytime soon since powerful gaming tribes remain unable to agree on a formula. Senator Lou Correa’s (l.) bill is supported by a coalition of tribes and card rooms.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
In response to mounting opposition, the D.C. Lottery has delayed the introduction of free-to-play online games until October 1, and will hold a series of public briefings in all the district’s eight wards to allow the public to weigh in on the matter. Though D.C. officials remain on track to debut live internet wagering in the fall, several obstacles could still derail the program.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
According to a gaming and technology report, smartphones have become one of the most popular vehicles for online gaming, with a rise in female players.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
A structural engineer warns MGM Resorts that the unfinished tower on the Las Vegas Strip could tumble in an earthquake. The county wants the company to remediate and decide by mid-August.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
Las Vegas Strip revenues saw a decided bounce in May, up almost 29 percent on higher volume and slightly better hold. But the gaming board factored in the last day of April.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
Racinos look at layoffs in the face of continuous losses due to high taxes and license fees connected to the addition of table games.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
Last week, Caesars Palace and Nobu Hospitality announced the timeline for the new Nobu Hotel in Las Vegas. It will be up and running by next summer. Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, at left.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
American Harness Track secures the last remaining harness racing license in Pennsylvania for its Valley View Downs project in Lawrence County.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
Real estate developers California Avenue Ventures have become the front-runner for the smaller of the two boutique licenses up for grabs in Atlantic City. Despite a lack of casino experience, the successful partners have ties to the gaming industry and believe in the future of the shore resort.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
Even before Colorado's 5 percent gaming tax decrease went into effect, a loophole in state gaming regulations allowed casinos to avoid paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in annual taxes. That's because casino operators can hold up to three retailer licenses, even if the casinos are housed at one location and marketed under one name, and thanks to the state's graduated tax structure, casinos with smaller revenues pay much lower taxes than larger operations.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
The new owners of Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City have recently been granted a new casino license. The efforts of Dennis Gomes and Morris Bailey to re-brand the property, though not without setbacks, have begun to pay off.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
Early estimates say Midwest Gaming's new Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, Illinois will generate $150 million in annual taxes. It already has created and filled more than 1,000 full- and part-time jobs. The property will include a 147,000 square foot casino, several restaurants and an entertainment complex.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
During the latest legislative session, Florida lawmakers once again proposed and once again defeated numerous bills to expand gambling in the state. But even without new gambling opportunities, a new indicates Florida ranks third in the U.S. in total collection of gambling revenue, just behind New York and Pennsylvania.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee recently called for a study to analyze the state's options regarding gambling. Seven companies have bid on the opportunity to provide the impact studies. Currently Rhode Island has two casinos, Twin River and Newport Grand.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (l.) has vetoed $15 million earmarked for the state’s four racetracks, accusing the N.J. Racing Commission of reckless spending. Both the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park would have been awarded money despite the recent agreement with private investors that eliminated purse subsidies.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
A new buffet and deli-pizza outlet recently opened at Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack recently spent more than $1 million on a new buffet and deli-pizza outlet. Market research indicated customers wanted food service improvements at the property, which competes with two casinos in neighboring Pennsylvania.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
As casinos cross Louisiana parish lines, revenues become a major issue. For example, if Paradise Casino's proposed Margaritaville Casino, set to be built in Bossier City, is erected over the parish line, Caddo parish could claim some of the casino tax revenues collected by government.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
Wynn Las Vegas broke new ground by accepting wagers on the 42nd annual World Series of Poker, now under way at the Rio casino in Las Vegas.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
Federal law enforcement raided the Pearl River Resort in Mississippi last week, owned by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. It’s unclear whether a recently completed election involving Chief Beasley Denson (l.) that was overturned by the tribal council had anything to do with the raid.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
New draft regulations being released by the National Indian Gaming Commission would lubricate the process for approving background checks for Indian casino management companies, among other things.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
A recent court decision that struck down an attempt by California’s ex-governor to force a gaming tribe to pay a large share of casino profits into the state’s general fund may have wide-ranging ramifications nationally.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
A “fix” to the U.S. Supreme Court decision that has put many applications to put land into federal trust for tribes on hold may itself be put on hold this year.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
The race to develop a casino in the Catskills has ruffled a lot of Indian feathers. Last week, the prospective developers met and ‘agreed to work together,’ says supervisor. Lou Cappelli, who is working with the Mohegans to develop a racino, has cooperated with the communities.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
The Jemez tribe wants to open an off-reservation casino in Anthony, New Mexico, located 300 miles away from its pueblo. A recent ruling by Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Larry Echo Hawk could help make it happen.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
Tribal officials met for the first time with community leaders in the depressed Nassau County town, where economic development would be more than welcome. Belmont Park would be home to the complex.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
An expansion project that will combine Akwesasne Mohawk Casino and Mohawk Bingo Palace, along with a new hotel, has recently been approved in upstate New York. The $75-million project will create 40 new permanent jobs and help the tribe compete with casinos along the Canadian border.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld a ruling by a U.S. district court allowing Texas officials access to the Tiguas tribe's gaming financial records. The Tiguas violated Texas law by awarding cash prizes via debit cards on 8-liner machines.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux community will loan the Santee Sioux Nation of Nebraska up to $20 million for economic development. The loan will help fund a new Ohiya Casino and Lodge featuring a 25,000 square foot casino and 50-room hotel.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
The Glendale, Arizona city council elections for mayor and three other seats are more than a year away. But residents are making their feelings known about keeping the troubled Phoenix Coyotes hockey team in the city and keeping a tribal casino out.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
Longtime Harrah’s and Las Vegas Sands executive Kathleen McLaughlin has been named the new chief financial officer of Gaming Capital Group.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
Craytonia C. Collins recently was named director of hotel operations at Gold Strike Casino Resort, Tunica. He will oversee day-to-day hotel operations including front services, bellman, concierge, housekeeping, public areas, retail, valet, pool and spa, private branch exchange telephone services and front desk.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
Sebastjan Kozar has been named regional sales manager for Aristocrat Technologies Europe Ltd.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
Mohegan Gaming Advisors will pursue management contracts for both commercial and tribal gaming ventures around the country. Former Mohegan Sun CFO Garry Van Hettinga will lead venture
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren will deliver a keynote address at the 2011 Global Gaming Expo. Caesars Entertainment CEO Gary Loveman began the tradition at last year’s show.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
The supplier’s mynewave.com website will allow users to navigate to the software solutions that best fit individual business needs.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
The British-based bookmaker, which has agreed to buy three Nevada bookies, sees those acquisitions as a steppingstone to greater expansion around the world, according to CEO Ralph Topping (l.).
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
Versatile gaming industry supplier Gaming Support and digital video systems specialist Alpha Video have renewed their strategic alliance first agreed in 2005. The two have installed their JackpotJunctionXL / CastNET digital signage system at venues in Macau, Singapore, Italy and the Netherlands.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
Amphibious vehicles may transport customers to the WinnaVegas Casino in Nebraska, as a way to restore business after closure due to flooding.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
Steve Wynn pays big money—more than 10 times the original value—for four 18th century Chinese vases. They will go on display at his Cotai Resort.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
In anticipation of a July 30 concert by Willie Nelson at its casino, the Snoqualmie Tribal council passed by 4-2 a resolution declaring marijuana legal on the reservation on that day. But—it was just a joke, says Chairwoman Shelley Burch. The council was going to present the framed resolution to Nelson.
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