Sat, Sep 10, 2011
Recent media speculation that Macau casino resort operator Melco Crown might be getting involved in the Philippines PAGCOR City project has brought nothing but silence on the matter from Melco Crown and its primary owners. When the project was first announced four years ago, Melco co-CEO Jamie Packer (left) decided not to participate. At least one analyst isn’t buying the news at all.
Sat, Sep 10, 2011
The Obama administration’s new, less restrictive attitude towards off-reservation applications to put land into federal trust was put into action last week, and demonstrated that it is truly a case-by-case philosophy. Two applications, including one in New Mexico and one in California, were rejected, while two others in California were approved, according to BIA Director Larry Echo Hawk (l.)
Sat, Sep 10, 2011
The contest for the next approval to build the latest casino resort in Macau is over, sources tell GGB News. Wynn Resorts will be permitted to break ground and commence construction in the Cotai region, leaving MGM Resorts, SJM and Melco Crown to wait until the next round. The project will be the company’s third resort, following Encore Macau (l.).
Sat, Sep 10, 2011
Mexico appears to be making an effort to identify and crack down on illegal or non-compliant gaming venues. The question is whether the seizure of 3,500 illegal machines one day after the deadly Monterrey casino attack is the start of a new, tougher policy or just something for the media. President Felipe Calderón (l.) has ordered a crackdown on illegal gambling.
Sat, Sep 10, 2011
The New York tribe hasn’t paid casino revenues to the state in 18 months, claiming Albany reneged on its compact. Even so, the tribe is contemplating a fourth casino. Seneca President Robert Odawi Porter (l.) says a tribal-owned Rochester casino would be good for everyone.
Sat, Sep 10, 2011
Arizona Republican Senator Jon Kyl (l.) will likely be the most important member of Congress when it comes to supporting efforts to legalize online poker. But where does he stand? Depends on who and when you ask.
Sat, Sep 10, 2011
The state Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering hosted the first in a series of meetings last week on the benefits and pitfalls of full-scale casinos in the state. Governor Andrew Cuomo (l.) has indicated he supports the expansion of commercial casinos.
Sat, Sep 10, 2011
The hedge funds, which bought part of the unfinished resort’s distressed debt, now say the developers defrauded them by misrepresenting the cost of the project and hiding debt.
Sat, Sep 10, 2011
Ohio’s Horseshoe Casino Cleveland, under construction in the Higbee building (l.), has begun to hire up to 500 dealers, about a third of its workforce, in anticipation of a spring opening.
Sun, Sep 11, 2011
Ross McLeod, chairman and CEO of Great Canadian Gaming, died suddenly last week at 59. He has been replaced on an interim basis by president Rod Baker.
Sat, Jul 23, 2011
On this week’s Global Gaming Business Podcast, Virginia McDowell, president and CEO of Isle of Capri Casinos, discusses the success and the growth of her company, including the two new casinos the company will open in 2012 or later in Missouri and Pennsylvania.
Sat, Sep 10, 2011
Private equity firm Permira funds has cashed in about 40 percent of its stake in Macau’s Galaxy Entertainment Group. The HKD4.78 billion (US$613 million) sale reflected a doubling of the share price Permira paid in 2007, an increase spurred by the opening of Galaxy Macau (l.).
Sat, Sep 10, 2011
Hungary is looking to raise taxes on gaming operators to make up for the revenue it is missing due to the poor economy. Not good news for the operators in that economy, including Monte Carlo casino in Budapest, who have seen their own revenues decline the last two years.
Sat, Sep 10, 2011
One of Europe’s strongest gaming monopolies could be facing change. Two political parties that have never before agreed on gaming now seem to be sharing the opinion that it is tie to open the sector to commercial operators.
Sat, Sep 10, 2011
The former Portuguese colony of Mozambique has drawn the attention of some Macau business people based in neighboring South Africa. The unnamed group is said to be interested in developing a casino at the site of the nation’s new expo center.
Sat, Sep 10, 2011
The premier of the Australian state New South Wales, Barry O’Farrell, is catching heat for naming a former hotel association lobbyist to the agency that oversees hotel gaming. By rules put into place by that same premier, a year should have passed before such a move—not exactly what transpired.
Sat, Sep 10, 2011
The battle for / against casino gaming continues in the Northern Marianas. The two legislative bodies in this U.S.-affiliated commonwealth continue to push their separate solutions regarding casinos. The House, which in general supports gaming, wants the matter settled by law. The Senate, traditionally opposed to casinos, wants a referendum.
Sat, Sep 10, 2011
A new cooperation between Spain-based Orenes-Franco and Latin America specialist TTH Gaming is planning to bring new projects to first Mexico and then the rest of the LatAm region.
Sat, Sep 10, 2011
While many gaming tribes want to participate in online gaming, some are leery of bills in Congress that don’t address tribal participation, or recognize its current special treatment under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Tribal lobbyist John Tahsuda (l.) says there is no consensus, however.
Sat, Sep 10, 2011
A seminar presented by the law firm Lionel Sawyer Collins offers details about the proposed Nevada online gaming regulations and presents a regulator who fully supports the options. Nevada Gaming Commission member Randolph Townsend (l.) says the legalization of online gaming is crucial to the state’s gaming industry.
Sat, Sep 10, 2011
The Foxwoods Philadelphia investors have run into resistance from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board in their attempt to regain their license. Comcast-Spectacor Chairman Ed Snider (l.), a major Republican campaign contributor, hopes to convince the Republican-led board to give his group another chance.
Sat, Sep 10, 2011
New Jersey’s largest thoroughbred horse breeder has decided to shut down operations, while the state’s Breeders’ Association has filed an appeal of Governor Chris Christie’s veto of $15 million in track subsidies. The privatization of the state-owned horse racing industry has several legislators calling for policy reversals and an expansion of gaming.
Sat, Sep 10, 2011
Political observers in the Bay State are confident that the gaming bill that has been endorsed by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, House Speaker Robert DeLeo (l.) and Senate President Therese Murray will be passed sometime this month and possibly signed into law in October.
Sat, Sep 10, 2011
Kentucky Downs is the only racetrack in the state of Kentucky to offer the new “Instant Racing” machines. The tracks impressive take for its soft opening has owners optimistic about long-term growth, however the Family Foundation of Kentucky has opposed the machines in the Court of Appeals. The games are currently under legal revue.
Sat, Sep 10, 2011
Las Vegas Sands Corp. is serious about investing in Florida, and it’s putting its money where its intentions are. In 2010, LVS and its CEO gave more than $250,000 to the state GOP.
Sat, Sep 10, 2011
South Dakota Rapid City Council has denied a permit that would allow property owners to build a video lottery casino. The third denial in five years, the case hinges on the approval to serve alcohol in a buffered zone, which the council maintains is too close to a residential area.
Sat, Sep 10, 2011
With Governor Ted Quinn still silent about how he plans to deal with a gaming expansion bill that will soon reach his desk, gaming revenues have declined in the state.
Sat, Sep 10, 2011
With the planned opening of a multi-purpose event center, Sands Bethlehem is looking to transform the Lehigh Valley into a major tourist destination. Teaming with entertainment giant Live Nation and the Vision Entertainment Group, the showroom is expected to attract the top singers and comedians in the country, as well as expand convention business and trade shows. With planned luxury suites, a bistro, dining area and mezzanine, the Sands Bethlehem Event Center will break ground this month for a completion in May, 2012.
Sat, Sep 10, 2011
The first gaming machines arrived last week at Resorts World at Aqueduct, New York City’s first racino. The gaming hall is expected to open in late October.
Sat, Sep 10, 2011
Tropicana Casino & Resort has paid the state a $15,000 fine after it allowed an excluded gambler to play on its casino floor.
Sun, Sep 11, 2011
Bally Technologies has named Aron Ezra and Keith Michel (l.), former executives of the recently acquired MacroView Labs as vice president and director of mobile technology, respectively.
Sun, Sep 11, 2011
John Palmieri, an economic and development expert, has been appointed the head of New Jersey’s Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. With 25 years experience in markets such as Charlotte and Boston, Palmieri assumes the most important post in Atlantic City. He will now oversee the state-run Tourism District and initiate plans to transform the struggling gaming market into a vibrant and profitable destination.
Sun, Sep 11, 2011
The Tropicana Casino & Resort in Atlantic City has announced the appointment of Eric Fiocco as the new vice president of marketing.
Sun, Sep 11, 2011
London’s ICE trade show, a comprehensive business-to-business gaming exhibition, will begin ICE week with a new Totally Gaming Awards logo.
Sun, Sep 11, 2011
Aristocrat will introduce three new modules for its Oasis 360 casino management system.
Sat, Sep 10, 2011
In a daring chase that spread across the casino floor, Resorts co-owner and CEO Dennis Gomes (l.) helped capture a thief that stole a package from a hotel guest. Gomes credits his law enforcement background and instincts as a Las Vegas mob investigator for his quick response.
Sun, Sep 11, 2011
Talk about going green. The Peppermill’s new underground system now heats all the water on the Reno property, and will save millions in energy costs per year.
Sun, Sep 11, 2011
As a convenience to its 8,000 casino workers, Mohegan Sun has installed an employee-only gas station.
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