Sun, Nov 13, 2011
There were few gaming issues on the ballot in this off-year election. The most interesting was a vote that would supposedly allow sports betting in New Jersey, but don’t expect to see Las Vegas-style sports books cropping up on the Boardwalk anytime soon. Also decided on Election Day last Tuesday were whether to allow additional casinos in Maine and several races that brought in new governors that would impact gaming jurisdictions.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
The Illinois legislature may finish out its fall session without addressing the objections of Governor Pat Quinn to a gaming expansion bill passed in May. The most recent attempt to do so died in the House last week and efforts by its champion, Rep. Lou Lang (l.), to revive it failed.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
As talks about destination casino resorts continue in Florida, opinions are forming and the players are gathering. Disney and the state Chamber of Commerce have come out against destination resorts in South Florida. But many other businesses say they’re neutral on the hot-button issue. Steve Wynn and MGM Resorts are interested in developing the resorts. But the Seminoles, the operators of the state’s only casino resorts in Tampa (l.) and Hollywood, are not happy campers.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
The island of Bermuda has debated the issue of gambling for years, installed in its top-flight hotels to attract more tourists. But politicians have never reached a consensus. Premier Paula Cox (l.) thinks voters might be able to break the deadlock.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
Colony Capital LLC, owners of the Atlantic City Hilton, have reached an agreement with the lenders to erase the debt of the casino, keeping it out of foreclosure. The deal would pump $24.3 million into the property, though Colony will give up ownership of its two Mississippi properties. The deal needs to be approved by New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement, which is evaluating the company’s financial stability.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
The management shakeup at Casinos Austria International earlier this year has been followed by a rethink on global strategy. The plan is to trade costly and underperforming projects in European neighbor countries for the potential of bigger gains at home and in Asia and Latin America. CEO Karl Stoss (l.) is leading the effort.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
The argument that online poker was exempt under the UIGEA bill passed in 2006 is simply wrong, says the Department of Justice in a filing connected to the lawsuits against online poker sites Full Tilt, PokerStars and Absolute Poker. Poker, says the government, is a game of chance, not of skill.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
Last week’s SAGSE Buenos Aires trade show was accompanied by two mornings of seminars produced by Latin America media specialist Yogonet. The expo together with the discussions provided a good look into the mature-but-not-saturated Latin American market, with a focus on Argentina.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
Tucson’s Casino del Sol last week opened its new hotel, packed with non-gaming amenities, designed to launch the property into the upper echelon of resorts in the Tucson area.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
This week, a special edition of Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Mark Birtha, the president and chief development officer at SOL Casinos, just days before the official grand opening of the new hotel, meeting space, spa, pool and other amenities at Casino del Sol in Tucson, Arizona
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
Although a self-exclusion program is in place in Macau, officials are now considering a mandatory exclusion for problem gamblers that would be more effective than the current system and help to treat the afflicted.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
The Northern Marianas House of Representatives just won’t take “no” for an answer when it comes to casinos. If passed as-is, a new bill would charge $10 million for a 30-year casino license. That also assumes the Senate won’t kill the bill, which they did last time.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
As a result of the debt crisis in Italy, the Italian VLT operators learned earlier this year that they would have to do their part to alleviate the financial strain. But instead of the operators, winners have been targeted.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
U.K. casino lobby NCiF wants the rules changed to allow any community to decide if it wants a casino—regardless of whether that community answered “no” to the question in 1968. The move would allow a populated town just to the south of London to change its mind some 40-odd years after.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
The state-level online gaming battle in Germany continues to present new challenges on the political and business fronts. An expected change of ruling party in rebel state Schleswig-Holstein next May could end the standoff with the other 15 states but result in lawsuits at home.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
The increasingly heated showdown between pro- and anti-gaming forces over the role the government should play in controlling problem gambling is about to come to a head. A maximum pokie bet of $1 could be a compromise.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
The Nevada Gaming Control Board could add regulations on internet poker that allows players from other legal jurisdictions to compete with Nevada residents.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is establishing guidelines for the new advanced deposit online wagering system. Approved by the state legislature, advanced wagering allows gamblers to bet on horse races at Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino either online or by phone. The commission is also looking into regulations for legalizing online poker.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
Zynga Poker Room, the leader in online social media games, is fast becoming the most popular game on Facebook, and will launch its own independent gaming network.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
The new owner of the former Valley View Downs racetrack-casino project in western Pennsylvania was awarded the state’s final harness-racing license. Joe Canfora (l.), of Merit Management Group, will direct the development and operation of the new facility.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
The developer of a casino in Cleveland will probably appeal a ruling by the National Park Service that would delay construction of a skywalk connecting the Higbee Building (rendering at l.), an historic structure, to a parking structure.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
The chairman of the New York Assembly’s racing and wagering committee likes the notion of a Vegas-style casino at Resorts World. Casino developer Genting likes it too.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
Gaming operations in the small town of Cripple Creek (l.), may take a hit as the state’s Gaming Commission considers changing the tax structure. The Colorado Gaming Association fears it may lead to consolidation and the elimination of casino jobs.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
County commissioners, cops say illegal peddlers, panhandlers and sex sellers have created an unsavory—and unsafe—atmosphere on Sin City’s most famous street.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
The joint panel hammering out a compromise between the two gaming expansion bills passed by the Massachusetts House and Senate could present a bill to be voted on this week.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
The Gaming Policy Committee, an 11-member panel that advises the governor and legislature on gaming issues, will be brought back by Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval (l.) and will meet in early 2012.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
Casino brass say banning smoking inside the Ohio River casino would cut revenues by one-fifth. The casino restricts smoking to several gaming areas.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
Two groups are vying for the right to build a casino resort at the Rocky Gap Lodge in western Maryland, under a lower tax rate offered by Maryland. Lakes Entertainment’s Lyle Berman (l.) is involved in a joint venture.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
Analysts say they’re not concerned about two-month decline. Overall in 2011, Nevada and Las Vegas are stronger.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
A controversial policy requiring dealers to split their tips with supervisors was found to be invalid by a Nevada judge last week. Wynn Resorts will appeal, setting up a Supreme Court showdown.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
Governor Chris Christie vision to streamline Atlantic City’s regulatory process has come to completion as the last of the new rules have been implemented. Casinos are expected to save over $10 million in regulatory costs, making it easier and to operate in New Jersey.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
Governor Nathan Deal and Lt. Governor Casey Cagle are against new gaming, and want to get rid of some existing slot parlors. The state lottery won’t try to go it alone.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
Several options for expanded gambling, including a possible downtown Minneapolis casino and slots at racetracks, are being considered to finance a new stadium for the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
Although the Arizona Supreme Court decision favors a casino in Glendale, several federal lawsuits that challenge the casino remain ongoing. But Tohono O’odham Nation Chairman Ned Norris Jr. (l.) is considering returning to an earlier, larger plan for the casino resort.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
The New York tribe, which operates three casinos in the western part of the state, is ready to settle its longstanding dispute with Albany. The tribe owes more than $300 million.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
Tulsa’s Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, owned by the Cherokee Nation, is building a new tower to replace a roof damaged by a February storm. It is the third tower expansion for the casino.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
Keeping on schedule, the new Warm Springs tribal casino will open along Highway 26 in January 2012. The larger facility remains on reservation land. Attempts by the tribe to build at Cascade Locks, near Portland, were opposed by Gov. John Kitzhaber and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
The tribal leaders of a Northern California tribe could be recalled over their casino’s sponsorship of an attempt to keep a sports team from leaving Sacramento.
Mon, Nov 14, 2011
The Golden Nugget Atlantic City has named longtime MGM executive Augie Renna as senior vice president of national marketing.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
Several experienced regulators have recently been hired by the Ohio Casino Control Commission to oversee regulatory approval. Matt Schuler, an Atlantic City gaming veteran, is the new director of licensing, while Kansas attorney Patrick Martin will oversee compliance. Ohio is scheduled to debut casinos in Cleveland and Toledo in the spring of 2012.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
The International Association of Gaming Regulators has named its first female president, Susan Hensel, during its first conference as an independent nonprofit organization.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
Konami Gaming has hired former Bally executive Michael Ratner as director of product management, systems, in charge of product planning for the systems division.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
Former CEO of Paddy Power, Breon Corcoran, has been hired as the new CEO of Betfair, the world’s largest betting exchange.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
The relationship between gaming’s largest trade show and South American’s largest gaming trade show was boosted last week when SAGSE was named as the official sales agent for South America for G2E.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
IGT’s “Texas Hold’em Heads Up Poker,” the first video poker game to use artificial intelligence to pit players against a computer, debuts at the Rio.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
International Game Technology announced major installations of its sbX networked gaming system and machines at the new Revel casino in Atlantic City and in the U.K. at Gala Leo’s Casino in Liverpool.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
Galaxy Gaming has completed its acquisition of the table game assets of Lakes Entertainment, and will begin marketing the four table games that are part of the deal.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
Table Trac, Inc. announced a multi-property deal to provide casino information and management systems at the properties of the Oglala Sioux Tribe in Minnesota.
Sun, Nov 13, 2011
Singapore government says it will crack down on employers who sent their employees to the casinos to gamble in what is a form of “proxy” gambling.
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