Sun, Nov 27, 2011
After two Congressional hearings on internet gambling cast doubts about legalization, the failure of the “super-committee” seemed to put the final nail in the coffin for online gaming in 2011. The result could be the revival of interest in state-by-state legalization, a move now considered more acceptable to the land-based gaming industry.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
Although “gentlemen start your engines,” is used to signal the beginning of a NASCAR race, the term could easily be applied to gaming developers in Massachusetts, where a bill signed by Governor Deval Patrick (l.) opens the gates for a period of extreme bidding to site three casinos and one slots parlor.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
Critics of the proposed mega-casino resort bill say the 10 percent tax rate in the Bogdanoff-Fresen bill amounts to a giveaway. Casino developers call it an incentive.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
In his annual report to the legislature, Secretary for the Economy and Finance Francis Tam Pak Yuen (l.) predicted that gaming revenue—and its accompanying tax revenue—would decline next year. Investors should not be concerned, however, since the Macau government is notoriously conservative in its revenue predictions.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
TCSJohnHuxley announced that David Heap will resign his post as group CEO effective March 1, to take on a role as adviser to the Knutsson companies. In his place, Cath Burns (l.), most recently VP of Asian Pacific for Bally Technology, will become global CEO.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
The government of Singapore has enacted tough new regulations on advertising and promoting casino gaming to its residents. More than just window dressing, the new rules extend into a number of areas previously untouched, such as merchandising, and greatly expand the definition of a local.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
The governor of Illinois, Pat Quinn, and Aaron Jaffe (l.), an ex-judge, 81-years-old, that he has reappointed chairman of the Illinois Gaming Board, are together seen as holding the bridge against expanded gaming in the state.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, operators of Harrah's Cherokee Casino in North Carolina, and Governor Bev Perdue (l.) are close to negotiating a new compact that will satisfy both sides. The tribe wants table games and exclusive gaming rights; the state wants up to 8.5 percent of gross revenues.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
The Genting Group continues to add to its worldwide gaming portfolio. The latest acquisition—the Fox Poker Club—is relatively small but significant for the group’s London presence.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
The departure of the longtime executive director of the National Indian Gaming Association, Mark Van Norman, has led to the elevation of former legal counsel Jason Giles (l.) to take the position.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with John Palmieri, the new executive director of New Jersey’s Casino Reinvestment Development Authority on his role with the powerful agency, which will operate Atlantic City tourism district and all the public agencies that operate within the district.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
Although some improvements will be added over the few years, Macau casino executives are emphasizing that more needs to be done to diversify tourism to the SAR. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge (rendering l.) will be a huge improvement.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
The prospect of the election of an Islamic party ally in its home Malaysian province threatens the future of the casinos at Genting Highland’s Resorts World (l.). But would it really happen?
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
The government of Nepal appears to be unwilling to enforce its own regulations on casino fees and taxes. The latest threat of pay-up-or-else could result in the closing of at least nine of the 10 licensed casinos—if that threat is carried out.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
Macau casino and slot parlor operator Melco Crown Limited has applied to the Hong Kong stock exchange for dual listing. The company currently trades on the NASDAQ but says the new move will show the commitment of the controlling shareholders to the future of the company and Macau.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
LVS’ non-gaming amenities in Macau are still working on getting their focus right. Although retail is doing well, apparently the entertainment mix still needs some tweaking.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
Online gaming operator Bodog is gearing up for a run at the U.K. market. Online casino—both virtual and live formats—is expected to receive a lot of attention from the company’s marketing division.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
The head of e-gaming development for the Isle of Man, Garth Kimber (l.), is returning to the private sector. The government is now searching for someone with the necessary experience to fill the post.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
Two online gaming experts, Michael Shackleford and Eliot Jacobson, have discovered software that cheats craps players. The software was created by BLR Technologies, a Costa Rican-based firm, and is used by several top ranking online gambling sites.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
Multiple-channel gaming concern Gala Coral Group is making a renewed push to bring members of its 24 land-based casinos in the U.K. to its revamped online casino product.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission recently ruled that, as early as January, gamblers may be allowed to bet on horse races by phone or online. At the moment all bets must be placed in person at off-track betting facilities. But online poker may be more problematic, as online gaming study cancelled.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
Gulfport, Mississippi-based Foundation Gaming Group recently was approved by the Mississippi Gaming Commission to purchase Resorts Casino Tunica (l.) and Bally's Casino Tunica. The properties, both in foreclosure, are owned by Colony Capital of Santa Monica, California. The deal should be finalized by November 30.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
Atlantic City’s Tropicana Casino and Resort has introduced 10 new slot machines into The Quarter, the properties retail, dining and entertainment complex. Looking to generate new revenue in a traditionally non-gaming area, the operation will be reviewed for 90 days by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
A Maryland lawmaker has pledged to put legalization of table games back on the agenda in 2012, and says Caesars’ interest in Baltimore may help.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
MGM Resorts’ Aria boots out the Cirque du Soleil production, Viva Elvis. The company cited poor ticket sales and blamed it on the economy. But could it be the problems at CityCenter?
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
Archie Manning, former New Orleans Saints quarterback (flanked by his NFL quarterback sons, Peyton (l.) and Eli), will team up with Harrah's New Orleans to open Manning's Restaurant next January. The 210-seat restaurant will offer a rustic Old New Orleans flavor with a sports bar feel and amenities.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
A bill making the rounds in the Minnesota legislature offers three proposals to expand gambling and help finance a Minnesota Vikings stadium. They are installing electronic pull-tab machines in bars and restaurants, creating racinos or building a casino in downtown Minneapolis.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
Voters in Bossier Parish, Louisiana gave Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Casino 61 percent of the vote in a recent referendum. The $195 million property will offer 1,275 slots and 38 table games, plus a 400-room, 18-floor hotel with a spa, pool with swim-up bar, restaurant and the famed “It's 5 O'clock Somewhere” bar.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
A Texas businessman, Michael Wasserman of Gainesville, said his company, Arkansas Hotels and Entertainment, Inc., is ready to operate seven casinos in Arkansas. The first step would be to gather 79,000 signatures to put a constitutional amendment before voters.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
The Las Vegas Hilton will soon be no more—at least in name. By January 3, the property must change its familiar moniker.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
Lay offs came last week at two Atlantic City casinos. The ACH, formerly known as Atlantic City Hilton, dismissed 150 workers in an attempt to streamline operations. The firings came just one day after the property was saved from foreclosure by a new deal. In a similar move, Tropicana Casino and Resort trimmed its workforce by 35 workers in a restructuring effort.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
A number of Florida counties want the voters to decide if they want slot machines at parimutuels. But the counties could be misinterpreting the law.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort and Trump Plaza Hotel Casino have both reached a new three-year contract with Atlantic City’s service worker’s union Local 54. The deal, similar to one reached last month with Caesars Entertainment, calls for incremental wage increases and preserves free health benefits and pensions. The often-contentious negotiations eliminate a threat of a strike at the two properties.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
Lawmakers in Florida and elsewhere are fighting to draw a distinction between “sweepstakes” and gambling. Now the battle is joined in Michigan.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
Scott Butera (l.), president of Foxwoods casino in Connecticut, has called for the establishment of a New England gaming coalition that would advocate for casinos in five neighboring states.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
Louis Cappelli, the potential Catskills casino developer, has not met his own benchmarks for funding and other approvals for a racino in Kiamesha Lake. The state has withdrawn its promised consideration.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
Through a series of debt restructures and other strategic moves, James Murren (l.) has managed to keep CityCenter and MGM Resorts afloat. The next center of action for MGM will be Asia.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
How many attorneys does it take to sue the developers of the failed Fontainebleau project in Las Vegas? Almost two dozen, as a Clark County judge found last week.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
Democrats and Republicans are crying foul over the New Mexico State Fair Commission's recent approval of a 25-year lease with the Downs at Albuquerque. The lease will allow the construction of a $20 million, 52,000 square foot casino on the site.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
Despite its success in federal and state courts, the Tohono O'odham Nation lost a round in Congress as the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources approved Arizona Rep. Trent Franks' (l.) bill prohibiting the tribe from building a casino in Glendale. The committee also approved an amendment that would prohibit a casino on reservation land in metro Phoenix.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
Duluth, Minnesota, which saw millions in annual payments from the Chippewa Indians, will forfeit those payments if a district court decision stands.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
Corruption in the illegal Mexican gambling industry runs rampant. Unfortunately a small Native American tribe in northern Michigan was the victim of one of Mexico's most notorious casino moguls, losing $8.5 million it could ill afford to gamble.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
Supporters of a Jemez tribal casino at Anthony, New Mexico said the denial of the tribe's application took place before the established process was played out. The tribe wants to build a $55 million casino there although its reservation is located near Santa Fe, more than 290 miles away.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
An influential GOP lawmaker says introducing slots in non-tribal gaming halls could help offset the state’s budget crunch—to the tune of about $150 million per year.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
The 4,500 employees of the Oneida Indian Nation recently received holiday bonuses totaling more than $5 million. Average bonuses were $1,000, according to Oneida leader Ray Halbritter (l.).
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
A dealer at the Caesars Entertainment-managed Harrah’s Rincon in California is suing the operator for allegedly failing to pay tip gratuities to its employees.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
With a new Democratic led administration, the Fort Sill Apache tribe may finally get a shot at establishing sovereignty in New Mexico. But will that be enough for them to establish a casino in Akela?
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
A consultation session on the regulatory review process for tribal casino operators will take place on December 3, 2011 in Washington, D.C.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
Bally Technologies has named Srini Raghavan head of Asia-Pacific games and system activities, and has promoted Kurt Gissane (l.) to managing director of Asia-Pacific.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
Chet Koch has been named vice president and general manager at Isle of Capri's casino in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. A 30-plus-year veteran of the gaming industry, Koch currently is vice president and general manager at Isle of Capri in Kansas City, Missouri.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
Gaming consultants Gaming Market Advisors recently named Matthew Landry as managing director. Landry's understanding of Asian markets was a key factor in his selection.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
Georg “George” Steiner has joined Belgian gaming machine systems supplier DRGT as senior business development director. The move follows the recent acquisition by DRGT of Systems in Progress, which is based in Steiner’s home town of Graz, Austria.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
Gaming Laboratories International becomes the first licensed gaming test lab to be licensed by regulatory authorities in Bolivia.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
With security issues a top priority in Atlantic City, all 11 casinos are linking in to a centralized system called Mutualink. The surveillance system offers communication between casinos and allows local law enforcement access to real time crime prevention.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
Gaming system company EC Development has signed an agreement with TransAct Technologies to sell and support TransAct’s Epicentral Print System.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
The regional Balkan Entertainment and Gaming Expo drew more than 2,200 visitors to Sofia, Bulgaria in October. The annual event is an important stop for those involved in any facet of gaming or entertainment in Southeastern Europe.
Sun, Nov 27, 2011
Although it is potentially the most prosperous gaming market in California, Los Angeles County does not include any Indian casinos. The reasons are many and date back to the formation of the state.
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