Sun, Dec 11, 2011
Las Vegas Sands Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson has decided that he is personally opposed to internet gambling, although he stresses he was not speaking specifically for his company. In an exclusive interview with Adelson conducted in November, he told Global Gaming Business the reasons why he can’t support or help promote online gaming.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
International Game Technology has announced its “Cloud solution,” which will allow seamless movement of IGT game and system content among different media. It will reduce the need for hardware and software within the casinos and can be accessed via the internet.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
Governor Andrew Cuomo (l.) makes good on his promise to pursue commercial gaming in the state. The governor says it’s all about jobs. It’s also about plugging a $350 million budget hole.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
The first of the “large” casinos allowed in the U.K. by the 2005 Gambling Act has opened to crowds four times larger than anticipated. No matter that the casino is limited to 150 slots: media have already dusted off the old “supercasino” moniker in their reports on the new venue.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
A new tribal consultation policy announced by Secretary Ken Salazar (l.) for the Department of the Interior will allow American Indian and Alaska Native tribes to offer more voice in federal decisions affecting Indian Country. The policy was developed as result of tribal input in meetings in seven cities with more than 300 tribal leaders.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
Top Massachusetts officials have begun the process of picking members for the all-important gaming commission, and a new major player, Steve Wynn, has entered the casino lists with a potential deal with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft (show with Wynn’s wife, Andrea).
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
Japan-watchers are keeping a close eye on a group of 150 pro-casino legislators. The thinking is that the need to raise money and create jobs, brought on by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, will outweigh social concerns.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
Democrats want to raise taxes, Republicans want to expand gambling to non-tribal casinos to help plug Washington State's $2 billion budget deficit. The state's 28 tribes are not thrilled about that idea, and have not answered a request by Governor Chris Gregoire (l.) to help solve the crisis.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Dave Krise, the senior vice president of product development for DigiDeal, about the rise of electronic table games and DigiDeal’s unique products.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
The government of Singapore now has final say over the advertising and promotional efforts of the two integrated resorts. However, at least one industry watcher does not believe the new oversight will hurt gaming revenue.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
The state-owned casinos of PAGCOR in the Philippines are all getting OTBs from the Manila Jockey Club. The MJC is hoping to duplicate the success it has seen at its Resorts World Manila operation, which went live last August.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
Macau’s non-gaming amenities have taken a stride forward with three awards recently announced for the City of Dreams entertainment offering “The House of Dancing Water” and the Pei Partnership Architects-designed theater which houses it.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
As more Chinese begin to travel abroad, tourism experts are seeing trends in preferred activities. One of those is gambling, which activity is not allowed to be promoted in China.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
The U.K.’s Rank Group and CEO Ian Burke (l.) is asking regulators to equalize tax rates for online and land-based gaming. The present system applies differing tax rates to a game or activity depending on whether it takes place in the physical or virtual world.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
As Ireland works on a comprehensive modernizing of its gaming legislation, budgetary demands have resulted in the interim step of expanding the tax base to online betting. The rate has been kept at 1 percent of turnover for all but betting exchanges.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
The ongoing drama in Greece has brought a new complaint at the European Union level in the area of online gaming regulation. The two main industry lobby groups have filed a formal protest with the European Commission claiming anti-competitive restrictions in the Greek law.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
The owner of the Casino Royale in Monterrey, Mexico (l.) has been absolved of any criminal wrongdoing in the firebombing that left 52 people dead in August. The blame for the attack has been put solely on the shoulders of the Los Zetas drug cartel. The announcement has sparked allegations of a cover-up in President Calderon's National Action Party, where it is believed that widespread political corruption has allowed Mexican drug cartels to flourish.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake in Montreal recently released a report indicating a proposed casino, which would open in 2015, could generate $78 million in gross revenues in its first year of operation. The main competitor would be the Casino de Montréal, located on Île Notre-Dame and accessible by bridge from Montreal.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
The Tourism Board of Bermuda recently issued a report calling for legalized gambling and opening a casino within two years. The report said hotel operators on the island have said gambling would provide visitors an additional leisure activity and help boost tourism.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
Slot operations at the two main gaming centers within the city of Buenos Aires are on track to beat the impressive results of the previous fiscal year.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
A hearing held in New York recently seemed to deflate efforts by two defendants named in the “Black Friday” indictments of PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker attempting to dismiss the charges on technical grounds. And in Boston, the first convictions using the UIGEA law were passed down.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
The District of Columbia’s i-Gaming program has completed its public vetting process, but the plan still needs approval by the Committee on Finance and Revenue before residents can bet online. Online slot machines are out, however.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
A report on internet poker recently released in Iowa said online gaming could generate tax revenues of $3-$13 million, not $30-$35 million as previously reported. Still, land-based poker players said they would play online more frequently if it was legalized and regulated by the state or federal government.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
London online gaming firm BetFair will begin internet exchange wagering on U.S. horse races beginning in May, from its San Francisco hub.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
Huge spike in online streaming of horse races prompts lawmakers to sign up for another year. Wagers were up by almost half.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
Similar actions in other communities have resulted in legal appeals. Hillsborough County officials say it’s up to the state to regulate the widespread businesses.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
Nevada gaming revenues halted a two-month slide in October with an 8 percent increase over October 2010, when revenues were strong as well. Much of the increase, however came from increased baccarat win on the Las Vegas Strip during the Chinese holiday of Golden Week.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
The Missouri Gaming Commission voted to allow gamblers to opt out of self-imposed lifetime bans, part of an effort to relax problem gambling restrictions.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
A fast-tracked sports betting bill is now headed to the New Jersey State Senate. The bill includes provisions for online wagering, which could complicate its passage. Though Governor Chris Christie (l.) supports sports betting, his concerns about Internet gambling could derail the process. A federal ban on sports betting needs to be overturned before the bill can go into effect.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
A legislator in Maine has submitted a bill that would divide the state into four districts and allow one casino in each. State Rep. Linda Valentino said LD 227 would stop the constant stream of gambling initiatives that often are at odds with one another.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport recently won an award for having the biggest increase in new international routes out of 650 airports in the U.S. The airport had a net gain of six international routes, including Canadian, Mexican and English flights.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
Private owners are expected to take over the Meadowlands Racetrack and Monmouth Park (l.) by December 24, as the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority will now take track employees off their payroll.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
Second level of the Aqueduct racino, with 2,500 more slots and two restaurants, will debut Friday—four months ahead of schedule.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
Both the Tropicana Casino and Resort (l.) and the Golden Nugget showed positive cash flow in the third quarter, giving rise to speculation that Atlantic City might be in turnaround. But losses at Resorts Casino Hotel underscore the fact that the market still has a way to go before it recovers.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
Plaintiffs say the developers intentionally misrepresented the financial solvency of the massive resort project in Las Vegas. Defendants call the plaintiffs ‘vulture hedge funds.’
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
A measure under consideration in an Ohio Congressional committee would turn over security in the state's future casino—and the authority to make arrests—to the State Highway Patrol. The bill is getting an icy reception among lawmakers who don't want to expand the Patrol's authority to private property.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
Mayor Robert Sabonjian of Waukegan, Illinois recently returned from Springfield with a report that most lawmakers and Governor Pat Quinn want a casino in Waukegan. The city council has hired a lobbying firm to promote the idea at the state capitol.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
The Kansas Star Casino near Mulvane will open Monday, December 26 instead of early next year, thanks to good weather and smooth preparations. The casino will offer 1,310 slot machines and 32 table games, and will open as an interim facility inside the Kansas Star's future events center.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
The expansion project at Palace Casino is complete, Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Casino is under construction and the IP is being renovated. It all adds up to ongoing investment and excitement along the Gulf Coast at Biloxi, Mississippi.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
Argosy Casino's license-holders and its owners, Penn National Gaming, are trying to come to an agreement regarding the Sioux City riverboat. Missouri River Historical Development favors a $100 million, land-based operation but is only willing to offer a one-year contract extension. Penn National wants a longer commitment.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
Finally, after two years, legalized video gambling machines will be available throughout Illinois. The state has accepted a bid from Scientific Games International to provide a monitoring system for the machines, which all will be installed in the second half of 2012.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
Parimutuel barrel racing has begun at a track in northern Florida, despite legal challenges. But lawsuits and appeal continue to grow.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
Gary Loveman, chair of Caesars Entertainment, is actively pursuing new ventures in the United States, including casinos in Ohio, Baltimore, Boston and Miami. Overseas, Caesars hopes to place its brand, without a casino, in 25 hotels and resorts in China over the next five years and recently announced the $470 million Caesars Palace Longmu Bay on the island of Hainan.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill that would require casinos to mail monthly statements to all customers enrolled in a player’s card program.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
The World Series of Poker has collected commitments from 22 players to enter its new $1 million buy-in tournament, making the record-breaking tournament an official bracelet event.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
Increasingly the issue of whether Indian tribes should be allowed to expand their holdings by acquiring lands many miles from their reservations and putting them into trust for casinos is becoming increasingly controversial. That’s especially true in California, where Governor Jerry Brown (l.) has yet to rule on two applications.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
A 120,000 square foot casino with 1,500 slots and 24 table games would be built in the South Pier District of Sheboygan if officials of the Sokaogon Chippewa Community and the owners of the Blue Harbor Resort (l.) are successful. The city council has given the city the go-ahead to sell South Pier property to Blue Harbor’s owners.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
Ned Norris, Jr., chairman of the Tohono O'odham Nation, recently spoke out regarding efforts to quash the tribe's plans to build a casino in Glendale, Arizona. He said the casino would not violate the state's compact and would provide thousands of jobs.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community in Minnesota wants to expand again, removing 150 acres from county tax rolls. The county attorney says the tribe's plan is against the law. But the tribe pointed out, the county let it do the same thing just two years ago.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
Minnesota tribes offered competing proposals at a recent Senate hearing on financing a new Vikings stadium. The White Earth Tribe has proposed building a casino at the team's preferred Arden Hills site, while the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe opposes expanded gambling as a job destroyer. Supporters of a Block E casino in downtown Minneapolis also chimed in.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
Indian casinos, which often had their beginnings in tents and trailers, are entering into an era when they are competing with Las Vegas in terms of sophistication and amenities. One such tribal casino is Casino del Sol, near Tucson, Arizona and its PY Steakhouse (l.).
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
Gaming Partners International Corporation plans to repurchase up to 5 percent of outstanding common shares based on current market valuation.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
BMM Compliance has evaluated and certified the PromoNet promotional couponing system produced by FutureLogic, Inc., clearing the way for introduction in BMM jurisdictions.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
Lottomatica’s Spielo subsidiary has been selected by the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission to supply a game management module for the lottery’s central system.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
The Cordish Company has launched a website for job-seekers, in hopes of filling 1,500 new jobs at its Maryland Live! casino in Anne Arundel County.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
The new Aspers Westfield Stratford City has chosen TCSJohnHuxley as its turn-key supplier for all table games and related equipment.
Sun, Dec 11, 2011
The Seminole Tribe of Florida has signed a deal with Bally Technologies to implement the manufacturer’s iVIEW Display Manager system and Elite Bonus Suite of applications.
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