Fri, Feb 25, 2011
The groundbreaking for Baha Mar, the only mega-resort project in the Western Hemisphere, marks a milestone for tourism in the Bahamas. Chairman and CEO Sarkis Izmirlian was joined by distinguished guests, including Chinese VIP dignitaries, at the groundbreaking ceremony.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
The $560 million Stockbridge casino that would have come about after an agreement with former New York Governor David Patterson (l.) ends at the federal level—and revives a New York land claim by the Wisconsin tribe of Mohicans.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
The official ‘grand opening’ was completed for Marina Bay Sands last week, almost a year after the doors opened last April, with the opening of the integrated resort’s final piece, the ArtScience Museum (l.). But the job isn’t finished, according to Las Vegas Sands Chairman Sheldon Adelson.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
A quirk in New Jersey law gives Governor Christ Christie (l.) another week to consider the state’s online gaming bill. Some are speculating that he will decide to at least conditionally veto the bill and send it back to the legislature for changes.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
Conflicting reports continue to surface questioning whether MGM Resorts will immediately issue its initial public offering on its Macau ventures or will delay it because of the uncertainty over the distribution of the shares of Stanley Ho in SJM, where Ho daughter and MGM partner Pansy Ho (l.) is playing a key role.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
Las Vegas Sands’ Sheldon Adelson (l.) proposes a massive casino resort in Spain that he says would be a ‘mini-Vegas” and would create 180,000 jobs.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
Regulators approve takeover of debt-laden Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas by Brookfield Asset Management and Warner Gaming LLC.
Sun, Feb 27, 2011
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Don Robinson, the president of Baha Mar Ltd, the company building the multi-billion dollar gaming resort in the Bahamas.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
Cambodia’s NagaCorp showed a net profit increase of 73 percent for 2010. The operator of NagaWorld (l.), in the nation’s capital Phnom Penh, booked 64 percent of its revenues from mass-market business as opposed to junkets.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
While casino employees want non-smoking workplaces, casino operators are concerned about the mixed messages being send by the government when it comes to smoking bans.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
Hong Kong’s Jockey Club is still horseracing’s big success story. But as “unauthorized” bookmakers and online sports books siphon off increasingly huge amounts of action, the club is looking to expand its own areas of activity.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
Melco Crown’s City of Dreams is not just sitting back and waiting for visitors to come to Macau. The company is actively seeking new business in India, establishing contacts with the travel industry there.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
Malaysia has seen its citizens and their cash drawn to the casinos and other entertainment at the new integrated resorts in neighboring Singapore. Disregarding calls to institute a ban on visits, the Malaysian government is counting on its own tourism industry to counter the development.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
The draw of spectacular, amusement-only attractions is thought to be helping Singapore’s casinos grow their revenues. Some visitors who come primarily for the Universal Studios (l.) rides will also drop into the casinos to gamble.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
In recent years the casino industry in Nepal has been subject to legal battles of ownership, local political scandals, and financial and social irresponsibility. Now the government wants to relocate casinos from their hotel quarters in Kathmandu to a new, to-be-developed area with its own airport and infrastructure.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
Winning a $55.5 million jackpot in Vietnam would be quite an accomplishment. Getting paid the $55.5 million would be even better. The wannabe winning player is suing the operator of the casino.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
The U.K. spa center of Bath was awarded one of the casino licenses to function under the Gambling Act 2005. The deadline for potential operators looking to make use of the license is February 28.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
The Dutch government appears to be going back and forth between renewing its relationship with Holland Casino and looking to end it. After announcing recently that the properties might be sold to private-sector operators, the government has voiced approval for the latest plan from Holland Casino to upgrade existing facilities.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
The main reason for relocating the Edgewater Casino from one part of Vancouver, British Columbia to the other is increased projected revenues. However the large proposed project by Paragon Gaming is very controversial.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
Facing a $26 billion deficit, the California legislature seems likely to be one of the first states to legalize online poker, as an important Indian gaming trade organization comes on board in support of a bill by Senator Lou Correa (l.).
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
The unique conference will show land-based casino companies and tribes how to enter the $30 billion global i-gaming industry.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
Europe has a new, voluntary template for consumer protection to be adhered to by operators in the online and mobile gaming world. The new agreement was created by one of the three standardization organizations recognized by the European Union.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
The Florida House’s Business and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee recently held a three-hour hearing on gambling. Although some lawmakers say current gambling options should be restricted, a bill authorizing gaming expansions should be filed this week. The support of Governor Rick Scott (l.) is uncertain.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
Attorney General Luther Strange (l.) orders all gaming machines and equipment from the state’s commercial bingo casinos. His next target: Indian gaming.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
The Hawaii House defeated a proposal to allow a single stand-alone casino in Waikiki. Other proposals still being considered would legalize bingo, slot machines, a lottery and shipboard gambling.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
A new player with big plans comes to the Reno-Tahoe market. No sale price for the Grand Sierra (l.) has been disclosed for the property, which will be overhauled by investors.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
Developer Bob Lux is showing Minneapolis officials his plans for a luxury casino on Block E, the economically struggling downtown retail complex he purchased last year. The project would require the state legislature’s approval and possibly a constitutional amendment.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
A majority of Iowans—58 percent of those polled by The Des Moines Register--support Governor Terry Branstad's plan to raise taxes on casinos to pay for tax cuts for corporations. Branstad asked the legislature to increase the tax rate on the state’s 15 casinos from 22 to 36 percent.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
The Sprint Cup race at Kansas Speedway has a new sponsor, Hollywood Casino 400. Kansas Speedway and Penn National Gaming are partners in Hollywood Casino, a $386 million casino-entertainment development, set to open in the first half of next year.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
A Montana Senate committee unanimously approved a bill to upgrade the state’s video gaming machines. A House bill to legalize blackjack is considered to have little chance of passing.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
With the five-year lease of the Higbee building in Cleveland, Ohio signed, the way is open for the first of the state’s four regional destination casinos to open next year.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
Mississippi legislators are taking a new look at casinos and gaming. They say changes in tax rates and legalizing new ways to gamble could raise additional revenue.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
As Texas faces a $15 billion state budget gap—and possible cuts to public education, health care and other state services—$1 billion in gaming revenues is looking increasingly tempting to some lawmakers. The legislature rejected several gambling bills the last time it was in session.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
Competition from surrounding states has West Virginia's racetracks, the Greenbrier and the West Virginia Lottery seeking gaming-friendly legislation. A new bill would allow gambling for higher stakes at the state's four racetracks and the Greenbrier resort (l.), among other proposals.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
MGM Resorts, which has been trying to sell its 50 percent stake in Atlantic City's Borgata (l.) since last summer, could be affected by other recent casino deals.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
A bill by a lawmaker that would let his hometown of Junction City, Kansas be part of the state-owned casino boom is being referred to by other legislators as Rep. James Fawcett’s way to be a spoiler.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue left video gambling out of her proposed budget, although industry groups estimated it could generate $500 million or more in revenues. Perdue added she wanted to avoid a “philosophical and moral debate” over the issue.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
A bill that prohibits Maryland slot licensees from interfering in projects of new licensees is up for final approval, despite protests from Penn National Gaming.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
A gaming analyst cautions against too much table games expansion in light of possible casino legalization in nearby Massachusetts.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
A Hard Rock casino could be the next property on the Atlantic City skyline as Hard Rock International, the parent company, assembles a development team to draw up architectural and engineering plans for a recently legalized “boutique” casino.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
Gaming and infrastructure developments in the shore town has Wall Street taking notice.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
The Sands casino in Bethlehem is asking to add 29 table games in an expansion that will add 139 new jobs to the casino.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
Hollywood Slots in Bangor, Maine is the state’s only casino, but it’s a status that it is not likely to enjoy for much longer since casino proposals are proliferating like spring flowers in the Pine Tree State.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
Dan Lee has signed a pledge to hire minority employees at Creative Casinos’ Mojito Pointe Casino. The former head of Pinnacle Entertainment recently was awarded Louisiana’s 15th and final gaming license.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
Short of approving VLTs or slots at racetracks, the New Jersey legislature last week approved bills that should improve the racing business in the state.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
The Department of Interior said land purchased by the Tohono O’odham in Glendale, Arizona, is part of its reservation. Glendale and other tribes disagree and want to prevent a casino from being built there.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
Lawmaker calls for removal of rusting steel at downtown Buffalo casino site. Experts had predicted the structure could last for years without compromise.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
Commissioners in Hot Springs County, Wyoming, want to take a look at records about a proposal for land to be held in trust for the Northern Arapaho tribe. They’re concerned the land may be used to build a casino.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
Fearful that state tribes will open casinos, a Georgia senator wants to control the sale of land to Native Americans who may take it into trust.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
Recently installed president of Wynn Las Vegas and Encore, Marilyn Winn (l.) adds marketing chief, subtracts COO, and continues focus on high-end market.
Sat, Feb 26, 2011
James Guay has been named director of marketing for Island View Casino Resort in Gulfport, Mississippi. He will oversee advertising, player promotions, entertainment and communications.
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
Ameet Patel, vice president/general manager, Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa, Riverside, Missouri, recently was named president of the Missouri Gaming Association. The association also reported the state’s casino industry generated $490 million in gaming tax revenues in 2010.
Sat, Feb 26, 2011
Joel Sterns, one of the original attorneys practicing in the New Jersey regulatory system’s formative years, passes away.
Sat, Feb 26, 2011
Robert Victoria steps down from his post after expanding Foxwoods’ brand. He is the second executive to resign since new president, Scott Butera, took over.
Sat, Feb 26, 2011
International Game Technology’s new board of directors contains several members with little experience in the gaming industry. Chairwoman Patti Hart (l.) has consolidated her power.
Sat, Feb 26, 2011
Gaming Laboratories International will hold its 10th regulators’ roundtable for North America at Treasure Island Casino & Resort in Las Vegas.
Sat, Feb 26, 2011
Pioneering bookmaking app positions American Wagering at the head of the mobile gaming industry.
Sat, Feb 26, 2011
New charter carrier will ‘draw a straight line’ between Sin City and the Big Apple. Luxury appointments and ease of travel are two of the lures.
GGB Magazine | GGB News | RD&E Magazine | Casino Design | Tribal Government Gaming | GGB iGames | Casino Connection
RSS 2.0 Feed