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GGB News Vol. 94 Vol. 8 • No. 34 • August 30, 2010

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:07:00 -0000

GGB NEWS August 30, 2010

COVER STORY:

Go-Go Gomes

High-energy casino executive Dennis Gomes buys Resorts Atlantic City in a deal that could mean as much for the city as it will for the troubled hotel. Few details on the deal are available, but some experts speculate that he paid less than $50 million for the property.

FEATURES:

WEEKLY FEATURE: House of Cards in Saipan

The latest push to establish casino gaming on Saipan came in the form of a House bill, which passed last week. However, the Senate once again appears ready to oppose casinos.

Worker Shortage Hurts Macau Development

A shortage of construction workers due to the Macau government’s restrictions on foreign employees has delayed the completion of a Las Vegas Sands project (parcels 5 and 6) and threatens Galaxy Entertainment’s Cotai Strip development.

Developer Buys Land for Cleveland Temp Casino

The development company that has the right to build a casino in Cleveland has agreed to buy 16 acres near the city’s Tower City Center that would be used for the permanent casino. He has also purchased another building to serve as a temporary casino while the permanent one is built.

Reid’s Lead

Harry Reid says he’s considering permitting an online poker bill to move through Congress, but his Nevada constituents aren’t happy about it.

ALSO:

Cosmopolitan Joins Team Marriott
FANTINI’S FINANCE: China: A Bubble To Burst?
Barbados Association Opposed to Casinos
Aristocrat Names New Chairman
Gaming Working for Singapore
GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCAST: Reese Palley, Former Atlantic City Businessman

Long-time MotorCity GM Retires

Staff — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 02:05:00 -0000

After 11 years with the Detroit casino, COO and general manager Rhonda Cohen retired this month.

Drai Tryst With Wynn Over

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 23:58:00 -0000

Victor Drai (l.), credited with starting the ultralounge trend when he launched Drai’s Afterhours at the Barbary Coast (now Bill’s Gambling Hall), has parted ways with Steve Wynn and Wynn Resorts where he launched two highly successful nightclubs.

GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCAST: Reese Palley, Former Atlantic City Businessman

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 23:18:00 -0000

This week the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Reese Palley, an early businessman in Atlantic City who left to sail the world after selling a hotel to Bally Manufacturing where the Bally’s Atlantic City hotel and casino is located today.

Quotable Quotes

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:31:00 -0000

News & Notes

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:21:00 -0000

Wynn’s Bargain Buy

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:19:00 -0000

The art world is claiming that Steve Wynn (l.) got a tremendous bargain when he picked up a Rembrandt self portrait for “only” $33 million.

Skin In The Game

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:18:00 -0000

Investor website Motley Fool pegs Las Vegas Sands as a great investment because its chairman, Sheldon Adelson (l.), has a lot more to lose than any of the other chairman of the major gaming companies.

MotorCity Honored for Excellence

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:17:00 -0000

The Detroit casino and hotel won the Pinnacle Award for its hotel’s outstanding meeting guest service this year.

Casino Barcelona Installs Novo Flying Baccarat

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:15:00 -0000

Spain’s Casino Barcelona has installed Novomatic’s Novo Flying Baccarat multi-player electronic table game.

Atronic Launches King Kong WAP in Chile

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:15:00 -0000

Atronic’s King Kong Cash slot machine, to be launched in three locations in Chile, will be the country’s first wide-area progressive game.

Flowing Water Picks Table Trac

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:14:00 -0000

The Navajo Nation has selected Table Trac’s Casino Trac casino management system for its new Flowing Water Navajo Casino in Arizona.

Galaxy Licensed in Pennsylvania

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:13:00 -0000

Galaxy Gaming announced that the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has approved the company to sell its table-game side bet products in the state.

FANTINI’S FINANCE: China: A Bubble To Burst?

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:07:00 -0000

The Macau casinos are doing tremendous business because of the positive economic situation in China. But what happens when things turn south or the government decides enough is enough? Can you base your business on this relative uncertainty?

Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Names CIO

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:07:00 -0000

The owners of two Onamia, Minnesota casinos brought in IT genius Dwight Terrance as chief innovation officer.

New Hollywood Casino Aurora GM

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:06:00 -0000

Penn National Gaming will replace longtime general manager Patt Medchill with former Philly casino president.

Santos Takes Control of Troubled Vegas Casinos

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:04:00 -0000

Casino veteran Anthony F. Santos was given permission by the Nevada Gaming Commission to take control of three downtown Las Vegas casinos.

Karoul Returns to Foxwoods as Marketing VP

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:03:00 -0000

Steve Karoul will be a “a major asset” at Foxwoods, says Bill Sherlock, the president of the Mashantucket Pequots' gaming operations.

GPI Names CFO

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:01:00 -0000

Gaming Partners International has promoted Gerald Koslow to the position of chief financial officer and treasurer.

Trump Plaza GM Rigot Resigns

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:01:00 -0000

Jim Rigot, a longtime Atlantic City executive will depart in October. His replacement, Trump Marina GM Mark Sachais, will run two casinos.

Aristocrat Names New Chairman

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:58:00 -0000

Dr. Ian Blackburne will take over as chairman of Australia’s Aristocrat Leisure Ltd. effective December 1, replacing the retiring David Simpson.

Nova Scotia Discussing Online Gaming

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:56:00 -0000

Regarding state-run online gaming, the ice has been broken in Canada by the B.C. Lottery Corp.’s PlayNow site. At the opposite end of Canada, Nova Scotia is considering a similar move.

Exchange Wagering Bill Moves Through California Legislature

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:55:00 -0000

A practice that allows bettors to assign the odds in horse racing bets seems headed for adoption in the California legislature.

B.C. Lottery Site Re-Launched… No? Yes!

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:54:00 -0000

Canadian state lottery and gaming operator British Columbia Lottery Corporation appeared to be heading for another fall when the re-launch of its online gaming site failed to materialize on schedule. Luckily, it was just the usual technology-related stuff.

Twenty-one California Tribes Push for Internet Poker

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:52:00 -0000

A group of 21 California tribes calling itself the California Online Poker Association has formed to push for legalized online poker in the Golden State.

Reid’s Lead

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:42:00 -0000

Harry Reid says he’s considering permitting an online poker bill to move through Congress, but his Nevada constituents aren’t happy about it.

Anti-Casino Group Criticizes Environmental Report

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:41:00 -0000

Opponents of a casino expansion project in Northern California are attacking the environmental impact report issued by the tribe that wants to build it, the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation.

Potawatomi Finally Hit by Economy

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:40:00 -0000

The Milwaukee tribal bingo casino saw its first major downturn from the economy after June’s fiscal year reports came out.

Tribe and Department of Interior at Odds 

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:36:00 -0000

A Department of the Interior decision to deny the Habematolel Pomo a gaming compact could lead to more serious issues statewide.

Navajo Gets Funding for 2 New Casinos

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:32:00 -0000

The Navajo Nation was approved for a $5.3 million dollar loan to develop two new casino properties set to open this year. Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. (l.) signed for the loan.

FireKeepers Pays Loan Early

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:31:00 -0000

The Michigan casino that opened its doors last August has already paid back a $35 million loan used to buy the casino’s slot machines. 

Creditors Could Get Quarter of a Casino That May Never Be Built

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:30:00 -0000

Creditors who are owed over $100 million by former California developer Kelly Gearhart may get an interest in a scheme to fund a landless tribe’s entrée into Indian gaming.

California Tribe, City Feud Over Funding

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:29:00 -0000

A squabble between a southern California city and a casino tribe could have statewide implications for Indian gaming. The casino floor of the Pechanga casino at left.

Oregon Voters to Decide on Portland Casino

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:28:00 -0000

The holy grail of casino gaming in Oregon is being debated as taxes and development are an issue. Tribes and bars with video lottery machines are opposed.

Court Case Challenges Tribal Sovereignty for Casinos

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:27:00 -0000

A case that has been appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court may finally allow the courts a chance to weigh in on the issue of tribal sovereignty as it relates to such issues as business contracts and bankruptcy.

IRS Records Show Cypress’s Spending Trends

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:26:00 -0000

Documents detail profligate spending by former Miccosukee tribal chairman Billy Cypress (l.), all on the tribe’s tab. In Vegas, he spent $227K in two weeks.

PA’s 10th Casino Opens in September

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:25:00 -0000

SugarHouse in Philadelphia will be the state’s fourth stand-alone casino. There are also six racinos, with plans for more gaming halls.

Senator: Don’t Make Agency Pay for AC Cops

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:19:00 -0000

New Jersey Senator Jim Whelan scoffed at an assemblyman’s plan to bolster security in Atlantic City by making the casinos foot the bill.

Alabama Election Could Be A Game Changer

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:18:00 -0000

But the arguments about electronic bingo may continue when Bob Riley is gone. The candidates for lieutenant governor are on opposite sides of the gambling issue.

Genting ‘Mob’ Ties?

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:16:00 -0000

New York State lawmakers, lottery differ on who knew what about alleged ties between Genting, the casino giant chosen to run Aqueduct, and Pansy Ho.

NJ Dukes It Out Over Christie Plan

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:14:00 -0000

Results of the Hanson commission are being treated as suggestions only as lawmakers prepare for long battle on gaming, racing.

Las Vegas Hilton Refinanced

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:13:00 -0000

Owners of the Las Vegas Hilton reached an agreement with lenders to push back mortgage payment until 2012.

Idaho Won’t Change Gaming Laws for Revenue

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:11:00 -0000

Many states have tried to change and expand their gaming laws in an attempt to raise more funds as tax revenue decreases—many have not been successful.

New Track for Wheeling Greyhounds

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:10:00 -0000

Wheeling Island in West Virginia will close its racetrack for the majority of September as the track undergoes a large renovation.

Not Much Good News in Nevada Gaming

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:08:00 -0000

Nevada’s June results for gaming revenue once again showed that Las Vegas and other state casinos have a long recovery ahead.

Station Reorganization One Step Closer

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:07:00 -0000

Station Casinos reached an agreement last week with unsecured creditors who originally opposed the reorganization of the bankrupt company.

Can Can Comes to D’Iberville

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:06:00 -0000

The Can Can casino project was approved for waterfront property at a public hearing this week in D’Iberville, Mississippi.

Dealer Shortage, Glut in Pennsylvania

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:05:00 -0000

Some Pennsylvania casinos report a shortage of qualified table game dealers. Others report many more applicants than available jobs.

Mississippi Casinos Feel Oil Spill and Recession Effects

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:04:00 -0000

Mississippi casinos saw an increase in revenue from earlier months since the oil spill, but the spill and the recession have still aided in lower revenue than the area saw last summer.

Caesars Palace Fined for ‘Dance’

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:02:00 -0000

The state Gaming Control Board has issued a complaint against Las Vegas’ Caesars Palace for the casino’s lack of action when a player climbed onto a baccarat table.

Dog Track’s Closing Reopens Massachusetts Gaming Bill Wounds

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:41:00 -0000

Once considered the premier greyhound racing park in the world, Wonderland Greyhound park closed last week, reopening the fresh wounds created by the gaming bill that the Massachusetts legislature passed last month but which Governor Deval Patrick refused to sign.

New Casino Operators Show Interest in Davenport

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:39:00 -0000

Davenport officials are talking to two gaming operators interested in purchasing Isle of Capri’s license, which could bring a much-needed boost in revenue. The Isle’s Rhythm City Casino (l.) would then close.

St. Louis Endorses Lone Casino Plan

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:38:00 -0000

With other casino proposals dropping out, an important approval from a St. Louis agency gives the nod to the only plan left, near the Chain of Rocks Bridge (l.)

Cities Wooing New Mexico Track Owner

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:36:00 -0000

If the owner of New Mexico’s Ruidoso Downs Race Track doesn’t persuade Lincoln County voters to give him a tax rebate next month, he has no shortage of other towns wooing him to move his operation.

Illinois Racetrack Has Shortest Season Ever

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:35:00 -0000

Illinois racetracks are holding shorter and shorter seasons, a symptom of an underlying ailment caused by a declining ability to fund competitive sized purses. Fairmont Park (l. during its heyday), may have held its last meet ever.

New York Adds Electronic Table Games

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:33:00 -0000

State Lottery Division is currently testing electronic table games for racinos; the first will roll out at Saratoga next month. (Casino Technology’s multi-player roulette game at left.)

Cosmopolitan Joins Team Marriott

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:32:00 -0000

Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, the newest luxury casino resort set to open mid-December on the Strip, has partnered with Marriott’s Autograph Collection, solving one of its big problems: the lack of a hotel reservation service.

Developer Buys Land for Cleveland Temp Casino

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:29:00 -0000

The development company that has the right to build a casino in Cleveland has agreed to buy 16 acres near the city’s Tower City Center (l.) that would be used for the permanent casino. He has also purchased another building to serve as a temporary casino while the permanent one is built.

Hungary Urged to Follow Italy

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:28:00 -0000

The national gambling association of Hungary is calling for the government to regulate online gaming, in similar fashion to what has been adopted by Italy and France.

New Casino Opens in Spain

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:27:00 -0000

The new Casino Valencia from Spain-based operator Cirsa has opened its doors. The structure houses the mix of gaming and leisure amenities that has come to be expected of a modern Mediterranean casino.

Greece’s Queenco Hit by Weak Revenue

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:26:00 -0000

It is no surprise to learn that the financial troubles of the Greek economy have hurt the casino industry in the region as well. Operator Queenco Leisure International has four properties (Casino Rodos, l.) in the affected area and felt the pinch in the first half of the year.

Canary Islands Gets New Gaming Legislation

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:25:00 -0000

The autonomous Canary Islands of Spain has passed and activated new and comprehensive gaming legislation.

Australian Casino Supporters Weigh Political Move

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:24:00 -0000

The push for a second casino in the Australian state of Victoria could have an unintended consequence for the local incumbent member of Parliament, Peter Crisp (l.).

Barbados Association Opposed to Casinos

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:22:00 -0000

The subject of casino gaming was recently re-introduced into the discussion on Barbados. The leadership of the island’s hotel and tourism association believes the local product doesn’t need casino gambling to compete. The Barbados Hilton at left.

LVS Marina Bay Retail Almost Full

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:17:00 -0000

The individual shops and restaurants of Marina Bay Sands’ retail component are said to be almost completely under contract.

VIP Promoter Lists on NASDAQ

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:16:00 -0000

The Macau casino market has introduced the Western world to the phenomenon of the VIP gaming promoter. Now, shares of one of the major participants in this activity are being traded on the NASDAQ.

Gaming Working for Singapore

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:15:00 -0000

Visitation to Singapore continues to increase as both casinos (Marina Bay Sands at left) start operating on all cylinders.

Worker Shortage Hurts Macau Development

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:14:00 -0000

A shortage of construction workers due to the Macau government’s restrictions on foreign employees has delayed the completion of a Las Vegas Sands project (parcels 5 and 6, l.) and threatens Galaxy Entertainment’s Cotai Strip development.

WEEKLY FEATURE: House of Cards in Saipan

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:11:00 -0000

The latest push to establish casino gaming on Saipan came in the form of a House bill, which passed last week. However, the Senate once again appears ready to oppose casinos.

Go-Go Gomes

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:07:00 -0000

Creighton Steps Down in Detroit

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:00:00 -0000

Lorenzo Creighton has resigned as president of MGM Grand Detroit to take over the helm at Gateway Casinos, a Vancouver-based gaming company, controlled by Australia’s Crown Casinos.

Florida Senate Race Could Hurt or Help Frank Bill

Staff — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 17:57:00 -0000

The results of the upcoming election for one of Florida’s U.S. Senate seats could affect an eventual vote on Rep. Barney Frank’s online gaming bill.

GGB News RSS (2.0) Feed

GGB News Vol. 94 Vol. 8 • No. 34 • August 30, 2010

Go-Go Gomes

FEATURES:

WEEKLY FEATURE: House of Cards in Saipan

Worker Shortage Hurts Macau Development

Developer Buys Land for Cleveland Temp Casino

Reid’s Lead

ALSO:

Cosmopolitan Joins Team MarriottFANTINI’S FINANCE: China: A Bubble To Burst?Barbados Association Opposed to CasinosAristocrat Names New ChairmanGaming Working for SingaporeGLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCAST: Reese Palley, Former Atlantic City Businessman

Long-time MotorCity GM Retires

Drai Tryst With Wynn Over

GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCAST: Reese Palley, Former Atlantic City Businessman

Quotable Quotes

News & Notes

Wynn’s Bargain Buy

Skin In The Game

MotorCity Honored for Excellence

Casino Barcelona Installs Novo Flying Baccarat

Atronic Launches King Kong WAP in Chile

Flowing Water Picks Table Trac

Galaxy Licensed in Pennsylvania

FANTINI’S FINANCE: China: A Bubble To Burst?

Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Names CIO

New Hollywood Casino Aurora GM

Santos Takes Control of Troubled Vegas Casinos

Karoul Returns to Foxwoods as Marketing VP

GPI Names CFO

Trump Plaza GM Rigot Resigns

Aristocrat Names New Chairman

Nova Scotia Discussing Online Gaming

Exchange Wagering Bill Moves Through California Legislature

B.C. Lottery Site Re-Launched… No? Yes!

Twenty-one California Tribes Push for Internet Poker

Reid’s Lead

Anti-Casino Group Criticizes Environmental Report

Potawatomi Finally Hit by Economy

Tribe and Department of Interior at Odds

Navajo Gets Funding for 2 New Casinos

FireKeepers Pays Loan Early

Creditors Could Get Quarter of a Casino That May Never Be Built

California Tribe, City Feud Over Funding

Oregon Voters to Decide on Portland Casino

Court Case Challenges Tribal Sovereignty for Casinos

IRS Records Show Cypress’s Spending Trends

PA’s 10th Casino Opens in September

Senator: Don’t Make Agency Pay for AC Cops

Alabama Election Could Be A Game Changer

Genting ‘Mob’ Ties?

NJ Dukes It Out Over Christie Plan

Las Vegas Hilton Refinanced

Idaho Won’t Change Gaming Laws for Revenue

New Track for Wheeling Greyhounds

Not Much Good News in Nevada Gaming

Station Reorganization One Step Closer

Can Can Comes to D’Iberville

Dealer Shortage, Glut in Pennsylvania

Mississippi Casinos Feel Oil Spill and Recession Effects

Caesars Palace Fined for ‘Dance’

Dog Track’s Closing Reopens Massachusetts Gaming Bill Wounds

New Casino Operators Show Interest in Davenport

St. Louis Endorses Lone Casino Plan

Cities Wooing New Mexico Track Owner

Illinois Racetrack Has Shortest Season Ever

New York Adds Electronic Table Games

Cosmopolitan Joins Team Marriott

Developer Buys Land for Cleveland Temp Casino

Hungary Urged to Follow Italy

New Casino Opens in Spain

Greece’s Queenco Hit by Weak Revenue

Canary Islands Gets New Gaming Legislation

Australian Casino Supporters Weigh Political Move

Barbados Association Opposed to Casinos

LVS Marina Bay Retail Almost Full

VIP Promoter Lists on NASDAQ

Gaming Working for Singapore

Worker Shortage Hurts Macau Development

WEEKLY FEATURE: House of Cards in Saipan

Go-Go Gomes

Creighton Steps Down in Detroit

Cosmopolitan Joins Team Marriott
FANTINI’S FINANCE: China: A Bubble To Burst?
Barbados Association Opposed to Casinos
Aristocrat Names New Chairman
Gaming Working for Singapore
GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCAST: Reese Palley, Former Atlantic City Businessman

Tribe and Department of Interior at Odds 