When the infamous Jeffery Epstein (l.) can pay a principal of a company that controls major gaming corporations millions of dollars without the knowledge of the gold-standard regulators, you begin to wonder what else are they missing, according to gaming observer Richard Schuetz.
Today’s gaming operators face unprecedented, fast-moving changes and an evolving player profile. It’s more important than ever to “know your customer”—especially the elusive Gen X, Millennial and Gen Z. Are skill games (l.) part of the answer?
Last week, Trump Plaza on the Atlantic City Boardwalk was imploded. What will rise from the rubble? Among the proposals: a family attraction and a mixed-use development. No one seems to be thinking casino.
Mergers and acquisitions always have to consider a variety of hurdles, but in the post-Covid-19 world the risk of cyber vulnerability is a key consideration. Here’s what a CISO should consider.
At the end of 2020, with a surge in new Covid-19 infections, things looked pretty dark for Nevada. Now, there’s hope that a recovery is just beyond the horizon. Restaurants can now include 35 percent of occupancy, which will rise to 50 percent in mid-March.
Crown Resorts’ problems in New South Wales are causing concern in other Australian states. Western Australia, home of Crown Perth (l.) , is planning its own inquiry into Crown’s suitability, and Victoria may be close behind.
Macau would have settled for daily arrivals of 20,000 to 30,000 during its Chinese New Year celebration. But in the first five days of the normally lucrative holiday, the average was less than 13,000.
The Shinnecock Indian Nation has announced it will develop a Class II casino on its Southampton, New York reservation, partnering with Tri State Partners, which has collaborated with the Seminole Tribe
Uruguay's Ministry of Tourism is seeking bidders who want to build a luxury hotel casino on the Rocha coast. Minister Germán Cardoso (l.) said the vicinity has "been waiting years" for such a project.
Blaine Graboyes, the CEO of skill-games supplier, GameCo, was rejected for a Nevada gaming license last week because the state Gaming Commission didn’t believe his explanation about how he acquired intellectual property from a bankrupt competitor.
The Kansas Senate recently held hearings on a bill that would legalize sports betting and mobile wagering in the state. Some stakeholders say convenience stores should participate in any new industry but for now, only casinos like the Kansas Star (l.), are included.
The opening of Melco Resorts’ Cyprus resort, City of Dreams Mediterranean, has been delayed for nearly a year due to delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
A class-action lawsuit charges Apple with running an unlicensed casino on its App Store. The suit revolves around casino style apps that offer free-to-play games but with in-app purchasing options for digital currency.
Hawaii is one of two states in the U.S. that bans all forms of gambling. That could change as a bill to create a state lottery advances in the Hawaiian legislature.
After seven years of standing vacant on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, the former Trump Plaza casino was imploded last Wednesday, and toppled to the ground in about seven seconds.
Three factors have made regional casino companies the growth darlings of gaming, and the storyline to watch right now. Their pandemic recover continues to amaze.
This week, the GGB Podcast sits down with Reed Cordish (r.), a principal with the Cordish Companies, and Rob Norton, the president of Cordish Gaming, to talk about the company’s two Pennsylvania properties that opened within a month of each other.
Universal Entertainment, which operates Okada Manila (l.), is planning to list the holding company for its Philippines integrated resort business on the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq.
Genting Singapore Ltd., operator of Resorts World Sentosa (l.), predicts that Covid-19 and Beijing’s crackdown on “cross-border gambling” will unravel its high roller segment for good.
Officials in Osaka, Japan have given up trying to pinpoint when an integrated resort in the region could open. Osaka originally pushed for an accelerated timeline, and an IR by 2025. Now it’s anyone’s guess.
U.S.-based tribal operator Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment says it’s close to funding its South Korean integrated resort, Inspire (l.), and will resume construction within three months.
Kangwon Land (l.), the only South Korean casino open to locals, reopened February 15 as its host province eased Covid-19 restrictions. It had been closed since December 8.
Four Genting Malaysia resorts reopened last week: Resorts World Genting (l.) and Resorts World Awana on February 16, followed by Resorts World Kijal and Langkawi on February 19.
Total costs for main hotel casino at the Westside City Project (l.) in Manila’s Entertainment City will amount to US$1 billion, according to Chinese investor Suncity Group Holdings Ltd.
If Connecticut wants legal sports betting, the state will have to come to an agreement with the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot Tribes. Governor Ned Lamont (l.) is on board to do just that.
The French casino sector saw losses of 24.3 percent from November 2019 until October 2020, with only three gaming halls showing an uptick for the period.
Italian gaming workers have come out in protest of longstanding Covid-19 lockdowns. They’re demanding that the country’s new government provide clarity on the industry’s future.
Fine Gael Senator Joe O’Reilly (l.) wants to put a limit on gambling ads and sponsorships from gambling companies during sports events. At least two associations, the Gaelic Players and Gaelic Athletics, urged similar steps.
Playtech has secured licensing deals in four U.S. states and strategic partnerships as the company pursues opportunities in the growing U.S. online gaming market.
A California judge has dismissed a class-action lawsuit against Google that alleged the so-called “loot boxes” on some Google Play video games constituted illegal gambling.
Tennessee Rep. Darren Jernigan (l.) has some concerns about a sportsbook owned by a company that also offers loans to bettors. Jernigan has filed a bill to make such practices illegal.
The Louisiana Gaming Control Board has yet to create a regulatory model for sports betting in parishes that voted to approve the wagers last year. State Senator Ronnie Johns (l.) promises action in time for the April session.
The Ohio Senate will take testimony on the pros and cons of legalizing sports betting in the state. Penn National’s Eric Shippers (l.) says legalization will protect consumers from fraud and also help with state budget gaps.
The bipartisan North Dakota House Judiciary Committee has endorsed a sports betting resolution that would permit a statewide voter referendum. Governor Doug Burgum (l.) has taken a neutral position on the issue.
Princess Cruises has become the first cruise line to offer onboard sports betting via a custom app on its MedallionClass ships. Sports betting is only available in international waters or “wherever permitted by law.”
Sportradar has launched a universal fraud detection system that safeguards sports integrity through funding its proven bet monitoring system free of charge to sports businesses.
BetMGM and Topgolf Entertainment have announced a new partnership centered around an integrated sports betting and entertainment experience. The two companies will collaborate on marketing and promotional offers.
A year in the making, the $200 million Virgin LV in Vegas will feature 1,500 rooms, a 4,500-seat theater, conventions and meetings facilities and a 60,000-square-foot casino. It’s expected to open March 25.
MGM Growth Properties’ purchase of Mandalay Bay and the MGM Grand in Las Vegas Strip helped it overcome a 10 percent decline in revenues, and boosted cash flow for the year to more than $703 million.
Boyd Gaming officials say younger gaming customers have helped sustain the operator through the pandemic, a fact that bodes well for the future. Older patrons are also expected to return.
The Kentucky House has passed a bill legalizing historical horseracing machines, and Governor Andy Beshear (l.) indicates he’ll sign it. The machines’ future was in doubt following a state Supreme Court ruling.
The Alabama Senate held a hearing on state Senator Del Marsh’s bill proposing five casinos and a statewide lottery. Some lawmakers expressed concern that their districts weren’t among the five proposed.
The New Hampshire legislature is considering a bill that would betting of up to $25 on historic racing games (HHR). The tax revenues generated would be split between the state and charities in the Granite State.
The owners of Rosie’s Gaming Emporium in Richmond, Virginia, have announced plans for a “gaming and entertainment center” (l.) in Dumfries,. The $389 million venue would be built atop a landfill.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (l.) has lifted a three-month curfew on casinos and bars in the state, allowing them to resume 24/7 operations. The curfew originally was in effect from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Torch Electronics is suing several Missouri state agencies over their crackdown on illegal slots. Torch officials said the agencies exceeded their authority by removing the company’s illegal slots from convenience stores.
The governor of Massachusetts has lifted capacity limits on the Bay State’s three casinos. Despite being able to operate at higher than 25 percent capacity, the casinos aren’t reaching those levels, say state regulators.
The Cherokee Nation of Arkansas has filed a lawsuit appealing the state racing commission’s decision to give a Pope County gaming license to Gulfside Casino Partners.
The Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise of New Mexico will receive $15 million from the tribal council to help four casinos forced to temporarily close due to Covid-19. The funds will help replenish the casino treasury.
The National Council of Problem Gambling is decrying the surge of lottery sales in in New Hampshire, especially online. It says these dramatic increases are fueling the increase in problem gamblers.
Scientific Games will add Tim Throsby, a longtime finance professional and CEO of Barclays Bank PLC, as an independent director to the company’s board.
DraftKings has promoted Jennifer Aguiar from vice president of compliance and risk to chief compliance officer, reporting directly to CEO Jason Robins.
The Sahara Las Vegas last week announced the promotion of Candace Ochoa (l.) to executive chef of Bazaar Meat by José Andrés, where she will oversee all culinary operations for the award-winning restaurant.
VSiN, the network devoted to sports betting, has hired Jon Goulet as its first program director. Goulet arrives from a stint as executive producer of the “Herd with Colin Cowherd.”
Novomatic AG has implemented a new sales and production structure, bundling all sales units under Jakob Rothwangl (l.) and production departments under Walter Eschbacher.
IGT has deployed historical horse racing machines at Peninsula Pacific Entertainment Rosie’s properties in Virginia with HHR versions of several of its most popular titles.
Boyd Gaming Corp. and Aristocrat Technologies have launched BoydPay, a new digital wallet product, at casinos in Indiana, Ohio and Las Vegas. Payments will be linked to third-party funding sources. Boyd’s Blake Rampmaier (l.) says the agreement will enhance the guest experience.
AGS’ Starwall x Orion immersive video canvas, now at 55 casinos in North America, is an affordable, premium integrated merchandising solution with Starwall-specific game content for the Orion Portrait slot cabinet.
Last week, Global Payments Gaming Solutions announced an expanded agreement with International Game Technology to provide a wide range of funding solutions for cashless gaming across IGT products.
Macau’s Court of Final Appeal has rejected the appeal of Scientific Games concerning the SAR’s denial of a patent application for SG’s electronic gaming machine technology. The patent acquired by Jay Chun (l.), chairman of LT Game, has been upheld.
The National Indian Gaming Association has scheduled its annual trade show and conference for July in Las Vegas. The event, canceled in 2020 due to Covid-19, is typically held in San Diego.
March 8-12, 2021: IMGL Spring Conference 2021, Hotel Grand Bretagne, Athens, Greece. Produced by the International Masters of Gaming Law. For more information, visit IMGL.org.
May 6-7, 2021: Cyprus Gaming Show, Nicosia, Cyprus. Produced by the Cyprus Gaming & Casino Supervision Commission and National Betting Authority. For more information, visit CyprusGamingShow.com.
May 25-27, 2021: G2E Asia 2021, Venetian Macao. Produced by Reed Exhibitions and the American Gaming Association. For more information, visit www.g2easia.com.
May 26-27, 2021: East Coast Gaming Congress, Harrah’s Resort, Atlantic City. Produced by Spectrum Gaming, Cooper Levenson, the Friedmutter Group and Sysco. For more information, visit EastCoastGamingCongress.com.
May 28, 2021: Prague Gaming Summit, Vienna House Andel’s Prague, Czech Republic. Produced by European Gaming Media and Events. For more information, visit PragueGamingSummit.com.
June 14-17, 2021: International Gaming Summit 2021, Culloden Estate and Spa, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Produced by the International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA). For more information, visit TheIAGA.org.
July 19-22, 2021: International Gaming Summit 2021, Culloden Estate and Spa, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Produced by the International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA). For more information, visit TheIAGA.org.
October 4-7, 2021: Global Gaming Expo (G2E 2021), Sands Expo and Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV. The casino industry’s largest and most important conference and trade show. Produced by Reed Exhibitions. For more information, visithttps://www.globalgamingexpo.com.
