NEWS & NOTES

China’s Supreme People’s Procuratorate has prosecuted more than 46,500 people for gambling-related crimes in the first half of 2021—up 27.7 percent from 2019. Of those charged, 86.3 percent allegedly took part in the “establishment of casinos.” Macau is the only place in the PRC where casino gambling is legal. ● Indigo Sky Casino & Resort in Wyandotte, Oklahoma has announced that it has raised starting wages. Untipped positions will pay $13 an hour, and tipped positions $9. The Eastern Shawnee Tribe said “substantial benefits including health and dental care, paid time off and holiday time along with competitive pay …. ensures retention amongst teams.” ● Wynn Macau Ltd. says more than half of its staff have now been vaccinated against Covid-19 following the second round of its vaccination outreach program. A third round will be held later this month. Staffers who complete their vaccination doses can get up to two days of special leave. ● A baccarat dealer who once worked at the Star Casino in Sydney, Australia has been convicted for his part in an illegal betting scam. Hieu Duc Lam was captured on CCTV working with another employee and a patron to signal the order of cards to gamblers. The trio managed to steal AU$467,700 (US$345,000) in less than a month before being caught. ● Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas will host the Rolling Stones at a concert on November 6. The new venue has already sold out shows starring EDM star Illenium and country singer Garth Brooks. Rockers Guns N’ Roses will play the stadium this week. ● A retail outlet at the new Resorts World Las Vegas will use Amazon’s “Just Walk Out” technology, which completely eliminates traditional check-out. Customers will enter the Fred Segal Market with a credit card and technology will detect which items they take; they don’t even have to download an app or create an Amazon account. Cameras, weight sensors and deep-learning technology keep track of what customers pick up and put back on shelves. ● Sands China President Wilfred Wong says the new Londoner Court in Macau should be open by the October Golden Week. Wong expects Sands’ performance to improve in the second half following a $166 million loss registered in the second quarter. ● The International Council of Shopping Centers is scheduled to hold its expo December 5-7 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The trade association is “bringing the industry together live and in person on the largest deal making floor of the year,” according to an announcement, which included the subject line, “Did someone say Vegas?” The show is familiarly known as RECon. ● Former Chicago police officer Nicholas Stella will serve 15 months in prison for his role in an international gambling ring. Also charged as part of the February 2020 indictment was Mettawa, Illinois Mayor Casey Urlacher. Donald Trump pardoned Urlacher during the final hours of his presidency. ● Last month’s NIGA Tradeshow in Las Vegas drew a record-breaking crowd of 7,000. The four-day conference took place at the new Caesars Forum convention center. ● The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa has added a 65-foot Les Paul guitar monument. The installation, complete with light and music show, marks the newest attraction to Oklahoma’s Route 66 landscape. ● Circling Raven Golf Club at Coeur d’Alene Casino in Idaho ranked No. 19 in Golfweek’s list of Best U.S. Casino Courses for 2021. The Gene Bates-designed course spreads out over more than 600 acres of ancestral homelands, nearly five times more than the average course globally. ● India’s Goods and Services Tax Council has set up a seven-member panel of ministers from different states to examine how to value and tax services provided by India’s gaming industry, including casinos, online gambling and racecourses. The report is due in six months. ● Piomo S.A, an investment company based in Italy, has agreed to acquire a 91.7 percent share in Microgame, a betting and gaming supplier also based in Italy. It derived the funds from private equity. The price was not discussed, but Piomo said it will retain key executives including CEO Marco Castaldo, who stated, “The entry of Piomo as majority shareholder marks the beginning of a new phase of growth in our project.” • Aztec Inn Casino on the north end of the Las Vegas Strip has been put on the market for $60 million. Besides the eight acres on which the casino sits, a portfolio of vacant lots and a retail space are also for sale. • Belgium’s Council of Ministers has approved a draft law to cut the weekly deposit limit for online gaming from €500 ($591) to €200. Minister of Justice Vincent Van Quickenborne said the limit will “strengthen the protection of the player.” The new law would authorize the gaming commission to inquire ask banks about players’ finances. • U.K. gambling affiliate Gambling.com priced its IPO on NASDAQ in the U.S. with 5.25 million shares at $8 per share under ticker GAMB. The offering closed July 27. Proceeds will be used for capital expenditures and potential investments and acquisitions. The company operates 13 affiliate brands including gambling.com, bookies.com, Casino Source, Slot Source, Top U.S. Casinos and Svenska Casino. • Mississippi real estate developer Chris Ferrara has donated a site in East Biloxi, Mississippi that was approved for casino development to the Boys and Girls Club of the Gulf Coast. The 30-acre property, just east of IP Casino and Boomtown Biloxi, is valued at $28 million. Ferrara had planned a $260 million casino for the site, but complications such as road access to the site ultimately tanked the project.