NEWS & NOTES

Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air and Viva Aerobus want to increase nonstop flights between the U.S. and Mexico. The low-cost carriers have submitted a joint application to the U.S. Department of Transportation for approval of the alliance. They will also seek approval from regulators in Mexico. ● The Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort in Biloxi, Mississippi now allows patrons to donate to charity on their kiosks. Guests are offered the option to donate any change on a payment slip to a local charity. The option was rolled out on Giving Tuesday, the week after Thanksgiving. Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi also offers this option. ● The Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas will undergo an extensive renovation starting in the winter of 2022. The 500,000-square-foot shopping center will add new flooring, lighting, ceilings, seating and a new sound system. A rainstorm feature that includes thunder, lightning and fog will be enhanced. New and upgraded restaurant areas also will be part of the renovation, which will continue until early 2023. The shops will remain open throughout the upgrade. ● Wynn Macau has granted share options to five non-executive directors. Company Chairman Allan Zeman is the largest individual beneficiary, with nearly 3.78 million of the 9.07 million options being offered. The total value is $8 million. ● Station Casinos has sold nearly 90 acres in Reno to a warehouse developer. Panattoni Development paid $32.6 million for the property, which it may use for a mix of industrial, multi-family, office, hospitality and retail development. ● Many slot machines in the Netherlands still fall short of the country’s new legal requirements, concluded the Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA). Since April 1, slot operators have been obliged to record data on excessive play and any interventions. Effective October 1, they were also required to record the visiting frequency of players. The KSA stated that a high or increasing frequency of play are early warning signs of gambling addiction. • CBRE Equity Research has warned against short-term investment in Macau-facing operators with the exception of Wynn Resorts, after resuming equity research coverage of the large-cap global gaming sector last week. The resumption follows CBRE’s acquisition of Union Gaming in June and will see the new CBRE Equity Research provide initial coverage of Caesars Entertainment, Gaming and Leisure Properties, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts, Penn National Gaming, VICI Properties, Wynn Resorts, DraftKings, Entain PLC and Flutter. ● Work has begun on Project63, a new 228,278 square foot, four-story retail complex on the Las Vegas Strip on two acres at the southwest corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Harmon Avenue. The developers bought the property for about $80 million from MGM Resorts International and the holding company Dubai World. ● The National Indian Gaming Association and Clarion Events have partnered to expand both brands. Clarion will leverage its international track record assist the NIGA’s annual Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention. This is the largest such gathering of tribal leaders and gaming executives in the U.S. The next such event will be in April 19-22 in Anaheim, California. ● Arizona’s Desert Diamond Casino opened its sportsbook with six automated betting kiosks with a ribbon cutting December 2. The kiosks are in the casino’s sports bar. The sports betting is run through a partnership between the casino and the Kambi Group. Sports betting was launched in the state on September 9. Diamond Desert plans more kiosks and live, in-person wagering at its other locations in Tucson, Sahuarita and the Wet Valley. It will also unveil a mobile sportsbook soon.