NEWS & NOTES

Sands Resorts Macao recently participated in the “Experience Macao Unlimited” Caravan Roadshow Series across the Chinese city’s Greater Bay Area, hosted by the SAR government to attract more tourists and propel economic recovery. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Venetian Macao, and the Sands is rolling out a series of promotions including hotel packages, dining, shopping and entertainment offers. ● Melco Resorts and Entertainment has completed an off market repurchase of 85 million company shares valued at $152.7 million. With the private sale, Melco Leisure’s holding in Melco Resorts would fall from 55.86 percent of outstanding shares to 50.36 percent. The second-quarter net loss at Melco Resorts rose 35.4 percent year-on-year, to just under US$251.5 million. Assessed quarter-on-quarter, the net loss was up 37.2 percent. ● Queensland Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman has announced that the suitability inquiry involving Star Entertainment will not be expanded to include Townsville’s Ville Casino or Cairns’ Reef Hotel Casino, despite the fact that both have also been under closed-door investigation for several months in connection to unlawful relationships with Lawrence Fu, an unlicensed junket operator in the area. Rather, Fentiman asserted that any changes in policy or regulation that may come from the Star inquiry will encompass all operators statewide—she told Parliament that Star’s investigators “have already flagged in the opening and in the closing submissions about further reform for the regulator and for the entire Queensland casinos.” ● New South Wales’ Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA) has appointed a third party—Wexted Advisors—to monitor the operations of the Star Sydney casino until the recently formed NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) is done reviewing the findings of the Bell Report inquiry, which will soon be made public. The NICC was created specifically to pay closer attention to the state’s casinos, but is still in the process of being formed. In the meantime, the ILGA said that “Wexted’s reports will assist the NICC to identify any areas of immediate concern until it determines its response to the Bell Review.”• The California Senate approved the gaming compact between the state and the Tejon Indian Tribe that will allow the 1,200-member tribe to build a $600 million casino. It passed on the last day of the legislative session. The Assembly previously approved the compact. It requires Governor Gavin Newsom’s signature to become law. The 166,500 square-foot casino would include an 11-story hotel, 3,000 slot machines located on Interstate 5 at Highway 166. The 320 acre complex will also include housing, a clinic and administrative spaces. • Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) has announced its completion of the purchase of Chasers Poker Room in Salem, New Hampshire. The completion followed approval by the New Hampshire Lottery Commission. CDI called the poker room, “the leading New Hampshire charitable gaming operator.” It plans to expand the facility and have up to 800 gaming positions, including historical racing machines and gaming tables. It said its full investment will be about $150 million.