NEWS & NOTES

The Beijing government has given the OK for a major expansion of Macau International Airport. The expansion will increase the airport’s handling capacity to 15 million travelers per year, over the 9.6 million passengers who came through in 2019, and “consolidate the position of Macau as a world tourism and leisure hub and diversify the economic market,” in line with Chinese government directives. ● The Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa and BetMGM will bring high-stakes championship poker to the Atlantic City resort in 2023. The Return: A Borgata Championship Event will include four tournaments in seven days starting January 2. “The return of championship poker to Borgata is a long time coming,” said Vincent Alonge Jr., Borgata’s director of poker operations. “Borgata is the premier gaming destination on the East Coast, which includes best-in-class poker tournaments.” ● Macau integrated resort MGM Cotai, which was locked down October 29 when a dealer tested positive for Covid-19, reopened on November 2 after all people being held in isolation tested negative. A total of 1,501 people were quarantined in the hotel, including hotel staff, casino workers and hotel guests. ● Trypto Business Solutions LLC, a group that, according to a recent news release, is “directly involved” in the funding package for the proposed All Net Resort and Arena project on the Las Vegas Strip, has announced that it is also planning to provide funding for the redevelopment of the Moulin Rouge casino, which was the first in the U.S. to be racially integrated upon its opening in 1955. Although its original launch was short-lived, investors are now trying to recreate the institution, which was named to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places back in 1992. Its original sign is now on display at Las Vegas’ Neon Museum. ● According to USA Today, Rob Manfred, commissioner of Major League Baseball, recently told radio host Chris Russo that he doesn’t have faith the Oakland A’s franchise will remain in Oakland much longer. Manfred said that at this point, “it just doesn’t look like it’s going to happen,” especially after the Oakland City Council recently voted to remove a proposal for a new stadium for the team from this year’s ballot. Now, the speculation surrounding the team’s move to Las Vegas will be greatly accelerated, even though little progress has reportedly been made on that front. Team officials have met with multiple Las Vegas figures and property owners in recent months, but no announcements or proposals have yet been made. ● Mohegan’s North American properties announced a total of $5.2 billion in local economic activity over a one-year period, according to the brand’s first-ever economic impact report. The properties in operation include Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT; Mohegan Pennsylvania in Wilkes-Barre; ilani in Ridgefield, WA; Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ; and Niagara Casinos in Niagara Falls, Ontario and the economic factors included nearly 35,000 total jobs created, more than $2.7 billion in revenues generated, $759.3 million paid in state and local taxes, and $639.2 million in business purchases. ● Pete Rose, the most famous professional athlete associated with illegal gambling, will be making the first legal sports bet at the Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati. The all-time hits leader will be at the sportsbook when it opens January 1, 2023 when sports betting is legal. It is unknown what he will bet on or how much.