NEWS & NOTES

Caesars Palace has announced plans to demolish its rotunda facing the Las Vegas Strip in preparation for the upcoming Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix., which is scheduled for November 16-18. The company obtained a demolition permit from the Clark County Building Department valued at $157,500, and according to public record, the project was labeled as “demolition in preparation for F1 event.” Company officials told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that the structure was “really meaningless” and was just for aesthetic purposes. ● Australian operator Star Entertainment recently confirmed that Deborah Page has received regulatory approval to join the company’s board of directors. The appointment of Page, who is a seasoned banking executive, was first announced in November of last year. She is one of six new directors appointed to Star’s board since it was deemed unsuitable for casino licensure in New South Wales. ● The city of Rock Island, Illinois passed a new tax increment financing agreement with Bally’s so they can update their hotel. The cost to the city will be approximately $4.7 million over five years and help the casino stay competitive. ● Both of the candidates in the April 4 run-off election for Chicago mayor, former Chicago Public Schools Chief Executive Officer Paul Vallas and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, support legalizing video gambling in the city, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Under state law, only local governments can allow the machines in restaurants and bars within city limits; to date, they remain prohibited in Chicago. Vallas said gaming revenue could provide a source of funding for investment in the South and West sides of Chicago. A spokesman for Johnson’s campaign said the commissioner “is a supporter of legalized video gambling as an important revenue source for critical investments in public safety, transportation, housing and other public accommodations.”