NEWS & NOTES

On March 14, developers broke ground on a $300 million casino resort in the Philippines. Phase 1 of the Subic Sun Convention Resort and Casino in Subic Bay Freeport, Central Luzon, is expected to open in late 2025.  ●  DraftKings will work with Kindbridge Behavioral Health to help problem gamblers in every jurisdiction where the sportsbook operates. Starting April 1, every customer who self-excludes from the DraftKings platform will have access to Kindbridge mental health assessments, care plans and providers.  ●  The former Tahoe Biltmore in Crystal Bay, Nevada will be demolished by summer to be replaced by a Waldorf Astoria. The new property will open in 2028 with a hotel, casino, restaurants, retail and community attractions.  ●  MGM Resorts has released a statement denying allegations that singer-songwriter Bruno Mars has accrued substantial gambling debts to the operator. A NewsNation report citing anonymous Vegas sources put the gambling debts in the neighborhood of $50 million.  “MGM and Bruno’s partnership is longstanding and rooted in mutual respect. Any speculation otherwise is completely false; he has no debt with MGM,” the operator said. “Together, we are excited to continue creating unforgettable experiences for our guests.” Mars is a frequent performer at both the Dolby Live theater at ParkMGM and the Pinky Ring Lounge at the Bellagio.  ●  The Riverside Resort in Laughlin, Nev. is facing a $500,000 fine from state regulators to settle a complaint regarding two unreported instances of excessive force from the casino’s security officers in 2022. One incident involved a patron who was forcibly removed from the property and the other involved a Riverside employee who was falsely accused of smoking marijuana. Officers detained, handcuffed, and subsequently injured both individuals, resulting in criminal charges for both incidents. The Nevada Gaming Commission will consider the settlement at its next meeting.  ●  Houston’s shuttered Magic Island entertainment venue will reopen this summer after 10 years, and this time, the nightclub will include several private gambling tables. At least 30 private gambling clubs have opened in Texas, citing a loophole in current law that allows them to operate if they charge membership fees instead of taking a cut of profits. So far, the club owners have defeated all legal court challenges.