NEWS & NOTES

Officials in Meghalaya, a state in northeastern India, are considering opening a casino in the area, but have pledged to weigh all the potential social costs, according to local media. Sources say the government would use followed the Sikkim model, and forbid locals from entering. Currently, India’s only legal casinos are in Goa, Daman, Diu and Sikkim. • Boyd Gaming plans to move its Las Vegas corporate headquarters to a new site the company recently purchased near the 215 Beltway in the southwestern end of the valley. No time line or cost was announced for the project, which calls for two 10-story buildings and a six-level parking garage on 10.8 acres at Sunset Road and Buffalo Drive across from the headquarters of International Game Technology. • Macau’s Committee for the Development of Conventions and Exhibitions recently held its first meeting of 2019 and called on industry players to become more competitive. Chairman of the Committee and Secretary for Economy and Finance, Lionel Leong, moderated the meeting and recalled that the SAR’s strategy to develop the industry by “prioritizing conventions” resulted in an increase in the value of the MICE industry – totaling MOP3.5 billion, compared to MOP1.44 billion in 2015. ● Sands China will pay an interim dividend of HKD0.99 (US$0.13) per share. The company told the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Friday that it expected to pay the dividend on February 22. Parent company Las Vegas Sands Corp. reported in October that Sands China’s EBITDA rose to US$754 million in the third quarter of last year, up 15.8 percent year-on-year. ● Kintetsu Railway in Japan has announced it will expand its service if an integrated resort is developed on Yumeshima Island in Osaka. The line, which now serves Kyoto, Nara and Nagoya, plans to run a rapid express train directly between Nara, a popular tourist site, and Yumeshima. ● Studio City Finance Ltd. is considering an international offering of senior notes with proceeds to be used for a cash tender offer for the firm’s outstanding notes due in 2020. Studio City Finance is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Studio City International Holdings Ltd., which controls the Studio City casino resort in Macau’s Cotai district. ● Former Maryland congressman and basketball star Tom McMillen has urged Governor Larry Hogan and legislative leaders “to take all necessary steps” to avoid a college athletics betting scandal if the state legalizes sports betting. McMillen recently wrote letters to Hogan, Maryland House Speaker Michael Busch and state Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, saying college athletes “are vulnerable to outside gambling influences” and the state must ensure that schools have the resources to safeguard against scandals. • The Hotel at Black Oak Casino Resort in Tuolumne, California has signed a deal to implement INTELITY, described as “the global travel industry’s first and most powerful enterprise guest engagement and staff management platform.” The resort will use the platform to streamline staff, increase guest engagement and connect hotel and casino floor operations. This includes a casino-branded mobile app and tablets in the rooms, giving guests more control over reservations, check-in and check-out, dining reservations and let them communicate directly with staff. The new platform will premiere at the resort in late 2019. • The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, who operate the Shoshone-Bannock Hotel and Events Center have announced a February 13 opening and ribbon-cutting for Casino Expansion Phase II. It will feature remarks by tribal leaders, casino and hotel executives and traditional dancing. A grand opening celebration will follow on February 23 that will include promotions, entertainment and giveaways. The expansion is an 85,463 square foot casino that will include more parking, a new Bingo Hall, buffet and lounge.