NEWS & NOTES

Caesars Entertainment Corp. has filed update plans for a non-gaming hotel proposed in Scottsdale, Arizona with the city’s development review board. The 11-story hotel would be developed by HCW Development LLC out of Branson, Missouri. It would be known as Caesars Republic Scottsdale. It would have 266 rooms, a pool, 7,000 square foot ballroom, bar and restaurant. It would have no casino. • For the fifth year in a row Caesars Entertainment Corporation has been recognized by Civic 50 as “One of the Most Community-Minded Companies.” The company was praised for its efforts to “improve the quality of life in local communities, through employee volunteerism, corporate philanthropy, diversity, equity and inclusion.” The Civic 50 offers a national standard for companies with annual revenues of $1 billion or more. • Jack Entertainment, owner of Jack Cleveland Casino and Jack Thistledown Racino have been named a top workplace in Northern Ohio by the Plain Dealer newspaper. This is the second year in a row Jack has won this distinction, which is given based on anonymous employee feedback of workplace culture. “Our dedicated team members are the driving force behind Jack Entertainment and we are committed to delivering an engaging work culture and creating an atmosphere where hardworking and passionate individuals can excel,” said Mark Tricano, senior vice president of operations, Northeast Ohio. • The commonwealth’s attorney for Charlottesville, Virginia is recommending the state order the removal of machines installed in bars across the state by Queen of Virginia Skill Games as illegal gambling machines. Last week, the suppliers staged a demonstration of the product for state officials they say proves that the tic-tac-toe-style games are based on skill. “We’re surprised when a commonwealth attorney says our games are gambling devices, said Queen of Virginia marketing official Joel Rubin. “They’re not; they’re skill games.” He added that the games have been in every state jurisdiction for nearly two years, and the previous Charlottesville commonwealth attorney gave them the OK as skill-based. The supplier plans to file suit to block the removal of the games. • The River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa, Oklahoma was set to reopen its doors Friday, June 21, after historic flooding forced closure of the resort. “While the photos and videos may appear alarming, we want to reassure the public that River Spirit, including the 27-story hotel, Margaritaville and Ruth’s Chris restaurants, and both our gaming floors remain unaffected by the water surrounding our property,” said River Spirit CEO Pat Crofts. “We will have some amenities, such as the pool and spa that are on the ground level of the Resort, that may be impacted longer for clean-up and repairs.”   • The government of Puerto Rico is planning on launching an investigation into the construction of a hotel and casino in an “ecologically sensitive” area in Rincón. Local lawmaker José Pérez told press that he also wants to know why a tax exemption was given to developers. The member of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico presented Resolution 1365 to investigate the permit, the possible environmental impact on the community, as well as tax incentives granted for the construction of the hotel and casino. • Entertainment conglomerate the Zouk Group and celebrity chef Alvin Leung have formed a partnership to open an F&B outlet at Resorts World Genting in Malaysia. The Fuhu Restaurant and Bar will open in the third quarter of 2019. ● Workers who walked off the job at the Hyatt Regency Kathmandu in Nepal have reportedly returned to work. The hotel and casino were forced to close during the walkout, in which workers protested a loss of perks and facilities. ● Bill Noonan is retiring as Boyd Gaming’s senior vice president for industry and government affairs. The 67-year-old, who also serves as vice chairman of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and is a member of the executive committee of the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce, said he plans to step down July 31. A 25-year gaming industry veteran, Noonan joined Boyd in 2002.