NEWS & NOTES

UNLV recently created a new master’s program in gambling law and regulation. The program will launch this fall, and introduce students to federal and American Indian gambling laws, in addition to the principles of casino management. The university currently offers more courses on the gambling industry than any other law school in the country.  •  International Entertainment Corp. of Hong Kong, which once sought to buy a 70 percent stake in Macau junket investor Suncity International Holdings Ltd., has let its exclusivity clause on the deal to lapse. The firm is controlled Hong Kong billionaire Cheng Yu Tung, longtime business partner of Stanley Ho Hung Sun, founder of SJM Holdings Ltd.  ?  SJM Holdings, which commands just over 23 percent of Macau’s gaming industry, is raising the pay of its employees by 5 percent. The company said it is “still optimistic on the long-term development of the economy,” despite a marked decline in the Macau gaming industry.  ?  Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Northern California, owned by the United Auburn Indian Community, December 31 held a ribbon-cutting for its $3 million bar and ultra-lounge Illusion during its New Year’s Eve celebration. The bar, formerly Falls Bar, will offer “hand-crafted” cocktails, including some infused with flavored smoke, and is being touted as the “latest and greatest” such bar in the Sacramento area.  •  The Washington Gambling Commission said 27 of the 29 federally recognized tribes in the state have agreed to stop cashing welfare cards at tribal casinos. The commission said the tribes will amend gambling agreements to make sure all cash-dispensing and point-of-sale machines refuse electronic benefits transfer cards. Also known as Quest Cards, the state-issued EBT cards are issued to help needy individuals purchase food items at grocery stores. The agreement is among several the commission has recommended to the legislature.  •  EveryMatrix has signed a deal with Edict, Gausellman Group’s iGaming subsidiary, to place 10 Merkur slot games in EveryMatrix software. It is the first partnership of EveryMatrix with a B2B software casino provider. “Being the first company to offer Edict games shows our continuous commitment to have the widest top-quality slot catalog on the market, with famous iGaming titles,” said Stian Hornsletten, executive president of EveryMatrix.  •  Bulgarian slot manufacturer Euro Games Technology announce that it has installed its “Egypt Quest” progressive jackpot system at Bally’s Colombo casino in Sri Lanka. “The Egypt Quest system succeeded in gaining the preference of Bally’s Colombo casino because of its reliability and its bonus game with a wild venture thematic unfolding in a world of heated sand and ancient artifacts,” said a statement from EGT. “While enjoying it, together with a multi-game mix of high visual performance, the players will find themselves on their way to winning one of  four jack levels of: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.”  •  Maryland Live! casino has opened a New York-style deli, bringing its total number of eateries to seven. The 84-seat Morty’s Delicatessen will stage a promotion to help introduce itself—a giveaway of 500 pastrami sandwiches. The casino says those interested should go to its Facebook page on January 14.  •  A sharply divided state appeals court in Pennsylvania has ruled that gambling machines can be games of skill, not chance—at least in the narrow case of two poker machines at an American Legion post in Yardley, Bucks County. According to court records, the random number generator software had been removed from the machines, which were seized by state troopers in 2010 as illegal gambling devices. Bucks County Judge Albert Cepparulo held in December 2013 that “the machines, following this significant modification, were no longer endowed with the randomness of their antecedent electronic poker and/or Texas Hold ‘Em poker games.” Last week, a Superior Court appellate panel agreed with the lower court ruling.  •  MGM held a job fair on January 6-7 seeking 700 seasonal jobs for the summer. Positions include full and part-time for all 12 strip properties. Jobs include pool services, restaurant and bar positions, and other guest service roles.  •  SuperstarDJ Tiesto has renewed his contract with the Hakkasan Group for 2015, assuring he’ll be there for the year. While exact terms have not been discussed, the “richest DJ in the world” hauled in a cool $250,000 per performance last year, bringing his net worth to roughly $90 million.  •  Encore nightclub XSrecently received a $10 million makeover, which includes larger-than-life flame and pyrotechnic systems, which soar above the pool deck, creating gorgeous aerial effects. Two DJ booths will now be surrounded by rotating LED screens, in addition to lasers and string floats.  •  Longtime Venetian mainstay Leonardo da Vinci Exhibition is set to close January 15. The exhibition contained over 65 life-size inventions, dozens of displays, and roughly 20 fine art studies, showcasing his discoveries in science, mathematics, and nature. There has been no word yet on what the Venetian plans to do with the space.  •  50 Shades: The Parodyis set to open February 3 at Bally’s Las Vegas, and has been billed as a “filthy and funny” satire. Meanwhile, Harrah’s Defending the Caveman is set to end January 18 and be replaced February 3 by Menopause the Musical from the Luxor. Caveman will continue on, yet no hotel property has been announced.  •  Steve Wynn’s $28.2 million Popeye statue is set to move from the Wynn Las Vegas to his $1.75 billion Massachusetts property, set to open in late 2017 where it will serve as the centerpiece of the hotel lobby. The piece was completed in 2011, stands 6-feet-5 inches, and weighs a hefty 2,000 pounds.  •  Officials in Long Island have caused controversy over a recent proposal for casino gaming. Nassau Regional Off Track Betting wants the former Fortunoff building as the site. They say only 15 percent of the building would support gaming, which would include 1,000 video slot machines and table games, while the remainder would be for restaurants and a food court. A Facebook page called Stop the Casino at Fortunoff has received over 1,700 likes.