NEWS & NOTES

Nevada gaming revenue rose significantly in January, fueled by a particularly strong showing on the Las Vegas Strip. According to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, the state’s casinos won 2.7 million in January, a 7.75 percent increase from January 2014. Gaming revenue on the Strip increased 15.4 percent from the year before to 6.8 million. Baccarat revenue there rose 68.5 percent to 7.7 million. Clark County’s overall gaming revenue was up 7.84 percent to 8.2 million, but outside the Strip, numbers were down. Downtown Las Vegas revenue declined 10.6 percent from last year to .6 million. North Las Vegas, Laughlin and the Boulder Strip recorded decreases of 6.4 percent, 0.8 percent and 15.4 percent, respectively.  •  The Kentucky State Senate unanimously passed a bill specifically banning internet sweepstakes cafes. The bill, sponsored by state Senator Mike Wilson, would specifically outlaw the cafes, which sell internet time to customers for the purpose of playing online slot games, and pay out cash as prizes. The bill now goes to the state House of Representatives.  •  Scientific Games Corporation announced it has signed a contract with the Atlantic Lottery Corporation to provide a lottery gaming system and internet-based iLottery gaming system. Implementation is expected to begin this month, with conversion to the new system in 2016. The five-year contract, awarded by ALC after a competitive procurement process, includes extension opportunities up to 15 years, for a total of 20 years. The contract extends Scientific Games’ gaming technology service presence to 70 percent of the provinces and all three territories in Canada.  •  Caesars Entertainment Corporation reported a loss of over $1 billion during the final three months of the year, reflecting what CEO Gary Loveman called an “unprecedented” run of bad luck at its flagship casino, Caesars Palace, that led to the house dropping $60 million at its table games. The losing streak at Caesars Palace offset revenue increases at other properties and online. Caesars reported a $1.01 billion loss in its fourth quarter, or $7 per share. Losses, adjusted for asset impairment costs and costs related to mergers and acquisitions were $3.56 per share. The operator posted revenue of $2.13 billion in the period. In last year’s quarter, it posted a loss of $1.76 billion, or $12.83 a share, on revenue of $2 billion.  •  Wynn Macau Ltd. has announced it will pay a special dividend of HKD1.05 (US$0.14) per share, to be paid March 31. Parent company Wynn Resorts Ltd. reported global net revenues of US$5.43 billion for 2014, down 3.3 percent from US$5.62 billion in 2013.  ?  Popular Lisbon restaurant chain Portugália has opened its first outlet in Macau’s Taipa Village. According to a release from the company, it “is the result of an international expansion plan developed over several years and marks the first of several direct investments in Asia.” Chef Ricardo Alves flew in from Portugal to develop the menu, which includes steak, seafood, pork and traditional Portuguese delicacies.  ?  Hong Kong-listed Louis XIII Holdings Ltd. will pay what it described as a “Chinese New Year bonus” to all employees. The bonus was equivalent to up to two months’ salary, the firm said.  Louis XIII is developing the boutique Casino Louis XIII on the edge of Macau’s Cotai district and will open in the summer of 2016.  ?  A bill in the New Jersey legislature could allow home delivery of lottery tickets by the New Jersey Lottery. The measure, introduced by state Assemblyman John Burzichelli, would allow courier services to deliver lottery tickets throughout the state. Burzichelli told NJ.com that such home deliveries are common for European lotteries. “If you’re either too busy or can’t get out of the house, you can make arrangements,” he said. Currently, New Jersey Lottery tickets can only be purchased in person at a vendor location. A bill to legalize online lottery sales failed in 2011.  •  Since problem gambling is a public health issue affecting thousands of state residents, Kansas Governor Sam Brownback has proclaimed March as National Problem Gambling Awareness Month in the state. Task forces have been formed to implement community prevention programs, offer education programs and promote gambling treatment services in the area.  •  California’s Wilton Rancheria published the scoping report for an environmental impact statement for its proposed casino near Galt a year ago. So far the Bureau of Indian Affairs has not responded. According to the tribe’s attorney, an answer could come this summer. The tribe, which achieved federal recognition in 2009, proposes a casino on 282 acres. It is still in the development stage.  •  The Lytton Band of Pomo Indians has paid $4.6 million to use land adjacent to its 2.5-acre Class II San Pablo Lytton Casino in San Pablo, near San Francisco, California for parking. The lease is for 20 years.  •  A federal judge is expected to issue a ruling March 30 whether the Mishewal Wappo Tribe of Alexander Valley, California may have its federal recognition restored. This would give it the right to build a casino in the midst of California’s wine country.  Both the tribe, which has sued the federal government for recognition, and the government, have asked for a summary judgment in the case. Tribal Chairman Scott Gabaldon, who leads 8,000 tribal members, denies that the lawsuit is about casinos. Recently he said, “It has always been about getting your identity back.”  •  The Lotus Casino in Sacramento, California, has applied to the city to expand its footprint by 3,000 square feet to 8,675. The expansion, says the owner, will make it look more like a country club than a casino. It will also allow for more gaming tables. The casino is popular among members of the Vietnamese community. The renovation, if approved, will take about 18 months. • The La Center, Washington, city council last week voted to strike language from its comprehensive plan that did not take into account the fact that land adjacent to the city is scheduled to be put into trust for the Cowlitz Indian Tribe by the Bureau of Indian Affairs to allow it to build a casino. The city was advised that it was necessary to change the language of its plan to accommodate this fact. The 152 acres owned by the tribe is intended for a casino resort.  •  Nevada Supreme Court ruled against California businessman Harel Zahavi for his $384,000 in unpaid markers. Zahavi argued that the state’s “markers law” is unconstitutional and that the markers are nothing more than business loans. The court ruled he had “intent to defraud”, as the checks he wrote out to pay the markers bounced.   •  DraftKings, Inc. has announced a partnership with UFC. UFC fans can now enter into w
eekly fantasy MMA contests for various prizes, including one-on-one time with UFC stars.  •  Grand Bazaar Shops debuted February 26 in front of Bally’s on the Las Vegas Strip, which feature 110 stores, four restaurants, and 20 grab-and-go culinary concepts. The shops were originally planned for a December debut, but were pushed back due to construction delays. 70 stores are now open, with the remainder to open up until the grand opening celebration in May.  •   Olympic wageringis once again considered legal in Nevada. A regulation passed with ease by the Nevada Gaming Commission, who voted unanimously in favor of Olympic betting. The U.S. is a -6.5 favorite against China for the most gold medals. The U.S. is also -320 to capture gold in Men’s basketball, and a 3 to 1 favorite to win the men’s golf gold medal. Usain Bolt is a -200 favorite to win the men’s 100 meter gold medal. Brazil is -250 to win the men’s soccer gold medal, while the U.S. women’s soccer team is -250 to take home the gold.  •  Westgate Las Vegas has partnered with mobile app developer Gamblino, to offer poker-esque satellite tournaments into their pro football SuperContest. The contest costs $1,500 to enter the annual event, which tests sports handicapping skills of professional football watchers. The 2014 winners, CH Ballers, took home a respectable $736,675.  •  Bank of America has reached a settlement over the Fontainebleau construction project. The $300 million settlement is based on an arranged $1.85 billion credit facility, and was accused of funneling money into Fontainebleau after it was a foregone conclusion the $2.9 billion project was falling apart.  •  David Copperfield will pay $500,000 in a class action lawsuit filed by people who worked overtime for his show at the MGM Grand. Under the agreement, plaintiffs agreed not to sue or make any other claims due to the issue. Copperfield and other defendants deny the liability of the original claims.  •  A top U.S. intelligence official confirmed Iran was behind the cyber-terror attack on Las Vegas Sand Corp. last year. Many of the computer systems which run the $14 billion operation were breached with customer information compromised. LVS Chairman Sheldon Adelson is a huge supporter of Iran’s sworn enemy, Israel.  •  Suffolk, New York, legislatorsvoted 10-7 against a bill which would require Suffolk Off-Track Betting Corp. to get approval from Brookhaven officials to build a casino property in Medford. This paves the way for faster approval of a potential casino down the road.