The government of Macau says the threat of terrorism in the Chinese-governed territory is low. Secretary of Security Wong Sio Chak says it is the goal of his agency to educate residents about the possibility of attack, but “avoid making the public panic.” ? The UK Gambling Commission has asked industry members and the public to weigh in on where games can be played. The results of the survey may be reflected in new policies meant to minimize social ills associated with compulsive gambling. • The opening of Bobby Valentine’s and Sportech’s off-track betting facility in Stamford, Connecticut has been delayed by a pending corporate takeover although the city has approved of the project. Valentine, a retired Major League Baseball manager, hopes to open the facility in a former pool hall, which still awaits $7 million in renovations. The project awaits the takeover of Sportech by Contagious Gaming of Canada. Sportech operates 15 OTB sites in the state. • The Cahuilla Casino, owned by the Cahuilla Band of Indians in the Anza Aguanga Valley in Southern California has opened the Mountain Sky Travel Center. The center, along Highway 371, offers a gas station, smoke shop, convenience store and fast food. It will cater to motorists heading out in the Anza Borrego Desert or the Bernardino National Forest. • Spa Resort Casino in Palm Springs, Southern California, has announced plans to build a four-story parking structure that can accommodate 850 vehicles. Tribal Chairman Jeff L. Grubbe said that the tribe wanted to invest in downtown Palm Springs to help maintain its viability as an international destination. The tribe is still deciding what to do with the site of the former Spa Resort hotel, which it demolished last year. • BahamasAir recently took possession of an ATR 72-600 aircraft, which is capable of seating 70 and one of five the airline will use to boost its travel services from the Bahamas. • Wynn Las Vegas has planned a December 19 launch of its new Encore Player’s Club, which is a 5,000-square-foot luxury lounge targeting millennials. • Microgaming’s newBullseye Slot now is available, is based on the class TV show “Bullseye,” and offers 243 ways to win on the slot’s 5×3 reel. • Former New York Lottery CEO Jeff Perlee relocated his Lottery Rewards startup to Schenectady, in an effort to gain a share of the nation’s $80 billion lottery market. • Las Vegas-based timeshare developer Diamond Resorts International acquired a small rival for $85 million, giving the company ownership of nine properties primarily in Canada, California, Florida and Mexico. Diamond Resorts said the acquisition of Intrawest Resort Club Group is expected to be completed in the first three months of next year. “We are acquiring a business with a very strong member base and a set of high quality resorts that will complement our portfolio, and we look forward to building a mutually beneficial relationship with Intrawest beyond this transaction,” Diamond Resorts CEO David Palmer said in a statement. • MGM Resorts International was honored for achieving 27 percent female representation by the Women’s Forum of New York at its third biennial “Breakfast of Corporate Champions.” According to organizers, the conference recognized “forward-thinking companies” that have achieved at least 20 percent female representation on their boards. “We commend MGM Resorts and their work toward achieving a greater gender balance in their boardroom,” said Janice Ellig, co-CEO of Chadick Ellig and chair of the event, in a press release. “MGM Resorts knows that more women on boards is smart business and their success is an inspiration to others.” • BetConstruct announced a collaboration with Datacenter Luxembourg, the European IT Provider based in Luxembourg (datacenter.eu). BetConstruct recently chose Datacenter.eu to host its IT infrastructure in a Tier IV data center in Luxembourg. The firm’s offerings include an extensive range of market-leading vertical products including Sportsbook, Odds Feed, Live Scouting Data, RNG Casino Suite, Live Dealer Casino, Poker and Virtual Betting. The company currently powers the operations of more than 140 partners, which are serviced via 9 global offices. • A federal Court in Washington state dismissed a plaintiff’s class-action claiming that social casino games using purchasable virtual casino chips constitute gambling under Washington state law. The court found that the virtual chips have no “value,” and therefore the game did not constitute gambling because the plaintiff was not “staking or risking something of value.” The court disagreed with the plaintiff’s allegations that the virtual chips had value because they allow users to “extend game play” and can be sold in a secondary market. • New York’s largest video lottery jackpot of all time occurred when a player won $1.4 million on a Wheel of Fortune slot from IGT. The new millionaire, Howard G., is a longtime fan of Wheel of Fortune slots and said he plans to retire comfortably with his life-changing jackpot. Howard G. is one of over 1,000 million-dollar jackpot winners on Wheel of Fortune slots to date. • Interpublic’s McCann and Omnicom’s PHD agencies have signed deals with MGM Resorts International, taking on lead creative and media duties, respectively, for the brand. Beginning next year, the agencies will support MGM’s corporate brand as well as properties such as Bellagio, ARIA, Vdara, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Delano Las Vegas, The Mirage, New York-New York, Monte Carlo, Luxor, Excalibur and Circus Circus. The client spends about $35 million annually in domestic media. Media reports say that could double over the next year.
