NEWS & NOTES

Paraguay President Horacio Cates submitted proposed bills designed to boost the nation’s gaming industry.  The measures would enable the government to either directly operate or oversee third-party casino operators to increase foreign investment, while boosting tourism dollars. The measures also would enact player protections, while streamlining government regulation of the gaming industry in Paraguay. Paraguay legalized casino gaming in 1997, but casinos are restricted to only cities with populations of at least 250,000, and only one in Asuncion, which is its capital.  Cates says the site restrictions have left the nation’s potential gaming industry underdeveloped.  •  Okada Manila, a $2.4 billion casino resort expected to open this November, is looking for a few good men and women—8,000, to be precise—before the soft launch scheduled for this fall. The resort will be run by Tiger Resorts Leisure & Entertainment, owned by Japanese billionaire Kazuo Okada. More than 10,000 people attended a recent job fair for the property.  ?  Macau casino operator Galaxy Entertainment Group has premiered a new mass-market gaming area on the third floor of its StarWorld Casino And Hotel featuring a 108-seat stadium-style electronic table games area.The zone also has 14 traditional live-dealer gaming tables and slots.  ?  Sands China Ltd. has purchased products from 74 new Macau suppliers since launching its Local Supplier Support Program in July 2015. The company has spent a total of more than MOP55 million (US$6.8 million) supporting small businesses, “Made in Macau” companies and local young entrepreneurs. Wynn Resorts has done even better, spending MOP68 million (US$8.5 million) in three months on 200 local SMEs. Wynn is participating in the Macau Chamber of Commerce’s Local SME Procurement Partnership Program.  ?  The Monte Carlo in Las Vegas will close its pool, The Pub restaurant, and other amenities while undergoing a $450 million upgrade that is scheduled to conclude in 2018.  •  The popular Spiegelworld’s Absinthe comedy variety show is wrapping up a five-year engagement at Caesars Palace and relocating at the Cosmopolitan’s Rose. Rabbit. Lie. Entertainment venue.  •  The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority gave LVCVA President and CEO Rossi Ralenkotter a $166,200 bonus in addition to his $415,500 annual salary for work done during the 2016 Fiscal Year. The bonus is a 40 percent increase over his salary and in addition to a $50,000 raise.  •  After 17 years in business, the Venetian in Las Vegas has produced its first television ad, which was created by the Los Angeles-based Zambezi marketing agency and is part of a comprehensive marketing campaign that includes social media and online components.  •  A federal grand jury on July 19 indicted former Winnebago Tribal Chairman John Blackwell and eight former council members for conspiracy, theft, misapplication of tribal gaming funds, and wire fraud related to the operation of the WinneVegas Casino.  •  China-based Hainan Airlines has filed a request to provide nonstop service from Beijing to Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport, which is doubling its international gates from seven to 14. Hainan has been working on adding a Las Vegas route for three years and needs FAA approval.  •  Wynn Resorts Chairman Steve Wynn says he wants to bring King Kong to his proposed Paradise Park water attraction at the current Wynn Resorts golf course. Wynn wants to build an eight-story-tall King Kong for daily shows at the Paradise Park lagoon.  •  The Karuk Tribe’s Rain Rock Casino in Yreka, Northern California, has begun construction. Tribal Chairman Joshua Saxon said last week, “We’re excited about the opportunity for our membership and the jobs that are going to be available.” The 36,000 square foot casino will have 500 slots and eight gaming tables, a 100-seat restaurant and a stage. It will employ about 300 workers when it opens in 2017. Eventually the tribe plans an 80-room hotel and 20,000 SF of additional gaming space.  •  California’s Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians, owners of River Rock Casino, which was dealt a hammer blow when the larger Graton Resort & Casino opened in 2013, seeks to restructure its $165 million debt, paying bondholders 30 percent of what they are owed. The notes are due in 2018. River Rock would borrow $50 million from New York City-based Benefit Street Partners to finance the restructuring.  Because tribes are sovereign, they cannot be forced into bankruptcy. Accepting the settlement may be the creditors’ best option.  •  Sycuan Casino in San Diego County has donated $50,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County a few days before the John Ondrasik charity concert, which raises money for the non-profit.  It will benefit the charity’s Operation Bigs, which pairs students whose parents are in the military to volunteer “Bigs” who are retired military.  •  The renovated Hollywood Park in Inglewood, California, is nearly ready to reopen this fall and welcome visitors to its Cary Grant Pavilion, with its 110,000 square feet of gaming tables, blackjack poker and simulcast wagering.  The revamping is part of a larger $3 billion revitalization package that seeks to bring the section of Inglewood adjacent to the new Rams stadium back to life. It will include a high-end hotel, 3,000 apartments and townhouses, and retail shopping.