NEWS & NOTES

U.S.-based hedge fund Evolution Capital Management LLC has acquired an interest in Hong Kong-listed 13 Holdings Ltd., the developer of the 13, a hotel project on the border of the Cotai and Coloane districts in Macau. The 13 Holdings has in the past mentioned plans for a casino at the property, an ultra-high end property that spent an average construction cost per room of US$7 million. In a December report, the company said the property is “on track” to open in the first quarter of this year.  ?  Marketing software supplier NetRefer has been named as one of the finalists, and Ruban d’Honneur recipients, in the 2016-17 European Business Awards in the category of Customer Focus. NetRefer is one of only 110 finalists announced after over 33,000 businesses were engaged in the competition, and was chosen by a panel of independent judges because it displayed the core values of innovation, ethics and success. The company will now undertake an in depth face-to-face interview, and will find out if it is a winner of one of the 11 categories at a Gala Final on May 4 in Dubrovnik, Croatia. NetRefer serves gaming clients including Betfair, EuroSport Bet, Paddy Power and R.Franco.  •  A Maryland Senate panel has cleared the nomination of Maryland Acting Lottery Director Gordon Medenica, 21 months after he was appointed by Governor Larry Hogan. The nomination now goes to the full state Senate for a confirmation vote. A spokeswoman for Hogan praised the committee approval. “Under his stewardship, the Maryland Lottery has broken records across the board, resulting in a record $1.08 billion contribution to the Maryland General Fund, the Education Trust Fund, and other good causes,” said Amelia Chasse, the governor’s spokeswoman.  •  Wynn Resorts and Las Vegas Sands have made Fortune’s 2017 list of the “World’s Most Admired Companies.” The gaming giants were recognized in the magazine’s hotel, casino and resort category, joining 12 internationally known hospitality operators.  •  Las Vegas’ Neon Museum has been awarded a $425,000 grant from the city for an expansion of the venue, which houses more than 500 historic casino and hotel signs.