NEWS & NOTES

Macau’s population reached about 650,000 last year, a 17.8 percent increase over five years, the city’s Statistics and Census Bureau says.The average annual growth rate from 2011 to 2016 was 3.3 percent, the highest in 20 years. The number of local residents grew 10.7 percent compared to 2011, according to the results.  ?  Black Oak Casino Resort in Tuolumne, California, owned by the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians last week opened the new Willow Creek Lounge, a 5,000 square foot expansion that it has worked on for more than a year. The lounge has a 16 by 10 foot LED TV, which can enhance performances or show sports programs. The casino resort opened in 2000.  •  The St. Croix Casino Hertel Express opened last week in Wisconsin as a facility to cater to travelers and tourists. Ribbon cutting was performed by St. Croix Tribal Chairman Taylor. It includes a full-service truckers’ suite, a gas station, convenience store and smoke shop with a drive-up window.  •  Arizona’s tribal casino revenues rose 4.2 percent in the first quarter of 2017 over the same period in 2016, according to the Arizona Department of Gaming. Revenue to the state for the first quarter was about $25 million, said Department of Gaming Director Daniel Bergin. About $12.5 million will go for education,  with $6.2 million going for trauma and emergency services. The state’s Indian casino pay between 1-8 percent to the state.  •  The new Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady, N.Y., has set a June opening for its hotel. Named “The Landing,” the 165-room venue will be the second hotel in the city’s Mohawk Harbor district, joining a Courtyard by Marriott, which opened in October.  •  The Nevada Gaming Control Board has recommended Rio co-founder James “Jay” Barrett for casino licensing as director and audit committee chairman for Rancho Mesquite Casino Co., which operates the Eureka Casino in Mesquite, Nev. and the Eureka Las Vegas. The Nevada Gaming Commission will consider final approval on May 18.  •  The owners of the Showcase Mall on the Las Vegas Strip have bought a three-story building adjoining the mall for $59.5 million. It’s expected the space will be used to expand the mall, which is just north of Tropicana Avenue. The building’s main occupant, a Smith & Wollensky’s steakhouse, has said it plans to relocate in early June.  •  New York’s recently opened del Lago Resort & Casino has begun accepting hotel reservations starting July 14. The 205-room hotel will feature a spa, events facilities and two café-style eateries.