NEWS & NOTES

The European Union’s 2016 annual report on Human Rights and Democracy suggests that human trafficking is one of the “major issues challenging human rights” in the MSAR. In a seemingly contradictory statement, the same report suggested that the city enjoys “a high level of civil liberties and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.”  ?  More than 1,000 enterprises from 50 countries and regions showcased their products and services at the 22nd Macau International Trade and Investment Fair.The fair, which took place at the Venetian in Cotai, was part of an effort to advance the central government’s Belt & Road initiative and promote the diversification of Macau’s economy.  ?  This year, Macau will host two FIA World Cups: the FIA Formula 3 World Cup and the FIA GT World Cup. The FIA World Touring Car Championship will also return to Macau after an absence of two years.  ?  Italian automaker Lamborghini has postponed the opening of its new showroom in the Macau, previously scheduled for October, to December 9. Lamborghini also launched a new two-story showroom in Hong Kong’s Wan Chai district earlier this month.  ?  Macau’s Judiciary Police have arrested 31 Mainland China residents allegedly linked to two loan-sharking rings targeting casino customers. Police will investigate to see how much the alleged syndicates loaned out, and whether the two suspected loan-sharking rings were connected.  ?  The Clark County Planning Commission has approved plans by Las Vegas-based DG Development Corp. to build a 250-room hotel and 300-unit apartment complex on Swenson Street just east of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The hotel will house a Hampton Inn & Suites and a Home2 Suites, both owned by Hilton Worldwide. DG said it plans to break ground on the hotel next August and the apartments the following February. Each will take two years to complete, the company said.  •  Landing International Development’s Landing Casino on the South Korean island of Jeju has been ranked No. 1 among the country’s 16 foreigners-only casinos for practices and policies to combat money-laundering. The ratings were released by the Korea Financial Intelligence Unit in its “2017 Anti-Money Laundering Assessment”. The Landing is located in the Hyatt Regency Jeju Hotel.  •  The Las Vegas Paiute Tribe has opened a Downtown marijuana retailer it bills as the “largest marijuana store on the planet.” Future plans for NuWu Cannabis Marketplace, as it’s formally known, located at the corner of Main Street and Washington Avenue, call for expansion as a 24-hour operation with the addition of a drive-through service.  •  Las Vegas Monorail is partnering with Lyft to offer Monorail riders discounts when they use the ride-sharing service. Passengers purchasing a $12 unlimited pass on the Monorail will receive a special code for a $5 discount with Lyft. The Monorail stops at MGM Grand, Bally’s, Flamingo, Harrah’s, the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Westgate and SLS Las Vegas.  •  If you contribute enough money, sometimes you get naming rights. The 24-mile Green Line trolley that serves San Diego and Santee will be dubbed the Sycuan Casino line for the next 30 years under a $25.5 million deal between the Indian casino operator and the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. Sycuan will be able to place ads on the trolley cars and at stations. The line serves the San Diego Convention Center, Petco Park, Old Town, Mission Valley and San Diego State University.  •  The Karuk Tribe announced that its Rain Rock Casino in Yreka, near the California, Oregon border will open January 29, 2018. The tribe signed a gaming compact with the state in 2013. It is building a casino with 500 slots, eight gaming tables and a restaurant. It will employ about 300 with a payroll of about $6.5 million. Job fairs will be held next month and in December said Casino General Mgr. Michael Rose.  •  The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services reported last week the percentage of problem gamblers has increased since the Buckeye state opened its first casinos five years ago. However, the numbers remain tiny: 0.9 percent of all Ohioans over 18, compared to 0.4 percent five years ago. That is 76,400 people.  That compares favorably to the national average of 2.2 percent. The report was conducted by the Ohio for Responsible Gambling Coalition, in cooperation with the department and the Ohio Commissions of Casino Control, Lottery and Racing.  •  The Norwegian Gaming Authority has announced it will retain the gambling monopoly model that has been in force many years. The Authority’s Director General Atle Hamar made the announcement at the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. He told members that Norway considers this rule to provide the safest environment for local players. Two state-run entities provide all gaming.  Norsk Rikstoto runs the horse racing industry, and Norsk Tipping, takes in all other gaming activities.