NEWS & NOTES

Despite the fact that neither the Maryland legislature nor its attorney general has officially addressed the legality of daily fantasy sports, nearly a dozen daily fantasy sports operators have registered to do business in the state. According to a report in the Baltimore Sun, the Office of the Maryland Attorney General has issued the opinion that DFS may require the approval of voters in a ballot referendum. While other states have acted to formally legalize and regulate the DFS online sports contests as gambling, many still maintain that it is a skill game, and thus not subject to gaming laws.  •  Caesars Entertainment, the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, MGM Resorts International and Wynn Resorts have received high marks for LGBTQ-inclusive workplace policies, each scoring the maximum 100 points in the Human Rights Campaign’s 16th annual Corporate Equality Index. The index rates companies in four key areas: non-discrimination policies; equality in benefits for LGBTQ staff and their families; internal education; and public commitment to equality regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.  •  Allegiant has named Las Vegas-based Steelman Partners to help lead the design and construction team for the airline’s first foray into the luxury hotel-condo business, Sunseeker Resort on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Steelman, which developed initial concepts for the $600 million complex, will work with Florida-based L2 Studios on the design. Construction is scheduled to start the middle of next year and be completed in 2020.  •  Hard Rock International has confirmed its interest in developing a 4 or 5-star hotel in Croatia, along the Adriatic coast, a spokesman for the company, John Littman, confirmed. He said, “Apart from becoming more and more popular among investors and brands, Croatia is a very interesting market for us because it fits with its rich culture into our business philosophy.” Littman expects to travel to Zagreb, Croatia and meet with future partners.  •  The city council of Belfast, Northern Ireland has voted to move forward with siting a major £300 million casino complex in the city by asking for public comment. This would launch a 12-week consultation. The Belfast Telegraph revealed the decision was made during a meeting by the council’s strategic policy and resources committee. Reportedly two casino operators are talking to political leaders for a project that would include a hotel, dining, tavern, water park and casino.  •  Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino in Maricopa, Arizona, has begun deploying 1,089 slot machines from the gaming floor to the new, 18,000 square foot ballroom, a temporary home while the casino floor is upgraded and renovated as part of a $180 million expansion. The transition will take two weeks with crews working during the slowest times—to minimize customer inconvenience. “Some of the newest games in gaming,” will be added. When done, the gaming area will be more spacious, with more elbow room. Whenever games are moved it requires certification by state Department of Gaming officials.