NEWS & NOTES

The Federal Trade Commission is reviewing Penn National Gaming’s $2.8 billion acquisition of regional gaming rival Pinnacle Entertainment and has asked Penn to supply “additional information and documentary material” on the merger. Penn did not disclose a reason for the FTC’s interest. The merger, which is expected to close later this year, will expand Penn’s U.S. portfolio to 41 casinos in all with more than 53,000 machine games, 1,300 table games and 8,300 hotel rooms. • MGM Resorts International is buying back 10 million of its shares held by Tracinda Corp. Tracinda, the holding company of MGM founder Kirk Kerkorian, is divesting its once-controlling MGM stake in regular increments in accordance with the will of the billionaire, who died in 2015. The latest transaction is priced at $36.24 per share and leaves Tracinda with approximately 27.2 million shares, or 4.8 percent of the company. • Las Vegas Sands has raised the resort fee it charges guests at The Venetian and Palazzo hotels on the Las Vegas Strip. The new fee, as of March 6, is $45 a day, the company said. As at other major Strip hotels, the fee is charged to all guests to cover amenities such as high-speed internet access and the use of swimming pools, fitness centers and business centers. • In January and February, Macau authorities cited 262 people for smoking in unauthorized areas of the city’s casinos. That’s an increase of 188 percent from the prior-year period, according to official data. Patrons who light up in no-smoking areas are subject to a fine of MOP1,500 (US$186). The Macau Federation of Trade Unions is gathering signatures on a petition citing infractions at Wynn Macau Ltd. • Macau’s Court of First Appeal confirms that Wynn Macau transferred personal data of a former Philippine gaming official without his authorization, a violation of the Macau Personal Data Protection Act. Rogelio Yusi Bangsil Jr. was a former officer of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., or PAGCOR. No action by the court has yet been announced. • MGM China is planning to add four electric buses in its fleet this summer. The company said the non-pollutant shuttle buses will “reduce emissions and protect our environment.” The vehicles will be provided by Hong Kong listed BYD (Build Your Dream). Another Macau casino operator, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, has applied to operate electric vehicles in the city. • Aristocrat Technologies is seeking a jury trial in its lawsuit against AGS LLC and PlayAGS, which alleges infringement of its trademark rights for the longstanding Aristocrat hit game Buffalo. The lawsuit also alleges unfair competition, and seeks damages. • Pennsylvania casinos recorded a 1.7 percent decline in slot machine revenue for February—$189.05 million, compared to $192.26 million earned in February 2017. In overall revenue, Parx Casino in Bensalem once again led Pennsylvania casinos in revenue, with $32.7 million in slot revenue. • Foxwoods Resort Casino last week opened the tallest, fastest and longest zip line in the United States. It runs almost one mile from Fox Tower to the Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center. It is the newest attraction at the resort. • Genting Hong Kong has added facial and voice recognition to its casino cruise fleet. These features will be found on Genting’s new Global Class line, due to launch in 2020. Genting began production of its Global Class fleet in Germany last week. The ships will be 342 meters long, carry 5,000 passengers and include cinemas, theme parks, spas and multiple dining venues. They will feature artificial intelligence and robots, allowing staff to focus on customer service.