Nassau County Grants 42-Year Lease on Coliseum to LVS
The legislature was not specifically considering LVS’ proposed casino plan when it voted, and the company still needs state approval to build a casino resort. But the vote is a necessary step toward getting additional approvals. LVS has been operating the Coliseum property since last November.
Per iGB, the county’s planning commission and legislative rules committee previously approved the lease. LVS is required under the lease to keep the Coliseum open for two years, but the company will have control of the property for 42 years.
The Coliseum is the former home of the NHL New York Islanders and is now home to the NBA G-League Long Island Nets.
LVS is among 11 bidders for three downstate casino licenses in New York. The company plans to build a $4 billion integrated resort on the 72-acre plot, should it get a license. According to its proposal, the casino would cover less than 10 percent of the entire property.
Hollywood PA License Hearing Set
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has scheduled a hearing Aug. 28 to gather public comment on the slot-machine operator license renewal for Hollywood Casino in Grantville.
The PGCB said Tuesday the public hearing will take place at the East Hanover Township Building at 8848 Jonestown Road in Grantville at 10:30 a.m. local time.
The public hearing is the first of a two-step process for Hollywood Casino Grantville’s slot machine operator license renewal.
The second step is to hold a separate public hearing in Harrisburg at a date to be determined. Hollywood Casino representatives will offer evidence and oral arguments at that time. PGCB members can ask additional questions at that hearing. The burden is on the renewal applicant to establish and demonstrate, by clear and convincing evidence, its eligibility and suitability for renewal of a gaming license.
Two Red Rock Employees Stabbed, Perpetrator Shot
A man who stabbed two Red Rock Casino employees was found by law enforcement holding a bloody knife outside of the T-Bones steakhouse on the property last Saturday, reports the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The attack appeared to be unprovoked, and the perpetrator, Shayne Sussman, was ultimately shot by a Red Rock security officer.
One casino employee was stabbed in the shoulder and neck. A second was stabbed in the shoulder and neck, and also had a laceration above his lips. The report of the incident was made public Tuesday.
Before the stabbing, Sussman had asked an off-duty casino security officer if he wanted to buy cocaine or ketamine while in a casino restroom. Sussman faces charges of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon.
Florida Authorities Shut Down 11 Illegal Casinos
In a major bust last weekend, 11 illegal casinos were raided and shut down across central Florida. The busts were carried about by law enforcement with the assistance of the Florida Gaming Control Commission.
According to West Orlando News, the casinos were located in Orange City, DeLand, Pierson, Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach. Approximately 400 slot machines were confiscated across the venues, along with about $400,000 in cash. A total of four arrests were made. All of the venues had reportedly been served with cease-and-desist orders prior to the raids.
Hard Rock Closing Temporary Rockford Casino Aug. 12
Hard Rock’s temporary casino in Rockford, Ill. will close Aug. 12, the company announced last Friday. The closure will make way for the permanent Rockford casino just down the street, set to open Aug. 29.
The closing ceremony will include concert-ticket giveaways and enhanced slot jackpots—the last patron will reportedly have the honor of locking the door behind them. The new casino is set to feature 1,300 slots, 50 tables, a sportsbook, concert venue and several dining options.
Geno Iafrate, president of Hard Rock Casino Rockford, said in a release that the temporary facility “welcomed over 1.5 million guests from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and more than 30 countries worldwide since opening its doors in November of 2021.”
Iowa Lawmakers Urge Regulators to Approve Cedar Rapids Casino
On Aug. 2, a group of 10 bipartisan lawmakers in Iowa penned a letter to the state’s Racing and Gaming Commission urging regulators to approve a proposed casino project in Cedar Rapids.
The legislators said the casino would generate tax revenue, increase charitable contributions, provide jobs for the community and build flood protection in the area. The commission has already rejected Cedar Rapids proposals twice, in 2014 and 2017.
Proponents of the project are hopeful that the commission will approve the matter by February before opposing lawmakers can enact a new moratorium on casino licenses when the 2025 session starts, as has been rumored. The most recent moratorium ended earlier this year.
Golden Nugget Danville Celebrates 1-Year Anniversary
The Golden Nugget Danville passed the one-year mark Aug. 4, and local officials have been pleased with the casino’s performance thus far despite falling short of revenue projections. In a report by the News-Gazette, Danville Mayor Rickey Williams Jr. said he was “very proud” of the development.
So far, the casino has generated $4.88 million for the state of Virginia and $2.44 million for Danville. Original projections for city revenue were $4-$6 million annually. Danville Development had previously committed to certain capital investments depending on the casino’s performance, but those commitments weren’t confirmed for the report.
