Texas Lottery Chief Resigns Amid Courier Scandal
Ryan Mindell, executive director of the Texas Lottery Commission, announced his resignation April 21 in the midst of controversy stemming from a 2023 jackpot that has since resulted in a ban on courier services in the state.
Mindell, who was grilled by lawmakers at a February budget hearing about the jackpot, had been under heavy scrutiny since. One entity purchased $25 million worth of tickets through several courier services, ultimately winning about $60 million from an advertised jackpot of $95 million.
The lottery’s chief financial officer, Sergio Rey, will step in as interim director, and the commission will consider next steps at its next meeting April 29.
According to the Austin American-Statesman, the Texas House set the lottery’s budget at zero for the next financial cycle, meaning that if nothing changes by Sept. 1, the lottery could cease to operate in the state.
“I am in favor of doing anything that puts an end to lottery in Texas while we protect the money that was going to veterans,” Senator Bob Hall told the American-Statesman.
New York Official Says Cohen’s Bid Could Pass Despite Her Opposition
As the New York casino race drags on, Steve Cohen’s $8 billion Metropolitan Park bid in Queens could secure the zoning approvals it requires despite opposition from state Senator Jessica Ramos. A significant portion of the development is in her district, but she has so far refused to introduce legislation to rezone the land for gaming.
However, things changed in late March when Senator John Liu agreed to champion the bill—a smaller portion of the development is also in his district. Despite Ramos’ objection, she now acknowledges that the bid could pass with Liu’s support.
“I don’t know if I have the power to block that legislation,” she told the New York Post April 20. Ramos also added that she and Liu “are having a profound disagreement about this. I disagree with him. I think he’s wrong.”
Even with the zoning changes, there is no guarantee that Cohen and partner Hard Rock International will get one of three available downstate licenses, which are due to be awarded by the end of the year. However, it would not be in contention without them, and Cohen has said the project is dead without the casino license.
RWLV Hires New Compliance Chief
Resorts World Las Vegas (RWLV) April 22 announced the appointment of Jennifer Roberts as the casino’s new chief compliance officer. According to a release, Roberts will “oversee Resorts World Las Vegas’ compliance function, including regulatory compliance, registration and licensing, AML, responsible gaming, and technical compliance.”
Prior to RWLV, Roberts most recently served as vice president and general counsel of WynnBet. She also has years of experience as a gaming attorney and as a regulator with the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation and the UNLV International Center for Gaming Regulation.
Roberts will step into the role at a pivotal time, as the casino undergoes massive remediation efforts after being fined $10.5 million by Nevada regulators for anti-money laundering violations. The casino had allowed known illegal bookmakers, including Mathew Bowyer, to frequent and gamble at the casino. In the case of Bowyer, RWLV also hired his wife Nicole to be his personal host.
“I am thrilled to join this stellar team of professionals and help drive the continued development of a best-in-class compliance program here at Resorts World Las Vegas,” Roberts said in a release. “I want to thank the leadership team for this opportunity and look forward to working closely with them as we build on the significant progress already made.”
Bally’s to Try Again with IPO for Chicago Casino
After a first attempt to offer ownership shares in its Chicago casino to women and minorities fell through earlier this year, Bally’s Corp. April 23 announced a new plan, one geared toward Chicago and Illinois residents.
In a new prospectus filed to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Bally’s laid out the details for an initial public offering (IPO) for its Bally’s Chicago subsidiary. This is the second attempt by Bally’s to roll out an IPO for the $1.7 billion casino, due to open in September 2026.
The first IPO attempt this year was geared specifically towards women and minority groups. In its host community agreement with the city, Bally’s is required to pledge at least 25 percent of project equity to “Minority individuals and Minority-Owned and Controlled Businesses.”
However, the SEC never took action on the first prospectus, rendering it void. Bally’s was also sued by two white Texas residents who claimed that the restricted offering was discriminatory and unconstitutional. This time around, the company seems to be broadening the criteria for potential investors.
“We currently intend to provide preferential allocations … to City of Chicago residents and Illinois residents during this offering,” the prospectus reads. As with the first offering, residents of Florida, New York and Texas may also invest.
It remains unclear whether the SEC will now respond to this second attempt. Bally’s did confirm to iGB that the new offering still complies with the city’s minority ownership requirements.
Indiana Casino Relocation Study to Identify Two Potential Regions
Earlier this year, Full House Resorts came up short in its efforts to relocate its casino in Rising Sun, Indiana to New Haven, after Senate Bill 293, which would have facilitated the move, did not advance out of committee. But a second bill, Senate Bill 43, has advanced through both chambers and was sent to Gov. Mike Braun April 23, per WANE.
SB43 will allow the Indiana Gaming Commission to contract with a gaming research firm to conduct a study identifying two potential regions in the state where a new gaming license could be located. The results of the study would be due by Nov. 1, 2025.
If the study should find that one of the best regions is in northeast Indiana where Full House attempted to move, it’s likely that efforts will ramp up again in future years.
Planet Hollywood to Open New Poker Room in May
Planet Hollywood on the Las Vegas Strip is gearing up to open its new, expanded poker room sometime in May, according to an April 18 report from PokerNews. The casino closed its former room approximately four years ago. When finished, the new room will feature 23 tables, including 12 for cash games. It will also feature more than 20 flatscreens and a balcony overlooking the casino floor.
“There’s no fun rooms left,” Poker Room Manager Anthony Moody told PokerNews. “So we’re trying to bring that back a little bit. Whether it’s low-limit PLO or bomb pot games or mixed games.”
Bally’s Saves Bronx High School with $8.5 Million Donation
Bally’s Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Bally’s Corp., April 22 agreed to purchase Preston High School, an all-girls Catholic school in the Bronx on the verge of closure, for $8.5 million. Bally’s in turn will lease back the property to the school for $1 per year, and will pay up to $1.6 million in additional repairs and closing fees. Preston could purchase the property back down the line and also has right of first refusal.
Notably, the Sisters of the Divine Compassion, which owns the property, rejected the same proposal in March. But increased pressure from alumni, including singer and actress Jennifer Lopez, caused the change of plan. Bally’s owns a golf course nearby and seeks to develop a casino on the site.
“Our commitment to Preston is not about business — it’s about doing what’s right. Supporting institutions like this is central to our belief in being a trusted, long-term partner to the communities we serve,” Bally’s Chairman Soo Kim said in a statement.
“This is more than just keeping a school open. It’s preserving a legacy,” principal Jennifer Connolly said in a statement. “It’s ensuring that young women in the Bronx will always have access to the quality, values-based education that Preston provides. We are overjoyed to share that Preston’s doors will remain open, not just for next year, but for many years to come.”
