Norfolk Casino Deal Vote Set for Sept. 10
The Norfolk City Council Sept. 10 will vote on Boyd Gaming’s proposed acquisition of Golden Eagle Consulting. Golden Eagle is the development company behind the Pamunkey Tribe’s casino proposal for Norfolk in conjunction with billionaire John Yarbrough–with Boyd’s acquisition and the tribe taking a 20 percent stake, it is unclear if Yarbrough is still involved in the venture.
The tribe first proposed the casino in conjunction with Yarbrough in 2017, after becoming federally recognised in 2015. In the years since it was first proposed, the project has gone nowhere. The tribe has yet to secure city approval for its site at Harbor Park. Several versions of renderings have been presented but none have been finalized. With 28 casinos in its portfolio, Boyd is seen as a capable partner to help give the project the boost it needs.
“I am thrilled to announce that our journey to bring a casino project to the Harbor Park Entertainment District has reached a major milestone,” Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Cooper Alexander said, per WAVY. “After passing a local gaming referendum in 2020, we have found the perfect partners to make this vision a reality. Boyd Gaming Corporation, in collaboration with the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, will bring a world-class hotel resort casino to Norfolk.”
Maine Casino Inspectors Pen Letter of No Confidence for MGCU Chief
All nine casino inspectors in Maine Sept. 4 penned a letter of no confidence against Milton Champion, the executive director of the Maine Gambling Control Unit (MGCU). In the letter, the inspectors accuse Champion of several shortcomings, including his multi-year delay in implementing retail sports betting, his decision to change schedules to remove inspectors on Sundays and Mondays and even pay-related discrepancies.
This is not the first time Champion has been called out for his actions. He was suspended without pay last July for insensitive posts on X about women and white nationalist groups.
“He’s pretty much determined to do what he wants to do regardless of the public input,”state Senator Joe Baldacci told News Center Maine. “So, this is just another in this pattern of behavior, which I find disturbing.”
Kentucky AG: “No-Risk” Skill Games Also Illegal
On Sept. 4, Kentucky Public Radio reported that Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman has released an advisory to local prosecutors arguing that a new type of “risk-free” skill games that started entering the state earlier this year are in fact still illegal. The games were created as a workaround to the state’s ban on other gray market skill games in 2023.
“The game lures the player into continuing to play on the chance that the next game play will result in a win worth more than he will have to pay for the current play,” Coleman wrote. “This hope that the subsequent game play will be a winner is the ‘element of chance’ that makes these so-called ‘Risk-Free Plays’ games illegal gambling devices.”
According to KPR, there are about 600 of the machines currently live across the state. Most come from Prominent Technologies, and the company has argued that they are distinct from the previous games included in the 2023 ban.
Indiana Casino Could Move After Disappointing FY24 Report
There is increasing speculation that Full House Resorts’ Rising Star Casino in Rising Sun, IN could move to New Haven, and the full-year report for FY24 from the Indiana Gaming Commision (IGC) has shown that the casino’s performance has slipped tremendously over the years.
WANE first reported earlier this month about initial conversations between Full House and the city of New Haven, and although officials from both sides are optimistic, any move would need approval from the state legislature and the governor.
The FY24 report from the IGC showed that Rising Star’s revenue was $43.7 million, its lowest total in its history other than the pandemic year in 2020. Its tax payments were $3.7 million, the lowest of any casino in the state that was open all year. WANE said that in 1998, its tax contribution was $44 million.
Top Indiana Regulator Steps Down
Greg Small, executive director of the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC), will step down this month, according to a Sept. 4 announcement from Gov. Eric Holcomb. The state’s General Counsel Dennis Mullen will oversee the commission on an interim basis.
Small was named executive director in 2021, having previously served as general counsel since 2016. As noted by the Indiana Capital Chronicle, Holcomb’s term ends in January and agency leaders often leave when the administration changes.
Full House Sells Stockman’s Casino
Full House Resorts announced Sept. 3 that it has sold its Stockman’s Casino in Fallon, Nev. to Clarity Game LLC for $9.2 million. The casino’s real estate accounted for $7 million and “certain other operating assets” encompassed the balance. Until the sale is approved by state regulators, Full House will pay Clarity monthly rent of $50,000.
“We are pleased to announce the sale of Stockman’s Casino to Michael Gaughan III, David Ross, and the rest of their team,” Dan Lee, president and CEO of Full House, said in a statement. “As we have continued to grow in size, we find it prudent to focus on our larger properties in our portfolio, including our newly-opened Chamonix and American Place casinos. We are proud of our transformation of Stockman’s Casino over the years, and know that Michael and David will drive continued improvement under their ownership.”
Venetian Sued by Couple Claiming Scorpion Bite Caused PTSD, ED
California residents Michael and Batia Farchi filed suit Aug. 27 in Nevada District Court against the Venetian, after the former sustained scorpion bites to his hand and genitals while staying at the resort over the Christmas holiday in 2023. According to the suit, the bites caused Farchi emotional and physical distress, including erectile dysfunction.
The couple is seeking a jury trial to assess their damages. A medical incident report was filed at the casino on the day of the incident and Farchi was subsequently treated at Summerlin Hospital and UCLA Medical Center. The suit alleges that the casino knew about scorpion infestations but failed to act properly to eradicate them.
“It really doesn’t matter, so much, how it got there,” attorney Brian Virag told KLAS. “The fact that it was there and they were on notice that there were prior issues of scorpions at the subject property that’s obviously the main point here.”
Bally’s Inks Loyalty Deal with Las Vegas’ Palms Casino
On Sept. 3 Bally’s Corp. and the Palms Casino Resort announced a new partnership through which Bally Reward members can earn loyalty points at the Palms. The two companies said they plan to leverage their “combined expertise and resources” to “enhance the gaming experience” for rewards members.
“We are thrilled to join forces with Palms in Las Vegas for this exciting venture,” Mike Donovan, Bally’s chief marketing officer and SVP of gaming, said in a statement. “Our goal is to provide our Bally Rewards members with unparalleled rewards and experiences, and this partnership is a significant step towards achieving that.”
