Norfolk City Council Approves Boyd-Pamunkey Casino Bid
On Sept. 11, the Norfolk City Council voted 7-1 to approve a new development agreement for the casino project from Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe. Earlier this month Boyd acquired Golden Eagle Consulting II, the company formed by the tribe and billionaire Jon Yarbrough, its original partner on the project. Yarbrough is confirmed to have exited the venture through the deal.
The project, which had been stalled for several years and went through several iterations, is now on track to open before November 2025, the deadline for its license. A temporary casino will begin construction next February and open Nov. 5, and the permanent casino will begin construction in January and open in September 2027.
According to Virginia Business, the permanent casino will feature 1,500 slots, 50 tables, a 200-room hotel, convention space and more. The project’s old name, HeadWaters Resort & Casino, will not be used for the new project.
NJ Assembly Republicans Pledge Support for Smoking Ban
Republican officials from the New Jersey General Assembly have come out in support of efforts to ban smoking in the state’s casinos, and have pledged to help pass the issue if the Democratic majority does not.
“If Democrats are serious about protecting workers, Republicans are ready to help pass the bill,” said Assemblyman John DiMaio, according to InsiderNJ. “We need legislative action, not excuses.”
The issue has gained tremendous steam in recent years but legislative progress has been slow. Last year, several contentious hearings on a bill that would close the smoking loophole did not lead to a vote, and local unions and trade bodies filed an unsuccessful suit earlier this year.
DGE: Borgata Underpaid iGaming Taxes
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement penalized Borgata, Atlantic City’s top-grossing casino, for underpaying its iGaming taxes.
The state informed the casino it took nearly $15 million more in credits than it was entitled to, leading the casino to pay $1.1 million less in taxes than it should have. Borgata was ordered to pay the full amount due, plus penalties and interest totaling $1.3 million.
“The Division views this matter as serious,” DGE Acting Director Mary Jo Flaherty wrote in an August 15 letter to the Borgata. “The original violation was an understatement of gross revenue by almost $10 million. This second understatement of gross revenue was in an amount of over $4.5 million. The fact that this conduct was repeated less than 18 months after the Division warned an additional violation of this type could result in a civil penalty is also to be considered.”
The money has already been paid, including a $75,000 civil penalty, the state said.
NGCB Gives OK to Sega Sammy-GAN Deal
The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) gave unanimous initial approval on Sept. 11 to Sega Sammy for its previously announced acquisition of B2B supplier GAN Limited.
The matter will now proceed to the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) for final approval. That hearing is set for 26 September. First announced last December, the deal is valued at $107.6 million.
The Japanese entertainment conglomerate is looking to expand further into the gaming business through its Sega Sammy Creation (SSC) division. SSC produces slots and game content – it also operates the Paradise City integrated resort in Korea. And in July it purchased online game creators Stakelogic for $143.2 million.
Champion Defended by Colleagues After Vote of No Confidence
Shortly after Maine’s casino inspectors last week penned a letter of no confidence against Mitlon Champion, executive director of the Maine Gambling Control Unit (MGCU), a coalition of MGCU employees came out in defense of Champion Sept. 6.
According to the Portland Press Herald, the letter was signed by nine of Champion’s colleagues, including MGCU Deputy Director Matthew Motti.
“As a group, we feel a need to express our unwavering support and appreciation for our executive director,” the letter read, per the Herald. “His open-door policy and approachable demeanor have made us feel both welcomed and valued. Under his guidance, we have been encouraged to take on new challenges, develop our skills and grow professionally.”
GLPI Acquires Land Under Bally’s Chicago
Gaming and Leisure Properties (GLPI) announced Sept. 11 that it has completed the $250 million acquisition of the land where the permanent Bally’s Chicago casino will be built. GLPI purchased the land from Blue Owl Capital.
The former Chicago Tribune publishing plant is currently being demolished on the site, and that process is expected to take about three to four months. Stakeholders hope to break ground on the new facility by the end of the year. It is expected to open in September 2026.
“The completion of the Chicago land purchase is a significant milestone toward the development of Bally’s Chicago,” said Peter Carlino, GLPI’s chairman and CEO. “Our transactions with Bally’s related to Chicago and our real estate acquisitions at Bally’s Kansas City Casino and Bally’s Shreveport Casino & Hotel will be accretive to our financial results, resulting in an 8.3% blended initial cash yield and conservative rent coverage.”
DraftKings, White Hat Gaming Fined in Connecticut
Online gaming suppliers DraftKings and White Hat Gaming were fined a total of $22,500 by the state of Connecticut for operating an online slot machine game that failed to pay any winners on more than 20,600 spins over one week in August 2023.
The game, Deal or No Deal Banker’s Bonanza, advertised a 95 percent return-to-player figure. According to the state Department of Consumer Protection, from August 15 through August 21 last year, there were no wins, despite wagers of nearly $24,000 on more than 20,659 spins from a total of 522 people.
“Effectively, it was impossible for any Connecticut patron to achieve a win on the game for a period of 7 days, while live on the gaming platform,” according to the report, which was first detailed by the CT Insider news outlet.
Report: Peoria Trying to Lure Boyd to Relocate Par-A-Dice Casino
WMBD Radio Sept. 9 reported that the city of Peoria, Ill. is working to convince Boyd Gaming to relocate its Par-A-Dice Casino to there from East Peoria. This has caused some in East Peoria to bristle at their neighbors.
The outlet said that Boyd has met with Peoria officials on two occasions in the last four years, and the operator is said to be currently reviewing a proposal from the city that was produced in July. The proposal reportedly includes incentives such as tax revenue sharing.
In an email July 22, East Peoria Mayor John Kahl told Peoria Mayor Rita Ali that he was “most disappointed to learn that you and your (fellow officials) in Peoria are doing your best to force a business organization to relocate from a neighboring community to yours.”
Stephen Thayer Named GM of Palms
Following the departure of Cynthia Kiser Murphy, the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority (SMGHA) announced Sept. 9 that it has named Stephen Thayer as general manager of the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, effective Sept. 16. Thayer has held executive positions for several operators, including Golden Entertainment, Caesars Entertainment and Bally’s Corp.
“We are delighted to welcome Stephen to Palms,” SMGHA Chairperson Latisha Prieto said in a statement. “His leadership style and professional accomplishments speak volumes about his ability to lead and innovate and his enthusiasm for activating on our tribal values at Palms make him the ideal candidate to guide this wonderful property into the next chapter.”
