The Massachusetts Gaming Commission last week ruled that Boston is not a host city for the casinos proposed for Everett and Revere, disappointing Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh (l.). At the same time the Bay State’s Supreme Judicial Court heard oral arguments on whether a referendum should be allowed to go to the ballot that could repeal the state’s gaming law. And Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby will no longer have a say in who gets the Boston-area license.
Despite some unsettling reports to the contrary, investment brokers Union Gaming Research Macau maintain that all is fundamentally well in Japan with the process of legalizing casinos. The firm recently brought Toru Mihara (l.), a highly placed Japanese political advisor, to the U.S. to reassure investors.
Caesars Entertainment has restructured its debt through a tender offer that creates new notes, a move that will avoid $1 billion in interest payments. During an investors’ call, CEO Gary Loveman (l.) says the company is considering closing one of its Atlantic City properties.
MGM Resorts board member and gaming legend Burton Cohen passed away last week at the age of 90. Cohen played a role in the development of Las Vegas in many of the city’s most prestigious properties.
Credit Suisse says the disappearance of a Macau junket operative with something like $1 billion may signal a good time for investors to hold off buying more Macau casino stocks for now. And a report that the Chinese government was going to crack down on cash transfers using the UnionPay credit cards is concerning as well.
Nevada gaming officials are expected to review a finding of suitability May 22 for Genting Berhad’s planned mega-resort. Company officials met with the gaming board last week to explain how they expect to build in Phase I of the project.
Two states are getting more serious about online gaming. Members of the Democratic party in Pennsylvania heard about the pros and cons, mainly pros, of legalizing online gaming. And in New York, a companion bill to legalize iGaming was introduced in the state Assembly by Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow (l.).
Bally Technologies will provide systems solutions to all Golden Nugget properties throughout the U.S., connecting to nearly 6,400 slots and table games. The deal includes systems and all Bally games, including the new Titanic game (l.).
This week the GGB Podcast engages Matt Cullen, the new CEO of San Manuel Digital LLC, on his new job and how the San Manuel tribe hopes to position itself in any California online poker industry.
The Philippines’ biggest casino is set to get a lot bigger. Resorts World Manila is adding more than 400 new table games and 4,100 more slots, expanding its two hotels and planning to build two more.
A casino has returned to the Macau Jockey Club after a 10-year hiatus, and it’s a 21st-century affair, the table games all-electronic. The SJM satellite is operated by Jay Chun’s (l.) Paradise Entertainment, whose LT Game subsidiary holds a lucrative monopoly in the city in an e-table hybrid featuring live dealers.
A judge in Las Vegas has rejected the U.S. government’s request for a third delay in the civil lawsuit between Wynn Resorts and Kazuo Okada. The Justice Department sought the delay to protect witnesses in its criminal probe of Okada’s dealings in the Philippines.
The ability of Singaporeans to curb harmful gambling through self-exclusion has now been extended to the city-state’s slot clubs and betting parlors. The system has been limited to the two casinos, but 21 small operators have signed on and more are expected to join.
Codere and its owner, Jose Antonio Martinez Sampedro (l.) and his family, have managed to buy 10 more days to avoid bankruptcy proceedings and reach a settlement with its lenders on a restructuring of the company’s €1.1 billion in debt. Negotiations have dragged on for months as the founding family of the Spanish gaming giant fights to retain control.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (l.) is no fan of the gaming industry, but he wants to make an exception the economically ailing Crimea. Industry experts have their doubts, though, and say the region holds no allure for high rollers.
Venice’s legendary Casino Di Venezia has plenty of history going for it, but not much else, or so it seemed from the resounding silence that greeted the city’s recent attempt to auction if off. Then again, the €500 million price tag may have had something to do with that.
Industry observers assessing the fallout from photos beamed around the world showing James Packer exchanging blows outside his Sydney apartment with a TV executive and friend. With Crown Resorts pursuing major casino ventures worldwide, some speculate that the damage could be significant.
Wholesale changes are under way at William Hill Australia, starting at the top, where both the chief executive and chief operating officers have been ousted. The UK-based bookmaking giant gave no reasons were given for the moves.
Saying that Boyd Gaming’s early losses in online gaming in New Jersey stem from one-time, startup costs, Boyd Gaming CEO Keith Smith (l.) says he expects profits from online gambling by year’s end. Boyd’s Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa and its online partner PartyPoker have taken the early lead in online gambling in the state.
Jason Ader, who owns about 5.2 percent of bwin.party through investment vehicle SpringOwl, has outlined a “Case for Change” at the company on his savebwinparty.com website (l.). Ader charges the company has failed in its execution and oversight to return a stronger investor value.
Jay Hickey (l.), president of the American Horse Council says he expects Congress will not move on bills to regulate horse medicating in the horseracing industry, nor on online gambling. Hickey says too many factions are in play and Congress won’t tackle the issues.
A New Jersey Woman is charged with fraudulently claiming identity theft to avoid paying an about $10,000 online gambling debt. Police say the case shows that the state’s online gaming industry has tight security in place.
The Libertarian Competitive Enterprise Institute has come out against a federal bill to ban online gambling in the U.S. The group says the bill will trample individual’s and state’s rights and in no way stop U.S. players from gambling online.
Cashbet and eGambling specialists has launched a real-money gambling platform in the U.K. after receiving approval from the Alderney Gambling Control Commission. The company also said it is looking for a casino partner to launch online gaming in New Jersey.
The virtual currency Bitcoin is being accepted by more and more Las Vegas businesses—though not by casinos—according to a report in the Las Vegas Review Journal. Despite the currencies growing use, regulatory agencies continue to warn users against virtual currencies. California is the latest state to issue a warning against Bitcoins.
The Swiss government has published a draft of a bill to regulate online gambling in the country. The sites would be operated through Switzerland’s land-based casinos.
Dragonfish, an independent arm of 888 Holdings, has signed a four-year extension of its bingo agreement with Cashcade, a wholly owned subsidiary of bwin.party digital entertainment.
The Minnesota House recently left out of an expanded gambling bill a ban on online ticket sales. State Rep. Joe Atkins said the House budget does not include the costs of shutting down ticket sales. Lawmakers and Lottery Director Ed Van Petten have been at odds over the program, which Van Petten said would attract younger players.
BMM Testlabs has extended its quality testing accreditation standards in Singapore to include online gaming, and has achieved accreditation for its Macau facility.
Twenty-two bidders have paid $1 million each in applicant fees for a possible shot at the New York’s four available upstate casino licenses. Owners of the former Concord resort (l.) are in the race. But all is not smooth as questions about the suitability of Orange County, closest to New York City, as a site for casinos is questioned.
A bill that would have allowed two casinos with 5,000 slots in New Hampshire appears to be close to final death, at least until next year. The Granite State House last week voted for a third time on the bill, and once again supporters failed to must enough votes. The only hope will now be a new bill targeting just one casino, supported by Governor Maggie Hassan (l.).
The fate of Illinois state Rep. Bob Rita's amendments to an expanded gambling bill now rests with his House colleagues. Rita (l.) proposed a single state-run casino in Chicago with 10,000 positions, or a smaller Chicago casino plus five in the suburbs. Neither approach is assured of approval by Governor Pat Quinn.
The former mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, Joseph Paolino (l.), has partnered with two other businessmen to buy the Newport Grand slots parlor, but only if the city’s voters approve of table games for the casino.
Marcus Glover (l.), general manager of Horseshoe Casino Cleveland, a casino that Rock Ohio Caesars opened in 2012, said last week that the casinos’ second phase could begin in two years, and be completed three years after that.
A ribbon-cutting, show girls, pool party and relocation of the world's largest gold nugget highlighted the grand opening celebration of the $100 million renovation at the Golden Nugget Casino Biloxi (l.). Tilman Fertitta, owner and chairman of parent company Landry's, purchased the property for $45 million in 2012.
New Jersey has already paid $2.8 million in lawyer’s fees in its bid to overturn a federal law banning sports gambling. The law firm handling the case is the same one Governor Chris Christie has hired to investigate the George Washington Bridge lane-closing scandal.
Kansas Entertainment, the parent company of Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway, announced it would break ground on a hotel on October 5. By moving forward on the hotel, the company dodged a $1.3 million penalty under an agreement with the Unified Government Board of Commissioners of Wyandotte County and Kansas City.
Clark County, Nevada, must impose clear restrictions on taverns to prevent them from raking in the gaming revenue of casinos, but remaining exempt from the fees and taxes casinos pay, says the Nevada Resort Association. How the commission responds is a question.
More than 300 employees at the Argosy Sioux City riverboat recently received layoff notices. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission ordered the facility to close by July 1. Officials at Argosy owner Penn National Gaming said the company will continue its legal challenges against the IRGC's decision.
Signatures are being collected to place on the November ballot two measures to bring casino-style gambling and video lottery terminals to one current and two future Colorado racetracks. Rhode Island-based Twin River Casino has given $1.125 million to fund the campaign, which casinos in in Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek are expected to oppose.
PJY Enterprises lost its lawsuit in federal court to retrieve sweepstakes machines seized by police for violating gaming regulations on the Hawaiian island of Oahu.
Touting its new attractions, hotels, desire to host more international travelers and convention expansion plans, Las Vegas hopes to have a record year for tourists in 2014.
In an effort to fatten purses and draw horsemen, Churchill Downs has raised its cut out of regular and specialty wagers, already at a historic high. Players are not amused.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board has issued an official memo to inform casino operators gaming and marijuana do not mix. The decision will force several casino executives to withdraw from the business.
Caesars Entertainment is offering special deals to southern New Jersey residents in the hopes of attracting players from the now closed Atlantic Club Casino (l.) in Atlantic City.
With an outdoor beach concert by country artist Blake Shelton one of the major summer events scheduled for Atlantic City, the resort’s mayor, Don Guardian (l.), is calling for a permanent outdoor concert venue.
Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter (l.) has sued to prevent an Indian tribe, the Coeur d’Alene from offering poker at its casino near the Washington border.
Four casinos owned by the Ho-Chunk Nation will be expanded and improved starting in late summer, following the tribe's decision to invest $144 million in the properties. The tribe's Port Edwards, Wittenberg, Wisconsin Dells (l.) and Black Rivers Falls casinos will get new hotels, expanded gaming floors, parking structures and more, creating 300-plus jobs.
Democratic lawmakers in Florida said they won't ratify any compact Governor Rick Scott negotiates with the Seminole Tribe unless they can participate. But Scott reportedly has completed negotiations, allowing the tribe exclusive rights to offer blackjack in exchange for a 40 percent increase in proceeds to the state—at least $250,000 million annually.
The state of Texas says the Tigua Indians' Speaking Rock Entertainment Center in El Paso is an illegal gambling operation. The tribe disagrees, claiming people make voluntary donations to play its gaming machines and are not required to buy anything. The case will be heard in federal court in October.
The tribe that operates the Rolling Hills Casino in California, the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, is in the midst of a power struggle that includes accusations of more than $1 million in misappropriations of funds and the disenrollment of nearly a quarter of its members.
The federal government issued a final environmental impact report for an off-reservation casino proposed for Barstow, San Bernardino County, California by a San Diego Tribe, the Los Coyotes Band. The EIR was issued in record time.
In a closely watched case that could have a dramatic impact on issues of tribal sovereignty, the U.S. Supreme Court has yet to issue its ruling in State of Michigan vs. Bay Mills Indian Community. The High Court heard oral arguments in December.
Indian gaming in California is an $8 billion business employing 56,000 workers, according to a report just issued by the California Nations Indian Gaming Association.
Recently approved by a federal court, a local share deal with the Oneida Nation in New York has begun with the Nation making an initial payment of nearly $4 million to the host counties for the tribal resort.
Connecticut is close to reaching an agreement to expand the authority of the tribal police departments of the Mashantucket Pequots and Mohegans. The deal would give the police law enforcement powers at tribal casinos.
Las Vegas Sands Corporation has ended months of speculation that it was looking to sell its property in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, naming longtime gaming executive Mark Juliano (l.) as the property’s new president.
Valley Forge Casino Resort has named Robert Pickus, managing director of GCA Capital Group, as chairman of the Pennsylvania casino’s board of managers.
Bally Technologies executive Adrian Halpenny has been named chairman of the Gaming Technologies Association, after serving on the organization’s board for three years.
Ann-Margaret Carrozza and Peter Moschetti are the respective Assembly and Senate choices for the New York gaming commission. Both are former assembly members and lobbyists.
LuAnne Lambert, a 20-year veteran of the gaming industry, has been named director of sales for the Rainmaker Group's ReelREV, a hosted revenue management software and services solution for improved slot performance. Lambert worked for Bally Technologies prior to joining Rainmaker.
Leaders in casino convergence, TraffGen, has signed an agreement to provide its player engagement suite of products to iGamingPlayer.com, which is one of very few affiliates licensed for real money wagering business in New Jersey.
The owner of the Parx Casino has proposed a plan to offer patrons mobile gaming within the walls of its Pennsylvania casino through Williams Interactive’s BetCloud system.
Kobetron, LLC and Gaming Laboratories International have entered into a strategic global support relationship to provide technical support to regulators, operators and suppliers.
The premier gaming regulators conference in the U.S. offers valuable networking and training opportunities as the North American Gaming Regulators Association meets in Minneapolis in June.
BMM Testlabs will make several donations to Native American charities at this week’s Indian Gaming 2014, the trade show for the National Indian Gaming Association.
TCSJohnHuxley will display technology innovations in all of its product areas at G2E Asia, with a focus on Gaming Floor Live, Supernova Progressive and Blaze Gaming Surface Technology.
In a Wynn Resorts investors’ conference call, Chairman Steve Wynn is reporting the Las Vegas Strip is in recovery with his Wynn/Encore (l.) the most profitable properties, while Wynn Resorts prepares for another giant gaming facility in Macau, where earnings continue to flourish.
Some of the largest casinos in Las Vegas have been given an alert to watch out for a card-counter that was barred last week from playing at the Hard Rock Casino: movie star Ben Affleck!
January 22-24, 2024: San Diego AML Conference, San Diego, CA Gain valuable insights into the latest AML practices, regulations, and challenges specific to casinos, towards creating a safer and more secure environment for the industry. For more information visit skiild.com/aml-event/.
February 25-28, 2024: SiGMA Eurasia, InterContinental Dubai Festival City, Dubai, UAE. Produced by SiGMA Group For more information visit sigma.world/.
March 5-7, 2024: SBC Summit Rio, Windsor Barra Hotel, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Produced by SBC Events. For more information visit sbcevents.com.
March 12-15, 2024: Africa Gaming Expo, Eko Convention Center, Lagos, Nigeria. Produced by Africa Gaming Expo Ltd. For more information visit agelagos.com/.
March 18-20, 2024: Casino Marketing Boot Camp, New Orleans, LA. Intensive and hands-on, this three-day workshop gives casino marketers a 360-degree view of marketing and what it takes to gain market share and loyalty. A single-track, shared experience, Boot Camp’s hands-on approach combines interactive and immersive activities that will bring all your great ideas into focus and actionable plans. For more information visit https://casinomarketingbootcamp.com/new-orleans-2024.
April 17-18, 2024: East Coast Gaming Congress, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey. Produced by Spectrum Gaming Group, Cooper Leveson and PlayDoit. For more information visit eastcoastgamingcongress.com.
May 14-16, 2024: Cage Conference + Connect User Conference, Gila River Resorts & Casinos Learn about new technologies that enhance profitability and network with industry leaders who have proven success in Cage, Revenue and Player Services. For more information visit skiild.com/cage-conference/.
