As talks between Caesars Entertainment and second-lien creditors break down, the bankruptcy plan of Caesars’ largest operating unit looks farther than ever from success. Caesars’ debtors are also lobbying Congress to prevent the passage of a law that could assist Caesars with its bankruptcy plans. Even the Linq (l.), the Las Vegas observation wheel owned by Caesars, seems to be spinning slower.
A small tribe on Martha’s Vineyard that stood alone against the state in its efforts to convert a community center (l.) into a bingo parlor now has justice on its side. The U.S. Department of Justice, that is. The tribe signed an agreement with the state in 1987 renouncing any gaming on the 400 acres in the town of Aquinnah it received in the deal, but the DOJ says that passage of IGRA a year later overturned that renunciation.
A series of amendments added to a bill that would legalize iPoker in California were not enough to get six key tribes on board, likely dooming the bill the failure once again. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Adam Gray had hoped the additions would calm the waters on a disagreement over the “suitability” of some online providers, but it was not to be. Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro (l.) said his coalition simply wants good public policy to guide iPoker legalization.
The Mashantucket Pequots of Connecticut last week announced the tribe had agreed to build and manage a casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. One of the partners is reportedly Jeff Hartmann (l.), former president of Mohegan Sun. In addition, construction could begin early next year on Gulfport’s second casino. The city council unanimously voted to approve a 60-year lease for a harbor casino, to be developed by Mississippi Coast Entertainment LP. The company developed the $290 million Scarlett Pearl Casino Resort in D'Iberville and owns Magnolia Bluffs Casino-Hotel in Natchez.
Steve Wynn returned to the Mirage last week for the first time since selling his company to MGM in 2000 to kick off the 16th annual International Conference on Gambling and Risk Taking.
Arguments recently were presented to the Florida Supreme Court which will determine if Gretna Racing, which already hosts a poker room (l.), can install slots, which Gadsden County voters approved in a 2012 referendum. Voters in Lee, Brevard, Palm Beach, Hamilton and Washington counties also approved slots, which currently are limited to south Florida tracks and Seminole casinos.
Gaming analysts are playing it safe after disappointing revenues in Macau for the month of May. The team at Sanford C. Bernstein predicts the numbers will fall between 3 percent and 9 percent for June. But one observer noted that even with the steep decline in revenues, Macau casinos still generate four times the revenue as the casinos of the Las Vegas Strip.
Barra Olympic Park (l.) in Rio de Janeiro, which will host a number of events during the 2016 Olympics, could be repurposed as a casino resort after the games are over, according to the Fertitta family of U.S. casino operators.
After seven years of lawsuits and countersuits, the city of Duluth, Minnesota and the Fond du Lac Band have agreed that the tribe will pay the city $150,000 annually in lieu of taxes on its Fond-du-Luth Casino (l.), and will adopt and enforce city planning and zoning requirements for trust land it owns in the city.
The current financing craze in the gaming industry is the real estate investment trust (REIT). Their attraction for investors is mainly the dividend. But exactly how does this work?
The first phase of Paradise City in Incheon, South Korea is on track to open in April of next year, according to developers. The foreigners-only resort is a project of Paradise Co. Ltd. and Sammy Sega Holdings Inc.
The Chinese National Tourism Association has warned Chinese tourists traveling domestically or abroad against engaging in gambling and eight other "bad behaviors." But as Beijing attempts to boost Macau tourism, one analyst observed, "CNTA is just doing its part to talk tough as it relates to the ongoing anti-corruption/anti-extravagance campaigns."
Enrique Razon (l.), chairman and CEO of Bloomberry Resorts Corp., has high hopes for a casino in Quezon City, Philippines, north of Manila. Critics say that by expanding beyond Entertainment City, he is adding competition.
Sands China continues to roll out its Japan roadshow as it seeks to lure new customers to its Macau resorts. A fourth event recently took place at the Conrad Tokyo Hotel.
Blueprints and funding arrangements have been completed for a planned US$4 billion real estate project in Vietnam. Some are speculating the development could have a casino component. Participants include former LV Sands President Bill Weidner (l.).
The Las Vegas Sands Corp. plans to add up to 1,200 hotel rooms to its Marina Bay Sands resort in Singapore, as well as an entertainment arena. Chairman Sheldon Adelson promises a quick turnaround.
Singapore-based developer Banyan Tree Holdings will add a casino as well as six new hotels to the Laguna Lang Co resort in Vietnam. The $1 billion project is now in Phase II of development.
A former U.S. intelligence officer says hackers who stole $81 million from Bangladesh’s central bank may never be identified. Some of the funds were laundered through Philippine casinos.
The Russian government is considering legislation that would introduce criminal penalties for unlicensed gaming out of specialized gaming zones. The crime is now punishable by fines and seizure of property.
After numerous requests for the facts and a "no comment" reply following a month-long wait, the Times of Malta filed a Freedom of Information request with the Finance Ministry to find out how many casino concessions have been granted and to whom, the license durations and how much money the concessions and licenses generate.
Gala Coral is preparing for a merger with Ladbrokes, and said it lost £49 million during H1 this year, despite overall strong growth numbers, mostly due to strong performance during the same period in 2015, and paying down debt prior to its planned merger. UK regulators want both firms to divest themselves of up to 400 high-street stores.
A survey conducted by Unibet found that England has the most passionate football fans in Europe. About 31 percent questioned in England identified themselves as “very interested” in football, more than any other nation surveyed.
Valencia CF soccer team has become the first La Liga club to start an eSports team. The team unveiled its new component at Mestalla stadium and also announced a partnership with Twitch, the video streaming platform owned by Amazon and the leading eSports platform.
Perry Christie (l.), the prime minister of the Bahamas, has told critics to back off about renewed construction on the stalled Baha Mar casino. Perry insists that talks with the Chinese companies that originally built the resort are proceeding and he’s confident building will resume soon.
Punters in the Australian community of Greater Dandenong are losing their shirts to pokie machines, claim anti-gaming MPs in the state of Victoria. The losses averaged $998 per adult in the city.
MGM’s recently announced purchase of Boyd Gaming’s stake in Atlantic City’s Borgata casino—which now gives MGM full control of the property—gives the company control of what has been the leading online gambling sites in New Jersey. That has many analysts speculating that the company may become a major player in the push to expand the legalization of online gambling in the U.S.
Legislators in New York say they have reached an agreement on new daily fantasy sports legislation. DFS sites such as DraftKings and FanDuel stopped talking entries from the state in agreement with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman (l.) while the legislature hashed out a plan. A deadline for that agreement is fast approaching, however, and the legislation could head off an extended court battle over the site’s legality in the state.
A bill has been introduced in the New Jersey Assembly by failed casino executive Ralph Caputo (l.) to require online gambling operators in the state to identify their Atlantic City brick-and-mortar casino partner on their web pages. The bill’s sponsor says the requirement will help attract gamblers to the city. Another gambling related bill that would allow betting on steeplechase racing has also advanced in the Assembly.
The Michigan Senate is considering SB 889, state Senator Mike Kowall's measure legalizing online gambling. Commercial or tribal casino operators would pay a $100,000 application fee and a $5 million internet gaming license fee, plus a 10 percent tax. The bill also would establish a regulatory Division of Internet Gaming.
Lawmakers in the Czech Republic recently advanced a measure legalizing gaming with no opposition, and which now awaits signing by President Milos Zeman. Zeman has 30 days from the Czech Republic Senate approving it with 42 yes votes, 23 abstaining, and no one opposing it. If Zeman signs the measure, the nation’s new gambling law takes effect in early 2017.
Despite some conflicting statements from New Jersey politicians, Atlantic City has until November 3 to come up with a new fiscal plan to balance its budgets and achieve fiscal stability over five years under a legislative rescue bill passed in New Jersey last month. Governor Chris Christie (l.) and others had implied that the clock was already ticking and the deadline would be in October, but the state officially notified the city that a 150-day provision to create the plans began last week.
XpressWest officials say China Railway International ran into unexpected difficulties in obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals to build a high-speed rail line from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, including the federal government insisting high-speed trains be built in the United States. Meanwhile, a union says an under-construction Las Vegas airport tower needs remodeling.
Atlantic City’s Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa is opening new attractions this summer including and outdoor pool. Meanwhile, the non-casino Claridge Hotel is also adding new business conference space. And Glenn Straub, the owner of the Revel (l.), says he expects the property begin reopening next week with a limited number of amenities—and later a casino (l.).
The NFL Oakland Raiders now would contribute a total of about $410 million toward an estimated $1.4 billion cost to build a 65,000-seat stadium with a retractable roof in Las Vegas, but team owner Mark Davis (l.) says the public would have to pay $750 million. Meanwhile, the proposed stadium needs a site and NFL approval for the Raiders to move to Las Vegas in three years.
Supporters of a plan to build two New Jersey casinos outside of Atlantic City—which will go before voters in November—held a news conference to begin a push for the plan. Organizers said the push will emphasize how the construction will benefit the entire state, including Atlantic City. Opponents, however, fear new casinos will further depress the resort’s casino market.
Central Atlanta Progress, a downtown business coalition, released a report indicating although four casino resorts in Georgia would provide $320 million - $400 million in annual tax revenue, and recapture some of the $570 million Georgians spend annually in out-of-state casinos, they also would cannibalize other parts of the economy since most visitors would be locals.
An environmental hearing continued last week, requested by the city of Somerville, that challenges the reported impact of Wynn Boston Harbor, a casino located in nearby Everett. Like Boston, Somerville is a “neighboring community,” and is scheduled to get payments to lessen the casino’s impact.
Atlantic City’s largest casino union will hold a vote this week to authorize strikes at four resort casinos. If approved, union committees would be able to call for strikes at the properties at any time. Union President Bob McDevitt (l.) says his members have sacrificed, now it’s payback time.
The pro-racino group Keep the Money in Nebraska said it expects to collect enough signatures to appear on the November ballot. The opposition, Gambling With the Good Life, said it is uniting churches, business leaders and concerned citizens to urge voters to reject the proposal that would bring non-tribal casino gambling to racetracks.
A bill to construct a station for NJ Transit trains to service Atlantic City International Airport has been introduced in the New Jersey Assembly. The bill does not name a price for constructing the station.
The Iowa Department of Public Health recently released a new report about gambling attitudes and behaviors of adult Iowans, which showed 1.6 million adult Iowans gambled in the last 12 months and 13 percent were at-risk, compared to the 2013 report indicating 1.8 million gambled and 16 percent were at-risk.
Opened in August 2014, the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Sioux City, Iowa announced a $5 million, 8,000 square foot expansion adding a high-stakes gaming area, wine bar and private lounge, plus 50 slots and two blackjack tables. Construction will start this summer and be completed in six months.
Two Ohio casinos have closed and reopened after rebranding themselves as Jack casinos. Both were previously Horseshoe casinos and operated by Caesars Entertainment, including the one in Cincinnati (l.).
Carl Icahn stands to profit on the incomplete Fontainebleau, which is second-tallest structure in Las Vegas, CBRE Las Vegas anticipates getting about $650 million for the Fontainebleau and estimates another $1.2 billion is needed to finish it. Icahn bought it for $150 million. The former Moulin Rouge Casino and a rented mansion that once housed superstar Michael Jackson are among many properties listed for sale and likely to be sold soon in Las Vegas.
Eric Swallow (l.) has lost his gaming license and his right to be part owner of the Casino M8trix in San Jose, California over allegations that he and his partners siphoned off money from their casino into dummy corporations to avoid paying taxes.
Large-scale music festivals lasting several days to more than a week are helping to draw new audiences to Las Vegas and market the city and its wide range of entertainment, food, and beverage, along with gambling, to those who otherwise might never come to the city. They also help to pack local hotels, restaurants, bars, and retail stores.
Caesars Palace opened on the Las Vegas Strip on August 5, 1966. To commemorate 50 remarkable years, the casino resort launched a Summer of Caesars celebration, with special promotions, events and surprises—including a gala weekend party, August 5-6, a self-guided historical tour, special room rates, merchandise, sweepstakes, events and more.
Naskila Entertainment, the Alabama-Coushatta's bingo hall on its Polk County, Texas, reservation, recently held a grand opening. But its days could be numbered following a federal judge's ruling against the Tigua Tribe, which wants to reopen its El Paso casino. The Texas attorney general has not commented regarding if would shut down Naskila.
Both the Seminole Tribe of Florida and state officials recently filed motions for summary judgments in federal court. The tribe asked U.S. Judge Robert Hinkle to declare it can still offer blackjack (l.) at five of its seven casinos. The state asked the judge to rule against the tribe.
A three-judge panel for the Second Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a prior decision by U.S. District Judge David Hurd, who in May 2015 ruled a Cayuga Indian Nation representative and two others do not have the legal standing to file lawsuits on behalf of the Cayuga Nation, due to a leadership dispute within the tribe.
Daniel Bergin, director of gaming for Arizona, seeks to force the Tohono O’odham Nation to reveal documents that would cast lights on its inner workings as far back as 2002. Bergin hopes that a federal judge will let him prove that the tribe acted in bad faith when it negotiated a gaming compact with the state and other gaming tribes.
The Seneca tribe is looking to short-circuit competition by teaming with businessman Robert Morgan (l.) to open a casino in downtown Rochester, New York.
The Schaghticoke Indian Tribe of Kent, Connecticut is petitioning the Bureau of Indian Affairs to give its application for federal recognition a second look. The tribe hopes to become the third tribe in Connecticut to offer gaming.
The Northern California Estom Yumeka Maidu Tribe of Enterprise Rancheria anticipates opening its Fire Mountain Casino (l.) next spring. The tribe has been waiting for 15 years.
A federal grand jury has charged two people with operating a wire fraud that siphoned a total of $1.2 million from several casinos including the Cache Creek Casino in Northern California.
Under the motto "Sovereignty by the Barrel," the Three Affiliated Tribes has taken over oil production on its Fort Berthold reservation in North Dakota. Its company, Missouri River Resources, produces 1000 barrels a day with royalties going toward infrastructure, law enforcement and education. The tribe owns the 4 Bears Casino and Lodge in New Town.
Some business owners in South Dakota think they've found a way around the state's 2010 ban on smoking in public places. They place video lottery machines in vented enclosures attached to their establishments, called smoke shacks. No state laws cover video lottery terminal placement, except they're only allowed in establishments with alcohol licenses.
The Philippine government is going after former PAGCOR Chairman Ephraim Genuino (l.) and associates on graft charges. Multiple high-ranking PAGCOR executives were allegedly involved in “malversation” in office.
The Cowlitz Tribe of Washington, in anticipation of the opening of its $500 million casino in La Center, has hired an assistant manager and new chief financial officer.
Fantini Research, publishers of Fantini's Gaming Report and providers of research services for investors and the gaming industry, has hired Robin Coventry as director of business development. A former newspaper editor and manager of audio-visual projects and website content, Coventry will be responsible for generating revenue and brand development.
Karen Totaro, Atlantic City Convention Center General Manager, has received the Facilities & Destinations 2015 Elite Award by Facilities & Destinations publication. Totaro is an employee of Spectra by Comcast Spectacor, which provides Venue Management and Food Services & Hospitality for the Atlantic City Convention Center. Also Rick Powell, Operations Manager at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall, also managed by Spectra, was named one of the International Association of Venue Managers Foundation’s 30 Under 30.
Casino software developer Red Tiger Gaming has appointed Giles Potter as commercial director. Potter previously served as marketing director for social casino operator Plumbee.
Many online casinos are optimizing their systems for mobile gaming, but mobile gaming is missing the vast majority of millennial-age bettors, who prefer more immersive and social gaming experiences. Virtual reality technology has the potential to reach millennials in ways that mobile gaming can’t, while providing the kind of entertaining environment younger bettors seek.
MGM National Harbor announced the addition of the Maryland-based Pappas Crabcakes and Danny Meyer’s Shake Shack to the MGM National Market casual food court.
Borgata is hosting a first-ever “Bone Frog Challenge” obstacle course race, featuring a guaranteed $15,000 cash prize for completing a Navy SEAL-style course.
TCSJohnHuxley has delivered a custom-made, swim-up blackjack table designed for seawater play, for the Jewel Casino at the Iririki Island Resort in Vanuatu.
Gaming Laboratories International has received continued ISO/IEC accreditation for its labs in New Jersey, Nevada, Colorado, British Columbia and Macau.
The first “eSports & Casino Resorts” conference will bring eSports operators together with investors and gaming industry professionals in late October at the SLS in Las Vegas.
