In a special session the Alabama Senate ended debate on a bill that would have led to a statewide lottery plus electronic gambling machines at racetracks. However, senators then approved a second, lottery-only measure that would allow a statewide vote, backed by Governor Robert Bentley who said the legislation would provide $225 million annually for Alabama's Medicaid program. Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh (with Bentley looking on) said the lottery only bill was a “clean slate.”

Caesars Entertainment is hoping to speed an exit from bankruptcy of its operating giant by having the subsidiary sue it and its private-equity owners. The move is seen as a bid to maneuver junior creditors into accepting a settlement and dropping their plans to sue for a better deal.

Another legislative term appears on the verge of ending with no bill passing that would legalize online poker in the Golden State. Lawmakers have until August 19 to put such a bill before the Assembly if they have any hope of seeing it pass by the end of the month. But Senate Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (l.) says he is in “no hurry” to pass either iPoker or DFS.

A new report issued by the Bahamas government estimates the failure of the super-resort to get open has cost the island nation nearly $1 billion in taxes never collected and wages never paid. The impacts detailed by the report include the loss of as many as 3,000 direct jobs and some 800,000 international visitors.

MGM Resorts has announced that it will acquire a greater stake in MGM China, and trade 4 million shares in the U.S. parent to MGM China CEO Pansy Ho (l.). Analysts were divided on the move.

In the first-ever training series that’s part of its “Stop Illegal Gambling- Play it Safe” Initiative the American Gaming Association has partnered with the National District Attorneys Association. The sessions will be held at next month’s G2E. And as part of the “Gaming Votes” program, the AGA visited St. Louis last week to talk about the impact of the gaming industry in Missouri, which Global Gaming Women Chairwoman Virginia McDowell (l.) says “provides unmatched career opportunities for employees from diverse backgrounds and a range of experiences.”

William Hill Plc has rejected an increased $4 billion acquisition bid from 888 Holdings Plc and Rank Group Plc, leaving the prospect that the two companies can work out a merger deal with the bookmaker. The two sides announced different valuations for the improved bid, and indication that they remain far apart in the negotiations. A deadline for a formal offer is set for August 21.

There’s no time for self-congratulatory happy talk, our industry needs to start facing its tough new challenges head on. Veteran casino executive and current gaming analyst Howard Jay Klein explains how the industry needs to respond.

The shuttering of PhilWeb in the Philippines brings back the recognition that gaming often exists at the whim of governments and changes in leadership can impact the jobs, revenue and taxes produced by these gaming enterprises.

This week the GGB Podcast talks with Tom Cantone, the vice president of entertainment for Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, about his long career booking entertainment and how he changed the industry when working in Atlantic City.

PhilWeb shareholder Roberto Ongpin (l.) announced last week he would sell his stake in the eGaming firm to keep President Rodrigo Duterte from forcing its closure. Then Ongpin decided to donate the shares, to no avail.

The European/Asian Consortium, a group that claims affiliation with a global gaming operator, says it has submitted a bid for the Savan Vegas Hotel and Entertainment Complex (l.) in Laos.

Lawrence Ho’s Summit Ascent Holdings Ltd., developer of Tigre de Cristal (l.) in the Russian Far East, could partner with Kangwon Land Inc. of South Korea for future developments in the Primorye.

A $4 billion development project in Ho Chi Minh City with investors that include former Las Vegas Sands Corp. executive William Weidner may be going nowhere fast, according to local media.

Cambodian gaming operator NagaCorp Ltd. says its business has benefited from new restrictions on proxy bets and junket operations in Macau. NagaCorp runs NagaWorld in Phnom Penh.

A temporary closure of the Beijing Imperial Palace Hotel and the Greek Mythology Casino (l.) has sparked threats of legal action by Amax International Holdings. The casino operates under the SJM license

Land-based casinos in the Indian state of Goa will pay more in taxes as the government imposes the third rate increase in as many years. For example, a smaller property license would increase from US$373,900 to $523,500.

Hong Kong-listed Imperial Pacific International Holdings, which posted a net loss of $21.8 million for the first half of 2015, is looking forward to better results for the first six months of 2016.

This fall will see the opening of the largest casino ever in the north of England. The £150 million Victoria Gate Casino (l.) in Leeds will feature 140 slots, more than 100 live and electronic table games and will employ more than 200. The casino is part of a larger retail development of the same name.

Crown Resorts has reported a 14 percent spike in profits for the financial year. The uptick is due in part to its sell-off of Melco Crown shares. In recent months, largest shareholder James Packer (l.) reduced its equity from 37.3 percent to 27.4 percent.

Argentina’s Chaco Province now requires public hearings for any proposed casinos or gambling halls before a call for tender is made so the public can have a say on matters. The new law obligates the State Lottery to conduct public hearings in order to solicit local public opinion and ensure sure local residents stay informed. Several casinos already operating, include the Resistencia Hotel Casino (l.) in the provincial capital

Great Canadian Gaming recently invested $1 million the Thousand Islands Casino (l.) in Gananoque, Ontario, and more will follow, said Andy LaCroix, executive director of casino operators Shorelines Casino. The casino added 43 slots, two baccarat tables and 40 restaurant seats. A $13 million upgrade will start in 2018, La Croix said.

The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre reports that new digital currencies such as Bitcoin could pose “an emerging terrorism financing risk.” The country may regulate such payment methods.

Century Casinos debuted new VIP and high-limit rooms at the Century Casino and Hotel Edmonton (l.) in Alberta. The casino has 777 slots and 35 table games, but is undergoing a $2 million upgrade that includes a recently completed poker room, in addition to the VIP and high-limit rooms. Additional renovation plans include expanding the casino to make room for more slots, and opening a bar on the gaming floor.

The UK Gambling Commission is turning its eye on eSports betting and warning online operators that they need to be licensed in the UK to offer betting, including skins betting. The move was disclosed in a recent discussion paper released by the commission. Meanwhile, many online skins betting sites have been closing down after game maker Valve sent cease and desist letters to companies offering skins betting on their game Counter Strike: Global Offensive.

The country’s internet regulator is reminding banks to vet their systems to make sure they’re clear of any companies tied to unlicensed Web gambling. The government, meanwhile, recently imposed ISP blocks on a reported 350 sites.

Maine legislators will consider in the next session a bill sponsored by state Senator Roger Katz to regulate fantasy sports betting. Massachusetts is now postponing legislation opening up the state to DFS play—although Governor Charlie Baker (l.) has signed a bill that allows DFS until 2017—and the New York bill signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo could be in legal jeopardy.

Québec’s provincial gaming operator Loto-Québec now is taking bets on eSports events via its Mise-o-jue portion of its betting website. The StarCraft II World Championship Series Summer Circuit was the first eSporting event for which wagers were accepted, and ran from August 11 through August 14. Loto-Québec will continually track eSports events to better gauge its popularity and regulatory needs.

Wagering through Betfair’s New Jersey-based horse racing exchange-wagering system averaged about $150,000 a week in its first three months of operation, but has been seeing a steady decline week to week. Betfair officials, however, said they are not concerned about the declines saying the system is still new to players.

Social casino gaming company Ruby Seven Studios announced it is working with the marketing platform CataBoom to bring online marketing solutions to its largest game properties, Tropicana Entertainment and Delaware North, Ruby Seven says it will use the CataBoom platform to enhance its social casino games for smart phone users and on other devices.

Is the Northeast U.S. casino market nearing the saturation point? Many gaming experts say the answer is yes. The actions that gaming companies, gaming tribes and executives are taking suggests that they think so too. Mohegan’s Bobby Soper (l.) says the risk of “over investment” is critical.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board might allow casino patrons to deposit funds onto casino loyalty rewards cards for use while playing slots and table games. Nevada Regulation 5, however, bans gambling from prepaid cards, while Nevada Regulation 5A enables credited gaming accounts that can be used at state casinos. A proposed change to Regulation 5 would enable wagering accounts, while providing a regulatory framework.

The Massachusetts horseracing industry is asking that the state tap a fund collected from gaming to support the industry and use it to build a new racetrack and high end horse facility somewhere in the state. They believe the facility would help revive an ailing horse industry.

Atlantic City’s Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa saw its most lucrative month in its history in July—in fact, the best month for any casino in the history Atlantic City—even as the Trump Taj Mahal announced it would be closing. Despite another losing month for the Taj, Borgata led the way for Atlantic City’s casinos to post a nearly 7 percent increase for the month over 2015—helped by the month having five weekends this year.

The Marriott Hotel (l.) in the village of Islandia in New York’s Suffolk County gained local approval for 1,000 video lottery terminals at the hotel. The Village Board unanimously approved a special use permit for the slots during a minutes-long meeting and despite vocal opposition. Opponents say the mini-casino will create social problems and say they will challenge the special use permit in court.

New York’s Hotel and Motel Trades Council will begin running ads against a referendum to go before New Jersey voters in the fall to allow casinos to be built outside of Atlantic City in the northern New Jersey and New York markets. The union represents some workers in New Jersey. The union’s opposition is based on New Jersey’s plan not including provisions protecting union organizing efforts. The group has already begun running ads in the New York television market, which serves most of northern New Jersey.

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission said it has no jurisdiction in the dispute between Missouri River Historical Development, the non-profit partner of the Hard Rock Sioux City, and Penn National Gaming. MRHD claims it's owed $1.8 million from Penn National Gaming from its former partnership with Penn's Belle of Sioux City (l.).

A petition drive for a proposed constitutional amendment allowing casino gambling at Nebraska racetracks fell far short of the signatures required for the November ballot. But in Arkansas, after receiving a 30-day extension, backers of a ballot initiative allowing casinos in certain counties submitted an additional 50,000 signatures that are now being processed

The man who formerly oversaw the regulation of gambling in California, Robert Lytle, last month saw his license to own part of two casinos and his ability to consult with casinos revoked. Lytle agreed to the terms as well as paying a $60,000 fine, as part of a settlement with the state.

The Riviera Casino’s Monte Carlo tower imploded as planned at about 2 a.m. on August 16 in Las Vegas. The LVCVA is paying $42 million to raze the Riviera and convert the site into an outdoor exhibition area. Meanwhile, at the nearby Wynn Resorts, Steven Wynn says he’s going to include a daily King Kong show as part of the planned Wynn Paradise Park.

Poker clubs in Portland used volunteer dealers who worked for tips to get around the constitutional ban on non-tribal casinos and qualify as "social gaming." But the city recently sent letters ordering the clubs to stop the practice. At least one club closed and others are concerned about their future.

Affinity Gaming reported its sixth straight quarter of EBIDTA growth at 17.3 percent during the second quarter of 2016. Net revenues fell by 6.8 percent compared to a year earlier, but more cost-efficient management and refined marketing efforts overcame the shortfall. Affinity CEO Michael Silberling said Affinity is well positioned for the second half of the year.

Atlantic City’s Council failed to adopt an ordinance to dissolve its Municipal Utilities Authority, an important step in securing a $73 million loan from the state needed to keep the city government running. The failure means it’s likely that the city will miss a September 15 deadline to secure the loan and may mean the money will have to be returned. City Council President Marty Small (l.) says the deal “stunk” but it was the city’s only shot.

New York Franchise Oversight Board member Steve Newman during an August 16 meeting accused the New York Racing Association (NYRA) of overstating its revenues in a report to the state. Newman said the NYRA improperly includes revenues from the Aqueduct Racetrack casino and in fact lost some $4.3 million through the first six months of the year on its racetrack operations.

Harrah's New Orleans Casino recently received approval from the Louisiana legislature to transform part of its 90,000 square foot second floor into an entertainment venue for those under 21, the minimum age to enter the gaming floor. Following gaming commission and city officials' approval, the venue, could open in 18 months.

Work on the $330 million Rivers Casino (l.) in Schenectady, New York, continues as planned, and the 50,000-square-foot casino should open early next year. It will be home to 1,150 slots, 66 table games, including roulette and craps, and 16 poker tables. The development’s plans includes a 10,000-square-foot banquet room, an events center, and a marketplace.

American Casino & Entertainment reported increased revenues at its four Nevada properties, with $105.1 million in revenues for the second quarter. American Casino operates the Stratosphere and two Arizona Charlie’s hotels and casinos in Las Vegas and the Aquarius in Laughlin. It has reported revenue gains for 10 straight quarters and has filed to deregister itself as a publicly traded firm with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Following an administrative law judge's ruling that three-card poker and Ultimate Texas Hold ‘em are house-banked games and therefore illegal, Florida cardrooms announced they will appeal that decision. Florida regulators approved the games at racinos in 2012 but the Seminole's now-expired compact game the tribe exclusive rights to offer house-banked games.

The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas opened Naskila Entertainment (l.) with 365 electronic bingo machines in mid-May. The state of Texas claims the venue is illegal and wants to shut it down. The tribe claims the Bureau of Indian Affairs' recent ruling allows it to offer Class II gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

The Mashpee Wampanoag want to join a lawsuit brought by citizens in Taunton, the home of the proposed tribe’s First Light Casino (l.) against the Interior Department. The suit challenges the land-into-trust decision made by Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs to set aside the land for the casino.

The Connecticut Airport Authority won’t be forced to hand over sensitive communications about its proposals to host an Indian casino on or near the Bradley International Airport. The state’s Freedom of Information Commission ruling once again thwarts MGM Resorts, which wants to expose those sensitive negotiations.

The Miami Dolphins recently sold stadium-naming rights to Hard Rock International. Hard Rock Stadium will be the eighth name for the 29-year old facility, which will debut a $500 million renovation, including a canopy over the seats, when the Dolphins host the Tennessee Titans in the preseason finale, Thursday, September 1.

A northern California tribe, the Estom Yumeka Maidu Tribe of the Enterprise Rancheria got the go ahead from the Department of the Interior last week to begin offering Class III gaming on a casino in Yuba County. Other obstacles remain, but the tribe is one step closer to opening the doors of the $186 million Fire Mountain Casino.

The Yankton Sioux and the state of South Dakota have negotiated a new gaming compact allowing the tribe to double the slots at its Fort Randall Casino from 250 to 500. The tribe also will resume responsibility for employee background checks, and to offer craps and roulette in addition to blackjack and poker.

The White Earth Nation's second Shooting Star Casino recently opened near Bagley, Minnesota. The 21,400 square feet venue offers170-plus slots and a new restaurant. The original Shooting Star in Mahnomen, opened in 1991, underwent a $30 million expansion in 2012, adding 145, 300 square feet. A third Shooting Star is planned in Dent.

Bondholders who wagered on the future of a casino in Northern California have gotten stuck holding the bag. Nuveen Asset Management and OppenheimerFunds Inc., are among those who will have to accept 30 cents on the dollar from the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians, owners of River Rock Casino.

The Grand Ronde Tribe of Oregon faces a grim reality now that its lawsuit to try to stop the Cowlitz tribe from building a casino in Washington, in La Center has been turned back an appeals court. It could lose 41 percent of its annual gaming revenue from its Spirit Mountain Casino (l.).

The Cache Creek Casino Resort in Northern California has announced plans to expand its hotel with the addition of 459 rooms. That will bring the total of rooms to 659.

The Wisconsin Winnebago Tribe will expand and upgrade Ho-Chunk casinos at Wisconsin Dells, Black River Falls and Wittenberg through a $153 million program named "Project Forward," set to begin next month and add 100 jobs. Plans encompass new hotels, expanded gaming floors, additional slots and upgraded dining options.

Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye (l.) and Vice President Jonathan Nez recently approved the Navajo Nation Land Acquisition Act, which will expedite buying and selling industrial and commercial properties. Begaye said the previous process took too long, and now the tribe can be more competitive and invest in properties in big cities.

The slots and systems giant sees Latin America as a key area for growth. Reflecting this commitment the company has promoted its Mexico sales chief to direct sales across the entire region.

Senet, the independent body that promotes responsible gaming standards and socially responsible gaming marketing, recently named George Kidd as chief executive. Kidd served as chief executive of PhonepayPlus and the Online Dating Association, chaired the Director Marketing Commission and served as British Consul in Chicago for the Cabinet Office and the Foreign Office.

UNLV announced it is studying eSports and its potential regulation in the state. At the university’s new eSports Lab, led by former LV Sands executive Robert Rippee (l.), students will learn about eSports games, player and fan behavior, and help to determine how best to effectively reach Millennials via marketing. Ultimately, the university is looking to help shape future regulation of eSports, which many casino operators view as a strong lure for Millennials.

The NBA and the data analytics giant were closing in on a $250 million, six-year contract for the rights to sell highly prized official league data and research to bookmakers. The agreement will make Sportradar the statistical clearinghouse for three of the four major U.S. sports leagues.

Officials at the $80 million Kansas Crossing Casino, under construction in Pittsburg, Kansas, selected gaming systems solutions provider Scientific Games to deliver entertainment and rewards technology and drive operating efficiencies. Slot management, player tracking, on-device messaging, player rewards, jackpot processing, host functions, slot maintenance and self-service drink-ordering will be among Scientific Games' solutions.

Oklahoma’s Chickasaw Nation is expanding into the social gaming space in partnership with software developer GAN. The platform, which will integrate with the tribe’s 20-casino customer loyalty program, is slated to debut later this year.

The testing and certification giant has had its accreditation renewed by the country’s regulator. The decision allows GLI to continue to receive submissions for all allowable games and systems, including sports betting and internet gaming.

Joseph Eve CPAs has received membership in the President’s Club for Intacct, a provider of business and financial solutions. Joseph Eve has used the Intacct solutions with many of their tribal gaming clients.

Colombian gaming regulator Coljuegos has licensed gaming laboratory NMi to certify and audit online gaming sites and operators, adding to the firm’s presence in Latin America and environs.

The certifying body has recognized the lab for its commitment to markets worldwide. BMM, for its part, says it will continue its commitment to promoting ISTQB standards everywhere it operates.

Gold Club, an online casino software developer, recently signed an agreement to offer online and mobile slot games by Gold Club, a Slovenian slot manufacturer and game designer. Oryx also has partnership agreements with Quickfire, NYX, Gamomat, Ortiz Gaming, EGT and other international content suppliers.

The Swedish developer of games for the online and mobile markets has concluded an agreement with GVC Holdings to carry its games onto GVC’s sizable portfolio of brands. The deal will bring Play’n GO titles to bwin, partycasino and Casino Club, among other leading sites.

More than 60 leading companies from all sectors of European gaming will be in Sofia in November to show their wares at BEGE 2016. The popular show also will host a conference program dedicated to the latest developments affecting the region.

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