The long night of Caesars Entertainment and its massively indebted operating subsidiary may finally be over. With a court battle looming that could have forced the main structure of Caesars into bankruptcy, an agreement has been reached to restructure the casino giant with the operating unit’s lenders in effective control. Only one small hedge fund remains opposed, but it is not expected to halt the deal.
Global Gaming Expo 2016, the largest gaming trade show and conference in the world, looked to the future with a focus on new opportunities and new technologies including skill-based gaming, electronic table games and new styles of slot machines. Sports betting played a major role as NBA Commissioner Emeritus David Stern explained his journey in coming to accept the wisdom of legalizing the activity.
US Senator for Arkansas, Tom Cotton (l.), has filed a bill in the Senate seeking to ban online gambling in the country with little fanfare. The bill would seem to echo efforts backed by billionaire Sheldon Adelson to ban online gambling, but few details on this new bill have been released.
Ainsworth Game Technology executives were joined by local, state (Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval, center, next to founder 94-year-old Len Ainsworth) and federal dignitaries to officially cut the ribbon to celebrate the grand opening of its new Las Vegas headquarters.
Citing issues with policies and procedures, the Seminole Tribal Council voted 4-0 to remove James E. Billie as chairman. Billie was first elected chairman in 1979, impeached in 2001 and re-elected in 2011 and 2015. Billie presided over the phenomenal growth of the Seminole Tribe's gambling empire.
The embattled jurisdiction is heading for a year-on-year bump in gross gaming revenue for the most recent month, say analysts. When the September tally is in, Macau could realize an increase of up to 5 percent. Some analysts credit the recent opening of the Sands China’s Parisian (l.) for the trend.
Red Rock Resorts and Boyd Gaming have cleared the final regulatory hurdle in their pursuit of two well-equipped off-Strip resorts in Las Vegas. Red Rock is snapping up the Palms for $312.5 million. Boyd is expanding further into North Las Vegas with the purchase of the Aliante (l.) for $280 million.
Gamal Aziz (l.) stepped down as president of Macau’s Wynn Palace last week. Ian Coughlan, the president of Wynn and Encore Macau, will take over as president of Wynn Palace, as well.
The 2017 class of "40 Under 40" was released last week by GGB Magazine. The list was culled from the nominations for G2E's Emerging Leaders program coordinated by the Innovation Group. Profiles of the 40 future leaders will begin to appear in GGB starting in November. The Emerging Leaders was honored at a reception last week at G2E.
Cambodian casino operator NagaCorp Ltd. has bowed out of the race to win the only gaming license up for grabs in the Republic of Cyprus. That leaves one bidder, a partnership of Melco Entertainment and Hard Rock.
This week, the GGB Podcast talks with Mike Dreitzer, the president of the North America division of Ainsworth Game Technology, on his company’s growth and expansion in North America and around the world.
The Mohegan tribe, who developed one of the largest casinos in the world, the Mohegan Sun, in Connecticut, want to do something similar in scope in South Korea. They have partnered South Korea’s Incheon Airport to build the $1.8 billion Inspire Resort.
There will be no limit to the number of junket organizers that may operate in Saipan’s only casino. The U.S. island territory will soon see the opening of its first integrated resort, the Imperial Pacific. Commonwealth Casino Commission of Saipan Executive Directory Edward Deleon Guerrero (l.) says his country is now on the map of the gaming world.
PhilWeb has been under fire ever since the island nation’s new president, Rodrigo Duterte (l.), took office this spring and declared war on online gambling. The company lost its e-gaming license in August and now has been denied permission to run a mobile lottery service for the government.
SJM’s Casino Jai Alai (l.) will reportedly offer only 30 live gaming tables at its redeveloped Casino Jai Alai venue, which is expected to reopen before the end of the year. It’s not yet known where the tables will come from.
The refurbished Casino Admiral San Roque in Andalusia, to be run by Novomatic, recently celebrated its grand opening. The property is the first Spanish casino in Novomatic’s worldwide portfolio.
Turkish President Recep Tayyp Erdogan has asked a former official of the Republic of Georgia to help close that country’s casinos. Erdogan wants to keep his own countrymen from crossing the border to gamble.
According to a published report, Betfred appears to have won the bidding for 360 UK betting shops being sold as part of the Ladbrokes and Gala Coral merger. BoyleSports was another contender, but its ₤102 million bid has apparently fallen short. William Hill was also considered a contender for the shops.
A new gaming authority is under review in Jamaica, said Minister of Finance Audley Shaw (l.). He noted the new agency would be the main advisory body to the government on gaming, and would issue operating licenses, develop practices and monitor compliance. A new Responsible Gaming Commission also would be created.
Lawmakers are starting to make sustained efforts to try to repeal bans against sports betting in both Canada and the United States. An effort to do that in Canada narrowly failed to pass the House of Commons. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (l.) officially opposes the measure.
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs in Canada recently fired back at Premier Brian Pallister, who said he would not allow the chiefs to move the financially struggling Aseneskak Casino from the Pas to Winnipeg. The chiefs claim Pallister announced his decision to the media before notifying them, which Pallister denies.
Chinese and other Asians tourists are visiting in Australia in record numbers, with arrivals more than doubling from 2015 to 2016. Needless to say, it’s been good for the gaming industry.
Century Casino has been selected by Horse Racing Alberta to build a racetrack and casino in Edmonton in Leduc County. The property will replace the Northlands racetrack and will offer the only mile-long track in Western Canada. Century Casino was chosen out of seven other applicants to develop the racino.
The government of New South Wales announced last summer that it would ban greyhound racing due to overwhelming evidence of animal cruelty. Now that effort has hit a fresh obstacle.
A hearing on online gambling scheduled by the state’s House Gaming Oversight Committee was cancelled, bringing into question whether the state’s legislature can deal with an online gambling bill this year. Leading iGaming advocate, Rep. John Payne is retiring at the end of the session, with no immediate successor in place.
The Court of Justice of the European Union is set to rule on whether the UK and Gibraltar should be treated as a single member state when it comes to EU online gambling law.
New Jersey gambling regulators and a Canadian Mohawk tribe are working together to block illegal online gambling by U.S. players through a data center on tribal land. The deal will that will see the Canadian jurisdiction’s licensees blocked from accepting bets from U.S. customers.
A bill introduced by Ohio state Senator Bill Coley (l.) is aimed at regulating the DFS sites active in the state. He contends the sites should return all the entry money to contestants as prizes.
Station Casinos is partnering with online innovator GAN on the launch of free-play online and remote gaming for members of its Boarding Pass loyalty program. Simulated Gaming, as the GAN platform is known, has been gathering momentum ever since it was debuted in 2014 specifically for U.S. land-based casinos.
A report by research group Technavio says that online gambling revenue in the U.S. could reach $4 billion by 2020. However, further growth in the market, including states allowing online gambling, is needed.
Daily fantasy sports operator Sporaga has moved its operations to the Isle of Man, as the company seeks to enhance its international expansion. The company currently operates in the Brazilian market.
Ladbrokes Australia has moved its regulatory home to the Northern Territory, according to local media reports. Betfair has also moved to the territory after the Northern Territory Parliament amended legislation to allow for betting exchanges in April.
Even though his group formed to advertise in support of a referendum in New Jersey to allow for casino expansion in the northern part of the state has shut down, Jeff Gural (l.), owner of the Meadowlands Racetrack says he still hopes voters will approve the referendum. However, he acknowledged that opponents of the plan have waged a more effective campaign and polling shows the referendum will likely be voted down. Gural has proposed a casino at the racetrack to be built in partnership with Hard Rock International.
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley and state Attorney General Luther Strange (l.) recently asked law enforcement officials in Macon County to close VictoryLand Casino, which reopened September 13, because it offered illegal electronic bingo machines. Strange's office shut down the operation in 2013, seizing games and cash.
Senate President Stan Rosenberg (l.) is just one of many Massachusetts officials who opposes adding a second racino to the mix of state gaming choices. He says the existing approved three casinos and one racino is “right on track.”
Pennsylvania’s table games revenue leader is looking to get bigger. Sands Bethlehem has filed plans with the city to expand by nearly 100,000 square feet, more than one-third of it new casino space, and it could see the company petitioning regulators for approval to exceed the state’s cap of 250 tables.
Since video games went live in Illinois in 2012, the industry has grown to more than 24,000 machines at 5,600 locations, generating $785 million in state and local tax revenues. Springfield alone has received $4.019 million in video game tax revenue since 2012. But some communities are passing laws limiting or rejecting the games.
Harrah’s Atlantic City has announced a $30 million renovation that includes refurbishing 450 rooms and suites. The newly announced renovations are part of an overall $200 million that Caesars Entertainment has spent on the property and are close to Harrah’s newly opened business conference center at the site.
A bill in the New Jersey State Senate to prevent casino operators from closing a casino and then reopening it with lower wages for workers has passed a committee vote and will now go before the full Senate. The bill is in response to the planned closing of the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, which has been embroiled in a long labor dispute.
The proponents of a casino in Tiverton, Rhode Island casino have opened a headquarters in the town in advance of the November election. Voters are being asked to allow Twin River Management Group to relocate its casino from Newport to Tiverton, on the border with Massachusetts.
In preparation for the future opening of the $1.3 billion MGM National Harbor casino, hotel and entertainment complex in Oxon, Maryland, MGM Resorts International is spending $10 million on road improvements. Planned projects include widening roads, building turn lanes and a traffic circle, adding parking and adjusting traffic signals and signs.
In an unusual move, Atlantic City has proposed selling one of its biggest assets to its semi-independent Municipal Utilities Authority to create about $100 million in needed cash. If successful, the city would possibly stave off default on a $73 million state loan and keep its water utility independent. The state, however, has made the MUA collateral for the loan and state officials have urged the city to sell the water authority to a private company. All of this fits into a fiscal plan the city is developing to stave off bankruptcy, which must be approved by the state.
The Tohono O’odham Nation of Arizona is seeking legal sanctions against the state of Arizona for secretly colluding with its tribal competitors to try to put it out of business at its Desert Diamond West casino (l.) in Glendale. It filed a brief in federal court last week seeking injunctive relief.
The gaming tribes of Connecticut want to do the siting right for a third casino to protect them from the predations of Massachusetts casinos. That’s why they have extended the deadline for submissions to host that casino until mid-October. Mashantucket Pequot Chairman Rodney Butler (l.) and Mohegan Chairman Kevin Brown said they wanted to give interested parties another chance.
Ho-Chunk Inc., the economic development arm of the Winnebago Tribe, held races at its Atokad Park track (l.) in South Sioux City, Nebraska on September 10. Officials said the turnout of 1,000 spectators showed support for Ho-Chunk's efforts to open a racino. Nebraska has seven tribal casinos; commercial casinos currently are illegal.
The Estom Yumeka Maidu Tribe of the Enterprise Rancheria in Northern California has waited a long time to get permission to build its Fire Mountain Casino in Northern California. But the final word may be coming from a federal district judge.
Project Forward, the $153 million expansion program of the Wisconsin Winnebago Tribe, recently kicked off, developing three Ho-Chunk Gaming-branded casinos in Wisconsin Dells (l.), Black River Falls and Wittenberg, Wisconsin. The additions and renovations at each property are expected to be finished by the end of 2017.
A couple who were severely injured in an accident involving the drunken employee of a casino in Alabama, have discovered that tribal sovereign immunity protects them from collecting any damages.
The Elk Grove, California city council unanimously approved a development agreement with the Wilton Rancheria, stating the tribe would pay the city $132 million over 20 years if its proposed $400 million casino is built. The project would feature a casino, a 302-room hotel, restaurant, bars, convention center and entertainment facility.
Ontario, Canada is not going to sell of its $3.8 billion a year lottery business to a private vendor. The decision was announced by the provincial government last week.
Philippines e-Gaming firm PhilWeb, the primary target of President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against online gaming in the country, has appointed major shareholder Gregorio Araneta as its new chairman.
Caesars Entertainment’s three Atlantic City casinos will test new skill-based slots games from GameCo, pending regulatory approval. GameCo officials said they are ready to launch thee games as early as this month. Another company, Gamblit, has also announced plans to put skill-based games in Caesars properties in California and Nevada.
The Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers awarded its inaugural memorial awards remembering Jens Halle and Peter Mead to gaming legend Len Ainsworth and veteran gaming reporter Howard Stutz, congratulated by AGEM Chairman Tom Jingloi and Executive Director Marcus Prater. .
The first Las Vegas casino hotel to offer an authentic Asian experience, the Lucky Dragon Hotel & Casino (l.), opening in December, will install IGT's comprehensive casino management systems. The casino also will feature IGT Dynasty electronic baccarat and roulette. Meanwhile, Sweden’s Svenska Spel has sign an extension of their existing contract with IGT.
Konami Gaming's Synkros gaming enterprise management system will be installed at Rush Street Gaming's $330 million Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady in New York, set to open in early 2017. Synkros will provide systems architecture, advanced integrations, marketing, games and multiple player loyalty programs.
IGT's Cardless Connect technology will be offered at MGM Grand Detroit by the end of the year, allowing players to tap their iOS or Android smartphones on an electronic gaming machine to begin play. The technology also enables cashless gaming and transfers between a player’s digital wallet and electronic gaming machines.
Liberty Media officials said they plan to take their recent acquisition, Formula One, in the direction of digital markets and gambling. Chief Executive Greg Maffei said less than 1 percent of revenues come from digital, and gambling offers tremendous opportunity outside the U.S. The deal has a value of $8.8 million.
The NBA has announced a partnership with Sportradar and Second Spectrum to expand the league’s global distribution of statistics as well as implement a league-wide player-tracking system. Sportradar will make statistical information for the NBA, WNBA and NBA Development League available to fans, teams, media and other data users in more than 80 countries and territories.
Euro Games Technology recently started operations in Bogota, Columbia. The Bulgaria-based slot cabinet manufacturer will focus on slot machines and multiplayer solutions, and will provide sales and rental services, technical support and spare parts, said Silviya Marinova, who will manage the new center.
Landry's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Tilman Fertitta recently announced Golden Nugget’s 24 Karat Select Club members now may redeem casino comps affiliated Landry’s restaurants nationwide, including Bubba Gump Shrimp Company (l.). "Where else can you play slots in Las Vegas and redeem comps at a restaurant in your hometown?" Fertitta stated.
Casinos looking for a way to attract younger gamers are the audience for Gamblit Gaming's new eSports platform, G-Sports, offering games in casino through tournaments with cash prizes. The first game offered on G-Sports will be the popular Road Redemption, available in 2017. Players will pay a fee to compete.
