After two years of backstreet style brawling over the Wynn Everett casino between Steve Wynn and Boston Mayor Martin Walsh (l. to r.), the two have buried the hatchet and hammered together a deal while promising to do something about Charlestown traffic. Wynn ponies up a little more money and Walsh gets to brag. The agreement removes one of the last hurdles to the commencement of construction on the massive casino resort.
The short list of bidders for a casino license on the Greek island of Cyprus got shorter last week when Macau’s Melco Crown Entertainment denied it was interested in the bidding, despite media reports to the contrary. The reports said Melco along with Philippine operator Bloomberry Resorts; and U.S.-based Hard Rock International (recently announced project in the Dominican Republic at left), were the final three, but it appears that French construction and iGaming company Bouygues rounds out the trio.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (flanked by Senate President Steve Sweeney and AC Mayor Don Guardian) has proposed a compromise plan for a state takeover of Atlantic City, which may stave off bankruptcy for the resort. Under the plan—which has the support of the city’s mayor—the state would run all of the city’s finances—including the sale of municipal assets—for five years. The plan also restores much of a funding plan recently vetoed by Christie. Atlantic City faces more than $240 million in debt that it currently can’t repay.
Vietnam’s General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (l.) was re-elected last week, casting a pale on the gaming industry, which hoped that pro-gaming Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung would ascent to the top spot. In the meantime, the illegal online sports betting industry reportedly reaps hundreds of millions of dollars in revenues.
Genting Berhad received critical local support for its site plans and now can proceed with full-scale construction after finding a construction manager for its proposed $4 billion Resorts World Las Vegas casino-resort on the north end of the Las Vegas Strip (groundbreaking last year at left). Genting intends to open the Chinese-themed resort by summer 2018.
The American Gaming Association estimates that $4.2 billion in wagers, with nearly 97 percent of the bets being wagered illegally. The organization is urging the legalization and regulation of sports betting for the good of the nation.
Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie (l.) insists that a deal is close that will save the stalled Baha Mar resort project and open it in the hands of a new owner. But we’ve heard this all before…
A sudden increase in revenues at casinos in France has the country reconsidering an expansion of the industry. The boost was the very first in seven years, according to reports. Marseilles Mayor Jean-Claude Gaudin (l.) plans to offer a casino tender.
Bills that would legalize daily fantasy sports gained ground in several states this week, including in the major market of California where the state’s assembly approved a bill. Bills also advanced in Florida and in committees in Indiana. However, challenges to the industry continue to emerge in other states such as Oregon and Hawaii, where Attorney General Doug Chin (l.) called DFS a “vice.”
Wynn Resorts’ deal with Boston Mayor Martin Walsh was celebrated by both sides—the very definition of a good negotiation. Walsh gets to claim victory, and Wynn can move forward without the Boston distraction.
This week the GGB Podcast hears from Robert Hannum, professor of risk analysis and gaming in the Reiman School of Finance at the University of Denver, on why a clear understanding of mathematics is important to the success of any casino executive.
CLSA says 2016 will be a better year in Macau—marginally. The brokerage firm predicts 1 percent growth year-on-year, and a positive response to new projects on the Cotai Strip (l.). But the first half of the year will be challenging.
The new Wynn Palace on Macau’s Cotai Strip is facing possible delays, open 90 days later than originally planned, June 25 instead of March 25. The builder lost out on a multimillion-dollar bonus due to the delay, and stands to lose more.
Casino commissioners in the Marianas Island have vetted and approved the financial records of Imperial Pacific, operator of Best Sunshine International. The firm has been deemed financially capable of completing its $500 million Grand Mariana Casino.
MGM China Holdings Ltd. has received approval from its lenders to amend the terms of a HK$23.4 billion (US$3 billion) loan. The more relaxed terms will help the unit of MGM Resorts International better cope with the downturn in Macau while it builds a Cotai resort (l.).
Last month, a bankruptcy petition filed by Hong Kong Entertainment Investments Ltd., owner of the Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino, was dismissed by a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge.
The largest gaming operator in the Czech Republic has announced it will cancel all sports sponsorships due to a government tax hike. Synot International is unhappy with a switch from the flat 20 percent tax rate.
The Brazilian government under President Dilma Rousseff (l.) may be looking to fast track a casino bill in the South American country. If pending legislation passes, Brazil could see its first casinos open sometime in 2019, according to forecasts.
Recent explosive allegations of corruption and match fixing in the sport of tennis has prompted the Australian government to look into the integrity of online sports gambling.
The proposed Shoreline Casino in Belleville, Ontario, likely will become a reality after city officials unanimously approved drafting enabling language allowing a casino to be built and operated on Bell Boulevard. The 28,000-square-foot casino is expected to employ 300 and might open in March 2017, and a portion of gaming proceeds will be returned to the local community.
In January, SkyCity Entertainment Group got the OK to proceed with its planned AU$300 million (US$215 million) renovation of Adelaide Casino. The expansion is designed to attract more international visitors as well as local patrons.
Officials from the Turks and Caicos Island are getting help from Jamaica to finalize their changes to their gaming policy and regulations. The British territory sent a delegation to Jamaica to “understand what happens in international jurisdictions,” said an official.
Australia-based Star Entertainment Group is likely to cash in on an expected uptick in Chinese tourism, according to analysts from Morgan Stanley. They forecast a 15 percent CAGR for Chinese tourism in Australia to 2020, up to 17 percent from 2020 to 2025.
U.S.-based Blackstone Real Estate may join up with Australian casino magnate James Packer to take some or all of Crown Resorts’ shares private. Packer is said to be trying to raise at least $5 billion to buy up the rest of Crown shares.
Great Canadian Gaming says it intends to keep the recently acquired Thousand Islands casino (l.) in Gananoque, instead of moving it to nearby Kingston. Gananoque is conveniently located near the U.S. border, and a 20-year license plus an extension from Ontario gaming regulators caused Great Canadian to choose to stay in Gananoque “forever.”
New York Assemblyman Gary Pretlow (l.) has re-introduced a bill to allow online poker in the state. The bill would classify poker as a game of skill, and not a game of chance. Pretlow has been trying to advance an online poker bill since 2014.
Officials from Amaya Inc. met with a group that included Dani Stern (l.) representing PokerStars players to discuss recent changes to the site. While details of the discussion were not released, statements from the two sides would indicate that few changes in the site will be reversed.
An online gaming newsletter last week reported that Atlantic City’s Borgata is considering dropping the New Jersey partnership with bwin.party entertainment after its merger with GVC. Officials are reportedly concerned GVC would not pass regulatory scrutiny in the state.
Russia might legalize online poker as early as this year, say some observers of the labyrinthine Russian lawmaking process. Six months ago a high-ranking parliamentary official signaled the beginning of the change, they say.
Two young men and their mothers unsuccessfully sued PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker to recoup money the young men lost betting on the websites. The U.S. Court of Appeals in Chicago recently upheld a U.S. District Court ruling that dismissed the lawsuits which cited the Illinois Loss Recovery Act to get their money back.
An arm of the United Nations plans to issue a handbook for sports governing bodies on protecting the integrity of sports in the wake of match-fixing scandals.
Rocket Games was recognized by Eilers & Krejcik Gaming as the fastest-growing social casino company and one of the top 15 social gaming content developers of 2015.
The world's first online gambling site for betting on share movements, BetOnFinance, recently was launched by Copenhagen-based Fibetco. Players can bet on which of 30 companies will be the best or worst performer. Founder Jeff Saul said, “Our product isn’t a financial product. It’s a pool-betting product."
Microgaming has announced its new games for February. The games will launch on mobile and desktop with cross platform free games and in-game achievements, the company said.
Station Casinos is changing its name to Red Rock Resorts in anticipation of a public stock offering, which awaits final approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission. The stock offering would be the first for Station Casinos in eight years, and shares are to be sold on the Nasdaq stock market.
MGM Resorts International intends to move forward with becoming the first casino operator on the Las Vegas Strip to charge parking fees staring in April, when the new T-Mobile Arena (l.) opens for business. MGM says it spends $30 million per year to maintain its 37,000 parking spaces on the Strip, and parking has been a loss leader for many years, necessitating the change.
Wynn Resorts founder Steven Wynn spent nearly $95 million to buy more than 1.5 million shares in Wynn Resorts, which owns casinos in Las Vegas and Macau and anticipates posting a fourth-quarter loss, and Wynn Resorts has sued the Nevada Public Utilities Commission over a $15.7 million exit fee to stop buying power from the state’s largest utility.
MGM Resorts International announced the topping-off of the $1.3 billion MGM National Harbor integrated resort casino complex. The property is expected to open by the end of this year.
Pending city and state approvals, Virginia-based attorney and casino developer Robert Lubin (l.) will build a $140 million casino complex in Gulfport, Mississippi, on the site formerly leased by Rotate Black. The as-yet unnamed facility will offer a casino, 300-room hotel, entertainment venue, parking garage and an addition unannounced attraction.
Although Texans may be skittish about expanding gambling due to the Jack Abramoff and GTECH scandals, movement is occurring in the areas of 8-liners, the lottery, Indian casinos, historic racing games, daily fantasy sports and casino cruises.
A campaign is underway to ban smoking in workplaces in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana—including casinos and bars. The Hollywood Casino, L'Auberge Baton Rouge Casino & Hotel (l.) and the Belle of Baton Rouge all could be negatively impacted, as Harrah's New Orleans was after that city imposed a smoking ban last April.
Golden Nugget Casino may not lower its annual lease payment of $3.733 million to Biloxi, Mississippi nor is it entitled to a refund, Harrison County Circuit Judge Roger Clark recently ruled. The city would have had to pay millions of dollars if Clark ruled against it.
Demolition has begun at the abandoned $50 million Pinnacle Race Course in Wayne County, Michigan. Opened in 2008 and closed in 2010, the property had been for sale for $8 million, with an unpaid taxes of $2.3 million. Owner Jerry Campbell recently filed for bankruptcy citing at least $4.8 million in unpaid track-related debt.
Nevada casinos largely are funding a coalition effort to preserve the state’s new $1.1 billion Commerce Tax, which spreads out the state’s tax burden among many industries, instead of narrowly focusing on the gaming industry. Supporters say the state suffered revenue losses during the Great Recession due to heavy reliance on the gaming industry, but the Commerce Tax fixes that.
Calls to the Wisconsin Problem Gambling Helpline totaled 14,690 in 2015—just 41 shy of the 2014 record. Wisconsin Council and Problem Gambling Director Rose Gruber said callers' average gambling debt is $39,000 but, she added, "a lot of times they don’t have a clue what their debt amount really is.”
The Normandie Casino in Southern California last week pleaded guilty to covering up large wins by some of its biggest players. The Gardena based cardroom must pay $1 million in fees and return $1.4 million in profits.
Deprived of “instant horse racing” last year by the legislature, Idaho’s horsemen groups are proposing a bill that would save horseracing and create a state gaming commission.
Despite having little to show for it, the South Jersey Transportation Authority has voted to continue offering incentives to attract carriers to Atlantic City International Airport (l.). The authority has already given out $5.6 million in incentives to carriers, but none have continued regular service to the airport.
Las Vegas Sands and Sheldon Adelson are trying to delay a wrongful termination lawsuit for several years, while also trying, once again, to have the case’s presiding judge removed, attorneys for former Sands China CEO Steven Jacobs claim. Jacobs’ attorneys filed an emergency motion to stop the trial’s potential delay for five years. The company is also battling a previous court award for a former Macau partner.
The Cowlitz Indian tribe recently broke ground on a casino in Clark County, Washington. However, some legal hurdles remain to be jumped before the tribe can face the future with complete certainty. The casino operator, Mohegan Sun, named Kara Fox-Larose (l.) as the general manager of the property.
While the Seminole tribe debuted a third ad urging lawmakers to support the proposed new compact, the Florida Senate Committee on Regulated Industries held another hearing about it, including testimony from parimutuels recently cited by regulators for offering banked card games. Meanwhile the Seminoles continue to offer the games although their exclusivity rights expired.
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians recently hosted five Democratic Florida legislators at Wind Creek Casino (l.) in Atmore, Alabama. The lawmakers received campaign contributions from the tribe and will report paid-for expenses as in-kind campaign donations. The tribe wants slots at its Gretna, Florida facility and a compact with the state.
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians is seeking a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to fill in wetlands and alter a stream at its proposed South Bend, Indiana casino site. In response to opponents, the Corps of Engineers extended the public comment period.
The Pojoaque Pueblo claimed the New Mexico Gaming Control Board discussed its gambling activities at a closed-door executive session last summer. But the office of New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas (l.) recently ruled that discussion did not take place, although it was listed in the agenda. Therefore, the board did not violate the state's Open Meetings Act.
The Oneida Indian Nation and local opposition group Casino-Free Tyre filed an Article 78 petition challenging the New York Gaming Commission’s decision to grant a full gaming license for the proposed Lago Resort & Casino in Tyre. The petition claims the state illegally granted the gaming license and wants it rescinded.
Dozens of residents of DeKalb County, Illinois expressed their opinions about the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation's proposed Class II gaming facility on tribal land near Shabbona. The operation—the first Native American casino in Illinois--would offer 24-hour bingo halls with 800 electronic bingo machines, restaurants and a multipurpose facility.
Hackers made no demands before shutting down the National Lottery of Ireland’s website for three hours and many of its retail lottery terminals for less than two on January 20, when the lottery had its largest jackpot in 18 months up for grabs. Gamblers temporarily lost access to their online accounts, but their funds remained secure.
With a pledge of $2.2 million, Francaise de Jeux, the French national lottery, recently became the first sponsor of the Paris bid for the 2024 Olympics. The International Olympic Committee will announce its choice of Paris, Budapest, Rome or Los Angeles in September 2017. Paris hosted the games in 1924.
Lawmakers and local leaders are pushing for passage of enabling legislation to create state lotteries in Hawaii and Alaska, and significant support exists in the respective state legislatures and from community groups. Proponents say a state lottery will help to improve the quality of education and programs for state residents, while enabling them to risk a little bit of money in hopes of winning a large sum.
The Government Lottery Office of Thailand recently proposed developing an Asian Economic Community lottery to help member nations when they need disaster relief. The lottery would be similar to those offered in western nations and offer jackpot prizes, said GLO Chairman Apirat Kongsompong.
“Change for Life” type lottery games, i.e. games that pay winners for the rest of their lives, are growing like weeds in the United States, where they are offered by more than half of the states.
Senior Vice President of Operations Jenny Holaday will become president at MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit pending Michigan Gaming Control Board approval in March. The contract of Gregg Solomon, who previously held the position, was not extended for undisclosed reasons. Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration Bruce Dall will fill the gap.
A former chairman of the Pequot Tribal Nation in Connecticut who stole $100,000 from his tribe and serving 18 months in federal prison is being hired as an executive secretary to the tribe. Michael Thomas was found guilty for embezzlement in 2013.
Amaya Gaming Group, based in Montreal, Quebec, recently named Eric Frank, an expert in gaming regulatory issues, as director, legal affairs. Before joining Amaya, Frank was an associate for seven years at the Duane Morris LLP law firm.
Global gaming industry veteran Ron Babini has joined the sales team of Austria-based Amatic Industries, where he will help the company grow its international company base. Previously Babini worked for Inspired Gaming Group and IGT.
New York’s Saratoga Casino and Raceway has hired a new assistant director of hotel operations for its new hotel. The hiring of Kim Hodge was announced last week.
Atlantic City’s Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa wants to convert its one-summer experiment with an outdoor concert venue (l.) with a new swimming pool complex. The casino must get approval for the project from the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, which oversees land use in the resort’s tourist district. Meanwhile Tropicana Atlantic City announced a $25 million renovation of hotel rooms.
Caesars Entertainment has joined a growing trend toward automated check-in kiosks, which reduce check-in times to no more than four minutes when using a kiosk to check in and print a room key. A remote check-in option reduces the wait time to less than four minutes when only printing a room key.
The SLS Las Vegas has its first live music venue since its reopening with the February 5, when the Foundry raises its curtain for the first time with a performance by AWOLnation. The new concert venues seats up to 600, and will have acts booked by national concert promoter Live Nation.
Jennifer Lopez debuted her 20-show run at the Planet Hollywood casino in Las Vegas on January 20, with several special guests joining her for duets and many celebrities watching in the audience. Lopez agreed to perform her 20-show run over the next three years, making her the brightest star on the Las Vegas Strip during her show’s duration.
The AGA’s Global Gaming Women team is hosting “Women in Gaming: State of the Industry” panel at this week’s ICE Totally Gaming trade show. Maureen Sweeny (l.), Aristocrat’s chief commercial officer, will be one of the speakers.
AGS will highlight the fruits of recent acquisitions with a lineup including social casino titles and new table games at this week’s ICE Totally Gaming show.
The Gaming Standards Association will present ideas at ICE Totally Gaming in London this week that will lay the groundwork for future cooperation in technology and standards. The organization is also presenting two key panels in the “GSA Briefing” on Wednesday, February 3.
Scientific Games Corporation will highlight a diverse mix of games, systems and services for both casino and lottery applications at ICE Totally Gaming.
BMM Testlabs announced that it will bring its representatives from around the world to ICE Totally Gaming, to offer advice and demonstrate the company’s services.
The Caribbean Gaming Show has been canceled in a show of regional support for Juegos Miami, a new trade event for Latin American and Caribbean markets.
