Sheldon Adelson has quit a partnership with the Oakland Raiders to build a domed stadium to bring the NFL team to Las Vegas. Backup plans for Goldman Sachs financing also fell through. Reports are that relations between the casino mogul and the team soured weeks ago, and the Raiders are now pursuing the project on their own.
With casino gaming now legal in Japan, global operators are wasting no time seeking out domestic partners for potential integrated resort developments in the country. Hard Rock International wisely chose an experienced executive in Asian affairs, Ed Tracy (l.), who led Sands China for several years before stepping down in 2015.
As the countdown to the biggest sporting event in the U.S. came to a close, new calls for the repeal of the 25-year-old U.S. federal ban on sports betting accompany the possibility that New Jersey’s challenge to the ban could be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. The American Gaming Association contends that more than $4.7 billion will be wagered on the Super Bowl, only $200 million will be legal betting.
A bill drafted by Senator Ciro Nogueira (l.) in 2014 that would legalize gaming in Brazil will not be debated by the Brazilian Senate until April according to reports. The legislation must first be considered by the House Constitution and Justice Committee.
A “super-casino” in Leeds, Yorkshire County, England has opened its doors. The Victoria Gate, a ₤30 million property operated by London-based Global Gaming Ventures, is the UK’s third-largest gaming hall.
The $440 million del Lago Resort and Casino got an enthusiastic reception on its opening last week as the second of four Las Vegas-style commercial casinos coming to New York state. The property features a full complement of games and eateries, plus a concert arena. A hotel and spa are opening later this year.
Macau has hit a speed bump in its much-heralded comeback. The world’s premier gaming destination, which emerged from a 26-month downturn last summer, fell short of analysts’ estimates for the month of January. Ambrose So (l.), executive director and CEO of SJM, says the market needs to “wake up.”
SB 8 received unanimous approval from the Florida Senate Regulated Industries Committee. The sweeping measure incorporates parts of the compact negotiated by Governor Rick Scott (l.) and the Seminole Tribe last year. It could generate up to $525 million in revenue sharing this year to help close the state's $1 billion budget gap.
State Senator John Bonacic (l.) has reintroduced his 2016 bill legalizing web poker in the Empire State. Its prospects are uncertain, but what’s different this year is that a key leader in the Assembly now appears to be on board.
This week the GGB Podcast sits down with Willy Allison, the owner and organizer of the World Game Protection Conference the first and only meeting dedicated to issues relating to the security and surveillance departments.
The largest casino complex in the Philippines will open February 17. The $2 billion Okada Manila (l.), a project of Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment Inc. will cover 44 hectares (109 acres) in Manila’s Entertainment City.
Goa Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar (l.) last week slammed the Goa Pradesh Congress Party for granting casino licenses in 2007 and now blaming the ruling BJP for the growth of the industry in the Indian state.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) saw strong growth in gaming revenues in 2016 despite a crackdown on online gaming by President Rodrigo Duterte, who took office in June. Chairwoman Andrea Domingo (l.) credits a more “robust” market for the increase.
Wynn Resorts’ new Cotai casino came through for the company as 2016 drew to a close. The $4 billion Wynn Palace delivered more than $418 million in win in the fourth quarter and so far this year is generating $1.6 million in operating income a day, Chairman Steve Wynn (l.) says.
A new bill from a pair of Saipan lawmakers would compel the island’s sole casino to pay a 5 percent tax on gaming revenues. They say Imperial Pacific, operator of Best Sunshine Live, “is largely untaxed.”
Marina Bay Sands, a unit of Sheldon Adelson’s Las Vegas Sands Corp., may sell 49 percent of its stake in the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. The asking price for the mall may reach US$3.5 billion.
The Cagayan Economic Zone Authority in the Philippines says it never issued a license or visa to Chinese junket king Jack Lam, accused of running an illegal online casino in the country’s Clark Freeport area.
Crown Resorts workers arrested in Mainland China last year will remain under detention for the immediate future. The Australian government has announced the staffers will be detained at least another month.
The Association of British Bookmakers has attacked a government report recommending that the maximum stakes on fixed-odds betting terminals be cut to just ₤2. ABB members called the study “deeply flawed.” MP Carolyn Harris (l.) says the result of the study now justifies lowering the stakes.
The coastal English town of Great Yarmouth in Norfolk has presented a casino development plan for review by the public. The ₤35 million (US$48 million) project was first proposed 10 years ago.
Connecticut’s two gaming tribes began a public information campaign to inform residents of possible sites for a third Indian casino about the benefits they could receive. Their first such meeting, held in an East Windsor high school gym, attracted 500 people. But the constitutional concerns raised by Attorney General George Jepson (l.) have still not been addressed.
A deal that would have had small DFS site Fantasy Aces be acquired by the DFS site Fantasy Draft fell through and Fantasy Aces has filed for bankruptcy. Customers of the site were advised their accounts are temporarily on hold.
Proposed fantasy sports betting legislation in Mississippi includes recommendations of a study group created last year when DFS was legalized. Identical House and Senate bills recently include an 8 percent tax on revenue generated in Mississippi, background checks, annual audits and verification that bettors are 21 years or older.
DFS operator DraftKings has received a controlled skill games license from Malta, which allows the company to operate in many European Union states. Jeffrey Haas (l.), DraftKings international director, says they will initially target a launch in Germany.
In a move designed to keep predatory players from seeking out tables with weaker players, PokerStars has announced a new way of entering tournaments that eliminates waiting lists at specific tables. PokerStars has stated that they want to attract more “recreational” players, which can be intimidated by some professional tactics. In another matter, PokerStars has been granted a Czech gaming license.
Playtech has opened a live-casino studio in Riga, Latvia, to beam live gaming to multi-channel outlets in response to a surge in demand from customers.
Comtrade Gaming announced that its G2S (Game to System) Host-side Protocol Stacks will be integrated into Tatts Group products. The software will serve as a technical addition to Tatts Group's monitoring platform in Australia.
ORYX Gaming will supply its entire content portfolio to BetConstruct including slot games, casino table games, card games, video poker and traditional games.
Geolocation expert GeoComply last week was granted a license by the Nevada Gaming Commission, giving the company authority in all the major iGaming states in the U.S. CEO Anna Sainsbury (l.) says the license will allow the company to expand its scope.
Proposed legislation in Georgia would allow two "destination resorts' (the word "casino" isn't mentioned, but it's understood–one in Atlanta, and another in Savannah, Augusta or Columbus. Governor Nathan Deal (l.), a casino opponent, said he's willing to "keep the discussion going." Another bill would classify daily fantasy sports as a legal game of skill.
After passing a Senate committee by 8-7, a bill designating poker as a game of skill and allowing tournaments passed the Virginia Senate by 19-19, with the Senate president breaking the tie. A casino bill designed to battle revenue losses to MGM National Harbor (l.) was defeated. Now the measure will move to the House of Delegates where it faces an uncertain future.
Revenue figures for December show Maryland Live! (l.) retaining the top spot among Maryland’s six casinos, topping the new MGM National Harbor by $6 million.
Glenn Straub (l.), the Florida developer who purchased the former Revel casino in Atlantic City must obtain a full casino license to re-open a casino at the site, the New Jersey Casino Control Commission has ruled. Straub contended he did not need a license since he plans to lease casino space to an independent operator. Straub says he will appeal.
For Nevada’s casinos it was the second year in a row in which gaming revenue was better than the year before, and the sixth plus year out of the last seven. The increases were statewide, too, indicating that 2017 could even be better. Downtown Las Vegas properties posted the third straight annual increase and Mayor Carolyn Goodman (l.) celebrated it at a press conference last week.
Danville, Illinois Mayor Scott Eisenhauer (l.) was among those who spoke about expanded gambling legislation at a recent state Senate gambling committee hearing. Eisenhauer and horseracing interests support the bill's economic development benefits, while Tom Swoik of the Illinois Casino Gaming Association said gambling already is expanded due to 25,000 video gambling machines statewide.
The Indiana Senate Public Policy Committee heard testimony about relocating up to half of the mostly unused gaming positions—about 740—from the Rising Star Casino in Rising Sun to an auxiliary facility in Terre Haute. A legislative report stated Rising Star revenue only would drop about 15 percent if the games were moved.
In what could be the last battle of a long-running legal fight, the Kansas Supreme Court heard an appeal by Cherokee County and Castle Rock Casino to stop Kansas Crossing Casino (l.) from opening March 20. Castle Rock claimed the selection process was flawed, but officials said they were concerned about Castle Rock's viability.
Although it admits that its employees were not complying with federal anti-money laundering laws, the Hawaiian Gardens Casino (l.) in Southern California argues that it is now obeying the law. The casino is trying to avoid losing its license.
The Gaming Commission has given the state’s final OK to Affinity Gaming’s $580 million purchase by private-equity firm Z Capital Partners. The New York-based investment group says it plans to expand the 11-casino group, which includes Las Vegas’ Silver Sevens (l.), by pursuing acquisitions.
A California Gambling Control Commissioner is raising eyebrows because she is planning to open a gaming consulting firm. This has brought unwanted comparison to Robert Lytle, who once headed the state’s Division of Gambling Control, and was accused of corruption after he left.
A New Jersey State Assembly committee has approved a bill introduced by Speaker Vincent Prieto (l.) that would add a $2 tax on Atlantic City hotel rooms to help pay for the resorts public safety departments. Police and firefighters in the resort are facing layoffs. The bill would steer funds to the city’s departments for two years. Another Assembly committee also advanced a bill to regulate daily fantasy sports in the state.
In fiscal 2016, the Wheeling Island (l.) and Mountaineer racinos in West Virginia's northern panhandle posted a total of $221 million in gross revenue from slots and table games, down from $448 million in just slots revenue in 2007, due to competition from Pennsylvania and Ohio casinos.
Penn National Gaming's breach-of-contract lawsuit against Missouri River Historical Development is set for February 12, 2018 in district court in Des Moines, Iowa. It could be the last chapter in the long-running legal battle between the owner of the Argosy Sioux City riverboat casino and the nonprofit license-holder.
Whether the Idaho Racing Commission can reestablish instant horse racing terminals by administrative decree when the legislature banned them last week may set the state for a constitutional confrontation. The Senate President Pro Tem is warning Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter (l.) not to trifle with the legislature.
The Cowlitz Tribe’s $500 million ilani Casino Resort in Washington may not open on schedule in April due to a legal challenge. The case is complicated by the fact that the U.S. Department of Justice and presumptive nominee Jeff Sessions (l.) are in the midst of a transition from the Obama to the Trump administration.
The 10,800-member Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, the state's only federally recognized tribe, will open a new casino on the reservation's Red Water community in February 2018. The 37,500 square foot venue will have 500 slots and 10 table games and create 200 new jobs. The project was supported by Chief Phyliss Anderson (l.).
The U.S. Department of the Interior said the Sault St. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians' land-trust applications for two parcels are mandatory under the Michigan Indian Land Claims Settlement Act. The tribe used MILCSA funds to purchase the parcels including one for the proposed Kewadin Lansing Casino (l.).
Harrah's Cherokee Resort in Cherokee, North Carolina announced a $250 million expansion project that will add a fourth 600-800-room hotel tower, a 100,000 square foot event center and a parking deck. The new hotel is expected to add $4-$6 million in annual revenue and create up to 250 new jobs.
The Elk Grove, California city council has postponed putting an anti-casino referendum on the June ballot because of new facts that have surfaced about the Wilton Rancheria’s proposal to put a $400 million casino in the town. The new information comes from the federal government, sources say.
The Ute Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation wants the Bureau of Land Management to sell it 2,453 acres that will connect its Utah reservation with the Colorado town of Dinosaur. This would allow the tribe to build a casino. Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper (l.) opposes off-reservation casinos.
The Board of Supervisors of Tulare County, California has set up a committee to study what position to take on the proposal by the Tulare River Tribe to move its 20-year-old Eagle Mountain Casino to a new location near Porterville. The casino would be larger and include a 250-room hotel.
The California tribe that operates the Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino (l.) has broken ground on “Chukchansi Crossing” an 18-pump service station in Coarsegold. The station will also have a car wash, smoke shop and retail center.
The Jackson Band of Miwuk Indians wants to add to the size of its reservation by putting 875 acres into trust. The Amador County, California Board of Supervisors has voted not to support that request.
Steve Wynn has been named the new finance chairman of the Republican National Committee, reportedly after a direct request from President Donald Trump.
Gaming Law Review and Economics has named Sue Schneider as editor-in-chief, effective in March. An expert on internet gambling, she owned a gaming portal, launched River city Group i-gaming event producers and started numerous internet gaming publications. She consults on industry projects and is a frequent speaker at international gaming conferences.
Industry veteran Robert J. Reyes has been named senior vice president of sales at multinational manufacturer and gaming developer Ortiz Gaming. Reyes will lead global interactive business initiatives, sales and development for Ortiz Interactive, plus oversee sales, business development and client account management for North American casino clients.
Hakan Hallstedt has resigned as director general of Lotteriinspektionen, Sweden’s national gambling regulator. The departure has created uncertainty as Sweden moves towards a regulated online gambling market.
Ifrah PLLC in Washington, D.C. has named former Department of Justice Organized Crime Section Chief Jim Trusty as partner. His practice will focus on litigating and resolving disputes for clients on issues including cybersecurity, computer fraud, money laundering and asset forfeiture.
Scientific Games has won a stay to prevent a former vice president from taking a job at rival International Game Technology Plc. for at least one year.
Konami Gaming has released the slant-top version of its Concerto slot cabinet, featuring a relaxed-angle posture for player comfort along with all the standard Concerto features.
The Vegas Stats & Information Network will launch February 27 on satellite radio featuring a show hosted by famed broadcaster Brent Musburger (l.), who left his job at ESPN and ABC for the new venture, which is run by his nephew, Brian Musburger.
Players have sued supplier Interblock and a South Florida casino over an electronic dice game the plaintiffs say takes too large of a commission on winnings.
Grupo Codere has acquired a 51 percent stake in Nori Games, an Italian gaming machine supplier, and its portfolio of 400 machines, for an undisclosed sum.
A new multi-year agreement has been reached between Mecca Bingo, owned by Rank Group, and Playtech, the omni-channel gaming software, systems and services supplier. Playtech Bingo will remain the exclusive provider of Mecca bingo and games, and Mecca will be able to offer its players Playtech and third-party games content.
Greek betting and lottery operator OPAP has selected sports betting and marketing technology supplier Betgenius to provide a multi-channel digital sports betting platform. In addition, Betgenius will provide OPAP with more than 130,000 annual in-play events including football, basketball and tennis at real-time prices.
Accolades from various magazines listing the Mohegan Sun Arena among top venues rank it the largest casino arena venue in the world. It is also ranked one of the top three venues of any kind in the nation.
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa will open an $11 million Central Conference Center in May. The center will feature two stories of meeting space including five meeting rooms and a 6,500-square-foot clear span ballroom on the upper level.
A 35,000 square foot, 2,500-person music venue will open at Harrah's New Orleans. Officials expect the second-floor space to become a major downtown music attraction. Patrons age 21 or under still are barred from the first from but last year the state legislature allowed those individuals to access the second floor.
The California Nations Indian Gaming Association announced the agenda for its 22nd annual Western Indian Gaming Conference, this week at the Morongo Casino Resort.
Training certificates will be available for person who complete programs offered by Brad Worthley International at tribal locations in California, Oklahoma and Washington state.
