Zhang Dejiang (l.), chairman of the National People’s Congress of China and the official responsible for overseeing Macau, praised the city’s rapid development in a visit. He also pointed out areas for improvement. Zhang’s visit gave Macau casino companies some comfort that the SAR and its gaming industry would be supported by the national government in the near future.
The Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers has released the results of a comprehensive report on the gaming supply sector and its $47.5 billion in direct economic impact, including thousands of employees, high wages and impressive multiplier effects.
In a repeat of 2016, a bill to legalize the market is coasting through the Senate but struggling once again in the Assembly. Worse, a campaign finance scandal involving Amaya Gaming’s former CEO may force Governor Andrew Cuomo (l.) to withhold his support.
A bill that would authorize a third, satellite casino in Connecticut to be operated by the two gaming tribes is advancing in the legislature. The Speaker of the House, Joe Aresimowicz, now sets the odds of a third casino being authorized at 65-35. Senator Cathy Osten (l.) says it was vote to stop MGM from “destroying” jobs in the state.
The government of Macau will soon require facial recognition and ID card checks at ATMs before Chinese UnionPay cardholders can withdraw cash. It’s the casino hub’s latest salvo in the war against money laundering. Some casino operators don’t see it impacting revenues.
As lawmakers grapple with contentious taxation issues surrounding online gaming, new proposals from the state Senate and House could add satellite casinos and ban smoking in casinos, introduced by Rep. Matthew Baker (l.). The multiple proposals increase the risk that there will not be a consensus on any gaming expansion in the state.
The government of Madrid recently rejected plans by U.S.-based Cordish Companies to build a $2.2 billion resort complex outside Spain’s capital city. Now the Baltimore developer has come back with a revised plan.
When Nevada Attorney General and gubernatorial hopeful Adam Laxalt (l.) went to bat with Gaming Control Board A.G. Burnett for his biggest campaign contributor, Sheldon Adelson, Burnett secretly taped their chat. A state lawmaker has heard the tape and is demanding an investigation.
This week the GGB Podcast sits down with Alan Meister, the principal economist for Nathan & Associates just days after he released his annual report on gaming revenues in Indian Country.
As of May 15, Australian gaming company Crown Resorts has no stake in Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd., and no part in the latter company’s plan to bid for a Japan casino license. Lawrence Ho (l.), the chairman of Melco, says his company “will pursue Japan alone”
The Philippine government is seeking private-sector operators to take over casinos run by the state-owned regulator, including the Heritage (l.) in downtown Manila. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. is expected to divest of its casino assets by the end of 2017.
U.S. tribal gaming operator Mohegan Sun says its planned $1.6 billion Inspire casino resort (l.) in Incheon, South Korea is moving forward, despite political tensions in the region. The total investment could reach $5 billion.
Sérgio de Almeida Correia (l.), a lawyer in Macau says, the structure of the gaming industry, which includes the Big 6 concessionaires and numerous sub-concessionaires, “creates conflicts of interest and other corrupt practices.”
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and Udenna Corp., owned by Dennis Uy (l.), recently signed a provisional license agreement for what could become the country’s first integrated resort outside Metro Manila.
Macau casino operator Galaxy Entertainment Group has officially joined the race for a casino license in Japan. The firm joins Wynn Resorts, the Las Vegas Sands Corp., MGM Resorts and Melco Resorts in the bidding. Galaxy Vice Chairman Francis Lui (l.) says he sees “loads of potential.”
An integrated resort in Yokohama, Japan could generate about $5.6 billion in annual gross gaming revenues, Global Market Advisors said in its recently released white paper on the coming market.
In a decree on new gaming in Vietnam, the government apparently has not specified which casinos in which regions can take part in a pilot plan that would let locals gamble, or if it will last beyond the three-year trial. Sands chief Sheldon Adelson (l.) is apparently “not in love” with plan as it stands
Taiwan’s Criminal Investigation Bureau recently raided online gaming operations in Taichung, arresting 33 suspects and seizing computers, cell phones, China UnionPay cards and more than $US16,000 in cash.
Brexit, the March referendum in which UK voters chose to leave the European Union, could have dire consequences for Gibraltar’s gaming industry. Gaming accounts for one-fourth of the territory’s economy.
The Sunday Times has published its annual “Rich List” and five of its billionaires and 15 of its multimillionaire are gaming owners. Moreover, their combined personal wealth since the last list has grown by 20 percent, a spurt good for £3 billion. At the head of the list are racetrack owners David and Simon Reuben (l.).
Ladbrokes Coral betting shops saw a decline of 7 percent from the start of the year to April 23 with total revenue falling 2 percent. The group’s CEO blamed a “challenging UK High Street environment” for the decline.
As part of a series of reforms for its broadcasting industry, Australia will ban all advertising for gambling during sporting events played before 8:30 pm. The ban does not apply to horseracing, according to Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. The overhaul also includes a cut in fees paid by TV networks and looser restrictions on media ownership.
Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation recently reached an agreement under which Gateway will invest $200 million in southwest Canada, including developing a London casino. The 20-year casino operation and services agreement includes the business and assets of the OLG's Southwest Gaming Bundle.
The San Juan, Puerto Rico beachfront property, Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino (l.), was purchased by an unidentified Chinese buyer for $184 million. The 527-room resort is located on four acres near the Port of San Juan, the Puerto Rico Convention Center and San Juan International Airport.
Century Casino of Colorado Springs posted first-quarter earnings from operations of $4.5 million and net operating revenue of $36.4 million. Both figures were up 10 percent over first quarter 2016. The approval of a horse racetrack near Edmonton in Alberta, Canada also occurred in March.
Martini Cruz, head of the Philippines National Bureau of Investigation, says law enforcement is just getting started in its wide-ranging war on illegal gambling operations in the country.
A report from a Swedish governmental inquiry proposes allowing gambling operators there to be licensed for online casino gaming in an effort to increase competition. Many offshore sites operating in Sweden are based in Malta (l.), but Malta officials welcomed the recommendations.
More social gamers are playing on their phones as pc use declines. Social casino players are also choosing mobile apps that offer a single-genre games rather than apps with a wide variety of games according to a report by SuperData Research, a provider of market data for the digital games industry.
PKR Poker, the only 3D online poker site operating, has told players it is experiencing “financial difficulties” and shut down play. According to reports, players were unable to access their accounts. A later announcement from Microgaming Poker network—which includes PKR—said the site has filed for bankruptcy protections in the UK.
An Alabama Senate committee approved legislation that would regulate daily fantasy sports, requiring operators to pay a registration fee plus 6 percent of annual gross revenue. However, in Texas, the bill did not make it to the House floor, and in Florida, a far-reaching gambling bill that included DFS plus stand-alone bills failed.
Fearing regulating online fantasy sports would lead to "a massive expansion of legalized gambling," a North Carolina House committee rejected a bill requiring fantasy sports operators to register with the secretary of state and meet minimal standards. Vermont is considering DFS and Massachusetts is promulgating regulations.
Paddy Power Betfair will acquire the US daily fantasy sports site Draft mobile for $48 million. Draft mobile aspires to be the leading mobile play DFS operator in the US and the proposed acquisition expands Paddy Power Betfair into the U.S. market.
Gambling and gaming websites in Hong Kong suffered a series of distributed denial of service attacks—designed to shut down the sites—in April, according to a U.S. security firm. The attacks appear to be an extortion attempt, though it is not known who launched them.
Coral has launched its Coral Live Casino Studio, powered by Playtech, which it says offers players an innovative VIP customer experience, sleek design and new live gaming products.
William Hill Plc’s governance said it is confident it will meet 2017 corporate expectations following a ‘positive start’ to the year. The company reported growth in wagering and net revenues across all core divisions.
Manufacturer of land-based electronic entertainment equipment and operating systems, Belatra Company, Ltd., will enter the online gaming market by partnering with SoftSwiss for online operation. The company’s games are already online at casinos powered by SoftSwiss, such as DasIstCasino.
Ordinances to ban casinos and other gambling facilities in Miami Beach are on the fast track to approval, following the city commission's recent unanimous vote. The omnibus gambling bill that recently failed in the state legislature would have allowed an additional casino in Miami. Both Genting and the Fontainebleau Hotel (l.) expressed interest.
Centaur Gaming LLC, headquartered in Indianapolis, is said to be working with Deutsche Bank AG to put itself up for sale for $1 billion, including debt. Centaur, established in 1993, operates Hoosier Park Racing and Casino in Anderson and Indiana Grand Racing and Casino (l.) in Shelbyville, plus several off-track betting outlets.
New Jersey’s Casino Control Commission has approved a plan to allow Caesars Entertainment Operating Co.—which owns Harrah’s Resort, Bally’s and Caesars Atlantic City (l.)—to lease operations of the casinos to a newly formed operating company. The move is part of Caesars Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization.
A study commissioned by the American Gaming Association shows that three out of four sports fans agree that the federal ban on sports betting should be repealed.
Pinnacle Entertainment year-over-year revenue increased 10 percent to $640 million in the first quarter, and adjusted EBITDAR rose 1.5 percent to $175 million. However, poor table-games hold at certain properties led to a $9 million loss. Chief Executive Officer Anthony Sanfilippo (l.) said, "The good news is we have a lot of table games volume."
Golden Entertainment is coming off a first quarter that strongly positions the Las Vegas-based gaming and tavern operator for expansion. The Keystone State, which could legalize distributed machine gaming, is firmly in the company’s sights.
Hard Rock International paid $50 million to acquire Atlantic City’s closed Trump Taj Mahal casino from billionaire Carl Icahn. The property had been valued at $86 million as early as last year and was built for more than $1.2 billion in 1990.
The Kansas Supreme Court last week affirmed several rulings by lower courts that permitted the bidding and construction of the Kansas Crossing casino (l.). The losing bidders brought the suits that alleged the process was inept and errors were made in the awarding of the license.
Parx Casino at Philadelphia Park in Bensalem, Pennsylvania announced a $50 million expansion project that will add a multi-purpose event venue, a new poker room and new restaurants.
An amendment that would prevent communities from claiming charitable bingo prize fees if they don't crack down on illegal gambling was proposed by Texas state Rep. Eddie Lucio III. State-regulated bingo has raised more than $1 bill for Texas charities since it was approved by the legislature in 1981
Wagering on the 143rd Kentucky Derby on May 6 brought in more than $200 million for the first time. The Derby race, won by Always Dreaming (l.), generated $139.2 million in wagering from all sources, a 12 percent increase over $124.7 million in 2016.
At the opening of New Jersey’s Monmouth Park racetrack, former Governor Richard Codey declared that help is on the way for the state’s beleaguered racing industry. With current Governor Chris Christie’s term coming to an end, Codey predicted a more favorable view towards racing in Trenton.
The Las Vegas Stadium Authority expects construction of the team’s billion-dollar domed stadium to begin next January and be finished within 30 months. Based on similar facilities built or under construction around the nation, it’s a very ambitious timeline.
Bay State lawmakers are spending a lot of jaw time discussing the need, or lack of need, for allowing casinos the option of serving alcohol to customers as late as 4 a.m. The provision to push back “last call,” has been inserted in the House version of the state budget, coming up for approval.
Senator Lou D’Allesandro’s 19th attempt to pass a casino bill in New Hampshire met the fate of all of the previous ones last week. After passing in the Senate, it was dealt a mighty blow in the House, losing by a vote of 275-82.
The barge formerly used for the Rhythm City Casino Resort in Davenport, Iowa will move to Keokuk as soon as the Mississippi River allows. The Keokuk city council recently unanimously approved taking in the barge to use for tourism purposes. Rhythm City moved to a $110 million land-based casino in June 2016.
A Massachusetts tribe that wants to complete work on a $1 billion casino resort is waiting for the other shoe to drop from the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs. The BIA will rule in June whether the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe can continue work on the First Light Resort and Casino in Taunton. Tribal Chairman Cedric Cromwell (l.) is frustrated.
The newly opened ilani Casino Resort (l.) of the Cowlitz tribe is creating ripples up and down Washington and Oregon, which it is affecting traffic and threating the gaming revenues of a nearby casino and a state lottery. However, it is possible that its affects won’t be as dire as was originally projected, but Oregon tribes are proposing a countermove.
Without a comprehensive gambling bill, including a new deal with the Seminole Tribe and its Hollywood casinos (l.) bringing Florida $3 billion over seven years, pending court cases could determine the industry's direction in the state. In particular, observers are awaiting the state Supreme Court's decision in a case that would allow slots in counties where voters approved them.
A federal court hearing recently was held that could lead to the shutdown of the Naskila Gaming Center near Livingston, Texas. The year-old center, operated by the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe offers 365 electronic bingo machines the state contends are illegal. The closed the tribe's previous casino on the same site in 2002.
Negotiations over cigarette taxes and gambling expansion went up in smoke in the Oklahoma legislature as lawmakers try to plug an $878 million deficit. Republicans favor a cigarette tax and no gambling expansion, whereas Democrats said they won't support the tax but proposed a gambling plan that would raise $400 million, they said.
The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe are casting ballots May 16 to decide whether to upgrade and move their Palace Casino and Hotel (l.). If the vote is in the affirmative the construction will begin next year.
The Gun Lake Tribe recently opened the $76 million expansion at its Gun Lake Casino in Wayland Township, Minnesota. The 76,000 square foot expansion includes a new buffet, entertainment lounge, more slots and table games. The only dark cloud was the U.S. Supreme Court's announcement it will hear a second lawsuit by David Patchak.
Disagreement over collecting contractors' excise tax has landed the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe and the state of South Dakota in federal court. The tribe claims the state is intruding into tribal sovereignty and its gaming compact doesn't authorize the tax collection. The state said the tribe must pay up.
A lobbyist who in April outraged Maine legislators when he said that he was working for Bridge Capital, a Saipan-based gaming company with a spotty past—has been forced to walk back the comments. He DOES apparently work for a campaign hoping to put a casino measure on the ballot in November.
A tribe that would like to build a casino in the California wine country has lost its appeal to overturn an earlier judge’s ruling that it can’t force the federal government to recognize it. What course remains to the Mishewal Wappo Tribe of Alexander Valley remains up in the air.
New Mexico’s Pueblo of Pojoaque Tribe last week argued its appeal before the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. The tribe claims that the state doesn’t have the authority to pressure its vendors to try to force it to renegotiate a compact that expired two years ago.
Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn (l.) will form a committee to study a state lottery's impact, in response to Governor Phil Bryant's request to consider a lottery to generate revenue. Gunn, a Baptist church leader, said, "I do not think it's going to be the golden egg that everybody thinks that it is."
Evolution Gaming is partnering with Nederlandse Loterij, operator of the Dutch Lottery, to add its online “Live Casino” games to the country’s game lineup.
Revenue from lottery vending machines would go toward crisis stabilization centers under a bill sponsored by Kansas state Rep. Chuck Weber. That could make the bill easier for anti-gambling lawmakers to support, said Kansas Lottery spokesperson Sally Lunsford. If the measure passes, Kansas would be the 38th state allowing the machines.
The Florida legislature passed a bill requiring Florida Lottery tickets and advertising to include one of six warnings about gambling addiction. The bill, awaiting Governor Rick Scott's signature, also states tickets must warn that gambling causes financial problems and the odds of winning are very low.
MGM Resorts Design and Development recently named Mark Strawn as senior vice president of design and development. Strawn will be based in Las Vegas, where he will oversee the company's capital improvement projects and development of new MGM Resorts experiences worldwide.
IGT’s PlaySpot mobile solution has completed its regulatory trial phase in Nevada, where it will be launched as MGM Resorts International’s “playMGM” sports betting app.
Interblock has signed an agreement with Galaxy Gaming under which Galaxy’s table game content and side bets will be offered on Interblock’s electronic table games.
JCM Global named Jade Entertainment and Gaming Technologies as its distributor and authorized service agent for products in the Philippine casino market.
The Association Of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers added four new member companies and announced the appointment of IGT’s Scott Gunn as vice president of government relations.
Novomatic’s sports betting unit, Admiral, has opened what’s been described as the biggest betting shop in Europe, the Admiral Arena Prater Sportsbar in Vienna spanning more than 14,500 square feet.
International Game Technology will bring a lineup of products dubbed “Innovations for Asia” to its stand at the G2E Asia trade show at the Venetian Macao.
Gaming Laboratories International will use its booth at the G2E Asia trade show to demonstrate and discuss the wide range of the company’s available services.
OfferCraft, one of the leading gamification companies in the casino industry, will appear at G2E Asia. The company will present the first live demonstrations of its products at the trade show in Macau May 16-18.
