A gunman stormed Resorts World Manila (l. at the height of the crisis) last week with guns, explosives and gasoline, and the resulting fire suffocated 37 people, injuring more than 70. Philippine officials immediately rejected a possible terrorism link connected to a Muslim separatist movement in the country’s southern islands, and were proven to be correct when the attacker was shown to be simply a disgruntled gambler.
June 7 is the deadline to pass legislation in the Connecticut Assembly. That deadline is coming up fast for supporters of a bill that would allow the state’s two gaming tribes to operate a third, satellite casino to defend their revenues against the encroachments of a new Massachusetts casino. MGM thinks Bridgeport makes a good location for a casino, but Mayor Joe Ganim (l.) is noncommittal.
After a meeting with Governor Chris Christie, MGM Chairman and CEO Jim Murren and Caesars CEO Mark Frissora announced that they were ready to invest in Atlantic City in a site adjacent to the Borgata (l.), owned by MGM, and Harrah’s Resort, owned by Caesars.
New Jersey Congressman Frank Pallone (l.) has introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would repeal the 1992 federal ban on sports betting. The Gaming Accountability and Modernization Enhancement Act—the GAME Act—would repeal PASPA and allow states to decide whether to legalize and regulate sports betting.
A measure legalizing and regulating daily fantasy sports in Illinois passed the Senate and now awaits the Assembly’s return from recess. The bill also would legalize online poker and casino games. The bill would allow the state’s casinos, like Elgin’s Grand Victoria (l.), and racetracks, to apply for iGaming licenses.
Lawrence Ho (l.), head of Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd., says Osaka is the best choice for one of Japan’s first integrated resorts. The son of Macau legend Stanley Ho says he’ll spend “whatever it takes” to win a license. He also commented on the recently split with his former partner, James Packer.
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives faces divisions and disagreements over measures included and planned for inclusion in a Senate-passed gaming expansion package. But efforts to permit slots at bars and restaurants, and to give more money to the racing industry may doom the bill.
Blaine Graboyes (l.), the head of a pioneering skill-based game supplier, says Caesars Entertainment’s removal of skill-based games introduced last November is part of the general learning curve on skill.
Russian casino operator Maxim Smolentsev (l.), who runs two casinos in the Azov region, says he may open a gaming hall in the new Crimea gaming zone if the government can assure him he will not be forced to close it.
This week, the GGB Podcast features an interview with Eric Persson, the general manager of Aruze Americas, on how his former life as a slot operator will help him in his new position with a leading slot manufacturer.
Macau’s gaming industry posted 23.7 percent in GGR growth for May to MOP22.7 billion (US$2.8 billion), exceeding the consensus of analysts who foresaw 16.5 percent growth.
The Vietnamese government has given the country’s Ministry of Finance the authority to award casino business licenses. It’s unclear if the ministry will be involved in a three-year pilot program to introduce locals gaming.
The Macau Roosevelt Hotel (l.), soon to open on the grounds of the Macau Jockey Club, will include a new casino under the a license from gaming concessionaire SJM Holdings.
Guam legislators unanimously approved a bill to prohibit casino gambling at the annual Liberation carnival. Now Governor Eddie Falco has a few more days to approve or veto the bill, which closes a loophole in Guam law. A Falco veto would send the measure back to the legislature, which likely would override it.
Law enforcers including local police and military raided an illegal casino in Phuket Town, Thailand and arrested 63 gamblers on May 27. Officials seized about 2 million baht (US$59,000) in cash and multiple weapons.
Lawmakers in the Philippines last month voted to approve a bill that will add casinos to the list of businesses covered under the country’s anti-money laundering laws.
An outbreak of Legionnaires disease at the Parisian Macao caused the city’s Health Bureau to shut down the fountains at the new gaming resort. Those fountains, including the massive lobby fountain (l.), could soon reopen if the water is deemed safe.
Revenues nationwide totaled £13.8 billion in the government’s latest annual tally, paced by a 7 percent increase in remote and online gambling to nearly £4.5 billion. Betting shop FOBTs took in £1.8 billion, and calls to strictly regulate the controversial e-table games are likely to get louder as a result.
Officials in Riga, the capital of Latvia, have voted to ban slot halls in the city’s historic district with the exception of those located inside luxury hotels. A total of 41 gaming venues will close as a result.
The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission says gaming giants Tabcorp and Tatts, which plan to merge, may have been quietly planning a spike in gaming prices under their proposed “Project Alfred.”
The Kenyan parliament has shut down a plan to raise gaming taxes from a high of 15 percent to 50 percent. The proposal was meant to curb problem gambling and other social ills in the African country.
Gambian President Adam Barrow (l.) has issued an executive order to reopen the West African country’s gaming market. Since 2015 Gambia has been under a ban on the industry imposed by former President Yahya Jammeh.
New Zealand punters spent millions more on gaming in the last financial year—$118 million more, to be precise, though there were fewer gaming machines in the country.
South Africa gaming operator Sun International will add to its stake in Latin American casino firm Sun Dreams. Through subsidiary Sun Latam, Sun International will buy a 19.3 percent additional stake in the firm.
Gateway Casinos of British Columbia now operates the slots at Sudbury Downs (l.). Last December, the company won a bid to run three northern Ontario casinos and others. Gateway will direct a portion of the profits to the provincial government and is required to retain transferring employees for at least 12 months and to provide benefits.
The French Senate last month OK’d an amendment to its online gaming structure to permit shared player liquidity with other EU countries. A deal on online poker liquidity sharing should be in place sometime this month.
Legislation legalizing daily fantasy sports is being considered in many U.S. states as the legislative sessions wind down. Success is mixed so far for the DFS industry.
Churchill Downs has moved its online wagering operations from California to its home base of Louisville, Kentucky, at the track that is home of the Kentucky Derby.
The UK gambling Commission released figures for 12 months ending in March 2016 showing that online gambling in the country continues to lead all other types of betting in gambling revenue. Online revenue was at £4.46 billion for the year. Land-based betting was at £3.46 billion and the national lottery was at £3.26 billion.
The Spanish Supreme Court has upheld a 2011 lawsuit against PokerStars charging unfair competition. The complaint was filed before PokerStars was officially licensed in the country. The Supreme Court held that PokerStars was not legally operating in Spain at the time.
Last month South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry announced that it had confiscated around R1.25 million (US$97,000) in “unlawful winnings” as part of a pledge to crack down on illegal online gaming.
Paddy Power Betfair has closed its offices in Gibraltar as part of the streamlining of operations resulting from the merger of the two gambling companies. Staff at the office will be moved to Dublin or London. The firm also surrendered its Gibraltar license. The move comes as Gibraltar continues to grapple with the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union.
The Vietnamese online gaming and messaging firm VNG Corp announced it has signed a preliminary agreement with Nasdaq to explore an IPO, Reuters reports. VNG provides online games, music streaming and messaging applications.
The Dutch Gaming Authority has announced new measures against gambling operators targeting minors. The authority will also launch an investigation into underage gambling.
Popular games from Red Tiger Gaming, such as Arcade Bomb and Lucky Wizard, will be available at GVC Holdings sites including bwin Casino, PartyCasino, Party Poker and SportingBet UK under a new agreement.
Sportech has informed investors that it is on schedule to complete its £83 million sale of The Football Pools to London private equity firm OpCapita this month.
The Illinois Senate approved a bill allowing six new casinos, but Springfield was not among the locations included. State Rep. Tim Butler sponsored an amendment for a casino in Springfield at the request of Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder (l.) that was immediately blocked. The proposed 900-position casino would create up to 800 jobs and generate $100 million in annual revenue, supporters said.
AGA President and CEO Geoff Freeman expressed his opposition to President Donald Trump’s budget provision that would cut the Brand USA tourism program.
Lawmakers in Maine are considering an extraordinary move to try to force a casino initiative off the November ballot. They want to stop casino developer Shawn Scott (l.) who they believe fraudulently qualified the initiative.
The anti-gambling group No Casinos applauded the Florida Supreme Court's recent ruling against Gadsden County's move to install slots at a small racetrack, although voters previously approved them. The group called the ruling a "partial victory.” State Senator Bill Galvano (l.) said the ruling reaffirms the power of the legislature in expanding gaming in the state.
MGM last week said it was schedule to hit deadlines to enclose the Springfield casino project, as well as meeting its targets for diversity in employees and vendors. Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno (l.) has asked the state Gaming Commission to alter regulations that prohibit the hiring of felons.
From the Oscars to eSports, the range of legal wagering in the Silver State is going to get a lot wider. Under the terms of a new law recently signed by Governor Brian Sandoval (l.), starting in July, regulators will begin issuing licenses and modifying existing rules to accommodate all kinds of action. Only politics will be excluded.
The law has prevented employees of Ohio’s four casinos from playing at casinos in the Buckeye State, but only ones not affiliated with the company they work for. Last week the law changed.
Construction has begun on the $75 million, 123,000 square foot Beach Casino at Island View Casino Resort (l.) in Gulfport. Set to open next summer, the casino will be the only one in Gulfport and the largest in Mississippi, with separate smoking and non-smoking buildings connected by a walkway over U.S. 90.
Speaking at a local gaming conference, Jim Allen (l.), chairman of Hard Rock International, said the company may pump as much as $500 million into the recently acquired former Trump Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City. Allen also said he has met with city union leaders and promised that there will not be the labor strife that led to the Taj Mahal’s closing last year.
The investment arm of the late Kirk Kerkorian (l.) continues to pare down its gaming assets. Its latest sale of MGM Resorts International stock, the third so far this year, garnered $300 million and reduced Tracinda’s holding in the resort giant it once controlled to just under 10 percent.
Electronic video gambling machines used to be limited to bars, restaurants, truck stops and fraternal and veterans establishments in Illinois. But lately more licenses are being granted to non-traditional locations like gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. The Illinois Valley is a prime example, earning record-setting revenue from the games.
A citizens group has challenged in court the state’s payment in lieu of taxes plan for Atlantic City casinos. The bill creates a set tax payment for the city’s casinos for the next 10 years and was designed to stop constant tax appeals by the casinos. The group charges the bill gives the casinos an unconstitutional tax abatement. Also voting to challenge the bill was the Atlantic County board of Freeholders. The legislative body feels the county is not receiving its fair share of casino taxes.
A bill in the Nevada legislature could drive ride-sharing companies out of the state by requiring drivers to carry huge amounts of insurance. Opponents call it a thinly veiled scheme to protect traditional cab companies from competition.
Monmouth Park in Oceanport New Jersey—which has been at the center of unsuccessful attempts to bring sports betting to the state as well as expand casino gaming—had a strong start to its summer meet. Over the Memorial Day weekend, the track saw a better than 10 percent increase in attendance despite rainy weather.
Since 2002, the Seneca Indian Nation has been paying the state of New York 25 percent of the slot revenue from its three casinos, including Casino Niagara (l.). But that’s over now, the tribe says, until a new deal is negotiated. Local governments stand to lose millions in the dispute.
Although the profits directed towards Arizona schools by Indian gaming, including the newest casino opened by the Navaho tribe, Twin Arrows (l.), has proven to be a reliable source of funds, it’s not nearly what was predicted in 2002 when voters were urged to amend the constitution to allow Indian gaming. The profits total about $45 per student.
The Spokane County, Washington commission voted to sue the U.S. Interior Department for allowing the Spokane Tribe's $400 million off-reservation casino. The Kalispel Tribe also sued the agency, claiming the Spokane casino will impact the Kalispel's Northern Quest Casino (l.) in Airway Heights. The Spokane Tribe said the Kalispels want to avoid fair competition.
Washington state’s ilani Casino Resort (l.), after a month in operation, has settled down to seeing between 8,000-10,000 visitors a day. The Cowlitz Indian Tribe is expecting to see about 4.5 million visitors a year.
The Golden State’s gaming tribes and cardrooms appear about to begin a courtroom battle that, in the eyes of the cardrooms, puts their very existence at stake. Tribes, for their part, claim the cardrooms are violating their exclusivity guarantees by the way their operate house-banked card games.
The Seven Feathers Casino Resort (l.), owned by the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians in Oregon, has been operating for a quarter of century—after opening as a bingo hall in two trailers. It now also operates a 300-room hotel.
If the Tule River Indian Tribe of California is allowed to move its Eagle Mountain Casino from its rocky reservation to the city of Porterville it will not only mean more money for the tribe. It will also allow residents of the reservation access to more life-giving water. And that will mean that people waiting for years to get homes may soon see them built.
Construction will begin this fall on an $80 million, 180,000 square foot hotel tower at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino in Milwaukee, operated by the Forest County Potawatomi Community. Chief Operating Officer Rodney Ferguson said the tribe had the foresight to include footings for a second tower when the first one was built in 2014.
What is so rare as a “school” whose top graduate could become the CEO of a casino resort? That’s precisely what Casino Del Sol CEO Kim Van Amburg (l.) plans to offer for 16 special candidates from the Pascua Yaqui Tribe.
The Ojibwa Tribe in Michigan said a $5 million renovation at its Baraga casino will open in March 2018, a month behind schedule, with new "smoke eaters" and heating and cooling units. The $33 million Marquette expansion will open on time in September 2018, including a 76-room hotel, 1,200-seat concert venue and convention center.
A $10 million, 36,000 square foot casino in Terral, Oklahoma will be the 21st in the gaming empire of the Chickasaw Nation. The tribe operates the most casinos in the state and the U.S. The new property will offer 600-plus electronic gaming machines, six table games, dining and retail and employ 150 people.
The Mississippi lottery study committee recently held its first meeting. Committee chairman state Rep. Richard Bennett (l.) said members will travel to Louisiana and Arkansas to meet with lottery officials there. Mississippi is one of six states without a lottery, but is considering it as a way to compensate for declining tax revenue.
Although the Massachusetts Lottery is doing better than ever before, it seeks permission to begin selling tickets online. If it is not allowed to take advantage of new technology, the lottery feels it will begin to lose its competitive edge.
Stephen Cootey has replaced Marc Falcone (l.) as chief financial officer at the Las Vegas locals giant. Cootey most recently served as CFO at Wynn Resorts and previously worked for Las Vegas Sands. Falcone will continue to draw a salary as a consultant.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians tribal council recently voted 9-3 to impeach Principal Chief Patrick Lambert (l.) for allegedly using his office for personal gain. Lambert, elected principal chief in 2015 with more than 70 percent of the vote, is only the second principal chief to be removed from office since the early 1800s.
The controversial Jack Lam has stepped down as chairman of Jimei International Entertainment Group, a junket operators in Macau. The move comes just months after he sold his majority stake in the company to Cosmic Leader Holdings, a company registered in the Seychelles.
The 48th Annual World Series of Poker is underway beginning 54 days of play. Two significant changes for this year’s tournaments are a lessening of “shot clock” rules and the end of the November Nine—where the Main Event’s final table is settled in November. Combined prize pools for all events are expected to top $200 million.
Aristocrat Leisure Limited reported half-year net income of AUD$249.6 million, which is a 53 percent jump over the first six months of the prior fiscal year.
AGS will hold its second annual GameON Customer Summit, designed to present the latest technology and developments to select customers, at MGM National Harbor June 6-8.
