Hurricane Irma blew across the Caribbean and Florida last week causing havoc among casinos in its path. In the Bahamas, the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort remained open during Hurricane Irma, but guests were evacuated from Baha Mar in Nassau. In south Florida, Miccosukee Gaming in Miami and Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood remained open during Hurricane Irma, but Mardi Gras Casino in Hallandale Beach sustained damage and is temporarily closed. Seminole Classic in Hollywood and Seminole Coconut Creek closed during Irma but are reopened.

A potentially landmark lawsuit case against Aristocrat and Crown Resorts claims the basic design of video slot machines is “misleading and deceptive.” The plaintiff is specifically attacking Aristocrat’s Dolphin Treasure game, but her argument applies to all slot machines.

Starting next year, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. will sell an estimated 17 of its 46 casino properties, some of them branded Casino Filipino (l.). It’s the first round of property sales by the country’s state-run regulatory body and could take several years to complete.

As reported in GGB News in August, a deal was reportedly made for the beleaguered and shuttered Revel casino (l.) in Atlantic City. Keating & Associates, a private investment firm in New York, has upped its offer to $225 million, but owner Glenn Straub denies that any offer has been made.

Michigan state Rep. Brandt Iden (l.) recently sponsored HB 4296, which would legalize online gambling. At a committee hearing on the bill, Iden said online gaming "will become law at some stage" in Michigan. The state's three commercial casinos and tribal interest oppose the legislation. The Senate passed a similar measure this spring.

The Nooksack tribe of Washington has been allowed to reopen its Northwood Casino (l.) in Lynden by the National Indian Gaming Commission, which ordered in closed in June. The tribe has agreed to various federal requirements, including holding a special election to fill four council seats it has allowed to remain vacant since 2016.

The administration of Governor Andrew Cuomo (l.) has declared the Seneca Indians in violation of their gaming compact for halting revenue-sharing payments from the tribe’s three casinos. The move, which forces the two sides into arbitration, promises anything but a timely end to what’s become a very costly dispute.

Backed by private equity firm Catalyst Capital Group, Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Ltd of British Columbia is considering an initial public offering or a sale, based on which would offer the highest valuation. Gateway is said to prefer an IPO to potentially raise up to $329 million, which would value the company at $2.05 billion.

Typhoon Hato, the storm that hit Macau in August with winds exceeding 120 miles per hour, will cost the city almost at least MOP$11.5 billion (US$1.36 billion) in economic losses, according to government data

They’re calling it “Kangwon Land Gate.” South Korea’s largest casino by revenue―and the only casino (l.) open to gambling by the country’s citizens―is in the cross-hairs of the ruling Democratic Party, which wants an investigation reopened into influence-peddling in allotting jobs at the state-owned property.

Cambodia may strengthen the regulations that govern its casino industry in hopes of luring fresh international investment. Draft legislation on the matter is expected to go to parliament this month. NagaCorp, owners of NagaWorld (l.) in Phnom Penh, hopes the government takes into account the competitive nature of the industry.

Reports say billionaire Stephen Hung’s plan to open 13, an ultra-high end casino hotel in Macau, threatens the viability of the company that would operate it, 13 Holdings Ltd. Other reports say the hotel could open soon.

The busy airport west of Seoul is developing a cruise ship terminal (l.) that officials say will boost annual passenger volumes in and around the airport to more than 100 million. Plans are in the works for tours linking the facility with key Chinese feeder markets in Shanghai, Tianjin and Xiamen.

Asian casino operator Donaco International Ltd. is more interested in Vietnam now that the government will permit citizens to gamble. Three casinos will take part in a three-year trial of locals gambling.

Two former commissioners with the Philippines Bureau of Immigration have withdrawn a complaint against casino kingpin Jack Lam (l.) in a 2016 bribery case. The men said Lam offered them almost $1 million to release illegal workers. Also, prosecutors won't pursue criminal charges against casino boss Kim Wong and junket operator Xu Weikang for their alleged involvement in a hacker theft of $81 million from the Bangladesh central bank.

Melco International Development Ltd. has won approval from the government of Cyprus to assume Hard Rock’s stake in a casino project now in the pipeline for the Greek-controlled republic.

Hong Kong-listed Landing International Development Ltd. will sell its upscale Les Ambassadeurs Club and Casino (l.) in London for a total of HKD2.5 billion (US$320 million) to Paul Suen Cho Hung.

Casino developments in Madrid, Spain will face more stringent new rules. Developers must prove their projects are vital to the public interest and they must be located on public lands. Municipal landowners will have the final say. The new rules follow Madrid's rejection in July of Cordish Gaming's proposed $3.5 billion Live Resorts Madrid. Madrid President Cristina Cifuentes (l.) says the new rules will prevent misunderstandings as happened with the Cordish Group.

Fixed odds betting terminals continue to cause controversy in the UK, as the government is expected to announce in October whether it will reduce the per-wager bet by 98 percent to $2.64 from $132. Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely recently called for the cut, citing FOBTs as the source of addiction and misery.

A report by the UK gambling Commission says that Scotland leads the UK in gamblers with more than two thirds of Scottish adults saying they place at least one bet each year. The report found 68 percent of Scots have gambled in the last year, more than any other region of the UK. The report also found that 5 percent of Scottish gamblers have used gambling machines at bookmaker’s shops—including fixed odds betting terminals—up from an average of 3 percent in the rest of the UK.

Tim Miller (l.), the executive director of the UK Gambling Commission, is calling on the UK’s gambling operators to do more to protect problem gamblers. Tim Miller said gambling companies must be held to a higher level of responsibility to protect problem gamblers, which is often left to the players themselves. The comments come after another scandal involving gambling ads.

William Hill has announced an expansion of its partnership with in-stadium betting company BD Stadia. The partnership expands to English Premier League clubs Huddersfield Town and Stoke City, as well as second-tier championship teams Bolton Wanderers, Preston North End and Queens Park Rangers.

Gateway Casinos' request to relocate its Newton Community Gaming Centre in Surrey to the Delta Town and Country Inn (l.) received preliminary approval from the B.C. Lottery Corporation. The location was selected for its distance from residential neighborhoods, access to transportation corridors and because of its minimal impact on other regional casinos.

Australian Black Economy Taskforce Chairman Michael Andrew (l.) is calling for strict enforcement against illegal betting, identifying about $800 million in illegal betting revenue annually in the country. The taskforce tied the illegal exchanges to organized crime, especially Asian crime gangs. The report calls for stricter enforcement as Australia’s new gambling regulations go into effect.

The highly anticipated Parq Vancouver, the largest private development in British Columbian history, will open at the end of September. It will replace the Edgewater (l.), which Paragon Gaming has operated since 2005 in the Plaza of Nations.

Youths who have no jobs, and so spend their time gambling, is a growing problem in Uganda, which blames this social issue for much of the country’s poverty. It is planning on cracking down on the nation’s 1,000 casinos, only a small fraction of which are operating legally.

Some 300 angry protestors gathered at a Queensland park September 9 to protest a possible Gold Coast casino development. A number of public officials joined the throng, saying public land should not be for sale.

Tabcorp Holdings Limited is looking to complete its proposed merger with Tatts Group by November 1 now that the Supreme Court of Victoria has ordered Tatts shareholders to vote on the merger. That vote is scheduled for October 18, and the court has said it will approve the merger if shareholders approve it.

An anti-gambling group is suing New York, claiming the legalization of real-money fantasy sports violates the state Constitution’s ban on gambling. The state sought a dismissal, but a judge denied it, saying the group must be allowed to present its case. In Massachusetts, DFS giants DraftKings and FanDuel have settled with Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey (l.) over her allegations that they were engaged in “deceptive and unfair” consumer practices before 2016. They have each agreed to pay $1.3 million to the state.

Gaming Laboratories International became the first testing lab accredited to test and certify online gaming systems for Philippines offshore gaming operator license-holders.

Pennsylvania Rep. Charlie Dent (l.) announced he will not seek an eighth term. The internet gambling opponent expressed frustration with the president's and the Republican party's current direction. He also would face a primary challenger. Dent tried to attach anti-internet gambling language into an appropriations bill this summer.

Online gambling made up one third of Belgium’s licensed gambling market revenue in 2015, according to new statistics from the country’s gaming regulator. Belgian-licensed gambling revenue totaled €622 million in 2015, up 17 percent from 2014. Online revenue was €211.3 million.

Corredor Empresarial has been approved for online gaming by Colombian regulators, making it the second licensed operator approved in the country. Corredor Empresarial received a type 1 license, which allows the company to operate online slots games, roulettes and sports betting.

Casino Portugal has been awarded the ninth online gambling license issued by Portuguese regulators to offer an online casino. The company received a sports betting license in June.

Concerns that China will move to close Bitcoin exchanges has sent the value of the virtual currency plummeting. Chinese bitcoin exchange BTCChina also said it would stop all trading from September 30 setting off a further slide.

A new online casino serving players in Asia has launched. Live Casino House was developed by the creators of Happy Luke, with software from Microgaming and Evolution Gaming.

Spain’s Red Rake Gaming has signed a new collaboration agreement with games operator Avento and will introduce that company’s selection of video bingo games and video slot machines at its three casinos sites SlotV, Frank Casino and Drift Casino.

Nevada regulators plan to dramatically expand the scope of betting on eSports contests. New rules are in the offing to allow wagering on multiple events, elevating the industry to the same wagering plane as NFL and NBA games and NASCAR races.

August revenue for Atlantic City casinos was down less than 1 percent, but up by over five percent if figures for the now-closed Trump Taj Mahal are excluded. Online revenue was at $21 million, up more than 30 percent over 2016.

Developers are pitching a couple of expansive theme parks near the Las Vegas Strip. The first, on Sunset Road, is an extreme sports complex (l.) and includes a casino and hotel. The other envisions virtual reality and science fiction attractions with extras like a food court and retail shopping.

MGM National Harbor helped Maryland set a new record for gaming revenue in August, as the new property continues its dominance of the Maryland casino market at the overall expense of other state casinos.

With the new Las Vegas franchise nearing its October season opener, the National Hockey League has let a deadline expire for requesting a betting moratorium from Nevada’s sports books. It’s a surprising reversal for the league, which has long opposed gambling on its games.

Pennsylvania lawmakers returned to session last week, with gaming expansion on the agenda as one of the means to fund an unbalanced state budget. The controversial VGTs in bars and restaurants are still expected to be a difficult subject.

To resolve Kentucky's looming $36 billion pension deficit, consultants PFM Group recommended legalizing casino gambling and marijuana. However, Governor Matt Bevin (l.) said that "is not going to happen while I'm governor." Currently in Kentucky, betting at horse racetracks is allowed, as well as electronic gambling machines, historic racing and charitable gambling.

The Florida political group Voters In Charge recently submitted 212,993 valid signatures toward placing on the November 2018 ballot a proposed constitutional amendment giving voters the "exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling" in the future. A total of 766,200 signatures is required, according to the state Division of Elections.

Minnesota state Rep. Pat Garofalo (l.) says he plans to introduce a sports betting bill in the state legislature. Garofalo said sports betting is already happening in the state illegally through offshore online sites without consumer protections. The comments come as the state has been increasing enforcement of illegal betting in preparation of hosting the Super Bowl.

The first 61 video gambling terminals were installed in Illinois in September 2012. By June 30, 26,873 machines generated $300.5 million in state tax revenue over the previous 12 months. Springfield leads the state with 635 terminals that brought in $30.1 million for the fiscal year. More than 28,000 are predicted to be operating by mid-2018.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is asking for ideas for regional economic development ideas that could be jump started by funds that are starting to be generated by the Bay State’s new casinos. The commission has sent out letters soliciting ideas and proposals, which will then be turned over lawmakers, who will make the final decision.

The list of companies with global connections, but mainly connected to casino developer Shawn Scott, which Maine ethics investigators are discovering have connections to a casino initiative is growing. Scott is the sponsor of Question 1, which would allow Scott and Scott alone, to build a third casino in the state.

The Raiders have the go-ahead to build their 65,000-seat domed stadium near the south end of the Strip. The question now is how the team will find 16,250 parking spaces on a parcel of land where only 2,400 currently fit.

Hard Rock International will move staff headquarters next year from Orlando to Hollywood, Florida, joining owners, the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and the Seminole Gaming group "to create an even more powerful organization," a release stated. The HQ will likely be part of a massive expansion of the tribe’s Hollywood Hard Rock (l.). Additionally, Hard Rock will renovate the Trump Taj Mahal Casino in Atlantic City, acquired for $50 million in April.

Indus 414 LLC received unanimous approval from the Seneca County Industrial Development Agency in Waterloo, New York for financial aid to build a 6-story hotel at the del Lago Resort and Casino in Tyre. The Hilton Garden Inn would offer a pool, spa, conference room and banquet facilities and provide 100 jobs.

To fill Oklahoma's $215 million budget hole, state Rep. Kevin Wallace (l.) would allow roulette and dice games at tribal casinos. Wallace said his plan also would generate $300 million in recurring revenues. Senate President Pro Tem Mike Schulz said he opposes expanding gambling. Governor Mary Fallin will call a special session to address the budget gap.

MGM Resorts seems to have lost its last legal recourse against Connecticut’s law that allowed the Pequot and Mohegan tribes to identify a location for a commercial casino in East Windsor. The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals denied MGM’s request for an en banc hearing before the full appeals court after a three-judge panel of the court ruled against it.

The Tulalip Tribes of Washington state will soon break ground on a $100 million replacement for its Quil Ceda Creek Casino (l.) in Snohomish County. Dubbed QCC2, the expanded casino is expected to be completed by early 2019.

The Supreme Court of Alaska has ruled that Alaskan tribes have sovereign immunity from lawsuit just as tribes in the rest of the United States. Although it is established law in those states, this is the first time tribal immunity has been affirmed by Alaska’s highest court.

An administrative law judge will rule in 100 days whether the Jamul Hollywood Casino (l.) in San Diego’s backcountry will be granted a permanent license to sell liquor. Opponents of the casino that rising traffic accidents, including more DUIs, mandate that the license should be denied.

The Lytton Band of Pomo Indians, which operates the Class II San Pablo Casino (l.), has purchased about 11 acres to allow it to expand its parking for the Indian casino, which is located on a 10 acres site. It is purchasing the land from a hospital district under federal bankruptcy.

A major expansion project at Mystic Lake Casino in Minneapolis is expected to be completed in time for the 2018 Super Bowl, Sunday, February 4 at U.S. Bank Stadium. The project includes 70,000 square feet of meeting and event space and a 180-room hotel tower, making the casino hotel the area's second largest.

Phase Two of Gun Lake Casino's $76 million expansion recently debuted at the Wayland, Michigan facility, including a new high-limit room with slots and table games, and a new bar named Chill. A 1,200-space parking garage is under construction. And the U.S. Supreme Court will hold a hearing on November 7 about a suit filed by a private citizen to stop the casino.

The 53,000 square foot Ultrastar Multi-tainment Center recently opened at Harrah's Casino Resort in Cherokee, North Carolina. The family friendly first floor offers an arcade, 16 bowling lanes, party rooms, a stage, restaurant and bar. The second floor features an adults-only lounge, party rooms, eight bowling lanes and an outdoor lounge with a panoramic mountain view.

It was time for the Rincon tribe to thank previous leaders, who made the Harrah’s Resort Southern California a reality. The tribe celebrated the casino’s 15th anniversary last week

Japan is considering allowing online lottery sales beginning early next year. The Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry reportedly wants to increase lottery sales and create more money for local government.

Caesars Entertainment has extended the licensing agreement that permits IGT to represent Caesars casino brands in its lottery products in the U.S., Canada and Europe.

Macao-based Success Universe Group Ltd. is getting out of the lottery business in mainland China. It has sold its business that operates online lottery to Honour Rich China Development for $1.5 million.

Mohegan Gaming has a new chief executive officer, the current CFO Mario Kontomerkos. He was named to the job after a search to replace interim CEO Mitchell Etess, who stepped in after Bobby Soper abruptly resigned in February.

Richard Currie has been named president of Cole Kepro, an important manufacturer of slot cabinets. Curried has a long list of achievements in the gaming industry, starting as the founding president of WMS.

Golden Entertainment has brought back Todd Parmelee to head food and beverage operations for its rapidly expanding gaming portfolio. In addition to nearly 60 PT’s taverns and casinos in Southern Nevada and Maryland, he will oversee F&B at the four casinos Golden is buying in the American Casinos & Entertainment deal.

Ainsworth Game Technology has named Gary Freeman national key accounts manager for the Australian market, responsible for promoting the Ainsworth brand.

Scientific Games will install iVIEW4 units on 4,200 machines at Pechanga Resort & Casino, and will upgrade offerings and systems at the Westgate Las Vegas (l.).

Washington state’s Tulalip Tribe is sponsoring slot manufacturer Aristocrat Technologies to enter the tribal lottery system market in the state with central-determination versions of its games. Matt Wilson (l.), Aristocrat’s managing director of the Americas, says Washington is a “strong and vibrant” market.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board has approved the license application of supplier Galaxy Gaming, after rejecting the application submitted two months ago by former CEO Robert Saucier (l.).

CashLinx has been introduced by the Gaming Technology Group as an affordable, secure self-service cash and ticket redemption kiosk.

Rainmaker Group President Tammy Farley (l.) presented a session on revenue generation at the 2017 Women Hoteliers Conference in Anaheim, California.

BMM Testlabs is a bronze sponsor of the NCRG’s Conference on Gambling and Addiction, which takes place immediately preceding the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas.

Clarion Gaming is inviting experts from around the gaming industry to an event at which they can discuss and make recommendations on what they need from Clarion events.

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