With the unveiling of a new proposed casino resort (l.) in Bridgeport, MGM has opened fire in its latest attack on the Connecticut gaming tribes. It claims that the state will make more money by allowing a commercial casino in that part of the state than it currently makes from the Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos and a new third casino near Hartford combined.
Scientific Games announced it is acquiring NYX Gaming Group and its global digital sports-betting platform, moving into the sports-betting arena as sports betting moves closer to legalization in the U.S. The move is just another in a series of buys by Scientific Games and “creates a global gaming and lottery powerhouse,” according to SCI President and CEO Kevin Sheehan (l.).
Viewers tuned to last Sunday’s Emmy Awards saw MGM Resorts International unveil a new nationwide marketing campaign designed to shatter any lingering notions that the Las Vegas-based gaming giant is just about casinos. The first ad leads off with a spectacular shot of the fountains at Bellagio (l.).
Diana Bennett (l.), John Breeding, Joe Kaminkow and Melvin B. Wolzinger will be inducted into the AGA’s Gaming Hall of Fame at next week’s Global Gaming Expo.
NRT Technology Corp. and Sightline Payments announced that they have agreed to merge into a combined gaming payment technology supplier to be called NRT Sightline. Kirk Sanford (l.), Sightline CEO, will assume the role of president and CEO of NRT Sightline.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s (l.) call for a snap election means the country’s IR implementation bill will be pushed into the spring of 2018. The general election is expected to take place in late October. But if the opposition parties make gains, the entire process could be threatened.
The annual “40 Under 40” list created by GGB magazine was released last week and includes some of the most dynamic young executives in the industry. The list will be published in the November issue of the magazine along with the first 10 profiles
The $8.9 billion proposed merger of Australia’s Tabcorp with Tatts Group hit a stumbling block as an Australian federal court ruled the merger proposal be sent back the Australian Competition Tribunal for a new review. The decision came in an appeal of the tribunal’s previous approval for the merger from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. The ruling comes shortly after Tabcorp announced it expected to complete the merger by November.
MGM Resorts isn’t the first gaming company to brand itself as a wider entertainment organization, but its “Welcome to the Show” campaign could affect the valuation of that company and the other giants of the gaming industry.
This week the GGB Podcast talks with Bill Boasberg, the general manager of MGM National Harbor in Maryland, outside of Washington D.C., on the performance of his property since it opened in December of last year.
With the clock ticking, MGM China continues to press for a 2017 grand opening of its casino resort on Macau’s Cotai Strip. Construction has “continued at a good pace,” despite the ravages of Typhoon Hato. And the addition of the Morpheus tower (l.) at Melco’s City of Dreams will allow the company to remain competitive in Cotai.
Casino patrons in the Philippines are starting to return to Resorts World Manila in Entertainment City. The resort was shut down in June after a deadly attack by a disgruntled gambler that left 38 people dead.
Imperial Pacific International, which runs the only casino resort on the U.S.-controlled island of Saipan, says the impairment of trade receivables from its VIP business hit US$266.5 million for first six months of 2017.
New draft rules to amend Goa’s 2012 Prevention of Gambling Act will mean the earlier legislation banning locals from casinos will finally be enforced. The Indian state has 17 land-based and floating casinos.
Hong Kong-listed Landing International Development has raised net proceeds of HKD1.79 billion (US$229.2 million) through the placement of 24 billion shares. It will use the funds to develop its Jeju Shinhwa World.
Australia-listed Frontier Capital Group is in talks with a third party to manage its Casablanca Casino (l.) in the Philippines’ Clark Freeport Zone. A deal with E!xcite Gaming and Entertainment was terminated in February.
Vietnamese real estate developer FLC Group may expand into the gaming industry. Chairman Trinh Van Quyet recently pitched Japanese investors on his ambitious plan for a casino resort in Quang Ninh Province.
Shareholders of Macau junket investor Neptune Group Ltd. have approved a plan to change the company name to Rich Goldman Holdings Ltd. the name Neptune did not “reflect the diversity of businesses” run by the firm.
Melco Entertainment’s Lawrence Ho (l.) has sold off shares of Summit Ascent Holdings, developer of the Tigre de Cristal resort in Russia’s Primorye region. The casino magnate is said to be looking to the Philippines.
The Porto Rio Casino (l.) in the west of the country has been given back €89,000 to stay in business while unpaid workers and creditors try to reach a settlement with the debt-swamped property. The two sides are due to return to court next month.
The Governing Council of Andalusia, Spain has approved the Andalusia Gambling Regulations, which covers gambling in the autonomous territory. The rules include strict player protection measures and supplement Spanish online gaming regulations. The rules do open Andalusia to sports betting, which was previously not approved by the territory.
Sweden’s state-owned online gambling operator Svenska Spel saw double-digit growth in the first half of 2017. However, figures released by Swedish regulators show international sites still drew more revenue than the Swedish operator.
Chinese high rollers who once patronized Crown Resorts (l.) casino resort in Perth are heading for the door. According to local media, Crown saw baccarat revenue at the casino drop by one-third in the last financial year.
Pokie clubs in Victoria, Australia will reportedly soon be required to set limits on cash withdrawals by punters. The new measure will be put in place to limit problem gambling.
The Michigan House Regulatory Reform Committee heard testimony on HB 4926, which would allow Detroit's three land-based casinos and 23 tribal casinos to offer online gambling, subject to a 15 percent tax. Presented by state Rep. Brandt Iden (l.) as a consumer protection measure, the bill would generate new revenue as casino revenue stagnates, supporters said.
A bill sponsored by Wisconsin state Rep. Tyler Vorpagel (l.) would regulate and legalize daily fantasy sports, and declare the games require skill, not chance. The games are neither legal nor banned in Wisconsin. The measure would require DFS website operators to be subject to audits and ban employees from participating, among other regulations.
A special Parliamentary Commission in the Republic of Georgia is reportedly considering a total ban on online gambling in the country. The measure is still in the discussion phase.
As Sportech announced the resignations of two top executives, it also disclosed it will launch a review of its business and capital structures. Ian Penrose is to resign as the company’s chief executive officer at the end of the year and Mickey Kalifa will be leaving his chief financial officer post at the end of October. The company said the review follows “a successful turnaround” in its business under the leadership of Penrose and Kalifa.
Ladbrokes Coral announced plans to combine its sports and technology teams in a new facility. The site is in London and formerly housed the London 2012 Olympic media team.
Colombian online gaming licensee Wplay.co has entered into an agreement with Microgaming to offer the Quickfire platform. Colombia only recently began regulating its online market making Microgaming an early player in the country’s market.
Churchill Downs' and Keeneland's joint applications to build two new racinos near the Tennessee border for a total of $80-$90 million recently was rejected by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. Commission Meanwhile, Governor Matt Bevin (l.) has said expanded gambling would not “happen while I’m governor.” He was referring to a constitutional amendment allowing casino pre-filed by two senators to plug a budget gap.
Jake’s 58 faces an uncertain future following a state court ruling that the city of Islandia violated its own municipal code in granting the casino a permit to operate. The flourishing slots-only venue is the target of a lawsuit by local residents complaining of noise and traffic problems.
A new study by GamblingCompliance.com finds that legal sports betting would reach $2 billion within five years of the federal ban on the activity being removed.
The American Gaming Association has an impressive tale to tell about casino jobs and tax benefits in the Empire State, led by Rivers General Manager Mary Cheeks (l.) . But the bigger picture isn’t so shiny: it’s one of lackluster revenues, fears of a gambling glut, and a costly tribal gaming dispute that could bankrupt some communities.
Philadelphia’s SugarHouse Casino, in a court filing asking the state Supreme Court to send the award of the city’s second casino license back to the gaming board, alleges money demands from losing applicant Market East. Proof includes an email to SugarHouse owner Neil Bluhm (l.).
Disney Worldwide Services gave Voters In Charge $600,000 in August, bringing its total contribution to $1.75 million to date. The committee has gathered more than 216,000 of the 766,200 signatures required to place on the November 2018 ballot a constitutional amendment giving Florida voters "the exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling."
A Pennsylvania state Senate leader is calling for a crackdown on illegal gaming machines in bars, taverns and “stop-and-go” locations as lawmakers prepare to debate a legal program of VGTs.
Following Hurricane Irma, most casinos in south Florida have fully or mostly recovered. Mardi Gras Casino in Hallandale Beach remains closed indefinitely. Florida Power & Light emergency crews used Magic City Casino, Gulfstream Park and Isle Casino parking lots as staging areas and first responders sheltered vehicles in Seminole Casino Coconut Creek's garage.
The campaign committee for a proposal to build a casino in York County, Maine, has released a study that claims the casino would create 5,000 jobs and pay the state $248 million in taxes. The study was conduct for Progress for Maine by Evans, Carrol and Associates.
It is now one year and counting for the $950 million MGM Springfield, which has a date to open on September 8, 2018. That year will pass very quickly, says Gaming Commission Executive Director Edward Bedrosian.
In 2015, the Indiana legislature passed a bill allowing riverboat casinos to move onto land. The first operation to make the move also was the state's first riverboat casino, Tropicana Evansville, which announced its new $50 million land-based facility will open October 20. The new venue will be located between Tropicana's two existing hotels.
Aldermen in Aurora, Illinois voted 9-3 for a 6-month moratorium on new video gambling licenses, to review how the licenses are regulated. Currently 141 terminals operate in 31 establishments. The games raised $332,045 in revenue in 2016. Alderman Judd Lofchie said, "This is not the time to do this. We don't have a problem."
A recent study finds that several key tourism indicators are up for Atlantic City in the last year. The report also concludes that the city’s seven remaining casinos have benefited from the closing of the Trump Taj Mahal (l.) last year. The report also found that visitor trips are increasing to the resort and that the gains aren’t simply a cannibalization of the Taj’s former customers.
Trustees for the South Dakota Historical Society announced the 2018 budget for Deadwood historic preservation will be $50,000 less than 2017. The cut was blamed on increased competition from Native American casinos and internet gambling. Actor and director Kevin Costner recently closed his Midnight Star complex in downtown Deadwood.
On September 30, a helicopter will lift position a new sign atop Greektown Casino-Hotel in Detroit, as the property moves toward becoming Jack Detroit by May 2018. Other changes will include 1,500 signs, the new, six-option Monroe Market dining area and a new casino bar. Jack Entertainment purchased Greektown in 2013.
The three-year deal is a first for new Local 2121 of the Union of Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America. The contract covers all full-time security officers at the south Strip resort and 10 percent of on-call officers.
The under-construction Hard Rock Atlantic City has become embroiled in a battle with Scores gentleman’s club which operated at the site when it was the now closed Trump Taj Mahal. Hard Rock is renovating the former Taj Mahal into a “family friendly” casino and wants to exclude Scores from the property. The club, however, maintains its lease with the property remains in full effect and wants to re-open.
A California tribe that was sued by its first partner in a casino that failed, won’t be required to put its successful Red Hawk Casino (l.) in jeopardy to pay a $30 million judgment. An appeals court has ruled that the management contracts the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians had with Sharp Image Gaming were invalid. It has dismissed Sharp’s case.
Oklahoma legislators will meet in a special session September 25 to try to plug the $215 million budget deficit, but state Rep. Kevin Wallace's proposal to let tribal casinos offer roulette and dice games is DOA, according to Rep. Mark McBride (l.). The budget hole is due to tobacco companies' successful challenge of a bill to charge a $1.50 cigarette tax.
Leading up to Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis on February 4, Mystic Lake Casino (l.) in Prior Lake, Minnesota will host a temporary, 64,000 square foot nightclub built by Nomadic Entertainment. Some of the top names in pop music are expected to perform. Last year Nomadic built a similar venue in Houston
Muscogee (Creek) citizen Stephen "Bim" Bruner recently was arraigned in Muscogee (Creek) Nation District Court on charges of possession of unlicensed gambling devices and maintaining an unlicensed gambling premise. Bruner's property in Broken Arrow was raided in August after he ignored official warnings to stop gambling-related activities there.
A recent mid-year conference last week by the National Indian Gaming Association focused on women’s issues and human trafficking. The conference was held at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown.
On a Friday night, the Graton Resort and Casino’s slot machines were hit by a network error. The error prevented patrons from being able to collect their winnings at the machines.
People who enjoy being dropped and thrown—and there are many of them, will enjoy Thrill Tower, which opened last week at Foxwoods Resort Casino. The ride is part of expanded non-gaming amenities at the resort.
Should tribes, who have made considerable profits from gaming, but see its luster fading, join the smoky future that is legal marijuana growing? Some tribes think that pot sales will eventually be more profitable than bingo.
States may not force a tribe to pay taxes for products or services sold at a tribal casino. That violates sovereign immunity ruled a federal judge last week. The ruling favored the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe of South Dakota over the state.
Although it doesn’t have to, the White Earth Nation of Minnesota is willing to let Otter Tail County conduct an environmental review of its third proposed casino. The casino would be built on 14.5 acres on Star Lake that are separated from the main reservation.
The Osage Nation topped off of its $150 million Tulsa casino and hotel. Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear (l.) said the "stellar facility" will allow the tribe to "compete with our good neighbors the Cherokee Nation and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation." Existing facilities will be razed when the project is completed in fall 2018.
The Massachusetts Lottery and its retailers disagree over whether the Lottery should enter the online world with Lottery sales. The Lottery says it must expand onto the net, or die. The retailers claim that doing so will kill them.
Frequent lottery winners usual claim that they are luck’s darlings. An investigation by the Cleveland Plain Dealer examined the phenomenon of those who have won an improbably large number of big jackpots.
Potawatomi Hotel & Casino named Rodney Ferguson chief executive officer and general manager, responsible for the property's overall direction and administration plus daily operations. Ferguson was named chief financial officer in 2013 and chief operating officer in 2016. He's now overseeing construction of a second, $80 million, 119-room hotel tower, opening in spring 2019.
Tom Wolber has been hired as president and chief executive officer at Genting Hong Kong's Crystal Cruises. Wolber served 10 years as senior vice president of operations for Disney Cruise Line. Crystal is expected to take delivery of four river ships in 2017 and 2018, plus the Endeavor Class expedition yachts in 2019.
Telltale Games announced the appointment of Pete Hawley as President and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to Telltale Games, Hawley served as SVP and GM of Games at Zynga overseeing new innovative titles and technology investments.
Magician duo Penn & Teller premiered their first themed slot game from Everi live at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The creation of the Penn & Teller slot game took more than two years and the duo was involved in the creative process with the team at Everi.
Just a week after announcing a licensing deal with Scientific Games, IGT has revealed a similar deal with AGS that will allow AGS to use patented features in the IGT portfolio in exchange for licensing fees.
With eSports looking poised to take Las Vegas by storm, UNLV is already training its next generation of business leaders. The school’s International Gaming Institute is crafting a curriculum that treats the burgeoning industry as an academic discipline, the first major university to do so.
Scientific Games announced that it has entered into an agreement and plan of merger with SG Nevada Merger Company to reincorporate the company in Nevada.
Five Seminole Gaming properties in South Florida now offer Ainsworth Game Technology's Dream Hit custom wide area progressive on 60 games. A first in Ainsworth's North America history, the Dream Hit WAP starts at $350,000 and must hit by $500,000. Ainsworth's new A-Link Controller makes the game possible.
Novomatic has entered into a licensing agreement with Miramax to produce a series of slot games based on the 1996 Quentin Tarantino film From Dusk Till Dawn.
A federal judge has denied a request by Scientific Games Corporation to dismiss the remaining count in a competitors antitrust lawsuit over card-shuffling technology.
Casino technology will introduce its new Arch Titan cabinet at G2E Las Vegas, the successor to its premium ARCH slot. The cabinet features a 43” vertical curved top box above the 43” horizontally curved monitor. The company is also presenting its interactive portfolio of online products.
Bluberi Gaming Technologies promises that a new cabinet to be revealed at Global Gaming Expo will be the company’s “most dramatic” product launch ever.
May 7-9, 2024: SBC Summit North America, Meadowlands Exposition Center, Secaucus, NJ. Produced by SBC Events. For more information visit sbcevents.com.
May 14-16, 2024: Cage Conference + Connect User Conference, Gila River Resorts & Casinos Learn about new technologies that enhance profitability and network with industry leaders who have proven success in Cage, Revenue and Player Services. For more information visit skiild.com/cage-conference/.
June 3-5, 2024: SiGMA Asia, SMX Convention Center, Manila, Philippines. Produced by SiGMA Group For more information visit sigma.world/.
June 4-6, 2024: G2E Asia 2024, The Venetian Macao, Macau, SAR. Produced by RX and the American Gaming Association. For more information visit g2easia.com/.
June 18-20, 2024: Canadian Gaming Summit, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Canada. Produced by SBC Events. For more information visit sbcevents.com.
July 16-19, 2024: iGB L!VE 2024, RAI Amsterdam, Netherlands Produced by Clarion Gaming. For more information visit igblive.com.
