Vietnamese locals will be permitted to gamble in several of the country’s casinos starting December 1. Players must offer proof that they meet monthly income requirements. They must also purchase tickets to enter. And it’s still unclear what casinos will be permitted to allow locals to gamble. Meanwhile, another casino is planned for the Vietnamese central coast in Hoiana (l.), and is largely owned by Suncity Group and affiliated companies.
Potential stakeholders in Pennsylvania’s expanded gaming industry assess the new gaming law and the opportunities in sectors like iGaming, mini-casinos and VGTs. Several cities were opting out as sites for the mini-casinos, and Penn National Gaming may file a lawsuit to prevent implementation of the mini-casinos because it is likely to negatively impact its Hollywood Casino (l.) near Harrisburg.
Tim Wilmott, the CEO of Penn National Gaming, has been elected by the board of directors to become the new chairman of the American Gaming Association. Wilmott succeeds Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts, who held the position for the last four years.
It wasn’t the busiest election season for gaming, but there were two races that may impact the industry. The sound that international casino developer Shawn Scott heard in Maine Tuesday night was his proposed third casino being forcefully flushed down the drain—by a margin of 83 percent to 17 percent. In New Jersey, a new governor, Phil Murphy (l.), and a new mayor for Atlantic City could have implications for the industry there.
Summit Ascent Holdings, the operator of Tigre De Cristal casino resort (l.) in Russia’s Primorye economic zone, is warning investors that gaming taxes could double in the country.
The Bahamas’ $4 billion megaresort has launched a major TV advertising campaign ahead of the opening of its second hotel, a 299-room SLS. The property has struggled with tepid occupancy rates since its April debut. The hope is the ramped-up marketing will change that.
Sanford C. Bernstein Ltd. is rethinking its 2017 estimates for VIP gaming in Singapore. In a November 3 note, the brokerage projected Marina Bay Sands (l.) and Resorts World Sentosa will hit SGD2.35 billion (US$1.73 billion). At the same time, tourism is up in the island nation.
U.S. Solicitor General Noel J. Francisco (l.) has asked to be permitted 10 minutes oral argument in the sports-betting challenge before the U.S. Supreme Court. The former acting solicitor general had urged the court to reject an appeal of the New Jersey lawsuit so it’s unclear what position the current officeholder will take.
How long can this rally in gaming stocks continue? With no bad news on the horizon, the third-quarter results have been nothing but stunning. But should we prepare for a round of profit-taking?
This week, the GGB Podcast features an interview with Jon Hanlin, the VP of commercial strategy - gaming operations, for Aristocrat Technologies on the roll-out of the company’s newest product, the RELM XL cabinet.
The Osaka-based Japan Innovation Party, led by Osaka Governor Ichiro Matsui (l.), is looking for swift legislative action to combat gambling addiction as the country moves toward establishing a legal casino industry.
Gaming analysts say the addition of Naga 2 (l.) to the NagaWorld casino complex Phnom Penh will generate $113 million in its first full year of operations. The $369 million expansion is targeting VIP players.
Philweb Corp announced it had received a Certificate of Accreditation from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation as an electronic gaming system provider to licensed online sites. However, PAGCOR quickly noted that the accreditation does not grant Philweb permission to restart operations. Philweb still needs to acquire a third-party audit service provider for electronic games.
The China National Tourism Administration has banned tour groups to any destinations linked to gambling, drugs or the sex industry. Tour operators that visit such locations could face fines up to 20,000 yuan.
The Las Vegas Sands Corp. says redevelopment of its Sands Cotai Central (l.) into the Londoner Macao will be completed in phases so the resort can continue to serve patrons without disruption.
Macau casino operator SJM Holdings Ltd. saw a slight increase in gaming revenues for the third quarter, but adjusted EBITDA dropped 10.4 percent to HK$726 million (US$93 million) with mass and VIP “disappointing.”
The International Monetary Fund is applauding the Philippines government for adding casinos to entities covered by the country’s Anti-Money Laundering Act.
Macau food culture was acknowledged when the city was added to UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network in the field of gastronomy. Food has been recognized as a way to “preserve Macau’s cultural identity.”
Gala Interactive will have to pay a £2.3m penalty package for violating UK consumer protections. The fines were levied by the UK Gambling Commission and stem from two of the company’s VIP customers who showed problem gambling behavior and wagered £1.3m of stolen money.
Vikings Casinos, a subsidiary of the Vikings Group, will develop a casino resort in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of southeastern France. Vikings Group is based in Normandy.
Former Paddy Power chair and now sports agent called for banning ads for betting firms during sports broadcasts at a recent conference on sports ethics. Fintan Drury (l.) said it was scandalous that betting firms could advertise during afternoon broadcasts, but warned it would take a grassroots effort from the public to affect change.
The Netherlands Gaming Authority is cracking down on adult gaming operators that may be appealing to young people by trying to lure them into social gaming sites that use free play. It considers this a gateway to adult gambling.
Richard Flint (l.), chief executive of Sky Betting & Gaming, expressed concerns in a recent interview that the UK is considering raising taxes on gambling companies active in the country. He argues that a tax rise would stunt future investment plans by betting firms.
Horseracing advocates in the UK say a triennial review of the gaming industry by the government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport must take into account the impact of any changes on racing.
Australian casino developer James Packer (l.) has just spent 2017 trying to right his Crime Resorts empire after a year of devastating results from his entrée into international casino development. He has sold one casino and a film production company to get capital to pay down debt and begin the recovery.
Hard Rock Casino Ottawa and its partner Rideau Carleton Raceway want to add 14 table games to the current 21 at their $320 million expansion under construction. To avoid scrutiny, they applied to the committee of adjustment for approval rather than the city council. One councilmember called the move "a sneaky backdoor approach."
The head of a gambling group in Trinidad and Tobago accused Minister of Finance Colm Imbert of acting "with dishonor" toward the gaming industry. She said Imbert invited industry officials to meet to discuss the proposed 100 percent increase on equipment taxes only after the legislation was presented to the Parliament.
Slot-machine spending increased for the fourth consecutive year in New Zealand. The Department of Internal Affairs reported for fiscal 2017, ending September 30, slots proceeds rose 3.4 percent from $588 million to $606.5 million, although the number of gaming venues, games and license holders fell. One factor was new Standalone Progressive Prize machines.
The Edgewater Casino in Vancouver, British Columbia recently held an auction of poker tables, roulette wheels, office furniture and supplies and more to in-person and online bidders. The casino closed September 29, the same day the new $600 million Parq Vancouver Casino opened across the street.
Casino Canberra (l.) owner Aquis Entertainment said it will spend $330 million to rebuild the property into a resort-entertainment complex. In return the Australian legislature will allow it to install up to 200 poker machines and 60 automated table games, breaking clubs' and hotels' monopoly on the devices.
According to data from New Jersey regulators, the progressive slot Divine Fortune from NetEnt is the most lucrative progressive slot for players in New Jersey’s online casinos. The slot has paid out just under $900,000 since May.
About $280 million worth of the cryptocurrency ether has been locked in digital wallets after a user accidentally deleted the code necessary to access them. The wallets are hosted by the company Parity Technologies.
Wirecard Bank in Germany is denying a report stemming from the Paradise Papers that it has been processing payments by online gambling sites to players. Online casinos are not legal in Germany leading to reports that Wirecard and other banks are violating local German law. The bank maintains it has not violated any laws concerning the online ban.
The Spanish national gambling regulator Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego announced year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter revenue growth for the country’s online market. For the three months to September 30, the sector generated €140.5m ($163.6m), up 37.3 percent over 2016
Digital slots developer GameArt announced that it had reached a reseller agreement with NYX Gaming Group Limited. NYX customers will be able to access a range of games supplied by GameArt.
Officials of Anne Arundel County, where the Live! Casino and Hotel (l.) is located, have approved up to $36 million in property tax relief for the property in exchange for a new convention center.
When Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker (l.) visited Las Vegas last month he had a private meeting with casino developer Steve Wynn, who is building the Wynn Boston Harbor. A potential rival in next year’s election is criticizing Baker for the meeting.
British billionaire Richard Branson’s (l.) Virgin Hotels plans to develop 20 properties in the U.S. over the next eight years and Las Vegas is near the top of the list. Reports are the company is looking to acquire an existing casino hotel.
The Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering's proposed new rules on designated player card games require the games to follow the card room operator's house rules and the dealer position to rotate among players. The Seminole Tribe had sued the state over designated player games the tribe claimed violated its exclusive banked card-game rights. The poker room at the Mardi Gras casino at left.
Gaming’s most famous street isn’t seeing much by way of new resort construction, but a reinvention of a different sort is in full sway. Led by Caesars Entertainment, some 9,000 rooms in at least eight hotels are being remodeled at a cost approaching half a billion dollars. The company is also installing the first zip line on the Strip at the Linq (l.).
Construction of the Live! Hotel and Casino, the second casino property in Philadelphia, is slated to begin next year, the project having cleared its last legal hurdle.
More paperwork—in this case a notice of settlement—concerning the sale of the shuttered Revel Atlantic City casino to a Denver-based firm have been filed in New Jersey, but the casino’s owner continues to deny the sale is imminent. Glenn Straub, owner of the property, again told local media he knows nothing of the possible sale. However, this is the second time Colorado-based Ten RE ACNJ has filed regulatory paper work for the acquisition of the property.
The Gary, Indiana council may extend the state's smoking ban to include the two Majestic Star Casinos (l.), which currently are exempt from state law. Majestic Star President Pete Liguori said the ban would drive players away and cost the city $3 million annually. He added 400 casino workers could lose their jobs.
Florida state senators Don Gaetz (l.) and Tom Lee, both members of the Constitutional Revision Committee, have co-introduced legislation to amend the state constitution and end greyhound racing. When Gaetz was Senate president he proposed measures to ban dog racing twice, but both times the bills passed the Senate and failed in the House.
The game appears to be enjoying a resurgence in the Silver State. The 62 poker rooms notched their best September in four years and have been growing revenues year-over-year for four months running.
Full House Resorts will build a $60-$70 million, 150-room upscale hotel adjoining Bronco Billy's Casino and Hotel (l.)—Cripple Creek, Colorado's first new hotel in more than 10 years. The expansion also will offer a spa, an upscale restaurant, convention space and a 500-vehicle garage. Construction will begin by the end of the year.
The five members of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission are "struggling" over the decision to approve a casino in Cedar Rapids, said IRGC Commissioner Brian Ohorilko. They'll announce their decision November 16 regarding which, if any, of three proposals will be selected. The panel rejected a Cedar Rapids proposal in 2014 over cannibalization.
The gaming giant showed vastly improved results in the third quarter, cutting the massive costs associated with its Chapter 11 restructuring and slashing its fixed charges and annual interest obligations. Best of all, the company is sitting on $2 billion in cash for expansion.
As promised, Hard Rock International—the new owners of the former Trump Taj Mahal Casino—continue to radically change the property, leaving behind little vestige of the casino property once owned by President Donald Trump. Trump’s name and the casinos iconic front sign are already gone, and now the Indian themed onion domes that have long been part of the city’s skyline are being dismantled. Add to that the expected demolition of the former Trump Plaza casino in the coming months, and little of Trump’s former empire will remain.
Tioga Downs Casino last week began booking guest into its hotel, slated to pen on December 1. Owner Jeff Gural (l.) calls the hotel a “major milestone” in the development of the full-blown casino, which started as a racino.
The Celebrity Hotel and Casino (l.) in Deadwood, South Dakota filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, two months after Kevin Costner closed his Midnight Star Casino. Mike Rodman, executive director of the Deadwood Gaming Association, said a committee will study the5-year drop in gambling revenue, noting Deadwood still generates $100 million yearly in casino revenue.
Orland Park, Illinois trustees scheduled a public forum on November 27 regarding an advisory referendum allowing video gambling. The village opted out of allowing the machines before they first appeared in September 2012. The issue would appear on the March 20, 2018 primary ballot and ensure video gambling would be "highly, highly restricted."
Connecticut’s two casino tribes, plus its two U.S. Senators are pressuring the Department of the Interior to officially endorse an amended tribal state gaming compact. This would allow the tribes to begin building the state’s third casino (l.).
Former Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Kevin Washburn (l.) will represent the tribe when its dispute with New York over payments from the tribe’s casinos goes to arbitration. The Senecas have stopped the payments, saying their revenue-sharing obligation has been fulfilled. The state says the tribe is in violation of its compact.
A tribe based on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts is opposing a review of a challenge to its small Class II casino that it proposes to build on the island by the United States Supreme Court. The challenge has been brought against the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) by the town of Aquinnah and the state, among others. Tribal Chairwoman Cheryl Andrews-Maltais (l.) has asked for cooperation, rather than conflict.
Ho-Chunk Gaming Wittenberg in Wisconsin recently opened its $33 million expansion. The casino floor has been doubled and now includes high-stakes and non-smoking areas plus 10 electronic table games. A restaurant and 86-room hotel will open in the near future. The expansion created 80 new jobs.
A new report from the Michigan Gaming Control Board indicated tribal casinos generated $29.2 million for local governments and revenue sharing boards in 2016. The funds come from 2 percent of casino's net slot wins. The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, owner of the Four Winds casino (l.), distributed $6 million, the highest among the state's 12 tribes.
The Choctaw Nation recently opened a $50 million expansion at its Choctaw Casino & Resort in Grant, Oklahoma. Upgrades include a new 96-room Wingtower hotel, a swimming pool, VIP poker room and Chili's Grill & Bar, the first located in an Oklahoma casino. “A Grander Grand Opening” $100,000 giveaway will continue throughout November.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians supports holding a referendum on alcohol sales outside Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort (l.) in Cherokee, North Carolina. Alcohol sales are allowed at the casino and a state law allows them in restaurants within a given area. However, tribal members want a say on those special permits.
For the second time, the U.S. Supreme Court is considering Michigan resident David Patchak's lawsuit against the Gun Lake Tribe. In 2012, the high court heard his 2008 lawsuit claiming the tribe's casino would cause hardship. Now it's determining if the 2014 Gun Lake Trust Land Reaffirmation Act, blocking any federal lawsuit, is constitutional.
The Southern California San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has announced plans for a huge new expansion that includes a 500-room hotel. The Tribal Environmental Impact Report was just released on the project.
Thomas Snowball, the fourth of nine former Winnebago tribal council members charged with theft, recently was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to pay $36,500 in restitution. The nine were indicted in July 2016 on charges of conspiracy, theft from a gaming establishment on Indian lands and wire fraud.
North Dakota lottery sales declined 22 percent to $27.6 million in fiscal 2017, down from $35.7 million in fiscal 2016. Lottery Director Randy Miller blamed smaller Powerball jackpots. Still, sales were the third-highest in the lottery's history. Profits to the state fell from $9.5 million to $6.2 million.
Scientific Games has released its new omni-channel lottery system for Canada’s Atlantic Lottery, integrating retail, internet and mobile gaming in a unified player experience.
Matt Levinson, the chairman of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission, was not reappointed to the position he has held since 2012. James Plousis, the chairman of the New Jersey State Parole Board, will reportedly replace him.
BMM Testlabs announced that Marc Lee, formerly senior vice president of technology, has been transferred to the position of senior vice president of operations for Europe and South America.
The Navajo Nation has named Clara Pratte chief of staff for the Office of the President and Vice President. She has worked for the Navajo and other tribes in various capacities for many years.
Everi has launched a giving module that allows players to make charitable donations to vetted charities directly from a redemption kiosk on the casino floor.
Macau gaming operators Galaxy Entertainment has announced it will soon begin accepting WeChat Pay mobile transactions at its Galaxy, StarWorld and Broadway resorts in the city.
One of Japan’s leading producers of pachinko and pachislot machines for amusement arcades has received preliminary approval to introduce the games to Nevada.
Connecticut’s Foxwoods casino is employing a system from OfferCraft that creates interactive promotional games designed to engage current customers and create new ones.
Blackwrist Interactive has launched PlayerPoint, a kiosk marketing system designed to increase player acquisition, player retention and player optimization.
Faced with problems in Asian markets such as Malaysia and the slow growth of its partnership with Sun Bingo, Playtech has issued a warning that its profits for the year will be at the low end of projections. The warning sent Playtech’s stocks down 20 percent.
GVC Holdings announced it has sold its Turkish business unit Headlong Limited to Malta-based technology group Ropso Limited. The sale price was reportedly €150 million. The sale is expected to be complete by the end of the year.
A Certificate in Gaming Leadership program will be offered January 22-25 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa by the Spears School of Business in Stillwater, Oklahoma and the University of Nevada, Reno. The program is designed for supervisors with direct reports and less than five years of management experience.
