Las Vegas Sands Corporation has entered into an agreement with Alabama’s Poarch Band of Creek Indians to sell its Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem in Pennsylvania to the tribe for $1.3 billion. The Poarch Band operates three Class II casinos in Alabama and this will be its first venture into the commercial gaming space. LV Sands exits a non-core asset and escapes some challenging issues that have arisen in the state over the past year.
In light of public opposition to casinos, Japanese lawmakers are taking a restrained approach to the country’s first integrated resorts, with a limit on the number of IRs, entry fees for residents, and other planned safeguards. While the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (l.) prefers five casino licenses, the continued opposition probably would limit it to just three.
A $2.4 billion settlement has put an end to a long-running dispute over Wynn Resorts’s forced redemption of millions of shares Kazuo Okada once controlled. The deal is expected to help Wynn distance itself from the sexual misconduct allegations surrounding Steve Wynn and allow Wynn and ex-wife Elaine Wynn to divest their stock. But will it play in Massachusetts?
On March 7, the government of Brazil voted 13-2 to reject a bill to legalize all forms of gaming from land-based casinos, bingo halls and video gaming to online gaming, sports betting and jogo do bicho, a lottery style animal game (l.). It’s a setback, but there remains a slim chance it could be revived.
The Florida legislature last week failed to act on any gaming bills that were bing considered. The measure was an omnibus gambling bill that was being weighed as the legislative session was scheduled to end at midnight, Sunday, March 11. The bill included extending the 20-year Seminole compact, giving the tribe exclusive rights to blackjack (l.) and adding craps and roulette, in exchange for $3 billion over seven years.
The 1 percent "integrity fee" promoted by the NBA and MLB, which experts said actually is a 20 percent cut of all sports book revenue. One expert called the proposal “short sighted” and said leagues should instead partner with states to create the best benefits for all. Meanwhile, sports betting bills have moved in several states, some with, some without the fee. Dr. Laila Mintas (l.), deputy president of SportRadar, said the fee would make it difficult for operators to profit.
Wilfred Wong (l.), president and COO of Sands China Ltd. may have expressed the thoughts of fellow casino executives in Macau as he “eagerly waited for details” about upcoming gaming concession renewals
In a quick moving deal, UK bookmaker William Hill announced it has sold its Australian division to CrownBet Holdings and a group of shareholders associated with the founder and CEO Matthew Tripp. CrownBet itself was majority sold two weeks ago to the Stars Group, the parent company of PokerStars, whose CEO Rafi Ashkenazi (l.) says increases his company’s penetration into the market.
A secret court hearing last week in Bermuda has attempted to silence criticism coming from former Gaming Commission Executive Director Richard Schuetz (l.). The latest comes after tourism minister, Jamahl Simmons claimed that Schuetz and the former gaming commission chairman didn’t do an adequate job assembling the new regulations before they departed.
This week, the GGB Podcast features a dual interview with David Lopez, the president and CEO, and Julia Boguslawski, the chief marketing officer, for booming gaming supplier AGS about the company’s recent IPO.
Galaxy Entertainment expects “stage one of Phase III” of Galaxy Macau to be complete by the end of 2019, says Deputy Chairman Francis Lui. Galaxy may spend up to HKD50 billion (US$6.4 billion) on Phases III and IV.
The U.S. Department of Labor has ordered contractors on the Pacific island of Saipan to pay $13.9 million in back wages and other compensation to Chinese workers to build the Imperial Pacific casino resort.
The 13 Hotel (l.) in Macau may face yet another delay in its launch due to problems getting a casino license. The hotel’s latest opening date was set for some time in March. Now officials are talking about an April debut. And the parent company has proposed a name change, as well
Employees of Galaxy Entertainment Group in Macau descended on the Labor Affairs Bureau to protest alleged unfair treatment. They complained about “voluntary” resignations that came with punitive conditions.
The Macau government’s decision to grant a multi-year extension to the Macau Jockey Club will give the facility an opportunity to reimburse the taxes the company owes to the MSAR.
Genting Hong Kong has sold most of its remaining stake in Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., slashing its shares to just 1.41 percent from 11.13 percent last fall.
Russia’s Primorsky Krai casino zone has announced it will not raise gaming taxes as previously reported. The rate will remain at RUB125,000 (US$2,198) per month per table and RUB7,500 per month for slot machines.
Hong Kong-based Far East Consortium International will acquire Nevada-based Trans World Corporation for $42 million. TWC owns and operates five hotels in Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic and three American Chance casinos (l.) in the Czech Republic. Besides expanding its European presence, the transaction will allow TWC to establish a gaming platform, officials said.
The British Amusement Catering Trade Association is disputing figures on potential losses to UK bookmakers if the UK government reduces the maximum bet on fixed odds betting terminals to £2. The association feels bookies would lose nearly 47 percent less money than government projections. The UK is planning to reduce the maximum FOBT bet, but the determinations of final amount if now in a public discussion phase.
Gaming regulators in Greece have shut down the Club Hotel Casino Loutraki (l.) after the operator failed to pay €250,000 (US$310,000) in gaming taxes. The rate is set at 35 percent of each day’s gaming revenues.
The government of Jamaica may pull its support for the huge Harmony Cove mega-resort (l.) that has been planned for more than a decade. The problem is that the built-in incentives for the project are no longer allowed under terms of the country’s agreement with the International Monetary Fund.
Those blanking buttons! Just when Crown Resorts’ China problems were fading from memory, the Aussie casino operator is back in hot water, this time facing sanctions for alleged slot tampering at a casino Down Under.
The results of the tender for seven Chilean casinos should be announced by June 19. Licenses are up for grabs in Arica, Iquique, Coquimbo, Viña del Mar (l.), Pucón, Puerto Varas and Puerto Natales.
Gateway Casinos and Entertainment has re-opened its refurbished Kelowna casino with a new name—Playtime Casino Kelowna (l.). The former Lake City Casino has undergone a CAN $ 3.6 million renovation including adding two restaurants, updating the gaming floor, and increasing the workforce by 50 employees.
Gaming lobbyists in South Australia have lent financial support to both Labor and Liberal party candidates in an effort to neutralize SA Best candidate and anti-pokies politician Nick Xenophon.
Woolworths Chairman Gordon Cairns (l.) said he takes personal responsibility for the retailer's response to a scandal involving poker machines, or pokies, where the company is accused using personal information to encourage gambling in its company-owned pubs. Cairns said the charge is of the "highest concern" for the board of directors.
Online gaming operator 888 has sent a letter to regulators in Pennsylvania advising that the state’s casinos should be permitted to run multiple skins. Several of the state’s casino operators have recommended that each operating casino be limited to one skin, the brand under which it operates.
State Rep. Brandt Iden's (l.) Lawful Internet Gaming Act passed House and Senate committees and now awaits consideration by the full chambers. The measure would legalize and regulate online gambling through the three Detroit casinos and tribal casinos if their compacts are amended. Operators would pay a 10 percent tax on gross gaming revenue.
A U.S. congresswoman representing Las Vegas has asked the federal government to keep online gambling legal. Democratic Representative Dina Titus wrote to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, urging the Justice Department not to reverse a ruling it made in 2011 that allowed online gambling in individual states.
The UK Gambling Commission is encouraging new enforcement actions against online gambling firms that restrict how players can withdraw money. The statement comes as the UK Competition and Markets Authority has announced it is writing to a number of online gambling firms regarding terms and practices that may place obstacles in the way of player withdrawals.
JustBet, an Australian-registered sports betting site, is under investigation by a Tasmanian MP. The site offers online betting in both cash and cryptocurrencies. Though the site lists an Australian island territory as an administrator, local reports found it actually operates out of Costa Rica and is not licensed in Australia.
Stockholm-listed online gaming operator Betsson announced it is adding Authentic Gaming's live dealer games to its portfolio of brands. Authentic's live roulette games will be made available across the operator's gaming brands, including Betsson.com, Betsafe.com, Oranjecasino.com and Casino.dk.
The Wynn scandal has prompted the Gaming Control Board to get working on regulations to ensure licensees comply with federal and state standards for keeping employees safe. As a start Chairwoman Becky Harris (l.) says the board is distributing a checklist to help operators measure the strength of their existing anti-sexual harassment policies and procedures.
Instead of passing a bill pension reform, which he said was illegal, Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear (l.) suggested lawmakers legalize expanded gambling. Beshear's father, former Governor Steve Beshear, supported casino gambling and campaigned to legalize it when he ran for governor in 2007.
HB 1609 awaits the signature of Virginia Governor Ralph Northam (l.). Recently passed by the state Senate in a 31-9 vote, the bill would allow historical racing terminals at Colonial Downs, which closed in 2014. Revolutionary Racing of Chicago said it would invest up to $50 million in the facility if the machines are allowed.
As the New Jersey legislature begins consideration of a bill to legalize marijuana sales, Atlantic City’s mayor is envisioning pot friendly zones in the resort as a way of stimulating the city’s economy. Mayor Frank Gilliam (l.) is considering a plan for recreational use of marijuana in “adult entertainment districts” as a way of attracting new tourists to the city.
Wild Rose Casinos in Clinton and Jefferson (l.), Iowa each will pay fines of $5,000 for self-ban violations. The Clinton facility sent a mailing to someone who had signed the self-ban list. The Jefferson facility gave a players' card to a person who self-banned at another casino. Officials said both venues have taken steps to address the issue.
Rules changes proposed for Deadwood, South Dakota casinos include requiring dealers to enforce bet limits, post age minimum signs and considering new versions of poker and blackjack, among others. A public hearing on the changes will be held at the Deadwood City Hall, Tuesday, March 27.
The Breeders’ Cup World Championships, which was held for the first time last year at the Del Mar Racetrack (l.) in San Diego County, made a significant impact on the local economy. That’s the conclusion of a report by Sports Management Research Institute.
A disgruntled gambler is suing a former Meadowlands horse trainer for fraud for costing him a $31,000 parlay. He’d gotten three of the race’s first four finishers right, only to be undone by a long shot that won the race and later tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing drug.
Connecticut’s gaming tribes last week celebrated the demolition of a vacant cinema—the first steps towards building a third satellite casino owned by both tribes. But questions are being raised whether the 20-month schedule for completing it will happen in time to achieve its purpose: blunting the effects of the MGM Springfield.
A federal judge has ruled in favor of California’s Wilton Rancheria and against challengers of the tribe’s proposed $500 million casino. The tribe plans to move forward in building on 36 acres in the unfinished Elk Grove mall (l.).
Penn National Gaming has abandoned its agreement with the Jamul Indian Village and will hand over the San Diego County-based Hollywood Casino Jamul-San Diego (l.) to the tribe a little more than a year after it opened. Reportedly Penn will be left holding a $48.5 million debt from the tribe.
The town council of Mashpee and leaders of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe haven’t met in more than a couple of years. Serious problems have arisen in the internal and the leaders want to clear the air. So they scheduled a March 5 meeting.
The National Indian Gaming Commission approved the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska's proposed casino at Carter Lake, Iowa, but the city of Council Bluffs sued to stop it. As it awaits the court's decision, the tribe continues to tweak its plans for a casino with 2,000 slot machines, 50 table games and a 150-room hotel.
In Oklahoma, the Osage, Cherokee and Creek Nations are building or renovating casinos in the Tulsa area. The $150 million Osage Casino and Hotel, complete with an in-house craft brewery, will open in August. The 5-year old Cherokee Nation's Hard Rock already is being remodeled. And the Creek's $365 million Margaritaville continues to expand.
Indian Country Today was once a stalwart journalistic source for everything about tribes. Then it shut down in September. But now it’s being revived under the auspices of the National Congress of American Indians.
Stand Up for California, a casino watchdog organization, has asked the Trump administration to withdraw an agreement between the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe and the city of Ridgecrest.
A casino in Washington, the Ilani Casino Resort paid a former table games supervisor for several months after her employment was terminated. Now it wants the money back and has taken the woman to court.
About a third of New Hampshire town will be voting soon on whether to allow electronic keno in bars, restaurants and other places where alcohol is served. The money raised from taxing the games will go to fund full-day kindergarten.
An anonymous woman who wants to stay that way after winning the New Hampshire Powerball jackpot has announced through her lawyers that she will donate $50 million to charity. She will also continue her battle in court to remain anonymous.
The World Lottery Association recently awarded the Pennsylvania Lottery its Level 2 Responsible Gaming Certification for issuing information about problem gambling warning signs during National Problem Gambling Awareness month. The Pennsylvania Lottery offers a confidential hotline, and a 24-hour online chat service. Also, players may block themselves from playing the new iLottery scratch-off, Keno and draw games.
Alex Rankin, board vice chairman at Churchill Downs Inc. since October 2017, will become chairman effective April 24, replacing longtime board member G. Watts Humphrey, chairman since 2016. An insurance company president, Rankin, is a thoroughbred owner and breeder, Jockey Club member and former Breeders' Cup director and Kentucky Thoroughbred Association president.
Ashley Sandyford-Sykes was named senior vice president of the content team at Scientific Games' new SG Digital division, involved in digital gaming, sports and iLottery. He will be responsible for SG Digital's nine game studios. His hiring completes SG Digital's recent product and technology management appointments.
Zeena Rossouw has been named vice president, operations and sales, at gaming testing laboratory and consultants BMM Testlabs' location in Johannesburg, South Africa, where she will provide support and training to operators, suppliers, manufacturers and regulators. Previously she was compliance manager at Aruze Gaming.
Hialeah park owner and philanthropist John Brunetti, 87, died March 2 in Florida. He owned a successful New Jersey construction business, then purchased Hialeah, which he had visited as a college student, in 1977. The track's fortunes faded when the state stopped regulating race dates. Quarter horse racing and casino gambling still are offered.
Pamela Gallegos is the new chief executive officer for Shoshone-Bannock Gaming Operations and the Shoshone-Bannock Hotel & Event Center in Fort Hall, Idaho, where a new casino is under construction. The Albuquerque native previously managed at and helped to open Native American resorts as well as ski resorts and hunting lodges.
Affinity Gaming named Chris Horning corporate vice president of food and beverage. He will oversee all aspects of food and beverage operations across Affinity Gaming's 11 properties. With more than 10 year experience in culinary, hospitality and management, Horning previously was general manager, executive chef and director of culinary at LifeWorks Restaurant Group.
Hard Rock International will leave the Orlando headquarters it has occupied since 2007 for new facilities at the Seminole Hard Rock's Hollywood casino resort, where Chief Executive Officer Jim Allen has his offices. The move will provide "a more collaborative environment," for Hard Rock, the Seminole Tribe and Seminole Gaming, officials said.
Topgolf, the luxury driving range open in multiple cities around the world, last week announced that it would open a new establishment at MGM Springfield, opening in September.
Scientific Games saw revenue increases in all three of its divisions in the fourth quarter, a continuation of momentum which has narrowed the supplier’s net loss.
The Gaming Standards Association is launching a landmark third-party interface standard, to streamline remote game servers to iGaming platform interfaces.
Jackpot Digital has signed a contract to replace its PokerPro electronic table games on Carnival cruise ships with its next-generation Jackpot Blitz ETG (l.).
