Anticipating the U.S. Supreme Court to allow sports betting, Indiana state Rep. Alan Morrison (l.) proposed legislation giving national sports leagues a 1 percent "integrity fee" from the state's potential sports-betting handle. The American Gaming Association called the proposal a "short-sighted, misinformed idea." At least a dozen states are preparing legislation to cash in on sports betting, but ideas like this could kill the golden goose.

Penn National Gaming, which operates the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course (l.), filed a lawsuit seeking to block the provision of the new gaming law creating satellite mini-casinos, and then won the license to host one of the new casinos in York.

A pioneer in gaming and the inventor of the now ubiquitous “wheel” slot games, Stan Fulton passed away at the age of 86. The founder of Anchor Games, he was the owner of New Mexico’s Sunland Park Racetrack for the last 20 years.

MGM China Holdings has confirmed that its long-delayed MGM Cotai resort in Macau will open as planned January 29. A series of celebrations will follow at the HK$27 billion property (US$3.4 billion) property.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board has recommended approval of an initial public offering for Las Vegas-based AGS, as the company further expands into Class III gaming markets. AGS also was named one of the “Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation,” the only Nevada company to be honored.

One of Europe’s largest casino resorts, City of Dreams Mediterranean (l.) planned for the city of Limassol in Cyprus, could add as much as $838 million to the island’s economy when it opens. That’s the equivalent of 4 percent of the national economy.

The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) won’t have to go to court anymore to defend its right to build a small Class II casino in a former community center (l.) on its reservation on the western tip of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. The Supreme Court last week declined to hear an appeal to the tribe’s most recent court victory.

State Senator Becky Harris has been named as the first chairwoman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board. She is only the second woman to sit on the board, following Patty Becker who served from 1983-85. She replaces AG Burnett who resigned in December.

While there still is lots of enthusiasm in the investment community for all sorts of gaming activity, there is some worry that the bricks-and-mortar properties are exposed. Could land-based casinos go the way of retail?

This week, the GGB Podcast features a discussion with Anika Howard, the senior director for product marketing for mobile, PlaySpot, and North American sportsbetting for IGT, on being named one of the 25 People to Watch in the January issue of GGB.

Gross gaming revenues in the Philippines’ casino industry could grow as much as one-third this year, say analysts, thanks in part to Okada Manila (l.). The property has been expanding since its soft launch in December 2016.

A report from risk consultancy Steve Vickers Associates says the volatile relationship between the governments of Washington and Beijing could have a negative impact on U.S. gaming companies in Macau. Some observers are wondering whether a mysterious visit by Steve Wynn to Beijing concerned license renewals or Chinese dissident Guo Wengui (l.).

Officials from five of seven states in the Southeast Asian republic of Myanmar have asked the government for permission to operate hotel casinos. Vice President U Henry Van Thio (l.) and tourism chief U Yan Win support the plan, within limits.

When Macau’s Canidrome greyhound track closes in late July, owner and SJM executive Angela Leong (l.) says its stable of 600 racing greyhounds will not be homeless. The track is closing in part due to declining revenues.

China Star Entertainment Ltd. in Macau has completed the sale of the Lan Kwai Fong casino hotel to local businessman Chan Meng Kam. The property sold for a total consideration of HKD2 billion (US$256.2 million).

French casinos generated total gaming revenues of €2.292 billion (US$2.8 billion) in the 2016-17 fiscal year, up 2.48 percent. Operator Lucien Barrière runs four out of five of the top gaming floors.

Unlicensed online gaming websites can continue to do business with electronic payment services in the Netherlands, thanks to a ruling by one of the country’s highest administrative courts.

Residents of Sudbury, Ontario, Canada will be able to make their voices heard at two hearings on True North Sports and Entertainment Center (l.), the proposed Kingsway arena and casino, proposed for Sudbury. The first meeting will be held January. 22.

The Tasmanian Liberal Party has vowed to keep poker machines in the country’s pubs and clubs if it returns to power in the March election. The Labor Party has pledged to remove slots from smaller venues by 2023.

The UK Gambling Commission has ordered all online casino operators presently taking UK bets to review their policies for preventing money laundering and terrorist financing. The order comes as the commission is investigating 17 online operators, which includes five that could face a formal license review. The crackdown comes after the commission said it made findings of a “serious nature” into how such organizations are meeting their social responsibilities.

A ban on online casino and poker games went into effect in Uruguay as of January 1. The law states that unlicensed sites cannot target the country’s residents. However, online sports betting is still permitted. Changes to the country’s gambling laws also include a new tax law on land-based gaming.

UK bookmakers have suspended betting markets on whether the Scottish Professional League football club Glasgow Rangers will be relegated to a lower division. Reportedly, online rumors are circulating that the club is facing financial problems. In 2012, financial problems with the club led to it being relegated several divisions.

An Egyptian Grand Mufti has ordered a religious ban on cryptocurrencies saying they are “akin to gambling” and violate Islamic law. Several other Islamic leaders have expressed similar concerns.

Although polls indicate most Georgia voters support casinos, influential state lawmakers continue to oppose efforts to allow up to six casino resorts. Still, MGM, Wynn Resorts, Las Vegas Sands, Penn National Gaming, Boyd Gaming and Golden Nugget all have lobbyists in the state capital. Georgia, where Atlanta (l.) is an under-penetrated market, is one of only nine states without tribal or commercial casinos.

The pace towards the September opening of the $960 million MGM Springfield in Massachusetts is picking up. The casino structure will soon be sealed and indoor work will begin. The administration has moved into its permanent headquarters.

Construction is under way on a 1.4 million-square-foot expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Slated for completion in 2020, the massive project is forecasted to bring 600,000 additional visitors to the city each year and generate more than $800 million a year in new economic spinoffs.

The Federal Trade Commission waived a mandated waiting period, moving Caesars Entertainment closer to completing its $1.7 billion purchase of Centaur Holdings. The transaction gives Caesars Hoosier Park Racing and Casino (l.) in Anderson, Indiana and Indiana Grand Racing and Casino in Shelbyville. Caesars officials expect the deal to be completed in by July.

Kentucky state Rep. Dennis Keene proposed legislation allowing up to four casinos plus limited casino gambling at existing racetracks. The state racing industry and Governor Matt Bevin (l.) oppose expanded gambling. Kentucky is one of 10 states without casinos. Also state Senator Julian Carroll introduced a bill authorize sports betting if the federal ban is lifted.

The city didn’t break the 43 million mark many expected. But convention attendance hit a new annual record, while 2018 will see thousands of remodeled hotel rooms returning to the market, along with some 1,600 new ones.

Driving Arkansas Forward proposed a constitutional amendment allowing three casinos, with tax revenue directed to highway improvements. Quapaw Tribal Chairman John Berrey (l.) expressed interest in a casino in Jefferson County. If the attorney general approves the title and wording, the group must collect 84,859 valid signatures for the issue to appear on the November ballot.

Las Vegas was all set to host the country’s first dedicated marijuana lounges. But that was before U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions decided he doesn’t like the pot business, even in states where it’s legal. The decision calls into question how successful the marijuana retailers (l.) would fare.

Next month’s opening of New York’s Resorts World Catskills (l.) sets in motion a state-approved scheme for subsidizing purses at nearby Monticello Raceway for the next seven years. A good deal for the horsemen―provided the casino is more successful than its upstate competition.

The rebranded Ocean Downs Casino unveiled its first table games as part of a 35,000-square-foot casino expansion that also added 800 video gaming machines.

When Four Winds South Bend opens Tuesday, the 175,000 square foot venue will be the first Native American-owned casino (l.) in Indiana. Ground was broken in December 2016 for the property, featuring architecture that reflects the tribe's heritage, including a never-ending flame. Three other Four Winds properties are located in Michigan.

The Spokane Tribe of Washington this week will open its third casino, the $40 million Spokane Tribe Casino (l.) near Airway Heights and in the flight path of the Fairchild air Force Base. The 2,900 members of the tribe have been waiting a long time for the casino, which will have 450 slots and 12 gaming tables.

The Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequots of Connecticut refuse to say for sure when they will break ground on their East Windsor “satellite” casino. There are too many factors in play, they say and they don’t want to miss a target like they did last year.

The Chippewa Cree Tribe's online lending company, Plain Green LLC, and BEH Gaming reached a settlement regarding loans to expand the tribe's Northern Winz Hotel and Casino (l.). BEH filed the lawsuit in 2014 in District Court in Hill County, Montana. Tribal Chairman Harlan Baker said the lawsuit "has been a dark cloud hanging over our community."

The northernmost Indian casino in California, the Rain Rock Casino in Yreka, is preparing to open next month with 500 slots and eight gaming tables. Last week the Karuk tribe held a job fair that was attended by more than 1,000 hopeful employment seekers.

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians tribal council unanimously approved holding a referendum regarding allowing alcohol sales outside tribal property. Some members said state law allows those sales and a "no" vote in the referendum would have no impact, except to possibly cause the state to deny alcohol sales at the tribe's Harrah's Cherokee (l.).

The state’s increasingly crowded gaming market is going to get more crowded with the March 1 opening of a new gaming venue by the Oneida Indian Nation. Point Place Casino (l.) near Syracuse will feature 500 machine games, 20 table games and attractions that include restaurants, lounges, a bakery and a chocolate shop.

Jayme Odom, Illinois Lottery chief of staff, and Michael Mahoney, House Republican Leader Jim Durkin's chief of staff, were named in the Chicago Tribune's lottery investigation report for failing to reveal improper relationships with lobbyists for Camelot, the lottery's new managers. Both had connections with Camelot lobbyists Nancy Kimme and Eric Elk.

Former Sands executive Mark Brown has stepped down as chairman of Imperial Pacific International, operator of a casino in the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands. He is also the property’s former president.

The Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers announced the new slate of officers elected to oversee the supplier organization for the coming year. Everi Executive Vice President Dave Lucchese (l.) was named vice president.

Brad Goldberg, a longtime veteran of the hospitality industry and marketing, has been named senior vice president of marketing for Las Vegas-based Golden Entertainment Inc. Golden will employ Goldberg as they expand in the industry with newly acquired properties in Las Vegas and Arizona.

Novomatic AG announced it has completed the acquisition of 52 percent of the shares of Australian slot manufacturer Ainsworth Game Technology. The shares were formerly the stake of Ainsworth founder, gaming legend Len Ainsworth (l.).

Aristocrat Leisure Limited announced that it has completed its acquisition of social casino platform supplier Big Fish Games Inc. in a $990 million cash deal.

ICE VOX has added a track on sports betting to its educational conference to coincide with the ICE Totally Gaming trade show, based on the New York Sports Betting USA conference.