Like last year, the Florida House and Senate versions of gambling legislation are far apart. This year, lawmakers face added pressure from the Voter Control of Gambling Amendment, which will appear on the November ballot and give voters a say over future gambling. Legislators believe this is their last opportunity to leave a gambling footprint on the state. House Tourism & Gaming Control Committee Chairman Mike La Rosa (l.) says the House bill would “box up” gambling in Florida for the next 20 years.
Wynn Resorts has moved quickly to cooperate with investigations by regulators in Nevada and Massachusetts into allegations that Steve Wynn (l.) has been sexually harassing female employees for decades. The shares continue to slide, though, and one analyst suggests Wynn could be ripe for a takeover if it gets any worse. The Nevada Gaming Control Board, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and Macau regulators have launched investigations into the charges.
Two new casinos scheduled to open in Atlantic City have applied to New Jersey regulators to offer online gambling. The state licenses online sites through Atlantic City casinos. Both the Hard Rock casino and the Ocean Resort—formerly Revel Atlantic City—have applied for licensing. Online operator GAN has also signed a multi-year agreement with Ocean Resort to provide real-money online gambling software beginning sometime in the second half of 2018. Hard Rock has not released details of its plans.
As of last week, the Macau Government Tourism Office had yet to issue an operating license for the five-star hotel at MGM Cotai, which is set to open before the Chinese New Year on February 16. The property is already delayed by more than two years from its initial announced opening date.
With the arrival of February, politics is open for business in the Connecticut state capital of Hartford. One of the big items on the plate will be MGM Resorts International’s proposal for a $675 million casino (l.) in Bridgeport.
This week’s ICE Totally Gaming trade show and conference is expected to draw more than 30,000 attendees from the complete range of the gaming industry.
The Louisiana Riverboat Economic Development and Gaming Task Force, chaired by Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones (l.), recommended that riverboat casinos be allowed to place slots up to 1,200 feet from shore and increase gaming areas. Task force member state Senator Ronnie Johns will sponsor legislation regarding these and other changes.
The new Eilers-Fantini Quarterly Slot Survey showed that Aristocrat Technologies has increased its presence on casino floors as it prepares to launch new products. AGS and Scientific Games also made a strong showing in the latest version of the quarterly report.
If you’re a regular reader of Nevada’s award-wining journalist, John L. Smith (l.), you weren’t surprised about the allegations of sexual misconduct against Steve Wynn. Smith’s book, “Running Scared: The Life and Treacherous Times of Las Vegas Casino King Steve Wynn” raised the red flag.
This week, the GGB Podcast features an interview with Sean McBurney, the general manager of Caesars Palace, on the unique place that property holds in the Caesars organization.
Bloomberry Resorts Corp. submitted the only bid to buy the land under its Solaire casino (l.) in Manila’s Entertainment City. But the auction required two bidders to proceed, so it’s back to square one for PAGCOR, which was hoping to play multiple bidders against each other.
Stephen Hung (l.) has stepped aside as joint chairman and executive director of the 13 Holdings Ltd., the company behind a long-stalled ultra-luxury hotel in Macau. The 13 is now expected to open before the end of April.
The volume of licensed Macau junket promoters will likely remain the same for 2018, according to data from the city’s Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau. There are now 109 licensed junkets that bring in players to the casinos’ VIP rooms like the one at Galaxy Macau (l.).
The Asian subsidiary of the Las Vegas Sands Corp., which plans to transform its Sands Cotai Central into the Londoner Macao, is looking confident—and profitable—in the run-up to gaming concession renewals.
Sydney-listed Silver Heritage Group launched the casino at its Tiger Palace Resort Bhairahawa in Nepal on New Year’s Eve. On March 16, it will mark the property’s official grand opening.
While Sands China Ltd., Wynn Macau and SJM roll out salary bumps for their employees, MGM Macau employees are protesting to demand equitable salaries and bonuses.
The Treasury Department of the United States has declared that Kings Roman Casino in Laos has become a center for human trafficking and the smuggling of drugs and illegally poached animals.
The UK gambling commission is asking for extra powers to fine bookmakers found to have committed advertising breaches. At present, bookmakers who violate advertising rules face no monetary penalties. The proposal is part of series of consumer protections the commission wants to put in place. The commission has opened a public comment phase on the proposals.
The Turkish tourist industry would like to see the country lift its ban on casinos—or at least allow casinos that only cater to foreigners. The industry wants to combat a dramatic drop in Chinese tourists in recent years. Hotel association head Timur Bayindir (l.) believes it cold attract more than a million additional tourists with casinos.
In Russian, officials in Primorye proposed operating a casino cruise ship to sail to Japan, Korea and China. Authorities also are considering offering gaming aboard a ferry operating between St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad, which includes one of Russia's gaming zones. A new port is being built there.
About 5 million people visited Spanish casinos in both 2015 and 2016. Now officials hope two new projects will boost those numbers, and the economy. Hard Rock International is planning the $2.5 billion Hard Rock Entertainment World near Barcelona, and Cordish Companies is hoping to get the OK for a $2.74 billion Live! Resorts in Madrid.
After discovering a subway shaft and an old Prussian fortification wall at its planned Cologne casino site, German operator Westspiel is said to be looking for a new location. In 2013, the German government selected Cologne as the site for Westspiel's fifth casino, expected to be the nation's largest, with 400,000 annual visitors.
Rebecca White (l.), head of Tasmania’s opposition Labor Party, says she will remove poker machines—called pokies—from bars in the Australian island-state if the Labor Party wins this year’s state election. White said she would remove the machines within five years, restricting them to casinos.
In the ongoing money laundering scandal at British Columbia casinos, Lisa Gao was fired as director of VIP gambler relations at River Rock Casino (l.). The Ministry of Attorney General confirmed Gao was the focus of an investigation after it was alleged she “acted in direct violation of B.C. Lottery Corporation and FINTRAC directives about third-party cash buy-ins.”
According to reports, Argentina collected no money from a 2 percent tax on online gambling in 2017. The tax was supposed to be collected through credit- and debit-card issuers from deposits made with Argentina-facing online gambling operators. However, sites have skirted the regulation by encouraging players to use other payment forms.
The Great Blue Heron Casino (l.) in Port Perry, Ontario will be renovated by the end of the year. The venue opened in 1997 on reserve land on Scugog Island and was updated in 1999 and 2000. Currently its 25,000 square foot gaming floor features two bars, a restaurant and a 545-machine slot room.
Massachusetts could be the latest state to legalize daily fantasy sports and would tax it at the highest rate of any state. The bill taxing DFS and subjecting it to regulation by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, has been introduced by state Senator Eileen Donoghue (l.).
The President of the French online gambling regulator ARJEL said in an interview that Portugal is very close to joining the country and Spain in sharing online poker player pools. Player sharing between France and Spain began last month on the PokerStars platform. Charles Coppolani, France’s top gambling official, said that Portuguese regulators have entered the final stage of preparation. In another European story, American consultancy Grant Thornton is recommending that Greece open up its gambling license process.
GVC Holdings has disclosed a €186.77 million tax bill from Greece and that it will put aside €200 million to pay the bill should it lose its appeal. The disclosure caused shares in both GVC and Ladbrokes to fall on the London Stock Exchange. The tax bill relates to the operations of GVC subsidiary Sportingbet in 2010 and 2011. The company, however, said the amount is “substantially higher by multiples of the total Greek revenue generated by the subsidiary.”
Online gambling revenue was down substantially in Delaware for 2017. The Delaware Lottery, which licenses three racinos, Delaware Park (l.), Dover Downs, and Harrington Raceway, and operates online poker on the 888poker platform, reported that iGaming revenue declined by 18 percent from 2017 to 2016 to $2.4 million.
Novomatic has announced a partnership with sports betting solutions provider Sportradar to develop line of sports betting products and services. The company will initially focus on developing a turnkey solution for retail and other channels that is built around SportRadar’s Managed Trading Services.
The Russian government is seeking to simplify the rules for players signing up for and online sports wagering account. The move as seen as way to encourage the growth of online gambling companies in the country.
FOX Sports has partnered with the New York Racing Association, Inc. and the Stronach Group to present FOX Sports Saturday At The Races, a new live racing television program sponsored by Claiborne Farm. The airs on FS2 and went live February 3. It will continue over six Saturdays in February and March, culminating with a 3 ½ hour show on March 31 headlined by the Grade 1 Florida Derby.
The UK’s Arsenal soccer club will partner with online platform provider CashBet to promote the firm's new crypto token an initial coin offering. It is believed to be the first British Premier League team's sponsorship deal with a cryptocurrency provider.
Stockholm-based online gambling group Betsson AB announced it will reduce its corporate workforce by about 160 employees in an effort “streamline the organization.” The move comes after “unsatisfactory growth in 2017.
QTech has released a new recommendation engine which utilizes similar technology to that used by Netflix and Spotify. The app recommends games to users based on their personal favorites, similarity of profile, content and playability.
AGTech Holdings has launched a new casual gaming and shopping platform in India, called the Gamepind Platform. The platform is a joint venture with India’s Paytm. It allows online users to participate in and play various casual games while online shopping at the same time.
Online and mobile casino content provider, iSoftBet, has increased its presence in Eastern Europe as its suite of games were certified for launch in Latvia and Estonia. The company’s 35 original and branded slots, including popular titles Paranormal Activity, Disco Double and Eye of the Amulet, are now available to players in both countries through its partnership with casino and sportsbook operator Optibet.
Stating qualms regarding the language in a proposed ballot measure, Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge (l.) rejected a constitutional amendment that would allow three casinos in the state, with casino tax revenue directed to highways. The Quapaw Indian Tribe, owners of Downstream Casino in Oklahoma, wants to build a casino resort in Jefferson County.
The commissioner of the National Football League, Roger Goodell (l.), said he is prepared to continue to safeguard the integrity of the sport should the federal sports betting ban be repealed. Meanwhile, more states are making preparations for this eventuality too. In West Virginia, identical bills in the Senate and House would legalize sports betting at existing casinos and racetracks, and online if the U.S. Supreme Court lifts the federal ban. In Kansas, HB 2545 would legalize sports betting "on the premises of a racetrack gaming facility."
Nevada officials have launched an investigation into findings by the Las Vegas Review Journal that casinos have consistently failed to file emergency response plans as required by state law. Eighty-eight properties failed to comply, the report said.
A recent study indicated Illinois' 2008 smoking ban has had no impact on casino admissions and revenue. However, casino officials disagree and also question the study's methodology. A 2009 Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis report said the ban may have caused revenue to drop by 20 percent, or more than $400 million.
Leading Maryland lawmakers plan to launch a constitutional referendum to lock the state’s gaming revenue tax for education funding. Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller (l.) said promises were made to the people.
Las Vegas Sands says its readying a public unveiling of plans for an entertainment and sports arena adjoining its two Strip megaresorts. The company said construction of the 600,000-square-foot, 18,500-seat venue will commence this summer.
The board of trustees in Plainfield Village, Illinois recently rejected video gaming at restaurants, despite pleas from owners to allow it. A trustee who voted against the games said municipalities don't make enough profit, and the games hurt the community's image. A trustee who supports video gaming said businesses are losing revenue to neighboring communities.
A passenger aboard the Tropical Breeze Casino shuttle, Deborah Jero, sued the company for negligence, asking for damages exceeding $15,000. The shuttle was taking 50 people to the casino ship (l.) when it caught fire in Port Richey, Florida, forcing passengers to jump into cold water. One woman later died from her injuries and several were hurt
Las Vegas’ Culinary Union says the personal warning devices, in use in hotels in New York and other major cities, are necessary to protects its 14,000 housekeeper members from sexual assault and harassment. The union plans to make the equipment in contract negotiations this spring.
Robots can make up to 120 drinks per hour at the Robo Bar, the second robotic bar in the U.S. which recently opened at Hard Rock Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. Made by Italian manufacturer Makr Shakr, the bar's two robots resemble those on an auto assembly line. The concept is designed to attract millennials, officials said.
Two card rooms in La Center, Washington that have been reeling after an Indian casino opened nearby have been given a temporary tax break by the city government, which depends on them for a large percentage of its revenues.
The Alabama House unanimously passed the Poarch Band of Creek Indians Land Reaffirmation Act to resolve any possible legal confusion over the tribe's land as a result of a 2009 U.S. Supreme Court ruling. Sponsor state Rep. Bradley Byrne (l.) said the legislation, now in a Senate committee, "provides legal certainty" to avoid future challenges.
Southern California’s gaming tribes have become hot job generating engines. Six tribes are in the midst or beginning expansion programs that are creating a total of 6,000 jobs or more.
The Pechanga Resort & Casino has long been considered the largest Indian casino and resort in California. The purchase last week of the 305-acre Temecula Creek Inn Golf Course, combined with the casino’s just completed $300 million expansion, will help firmly cement that reputation.
The Agua Caliente Band of California has taken steps that will culminate in its third casino in the Coachella Valley (Agua Caliente casino at left). It has applied to put 13 acres into trust for a casino in Cathedral City.
Seminole Casino Brighton in Florida recently opened a new 750 square foot pit area, offering five blackjack tables and a 3-card poker table. The non-smoking slots area also was expanded to 1,300 square feet with 54 machines. Seminole Gaming Chief Executive Officer Jim Allen (l.) said Brighton has the highest percentage of growth among all Seminole casinos.
The publishing of a gaming compact in the Federal Register is usually the final step before a tribe can legally build a casino. However, California’s Wilton Rancheria’s proposal for a casino in Elk Grove is still tied up in a federal court.
Washington’s Nisqually Red Wind Casino plans to expand its gaming operations near Olympia. It plans to add a hotel and convention center to its existing property.
A California tribe wants to make it crystal clear that it has no intention of putting a casino on 1,400 acres it is asking Congress to put into trust. So, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has agreed to language that would forbid it from doing so on land that is called Camp 4.
Idaho’s Shoshone-Bannock Tribes have decided not to renew a contract with the Boise lobbying firm of Strategies 360. They made the change because the firm recently filed a ballot measure to legalize historical betting machines at racetracks.
Thunder Valley Casino Resort is nearing to completion of $56 million in upgrades that include a new poker room and the conversion of an existing poker room into a high rollers area. The casino resort is owned by the United Auburn Indian Community.
Grand Casino Mille Lacs in Onamia, Minnesota recently began serving beer and wine. The property had been dry since it opened in 1991. General Manager Tracy Sam said the change is due to customers' requests. A full bar will be available this spring as the property remodels its food and beverage venues.
The Japanese government will allow the online sale of lottery tickets starting this October. An internal affairs ministry official cited declining ticket sales as one of several reasons for the digital shift.
Rhode Island could become the sixth state to legalize online sales of lottery tickets. A bill now under consideration would authorize the sales—but it would require changing the state constitution.
The government of Maharashtra in western India will attempt to recover more than Rs933 crores (US$142 million) in taxes from the lotteries of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Mizoram, according to local media.
Golden Entertainment has tapped Mark Seligman to head the two Arizona Charlie’s casinos it acquired last year with its purchase of the Stratosphere. A veteran of the Las Vegas locals market, Seligman has held executive positions with Station Casinos, M Resort and Warner Gaming.
Industry veteran Korbi Carrison has been named event director for Global Gaming Expo by Reed Exhibitions and the American Gaming Association. She will be responsible for designing the experience at the industry’s largest trade show and conference.
International Game Technology has appointed Kim Barker Lee to the newly created position of vice president of diversity and inclusion, heading a department that is a first for the industry.
Novomatic AG has named Robert Dijkstra as vice president of business development and sales for the Asia Pacific region, charge with developing the relationship between the company and Ainsworth Game Technology.
Jeffrey Hook has been named executive vice president of development and marketing at Hard Rock International, where he will oversee the global development of Hard Rock casinos outside of the Asian continent. Previously Hook was senior vice president of business development and marketing. He also worked at MGM, Boyd Gaming and Harrah's Entertainment.
Saipan casino operator Imperial Pacific International has appointed Marco Teng as its new chairman. The company has also appointed Henry Cheang as CEO, replacing Kwong Yui Ling.
Tropicana Entertainment Inc. has announced the appointment of Christopher Capra to its executive team as Vice President of Internet and Online Marketing. Capra will be responsible for all online gaming marketing efforts for Tropicana’s social casino, TropWorld.com, and real-money gaming at Tropicanacasino.com.
Lennart Käll has resigned his post as CEO of Swedish state-owned gaming operator Svenska Spel. He assumed the role in 2011 and departs as Sweden prepares to regulate online gaming.
The Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino has signed a deal to upgrade its Scientific Games casino management system with a new suite of marketing and customer service applications.
Guests at Jack Entertainment's Greektown Casino-Hotel (soon to be Jack) in Detroit now can access Rocket Fiber's super-fast internet speeds for uploading, downloading, video streaming, video conferencing and data transfers. The hotel and meeting space were equipped with the advanced technology, and the casino installation will be completed in February.
NRT and Sightline are partnering with Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun casino and Pennsylvania’s Mohegan Sun Pocono Downs on an omni-channel payment system and naming rights to a new event center.
International Game Technology announced a display covering all of its product groups to be included in its stand N3-160 a this week’s ICE Totally Gaming trade show.
JCM Global announced a broad portfolio of cash-handling and printing solutions that will be on display at stand N3-220 of this week’s ICE Totally Gaming trade show.
The Gauselmann Group’s GeWeTe cash-handling subsidiary will have its largest-ever presence at this week’s ICE Totally Gaming trade show and conference.
G2E Asia 2018 will be 30 percent larger in exhibits, and has a plan to engage industry professionals from four key industry segments across its interactive event halls at Venetian Macao in May.
The producers of the Australasian Gaming Expo say 76 percent of the exhibitor space for the event, which opens August 14 at the ICC Sydney facility, is already booked.
