Investors gave a vote of confidence to Wynn Resorts’ appointment of company President Matthew Maddox to replace embattled Steve Wynn (l.) as chief executive. After taking a $3 billion beating, the shares battled back last week on the news that Wynn had resigned amid a firestorm of sexual harassment allegations.
The Beijing government has proposed bringing legal gaming to Hainan, an island often referred to as “China’s Hawaii.” Relax Macau: the plan will take years, and is for online gaming, lottery and sports gaming, not casinos. But the foot in the door has gotten some analysts a bit antsy.
A Melbourne judge found that Crown Casino did not breach consumer law because of the design of slot machines produced by Aristocrat in a lawsuit brought by a former gambling addict. The Dolphin Treasure (l.) game was specifically targeted by the lawsuit.
Fitch Ratings says repeated delays in the opening of MGM Cotai won’t matter much in the long term. The multibillion-dollar property, delayed several times, is now set to open Tuesday, February 13—if all approvals are in order
Scientific Games launched SG Digital, the new interactive division incorporating the recently acquired NYX Gaming Group, at last week’s ICE Totally Gaming trade show. Matt Davey (l.), formerly CEO of NYX, explains the new division’s strategy, and will assume the same role with SG Digital.
Caesars real estate investment trust Vici raised $1.2 billion through its initial public offering, outperforming expectations after Caesars rejected proposed acquisition of the REIT by rival MGM. Vici owns 20 Caesars Entertainment properties, including the flagship Caesars Palace (l.) in Las Vegas.
New York’s experiment in commercial casinos is looking for a game-changer, and the $900 million Resorts World Catskills might just be it. The largest and most elaborate of the state’s gaming resorts is finally open for business, and just in time for Chinese New Year. And celebrity chef Scott Conant (l.) will open a restaurant at the property later this year.
Global gaming operators on the hunt for new and profitable markets are keeping a close watch on Brazil. The Las Vegas Sands Corp.’s Andy Abboud (l.) recently outlined his company’s vision for the market.
Connecticut’s gaming tribes in court filings have accused the Department of the Interior of illegally sitting on the certification of the amended gaming compacts that would allow them to build a third, commercial casino. However, Interior argues that the state made an error 30 years ago that prevents it from making that ruling. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (l.) said BIA was “derelict” for not making a decision.
Hard Rock International will partner with Gaming Innovation Group for an online casino product. Hard Rock has already begun the licensing process in New Jersey, where it plans to open a new casino on the site of the former Trump Taj Mahal this summer. And Hard Rock’s parent, Seminole Gaming, announced that it would partner with Novomatic’s Greentube as a platform for its social games. At last week’s ICE in London, Hard Rock’s Kresimir Spajic (l.) was joined by Novomatic’s Thomas Graf in the revelation.
This week, the GGB Podcast features a discussion with Sally Gainsbury, the deputy director of the Gambling Treatment & Research Clinic at the University of Sydney, about her research into problem gambling issues.
In a new report, Fitch Ratings estimates Japan integrated resorts will generate about $3 billion in gross gaming revenue per year once they’re up and running, and have minimal negative impact on Macau. MGM development exec Ed Bowers (l.) said that every issue is important and one wrong step could change the entire equation.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. has suspended applications for new casinos on orders from President Rodrigo Duterte (l.). The moratorium order was issued on January 11 and took effect January 13.
A new report from Reuters news agency includes unsavory details of a Laos casino, Kings Roman (l.), called out by the U.S. Treasury Department for human trafficking and the smuggling of drugs and illegally poached animals.
Kangwon Land, the only South Korean casino resort open to locals, is on order from the government to limit growth. The first step is a reduction in the resort’s operating hours, starting April 1.
Macau junket promoter Guangdong Group has opened a new VIP gaming club at L’Arc in the city’s downtown casino district. Rumor has it the VIP operator is also hoping to open a room at the new MGM Cotai.
On the heels of demands for fairer pay, MGM China has announced pay hikes for eligible staff. The company will distribute two bonuses that will add up to two months’ pay to some employee salaries.
Raul L. Lambino (l.), CEO of the government-owned Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, says the Philippine province wants to develop a destination tourism district with gaming facilities and other attractions.
In the state of Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, 342 gambling halls will be required to close by July 1, 2021, because they're located too close to youth facilities under recently passed laws. Gambling venues must be at least 547 yards apart in all municipalities. In Trier, 32 of the city's 34 gambling halls will close.
Rank Group's bingo hall and casino revenue fell in the last half of 2017, but online gaming offset the losses resulting in a rise in profits for the group. Online revenue was up 16 percent for the half. The new “Luda” halls (l.) are still an unanswered question.
Gambling machines must move indoors under proposed legislation in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The proposed law states gambling areas inside casinos must offer at least 60 gambling machines. The draft legislation authors stated uncontrolled development of gambling "can cause harm to the society." Current law doesn't require gambling machines to be located inside casinos.
Bermuda’s Minister of Tourism Jamahl Simmons (l.), has come under fire for the way that he took control of the island’s independent gaming commission. He took over the commission after criticizing it for not taking part in a risk analysis it couldn’t have taken part in when he criticized it.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has made applications available on its website for operators and suppliers seeking licenses to conduct online gaming. There are 13 licenses available, reserved for the 13 gaming operations that will be up and running when the Live! Casino in Philadelphia opens. That includes Sands Bethlehem (l.), the casino operated by Las Vegas Sands.
Pariplay Ltd., a gaming technology company, announced a technology partnership with Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut. Foxwoods has adopted Pariplay’s interactive gaming platform eyeON, allowing guests at the casino to enjoy digital gaming on-property, subject to any necessary legislation and regulatory review and approval.
The gambling regulator for Australia’s Northern Territory is advising its licensees that it does not favor allowing the betting of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. Local reports say the regulator is planning to issue cease and desist letters to licensees accepting cryptocurrency bets. The move comes as China—once one of the leading markets for cryptocurrency exchanges—continues to try and stamp out the trading.
Online gaming company Playtika has announced an expansion, which includes hiring 100 new employees and leasing a floor at the Azrieli Sarona office tower in Tel Aviv. The company said it will recruit 100 new marketing, development and analytics employees. Playtika develops free-to-play virtual casino applications such as its Slotomania app.
Lottery service provider AGTech has won the bid to market and promote its instant scratch sports lottery in China from the PRC National Sports Lottery Center.
Canada’s first live-dealer government-approved casino, PlayNow.com opened last week under the auspices of the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. It offers ten gaming tables with baccarat, blackjack and other games.
BetConstruct has launched Casino Tournaments Management System which allows providers to quickly create and publish online casino tournaments for a wide variety of online games. The system removes much of the time -consuming work associated with staging online tournaments, which remain a popular attraction for players.
Online casino games developer Evolution Gaming Group AB has announced the signing of an agreement to supply its complete range of mobile and desktop-friendly live dealer games to Swedish online gaming operator Global Gaming. The deal includes Evolution’s portfolio of live dealer roulette, baccarat and blackjack games alongside its award-winning Dream Catcher money wheel title and recently premiered Live Texas Hold ‘Em Bonus Poker innovation incorporating its First Five Progressive Jackpot advance.
Malta’s gaming regulator has suspended the license of an online gambling operator Phoenix International Ltd over links to an Italian anti-mafia police action. The company operates several online gambling sites such as B2875.com, Bsport24.com and B28sport.com. Italian police raided internet cafés in a Palermo-centered anti-mafia operation. Among the 23 individuals arrested on Thursday was B2875 owner Benedetto Bacchi.
Omni-channel gaming software, systems and services supplier Playtech and live casino supplier Authentic Gaming have agreed on a partnership that will enable Playtech licensees to access live-streamed roulette from some of the world’s most famous land-based casinos. Online players will be able to access live roulette games on any device from three European casinos.
Kentucky state Rep. Jerry Miller and state Senator Morgan McGarvey (l.) introduced a proposed constitutional amendment legalizing casino gambling to help fill the state's $60 billion pension gap. Governor Matt Bevins called casino gambling "a sucker's bet" and said he'll propose tax reforms instead. Gaming tax revenue could generate an estimated $250 million annually.
The three are among about 18 states that have introduced or will propose sports betting measures anticipating the U.S. Supreme Court lifting the federal ban. A 2017 Oxford Economics study indicated sports betting could become a $41.2 billion industry, generating $3.4 billion in taxes for state and local governments.
AGA President and CEO Geoff Freeman (l.) says that business-friendly government policies are more important to gaming industry growth than geographic expansion.
Missouri lawmakers are considering a bill that would legalize video lottery games in convenience stores and fraternal organizations. The money would be used for education.
DiamondJacks riverboat casino in Bossier City, Louisiana either will be renovated or moved to Tangipahoa Parish, owners Peninsula Pacific recently announced. Either scenario would involve a $100 million investment. The state legislature and statewide voters would have to approve a constitutional amendment and parish voters would have to approve the move.
Bookmakers in Nevada saw some big losses during Super Bowl LII spurred on by a mystery bettor and a string of losses on proposition bets. Gamblers wagered a record $158.6 million on the game at Nevada’s 198 sports books, an increase of more than $20.1 million from 2017. But sportsbooks only made $1.2 million on the betting, around $9.8 million less than in 2017.
Harrah's New Orleans officials proposed building a $340 million, 24-story, 340-room luxury hotel with a rooftop pool, gym and 20,000 square feet of meeting space. The current 450-room hotel (l.) opened in 2006. The state legislature, governor and city officials all have to approve the project, which would create 600 construction jobs and 500 permanent jobs.
Springettsbury Township is considering zoning changes to prevent a Penn National mini-casino, as other municipalities plan to open the door for the satellite facilities.
Fox Valley Winery (l.) in Oswego, Illinois asked the village board for a video gambling license so it can install five gaming machines that could generate $12,500-$17,500 in tax revenue. Founded in 2000, the family owned winery, specializing in handcrafted wines, also wants to extend its hours and offer a limited food menu and educational classes.
The foreclosure auction of Las Vegas’ Lucky Dragon (l.) casino is slated for the end of this month. The much-anticipated resort, the first ground-up gaming development in the city since the recession, never found its legs and closed last month after only a year in business.
Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico will not purchase the Isle of Capri Casino Hotel Lake Charles in Westlake, Louisiana. The pueblo did not meet the 12-month deadline for receiving approval from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board for the $134.5 million sale, which had been announced in August 2016.
Millennials are the age group casinos want to attract. Jack Entertainment wants to bring them to its casinos, like Jack Cleveland (l.), using new, more interactive and social games from Synergy Table Games.
Atlantic City’s mayor, Frank Gilliam (l.), and some New Jersey lawmakers are taking a “fact-finding” trip to Nevada to see how legalizing marijuana affected the casino-operating state. Gilliam, who said he is paying for the trip himself, said he believes legalized marijuana could jumpstart the city’s economy.
In a move to keep the $16 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes at its Gulfstream Park racetrack, the Stronach Group is seeking partners to develop adjacent land, enhance the grandstand and build a hotel. Chairman and President Belinda Stronach (l.) said horseracing "is the last great legacy sporting platform that has yet to be modernized."
Liquor licenses will increase to $4,200 from $2,400 for smaller video gambling operations in Champaign, Illinois. Only 23 establishments will receive the new Class VL licenses, and they no longer will have to serve food. Video gambling is offered at 59 Champaign locations, which took in $5,211,341 and paid out $3,975,438 in December.
Negotiating with Florida lawmakers, Seminole officials emphatically resisted expanded slots, designated player games, pre-reveal games and daily fantasy sports. But incoming state Senate President Bill Galvano (l.) said, "There definitely is opportunity on the table to go forward." Time is of the essence as a constitutional amendment on the November ballot could give voters power over future gambling.
In a repeat ruling from October, Judge James Peterson dismissed the Stockbridge-Munsee's lawsuit attempting to stop the Ho-Chunk Nation's Wittenberg, Wisconsin casino expansion (l.). The tribe claims the Ho-Chunk facility, opened in November, threatens its casino 10 miles away. Peterson again stated the Stockbridge-Munsee should have sued in 2008. A spokesperson said the tribe will appeal.
Legislation introduced in South Dakota could lead to a referendum on a constitutional amendment allowing a Yankton casino. The pro-casino Yankton Area Progressive Growth is promoting the proposed $50 million Port Yankton complex that would include a casino, hotel and entertainment. But South Dakota and Nebraska tribes and the Deadwood Gaming Association oppose the plan. The Yankton Sioux operate the Fort Randall casino (l.).
Every time there is a big sporting event like the Super Bowl, California loses millions of dollars in taxes it could have collected from sports betting—if only sports betting were legal. That’s the argument of California Rep. Adam Gray (l.).
Residents of the town of Jamul in San Diego County may have lost their battle to prevent the Hollywood Casino (l.) from opening on the Jamul Indian Village. A year later they are still fighting the casino.
Gun Lake Casino now is wholly owned and operated by the Gun Lake Tribe in Wayland Township, Michigan. Federal law requires tribal casinos to end private management after seven years, so the casino terminated its management contract with MPM Enterprises, a division of Station Casinos. The tribe's 550 members receive a stipend from casino operations.
Club Nomadic dropped its breach-of-contract lawsuit against Mystic Lake Casino after a federal judge said the court had no authority over a sovereign tribe. Club Nomadic had spent $2.4 million on a temporary concert venue before Mystic Lake's events company abruptly canceled the 4-day concert series leading up to the Super Bowl.
Tribal members who refuse to move to make way for a $30 million casino expansion are complicating the lives of leaders of the Bishop Paiute Tribe of California. They are going to go to a tribal appeals court to try to evict the members.
Intralot has singed a contract with Camelot to provide a full suite of system solutions for the Illinois State Lottery in a deal that extends through October 2027.
The soon-to-open Point Place Casino, operated by the Oneida Indian Nation in New York, will be run by Jerry Marrello. He was named general manager last week.
Interblock has named James Saccente as its director of gaming operations and analytics, responsible for optimizing performance of the company’s electronic table games.
Nick Harding, CEO of the Praesepe arcade chain, has been appointed new Senior Advisor for the British business activities of the Gauselmann Group. He will assume responsibility for political and association work and public relations for all operating subsidiaries of the Gauselmann Group in the UK
Samuel Askew has been named chief executive officer for the Suquamish Tribe's economic development arm, Port Madison Enterprises. Askew managed the tribe's Clearwater Casino Resort from 2006 to 2011, then served as operations manager at Tulalip Resort and Casino. He replaces Russell Steele who is retiring after 17 years at PME.
Scientific Games Corporation announced it is increasing the size of a previously announce offering of senior secured notes from $500 million to $900 million.
Everi has extended its 14-year agreement with the New York Lottery under which the company provides the video lottery central system managing 19,000 video lottery terminals.
Gaming Partners International will partner with BrainChip Holdings to develop video analytic products to enhance the security of casino currency and game operations.
International credit card service MasterCard will soon process online betting wins by Russian punters through its international payment network, according to reports from Russian media.
Germany’s Gauselmann Group has announced an investment in BetCenter, Belgium’s leading sports betting provider. Financial details were not released, but Gauselmann’s Merkur Sportwetten has acquired 50 percent of Betcenter. Gauselmann says the move will help it achieve stronger growth in Belgium for both online and land-based casinos.
Clarion Gaming used last week’s ICE Totally Gaming trade show in London to launch the first extension of the ICE brand, ICE Africa, with a trade show to be held later this year.
Gauselmann subsidiary Merkur Gaming used last week’s ICE Totally Gaming show to outline the achievements the company made around the world during 2017.