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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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."

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.