On Tuesday, February 13, following multiple delays, MGM China marked the grand opening of its $3.4 billion casino resort in Macau’s Cotai district, five years after the groundbreaking. MGM Cotai opened just in time for the Chinese New Year celebration. About 500 of the 1,390 rooms are open and other amenities will be added gradually, including VIP rooms.
Nevada regulators investigating Steve Wynn have begun accepting complaints online pertaining to his alleged sexual misconduct. The Wynn Resorts board, reeling from shareholder anger over the accusations, also will provide a telephone hot line and web portal for current and former employees allegedly victimized by the deposed casino king. And will the scandal force a sale of the company’s Macau properties?
The unfinished Fontainebleau’s new owners are partnering with Marriott International to complete the north Strip megaresort, newly named the Drew Las Vegas, and open it in 2020. Plans call for 4,000 hotel rooms, 500,000 square feet of convention and meetings space and an array of destination-scale attractions.
Officials in Myanmar have reportedly given the go-ahead to a plan to introduce casino gaming in the Southeast Asian republic. The law must first be revised, said Union Minister for Hotels and Tourism Ohn Maung.
Major League Baseball has made its first statement on legal sports betting with a conditional opinion on legalization. The league has drafted a bill that is being considered in Missouri that includes the 1 percent “integrity fee” requested by the NBA but also would restrict who would be allow to play.
A tribe that has been operating a Class II bingo casino in violation of Texas law could be forced to close it. At stake is the fate of the Naskila Gaming facility, operated by the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe.
New Jersey’s State Assembly is considering drastically changing a new keno-style lottery game which many see as a threat to Atlantic City casinos. The Quick Draw game from the New Jersey Lottery currently has drawings every five minutes and is targeted to be played in bars and restaurants. The Assembly is considering reducing the drawings to twice a day.
Duetto has closed $80 million in Series D financing led by Warburg Pincus, a record investment in hotel technology that will fuel growth of the company’s Revenue Strategy Platform. Founders Chief Technology Officer Craig Weissman, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer Marco Benvenuti and CEO Patrick Bosworth, from left to right.
In this era of rising interest and inflation rates, it’s good to see executives of the first casino REIT show confidence in the company and buy more stock. And how about the north end of the Strip? It’s back!
This week, the GGB Podcast sits down with Vincent Lentini, the chief marketing officer and senior vice president of Affinity Gaming, on the unique marketing operations of this up-and-coming operator.
Lawrence Ho, head of Melco Resorts & Entertainment, says he will “continue to explore” the Phase II expansion of Studio City on Macau’s Cotai Strip. He’s also looking to reclaim high-value players in the market. The Macau government recently gave Melco an extension to complete the property.
In multiple referendums, most Taiwan voters have shown little appetite for full-fledged casinos. Bill Bryson of Global Market Advisors says politics and low voter turnout are behind the stalled market.
Authorities in Macau and Mainland China are working together to curb the use of WeChat for illegal betting. Top security official Wong Sio Chak said crime syndicates solicited gamblers via the popular social messaging app.
Cambodian casino operator NagaCorp saw its earnings grow 79.9 percent in 2017 due to a 142 percent growth in VIP betting. The company credited the opening of Naga2 in November with drawing more high rollers.
A plan to introduce online gaming on Hainan Island in the South China Sea should be no cause for concern among Macau gaming operators—at least for now, says a report from Fitch Ratings Inc.
Australian-listed Donaco International Ltd. estimates that it will incur an impairment charge on the casino license of its Star Vegas property (l.) in Cambodia of about AU$144 million (US$114 million).
As Galaxy Entertainment and Wynn Resorts make good on wage hikes for workers, Sands China Ltd. has introduced a paternity-leave policy that became effective February 16. New dads will get five days of paid time off.
Among the biggest advertisers in Sweden last year were gaming companies that hope to benefit from Sweden’s apparent desire to open the country’s market to foreign gaming competition. Currently a state-run monopoly controls gaming in the country.
The UK Gambling Commission is looking for public feedback on proposed plans to change existing gaming regulations. Comments are welcome through April 22.
In the Tasmanian election campaign, both sides have allegedly accepted donations from gaming interests. Liberals are outspending Labor by far, but even Labor leader Rebecca White (l.) is said to have taken covert funds.
Having completed an acquisition of Tatts Group, Australia’s Tabcorp saw an 18.7 percent increase in revenue for the second half of 2017, bringing in AU$ 1.38 billion. That includes AU$ 176.3 million in revenue for the 18 days the two companies were joined in December. Overall, however, Tabcorp reported a net loss after income tax for the 2017 fiscal year of AU $20.8m.
The first of a $20 million, three-part renovation project has been completed at Avani Windhoek Hotel & Casino (l.) in Windhoek, Namibia. Upgrades include a new entrance, porte cochere, café and enhanced business facilities. Future plans include Dunes restaurant modernization, new gym facilities, conference rooms and a rooftop restaurant and pool.
Belleville, Ontario, Canada has so far collected $2.7 million during the first year of operation of the Shorelines Casino (l.) Belleville. The city will use the money for capital upgrades and the reserves.
The UK Gambling commission has leveled a £350,000 fine against a GVC Holdings subsidiary for “repeatedly misleading consumers” with offers of free bonuses. The fines were levied against Electraworks for ads on its Bwin websites. The fine comes as GVC is seeking to complete its takeover of Ladbrokes in a deal worth up to £4 billion that would create the UK’s largest gambling company.
A study by Juniper Research predicts the number of online gamblers in the world will more than double to about 684 million by 2022. Online wagers are expected to top $1 trillion, with online casinos making up about 40 percent of the total.
Italy's online gambling market saw double-digit sports betting gains for January according to figures released by Italian Gaming News Agency Agimeg. Total land-based and online sports betting revenue was up 15.5 percent compared to January 2017 while online revenue was up 27.5 percent. Retail betting's growth was 8.7 percent.
A new report predicts slow growth for daily fantasy sports giants DraftKings and FanDuel and suggests that the DFS market may have peaked. The two companies have attracted about $1.2 billion in capital investment in recent years, but may struggle to continue that momentum.
Mr Green and NetEnt unveiled a new 3-D live casino product at ICE Totally Gaming 2018. Tilted Live Beyond Live, Mr. Green will be offering a virtual casino through a penthouse in Los Angeles. The product offers customers multi-table live-dealer gaming including roulette and blackjack games. Players can choose any table they like, each with a live dealer for gameplay.
An ICO for a new Blockchain casino software Sp8de is promising a new type of virtual currency protocol for online casinos. The company has finished a presale of its initial coin offering and is moving on to four sale rounds.
According to figures released by mobile online gaming platform Skillz, the top 10 eSports players using its mobile software won a total of $2.7 million in 2017. The highest earning player won more than $420,000.
Kindred Group announced what it calls a “hyper-local” strategy for its online casinos going forward, as well as saying it is examining the possibilities of the U.S. iGaming market.
Mount Airy Casino Resort (l.) submitted a winning bid of just under $21.2 million for Pennsylvania’s third Category 4 mini-casino license, for a casino in New Castle, Lawrence County. Lawrence County is the site of a failed effort to open a new racetrack with a casino.
The Las Vegas Strip’s newest concert and events arena will be a category-killer, say partners Las Vegas Sands and Madison Square Garden Co. Fitted with the state of the art in immersive imagery and sound, the massive MGS Sphere Las Vegas (l.) will encompass 400,000 square feet and seat up to 18,000 people.
A bill legalizing historical racing was approved by the Virginia House. The machines would be installed at the now-shuttered Colonial Downs racetrack (l.) and off-track betting parlors. A report indicated historical racing could generate an annual economic impact of $349.1 million, create 1,407 jobs and produce $41.7 million in state and local taxes by 2022.
A poll paid for by opponents of building new casinos in Northern New Jersey—which would be the first in the state allowed outside of Atlantic City—found that voters were still sternly against the idea. State voters overwhelmingly defeated a referendum in 2016 to allow for the construction of two new casinos, one at the Meadowlands racetrack (l.) and the poll found that little has changed in voter’s minds.
The American Gaming Association is opposing an item in the Trump administration’s budget proposal that would spend $120 million to restore the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (l.) met with Atlantic City’s Mayor to discuss the status of the state’s takeover of the city’s finances. Though no changes were announced, city officials said meetings with the state have been productive and more positive since Murphy took office.
Chambers of commerce are urging Kentucky lawmakers to pass a constitutional amendment allowing casinos, to fill the $1 billion public pension system gap. Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce President Brent Cooper (l.) said the state's losing $250 million - $350 million annually because 85 percent of Kentuckians live within two hours of casinos in nearby states.
At a Nebraska legislative committee hearing, the public protested two bills that would lower property taxes with gambling proceeds. A proposed constitutional amendment would legalize casinos and other gambling, directing the proceeds to reduce property taxes. Another measure would shift $5 million in annual keno proceeds to a state property-tax credit fund.
Driving Arkansas Forward announced it plans to submit a revised proposal and start collecting signatures for a petition drive to open three new casinos in the state, with most proceeds going to highway improvement. Meanwhile, Arkansas' Oaklawn (l.) and Southland racinos surpassed $5 billion in total wagers in 2017, compared to $4.81 billion in 2016.
Severe winter weather contributed to a nearly 10 percent decline in Atlantic City casino revenue for January. The city’s seven casinos took in $184.3 million in January, down 9.9 percent from January 2017. The month saw the northeast hit by a winter blizzard and some major cold snaps. The Golden Nugget online casino set a new one-month revenue record.
Aviance Capital Management LLC reduced its position in Las Vegas Sands Corporation by 9.7 percent, selling 18,805 shares. Bessemer Group raised its stake in the company by 60.5 percent. San Francisco Sentry Investment Group CA, Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC, Chase Investment Counsel Corporation and AE Wealth Management LLC all purchased new positions.
The high-tech light and sound show’s first upgrade in 14 years will make it brighter, flashier and interactive. Plans call for a smartphone app to let viewers post personal messages on the four-block-long canopy and vote for the music the attraction will play.
Illinois' smoking ban, one of the first in the U.S., prohibited smoking in casinos and within 15 feet of their entrances. It was implemented in 2008, a month before the recession hit. A new study indicates the ban did not impact casino revenue. But other reports show casino revenue dropped 20 percent statewide.
The Tropical Breeze Casino's shuttle boat previously was cited for maintenance issues, including a blocked fuel shut-off valve, a missing fire extinguisher and electrical problems. A fire broke out on the Port Richey, Florida-based vessel last month, causing passengers to jump into the frigid Gulf. One passenger later died and several were injured.
Kenner, Louisiana city council members voted 5-2 to support a legislative task force's suggestions, including letting riverboat casinos operate on land within 1,200 feet of their current berth, reconfigure for larger slot machines and add more slots and table games. The Kenner-based Treasure Chest casino generated $4.7 million for the city last year.
The Las Vegas Strip resort is renumbering floors 31 through 34 of its hotel tower. They will be floors 56-59. The infamous October 1 mass shooting was perpetrated from a suite on the 32nd floor.
Recently released campaign finance disclosures indicate MGM Resorts International gave $22,000 to Georgia state Rep. Stacey Evans (l.) and $14,000 to ex-House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams. The two Democrats, running for governor, both support legalizing casino gambling if proceeds go to the HOPE scholarship program. All five GOP candidates are opposed.
In an effort to slow the spread of video gambling cafés, the city council in Waukegan, Illinois voted 5-3 to enact new regulations. New businesses seeking video gambling licenses must locate at least 1,500 feet apart and two or three may not operate in the same strip mall, among other new rules.
During its fifth year of operation Jack Casino Cincinnati earned about $198 million. That figure makes it the most successful gaming operation in the greater Cincinnati area.
Casino guests of the Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower can now take advantage of 229 free cell phone charging outlets to a majority of the casino’s table games.
The Mohegans and Mashantucket Pequot Tribes, along with four members of Congress from Connecticut, are asking the Department of the Interior’s Inspector General to investigate the department’s refusal to act on an amended tribal state gaming compact it was given last year. The tribes need the approval to move forward on a third tribal casino (l.), which doesn’t seem likely.
SB840, the Florida gambling bill, was amended to include renewing Seminole compact, granting the tribe exclusivity for blackjack and slots outside South Florida, in return for $3 billion over seven years. The measure also would allow the tribe to offer roulette and craps. State Senator Bill Galvano (l.) said, “The bill remains a work in progress."
Rincon Chairman Bo Mazzetti (l.) and other leaders of some California gaming tribes are urging their colleagues to take of the gloves and sue the state of California to force it to enforce the law as they claim the law was written. They claim the state’s 87 cardrooms are employed banked games that violate the California constitution.
Union officials have announced they will play hardball with Democrats in the U.S. Senate who might be tempted to vote for the Tribal Sovereignty Act. The act would exempt tribal businesses from the National Labor Relations Act.
A future referendum will allow the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to determine if liquor can be sold beyond its Harrah's Cherokee casinos in North Carolina. If the proposal is approved, the tribe would open its own liquor store. Also, Terri Henry was named the first director of the Tribal Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission.
The Ho-Chunk Nation's proposed off-reservation casino in Beloit, Wisconsin would get a boost if Democrat Tony Evers (l.) becomes governor. Evers, Wisconsin's public schools superintendent, said he'd approve the $405.5 million casino, which would include a hotel, convention center and indoor water park. Evers would face Governor Scott Walker who's running for re-election
Four Winds South Bend Casino (l.) only was open two weeks when the Indiana Gaming Commission released January 2017 versus January 2018 figures. Northwest Indiana's five casinos posted a 1.4 percent decline to $73.78 million. Horseshoe Hammond General Manager Dan Nita said, "We'll see its full impact in February. We fully expect our guests to try it."
Under no circumstances will the Timbisha Shoshone sell cannabis on land that it seeks to be put into trust. That’s the promise of Tribal Chairman George Gholson (l.), who made the statement last week.
The Willows Hotel & Spa (l.), a luxury adults-only resort has opened at Viejas Casino in Southern California. About 350 VIPs attended the ribbon cutting last week.
NIGA Vice Chairman David Bean was the most eminent VIP at the Grand Opening of the Spokane Tribe Casino on January 9. The casino has 450 slots and 12 gaming tables.
The Cowlitz Tribe will open its La Center, Washington casino’s first expansion since opening a year ago in April. The expansion will include the Cowlitz Ballroom, able to set up to 2,500.
A woman who won $559.7 million Powerball jackpot must be identified publically, according to the New Hampshire lottery. Fortunately for her, she will have enough money to protect her privacy in the future.
IGT has signed a one-year extension with the Arizona Lottery on its contract to produce instant tickets, the third of five potential one-year extensions.
Australian Sally Bernard has been named the vice president of business development for digital marketing company, Engaged Nation. Bernard previously worked for Ditronics and Konami among others.
Australia-listed gaming operator Silver Heritage Group Ltd. has announced the names of key executives who will be in charge of the Tiger Palace gaming and hotel operations at its Nepal casino resort.
Australia-listed casino operator Donaco International Ltd. has appointed Gerald Tan as the company’s chief operating officer. Tan is currently vice president of business development at Donaco.
The Silverton Casino Hotel has opened Nevada’s first Lightning Link Lounge, a space dedicated to the popular Lightning Link video slot game from Aristocrat Technologies.
Suncity Group Holdings Ltd. has signed an agreement via subsidiary Suncity Group Management and Consultancy Ltd. (Hoi An) to provide technical and pre-opening services for Suncity’s new Vietnam IR.
Scientific Games announced the successful completion of financing transactions including a private offering of $900 million additional senior secured notes.
The Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers extended the contracts of Executive Director Marcus Prater and Director of Responsible Gaming Connie Jones (l.), while adding six new members.
After U.K. politicians chimed in with complaints brought up by the head of the Gambling Commission about the objectification of women by exhibitors at ICE Totally Gaming, show producer Clarion is responding, pointing out that ICE hosted a meeting of Global Gaming Women (l.), the industry’s most progressive supporter of the advancement of women.
