MGM Springfield’s inaugural year was a success as far as President Michael Mathis is concerned—this although the casino underperformed in terms of revenues that were promised to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. Mathis cited jobs, visitation and local economic activities as benefits.

As expected, businessman and former legislator Ho Iat Seng has been chosen by a committee of pro-Beijing electors as the casino hub’s next chief executive. His election is believed to ensure that Macau will continue to distance itself from the unrest in Hong Kong and move closer into China’s political orbit.

The Malaysian gaming conglomerate is taking full control of Resorts World Catskills in New York. It should prove enough to keep the struggling casino hotel out of bankruptcy. But it will it be enough to turn the operation around? And what about the other casinos in New York? Is there enough revenue to go around?

The rise in sports wagering in the U.S. has caused a rise in the use of digital currencies to fund betting transactions. At a recent conference on money laundering prevention, Kenneth Blanco (l.), director of the Washington, D.C.-based Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, warned operators to observe all appropriate AML procedures with the new currencies.

There’s a clear advantage to being the first kid with a new toy. New Jersey was the first to jump into legal sports betting after last year’s Supreme Court decision overturning PAPSA—the result of a lawsuit filed by the state, by the way. As the industry nears the end of its first full year, Jersey still holds the home court advantage. Borgata was the first to launch a sports book when basketball great Julius Erving was welcomed by Borgata President Marcus Glover (l.).

As the first video gaming terminals go live at truck stops in Pennsylvania, regulators work to approve more licenses—and more communities in Lancaster County opt out of the new program. Rutter’s truck stop opened the first gaming room (l.) and is suing to be able to open others in different municipalities.

U.S.-based developer Cora Alpha, headed by former Disney executive John Cora, has formally applied to build a mega-resort called Elysium City in Extremadura, Spain. The government has 30 days from the filing date to verify the submitted documentation.

Fumiko Hayashi, mayor of Yokohama, Japan, reportedly has committed herself to pursuing an integrated resort in the Japanese city. Hayashi is said to be considering a JPY260 million (US$2.4 million) budget from public funds to support the bid, says a source close to the government.

With worries about a recession looming, some investors are putting their money in “safe” casino stocks. But what are these stocks and why are they considered to have less risk than others?

This week’s GGB Podcast features a discussion with Aaron Gomes, the chief operating officer for Peninsula Pacific Entertainment on how the company is opening the first gaming establishments in the state of Virginia and why he believes this will be a lucrative business.

Macau junket investor Suncity Group has opened a VIP club at Resorts World Manila in the Philippine capital, on the second floor of the property, rebuilt after a 2017 arson attack. At the same time, it’s reducing its presence in Australia after allegations of links to organized crime.

Malta’s Dragonara Casino (l.) was recently given a 64-year extension to its lease agreement without a competitive tender, causing ongoing controversy on the Mediterranean island. One critic called the extension “a troubling decision made by the government which we believe to be in breach of EU law.”

Should Norway replace its gaming monopoly with an open marketplace? That was the question posed by Oslo Economics, which has published a report examining the current framework served by state-owned incumbents Norsk Tipping and Rikstoto.

Genting UK will rebrand and renovate its Cromwell Mint Casino (l.) in London’s South Kensington section. It has renamed the property the “Forty-Five Kensington,” a reference to its original 1960s moniker, the 45 Club.

Enjoy SA, owner and operator of casinos in Chile and Argentina, has filed a lawsuit against rival operator Sun Dreams, claiming it has engaged in unfair competition practices. In essence, Enjoy alleges that Sun Dreams is holding up the construction of its casinos in Pucón and Puerto Varas.

Days ahead of the National Football League's September 5 kickoff, Ameristar Casino East Chicago's (l.) sportsbook will open September 1 and Horseshoe Hammond's will follow September 4. Both expect to lure Chicago metro bettors across the Illinois-Indiana state line. Meanwhile the Illinois Gaming Board is working out the details of the state's new expanded gambling law, including sports betting.

The Oregon State Lottery is close to offering a sportsbook under the brand Oregon Lottery Scoreboard. The first phase will offer a mobile sportsbook. Land-based kiosks will follow later in the year.

Hooters Casino Hotel, will be rebranded and designed as a beautiful new Oyo Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, making it the world’s fastest-growing chain and Oyo’s first flagship hotel in the top tourist destination in the U.S. The deal was proposed and managed by Highgate, which will assume management of the hotel, while Paragon Gaming will continue to manage the casino

The Arkansas Racing Commission rejected an appeal from Gulfside Properties, which wants to develop a Pope County casino (l.). Gulfside's application included letters of approval from previous county and city office holders; the present officials oppose Gulfside's proposal. Currently the Cherokee Nation has the inside track with its proposed $225 million Legends Resort and Casino.

A report prepared for the state of Louisiana indicates that tribal gaming has had a significant impact on the Shreveport-Bossier gaming market, with revenue down 25 percent. The report recommended the state legislature allow riverboat casinos to relocate and also add sports betting to the mix. Diamond Jacks has already requested a move.

Bloomington, Illinois' video gambling machine moratorium will end September 1. Ahead of that, the city council will vote to allow 60 gambling licenses, up from the current 52. Most council members oppose allowing six instead of five machines per establishment, as permitted under the new state law.

The owners of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas have decided against keeping the off-Strip resort partially open when work commences in February 2020 to create Virgin Hotel Las Vegas. Construction is expected to take roughly eight months with a grand reopening set for next November.

Majority shareholders Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta (l.) saw an opportunity in a tough second quarter for Red Rock Resorts to snap up 2.25 million shares. Analysts hailed the purchase, saying it underscores the brothers’ belief in their massive investment in the Palms.

Wind Creek Bethlehem has announced there will be disruptions in table-game and slot operations as the casino transitions from its former branding as Sands Bethlehem.

Regulators in Pennsylvania have received requests from three casinos to reduce their inventories of slot machines as part of projects to enhance their properties. Presque Isle Downs Casino, the Meadows Casino (l.), and Rivers Casino have issued the requests.

A lawsuit filed by the Alaskan Native Village of Eklutna against the U.S. Department of the Interior and the state of Alaska could have far-reaching consequences. At stake is whether Alaska will have tribal gaming similar to that offered in the lower 48 states. Governor Mike Dunleavy (l.) hasn’t indicated his opinion on the topic.

Longtime political opponents of Massachusetts-based Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Chairman Cedric Cromwell (l.) have gathered enough signatures to trigger a recall election. Cromwell and Treasurer Gordon Harris are targeted in the recall, whose proponents claim the two have mismanaged the tribe’s finances and overpaid themselves.

Three former tribal officials of the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians—including a former FBI agent, his mother, and her sister—have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to embezzle from the Northern California tribe. The Paskentas operate the Rolling Hills Casino (l.) in Tehama County.

Although the Alabama legislature did not pass a lottery bill last year, House Speaker Mac McCutcheon said he expects a "clean" bill this year. It would have to be beneficial for the state, and possibly include a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Bingo interests are another concern, he said.

Gibraltar-based online lottery provider Lottoland has successfully challenged a June ruling by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) that said its products are illegal. The New South Wales Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the “disrupter,” which offers jackpot betting with results based on financial market indices.

Lyle Bell, the trailblazing gaming tech expert, passed away last week. Bell developed groundbreaking technology while he was with Caesars Palace in the 1980s, later joining IGT and then serving as CIO for Seminole Hard Rock casinos.

AGS has acquired all assets of table-game supplier In Bet Gaming, and In Bet founder, president and CEO Ronald LaDuca (l.) has joined AGS’ sales leadership team.

Foxwoods has installed a third electronic table game stadium from Interblock, a Diamond dealer-assist setup that increases the property’s total Interblock ETG offering to 85 seats.

San Manuel Casino has debuted the new IGT slot featuring rock star Adam Levine, and will offer players a free slot pull on the new game on September 23.

JCM Global Digital Signage Solutions has installed a 15-by-eight-foot LCD wall display as part of a recent expansion of the casino’s gaming floor.

Skill-based gaming machine manufacturer Synergy Blue has relocated its headquarters from California to Las Vegas in a move to further grow its gaming industry footprint. CEO Georg Washington (l.) says the move to Vegas is an important step for his company.

AGS has officially launched its Orion Upright cabinet, the first upright dual-screen cabinet in the Orion family, after pre-launches at casinos in Connecticut and California.

The Gaming Standards Association has announced that its 2019 Technology Summit, November 6-7 in San Diego, will focus on artificial intelligence.