The Philippines’ gaming regulator has announced that it will curtail the growth of gaming, both online and land-based, for the time being. Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) boss Andrea Domingo (l.) said limiting expansion will help existing operators succeed. The ban on new licenses will reportedly last until at least 2022.
Once again the ambitious plan to develop a multibillion-dollar integrated resort complex at Hellenikon (l.), the former Athens airport, has hit a setback—if not a dead end. Unspecified paperwork lapses have both license bidders—Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment and Hard Rock International—threatening to sue.
With a January 1 deadline fast approaching, there has been no movement on either side in the showdown between the tribes of Oklahoma and the governor, who is demanding that the tribe re-negotiate their compacts to provide the state with more revenue. Tribal attorney Stephen Greetham (l.) says the state is reneging on what it negotiated 15 years ago.
Eighteen California gaming tribes are campaigning for legal sportsbooks at tribal gaming halls and racetracks, but not card clubs. Senator Bill Dodd (l.) and Rep. Adam Gray have proposed a broader plan. Can they succeed in a battle with the tribes?
A soft Chinese economy, currency woes, the trade war with the U.S., political turmoil in Hong Kong…take your pick, they all played a part in making November the second-worst month for gaming revenue in 2019. And December could be worse.
The U.S. economy appears headed for a slowdown, and a Las Vegas economist expects visitation and gaming revenue to soften along with it. In response, it appears the famed “What Happens Here” slogan (l.) could be in for a makeover as tourism officials look for new ways to sell the city.
Between 2012 and 2015, millions of dollars were reportedly laundered through British Columbia casinos including River Rock (l.). A widespread investigation of money laundering in the province has caused casino revenues to stagnate.
The phenomenon of YouTube “slot influencers” has more casinos allowing filming on the slot floor. Among the most popular: Brian Christopher (l.), whose BCSlots YouTube channel has more than 200,000 subscribers and more than 4 million views per month.
Caesars Entertainment last week announced that the deal to sell the off-Strip Rio hotel and casino in Las Vegas had been completed. The new owner is Dreamscape Companies, which is owned and controlled by Eric Birnbaum. Caesars will manage the property for at least two more years and the World Series of Poker will be held there once again in 2020.
Proposed regulations to codify sexual harassment and workplace discrimination in Nevada don’t go far enough, says former gaming regulator Richard Schuetz (l.). He claims the proposed regulations have been “weakened” from an earlier draft that was written by former Gaming Control Board Chairwoman Becky Harris.
This week the GGB Podcast features an interview with Michael Broderick, the general manager of the Sherwood Valley Casino, about his innovative marketing campaigns and unique operating approach at a small Northern California casino.
The Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) last week suspended trading of Donaco International after shareholders ousted the board chairman and several non-executive board members, leaving only three members standing. As a result, CEO Paul Arbuckle (l.) submitted his resignation.
Alan Ho’s (l.) original sentence of 13 months in jail was upped to eight years after Macau prosecutors argued he profited from prostitution at the Hotel Lisboa as part of an organized criminal enterprise. Three former Lisboa executives also had their sentences increased.
Scottish National Party Leader Nicola Sturgeon (l.) wants more help from the UK government to treat problem gambling. The party seeks tougher measures preventing minors from gambling and tougher laws against loot box access.
Baltic-based Olympic Entertainment Group (OEG) will close nine of its Lithuanian betting shops and two Lithuanian casinos, says OEG Managing Director Saulius Petravičius (l.). The plan follows tax increases on bingo, arcade and betting.
Cricket Australia is set to turn down an offer to sponsor the Big Bash League. The deal did not fit in with the family entertainment aspect of the league. But the organization will still accept sponsorships with betting companies in other settings.
Hong Kong-listed construction firm Far East Consortium International Ltd. may spin off and separately list some of its hospitality projects in Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and the UK to boost revenues and advance expansions.
The latest UK health survey showed that men are more likely to than women to become problem gamblers. The survey also showed that smartphones make it easier for young people to get hooked.
Gamblers in the Netherlands are more likely to have problems with limiting their play when they play on gambling machines, according to a new study from Dutch regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) and self-help group AGOG.
Danish gaming regulator Spillemyndigheden has implemented a new campaign to boost awareness of the StopSpillet initiative, a problem gambling awareness campaign introduced earlier this year.
A new organization called Game On WA, which includes major companies like ISGA, WTIA, One Redmond, and SciPlay, will lobby Washington state lawmakers to make it clear that so-called “social games” aren’t banned by the state’s anti-gambling laws. This effort was formed after a federal judge left the status of mobile app games up in the air.
Michigan's sports betting and iGaming bill is about the be passed if you can believe sponsor state Senator Curtis Hertel Jr. (l.), one of the sponsors of a package of bills that would address all the important issues. Moving it forward was the agreement of Michigan tribes to the measures, as long as the playing field is level with the state's commercial casinos. Tribes could withhold revenue sharing payments if they believe their exclusivity rights are violated.
In the casino era, professional teams from all major sports tried to make a go of it in Atlantic City. The Surf. The Bullies. The Seagulls. And most recently, the Blackjacks. They all failed. Are all minor league pro teams doomed in the resort? And all had some degree of financial support from the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA).
Global Market Advisors estimates Illinois bettors could place $5.2 billion in wagers by 2023 after sports betting launches. Camelot Lottery Solutions said 450,000 Illinoisans would place bets once sportsbooks open at casinos, racetracks and large stadiums.
In Ohio, state Senator John Eklund and Rep. Dave Greenspan will sponsor sports betting legislation in the 2020 session. The two disagree on the regulatory aspect and betting at veterans and fraternal organizations. But Eklund said the "heavy lifting" is nearly finished.
Kambi, a leading global sports betting supplier, has underlined its commitment to the highest levels of integrity with membership in the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA).
Mohegan Sun Pocono in Pennsylvania now offers two options for sports wagering. Gamblers can bet in the sportsbook inside the casino or the new online option. Sports betting is offered at 12 retail and seven online locations.
Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack has announced a partnership with the Philadelphia Eagles allowing in-stadium branding and other marketing opportunities.
The company that owns the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres has partnered with Seneca Resorts & Casinos in anticipation of sports betting in upstate New York. The deal includes development of sportsbooks and lounges at Seneca resorts in Salamanca, Niagara Falls and Buffalo.
Leaders from all major U.S. sports franchises including Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross (l.) have invested in the Action Network, a new digital media company designed to serve the sports gambling community. The company raised $17.5 million earlier this year.
Missouri is the first of 18 states to approve the $17.3 billion sale of Caesars Entertainment to Eldorado Resorts. The Missouri Gaming Commission also approved the sale of Eldorado's Isle Casino Cape Girardeau (l.) and Lady Luck Caruthersville to Century Casinos to avoid any antitrust concerns.
Spectacle Entertainment, Gary, owner of Indiana's Majestic Star, was the sole applicant for a Vigo County casino license. If approved, the company plans to develop the $300 million Hard Rock Rocksino (l.) in Terre Haute.
Billionaire resort operator Phil Ruffin told Nevada regulators he will add an $11 million, 2,000-seat theater at Circus Circus, which he is buying from MGM. The other big change: a sand beach with lapping waves to replace the resort’s 10-acre RV park.
A developer has signed a contract to purchase Balmoral Park harness track (l.) in the suburbs of Chicago. State legislators must amend the state's new gaming expansion law to allow racing in the area; the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association is skeptical about the plan.
Danville, Virginia has issued a request for proposals (RFP) from would-be casino developers. At least four are said to be interested. Danville is one of five cities in Virginia authorized to have a casino under legislation signed earlier this year by Governor Ralph Northam (l.).
A rumor that the Grand Portage Lodge & Casino (l.) in Minnesota is closing is false and "malicious," said Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Chairwoman Beth Drost. The rumor started on social media.
The lack of a big Mega Millions or Powerball jackpot has adversely affected the Massachusetts Lottery over the past four months, said Executive Director Michael Sweeney (l.) in a report to the state lottery commission.
"Digital instant" games are closer to reality in North Carolina following the North Carolina Education Lottery Commission's recent vote. The commission must vote again to approve the launch of the games once they're created. The games could bring in $80 million a year for the state.
Lawmakers in the Indian state of Meghalaya last week approved a set of rules that will govern a new lottery. Meghalaya is planning to re-launch the state lottery that was shut down in 2005.
Ján Barczi (l.) and Miloš Prelec, chairman and IT director of Slovakia’s state-owned lottery operator Tipos SK, are under investigation on charges of money laundering.
A former management executive with Revel Entertainment has risen to become the CEO of its successor, Ocean Casino Resort. Terry Glebocki will take the reins at the Boardwalk resort, succeeding interim chief Eric Matejevich.
IGT’s CFO Alberto Fornaro (l.) has resigned, and the company board unanimously approved the appointment of Timothy Rishton to replace Fornaro. Rishton had previously been chief accounting officer.
Uri Clinton, who represented MGM Resorts during a tumultuous time in New England, has stepped down as spokesman. He also unexpectedly left his job as president of Empire City Casino in Yonkers, New York.
Penn National Gaming has announced a reorganization of its management team in advance of the retirement of Timothy Wilmott as CEO on January 1. Wilmott will be succeeded in the top job by Jay Snowden (l.).
The California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) elected a new slate of officers at its annual organizational meeting at the Rincon Tribal Government Center in in Valley Center, California. Heading the list is James Siva (l.), chairman.
GLI has named Peter Wolff as director of global technical compliance, where he will be responsible for concentrating on technological advances within the gaming industry.
Software supplier EveryMatrix has named Stian Hornsletten, the company’s co-founder and former casino division chief, as its new chief commercial officer.
Win Systems has named Chad Dickie executive vice president and general manager, USA, charged with leading the manufacturer’s expansion efforts in the United States.
Macau casino operator Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd. announced last month that it has appointed Joey Pather (l.) as the group’s senior vice president of the MICE sector.
Japan’s Upper House has named Michio Kitamura the first chairman of the country’s Casino Administration Committee, the supervisory body tasked with regulating the nation’s integrated resorts.
Aristocrat Technologies has announced the Nevada approval of its Oasis 360 loyalty solution and the launch of its Edge X cabinet (l.) in the company’s European markets.
Singapore-based slot supplier Weike Gaming Technology has placed three video slot games it developed with pachinko hall operator Dynam Japan Holdings at Macau’s Legend Palace casino.
Synergy Blue has signed an agreement with distributor Jade Entertainment Solutions to launch its skill-influenced gaming machines in Asian Pacific markets.
International Alliance Systems Limited has won the Innovation Gold Award at the annual Business Awards of Macau, for its cloud-based game platform GameSource.
White Hat Gaming Ltd. has signed a multi-state platform agreement with Penn National Gaming to serve as the operator’s online gaming platform supplier.
Everi Holdings announced the commencement of a public offering of 10 million shares of its common stock, with underwriters given an option to purchase an additional 1.5 million shares.
Hard Rock International has launched a gambling literacy and education program that is the first of its kind in the United States. It will help veteran and unlettered players better understand themselves and their possible risk of gambling addiction.
Comviva and Inlogic have announced a partnership that will help both companies expand their markets. Inlogic Games will help Comviva provide richer game content to telecom partners. Comviva will help Inlogic enter new markets.
The 24th East Coast Gaming Congress and NexGen Gaming Forum, the longest-serving gaming conference in the eastern U.S., will be held April 27-28, 2020 at Harrah’s Waterfront Conference Center in Atlantic City. Among the speakers will be Rush Street Gaming CEO Greg Carlin (l).
SiGMA Group has announced that the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) has officially approved a strategic partnership proposal between SiGMA and ICE Asia to run the inaugural SiGMA/ICE Asia exhibition and conference in Manila in June 2020.
