New cardroom rules proposed by the California Bureau of Gambling Control last week have venues like the Bicycle Hotel and Casino in Bell Gardens (l.) complaining they will be forced to close if the rules are enforced. The California Nations Indian Gaming Association disputes those dire consequences, saying the new regulations merely reinforce already existing laws that weren’t enforced.
Due to the results of the recently released Virginia Joint Legislation Audit and Review Committee (JLARC), Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander (l.) announced that the state’s Pamunkey Tribe will seek a federally recognized tribal casino, not a commercial venue. The report's original estimates of a $700 million property with 3,500 jobs were scaled back to a $200 million property with 1,000 jobs.
In contrast with troublesome Hong Kong, Macau’s loyalty to Beijing is bringing a host of financial and economic policy rewards from the central government. Gaming won’t see much by way of immediate benefits, but the payoff should be there in the long run. A three-day visit from Chinese leader, President Xi Jinping didn’t help.
Last Friday, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (l.) signed legislation to legalize sports betting and iGaming in the Wolverine State. It’ll be a few months before residents can bet, as casinos undergo the licensing process. Bettors are hopeful books will be up and running in time for March Madness.
The lawsuit filed by the New Hampshire Lottery against the 2018 Justice Department opinion that overturned a 2011 memo that essentially legalized interstate online lottery sales and gaming means another extension to the enforcement period that was supposed to expire at the end of this year.
In the Japan IR race, lawmakers in one potential jurisdiction, Osaka (Yumeshima Island at left), have conceded they may have to wait until after the 2025 World Expo to open a proposed integrated resort. In another market, Hokkaido, a U.S. gaming operator says it’s still wants to develop and open an IR—even though Hokkaido has officially passed.
The history of activist investors impacting gaming companies in the last several years is long and detailed. Last week, Land & Buildings, controlled by investor Jonathan Litt (l.), is urging a possible merger between the two biggest gaming REITs, Gaming & Leisure Properties Inc. (GLPI) and the Caesars spinoff, Vici.
Ocean Casino Resort (l.) in Atlantic City turned around its fortunes, at least in November, when it posted a 48 percent increase in overall revenue. But does its success reflect the fortunes of Atlantic City? Some indicators say yes. Some say not so fast.
Leaders from 32 of 35 Oklahoma Indian tribes that offer gambling have rejected Governor Kevin Stitt's offer to extend their compacts for eight months, until August 31. The tribes say the compacts will automatically renew on January 1. Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Chairman Matthew Morgan (l.) has asked Stitt to “stop this self-created crisis.”
Wynn CEO Matt Maddox (l.) had three more years added to his contract recently, after a unanimous vote by the Wynn Resorts board of directors. His new contract expires at the end of 2022.
Scientific Games has improved its OpenGaming iGaming platform with new games designed for mobile play, from online gaming content supplier 4ThePlayer. Among them: the zombie-themed 1 Left Alive (l.)
There’s a lot of horse trading going on when it comes to Las Vegas real estate, especially along the Strip. Will the REITs join forces or will there be other major players involved? Be sure to play it cool when the bidding gets hot.
This week, the GGB Podcast sits down with Andrew Tottenham, the managing director of Tottenham & Co., on the gaming realities in Europe and the complications that challenge the industry’s development there.
This week, the GGB Podcast features an interview with Scott Butera, the president of interactive for MGM Resorts. Butera discusses the company’s partnership with GVC and its plans for sports betting in the U.S.
PokerStars’ schedule of 21 live international tournaments will include seven events at the new PokerStars Live room at Okada Manila (l.) in the Philippine capital. The new venue replaces the PokerStars room at City of Dreams Macau, which closed in 2018.
Despite a moratorium on new gaming licenses in Madrid, handed down in mid-November, 22 new venues are expected to open by the new year. After that, the temporary suspension ordered by President Isabel Díaz Ayuso (l.) will kick in.
Fitzwilliam Card Club (l.), a member’s only casino in Dublin closed its doors this month thanks to a new law which required it to have a license to operate. The license would prohibit offering gaming unless it was free, taking away the house edge.
The Grand Casino Liechtenstein opened in Bendern on December 11, becoming the fourth and largest casino in the principality located between Austria and Switzerland. It plans to specialize in poker tournaments.
A national health survey in England showed people gambled too much, ate and drank too much and failed to exercise enough. Activities varied for men and women and by age group. The percentage of those interviewed about gambling has fallen, but remains above 53 percent overall.
The European Commission has launched a probe of German state regulations around land-based gaming to determine if some tax concessions favor state-owned casino operators.
On December 12, British Columbia Attorney General David Eby (l.) announced that the Canadian province will replace its Gaming Policy & Enforcement Branch (GPEB) with a new Independent Gambling Control Office (IGCO) by spring 2021. The change is set to take place by spring.
Australian bookmaker PlayUp is accused of failing to exclude customers who signed up for self-exclusion. In part, the company blamed a rule barring data-sharing. PlayUp has since merged it into a single company, which should alleviate the issue, said CEO Daniel Simic (l.).
Betting operator Betchoice, trading as Unibet, has been ordered to pay a penalty of $25,000 for offering illegal gambling inducements to residents in New South Wales.
Pennsylvania marked one year of legal sports betting by passing the $1 billion milestone in total wagers, on the heels of more than $300 million in handle for November. Leading the way, surprisingly, was the comparatively smaller FanDuel sportsbook a Valley Forge Casino (l).
Rhode Island’s requirement that bettors travel to one of its two casinos, Twin Rivers (l.) and Tiverton, in order to finalize registering to use a mobile sports betting app appears to be hobbling the growth of the sportsbook. The growth of online sports betting is lagging behind that of brick-and-mortar sportsbook.
Cordish Companies will place a FanDuel Sportsbook in Philadelphia’s Stadium District. It will open prior to the 2020 debut of the operator’s Live! Casino and Hotel Philadelphia (l).
A constitutional amendment isn't required to legalize sports betting in Kentucky, says sports gaming attorney Daniel Wallach (l.). Wallach said the state constitution only bans lotteries. Committee chairman and state Rep. Adam Koenig pre-filed a bill to authorize sports wagering at racetracks, the Kentucky Motor Speedway and online.
The four sportsbooks in New York State reported their lowest results since the marker debuted in July. Each property suffered month-to-month declines from October to November, with Rivers Casino in Schenectady (l.) down 45.1 percent. A lack of progress in approving mobile sports betting may be a factor in the faltering revenues.
The 2019 Louisiana legislative session came and went and sports betting died from a failure to collaborate. Ronnie Jones (l.), chairman of the state gaming control board, said the industry is as much to blame as anyone else. He hopes any push in 2020 includes discussions with all parties.
A gathering of business, labor and political leaders in Windsor seeks to convince the government to fast-track passage of single-event sports betting to keep pace with Michigan. The state expects to see the governor sign sports betting legislation soon, leaving Windsor to play catch up.
In the aftermath of an investigation that showed match-fixing, the tennis associations that govern the sport expect to ramp up integrity safeguards for the World Tennis Tour. The safeguards include, among other elements, a ban on the collection of live scoring data for minor events offering prize money up to $15,000.
The new BetRivers SportsBar at Rivers Casino (l.) in Des Plaines, Illinois is ready to take bets. But first the Illinois Gaming Board has to issue rules and issue sports betting licenses at a cost of $10 million. The new sportsbook features a 47-foot-wide ultra-HD LED video wall that can broadcast up to 27 games at a time.
Metric Gaming, a multi-tenant B2B sports betting software provider, has obtained a Class 4 license from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). The license allows Metric to distribute its products and services to customers operating from the Mediterranean jurisdiction.
Next fall, Northwood University will offer a business degree in eSports management. The new curriculum, the first of its kind in Michigan, will examine finance, marketing, branding and management in a market that attracted $4.5 billion in investments, according to one study.
Nevada regulators last week approved the deal where Phil Ruffin (l.), the owner of the TI, to buy Circus Circus from MGM Resorts. Ruffin will pay $835 million for the north Strip property, which includes more than 30 acres of lightly developed land.
The Indiana Gaming Commission gave final approvals to Spectacle Entertainment's new land-based casino (l.) in Gary, allowing Spectacle to close on $400 million in financing, start construction of the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, consolidate its Majestic Star casino boats and move off Lake Michigan.
Columbus, Georgia businessman Bob Wright (l.) says he’ll develop a $200 million destination casino resort if the state legislature approves casino gaming. Wright made the same proposal in 2016, but the bill to legalize gaming didn't pass.
Pennsylvania regulators approved the mini-casino license for Penn National Gaming, under which Penn will open Hollywood Casino York (l.) with 500 slots and 24 table games.
The New Jersey Senate expects to approve legislation to permit low-level drug offenders to complete supervision and work in the casino industry. Without the law, they are banned from casino employment. Governor Phil Murphy (l.) acknowledged he will sign the measure.
Rockford, Illinois Alderman Natavias Ervins (l.) voted in favor of a Seminole Hard Rock proposal to develop a $310 million casino, to be built by his former employer, Ringland-Johnson Construction. A TV station asked if that was a conflict of interest; a city attorney and others say it’s not.
Tech giant Oracle’s annual OpenWorld conference is departing its longtime home in San Francisco for the new Caesars Forum convention center (l.) on the Las Vegas Strip. The show will debut in the fall, bringing with it some 60,000 attendees.
The former director of benefits for Penn National Gaming has been arrested and charged with theft, for allegedly stealing more than $75,000 worth of gift cards meant for employees.
A well-known thoroughbred trainer, Jerry Hollendorfer (l.), is suing to recover his rights to stable horses at the Santa Anita Racetrack in Southern California. He was forced to vacate the racetrack last June.
Michael Barlow, an executive with Twin River Worldwide Holdings, Inc., has been indicted on 30 felony counts including bribery, tax evasion and kickbacks. He has pleaded not guilty.
North Dakota's casinos are located on its five Native American casinos. But state Rep. Al Carlson (l.) has introduced a bill adding six state-owned casinos. Observers consider the bill a form of payback for millions of dollars the state spent on costs related to Dakota Access pipeline protests. But Carlson said the measure is not "anti-American Indian."
Tributes continue to pour in for Richard G. "Rick" Hill, first chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association, who passed away unexpectedly on December 13. Hill served two terms as chairman of the Oneida Nation; during his first term the nation signed its first state gaming compact. Hill testified on Indian affairs numerous times before Congress.
The Wilton Rancheria, which wants to build a $400 million casino resort in Northern California in the city of Elk Grove, has paid $36 million for 36 acres in an unfinished outlet mall (l.). The tribe is partnering with Boyd Gaming of Las Vegas.
The Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes and the state of Connecticut have petitioned the federal court of the District of Columbia to intervene in a lawsuit by MGM Resorts International against the Department of the Interior. MGM is seeking to overturn an approval by DOI of the tribes’ amendment to the state tribal gaming compact that would allow them to build an off-reservation casino (l.).
The Bay Mills Indian Community and the state of Michigan will debate the meaning of two sentences in the Michigan Indian Land Claims Settlement Act to determine if the tribe can finally open an off-reservation casino. The state shut down the tribe's casino 125 miles from its reservation in 2010.
Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California has become the official casino partner of SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park, being developed by L.A. Rams owner E. Stanley Kroenke. Pechanga is the first Southern California-headquartered company to announce such a sponsorship.
San Manuel Casino in Southern California last week announced the opening of its newest high-limit gaming space offering both table games and slots, and an Asian-inspired eatery, which includes a $10,000 cocktail.
The Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians has released an economic study showing that the tribe, empowered by its casino, Harrah’s Resort Southern California (l.), has become an economic powerhouse in the region and force for good to the many organizations that it helps support.
Genting is looking the industry veteran Bob DeSalvio who most recently ran Encore Boston Harbor, to right the ship at the struggling casino in upstate New York. He’s also taking charge of Resorts World New York City. DeSalvio was most recently president of Encore Boston Harbor.
Clark County, Nevada commissioners have bypassed Geoconda Arguello-Kline for a seat on the Las Vegas Stadium Authority. The Culinary Union criticized the vote as a blow to diversity on the board, which sets policy for the $2 billion stadium set to open for the start of the 2020 NFL season.
Denise Coates, cofounder of UK-based online gaming firm Bet365, was the highest paid chief executive of a British company after being paid nearly $424 million last year, according to Forbes.
Fantini Research has promoted Acting Editor Blake Weishaar to permanent editor of Fantini’s Gaming Report, and hired Dylan Kaplan as a writer and special projects specialist.
GLI has promoted Nevada audit chief Lynda Hartzell, recognized as one of the top executives in her field while working with Nevada regulators, to audit director of the company.
Eric Vaughn, an 18-year Caesars veteran, has been promoted to head all the company’s culinary operations in the city. His responsibilities will include all food service at the massive new Caesars Forum convention complex.
Spectra, providers of venue management, food services and hospitality to Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall and the Atlantic City Convention Center, has named industry veteran and New Jersey native Ronnie Burt as vice president of sales and marketing of the Atlantic City Convention Center.
Michael J. Anderson, founder and owner of Anderson Indian Law, was recently honored with the Native American Bar Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was presented at a ceremony in Washington D.C.
The Stars Group Inc., a global provider of gaming and interactive entertainment technologies, will acquire the final 20 percent piece of BetEasy, its Australia-based sports betting business, for AU$151 million (US$168.4 million) and promote Andrew Menz to the post of CEO. Current CEO Matt Tripp (l.) will become non-executive president.
The interim government of Bolivia has appointed Juan Carlos Antonio Abrego as the new director general of the country’s Gaming Control Authority (AJ Bolivia).
Osaka, Japan, has announced the names of two people who will head the selection committee to choose its private-sector integrated resort (IR) partner. The city and prefecture are considered a prime locale for one of the country’s first three IRs, to open in 2026 or thereafter.
Classic three-reel slot games have been hard to find in the online casino space—until now. Game manufacturer Everi recently launched a library of player favorites at New Jersey’s GoldenNuggetCasino.com. Ten titles are available, with more to come.
JCM Global has signed a long-term partnership agreement with Penn National Gaming that names JCM as the preferred vendor of bill validators, printers and other equipment in over 36,000 slot machines.
Global Payments Gaming Solutions achieved growth of more than 50 percent in the U.S. iGaming market this year. Its merger with TSYS provided greater scale, positioning it for additional growth in 2020. President Christopher Justice (l.) said, “I’m proud of the role our organization is playing in shaping the future of the industry, from operations to the customer experience.”
Australia’s Star Entertainment Group and Konami Gaming have jointly announced the continuation of a decade-long partnership to bring Konami systems technologies to Star’s integrated resorts in Sydney (l.), Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Melco Resorts & Entertainment was honored last week as the recipient of 10 Michelin stars among six restaurants at its properties in Macau. Melco has six Michelin-starred eateries, the most in Macau. The awards were handed out by Michelin’s Gwendal Poullennec (l.)
Novomatic’s Austrian-made gaming equipment now has a strong footprint at the Golden Palace Casino in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, a property of Belgian Class II casinos operator Golden Palace Group. The Golden Palace opened in mid-2019.
The Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) has announced that it is welcoming eight new member companies. That brings the trade group to a total of 177 members, an all-time high.
Genting Hong Kong has signed an agreement with Resorts World Inc. Pte. Ltd (RWI) that will see the latter provide a range of information technology services to Genting HK’s fleet of cruise ships.
Omniq Corp., formerly Quest Solution, will install its AI-based vehicle recognition system at a large casino in Macau. Developed in Israel by OMNIQ’s R&D team, the technology offers real-time license plate identification and reduces on-site labor.
FeedConstruct’s data collection tool AJNA was tested recently during the November games of Armenian Premier League Football Clubs. AJNA, a real-time video analysis tool, delivered advanced in-game analytics on the games, with no need for operator assistance.
Scientific Games and Norsk Tipping signed an agreement under which SG will provide 3,000 to 4,500 video lottery terminals to approximately 1,000 venues across Norway.
France’s Fouras Casino has become the first in metropolitan France to add Link Shock, a progressive multi-game link featured on the state-of-the-art Fusion Slant cabinet.
BMM Testlabs has been recognized for the second year in a row as the “Best Certification Laboratory” by the government of Romania at a gala event in Bucharest.
TruNarrative, provider of risk compliance and transactional monitoring solutions, has partnered with gambling technology company Playtech to provide a worldwide compliance platform to the gaming industry.
ICE North America, scheduled for May 13-14, 2020 in New Orleans, has been endorsed by the Louisiana Gaming Board Chairman Ronnie Jones and state Attorney General's Gaming Division Director Christopher B. Hebert (l.). Sports betting is expected to be a major focus at the event, which will offer its program of 150-plus speakers at no cost.
Tribal-state compacts and best practices in sports betting will be examined at the International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL) master classes, to be held at the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) Winter Meeting, January 10-12, in San Diego.
The first Cambodia Gaming & Entertainment Expo (CAGE) 2020 will be held September 29-October 1, 2020 at the Diamond Island Convention & Exhibition Centre in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The ASEAN Gaming Summit, named the “Most Significant Conference of the Year” for 2019, will take place March 17-19, 2020, in Manila. Among the speakers will be Mel Georgie B. Racela, executive director of the Anti-Money Laundering Council in the Philippines.
