Brazilian lawmaker Paulo Azi (l.) has submitted a bill that would bring casinos to the country for the first time. The legislation calls for up to 32 casino licenses in the country, with the government getting 10 percent of GGR. The integrated resorts would be required to include other attractions such as convention centers, spas, shopping malls, theaters and more.
MGM Resorts Chairman & CEO Jim Murren (l.) called the recent DOJ Wire Act memo “unenforceable. New Hampshire is preparing a lawsuit to protect its online lottery in the wake of the memo, while New Jersey and Pennsylvania are also exploring challenging the opinion in federal court. Meanwhile, federal Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker was challenged on the new ruling before Congress.
Kevin “Red Eagle” Brown, chairman of the Mohegan Tribal Council, which runs the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut, gave no indication that he was planning to resign before he did it last week. The announcement was sudden and the effect of his resignation, immediate, which shocked observers.
Osaka, Japan, chosen to host the 2025 World Expo and in line to welcome one of the country’s first integrated resorts, is planning big upgrades in its transportation infrastructure. And since any IR in Osaka would be located on Yumeshima Island (l.), transportation improvements may include rail, bridges and even boats.
An omnibus gambling measure, Senate Bill 552, recently moved from the Indiana Senate Public Policy Committee, chaired by state Senator Ron Alting (l.), to Appropriations. It addresses sports gambling, relocating the Majestic Star Casino in Gary, allowing live table games at racinos immediately and more. Co-sponsor state Senator Jon Ford called it a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity for Indiana.
A recently released survey by the American Gaming Association shows that 90 percent of people who visit a casino the U.S. games responsibly. It was released at the same time a study showing that acceptance of gaming in the U.S. has risen to its highest level ever.
In the ultimate act of separation from Japanese billionaire Kazuo Okada, Universal Entertainment Corp. may change the name of its Okada Manila resort in the Philippines’ Entertainment City. The company’s founder was ousted in 2017 and continues to challenge the resort’s owners, Universal Entertainment, to be reinstated.
Although gaming tribes don’t have the same interests or goals, their preferences will play a significant role in the coming expansion of sports betting in the U.S. Only two tribes currently offer sports betting: The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (l.) at their Pearl River Resort, and New Mexico’s Pueblo of Santa Ana, Santa Ana Star casino.
Finding a place on Fortune Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies takes a total enterprise team effort. Clark Dumont, who led the effort at MGM Resorts for five years, explains why the effort is worthwhile and how companies are judged.
Fourth quarter financial reports are rolling in and it seems the disappointing 2018 is behind us. But if the U.S. economy starts to slow down, how attractive will the casino stocks be?
This week, the GGB Podcast features a discussion with Willy Allison, the owner and organizer of the World Game Protection Conference, being held at the Tropicana in Las Vegas March 3-6.
Visitation to Macau during the annual Golden Week holiday rose 26.6 percent year-on-year for 2019, with more than 1.2 million people choosing to celebrate the Lunar New Year in the gaming hub.
Marina Bay Sands (l.) can proceed with its attempt to collect more than AU$8 million (US$5.7 million) in debts owed by a Chinese-Australian gambler who gave misleading information on his credit application.
An observant casino patron at Cambodia’s Golden Crown casino (l.) helped security teams avert disaster when he reported seeing a suspicious package outside a men’s restroom. The box contained an explosive device.
Philippine business magnate Dennis Uy (l.), owner of PH Resorts Group, will invest at least $1 billion in the development of two casino resorts, one on Mactan Island and one in the Clark Freeport Zone.
An effort by animal rescue groups to find new homes for displaced racing greyhounds in Macau have begun to pay off, at least for several dozen of the abandoned animals. Hundreds more are set to be rehomed soon.
Macau junket operator Tak Chun Group debuted a new VIP club at Melco’s City of Dreams, just in time for Chinese New Year. The club features six lounges with 14 gaming tables.
Imperial Pacific, operator of the only casino in the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands, has won a two-year exemption from a rule requiring businesses there to hire U.S. residents for 30 percent of its labor force.
Bloomberry Resorts Corp., operator of the Solaire Resort and Casino in Manila, will be added to the Philippine Stock Exchange Index of top-listed companies.
The UK is readying regulations to block gambling ads from appearing on apps (like I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here at left), websites or in computer games that are popular with children, under new rules designed to stop irresponsible gambling. Bookmakers will be required to use targeting tools to ensure online gambling promotions are not seen by children.
Once considered the largest casino nation in Europe, the Czech Republic is moving aggressively in the other direction. Operating under new laws, the number of slot machines in the country have been cut in half, to less than 39,000.
Revenue from licensing and rights fees in 2018 were up almost 10 percent year on year. Casinos and bingo halls generated most of it. Industry regulator Coljuegos believes a crackdown on illegal gambling contributed significantly as well.
Gateway Casinos & Entertainment has begun a process for locating a casino in Huron County, Ontario, Canada. It has so far contacted the towns of South Huron and Lambton Shores.
Most Australian states, including Victoria, allow one gaming company, the Tattis Group, to hold a monopoly on gaming. Paddy Power Betfair is knocking loudly on the door, wanting in.
The government reported a 3.5 percent decline in gaming revenue for most of 2018. In all, machine games didn’t fare too badly, down 1.5 percent. But table games, which are restricted to casinos in hotels, were down more than 27 percent.
The New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement has effectively banned the affiliate betting site OddsShark from doing business in the state’s online gambling market. The division found that the site was promoting illegal websites not licensed in the state. The order bars all state licensed sites to cease doing business with OddsShark.
Racing and gaming company Churchill Downs will launch its first online gaming site, BetAmerica, in New Jersey. The site will operate under the Golden Nugget license and include casino games and a sports book. And CG Technology, a pioneering sports betting platform based in Nevada, has partnered with the Meadowlands to offer sports betting in the state.
Italian gaming regulators have completed a review process and issued 70 online gaming licenses to gambling companies. They include major players such as The Stars Group, William Hill, Paddy Power Betfair, GVC and bet365. Italy had made about 120 licenses available under new gambling regulations. The country also recently hiked taxes on online gambling.
The 2019 Gambling Industry Report from iovation found that online betting through mobile apps was up 95 percent over the previous year. The report is based on an analysis of over 518 million transactions from more than 100 gambling operators and platforms.
The Brazilian state of Paraiba has approved legislation classifying eSports with other sports. The state is the first to approve the bill, which is designed to increase eSports competitions in the country.
A sports betting bill allowing wagers only at the state’s tribal casinos was introduced by state Rep. Pat Garofalo (l.). He said he showed the bill to “multiple tribal entities” but Minnesota Indian Gaming Association Chairman Charles Vig has told Governor Tim Walz tribes don’t want sports betting and would oppose any legislation allowing it.
Gamblers made more $385 million in sports bets in New Jersey during the NFL playoffs in January, the highest sports betting handle for a month since sports betting went live in the state in June. The sports betting handle—fueled by more than $300 million in online bets—helped Atlantic City’s casinos see a 20 percent increase in revenue compared to 2017. DraftKings and FanDuel are dominating the sports betting market.
A Kentucky House committee recently discussed House Bill 175, which would legalize sports betting, online poker and fantasy sports. Sponsor state Rep. Adam Koenig (l.) said this legislation has more support than any other bill he ever filed. The measure would allow bets on professional and collegiate games, except those involving Kentucky colleges and universities.
A Kansas House subcommittee is reviewing a wide range of issues about sports betting. Topics include where sports betting would be allowed; if sports betting apps should be offered by casinos and bars or through a single app; and if a royalty should be offered to professional and college sports leagues.
Missouri senators recently raised several concerns about state Senator Denny Hoskins’ SB 44, which would legalize sports wagering on-site at casinos and online after registering at a casino in person. The measure also would require a $10,000 license fee with a $5,000 annual renewal fee and tax adjusted gross receipts at 12 percent.
A new report indicated legalized sports betting could generate $100 million in additional revenue and increase gaming industry revenue by $565 million annually, plus create more than 2,500 new jobs. The study cautioned, however, that sports betting tax revenue won’t solve the state’s fiscal issues “and should be weighed against the potential costs of gambling addiction.”
Small businesses in the Bay State are lobbying the state government to keep them in mind as it mulls a possible legalization of sports betting. Some would like sports betting to be offered by the same businesses that offer keno, rather than being confined to the casinos.
Rhode Island, which is the only New England state to offer sports betting, could soon be the only New England state to offer mobile sports betting. Such a bill is moving quickly through the legislature. Twin River casino (l.) wants a clause that would force players to come to the casino to register.
Washington state, currently one of the strictest gaming states in the nation, could loosen that control considerably under a bill that is being considered by the legislature. Some see this sports betting bill as a wedge that could open up the state to all sorts of gaming.
New Jersey regulators have apparently sorted out some early confusion and the state’s sportsbooks can now accept bets on the Oscars. The state is the first to allow betting on the film awards. The state’s regulators originally gave the go ahead for Oscar betting, but then asked that the odds be removed for a short time before issuing final approval.
Votes on a resolution allowing the voters to decide whether the casino city of Deadwood can offer sports betting has moved forward in the legislature. Governor Kristi Noem opposes this bill, but wouldn’t be allowed to veto it because it’s a resolution.
Action on a bill to legalize sports betting in Arizona has been postponed in the Senate. The bill, by Senator Sonny Borrelli, would allow only gaming tribes to offer sports wagering.
A bill introduced last week to the Maryland state legislature would authorize sports betting to be conducted under the state lottery, bypassing the need for a constitutional amendment.
New Hampshire could become the ninth state to legalize sports betting. The sponsor of a bill to do that argues that the industry already exists. But the state doesn’t get the benefits of regulating and taxing it.
Online betting site Sportsbet reportedly paid tennis pro Nick Kyrgios's (l.) brother $40,000 in promotional payments which could violate the sport’s integrity rules. The Australian new program 7.30 disclosed the payments and showed that Christos Krygios wore shirts bearing the company’s name while attending his brother’s matches at the 2018 Australian Open.
Just ahead of the March 5 opening of the Florida legislature, Senate President Bill Galvano (l.) said he’ll introduce legislation to legalize sports betting and stabilize the Seminole compact. A new twist is the passage in November of the Voter Control of Gambling Amendment, requiring voters to approve any new gambling legislation.
Despite the full court press by MGM Resorts International to urge the legislature to move a bill that would allow competitive bidding for casinos, the bill’s chances are seen as dim. MGM wants to build a casino (l.) in Bridgeport, the state’s largest city.
In the first full quarter since its $2.8 billion Pinnacle Entertainment acquisition, Penn National Gaming posted revenue of $1.555 billion, up 50.2 percent from $769 million a year ago. Officials said revenue will hit $1.3 billion for first quarter and $5.2 billion by the end of 2020, when Penn, already the industry's largest regional casino operator, expects to operate 42 casinos in 19 states, including Margaritaville (l.) in Bossier City, Louisiana.
The West Virginia House Judiciary Committee recently passed to the House floor HB 2901, allowing the state’s four racinos to open satellite casinos within their host counties and offer table games, slots, sports betting and simulcasting. The committee also will consider H 2934, permitting the four racinos and the Greenbrier (l.) to offer online casino gaming.
Cathy Judd-Stein (l.), newly appointed chairwoman of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, is expected to have a full agenda to deal with in her first meeting running the five-seat panel that oversees gaming in the Bay State. Many issues were delayed until she was up to speed on the panel’s function.
Although it’s not likely that a casino will ever be built on a parcel near Jackson Hole, Wyoming that abuts the fabulous Grand Teton National Park, it could happen. Such a possibility is included in a bill now working through the Wyoming legislature.
Construction has begun on Rosie’s Gaming Emporium in Hampton, Virginia. The 40,000 square foot venue, owned by Colonial Downs Group, will offer 700 historical racing machines and livestream horseraces from across the U.S. COO Aaron Gomes (l.) expects 1 million visitors annually and $10 million in annual tax revenue, with $2 million going to Hampton.
Over the next several years, gaming employment in New York will grow at greater rates than any state with casinos, according to research from Yahoo Finance. Not surprisingly, sports betting will provide a major boost. But a new poll shows New Yorkers divided on whether to extend it to laptops and phones.
The zoning board of Strasburg, Pennsylvania has rejected the request of the Rutter's convenience store chain to host five video gaming terminals under the new expansion law.
Eldorado Resorts is considering options for upgrading its Belle of Baton Rouge riverboat casino (l.), including moving the venue ashore or merging gambling to a single floor. General Manager Jim Rigot said officials feel the property isn’t keeping up with other regional casinos. An Eldorado team will review the operation later this month.
In Hannibal, Missouri, authorities are unclear about the legality of gambling machines at Jackpot Junction and area convenience stores. Jackpot Junction’s owner said the games are not illegal games of chance, and the Missouri Gaming Commission said it has no jurisdiction over gambling devices operating outside of Missouri riverboat casinos.
Red Rock beat consensus estimates with $431.5 million in revenue for the three months ended December 31. That was 7.8 percent better than last year. The company’s core Las Vegas portfolio was up 10.4 percent.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel has long opposed allowing video gambling machines in Chicago. But with unregulated “sweepstakes” games are appearing in Chicago bars, gas stations and laundromats, Alderman Pat O’Connor, running for re-election, said it’s time to legalize video gambling and use the revenue toward the city’s hugely underfunded pension fund.
Atlantic City’s Borgata casino has won a motion allowing it to seek out assets of professional poker player Phil Ivey (l.) in Nevada. The casino is still owed $10.6 million form Ivey stemming from a card sorting judgment against the player. The Borgata has not been able to find substantial holdings of Ivey in New Jersey.
As Virginia lawmakers consider casino legislation, officials in Danville, said they want to hire a lobbyist to boost their city's chances of having a casino. Danville Mayor Alonzo Jones said, “This is the first time that a proposal has come to our city like this and we want to make sure it’s done the right way."
Indiana authorities reportedly spent four years investigating Roger Padgett, owner of the Tuxedo Bar in Washington, before recently arresting him for “professional gambling.” He was released on $5,000 bond and could face up to 30 months in jail and a $10,000 fine. Illegal sports betting was reported at the bar in March 2014.
About a week after voting 7-0 that it had no confidence in its longtime chairman, Cedric Cromwell (l.), the Mashpee Wampanoag tribal council has investigated Cromwell and decided his finances aren’t so awful as to merit such an action. The council has rescinded his action and Cromwell is back in charge. But the path is still difficult for the tribe.
The Ho-Chunk Nation's plan to build a $400 million casino resort in Beloit, Wisconsin apparently may proceed, according to a Division of Gaming report prepared for the transition from Governor Scott Walker to Governor Tony Edwards (l.), who previously said he'd approve the project. The tribe wants to break ground in 2020 and open in 2021.
The Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel (l.) in Fort Hall, Idaho will have a grand opening and ribbon cutting this week. The casino has 900 slots and will employ about 500.
A commission that oversees buildings on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts is being asked by the town of Aquinnah to review the proposed Class II casino that the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah.) The tribe balk, insisting the commission has no jurisdiction on the actions of a sovereign tribe.
Aristocrat and IGT slot development legend Joe Kaminkow will be the first inductee in the Eilers & Krejcik Gaming Slot Awards Hall of Fame, to be held February 28 in Las Vegas.
International Game Technology has expanded its senior management tam with three new executive positions in the lottery division, marketing and public affairs. Bob Vincent (l.) becomes chairman of the U.S. lottery business, Wendy Montgomery is appointed SVP of global marketing, and Scott Gunn becomes VP corporate affairs.
Rodney Butler, chairman of the Pequot Tribal Council, was honored as Citizen of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut. His tribe operates Foxwoods Resort Casino, where he is the interim chief executive officer.
Deanna Wilkins has been named communications manager for the National Council of Problem Gambling (NCPG.) She has five years’ experience in marketing and previously worked for a nonprofit environmental organization.
Jon Kaplowitz has been named senior vice president of interactive gaming for Penn National Gaming. He will run Penn’s Interactive Ventures, which includes expanding its footprint in mobile casino games and online/mobile slots.
Resorts World Casino New York City (RWCNYC) has announced key promotions that it says will help the company enter a new phase of growth. It has promoted Brad Egnor to senior vice president of marketing and Brian Reynolds to be senior vice president of operations.
A live broadcast venue will set up at the sports book at Caesars Palace (l.), the iconic Las Vegas Strip resort, and feature content developed by Turner Broadcasting. Significantly, this will include a version of the cable giant’s popular Bleacher Report, connecting the Caesars brand with millions of Millennial and Gen Z consumers.
PlayAGS, Inc. has successfully completed its acquisition of Integrity Gaming Group, a slot route operator that adds 2,700 machines to the manufacturer’s gaming operations business. Andrew Burke (l.), AGS vice president of slot products, says the buy “gives us an opportunity to work with operators to ensure they are getting the best performance from their Integrity-placed games.”
IGT officials are confident the latest tests of its newest games by regulatory authorities in Macau will result in a greater market share for the company in the Asian gaming hub.
JCM Global announced at the ICE London trade show that the company is updating its Universal Bill Acceptor product to offer faster processing and improved security.
Guy Fieri could bring his signature “Taco Joint” to the new mini-casino Cordish Companies is building in a vacant department store at a Western Pennsylvania mall.
