Last month, the Santa Rosa Rancheria Tachi-Yokut tribe of Northern California announced a new business arm, Palace Hospitality, giving other tribes a chance to benefit from its expertise and “intellectual capital.”
Are the large casino companies missing an opportunity to extend their influence into tribal, regional and independent gaming halls by allowing them to share their loyalty programs? And wouldn’t that enhance the value of these programs? Stay tuned.
Legendary Las Vegas publicist Ira David Sternberg debuts a monthly column in GGB News today. Sternberg imagines a Las Vegas with updated signs to reflect the seriousness—and the humor—of a Strip recovery.
Today, a special edition of the GGB Podcast features a discussion with Eileen Moore Johnson, the chief human resources officer for Scientific Games about how she has transitioned from leading several casinos for Caesars Entertainment to the supply side.
Today, a special edition of the GGB Podcast returns to Circa in Downtown Las Vegas to interview Derek Stevens for the Betting on Sports America virtual conference, held in early December.
Today, a special edition of the GGB Podcast features a discussion with Lauren O’Brien, regional sales manager of gaming operations for Aristocrat Technologies about how her involvement with Global Gaming Women has helped to advance her career and why she’s ready now to pay it forward.
Today, a special edition of the GGB Podcast sits down with Tom Cantone, the president of sports and entertainment for Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, who talks about how he turned the Arena at Mohegan Sun into a television studio for a return to boxing, MMA and basketball in a safe and secure manner.
The Japanese government has finally published its long-awaited basic policy on integrated resorts, offering detailed criteria for operators and jurisdictions such as Osaka hoping to launch the nation’s casino industry. Although Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga (l.) supports IRs, he may not have the political muscle or time to accomplish it.
The Hawaiian Homes Commission has voted to support a proposal by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for the islands’ first casino in Kapolei (l.). The proposal faces stiff opposition in the legislature.
This coronavirus has proven a killer of jobs and businesses as well as people. As a vaccine holds out the promise that the pandemic can be vanquished, several casino executives say 2021 will be a better year. Resorts Atlantic City CEO Mark Giannantonio (l.) is anxious to bid adieu to 2020.
Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands (l.) used rouge employees and members of illegal junkets to attract high rollers and transfer money from their accounts, according to a report in Bloomberg last week. Both U.S. and Singapore officials are investigating.
In addition to a suitability hearing in New South Wales that has its Sydney casino (l.) on ice for now, Crown Resorts is facing a review of its operations by the Victorian government in Melbourne.
Bill Miller (l.), the president and CEO of the American Gaming Association, said the Covid relief measure passed last week by Congress ignores the fact that gaming has been “disproportionally” impacted by the pandemic and more needs to be done.
In an effort to keep tax dollars in the state, three state senators from Missouri have introduced separate bills to legalize sports betting. The details differ, but all would let wagers in casinos or online. Senator Denny Hoskins (l.) expects the final bill to be an amalgam of the three.
It’s a different world in the Empire State following the devastation of Covid-19, a world of massive budget deficits. In this world, the hope for expanded sports betting and a destination-scale casino in the Big Apple sound a lot more promising than they once did.
Churchill Downs Inc. in Louisville, Kentucky has named Mike Anderson (l.) president at Churchill Downs Racetrack and Mike Ziegler as senior vice president and general manager at the venue. Ryan Jordan was tapped as VP of corporate operations.
Sheldon Adelson (l.), head of the Las Vegas Sands Corp., is launching a well-funded campaign to lobby the Texas legislature to legalize casino gaming in the Lone Star State. An unintended beneficiary could be a tribal casino trying to survive state efforts to shut it down.
A mutant strain of coronavirus in London has resulted in new casino closures, including the famous Hippodrome casino (l.). The new Covid variety is considered more transmissible than the original virus.
U.K.-based sports betting and iGaming company, Entain, has established a partnership with Verizon Media to look at the crossroads of sports, entertainment and gambling and the advances in technology. Entain CEO Shay Segev (l.) says the future is now.
Starting January 1, hindsight will truly be 2020. Despite this year’s challenges—which at times seemed almost insurmountable—the lessons learned are many, and will be signposts for investors in the New Year.
This week, the GGB Podcast features a discussion with Erika Nardini, the CEO of Barstool Sports, on how a small sports blog has developed into a major force in U.S. sports betting via its partnership with Penn National Gaming.
This week the GGB Podcast features an interview with Bill Hornbuckle, the president and CEO of MGM Resorts International, on how his company has endured the pandemic and how it has planned for the future during this time.
The projection, if it holds up, would amount to less than half 2019’s total. Visitation expectations are relatively modest as well. And both are based in no small part on a resumption of normal travel from Hong Kong.
The government is imposing the stricter regime on all arrivals except those from Taiwan and select regions of mainland China. The measure is reported to be a response to the worsening pandemic situation in Europe and the UK.
Two times, the Cotai resort has said it’s leaving the business and twice it’s changed the plan. In both instances, the reasons have not been entirely clear.
The U.S Department of Labor says Saipan casino operator Imperial Pacific International has created a “humanitarian crisis” in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands through its failure to pay employees.
On December 18, Lotte Tour Development Co. opened its US$1.4 billion integrated resort on Jeju Island in South Korea. The 1,600-suite Jeju Dream Tower will eventually include a foreigners-only casino property.
Moody’s Investors Service is taking a dim view of NagaCorp’s announced plan to build a multimillion-dollar resort property near the historic temple complex of Angkor Wat, calling it “credit negative.”
Thanks to the patronage of local VIP players, Resorts World Genting in Malaysia has bounced back somewhat from the Covid-19 crisis, returning to almost three-quarters of pre-virus revenues.
A trio of gaming associations across Europe have united to create a new entity, the Alliance Against Illegal Gambling. Per Jaldung (l.), chairman of the European Casino Association, said shared resources are “crucial to tackle common issues such as illegal gambling.”
An analysis by YouGov found that the incidence of problem gaming among black, Asian and other minority adults eclipsed the incidence among whites. The figures confirmed earlier research by GambleAware. The analysis also found minorities sought treatment at a higher rate.
First Nation casinos in Saskatchewan, Canada, including the Gold Eagle (l., have been ordered closed by the provincial government. The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations has objected, saying it was not consulted.
The Grey Rock Entertainment Center (l.) in the Canadian province of New Brunswick is on the verge of shutting down. The pandemic has caused its profits to plummet 65 percent.
Apollo Global Management Inc. has raised its bid to takeover Great Canadian Gaming Corp. The new bid of $45 a share is acceptable to shareholders who had balked at the old bid of $39 per share.
The Illinois Gaming Board alleges that Accel Entertainment made a deal with DraftKings to pay businesses to use Accel gambling machines. Regulators plan to issue $5 million in fines.
Pre-licensing regulations for sports betting could be ready to be released by the Washington State Gambling Commission as early as next spring. That’s a year since the legislature voted to allow sports betting at the state’s tribal casinos.
BetMGM has launched its online sports betting app in Pennsylvania as the state’s 11th online sportsbook option, as the state Gaming Control Board approved its sports wagering certificate.
Bally’s Atlantic City has opened a temporary FanDuel sportsbook on the casino floor with self-service kiosks and live attendant windows. Construction has begun on a larger, permanent sportsbook, with an 80-seat lounge and other attractions.
Penn National Gaming has launched Barstool-branded retail sports books at its Hollywood Casino Lawrencetown and Ameristar East Chicago in Indiana, and Greektown (l.) in Detroit.
New Jersey is looking at ways to discourage an illegal form of sports betting called “messenger betting.” This involves someone placing a bet for someone out of state.
Highlight Games has signed a distribution agreement with Scientific Games, under which Highlight’s games will be offered through SG’s OpenArena sports content offering.
The Kentucky Supreme Court has ordered Flutter Entertainment to pay $870 million in damages incurred by 34,000 PokerStars players who alleged losses between 2006 and 2011—before Flutter owned the company.
Gaming Laboratories International has granted its GLI 33 Event Wagering System certification to technology provider FSB for its sports betting platform. Dave McDowell (l.), CEO of FSB, calls it a “milestone” for his company.
The Philadelphia 76ers basketball team have become a sports betting partner with sportsbook BetMGM in Pennsylvania. The deal includes advertising placement, Sixers-branded casino games and more.
Sinclair Broadcasting hopes to marry sports betting and games through its ownership of Fox Sports North in the greater Minnesota area. Fox, now rebranded as Bally’s Sports, could bring the connection to life by opening day if the legislature legalizes sports betting in the state.
The Virginia Lottery could approve activation of more than a dozen betting sites in January. The state has received more than 25 applications. In all, the state could produce a handle of $400 million in 2021, says Lottery Director Kevin Hall (l.).
The off-Strip Rio Casino Hotel became the last property operated by Caesars Entertainment to reopen follow the March pandemic closings. In early January, the Rio will only be open on the weekends.
A state court ruling has affirmed what lawyers for Steve Wynn (l.) have been arguing for more than a year, that by quitting Wynn Resorts and selling his financial interest the dethroned casino tycoon cannot be declared “unsuitable” in Nevada.
The Golden Nugget brand could offer two opportunities for investors. The first involves going public with the successful Golden Nugget Online Gaming. The second is a possible IPO for the less successful Golden Nugget’s Atlantic City casino (l.). Both moves will help reduce debt.
Massachusetts’ largest casino is not up for sale, despite a local news report. That’s the word from Encore Boston Harbor President Brian Gullbrants (l.), who sent out a memo to reassure jumpy employees.
Anthony Marnell III (l.) is reported to be buying 9 acres across the street from M Resort, a casino his family built, in the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson with plans to develop a $250 million rival. He says he’ll know more when the pandemic subsides.
The newly formed Bally’s Corp. (formerly Twin River) has completed the purchase of Eldorado Shreveport from Caesars Entertainment. The two companies agreed to the $140 million deal last year.
Another indication of how slow business is in Las Vegas: The Mirage, one of the last of the MGM Resorts casinos to reopen in late August, will close midweek like many other Las Vegas casinos.
The city of Philadelphia has extended restrictions requiring casinos such as Rivers (l.) to remain closed until January 15. Officials took the precaution in anticipation of a spike of Covid-9 cases over the holidays.
Casino Queen of East St. Louis, Illinois will own two of Baton Rouge’s three casinos if its recently announced purchase of Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge (l,) goes through. The group offered $28.2 million to Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. to operate the property.
More than 3,000 people participated in a survey regarding a potential casino project in Richmond, Virginia. Survey results will help craft a request for proposals. The Pamunkey Indian Tribe, the Colonial Downs Group and Urban One all have expressed interest.
A gaming study group appointed by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (l.) has presented its 900-page report, which the legislature will consult to determine if it should pursue a state lottery and full-fledged tribal casinos.
Between 2014 and 2018, Belterra Park (l.) failed to pay the Ohio Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association more than $2.7 million in video gaming revenue, according to the racehorse owners and trainers group. They want their money.
Rhode Island’s two Twin River Casinos have reopened yet again (Twin River Lincoln at left), after being closed for three weeks by government order. The properties’ hotels and event centers remain closed.
Billings, Montana is moving to adopt regulations that would discourage the small casinos that dot the city from further spreading to residential neighborhoods. The code was approved by a vote of 9-1 by the city council.
A company associated with Spectacle Entertainment’s Hard Rock Casino now under construction in Gary, Indiana did not legally acquire a sliver of the 30-acre casino site. That means a brother of the original owner may pay past-due taxes and fees and possibly sell it back to the casino for big bucks.
San Diego County’s nine Indian casinos are treating the lockdown imposed by California Governor Gavin Newsom (l.) differently than it did his first lockdown in March. Instead of shutting down, they are remaining open, but adding new safety measures.
Despite the backing of President Donald Trump and President-Elect Joe Biden, the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina will not be granted federal recognition this year. Tribal Chairman Harvey Godwin Jr. (l.) said, “This is not the final word on Lumbee recognition.”
With voter approval of casino gaming in Nebraska, Ho-Chunk Inc. in partnership with the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association announced it will develop three WarHorse brand casinos.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ tribal council recently approved a resolution to purchase Caesars Southern Indiana Casino (l.) in Elizabeth for $280 million. The casino became available for sale as a result of the July merger between Eldorado Resorts and Caesars Entertainment.
Land is being cleared for the South Carolina-based Catawba Nation’s $273 million Two Kings Casino Resort in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. At the same time, the tribe is in compact negotiations with North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper’s office.
Rama First Nation Chief Ted Williams (l.) is hopeful that his tribe’s Casino Rama will be able to reopen in the new year. The nation’s economy is heavily dependent on the casino.
Scientific Games and Germany’s Lotto Baden-Württemberg announced the launch of SG’s Symphony lottery gaming systems technology to retailers in southwest Germany.
Caesars Entertainment’s Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana named Julie Vasic as vice president of human resources, overseeing hiring, training, benefits and employee relations. Vasic held similar positions for more than 25 year in hospitality in Chicago.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has nominated Michael D. Beson, the former mayor of Neptune to serve as a member of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.
FanDuel has anointed TNT sports analyst and NBA star Charles Barkley (l.) as the sportsbook’s new ambassador and spokesman. The “Round Mound of Rebound” started his career with the Philadelphia 76ers and then moved to the Phoenix Suns before retiring his jersey.
Everi Holdings will launch its Digital CashClub Wallet Solution at Seminole casinos in Florida, providing cashless and contact-free slot play branded as WildCard Wallet.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has approved the launch of PlayPause, a self-exclusion tool that allows users to extend limits and exclusion across state lines.
Las Vegas gaming machine manufacturer Gaming Arts, LLC is anticipating a year of growth following the challenges of the pandemic year. The company is introducing several new products this year.
The Novomatic Group has sign an agreement with Rank Entertainment Holdings Group in Africa to integrate the supplier’s cabinets, lighting and games into the new Casino Marina Blantyre.
