The Virginia legislature last week voted to approve casinos. Casino proponent Senator Louise Lucas (l.) said the new industry could be "our Amazon.” The five proposed host cities are Danville, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Richmond and Bristol, which would welcome a Bristol Hard Rock (l.). The final tax rate will be determined when the two houses decide on a unified bill. And sports betting is legalized in both bills, with some significant differences.

With coronavirus cases soaring in China, visitation to Macau is at a virtual standstill. The city’s principal industry will remain closed for at least another week, and it’s possible that gaming revenue for the month could plummet by more than 95 percent.

U.S. gaming giant MGM Resorts International has been identified as the sole qualified bidder for an integrated resort (IR) in Osaka, Japan (l.), a pet project of departing CEO Jim Murren. MGM’s local partner is Japanese financial services group Orix Corp. Galaxy Entertainment and Malaysia’s Genting had quietly dropped out of the bidding when it became clear MGM had the inside track.

The Massachusetts legislature has been moving slowly and deliberately toward sports betting legislature. Rep. Michael Soter (l.), of the state’s Committee on Economic Development, doesn’t want to limit the wagers to the state’s casinos, but offer the opportunity to “mom-and-pops.”

Penn National Gaming has released fourth-quarter results that new CEO Jay Snowden (l.) says capped off a “transformational year” and bode well for a coming year that will see two new Pennsylvania properties open. The firm will open mini-casinos in York and Morgantown.

Vince McMahon’s XFL football league (l.) returned this year, almost 20 years after its first and only season in 2001. DraftKings is so confident the latest incarnation will succeed, it’s partnered with the XFL to provide fantasy and sports betting opportunities.

In what’s being plugged as the “next big thing” in online gaming, Hard Rock Atlantic City has launched “Live Slots,” a lineup of physical slot machines that can be controlled and played remotely on the casino’s iGaming site.

William Hill U.S. has partnered with CBS Sports in an agreement where the sportsbook gives wagering data to the network in exchange for exclusive rights to promote its brand across a range of digital properties. William Hil US CEO Joe Asher (l.) says the deal gives William Hill the ability to tap into 80 million monthly CBS users.

In Oklahoma, Chief District Judge Timothy D. DeGiusti ordered Governor Kevin Stitt (l.) and Indian tribes to enter mediation in their dispute over gambling compacts. Stitt claims the 15-year compacts expired on January 1 and tribal casinos are operating illegally, and tribes argue the compacts automatically renewed. Stitt is seeking an increase in exclusivity fees tribes pay for Class III gaming.

This week the GGB Podcast features an interview with Jay Chun, the chairman and CEO of Paradise Entertainment, on conditions in Macau and the development of the ETG market in Asia and the U.S.

MGM’s departing CEO leaves a legacy of growth earned with tough, transformative measures, not all of which were popular. As Jim Murren eyes the exit, what’s ahead for the company he changed?

Australia-listed Donaco International Limited says visitation is down by two-thirds at its casino at the Aristo International Hotel (l.) in Lao Cai, Vietnam, bordering China

Tokyo’s District Court has approved bail for a lawmaker at the center of Japan’s integrated-resort (IR) corruption scandal. Tsukasa Akimoto (l.) is accused of accepting bribes in connection with his role overseeing the initiative, which will see three multibillion-dollar IRs built in the country.

The Russian-controlled Republic of Crimea is planning a gaming zone to be located along its southern coast. The total investment has been slated at more than RUB3 billion (US$48.4 million).

France’s new gaming regulator, L’autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) will be “fully operational” in spring of this year, the body has announced. It will be led by Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin (l.), now state councillor for the National Commission for Data Protections

Bulgaria’s Ministry of Finance has named Georgi Yordanov the temporary head of the country’s State Gambling Commission (SCC) following the resignation of Alexander Georgiev (l.). Georgiev has been in the role less than a year.

Spain’s Consumer Affairs Ministry has recommended that gaming-related ads on radio and TV be limited to a four-hour window—the hours between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. in the morning. The restrictions are part of an overhaul of the federal advertising code, overseen by Alberto Garzón (l.), Spain’s new Minister of Consumer Affairs.

Lithuania will soon require all gambling ads to include warnings about gambling-related harms. The warnings will start in July. Bill sponsor Mykolas Majauskas (l.) said the intent is to protect vulnerable players, not “jam poles into the spokes” of the gaming industry.

French gaming operator Lucien Barrière has announced that six of its casinos are on a list of the best performing gaming halls in France. Barrière’s Enghien-les-Bains Casino (l.) was first, followed by Blotzheim, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Deauville and Lille.

The government of Kerala, a state in southern India, is considering licensing coastal casinos, but no decision is imminent, according to Excise Minister T. P. Ramakrishnan (l.).

BetConstruct is launching the International Gaming Business Academy to help gaming operators reinforce knowledge in the fields of trading, digital marketing and a variety of other disciplines.

A sports betting bill in the Kentucky legislature has divided Republicans, pitting those who oppose it on moral grounds against those who see it attracting much needed revenue to the state. Republican Rep. Chris Fugate (l.) denounced gambling as “against the Bible” and “morally wrong.”

The Maine House has upheld Governor Janet Mills’ veto of a bill to legalize sports betting. Mills says the state should wait and see what happens with sportsbooks in other states before jumping in. Rep. Jeffrey Evangelos (l.) sought to override the veto, but thanked Mills for saving Mainers “a bundle” on Super Bowl bets.

Efforts to include mobile sports betting in the New York State budget may bear fruit this year. Assemblyman Gary Pretlow (l.) has thrown his support behind Senate supporters led by Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr. Pretlow added a push to expedite casino licenses downstate.

A key Maryland House committee held a hearing to consider two separate sports betting bills. Maryland requires a change to the state constitution to legalize the wagers. Washington Redskin Justin Ross testified that sports betting should be available at FedEx Field (l.) in Landover. “This is how people are going to bet,” he said.

A bill that would allow Washington’s tribal casinos to offer sports betting is gaining steam in the legislature. It appears to have a better chance of passage than a rival bill, supported by Maverick Gaming owner Eric Persson (l.), that would also allow card clubs to offer said bi-partisan support could push the legislation through.

The Connecticut legislature is taking another run at trying to pass a bill that will authorize sports betting. A bill introduced by Rep. Joe Verrengia (l.) seeks to combine the interests of all of the stakeholders, including two gaming tribes.

Century Casinos has announced a partnership with Circa Sports to bring sports betting to the Century Casino Cripple Creek (l.) in Colorado. The state will begin offer sports betting in May.

Sports betting in Germany grew 21 percent in 2019, with customers making about €9.3 billion (US$10.1 billion) in wagers. According to German sports betting association DSWV, the boost was more notable because there was no major tournament during the year.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has approved the inclusion of Caesars Entertainment’s Harrah’s Philadelphia (l.) property in the pending merger between Caesars and Eldorado Resorts. Three other states have approved the deal.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (l.) has commissioned a review of the benefits of a state lottery, as well as a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Poarch Band Chairman and CEO Stephanie Bryan said a gaming compact would produce $350 million in annual tax revenue for the state.

Lawmakers in Connecticut have unveiled a sweeping plan to expand gaming, with new casinos, online gaming and mobile and retail sports betting. But the bill as it stands limits participation to the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes, owners of Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods (l.).

Gambling opponents in Nebraska, including Cornhuskers legends Tom Osborne (l.) and Johnny Rodgers, are trying to convince legislators that three gaming expansion bills are misguided. But Senator Justin Wayne said his bill keeps Nebraskans from crossing state lines to spend their gambling dollars.

A new report indicates that Illinois gaming revenue rose from $1.651 billion in 2012 to more than $3 billion in 2019. While casino revenues dipped from $1.375 billion in 2018 to $1.354 billion last year, video gambling is on the rise.

Ohio's 11 casinos and racinos broke the January record with $167 million in net gambling revenue, up 19 percent over the record $140.7 million set in January 2019. Hollywood Casino Columbus (l.) led the other three casinos with $20.4 million in revenue, and MGM Northfield Park racino surpassed the other six at $22.9 million, up from $19.6 million in January 2019.

The Wild West days of gaming in Wyoming could be coming to an end. The legislature seems to be moving toward creating a gaming commission that could bring the law to what has been a largely lawless environment. Rep. Bob Nicholas (l.) says regulated gaming “could turn into a large revenue maker for the state of Wyoming.”

Unlike other cities permitted to develop new Illinois casinos, Waukegan submitted three bids—not one—for consideration. According to the Chicago Tribune, individuals who previously were denied gambling licenses are involved in two of the bid groups—one led by former Democratic Senator Michael Bond (l.), the other by Rivers Casino part owner Neil Bluhm.

The Pennsylvania Horse Racing Association held a rally to “Save PA Horse Racing,” in wake of Governor Tom Wolf’s budget proposal that would remove $200 million in casino taxes from horse breeders.

MGM Springfield in Massachusetts has fallen far short of revenue expectations, and employment is lagging. Former President Michael Mathis hopes the approval of sports betting in Massachusetts can turn fortunes around. That and the opening of a Wahlburgers chain.

Highview Development Group's proposal for a $225 million casino and hotel at the Des Moines, Iowa airport was rejected by the city's airport board, without a vote. Developer Reggie Sinha said the facility would help pay for the airport's new $500 million terminal, opening in 2028. Wild Rose Casino & Resort would have operated the casino.

More than 200 guests at L'Auberge Casino in Lake Charles, Louisiana have come down with the highly contagious norovirus. Louisiana Department of Health officials are conducting an investigation, and L'Auberge General Manager Michael Pendergast said the property has "stringent sanitation procedures in place."

The St. Jo Frontier Casino (l.) in St. Joseph, Missouri has unveiled the results of an extensive remodeling project. The renovations, which followed damage from flooding last spring, include a new sports bar, coffee shop and ballroom; the casino hosted a grand reopening last month.

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts, whose proposed $1 billion First Light casino (l.) hangs in the balance, had its day in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit. The tribe’s attorneys last week argued that the tribe should be allowed to put land into trust for a casino.

The California city of Ridgecrest and the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe have settled all issues related to the tribe’s purchase of land in the city for a casino. The Shoshone have signed a government-to-government agreement whereby the tribe will eventually pay the city $12.5 million a year.

A tribal casino in Kansas is giving young adults from 18 to 21 “the opportunity to dabble in gambling,” according to local media. Prairie Band Casino offers Class II gaming on its Mayetta reservation.

The Agua Caliente Band, Oak View Group and Live Nation Entertainment have joined forces to build the New Arena at Agua Caliente in downtown Palm Springs, California. A groundbreaking is set for February 18.

Scientific Games has made deals with a total of 22 U.S. and international lotteries to launch its new portfolio of James Bond 007-themed lottery games.

The North Dakota Lottery had sales of $35.3 million for the 2019 fiscal year, a 12 percent increase over fiscal 2018, previously the second highest year in the lottery's history. A total of $14.2 million was paid out to players in prizes, up from $9 million in fiscal 2018. Big jackpots including the $1.5 billion Mega Millions helped.

The Nevada Gaming Commission is expected to sign off on the Gaming Control Board’s recommendation that Las Vegas Sands President Rob Goldstein (l.), Affinity Gaming CEO Mary Elizabeth Higgins and Wynn Resorts director Wendy Webb be granted gaming licenses.

Bulletproof, a Canada-based cybersecurity, IT and quality assurance company, has named Chris Johnston as its new CEO. Johnston, who has worked for the company for 10 years, replaces Steven Burns, who will become board chairman.

Cordish Companies’ Live! Casino Pittsburgh at Westmoreland Mall has named Sean Sullivan, a 40-year gaming industry veteran, as general manager of the new mini-casino.

Philadelphia area law firm of Duane Morris LLP has named two new partners in its gaming practice. Peter Vasalli is part of the firm’s corporate practice group and Adam Berger is a member of the trial practice group.

Last week, Peninsula Pacific Entertainment named Doug Fisher as general manager of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City. Fisher replaces Jim Franke (l.), who stepped down earlier this month; he will assume his new post on February 24.

With the completion of a multi-year renovation, Harrah’s Ak-Chin in Arizona has added new HR specialists to hire 100 new staff members. More gaming, entertainment and guestrooms “mean more employment opportunities,” said Ak-Chin General Manager Robert Livingston (l.).

Alexandru Petrescu (l.), a former minister with the government of Romania, has been hired by BMM Testlabs to head the company’s cybersecurity initiative. His experience in government and the corporate world has been information technology.

Asia Pioneer Entertainment Holdings Ltd. (APE) has appointed Maria F. Garcia (l.) as business development consultant for the Macau-based electronic gaming machine distributor.

Blockchain firm Quanta has named gaming industry veteran Harmen Brenninkmeijer as its new chief executive officer. In a statement, the U.K.-based company called him “the ideal person to lead Quanta.”

Donaco International Ltd. has announced that Ben Reichel (l.), the company’s general counsel and secretary, is the latest executive to depart the team since a mass exodus that began last November. His resignation was effective February 12. New executive directors have also been announced.

Betsoft has finalized the agreement under which its content will be featured in the portfolio of the Lucky Days online casino, targeting European and Japanese markets.

Kindred Group has signed agreements with Caesars Entertainment to bring its Unibet brand to Indiana through Caesars’ Horseshoe Hammond Property, and to Iowa with Harrah’s Council Bluffs. While the announcement did not mention a timeline, the deal could involve other states.

Bookmaker Circa Sports is embarking on its first ever foray outside Downtown Las Vegas with a deal with Century Casinos to operate sports betting in two locations in Colorado’s newly legalized market. The books could be up and running as soon as May 1.

TCSJohnHuxley and Gaming Entertainment Systems announced the launch of MultiBet for Table Games at the ICE London trade show, debuting with MultiBet Roulette and MultiBet Baccarat.

Aristocrat Technologies Europe has signed a licensing agreement with Inspired Entertainment under which Inspired will deliver Aristocrat games to European markets.

Sky Ute Casino Resort in Ignacio, Colorado has selected the Orion communications system to enhance efficiency, employee safety and guest service. Orion provides team communications, AI workflows, web-based dispatch and indoor positioning services.

Amelco, a London-based provider of sports betting software and services, has signed a “key tribal casino deal” to produce sportsbooks for 450 properties in 28 U.S. states.

Due to fallout from the coronavirus, the ASEAN Gaming Summit, originally set for March 17-20 at the luxury Shangri-La (l.) in Manila, has been rescheduled for July 28-30. The fourth edition of the trade show is expected to draw more than 400 operators, suppliers, and regulators.

A panel of global experts at the 24th Annual East Coast Gaming Congress & NexGen Gaming Forum will focus on the future of esports, a cultural phenomenon that presents both challenges and opportunities for the gaming industry.

The American Gaming Association Sports Betting Executive Summit, to be held March 16-18 at MGM National Harbor, will include NBA Commissioner Adam Silver (l.), among the first supporters of a regulated sports betting industry.