For the first time last week, a U.S. casino closed because an employee contracted the coronavirus, and several gaming conferences have been cancelled due to the contagion. Macau has seen an uptick in visitation, but the recovery is expected to be long and slow. And late last week, Bloomberg published an article speculating that the virus could scuttle Eldorado’s purchase of Caesars. Eldorado President Tom Reeg (l.) argued that there was “zero risk” in the deal.
This year marks 400 years since the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts. Cedric Cromwell (l.), chairman of the tribe that met them there, says it’s shameful that the Mashpee Wampanoag still are not federally recognized as “Indian.” The tribe recently lost a court decision that makes their quest for a casino in the state even more unlikely.
Chinese Minister of Public Security Zhao Ke Zhi (l.) says the government will uncover attempts to hide the flow of gambling funds. He’s calling for “joint strikes” in cooperation with foreign governments to shut down China-facing sites in their countries.
Florida House Speaker José Oliva (l.) said it's unlikely lawmakers and the Seminole Tribe will reach an agreement on a new gambling compact by the March 13 deadline. A special session on gambling may be required.
The U.K. Gambling Commission has been ineffective in efforts to reduce problem gambling and addiction, according to the country’s National Audit Office and Labour MP Carolyn Harris (l.).
A bill to legalize sports betting in Kentucky looked like a shoo-in when it was introduced by Rep. Adam Koenig (l.) in January. Since then, HB 137 has languished, and the issue has split House Republicans into opposing camps.
The PGA Tour and the Action Network to have launched GolfBet.com, a betting content provider, making the golf tour the first professional organization in the country to profit from sports betting in a direct way.
A full house greeted speakers at GLI’s Regulators Roundtable last week in Las Vegas. Dedicated to educating new and veteran regulators on the challenges and opportunities of the gaming industry, the Roundtable featured many panels on technology, including (l. to r.) GLI Marketing VP Christie Eickleman moderating a panel with SBTech US President Melissa Riahei and Scientific Games VP Mili Dalmia.
Wynn Hotels & Resorts may build a $6 billion casino resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (l.). The U.S.-based firm would build the project in phases, and plans a total of 9,000 hotel rooms.
Noted gaming industry veteran Richard Schuetz (l.), who has held positions as an operator, supplier and regulator, believes the state of gaming regulation is pitiful. He cites his own experience and his observations during his long career in gaming.
This week, the GGB Podcast sits down with Max Meltzer, the chief commercial officer for the online gaming systems provider, Kambi, which has had much success since the legalization of sports betting in the U.S.
The Widus Hotel and Casino (l.) in the Philippines’ Clark Freeport Zone will be rebranded as the Hann Casino Resort. The change accompanies a multimillion-dollar expansion.
Asian casino operator Donaco International Ltd., which runs Star Vegas (l.) in Poipet, Cambodia has agreed to settle a longstanding dispute with a market rival.
Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state and home of the Taj Mahal (l.), will not welcome casino gaming any time in the near future. The current government objects based on moral grounds.
U.S.-based Hilton Hotels has announced that it will spend $30 million to develop two casinos inside its property in Kyiv, Ukraine, providing the government legalizes gaming inside hotels.
iGamingPlayer.com, the leading provider of online betting information and analysis in the U.S., has partnered with three premier iGaming operators—BetRivers, BetAmerica and PointsBet—to provide legal online betting options to players in Indiana.
A U.K. Gambling Commission report showed a 6 percent increase in mobile sports betting, along with a 3 percent rise in online gambling, among other revelations.
Serbia’s Minister of Finance Siniša Mali (l.) has presented legislation that would replace the 2011 Gambling Act. Among other things, it would increase the tax rate for iGaming.
The first Sports Innovation Meetup (l.), held last week at the Tropicana in Atlantic City, examined the nascent world of legal U.S. sports betting, with an eye to educating the public on smart bets—using tried-and-true formulas combined with the latest data and technology to make those wagers.
The Kansas Senate has approved a sports betting bill, despite concerns that it favors companies that run the state-owned casinos. But its future remains uncertain as the House prepares to hold a hearing on its own. And Governor Laura Kelly (l.) reportedly wants more money via online lottery sales.
The Massachusetts House has established a framework for sports betting in the state. The amendment spells out wagering limits, specifies tax rates, and names the Massachusetts Gaming Commission as regulator.
A handful of new sports betting bills will be considered by Louisiana lawmakers. Supporters say mobile betting is the way to ensure revenue competitiveness. Lawmakers may call for a parish-by-parish vote.
In a Georgia Senate committee hearing on sports betting, lawmakers asked whether a constitutional amendment would be required to introduce the wagers. Pro teams like the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL playing in Mercedes Stadium (l.) in Atlanta, support efforts.
After failing last year, the Minnesota Senate has initiated efforts to legalize sports betting. State Senator Roger Chamberlain (l.) discussed his plan before a committee, which did not vote at this time.
The Wyoming House has defeated legislation that would have legalized sports betting in the state. Bill sponsor Tom Walters (l.) said too many voters oppose gambling. He hopes to change their minds by next year.
South Dakota casinos are rooting for a referendum that could lead to legal sports betting. Governor Kristi Noem (l.) has not openly opposed the plan, which supporters see as a source of much-needed revenues.
FanDuel Sportsbook has partnered with IMG Arena to live stream NHL games using its mobile wagering app. Fans will be able to see two games a day for the rest of the regular season. Games will be out-of-market to abide by blackout restrictions in the markets FanDuel serves.
Illinois casinos will be eligible to launch week, just in time for March Madness, the NCAA basketball tournament. BetRivers at Rivers Casino (l.) in Des Plaines will be the first out of the gate.
Despite profits from end-of-year activity, William Hill, an established British bookmaker, sees the U.S. as its hedge against declining income in the U.K., due to the closure of more than 100 bookmakers after the maximum bets on FOBTs were lowered from ₤100 to ₤2.
Freehold Raceway (l.) in New Jersey has taken steps to get a sports betting license, something the state’s other two tracks acquired shortly after the legalization of sports betting.
A $6.1 billion budget shortfall in an election year put together, they spell opportunity for deep-pocketed gaming operators like Genting, which owns a slots-only casino at Aqueduct racetrack (l.) and is pushing for full-scale casinos in New York City. But with upstate casinos struggling, how likely would it be to convince legislators to expand gaming in the state?
Utah state Senator Karen Mayne (l.) wants to pass a law that would excise what she calls the “cancer” of “fringe gambling.” Utah’s constitution forbids all forms of gambling, but illegal machines reportedly proliferate.
The Linq, Harrah’s Las Vegas, the Flamingo (l.) and Bally’s all have upped the nightly charge for hotel guests, from $35 to $37. Come April, the properties will be near the center of festivities surrounding the 2020 NFL Draft.
The city of Springfield, Massachusetts, wants to create a downtown “casino impact district” in the area surrounding MGM Springfield (l.). The goal is to use tax incentives and zoning to encourage economic development.
Fonner Park in Grand Island, Nebraska will not be allowed to install historical horseracing machines under a temporary injunction issued by Lancaster County Judge Andrew Jacobsen. State Attorney General Doug Peterson (l.) sued to have the machines declared illegal last year.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (l.) recently asked for the resignations of Illinois Racing Board Chairman Jeffrey Brincat and commissioners Edgar Ramirez and Greg Sronce for making illegal political donations.
Slot machines at two Las Vegas casinos were out of service for days after a suspected ransomware attack. The targets were the Four Queens Hotel and Casino (l.) and Binion’s Casino.
The Puerto Rico Gaming Commission is seeking a consultant to help it face “the challenges of a new industry” said Commission Executive Director José Maymó Azize (l.).
New York’s struggling commercial casinos say they’re playing on an unlevel field because they pay higher taxes than their tribal competition. Researcher Clyde Barrow (l.), in a study commissioned by the Oneida Indian Nation, says that’s simply not true.
A coalition of Connecticut lawmakers have reintroduced legislation to legalize sports betting, make it exclusive to the tribes and encourage them to build a casino in Bridgeport. Governor Ned Lamont (l.) counsels a less monopolistic approach, allowing lottery and OTB operators to also participate.
Since its November debut, the Mississippi Lottery has produced $16 million for the state. Lottery revenues up to $80 million will go toward infrastructure for the first 10 years; any balance will go toward education.
In observance of National Problem Gambling Awareness Month, the Virginia Lottery and the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling have broadcast a public service announcement that encourages responsible play.
Incredible Technologies has named Steve Brzezinski as account manager, Eastern Division, and Jim Esposito and Shail Patel as directors of strategic accounts and sales, Western Region.
Last week, Australian gaming operator Crown Resorts announced that group CEO and Managing Director Ken Barton has been appointed a director of the company.
Payments firm i2c is partnering with Sightline Payments to deliver cashless, mobile and omnichannel payment services to gaming resorts, state lotteries and digital betting sites.
Praesepe, the Gauselmann-owned U.K. gaming operator, has added safer-gambling messaging on its digital B3 and Category C machines. Director of Compliance Amanda Kiernan (l.) called it “part of our social responsibility commitment to customers.”
The Veterans Administration has opened (l.) a gambling addiction treatment facility in Las Vegas, aimed at helping military veterans with gambling-related disorders.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has launched a new website that provides user-friendly access to information on recognizing and treating problem gambling.
Novomatic Americas will showcase parent Novomatic AG’s 40th anniversary at NIGA’s Indian Gaming Tradeshow with its most comprehensive portfolio of gaming entertainment technology to date.
Members of the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States, including Ohio state Senator William Coley (l.) will be among the speakers at the East Coast Gaming Conference, April 27-28 in Atlantic City.
