New Yorkers, Prepare to Place Your Bets

At last, mobile sports betting is coming to New York. State Senator Joseph Addabbo (l., with Governor Andrew Cuomo) says job one is to lure Empire State bettors back from other online markets—especially New Jersey’s.

SuperBook Plans NJ Expansion

Las Vegas’s storied SuperBook (l.) plans to make New Jersey its second market outside Las Vegas. Pending approvals, the landmark sportsbook could launch as early as June at the Meadowlands Racetrack.

Seminoles, Florida Reach Gaming Expansion Deal

In a last ditch effort, the Seminole tribe, owners of Hard Rock International, have reached an agreement with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (l., with Seminole Chairman Marcellus Osceola Jr.) to introduce sports betting to the state and expand tribal gambling assets. The bill would allow limited sports betting participation by the parimutuels and a possible Miami casino.

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WEEKLY FEATURE: AGA Takes Aim at Gray-Market Slots

The American Gaming Association has renewed its commitment to eradicating unregulated, unlicensed gaming machines promoted as “skill games” in several states with a white paper outlining their dangers.

Cambodian Border Town Closes Casinos

Gaming halls in the Cambodian border town of Bavet have been ordered to close to contain a new outbreak of Covid-19 infections. Casinos in the city attract a large number of Vietnamese gamblers.

Sportsbooks Line Up in Arizona

On April 15, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey (l.) signed a bill to authorize sports betting and also extend tribal-state gaming compacts in the state. The legislation will dramatically alter the gaming landscape in the state.

LV Sands Continues Push for Texas Casinos

Texas lawmakers are being targeted by a multimillion TV and radio campaign by Las Vegas Sands promoting a measure to authorize four casino resorts. The lure is billions of dollars in tourism currently being lost, according to LVS SVP Andy Abboud (l.).

Judge Tosses North Carolina Tribe’s Lawsuit

A federal judge rejected the North Carolina-based Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ lawsuit challenging the South Carolina-based Catawba Nation’s casino (l.), now under construction in Kings Mountain.

Caesars Completes William Hill Buy; Asher Steps Down

With all challenges out of the way, Caesars Entertainment completed the purchase of sports betting operator William Hill last week. As a result of the closing, William Hill President Joe Asher will leave the company.

ASIAN GAMING More

Japan Pachinko Biz on the Slump

In March, the end of the 2020-21 fiscal year, more than 100 of Japan’s famous pachinko parlors closed up shop. About 700 of the gambling venues have closed since fiscal 2019.

Most Jeju Casinos Closed

The closure of the Gongzi Jeju Casino (l.) in Jeju, South Korea leaves only two gaming halls operational on the island. Due to Covid-19, Gongzi Jeju is the sixth casino to close in the past year.

Wakayama, Japan to Choose IR Operator This Month

Wakayama Prefecture in Japan will soon name its integrated resort partner. The local government received bids from two candidates: Suncity Group Holdings Japan and Clairvest Neem Ventures of Tokyo.

EUROPEAN GAMING More

U.K.’s Arena Racing Adds Greyhound Venue

Arena Racing has added a greyhound stadium to its portfolio. Newcastle’s Central Park joins existing tracks in Nottingham, Sunderland and Birmingham. Entain will offer employees the opportunity to buy shares.

GLOBAL GAMING More

Manitoba Casinos to Introduce Stadium Gaming

Once society normalizes as the Covid pandemic recedes, Manitoba, Canada casinos plan to introduce “stadium gaming.” The socially distanced games had been in the works before, but the pandemic accelerated them.

Sri Lanka Appeals Colombo Casino Plans

Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has begun to hear appeals of a proposed bill to create an economic zone on an artificially created island in the port city of Colombo. China plans to operate a casino and entertainment in the zone.

Tasmania’s Casinos Hit by Cyber-Attack

Two casinos in Tasmania remain closed after being hard-hit by a cyber-attack April 3. The Federal Group, which operates casinos in the Australian island, is investigating the attack which hit hotel book systems.

ONLINE GAMING More

Netherlands Gets 28 Online Gaming Applications

The Dutch gaming regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has received 28 applications so far from operators wanting the enter the online gaming regulated market. The market will officially open in October.

SPORTS BETTING More

Canada Parliament Pushes Sports Betting

Two bills sponsored by Attorney General David Lametti (l.) are moving forward in Canada’s parliament to amend the Criminal Code to allow single-game sports betting. The amendment is needed for states to begin offering sports betting.

Ohio Teams Want Sports Betting Approved

Ohio’s pro sports teams have laid down the gauntlet for the state legislature: approve sports betting or don’t adjourn for the summer. The delay revolves around which entity should regulate the industry.

Kentucky Derby Betting OK’d In Nevada

Like last year, a contract dispute between Churchill Downs Inc. and the Nevada Pari-Mutuel Association was resolved allowing bettors to place multi-race wagers on the Kentucky Derby, due to run May 1.

Should Lottery Regulate Ohio Sports Betting?

Ohio lawmakers have yet to OK sports betting legislation, but the Ohio Fair Gaming Coalition, comprised of small businesses that sell lottery tickets, want the Lottery Commission—not casinos—to regulate sports betting.

PointsBet Partners With PGA Event

PointsBet, a global sportsbook operator, has signed a multiyear exclusive partnership deal with a PGA event, the Korn Ferry Tour’s TPC Colorado Championship at Heron Lakes.

UNITED STATES GAMING More

Nebraska Lawmakers Approve Racinos, Lincoln Casino

Nebraska state Senators passed a bill allowing casino gambling at horseracing tracks in Omaha, Grand Island, Columbus, South Sioux City and Hastings, and at a new $200 million casino hotel to be built in Lincoln.

Caesars to Invest $400M in Atlantic City

Caesars committed $400 to revitalize its three properties in Atlantic City. The makeover begins now with $170 million room renovations at Caesars (l.) and Harrah’s. The commitment extends into 2023.

MGM National Harbor Debuts Outdoor Gaming

MGM National Harbor last week opened a new experience for gamblers, outdoors on what the property described as an al fresco “gaming terrace.” The terrace includes popular slot games and cocktail service.

Resorts World LV Set for June Debut

The Las Vegas Strip will be welcoming its first wholly new destination-scale casino in more than a decade. It’s Resorts World Las Vegas, developed at a cost of $4.3 billion, and it promises to be something to see.

In AC, Developer Plans ‘Family-Friendly’ Showboat

Philadelphia developer Bart Blatstein (l.) plans to build a “family-friendly” entertainment center at the former Showboat casino in Atlantic City. He said it will include an esports arena and New Jersey’s largest arcade.

Perceived Conflict Mars Louisiana License Vote

A Louisiana Senate committee passed a bill allowing Peninsula Pacific Entertainment to move its gaming license from Bossier City to Slidell. But the wife of the chairman, Gary Smith (l.). whose vote broke the tie, is a P2E lobbyist.

Illinois Dismisses Gold Rush Complaint

Gold Rush Gaming is claiming vindication after the Illinois Gaming Board dismissed a 2019 disciplinary complaint against the operator involving the purchase of video gaming establishments.

Arkansas Casino Resort Opens After Two Years

April 21 marked the opening of the $100 million Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort (l.) after two years of construction. The project includes a hotel, restaurants, bars, a pool and spa, and an event center.

TRIBAL GAMING More

Pokagons Can Add Tables, More in South Bend

A compact between Indiana and the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians has received final legislative approval. The tribe can now offer live table games, slots and sports betting at its South Bend Casino (l.).

California’s Wilton Rancheria Win Casino Ruling

The Wilton Rancheria of California has won a ruling in a U.S. appeals court that will allow it to move forward on its Sky River Casino (l.) in Elk Grove. The ruling dismissed charges that the casino wasn’t an indigenous tribe.

Michigan Tribal Casino Announces Expansion

A $300 million, 250,000-square foot expansion project at the Gun Lake Tribe’s Gun Lake Casino near Wayland, Michigan will add a 250-room, 4-diamond hotel, spa, restaurant and a glass-domed swimming pool.

Quapaw’s Berrey Faces Criminal Charges

Former Quapaw Nation Chairman John Berrey (l.) faces criminal charges including attempted embezzlement, conspiracy, abuse of office and improper gifts. Still, he said he plans to run for vice chairman of the tribe.

Washington’s Colville Tribes Await Land Transfer

The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation in Washington have applied to put 194 acres in Pasco into trust for a casino. The Department of the Interior is expected to take up to five years to take this action.

LOTTERY More

Idaho Lawmakers Fail to End Powerball—For Now

Powerball lottery games will be offered in Idaho for another year, but politicians are looking to pull the plug. They say foreign governments joining the franchise may use revenues to fund causes Idahoans oppose.

PEOPLE More

Scientific Games Names Blanco CTO

Scientific Games has named Victor Blanco, current chief technology officer at Aristocrat, as the new chief technology officer for Scientific Games.

Rivers Philadelphia Names Moore GM

Rush Street Gaming has named Justin Moore, formerly general manager of Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady, as general manager of Rivers Casino Philadelphia.

Sightline Expands Management Team

Sightline Payments has used some of its recent $100 million capital influx to recruit top executives, naming John Gronen as CFO, Felecia Gassen (l.) as chief of staff, and Jennifer Carleton as chief legal officer, among others.

Sands China COO Takes Helm of Capex Committee

Grant Chum will replace Rob Goldstein on the panel that oversees non-budgeted capital expenditures for the Macau casino operator. The shift will allow Goldstein to focus on his leadership of parent Las Vegas Sands.

Sportradar Adds Director

Sportradar has named Deirdre Bigley chief marketing officer of Bloomberg and member of several corporate boards to the Sportradar board of directors.

Dante Desiderio to Head NCAI

Dante Desiderio has been named CEO of the National Congress of American Indians after a five-month search. He has been executive director of Native American Finance Officers Association.

PokerStars Names Neymar Jr. Cultural Ambassador

Global soccer star Neymar Jr. has been named cultural ambassador by PokerStars.net. The Brazilian soccer superstar will work with PokerStars on creative projects, including design, art and music.

GOODS & SERVICES More

CBS Sports to Broadcast WSOP

CBS Sports has signed a multi-year rights agreement with the PokerGO streaming service to become the television partner for the World Series of Poker Main Event and select Bracelet Events.

NUTSHELL More

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