Finding Las Vegas?

Is Las Vegas disrespecting its history by forgetting it ever happened? Ira David Sternberg explains how we can look to the future while honoring the past.

New Day, Big Investment at Bally’s Atlantic City

The Memorial Day weekend ribbon-cutting for a new outdoor bar at Bally’s Atlantic City is a big step in the revival of the iconic Boardwalk property, now owned by Bally’s Corp. Bally’s paid $25 million for the property, and plans a $90 million renovation.

CASINO-OLOGY: Lighting the Match

One of the most popular marketing schemes for table games is match play, but step back and consider: Is offering match play coupons hurting your table games? Bill Zender makes the case.

Sports Betting Coming to Connecticut, Florida

Lawmakers and tribes in Connecticut and Florida have approved sports betting measures. Connecticut will offer retail and mobile bets in time for NFL season. Florida may face a longer path due to significant opposition.

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Canada Eases Toward Single-Event Sports Betting

Now that the House of Commons and the Senate have approved bills legalizing single-event sports betting in Canada, only one step remains, for the governor general to give final approval and royal assent.

‘Don of Yokohama’ Organizes IR Opposition

Japanese anti-casino activist Yukio Fujiki (l.) has vowed to defeat the integrated resort bid planned in Yokohama. One way is through opposition to Mayor Fumiko Hayashi, whose term of office ends in August.

Japan Considers Expanding Sports Betting

Sports betting in Japan is limited to horse racing, cycling and other minor competition. But the country is debating expansion into sports like baseball and football, spurred in part by Covid-19 financial impacts.

Richmond, Virginia Casino Presents Pros, Cons

Richmond’s new $600 million casino (l.) could attract visitors from across Virginia and neighboring states and have a positive impact on economic development, especially if visitors turn into home buyers, officials said.

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Under Pressure

Why are casino companies not as highly valued as hotel companies, when casinos have a better revenue production? Maybe it’s the roller coaster ride that legislators and regulators enforce on casino companies.

ASIAN GAMING More

Vietnam Locals Scheme A Losing Proposition?

Vietnam has established a multiyear pilot program to determine if it should allow locals to gamble in certain casinos, such as Hoiana (l.). According to some analysts, the program will never be widespread.

South Shore Downfall Causes Board Exodus

Three directors of South Shore Holdings got the boot last month, along with the company’s secretary. South Shore owns Macau’s 13 hotel (l.), planned as “the most luxurious hotel in the world.” It was never completed.

Genting Cruise Line Struggling to Survive Covid

Malaysian-based casino cruise operator Genting Hong Kong has acknowledged it may not have the financial wherewithal to keep operating. The global cruise industry was hammered last year by Covid-19.

MBS Reopens After Covid Cleanup

Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, which shut down for cleaning after a pair of workers tested positive for Covid-19, reopened May 19 with a two-person limit at gaming tables.

Macau Casinos Push Covid Vaccines

Macau gaming operations and officials with the SAR’s Health Bureau are teaming up to increase vaccinations among casino employees, starting with educational programs that explain why the jabs are vital.

EUROPEAN GAMING More

Ukraine Gaming Tax Raises Concerns

Ukraine’s parliament (l.) is debating what form taxation on gaming revenue should take. Some in the Scientific and Expert Management Committee are for a 10 percent flat tax. Others say that could hurt state and local budgets.

GLOBAL GAMING More

BC Casinos Could Reopen in July

Casinos in British Columbia, Canada have announced that casinos, bingo halls and other gaming centers may reopen as soon as July 1. All casinos in B.C. have been closed since March 16, 2020 by Covid.

ONLINE GAMING More

iGaming Entrepreneurs Land On ‘Rich List’

The annual “Rich List” published by London’s Sunday Times includes several iGaming and online sports betting entrepreneurs, including Denise Coates (l.) of Bet365 and execs with Playtech and Evolution Gaming.

Reflex Gaming Teams Up with First Look Games

Omnichannel game developer Reflex Gaming has teamed up with First Look Games to further extend the reach of its online product in the global iGaming affiliate and player community.

SPORTS BETTING More

Louisiana Sports Betting Could Begin This Fall

Louisiana lawmakers are putting the finishing touches on sports betting legislation that could allow wagering to start before the end of football season, according to Senate President Page Cortez (l.). Sports betting would be available in 55 of the state’s 64 parishes.

Nevada Board Approves Entain License

The Nevada Gaming Commission approved a temporary three year license to British bookmaker Entain despite concerns. The license comes at a time when the company plans a bid for William Hill non-U.S. assets.

15 Tribes Sign up for Washington Sports Betting

Fifteen gaming tribes in Washington have signed sports betting agreements with the Washington State Gambling Commission. The goal is to start taking sports wagers by September when the NFL season begins.

BIA Approves Arizona Sports Betting Compacts

The final step in approval of new gaming compacts between Arizona and its gaming tribes has occurred. The Bureau of Indian Affairs has approved amendments that allow sports betting and expanded gaming.

Ohio Testimony Brings Out Ire Over Sports Betting Bill

When the Ohio Select Committee on Gaming heard testimony on proposed legislation for sports betting, they didn’t expect such vitriol. But bowling alleys, grocery stores and pro sports teams all had something bad to say.

FanDuel, AP Strike Deal to Provide Odds

In what may be a precedent, FanDuel will pay the Associated Press to publish the sportsbook’s odds in its sports stories as needed. The news outlet says it retains editorial control but will help promote FanDuel.

NBA TV Adds Sports Betting Program to Mix

The NBA’s TV arm hosted its first live studio show around sports betting beginning with the first two playoff rounds. The show highlights a social media channel, the league website and app to enhance fan engagement.

Kenya Mulls 20 Percent Sports Betting Tax

The African nation of Kenya’s National Treasury wants to bring back a controversial 20 percent blanket tax on all wagers on single race. The government submitted this proposal as part of its 2021/2022 budget.

Brazil Lottery Seeks Sports Betting Bids

The state lottery of Rio de Janeiro has put out a request for bids for partner to create, distribute and sell lottery and sports betting products in the Brazilian state. Bids are due July 5.

UNITED STATES GAMING More

Texas Gaming Measures Die a Quiet Death

Despite a full court press by gaming giant Las Vegas Sands, two bills in the Texas legislature to legalize casinos died without ever making it to votes in either the House or Senate.

U.S. DOJ to Force Wynn to Register as Lobbyist

The U.S. Department of Justice is threatening to sue former casino mogul Steve Wynn (l.) to force him to register as a foreign lobbyist over his 2017 efforts to obtain a diplomatic favor for China.

Bowling Green Rejects Kentucky Downs Expansion

The Warren County, Kentucky City-County Planning Commission voted 7-3 against an expansion of the Kentucky Downs gambling facility in Bowling Green. The venue would have offered historical horseracing machines and a bar.

Nebraska Legislature Approves Gambling Bill

Under legislation sent to Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts (l.), casinos there will be limited to six racetracks in the state, and sports betting won’t include mobile wagering on state schools playing at home.

NJ University will Host Esports Innovation Center

A partnership between the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and Stockton University will create an esports Innovation Center in the Atlantic City campus. The center will help embrace esports growth.

Gun-Free Zones on the Horizon for Nevada Casinos

Casinos can opt in to bill provisions that would prohibit guests from bringing firearms on-property if a bill by Nevada Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro (l.) passes. MGM Resorts, for one, backs the bill, believing it will avoid violence.

California AG Gets Cardroom Donations

California’s new Attorney General Rob Bonta (l.) is building up a big campaign war chest for his 2022 reelection effort. By far the largest contributors are card clubs and card club executives.

The End of the Station Buffet?

In a recent earnings call, Frank Fertitta (l.), CEO of Red Rock Resorts, said Station Casinos will focus on its "primary business,” gambling. He added the words no patron wanted to hear: “We will not have a buffet.”

TRIBAL GAMING More

Oklahoma Casino Expansion Nears Completion

The $600 million expansion at Choctaw Casino & Resort (l.) in Durant, Oklahoma should be complete in August. The addition will include 1,000 hotel rooms, new retail shops, restaurants, bars and a three-acre pool.

NC’s Eastern Band Appeals Catawba Casino Ruling

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, which operates two Harrah’s casinos in North Carolina (Valley River at left) is appealing a judge’s ruling allowing the South Carolina-based Catawba Indian Nation to build a North Carolina casino. The Interior Department also was named as a defendant.

Navajo Nation Maintains Mask Mandate

Despite the Centers for Disease Control’s recommendation that vaccinated people no longer need masks, the Navajo Nation Department of Health said its April 2020 mask mandate remains effect on the Navajo Nation.

PEOPLE More

GLI Names Wong as Director of Lottery Solutions

Gaming Laboratories International has named former Montana Lottery Director Angela Wong as director of lottery solutions, joining eight other GLI team members with lottery or regulatory experience.

Novomatic Restructures Global Operations

Novomatic AG has restructured its global operations business segment to create a combined, cross-divisional unit headed by Thomas Komnacky, the new VP of global operations.

NCPG Announces Board Election Results

The National Council on Problem Gambling announced the results of its board of directors election, naming individual, organizational and affiliate directors.

Pelzer Joins iGaming Provider Chalkline

Gaming industry veteran Larry Pelzer has joined iGaming supplier Chalkline as vice president of U.S. business development. Pelzer will be responsible for expanding the firm’s presence in North America.

GOODS & SERVICES More

Scientific Games Acquires SportCast

Scientific Games has acquired pioneering sports betting supplier SportCast, and its BetBuilder product, which allows players to build bets across multiple markets on a single game with instant pricing.

Oklahoma Casino Picks JCM

The Kickapoo Casino Shawnee in Oklahoma has upgraded its JCM Global Intelligent Cash Box system and added the JCM iVIZION and UBA bill validators to its casino expansion.

Reno Casino Adds Gary Platt Seating

Reno’s Tamarack Junction Casino has added barstools and custom Lido seating from Gary Platt Manufacturing to its new Nevada Steak Bar and DC Bar.

NUTSHELL More

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