Last week, shortly after the withdrawal of Suncity Group from the Wakayama integrated-resort race, Toronto-based Clairvest was chosen by default. Clairvest has pledged an “initial investment” of $4.3 billion for an integrated resort (l.).

A new outbreak of Covid-19 has forced Malaysia to declare a state of total lockdown for all but essential services. The edict issued June 1 closed Resorts World Genting (l.) outside Kuala Lumpur.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (l.) wants to update federal gaming law, calling it “a strategic step to grow the sector at a national level.”

According to AAA, Las Vegas was one of the top travel destinations for the long Memorial Day weekend. The city is rebounding from Covid-19 at a rapid rate, but experts are unwilling to join the chorus of “Vegas is back.”

Brian Moskwetah Weeden (l.), new chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council, says he may direct his energies beyond the tribe’s fight for a casino in Taunton, Massachusetts. He called gaming “low-bearing fruit.”

The federal government’s approval of a new tribal-state gaming compact means Arizona tribes and professional sports teams can begin offering sports betting. They’re aiming at NFL’s fall opening.

Bragg Gaming Group continues its push to enter the U.S. iGaming market with the announcement that it has acquired Wild Streak Gaming, a Las Vegas-based content studio.

The British Gambling Commission has released industry statistics for the six months ending September 2020. As Covid-19 still held the industry in its grip, the figures showed a decline in activity compared to the past.

A Pennsylvania judge held for the state lottery in a lawsuit filed by operators, ruling that the lottery’s online games do not infringe on the operators’ iGaming business. The Lottery’s Drew Svitko (l.) said the success of the games provides funding for older Pennsylvanians.

The American Gaming Association and Reed Exhibitions have confirmed that the Global Gaming Expo will take place as an in-person event at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas October 4-7.

This week, the GGB Podcast sits down with Art Manteris, who recently retired as the sportsbook director for Station Casinos after a long career operating sports betting in legendary Las Vegas casinos.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (l.) has come out in support of a 5 percent tax on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations, or POGOs. The president called the measure “urgent.”

Saipan casino operator Imperial Pacific International has finally exhausted the patience of its host government, says Governor Ralph Torres (l.) of the CNMI. Its license to operate is at risk if it can’t settle millions in arrears.

The casino at South Korea’s Jeju Dream Tower (l.) will open this month. The 38-story tower already has a retail mall, restaurants and bars, an outdoor pool, a skydeck with lounge, two spas and a hotel.

Galaxy Entertainment Group and other Macau gaming operators have joined the drive to boost vaccination rates in the work force. Just 7.8 percent of locals have received both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine.

Genting Hong Kong, which recently speculated that its cruise line would not survive the pandemic, is now heading back on open water with “seacation” cruises embarking from Hong Kong.

The Asian Racing Federation has reported that rising use of blockchain and cryptocurrencies is causing a spike in illegal gambling and money laundering.The Asian Racing Federation has reported that rising use of blockchain and cryptocurrencies is causing a spike in illegal gambling and money laundering.

The Swedish government has extended and expanded its investigation into unlicensed gaming and match-fixing. The scope now includes money laundering as well. The investigation will take a look at stronger penalties.

Northern Ireland plans to overhaul its gambling laws for the first time in 35 years. Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey (l.) will lead the charge to strengthen protections for children and address online gambling.

When casinos in British Columbia reopen on July 1—the first time in 15 months they will be able to welcome guests—they won’t offer table games in which players physically touch the cards.

BetMakers is the latest company to solicit a bid for Tabcorp’s wagering and media business. The bid was funded in large part by bookmaker Matthew Tripp, who is also involved with a sports betting deal with News Corp.

The Nevada Gaming Commission last month approved a self-exclusion list specifically for online gamblers. The list doesn’t restrict a gambler from playing at a brick-and-mortar casino.

With sports betting bills in Maine down to one, Senator Louis Luchini’s (l.) bill will be refined by other lawmakers. The discussion revolves around whether the bets should be limited to brick-and-mortar operations.

Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts (l.) has signed a gambling expansion bill to permit sports betting, over his own objections. The law prohibits mobile bets. Also, a temporary casino is expected to be built in the city of Lincoln.

The Illinois House has passed an amendment that would allow bettors to wager on in-state college sports on a trial basis. Bets would be limited to physical sportsbooks.

In its continuing quest to expand its business, Bally’s Corp has finalized its purchase of Bet.Works, which supplies services to casinos. The new acquisition will be part of a separate division called Bally’s Interactive.

NHL superstar Wayne Gretzky (l.), has joined sportsbook BetMGM its newest brand ambassador in a multi-year deal. Gretzky led the Edmonton Oilers to four Stanley Cup wins.

The XL Center (l.), an aging sports arena in Hartford, Connecticut could become the city’s biggest sports betting facility. A search for the right locale is being conducted by the Connecticut Lottery, which will hand out 15 licenses.

Officials with the Oakland Athletics recently visited Las Vegas with an eye to possibly relocating to the desert. The group talked stadium costs, visited possible locations, and came away impressed.

William Hill welcomed fans to its new sportsbook inside Washington, D.C.’s Capital One Arena (ribbon cutting at left). A televised game followed a playoff contest between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Washington Wizards.

The Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA have struck a deal with Esports Entertainment Group to offer tournaments and promotions and to take advantage of the growth in esports around the country.

Faced with declining subscriptions to pay television, FuboTV sees a possible answer in letting viewers bet on sports games through their televisions. Fubo will run contests during broadcasts to gauge interest.

Scientific Games Corp. has launched OpenSports, its comprehensive sports betting solution in recent months in Indiana, Virginia and Tennessee with WynnBET, the online gaming division of Wynn Resorts.

The town board of Newburgh, New York has approved a zoning change that will allow a gaming hall to operate in a shopping center (l.). Gaming operator Resorts World, a Genting company, will run the mall casino.

Bay State casinos, including the Encore Boston Harbor (l.), MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park slots parlor, reopened May 29 without restrictions. To encourage patrons to be vaccinated, casinos are giving $20 gaming credits.

In Kentucky, the new 10-member Parimutuel Wagering Taxation Task Force will review taxes paid by racetracks to the state from historical horseracing machines. Critics said Kentucky racetracks like Keeneland (l.) don’t pay enough.

Osage River Gaming believes one or more of four small Missouri casinos may close in the next few years. If so, it wants the license moved to the Lake of the Ozarks (l.).

Cedar Rapids, Iowa incumbent Mayor Brad Hart (l.) and challenger Tiffany O’Donnell both have announced their support for a Cedar Rapids casino. The election and a casino referendum will be held November 2.

Rhode Island Rep. John G. Edwards (l.) has introduced a bill to guarantee that the towns of Lincoln and Tiverton won’t lose annual payments, even if even if their casinos shut down again. Covid shutdowns hurt both towns.

Last month, Suffolk OTB in Long Island, New York completed the $120 million purchase of Jake's 58 casino and hotel (l.) in Islandia. OTB bought the property from Delaware North.

Despite Covid-19 restrictions, Atlantic City casinos reported gross operating profits of $95 million for the first quarter, triple the profits from the prior year.

The city of Philadelphia joined the state of Pennsylvania in lifting most of the restrictions in place to battle the Covid-19 virus but is leaving indoor mask requirements and 11 p.m. last-call requirements in place.

Connecticut’s Mashantucket Pequot Tribe has fully reopened its Foxwoods Resort Casino. The zipline (l.), swimming pools, spa and concert venues all are open. The only requirement is that those not vaccinated wear masks.

The Catawba Indian Nation will open its 500-slot “pre-launch” facility in early July while its $273 million Two Kings Casino Resort (l.) is built in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, with an expected opening in 2022.

Smoking was banned at the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino (l.) in Milwaukee last year due to Covid-19. Now officials announced the property will remain smoke-free even as it lifts other health precautions.

A bipartisan bill has passed the Rhode Island legislature giving the state lottery to International Game Technology and Bally’s to operate for 20 years. They must provide 1,100 jobs and pay $27 million upfront.

Craig Billings will resign his position as president of Wynn Resorts Ltd. to step in as president and chief financial officer of Wynn Interactive, overseeing iGaming and sports betting.

The Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers has announced contract extensions for Executive Director Marcus Prater, who is stepping down in March, and for Responsible Gaming Director Connie Jones.

Len Busche has become CFO for Novomatic Americas, a promotion from his previous position. Busche will guide the company’s financial affairs after standing out during the pandemic.

Gaming industry veteran Ron Babini (l.) died unexpectedly last month in Kiev, Ukraine. Over the course of a lengthy career, Babini worked for IGT, Inspired Gaming, Scientific Games and Amatic. He was 56 years old.

Aristocrat Gaming is partnering with Ainsworth Game Technology to launch Aristocrat content and hardware on Ainsworth’s platform in the Kentucky historical horse race market.

VBET has reached an agreement to become the first licensed online poker operator in Ukraine. VBET’s market launch was approved on May 31 on approval of the Ukrainian Gambling and Lottery Commission.

Paysafe, creator of a specialized payments platform, last week announced its expanded partnership with Golden Nugget Online Gaming, Inc. in the Michigan iGaming market.

Interior Image Group was named the winner in a competition by Caesars Entertainment to design the new guest rooms at two of its Atlantic City Resorts—Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City and Caesars Atlantic City.

SBC Summit Barcelona will mark the return of major live gaming trade show events when the conference and expo is staged September 21-24. The event will take place at Fira de Barcelona Montjuïc.