Pay for Play on the Boardwalk?

Why would local politicians in New Jersey support a bill that would damage their constituents in Atlantic City and across the state? The bill sponsored by outgoing Senate President Steve Sweeney that separates online gaming revenue from the calculations of the Atlantic City PILOT program does just that.

Global Gaming Women: Your ‘Personal Board of Directors’

During the pandemic, Global Gaming Women grew its virtual presence to ensure its educational content and networking opportunities were still available to members. The organization is designed to give women in gaming a “personal board of directors,” said Lauren Bates, mentorship committee co-chair.

New York Selects Nine Mobile Sportsbook Operators

Supporters of mobile sports betting in New York are one step closer to their first legal wagers. Last week, the New York State Gambling Commission selected nine operators split between two consortiums. The first bets are expected by Super Bowl LVI, in February 2022.

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WEEKLY FEATURE: Maddox Departing Wynn Resorts

Matt Maddox announced that he will be stepping down from his position as CEO of Wynn Resorts effective January 31, 2022, to be replaced by President and CFO Craig Billings. Maddox guided the operator through the fallout from founder Wynn’s departure and the Covid-19 crisis.

Macau CEOs in a Holding Pattern

Despite a lack of clarity on the concession retender, the CEOs of U.S. gaming companies in Macau continue to express confidence in their renewals, either next year or later if the expiration date is extended. Wynn Macau President and Executive Director Ian Michael Coughlan (l.) said he’s been impressed with the process.

Chicago Mayor Weighs Casino Bids

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot (l.) will create a review committee consisting of a cross-section of city departments to review and choose finalists for a Chicago casino license. The Illinois Gaming Board will have the final say.

Ohio Lawmakers Negotiate Sports Betting Measure

Ohio state Senator Kirk Schuring (l.) says lawmakers have made “significant compromises” on a sports betting measure. He called the negotiations a “Rubik’s cube,” but added, “We’re making progress.”

Fontainebleau Jumpstart Sign of Market Confidence

Construction on the long-dormant Fontainebleau on the Las Vegas Strip is back on launched with a re-groundbreaking last week, with the project expected to be complete in 2023. Developers say movement on the resort points to confidence in the local market. Jeffrey Soffer (l.), chairman and CEO of Fontainebleau Development said the building is in “mint condition.”

Feds: Seminole Compact Doesn’t Violate IGRA

On November 8, attorneys for the U.S. Interior Department filed a decision saying a new compact giving Florida’s Seminole Tribe a monopoly on sports betting does not violate the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

Aristocrat Now Competing for Playtech

Aristocrat Leisure Ltd. said it will continue with its planned acquisition of iGaming content supplier Playtech PLC despite a competing takeover offer from minority stakeholder Gopher Investments.

Entain Launches Diversity and Inclusion Plan

Sports betting and iGaming operator Entain is launching a global diversity and inclusion initiative “EnTrain,” to increase access to technology and improve diversity. The program aims to train and support 1 million people by 2030.

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Orix, MGM to Be Equal Partners in Osaka IR

Orix Corp. and MGM Resorts International will each hold a 40 percent share of their proposed integrated resort (l.) in Osaka, Japan, with smaller shareholders making up the balance.

Some Manila Casinos Almost at Capacity

Several casino resorts in Manila’s Entertainment City, including Solaire (l.), are now at 90 percent capacity, up from just 50 percent as the country continues to recover from Covid-19.

Genting Malaysia Tests New SkyWorlds Theme Park

Genting Malaysia has begun technical rehearsals for its SkyWorlds outdoor theme park at Resorts World Genting. The resort, located near Kuala Lumpur, is allowing employees and invited guests to test the rides.

EUROPEAN GAMING More

Sweden to Investigate Credit-Based Gambling

The Swedish Gambling Authority Spelinspektionen has launched an investigation of consumer credit related to gambling. Its goal is to “reduce predatory lending and counteract over-indebtedness amongst consumers.”

In an effort to reduce gambling harms, LeoVegas Group will put individual deposit limits for its U.K. customers. The limit will be reconsidered if new data is revealed. Affordability checks will also be available.

U.K. Gambling Commission Looks at Sky Bet Offer

Sky Bet sent free-spin offers to customers on the self-exclusion list. The Gambling Commission in the U.K. will investigate the incident. Conor Grant, CEO of Sky Bet parent, Flutter, apologized for the misstep.

ONLINE GAMING More

PlayUp to Enter Pennsylvania iGaming Market

Australia’s PlayUp has signed a market access agreement with Caesars Entertainment’s Harrah’s Philadelphia casino that will allow it to enter the Pennsylvania online gaming market.

Tipico Unveils Online Casino in New Jersey

Tipico U.S.A. has launched an online casino in New Jersey, joining the company’s sports betting platform in the state. The online casino will feature 70 games, including 55 slot titles.

SPORTS BETTING More

DraftKings Open Louisiana Sportsbooks

DraftKings has opened retail sportsbooks in Lake Charles, Louisiana at the Golden Nugget and L’Auberge casinos. Both are temporary as the resorts build larger, permanent facilities to open in 2022.

Chicago Aldermen Hear Stadium Sportsbook Pros, Cons

Chicago aldermen are considering an ordinance to allow large sports stadiums to host their own sportsbooks. Rush Street’s Neil Bluhm (l.) says that would cannibalize casino revenue, causing the city to lose tax money.

NC Sports Betting Bill Passes in House Committees

In North Carolina, a retail and online sports betting bill has passed the first of four House committees. It would authorize up to 12 licenses and tax revenue at 8 percent, with funds going to public school construction, according to the bill’s sponsor, Senator Jason Saine (l.).

Arizona Sports Betting Lawsuit Near Settlement

The lawsuit brought by the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe against Arizona to topple its sports betting law may soon be resolved. Both sides have told a judge they need 60 days to negotiate a settlement.

Minnesota Legislator Explores Sports Betting Measure

Minnesota state Rep. Zack Stephenson (l.) plans to lead a push for legal sports betting. He noted there’s bipartisan support for a sports wagering bill, and the state’s tribes are coming around on the issue.

Western Canada Adds Single-Event Sports Betting

Single-game sports wagering has come to Western Canada. Through Sports Select, the Western Canada Lottery Corp. began offering the option on November 1. Before that, sports betting was limited to parlays.

NISA Signs Exclusive Deal with Betting.bet

The National Independent Soccer Association and NISA Nation have announced details of an exclusive new partnership with Betting.bet, an online resource for sports fans seeking safe betting sites and promotions.

BetMGM Opens Phoenix’s First Retail Sportsbook

Arizona’s Gila River Hotels & Casinos at Vee Quiva will host a retail sportsbook operated by BetMGM. It’s that sportsbook’s entry into the state and the first in-casino sportsbook in Phoenix.

UNITED STATES GAMING More

Nebraska Casino Draft Rules to Be Released

One year after Nebraska voters approved casino gambling at the state’s six horseracing tracks, including Lincoln (l.), draft regulations will be released November 12 and a public hearing on the proposed rules will be held December 17.

Illinois Towns Approve Penny-Per-Play Tax

In response to the Illinois legislature’s approval of a measure banning municipalities from adopting a penny-per-push tax after November 14, several towns held meetings that day to approve the taxes.

Caesars Expanding Two Indiana Racinos

Caesars Entertainment will begin a $34 million expansion at Harrah’s Hoosier Park in Anderson, Indiana next year and finish a $32 million expansion at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino near Shelbyville this year.

Century Casinos Announces New Missouri Projects

Century Casinos officials will invest $68.3 million to move Carousel Casino in Caruthersville, Missouri to land with a new 75-room hotel and also build a new 75-room hotel at Century Casino Cape Girardeau.

California Judge Dismisses Wynn Lawsuit

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit that a onetime Wynn salon manager brought against casino magnate Steve Wynn (l.) and Wynn Resorts executives. The lawsuit included allegations of rape against Wynn.

English Hotel Coming to Main Street Las Vegas

A Todd English-branded luxury hotel is coming to Main Street in Las Vegas. Named for the celebrity chef (l.), the English Hotel will open in early 2022, in time for the start of convention season.

Strat in Vegas Bets on Golf as a Draw

The Strat on the Las Vegas Strip, owned by Golden Entertainment, plans a $70 million indoor golf attraction (l.) on seven acres next the resort. Executives believe the investment could attract up to 800,000 new visitors.

NLRB: Station Casinos Blocking Labor Case

The National Labor Relations Board claims that Station Casinos has tried to stall an ongoing unfair labor practice case against the locals company. The NLRB has asked a federal court to intervene.

Delaware Park Sold After 38 Years

The Rickman family has sold the Delaware Park racino after 38 years of ownership, turning over the property they saved from bankruptcy to a private equity partnership.

CA Casino Pays $500,000 to Settle Money Laundering Case

The Bicycle Casino in Bell Gardens, California has agreed to pay a $500,000 settlement to the U.S. Justice Department. It violated federal anti-money laundering rules by allowing a Chinese VIP to play with millions in cash.

TRIBAL GAMING More

Four Winds Opens Indiana Sportsbook

A sportsbook has opened at the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians’ Four Winds South Bend (l.) in Indiana. Wagers can be placed at one of six kiosks or guests can bet on their mobile devices.

Foxwoods Soon to Launch Caribbean Casino

Within weeks, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation will open Foxwoods El San Juan Casino (l.). The venture, a partnership with LionGrove, will be the tribe’s first project outside the continental U.S.

Navajo Nation President Signs Smoking Ban

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez (l.) signed legislation prohibiting indoor smoking in public places on the tribe’s reservation, including its casinos. The ban does not apply to the ceremonial use of tobacco.

PEOPLE More

IGT Names iGaming President

International Game Technology has named Gil Rotem president of its iGaming unit. Rotem previously held executive positions with 888.com and bet355.

Hard Rock AC Names Spagno to Head Table Games

Gaming veteran Anthony Spagno has been tapped as vice president of table games at Hard Rock Atlantic City. Spagno began in the business as a dealer in Caesars Atlantic City in 1980, and moved up the ranks from there.

RSI Appoints Corby as GM of Virginia Casino

Rush Street Interactive has named Roy Corby general manager of Rivers Casino Portsmouth in Virginia. The casino is set to open in 2023. Corby brings 30 years of gaming experience to the job.

Callahan Named Interim CEO at Ocean Casino

Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City has named Bill Callahan as interim CEO. A 25-year industry veteran, Callahan moves up from senior vice president. Prior to Ocean, he worked at Borgata.

GlobalBet Adds Dowling as CCO

GlobalBet has appointed Rob Dowling as chief commercial officer and also opened a new headquarters in Vienna. The company provides virtual sports and other gaming products.

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Kambi Partners with Michigan Casinos

Saginaw Chippewa Gaming Enterprises in Michigan will partner with Kambi Group to provide retail and online sports betting at the Soaring Eagle Casino (l.) and Saganing Eagles Landing Casino.

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