A tough tax rate. A crowded environment. More than $1 billion in investment, with fewer returns. A Chicago casino comes with plenty of challenges, but three operators are ready to take the plunge.
GGB’s annual list of the movers and shakers in the gaming industry’s highest honor, People to Watch 2022, celebrates its 20th anniversary. This special issue features an extensive interview with Jette Nygaard-Andersen (l.), the CEO of Entain and profiles of all 25 honorees.
Table game expert Bill Zender gives a sneak peak of what he’ll be covering during his intensive seminar offered at the World Game Protection Conference, February 15-17 at the Tropicana in Las Vegas.
A new study suggests New York State could be “a crown jewel” in the mobile sports betting market. But operators will have to pay to play, in the form of big sign-up bonuses.
The arrest of Suncity head Alvin Chau (l.) has chilling implications for what remains of Macau’s junket sector, and makes it clear that Beijing will not tolerate cross-border gambling. But the crackdown could move Macau to a stronger business model, based on mass and premium mass play.
Golden Nugget boss Tilman Fertitta (l.) last week canceled the planned IPO for his company using a SPAC as the vehicle. But Fast Acquisition says not so fast and charges that Golden Nugget dragged its feet in providing required documents.
Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment has closed on financing to develop its Inspire Entertainment Resort in Incheon, South Korea. Phase 1 alone of the development comes with a $1.55 billion price tag.
IGT has filed suit against the U.S. Department of Justice seeking assurance that it will never be prosecuted under the federal Wire Act for its internet lottery business.
Crown Resorts has rejected a third takeover attempt by the Blackstone Group, but is open to a higher bid from the U.S. company. Blackstone recently offered $8.46 billion for the embattled Australian casino operator.
Another potential integrated resort bidder has emerged in Japan. The mayor of Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture, has inquired about joining the IR race. Up to three locations will be chosen in the first phase of development.
With its purchase of the Palms (l.), California’s San Manuel Band of Mission Indians will soon become the first tribe to own and operate a Las Vegas resort. The sale is expected to close at the end of December, but regulatory approval was made last week.
As several nations joined the U.S. in restricting travel from eight African countries due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 omicron variant, Las Vegas tourism officials are weighing the risk to the hospitality industry.
The Seminole Tribe of Florida discontinued mobile sports betting, after an appeals court panel refused to stay a district court judge’s ban on sports betting in the state. The bets were permitted in the state’s new tribal gaming compact, but now will be offered only in person.
When Caesars bought William Hill in April, it promised to sell off its non-U.S. holdings. Online firm 888 expects to complete its purchase in early 2022, in which case it will own its first physical gaming locations.
The end of the junket business in Macau—signaled by the recent arrest of Sun City head Alvin Chau—is sure to cause short-term pain. But it could possibly lead to long-term gain.
This week, the GGB Podcast sits down with Jonodev Chaudhuri, the founder of Chaudhuri Law, about how he’s been keeping busy following his departure as chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission.
The six auctions scheduled to sell off gaming assets of the Imperial Pacific International’s Imperial Palace Saipan (l.) have been postponed. This will allow IPI time to settle a lawsuit with Fanter, its former contractor.
Starting December 1, Genting Cruise Lines increased the capacity of its Hong Kong cruises to 75 percent, for up to 2,500 passengers per voyage. For four months, its cruises have reported no Covid-19 infections.
The former Widus Hotel and Casino in the Philippines will have a soft opening December 15. Now the Hann Casino Resort, it will “help kick-start” the economy, says Hann Philippines Resort President Daesik Han.
In 2023, taxes will triple for the largest international companies in Malta. Many are largely gaming companies, employing thousands in the tiny island nation.
The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe hopes new nonstop air service between Connecticut and Puerto Rico will boost its new Foxwoods el San Juan Casino. The flights offered by Frontier Airlines will begin in February.
The news outlets that uncovered money laundering at Crown casinos in Australia now have implicated the country’s pubs and clubs. Reports say up to AU$1 billion is being laundered through pokie machines each year.
Scientific Games has acquired ELK Studios, a leading online gaming content supplier to the European market, to advance development of SG’s original iGaming content.
The action of Playtech PLC in hastening the sale of its financial trading division signals that the company’s acquisition by Aristocrat Leisure Limited is on track
Evolution AB has reached out to New Jersey regulators and launched an internal review of a competitor’s claims it did business in banned countries, but that didn’t prevent a nosedive in share price.
PayNearMe has partnered with Pin4 on a system that allows players to make cardless cash withdrawals of online gaming winnings at 18,000 ATMs across the U.S.
PlayStudios has secured exclusive right to offer the famous Tetris puzzle-game franchise on mobile devices through a strategic partnership. The app has been downloaded 30 million times since early 2020.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot (l.) says allowing sportsbooks in and near Chicago’s five stadiums won’t cannibalize revenue from a downtown casino, despite Rush Street Gaming owner Neil Bluhm’s “dire warnings.”
The Tennessee Sports Wagering Advisory Council wants to retain the state’s 10 percent hold on sports betting revenue. Sportsbooks want the hold requirement lowered or eliminated.
The Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan, owners of the Soaring Eagle Casino (l.), says it may debut mobile sports betting in mid-January, in time for Super Bowl LVI. The tribal enterprise would be Michigan’s 15th and final online gambling operator.
The Arkansas Racing Commission (l.) has scheduled a public hearing on legalizing online and mobile sports betting for December 30. Currently only on-site sports betting is allowed at the state’s three casinos.
A majority of California’s voters oppose legalizing mobile sports betting. That’s according to polls commissioned by a coalition of the state’s gaming tribes in response to a proposed ballot measure by sportsbook operators.
The New York State Register published the details of mobile sports betting. Now the nine sports operators can move forward with acquiring a casino to host their server before going live.
PointsBet has joined the parade of mobile sportsbooks open for business in Virginia. The state lottery has approved a partnership with Colonial Downs (l.), which owns Rosie’s Gaming Emporium.
The U.S. Football League had a short but decent run in the 1980s—three seasons—and many of its players ended up in the NFL. The league plans to return in April, hoping that sports betting will help it succeed long-term.
North Dakota’s Dakota Magic Casino (l.) will open a sportsbook this month or next. Dakota Nation Sportsbook will also operate at Dakota Connection in Sisseton and Dakota Sioux in Watertown.
PointsBet has created a Canadian division, PointsBet Canada. The goal is to offer sports betting with a Canadian flair. The company is waiting for commercial companies to be allowed to compete in the market.
A group of Australian teams from various sports, many from Sydney, including the basketball Kings, have opted not to participate in sponsorships and advertising from gaming companies. The teams are part of a push to reduce gambling harm.
Barstool Sports has broken ground on a sports bar in Center City Philadelphia on the site of the former Boyd Theater (l.) that will promote the operator’s mobile sportsbook in a state-of-the-art venue.
A mistake in the U.K. resulted in 86 New Jersey bettors winning a total of $15,000 for a prop bet on a game already played. Marcus Rashford (l.) scored but the players did not because the mistake was caught and the winning bets voided.
St. Tammany Parish voters will decide December 11 if they want a proposed $325 million casino resort, Camellia Bay, near Slidell. The state Supreme Court (l.) recently cleared the way for the referendum.
Bristol, Virginia officials have OK’d plans to turn a former mall into a temporary Hard Rock Bristol casino (l.). In Portsmouth, Rush Street Gaming’s $300 million Rivers Casino Portsmouth will break ground December 7.
Casino Queen will buy two Louisiana riverboats under a $46 million financing plan approved by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. One of the boats would replace the current riverboat casino (l.) in Marquette.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (l.) has been asked to rule on whether the Lone Star State’s commercial poker clubs violate the state’s “kitchen-table poker” law. State lawmaker Chris Turner asked for the ruling.
Station Casinos lost its appeal in the U.S. Ninth Circuit of a lower court order requiring its Red Rock Casino to bargain with the Culinary and Bartenders Union.
Eight horse racing owners have filed suit against Meadowlands boss Jeff Gural (l.) and his three racetracks, alleging they were unfairly banned. Gural’s attorneys have asked for a dismissal of the lawsuit.
Dover Downs Hotel & Casino will be rebranded as Bally’s Dover Casino Resort, as Bally’s Corp. continues its effort to place the Bally’s name on its 14 properties.
Resorts World Las Vegas has partnered with Concerts West/AEG to create a new state of the art theatre in the casino hotel. The theatre will debut with Carrie Underwood, then Katy Perry, Celine Dion and Luke Bryan.
The 22nd annual AGEM & AGA Golf Classic, held September 28 and presented by JCM Global, has raised $104,000 to benefit the International Center for Responsible Gaming.
The Confederate Tribes of Siletz Indians in Oregon want to begin construction of its proposed North Salem Casino in 2024 or 2025. The off-reservation project needs approval by the BIA and Oregon’s governor.
The development arm of Oklahoma’s Chickasaw Nation has revealed plans for a $50 million racino in Nebraska. The development near Interstate 80 is known as North Platte Exposition & Racing.
A bill now before Congress would put about 2,650 acres into trust for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians in Palm Springs. The bill would nullify a 1999 action by the Bureau of Land Management.
The Yaamava’ Resort and Casino in Highland, California, will have a soft VIP only opening for its luxury resort December 13. The resort is owned by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.
The Illinois Lottery debuted online Fast Play draw games on November 15, making Illinois the first state to sell the games online. Tickets cost $1 to $10 and the games can be played instantly on a computer or smartphone.
Ziggy Switkowski has been approved by regulators to officially assume the role of chairman of Australia’s Crown Resorts. The former telecom executive will replace interim chair Jane Halton.
Gaming industry veteran Haig Sakouyan has been appointed vice president of client success for Strive Gaming. Sakouyan brings more than 19 years of experience to the role.
Under new ownership, Cirque du Soleil has announced the appointment of a new CEO and president. Stéphane Lefebvre will run day-to-day operations of the entertainment empire, including five Vegas stage shows.
Tangam Systems will deploy its award-winning, flagship Table Games Management (TYM) software at Grosvenor Casinos, the U.K.’s largest casino operator with operations across Europe.
Atlas World Sports will soon release version 2.0 of its Atlas World Sports app. The updated app will give users more sports betting options, right at their fingertips, just in time for the biggest sporting events of the year.
Konami Gaming, Inc. and data science firm ReelMetrics have renewed their data service subscription agreement under which Konami will participate in ReelMetrics' “Cupid Initiative” to gather data.
The Nevada Gaming Commission has unanimously approved the EPIC 2000 multi-game machine from Gaming Technology Group, featuring eight keno games and six video poker titles.
FanDuel, a subsidiary of Flutter Entertainment, is partnering with Grupo Global to provide daily fantasy sports on its sports networks. This will help Grupo to further expand into the Americas.
Epic Risk Management hosted the Player Protection Summit to address the risks of problem gambling, as a precursor to last week’s SBC Summit North America.
