Can A Chicago Casino Work for the Operator?

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 Magazine Announces the 20th Edition of 25 People to Watch

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.

The End of Junkets?

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.

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WEEKLY FEATURE: Golden Nugget SPAC Falling Apart

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.

IGT Sues DOJ Over Wire Act

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 Snubs Blackstone, Wants a Better Offer

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.

Kuwana City A Latecomer to Japan IR Race

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.

San Manuel OK’d to Own and Operate Palms in Vegas

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.

Las Vegas Tourism Officials Weigh Risk of Omicron

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.

Seminoles Shut Down Mobile After District Court Ruling

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.

888 to Take Over Wm. Hill’s European Arm in ‘22

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.

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Junking the Junkets

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.

ASIAN GAMING More

Auction of Saipan Casino Assets Postponed

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.

Genting Dream Cruises Now at 75 Percent

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.

Philippines Casino to Open December 15

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.

EUROPEAN GAMING More

GLOBAL GAMING More

More Puerto Rico Flights Will Boost Foxwoods Casino

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.

ONLINE GAMING More

PlayStudios Secures Mobile Rights to Tetris

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.

SPORTS BETTING More

Tennessee Regulator Supports 10 Percent Hold

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.

Michigan Tribe Looks Ahead to Mobile Sports Betting

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.

Arkansas Considers Mobile Sports Betting

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.

PointsBet Licensed to Run VA Sportsbook

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.

USFL Is Reborn, Banks on Sports Betting

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.

Dakota Magic Casino to Add Sportsbook

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 Gears Up for Canadian Sports Betting

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.

Aussie Teams Say No to Gambling Sponsors

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 to Open Philadelphia Sports Bar

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.

NJ Sports Fans Bet Game Already Played

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.

UNITED STATES GAMING More

Louisiana Supreme Court Permits Casino Referendum

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.

Virginia Casinos Moving Forward

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.

Iowa Regulators OK Louisiana Riverboat Purchases

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 AG Asked Opinion on Gambling law

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.

Meadowlands’ Gural Seeks Dismissal of Suit

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 Rebranding as Bally’s Dover

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, AEG Partner on Theatre

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.

Golf Classic Raises $104,000 for ICRG

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.

TRIBAL GAMING More

OK Tribe Plans Nebraska Racino

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.

Bill Would Expand California Tribal Reservation

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.

San Manuel to Open Luxury Resort December 13

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.

LOTTERY More

Illinois Lottery Launches Online Instant Draw Games

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.

PEOPLE More

Switkowski Confirmed as Crown Resorts Chairman

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.

Haig Sakouyan Joins Strive Gaming

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.

Cirque du Soleil Appoints New CEO

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.

GOODS & SERVICES More

Atlas World Sports Announces Version 2.0 Release

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.

MaximBet Selects Global Payments

MaximBet has selected Global Payments Gaming Solutions’ platform to provide seamless funding for the group’s licensed mobile sports betting app.

Konami, ReelMetrics Extend Data Agreement

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.

GTG’s EPIC 2000 Approved in Nevada

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 Partners With Grupo Global on DFS

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.

TRADE SHOWS & CONFERENCES More

NUTSHELL More

THEY SAID IT More

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