Will Legal Pot Take AC Higher?

Last November, New Jersey voters legalized recreational marijuana. While it won’t mean pot pubs in casinos or joints passed around craps tables, the measure could indirectly benefit Atlantic City, due to pot tourism.

Player Rating Errors You Are Probably Making in Craps

Rating a craps player is like deciphering hieroglyphics. With the multiple betting opportunities on the table, all with different odds, how do you determine the value of a craps player and how to reward him appropriately?

The New Guide To Vegas

As Las Vegas reopens, humorist/observer Ira David Sternberg has a few ideas for casino operators who want to capitalize on the fading pandemic but rising political correctness.

Crime and the Financing of Casinos

When the infamous Jeffery Epstein (l.) can pay a principal of a company that controls major gaming corporations millions of dollars without the knowledge of the gold-standard regulators, you begin to wonder what else are they missing, according to gaming observer Richard Schuetz.

Richmond Bids For Capital of Virginia Gaming

The proposals competing for a sole casino license in Virginia capital have grown to six. Battling it out are major regional players including Bally’s, Golden Nugget, Cordish and Wind Creek (rendering at left). The proposals range in size from $300 million to more than $600 million.

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WEEKLY FEATURE: Caesars Sells South Korean Venture for ‘BBQ Pork’

Caesars Entertainment has shed its stake in a South Korean casino project, concentrating solely on its U.S. business. Its former Midan City Resort Complex in Incheon had experienced several setbacks, even before Covid-19. CEO Tom Reeg (l.), said it was sold for some “barbequed pork.”

Another Crown Probe In the Works

With Crown Resorts denied the right to open a casino in New South Wales, the Australian state of Victoria, the home of the Crown flagship (l.) in Melbourne, has undertaken an investigation of its own into the company, and plans to set up an independent casino regulator. Western Australia has also opened an inquest.

Japan Wary of China Blacklist

As Japan gains traction on its introduction of legal casinos, one lawmaker is expressing concern that the China travel blacklist will not only hamper gaming, but tourism in general.

Illinois Lawmakers Consider iGaming

A bill to legalize online casino games and poker has been submitted by Illinois state Rep. Bob Rita with the aim to augment the online sports betting already legalized.

Brazilian Tourism Interests Press Legal Casinos

Brazil is struggling to make up for the revenue lost when it cancelled Carnival (l.) due to health concerns. Some tourism interests hope legal gaming in the South American country could be the answer.

Senator Files Massachusetts Sports Betting Bill

A bill that would allow sports betting in the Bay State has been filed by Senator Eric Lesser (l.). The senator claims his bill will “bring sports betting into the daylight while protecting youthful athletes and consumers.

Connecticut Gaming Tribes Look Overseas for Growth

Effectively blocked from expanding their casinos in Connecticut, the state’s gaming tribes, the Mohegans and the Mashantucket Pequots are casting their eyes overseas—the Mohegans to Japan and the Pequots to Puerto Rico.

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Macau Pumps Up China Travel Bubble

In another positive step toward the casino hub’s recovery from the Covid crisis, the territory’s authorities have removed mandatory quarantines that thwarted travel from more than a dozen mainland cities.

Genting Malaysia Theme Park to Open in Q2

Genting Malaysia Bhd says it's "putting the finishing touches" on a multimillion-dollar outdoor theme park, Genting SkyWorlds (l.) at Genting Highlands, which is scheduled to open in the second quarter.

South Korean Casino License Extended

The South Korean government has extended the operating license of Kangwon Land (l.), the country's only locals casino. The license term will now continue an additional 20 years to 2045.

EUROPEAN GAMING More

France Considers Adding More Casinos

The French Minister of the Interior is reviewing recommendations that would add more casinos in more places around the country. Currently, only seaside resorts or spa towns may host casinos in France.

Flutter Bans Credit Cards for Gambling

Flutter Entertainment, the parent company of the Paddy Power network, announced several responsible gaming measures, including a ban on the use of credit cards to fund gambling on its sites in Ireland.

Irish Labour Calls for End to Gaming Ads at Games

Irish legislators and consultants say there's a correlation between sportsbook ads and an increase in addictive gambling. The Labour Party has called for a ban on such ads, but not on team sponsorships.

GLOBAL GAMING More

IPI Chair Charged with Contempt, Facing Jail

The chairwoman of Imperial Pacific International faces jail time for contempt of court. Cui Li Jie (l.) failed to comply with a subpoena and reportedly perjured herself when questioned about the Saipan casino operator.

Delta to Build Casino Complex in India

Delta Corp. of India, under Chairman Jaydev Mody (l.), plans to build a casino resort near Mopa International Airport, now under development in the state of Goa. Delta has acquired 100 acres for the complex.

Chile Reopening Casinos

Gaming workers in Chile are pleading with the government to let more casinos reopen. Undersecretary of Tourism José Luis Uriarte (l.) has refused, saying health concerns are paramount.

Gaming Returns to Venezuela

Hotel Humboldt in Caracas, Venezuela, is the site of the first casino to legally open in the country since gaming was shut down 12 years ago. It could become the first of many as the country seeks to lure investors.

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BetMGM Launches Borgata Site in Pennsylvania

BetMGM has launched the Borgata Casino app in Pennsylvania through a partnership with Rivers Casino Philadelphia, giving BetMGM its second skin in the state’s developing iGaming market.

Golden Nugget Ink Mobile Deals in New York

Golden Nugget Online Gaming is looking for pole position in a market that could be the richest in the U.S. Only no one knows yet what it will look like, and among the political powers that be, it’s a subject of considerable disagreement.

South Dakota Lawmakers Defeat iGaming

A South Dakota committee has voted down expanded sports betting through mobile sportsbooks. Officials said a constitutional amendment approved in November requires on-site betting in Deadwood (l.).

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Penn Signs 20-Year Sportsbook Deal in New York

Penn National Gaming has entered into a 20-year strategic partnership with the operator of the Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady, New York, to operate online sports betting upon legalization of online wagering in the Empire State.

Colville Tribe Opposes Washington Sports Gaming Bill

Washington’s tribes are opposed to a bill that would open up sports betting to commercial card rooms. The most recent to express their opposition to Senate Bill 5252 are the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.

Two Tennessee Sportsbooks Under Investigation

Seventy-plus sports betting accounts have been closed in Tennessee due to “significant anomalies” at two of the state’s four sportsbooks on Super Bowl Sunday. The state lottery and law enforcement are investigating.

Georgia House, Senate Consider Sports Betting

Legislation allowing mobile sports betting is working its way through the Georgia House and Senate. Senator Jeff Mullis (l.), a supporter of the plan, says illegal gambling is already rife, but bookies are making the money.

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Nevada Weighs Esports Regulation

A bill is expected in the Nevada legislature that backers say will further legitimize esports and position it as a major engine to power Las Vegas’ recovery from the Covid-19 crisis.

Marsh Delays Alabama Lottery, Casinos Bill

Alabama state Senator Del Marsh (l.) is finetuning a bill that would allow a state lottery and several new casinos in the state. Marsh said his proposal “addresses gaming once and for all, and how the revenues will be spent.”

New Mexico Track Cancels Racing

The 2020-21 horse racing meet at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino (l.) in New Mexico has been officially canceled. This year's meet was scheduled to start in December and finish on March 30.

Gaming Commission Intervenes in Suit Against Encore Boston

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission will file an amicus brief in a class-action lawsuit against the Encore Boston Harbor casino. The lawsuit contends that the casino’s blackjack odds rip off players, but the MGC says it’s all legal.

Hawaii Casino Proposal Dead

A casino bill has died in the Hawaii legislature. The bill, which would have allowed a casino on Hawaii’s Home Lands, has been tabled “indefinitely” by the Senate Hawaiian Affairs Committee.

Time Running Out for Iowa Gaming Referendum

In 2013, a majority of Iowa voters approved casino gaming in Cedar Rapids (l.). But that approval will expire this year, leaving officials to determine whether or not to hold another referendum—and when.

Churchill Downs Sells Arlington Racetrack

Churchill Downs Inc. has announced plans to sell Arlington International Racecourse (l.) outside Chicago. The site is likely to be redeveloped, says CEO Bill Carstanjen.

Cosmopolitan to Honor Covid Heroes

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas casino resort is accepting nominations in its contest to honor local "pandemic heroes." The winners will receive a two-night stay at the Strip resort and other prizes.

NJ CRDA to Fund Free Job Training for AC Residents

The New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority voted to fund a free job training program for Atlantic City residents, and granted preliminary approval to contributed $2.5 million to create a training center.

ESPN Broadcasts WSOP Events

ESPN again was the exclusive outlet broadcasting the World Series of Poker, including the 2021World Series of Poker Main Event and the first-ever Heads Up World Championship.

TRIBAL GAMING More

Crosswinds Casino to Open March 2

The Wyandotte Nation will open its Crosswinds Casino in Park City, Kansas this week with 700 slot machines. The opening ends decades of legal battles with the state’s attorney generals.

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BIA Welcomes Newland

Bryan Newland, former chairman of the Bay Mills Indian Community, began his stint as the principal deputy assistant secretary of the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Jade Entertainment Adds to Team

Philippines-based Jade Entertainment Gaming and Technologies has announced three new additions to its executive team, including Jean Rose D. Buenaventura (l.) as the company’s new chief financial officer.

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Entain Pioneers Player Protection Approach

Entain has launched a system using analytics and data science for a proactive approach to player protection that uses behavior indicators to identify potential at-risk players.

IGT to Provide Advantage CMS to Circus

Circus Circus Las Vegas (l.) will connect all 1,100 of its slot machines to the IGT Advantage casino management system, allowing patrons to earn and redeem points at slots, tables and retail point-of-sale outlets.

Ainsworth Secures Credit Facility

Ainsworth Game Technology has secured a $35 million credit facility with U.S.-based Western Alliance Bancorp, the proceeds to be used to pay off debt with an Australian bank.

Aristocrat Launches MarsX Portrait Cabinet

Aristocrat Technologies announced the official launch of its MarsX Portrait cabinet, featuring a 43-inch curved monitor and ultra-HD graphics, along with new games developed exclusively for the cabinet.

Incredible Technologies to Enter HHR Business

Incredible Technologies has signed an agreement with Exacta Systems to place IT content on the Exacta historical horse racing system, the supplier’s first foray into this industry sector. IT CEO Elaine Hodgson (l.) calls HHR an “energizing segment” of the industry.

Inspired Partners with CAGE on Virtual Sports

Inspired Entertainment has entered into an exclusive agreement with The CAGE Companies to offer virtual sports in CAGE’s retail outlets and on internet channels throughout the Caribbean.

Novomatic Wins Multiple SAGSE Awards

At the SAGSE 2020 Awards, Novomatic’s ThunderCash Link was named the “Best Electronic Roulette” and the “Best Land-based Progressive.” Winners were announced on February 24.

BetConstruct Launches HomeWork

To broaden player appeal and expand the reach of sportsbook operators, BetConstruct has launches a new promotional campaign called HomeWork.

Synergy Blue Announces Layoffs

Casino games manufacturer Synergy Blue has announced the layoffs of much of its Las Vegas-based workforce. The company said demand for its new games has “not materialized” due to Covid-19.

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QUOTABLE QUOTES

Outrageous pronouncements, simple statements and words of wisdom.