Silly Shuffles

Why are casinos still using the ribbon spread in baccarat? It’s part of the history of the game but procedure is time-consuming and leaves baccarat vulnerable and open to attacks by advantage players.

Numbers Don’t Lie

When casino executives oppose banning smoking at their casinos, they rely on data and studies done years ago when smoking was widespread. Now that casinos are virtually the only place where you can smoke in public, the newest data shoud suggest a different conclusion.

AGA Says Gaming Prospects Good to Go

In its latest Gaming Industry Outlook, the American Gaming Association says gaming CEOs are positive about future of industry, but macroeconomics and rising wages are issues of concern.

Lightfoot Chooses Bally’s for Chicago, But Obstacles Remain

Last week, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced that Bally’s Corp. has been chosen to receive the Windy City’s sole casino license. The company will develop its $1.7 billion venue (l.) at Tribune Publishing Center on the city’s Near North Side. But some city officials are pushing back, saying they didn’t have sufficient voice in the selection.

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WEEKLY FEATURE: MGM to Acquire LeoVegas

MGM Resorts International has made an offer of around $607 million to acquire LeoVegas AB, the Swedish-based online gaming operator, to augment its BetMGM online gaming and sports betting operation. The deal will help MGM grow on a global scale.

Macau Junkets Face Stricter Oversight

If Macau approves amendments to the city’s local gaming laws, contracts between junket operations and casinos would be subject to approval by the secretary for economy and finance. And SJM consultant Rui Cunha (l.) says never forget that Macau’s fate is tied to mainland China.

Seminoles Suspend Florida Casino Payments

The Seminole Tribe of Florida has pulled the plug on $500 million quarterly revenue-sharing payments to the state. The court is considering the tribe’s appeal of a federal judge’s invalidation of the 2021 gaming compact.

Three Las Vegas Strip Properties Close to Changing Hands

After months of speculation, sources have identified the property that Caesars Entertainment hopes to sell on the Las Vegas Strip. The company is hoping to get $1 billion for the Flamingo (l.). And MGM Resorts is closer to taking possession of the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, which it is buying from Blackstone, and selling the Mirage, which is being purchased by Hard Rock International.

ASIAN GAMING More

Clairvest Exits Wakayama

Clairvest Neem Ventures, ousted from contention for an integrated resort (l.) in Japan, has closed its branch in Wakayama. The Canadian-led team denies accusations that its IR funding was “unclear.”

Macau Court Finds for LVS over Asian American

A Macau court has ruled in favor of the Las Vegas Sands Corp. in its longstanding battle with a Taiwan businessman and former prospective partner who claims to have helped secure a license for the first LVS property, Sands Macau (l.). Marshall Hao Shi-sheng sought billions of dollars in damages.

Donaco to Reopen Cambodia’s Star Vegas

Donaco International is anxious to resume casino operations at Star Vegas (l.) in Cambodia near the border with Thailand. The ASX-listed company is awaiting final approval from the Cambodian government.

Genting’s Lim Registers New Cruise Brand

In March, Genting Berhad’s Chairman Lim Kok Thay (l.) registered a new business name, Resorts World Cruises, fueling speculation that he will launch a new cruise line. Genting’s German shipyard went bankrupt in January.

EUROPEAN GAMING More

Think Tank Urges Online-Only Swiss Licenses

A Swiss think tank that specializes in economics and social issues, is urging the country to make reforms to its gambling regulations. Avenir Suisse recommends allowing online-only licenses.

GLOBAL GAMING More

Ex-Star CEO Blames VIP Team for Compliance Breaches

Matt Bekier (l.), former managing director and CEO of Star Entertainment Group in Australia, told investigators in New South Wales that he was kept in the dark about shady dealings among the casino company’s high rollers.

ONLINE GAMING More

Stakelogic Live Launches VIP Tables

Stakelogic Live has launched six high-stakes live-streamed VIP table games in English and Dutch, including five VIP Blackjack tables and one VIP Roulette table.

SPORTS BETTING More

Minnesota Sports Betting Bill Heads to House

In Minnesota, the House bill would grant the state’s 11 tribes exclusive rights to offer sports betting. But the Senate bill would also allow sports wagering at racetracks to avoid granting tribes a monopoly.

Maine Law Gives Tribes Control of Sports Betting

Governor Janet Mills (l.) of Maine has signed LD 585, a bill that gives the state’s four federally-recognized tribes the right to operate sports betting. The tribes still seek full sovereignty, something Mills opposes.

NCAA Lets Schools Sell Data for Sportsbooks

The NCAA has opened the door to another revenue stream for its member schools. In response to a query from the Mid-American Conference on whether the association would permit such transactions.

Michigan Theater Sportsbook Leads to Caesars Deal

Emagine Entertainment opened the nation’s first sportsbook inside a movie theater last December. The company recently partnered with Caesars Digital, where Co-President Eric Hession (l.) said the creation of a sports lounge in a movie theater showed “ingenuity.”

Support for Uzbekistan Sports Betting Evaporates

Shavkat Mirzivoyev (l.), president of Uzbekistan, no longer supports a decree that would have legalized sports betting. Support was withdrawn after two years, during which the government failed to launch regulations.

UNITED STATES GAMING More

Vici Closes on Deal to Buy MGM Growth Properties

Vici Properties announced that it has completed its $17.2 billion buyout of MGM Growth Properties, giving the REIT created by Caesars Entertainment a total of 43 properties nationwide, including MGM Grand (l.).

Sands to Focus on U.S., Singapore Moving Forward

After previously placing an emphasis on the Macau market, the Las Vegas Sands Corp. has shifted focus again, this time to Singapore (Marina Bay Sands at left) and new developments within the U.S.

Caesars Virginia Opening Delayed Until 2024

Due to supply-chain issues, labor shortages and “other market forces,” Caesars Entertainment announced Caesars Danville (l.) in Virginia will open in third or fourth quarter 2024 instead of second or third quarter 2023.

Nebraska Judge Rejects Lincoln Racino Lawsuit

A Nebraska judge rejected Big Red Keno’s lawsuit over offering casino gambling at Lincoln Race Course. The judge said Omaha Exposition and Racing, which had granted Big Red Keno exclusive gaming rights, had no jurisdiction in the matter.

Hard Rock Bristol Granted First Virginia License

Hard Rock Bristol (l.) was granted a casino license by the state Lottery Board, allowing it to open a temporary casino on July 8 in the vacant Bristol Mall. The $300 million permanent casino resort is expected to open in 2025.

Investor Buys California Casino Resort

Parkwest Casinos through a separate entity has purchased the site of Bicycle Hotel & Casino (l.) in Bell Gardens, California, for $102 million. It also purchased the card club business itself, for an undisclosed price.

Fixed-Odds Races Arrive at New Jersey Track

The long-awaited introduction of fixed-odds horse racing finally went off May 7 at Monmouth Park (l.) in Oceanport, N.J. Unlike parimutuel wagering, fixed-odds retain the odds at the time a player places the bet.

Second Judge Shoots Down Atlantic City Casino Tax Changes

The AC casino industry lost again in its bid to change the deal they crafted for payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) . On May 2, a Superior Court Judge refused to hear more arguments in agreeing with the initial judicial decision that the changes punished Atlantic County.

PEOPLE More

Genting Singapore Appoints New CEO

Genting Singapore has appointed Tan Hee Teck as CEO. He has served as president and chief operating officer since 2010. The company also has made a number of changes on its board committees.

Flutter Appoints Lennon to Board

Flutter Entertainment has named Salesforce Ireland CEO Carolan Lennon to its board as a non-executive director, among other appointments. Lennon was previously head of Eir, an Irish telecom provider.

GOODS & SERVICES More

Everi Acquires HHR Firm Intuicode

Everi Holdings has acquired Intuicode Gaming, a privately owned firm focused on developing games for the expanding historical horse racing market.

Win System Introduces Huo Long Roulette

Win Systems has announced the installation of its innovative Huo Long roulette at Casino Divonne, a Groupe Partouche casino in the French town of Divonne-les-Bains.

Pascal Gaming Introduces Dream Wheel

Pascal Gaming has introduced its new Dream Wheel game with two additional bonus wheels with higher odds, a random bonus multiplier, live bets and provable fairness calculator.

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QUOTABLE QUOTES

Outrageous pronouncements, simple statements and words of wisdom.