Singapore’s two integrated resorts, Marina Bay Sands (l.) and Resorts World Sentosa, are about to be socked with a big tax increase. The tax rate on mass-market revenues up to SG$2.2 billion (US$1.6 billion) will rise 20 percent, while revenues exceeding that will see a 47 percent tax spike.

Blackstone last week boosted its offer for Crown Resorts by 5 percent to A$8.87 billion (US$6.46 billion), and the Crown board of directors has indicated they are pleased, especially majority shareholder James Packer (l.). Now it’s Star Entertainment’s turn to counter if they still are interested.

With mobile sports betting finally underway, New York officials are working to get three downstate casinos up and running. Legislators, unions and others lead the charge.

Political committees backed by the Las Vegas Sands Corp. and the Seminole Tribe are suing each other over the collection of signatures to place on the November ballot a constitutional amendment allowing casinos in North Florida.

A citizens’ group in Wakayama, Japan has collected more than 20,000 signatures to force a referendum on the city’s integrated resort bid. Clairvest Neem Ventures heads a consortium to bring an IR (l.) to the city.

Video game giant Take-Two will acquire social gaming content supplier and “Farmville” creator Zynga in a deal valued at $12.7 billion. The merged business is expected to bring in $6.1 billion annually in net bookings.

The federal government has reversed itself and will now allow the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe to put land into trust. However, the tribe will reevaluate its plans for a casino resort, First Light (l.), in Taunton, Massachusetts.

Maverick Gaming warned it might seek a legal remedy if Washington legalized sports betting but limited it to gaming tribes. The commercial casino company executed that threat last week by suing in federal court.

Eilers & Krejcik Gaming announced last week that it has acquired assets of Fantini Research, including all existing gaming-related news publications and its virtual trade show business. Fantini Research founder Frank Fantini will continue to write columns for GGB and consult with clients.

At a crossroads moment in a long career, Frank Fantini thanks the industry pros who have brightened his path, contributed to his career and worked in the trenches beside him.

This week, the GGB Podcast features a discussion with Jennifer Togliatti, the chairwoman of the Nevada Gaming Commission, on her appointment as the first woman to head up the commission and what it means for her and the industry.

Last year, the Chinese government investigated 17,000 cases of cross-border gambling and detained 80,000 people in association with those incidents. The figures were released this month by public security officials.

The retender of gaming concessions in Macau will be influenced by bidders’ willingness to “voluntarily” invest in nongaming amenities and projects in the city and on nearby Hengqin Island (l.), according to JP Morgan.

A Philippines appeals court has dismissed fraud charges against Japanese billionaire Kazuo Okada (l.) over claims he misappropriated millions of dollars from his former company, Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment.

A strike by casino workers at NagaWorld in Phnom Penh is now entering its fourth week. Protestors are demanding the reinstatement of hundreds of laid-off casino workers and the release of jailed union leaders.

Genting Malaysia’s SkyWorlds theme park, originally set to open in December, now is expected to debut by Chinese New Year in February. Genting cited software issues as a cause for the delay.

The long court battle between the Las Vegas Sands and Asian American Entertainment Corp. may finally end after years of litigation. The outcome could hang on a signature by former Sands exec William Weidner (l.).

Flutter Entertainment has completed its acquisition of bingo operator Tombola. The all-cash transaction provides Flutter with a successful operator in the U.K. with an estimated 400,000 players a month.

MV Werften Holdings Ltd., the German shipbuilding unit of Genting Hong Kong Ltd., has filed for bankruptcy. Genting said this might lead to a default on $2.77 billion for an unfinished cruise ship.

A German soccer fan alliance is demanding that sports clubs and the government ban sports betting sponsorships and TV ads. Unsere Kurve decried the “increased media presence” of sports betting.

The breakup of the Madrid-based Grupo Codere SA has begun. Creditors of the gaming group will start with its bingo and arcade assets in Argentina. This will help the company recover its profitability.

European online affiliates are beginning to crack open the U.S. market. Operating in that market is more difficult than it is in the European market because affiliates don’t need to be licensed in Europe.

Scientific Games has signed an exclusive aggregation deal with iGaming content supplier Wazdan, under which SG will add Wazdan content to its OpenGaming platform.

Canada’s Snipp Interactive Inc. has agreed to acquire Gambit Digital Promotion Inc., including its subsidiary Gamblit Rewards Inc., from the Gambit consumer network

Ezugi will supply its live-dealer online games in Great Britain under the license of its parent company, Evolution Gaming, providing 11 of its most popular games in the U.K. for the first time.

SkillOnNet will partner with Zitro Gaming to provide make the full suite of Zitro game content available to iGaming sites in Latin American markets.

Playtech has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Canadian online casino and sports betting company NorthStar Gaming, under which NorthStar will use the Playtech platform.

Lawmakers in the Argentine province of Córdoba (l.) have approved a bill that would legalize online gaming. It will allow online casino games, sports betting and lotteries.

MK Stalin (l.), chief minister of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, has promised to pursue a ban of online gaming. A Madras High Court ruling struck down such a ban last year.

René Jansen (l.), head of Netherlands gaming regulator de Kansspelautoriteit, has warned iGaming operators to cut down on their advertising or face government action.

Spain’s competition watchdog, Comision Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia, has come out in favor of gaming reforms including loss limits and time limits on every online session.

Louisiana Gaming Commission Chairman Ronnie Johns (l.) said the launch of online sports betting is not imminent as rumors have indicated, but hopefully fans can place bets on sports ahead of the Super Bowl.

Oklahoma tribal casinos could offer sports betting under a bill filed by state Rep. Ken Luttrell (l.). The measure would amend the tribal gaming compact and direct 10 percent of net sports betting revenue to the state.

The heads of Texas professional sports teams like Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban (l.) are playing the long game when it comes to legal bets. The Sports Betting Alliance will press lawmakers despite disappointing results last year.

BetMGM launched its online sportsbook in New York on January 17. BetMGM is already an official sports betting partner of the Knicks, the Rangers and Madison Square Garden Arena.

Meruelo Gaming LLC and the Arizona Coyotes have unveiled an online and digital sportsbook platform, SaharaBets. Bettors will be able to download SaharaBets on smartphones, create accounts and deposit funds.

Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston (l.) may propose a referendum on expanded gambling. The details on approved gambling would be addressed later if the measure gets enough votes.

Richmond, Virginia voters narrowly defeated the $565 million One Casino and Resort. Now Councilwoman Reva Trammell (l.) wants a do-over, and state Senator Joe Morrissey wants Petersburg voters to have a crack at it.

Las Vegas’ biggest trade show was cut short this month by a surge in the omicron variant of Covid-19. It could point to a much longer economic recovery for the city and its crucial convention business.

Wynn Resorts is reconsidering plans for an entertainment venue, restaurants and parking garage on land across the street from Encore Boston Harbor (l.). It has so informed the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.

Hosting a Super Bowl doesn’t come cheap. But the revenue it means for Las Vegas must be worth the $40 million price tag to be paid by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Fonner Park (l.) in Grand Island, Nebraska, hoped to open a temporary facility in December, following regulatory approval. But it’s still waiting for the rules to be approved the state attorney general, governor and legislators. And tax relief for casinos may be off the table.

Cynthia Hallett (l.), president of Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights, says 2022 will be the year lawmakers in New Jersey approve a casino smoking ban. On January 12, six senators introduced a bill to start the process.

The Aria in Las Vegas has unveiled its ultra-elite, recently upgraded Sky Villas and Sky Suites. The fancy digs go for $1,000 per night and up for suites and up to $7,500 for villas.

Philadelphia developer Bart Blatstein and Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. recently broke ground on a $100 million water park at the Showboat. The attraction will feature slides, lazy rivers and other amenities.

Bally’s Kansas City has introduced an exclusive VIP gaming area, the Celebrity Casino & Lounge. The lounge offers 30-plus slot machines plus blackjack, roulette and dining.

Colorado Speaker of the House Alec Garnett (l.) has promised the state will devote more resources to responsible gaming programs. The question, of course, is when.

Oregon tribes want lawmakers to block the addition of historical horse racing machines at a Grants Pass Downs racetrack (l.). They say the slot-like machines would render the facility a private casino, banned under Oregon law.

Legal issues are holding up construction of the Cherokee Nation Businesses’ $225 million Legends Resort Casino (l.) in Arkansas. The project would create 1,000 jobs and have a $5 billion economic impact in its first decade.

The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Council of Oklahoma has approved a plan by the tribe to place two acres of land into trust.

A citizens group claims Minnesota officials conspired with the Prairie Island Indian Community to endorse a $154 million water system for a future casino. Tribal officials said they had no casino plans.

The 2,200-square-foot Discovery Den at the Coeur d’Alene Casino in Worley, Idaho is the first tribal gaming industry’s testing ground for major manufacturers’ newest gaming machines.

Concerns have surfaced regarding the U.K. National Lottery. First, the amount of revenue for charitable causes has declined. Second, scratch cards and online games are suspected of contributing to problem gambling.

IGT has signed a multi-year agreement with World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. granting the supplier exclusive licensing rights to develop WWE-branded omnichannel lottery games.

Mike Rumbolz (l.) is retiring from his position as chief executive officer of Everi Holdings, and will become the company’s executive chairman as COO Randy L. Taylor succeeds him as CEO.

Eclipse Gaming has named Laura Olson-Reyes, a marketing veteran of Aristocrat, Scientific Games and AGS, as the supplier’s new senior vice president of marketing.

Scientific Games’ OpenBet sports betting division has added former DAZN Chief Technology Officer Florian Diederichsen and former AGA executive Jessica Feil to its staff.

The Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers elected its 2022 slate of officers at its January monthly meeting, including several new one-year officials. David Lucchese (l.) also began his second term as president.

Hard Rock Entertainment has appointed Geno Iafrate as president of its new Rockford Casino in Illinois. Iafrate has two decades of gaming industry experience.

Gateway Casinos & Entertainment has named Queenie Wong as the company’s chief financial officer. The appointment was effective January 1, pending regulatory approval.

The Southern Ute Indian Tribe has appointed Andrea Taylor as general manager of Colorado’s Sky Ute Casino Resort. Taylor has been serving as acting GM since November, following the retirement of Charley Flagg.

John Kilroy, a longtime real estate industry executive, resigned from the board of MGM Resorts International effective December 31. MGM said Kilroy left “to pursue other interests.”

Play Globally, Inc., a provider of free-to-play gaming products, has appointed Susan Hensel to the company’s advisory board. The former Pennsylvania gaming regulator is also a co-founder of Hensel Grad P.C.

Brianne Doura-Schawohl has launched a boutique government relations and gaming consultancy that focuses on responsible gaming. Doura-Schawohl Consulting LLC is headquartered in Reston, Virginia.

Nathan Peak has been named the new practice leader at HBG Design. Peak will focus on impactful design, new market growth, nurturing talent and work-life flexibility for HBG employees.

Former Chilean Ministry of Energy Chief of Staff Mariana Soto has been named president of the Chilean Association of Gaming Casinos. She is the first woman to ever head the association.

The U.K. Gambling Commission has selected interim head Andrew Rhodes to run the agency permanently. As chief executive, Rhodes will oversee expected revisions of the country’s Gambling Act.

David Greendeer has been named tribal administrator of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts. Greendeer is a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation and grew among members of the Mashpee Tribe.

Everi Holdings will acquire key assets of Australian slot supplier Atlas Gaming, with the goal of expanding Atlas product further into international markets.

PayNearMe announced last week that it has been approved by the New York Gaming Commission to offer its MoneyLine platform to licensed sports betting operators in the state.

Aristocrat Gaming has launched its Neptune Canopy, the archway attraction formed by facing banks of Neptune Double slot games, at Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun.

Interblock has installed a 40-station G5 Diamond electronic table game stadium and an eight-station roulette product at Hann Casino Resort in the Philippines.

SoftSwiss, which last year launched its sportsbook platform, has selected Oddin.gg to provide its odds feed and risk management solutions for esports titles such as Counter-Strike, League of Legends and Dota 2.

Esports Technologies has filed a patent for a performance-based betting system to facilitate wagering on fluctuations in financial instruments, enabling bets on percentage price changes.

The sixth Casino Esports Conference will come to Las Vegas March 23-24. The show will examine the growth of esports, which show co-founder Ari Fox called “an expansion of video-gaming beyond video gaming.”