Archive: Vol-20-No-33-August-15-2022
If you read over ballot literature regarding Prop 26 in California, you would get the impression that the state NAACP branch opposed the measure, based on remarks made by its Los Angeles president emeritus, Minnie Hadley-Hempstead (l.). Not so, and the chapter is suing to have the statements removed.
NPR: Slots on Overseas U.S. Military Bases Earn $100 Million Per Year
A recent report from NPR has shed new light on the Department of Defense’s use and operation of slot machines on overseas bases, leading many to question whether service members are being put at a disproportionate risk of problem gambling.
GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCAST: Josh Swissman, Founding Partner, The Strategy Organization
This week, the GGB Podcast sits down with Josh Swissman, a founding partner with the Strategy Organization, on the near- and long-term future of the gaming industry.
Will Three be the Charm?
The requirement to list a person’s “scars” in almost every gaming license application is outdated and unnecessary. Longtime gaming observer Richard Schuetz says the stipulation needlessly infringes on the applicant’s privacy and need to go.
Inspired Makes $370 Million Offer for PlayAGS
Inspired Entertainment has made a $370 million cash offer to acquire slot manufacturer PlayAGS, per Reuters. Neither company has commented on the offer, but the market responded favorably, as PlayAGS shares rose over 30 percent August 12. More details are expected in the coming days.
Featured Stories More
WEEKLY FEATURE: Indian Gaming Revenue Breaks Record, Jumps 40 Percent
The National Indian Gaming Commission last week reported that tribal casino in the U.S. produced gross gaming revenues of $39 billion in 2021, a 13 percent increase over 2019, the last year of full tribal gaming prior to the pandemic.
Caesars Adds Tribal Partner, Breaks Ground in Virginia
Caesars Entertainment will now invest $650 million, not $500 million as previously announced, in Caesars Virginia in Danville, Virginia (l.), opening in 2024. It’s now a joint venture with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. All gathered last week to break ground on the new resort.
Okada Manila Boards Battle Over Access to Funds, Son of Okada
The competing boards of Okada Manila in the Philippines continue to argue about access to casino funds. The ousted board has demanded that the Kazuo Okada-led board stop dipping into the casino cage for money. And Okada accused the board of manipulating his son, Tomohiro Okada (l.).
Cambodian Governor Targets ‘Rogue’ Casinos
Kuoch Chamroeun (l.), provincial governor of Preah Sihanouk in Cambodia, says he will suspend the licenses of casinos involved in crime, and also bring charges against their owners.
FanDuel Canada Plans To Get More Women To Bet Sports
As Canada’s regulated sports betting industry continues to grow, FanDuel is investing in the rising demographic of female sports bettors. The company features numerous female executives, including CEO Amy Howe (l.), and is encouraging more women to jump into the male-dominated industry.
Abrams Supports Expanded Gambling for Georgia
Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams (l.). is adamant that the state needs to legalize casino gambling and sports betting to generate revenue for the HOPE scholarship program and “make our economy stronger for everyone.”
Penn National Rebrands as Penn Entertainment
Penn National Gaming is rebranding as PENN Entertainment after announcing mixed results for the second quarter that highlighted a significant drop in net income.
GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCAST: Paul Gordon, Senior Vice President of Sales, Rymax Marketing
This week, the GGB Podcast sits down with Paul Gordon, the senior vice president of sales for Rymax Marketing on how the current economic uncertainty has changed the way casinos handle gifting to their best customers.
ASIAN GAMING More
Hornbuckle: MGM Resorts Interested in Thailand, Wary About Macau
MGM Resorts President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle (l.) says the company is interested in developing an integrated resort in Thailand if casinos are legalized there. He also said MGM may be reluctant to invest heavily in Macau.
South Korea Orders Casino to Limit Player Visits
In an effort to curb problem gambling, the government of South Korea has ordered Kangwon Land (l.) to limit patron visits to 100 per year. Under the current rule, gamblers may enter and play at a casino 148 days a year.
SJM Takes Control of Fisherman’s Wharf Operation
Macau Legend Development has turned over gaming operations at its Fisherman’s Wharf complex (l.) to concession-holder SJM Holdings Ltd. through 2022. Macau Legend continues to run non-gaming operations at the site.
South Korea Lures Casino Patrons with Visa-Free Entry
Trying to stoke foot traffic at South Korea’s foreigner-only casinos, the government has offered visa-free entry for travelers coming from Japan, Taiwan and Macau. Only one casino in the country is open to locals.
APG: Philippines Makes Progress on AML
The Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering is giving the Philippine casino industry better marks on anti-money laundering measures. It says the sector has “addressed gaps” in its supervision of PAGCOR casinos.
Macau Junket Boss Levo Chan Charged by Prosecutor
Levo Chan (l.), a former chief executive of Macau Legend and head of the Tak Chun junket, has been officially charged with criminal organization, illegal gambling and money laundering. He faces 20 years behind bars.
EUROPEAN GAMING More
Ukraine Gaming Regulator Resumes Work
KRAIL—Ukraine’s Gambling and Lotteries Council—has returned to business as usual five months after having to duck and cover when Russia launched its invasion. The gaming industry continues to function, and now KRAIL has begun regulating it again.
Developer Eyes Isle of Man Casino-Entertainment Complex
The proposed 3-story casino and entertainment complex proposed for Douglas, the capital of the Isle of Man, would include the Palace Casino, which would move from its current location (l.), office space and a 250-vehicle parking area.
GLOBAL GAMING More
Brazil’s Senate to Vote on Gambling Law After Elections
Brazil’s Senate will wait until after the national elections in October to vote on a highly controversial law that would legalize gambling in the country. Senate leader Carlos Portinho (l.) told the media outlet Valor that the gaming sector “needs to be regulated.”
Ontario Moving Towards Retail Sportsbooks by September
Ontario’s first retail sportsbooks could open as soon as September, just in time for the NFL season. Both the Niagara Casinos, operated by Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment and Great Blue Heron Casino, operated by Great Canadian Corp. are hiring to fill sportsbook positions.
Cohen: NSW Standalone Casino Regulator is Asking for Trouble
New South Wales recently established the NSW Independent Casino Commission in efforts to improve casino compliance after numerous violations were uncovered by state inquiries. However, former Victorian regulator Peter Cohen (l.) asserts that this will only lead to further trouble.
Striking Ontario Casino Workers Reach Deal with Employer
Nearly 2,000 striking workers of the Pickering and Ajax casinos in Ontario are back to work. Their Unifor Local 1090 reached an agreement with Great Canadian Gaming Corp. Workers ratified the agreement by a 92.8 vote and returned to work August 6.
Cullen Report Puts Canadian Casino Regulators on High Alert
British Columbia’s neighboring provinces have been shaken by the Cullen Report, headed by Commissioner Austin Cullen (l.), that shows in detail how B.C.’s casinos were unwitting conduits for money laundering for ten years. Officials in other provinces worry that they too are vulnerable.
Potholes in Chile’s iGaming Market Onramp
Issues of politics, including accusations of an insufficient tax framework, has hobbled the introduction of an online gaming market in Chile. At the beginning of 2022 things looked optimistic, but the Ministry of Finance’s efforts to pass a bill have faltered.
Columbia’s Petro Wants to Reduce Gaming Taxes
Columbia’s new president, Gustavo Petro Urrego (l.), wants to reform the country’s taxes. He proposes to raise taxes on the “ultra-wealthy” while cutting taxes for others, including the occasional gambler. He has submitted his proposal to Colombia's Congress.
Canadian Provinces Appeal to Bettors to Avoid Black Market
Five Canadian provinces have banded together to appeal to consumers to use legal online gaming sites. Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Quebec and Atlantic Canada warn that illegal offshore sites lack consumer protections. Also true is that the provinces don’t collect taxes from those sites.
ACMA Gives Warning to Software Company for Aiding Illegal Sites
Australia’s media regulators have issued a formal warning to Proxous Advanced Solutions to stop providing sub-licensed software products to illegal iGaming websites, the first such warning of its kind.
Great Canadian Gaming Now Great Canadian Entertainment
Great Canadian Entertainment is the new name of the company formerly known as Great Canadian Gaming Corp. The new moniker reflects the company’s strategy of significant investments, diversification and upgrades.
Study Shows Brazilians Prefer Roulette
A study done by the betting company Betsson shows that in Brazil, players prefer roulette over the next most popular casino game by a factor of more than two to one. After roulette they prefer poker, blackjack and then slots. The study was done using data from Google searches.
ONLINE GAMING More
WSOP Online Begins August 14
The World Series of Poker Online begins preliminary events August 14, with the main tournament September 10 through October 18, with Michigan and Pennsylvania residents competing for the first time.
SPORTS BETTING More
New York Sports Betting Numbers on a Decline
When the chute opened on January 8, sports bettors set new records that made folks forget all about New Jersey. It kept up in February, but the volume has declined for the last five months since.
North Carolina Pro Teams to Deliver New Pitch for Online Betting
The tally fell two votes short in the House—two yays instead of nays would have sent North Carolina on its way to online sports betting. Next year, the pro teams in the state, including the NFL’s Panthers (l.), will try a little harder.
Shuttered Massachusetts Tracks to Spawn Retail Sportsbooks
The owners of two defunct Massachusetts race tracks hope for a new source of revenue with brick-and-mortar sportsbooks. Suffolk Downs (l.) and Raynham Park will have the only retail operations outside of the casinos.
DraftKings Prepares Promotions for Upcoming Kansas Launch
Kansas may not be ready to take bets until January, but it hasn’t stopped DraftKings from sending out its promotional literature to get folks to sign up, even without a deposit.
FuboTV Re-evaluates Indie Sportsbook Plans, but Pursues N.J.
Faced with what the company said is a not-so favorable economic situation, FuboTV will re-evaluate its plan to present sports betting and live video of games with an independent online sportsbook. But, it still plans to secure a license in New Jersey.
UNITED STATES GAMING More
Casino Industry Playing Both Sides of NV Governor’s Race
Campaign finance records have shown that Nevada’s gubernatorial candidates, Joe Lombardo and incumbent Steve Sisolak (l. to r.), are both receiving healthy donations from casinos. Some companies have given large sums to each.
New Lawsuit Complicates Atlantic City PILOT Decision
An unexpected second lawsuit has emerged in the battle over the New Jersey PILOT amendment. The latest legal issue challenges the constitutionality of the original legislation, but sides with the county for the time being.
New Jersey Debuts U.S. First Online Fixed-Odds Wagering
Fixed-odds betting has debuted at Monmouth Park in New Jersey (l.). Available to buy online and at the track, the advantage is that the odds stay the same at post time as they are when the ticket is purchased.
Richmond Casino Referendum Moved To 2023
Urban One officials said they’ll pursue a second vote on their proposed $565 million casino resort (l.) in 2023 instead of this November, due to language in the state budget. Richmond voters narrowly rejected the project in 2021.
NJ Employee Group Urges Indoor Smoking Ban
A group representing Atlantic City casino employees in their effort to close the casino loophole to the indoor smoking ban say they will help provide an outdoor smoking alternative.
Wynn Reports Record 2Q Revenues for Las Vegas, Boston
It’s officially earnings call season, and Wynn Resorts’ recent second-quarter call provided some interesting insights, most notably that it tallied record revenues in Boston and Las Vegas. CEO Craig Billings (l.) said the company’s performance “speaks for itself.”
Red Rock Plans to Double LV Portfolio, Hints at New Developments
Representatives from Red Rock Resorts announced on a recent earnings call that the company is standing firm on its decision to close three of its Las Vegas properties, while also asserting that it plans to double its portfolio in the area, with projects such as the upcoming Durango Station casino (l.).
Clark County Reconsiders Gaming in Strip Clubs
Officials of Clark County, Nevada, are reviewing a 42-year-old regulation that prevents gaming machines from being placed in strip clubs after one club, Sapphire (l.), requested an exemption from the rule.
Travel Firms Petition NV Supreme Court to Dismiss Tax Suit
The lawyers for several big-name online travel companies have asked the Nevada Supreme Court to overrule District Judge Mark Benton (l.) and dismiss a lawsuit against them alleging dubious business practices that resulted in millions of dollars of lost tax revenue for the state.
PA’s Mount Airy Again Permits Smoking
Pennsylvania’s Mount Airy Casino Resort (l.), one of the few casinos in the state to have implemented a voluntary indoor smoking ban, again permits smoking on the gaming floor.
Board Approves Las Vegas Convention Center Renovations
The board of directors of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has approved plans for a two-year, $597.6 million renovation of the Las Vegas Convention Center (l.).
Las Vegas to Host Pro Bowl Again in 2023
The NFL Pro Bowl will return to Las Vegas in 2023, the league has announced. The partnership between the two sides is continuing to grow, as the city has already hosted two NFL events this year and will host the Super Bowl in 2024.
Las Vegas Union Seeks Governor’s Assistance
The Operating Engineers union, seeking to organize at Resorts World Las Vegas (l.), asked Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak to review the licensing process of Resorts World’s owner Genting Group for connections to Chinese businesses.
TRIBAL GAMING More
Washington Tribe Says Maverick is Attacking Sovereignty
A Washington gaming tribe, the Shoalwater Tribe, has filed a motion in federal court asking that a case brought by one of its members be dismissed. Maverick Gaming, whose CEO is Eric Persson (l.), a tribal member, has sued to end the monopoly on sports betting by state tribes.
North Carolina Tribal Casino Responds to Federal Investigation
The Wall Street Journal revealed the National Indian Gaming Commission is investigating the Catawba Nation’s Two Kings Casino in North Carolina (l.). Tribal officials said the probe is standard procedure.
Tejon Indian Tribe Backs Prop 26 for CA Sports Betting
California’s Tejon Indian Tribe has announced its endorsement of Prop 26, which would limit sports betting in the state to tribal casinos and tracks. Like most tribes, they are concerned about the effects legalization would have on their sustainability and sovereignty moving forward.
Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Acquires Govt. Contracting Firm
The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation has expanded its business portfolio outside of gaming with the acquisition of WWC Global, a government contracting firm based in Tampa. Exact terms have not been disclosed.
Supply Chain Issues Delay Oklahoma Casinos
The Osage Nation announced its Oklahoma casinos in Bartlesville and Pawhuska (l.) will be delayed to 2023 because of supply chain issues with construction materials. Both projects started in June 2021 and both were expected to open this fall.
Arizona Casino Resort Reimagined After Pandemic
The Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation’s We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort (l.) has renovated, upgraded and expanded its casino floor, AAA 4-Diamond hotel, award-winning dining options and two-course golf venue.
LOTTERY More
Massachusetts Treasurer Wants Online Lottery Sales
If folks can bet on sports online, then they should be able to buy lottery tickets online, says Massachusetts treasurer Deborah Goldberg (l.). Lawmakers agreed, until they saw tax relief funds and pulled back.
PEOPLE More
Lupo Replacements Named in Atlantic City
Hard Rock Atlantic City has found its new president in Anthony Faranca (l.), following the recent departure of Joe Lupo. Faranca has gaming experience across several states. Also replacing Lupo is Mark Giannantonio as president of the Casino Association of New Jersey.
Herrera to Head Interblock’s EMEA Divisions
Interblock has appointed Marco Herrera as its new president for the areas of Europe, Middle East and Africa. Herrera is a gaming veteran with over 30 years’ experience across numerous countries.
Roxane Lukas Appointed as L&W’s Chief People Capability Officer
Light & Wonder has named Roxane Lukas as its chief people capability officer. Lukas has held multiple executive-level development positions, including a stint as global vice president of HR at Electronic Arts.
GOODS & SERVICES More
Chun: Slot Suppliers Face Microchip Shortage
Jay Chun (l.), the president of the association representing Macau equipment manufacturers, says their biggest challenge is a shortage of microchips owing to supply chain issues caused by Covid-19.
Flutter Entertainment Completes Sisal Acquisition
Flutter Entertainment has completed the acquisition of Italian online gaming operator Sisal in a deal worth €1.913 billion that was originally announced in December.
Evolution Completes Acquisition of Nolimit City
Evolution Gaming has completed its acquisition of slot game developer Nolimit City, which becomes the fourth slot brand in Evolution’s game portfolio.
Pinnacle Solution, Azuro in Blockchain Partnership
Sports betting platform supplier Pinnacle Solution is entering a data partnership with blockchain betting ecosystem supplier Azuro, connecting Pinnacle data with Azuro blockchain protocol.