An Embarrassment of Riches

One of the centerpieces of the presentation when gaming is pitched to a new jurisdiction is how much it will benefit the community with better jobs and a higher level of education. Just don’t look at Las Vegas for an example.

Mess in Missouri

For the fourth time, Missouri state Senator Denny Hoskins (l.) has sponsored a sports betting bill, and pro sports teams and casino operators have signed an agreement to support mobile wagering legislation. Add this to the definition of illegal slot machines and a possible Ozark casino and the state is awash in gaming controversies.

Some Details Still Missing in Macau Tender Process

Publicly at least, there were sighs of relief in Macau January 14, when details of the city’s concession retender and proposed gaming amendments were released. News that the city will retain up to six concessions was hailed by current operators, but there’s no guarantee all the incumbents will be chosen. And one consultant warns it’s too early to celebrate.

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Singapore IRs Will Feel Junket Loss

A weaker Asian junket industry means more competition for premium-mass players in Singapore. Marina Bay Sands (l.) and Resorts World Sentosa just saw their exclusivity periods extended until 2030.

Nevada OKs Remote Setup for Wagering Accounts

The Nevada Gaming Control Board approved a measure that would allow casinos to accept remote signups to enable cashless gaming through their loyalty programs like the Station Casinos’ Boarding Pass (l.). It must be approved by the state gaming commission to become effective.

Minnesota Lawmaker Pursues Sports Betting Bill

Minnesota state Rep. Zack Stephenson (l.) said he’s working with stakeholders, including the state’s 11 tribal nations, to draft sports betting legislation. “The momentum is growing,” he said.

Federal Government to Appeal Florida Compact Decision

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland (l.) has notified a federal court that her department will appeal the striking down of a compact drawn up between the state of Florida and the Seminole Tribe that gave the tribe a monopoly on sports betting in Florida.

IGT Shuffles Top Management

International Game Technology announced that Lorenzo Pellicioli is retiring as chairman of the board, CEO Marco Sala (l.) will become executive board chairman, and Vincent Sadusky will become CEO.

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Look for the Silver Lining

Ahead of gaming companies’ fourth-quarter earnings reports, sentiment among investors is increasingly cautious and in some cases, even skeptical. But there could be positive outlooks in the mix for regional operators and some online sportsbooks.

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Wakayama Mayor Opposes IR Referendum

Wakayama Mayor Masahiro Obana (l.) opposes a referendum on the prefecture’s planned IR. He believes a vote on the development, which is not legally binding, would not solve the dispute and also be too costly.

PAGCOR Scores High for CSR

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. has earned an “excellent” rating for corporate social responsibility. The 2020 rankings were announced in December 2021.

Manila Casinos Under Level 3 Restrictions Until February

Casinos in Manila’s Entertainment City must operate under continued Covid restrictions now that Metro Manila will remain under Alert Level 3 until the end of January amid the rise in Covid-19 cases, the Philippines Task Force announced.

South Korean Casinos Now Require Vaccine Proof

Starting January 11, all casino customers in South Korea, including at the Daegu Casino (l.), were required to show proof that they have been vaccinated against Covid-19 or show a current negative test result.

Genting HK Cruise Firm Begins Liquidation

The Genting Group’s cruise ship subsidiary, Genting Hong Kong Ltd., is taking the first steps toward restructuring. It has asked a Bermuda court to appoint provisional liquidators to help it divest its assets.

EUROPEAN GAMING More

Entain CEO: Company Has ‘What It Takes to Win’

U.K.-based sports betting giant Entain, which just completed its 22nd quarter of double-digit online growth, will best its rivals in the U.S. and at home, says CEO Jette Nygaard-Andersen (l.). Entain owns part of BetMGM.

GLOBAL GAMING More

AUSTRAC Takes Closer Look at Star Entertainment

The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, now looking into alleged money laundering at Star Entertainment casinos, has broadened its probe beyond Star Sydney to include “other entities” in the group.

SkyCity Adelaide to Require Vaccines

Starting in early February, SkyCity Adelaide will require that all employees and patrons to be fully vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus or show proof of a medical exemption.

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Indiana Lawmakers Debate iGaming Bills

Two bills in the Indiana House would legalize iGaming and tax adjusted gross receipts at 18 percent, compared to the current 9.5 percent tax on sports betting. Last year, two competing iGaming bills died in committee.

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Kansas Revisits Sports Betting Legislation

The Kansas Senate and House are revisiting mobile sports betting measures held over from the last session. A recent committee hearing chaired by state Senator Robert Olson (l.) indicated lawmakers need further education about sports wagering.

Virginia Lawmakers May Drop In-State Ban

Currently, Virginia gamblers can’t bet on in-state schools’ sports events. But a bill allowing sportsbooks to take bets on sporting events at Virginia colleges and universities could lift that ban and boost tax revenue.

Toledo Casino Expansion Adds Sportsbook

In anticipation of legalized sports betting in Ohio, Hollywood Casino Toledo’s expansion will include a Barstool Sportsbook. The first bets could be placed by fall 2022.

Fubo Gaming Partners with Texas MLS

The Houston Dynamo Football Club last week announced a long-term partnership with Fubo Gaming, a subsidiary of live TV streaming platform fuboTV.

MLB’s Valentine Joins RSI

Bobby Valentine (l.), former major league baseball player and coach, has joined Rush Street Interactive as the online sportsbook’s latest brand ambassador.

Arizona Casino Opens Sportsbook Lounge

Arizona’s Cliff Castle Casino Hotel held a grand opening for its new retail sportsbook lounge on January 14. The lounge was part of a renovation whose genesis was in 2020.

NBA Partners with BetPlay in Colombia

Sports betting provider BetPlay and the National Basketball Association have partnered. Together the plan to provide content, gaming experiences and promotions to Colombia.

New Sportsbook Coming to AC’s Ocean Casino

Building on its success in the Atlantic City gaming market, Ocean Casino will open a new sportsbook and entertainment venue by summer. The new facility will include a bar, a lounge and betting windows.

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Richmond Casino Drive Isn’t Over

A Virginia lawmaker wants a referendum on a Petersburg casino, while a Richmond councilwoman proposes a re-vote on the rejected Urban One. Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney (l.) isn’t surprised people want a do-over.

NJ Law Guarantees Harness Races Will Continue

In New Jersey, a new law requires the Meadowlands Racetrack and Freehold Raceway to have a minimum number of racing days. If they fail, they could lose their license to offer sports betting.

Ahead of Reopening, Vegas Club Gets Big Upgrade

Tao Beach Dayclub (l.), the rooftop pool and entertainment venue at the Venetian in Las Vegas, is completing a major upgrade that will more than doubled its size to five acres. The club will open in the spring.

Blatstein Brings Optimism to AC Project, But No Funds

Atlantic City developer Bart Blatstein has broken ground on an all-weather year-round water park adjacent to the Showboat Hotel. Was it for show or the real thing? Depends on whether Blatstein can sell $97 million in bonds.

TRIBAL GAMING More

Seneca Nation, New York State End Legal Battle Over Revenue

In 2017, the Senecas stopped sending revenue to the state of New York from its three casinos (Seneca Niagara at left) as required by in its compact. The tribe insisted the payments were due to end in 2016. The state said otherwise, sued and won.

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DAZN Group Announces Management Shakeup

The DAZN Group has announced a new management structure to drive growth and product strategy for its sports streaming and fan engagement platform. Former Entain CEO Shay Segev is now the sole CEO of DAZN.

Virgin Hotels Owners Promotes Senior Leaders

JC Hospitality LLC, owner of Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, has promoted executives on its senior leadership team in marketing as well as strategy and business development. Chad Brown is now chief marketing officer.

Gary Platt Wins Lifetime Achievement Award

Gary Platt revolutionized the casino business by inviting players to take a seat. Thanks to a simple, sensible innovation—the introduction of seating to casino floors—Platt has earned Las Vegas Magazine’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

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JCM Installs Sportsbook Screen at Oregon Casino

JCM Global has installed the largest sports betting screen in the state of Oregon, in the sportsbook of the Three Rivers Casino in Florence. The 200-square-foot LED wall is a centerpiece of the space.

IGT Resort Wallet Approved in Nevada

IGT’s Resort Wallet cashless gaming solution has received full approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission, and can now be deployed throughout the state.

EKG Announces Slot Award Nominees

Eilers & Krejcik Gaming announced the nominees for the fourth annual EKG Slot Awards, the winners to be announced at an awards event February 24 at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

AGEM Adds 13 Members

The Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers has added 13 new companies as members, bringing the supplier association’s membership to 172.

Genius Sports Expands Bet365 Partnership

Genius Sports and sportsbook provider bet365, are expanding their partnership. Genius will add to its data and technology services with a suite of premium streaming and official data solutions, such as the NFL.

Novusbet to Utilize Oddin.gg Framework

Oddin.gg, a leading esports betting solutions provider, has been selected by sports betting and platform provider Novusbet to help the latter expand its portfolio.

IGT Pledges Greenhouse Gas Reduction

As part of its environmental, social and governance program, IGT has joined the “Science Based Targets initiative” as part of the effort to reduce greenhouse gases through commitment to low-carbon emissions.

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Biloxi Hosts Southern Gaming Summit

The Mississippi Gaming & Hospitality Association will hold its Southern Gaming Summit May 3-6 at Beau Rivage in Biloxi. American Gaming Association President and CEO Bill Miller is the keynote speaker.

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