Out With The Old, In With The Questionable?

Las Vegas is changing, sometimes for the better, sometimes not. But it will always be Las Vegas and there will always be something for everyone, according to Ira David Sternberg.

Casino Genre Now No. 1 for U.S. Mobile Game Spend

Casino Genre Now No. 1 for U.S. Mobile Game Spend Graph courtesy of data.ai.
Mobile casino games, especially slots, have had an impressive rise in popularity over the past few years, resulting in record numbers so far in 2022. The industry is expected to exceed $8 billion by 2026, and Brainlabs and Consumer Acquisition, gives some insight into some of the sector’s latest trends.

Genting Could Be a Spoiler in Macau

Genting Malaysia may be a long shot to win an “outright” concession in the Macau gaming license retender, but the company’s bid, which took the incumbents by surprise, has its merits. For one thing, Genting has been all-in on non-gaming, a fact that should impress the retender committee.

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Witnesses Tie Suncity to Alleged Illegal Betting

In the ongoing trial of Alvin Chau, witnesses suggested that Suncity, the now-defunct Asian junket once run by Chau, was associated with other entities that conducted illegal under-the-table bets.

Illinois City Approves Casino Move, Amid Protests

At a meeting where police had to remove protesters, the Aurora, Illinois city council okayed a $50 million tax incentive for Penn Entertainment’s Hollywood Casino (l.) to move from its current downtown location.

North Dakota Charities Oppose Tribes’ Online Gaming Proposal

North Dakota tribes’ plan for monopoly of online gaming would “absolutely devastate our industry,” says North Dakota Gaming Alliance Executive Director Mike Motschenbacher (l.). The tribes claim they need it to even the playing field since the introduction of pull-tab machines in 2017.

Gibraltar Delays Action to be Removed From “Gray List”

The government of Gibraltar isn’t falling over itself to correct anti-money laundering failures that caused the Financial Action Task Force to add it to its “gray list.” That list calls out jurisdictions that FATF says don’t do enough to figure out money laundering, including increasing fines.

Once-Dormant Las Vegas Arena Project Announces New Funding

For nearly ten years, Jackie Robinson’s planned All Net Resort & Arena project (l.) on the north Strip has made little progress leading to pressure from local officials. Now, the development appears to be back on track, thanks to new funding from investor Todd Owen.

FANTINI’S FINANCE: What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger

At this point, we’ve seen enough positive 3Q results from gaming companies across all sectors to have faith in its long-term resiliency moving forward, even as the cloud of recession looms large. The lessons learned from the doldrums of Covid appear to have stuck, and operators will need to rely on that experience to weather future storms.

ASIAN GAMING More

Cambodia Enacts New Gaming Regulations

Cambodia continues its campaign to close illegal casinos and end related crimes including kidnapping. The government under Prime Minister Hun Sen (l.) has issued new regulations to manage, license and tax gaming.

Japan as a MICE Hub? Report Says Yes

Integrated resorts in Osaka (MGM Osaka at left) and Nagasaki could rival Singapore for convention and business tourism, according to a new report from Schroders Capital.

EUROPEAN GAMING More

Swedish Gaming Association Urges Breakup of State Monopoly

BOS, Sweden’s gaming trade association, is urging the new minister for financial markets, Niklas Wykman (l.), to break up the state gaming monopoly Svenska Spel. It is also calling for more government policies friendly to the gaming sector.

Ireland Introduces Sports Betting Kiosks

Paddy Power will install at least one betting kiosk at each of its 620 betting shops. The device offers states and tips along with pricing. Newer ones will include a writing shelf.

GLOBAL GAMING More

Queensland Govt. Coming Under Fire for Upcoming Tax Hike

A five percent increase in the point of consumption tax is set to take effect December 1 in Queensland, and Justin Madden (l.), CEO of the trade association Responsible Wagering Australia, has argued that it may force online bookies to look elsewhere, which would result in massive revenue losses for the state.

ONLINE GAMING More

Japan Criminalizes Online Casino Gaming

Japan has criminalized offshore online gaming sites. That includes Japanese consumers, who can be arrested, fined and imprisoned for patronizing such offshore sites. The country’s National Police Agency (NPA) and Consumer Affairs Agency have declared, “Gambling is a crime. Stay away.”

Foxwoods Relaunches Social Casino

Connecticut’s Foxwoods Resort Casino has rebranded and relaunched its social casino under the name of FoxPlay, in partnership with Ruby Seven Studios.

SPORTS BETTING More

District of Columbia Bill Would Increase Competition

Councilwoman Elissa Silverman (l.), a local lawmaker in D.C., has introduced a bill to end GambetDC’s monopoly for sports betting in Washington. The ordinance would expand the number of operators offering online sports betting.

Barstool Opens 2 New Wagering Lounges

Barstool Sports, which already operates in 11 states, added locations in Maryland and Louisiana recently with lounges that officials hope to add to the ambiance of their casinos.

Jai Alai Returns To Florida Casino

The Casino at Dania Beach in Florida will offer the 18-game 2022-2023 Dania Beach Invitational Jai-Alai Tournament, starting December 1. More than 20 of the best French and Spanish players will participate.

UNITED STATES GAMING More

Competition Fierce for New York City Casino

New York City has been a coveted place to build a casino, and for years developers have eyed the area. Now with the application process fast approaching, suitors are starting to line up for one of the three licenses.

Unclear Texas Law Encourages Raids on Poker Clubs

Ambiguous gambling law in Texas means that different municipalities have their own interpretation of the law as it applies to membership-only clubs that offer poker. Recently, in Fort Worth, sheriff’s deputies and the DEA descended on the Watauga Social Lounge (l.).

Virginia Casino Details To Be Revealed

The mystery surrounding the Cordish Companies’ proposed Petersburg, Virginia (l.) casino will be unveiled November 1. Officials want a Petersburg casino to replace the $565 million ONE Casino that Richmond voters rejected last year.

Work to Begin on Second Nebraska Racino

Work will immediately begin on the Grand Island Casino resort (l.), Nebraska’s second racetrack casino. The plans to build a temporary casino at the Fonner Park clubhouse have been approved by the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission.

New Mexico Racetrack Developer to Appeal Commission Denial

The New Mexico Racing Commission has denied a license to Colorado Partners, which wants to build a racino in Tucumcari. Commission Chairman Sam Bregman (l.) commented, “I don’t believe the industry is healthy enough to support a sixth license. The industry has only gotten tougher.”

Rebranded Louisiana Casino Reopens

In Louisiana, Isle of Capri Lake Charles will reopen December 12 as Horseshoe Lake Charles (l.). The property, a land-based casino and hotel, has been shuttered since 2020 due to the pandemic and Hurricane Laura.

Caesars Invests $4 Million In Illinois Casino

The Grand Victoria Casino (l.) in Elgin, Illinois, owned by Caesars Entertainment, will get a $4 million renovation, including a new 2,100-square-foot sportsbook and 4,400-square-foot poker room.

TRIBAL GAMING More

NIGC Approves Chickasaw Class II Mobile Standards

The National Indian Gaming Commission has approved alternate technical standards for the Chickasaw Nation applicable to mobile Class II gaming on reservation lands. NIGC Chairman Sequoyah Simermeyer (l.) called it a milestone that is “rare within the tribal gaming community.”

PEOPLE More

Flutter Appoints Hill, Edgecliffe-Johnson as COO, CFO

Flutter Entertainment has promoted current CFO Jonathan Hill (l.) to the newly created role of group COO. Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson has been brought in from IHG to take Hill’s place as CFO. Both will begin their tenures next year.

Andrea Ellis Named CFO of Fanatics Betting and Gaming

Fanatics has appointed finance veteran Andrea Ellis as chief financial officer of its new sports betting offshoot, Fanatics Betting & Gaming. Ellis brings a wide range of high-level financial experience, having served as CFO of Lime, Tim Hortons and Popeyes.

Raul Gutierrez Named GM of MSG Sphere Project

Raul Gutierrez has been named general manager of the MSG Sphere project, which is currently under construction with plans to open in late 2023. Gutierrez most recently served as vice president of operations for Allegiant Stadium.

Codere Online Announces New Board Director

Codere Online has announced the departure of board director Alejandro Rodino and the appointment of his successor, Borja Fernández. The online gaming operator serves Spain and Latin America.

Crane Appoints Saak To Lead Payments Company

Aaron Saak was named president and chief executive officer at Crane NXT, which Crane Holdings Company will spin off as an independent entity in 2023. Saak previously served as president and chief executive officer at Gilbarco Veeder-Root.

GLI Names Thorsten Toms as Client Solutions Executive

Longtime tribal regulator Thorsten Toms has been hired as a client solutions executive for Gaming Laboratories International. Toms most recently served as the director of gaming administration for the Gun Lake Tribal Gaming Commission.

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Entain Defends Safe Gambling Changes

Robert Hoskin (l.), Entain’s chief governance officer, has defended the changes the company made to ensure sustainability of safer gambling practices in the wake of a major regulatory settlement.

JP Morgan Lauds Aristocrat RG Efforts

A note from banking group JP Morgan complements Aristocrat Leisure Ltd. on its responsible-gaming efforts, singling out its “ethical” digital wallet and other products.

Enteractive Granted Pennsylvania License

Enteractive, a leader in player reactivation and retention, was recently licensed by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. The company also serves U.S. players in New Jersey and Illinois.

Pragmatic Play, Bet365 Add Bingo

Pragmatic Play has extended its partnership with Bet365 to add bingo to the content it provides the online gaming operator, accessible through the lobby of bet365 sites.

NUTSHELL More

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