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WEEKLY FEATURE: Star Wades Into NSW Cashless Debate

In New South Wales, the cashless gaming debate has multiple sides, including Premier Dominic Perottet (l.), the state’s casino operators and its bars and clubs. Star Entertainment, despite its ongoing battles within the state and elsewhere, has now embraced the change, and is calling on its competitors to do the same.

Bumpy Launch for Ohio Sports Betting

January 1 brought the launch of sports betting in Ohio, and overall it was a success, despite the usual glitches most sportsbooks experience. Crowds were robust. Governor DeWine warned operators that the “glitches” must end immediately as the state handed out some hefty fines.

Las Vegas Visitation Up, Revenues Down for November ‘22

Despite the fact that Las Vegas continues to post promising visitation figures, its revenues are dropping slightly after 18-plus months of brilliance. Overall, the data represents a mixed bag as analysts try to make sense of the year to come.

Feds Discover CNMI Money Laundering Scheme

The FBI and IRS uncovered a money laundering scheme involving the holder of the only gaming license in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, which is a U.S. territory. Implicated are political figures who granted the license.

India Puts MeitY in Charge of iGaming

India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), headed by Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar (l.), has been put in charge of online gaming. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has been named to oversee esports.

A Tough Year for Macau, But Reasons for Optimism

Last year, Macau casinos generated $5.3 billion in gaming revenues, down more than half from 2021, for the lowest total in 18 years. But the ongoing relaxation of pandemic restrictions could mean a happier new year for casino concessionaires.

FANTINI’S FINANCE: So Far, 2023 Panning Out as Expected

The first few trading days of 2023 have shown that the public’s confidence is high on Macau’s resurgence and low on U.S. operators. This was to be expected, but investors shouldn’t get too comfortable just yet, as that dynamic is likely to change down the road.

ASIAN GAMING More

Will Japan IRs Be Approved This Month

Osaka MP Nobuyuki Baba (l.) says the national government along with gaming regulators will likely approve Osaka’s bid for an integrated resort this month. The only other bid under consideration came from Nagasaki.

Cambodian Casino Fire Takes Steep Toll

A deadly fire last month at Cambodia’s Grand Diamond City Casino and Hotel (l.) killed at least 26 people and injured dozens more. The December 28 blaze engulfed the property, located on the country’s border with Thailand.

Macau Legend Exits Junket Biz

Macau Legend has ceased its VIP junket operations after decades in the business. The business effectively closed on January 1, just as new 10-year casino concessions began in the Chinese city.

EUROPEAN GAMING More

GLOBAL GAMING More

James Packer, Crown Settle Civil Suit with Former Security Guard

James Packer (l.) and Crown Resorts have settled a civil suit that was brought against Packer by a former security guard for an undisclosed sum. The guard alleged that he was verbally and physically abused after failing to recognize the billionaire upon entering.

ONLINE GAMING More

New York Lawmakers Consider iGaming

The New York legislature convened last week for a session that is expected to see online gaming and online poker bills to advance, and ultimately augment the state’s gaming revenue.

Fanatics Chooses Amelco, Sends Kambi Reeling

Sports merchandise provider Fanatics confounded the market last week when it chose Amelco, a only systems provider, to power its first effort at sports betting. Kambi, the expected designee took a hit.

Tom Horn, Condor Gaming Sign Content Deal

Online gaming software supplier Tom Horn Gaming has entered a content deal with Condor Gaming Group under which it will supply Condor with its complete portfolio of games.

SPORTS BETTING More

67K DraftKings Accounts Exposed in Account Hacks

More than 67,000 customers of the online sportsbook DraftKings had their accounts hacked and more than $300,000 was stolen. The attack is just the latest on the accounts of several sports betting operators.

D.C. to Open First Strip Club Sportsbook

Cloakroom Gentlemen’s Club (l.) in Washington D.C. is opening a sportsbook rooftop lounge, a first in the U.S. The so-called Cloakbook will partner with Elys Game Technology to tout the success of sports wagering.

UNITED STATES GAMING More

Casino Gambling On Texas Lawmakers’ Agenda

Texas lawmakers will once again consider a constitutional amendment that would allow a limited number of casino resorts, create a Texas Gaming Commission, legalize sports betting and tax gaming revenue.

Virginia Casinos Making Progress

In Virginia, the Hard Rock Casino in Bristol and the Pamunkey Tribe’s Headwaters Casino in Norfolk are expected to open in 2024. Hard Rock’s temporary casino opened in July and Pamunkey officials also hope to debut a temporary Norfolk venue in the near future.

Jake’s 58 Expansion Approved

New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill into law that authorizes a major expansion for Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel (l.) in Islandia on Long Island, New York.

MGM Sells Remainder of October 1 Site

MGM Resorts International has sold the Village (l.), which includes most of the site of the Mandalay Bay mass shooting of October 1, 2017, to the Three Affiliated Tribes of North Dakota.

Missouri AG: Unregulated Slots Are A Local Issue

Missouri’s new Attorney General Andrew Bailey (l.) said local law enforcement should handle the 14,000-plus illegal slot-like machines operating in the state. He said his office “stands ready to assist.”

Harrah’s New Orleans Renovations Continue

The 2-year, $325 million expansion and upgrade at Harrah’s New Orleans (l.), to be completed in summer 2024, includes renovating the casino floor, adding a 340-room hotel and restaurants branded by celebrity chefs. It will rebranded as Caesars New Orleans upon completion.

Nebraska Temporary Racetrack Casino Opens

The second casino to open in Nebraska, Fonner Park racino in Grand Island offers 300 slots and betting kiosks, employs 110 people and will provide property tax relief. The permanent casino will be built after the 2023 Nebraska State Fair ends.

Two Detroit Casinos Lift Smoking Ban

The Covid-19-related smoking was lifted at MGM Grand Detroit (l.), which now allows indoor smoking at designated areas. Hollywood Casino at Greektown now permits smoking on the second floor. It’s still banned inside MotorCity Casino.

TRIBAL GAMING More

Sky River Casino has Promising Opening Months

The opening of the Sky River Casino (l.) in California has been promising. The casino opened in August and Wilton Rancheria Chairman Jesus Tarango says, “I think it’s more than what we thought it would be.”

LOTTERY More

Allwyn: Camelot Purchase Opens Company to U.S.

Robert Chvátal (l.), CEO of Allwyn, which is set to take over operation of the U.K. National Lottery, says the company’s decision to acquire former National Lottery operator Camelot will boost Allwyn in the U.S. market.

PEOPLE More

AC Hard Rock Names Goldhoff President, Sampson GM

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City has named George Goldhoff (l.) as its new president and Mike Sampson as its new general manager, to replace Joe Lupo, who is now head of the Las Vegas Hard Rock.

Fontainebleau Announces New Additions to Executive Team

In preparation for its projected opening later this year, the Fontainebleau Las Vegas has announced several new executive-level appointments. Colleen Birch (top left) is COO; Stephen Singer (top right) is CFO; Daniel Espino (bottom left) is CPO; Stacie Michaels (bottom middle) is general counsel; and Marc Guarina (bottom right) is CTO.

GOODS & SERVICES More

Maverick Completes Evergreen Acquisition

Maverick Gaming received final regulatory approval to acquire Evergreen Gaming Corporation, expanding Maverick’s footprint in Washington state by four Evergreen card rooms.

TRADE SHOWS & CONFERENCES More

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