Kentucky lawmakers passed a bill banning slot-like skill games, although thousands of the machines have proliferated statewide in recent years. Governor Andy Beshear officially cemented it with his signature March 16.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has sold its 10-acre, Strip-facing plot (l.) to developers Brett Torino and Paul Kanavos for a price of $125 million, $5 million more than the sum previously agreed to with Chilean investor Claudio Fischer, before Fischer pulled out of the deal in January.

Singapore’s new Gambling Regulatory Authority is steering clear of cryptocurrency for land-based gambling, and may prohibit it for iGaming as well.

New York Mayor Eric Adams (l.) and the City Council are preparing to consider zoning changes that will clear the way for as many as three casinos in New York City.

Tabcorp is exploring legal recourse for a partnership between rival Entain and the Australian Hotels Association that seemingly undermines Tabcorp’s exclusivity arrangement with the New South Wales government. Additionally, the company plans to pull its advertising from mainstream TV, according to CEO Adam Rytenskild (l.).

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky (l.) has issued an executive order shutting down hundreds of gaming companies suspected of acting against the country’s interests. The list is topped by BetCity, Matchbet and Parimatch Ukraine. The latter is asking for a proper hearing before the courts.

It doesn’t appear Maine will have sports betting up and running by the end of the year after an official at the state’s Gambling Control Unit said they were inundated with comments on betting rules. 

Great Canadian Entertainment has plans to build a $724.9 million “Vegas-Style” casino/resort (l.) but the proposed facility has come under fire from the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. 

When it comes to sports betting, the Kentucky Senate is where legislation goes to die. Supporters hope this year proves a different outcome. Could the potential windfall in taxes be a help?

The dialogue between Bull and Bear is becoming more spirited than ever, but the conclusion is consistent: in times of increasing uncertainty, gravitate towards dividend-paying, well-run operators and REITs.

This week the GGB Podcast sits down with Sal Semola, the president and CEO of Gun Lake Casino on the remarkable run the tribe has had with expansion capping it off with an Aquadome designed by HBG Design.

Macau casino operators, responding to the government’s demand for more non-gaming attractions, are planning large-scale sporting events. In Singapore, meanwhile, Resorts World Sentosa will host a major golf tourney.

The Philippine gaming regulator will fire the auditor it hired to oversee iGaming operations, and may pursue charges. Global ComRCI may have presented false credentials to get the job.

Lawrence Ho (l.), head of Macau casino operator Melco Resorts and Entertainment, suggests that the gaming mecca join with Hengqin Island to jointly host tourism events. Easing visa requirements would help.

On March 10, China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism released a list of 40 countries approved for outbound travel by the Chinese. Vietnam made the list, along with Cambodia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore.

Macau tourism officials hope to boost visitation from Thailand with the help of social influencers. The city is working to grow the international tourism base by offering a diversity of attractions beyond gaming.

Macau casino operator SJM Holdings plans to open its Palazzo Versace hotel at Grand Lisboa Palace by the end of April, according to an estimate by SJM chair Daisy Ho.

After a dip in the number, if not the severity of cyberattacks on American and international businesses, experts are seeing hack attacks increasing again. This has some speculating that Russian ransomware hackers may be trying to help finance the invasion of Ukraine.

Because higher numbers of U.K. residents polled said they intended to bet more on the Cheltenham horse racing festival (l.) than they did last year, some were concerned many might not all be able to afford it. The festival was from March 14 to 17. Bookmakers are required to conduct affordability checks.

Brazil’s Finance Ministry will soon publish regulations for sports betting. They will require sportsbook operators to be headquartered in the country. They will each pay U.S. $5.75 million for a five-year license. This is expected to cut the number of operators from 500 to about 50.

Betting activity in the island nation of Cyprus has jumped 22 percent last year from the year before. The Cyprus National Betting Authority also reports that the share of licensed betting shops as a percentage of GDP rose from 0.99 percent in 2016 to 3.55 percent during the same period.

BetMGM and supplier IGT have collaborated to launch the Wheel of Fortune Casino mobile app, which is now available for active use in New Jersey.

Legislators are hopeful that after years of failed attempts to legalize sports betting, they can get a bill passed, but there are still obstacles to get around.

The Kansas City Chiefs play in Kansas City. In Missouri, Not in Kansas. Does that adequately explain why February saw Dorothy’s state bring in less than $1,200 in revenue despite the Chiefs’ win in the Super Bowl?

State Senator Craig Zucker (l.) has an issue with regulations approved by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency. They don’t go far enough. So he wants the legislature to add independent audits for sportsbooks.

North Carolina has had a contentious relationship with sports betting, rejecting legislation numerous times, but this could be the year a bill gets on Governor Roy Cooper’s desk.

Deducting the cost of free-bet promotions from sports betting taxes has proven controversial in the five years since the widespread approval of betting. Virginia went from “yes” to deductions to “no,” and now may say “yes” to partial deductions.

Rick Perry (l.), the former Texas Governor, exudes confidence that the legislature will do its part in pushing sports betting towards the law. The pathway through a constitutional amendment strengthens his position.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board recently gave the thumbs up to Century Casinos’ acquisition of the Nugget Casino Resort (l.) in Sparks, sending the matter on to the Nevada Gaming Commission.

The 2022 consumer report from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority outlined some interesting themes—based on the data, Las Vegas visitors are skewing younger and more diverse. They’re also spending more than ever.

Missourians could vote on a constitutional amendment allowing a casino at the Lake of the Ozarks under a bill sponsored by state Rep. Jeff Knight (l.), who said the venue could generate $100 million in annual revenue with $25 million going to the state.

Affinity Interactive has announced plans to sell the Rail City Casino (l.) in Sparks, Nevada to Reno-based Truckee Gaming for an undisclosed amount.

Parx Casino and Racing (l.) in Bensalem, Pennsylvania will add a 13-story, 300-room luxury hotel to be completed in 2025, with lobby and rooftop dining, banquet hall, spa and fitness center.

Several customers leaving casinos in the Seattle area have become victims of armed robbery. One of them was a woman in her 80s, who was robbed of $1,000. Seattle police are warning casino patrons to be careful and pay attention to their surroundings.

Naskila Casino (l.) in Polk County, Texas had an overall economic impact of $212 million in 2022, per a recent study from the Texas Forest Country Partnership.

Bok Homa Casino near Laurel, Mississippi broke ground on a 7,000-square-foot expansion to include a new sports lounge, offices and a restaurant named Red Creek, the Choctaw translation for “Bok Homa.”

California’s Governor Gavin (L) Newsom and the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria have reached an agreement for a new gaming compact. It will allow the tribe to double the number of slot machines at its Bay Area Graton Resort and Casino to 6,000.

Payson, considered the garden spot of central Arizona, is also home to the Tonto Apache Tribe casino (l.) and accompanying event center. But an economic analysis shows that the tribe should add recreational activities.

At the state of the Tribes address given March 14 at the Wisconsin State Capitol of Madison, Robert Van Zile (l.), chairman of the Sokaogan Chippewa Community, called for more cooperation from the state with tribes. He asked the state to take a lesser percentage of casino revenue.

Bob McDevitt (l.), longtime president of Atlantic City’s powerful UNITE HERE casino union, announced he is stepping down from his position later this year.

Shaun Philp (l) has been named chief people and culture officer at gambling and entertainment company SkyCity Entertainment Group, based in Auckland, New Zealand.

Light & Wonder has announced that it is exploring the possibility of a secondary listing on the Australian Securities Exchange, citing the strength of the country’s gaming industry and new investment opportunities.

Aristocrat Gaming will unveil a slew of new Class II content at the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention 2023.

Acres Manufacturing is planning to unveil its new ticket-in-bonus-out (TIBO) system at the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention 2023.

Eclipse Gaming announced it will debut three new slot titles at the upcoming Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention 2023.