Taxation, Las Vegas Style

Las Vegas is already charging resort fees, just another name for a tax. What if we charged a few other taxes that most visitors would not notice, asks Ira David Sternberg?

The Smartest Politician in Gaming

It doesn’t take long for politicians to succeed in gaming. And if you take lessons from Frank Fahrenkopf, you’ve got a good foundation, one that Dina Titus seems to be building, according to Richard Schuetz.

iGaming Operators vs. Fraud: the Stakes Have Never Been Higher

The growth of iGaming and mobile sports betting in the U.S. can only be matched by one thing: the growth of fraudsters attempting to steal customer data, illegally claim bonuses and disrupt the regulated market we’ve all worked hard to create. Bence Jendruszak (l.), COO of fraud protection firm SEON, details these dangers and how we can combat them.

Philippine Regulator May Sell 42 Casinos

For some time, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) has been under pressure to privatize its own casinos and serve only in a regulatory role. Now the head regulator, Alejandro Tengco (l), is actively moving toward that goal.

Players Seek Regulatory Help to Protect Against Unruly Fans

Players Seek Regulatory Help to Protect Against Unruly Fans Cleveland Cavaliers fans yell at Miami Heat's LeBron James (L) during the fourth quarter of their NBA basketball game in Cleveland March 29, 2011.REUTERS/Aaron Josefczyk (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)
One of the problems with in-person sports is their gladiator-like setting. Players pitted against each other surrounded by fans, who are not always supportive. This becomes even more of an issue when fans bet on games.

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New York Gambling Expansion Hits Roadblocks

Online casino bills have stalled in New York’s state legislature, and efforts to authorize five downstate casinos including three in New York City are proceeding at a snail’s pace.

Wynn to Break Ground on UAE IR

Wynn Resorts will soon break ground on its integrated resort in the United Arab Emirates. Wynn CFO Julie Cameron Doe made the announcement on the resort that will have 1,000 luxury hotel rooms. It will be built on Al Marjan Island.

Chicago Mayoral Candidates Support Video Gambling

Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson (l. to r.), both running for Chicago mayor, support legalizing video gambling machines. The games are banned in city limits. Meanwhile, Bally’s is moving forward with its $1.7 billion downtown casino.

Okada Manila, U.S. SPAC Tangle over Merger

Okada Manila (l.) and Universal Entertainment are trying to get out of a longstanding deal to merge with U.S.-based 26 Capital Acquisition Corp. and list the merged entity on the NASDAQ. The parties are suing.

BGC: Free Bet Promotions Ban Could Create Black Market

The U.K.’s Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) is warning that a possible ban on free bet promotions could drive many bettors underground. BGC CEO Michael Dugher (l.) cited a survey that shows that “small free bets” are very popular with betting customers.

Regulators to Limit Sports Betting Promotions

As states legalized sports betting one after another, promotions followed, just as night follows day. Sportsbooks and regulators only had to look at the U.K. to see the future here. Operators failed to act; regulators will act.

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Credit Suisse Acquisition No Problem for Nagasaki

The pending acquisition of Credit Suisse by the UBS Group should have no impact on the former’s participation as a potential “financial arranger” for a planned multibillion-dollar casino resort in Nagasaki, Japan.

EUROPEAN GAMING More

Sweden Issues First 3 Gaming Supplier Licenses

Sweden’s gaming regulator Spelinspektionen has begun issuing its first licenses to gaming suppliers. The five-year licenses are required for any provider doing business with gaming operators. Oddly, the licensing process has begun even though the enabling legislation still rests with the Riksdag.

GLOBAL GAMING More

Star Pleads Guilty to UnionPay Charges, Looks to Sell Gold Coast Hotel

Star Entertainment recently pleaded guilty in Queensland court, under Attorney General Shannon Fentiman (l.), to seven charges of allowing patrons to use credit cards to fund gambling in its Brisbane and Gold Coast properties. The company is also reportedly shopping one its largest hotel assets, presumably to help pay for its growing list of fines.

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Coolbet Exits Ontario iGaming Market

Coolbet, a division of GAN, announced it is leaving the Ontario, Canada, market and they could be the first of several to pull out of the province because of overcrowding.

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Nevada Regulators Hold Public Workshop

The Nevada Gaming Control Board held a public workshop in response to Governor Joe Lombardo’s earlier comments that “concerns have surfaced” about the board’s testing lab and slow approval process.

Class Action Lawsuits Threaten Gaming Industry

Class action lawsuits are not uncommon in the gaming industry. Recent class actions against notable gaming operators not only damage their reputations but have led lawmakers to tighten regulations.

Bally’s Broadcast Partner Files for Bankruptcy

Bally’s Corp struck a deal with Sinclair Broadcast Group for the naming rights of a collection of regional sports networks. Diamond Sports Group, which ran the network, filed for bankruptcy under a mountain of debt.

Financing Woes Halt Dream Las Vegas Construction

Funding has been interrupted for the $575 million Dream Las Vegas (l.)on the Strip. This has brought construction to a screeching halt. Bill Shopoff, chief executive officer of Shopoff Realty Investments says he’s working to uncork the money flow and promises his group will honor all its agreements.

Mississippi Regulators Approve Casino Site

The Mississippi Gaming Commission (l.) recently gave approval for the South Beach casino in Hancock County, Mississippi for its site and now must line up a casino operator. The venue would be the 13th on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

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Critics: DOI’s Tribal Gaming Rules Process Not Transparent

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has issued new proposed rules for tribal gaming that include controversial provisions. Critics of the new rules say the BIA’s process lacked transparency. They are calling for the rules to include all sides of the issues and have asked that they be withdrawn.

Phoenix-Area Tribal Casinos Become More Competitive

A tribal state compact reached two years ago between Arizona and its gaming tribes is enabling the Phoenix-metro area casinos to up their game by adding table games, increasing bet limits and offering more entertainment. This is making them more competitive against Las Vegas.

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Foster Named Chairman of Star Entertainment as Carousel Continues

It’s been a rough two years for Star Entertainment, to say the least. However, the beleaguered operator is hoping that it has finally found the man who can turn the ship around, as it recently announced the appointment of banking veteran David Foster (l.) as chairman.

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