Vegas MythBusters

Las Vegas has always had a flair for the dramatic, but just what is true and what isn’t? In this month’s column, Ira David Sternberg (l.) dissects some of the city’s oldest sayings and aphorisms to see if any still stand up to scrutiny.

New Tech Can Revolutionize Casino Marketing, Loyalty Programs

The recent deal between MGM and Marriott is a great example of how operators can grow their marketing and loyalty rewards capabilities, but as industry veteran Bruce Merati (l.) writes, crypto-based technologies such as C3 are a much more accessible and feasible way to move toward the same goals.

Not All Persistence Games Persist

Those in the slot world know all about the minutiae of game mechanics and how the various kinds of persistence games perform at various levels. The rest of us may need some more explaining, and that’s where Brendan Moore (l.), director of slot performance & analytics at Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, can help.

The Evolution of Reg Tech and the Importance it Now Plays

Reg tech is starting to play a bigger role in the gambling space with solutions becoming more and more sophisticated. So, how does it help operators with their commercial growth and who does it benefit the most? In an interview with Square in the Air, Compliable’s Chief Regulatory Officer Justin Stempeck (l.) gives his insights into this rapidly changing environment.

MA Regulators Concerned with Rising Number of Violations

DraftKings and three Massachusetts casinos were found to be in violation of state law by accepting illegal bets, and regulators from the state gaming commission (l.) are beginning to bristle at the number of infractions that have started to pile up.

Featured Stories More

Report: Secret Change to NV Zoning Law Benefits Red Rock Resorts

New reporting from the Nevada Independent has indicated that Nevada lawmakers secretly amended state casino zoning laws to help pave the way for a development proposed by Red Rock Resorts that would have otherwise been ineligible due to its proximity to a school.

One Step Forward, One Back For Virginia Casinos

In Virginia, a referendum on a casino in Richmond, which voters narrowly rejected in 2021, will appear on the November ballot. In Norfolk, Pamunkey tribal leaders pulled plans for a scaled-down casino from a city review board.

Japan: Osaka IR to Break Ground in 2024; Nagasaki Still Undecided

MGM Resorts CEO Bill Hornbuckle says the U.S. firm will begin construction of its long-awaited integrated resort in Osaka, Japan “by middle to late next year.” In Nagasaki, however, Governor Kengo Oishi says changes may be made to his prefecture’s integrated resort proposal.

U.K. Says Gambling Review is on Track

The U.K.’s Gambling Commission announced the first consultations on regulations proposed by the White Paper entitled “High stakes: gambling reform for the digital age.” The consultations are expected to take 12 weeks.

Oklahoma Lawmakers Object To Stitt’s Tribal Feuds

Oklahoma legislators are ready to remove Governor Kevin Stitt (l.) from tribal compact negotiations due to his hostile stance and numerous vetoes of tribe-supported measures. Stitt said he just wants to negotiate the best deal for the state’s 4 million-plus residents.

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Lucky in Kentucky

One of Warren Buffett’s most oft-quoted phrases is that you should invest in people, not companies. Churchill Downs has enjoyed an amazing multi-year run, but results for the second quarter were a little flatter than expected, causing some to sell off. However, CEO Bill Carstanjen is one of the best in the business, and his clear growth strategy makes the Kentucky-based racing giant as attractive as ever moving forward.

ASIAN GAMING More

Cheng Family Now Controls Vietnamese IR

The Cheng family, which owns and operates Chow Tai Fook Enterprises, has reportedly assumed control of everyday operations at Hoiana, an integrated resort in Vietnam’s Hoi An Province.

MS: Solaire North Opening Pushed Back

Morgan Stanley analysts say Solaire North in the Philippines may not open until the second quarter of 2024. The resort in Quezon City is a project of Bloomberry Resorts, which owns Solaire in Manila’s Entertainment City.

EUROPEAN GAMING More

Spanish Election Deadlock Delays Gambling Reforms

A snap election in Spain on July 23 resulted in a gridlock. No party appears ready to form a government yet. This means that the reforms the government announced in March are unlikely to happen anytime soon.

Finnish Study Shows way to Help Problem Gamblers

Finland’s University of Helsinki’s Centre for Research on Addition, Control, and Governance (CEAGC) has issued a report that shows a link between problem gamblers and debt consolidation. Especially when the debt is unsecured.

GLOBAL GAMING More

Brazil Issues Decree Regulating Sports Betting

Brazil is moving forward with the regulation of sports betting. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (l.) issued a provisional decree to legalize the market, which will be taxed at 18 percent. The decree happens as a widening match fixing scandal unfolds.

ONLINE GAMING More

PAGCOR to Launch Online Casino

The Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corp. will launch a dot-com version of its Casino Filipino brand. The country’s regulator has announced its online casino will debut in 2024.

Lawmaker Previews New Indiana iGaming Tactic

In the wake of repeated failures to pass a bill legalizing online gaming in Indiana, state Senator Jon Ford (l.) has proposed making it part of a larger “gaming modernization” bill.

Playtech to Expand Live Gaming in U.S.

Playtech announced plans to launch its live casino game show product in the U.S., including plans to open a dedicated studio for the product in New Jersey.

SPORTS BETTING More

NCAA, NFL Battle More Player Betting Scandals

Noah Shannon was one of a group of Iowa Hawkeyes who found themselves an NCAA target over potential sports betting. The accusation cost the young man participation in Big Ten Media Day. The pro ranks aren’t faring much better—the NFL just handed down two more betting-related suspensions.

UNITED STATES GAMING More

Maryland Facing Problem Gambling Crisis

Responsible gaming has become a hot-button issue in Maryland, as the latest data indicates that 8.6 percent of adults exhibit signs of problem gambling, double the national average.

North Carolina Budget May Include Four New Casinos

Lawmakers in North Carolina have proposed including three commercial casinos and one tribal casino in the state budget. The deal also would include allowing video lottery terminals in bars, restaurants, gas stations and convenience stores.

Judge Blocks Shutdown of Political Gambling

An effort by the federal government to block a website that takes bets on who will win the 2024 presidential election was derailed by the Fifth Circuit, which held the government improperly blocked the effort.

Tropicana Demolition Still Undecided

Officials from Bally’s and GLPI are waiting to see official design plans for the Oakland A’s new stadium before making any commitments about the demolition plans for the Tropicana (l.).

TRIBAL GAMING More

Oklahoma Tribe Reinstates Lawsuit

The Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma wants to reinstate its lawsuit against the Poarch Creek Band of Indians, claiming that the tribe improperly removed human remains and artifacts from sacred land to build Wind Creek Casino.

Turning Stone Expansion Announced

Turning Stone Resort Casino (l.) in upstate New York July 21 announced a $370 million expansion that will be the largest in the resort’s history. The project will be developed by the Oneida Indian Nation, which will be renamed Turning Stone Enterprises.

IGA Concludes Summer Summit

The Indian Gaming Association concluded its 2023 Summer Legislation Summit last week at the Stanley R. Crooks Tribal Leader Conference Center in Washington, D.C.

PEOPLE More

New CEO Hired by 888 After Turbulent Six Months

888 watched as internal investigations over failure to keep on top of anti-money laundering cost the company its chief executive. Now, Per Widerstom (l.) has been brought in to right the ship.

GOODS & SERVICES More

TRADE SHOWS & CONFERENCES More

Clarion, ECA Extend ICE Partnership

Clarion Gaming and the European Casino Association have extended their partnership on the ICE trade show’s International Casino Conference for five years, to 2029.

NUTSHELL More

THEY SAID IT More

QUOTABLE QUOTES

Outrageous pronouncements, simple statements and words of wisdom.