
Archive: Vol-21-No-33-August-21-2023

Hard Rock International and its partner Gek Terna are being asked to put up another €120 million ($132.18 million) to keep their integrated resort project in Athens, Greece (l.) alive. They have already agreed to invest €250 million ($275.37 million).






India to Tax Gaming, Horse Racing at 28 Percent
India’s two houses of parliament almost unanimously and with due haste voted recently to pass the revised Goods and Services Tax. This will tax all forms of gambling, casinos, online gaming and horse racing at a uniform 28 percent.






Researchers Affirm Potential Hack for Popular Casino Shuffler
A security consultant demonstrated how a cheater could hack the information contained in a Deckmate 2 shuffler to find the order of cards to be dealt.






DFS Firms Fight Attempts to Label Them Illegal
Before the Supreme Court allowed any state the right to offer its citizens sports betting, there was fantasy sports. There are some who think the fantasy part was—and still is—sports betting dressed up.






PAGCOR Lays Out Timeline for Casino Sale
A plan by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. to sell off its casino assets now has a new timeline, a little later than recently indicated. CEO Alejandro Tengco (l.) has shifted the date from 2024 to 2025.
Featured Stories More
WEEKLY FEATURE: NSW Gov’t Reworks Machine Tax Hike, Saving Star Entertainment
The New South Wales government and Treasurer Daniel Mookhey (l.) have announced that the state’s previously proposed casino poker machine tax hike has been scrapped and reworked to make things more feasible for Star Entertainment, which couldn’t have accommodated the steep hikes that were set to take effect this summer.
Virginia Judge Blocks Richmond Casino Vote
A Virginia circuit court judge blocked a voter referendum on a casino in Richmond after a charitable group filed a motion to intervene, claiming the city violated state law by not taking bids from other developers, among other dissents.
U.S. Gaming Logs 10th Consecutive Growth Quarter
The U.S. commercial gaming industry generated a record $16.07 billion in revenue during the second quarter of 2023, marking the industry’s 10th consecutive quarter of growth.
Macau Reserves Right to Alter Concessionaire Investments
The government of Macau says it has the ongoing authority to change the investment requirements of the city’s Big 6 casino concessionaires as economic and market conditions demand.
Wynn CEO: First UAE Casino License is Imminent
Wynn Resorts expects that it will soon be issued a license to operate an integrated casino resort (l.) in the Northern Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. This would be the first such casino resort in the United Arab Emirates.
Entain Could Pay £585 Million in U.K. Bribery Settlement
Entain has reached an agreement with U.K.’s Crown Prosecution Service to pay £585 million over bribery charges stemming from its former Turkish sports betting firm Sportingbet. The alleged offenses occurred when Entain was known as GVC.
Florida’s West Flagler Has Options Against Seminoles
You could call it a David and Goliath battle. The former parimutuel, West Flagler Associates, still has options to play in a quest to stop the mighty Seminole Tribe from controlling sports betting throughout Florida.
ESPN BET Faces Ethical Concerns but Bettors Seem Unfazed
ESPN BET will debut in the fall and since its announcement of its partnership with Penn Entertainment, the mobile sportsbook is facing ethical concerns.
Lawsuit Could Delay Illinois Casino Construction
Full House Resorts may have to delay construction of its permanent $400 million casino in Waukegan due to the Forest County Potawatomi Community’s revived lawsuit claiming the license selection process was a “sham.”
FANTINI’S FINANCE: Sorting Through the Second Quarter
Second-quarter earnings are nearly complete, and there are trends to glean from just about all facets of the gaming industry. Ironically, some of the most attractive options are those whose performance has lagged of late.
GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCAST: Bart Blatstein, Founder and CEO, Tower Investments
Las Vegas may be the capital of U.S. gaming, but Atlantic City remains an extremely prized and lucrative market in its own right. Developers who bet big on its future, such as Tower Investments CEO Bart Blastein (l.), stand to reap the benefits.
ASIAN GAMING More
Inspire South Korea Phase 1 Set to Open this Year
Barring unforeseen circumstances, U.S.-based Mohegan Gaming still plans to debut Phase 1 of non-gaming attractions at its South Korea resort, Inspire, by the end of the year. CEO Ray Pineault says the timetable is firm.
In 2022, China Group Identified 60K Suspicious Gambling Transactions
The Payment and Clearing Association of China says it intercepted some 60,000 gambling attempts involving more than $277 million in 2022, as well as 54 companies accepting such transactions.
EUROPEAN GAMING More
UKGC Claims Gambling Stats Being Misrepresented
The U.K. Gambling Commission (UKGC) is warning that there has been a “significant increase in the misuse of statistics around gambling” to make arguments for or against specific gaming proposals. The warning was sent out as an open letter.
Italy’s Parliament Authorizes Gambling Overhaul
Italy’s Parliament has voted to revamp gambling laws as part of approving the “Tax Delegation Law.” The bill aims to reorganize tax duties and introduce “new player protection measures” that will “create a more transparent and accountable industry.”
888 Reaches £3 M Settlement With Gibraltar
The gaming company 888 has reached a £2.9 million settlement with the Gibraltar Gambling Commission. A subsidiary of 888 was found to have employed ineffective know your customer routines with Middle Eastern VIPs, among other violations.
GLOBAL GAMING More
SkyCity Recognizes Penalty Provision, Braces for AUSTRAC Ruling
In preparation for potential penalties from AUSTRAC, SkyCity Entertainment has recognized a AUD$45 million (US$29.2 million) civil penalty provision as well as a AUD$45.6 million (US$29.6 million) impairment to the casino license value of SkyCity Adelaide.
Report: Mexican Sports Bettors Wagered Over $585 Million in 2022
A local Mexican newspaper reported that people in that country wagered more than $585 million online on sports in 2022.
NSW: Gaming Reform Panel Holds First Meeting in Sydney
A recently formed committee dubbed the Independent Panel on Gaming Reform held its first meeting in Sydney to discuss the formation of a cashless gaming trial as well as other matters.
ONLINE GAMING More
PAGCOR Seeks Multimillion-Dollar Refund from Ex-Auditor
The Philippines gaming regulator is seeking the return of more than $17 million in monies it paid to the former auditor of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) industry.
Four U.S. States, Ontario Ready for Caesars Palace iCasino App
Caesars Palace is rolling out its Caesars Palace Online Casino app in four U.S. states, as well as Ontario, Canada.
SPORTS BETTING More
Four U.S. States Prepare for Sports Betting Launch
Four states, Maine, Kentucky, Vermont, and North Carolina, are readying to launch mobile sports betting in their states, which could begin as soon as next month.
Kentucky Woman Files Suit Against Illegal Sportsbooks
A Kentucky woman who lost a mint with an illegal sportsbook has filed suit against the offshore companies involved. A class action suit. The class wants its losses returned. And a Kentucky law from the 1800s may help.
PlayUp CEO Optimistic Amid Turmoil
Australian bookmaker PlayUp has been kicked out of the only two states it was licensed in. Employees have not been paid in a timely fashion. Yet CEO Daniel Simic (l.) seems so optimistic.
Integrity Firm Educates College Athletes to Keep Straight
When your name includes integrity that says a lot about expectations. U.S. Integrity is busy these days educating student athletes about how to avoid sports betting violations and the punishment they entail.
Gambler Billy Walters: Phil Mickelson Wagered $1 Billion
For several years, professional gambler Billy Walters and professional golfer Phil Mickelson (l.) were gambling partners. Walters just released a memoir in which he says Phil doesn’t gamble very well.
Sports Gambling HoF Class of ‘23 Honored at Circa
The inaugural class of the Sports Gambling Hall of Fame was recently inducted at a ceremony held at the Circa Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
UNITED STATES GAMING More
NY Stakeholders Look to Move Process Forward
The end of the first phase of the bid process for three downstate casinos in New York could finally come to an end when the state answers the first round of applicant questions.
Audit Criticizes Oregon Racing Commission Practices
A recent audit of the Oregon Racing Commission pointed out flaws in the organization’s operations and gave suggestions on how to improve.
New Mexico Judge Rejects Racino Lawsuit
A New Mexico District Judge rejected Coronado Partner’s lawsuit against the state Racing Commission, which refuses to grant a sixth racino license. She sided with the commission due to state law, but called its actions “not commendable.”
Hard Rock Rocksino Opens In Deadwood, South Dakota
Hard Rock Rocksino Deadwood (l.) recently opened in South Dakota. A smaller version of a typical Hard Rock venue, it offers 86 slots, a full-service restaurant, bar, Rock Shop and boutique hotel.
Michigan Regulators Renew Detroit Casino Licenses
The gaming licenses of Detroit’s three casinos—MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino and Hollywood Casino at Greektown—were renewed for another year by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
Alabama Lawmakers Eye 2024 Gambling Legislation
An informal group of Alabama House members is working on creating lottery and gambling legislation that could pass in 2024. Previous efforts to regulate the state’s “Wild West” of illegal gambling have been unsuccessful.
Polson, Montana Commissioners Approve Annexation
In a 6-1 vote, the Polson City, Montana commission approved annexing acreage for a 25,000-square-foot casino development to be operated by S&K Gaming and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
Shuttered Biloxi Margaritaville Sold
Margaritaville Resort Biloxi (l.), closed for nine years, was sold to Harry Mohney, owner of Dick’s Last Resort restaurants, Cat’s Meow karaoke bars and Déjà Vu, operator of more than 130 strip clubs throughout the U.S.
TRIBAL GAMING More
Senecas Reject Compact Offer
Top officials of the Seneca Nation have rejected a proposed new gaming compact with the state of New York, its president calling the new offer “absurd” and “insulting.”
CA Legislature Could Give Legal Cudgel to Gaming Tribes
A bill in the California Legislature, Senate Bill 549, replicates some language in Proposition 26, an initiative that the voters turned down last November. The bill would make it possible for gaming tribes to sue card clubs directly.
LOTTERY More
Connecticut Lottery Seeks New President Amid Uncertainty
The Connecticut Lottery is looking for a new president and whoever takes the position will have several issues to rectify that are plaguing the state.
North Carolina Lottery Approves Digital Instant Games
Gambling continues to expand in North Carolina as the Education Lottery Commission approves digital instant games. The legislature also is considering authorizing four “entertainment districts” including casinos.
PEOPLE More
Florida Gaming Control Commission Loses Third Chairperson
The Florida Gaming Control Commission is looking for its third chairperson in 14 months.
Dreams CEO Wilhelm Resigns over Antitrust Probe
Jaime Wilhelm (l.), chief executive officer of Pan-South American casino group Dreams SA, has resigned amid an investigation over antitrust and fraud allegations.
Sightline Announces Several Leadership Changes
Payment provider Sightline Payments has announced a slew of executive-level changes, starting with Omer Sattar assuming full CEO duties.
GOODS & SERVICES More
AXES Forms AI Innovation Division
AXES.ai has announced the formation of a new division dedicated to innovation in artificial intelligence, to be called A.I.X.
Macau Gaming Equipment Firm Explores AI
Macau’s Asia Pioneer Entertainment is working on a prototype that would bring artificial intelligence to the gaming floor. APE distributes electronic gaming equipment to global gaming companies.
TRADE SHOWS & CONFERENCES More
NOVOMATIC Readies for EAE 2023
NOVOMATIC will participate in the 15th edition of Entertainment Arena Expo, which will take place from September 5 to 7 2023 at Romexpo in Bucharest.
WILD CARD More
Regulators Delay Decision on Playboy Chip Fund
Regulators in New Jersey have delayed a ruling on what to do with $875,000 in a closed fund that had been used by players to cash in gaming chips from the former Playboy Hotel and Casino.
NUTSHELL More
NEWS & NOTES
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THEY SAID IT More
QUOTABLE QUOTES
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