Up Pay for Nevada Regulators to Maintain Gold Standard

With the appointment of Kirk Hendrick (l.), here’s hope that he brings stability and longevity to the position of chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board. But for all previous chairpersons, the job has been a stepping stone, possibly because the pay isn’t commensurate with the ability, according to gaming observer and former regulator Richard Schuetz.

Recent Cyber Attacks Act as Wake-Up Call for Casinos, Partners

When you come to think of it, so much of the gaming industry ties in with computers, for both brick-and-mortar and online operators. So it shouldn’t be a surprise that big names like DraftKings and others have recently battled user account hacks. To curb this phenomenon moving forward, regulators want operators to take precautions.

Virginia’s First Permanent Casino Opens

A marching band and a ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opened Rivers Casino Portsmouth (l.), Virginia’s first full-service, permanent casino. The venue created 1,000 jobs and offers 1,446 slots, 57 table games, 24 poker tables, five restaurants and bars and event space.

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Texas Lawmaker Introduces Gambling Bill

A voter referendum on a constitutional amendment to expand gambling in Texas has been proposed by state Senator Carol Alvarado (l.). The bill also would set up a gaming commission. A companion bill is expected in the House.

PAGCOR Won’t Banish POGOs, Despite Links to Crime

The Philippine gaming regulator will not shut down the country’s offshore gaming industry, despite its past association with crimes including kidnapping. The regulator is also under fire for hiring an unlicensed auditor.

Future of St. Regis in Question Following Hamilton Princess Fallout

Top executives of Marriott will be arriving in Bermuda soon to begin talks with government officials to try to salvage a project to open a casino inside of its St. Regis Bermuda (l.) resort in the Caribbean nation. Fellow operator Century Casinos withdrew from its Hamilton Princess project last week, citing too much government red tape.

U.K. Lawmakers Seek Link Between Chau, Tech Firm

Chinese courts sentenced billionaire Alvin Chau (l.) to 18 years in prison. Lawmakers in the U.K. want an inquiry into the ties between Chau ,an Isle of Man tech company called TGP and organized crime.

Las Vegas Experiencing Uptick in Casino Robberies

In the last six months, Las Vegas has seen a slew of casino robberies, which has left operators and law enforcement scratching their heads. One belief is that worsening economic conditions have made people desperate, but others are worried that criminals may have found holes in the system.

FANTINI’S FINANCE: A Tale of Two Markets for LVS

Las Vegas Sands’ recent fourth-quarter earnings call was chock-full of things for investors to consider—for starters, Macau’s optimism continues to rise; is its success to be believed long-term? Similarly, New York City has emerged as the latest jewel for operators to covet; competition may be high, but LVS has won out before.

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Analyst: Wynn Macau Set to Grow

CBRE analyst John DeCree says Wynn Macau is well-positioned to grow its market share, thanks to proven performance in premium and VIP gaming. Meanwhile, DS Kim of JP Morgan says CNY started out on the right foot.

EUROPEAN GAMING More

Netherlands Supreme Court Upholds 1XBet Bankruptcy

1XBet is bankrupt. That is the judgment of the Netherlands Supreme Court (l.), which upheld an earlier ruling by the court of Curaçao. Always controversial, the county nevertheless has partnered with sports teams such as Spain’s FC Barcelona in Spain and France’s Paris Saint Germain.

Most Parties Support Ending Finland’s Veikkaus Monopoly

A proposal to privatize and end the gambling monopoly of Finland’s Veikkaus is receiving warm support across the spectrum of parties in the Finnish parliament. Tytti Tuppurainen (l.), minister of Europe and ownership management, recently unveiled the proposal.

Liechtenstein to Vote on Casino Ban

Voters of the principality of Liechtenstein will vote January 29 on whether to ban casinos. If passed, the six existing casinos would be given five years to shut down. The law that allowed them to open was passed in 2017. Opponents of casinos don’t like the kind of reputation the country has acquired.

Football Union Opposes Bulgarian Gaming Ad Ban

Bulgaria’s National Assembly is mulling legislation that would ban gambling advertising, among several provisions for reforming gambling. The Bulgaria Football Union (BFU), which represents 12 football clubs, says a ban would “mean bankruptcy” for most of the clubs.

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Australian Sportsbooks Rebuked for Taking Wagers on Underage Events

Australian bookmakers Sportsbet, TAB and bet365 were recently discovered to have offered wagers on an international youth cricket tournament that featured a large number of underage players. Child advocates throughout the country, including National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds (l.), want that practice to stop, and quickly.

Perrottet Fires Back at Cashless Exemptions for Remote Clubs

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet (l.) is facing a lot of pressure from all sides with respect to his cashless gaming push, especially as elections draw near. However, he’s stood his ground thus far, and recently denied the possibility of exempting regional venues from transitioning to cashless.

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New York Lawmakers Mull Online, Live Poker

A bill in the New York legislature would legalize online poker by classifying it a game of skill, while a separate bill would allow liquor-licensed establishments to host recreational poker games.

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North Carolina Lawmakers Reconsider Sports Betting

The North Carolina legislature is sure to consider online sports betting again, according to state Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger (l.). A measure passed the Senate last year but failed in the House in a 51-50 vote.

Georgia Judge Nixes Need for Constitutional Amendment

Georgia faces too much opposition in its quest to legalize sports betting. Part of the problem stems from the need for a constitutional amendment. But retired Judge Harold D. Melton (l.) says that isn’t true if tied to the lottery.

UNITED STATES GAMING More

California’s Cardroom Mortarium Ends

For nearly 30 years there has been a moratorium in California on new card clubs. That number was capped at 72. Then last year the legislature deadlocked on renewing the law. On January 1, 2023 the Bureau of Gambling Control began accepting applications for new clubs.

MGM CEO Admits Springfield Job Promise Not Fulfilled

Bill Hornbuckle (l.), president and CEO of MGM, met with the mayor of Springfield, Massachusetts, Domenic Sarno, and City Councilman Mike Fenton to explain why the company’s projection of 3,000 jobs has fallen short.

Iowa Casino To Receive $75 Million Renovation

The Q Casino (l.) in Dubuque, Iowa will undergo a $75 million to $80 million renovation. The 5-phase project will include a complete remodel of the gaming floor, a hotel addition and family entertainment area, and is expected to be completed by 2025.

Missouri Developers Promote Lake Of The Ozarks Casino

Osage River Gaming presented information about its proposed $200 million casino at Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks (l.). A voter referendum on a constitutional amendment would be required to allow the state’s 14th casino.

Michigan Racetrack Proposes New Racino

Northville Downs harness racetrack (l.) in Plymouth Township, Michigan proposed building a $25 million facility including a 54,000-square-foot casino. The legislature and the Michigan Gaming Control Board must approve the plan.

Showboat AC Renovation to Be Complete by Summer

Renovations to the Showboat Atlantic City will be finished in time for the summer season. The Boardwalk hotel, which once housed a casino, is undergoing a $50 million facelift that includes an indoor waterpark.

TRIBAL GAMING More

Alaska Sues Feds Over Taking Tribal Land Into Trust

Alaska has sued the Department of the Interior to undo its action taking land owned by the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes into trust. The land, located in Juneau, is the second tribal parcel placed into trust in Alaska. The tribe applied to do it a decade ago. Tlingit and Haida President Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson (l.) said he’s disappointed in the state’s move.

Compact Negotiations ‘Advancing’ Between New York, Senecas

Despite a history of acrimony between the Seneca Nation of Indians and the state of New York, contract negotiations appear to be making “progress.” The Seneca Nation operates three casinos in western New York. Its existing compact expires at the end of 2023.

Idaho Tribe Updates Community On Proposed Casino

The Shoshone-Bannock Tribe held open houses in Mountain Home, Idaho to present the latest information on its proposed casino (l.). The project would require approval from the city, Governor Brad Little and the U.S. Department of the Interior.

New York Tribes Seek Seat at Mobile Sports Betting Talks

When New York finally approved mobile sports betting, one group was conspicuous by its absence. The tribes in upstate New York were not invited to the party. The gaming chairs of each chamber, including Assemblyman Gary Pretlow (l.), will fix that if a bill passes.

Indiana Tribal Resort to Debut New Hotel

A new 23-story hotel will open in March at the Four Winds South Bend resort (l.), operated by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. The expansion will also add a spa, café, conference center and other amenities.

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Nevada Resort Association Announces Board of Directors

Wynn Resorts Executive Vice President and General Counsel Ellen Whittemore was reelected as chairwoman of the Nevada Resorts Association for 2023-2024. Mirage Las Vegas and the Palms Casino Resort were also approved to join the association.

Hoenig Resigns as NIGC General Counsel

Michael Hoenig has resigned as general counsel for the National Indian Gaming Commission, after 16 total years with the agency. Hoenig will accept a similar role with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.

Johnson Named Arizona Gaming Regulator

Last week, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs named attorney Jackie Johnson (l.) as the state’s gaming regulator. Johnson has served as legal counsel for a number of tribes.

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Report: MGM Again Eying Entain

A news report cites unnamed sources in reporting that MGM Resorts International is set to make a new takeover bid for Entain, owner of Ladbrokes, Coral and Gala Bingo.

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World Game Protection Conference Returning March 7-9

The World Game Protection Conference will be held March 7-9 at Tropicana Las Vegas. Event founder Willy Allison (l.) said that this year’s topics of focus are game protection, money laundering and electronic table games.

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