Smashing Success: ICE London Back in Full Swing for 2023

ICE London returned in a big way for 2023, setting new exhibitor and attendance records following a two-year Covid-related downturn. Representatives from around gathered to showcase the latest and greatest that gaming has to offer, but now the question on everyone’s mind is, where to next?

Petersburg Still a Casino Option In Virginia

The move to put a referendum for a Cordish Live! casino in Petersburg (l.) got defeated one week, brought back to life the next. Virginia lawmakers also grapple with skill games in bars and promotional deductions for sports betting revenue.

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Macau Brings Back Junket Tax

Macau junkets, whose wings have been clipped under the newly amended gaming law, may once again be subject to a 5 percent commission tax. That’s according to Kwok Chi Chung (l.), head of an industry trade group.

Minnesota Lawmakers Prep Sports Betting Bills

Minnesota state Senator Jeremy Miller will introduce sports betting legislation similar to last year’s, offering licenses to tribes, pro teams and racetracks. State Rep. Zack Stephenson’s (l.) bill limits sports wagering to tribes.

26 Capital Sues Okada Manila over Stalled Merger

26 Capital, a special purpose acquisition company based in the U.S., has filed suit against Okada Manila and associated companies, claiming they delayed a planned merger. The SPAC wants the deal done fast.

Michigan Top Gaming Regulator Cites Concerns

Michigan Gaming Control Board Executive Director Henry Williams (l.) said he’s concerned about the spread of unregulated gaming machines and online casino and sports betting advertising.

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Jailed Ex-Junket Boss Files Appeal

Alvin Chau, who once ruled Macau’s junket sector as head of the Suncity Group junket operation, is appealing his 18-year prison sentence. In January he was convicted of illegal gambling and organized criminal.

MGM China: The Lion Roars in Macau

Speaking to analysts on a 4Q earnings call last week, MGM Resorts chief Bill Hornbuckle said the U.S. company’s Macau operations are more than pulling their weight, seeing record revenues for January.

Macau’s 13 Hotel Officially Bankrupt

It’s finally kaput for a failed luxury hotel concept in Macau. Last week, almost two years after parent South Shore Holdings filed for voluntary liquidation, a Macau court declared The 13 Hotel officially bankrupt.

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Gambling companies skirting India’s rules on advertising

India’s government has rules against gambling companies advertising in the country but despite 138 such businesses being banned, others are finding ways around the regulations. Sports seems to be the main target, including the exclusively Indian game of Kabaddi.

Kenya court rules against gambling tax, hotel limits

The Kenya High Court ruled against the government in two separate gambling-related cases, saying that the public was not given an opportunity to air their views. With one law, the hours of operation for the casinos, including Nairobi’s City Casino (l.).

Former NSW Lawmaker Lobbies for Lobby Job

John Barilaro (l.), former New South Wales deputy premier, reportedly is working the phones in a bid to become the head of ClubsNSW. A number of candidates are vying for the job as the state overhauls its gaming sector.

Third Class Action Suit Against Star

Australia gaming giant Star Entertainment Group must defend itself against a third class-action lawsuit, this one alleging that it ignored money laundering risks between 2016 and mid-2022.

SkyCity Suitability Case ‘On Hold’

Australia’s SkyCity Entertainment Group says a review of its suitability to operate in Adelaide may not proceed until a civil case by AUSTRAC has been resolved.

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Will New York Online Casinos Hurt Tribal Relations

The next gambling push in New York State will be online casinos. IGaming. The question is how will this move affect the tribal casinos up north. Will they be able to participate and in what way. Tribal gaming attorney Kathryn Rand (l.) said the tribes don’t need a separate amendment to participate.

Greentube Licensed in Connecticut

Novomatic’s Greentube interactive division was granted a license as an online gaming service provider by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection.

Aristocrat Completes Roxor Acquisition

Aristocrat Leisure Limited has completed its acquisition of iGaming supplier Roxor Gaming Limited, in a deal first announced in September that will rebrand Aristocrat’s online gaming division as Anaxi.

AGS Partners with DraftKings

AGS has signed an online game content partnership with DraftKings, Inc., under which AGS will provide more than 20 of its top titles or porting to DraftKings iGaming sites.

Malta White Label Official Announces New Company

Following a restructure, former iGaming Group Chief Executive Officer Phil Pearson launched Malta-based White Label Casinos Solutions to “fill a gap in the market.” The company’s white label solutions allow customers to establish their own online casinos.

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North Carolina Online Sports Betting Moving Ahead

Legislation hasn’t been introduced yet but online sports betting seems likely to succeed in North Carolina this year. Lawmakers are working on a bill similar to last year’s measure which failed by a small margin. Retail sports betting is legal at the Cherokee casinos (l.) in western North Carolina.

Nebraska Sports Betting Lacks Infrastructure

Sports betting, while legal in Nebraska, won’t have any place in the state where bettors can indulge their pastime for several weeks at least. Certainly not in time for the Super Bowl. The rules are published but no one has been issued vendors licenses or had retail betting equipment approved. Warhorse Casino CEO Lance Morgan (l.) is reportedly interviewing potential vendors.

Two Sports Betting Companies Cut Jobs

DraftKings and Bally’s Corp. have both announced layoffs. Truist Securities analyst Barry Jonas approves of the action. “While unfortunate, we see these moves as a necessary positive to reach sustainable economic levels before both divisions turn profitable,” he said.

Genius Sports Launches Genius Marketing Suite

Genius Sports has launched a holistic fan engagement platform for brans, sponsors, sportsbooks, leagues and teams designed to address challenges of reaching, engaging and monetizing fans.

Kambi Launches Enhanced Bet Builder

Kambi launch cash-out and in-game functionality to its Bet Builder product ahead of Super Bowl LVII, allowing players to cash out a majority of pre-game Bet Builder bet during the game.

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Las Vegas Airport Capacity a Cause for Concern

With tourist and business passengers returning Harry Reid Airport (l.) in Las Vegas at levels better than before the pandemic, the Clark County Department of Aviation is studying what it must do to accommodate rising levels. These numbers could reach 65 million annually by 2030.

Boyd Gaming, Allegiant Partner

Allegiant Stadium (l.) in Las Vegas has partnered with LV-based Boyd Gaming at the Raiders stadium. The deal gives Boyd signage and brand placement in the stadium and names its nine Nevada casinos “official and exclusive” casinos of the stadium.

Clark County to Host Formula One Grand Prix for a Decade

The Clark County, Nevada, Commission has voted to host the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix for the next ten years and perhaps longer. Commission Chairman Jim Gibson commented, “We anticipate a lifetime together in partnership.”

Hard Rock Official Presents Illinois Casino Update

Hard Rock Official Presents Illinois Casino Update Geno M. Iafrate, President and Chief Executive Officer, I-10 Hospitality. (PRNewsFoto/I-10 Hospitality, LLC)
Hard Rock Rockford President Geno Iafrate (l.) presented an update on the temporary Illinois facility, open since last November, and the permanent $310 million casino resort currently under construction.

Tax Change Causes Alabama’s GreeneTrack Closure

An Alabama Supreme Court ruling led to the permanent closure of GreeneTrack Entertainment Center (l.) in Eutaw. Officials said the venue, the only black-owned casino in the county, may have been the victim of racism.

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Arizona Tribes Have a Place in Super Bowl Festivities

It's one big party around Phoenix the week before the Super Bowl. The Governor. The Mayor. Arizona Cardinal Legends. And a celebration of the 22 tribal communities, a point not lost by community leader Gila River Indian Community Governor Stephen Roe Lewis (l.).

Michigan Regulators Approve Tribal Internet Provider

888 Holdings’ VHL Michigan LLC has been approved by the Michigan Gaming Control Board to replace Twin Spires as the Hannahville Indian Community’s internet casino gaming and sports wagering platform provider.

Connecticut Tribe, Foxwoods Build Resort, Waterpark

Foxwoods Resort Casino and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe will partner on a $300 million Great Wolf Lodge (l.) next to Foxwoods Resort Casino. Opening in spring 2025, the venue will offer a hotel waterpark and family entertainment center.

Michigan Judge Extends Restraining Order Deadline

Michigan circuit court Judge Joyce Draganchuck (l.)granted the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe another 2-week restraining order so it can determine how to pay two developers $88.8 million for unbuilt casinos. The developers’ attorneys fear the tribe will try to hide assets again.

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Chui Named Deputy Director of DICJ

Chui Hou Ian has been appointed deputy director of Macau’s Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau. Finance Secretary Lei Wai Nong cited his “professional ability and competence.”

Beau Rivage Biloxi Names Cartwright Banquet Director

Bruce Cartwright has been named director of banquets at Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi, where he started his hospitality career in 2005. Most recently he was director of food and beverage at Gold Strike Casino Resort.

Nevada Gaming Board Adds ‘Bellagio Bandit’s’ Father

Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo has appointed Judge George Assad to the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Assad is the father of the “Bellagio Bandit” who robbed the Bellagio Casino at gunpoint in December 2011. He later complained that his father cut his allowance, bringing on the robbery.

U.K. Names New Culture Secretary, Moves Donelon to Digital Post

U.K. Names New Culture Secretary, Moves Donelon to Digital Post United Kingdom Prime Minister Therese May holds a Cabinet reshuffle on Monday 8 January 2018 and makes new Ministerial Appointments.
On February 7, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the appointment of Lucy Frazer (l.) as the government’s new culture secretary. Frazer replaces Michelle Donelan, who moves to a new digital tech unit.

Uppeke To Lead ESA Gaming Game Production

Josefin Uppeke has been named head of game production at ESA Gaming. She’ll lead expansion of ESA’s EasySwipe titles and launch of new mobile slots and crash games. Previously she worked at Lucksome, Uggdrasil and NetEnt.

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Super Group to Sell B2B Division to Games Global

Super Group is not a star-studded rock band. The parent company of sportsbook Betway, Super Group has agreed to sell off a B2B division of Digital Gaming Corporation to Games Global. Global Games CEO Walter Bugno (l.) says the deal will increase the company’s market share in the U.S.

River Cree Modernizes Security with Genetec

The River Cree Resort and Casino has implemented the Genetec Security Center to modernize its security and surveillance capabilities with a unified platform to improve situational awareness.

Skill Games Called ‘Skill for Idiots’

A Kentucky player demonstrated a Pace-O-Matic (l.) so-called “skill game” to a Louisville TV reporter, calling the skill factor of the game “skill for idiots.”

Crane to Split Into Two Entities

Crane Company, a payment solutions provider to the casino industry, announced it will split into two independent, publicly traded companies on April 3.

Galaxy Adds Progressives to Table Games

Galaxy Gaming introduced its new table game operating system with a progressive function at ICE in London. Steve Cvetkoski, director of product development, said, “This new system provides enhancements to standard progressives and enhancements that are unique to the market.”

The Gaming Boardroom Aims at Industry Executives

The Gaming Boardroom (TGB) has been launched by former Clarion executive Kate Chambers (l.). It will, says a press release, bring “together business resources, in-person and online events, online community and much more into one incredible, membership-based package.”

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