And The Winner Is… Vegas!

With the Oscars coming up on Sunday, Ira David Sternberg imagines what it would be like to nominate some of the town’s most iconic people, places and events that have either a movie of imagine movie connection.

Gaming’s Problem with Gender Equality

Is it really a “man’s world?” When it comes to gaming and sports betting management that seems to be the common conception. It needs to be fixed as soon as possible.

Pedestrian Gaming Regulatory Websites

When a regulatory agency is asked to present its market for a transparent website or a full accounting of the year’s gross gaming revenues, they usually can’t—or won’t—because they are by definition a monopoly and there is no one to force them. But former regulator Richard Schuetz has another idea.

Texas Eyes Sports Betting, Casinos with Governor Support

Texas remains one of the largest states without either a commercial casino or sports betting. Supporters are optimistic that changes this year. Several bills are circulating in the legislature with Governor Greg Abbott (l.) in favor.

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Unemployment Down, GGR Way Up in Macau

In Macau, unemployment is down and GGR is soaring, thanks to the return of tourism in early January. Many casino workers, while glad to be back on the job, are opting to wear masks to stay virus-free.

U.K. GGY Declines 2 percent

Great Britain’s gross gambling yield (GGY) declined 2 percent to £1.2 billion in last year’s third quarter. The figure comes from the U.K. Gambling Commission (UKGC.), which used data from the U.K.’s biggest gaming operators.

Top Gaming REITs Continue to Perform

The two top gaming real estate investment trusts, GLPI and Vici Properties, are continuing to amass big-name properties, especially in Las Vegas, which has translated into billions of dollars in revenue. Both posted impressive full-year results for 2022.

Miami Beach Mayor Fears Tribal Casinos

A proposed federal rule could lead to Indian tribes buying land in Miami Beach to build a casino, ignoring local opposition, said Mayor Dan Gelber (l.). But the Bureau of Indian Affairs said the rule simply streamlines the land-into-trust process.

Kentucky Lawmakers File Sports Betting Bills

Kentucky state Rep. Michael Meredith (l.) filed a bill allowing horse racing tracks and Kentucky Speedway to offer sports wagering. Legislation to either ban or regulate and tax slot-like gray games also has been filed.

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Las Vegas Speculation and a Golden Opportunity

The good times have rolled through Las Vegas for two years now, but many believe that by the end of 2023, the long arm of recession may finally catch hold of the red-hot gambling capital. So, that presents other opportunities—how’s about Golden Entertainment, for starters?

ASIAN GAMING More

IEC Still Plans Manila IR

Hong Kong-based International Entertainment Corp. continues to work with Philippine gaming regulators on the potential development of an integrated resort with gaming in Manila’s Entertainment City (l.).

Leong Hotel to Host SJM Satellite Casino

Macau casino concessionaire SJM Resorts has signed a three-year satellite casino deal with Angela Leong’s L’Arc Entertainment. Leong is an executive of SJM Resorts and its parent company, SJM Holdings.

EUROPEAN GAMING More

French Operators Ordered to Reduce GGR for Problem Players

France's l'Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), which regulates gambling in the country, is going to require that licensees reduce their percentage of gross gaming revenues (GGR) from “problematic players.” The goal is one of several whose goal is to prevent “excessive or pathological gambling.”

SPORTS BETTING More

Maverick’s Sports Betting Loss Might Predict Florida Outcome

The decision by a federal judge that Maverick Gaming can’t sue the Department of the Interior or tribes in Washington that have a monopoly on sports betting. This ruling is the opposite of a ruling in a similar case in Florida, possibly setting things up for an intervention by the Supreme Court.

Chicago Esports Projects Unlikely

A Chicago developer has put on hold plans for a $30 million esports arena near McCormick Place (l.) due to changing industry conditions. And a project combining esports training and student housing also now seems unlikely to become reality.

UNITED STATES GAMING More

West Virginia Senate Passes Satellite Casino Bill

By a large majority, the West Virginia Senate passed a bill allowing the state’s four racinos to open satellite casinos within their counties, if county voters approve. State Senator Eric Nelson (l.) said it’s an opportunity to revitalize shopping malls.

Nebraska Lawmakers Defeat Impact Study Delay

Nebraska lawmakers defeated a proposal to extend casino impact studies for four more years. The studies are required by the 2020 Racetrack Gaming Act, which authorized casinos at the state’s six existing horse racing tracks but would delay projects like the recently announced Harrah’s Nebraska (l.)

TMB Racing Terminates Attempt to Revive Oregon Horse Racing

Travis Boersma (l.), who made his billions by founding the lucrative Dutch Bros coffee company, has abandoned efforts to revive Oregon’s horse racing industry. He has informed Josephine County that he is terminating his 99-year lease of the county fairgrounds racetrack.

Boyd Applies For Kansas Historic Horse Racing License

Boyd Gaming applied for a license to build and operate a $160 million historic horse racing facility in Park City, Kansas. The venue would offer 1,000 HHR machines, a steakhouse, sports bar and the state’s first Amazon Go store.

Cordish Challenges Nittany Mall Casino Award

Cordish Companies, a losing bidder for the Category 4 license won by Ira Lubert for a casino near the Pennsylvania State University campus, has appealed the license award to the state Supreme Court.

Colorado Gaming Commission Approves Grants

The Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission approved its first distribution of grants totaling more than $1.5 million to nonprofits providing problem gambling services.

TRIBAL GAMING More

Oneida Nation’s New York Casino Turns 30

As the Oneida Nation’s Turning Stone Resort (l.) in Verona, New York turns 30, officials announced the addition of a new 250-room convention hotel and the return of the World Series of Poker. Last year, the property hired 400 new employees.

Spokane Tribe Seeks to Convert Land Near Casino Into Trust

Washington’s Spokane Tribe, which operates the Spokane Tribe Casino, has applied to put 155 acres adjacent to the casino and to Airway Heights into federal trust. The tribe says it wants to develop non-gaming uses there, although it won’t specify what.

Former Tribal President Denies Charges, Pleads Not Guilty

Former Oglala Sioux Tribe President Julian Bear Runner (l.) faces a litany of charges stemming from $80,000 in misplaced funds—Bear Runner allegedly pocketed the money instead of using it for travel, lodging and food arrangements.

Tribe Accuse CA’s Newsom of Negotiating in Bad Faith

California Governor Gavin Newsom (l.) is accused of negotiating a tribal state gaming compact in bad faith. The Alturas Indian Rancheria has sued in federal court, claiming that the governor acted in bad faith because he didn’t agree to a new compact that was materially identical to the 1999 version.

PEOPLE More

David Orrick Receives European Casino Award

Industry veteran David Orrick was given the Jimmy Thomas Outstanding Contribution Award at last month’s European Casino Awards, recognizing more than 30 years in the business. Orrick is flanked by Simon Thomas, the son of Jimmy Thomas, and Ian Moore.

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QUOTABLE QUOTES

Outrageous pronouncements, simple statements and words of wisdom.