Vol-22-No-13-April-1-2024 Archives

GGB PODCAST: E. Sequoyah Simermeyer, VP of Strategic Partnerships, FanDuel; Former Chairman, NIGC

This edition of the GGB Podcast features E. Sequoyah Simermeyer (l.), former chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission, in what was one of his final media interviews before leaving the NIGC in late February.

GGB Podcast sponsored by iGamingPlayer.

Massachusetts Tribes May Consider Casino Purchase

The Mashantucket Pequot Nation and Mohegan Tribe are said to be considering purchasing MGM Resorts International’s MGM Springfield (l.) casino in Springfield, Massachusetts, either separately or together.

CASINO-OLOGY: Card Counting Indicators

Of all the ways that players attempt to cheat casino games, card counting in blackjack is the most popular, but surprisingly, the methods for teaching staff how to spot and stop card counting are incredibly ineffective in most cases. This edition of Casino-Ology from expert Andrew Uyal (l.) breaks down some more modern approaches to stopping the oldest trick in the book.

Georgia Lawmakers Fail to Legalize Sports Betting

Sports bettors and industry analysts have had Georgia on their mind for quite some time, but alas, the latest legalization efforts have fallen through once again.

Crown Melbourne Returns to Full Suitability

Victorian regulators have determined that Crown Melbourne (l.) has regained the ability to hold its casino license, more than two years after it was conditionally suspended for anti-money laundering violations and other regulatory offenses.

WEEKLY FEATURE: Thailand IRs Could Boost Tourism by Half

A new study suggests that Thailand could boost tourism revenue by more than 50 percent if lawmakers approve integrated resorts with gaming. Major operators including MGM and Galaxy are expected to vie for the first licenses.

NYC Casino Licensing Far Off

The New York Gaming Commission estimates that applications for three downstate licenses for commercial casinos in and around New York City will not be accepted before Q1 2025.

Skill Games Secure Another PA Court Victory

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has affirmed its decision holding that so-called “skill games” produced by Banilla Games can be operated legally in the state.

Singapore IRs to Begin Massive Expansions

Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore both will undertake multibillion-dollar expansions starting this year as part of their concession renewal agreements with the government.

Star’s CEO, CFO Step Down as Company’s Struggles Continue

Star Entertainment has announced the resignation of CEO Robbie Cooke and CFO Christina Katsibouba, the latest in a growing list of departures that have plagued the company since it was first deemed unsuitable for licensure in late 2021 by New South Wales regulators.

888 Weathers License Review with No Penalty

The sportsbook and gambling company 888 Holdings has withstood a license review by the UK Gambling Commission. No further regulatory action is needed, the company announced.

NCAA Prez Calls for End of Prop Bets in College Games

Charlie Baker (l.), the president of the NCAA, wants proposition bets on college players stricken from sportsbook menus. Too much stress on young student athletes who have to worry about ticking off bettors who expected a certain performance.

Stitt Asks Regulators To Block 2034 Compact Renewal

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (l.) wants the Horse Racing Commission to enact a resolution making sure the Model Tribal Gaming Compact doesn’t automatically renew on December 31, 2034, as it did in 2019.

Time Runs Short for Maryland iGaming Bill

Maryland senators declined to vote on an iGaming bill last Tuesday. If they don’t do so by April 8, the legislation is kaput for the year. The proposal passed the House 92-43 in March.

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Show ‘Em What You Got

Unfortunately, not much of the success from other sectors of the overall market has managed to spill over into the gaming side. The industry seems to have exhausted much of its one-time announcements and other hype generators, meaning that the fundamentals—leadership, planning and execution—will once again separate the winners and losers.

GGB PODCAST: Tribal Economic Growth with Kit Szybala and Seth Young, Founding Partners, GMA Consulting

Sustainability and preservation is a hallmark of the decision-making process for tribes everywhere, and this also applies to economics. Casinos have provided a great foundation, but future growth lies in strategic investments in other ventures, according to GMA Consulting founding partners Kit Szybala and Seth Young (r. to l.).

GGB Podcast sponsored by iGamingPlayer.

MGM’s Hornbuckle Meets Xi in Beijing

MGM Resorts head Bill Hornbuckle (l.) was part of a delegation of U.S. business leaders who met with Chinese President Xi Jinping last week. The move was called an attempt to thaw relations between the superpowers.

Kindred’s Exit From U.S. Paves way for FDJ merger

A decision by Kindred to exit the U.S. market was helpful to the company that has bid to acquire it, French operator FDJ. Otherwise FDJ would have suggested doing it anyway, says FDJ CEO Stéphane Pallez.

Entain and Former BetCity Owners sue Each Other

The former owners of the Netherlands-based BetCity and the U.K.-based gaming company Entain are suing each other. The suits, filed in the U.K. High Court, involve counterclaims regarding the sale of BetCity to Entain.

India’s MIB Warns Against Online Betting Endorsements

India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has issued stern warnings to the country’s influencers and endorsers: Don’t promote illegal offshore gambling sites.

Brazil Debates State vs. Federal Licenses for Sports Betting

One of the largest emerging markets for sports betting and online gaming is Brazil. Currently the country is debating the right approach to take: state vs. federal licenses.

Chile Takes Casino License Bids

The period has closed to submit bids for casino operating licenses for two locations in Chile. The licenses are for the city of Castro on Chiloé Island and Coyhaique, the capital of the Aysén Region in Patagonia.

New Jersey Senator Proposes Doubling iGaming Tax

New Jersey Senator John McKeon has introduced a bill that would double the state tax rate on internet gaming revenue from 15 percent to 30 percent.

Minnesota Betting Bill Gains Support of Two Stakeholders

Last year, the charities said no deal to a sports betting bill that ended pull tabs, their source of income. This year, an increase in the sports betting tax to raise money for charities placated the group and the tribes as well.

Las Vegas Bookie Tied to Mizuhara Watched by Feds for Years

Matt Bowyer is a central figure in the betting scandal involving Ippei Mizuhara, former translator for Shohei Ohtani. Mizuhara placed bets with Bowyer’s illegal sportsbook, which has been under investigation by the feds for years.

Missouri Latest to Demand End to Fantasy Pick’em Games

It should be quite simple. If you want to continue as a fantasy sports operator, say bye-bye to the pick’em games that bring the house into the picture. States seem to think they come too close to sports betting.

Fanatics’ New Exec Strikes Back at DraftKings Accusations

DraftKings executive Michael Hermalyn saw a better opportunity if he joined Fanatics Betting & Gaming and relocated to California. DraftKings was not too happy and filed a lawsuit. Hermalyn fired back.

Florida High Court Won’t Hear Case Against Seminoles

Florida’s Supreme Court declined to hear a case brought by a pair of parimutuels against the Seminole Tribe. Seems they filed the wrong petition.

SBC to Induct Six to the 2024 Sports Betting Hall of Fame

SBCAmericas will bring in six more honorees to the Sports Betting Hall of Fame. The ceremony will take place May 8 at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey.

Virginia Businesses Pressure Governor on Skill Games

A group of business owners and other advocates of legalizing “skill games” rallied at the Virginia Capitol to pressure Governor Glenn Youngkin (l.) to deliver on a 2021 promise of support for legalization.

Group Proposes Suburban Chicago Racetrack

The development group Lincoln Land Downs has proposed a $180 million racino in the south Chicago suburb of Richton Park. It plans to apply for a horse racing license and 2025 race dates this year, and open a casino by 2029.

Bally’s Executives Appear Before NGC Ahead of Tropicana Closure

Bally’s Corp. is completing the final steps necessary for the permanent closure of the Tropicana Las Vegas (l.), which will officially shut its doors this week. However, that isn’t the only development that Nevada regulators are curious about.

Arkansas Attorney General Approves Casino Ballot Language

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin approved revised ballot language for a proposed constitutional amendment that would let local communities decide if they want a casino and repeal licenses previously issued in Pope County.

Kentucky Proposes New Gambling Corporation

The Kentucky Senate passed a bill creating a new standalone corporation to regulate live horse racing, parimutuel wagering, sports betting and charitable gaming, replacing the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation.

Developers Add Casino To Proposed Mississippi Hotel

Developers recently added a casino to their proposed hotel in East Biloxi, Mississippi. But the $300 million Tullis Gardens Hotel & Casino (l.) faces challenges including the pending tidelands law and archaeological discoveries.

Western Casino in Downtown Las Vegas Back Up for Sale

The Western Hotel & Casino (l.) in downtown Las Vegas is back up for sale, after the estate for its deceased owner was granted a license renewal from state regulators.

U.S. Dept of the Interior Asked to Deny Oregon Casino

The Coquille Indian Tribe of Oregon seeks to put land into trust for a casino in Medford. Four tribes based in California and Oregon say the application should be denied because it is for an off-reservation casino.

Saipan Operator Retains Executive Director

Saipan casino operator Imperial Pacific International has reappointed Chen Feng as executive director, with a term that began March 24. The operator is nearing a settlement to surrender its gaming license on the island.

Paradise Co. Appoints Co-CEOs

South Korean casino operator Paradise Co. has announced it now has two chief executive officers: current CEO Choi Sunguk and newly appointed co-CEO Choi Jong-hwan.

NIGC Announces Two Appointments

Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland has appointed two to the three-person National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) as associate members. They are Sharon Avery and Jeannie Hovland.

Rytterstrom Named President of Borgata

The Borgata has elevated Niklas Rytterstrom (l.) to the position of president and chief operating officer, succeeding Travis Lunn, who recently returned to Luxor in Las Vegas.

Cordish Executive Named to GGW Board

Cordish Gaming Chief Marketing Officer Suzanne Trout has been named to the board of directors of Global Gaming Women for a term lasting through 2026.

iGaming Operators Launch New Trade Association

Last week, seven of the largest iGaming companies in the U.S. launched a new trade group, the Responsible Online Gaming Association. Its goal is to develop and advance responsible gaming practices.

Light & Wonder Fires Back at Aristocrat

Light & Wonder has rejected allegations in an Aristocrat patent infringement lawsuit, and will continue rollout and marketing of the subject slot game Dragon Train.