Walker Not Budging On Kenosha Casino

Shockwaves continue to flow through southeastern Wisconsin over Governor Scott Walker's January 23 decision against the Menominee Nation's proposed $800 million Kenosha casino, operated by Hard Rock International (l.)....

Published February 2, 2015

Macau’s Big Slump Ending?

Gross gaming revenues in Macau rose 6 percent for the week ending January 25. That could mean the market, which saw seven months of precipitous decline in 2014, could...

Published February 2, 2015

Caesars Wins Venue Change

A federal bankruptcy judge has ruled in favor of Caesars Entertainment, ordering that the operator’s bankruptcy case be filed in Chicago to end the involuntary bankruptcy bid. Opponents of...

Published February 2, 2015

Scientific Games Moving to Las Vegas

Lottery and gaming giant Scientific Games Corporation is moving its headquarters from New York to Las Vegas after completing its acquisition of two slot suppliers.

Published February 2, 2015

New California Online Poker Bill Different From Gatto Proposal

Two bills that would legalize online poker in California are now vying for passage. The original, by Assemblyman Mike Gatto, includes a “bad actor” provision that many find unpalatable....

Published February 2, 2015

Adelson Takes Over as CEO of Sands China

Las Vegas Sands Corp. founder and Chairman Sheldon Adelson (l.) is taking the top spot at Sands China Ltd. as current boss Edward Tracy retires. The 81-year-old billionaire casino...

Published February 2, 2015

Ernie

The great baseball player, Ernie Banks, died last week. Former casino executive Richard Schuetz recollects when he worked with Banks at a hotel in Las Vegas to attract more...

Published February 2, 2015

Kansas Southeast Zone Attracts Four Developers

Friday was the deadline for submitting bids to build a state-owned casino in Kansas' Southeast Gaming Zone. Four developers expressed interest: Treasure Island owner Phil Ruffin (l.) and the...

Published February 2, 2015

Scott Meets Secretly With Casino Executives

Florida Governor Rick Scott (l.) recently met secretly with top officials from seven South Florida gambling properties. Most likely the executives lobbied for changes in the Seminole compact allowing...

Published February 2, 2015

Bay State’s First Casino Set to Open in June

The first of four casinos in Massachusetts, the $250 million Plainridge Park Casino (l.), is set to open in June, the state Gaming Commission learned last week. And the...

Published February 2, 2015

New Jersey Senate President Blasts Christie’s Move as Atlantic City Finances Sink

New Jersey State Senate President Stephen Sweeney sharply criticized Governor Chris Christie’s move to appoint an emergency management team for Atlantic City and vowed to fight to keep the...

Published February 2, 2015

Bill Would Close Pa. Casinos Daily

A bill introduced in the Pennsylvania legislature would require the state’s casinos to close between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. daily, as a hedge against problem gambling.

Published February 2, 2015

Macau Casino Workers: Partial Smoking Ban Not Good Enough

Macau limits smoking in casinos to VIP rooms where the high rollers play. Employees of those casinos are now demanding a total ban on smoking within one year. They...

Published February 2, 2015

Mississippi Supreme Court Hears Katrina Case

After Cherri Porter's Biloxi beach house was damaged by Grand Casino barges during Hurricane Katrina, State Farm denied her claims. She lost lawsuits against the insurance company, her agent...

Published February 2, 2015

Vietnam Allows New Casino

A decision by the government of Vietnam to bring a casino to the island of Phu Quoc—and even allow Vietnamese patrons under certain circumstances—has generated mixed reaction among the...

Published February 2, 2015

Indiana Legislator Claims Bill Not Expansion

Indiana Governor Mike Pence (l.) has not clarified what he means when he says he's against expanded gambling. But state Rep. Tom Dermody said his proposed legislation does not...

Published February 2, 2015

Casinos for Tokyo Olympics? Doubtful

A report from Union Gaming Research says integrated resorts in Tokyo and Osaka “will never happen” before the start of the 2020 Summer Olympic games in Tokyo. Even so,...

Published February 2, 2015

Maryland Slot Reductions OK’s by Commission

State senators in Maryland were delaying any decision on requests from Horseshoe Baltimore (l.) and Maryland Live! to reduce their numbers of slot machines in favor of more table...

Published February 2, 2015

South Korea Studying Cruise Line

South Korean casino operator Grand Korea Leisure Co. Ltd. is exploring the feasibility of cruise ships to draw more Chinese patrons. South Korea has no domestic cruise line, but...

Published February 2, 2015

New York Bidder Faces Hurdles After Obtaining Initial License

Politicians and gaming operators wrote a letter to the state of New York on January 10 asking for the state to pull the license awarded to the Lago Resort...

Published February 2, 2015