FANTINI’S FINANCE: After Murren, What’s Next for MGM?

MGM’s departing CEO leaves a legacy of growth earned with tough, transformative measures, not all of which were popular. As Jim Murren eyes the exit, what’s ahead for the...

Published February 17, 2020

‘Next Big Thing:’ Hard Rock AC Debuts ‘Live Slots’

In what’s being plugged as the “next big thing” in online gaming, Hard Rock Atlantic City has launched “Live Slots,” a lineup of physical slot machines that can be...

Published February 17, 2020

Judge Orders Mediation In OK Compact Dispute

In Oklahoma, Chief District Judge Timothy D. DeGiusti ordered Governor Kevin Stitt (l.) and Indian tribes to enter mediation in their dispute over gambling compacts. Stitt claims the 15-year...

Published February 17, 2020

William Hill, CBS Sports in Data Deal

William Hill U.S. has partnered with CBS Sports in an agreement where the sportsbook gives wagering data to the network in exchange for exclusive rights to promote its brand...

Published February 17, 2020

DraftKings Partners with Resurrected Football League

Vince McMahon’s XFL football league (l.) returned this year, almost 20 years after its first and only season in 2001. DraftKings is so confident the latest incarnation will succeed,...

Published February 17, 2020

Massachusetts Sports Betting Proposal Would Spread the Wealth

The Massachusetts legislature has been moving slowly and deliberately toward sports betting legislature. Rep. Michael Soter (l.), of the state’s Committee on Economic Development, doesn’t want to limit the...

Published February 17, 2020

MGM Gets Nod in Osaka

U.S. gaming giant MGM Resorts International has been identified as the sole qualified bidder for an integrated resort (IR) in Osaka, Japan (l.), a pet project of departing CEO...

Published February 17, 2020

In Macau, ‘Bleak’ Outlook, Plunging Revenues

With coronavirus cases soaring in China, visitation to Macau is at a virtual standstill. The city’s principal industry will remain closed for at least another week, and it’s possible...

Published February 17, 2020

Snowden: A ‘Transformational’ Year for Penn National

Penn National Gaming has released fourth-quarter results that new CEO Jay Snowden (l.) says capped off a “transformational year” and bode well for a coming year that will see...

Published February 17, 2020

WEEKLY FEATURE: Virginia House, Senate Approve Gambling Bills

The Virginia legislature last week voted to approve casinos. Casino proponent Senator Louise Lucas (l.) said the new industry could be "our Amazon.” The five proposed host cities are...

Published February 17, 2020

Murren Exits MGM

Jim Murren (l.), MGM Resorts International’s chairman and CEO, is stepping down after 22 years with the company, 12 of them as its leader. But analysts expect the policies...

Published February 17, 2020

GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCAST: Joe Pappano, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Worldpay Gaming

This week the GGB Podcast features an interview with Joe Pappano, the senior vice president and managing director of Worldpay Gaming, on why payment processing is the next big...

Published February 10, 2020

Tribal Casino Bill Introduced in Connecticut

A bill that would give Connecticut’s gaming tribes the right to develop a commercial casino in the state’s largest city, Bridgeport, has been reintroduced. The bill would also legalize...

Published February 10, 2020

Maryland Debates Sports Betting Bills

Maryland lawmakers face a decision on competing bills that would add sports betting in the state. One includes an online component; one doesn’t. One includes racetracks; one doesn’t. The...

Published February 10, 2020

UK Looks at Flutter-Stars Merger

The UK authority charged with investigating mergers will look at the proposed blockbuster deal between Flutter Entertainment and the Stars Group. The Competition and Markets Authority will examine an...

Published February 10, 2020

Canadian Casinos Under Microscope—This Time in Ontario

In recent years, casinos in British Columbia were a reported hotbed of money laundering. Now the spotlight is on Ontario, where suspicious transaction probes skyrocketed from 945 in 2017...

Published February 10, 2020

Melco Ditches Crown, Blames Coronavirus

Melco Resorts & Entertainment has bailed on its plan to buy a major share of Crown Resorts. Melco blamed its decision on the impact of the coronavirus, but the...

Published February 10, 2020

Rhode Island’s Twin River Continues Explosive Growth

Twin River Worldwide Holdings continues an aggressive expansion mode that soon will see the Rhode Island-based company operate 10 gaming properties in four states. “We’re still in a heavy...

Published February 10, 2020

In Vegas, Success Beyond Baccarat

At first glance, it would appear Las Vegas Strip missed out on a banner $12 billion year for Nevada gaming in 2019. But then, it’s easy to overlook the...

Published February 10, 2020

WEEKLY FEATURE: Hard Rock’s Allen Says ‘The Fix Is In’

Hard Rock International Chairman and CEO James Allen (l.) last week disputed reports that Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment had been awarded the license to build and operate an integrated...

Published February 10, 2020