FANTINI’S FINANCE: The Right Path for Chicago

The disturbing report on the viability of a Chicago casino by Union Gaming Group demonstrates the flaws in the legislation that approved it. But it’s not too late to...

Published August 19, 2019

Oklahoma Governor Backs Down on Expiration of Compacts

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt last week issued another letter to tribes calling for negotiations on the renewal of tribal compacts to begin in September. This letter did not insist...

Published August 19, 2019

U.S. House Approves Class II Gaming for Texas Tribe

A bill passed in the U.S. House of Representatives would allow the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo and Alabama-Coushatta tribes of Texas to establish Class II gaming at their facilities....

Published August 19, 2019

Iowa Sportsbetting Goes Live

Eight Iowa casinos opened their sportsbooks at noon last Thursday, the first day of legal sports wagers in the state. Of that group, seven are expected to offer mobile...

Published August 19, 2019

Melco-Crown Deal Faces Tough Road in NSW

Crown Resorts is reeling from media reports in Australia accusing its VIP operations of dealings with foreign crime groups. The damage has now spread to New South Wales, where...

Published August 19, 2019

Hong Kong Sneezes, Macau Catches a Cold

Weeks of civil unrest in the Asian financial center is taking its toll on travel to neighboring Macau, and the city’s casinos are feeling the pinch. July’s gaming revenue...

Published August 19, 2019

Cherokee Resort Plan Wins OK in Arkansas

Officials in Pope County have voted to back a $225 million gaming complex, the Legends Resort & Casino Arkansas (l.), proposed by a joint venture that includes the business...

Published August 19, 2019

Encore Boston Harbor Takes a Big Bite Out of Competition

Call it the Boston behemoth. Wynn Resort’s $2.6 billion Encore Boston Harbor (l.) has taken a sizable chunk of business from rival casinos in Connecticut and Rhode Island. Investors...

Published August 19, 2019

WEEKLY FEATURE: Beijing to Crack Down on Philippines

China has warned the government of the Philippines that it will not turn a blind eye to illegal online gaming that targets mainland Chinese players by Philippines online gaming...

Published August 19, 2019

Chicago Casino Toddlin’

A study by Union Gaming Group has concluded that a Chicago casino, recently approved by the state legislature, would be so unprofitable, it would likely not attract any serious...

Published August 19, 2019

GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCAST: Joe Lupo, President, Hard Rock Atlantic City

This week, the GGB Podcast features an interview with Joe Lupo, the president of Hard Rock Atlantic City, on the property’s first year of operation and its prospects for...

Published August 12, 2019

5 Questions: Nick Khin, Chief Commercial Officer, IGT

At OIGA in July and continuing at international trade shows throughout the year, IGT is introducing systems innovations to streamline customer interactions, simplify bonusing and help operators compile and...

Published August 12, 2019

Senate Committee OKs Simermeyer for NIGC

Senator John Hoeven, chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, announced last week that the committee has approved the nomination of E. Sequoyah Simermeyer (l.) to serve as...

Published August 12, 2019

It Looks Bad for Crown. The Question is, How Bad?

Once again, Australian casino giant Crown Resorts is in the hot seat, with its VIP business the target of least two government investigations at home. The company will survive...

Published August 12, 2019

Churchill Downs Announces Corporate Expansion

Churchill Downs Chief Executive Officer Bill Carstanjen (l.) has announced an expansion at the Louisville facility, to be completed by the 2021 Kentucky Derby. It will include a hotel,...

Published August 12, 2019

New Mexico Nixes Racino, Draws Fire

Gaming operators and other businesses that hoped to be part of a sixth racino in New Mexico are fuming because the plan was rejected by the state racing commission....

Published August 12, 2019

Puerto Rico: Political Storms Could Stall Sports Betting

In possibly one of the final acts of his political career, former Puerto Rican Governor Ricardo Rossello signed legislation to bring legal sports betting to the U.S. territory. But...

Published August 12, 2019

WEEKLY FEATURE: Atlantic City Sale Possible in Caesars-Eldorado Merger

The $17 billion mega-merger of Caesars Entertainment and Eldorado Resorts has sparked a lot of talk about which of Caesars’ Las Vegas Strip casinos might be sold and who...

Published August 12, 2019

CT Governor’s Plan Would Put an End to East Windsor Casino

In Connecticut last week, Governor Ned Lamont (l.) floated the idea of turning the aging XL Center in Hartford into a casino and bringing legal sports betting to the...

Published August 12, 2019

GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCAST: Cynthia Hallet, President and CEO, American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation

This week, the GGB Podcast features an interview with Cynthia Hallet, the president and CEO of American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation, about how her organization seeks to work with casinos...

Published August 5, 2019