Izmirlian Wants Back In on Baha Mar

Sarkis Izmirlian (l.), the man who conceived the Bahamas’ $3.5 billion Baha Mar, is offering to buy back the unfinished megaresort at a premium. But he lacks the support...

Published October 24, 2016

Mass Wins in Macau

The “grind mass” customer is becoming more important to Macau casino operators. GGR in the mass-market segment rose 3.9 percent in the third quarter over the same period in...

Published October 24, 2016

Appeals Court Upholds California Casino

The right of the Northern California Enterprise Rancheria of Maidu Indians to finish their $186 million Fire Mountain Resort and Casino has been upheld by a Court of Appeal....

Published October 24, 2016

Christie, New Jersey Appeal Sports Betting Ruling to Supreme Court

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has joined an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court of a federal ruling striking down New Jersey’s sports betting law. The New Jersey Thoroughbred...

Published October 24, 2016

G2E Attendance Up 7 percent

Global Gaming Expo 2016 drew attendance of 27,000, a 7 percent increase over 2015 in a show that also added many new facets in its education program.

Published October 24, 2016

Ladbrokes and Gala Coral Sell Betting Shops

Ladbrokes and Gala Coral will sell 359 betting shops in the UK as a condition of their $3.4B billion merger. UKL regulators required the sell off to protect competition...

Published October 24, 2016

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Chinese Checkers

The crackdown by the Chinese government on the international marketing arm of Crown Resorts sent shudders through the industry last week. So how wise is it to depend on...

Published October 24, 2016

GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCAST: Blaine Graboyes, CEO, GameCo

This week, the GGB Podcast features a discussion with Blaine Graboyes, the CEO of GameCo, the first new slot manufacturer to offer skill games on the casino floor.

Published October 24, 2016

WEEKLY FEATURE: Nevada Legislature OKs Stadium Plan

Sheldon Adelson’s $1.9 billion domed stadium has taken a giant step closer to reality after the Nevada legislature voted to approve an increase in the local hotel room tax...

Published October 17, 2016

Li Visit a Plus for Macau

Analysts expected a recent visit from Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (l.) to Macau would be a negative that would send VIPs running. By most accounts the visit was a...

Published October 17, 2016

Taiwan’s Penghu Rejects Casinos

Penghu County off the coast of Taiwan overwhelmingly rejected legalizing casinos for the second time. Voters in Penghy turned down casinos by a 4-1 margin. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen...

Published October 17, 2016

Jamul Casino Opens Near San Diego

The latest casino in San Diego County, Hollywood Casino Jamul-San Diego (l.), opened October 10. The $460 million casino remains controversial, and on opening day opponents were complaining about...

Published October 17, 2016

Isle Sells Iowa Casino

Isle of Capri Casinos announced last week it was selling its Lady Luck Casino (l.) in Marquette, Iowa, to Casino Queen for $40 million. The sale comes just weeks...

Published October 17, 2016

Bermuda Politicians Scare off Casino Investor

The executive director of the Bermuda Casino Gaming Commission is wondering out loud why some island politicians are behaving badly towards an investor who wants to promote gaming. Richard...

Published October 17, 2016

New Jersey Approves First Skill-Based Slots

Regulators in New Jersey have approved skill-based slot games on its Video Game Gambling Machines, for exclusive introduction at Caesars Entertainment’s Atlantic City properties. Blaine Graboyes (l.), CEO and...

Published October 17, 2016

William Hill, Amaya Deal Seen as a Longshot

News that UK bookmaker William Hill and Canadian PokerStars owner Amaya Inc. are considering a merger has led to doubt among analysts and business insiders. William Hill just rejected...

Published October 17, 2016

FANTINI’S FINANCE: iGaming On The Verge

Yes, the debut of iGaming in the United States was something of a dud, but a funny thing has been happening over the past two years. iGaming has been...

Published October 17, 2016

GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCAST: Russell Sanna, Executive Director, National Center for Responsible Gaming

This week, Russell Sanna joins the conversation on the GGB Podcast as he talks about his relatively new position as executive director of the National Center for Responsible Gaming

Published October 17, 2016

WEEKLY FEATURE: Seminoles Solidify Control of Hard Rock Brand

The gaming-rich Seminole tribe has brought the famed brand’s entire global portfolio under its flagship Hard Rock International―including 27 hotels and 15 casinos, including Hard Rock Sioux City―everything but...

Published October 10, 2016

Casinos On Again In Japan?

Is Japan’s on-again, off-again casino bill back on? According to reports, a group of lawmakers have confirmed a plan that could have the legislation passed during the current Diet...

Published October 10, 2016