Saipan Awards Casino License

The road to Saipan’s first and only casino has been a bumpy one. There have been allegations of favoritism and shady dealings in connection with the bidding process. But...

Published July 21, 2014

Holland Casino Soon To Be History

The government of the Netherlands is breaking up its casino monopoly and opening the market to competition. Lotteries and online gambling also will be put out for bid.

Published July 21, 2014

New Partner for Ho Tram

Vietnam’s largest casino hotel has a new investor in budget hotel tycoon Chien Lee. The Grand – Ho Tram (l.) has struggled in the absence of domestic play, but...

Published July 21, 2014

Isle of Capri Shakes Up Management

In a move that will reduce annual corporate expenses by $2.5 million, Isle of Capri eliminated the executive chairman of the board, chief strategic officer and other senior corporate...

Published July 21, 2014

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Global Convergence

The purchase of IGT by GTECH means more than just another massive gaming deal. It demonstrates the acceleration of globalization and convergence of all gaming sectors.

Published July 21, 2014

GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCAST: David Rebuck, Director, New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement

This week, the GGB Podcast presents an important interview with David Rebuck, the director of New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement, on the shape of the iGaming industry in...

Published July 21, 2014

WEEKLY FEATURE: Aristocrat Steps Up

Aristocrat Leisure Ltd. wraps up a month of acquisitions and partnership deals aimed at keeping up with powerful competition with the purchase of VGT, a leading Class II manufacturer....

Published July 14, 2014

Theme Parks Join Crowded Japan Field

Universal Studios wants a casino to complement its Osaka theme park, and Huis Ten Bosch wants one in Nagasaki, where it operates a popular Dutch-themed park. But Universal is...

Published July 14, 2014

Casinos OK’d for Crimea, Sochi

Russian lawmakers have approved a bill to bring casinos to economically struggling Crimea and Sochi, site of the recent Winter Olympics (l.). The Crimea zone, expected to be centered...

Published July 14, 2014

New York: Hurry Up and Wait

Last month, 17 gaming partnerships formally submitted their casino proposals to the state of New York (Nevele proposal for Catskills at left). The winners will not be chosen until...

Published July 14, 2014

Interior Rejects Application From Kansas Tribe

The Kansas Attorney General's office said the Wyandotte Nation's application to have land in Park City taken into federal trust has been rejected by the Interior Department. Officials said...

Published July 14, 2014

Crown Sydney Wins License Approval

New South Wales regulators have OK’d a license for James Packer’s multibillion-dollar Crown Sydney (l.), paving the way for the luxury resort to open in 2019. Billed as a...

Published July 14, 2014

Boston, Mohegan Reach $18 Million Casino Agreement

Not a “host” city, Boston is trying to outline deals with the two developers of casinos in the region, neither of them located in the city. Last week, the...

Published July 14, 2014

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Growing Problem

Investors who expect the gaming industry to grow are going to be disappointed in the short term, as revenues continue to decline in almost all sectors and competitive technologies...

Published July 14, 2014

GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCAST: Marco Benvenuti and Patrick Bosworth, Co-Founders, Duetto Research

This week, the GGB Podcast features a dual interview with the principles from Duetto Research, Marco Benvenuti and Patrick Bosworth, who lead a company that focuses on the arcane...

Published July 14, 2014

WEEKLY FEATURE: Vegas Hotels Rebrand

David Siegel, a leading developer of timeshare properties, has been confirmed as the new owner of the LVH Las Vegas Hotel and Casino (l.), the former Las Vegas Hilton,...

Published July 7, 2014

Aristocrat to Acquire Paltronics, In Talks With VGT

Aristocrat Leisure Ltd. announced that it will acquire all the assets of Illinois-based system and display manufacturer Paltronics, Inc., and confirmed talks with supplier VGT, ramping up the convergence...

Published July 7, 2014

Isle of Capri On Verge Of Sale?

Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc., Penn National Gaming's spin-off REIT, is said to be actively pursuing Isle of Capri Casinos (the company’s newest casino in Cape Giradeau, Missouri at...

Published July 7, 2014

BIA Clears Way for Arizona Casino

The Indian Affairs division of the Interior Department last week indicated it would approve the request of the Tohono O’odham Nation to take a plot of land into trust...

Published July 7, 2014

Macau Sees First Revenue Drop in Five Years

A VIP slowdown has been weighing on Macau casino revenues, and last month the World Cup took another bite. Revenue in June was down 3.7 percent year on year,...

Published July 7, 2014