From Russia With Love—and Casinos

Casino legalization figures prominently in Russia’s plans for reviving the troubled economy of the Crimea, with the Black Sea resort of Yalta designated as the likely location. The government...

Published June 2, 2014

FANTINI’S FINANCE: A Dose of Reality

Most observers have played down the slow start of legal iGaming in the U.S., claiming the sample size is too small and adjustments will be made to the marketing....

Published June 2, 2014

GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCAST: Matt Wilson, Vice President, Marketing, Aristocrat Americas

This week, the GGB Podcast features an interview with Matt Wilson, the vice president of marketing for Aristocrat Americas, on the company’s new products and innovations that have recently...

Published June 2, 2014

WEEKLY FEATURE: Asian Influence

Last week’s G2E Asia turned the attention of the gaming world on Macau. Keynote speaker and MGM China Co-Chairwoman Pansy Ho (l.) took the opportunity to emphasize that Macau...

Published May 26, 2014

Is Vietnam Done as Chinese Destination?

Riots in several Vietnam cities targeting Chinese nationals and businesses may spell the end of plans to target Mainland VIPs as customers for junket operators, severely impacting the business...

Published May 26, 2014

LV Sands’ Leven to Retire

Michael Leven (l.), the president and chief operating officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp., has announced he will retire at the end of the year, initiating an executive search...

Published May 26, 2014

Massachusetts Commission Set to Vote on First Casino Resort

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has set June 13 for the first date when it will award a casino license for the Western gaming zone. The only remaining applicant for...

Published May 26, 2014

Timing Running Out on Japan Casino Bill

Pro-casino lawmakers in Japan say the window is closing on passage of a legalization bill in the current session of the Diet. The bill must pass by the end...

Published May 26, 2014

Bwin.party Settles With Ader After Board Shakeup

Bwin.party announced that it had settled its dispute with activist investor Jason Ader, just days after three of its board members, including co-founder Manfred Bodner (l.), stepped down after...

Published May 26, 2014

Queensland Competition Heats Up

Proposals for multibillion-dollar resort casinos on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef are causing supporters and opponents to get hot and bothered. With new casino licenses up for bid, Queensland will...

Published May 26, 2014

Last Gasp for Illinois Gaming Expansion

With less than two weeks remaining in the Illinois legislative session, state Rep. Bob Rita (l.) has asked his colleagues to support his expanded gambling proposals, both calling for...

Published May 26, 2014

FANTINI’S FINANCE: The Damage Done

Atlantic City’s woes may not be over as more competition is slated to open within the next several years. Experts believe more casinos need to close before the market...

Published May 26, 2014

GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCAST: Dermot Smurfit, Chief Executive Officer, Game Account Network

This week, the GGB Podcast brings in Dermot Smurfit, the CEO of the innovative online gaming company, Game Account Network, on how he grew his organization without catering to...

Published May 26, 2014

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Falling Back to Earth

The run-up of gaming stocks enjoyed over the last year is over. Even though the stock market continues to prosper, gaming stocks have taken a hit. What happened?

Published May 19, 2014

GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCAST: Charles Harper, Director of Business Development, IGT’s DoubleDown Interactive

This week the GGB Podcast features a discussion with Charles Harper, the director of business development for DoubleDown Interactive, on how the company has become accretive to its owner...

Published May 19, 2014

WEEKLY FEATURE: Macau’s Credit Card Headache

More bad news for jittery Macau investors. The latest is that local authorities have given the casinos until July 1 to oust illegal hand-held card-swipe devices from their properties....

Published May 19, 2014

Haddrill Reappointed Bally CEO

Two years after yielding the CEO role to Ramesh Srinivasan, board Chairman Richard Haddrill returns to the top post at the gaming supplier. Srinivasan will exit the company after...

Published May 19, 2014

Penn REIT to Buy Meadows

Gaming & Leisure Properties, the REIT spinoff created last year by Penn National Gaming, will acquire the Meadows racetrack casino south of Pittsburgh for $465 million.

Published May 19, 2014

Time Running Out on Gaming in Japan

With only five weeks to go in the current legislative session, supporters are hedging their bets and say the legalization of casinos in Japan may not happen this year....

Published May 19, 2014

Tribal Unity Makes Online Poker Likely in California

A once contentious debate among the various California tribes has long worked against any agreement to legalize online gaming. This year, most of the tribes are united in requesting...

Published May 19, 2014