Bekier Exits Star Amid Deepening Probe

An inquiry into non-compliance at Australia’s Star Sydney casino resort has prompted Star CEO Matt Bekier (l.) to step down. The probe has uncovered evidence that Star ignored its...

Published April 4, 2022

Caesars Windsor Employees Approve Union Deal

Caesars Windsor union workers represented by Unifor Local 444 have ratified a tentative agreement. Members approved the new contract by an overwhelming majority—93 percent.

Published March 28, 2022

New Zealand: SkyCity Auckland Lax in RG Measures

The New Zealand government says the SkyCity Auckland Casino (l.) is “deficient” in its approach to problem gambling. A 2019 audit found that staff had a “dismissive” attitude to...

Published March 28, 2022

Russian Resort Expansion Delayed by Covid, Sanctions

Global sanctions against Russia and the fallout from Covid will delay the Phase II expansion of Tigre de Cristal (l.), a casino resort in Vladivostok’s Primorye Economic Zone. The...

Published March 28, 2022

NSW: Star Sydney Ignored Junket Risks

According to investigators in New South Wales, Australia, the Star Sydney Casino renewed an agreement with a junket operator linked to Asian triads, despite the risk of money laundering.

Published March 28, 2022

Western Australia Punishes Crown

Like neighboring New South Wales and Victoria, Western Australia has ruled the Crown Resorts in “not suitable” to hold a casino license in the state, but can remain in...

Published March 28, 2022

Trinidad and Tobago Launch Gambling Control Commission

Trinidad and Tobago has launched its Gambling Control Commission to monitor and govern gambling activity, naming Stephan Tang Nian as the commission’s first chairman.

Published March 21, 2022

Macau Operators’ Russian Ties a Risk Factor

Russia casinos by Hong Kong or Macau entities in the Vladivostok region may pose a risk in the wake of Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine and China’s refusal to...

Published March 21, 2022

Montreal Casino Workers Demand Return of Laid-Off Colleagues

Montreal Casino (l.) dealers have demanded that their employer rehire all colleagues furloughed due to Covid-19. The unionized workers voted overwhelmingly to walk off the job if their demands...

Published March 21, 2022

Star Entertainment Public Hearings Underway

Public hearings into Star Entertainment’s suitability to operate its Sydney casino began last week. Adam Bell was appointed to conduct the review, which holds the authority of a state...

Published March 21, 2022

Nepal Casino Industry Slowly Rebounding

Nepal’s 11 casinos, including Tiger Palace (l.) and 11 mini-casinos recently reopened after closing in March 2020 because of Covid-19. Tourism is surging and new casinos are opening, but...

Published March 14, 2022

ASIC Will Not Pursue Charges Against Ex-Crown Execs

Former Crown Resorts executives will face no charges from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, though they presided in an era of compliances breaches that nearly brought down the...

Published March 14, 2022

Brazil: Many Obstacles on Path to Legal Gaming

A bill that would legalize gambling in Brazil, recently passed by the Chamber of Deputies, will likely meet with more opposition in the Senate. Some lawmakers have asked for...

Published March 14, 2022

Puerto Rico Licenses Three New Casinos

The Puerto Rico Gaming Commission has granted three new licenses, authorizing casinos in the Aloft San Juan (l.), the Hampton Inn in Dorado and the Tribute Portfolio by Marriott...

Published March 7, 2022

Could Crown Civil Proceedings Derail Blackstone Bid?

Crown Resorts is being sued for “innumerable” compliance breaches at its Australian casinos. Hefty fines, to be determined by AUSTRAC’s Nicole Rose (l.), could trigger an exit clause for...

Published March 7, 2022

Gaming Companies Rally Around Ukraine

Gaming firms are rallying to support Ukraine, raising relief funds and severing business relationships in Russia. Karolina Pelc (l.), founder and CEO of BeyondPlay, announced a fundraiser for Ukraine...

Published March 7, 2022

Palestine May Reopen Casino Closed for 22 Years

The Oasis Casino (l.) opened in Jericho on the Palestinian West Bank in 1998, but only lasted two years. The Second Intifada led to its closing. Now the...

Published February 28, 2022

Move Over, Tabcorp: Victoria Licenses New Keno Operator

Tabcorp no longer has a monopoly on Keno in the Australian state of Victoria. Lottoland has signed on as well and both will offer retail and online service. Authorities...

Published February 28, 2022

Australia’s Star Group Denied Pandemic Compensation

The Star Entertainment Group, with casinos in Sydney, Brisbane and Australia’s Gold Coast, has no claim against its insurer for losses suffered during Covid-19, a court has ruled.

Published February 28, 2022

Bekier: Australian Tourism Depends on Return of SEA

Star Entertainment Group CEO Matt Bekier (l.) commented that the long-term survival of tourism in Australia depend on the return of Chinese and other Southeast Asian gamblers.

Published February 28, 2022