Crown in Good Shape, Debtwise

Fitch Ratings Inc. says the “low net debt position” and “highly variable cost structure” of Australian casino operator Crown Resorts will give it “headroom to absorb the effect of...

Published April 13, 2020

Covid-19 Sinks Cruise Ships

With travel curtailed and social distancing in full effect, the cruise ship industry has suffered a body blow. Genting Hong Kong warns that its core cruise line business, which...

Published April 6, 2020

Russian Casino Closes, Along with Borders

Summit Ascent Holdings, operator of the Tigre de Cristal casino resort (l.) in Russia’s Primorye section, suspended gaming last week on news that the government would close its borders...

Published April 6, 2020

Tabcorp Pushes Digital Alternatives During Crisis

Australia’s Tabcorp is aiming to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic by reducing capital expenditures and promoting digital alternatives to its products.

Published March 30, 2020

OTBs in Jamaica Allowed to Operate

The Jamaican Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission has rescinded an order that would have closed off-track betting parlors, which offer wagers on race meets at Caymanas Park (l.) and...

Published March 30, 2020

New Zealand Tracks Keep Running, Sans Fans

Thoroughbred, harness and greyhound tracks will continue to operate in New Zealand, but without spectators. The decision, in effect through April 13, minimizes the number of humans allowed on...

Published March 30, 2020

Codere Gets Loan to Shore Up Mexican Subsidiary

Bolsa Madrid gaming group Codere SA has received €20 million (US$21.6 million) loan to support its Mexican business unit during and after the coronavirus outbreak.

Published March 30, 2020

British Columbia Considers New Casino

The British Columbia Lottery Corp. (BCLC) is talking with the District of Saanich about a possible casino development there.

Published March 30, 2020

Bloomberry Absolved in Bangladesh Bank Heist

Bangladesh Bank, which reportedly transferred millions of dollars to New York’s Federal Reserve Bank (l.), has lost its civil claim against Bloomberry Resorts & Hotels Inc., a unit of...

Published March 30, 2020

Crown Casino Claimed Exemption from Closure

The government of Victoria in Australia briefly allowed Crown Melbourne to remain open despite the widening coronavirus pandemic. Crown’s position that it should be exempt from closure caused widespread...

Published March 30, 2020

Brazil: Casinos in Amazonas?

Brazilian lawmaker Alberto Neto (l.) is behind a new bill that would legalize casino hotels to Manaus, a city of 2 million-plus people in the state of Amazonas.

Published March 30, 2020

Suppliers Face Covid-19 Fallout

As the industry shuts down, leaders of the supply sector, including Marcus Prater (l.) of the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers, want to ensure lawmakers include them in government...

Published March 23, 2020

India: State Casinos Close for Two Weeks

The Indian states of Goa and Sikkim have ordered a temporary shutdown of its casino industry to help combat the spread of Covid-19. Goa has seven offshore casino boats...

Published March 23, 2020

Buenos Aires Closes Casinos, Bingo Halls, Racetracks

The government of Buenos Aires has ordered that casinos, racetracks and bingo halls close down to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

Published March 23, 2020

Canadian Casinos Shut Down

Casinos in all Canadian provinces have been ordered closed in light of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Ontario, for one, responded after 142 cases of infection were reported.

Published March 23, 2020

Aussie Court: Melco Must Turn Over Confidential Info

The government of New South Wales has won its legal battle to force Lawrence Ho’s (l.) Melco Resorts to turn over internal documents as requested for an investigation of...

Published March 23, 2020

Ontario Union to Fight Casino Smoking

A smoking room for gamblers is being considered for Casino Rama (l.) in Ontario, Canada. But the casino workers’ union vows to fight the plan.

Published March 16, 2020

Wynn Plans Caribbean Casino

Wynn Hotels & Resorts may build a $6 billion casino resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (l.). The U.S.-based firm would build the project in phases, and plans a...

Published March 9, 2020

Genting HK Cancels Cruises

Genting Hong Kong Ltd., which operates casino cruise ships and is part of the larger Malaysian conglomerate, has cancelled a number of scheduled trips aboard its Dream Cruises line...

Published March 3, 2020

Indian Tourism Minister Does About-Face on Casinos

Karnataka Tourism Minister C. T. Ravi (l.), who recently proposed legal casinos in the Indian state as a way to boost the local economy, just as quickly backed off...

Published March 3, 2020