AC’s Former Pier Shops Sold Back to Caesars

Developer Bart Blatstein has sold the Playground pier complex in Atlantic City back to Caesars Entertainment, the company he bought it from five years ago. Blatstein was unable to...

Published February 3, 2020

VICI Completes Purchase of Jack Cleveland

VICI Properties, the real estate investment trust spun off from Caesars Entertainment in 2017, has closed on its $843 million purchase of Jack Cleveland Casino and Jack Thistledown racino...

Published February 3, 2020

Kentucky House Committee Approves Gambling Bill

Kentucky state Rep. Adam Koenig (l.) has introduced HB 137, legalizing sports betting, fantasy sports and online poker. A similar measure failed to pass last year. The bill limits...

Published February 3, 2020

Mississippi Coastal Casinos Set New Record

Mississippi's 12 coastal casinos including Harrah’s Gulf Coast (l.) set a record in 2019 with gross gaming revenue of $1.3 billion, up $74 million over 2018. The state's total...

Published February 3, 2020

Indiana Commissioners Investigating Spectacle

The Indiana Gaming Commission postponed its February 7 meeting, where it was expected to approve Spectacle Entertainment's Vigo County casino license. Instead, the commission is investigating the casino company...

Published February 3, 2020

Atlantic City: Gaming Execs Say Clean Up the Blight

What does Atlantic City need to succeed in an uber-competitive gaming landscape? According to a panel of Atlantic City casino executives, it needs to clear out the city’s many...

Published February 3, 2020

Report Questions IGT’s Rhode Island Contract

An independent report commissioned by the Rhode Island legislature questions the 20-year lottery contract Governor Gina Raimondo (l.) negotiated with International Game Technology (IGT). It points out that most...

Published February 3, 2020

Twin River Completes Purchase of Three Colorado Casinos

Rhode Island-based Twin River World Holdings (TRWH) has finalized a deal with Affinity Gaming to purchase three properties in Colorado (including Golden Gulch, l., in Black Hawk) for $51...

Published February 3, 2020

Massachusetts Budget Assumes Gaming Decline

Nine years after casino developers promised Massachusetts lawmakers the state could expect $400 million in gaming tax revenues a year, it appears the market has peaked at a much...

Published February 3, 2020

Vermont House Leaders Cool to Gaming Expansion

Vermont Governor Phil Scott (l.) has proposed a state budget that includes revenues from sports betting and keno. Leaders in the House are not enthusiastic, although some senators like...

Published February 3, 2020

Wyoming Senator Calls for Gaming Commission

Wyoming state Senator Ogden Driskill (l.) says the Wild West style of gaming in the Cowboy State is creating an anarchic situation, where few people know what’s legal and...

Published February 3, 2020

AC Mayor Promises Trump Plaza Will Come Down

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. said the city is negotiating with Carl Icahn, owner of the shuttered Trump Plaza (l.), to demolish the abandoned property, and that the...

Published February 3, 2020

Hawaii Proposals Could End Gaming Ban

Bills originating in the Hawaii Senate would create a Hawaii Lottery and Gaming Corp. If approved, the legislation would end the Aloha State’s long ban on any form of...

Published February 3, 2020

MGM, Raiders Announce Partnership

The newly anointed “Las Vegas Raiders” last week announced a partnership deal with MGM Resorts that gives the gaming operator official recognition, signage in Allegiant Stadium and makes Mandalay...

Published January 27, 2020

Arlington Officials: Illinois Track Not for Sale

Officials of Arlington International Race Course (l.) have informed the Illinois Racing Board the track is not for sale. Last month, Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association President Mike Campbell said...

Published January 27, 2020

Poll Shows Most Georgia Voters Support New Gambling

In a poll conducted by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 64 percent of voters said they'd support casino gambling and 57 percent would support sports betting. Voters in nearly every demographic...

Published January 27, 2020

Pennsylvania Gaming Revenues Hit New High

Pennsylvania’s 12 commercial casinos logged a new revenue record for 2019: $3.4 billion in revenue, thanks partly to a 2017 gaming expansion. At the same time, municipalities continue to...

Published January 27, 2020

Congressional Gaming Caucus Relaunched

The American Gaming Association last week applauded the relaunching of the Congressional Gaming Caucus for the 116th Congress, led by Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson (l.) and Pennsylvania Rep. Guy...

Published January 20, 2020

IGT, Rhode Island Operator Making Peace?

International Game Technology and Twin River Worldwide Holdings are negotiating to end an impasse over a Rhode Island Lottery contract. IGT is fighting to preserve its no-bid, 20-year, $1...

Published January 20, 2020

Hard Rock Breaks Ground in Gary, Indiana

A groundbreaking ceremony took place last week at Spectacle Entertainment's $300 million Hard Rock casino in Gary. The ceremony featured original members of the Jackson 5, all Gary...

Published January 20, 2020