Record Powerball jackpot inspires office pools (AP) Barbara Rodriguez, Associated Press · May 17, 2013 at 4:46 pm In workplaces across the nation, Americans are inviting their colleagues to chip in $2 for a Powerball ticket and a shared daydream. The office lottery pool is a way to improve your odds and have a little fun with co-workers. And besides, who wants to be the only person at work the next day when everyone quits? With $600 million on the line, this is the time to play. It's the largest-ever … [Read more...]
Terrible’s Casino to become Silver Sevens Hotel & Casino (LVRJ) Howard Stutz, Las Vegas Review-Journal · May 17, 2013 at 1:51 pm The cowboy is headed for boot hill. Affinity Gaming will begin the process next week of renovating the company’s off-Strip Terrible’s Casino at the corner of Paradise and East Flamingo roads to a new name — Silver Sevens Hotel & Casino. The Terrible’s marquee and signage — including the large Terrible’s cowboy logo — will be removed by the end of the week. The new name and signage should … [Read more...]
NJ issues regulations for Internet gambling (AP) Wayne Parry, Associated Press · May 17, 2013 at 12:54 pm ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) - New Jersey moved forward Friday with its plans to offer Internet gambling, issuing regulations on how the new online bets are to be handled. The rules offered by the state Division of Gaming Enforcement include techniques to verify that players are within New Jersey's geographic boundaries, include a 15 percent tax on casinos' online winnings and add cautions for … [Read more...]
Toronto casino project that drew Nevada interest appears dead (LVRJ) Howard Stutz, Las Vegas Review-Journal · May 17, 2013 at 9:24 am A downtown Toronto resort complex that attracted the interest of Nevada’s largest casino operators appears dead Friday after the city’s mayor canceled a vote scheduled for next week on the multi-billion dollar development. In a city hall news conference Thursday, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, the key backer of the a single hotel-casino complex, said he was halting the planned vote, which many … [Read more...]
Governor opposed to broad-based tax (LVRJ) Howard Stutz, Las Vegas Review-Journal · May 17, 2013 at 8:35 am Gov. Brian Sandoval said Thursday he would not support a board-based business tax proposal offered by Wynn Resorts Ltd. Chairman Steve Wynn, who presented the idea to Nevada lawmakers earlier this month. Sandoval said he met privately with Wynn. "It’s not something before the Legislature right now," Sandoval said of Wynn’s idea for a 0.5 percent board-based tax on all businesses with $1 … [Read more...]
Another cricketer suspended in spot-fixing case (AP) Associated Press · May 17, 2013 at 6:15 am NEW DELHI (AP) - A fourth player has been suspended by the Board of Control for Cricket in India after authorities said Friday he was among the bookmakers arrested by police along with three other cricketers for alleged spot-fixing in a domestic Twenty20 league tournament. "Mr. Amit Singh, a registered player with the Gujarat Cricket Association, who has also been arrested by the Delhi Police, … [Read more...]
California fuels Powerball $550 million jackpot (AP) Barbara Rodriguez, Associated Press · May 17, 2013 at 3:37 am SAN DIEGO (AP) - The numbers sum up the frenzy that has taken over the Golden State since it joined the madness over Powerball, which has seen its jackpot soar to $550 million for Saturday's drawing. California has sold $83 million worth of Powerball tickets since April, when it joined 42 other states that offer the game. Since then, the most populous state has accounted for 11 percent of the … [Read more...]
Judge to hear PokerStars-casino dispute Friday (AP) Wayne Parry, Associated Press · May 17, 2013 at 3:30 am MAYS LANDING, N.J. (AP) - A New Jersey judge on Friday will hear an increasingly bitter dispute between the world's largest online poker web site and the Atlantic City casino it is trying to buy. The parent company of PokerStars got a temporary restraining order May 6 barring The Atlantic Club Casino Hotel from selling itself to anyone but PokerStars. The casino says a deal to sell itself to … [Read more...]
Arizona agents seize illegal gaming devices (AP) Associated Press · May 16, 2013 at 9:10 pm PHOENIX (AP) - Agents with the Arizona Department of Gaming have seized about two dozen illegal gambling devices as part of a sweep in Phoenix and Tucson. The agency announced Thursday that search warrants were served at several locations that included grocery stores, shopping centers, a storage facility and a home. Agents say they seized $132,000 worth of devices, $12,000 in merchandise and … [Read more...]
Sandoval: Deals with other states on Web poker possible (LVRJ) Howard Stutz, Las Vegas Review-Journal · May 16, 2013 at 9:00 pm Gov. Brian Sandoval said Thursday he has held preliminary talks with other state governors on partnering with Nevada on Internet poker. Sandoval didn’t name the states but gaming sources said Texas could be a target. Sandoval, a Republican, supported Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s brief run for the GOP’s presidential nomination last year. Also, the Texas Legislature is considering the Poker Gaming … [Read more...]
Nev. regulators approve Pinnacle, Ameristar merger (AP) Associated Press · May 16, 2013 at 5:44 pm LAS VEGAS (AP) - Nevada regulators have approved a merger between Pinnacle Entertainment and rival Ameristar Casinos. The $869 million deal will more than double Pinnacle's size. Pinnacle owns seven U.S. casinos and a racetrack, and has another casino under development. Ameristar has eight casinos in the United States. The deal had the approval of the boards of both Las Vegas operators, … [Read more...]
Oneidas reach deal with NY on casino operations (AP – Updated) Michael Hill, Associated Press · May 16, 2013 at 5:15 pm ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - The Oneida Indians on Thursday signed a deal with Gov. Andrew Cuomo's administration and local governments that would guarantee them exclusive territory for their central New York casino in exchange for revenue payments to the state of around $50 million annually. The broad deal not only helps Cuomo as he seeks to expand casino gambling, it also settles longstanding tax and … [Read more...]
Long Island casino in play in NY (AP – Updated) Michael Gormley, Associated Press · May 16, 2013 at 4:40 pm ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Support grew Thursday for a proposal to build a casino on Long Island with video slot machines as legislators and the governor negotiated behind closed doors to expand casino gambling in New York. A legislative bill with majority party sponsors proposes a casino with 2,000 video slot machines run by the off-track betting agencies in Nassau and Suffolk counties. That could … [Read more...]
Gambling panel weighs southeast Mass. casino bids (AP – Updated) Bob Salsberg, Associated Press · May 16, 2013 at 4:34 pm BOSTON (AP) - Developers who are unsuccessful in their pursuit of casinos in the eastern or western regions of Massachusetts could compete in the newly opened southeastern region under a plan approved by the state's gaming commission on Thursday. The decision follows the panel's recent vote to open up southeastern Massachusetts - known as Region C in the state's 2011 casino law - to commercial … [Read more...]
Powerball jackpot quickly jumps to $550 million (AP – Updated) Barbara Rodriguez, Associated Press · May 16, 2013 at 3:41 pm DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - The Powerball jackpot jumped to $550 million on Thursday - the third largest lottery in history - as dreamers in all but the seven states where the game isn't played snatched up tickets for the minuscule chance at a life on easy street. Thursday's announcement by the Iowa-based Multi-State Lottery Association means ticket sales have soared since Wednesday night's drawing … [Read more...]
Nevada Gaming Commission approves Pinnacle, Ameristar merger (LVRJ) Chris Sieroty, Las Vegas Review-Journal · May 16, 2013 at 2:08 pm Regional casino operator Pinnacle Entertainment Inc.’s $869 million merger with rival Ameristar Casinos was approved Thursday by the Nevada Gaming Commission. The deal doubles the size of Pinnacle Entertainment, giving the Las Vegas-based company 17 gaming properties plus one resort now under development. As part of the deal, Pinnacle will acquire Ameristar’s two casinos — Cactus Pete’s and … [Read more...]
Pa. table games revenue up 8.9 percent in April (AP) Patrick Walters, Associated Press · May 16, 2013 at 12:52 pm PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Gross revenue from table games at Pennsylvania's 11 casinos was up 8.9 percent last month compared with April 2012, but total gambling revenue was down slightly, state regulators reported Thursday. Table games generated $61.6 million last month, up from $56.5 million during the same period the year before, according to revenue figures released by the Pennsylvania Gaming … [Read more...]
No Powerball winner; jackpot soars to $475 million (AP) Associated Press · May 16, 2013 at 7:00 am DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — So you didn't win Wednesday's $360 million Powerball jackpot? Make that you and everyone else. A message early Thursday on the multistate lottery's website said the jackpot has soared to $475 million after none of the ticket sold matched all the winning numbers in Wednesday night's drawing: 2, 11, 26, 34, 41 and a Powerball of 32. The next drawing will be held … [Read more...]
The Cosmopolitan continues slow, steady climb toward profitability (LVRJ) Chris Sieroty, Las Vegas Review-Journal · May 15, 2013 at 8:37 pm Even before The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas opened in December 2010, analysts were debating how long it would take for the most expensive casino ever built on the Strip to turn a profit. In business for a full nine financial quarters, the $3.9 billion resort is still operating in the red, although the property showed quality year-over-year increases across its business segments — casino, food and … [Read more...]
Del. House panel tables proposal for more casinos (AP) Randall Chase, Associated Press · May 15, 2013 at 7:23 pm DOVER, Del. (AP) - A state House committee on Wednesday tabled a proposal authorizing two more casinos in Delaware amid opposition from the state's three existing casinos and questions about the requirements for new ones. The bill's sponsor, Democratic Rep. Dennis Williams of Wilmington, was among those voting to table the measure, but he said he's confident he can get enough fellow members of … [Read more...]
Va. man’s lucky lotto streak alive with 4th win (AP) Associated Press · May 15, 2013 at 6:50 pm RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Call Melvyn Wilson is the king of the scratch-off ticket. The Woodbridge man recently won his fourth lottery prize of at least five figures, putting his total scratch-off winnings at more than $2 million. The Virginia Lottery said in a release Wilson won $500,000 in November 2004, $25,000 in March 2005; and $1 million in September 2005. Then he retired from his job as a … [Read more...]
Legislative auditors fault NM gambling regulators (AP) Barry Massey, Associated Press · May 15, 2013 at 6:36 pm SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico needs to strengthen its regulatory oversight of a billion-dollar gambling industry that includes horse racing tracks and casinos operated by Indian tribes, legislative auditors recommended Wednesday. A report by staff of the Legislative Finance Committee said the New Mexico Racing Commission and the state Gaming Control Board are understaffed and hampered by … [Read more...]
Mass. panel examines revised tribal casino deal (AP – Updated) Bob Salsberg, Associated Press · May 15, 2013 at 6:34 pm BOSTON (AP) - State lawmakers demanded assurances on Wednesday from Gov. Deval Patrick's administration and the Mashpee Wampanaog tribe that a renegotiated casino compact would not meet the same fate as an initial agreement and be rejected by the federal government. "We swung and missed in a pretty big way the first time," admonished Rep. Joseph Wagner, House chairman of a legislative panel … [Read more...]
Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh fined $100K (AP) Associated Press · May 15, 2013 at 6:23 pm PITTSBURGH (AP) - Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh has been fined $100,000 by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. The gaming board says in a Wednesday release that the fine involved three issues. The first was a violation of internal controls in the count room. The second involved table games employees who ignored an automatic shuffler's red light which indicates an error with the cards. The … [Read more...]
NH House panel votes to kill casino bill (AP) Norma Love, Associated Press · May 15, 2013 at 3:45 pm CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - A special House committee charged with researching gambling voted by the narrowest margin Wednesday against legalizing a casino in New Hampshire. The House Ways and Means and Finance committees voted 23-22 to recommend that the full House kill a Senate bill that would allow up to 5,000 video slot machines and 150 table games. The House is scheduled to vote on the bill next … [Read more...]
