Foxwoods presents $1 billion Mass. casino plan (AP) Stephen Singer, Associated Press · June 3, 2013 at 8:05 pm HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - A Massachusetts casino proposed by Foxwoods Resorts Casino promises 3,500 jobs, $20 million a year in tax revenue to the town of Milford and the purchase of about $50 million a year in goods and services from local businesses. Crossroads LLC, the Foxwoods business that presented its $1 billion plan to the Milford Board of Selectmen on Monday, also proposed to restrict … [Read more...]
Texas Lottery suspends sales for ‘All or Nothing’ (AP) Associated Press · June 3, 2013 at 6:40 pm AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - The Texas Lottery has temporarily suspended sales for its "All or Nothing" draw game. The Lottery Commission says it has been notified by GTECH Corp., the lottery operator in Texas, of a game design issue. The issue is caused in part by player propensity to play certain numbers. The commission will evaluate placing limitations on wagers that can be purchased for any … [Read more...]
Abundance of hotel rooms seen curtailing Strip recovery (LVRJ) Laura Carroll, Las Vegas Review-Journal · June 3, 2013 at 5:58 pm The economic recovery on the Strip is expected to remain sluggish this year, brought on by an oversupply of hotel rooms, analysts believe. A report released Monday by Moody’s said it expects gaming revenue and room rates to grow in line with its U.S. GDP growth forecasts of 1.5 percent to 2.5 percent for 2013 and 2 percent to 3 percent for 2014, which would still leave the Strip shy of its 2007 … [Read more...]
A coalition of Connecticut lawmakers wants to expand video gambling in the state (AP – Updated). Stephen Kalin, Associated Press · June 3, 2013 at 4:33 pm HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - A coalition of Democratic state lawmakers wants to expand video gambling in Connecticut to keep jobs and revenue from moving out-of-state. Legislators from Bridgeport, New Haven and Windsor Locks held a news conference at the state Capitol on Monday to discuss "expanding the availability of video gaming" to three pari-mutuel facilities where betting on simulcast races is … [Read more...]
Southwest Airlines, MGM Resorts announce marketing alliance (LVRJ) Howard Stutz, Las Vegas Review-Journal · June 3, 2013 at 3:24 pm Southwest Airlines and MGM Resorts International announced a marketing alliance between the companies’ loyalty rewards programs Monday. Customers must be enrolled in both programs to earn benefits for Southwest’s Rapid Rewards and MGM Resorts’ M life. Points in both programs can be earned for flights on the airline and upgrades at MGM Resorts’ Las Vegas properties, including hotel room … [Read more...]
NEWave picks up eight tribal casinos, bringing Oklahoma total to 36 (LVRJ) Chris Sieroty, Las Vegas Review-Journal · June 3, 2013 at 3:23 pm NEWave, a Las Vegas-based supplier of gaming industry compliance software, on Monday was awarded a contract to provide its Title 31 Manager and TINCheck software to the eight casinos in Oklahoma owned by Cherokee Nation Entertainment LLC. Including these properties, NEWave serves 36 casinos in Oklahoma. None of the resorts serviced by NEWave suffered damage from the recent storms and tornadoes, … [Read more...]
Q&A with gaming attorney Greg Giordano, partner with Lewis & Roca (LVRJ) Kay Foley, Las Vegas Review-Journal · June 3, 2013 at 1:00 pm Gaming attorney Greg Giordano sees himself as a facilitator between his clients and state regulators. “Gaming law is somewhat complex and very specialized,” he said. “I try to help clients understand the law, because the words in the statutes and regulations often don’t give you a clear picture of how things actually work and how policies are applied. I also facilitate the work of the … [Read more...]
Macau gaming revenues up 13.5 percent in May (LVRJ) Howard Stutz, Las Vegas Review-Journal · June 3, 2013 at 9:27 am Macau gaming revenues grew 13.5 percent in May to $3.7 billion as the Chinese casino market recorded its second largest single-month collection. Analysts said the improving Chinese economy and May holidays fueled the increase in the world’s largest gaming market. The Macau Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau released the figures Monday. In March, the Chinese gaming enclave shattered … [Read more...]
Mass. group to host forums on problem gambling (AP) Associated Press · June 3, 2013 at 3:05 am AMHERST, Mass. (AP) - The Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling will host two brown bag luncheons for clinicians and others interested in recent research on problem gambling. The first lunch is set for Wednesday at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Campus Center. "Interpersonal Guilt and Pathological Gambling Among College Students" will feature Geoffrey Locke, an adjunct professor … [Read more...]
NH House, Senate differ over bet limit (AP) Associated Press · June 2, 2013 at 2:40 pm CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - New Hampshire's House and Senate are at odds over the amount gamblers can bet on charity table games. Last week, the Senate amended a House bill to retain the maximum bet at $4. This week, the House is voting on an amendment to a Senate bill to increase the limit to what the House had proposed in its bill: $6. The two chambers often amend each other's bills at the end of … [Read more...]
INSIDE GAMING – Ultimate Poker is laughing last – at least for now (LVRJ) Howard Stutz, Las Vegas Review-Journal · June 2, 2013 at 9:43 am Sometimes karma can bite you in the butt. World Series of Poker Executive Director Ty Stewart just experienced that pain. Recently, Stewart made light of early troubles that befell Ultimate Poker, the first legal pay-to-play online gambling website in the U.S., which launched April 30. First, Ultimate was caught using an unlicensed and much maligned service provider to identify new … [Read more...]
World Series of Poker event draws record number of entrants (LVRJ) Adam Hill, Las Vegas Review-Journal · June 2, 2013 at 9:30 am Who wants to be a millionaire? Apparently, a lot of poker players. The board showing the number of entrants for the Millionaire Maker no-limit Texas Hold ’em event at the World Series of Poker continued to grow throughout the day Saturday until a record-shattering field of 6,343 officially was announced late in the evening. The last player standing from the group will take home $1 million … [Read more...]
European online titan moves ahead with licensing in Nevada (LVRJ) Howard Stutz, Las Vegas Review-Journal · June 1, 2013 at 9:10 am European online gaming giant Bwin.party is moving forward with licensing in Nevada to operate Internet poker websites with MGM Resorts International and Boyd Gaming Corp., despite comments to the contrary from the company’s chief executive, an attorney said. Gilbraltar-based Bwin.party is still awaiting approval from state gaming regulators after filing its application more than a year … [Read more...]
MGM Resorts International names new hospitality chief (LVRJ) Howard Stutz, Las Vegas Review-Journal · June 1, 2013 at 2:41 am MGM Resorts International tapped Michael Evans as chief operating officer of MGM Hospitality, the company’s subsidiary that operates hotels and resorts in international destinations. Evans was previously executive vice president of global development for MGM Hospitality . He previously held key senior management positions with Marriott International from 1998 to 2008, and was an attorney in … [Read more...]
Gambling expansion won’t be called for vote (AP) Sophia Tareen, Associated Press · May 31, 2013 at 9:29 pm SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - A plan to establish five new casinos in Illinois, including in Chicago, was killed Friday as the bill's sponsor decided not to call it for a House vote with just hours left in the legislative session. The proposal had been stalled for weeks over negotiations on oversight of a Chicago casino and started to lose steam as the longtime sponsor dropped his name from the bill … [Read more...]
William Hill considering options after sports betting kiosk ban (AP) Chris Sieroty, Las Vegas Review-Journal · May 31, 2013 at 5:19 pm William Hill U.S., which operates 84 sports betting kiosks statewide, was evaluating its options Friday after the Nevada Assembly’s 41-0 vote to ban betting kiosks in bars, taverns and other establishments holding a restricted gaming license. The vote Thursday in the Assembly was after Senate Bill 416 passed 18-3 last week in the state Senate. The updated gaming regulation will go into … [Read more...]
World Series of Poker opens in Las Vegas (AP) Hannah Dreier, Associated Press · May 31, 2013 at 4:50 pm LAS VEGAS (AP) - The world's richest series of card tournaments are beginning in Las Vegas amid the return of the websites that helped make them what they are today - a destination for everyone from the wealthiest gamblers to the everyday players who learned the game online. The World Series of Poker - a seven-week extravaganza featuring trash talking, catch-up session, and ever-shifting stacks … [Read more...]
Foxwoods taps Pa. casino exec. as marketing chief (AP) Associated Press · May 31, 2013 at 3:06 pm MASHANTUCKET, Conn. (AP) — Foxwoods Resort Casino has announced the appointment of a Pennsylvania casino executive as chief marketing officer. The appointment of Gary DiBartolomeo was announced on Thursday. He will direct all aspects of Foxwoods' marketing, including promotions, special events, player development marketing and other programs. DiBartolomeo was chief operation officer of … [Read more...]
Electricity sale bill creates Conn. budget issues – and expanded Keno discussion (AP) Susan Haigh, Associated Press · May 30, 2013 at 10:09 pm HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Democratic legislative leaders have attempted to revise a contentious proposal that would change how 800,000 electricity customers in Connecticut purchase power, aware that if the program doesn't garner enough support from lawmakers there will be an $80 million revenue hole in the state budget. In a letter obtained Thursday by The Associated Press, the leaders informed … [Read more...]
Fla. Gov. signs bill to ban EBT cards at casinos (AP) Associated Press · May 30, 2013 at 8:11 pm TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday signed 36 bills into law including one that bans welfare recipients from using EBT cards at "adult entertainment establishments" like strip clubs and casinos. The governor also signed a contentious environmental permitting bill, a measure dealing with "cyberbulling," and a bill dealing with school safety procedures. The legislation (HB … [Read more...]
Nevada Assembly approves bill banning betting kiosks (AP) Associated Press · May 30, 2013 at 7:14 pm CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - Barring a gubernatorial intervention, sports betting kiosks in Nevada are set to become a thing of the past. The Assembly voted unanimously Thursday to pass SB416, which prohibits the free-standing sports-betting machines in small establishments with restricted gambling licenses as of July 1. Supporters say the bill clarifies the differences between restricted and … [Read more...]
Calif Governor signs revised compact with gambling tribe (AP) Associated Press · May 30, 2013 at 5:39 pm SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill authorizing a revised agreement with a Sacramento-area Indian tribe that owns a struggling casino east of the state capital. Brown announced Thursday that he signed AB1267 by Assemblyman Isadore Hall, a Los Angeles Democrat. The bill will let the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians restructure and refinance its debt while … [Read more...]
Casino panel sets timetable for SE Mass. bids (AP) Associated Press · May 30, 2013 at 5:04 pm BOSTON (AP) - The state's gambling commission has set a Sept. 30 deadline for commercial developers seeking a casino license in southeastern Massachusetts. Under a timetable set by the panel on Thursday, companies will have until that date to submit a preliminary application along with a $400,000 application fee. The five-member commission voted last month to open the region to commercial … [Read more...]
High court dismisses Ark. lottery name lawsuit (AP – updated) Jeannie Nuss, Associated Press · May 30, 2013 at 4:16 pm LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - A businessman who said he owns trademarks to the lottery's name can't sue the Arkansas Lottery Commission, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday. In a 4-3 decision, the high court reversed a lower court's decision and dismissed a lawsuit from Ed Dozier's company, Alpha Marketing, against the lottery commission. The court said the commission is a state entity entitled … [Read more...]
Madison County leaders approve NY casino deal (AP – updated) Associated Press · May 30, 2013 at 11:51 am WAMPSVILLE, N.Y. (AP) - Elected officials in a second central New York county have approved a state-brokered agreement with the Oneida Indians involving land claims and gambling rights. The Madison County Board of Supervisors on Thursday approved Gov. Andrew Cuomo's recently announced deal between the Oneida Indian Nation and New York state. The Board of Legislators in neighboring Oneida … [Read more...]
