Table games arriving at Maryland’s largest casino (AP) March 20, 2013 at 7:06 am ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland's largest casino says table games are arriving. Maryland Live! says the games including poker, blackjack, craps and roulette will be arriving Wednesday. The casino next to Arundel Mills Mall in Hanover plans to open the games to the public on April 11. Gamblers were able to play table games in Maryland for the first time in early March when the Hollywood … [Read more...]
Poll: Opposition lessening to Internet bets in NJ Way (AP) March 20, 2013 at 3:32 am Wayne Parry, Associated Press ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) - Opposition to gambling over the Internet is lessening in New Jersey, even though a new poll finds more people against it than for it. The Fairleigh Dickinson University PublicMind poll released Wednesday finds 46 percent of respondents oppose the state's recent decision to legalize Internet betting, with 41 percent favoring … [Read more...]
Station Casinos back on track post-bankruptcy, CFO says (LVRJ) March 19, 2013 at 7:20 pm Howard Stutz, Las Vegas Review-Journal Mission accomplished. Station Casinos Chief Financial Officer Marc Falcone said Tuesday the company accomplished its stated goals for 2012, which included growing revenues 4.4 percent in the casino operator’s first full year following completion of a bankruptcy court-administered reorganization. Falcone cited other accomplishments, including a … [Read more...]
Malaysian developer to operate Bahamas resort (AP) March 19, 2013 at 5:10 pm Bahamas PM says Malaysian developer to operate luxury resort as part of master plan for island A Malaysian conglomerate will take over operations at a luxury resort on Bimini and invest $100 million in air and sea transportation to the tiny island. In a Monday speech to lawmakers, Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie announced that Genting Group will operate the Bimini Bay Resort and invest … [Read more...]
$100 million restaurant to open at MGM Grand (LVRJ) March 19, 2013 at 4:34 pm Howard Stutz, Las Vegas Review-Journal One of the Strip’s most expensive nightclub projects will debut next month. Angel Management Group announced the opening schedule Tuesday for the Hakkasan Las Vegas at the MGM Grand. The $100 million construction project removed the location for Studio 54 at the front of the resort for the development of a five-level restaurant and nightclub, that … [Read more...]
Iowa Senate approves bill softening gambling ban (AP) March 19, 2013 at 4:22 pm DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - The Iowa Senate approved legislation Tuesday that would let gambling addicts decide how long they want to be banned from casinos. Currently, gambling addicts can submit information to be entered into a database that casinos monitor. Any winnings belonging to people in the database are forfeit as a way of discouraging problem gambling. Membership in the database is … [Read more...]
NJ approves Jeffrey Hartmann as new Revel CEO (AP) March 19, 2013 at 12:07 pm Wayne Parry, Associated Press ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) - The former president of the Mohegan Sun casino resort was approved Tuesday to serve as the new interim CEO of Atlantic City's Revel casino. The New Jersey Casino Control Commission gave Jeffrey Hartmann the green light to run the day-to-day affairs of Atlantic City's newest casino. Revel expects to file a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition … [Read more...]
Caesars preparing to open its third casino in Ohio (LVRJ) March 19, 2013 at 11:30 am Howard Stutz, Las Vegas Review-Journal Caesars Entertainment Corp. will open its third casino in Ohio on April 9. A 57,000-square foot casino will become part of the Thistletown Racetrack in North Randall, which is roughly 10 miles southeast of downtown Cleveland. The nearly 90-year-old facility is located on 128-acres and offers live racing from April through November at its one-mile oval … [Read more...]
Navajo leader disappointed by inaction on compact (AP) March 19, 2013 at 9:23 am ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly is expressing disappointment that the New Mexico Legislature didn't vote on a new gambling compact for the tribe before lawmakers adjourned their 2013 regular session. A special legislative committee recommended approval of the new compact just one week before the session adjourned, and the proposal quickly stalled due to questions and … [Read more...]
WMS investors will vote on proposed buyout on May 11 (LVRJ) March 19, 2013 at 5:22 am Howard Stutz, Las Vegas Review-Journal Shareholders of slot machine manufacturer WMS Industries will vote May 10 whether to accept a $1.5 billion buyout offer from lottery equipment provider Scientific Games. WMS, which is has its corporate headquarters in Waukegan, Ill., said Monday the shareholder meeting will take place at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in Chicago. Scientific Games … [Read more...]
Nevada seeking public comment on interstate poker regulations (LVRJ) March 19, 2013 at 5:22 am Chris Sieroty, Las Vegas Review-Journal The Nevada Gaming Commission is seeking public comment before drafting interstate online poker regulations under the recently passed Assembly Bill 114. Signed last month by Gov. Brian Sandoval, AB114 allows Nevada to enter into compacts with other states to offer Internet poker and other online gambling in the participating states. The five-member … [Read more...]
Illinois Lottery private manager short on profits (AP) March 18, 2013 at 8:40 pm REGINA GARCIA CANO Associated Press SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The private operator of the Illinois Lottery faces a $20 million penalty because it fell nearly $66 million short of the profits it promised the state in its inaugural year, state officials said Monday. Northstar Lottery Group will have to pay the penalty even though its sales were nearly $400 million higher in fiscal year 2012 … [Read more...]
Cullerton: Private lottery manager is ‘experiment’ (AP) March 18, 2013 at 6:38 pm SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois Senate President John Cullerton says hiring a private company to operate the state's lottery was an experiment that needs to be improved. State officials say the manager, Northstar Lottery Group, should pay a $20 million penalty for falling short of the profits it promised in fiscal year 2012. Northstar was supposed to generate $823 million in net income for … [Read more...]
Senate gaming committee OKs Internet cafe ban (AP) March 18, 2013 at 5:15 pm (Updated) James L. Rosica, Associated Press TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Nearly a week after a multistate illegal gambling investigation led to dozens of arrests and the resignation of Florida's lieutenant governor, a Senate panel Monday cleared its version of a ban on the gambling establishments commonly known as Internet cafes. The Senate gaming committee voted unanimously on the bill (SB … [Read more...]
Maine lottery officials say no to ‘Kwikies’ (AP) March 18, 2013 at 5:08 pm AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - Mainers can still get instant scratch lottery tickets, but they can't get "Kwikies." The Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations announced Monday that the state's instant tickets will not be branded as "Kwikies." Director Gerry Reid that the initial response to the new brand name was positive, but that it quickly became apparent that the suggestive name was … [Read more...]
NJ Legislature wants say in privatizing lottery (AP) March 18, 2013 at 4:53 pm TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - The state Senate has passed a measure giving the Legislature a say in plans to privatize New Jersey's Lottery. The bill approved Monday requires legislative approval of any private vendor. It now heads to the desk of Gov. Chris Christie, who may veto the measure. The state Treasury Department is looking to hand over sales and marketing to a private company. The state … [Read more...]
NJ fines Caesars Entertainment $225K in Vegas case (AP) March 18, 2013 at 2:51 pm Wayne Parry, Associated Press ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) - Not everything that happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Caesars Entertainment has agreed to pay New Jersey casino regulators $225,000 to settle a case arising from the way company officials handled a high-roller in Las Vegas who became involved in a sex, drugs and gambling scandal. None of the conduct took place in New Jersey. But, … [Read more...]
AC casinos could offer fantasy sports bets online (AP) March 18, 2013 at 2:39 pm (Updated) Wayne Parry, Associated Press ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) - Atlantic City casinos will be able to offer fantasy sports betting online and in person under a pilot program announced by state regulators. Although one goal of the pilot program OK'd by the state Division of Gaming Enforcement on Monday is to bring more foot traffic into the casinos, the gambling halls can also choose to … [Read more...]
American Casino reports more losses in fourth quarter (LVRJ) March 18, 2013 at 2:08 pm Howard Stutz, Las Vegas Review-Journal Stratosphere owner American Casino and Entertainment Properties grew its net loss in the fourth quarter, blaming softness in hotel occupancy and a lower gaming revenues in the Las Vegas locals market. The company, which also owns the two Arizona Charlie’s casinos and the Aquarius in Laughlin, said Monday it lost $8.3 million in fourth quarter that … [Read more...]
Pa. table games revenue declines in February (AP) March 18, 2013 at 12:27 pm Patrick Walters, Associated Press PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Total monthly revenue from slot machines and table games declined last month for just the third time in Pennsylvania's casino gambling history, regulators said Monday. Gross revenue from table games went down from $56.6 million in February 2012, a leap year, to $55.3 million last month, a decline of 2.1 percent, according to the … [Read more...]
Troopers, police back NH gambling bill (AP) March 18, 2013 at 11:55 am (Updated) Holly Ramer, Associated Press CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - Legalizing casino gambling wouldn't endanger public safety but would in fact be a boon to law enforcement budgets, New Hampshire state police and police officers argued Monday. At a news conference backing a Senate-passed bill legalizing up to 5,000 slot machines and 150 table games, the New Hampshire Troopers Association and the … [Read more...]
New York hotel developer joins Caesars in Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall remodeling (LVRJ) March 18, 2013 at 9:39 am Howard Stutz, Las Vegas Review-Journal By HOWARD STUTZ LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL Caesars Entertainment Corp. announced Monday it is partnering with a New York City-based luxury hotel operator in the $185 million redevelopment of the now-closed Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall. Gansevoort Hotel Group, which operates boutique hotels in New York City’s Meatpacking District, on Park Avenue and in … [Read more...]
Study: RI casino more dependent on Mass. gamblers (AP) March 18, 2013 at 6:49 am PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A University of Massachusetts study says Rhode Island's Twin River casino is becoming more dependent on Massachusetts gamblers who also are shifting business from Connecticut's two Indian-run casinos. UMass-Dartmouth Center for Policy Analysis says in a study released Monday that 580,000 New Englanders visited Twin River in 2012. Of those, 385,000 were from … [Read more...]
SLS, Resorts World projects bring new energy to Strip’s north end (LVRJ) March 18, 2013 at 5:20 am Howard Stutz, Las Vegas Business Press Now comes the easy part. Transforming the Rat Pack-era Sahara into the luxury-boutique SLS Las Vegas may be the smoothest aspect of this process started by Los Angeles-based SBE Entertainment in 2007. The company plans to unveil the 1,620-room SLS Las Vegas in fall 2014. Penta Building Group began the 18-month renovation of the old Sahara … [Read more...]
Revised casino compact with Mass. tribe near (AP) March 18, 2013 at 2:02 am BOSTON (AP) - The week ahead could be crucial for the casino process in southeastern Massachusetts. Gov. Deval Patrick and the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe say they have an agreement in principle on a new compact that could be signed in the coming days and help jumpstart the tribe's proposal to build a resort casino in Taunton. A compact signed last year was later rejected by the federal Bureau … [Read more...]
