Nevadan at Work: Cosmo exec crafts catchy slogan, edgy TV ads November 11, 2012 at 2:03 am Chris Sieroty, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL Lisa Marchese's wanderlust has taken her to practically every corner of the globe, but she chose Las Vegas as her home to pursue what she calls "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" - the role of chief marketing officer for The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Marchese never expected a career in the gaming and hospitality business, much less overseeing the … [Read more...]
Maryland ready for its taste of Vegas November 11, 2012 at 2:03 am Brian Witte, ASSOCIATED PRESS ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Maryland, once reluctant to embrace large-scale gambling, may be on track to become a major East Coast casino state. Voters decided Tuesday to allow Las Vegas-style table games at six casinos, including one next to the nation's capital. At first, Maryland lawmakers were leery of full-fledged casinos. In 2007, after years of debate, they … [Read more...]
Piles of cash, torrents of tweets and lots of crazy November 11, 2012 at 2:03 am Hard as it seems, Peter Carlino and the folks at Penn National Gaming outdid Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn and Donald Trump in terms of political lunacy this year. And it only cost the regional gaming giant $42 million to embarrass itself. Adelson, chairman and chief executive officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp., dumped at least $53 million of his own money into a variety of super PACs that … [Read more...]
Observers see Toronto as next battleground for gambling companies November 11, 2012 at 2:02 am Howard Stutz, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL A study by UNLV's International Gaming Institute concluded a resort complex featuring a hotel, casino, convention space and other entertainment amenities in the heart of Toronto could stimulate the economy of Canada's largest city. Instead of cannibalizing the market, the complex would spur growth for any surrounding businesses. Meanwhile, the … [Read more...]
Jamaica approves laws to allow for casino gambling November 10, 2012 at 1:33 pm ASSOCIATED PRESS KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) - Legislators in Jamaica have unanimously approved two bills that will allow casinos to be built on the island for the first time. Jamaica currently has only a few hundred slot machines at hotels in the capital of Kingston and in popular tourist areas. Religious groups on the conservative island have long opposed casinos, saying they will lead to … [Read more...]
Company linked to LVH pursues ‘Vegas International’ trademark November 10, 2012 at 2:42 am Tim O'Reiley LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL Could the casino now known as the LVH wind up with the name Vegas International Casino + Hotel? American Casino and Entertainment Properties LLC, which applied for a trademark for the name and accompanying logo, is in the middle of the month during which outsiders can register their opposition. This standard part of the process ends Nov. … [Read more...]
The Cosmopolitan posts smaller third-quarter loss November 10, 2012 at 2:41 am Chris Sieroty, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas reported a smaller third quarter loss Friday as casino revenue continued to trail food, beverage and room revenue at the luxury Strip resort. It was also the third consecutive quarter that the resort reported declining losses. The Cosmopolitan lost $23.4 million in the first-quarter of 2012, compared with $56.8 million … [Read more...]
Stratosphere, Arizona Charlie’s parent reduces loss November 10, 2012 at 2:41 am Howard Stutz, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL The parent company of the Stratosphere and the two Arizona Charlie's casinos lowered its net loss in the third quarter despite a slight decline in revenues. American Casino & Entertainment Properties said Friday its net loss for the three months that ended Sept. 30 was $3.3 million. In the same quarter a year ago, the company lost $4.2 … [Read more...]
Pa. considering expanding lottery gambling November 9, 2012 at 8:23 pm (Updated) Marc Levy, ASSOCIATED PRESS HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The administration of Gov. Tom Corbett said Friday that expanding Pennsylvania Lottery gambling to keno and online games will be one of the best ways to produce more revenue from the $3.5 billion lottery system that funds programs for the elderly. The administration made the statement as part of an update on its talks with … [Read more...]
Sandy sends AC casinos to worst revenue drop ever November 9, 2012 at 4:21 pm (UPDATED) Wayne Parry, ASSOCIATED PRESS Superstorm Sandy battered the Atlantic City casinos' revenue last month, causing the biggest monthly decline ever. Yet the powerful storm left the casinos themselves virtually untouched - a fact that casino and tourism leaders are making a renewed effort to publicize. Revenue at the 12 casinos was down 19.9 percent in October, due largely to the … [Read more...]
RI’s Twin River aims for casino games by July 1 November 9, 2012 at 2:59 pm David Klepper, ASSOCIATED PRESS PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Roulette wheels could be spinning as early as July at Twin River after voters overwhelmingly approved the slot parlor's plans to become a full casino. Twin River hopes to begin offering table games like blackjack and craps as early as July 1, John Taylor Jr., chairman of the Twin River board of directors, said Friday. But first the … [Read more...]
NYPA advances $13.5M to ease Niagara Falls budget November 9, 2012 at 1:52 pm NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (AP) - Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster's "disaster budget" may not be quite so painful following a decision by the New York Power Authority on Friday to advance the city $13.5 million. Dyster, coping with a nearly $10 million deficit, last week presented a 2013 budget proposal that included 20 layoffs and an 8.3 percent property tax increase for homeowners. He blamed what he … [Read more...]
Judge rules for Wynn on documents issue November 9, 2012 at 5:16 am Tim O'Reiley, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL Amid more sparring over the corporate divorce of Wynn Resorts Ltd. and former largest shareholder Kazuo Okada, a judge found on Thursday that the company had "in large part" turned over certain documents as previously ordered. Okada attorney Charles McCrea Jr. contended that Wynn had largely evaded a court order to produce papers from 2000 to 2002, … [Read more...]
Superstorm Sandy decimated Atlantic City’s casino revenue at the end of last month. November 9, 2012 at 3:30 am Wayne Parry, ASSOCIATED PRESS Superstorm Sandy decimated Atlantic City's casino revenue at the end of last month. Yet the powerful storm left the 12 gambling halls virtually untouched - a fact that casino and tourism leaders are making a renewed effort to publicize. The state Division of Gaming Enforcement will release the October revenue figures Friday afternoon, and they're expected to … [Read more...]
Former gaming executive expected to plead not guilty in illegal bookmaking scheme November 8, 2012 at 7:04 pm Chris Sieroty, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL A lawyer for a former Cantor Gaming executive charged with four felonies in connection with an illegal bookmaking ring said Thursday he will plead not guilty later this month at his initial court hearing in New York. Michael Cristalli, a Las Vegas-based lawyer, declined to comment on the charges against his client, Mike Colbert. Colbert was arrested … [Read more...]
Wynn Resorts to bid for casino in Philadelphia November 8, 2012 at 5:55 pm Chris Sieroty, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL Steve Wynn is going to bid for the last casino license in Philadelphia. The chairman of Wynn Resorts Ltd. proposes to build a 150,000-square-foot casino with 900 slot machines and 100 table games and a 300-room hotel on about 60 acres of waterfront property, a company spokesman confirmed Thursday. Michael Weaver, senior vice president marketing … [Read more...]
Revenues rise for IGT; CEO hints at strong new year November 8, 2012 at 5:41 pm Howard Stutz, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL International Game Technology grew revenues 17 percent in the fourth quarter while the chief executive of the slot machine giant hinted results from the three-month period were the kicking-off point for the next fiscal year. The company, Thursday, termed 2012 "a solid fiscal year" as it integrated revenues produced from free-play social gaming into … [Read more...]
Las Vegas visitation rises 1.8 percent, ‘record year’ forecast November 8, 2012 at 4:10 pm Laura Carroll, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL Las Vegas' September visitation rose 1.8 percent year-to-date, bringing the total number of 2012 visitors thus far to 30.1 million. Total visitor volume for September also was up 1.8 percent from the same month in 2011, according to the monthly Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority count released Thursday. In all, 3.35 million tourists came to … [Read more...]
Caesars outlines plans for Baltimore casino November 8, 2012 at 3:26 pm Brian Witte, ASSOCIATED PRESS BALTIMORE (AP) - An executive of Caesars Entertainment Corp. says voter approval of table games like blackjack in Maryland will mean about 500 more jobs at a casino the company plans to build in Baltimore. John Payne, president of Caesars, said Thursday the casino also will be upgraded to the company's Horseshoe-brand casino, with roughly $25 million more for … [Read more...]
Betts to retire as CEO of Global Cash Access November 8, 2012 at 3:02 pm Chris Sieroty, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL Scott Betts will retire as CEO of Global Cash Access Holdings Inc. on Dec. 31. Betts, who served as CEO since October 2007, will remain an employee in a strategic planning role through March and will continue to serve as a board member, according to the company. David Lopez, president of the Las Vegas-based company since June, was named CEO on … [Read more...]
NHL fights Canadian sports-betting bill November 8, 2012 at 2:56 pm ASSOCIATED PRESS OTTAWA (AP) - The NHL is fighting proposed legislation that would make it legal in Canada to bet on the outcome of a game. The bill would repeal the criminal code section that prohibits wagering on a single sporting event. If passed into law, each province would decide whether to allow single-game betting. Currently, provinces only allow betting on multiple outcomes on a … [Read more...]
Isleta Pueblo, Hard Rock to part ways on casino November 8, 2012 at 9:55 am ISLETA PUEBLO, N.M. (AP) - The Hard Rock name and an American Indian pueblo south of Albuquerque are parting ways. A resort executive for the Orlando, Fla.-based company announced Wednesday that Isleta Pueblo officials have decided to drop its affiliation with the Hard Rock brand at its casino and resort. The casino has operated under the name Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Albuquerque for three … [Read more...]
Nevada gaming revenues increase 3.3 percent in September November 8, 2012 at 9:49 am Howard Stutz, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL Statewide gaming revenues increased 3.3 percent in September, despite just a 1.2 percent increase on the Strip. The Gaming Control Board said this morning Nevada casinos collected $892.7 million from gamblers during September, compared with $863.9 million in September 2011. On the Strip, casinos collected $496.8 million in September, compared with … [Read more...]
Illinois launches new Veterans Cash lottery game November 8, 2012 at 4:04 am CHICAGO (AP) - Gov. Pat Quinn has bought $20 worth of Veterans Cash lottery tickets and is calling on others to play the newest edition of the game that benefits military vets in Illinois. Ahead of Veterans Day, the governor helped launch the new game. More than $10 million has been raised for veterans' organizations since the program started in 2006. All net proceeds go to groups like The … [Read more...]
Oneidas plan Turning Stone Resort Casino expansion November 8, 2012 at 3:00 am VERONA, N.Y. (AP) - The Oneida Nation is set to announce an expansion at its casino in upstate New York. Tribe officials say the multi-million dollar project at the Turning Stone Resort Casino will be the first major construction since the addition of the Lava nightclub in 2007. They'll release more details during a groundbreaking Thursday morning at the casino in Verona, 30 miles east of … [Read more...]
