Nevada gaming regulators end investigation of Okada claim against Wynn Resorts February 4, 2013 at 11:35 am Chris Sieroty, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL Wynn Resort Ltd. said Monday that Nevada gaming officials have ended their investigation into allegations by company director Kazuo Okada that the casino operator made an improper donation to the University of Macau Development Foundation. In a statement, Wynn Resorts said the Nevada Gaming Control Board determined the "allegations are unfounded." … [Read more...]
Atlantic Club casino pres: Sign Internet bet bill February 4, 2013 at 11:04 am Wayne Parry, ASSOCIATED PRESS ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) - The president of an Atlantic City casino being bought by the world's largest online poker company urged Gov. Chris Christie to sign a bill legalizing Internet gambling in New Jersey, saying it is a unique opportunity for the seaside resort to revive its flagging fortunes and save thousands of jobs. Michael Frawley, head of the Atlantic … [Read more...]
Wynn defends IGT’s embattled ex-chairman Mathewson February 4, 2013 at 10:39 am Howard Stutz, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL A blistering attack last week on International Gaming Technology's former chairman by the slot machine manufacturer's current management brought a spirited defense Monday morning from another gaming icon -- Steve Wynn. The chairman of Wynn Resorts Ltd. defended longtime ex-IGT chairman Charles Mathewson, who is seeking to regain a seat on the … [Read more...]
Mesquite, clobbered by the recession, works to regain footing February 4, 2013 at 8:11 am Howard Stutz, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL MESQUITE - Don't blame Rita Perez for the economic challenges that stalled the boomtownlike growth of this Nevada border city's casino industry over the past few years. The St. George, Utah, resident travels the 40 miles between her home and Mesquite several times a week to play slot machines and enjoy the casinos' nongaming amenities. She has made … [Read more...]
Illinois Bars Already Profiting From Video Gambling February 4, 2013 at 6:18 am KEYESPORT, Ill. (AP) - Some Illinois bar owners say they’re already making big profits from video gambling machines that became legal late last year, and pending applications are expected to put even more money in their pockets. Bob Waddell owns a bar outside Keyesport in Clinton County in southwestern Illinois. He made $9,778 in video gambling in December, according to a report in the … [Read more...]
Bill would OK Internet gambling across state lines February 3, 2013 at 5:58 pm Hannah Dreier, ASSOCIATED PRESS LAS VEGAS (AP) - The nation's gambling capital is taking steps to make sure it is not dealt out of the lucrative online poker market as more states enter the bourgeoning industry. Soon after the Nevada Legislature begins its four-month session on Monday, lawmakers are expected to begin debating a bill that would let companies offering online poker in Nevada … [Read more...]
Report: NY gov to propose Niagara Falls casino February 3, 2013 at 2:20 pm NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (AP) - Gov. Andrew Cuomo is reported to be planning to propose a new casino in Niagara Falls, where the state has a long-standing dispute with the Seneca Nation over revenue sharing. The Buffalo News (http://bit.ly/X6UQix ) reported Sunday that Cuomo's move could be a way of jump-starting stalled talks over more than $500 million in gambling revenue payments the tribe has … [Read more...]
Caesars diversity executive Tony Gladney to chair key committee for U.S. Hispanic Chamber February 2, 2013 at 10:27 am Howard Stutz, Inside Gaming Blog, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL One of the gaming industry’s best-known diversity relations executives has been named chairman of a committee for the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce that links the organization with Fortune 1000 corporations. Tony Gladney, vice president of national diversity relations for Caesar's Entertainment Corp., was named chairman the … [Read more...]
South Dakota officials warning about lottery scam February 2, 2013 at 5:20 am PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - South Dakota Lottery officials are warning residents not be taken in by a scam that promises them a cash prize in return for personal information. A lottery player received an email from someone claiming to be with the "Powerball Company" and advising them to provide personal information including Facebook and e-mail account passwords to receive a $50,000 prize. The … [Read more...]
Gaming stock index rises in January February 1, 2013 at 8:57 pm Howard Stutz, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL Mergers and acquisitions are good for the gaming industry. Two planned buyouts helped fuel average daily stock price increases for publicly traded casino operators and gaming equipment manufacturers during January. Pinnacle Entertainment announced in late December it would buy regional gaming rival Ameristar Casinos for an enterprise value of $2.8 … [Read more...]
MGM Resorts partners with Canadian real estate developer on potential Toronto casino February 1, 2013 at 4:17 pm Howard Stutz, Inside Gaming Blog, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL MGM Resorts International entered into a partnership with a Canadian real estate developer to bid on, build and operate a hotel-casino complex in downtown Toronto. In a statement, MGM Resorts Chairman Jim Murren said the 50/50 joint venture with The Cadillac Fairview Corporation Ltd. gives the Las Vegas-based casino giant a partner … [Read more...]
Simms leaving W.Va. to open Ohio casino property February 1, 2013 at 11:32 am WHEELING, W.Va. (AP) - The general manager of Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack is leaving West Virginia to help open a new casino in Ohio. Delaware North Companies announced Friday that Jim Simms will start his new job in April. It didn't immediately name the property he'll open but called it a joint venture between Delaware North and Churchill Downs Inc. Last fall, the Ohio Lottery … [Read more...]
Evitts updates casino, meeting space, plans February 1, 2013 at 9:42 am (Updated) Brian Witte, ASSOCIATED PRESS ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - The owner of the Rocky Gap Lodge & Golf Resort in western Maryland said Thursday that the company hopes to have a casino open in late May and new meeting space completed by late fall. Tim Cope, president of Evitts Resort LLC, told a state commission the casino will have 558 slot machines and 10 table games. He said … [Read more...]
NY state’s racing, lottery agencies merge February 1, 2013 at 9:28 am SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (AP) - The state agencies in charge of regulating New York's horse racing industry and running its lotteries are now merged into one department. The merger of the Racing and Wagering Board and the New York Lottery into the New York State Gaming Commission becomes effective Friday. Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed the merger a year ago as part of his state budget plan. The … [Read more...]
Las Vegas’ second-biggest cab company ends talks with drivers union January 31, 2013 at 8:21 pm LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL Yellow Checker Star Transportation, the city's second-largest cab company, decided on Thursday to end contract negotiations with its drivers union and impose terms of a deal voted down earlier this week. "We gave them our last, best and final offer," company chief operations officer William Shranko said. "We have reached an impasse and, at that point, there are no … [Read more...]
Wynn 4Q profit down but revenue beats January 31, 2013 at 8:00 pm LAS VEGAS (AP) - Wynn Resorts Ltd.'s fourth-quarter profit slipped due to higher tax expenses and weaker revenue from China, but the casino operator managed to beat Wall Street's revenue forecast. The company, led by billionaire casino impresario Steve Wynn, is running counter to industry trends. Its business in the U.S. is improving, while its growth in the Asian gambling hub of Macau is … [Read more...]
Bally Technologies sees net income rise 32 percent January 31, 2013 at 5:17 pm Howard Stutz, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL Compared to recent news surrounding its slot machine rivals, International Game Technology and WMS Industries, Bally Technologies' second quarter earnings announcement was relatively uneventful. Las Vegas-based Bally said Thursday it grew net income 32 percent in the second quarter to $56.7 million compared with $43 million in the same quarter last … [Read more...]
Lottery company Scientific Games acquires slot manufacturer WMS January 31, 2013 at 4:28 pm (Updated) Howard Stutz, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL A move into the casino side of the gaming manufacturing sector by one of the lottery industry's largest equipment providers was praised Thursday as a shrewd business move by Wall Street. One analyst, however, was cautious on the task New York-based Scientific Games Corp. faces in acquiring slot machine giant WMS Industries for $1.5 … [Read more...]
Global Gaming Expo sees attendance rise by 7 percent January 31, 2013 at 2:05 pm Howard Stutz, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL The 2012 Global Gaming Expo grew attendance by almost 7 percent over 2011, according to an audit of the tradeshow and conference. The G2E, which was held at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in October, drew 15,708 attendees. In the past two years, the G2E has attracted more than 24,820 visitors. The G2E is produced by the American Gaming … [Read more...]
Penn National sees decline in fourth-quarter earnings January 31, 2013 at 1:57 pm Howard Stutz, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL Penn National Gaming experienced a decline in fourth-quarter earnings as results from the company's two new casinos in Ohio fell short and costs associated with a failed political activity in Maryland cut into the bottom line. Analysts, however, were more focused on the company's impending spin-off of its casino holdings into a separate publicly … [Read more...]
Union urges Christie to sign Internet bet bill January 31, 2013 at 9:49 am Wayne Parry, Associated Press ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) - The president of Atlantic City's largest casino workers' union is calling on Gov. Chris Christie to sign New Jersey's Internet gambling bill. Bob McDevitt, head of Local 54 of the Unite-HERE union, says the extra money online betting would bring in could make the difference between two or more casinos surviving or having to … [Read more...]
Scientific Games buying WMS for about $1.42B January 31, 2013 at 8:10 am NEW YORK (AP) - Instant-win lottery ticket company Scientific Games is buying gaming equipment company WMS Industries Inc. for about $1.42 billion in order to broaden its product offerings. Scientific Games Corp., which also makes video slot machines and other gaming systems, will pay $26 per WMS share. That's a 59 percent premium to the company's closing price of $16.37 on Wednesday. Its … [Read more...]
NC lottery bill won’t ban welfare recipient sales January 31, 2013 at 4:00 am RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - A key House leader says a bill he's drawing up about the North Carolina state lottery won't include a provision prohibiting ticket sales to people receiving public assistance or who are in bankruptcy. Speaker Pro Tempore Paul Stam of Apex said Wednesday the provision was the least important part of his proposal. He said got questions from all sides on the lottery issue … [Read more...]
Avid bettors help sports-gambling business grow January 30, 2013 at 6:39 pm Chris Sieroty, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL Michael Ciasco was quickly considering who to bet on in the third race at Tampa Downs. It was Friday morning, and Ciasco, who has been betting on horse racing almost every day since he arrived in Las Vegas 36 years ago, took his seat at William Hill's sports book at Terrible's. Armed with a small coffee, a pencil and the Player's Edition of the … [Read more...]
Spokane commissioners oppose tribal project January 30, 2013 at 5:47 pm Nicholas K. Geranios, ASSOCIATED PRESS SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) - Spokane County commissioners, freed from an agreement that previously prevented them from commenting, have passed a resolution opposing the Spokane Tribe's plan to build a big casino complex at Airway Heights, near Fairchild Air Force Base. The three commissioners on Tuesday afternoon voted unanimously to oppose the project in … [Read more...]
