Sat, Feb 04, 2012
The Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway opened last week, the third casino to debut in the suddenly lucrative Kansas market. The $411 million casino is the first new casino in the Kansas City market in 15 years and is expected to have significant impact on the existing casinos there.
Sat, Feb 04, 2012
This week the Global Gaming Business Podcast features a conversation with David L. Rebuck, the director of New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement, on the recent regulatory reforms under way in Atlantic City’s casinos.
Sat, Feb 04, 2012
In the past, most gaming companies did not pay dividends to shareholders because they claimed to be plowing the profits back into growth for the company. Today, that has changed and many of gaming’s most popular companies are now rewarding shareholders with dividends.
Sat, Feb 04, 2012
Wynn Resorts last week appealed to a Nevada judge to have a lawsuit brought by former vice chairman and current Wynn board member Kazuo Okada dismissed, citing SEC regulations and corporate transparency.
Sat, Feb 04, 2012
A new master plan for Atlantic City has been approved by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. The ambitious roadmap envisions a cleaner, safer and more ecologically friendly city, with state-of-the-art attractions incorporating light, sound and wind, as well as an upgrade to urban spaces to transform the resort town into a year-round, world-class destination.
Sat, Feb 04, 2012
In another attempt to launch a public offering, Caesars Entertainment last week announced that it would sell almost 2 million shares of stock in an effort to return to the public sector after being taken private in 2008. Chairman Gary Loveman and other insiders will sell additional shares if the IPO is successful.
Sat, Feb 04, 2012
The U.K. casino market is on the verge of another major consolidation. Rank Group is attempting to add the casinos of Gala Coral to its current stable and become the biggest operator in the land overnight.
Sat, Feb 04, 2012
Macau gaming revenues benefitted from both the western and the Chinese new years. After a year of explosive growth, not much has changed as revenues were up 35 percent from January 2011. At left, the lines entering Macau at the border crossing.
Sat, Feb 04, 2012
Kazuo Okada (in white behind podium with PAGCOR Chairman Cristino “Bong” Naguiat) has broken ground on his company’s integrated resort project in the Philippines. Tiger Resorts, Leisure and Entertainment is building a $2 billion property capable of competing with similar properties in the region—which could be at the root of the current unpleasantness between buddies Okada and Steve Wynn.
Fri, Feb 03, 2012
The December ruling by the Justice Department about the legality of online lottery ticket sales has opened up the logjam on potential online gaming legalization. With Congress seemingly at an impasse about the issue, states are taking the lead. And it’s many more states than just the gaming hotbeds of Nevada and New Jersey. Read this complete report on the actions in each state considering online gaming.
Sun, Jan 29, 2012
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Sean Lanni, the executive director for international business development, for MGM Resorts on his role in the company and the influence his father, the late Terry Lanni, had on his professional career.
Sun, Jan 29, 2012
No, it’s not a phone number but it could be the revenues of one of the state’s casinos. The reports of the state’s casinos exceeding the Atlantic City revenues are misleading and may even be bogus.
Sun, Jan 29, 2012
Plans for a $245 million, 125,000 square foot casino in downtown Lansing, Michigan recently were announced by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and the mayor. The casino is projected to earn $250 million in annual gross revenues and provide 1,500 permanent jobs, according to Sault Tribal Chairman Joe Eitrem (l.).
Sun, Jan 29, 2012
Pennsylvania has eclipsed New Jersey as the No. 2 gaming jurisdiction in the United States, second only to Nevada, with more than $3 billion in revenue last year. Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem is the state leader.
Sun, Jan 29, 2012
Don’t expect to see Bay State casinos being approved for at least a couple of years says the state’s top gaming regulator, Stephen Crosby. The contemplative new chairman of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is still mulling exactly “what is the public good” and how his job relates to that.
Sun, Jan 29, 2012
The opening of the Austrian casino market has begun. Sort of. The Finance Ministry has received three bids for the first bundle of six licenses, which bundling is being protested by Novomatic, the parent of two of the bidders.
Sun, Jan 29, 2012
Sheldon Adelson (l.) is looking to move ahead with his project to create a Las Vegas Strip in Spain. The political leaders in one of his favored locations, the Madrid region, have come out supporting the plan. But Adelson’s demanding regulatory quid pro quo is almost certain to inspire political opposition.
Sun, Jan 29, 2012
Francis Lui, the co-chairman of Galaxy Entertainment, says that he’s not worried about the upcoming opening of Cotai Central, Sands China’s newest project, because Galaxy Macau is a “complete” property.
Sun, Jan 29, 2012
Philippine gaming operator and regulator PAGCOR posted record revenue from both areas of activity in 2011. Chairman and CEO Cristino Naguiat (l.) believes success will continue as the Entertainment City Manila projects come online.
Sun, Jan 29, 2012
Sports betting is the hot topic in New Jersey as two congressmen, Rep. Frank Pallone and Rep. Frank LoBiondo (l.), have each unveiled legislation that would amend the 1992 federal ban. Following a new law that allows for sports wagering at Atlantic City casinos if the federal ban is overturned, Pallone’s bill would aim to make New Jersey exempt from federal restrictions, while LoBiondo seeks to give all states the right to opt out of the federal ban.
Sun, Jan 29, 2012
Last week, rumors spread that one or more California tribes are preparing to launch an online poker site before either the federal or state governments pass a bill. Meanwhile, a hearing has been announced for the he Senate Committee on Indian Affairs for February 9 to consider how tribes will participate in the online gaming industry.
Sat, Jan 21, 2012
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Rick Mazer, the regional president of Harrah's Las Vegas, Imperial Palace, O'Shea’s, Flamingo and Bill's Gambling Hall on the Las Vegas Strip about the exciting things happening that side of the highway, including the Linq project.
Sat, Jan 21, 2012
Former Aristocrat and Aruze Gaming executive Kent Young has launched a new premium slot content firm based in Reno, called Spin Games.
Sat, Jan 21, 2012
With a new drive for gaming legalization in many U.S. states, the motivations remain the same but the logic may differ. How will that impact the success of new casinos?
Sat, Jan 21, 2012
Prominent slot developer Joe Kaminkow has resigned from his position at the head of the premium game studio of slot leader International Game Technology.
Sat, Jan 21, 2012
Ground will be broken this summer for a $150-million, 20-story, 382-room hotel next to the Forest County Potawatomi Community’s Bingo Casino in Milwaukee. The tribe said the 4-star/4-diamond-level hotel will create 230 permanent jobs and generate nearly $10 million per year in additional revenues.
Sat, Jan 21, 2012
The possibility that the provincial lottery of Ontario, Canada might decide to expand into Toronto has border towns that have casinos, including Niagara Falls, worried about the competition killing the goose that lays the golden egg. Finance Minister Dwight Duncan (l.) is “open” to the idea.
Sat, Jan 21, 2012
The battle royal between Kazuo Okada and Steve Wynn stepped up another level last week as Okada petitioned to replace three board members, and possibly a fourth—Wynn’s ex-wife, Elaine (l.), whose position on the conflict is unknown.
Sat, Jan 21, 2012
The Ohio Casino Control Commission refuses to be rushed in doing its job before allowing the first of four casinos authorized by the voters to open. The commission is doing background checks that can take up to 18 months, in just a few months. Recently it was forced to concede that the opening set by the Cleveland Horseshoe Casino (l.) for March would not happen.
Sat, Jan 21, 2012
Although he won’t actually have any authority until the rest of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is named, Chairman Stephen Crosby (l.) is already talking about what he would like to see potential casino developers propose. His message is: think big and think creatively.
Sat, Jan 21, 2012
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has signed a bill to allow Atlantic City casinos and state racetracks to accept wagers on athletic events. The bill, which quickly worked its way through both Houses, would give the state ammunition to challenge a 1992 federal ban on sports wagering.
Sun, Jan 15, 2012
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Anthony Sanfilippo, the president and CEO of Pinnacle Entertainment on why he joined the company and what he hopes to create as leader of the innovative regional operator.
Sun, Jan 15, 2012
Bally Technologies executives ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the company’s founding.
Sun, Jan 15, 2012
Kyrgyzstan has joined the likes of Russia and Kazakhstan by shutting down all gaming venues in the country. The anticipated action occurred on January 1 as proscribed by law passed in autumn 2011.
Sun, Jan 15, 2012
In an effort to improve its position in the social gaming industry, IGT has purchased Double Down Interactive. The buy is anticipated to contribute rapid user and revenue growth. The combination allows IGT to leverage Facebook distribution channel, and should be accretive to IGT’s fiscal year 2012 adjusted earnings. (Listen to an interview with Glenn Walcott, the president of DoubleDown Interactive, at left.)
Sun, Jan 15, 2012
The $60 million Northern Edge Navajo Casino will open Monday near Farmington, New Mexico. Operated by the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise, the 86,000-square-foot casino will showcase original work by Navajo artists.
Sun, Jan 15, 2012
Genting rolls out plan for what could be the largest convention center (l.) in the U.S., at Resorts World at Aqueduct. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is all for it since it will cost the state nothing. And Brooklyn’s Coney Island is making a bid to be a casino location.
Sun, Jan 15, 2012
The mega-resort bill, which could bring three massive casinos, including one planned by Malaysian gambling firm Genting (l.), to South Florida, passes its first challenge in a Senate committee. But there are many hurdles to overcome and opposition is mounting.
Sun, Jan 15, 2012
South Korea appears to have jumped into the lead in the race to announce the next integrated resort in the Asian market. Plans to install a $3 billion integrated resort near the main international airport, Inchon Airport (l.), are lacking only a final agreement and the name of the U.S.-based developer. But all U.S. companies have insisted that locals be permitted to gamble before they agreed to invest.
Sun, Jan 08, 2012
Bermuda has wrested with the question of allowing casino gaming for a number of years. Previous attempts have met with rejection of the idea by citizens and government alike. However, some recent polls are giving certain politicians, such as Charles and Kim Swan (l.) new hope.
Sun, Jan 08, 2012
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Whitaker Askew, the vice president of government affairs for the American Gaming Association, about the federal issues facing the gaming industry, including the pressing subject of online poker.
Sun, Jan 08, 2012
For several years, investors have shied away from the slot manufacturers. The replacement cycle, server-based gaming and service windows have promised increased sales, but have not fully delivered. But hope springs eternal.
Sun, Jan 08, 2012
The government of Cyprus has flirted with legalizing casino gaming for years but never followed through. Now it appears conditions are finally right—as soon as a location is agreed for a single casino. Will Las Vegas Sands and CEO Sheldon Adelson (l.) be the ones to build it?
Sun, Jan 08, 2012
Analysts were boo-hooing “disappointing” December results, but the Macau gaming industry was not crying about the yearly totals, up more than 40 percent over revenues in 2010, which was a good year by itself. The market share race is increasingly landing in favor of Sands China, even before it opens Cotai Central (l.) early this year.
Sun, Jan 08, 2012
As the new legislative session begins in Kentucky, lawmakers are weighing which road to travel in the effort to expand gaming in the state—by legislation or by constitutional referendum. Governor Steve Beshear (l.) favors a vote.
Sun, Jan 08, 2012
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (l., delivering last week’s “state of the state” address) touts economic growth, jobs creation with full-scale non-tribal casinos in the Empire State. The Seneca tribe is fighting back with ads opposing the plan. And Cuomo wants to enhance one existing casino, Resorts World New York at Aqueduct with a huge new convention center.
Sun, Jan 08, 2012
A revised bill tries to stroke all parties as the potential casino bidders jockey for position. Florida state Senator Dennis Jones wants an up-or-down vote on the destination resort bill the day before the official legislative session begins, but Senator Ellyn Bogdanoff (l.), the bill’s sponsor, wants it delayed.
Sun, Jan 08, 2012
Bally Technologies CEO Richard Haddrill has been elected the new chairman of the American Gaming Association, replacing Boyd Gaming President Keith Smith. MGM Resorts International’s Jim Murren was chosen as vice chairman.
Sat, Dec 24, 2011
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Salim Adatia, the CEO of TST, a GLI Company on why the testing of online gaming technology is going to play a crucial role in the legalization of the new industry.
Sat, Dec 24, 2011
Gaming stocks had a miserable year in 2011, with only three stocks showing an increase for the year. Why did that happen? And what does it mean for 2012? Depends on your strategies.
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