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Stars to Shine in Manila?
Fri, Aug 06, 2010
Harrah’s Entertainment is rumored to be in the final stages of an agreement with a Philippine company to manage a “Planet Hollywood” casino in the Entertainment City resort development in Manila.
Vol. 8 • No. 31 • August 9, 2010 - Print This Issue
Cover Story
Featured Stories
WEEKLY FEATURE: Genting Gets Aqueduct
Fri, Aug 06, 2010
Genting, the Malaysian company that operates Genting Highlands (l.) near Kuala Lumpur, which stood alone in the last round of bidding for the Aqueduct racetrack casino, gets the thumbs-up from the New York Lottery Division.
Massachusetts Gaming Bill In Coma
Fri, Aug 06, 2010
Gaming in Massachusetts appears dead for this year after a face-off between Governor Deval Patrick (l.) and the legislature left a gaming bill requiring CPR by special session to revive it.
Fertittas Approved in Station Buyout
Fri, Aug 06, 2010
With the withdrawal of Boyd Gaming in late July as a bidder for a group of properties owned by bankrupt Station Casinos, a proposal from the Fertitta brothers (l.) was the highest bid. An August 27 court hearing could turn the former Station Casinos over to them and their lenders.
Tabcorp Adds to Star City Improvement
Fri, Aug 06, 2010
The rivalry with Australian casino operator Crown is one driving force behind the latest additional commitment by Tabcorp to upgrade its Sydney casino. Another is the need to replace a few hundred million in revenue from non-casino operations that will be gone in a couple of years.
Gaming Summit Convened in New Jersey
Sat, Aug 07, 2010
Democrats hold the first in a series of meetings designed to create the perception that they are as concerned about the future of Atlantic City as is Governor Chris Christie, who wants his “Hanson Report” implemented.
Frank Bill: Prospects Dim
Sat, Aug 07, 2010
While a bill to legalize online gaming last week reached as far in the legislative process as any bill has so far, the hurdles that it still has to overcome are daunting.
Former NIGC Chief Predicts More Corruption for Indian Gaming
Sat, Aug 07, 2010
A federal court decision that in 2006 removed the National Indian Gaming Commission from much of its enforcement role for Class III gaming is a cause for concern, says Phil Hogen (l.), a former NIGC chairman.
Good News, Bad News for MGM, Harrah’s
Fri, Aug 06, 2010
Second quarter earnings for two of gaming’s largest companies were not impressive, but some other news makes the bad report easier to take. MGM Grand Macau (l.) is refinanced, giving the company more room to maneuver in Asia and the U.S.
Leading Technology Awards to be presented at G2E
Sat, Aug 07, 2010
The 8th Annual Gaming and Technology Awards will be presented once again at G2E in November. A call for nominations went out today for products and services that will be recognized as the “best of show” at G2E. At left, Bally receives a first-place award from last year's program.
Columns : ASIAN GAMING
Singapore Attracting Malaysian Bus Visitors
Fri, Aug 06, 2010
Articles about the new Asia Pacific casinos are usually focused on what’s happening with the high-rolling VIP clientele. But the new Singapore properties are proving attractive as well to bus tourists from neighboring Malaysia.
Philippines Fishing Group Opposes PAGCOR Development
Fri, Aug 06, 2010
The Philippines government’s effort to redevelop Manila Bay with casino resorts is being fought by an opposition group of small-scale fisherman. As the group seeks help in their cause from religious leaders, however, ground is already being broken on the first of several projects.
Columns : EUROPEAN GAMING
Rank to Grow U.K. Casino Venues
Fri, Aug 06, 2010
Rank Group’s casino results are indicating a recovery in the U.K. market after the setbacks of the Gordon Brown era. Rank is planning to build more casinos in the coming two years, with an emphasis on its “hospitality model” G Casinos, which offer more than just a place to gamble.
Cyprus Readies Draft Law for E.C. Approval
Fri, Aug 06, 2010
Cyprus is joining the ranks of European nations opting to distinguish between sports betting and other forms of gambling when it comes to online gaming regulation. A draft bill has been prepared for European Commission approval that would only allow the former.
Columns : GLOBAL GAMING
Grenada Government Not Pursuing Developer
Fri, Aug 06, 2010
A proposed $160-million tourism project on the island of Grenada has proved to be written in sand. In the end, the developer could not even get a government representative into a room for a meeting.
Aussie Hotel’s Owners First to Drop Slots
Fri, Aug 06, 2010
The couple that owns an Australian hotel has decided to remove all the licensed gaming machines from the property. The decision is a first for the pub-and-club sector operating throughout the state of Victoria.
Down to Three for Australian State Betting License
Fri, Aug 06, 2010
A huge earning potential is up for grabs in the form of the betting license for the Australian state of Victoria. The winner will have 12 years to exploit a monopoly on sports betting, off-track wagering and retail outlets with FOBTs.
Columns : UNITED STATES GAMING
Christie: Keep CRDA $ in AC
Sat, Aug 07, 2010
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (l.) says money from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority should stay in the casinos' own backyard.
Pennsylvania Racino Seeks Extension
Sat, Aug 07, 2010
The licensee for the troubled racino project, Valley View, in Pennsylvania’s Lawrence County is asking for two more years to open the track and casino.
Zoning Changes will Bring New Casino to Gulfport
Sat, Aug 07, 2010
A rezoning vote near Small Craft Harbor in Gulfport, Mississippi will allow for a new casino property on the harbor. A previous casino, the Copa (l.), was washed ashore by Hurricane Katrina.
California Supports the Push Towards Legalized Sports Betting
Sat, Aug 07, 2010
Senator Roderick Wright (l.) shows support for a New Jersey lawsuit that could legalize sports betting in more states.
AC After More Conventions
Sat, Aug 07, 2010
New Jersey government officials hope to increase convention business in Atlantic City by 150 percent in the next five years
Victoryland Subject to Raid?
Sat, Aug 07, 2010
Alabama's state Supreme Court has overruled a restraining order that kept Governor Bob Riley’s anti-gaming task force from raiding the Macon County casino, Victoryland (l.).
Nevadans OK With Tax Hikes on Gaming and Mining
Sat, Aug 07, 2010
Poll results show that Nevadans favor a tax increase in gambling and mining industries over one that would affect businesses or personal income.
Columns : TRIBAL GAMING
Off-Rez Casino Threatens Arizona Compacts Say Critics
Sat, Aug 07, 2010
A pending approval of land to trust for an Arizona tribe threatens the state-tribal compact that guarantees exclusivity for tribal gaming, some say.
Miccosukee Tribe Fights IRS
Sat, Aug 07, 2010
Tribal leaders insist that members of sovereign nations do not have to pay income tax on gaming revenue. The defense has failed in the past.
Mohegan Sun Moves Forward on Projects
Sat, Aug 07, 2010
The Mohegan Sun in Connecticut may be losing money, but that’s not stopping it from going forward with ambitious building projects.
California Casino Opens Brewery
Sat, Aug 07, 2010
Brews with bets. That’s what the Feather Falls Casino near Oroville, California is banking on as it builds the first casino brewery in the area.
Foxwoods Disputes Legality of Union Vote
Sat, Aug 07, 2010
The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation will challenge beverage worker’s vote to unionize. The United Food and Commercial Workers union seeks negotiations.
Fewer Casino Tourists From Below the Border
Sat, Aug 07, 2010
As more small casinos open in places like Sonora, Mexicans find it easier to gamble closer to their homes.
Columns : PEOPLE
New Chairman at William Hill
Sat, Aug 07, 2010
William Hill has gone way outside the industry to find its new chairman of the board. But Gareth Davis comes to the U.K. gaming concern with lots of experience in growing a highly regulated business internationally.
Reel-TV Names CTO
Sat, Aug 07, 2010
Reel-TV has named software engineer John Frailey as chief technology officer of the fledgling slot-based advertising service.
Columns : GOODS & SERVICES
Bally Returns to Australia
Sat, Aug 07, 2010
Bally Technologies has established a sales and service office in Australia, marking the company’s return to one of the world’s largest slot markets.
Virgin Launches WagerWorks Game
Sat, Aug 07, 2010
U.K.-based Virgin Casino has launched “Expert Roulette!,” the latest online casino game from WagerWorks.
OddsMatrix Platform Now French Compliant
Sat, Aug 07, 2010
The opening of the French online wagering and poker markets is also an opportunity for lesser-known software providers to prove their products. The awarding of a license to operator Jeux365 means that the OddsMatrix platform has passed the scrutiny of the French regulator.
Columns : WILD CARD
Sign Up
Sat, Aug 07, 2010
Cosmopolitan Las Vegas unveils its logo and sign along the Las Vegas Strip in preparation for a December opening.
Hef Wants New Casinos
Sat, Aug 07, 2010
The 84-year-old founder of Playboy magazine says he plans to open casinos in London and Macau.
Pataki Patronage?
Sat, Aug 07, 2010
A high-ranking official of the New York Racing Association drops a bombshell, saying he was tapped for $100K in ‘contributions’ in exchange for his job