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Fontainebleau Fails
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Strip property has been in financial trouble since a number of lenders backed out of the project and now seeks bankruptcy protection.
Vol. 7 • No. 22 • June 15, 2009 - Print This Issue
Cover Story
Featured Stories
WEEKLY FEATURE: E.U. Says U.S. Online Policy Blocks Trade
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
The online gaming policy of the U.S. in recent years has been anything but friendly to foreign operators. Now, a report following an investigation into the matter by the European Commission is officially saying that U.S. policy is in breach of WTO rules.
U.S. Locks Up Poker Winnings
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York instructed three banks to freeze accounts holding poker winnings totaling more than $30 million
Kentucky Gets Down To Business
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Governor Steve Beshear, backed by Kentucky Derby winning jockey Calvin Borel (l.), is proposing casino gaming to be considered in an upcoming special legislative session, as a way to save 100,000 jobs in Kentucky’s racing industry.
New York Tribe Floats Plan To Run Gaming At Belmont Park
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Pending long-awaited federal recognition, Shinnecocks already forming proposal for racino at Belmont Park (l.) near New York City
Genting Grabs Stake In MGM Mirage
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Malaysian gaming giant eyes possible purchase of MGM Grand Macau (l.) after negative assessment of partner Pansy Ho by New Jersey.
Gaughan Named To Gaming Hall Of Fame
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Michael Gaughan, a Las Vegas casino operator noted for founding Coast Casinos, was named as the newest member of the American Gaming Association’s Gaming Hall of Fame.
Seminoles Balk at Deal with Florida
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
What was once thought to be a “win-win” for the state and the tribe is now a contentious, unfair agreement that is likely to be rejected by the Seminoles, who now offer Class III gaming at their Seminole Hard Rock casino in Hollywood (l.).
Gran Scala Nears Last Legal Hurdle In Spain
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
The staggeringly huge project that is Gran Scala appears likely to receive the go-ahead from Spanish lawmakers. Now all that is needed is €7 billion to get the ball rolling.
Columns : ASIAN GAMING
Simple Solution To Goa Casino Controversy
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Now that elections are over, the ruling parties in Goa are feeling less pressure to take drastic action against casino ships.
Non-Gaming Revenue In Macau Still Anemic
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Only 5 percent of the revenue derived by casino resorts in Macau comes from non-gaming sources.
MGM Eyes Taiwan, Japan
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Las Vegas casino giant considers bidding in Taiwan, education Japan on casino gaming.
Columns : EUROPEAN GAMING
Russian Ministry Asks Putin To Reconsider Deadline
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
A ministry of the government of Russia has asked Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to postpone the complete shutdown of gaming on July 1.
Ukraine Maintains Suspension Of Casino Operations
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
When the president of Ukraine vetoed legislation that had closed gaming operations, it looked as if business was back to normal. But parliament appears to have had the last word.
Poker Channel Now In 18 Countries
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
If the poker boom is over, apparently someone forgot to tell the Europeans. Now, more players than ever are watching TV shows about their favorite game.
Columns : GLOBAL GAMING
Century Sale Near Final Approval In South Africa
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
International operator Century Casinos continues to streamline its portfolio in advance of its stated goal to seek acquisitions in North America and elsewhere.
Chile Casinos Doing Better After March Dip
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Chile’s new casino operators are seeing business pick up after a lackluster first quarter.
Columns : ONLINE GAMING
French Legislation Doesn't Meet EC Standards
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
The European Commission said draft legislation to regulate online gaming in France does not do enough to ensure fair trade.
Minnesota Won’t Block ISPs
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Minnesota has withdrawn an order that internet service providers block access to online gaming sites to the state's residents.
In-Running Betting On Live Poker Tournaments
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
A new joint venture will give the online betting public the ability to bet on poker tournaments while they watch the action streamed to them live.
Harrah's Sets Up Shop In Canada
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Interactive division will be based in Montreal and target European market.
Illinois Online Horse Bill Heads To Governor
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Illinois legislation would allow residents to wager on horse races online.
Spin3 Granted eCOGRA Seal
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Microgaming-powered Spin3 will be the first specialized mobile-gaming provider to earn the seal of approval from the protection and standards group eCOGRA.
Playtech Signs Deal With Betfair
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Deal makes Playtech the provider of its suite of downloadable casino games and its bingo software for Betfair
GTECH Rebrands Interactive Gaming And Sports Services
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
The New Media and Sports Betting division of GTECH has been rebranded as G2.
CyberArts Providing French Poker
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Online gaming software developer CyberArts Limited signed an agreement with Francaise Des Jeux to provide a virtual poker product.
BetStopper Introduced To Stop Underage Gambling
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
The Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation launched new software designed to address a perceived problem of increased underage gambling.
Columns : TRIBAL GAMING
California Tribes Sue Schwarzenegger
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
The Rincon and San Pasqual Tribes of San Diego County are hoping to force California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to stop terminating their casino licenses. But they may be forced to take their cases to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to do it.
Washington Tribe To Expand Temporary Casino
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
A Washington tribe, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, have started work to make room for the Sprung tent-like structure that will house the expansion of its temporary casino.
Feds Closer To Putting Arizona Tribe’s Land Into Trust
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
The Tohono O'odham Nation of Arizona has climbed another rung in its effort to get 135 acres put into federal trust so that it can build a $500 million casino resort.
Oklahoma Casino Revenue On The Climb
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Oklahoma recognized a tenfold increase in revenue in the first three years of Las Vegas style gambling.
Tribe Votes In Alcohol
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians voted last week to start selling alcohol at Harrah's Cherokee Casino in North Carolina.
Columns : UNITED STATES GAMING
New Hampshire Senate Approves Expanded Gaming
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
New Hampshire’s two legislative chambers are at odds over whether to allow racetracks to become racinos and whether two casinos can be built. The issue must be resolved in conference.
Miami-Dade Racino Construction Begins
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Calder has broken ground on a 104,000-square-foot slot and racing facility that will open with 1,225 machines in time for the Super Bowl in February.
Sands CEO Eyes Tables Games For New Pennsylvania Casino
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Sheldon Adelson has big plans for future of Sands Bethlehem, already setting records in the Northeast corridor.
Ohio Casino Petition Nears Signature Goals
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Ohio’s petition gathering campaign to get 400,000 signatures to put an initiative on the November ballot to allow four regional casinos is nearing its goals—despite a temporary restraining order that stopped the process for a few days.
Connecticut Could Add Gambling, Subtract Help For Gamblers
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Governor M. Jodi Rell considers legalizing keno, which counselors say is more addictive than other forms of gaming.
Atlantic City Casinos, Down 15 Percent, Add To Workforce
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
After cutting for nine months, 11 properties hire more than 600 new workers for busy summer season.
New York OTB Sounds Off On Allegations Of Video Piracy
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
New York Racing Association says online streaming of races violates regulations; OTB claims it’s all a big misunderstanding.
War of Words Between UAW and Harrah’s Atlantic City
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Both sides of contract dispute take their case to the public in media and advertising blitz.
New York Senate Passes Bill To Bring Electronic Table Games To Racinos
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Legislators said no to expanded gaming last year, but new budget woes could change their minds.
Rhode Island’s Twin River Slot Parlor Faces Chapter 11
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Without a leg up, casino that provides 8 percent of state revenue could file for bankruptcy protection within weeks.
New Jersey Governor Gets Behind Sports Betting Suit
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
The New Jersey governor is backing a lawsuit filed in March to end the federal ban on sports betting, which would allow Atlantic City casinos to add sports books to their facilities.
Baltimore Paves Way For Casino
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Baltimore City council has voted to change the city zoning code to permit a slot facility as its applicant pursues rights to a larger parcel of land.
Down, But Not Out
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Report says that demand may be slow to come, but it will eventually return
St. Tammany Bans Video Bingo
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Parish council votes 13-1 in favor of a ban on electronic video bingo in unincorporated areas
Laurel Argues For Slot Reinstatement In Maryland
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Officials of Magna Entertainment’s Laurel Racing subsidiary argued before Maryland’s highest court that the slot bid for Laurel Park racetrack should be reinstated.
Iowa Gaming Commission Mulls New Casino Licenses
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Five years after the last casino licenses were issued in Iowa the Racing & Gaming Commission is holding hearings as to whether it ought to issue more. Five counties are interested. The decision will be made in July.
Kansas County On Verge Of Casino Vote
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Kansas’s Wyandotte County is on the verge of voting on endorsing two casino proposals, one by Kansas Entertainment LLC, and the other by Penn National Inc.
California Card Room Plans To Add Tables
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
The Lucky Chances Casino in Colma, in California’s Bay Area, is bucking the statewide trend and asking to add ten more card tables.
Riviera Delists Stock
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Bankruptcy still possible as losses, debt mounts for Las Vegas company.
Fighting Continues Over Alabama Bingo
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Governor Bob Riley alleges “judge shopping” as Covington County debates gambling.
Columns : PEOPLE
IGT Hires CTO
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Slot manufacturer International Game Technology announced it has hired the former chief technology officer of Microsoft Corporation to fill the same role for IGT.
Columns : GOODS & SERVICES
WMS Participation Games Exceed 10,000
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
The slot manufacturer passes a milestone in installations of revenue-sharing, or participation slot machines, bucking a national trend of declining participation.
ELA to Host 2nd Ibero-American Meeting
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Mexican conference focused on developing gaming in the nation rescheduled for July.
IGT Amends Credit Facility
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Slot manufacturer IGT has amended and restated its credit facility, while extending commitments under the prior facility with a group of 28 lender banks.
Atronic Gets Big Order From Casinos Austria
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
The Atronic Group will provide a wide-area progressive system along with the machines linked to it and the system to control it, along with 24 stand-alone games.
New Novomatic Installations in Belgium and Spain
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Two new installations of machines at casinos in Belgium and Spain demonstrate the popularity of Novomatic devices.
Nevada Gaming Board Chairman Unhappy With Las Vegas Tech Company
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Las Vegas Gaming and its president draw ire of board chairman.
Shuffle Master Profits Jump
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
The table game equipment supplier bucked the national economic crisis by logging a 50 percent rise in net income for the second quarter.
Columns : WILD CARD
Money Matters
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Six of the top 10 executives in the annual In Business Las Vegas list of the highest paid business leaders were executives at Harrah's Entertainment
Bollywood In Macau
Fri, Jun 12, 2009
An annual conference chooses Macau to deliver the international message of the Indian film industry.