Casino City Times
Hard Rock Lake Tahoe releases March promotions
Guests can enjoy burlesque shows, gaming promotions and March Mania viewings.
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
DraftKings hires Sean Hurley to lead sportsbetting effort
World Casino News
DraftKings hires Sean Hurley to lead sportsbetting effort
Martinez Sampedro family fighting for the future of Codere
World Casino News
Martinez Sampedro family fighting for the future of Codere
Poker pro Gus Hansen admits to losing $600K to King’s Casino Rozvadov Owner
World Casino News
Poker pro Gus Hansen admits to losing $600K to King’s Casino Rozvadov Owner
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
Atlantic City Labor Union Pens Agreement with New Trump Taj Mahal Casino Owner
Casino News Daily
Atlantic City Labor Union Pens Agreement with New Trump Taj Mahal Casino Owner
Officials for labor union UNITE HERE Local 54 and casino operator Hard Rock International have signed a “card count neutrality” agreement, the Press of Atlantic City reported.
The agreement could help the union return at the former Trump Taj Mahal casino resort, which Hard Rock is currently converting into what would be Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. The property is scheduled to be reopened in June.
Under the agreement between Local 54 and Hard Rock, the operator should agree as an employer to recognize the labor union as the official “bargaining agent of the employees” if a third party confirms that the greater number of employees have signed UNITE HERE Local 54 membership cards.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City is currently taking shape at the site of Trump Taj Mahal, once owned by US President Donald Trump. The lavish casino resort closed doors in the fall of 2016 amid a workers’ strike involving Local 54 members. They picketed the property for over a month, asking to have their previous health insurance and pension packages restored. In the early 2010s, workers gave up on certain benefits to save the ailing Trump Taj Mahal from bankruptcy.
The property was owned by New York businessman Carl Icahn back in 2016 when it was shuttered. Mr. Icahn blamed the closure of the hotel and casino complex namely on the strike, arguing that it had hurt Trump Taj Mahal’s profitability beyond repair.
New Job Opportunities
The closure of Trump Taj Mahal left 3,000 people unemployed, including 1,000 Local 54 members. The property was purchased by Hard Rock International in the spring of 2017 for a reported price of $50 million. The Florida-headquartered casino operator pledged a $500-million investment into the India-themed resort, promising to convert it into a typical Hard Rock property, replacing its iconic minarets with rock’n’roll features.
The redevelopment project is expected generate over 1,000 jobs during construction and more than 3,000 jobs once fully operational.
Under the “card count neutrality agreement” Unite 54 local members, who were previously employed at Trump Taj Mahal, could return to the redesigned property.
Under the neutrality clauses of the agreement between the labor union and Hard Rock, the latter has agreed not to prevent its staff members from joining Local 54, if they wish, and the Union and its members have agreed not to disrupt their workplace through strikes and similar initiatives.
In comments to the Press of Atlantic City, both parties have said that they were content with the agreement. Bob McDevitt, President of Local 54, praised the Hard Rock management, saying that the company seemed to understand how Atlantic City’s market worked. Hard Rock officials, in turn, pointed out that their work with the labor union would help them enter Atlantic City successfully.
The post Atlantic City Labor Union Pens Agreement with New Trump Taj Mahal Casino Owner appeared first on Casino News Daily.
Caesars eyes tender for casino license in Athens
World Casino News
Caesars eyes tender for casino license in Athens
Arkansas group proposes amendment to see tracks expand gambling offerings
World Casino News
Arkansas group proposes amendment to see tracks expand gambling offerings
Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, bet365, and CrownBet Bid for William Hill’s Australian Gambling Business
Casino News Daily
Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, bet365, and CrownBet Bid for William Hill’s Australian Gambling Business
William Hill has received four offers from fellow gambling operators for its Australian business, the Australian Financial Review reported on Monday. The winning bidder is set to undergo due diligence before the end of the week and is expected to assume control over the Sportingbet brand next month.
William Hill acquired the Australian and Spanish operations of Sportingbet as well as the Centrebet and Tom Waterhouse online wagering brands in 2013 for the total amount of £485 million. Last month, the British bookmaker announced that it was reviewing its Australian business and that its sale was under consideration.
It then became clear that William Hill has hired financial services firm Citi to set up a formal bidding process for its Australian operations and law firm Clifford Chance to guide the operator through the sale process.
It was understood that Paddy Power Betfair’s Australian business Sportsbet, Ladbrokes, and bet365 have all made offers for William Hill’s Australian betting brands, each valuing these at around A$200 million. According to the Australian Financial Review, Australia’s CrownBet was the fourth bidder. The online sports betting business of local casino operator Crown Resorts is itself in the middle of a change of ownership.
Late last year, Crown Resorts agreed to sell its 62% stake in the wagering business to a group of investors that included CrownBet’s CEO Matt Tripp. The deal was expected to be finalized by the end of February.
UPDATE: The Stars Group, parent company of PokerStars and online sports betting operator BetStars announced today that it has partnered Mr. Tripp to buy Crown Resorts’ 62% stake in CrownBet.
What’s Next for Tom Waterhouse?
As mentioned above, William Hill entered Australia in 2013 with the acquisition of the Sportingbet, Tom Waterhouse, and Centrebet brands. All three were led by popular Australian bookmaker Tom Waterhouse at the time. In 2014, Mr. Waterhouse was appointed CEO of William Hill’s Australian business.
His future is still unclear in case a sale takes place. However, many believe that the preferred buyer would likely keep Mr. Waterhouse on board due to his extensive experience and connections within Australia’s betting scene.
Mr. Waterhouse made the headlines a few years ago due to what many considered too aggressive promotion of his Tom Waterhouse online betting business.
According to analysts from Macquarie, William Hill’s Australian business currently represents a 5% share of the nation’s betting market. The company’s Australian operations have underperformed for several years now. It is believed that latest regulatory developments within the country’s gambling landscape have further encouraged the British bookmaker to reconsider its presence in Australia.
Several states have recently introduced or confirmed that they would introduce a 15% point-of-consumption tax that would require bookmakers to contribute tax money to the jurisdictions where they provide their services in and not just in the jurisdictions where they are licensed.
A recently introduced ban on credit betting further restricted operators in their efforts to acquire bettors. Under the latest amendments to Australia’s Interactive Gambling Act, bookmakers can no longer extend credits to betting customers. The click-to-call betting feature introduced by offshore betting operators to circumvent previous gambling regulations has also been banned under the recent amendments.
The post Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, bet365, and CrownBet Bid for William Hill’s Australian Gambling Business appeared first on Casino News Daily.
Monday, February 26, 2018
Coming Atlantic City casino promising plethora of live music
World Casino News
Coming Atlantic City casino promising plethora of live music
Plaza Hotel celebrates St. Patrick's Day with fireworks
Casino City Times
Plaza Hotel celebrates St. Patrick's Day with fireworks
Starting at 7 p.m. on 17 March, casinogoers can enjoy a free show featuring green fireworks.
South Dakota Senate votes no to Yankton casino plan
World Casino News
South Dakota Senate votes no to Yankton casino plan
More Details Shed on Greece’s New $8-Billion Casino Resort
Casino News Daily
More Details Shed on Greece’s New $8-Billion Casino Resort
After the Greek Council of State gave last week the green light to the Hellenic Gaming Commission to prepare and launch a bidding process for casino operators interested to join the $8-billion plan for an integrated resort near Athens, more details about the gaming portion of the mega-scheme have emerged across local news outlets.
Greek developer Lamda Development, together with a group of investors from Abu Dhabi and China, has previously announced plans to redevelope a 620-hectare site near the capital Athens. The site had been occupied by the Ellinikon International Airport (often referred to as Hellinikon) prior to 2001.
The area will now be converted into a coastal resort with hotel, residential, food and beverage, retail, and entertainment facilities, including a casino.
Late last week, Greece’s top administrative court allowed the country’s casino industry regulator to prepare the necessary paperwork and to launch a call for bids from companies that are interested in obtaining a license for the operation of the gaming portion of the urban development project. According to reports from Greek media, the bidding process is expected to be opened in the fall of 2018.
Las Vegas casino giant Caesars Entertainment Corp. had been the first to express interest in participating in the major scheme. The company’s main operating unit exited bankruptcy last fall and announced that it would look to extend its geographical presence across new jurisdictions. Caesars operates more than 40 casino venues across the United States and has reportedly been eying opportunities to enter Japan, Brazil, and Australia’s casino industries.
Developers behind the Hellinikon project believe that more casino operators would express interest, once the bidding process is open.
More Details about the Gaming Portion of the Future Resort
According to Greek media outlets, the casino resort will be located in one of the 45-story towers that will be constructed as part of the larger complex. The casino resort will feature a five-star hotel with 1,200 rooms and suits, a conference facility, a thalassotherapy center, and multiple other facilities.
The casino will spread across 15,000 square meters. The gaming portion of the facility will occupy 8,000 square meters. The remaining 7,000 square meters will be used for other, non-gaming, facilities.
The casino resort only is expected to create 7,500 new jobs. According to preliminary forecasts, the casino at the complex could be able to generate €700 million in gross gaming revenue in the long term. The whole Hellinikon complex is expected to create 10,000 new jobs during construction and more than 70,000 during its first five to six years of operations.
Once it opens doors, the major integrated resort will have to compete with the nearby City of Dreams Mediterranean, which is currently under construction in the Republic of Cyprus. The resort is slated to be launched in the early 2020s.
The post More Details Shed on Greece’s New $8-Billion Casino Resort appeared first on Casino News Daily.
Sunday, February 25, 2018
NetEnt launches newest video slot; Asgardian Stones™
World Casino News
NetEnt launches newest video slot; Asgardian Stones™
John Misirian Leads after WPT L.A. Poker Classic $10,000 Championship Day 1
Casino News Daily
John Misirian Leads after WPT L.A. Poker Classic $10,000 Championship Day 1
The 2018 edition of the WPT L.A. Poker Classic $10,000 Championship kicked off on Saturday at Commerce Casino. As many as 475 entries registered for the prestigious tournament during its first day, but only 282 of them will progress into Day 2, which will be played later today at the host venue.
Action is scheduled to resume at noon local time and players who failed to join the field on Day 1 will be able to do that until the first break of Day 2 or around 1:45 pm local time. The tournament feature a freezeout format, which means that re-entries are not allowed.
John Misirian will be leading the start-of-the-day pack of contenders. The player assumed the chip lead at some point on Day 1 and cemented his position on the very last hand of the day by eliminating poker pro Sean Winter. Misirian bagged and tagged 234,300 worth in chips for the night.
The player comes fresh from a victory in an event that took place earlier during the ongoing LAPC poker festival. Talking with WPT staff, he said last night that that recent triumph had certainly built his confidence. Yet, he pointed out that one cannot be too confident, particularly in cases where the field is packed with poker professionals.
Feeling Comfortable When Playing with Good Players
Misirian revealed that playing with good poker players makes him feel more comfortable on the felt. The player went on to say that playing in an event that involves so many poker professionals provides opportunity to learn a lot.
According to his Hendon Mob profile, Misirian has a total of $268,377 in live tournament earnings. It can also be said that the player has mainly cashed in three-figure buy-in tournaments over the course of his career.
Day 2 of the $10,000 Championship will see the likes of Andy Frankenberger, Toby Lewis, and Richard Seymour take their seats after surviving the eight levels played on Day 1. However, former WPT Main Event champions Ryan Riess, Darren Elias, and Jared Jaffee did not make it through the day.
Registration will remain open through the first stages of Day 2, as mentioned above, which means that the field will certainly grow. Once registration closes, organizers will be able to calculate the prize pool and to announce the places paid and the first-place prize for the last player standing in the tournament.
Daniel Strelitz won the WPT LAPC Championship last year. The player bested a field of 521 entries to eventually scoop $1 million for his efforts. Streilitz entered this year’s event yesterday and survived through all eight levels to bag and tag 66,200 and secure a seat among the Day 2 participants. It is to be seen whether he will be able to win the exciting tournament for a second consecutive year. The Championship is set to be played through March 1.
The post John Misirian Leads after WPT L.A. Poker Classic $10,000 Championship Day 1 appeared first on Casino News Daily.
Saturday, February 24, 2018
AGS gets green light to offer its gaming products in Ohio
World Casino News
AGS gets green light to offer its gaming products in Ohio
A Casino Could Secure Convention Center for Sunshine Coast, City Council Believes
Casino News Daily
A Casino Could Secure Convention Center for Sunshine Coast, City Council Believes
The possibility for the addition of a casino as part of the Maroochydore Central Business District development project is still being discussed by the Sunshine Coast Council, despite recent comments by Mayor Mark Jamieson that a facility of this type was not on their agenda at the time.
In a letter to the editor of local news outlet the Sunshine Coast Daily, City Councilor John Connolly said that the Council still believes a project, including a casino, under Queensland’s Integrated Tourism Development program was the right path to “securing a regional convention centre”.
Cr Connolly went on to say that the Sunshine Coast Council does not have the means to build a convention and exhibition center as soon as it might wish and that they have to consider different ways to fund a project of this kind.
Local media reported earlier this week that the Queensland Government has confirmed it had promoted a visit by Malaysian casino company NagaCorp to Sunshine Coast. The visit took place last fall. Reportedly, NagaCorp executives and an architect, who had previously worked on the company’s existing casino resort in Cambodia, met the Sunshine Coast Mayor to discuss opportunities for a future partnership.
State Tourism Development Minister Kate Jones said earlier that the meeting taking place did not necessarily mean that a casino would be included in the Maroochydore CBD development project.
Boost to Local Tourism
In his letter, Cr Connolly wrote that Sunshine Coast does not have a large convention center that is paid for by the government, unlike other regions around the state. According to the City Councilor, a project that would include a gaming floor as well as different non-gaming facilities could significantly help the city fulfill its plan for a convention and exhibition venue.
He went on to say in his letter that the Maroochydore CBD development, if it includes attractive enough offering, would boost the region’s construction sector significantly and would then boost the region’s and the state’s tourism sector. The official also pointed out that the city should not rule out that quickly the opportunities that a casino could create.
The Queensland Government has not confirmed that the addition of a casino to the Sunshine Coast development project has been debated. On the other hand, Minister Jones has confirmed that she would visit the Sunshine Coast in March to discuss tourism opportunities with Mayor Jamieson.
Federal and state MPs have fired at the Sunshine Coast Mayor for his failure to end the casino debate once and for all by ruling out the construction of a gambling venue in the city. Mr. Jamieson said earlier this week that the decision about a casino is not within his or the City Council’s power and that such a decision can only be made by the state government.
The post A Casino Could Secure Convention Center for Sunshine Coast, City Council Believes appeared first on Casino News Daily.
Friday, February 23, 2018
Live! Casino celebrates Black History Heroes Awards
Casino City Times
Live! Casino celebrates Black History Heroes Awards
The Maryland casino hosted the ceremony, recognizing ten local business and community leaders.
Bede Gaming agrees content deal with Pragmatic Play
World Casino News
Bede Gaming agrees content deal with Pragmatic Play
Tyler Groth Wins WSOP Circuit Rio Las Vegas $365 Pot-Limit Omaha
Casino News Daily
Tyler Groth Wins WSOP Circuit Rio Las Vegas $365 Pot-Limit Omaha
Last summer, Tyler Groth captured his first WSOP gold bracelet for winning a $1,000 Pot-Limit Omaha event at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Last night, the player captured his first WSOP Circuit gold ring for winning another Pot-Limit Omaha event, a $365 buy-in one, at the very same casino.
Groth defeated a field of 153 entries over two days of play to win the tournament, the precious gold ring, and the amount of $12,850 in prize money.
Winning two Pot-Limit Omaha events, one of which on the schedule of the legendary WSOP, it very much seems that Groth is a Pot-Limit Omaha specialist. However, the player himself does not think so. He believes that Omaha 8 is the game he actually excels in. After last night’s triumph, Groth told WSOP staff that he has not played Pot-Limit Omaha that much to realize how good he might be in the four-card game.
Two years ago, the player quit his daily job to pursue a career in poker. He moved to Las Vegas and has been playing both cash games and tournament poker at local casinos since then. Groth said that as of lately, he has been more active on the tournament scene. It is also important to note that online poker has been a long-time love of his. He even pointed out last night that he has built the greater portion of his poker bankroll namely online.
The player also said that even though he is planning to go to Los Angeles and participate in the LAPC Main Event, set to take place over the weekend, he might go back to Vegas to join the field of the first ever WSOP Online Circuit event. The online gold ring event is scheduled for February 27.
Groth’s Performance in the $365 Pot-Limit Omaha
As mentioned above, the tournament was played over two days and as part of the WSOP Circuit’s Rio stop. The final day of the event took place on Thursday with nine players left to sit at the final table when cards were thrown in the air.
Groth was the chip leader at that point with significant advantage over his remaining opponents. The eventual winner had nearly 600,000 in chips and was well ahead of his fellow player ranking second in the chip counts chart. That player was Andrew Dennis who had a total of 200,000 at the time.
Groth maintained his lead throughout the day to eventually scoop the title and the first-place prize. He faced Benjamin Thomas heads-up as his final challenge before the sweet victory. Thomas, a WSOP Circuit regular from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, collected $7,944 for his runner-up finish in the Pot-Limit Omaha tournament.
The event attracted 153 entries who generated a prize pool of $45,900. The top 16 finishers received a share of the money.
The post Tyler Groth Wins WSOP Circuit Rio Las Vegas $365 Pot-Limit Omaha appeared first on Casino News Daily.
Unregulated Operations Drive Growth in Sweden’s Gambling Sector in 2017
Casino News Daily
Unregulated Operations Drive Growth in Sweden’s Gambling Sector in 2017
Sweden’s regulated market was worth SEK17.07 billion (approximately $2.09 billion) in 2017, latest figures released by the Swedish Gambling Authority, Lotteriinspektionen, show. Regulated gambling operations recorded a 1% decrease from a year earlier.
Svenska Spel, the state-run gambling operator tasked with the operation of most regulated gaming and betting services in the country, generated revenue of SEK8.98 billion last year, about the same amount as it generated in 2016. It accounted for 40% of the country’s gambling market (both regulated and unregulated).
Revenue from Svenska Spel’s land-based operations dropped 5% year-on-year to SEK6.715 billion. While accounting for a quarter of Svenska Spel’s 2017 revenue, online services recorded a double-digit (18%) revenue growth to SEK2.265 billion.
Combined revenue from Sweden’s regulated and unregulated markets amounted to SEK22.604 billion (approximately $2.77 billion), reflecting an increase of 3% from 2016. The country’s unregulated market was actually the main driver of growth last year. According to Lotteriinspektionen, unregulated operations generated revenue of SEK5.534 billion (approximately $678.5 million) last year, up 13% year-on-year.
Here it is important to note that the Scandinavian nation’s unregulated market is represented by foreign online gaming and betting operators that hold licenses from other EU and non-EU jurisdictions. At present, Sweden’s gambling law does not allow for such foreign operators to obtain licenses from the country’s Gambling Authority and regulated operations are only provided by several state-owned entities.
The growth of Sweden’s unregulated market could be attributed to several factors. In the first place, the tech-savvy population of the country has been looking for diversity that local operators may have failed to provide. And in the second place, foreign gambling companies have increased their brand exposure across Swedish media significantly over the past several years.
According to a recent report by local measurement firm Kantar Sifo, three gambling companies were among the country’s top 20 advertisers in 2017. Aside from the state-run Svenska Spel, Kindred Group (previously Unibet Group) and LeoVegas were found to have invested the most in advertising their products and services to Swedish consumers. What is more, LeoVegas was the company to record the biggest rise in annual ad spending last year.
Market Re-Regulation
According to a recent report by Swedish media research firm Mediavision, one in eight Swedes gambled on foreign gambling websites on a monthly basis in 2017. The reported figure represented a 25% increase from 2016.
Information about the popularity of international gambling websites among Swedish players emerges as the country is preparing for the upcoming re-regulation of the local market. Sweden’s new gambling law is set to come into effect on January 1, 2019. It will open the Swedish market for foreign companies, which means that these will be able to apply for and be issued operational licenses from Lotteriinspektionen.
Earlier this week, the Swedish Gambling Authority announced that it has been preparing the necessary documentation to open a license application process for interested gambling operators on July 1, 2018. The regulatory body said that it plans to release more details about the application process in mid-March and during a meeting schedule for May.
The post Unregulated Operations Drive Growth in Sweden’s Gambling Sector in 2017 appeared first on Casino News Daily.
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Lucky Dragon hotel open for business until March 27; judge decides
World Casino News
Lucky Dragon hotel open for business until March 27; judge decides
SIS funds British Greyhound Breeders Forum
Casino City Times
SIS funds British Greyhound Breeders Forum
The financial assistance will support British greyhound breeders for the next three years.
WSOP Main Event Champions to Clash at the Bicycle Casino Next Week
Casino News Daily
WSOP Main Event Champions to Clash at the Bicycle Casino Next Week
Former WSOP Main Event Champions will be the stars of the Live at the Bike! poker web show next Thursday and Friday, it has been announced. They will clash in cash games at the Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles, California and action will be streamed live on the Twitch and YouTube channels of Live at the Bike!
On Thursday, March 1, players will compete in a $10,000-worth Sit’n’Go. On Friday, they will sit around the poker tables of the Bicycle Casino for a $25/$50 cash game.
Johnny Chan, Jonathan Duhamel, Ryan Riess, Joe McKeehen, and Scott Blumstein were confirmed for next week’s live stream. It is yet to be seen whether more WSOP Championship winners are to join.
Originally launched back in 2005, Live at the Bike! takes pride in being the first live streamed poker web show and the first such show to stream live cash game action from the Bicycle Casino. Its episodes feature raw and unedited poker-related poker.
A Little Bit More about Next Week’s Participants
Johnny Chan
The player has won ten WSOP gold bracelets over the course of his poker career. He captured two of his gold pieces for winning the WSOP Main Event. Here it is interesting to note that the player won the Championship event in two consecutive years – 1987 and 1988, and nearly won it in 1989, but eventually finished runner-up to Phil Hellmuth. Chan was also actually the first non-US player to win the WSOP Main Event.
Johnathan Duhamel
The Canadian poker pro captured his WSOP Main Event title in 2010. He won the event after a heads-up battle against John Racener. Duhamel’s share of the tournament’s prize pool amounted to $8.944 million. He has two more gold bracelets from WSOP events. He won them both in 2015, one from the $111,111 High Roller for ONE DROP, and the other from the WSOP Europe €25,600 High Roller.
Ryan Riess
Riess claimed the title in 2013. Jay Farber was his final opponent in the tournament. Riess won $8,361,570 for his performance. The player has not won any other WSOP gold bracelets after the 2013 $10,000 Championship, but captured another important title last spring. The player topped the field of the WPT $10,000 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open Finale for a cash prize of $716,088.
Joe McKeehen
The player took down the WSOP Main Event in 2015. He played heads-up against Joshua Beckley to capture the important title. The player won the amount of $7,683,346 from the world’s most prestigious No-Limit Hold’em tournament. Last summer, McKeehen won his second gold bracelet from the series. He topped the field of the $10,000 Limit Hold’em Championship for $311,817.
Scott Blumstein
Blumstein is the reigning WSOP Main Event Champion. The player won the tournament last summer. His share of the gigantic prize pool totaled $8.15 million. The player navigated the tournament’s large field easily to enter the nine-handed final table as the chip leader and to further extend his advantage until he remained the last man standing.
Live streaming from the Bicycle Casino with the former Main Event Champs is set to begin at 6 pm local time on Thursday and Friday (March 1 and 2).
The post WSOP Main Event Champions to Clash at the Bicycle Casino Next Week appeared first on Casino News Daily.
New Las Vegas Sphere Event Venue to Use Parking Spaces at Las Vegas Sands Casinos
Casino News Daily
New Las Vegas Sphere Event Venue to Use Parking Spaces at Las Vegas Sands Casinos
A new Las Vegas Strip entertainment venue will be able to utilize parking spaces at the garages of nearby casinos after receiving the necessary approval from the Clark County Zoning Commission.
During a Wednesday meeting, commissioners gave developers of the facility the go-ahead to use parking spaces at The Palazzo and The Venetian as well as at the nearby Sands Expo Center. Both properties are owned and operated by major casino company Las Vegas Sands, which is also a partner in the development of the new entertainment venue.
Earlier this month, Madison Square Garden Co., the company behind the eponymous New York City multi-purpose venue, announced plans to build two new arenas in Las Vegas and London. The two new venues will be shaped like gigantic spheres and will host events of different nature, including concerts and awards shows, among others.
As mentioned above, in Las Vegas, Madison Square Garden Co. has partnered with casino giant Las Vegas Sands to develop the spherical arena. Construction of the venue is hoped to begin later in 2018 and to be completed by the end of 2020.
On Wednesday, the local Zoning Commission approved the presented zoning and land use permits for the 63-acre arena that is planned to be built behind The Palazzo and The Venetian and not far from the Sands Expo Center. Commissioners also allowed developers to utilize 12,101 existing parking spaces at the two casino resorts and the convention center as well as 304 spaces planned to be added to the new arena.
Following the Wednesday meeting, developers pointed out that their parking plan would provide enough spaces even in cases when the arena hosts events.
Madison Square Garden Sphere Las Vegas also needs an approval from the Federal Aviation Administration, due to its planned height of 360 feet and its proximity to the Las Vegas McCarran International Airport.
In Case You Missed It:Las Vegas, Macau Casino Revenue Comparison Report (with Infographic)
Renovation in Las Vegas
The spherical events venue is yet another project to have been introduced in recent years and comes as another manifestation that Las Vegas is looking to recover completely from its struggles during the Great Recession.
Casino gambling has long been only one of the factors that attract visitors to Las Vegas. The city has also been known as a popular convention destination as well as a place with booming nightlife and countless entertainment options.
With 18,000 seats and a standing area for 5,000 people, the new Madison Square Garden Sphere Las Vegas will bring a total capacity of 23,000 to the city’s entertainment scene. Development plans also include the addition of an enclosed pedestrian bridge that will link the venue with the nearby Sands casinos and expo center.
Las Vegas Sands’ own existing properties are actually undergoing multi-million renovation at present, just as a number of other on- and off-Strip properties. The city has seen renewed renovation and construction activity over the past several years so that developers make sure that they are providing Las Vegas’ growing number of visitors with better entertainment and accommodation opportunities.
The post New Las Vegas Sphere Event Venue to Use Parking Spaces at Las Vegas Sands Casinos appeared first on Casino News Daily.
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Sam's Town invites guests to shoot hoops for slot dollars
Casino City Times
Sam's Town invites guests to shoot hoops for slot dollars
Next month, the casino will offer multiple ways to win big in March, including March Hoopla celebrations and a Pot O' Winnings kiosk game.
ORYX Gaming launches Arena Casino in Croatia
World Casino News
ORYX Gaming launches Arena Casino in Croatia
Casino Company’s Visit to Sunshine Coast Promoted by Queensland Government
Casino News Daily
Casino Company’s Visit to Sunshine Coast Promoted by Queensland Government
The Queensland government confirmed that it had promoted the recent visit to the site of the Maroochydore Central Business District by executives of Malaysian casino operator NagaCorp, local news outlet the Sunshine Coast Daily reported earlier today.
The Maroochydore CBD, currently under development in the central part of Sunshine Coast (in the small town of Maroochydore), is planned to be a multi-million, mixed-use complex that will spread over 53 hectares of land. When finished, it will feature accommodation buildings of different types, food and beverage facilities, retail space, a number of office buildings, and a new city hall building.
Queensland’s Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones has confirmed that the November 2017 visit to the CBD’s site had been promoted by the state’s Special Projects Unit, which had been part of the Department of State Development prior to the latest Queensland election. She has also told local media that members of the unit have met and will be meeting with international investors to promote and encourage tourism development in the state.
The Queensland MP has further explained that NagaCorp’s visit was too part of their initiative to attract foreign investors to potentially invest into the state’s tourism industry. The Malaysian hotel and casino operator was provided with information about Queensland’s tourism sector as well as about the state’s Global Tourism Hubs scheme and the requirements an investor must meet in order to participate in said scheme.
Generally speaking, the Global Tourism Hubs were defined by state politicians as mixed-use properties with hotel, food and beverage, entertainment, and casino facilities. One such hub is set to be developed in Cairns. Under initial estimates, the project will cost A$1 billion and will include a casino. According to recent information released by the government, 12 investors, both local and international, have registered interest in participating the project. It has also been revealed that major casino companies have been among those 12.
Growing Pressure against Maroochydore CasinoWhile the addition of a casino to the Maroochydore CBD development has never been confirmed, local media had previously reported that the idea had been pitched by Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson.
Over the past several months, the city official has faced pressure both from state and federal politicians to nix any plans for a gambling venue as part of the CBD construction project.
Mr. Jamieson has told local media that there was nothing wrong with NagaCorp visiting Sunshine Coast and being interested in what development opportunities the region presented. The Mayor further pointed out that the casino company’s visit had been promoted by the state government and not by Sunshine Coast, and that any potential addition of a casino as part of the Maroochydore development project could only be decided upon by the Queensland Government and not by the city council.
The post Casino Company’s Visit to Sunshine Coast Promoted by Queensland Government appeared first on Casino News Daily.
Showboat Atlantic City Owner Seeks Approval to Open Casino Floor
Casino News Daily
Showboat Atlantic City Owner Seeks Approval to Open Casino Floor
Showboat Atlantic City could reopen its casino floor, if owner Bart Blatstein is issued the necessary license from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, the Press of Atlantic City reported.
Mr. Blatstein purchased the property from Stockton University back in January 2016 for the total amount of $23 million. The Philadelphia developer reopened the hotel portion of the Boardwalk resort in the summer of that year.
According to the Press of Atlantic City, Mr. Blatstein applied for a statement of compliance with New Jersey’s casino regulator about a fortnight ago. The Division of Gaming Enforcement will now review the businessman’s suitability to operate a casino in Atlantic City. If Mr. Blatstein is found to be meeting all the necessary requirements under the state’s Casino Control Act, he will be able to obtain a license to relaunch the casino portion of his property.
If the Showboat is allowed to reopen its casino, the renowned resort will become part of the ongoing revitalization of gaming properties on Atlantic City’s famous Boardwalk. The former Trump Taj Mahal is set to open doors as Hard Rock Hotel & Casino this spring and the nearby Ocean Resort Casino (formerly Revel) is expected to follow suit later this summer.
The Showboat’s Closure and What Came Next for the Property
Although the Showboat was still a profitable property back in 2014, Caesars Entertainment decided to close it, after it had been part of the Boardwalk for 27 years, to reduce its business in Atlantic City at a time when the city was struggling with competition from casinos in neighboring states.
The hotel and casino resort thus became one of the four Boardwalk properties to shut down that year. Stockton University bought the shuttered resort in 2015, announcing plans to build a college campus within city limits.
The plan was abandoned shortly after due to a conflict over the purpose for which the property could be used, and the university decided to sell the Showboat to Mr. Blatstein and his company Tower Investment for the amount of $23 million. As mentioned above, the deal was finalized in early 2016.
Touted as the best non-casino and non-smoking property on the Boardwalk, the 850-room Showboat reopened as a hotel-only resort in the summer of 2016. Back than, MR. Blatstein was particularly content with the property’s performance, pointing out that it had a great location on Atlantic City’s Boardwalk with rooms providing beautiful views.
It seems that two years alter, the Mardi Gras-themed property is still performing in a manner that pleases its owner. It is yet to be seen when the Showboat will be able to reopen its casino floor as the licensing process could be a lengthy one and Mr. Blatstein told local media that he had just started it.
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Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Sports Betting & Gaming India 2018 is one week away
World Casino News
Sports Betting & Gaming India 2018 is one week away
Resorts World Catskills introduces live table games
Casino City Times
Resorts World Catskills introduces live table games
The New York casino offers an array of live table games, including blackjack, craps, baccarat, roulette and Pai Gow Tiles.
Boston Officials Opine on Wynn Boston Harbor Casino Resort Future
Casino News Daily
Boston Officials Opine on Wynn Boston Harbor Casino Resort Future
The last days of January saw a rapid turn of events for one of the most renowned people in the international gambling industry and this was Steve Wynn, who is the former Chief Executive Officer of Wynn Resorts. This shook the industry and now it has the potential to affect the future projects of the company, among which the new $2.4-billion resort casino under construction in Everett, Massachusetts.
Concerned members of the community expressed their position that the project should not continue its development, while officials expressed their position regarding the future job opportunities for the region.
Wynn Boston Harbor is the name of the new gambling resort which has taken over the banks of the Mystic River and turned the formerly occupied by a chemical plant location into a suitable for tourists’ entertainment site. Following the sexual misconduct allegations which emerged with the help of Macau’s gambling regulator, Mr. Wynn opted for filing his resignation from the company’s leading position. However, in the official statement of the company, it was stated that Wynn Resorts is planning to focus on the development of its operations in Las Vegas and Macau, as well as the future one situated in Everett.
The feelings might not be mutual, however, as the voters in the community remain undecided regarding the future of the casino facility. As many as 20 percent of the people who have cast their votes say that they want the project to be permanently stopped, as the region does not need another gaming venue. Another 23 percent of the people who participated in the voting opted for casting their vote on continuing the project under an entirely new management. Something which most of them agree on is that the location should operate under a new name as well, as to avoid associating with its owner whatsoever.
Evaluation of the Future Integrated Resort Project
Shortly after the information was made public, Congressman Michael Capuano claimed that the job positions which the new location is expected to guarantee are what is important in the moment and most beneficial for the community in general. The construction work of Wynn Boston Harbor was projected to give work to up to 4,000 people in its building phase, as well as provide an additional 4,000 jobs for permanent workers.
According to Mr. Capuano, putting an end to the whole development will have a negative impact on the area. In the meantime, Boston City Councilor Ayanna Pressley stated that gaming might not be the most positive economic development strategy, taking into consideration the problem gambling factor of the industry and how it could affect the region, but there is also the other side of the story. People who rely on this job opportunity should not be negatively affected by the alleged actions of the former CEO of the casino operator.
Whether the location remains a casino resort or ends up becoming a larger commercial building, all workers should be able to be confident in their concrete staff positions. She also supports the idea of changing the name of the location.
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