EGBA Opposes Norway’s Block of Gambling Payments
The European Gaming & Betting Association has come out against a Norwegian government plan to block payment transactions for online gambling services. The trade association says the requirements for the blocking will be unproductive and won’t protect consumers and the country must move away from allowing only state-owned companies to be licensed.
MGM Springfield Opens First Massachusetts Casino
Massachusetts first resort casino, MGM Springfield, has opened. It offers 2,550 slots, 120 tables and 23 poker tables, along with a 250-room hotel, bowling alley and movie theater. The casino opens seven years after a bill permitting legalized gaming in the state passed in 2011. One racino at Plainridge Park opened several years ago, and Encore Boston Harbor, a project by Wynn Resorts, is slated to open next year.
Evolution Gaming Opens Live Casino Studio in New Jersey
Evolution Gaming has opened a live casino studio for online play in Atlantic City making it the company’s first facility in the U.S. The company has agreements with several Atlantic City casinos for offering live play. Three online casinos have already begun offering live play through the studio.
Encore Boston Harbor Next Up in Massachusetts
Now that MGM Springfield has opened, the full attention of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission will be dedicated to the 2019 completion of Encore Boston Harbor. Re-named from the former Wynn designation, the property is still owned by Wynn Resorts—at least for now.
Pennsylvania Mini Casinos Progressing
Among the five new gaming licenses issued in Pennsylvania, the owners of Philadelphia’s Stadium Casino (l.) will build a 100,000 square foot facility in Westmoreland County with 750 slots and up to 40 table games, creating 600 new jobs. Mount Airy plans a $21.19 million Beaver County casino with 750 slot, 30 table games and a high-limit area, employing 700.
Disney, Seminoles Give $10 Million
Disney Worldwide and the Seminole Tribe of Florida each gave $5 million to Voters In Charge, the group is behind the Voter Control of Gambling Amendment. Appearing on the November ballot as Amendment 3, it would give Florida voters the “exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling” in the future.
Full House Proposes Clovis Racino Resort
Full House Resorts became the 11th and final suitor for New Mexico’s sixth racino license with “La Posada del Llano (l.).” It proposes a starting new destination resort including a racetrack with a “moving grandstand” that will enable hundreds of spectators to follow the action of a race around the racetrack.
New BIA Secretary Gets to Work
Appointed a few weeks ago by President Trump, Tara Sweeney (l.) is starting to make her mark as Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs. She brings a new perspective to the job, that of a native of Alaska.
Illinois Legislator Holds Sports Betting Hearing
This week, Illinois state Rep. Bob Rita (l.) will hold a hearing in Chicago on sports betting and other gambling expansion issues, in anticipation of the 2019 legislative session. “The gaming landscape has changed significantly since I took on this issue five years ago,” Rita said. A second hearing is planned for October in Springfield.
PokerStars, Mount Airy to Offer Online Poker, Sports Betting in Pennsylvania
PokerStars is partnering with Mount Airy Casino Resort to bring online poker and sports betting to Pennsylvania. Details are still being worked out.
N.Y. Sports Betting Regs in the Pipeline
It’s reported that the Gaming Commission is crafting regulations for opening up sports wagering to the four commercial casinos. Left out, at least for now, are the state’s tribal casinos, racetracks and racinos and OTBs. It’s likely mobile betting will have to wait as well. But state Senator John Bonacic (l.) wants to launch a legislative fix to include all of the above.
Big Ten Conference Mulls Sports Betting
College sports conferences, such as the Big Ten, are thinking deep thoughts about how they will cope with legalized sports book, once it begins to become widespread in Midwestern states. Like other sports conferences, the Big Ten is primarily concerned about the integrity of the games.
