Elaine Wynn Pushing for Satre as Chairman
Wynn Resorts’ largest shareholder has again taken up her fight with the board of directors for control of the company’s future. Her latest demands include the nomination of industry icon Phil Satre (l.) as chairman, annual elections of directors, and a determination that Kim Sinatra’s departure be judged a termination “for cause.” The demands were not immediately addressed by the board, setting up future confrontations.
Guitar-Shaped Hard Rock Topped Off in Florida
Adorned with flags and a small tree, the final beam was installed at the guitar-shaped Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Part of a $1.5 billion complex, the hotel, opening in fall 2019, will offer 806 rooms, 10-acre lagoon-style pool with private cabanas, 30 new restaurants, retail, spa and meeting area.
Pooled Jackpots, iLottery Boost Pennsylvania; Casinos Object
After pooled jackpots such a Powerball and Mega Millions, iLottery games are seen as the next savior of the Pennsylvania Lottery. But not if the land-based casinos have anything to say about it.
Colorado Factions Align Over Sports Wagering
The Colorado attorney general is expected to announce soon whether a voter referendum would be required to allow sports wagering. Casinos in the three approved gaming towns want to protect their interests, but modern technology raises certain issues, said state Rep. Alec Garnett (l.), who filed a sports wagering bill for the next session.
West Flagler Receives Summer Jai-Alai Permit
West Flagler Associates, owners of Miami’s Magic City Casino (l.) and Naples-Fort Myers Racing, received a summer jai-alai permit for jai-alai and a card room in Edgewater, north of Miami. The venue, which would create up to 500 new jobs, will offer jai-alai May through November. But local business and political leaders vowed to fight the development.
MGM Springfield Will Offer Free Garage Parking
The $960 million MGM Springfield, due to open next month, will offer free parking in its seven-story parking structure (l.). The first of Massachusetts’ casino resorts is scheduled to come online August 24.
Valley Forge Fined $52K for Free Play Overuse
Pennsylvania regulators slapped the Valley Forge Casino with a $52,000 fine for issuing excessive free-play loyalty rewards in 2016 and 2017.
Caesars Benefits from Poker Player Sharing in New Jersey
Caesars Interactive, largely through its WSOP brand, has emerged as the leader in New Jersey’s online poker market, displacing PokerStars for the first time. The increase is easily tied to a new player sharing agreement between Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware. Caesars is the only online poker company operating in all three states.
Barton: Online Poker, Sports Betting Could Be in Fed Mix
Texas Congressman Joe Barton (l.) has said that online poker and sports betting could find their way into hearings on a horseracing bill this year in the U.S. Congress.
Michigan Delays Online, Sports Gambling
Michigan state Rep. Brandt Iden’s (l.) online gambling and sports betting bill passed the state House, 68-40, but similar legislation stalled in the Senate. Iden said lawmakers will spend the summer writing additional legislation regarding sports betting at brick-and-mortar casinos and negotiating with tribal interests.
Ocean Resort Picks Global Payments
Ocean Resort is using a “frictionless” funding and disbursement option provided by supplier Global Payments Gaming Solutions in its online gaming solution.
Still No Takers for PA iGaming
Two months into the first application period for Pennsylvania online gaming licenses, there have been zero applications from the state’s casino licensees.
