Elaine Wynn Settles Suit, Influences New Board Appointments
Elaine Wynn (shown in happier days with her former husband), now the largest shareholder in Wynn Resorts, last week settled a six-year lawsuit with the company and former CEO and ex-husband Steve Wynn. A demand for a restructured board was acted upon immediately with the appointment of three outside executives as directors. The addition of Dee Dee Myers, Betsy Atkins
MGM in Talks With Wynn to Buy Everett Casino
MGM Entertainment is reportedly in talks with Wynn Resorts about buying the Wynn Boston Harbor (l.), which still has a year before its scheduled opening. If the sale were made it would remove Wynn from regulatory hot water with Massachusetts gaming regulators but create new problems for MGM because one company can only own one casino in the state.
New Jersey Governor Seeks to Roll Back State Control of Atlantic City
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (l.) announced he will seek to end the role of the city’s state designated financial controller Jeffrey Chiesa. The state currently controls Atlantic City’s finances through the state Division of Local Government Services. Chiesa and his law firm were appointed by former Governor Chris Christie to control the city’s finances as it faced possible bankruptcy in 2016. The move is part of a review by Murphy’s office to return the city to local control.
Cripple Creek Approves Bronco Billy’s Expansion
A $70 million expansion at Bronco Billy’s Casino and Hotel was approved 4-0 by the Cripple Creek, Colorado Historic Preservation Board. The project would include a 6-story, 199-room hotel, event center, gaming floor renovations and parking garage. Local competitors fear the contemporary building would ruin the city’s historic character.
Louisiana Advances DFS, Rejects Sports Betting
Due to concerns about expanded gambling and implementation costs, a Louisiana Senate committee rejected a bill by Senator Danny Martiny (l.) allowing sports betting at casinos, if the U.S. Supreme Court lifts the federal ban. However, the House voted 67-23 for a bill legalizing daily fantasy sports. If it passes, voters in every parish must approve it.
PlaySugarHouse.com’s new King Cash promotion takes players around the world
PlaySugarHouse.com’s Where in the World is King Cash? lets players travel around the world to find King Cash. They can accrue flight miles and answer clues on their quest to win a $3,000 grand prize.
Mega Jackpot Hits Again at PlaySugarHouse in New Jersey
A New Jersey woman hit a $61,000 jackpot playing online at PlaySugarHouse.com just one week after the site announced that another player had hit the same jackpot for $161,000 after his first slots spin ion the site. Neither jackpot is record setting, but the back-to-back hits are noteworthy.
Pennsylvania Gives Some Skins
Regulators in Pennsylvania have approved temporary regulations for online gaming that allow current licensees an unlimited number of “skins,” as long as each domain identifies its affiliated licensee.
Online Gaming, Casino Bailout Axed from N.Y. Budget
Gaming came away empty-handed from negotiations on a 2018-19 spending plan for the Empire State. A Senate provision for online gaming was DOA yet again. As for the struggling commercial casino industry, the immediate future holds no hope of tax relief, as Governor Andrew Cuomo (l.) opposed any bailout.
Live Online Dealers Coming to Philippines
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. has agreed to allow the country’s iGaming operators to offer live-dealer table games. A one-year permit cost PHP1 million (US$19,220) and must be renewed yearly.
Stars Group Readies for Launch of PokerStars India
The Stars Group has set April 17 as the launch date for its Indian market version of PokerStars. The site will be available for play on desktop and mobile devices with Indian Rupees as the main currency and will feature localized versions of PokerStars’ most popular tournaments and events, the company said. In another story involving PokerStars, the UK Advertising Standards Authority has ruled that the gambling site cannot air a TV ad and warned PokerStars against portraying gambling in a socially irresponsible manner or in the context of recklessness.
Penn National Wins Fifth Mini-Casino, Fourth PA Casino
Penn National Gaming won Pennsylvania’s fifth mini-casino license for a bid of $3 over the minimum, giving the operator an industry-leading fourth Pennsylvania casino license, where it operates the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course (l.).
