N.Y. Lawmaker Calls for Online Betting Task Force
Queens Assemblyman Clyde Vanel (l.) has introduced a bill to form a 10-member panel to recommend policies and best practices for governing the state’s prospective online market in sport betting. A separate bill to legalize both a land-based and remote industry is under consideration in the Senate.
Pennsylvania Lottery to Go Online in May
The Pennsylvania Lottery will begin selling different draw games online in May, with “virtual sports monitor” games to be added in June.
Pro Players Chime In on Sports Betting
The players’ unions for the four major professional sports leagues, including the NLFPA (l.), say they want a seat at the table when any fees are discussed in connection with legal sports betting.
PlaySugarHouse.com Adds Wyrz payment Solution
As many online players have struggled with transactions failing when using traditional credit and debit cards, PlaySugarHouse.com is introducing Wyrz, which will give players a new secure and reliable way to add money to their accounts.
Pennsylvania Mini-Casino Auction Another Bust
Last week’s auction by Pennsylvania regulators of a license to operate a satellite mini-casino was the second auction to draw no bidders. Will the next round of bidding be open to out-of-state operators? The state gaming board will soon decide.
South Korea Fines Three Companies $1 Million For Deceptive Loot Box Odds
The South Korean Fair Trade Commission has fined three South Korean games developers about $1 million for misrepresenting the odds used in their in-game loot boxes. The companies include the country’s largest games developer, Nexon Korea, which was fined about $890,000 for deceiving customers over the chances of winning virtual prizes.
Tropicana Sold In Three-Way Deal
Tropicana Entertainment Inc., owned largely by billionaire Carl Icahn (l.), will be sold to Eldorado Resorts Inc. and Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. for $1.85 billion in cash, giving Eldorado seven casinos in six states. Eldorado also will buy the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin, Illinois for $327.5 million in cash from MGM Resorts International and its venture partner.
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.
