Connecticut Legalizes DFS
The Connecticut legislature has passed a bill signed by Governor Dannel P. Malloy (l.) that makes daily fantasy sports legal and also adopted a legal definition for gambling that doesn’t include DFS. Even so, the state’s two gaming tribes still need to sign on.
New Hampshire Online Poker Bill Dies
A bill to allow online poker play in New Hampshire failed to advance in the state’s legislature. The state’s House voted unanimously to let the bill die and revisit the issue in the state’s next legislative session. The state lottery is permitted to sell tickets online, however.
Olympic Summit Classifies eSports as Sporting Activity
ESports was a major topic at the sixth Olympic Summit in Lausanne, Switzerland with discussions on adding eSports events to the Olympics. Officials acknowledged the growth of eSports as a sporting activity, but said games must not infringe on Olympic values to be considered by the IOC
Michigan Senators Offer DFS Bills
Michigan state senators Curtis Hertel Jr. (l.) and Wayne Schmidt proposed bills to define daily fantasy sports as a legal game of skill and regulate the games. According to Hertel, 1.6 million Michigan residents participate in some form of daily fantasy sports for cash. The proposed legislation would prevent them from being considered lawbreakers.
New iGame Review: Wings of the Phoenix
Konami Gaming’s new Wings of the Phoenix offers some exciting rewards and mystery events. The 30-line slot game is available for real money gaming in New Jersey in denominations from 1 cent to $1. It’s also available on several social gaming sites.
Owner of Closed Revel Challenges New Jersey on Casino Tax Law
Glenn Straub (l.), the owner of the closed Revel Atlantic City casino has filed suit against New Jersey to have the property removed from a special tax scheme for city casinos. The state’s payment in lieu of taxes program for the city’s casinos should not apply to the closed property, the suit charges and the site should be taxed as a closed property. Straub says he is being overcharged by about $3 million on taxes.
Wynn Ready to Build Paradise Park
Paradise Park and a 1,500-room hotel is back on the drawing board for Steve Wynn’s newest Strip extravaganza. Co-development deals are in negotiations, the casino mogul says, with groundbreaking set for January 3 and major construction to commence by April.
Philly Casino Lawsuit Dropped
The lawsuit challenging the award of the second Philadelphia casino license was dropped by current Philly licensee SugarHouse after the new Pennsylvania casino law rendered it moot. Construction will begin immediately on the “Live!” casino (l.) jointly owned by the Cordish Companies and Greenwood Gaming.
Tropicana Hit Hard in Wake of Shooting
Penn National Gaming has provided the first detailed glimpse of the impact of the October 1 massacre on the Las Vegas Strip and it’s not pretty. Hotel bookings at the Tropicana are down 35 percent, the company said, mostly in the leisure travel segment.
N.Y. Lawmaker Wants Casino Reality Check
Assemblyman Gary Pretlow (l.) says he’s lost faith in the revenue projections put forth by New York’s new commercial casinos and wants the state to conduct an independent analysis of the market. He believes the resorts will be seeking tax relief. He says he’ll oppose it if they do.
Larry Flynt Fought California Law; The Law Won
Legendary porn publisher Larry Flynt (l.) of Hustler fame last week took on a California law that was designed to prevent casino investors from operating in more than one state. The result was law, 1, and Flynt, 0.
MLS Commissioner Backs Legalized Sports Betting
Major League Soccer’s Commissioner Don Garber (l.) called legalized sports betting in the U.S. and “inevitability” and said he’s league could be at the forefront of a change. The remarks come as the U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear New Jersey’s challenge to a federal prohibition on sports betting.
