AGA SmartBrief

The Mashpee Wampanaoag tribe's revised gambling compact with Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has been stalled in the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies for several weeks. "The House does not have an interest in a hearing on the gaming compact. I would certainly want to hear it. These folks have come a long way. They've worked very hard for this. I would certainly be willing to hear it," said state Sen. Gale Candaras, Senate chairwoman of the committee. The Herald News (Fall River, Mass.) (4/25)

Following the Indiana House's passage of a bill that would limit tax breaks and prevent live table games at racinos, the president of the Casino Association of Indiana said the state should instead focus on investing and hiring. "It would be better if the whole idea shifted to jobs, opportunity, economic development and away from just how much government is going to take in the form of taxation," Mike Smith said. Bloomberg Businessweek (4/24)

If you are a new or mid-level casino manager, the Gaming Management Certificate Program at G2E Asia 2013 (May 21-23 at the Venetian Macao) is the best platform to gain career-advancing knowledge. At this day-long program, attendees will participate in thorough discussions with distinguished professors from University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) and the UNLV Singapore Campus along with the University of Macau. Register for this dynamic program today.

George Bernard Shaw,Irish playwright

Caesars Entertainment Corp. announced that it will spin off some of its operations into a new growth-oriented company, which is expected to raise as much as $1.2 billion from shareholder investments. Caesars Growth Partners already has received a combined pledge of $500 million from Caesars owners TPG Capital and Apollo Management as capital for future projects. The new firm is set to take control of Caesars' interactive gaming operations, the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas and the Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, which is currently in development. Las Vegas Review-Journal (4/24)

Springfield, Mass., Mayor Domenic Sarno said Tuesday that a casino referendum proposed for June 25 would take place at a later date because the City Council is not likely to finalize development negotiations in time to issue the required two-month notice of the vote. City officials had originally chosen the date to coincide with the special election to replace a U.S. senator so it could reduce election costs and take advantage of voter turnout. The Ledger (Lakeland, Fla.) (4/23)

The Legend Bay Resort casino proposed by developer Olympia Gaming was granted a special use permit Monday when Sparks, Nev., City Councilman Ed Lawson withdrew an appeal of the permit. Olympia has yet to announce a start date for the construction of the casino resort, which will include a 60,000-square-foot casino and two 100-room hotels. KOLO-TV (Reno, Nev.) (4/23)

Mohegan Sun Massachusetts expects to have an agreement with the town of Palmer in July on its proposed $775 million casino project, which will include a hotel with a retail and lifestyle center. Mohegan Sun has appeared at community meetings and held "Community Conversations" to reach out to Palmer residents ahead of the town's September referendum. American City Business Journals (4/23)

Rachel Deaner, finance director for Perryville, Md., made note Tuesday of Hollywood Casino's support of local programs through state-regulated "local impact grants," which give a percentage of the slot-generated money to the town. The funding, which will provide more than $1.7 million in fiscal year 2014, could help Perryville realize its plan to establish a town center complex with a recreation center, Mayor Jim Eberhardt said. Patch.com (4/23)

Michelle Brown, executive director of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, said that the state has not granted Revel casino tax breaks because the company hasn't submitted final documentation. "Under the (Economic Redevelopment Growth) agreement, no funds have been paid to Revel by the state," Brown said, adding that final documentation is needed "before such funds can be paid." The Star-Ledger (Newark, N.J.) (4/23)

California state Sen. Roderick Wright on Tuesday introduced a bill that would permit sports betting at tribal casinos and race tracks in the state. The legislation, which bans betting on any game that involves a California college team or any collegiate games within the state, would be implemented only in the event that a federal law prohibiting sports wagering in all states except Nevada, Delaware, Montana and Oregon is reversed or amended. Sporting News (4/23)

Casino developers such as Las Vegas Sands and Genting Group are looking at the possibility of opening a casino in Japan as several Japanese lawmakers work to introduce a bill that they believe could put the country in the forefront of casino gambling. "One of the projects that would definitely bring investment into the country and create jobs is casino gaming," said Paul Bromberg, CEO of consulting firm Spectrum OSO Asia. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (tiered subscription model) (4/24)

Trends, laws and technologies are changing at a rapid pace in the gaming industry and AGA Vice President of Communications Holly Wetzel shares her leadership keys as she draws on insight passed to her from AGA President and CEO Frank Fahrenkopf. Check out the G2E Blog for more information and remember to save the date for G2E 2013, taking place Sept. 23-26 (Exhibits: Sept. 24-26) at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas.

Lord Chesterfield,British statesman

MGM Resorts International Chairman and CEO James Murren said MGM's proposed $850 million casino-resort in Springfield, Mass., will rejuvenate the South End neighborhood that was devastated by a tornado in 2011. MGM's project would include a pedestrian bridge to the MassMutual civic center and result in an "outward-facing" mixed-use resort that represents the historic city's recovery from "a variety of challenges," Murren said. The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) (4/22)

As Genting Group prepares to construct a resort at the formerly scrapped Echelon site, other construction in Las Vegas also is pointing to signs of hope for the city's economy. Up to $2 billion will go into hotel-casino refurbishment on the Strip, and another $2.5 billion is planned for the Las Vegas Global Business District, which will include renovating the city's convention center and other offerings. Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model) (4/21)

Hurley, N.Y., Councilman John Dittus has expressed support for a plan to reconstruct the former Nevele resort in Wawarsing into a casino, saying the project holds potential economic benefits for the town. Dittus previously opposed the project but says he was persuaded by presentations made by Michael Treanor, CEO of project developer Claremont, to support the project. Town Board members will soon vote on the proposal. Daily Freeman (Kingston, N.Y.) (4/22)

From hydrotherapy in the private spa penthouse at the Sahra Spa & Hammam at The Cosmopolitan to the detoxifying mud wrap at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, luxury spas in Las Vegas seek to help guests unwind and refresh from their high-octane visits to the city. Others include Caesars Palace's Qua Baths & Spa, known for its Asian bath and foot rituals, and the stress-busting Polynesian treatments at The Spa at Encore. USA Today (4/18)

Majestic Star President and CEO Peter Liguori asked Indiana lawmakers not to revive a provision that revokes local governments' casino tax funds to cover state casino tax credits as a legislative committee works to reach a compromise gaming bill. During a House-Senate committee hearing, Liguori also voiced support for a measure allowing casino boats to move onto land, adding that his company is "ready and prepared" to build a land-based casino that would create jobs in the construction and gaming industries should the provision become law. The Times (Munster-Hammond-Merrillville-Valparaiso, Ind.) (4/22)

Betting exchange operator Betfair turned down the $1.4 billion acquisition offer by CVC Capital Partners, saying the offer was too low and came with too many conditions. "CVC's opening gambit, while not a knockout bid, is not too far away from a valuation that would cause management and investors cause for serious consideration," Peel Hunt analyst Nick Batram said. Reuters (4/22)