AGA SmartBrief

A development consultant for Hard Rock International on Wednesday presented details of a traffic plan for the area around Eastern States Exposition fairgrounds, where Hard Rock hopes to build a casino. Mark Rivers, president of the Bronson Companies, told a group of local business leaders that plans include the creation of bicycle lanes and a left-hand turn lane. The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) (4/17)

Las Vegas has plenty of huge hotels, but now the city is welcoming smaller boutique luxury hotels that offer more personalized service. Why the shift? "The convention business, which demands big-box hotels, has fallen off since the 2008 economic downturn, and smaller hotels have become a logical alternative. At the same time, the changing demographics of visitors to Las Vegas have made fine dining -- a crucial component in most boutique hotels -- a more important part of the Las Vegas travel experience," writes Alison Gregor of The New York Times. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (4/16)

Caesars Entertainment has emerged as a leader in sustainable development in recent years with its CodeGreen program and other projects to reduce its energy use and carbon footprint. CodeGreen, currently adopted at 50 Caesar properties, was spearheaded by Chairman and CEO Gary Loveman in 2007 to build on the company's successful 20%-per-square-foot reduction in energy consumption and nearly 10% reduction in carbon footprint. Aside from cost savings, the company benefits by attracting business from those who value sustainability efforts. Sloan Work and Family Research Network Blog (4/16)

Gaming industry experts at the eighth annual Pennsylvania Gaming Congress in Philadelphia on Tuesday said casinos in the state should feature additional attractions and amenities if it intends to remain the second largest gaming state in the U.S. "I don't think I can stress enough the importance of a destination resort," said Steven Geller, a former Florida legislator and an attorney with a gaming law firm. Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.) (4/16)

A study by Weinstein Clower & Associates says a total of $11.8 billion could be generated annually if a number of casinos in Texas were to undergo expansion. The study focused on 13 operating racetracks, and the construction of six new free-standing casinos and three tribal casinos. The report was released amid discussions on a state Senate bill on gaming expansion proposed by state Sen. John Carona. American City Business Journals (4/17)

The Seminole Tribe of Florida will hold a $10 million guaranteed poker tournament Aug. 22-29 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood. The Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open is expected to draw an estimated 2,000 players and raise $10 million in entry fees at $5,300 per player. Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) (4/15)

Revenue of $3.44 billion was generated from mass-market gambling in Macau in the first quarter, data from the region's Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau showed. An analyst from U.S.-based Sterne Agee said that some gambling operators' "increasingly aggressive rebating [for players]" in Macau could lead to a lower margin potential from premium mass table gaming. MacauBusiness.com (4/17)

The American Gaming Association (AGA) yesterday announced that respected Washington association professional Geoff Freeman has been appointed president and CEO effective July 1. Freeman joins the AGA after seven years at the U.S. Travel Association, most recently serving as executive vice president and chief operating officer. During his tenure at U.S. Travel, Freeman was instrumental in repositioning the industry to become a leading political force in Washington by developing new capabilities, galvanizing the industry's leadership and enacting critical legislation. Find the release here.

Arrow International Inc. believes in challenging the status quo and thinking differently, believing deeply in what it is and what it does. For Arrow, that means being the world's largest, full-line manufacturer of charitable and bingo gaming products including bingo paper, electronics, ink, instant win lottery style pull tabs and more. The company is dedicated to offering customers only the newest and most innovative products. Arrow International Inc. will exhibit at G2E Asia 2013 May 21-23 at The Venetian Macao. Check out Arrow International's page for more information.

Søren Kierkegaard,Danish philosopher and writer

The American Gaming Association and Reed Exhibitions will host Global Gaming Expo Asia May 21-23 at the Venetian Macau, bringing about 6,500 attendees and 150 exhibitors and brands together. The event will include a forum about the current developments in the Asia Pacific market as well as discussions on technology. Other notable parts of the expo are the iGaming and the Security & Surveillance pavilions. Macau Daily Times (Macau) (4/17)

A judge in the Clark County District Court in Las Vegas on Tuesday dismissed a shareholder class action lawsuit hindering Pinnacle's pending acquisition of Ameristar Casinos. The suit argues that Ameristar should amend its proxy statement to disclose the financial consequences of converting to a real estate investment trust in order to enable shareholders to compare options. However, Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez ruled that "the option to convert to a REIT is not information that a reasonable shareholder would consider relevant" in casting a vote on the acquisition. Las Vegas Review-Journal (4/17)

Ameristar Casinos, which operates eight casinos in the U.S., has chosen The Korte Co. to build its new $6.96 million headquarters in Las Vegas. According to officials of Korte, work on the 86,850-square-foot facility is expected to be completed in 14 weeks. American City Business Journals (4/16)

The Florida Legislature has contracted Spectrum Gaming Group to conduct a study on gambling issues in the state. The firm would have to come up with two detailed reports on the range of gambling in the state and the ramifications for making changes to current law. "I look forward to reviewing their report as we take a holistic view of the role gaming plays in Florida's economy," state House Speaker Will Weatherford said. The Miami Herald (free registration) (4/16)

The Gambling Control Board in Minnesota announced that the electronic bingo devices that are supposed to help fund the Vikings stadium will be shut down for the repair of onscreen glitches reported during beta tests. The e-bingo games are expected to raise part of the state's $348 million share for the stadium. Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.) (4/15)

Caesars Interactive, Caesars Entertainment's online division, has submitted a petition in New Jersey for a license to operate online gambling in the state on behalf of the four casinos operated by its parent company in Atlantic City. "It's the first of I'm sure many hurdles to cross," said Caesars Interactive spokesman Seth Palansky. The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (4/17)

The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe has launched a public campaign to urge the Massachusetts gambling commission to maintain a freeze on commercial casino developments in the state's southeastern region. "We're going to do everything in our power to protect and respect ... our rights as a federal sovereign nation. We will do that," Mashpee Wampanoag Chairman Cedric Cromwell said. The panel is expected to decide on the issue Thursday. The Boston Globe (tiered subscription model) (4/16)

The members of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford's executive committee have voted 9-4 to signify their interest in a proposal to create a casino in the city. However, the approval is subject to numerous conditions recommended in a city manager's report. "I'm confident people are going to see the light at the end of the day at council. Nine votes -- I think that's a good beginning," Ford said. The Toronto Star (4/16)

The Ministry of Finance in Taiwan cleared a casino bill that would make winnings tax-free for the first 20 years after casinos are legalized. "The draft bill will only allow casinos to be built on outlying islands because there is a lack of consensus on them being established on Taiwan proper," Taiwan Minister without Portfolio Yang Chiu-hsing said. The Taipei Times (Taiwan) (4/17)

New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan urged members of the state House panel at a public hearing Tuesday to pass a bill that would allow for a casino in the state. Hassan said money may leave the state once three casinos start operating in Massachusetts. "We can no longer pretend that gambling isn't coming to our communities. It is already here," she said. SeacoastOnline (Portsmouth, N.H.) (tiered subscription model) (4/16)