AGA SmartBrief

New Jersey's Division of Gaming Enforcement released figures Wednesday showing that casinos in Atlantic City took in $238.5 million in gambling revenues in March. Revel casino, which filed for bankruptcy last month, reported an increase in gaming revenues. "We are heading in the right direction with the 8.9 percent growth in our gross gaming revenues month-over-month, which points to the progress and promotion enhancements in the Revel Card program," Revel interim CEO Jeffrey Hartmann said. The Philadelphia Inquirer (4/10)

Florida Gov. Rick Scott has signed a bill into law to halt the operation of all gambling devices at Internet cafe casinos in the state. "I have already directed Miami-Dade Police Director J.D. Patterson to begin enforcing the law. There is no longer any ambiguity about the fact that these machines and operations are illegal, and the newly signed law will help deter the continued growth of illegal activities in Miami-Dade County and throughout the State of Florida," Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez said. The Miami Herald (free registration) (4/10)

The Puyallup Tribe of Indians has disclosed details of a project to build a 2,500-spot parking structure near its Emerald Queen Casinos in Washington state and a permanent gaming facility where the tribe's casino operation will be moved once completed. The project is expected to cost up to $200 million. "We want to establish a permanent facility. As time has gone by, we've had time to see what the market desires. We've listened to what people want," said Frank Wright, general manager. The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.) (4/10)

California Assemblyman Isadore Hall III has introduced a bill that would validate a compact between the state and the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians for a casino the tribe plans to build in Madera County, Calif. "The MOU provides that the tribe contribute approximately $87 million to the county over 20 years to fund police, fire and emergency services and to mitigate potential impacts and also establishes new tribal/community foundations to invest in local charitable causes, education and economic development," Madera County District 5 Supervisor Tom Wheeler said in support of the bill. The Sierra Star (Oakhurst, Calif.) (4/10)

The AGA is continuing its Global Gaming Women (GGW) outreach to the tribal market, an initiative that started at G2E 2012 Coffee Break video series. After a strong showing at Indian Gaming 2013, they hope to build more momentum with additional GGW gatherings at other Indian Gaming shows throughout 2013. 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.

Emily Dickinson,American poet

Hard Rock International has obtained options to buy three properties near the Eastern States Exposition fairgrounds in West Springfield, Mass., as part of a traffic plan for a casino the company is proposing to build. A development consultant for Hard Rock said the company might acquire options to buy more properties for the proposed casino site. "This is evidence of our top priority, which is creating a traffic relief valve from Eastern States back to Route 5," Bronson Companies President Mark Rivers said. The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) (4/9)

Rock Ohio Caesars has opened the Thistledown racetrack in North Randall, Ohio. The track was transformed into a racino with an $88 million renovation. The horse track, which is the state's second racino, now includes 1,100 slots-like video lottery machines. The Plain Dealer (Cleveland) (4/10)

The Michigan Gaming Control Board has given Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert the go-ahead to buy Detroit's Greektown Casino-Hotel, clearing the last barrier to the deal. Gilbert said his gambling properties are harmonized with their surroundings. "Gaming in our view is a downtown activity and a development magnet. We don't look at it as a bunker where we want to keep people in all day long. We're looking for two-way traffic. We want to push people out to businesses and also attract them into the casino," he said. Detroit Free Press (4/9)

The Atlantic City Alliance will feature casinos in its advertising campaign this year as it seeks to revitalize the gambling reputation of the city. "Gaming is an attraction -- one of the things we offer. We can't miss out on a very huge, significant market. There are new gamers out there," said Liza Cartmell, president of the alliance. The Philadelphia Inquirer (4/9)

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has approved 40 new machines and four racing games at the Instant Racing parlor of Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Ky. The state commission ruled that the games are a form of pari-mutuel wagering, contrary to some observers' claim that they are slot machines. The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Ky.) (tiered subscription model) (4/10)

Indiana Gaming Commission Executive Director Ernest Yelton told attendees at the monthly meeting of the Gary Chamber of Commerce on Monday that he believes land-based casinos will soon be authorized in the state. "Every year it's gaining more and more momentum," Yelton said. He said approval for land-based gaming would be done on a statewide rather than a local basis. The Times (Munster-Hammond-Merrillville-Valparaiso, Ind.) (4/8)

Everett, Mass., Mayor Carlo DeMaria is pushing for a referendum in June to let voters decide on a casino Wynn Resorts hopes to build in the city. DeMaria is arguing against a requirement that communities should wait for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to finish background checks on casino developers before being allowed to vote. "There is nothing in the gaming law that requires suitability investigations to be one-hundred percent completed prior to an election taking place," DeMaria said in a letter to the state gaming commission. The Boston Globe (tiered subscription model) (4/9)

Premier Barry O'Farrell of New South Wales, Australia, said Sydney needs more high rollers and a six-star hotel. The city is considering casino proposals by Echo Entertainment Group and Crown. "The high-roller gaming market in the Asia-Pacific region is worth a lot of money, and if Echo wants to get into it more, if Crown wants to get into it more, that is fantastic for New South Wales," O'Farrell said. Bloomberg Businessweek (4/9)

If you are looking for up-to-the-minute information about AGA activities and news from the gaming industry across the country and around the world, look no further than the AGA's Twitter feed and Facebook page. Follow the AGA on Twitter or like the AGA on Facebook so you don't miss the latest news. Connect with the AGA today!

G2E Asia 2013 (May 21-23 at the Venetian Macao) will offer brand new features to enhance the attendee experience at this year’s show. The newly designed floor plan and G2E Mobile App make navigating the show floor easier than ever. On the show floor itself, don't miss out on product presentations from suppliers and manufacturers at the new Product Showcase Theatres, as well as our annual Welcome Reception taking place right on the floor this year 4–5:30 pm May 23. Finally, G2E Asia TV will keep busy attendees up-to-date with show news, interviews and conference bulletins each day. Register for G2E Asia today.

Michael Novak,American philosopher, journalist, novelist and diplomat

Nevada state Sen. Greg Brower has proposed a bill that would allow private investment groups to place large bets at sports books in the state. "The idea, frankly, is just to allow a group of bettors to bet as an entity," Brower said. However, state Gaming Control Board chairman AG Burnett says the proposed law could shake up the state's sports betting industry. "I'm not sure how we'd go about regulating that," Burnett said. The Washington Post (4/8)

Figures released by the Ohio Casino Control Commission show that the state's four casinos took in gross revenues of $84.3 million in March. The Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati brought in $21 million in its first month of operation. The Horseshoe Casino in Cleveland collected about $24.5 million last month, while the Hollywood Casino Columbus generated $20.9 million. The Hollywood Casino Toledo reported revenues of $17.8 million for the month. American City Business Journals (4/8)

Legends Gaming, the operator of the DiamondJacks Casino & Resort in Bossier City, La., has filed a modified reorganization plan as the company works to emerge from bankruptcy. "The [p]lan will allow our company to emerge from the constraints of its old debt burden and continue its commitments to the communities in which we operate as well as to our most valued asset, our team members," said Raymond Cook, Legends' president. KSLA-TV (Shreveport, La.) (4/8)