AGA SmartBrief

Officials of the Atlantic City Alliance today are launching a $20 million advertising campaign that will feature upcoming events in the city this year. "Last year, we introduced the new Atlantic City to people. This year, we're introducing the hundreds of reasons for people to come now," Atlantic City Alliance spokesman Jeff Guaracino said. The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (4/8)

Texas state Sen. John Carona said proponents of a bill that would expand gambling in the state are getting closer to obtaining approval to allow state voters to decide on the issue. "I would tell you we're very, very close. And I would suggest that with a little push at the appropriate time from the various leaders we have throughout the Legislature, this bill can in fact become law," Carona said. Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Texas) (4/8)

Minnesota state Rep. Tom Hackbarth and John Derus, a board member of the Running Aces harness track in Columbus, are reviving the idea of turning the state's two racetracks into racinos as a means to help fund the Minnesota Vikings' stadium and balance the state budget. "I think this is a good alternative to get money for the state general fund," Hackbarth said. Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.) (4/8)

Toronto City Manager Joe Pennachetti has released a report on a proposed casino that contains options for the City Council, such as rejecting its construction or authorizing the project with 43 conditions, including demanding as much as $148 million in hosting fees to be split between the city and Ontario province. Pennachetti says the project could create 17,000 jobs, but some councilors want more information before making a decision. Newstalk 1010 (Toronto) (4/8)

Nevada Assembly Majority Leader William Horne has presented a measure that would clearly define and separate casinos from smaller gambling establishments in the state to prevent competition between them. "The reason you have non restricted and restricted gambling licenses is because they're supposed to be doing different things; they're not supposed to be competing," Horne said. Las Vegas Review-Journal (4/9)

New Hampshire House Speaker Terie Norelli said a joint session of two state House committees would review a casino bill that has cleared the state Senate. "I am confident that by assembling the expertise and wisdom of these two committees we will ensure the proposed bill will be given the level scrutiny needed for an undertaking of this magnitude," Norelli said. The Eagle-Tribune (North Andover, Mass.) (4/9)

Looking to enhance your skills and grow your knowledge of the gaming industry? Global Gaming Women is proud to announce its new Continuing Education Scholarships, presented in partnership with the University of Las Vegas' (UNLV) International Gaming Institute (IGI). Awards cover the cost of tuition for attending online or in-person gaming classes offered by UNLV or IGI and are open to women throughout the international gaming community. The deadline for applications is June 8. Learn more and apply today!

Hear from CFOs of Asia's largest and most prominent gaming companies at G2E Asia 2013's "Show Me the Money: CFO Roundtable." This year's panel will be moderated by Andrew Zarnett, managing director of Deutsche Bank Securities, and will feature top CFOs Ben Toh of Sands China, Bob Drake of Galaxy Entertainment Group, Hubert Wang of MGM China Holdings Ltd. and Bob McBain of SJM Holdings Ltd. Register now to attend Asian Gaming's No. 1 event (May 21-23 at the Venetian Macao.)

Robert Louis Stevenson,Scottish novelist, poet and essayist

Penn National Gaming has entered into a deal with the Jamul Indian Village to build a $360 million casino 20 miles from downtown San Diego that will house 1,700 slot machines and 50 table games. Groundbreaking for the project is expected to take place later this year. "We look forward to a productive collaboration with the tribe that will benefit the community, the tribe and Penn National," Penn National President Timothy Wilmott said. Las Vegas Review-Journal (4/16)

Joseph Magliarditi, president of the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, believes the casino hotel's decision to spend $50 million for upgrades is well worth it. "You've got a short time to make an impact on the customer. We are always re-creating things. We think what we have done to the Palms will have the most impact," Magliarditi said. Improvements to the resort include renovation of 428 rooms in the Palms Tower, installation of additional slot machines and construction of a new bar. Las Vegas Review-Journal (4/6)

Major companies have recently announced several new projects in Las Vegas, creating additional venues and properties that could attract more tourists to the city. "This is an exciting time as the confidence in the Las Vegas brand continues to build with new projects and ongoing reinvestment. The billions of dollars being invested in Las Vegas for unique experiences and world-class facilities and amenities show why Las Vegas continues to be the premier leisure and business destination," said Rossi Ralenkotter, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority's president and CEO. GlobeSt.com (4/5)

Casinos in Maryland generated $58 million in March, according to the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency. The Maryland Live! casino took in $44.6 million last month, while the Hollywood Casino Perryville reported revenue of $9.48 million and the Casino at Ocean Downs pulled in $3.95 million. The Baltimore Sun (4/5)

Olympia Gaming, which hopes to build a casino and hotel at the Legends Marina shopping and entertainment complex in Sparks, Nev., is working to get an updated permit for the project. "[T]hey want to go forward in the relatively near future," said Armando Ornelas, the city planner for Sparks. The developer hopes to change the project's scale to two hotel buildings with 100 rooms each and a 60,000-square-foot casino. SeattlePI.com (4/7)

Recruits have been preparing for weeks at the training school that was opened by the Maryland Live! Casino in Anne Arundel County, Md., as part of the gaming facility's plan to offer table games. "We'll make good dealers out of most of them," said Neal Sloane, the casino's vice president of table games. The casino is scheduled to launch the table games Thursday. The Washington Post (4/6)

Figures released by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement last week show that nongambling attractions in Atlantic City generated revenue of $1.26 billion in 2012. "It's validating what we have been saying all along -- that the nongambling amenities are continuing to grow. I think it's showing that the overall tourism market in Atlantic City is on the upswing. I think we're seeing a turn," said Larry Sieg, the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority's vice president of marketing. The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (4/8)

Penn National Gaming's Hollywood Casino in Maryland Heights, Mo., officially opened its dance club over the weekend. "We want to bring nongaming attractions like Boogie Nights to the property, and we thought this was great. We're looking to create some real excitement with this," said Mark DeLeo, vice president of marketing for the casino. St. Louis Post-Dispatch (4/5)

This week, the GGB Podcast publishes an interview with Station Casinos' Kevin Kelley, the COO, and Marc Falcone, the CFO, on the company's amazing rebound from bankruptcy and how the future looks very bright for Station Casinos.

The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes have reached an agreement with Oklahoma to halt the operation of the tribes' online gaming site. According to the office of Gov. Mary Fallin, a tribal gaming compact between the tribes and the state does not authorize it. Meanwhile, Lisa Liebl, a spokeswoman for the tribes, said the groups look to operate the website outside the U.S. "The Tribes plan to bring this exciting new product to the international market in the very near future," Liebl said. The Oklahoman (Oklahoma City) (4/6)

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