AGA SmartBrief

Exhibiting or wanting to exhibit at G2E Asia 2013 (May 21-23 at the Venetian Macao)? If so, be sure to check out the new Product Showcase Theatres on the G2E Asia show floor. These new theaters will allow a limited number of exhibitors to conduct product presentations during show hours on a mass scale. There are only a limited number of time slots available, so please contact Todd Sheahan for more information or to reserve your spot today.

Louis Brandeis,U.S. Supreme Court justice

A majority of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission has signified that the panel is leaning toward accepting applications from developers of commercial casinos for the state's southeastern region. Meanwhile, Howard Cooper, a lawyer for the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe, said the tribe could still build a second casino in the region should it obtain federal approval, even if the commission allows commercial firms to develop a casino there. Boston Herald (4/5)

Foxwoods Resort Casino president and CEO Scott C. Butera will present the details of a casino the company is proposing to build in Milford, Mass., to selectmen of the city. "Clearly, we want to address the town's concerns," Butera said. The company has partnered with developer David Nunes of Crossroads Massachusetts for the proposed casino project. Telegram & Gazette (Worcester, Mass.) (4/4)

MGM Resorts International and the Springfield Historical Commission in Springfield, Mass., are discussing ways to retain historic features of a site in the city's South End on which the company proposes to develop a casino. "It's advancing the architectural design to start to respond to some of the questions or opportunities that we've got for each of the historical structures in question," said Hunter Clayton, executive vice president for MGM Resorts Development. The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) (4/4)

Charity Myers, marketing manager of a riverboat casino in the works in Bossier City, La., said the state's newest floating casino will help grow the local gaming market. "We are not looking to cannibalize the market at all. We're just looking to help grow it," Myers said, adding that the Margaritaville Resort Casino will create different job opportunities. KTBS-TV (Shreveport, La.) (4/4)

MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment and representatives of unions representing hotel and restaurant workers employed at the companies' Las Vegas casinos resorts will begin contract talks Friday. "The companies and unions have worked together for decades to create good jobs. Every contract negotiation I've been a part of has been different but ultimately, both sides want the casinos to be great places to work," said Jeanette Hill, a casino porter at the Flamingo. Las Vegas Review-Journal (4/4)

The government of Vietnam has approved changes to an investment certificate requested by Asian Coast Development, which looks to develop a casino resort in the country's Ho Tram Strip. Last month, MGM Resorts International said it canceled a plan to manage the casino hotel. "A key concern is the lack of a gaming operator at present. We don't believe that the granting of the investment certificate will catalyze MGM to reconsider," Union Gaming Group Managing Director Bill Lerner said. Las Vegas Review-Journal (4/4)

James Packer, who is seeking to globally expand his casino business, met with ministers of Sri Lanka this week to discuss possible hotel and entertainment investment options in the country. "They have not finalized the area and the amount they are going to invest. The government has asked them to come up with a proposal. The government proposed (for) them to invest in a large city hotel in Colombo and go to (the eastern city of) Trincomalee to look into possible investment opportunities," said Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene, Sri Lanka's Minister of Investment Promotion. Reuters (4/4)

Macau's gross gaming revenue could increase 16% to $3.6 billion in April, according to analysts at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch. The investment bank said earlier this week that it sees a potential increase to its 10.4% growth forecast for the country's casino industry this year. MacauBusiness.com (4/5)

Online poker is one of the hottest topics facing today’s gaming industry. Everyone seems to be talking about it -- politicians, regulators, gaming companies, the media and players -- but where can you get all the information about the issue that you need? The AGA has created the Online Poker Headquarters on its website with links to videos, opinion pieces, white papers and background about the issue. Visit the AGA's Online Poker Headquarters to see all of the resources that are available.

G.K. Chesterton,British writer

The Maryland Senate has voted unanimously to pass the House version of a bill that would allow people with criminal records to apply for jobs at state casinos. Under the legislation, state gaming regulators would still have the prerogative to deny licenses if considered appropriate. The Washington Post (4/3)

Officials of Hard Rock International have presented the company's successful projects around the world to two municipal committees in West Springfield, Mass. The conglomerate is proposing to build a resort casino, which would cost up to $800 million, at the Eastern States Exposition fairgrounds. The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) (4/3)

The Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, which has faced many challenges in recent years, is now in great shape. "We've managed to run the building very well through some tough years," said Eric Trump, the executive vice president of development and acquisitions for the Trump Organization. The hotel is now focused on catering to families with children and pets. VegasInc.com (Las Vegas) (4/2)

Keating Consulting and the Minority Business Development Agency, which serves as the project manager for a casino resort that Wynn Resorts is proposing to build in Philadelphia, told delegates at a vendor outreach event Wednesday that the casino would offer about 6,000 jobs. "We have a publicly traded company that has board approval for a $900 million investment in the city of Philadelphia and it would be crazy for anyone who wants to be involved in the construction process, and ultimately the operation of the building, not to be here to listen," Daniel Keating III of Keating Consulting said. KYW-TV (Philadelphia) (4/3)

Lobbyists of the Nevada Resort Association, who are urging lawmakers in Nevada to approve a bill banning small businesses that house sports betting kiosks, told the state Senate Judiciary Committee at a hearing Wednesday that kiosks fall under unrestricted gambling. Meanwhile, Golden Gaming founder and CEO Blake Sartini said the kiosks were approved by state gaming regulators and there is no problem regarding them. "One would assume there's a three-alarm fire which has been ignited over this issue. There is no fire. This is a false alarm," Sartini said. Las Vegas Review-Journal (4/3)

The village board of Algonquin, Ill., has voted in favor of an ordinance that includes video gambling provisions. Business owners in the town have said that video gambling would help them get extra revenue. "Some of those businesses are really hurting and I understand their reasons why they wanted (video gambling). Also, the ordinance had to be pretty ironclad in order for it to be allowed in Algonquin," Trustee Jerry Glogowski said. Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, Ill.) (4/3)

Work on the Twentynine Palms Band of Mission Indians' casino in Twentynine Palms, Calif., will begin soon. The tribe plans a fall opening for the casino, which will house 500 slot machines and seven table games. The Desert Trail (Twentynine Palms, Calif.) (4/3)

Exhibiting or wanting to exhibit at G2E Asia 2013 (May 21-23 at the Venetian Macao)? If so, be sure to check out the all NEW G2E Asia mobile app. The mobile app gives your company targeted exposure to G2E Asia attendees right on their handheld mobile device. Attendees will use the new G2E Asia mobile app to navigate and plan their days at the show. Through the app, exhibitors will be able to to promote their company name and logo, display their booth number with location on the show floor, give full company contact information and product information, link to social media feeds and request appointments via e-mail. Please contact Todd Sheahan to make sure your company is taking full advantage.