AGA SmartBrief

Bally Technologies will provide its iGaming and mobile platform to the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, which runs three casinos in Washington state. "This partnership represents the first iGaming agreement announced in the state of Washington and we are confident our award-winning technology will make a significant and positive impact in numerous areas of their business," said John Connelly, Bally's vice president of business development. Las Vegas Review-Journal (3/27)

The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria and Rohnert Park, Calif., have agreed to a new revenue-sharing deal. Under the agreement, the tribe is projected to pay $251 million to the city over 20 years for services such as public safety and education. The tribe will also pay more than $2.3 million each year "to mitigate potential impacts." "We have to hope it will be successful. The city will also benefit," City Councilman Amy Ahanotu said of the casino. The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, Calif.) (3/27)

What is a gambling disorder and how can it be treated? The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) recently published the seventh edition of the Increasing the Odds monograph series to answer these questions. The resource serves as an essential training guide to help clinicians, counselors and addiction services providers recognize, understand and treat gambling disorders. Visit the NCRG's website for a free download of this resource.

There's still time to register for the new webinar "States of Online Gaming: The Regulatory Approach in Nevada and New Jersey," kicking off today at 2 p.m. ET. Sign up for G2E Online today! G2E Online is the new webinar series that gives you new iGaming updates, plus you can listen to the first two archived sessions recorded at the iGaming North America Conference at no cost and check out the lineup we have for the rest of the year including "Legalization and Regulatory Updates;" "Operating Models and Technology Options;" "Player Protection and Payment Processing" and many more.

Jennie Jerome Churchill,American-born British society figure

The City Council Casino Site Committee in Springfield, Mass., has voted unanimously to recommend that Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno choose one of the two casino projects proposed by MGM Resorts International and Penn National Gaming instead of forwarding both bids to voters and the council. According to Council President James J. Ferrera III, who is a member of the committee, Sarno can accept or reject down the committee's recommendation. The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) (3/26)

At least 350 people attended a public hearing Tuesday in Sioux City, Iowa, to voice their opinions on four casino projects proposed for the city. State Racing and Gaming Commission Chairman Jeff Lamberti said listening to the community is helpful. "Obviously, there is a lot of passion for all of these applications," Lamberti said. "I'm not sure it made (the decision) any easier, though. It probably made it harder. They're all fabulous proposals." SeattlePI.com (3/26)

Guests at the Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati have a new dining option. The Spread Buffet, which offers international cuisine -- including Italian, Asian and Mexican -- is the latest addition to the gaming facility. "We've got flavors from around the world and that's something we bring unique to Cincinnati," Spread Buffet Executive Chef Pete Ghione said. "We have one area where you can come in and taste multiple cuisines all with one plate." WXIX-TV (Cincinnati) (3/26)

Bally Technologies recruiters are hoping to find potential employees who possess "world-class" talent at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco this week. The slot machines manufacturer is seeking 70 employees to fill high-tech positions at the company. "We've found it to have vibrant floor traffic. It's quite a resume shop," said Gary Kapral, senior vice president of operations and human resources at Bally. VegasInc.com (Las Vegas) (3/26)

Roy Anderson III, who invested as an owner and builder of Mississippi's Hard Rock Casino Biloxi, has obtained approval from the state Gaming Commission to transfer his interest in the gaming facility to majority owner Leucadia National Corporation. "My decision is one I made knowing the property will continue to be led by an talented executive management team with a strong capitalized owner that is backed by a group of very dedicated and customer-oriented associates," Anderson said. The Sun Herald (Biloxi-Gulfport, Miss.) (3/25)

The Casino Queen in East St. Louis, Ill., area will relocate a bar on its gaming floor to create space for 68 new slot machines, according to Jeff Watson, the casino's general manager. Watson said the new machines should be installed by the end of April. St. Louis Post-Dispatch (3/26)

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton said state lawmakers, the state Gambling Control Board and his administration are responsible for relying on inaccurate earnings projections for electronic pulltab games. The pulltabs were set up as a means to fund a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings football team. The governor said the state would "push hard to get these games throughout the state ... people who play them say they're really a lot of fun, and more fun than paper pulltabs. And once we get the charities going, I think this will get up to speed, and we'll see where we stand." Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.) (3/27)

Essex County, N.Y., officials are working to determine if the city is qualified to host one of the three casinos proposed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Randy Douglas, chairman of the county Board of Supervisors, has sent a letter to Cuomo asking if a casino in the county would violate an agreement between Native American groups and the state. "If (Cuomo) comes back with, 'It's a possibility,' then we will gather again and meet and discuss all possible options regarding a casino," Douglas said. Adirondack Daily Enterprise (Saranac Lake, N.Y.) (3/26)

Learn more about the single most important topic in gaming with G2E Online -- this new webinar series kicks off tomorrow with "States of Online Gaming: The Regulatory Approach in Nevada and New Jersey." The series will feature eight NEW webinars in 2013 focused on iGaming and its impact on the industry. Plus, exclusive access to the G2E iGaming Virtual Ticket streaming LIVE from G2E 2013, taking place Sept. 23-26 (Exhibits: Sept. 24-26) at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas. Sign up for G2E Online today!

Albert Camus,French author, journalist and philosopher

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has unveiled draft regulations for the process of evaluating casino applications and licensing proposed sites for gambling projects. The regulations for licensing casinos are to be finalized June 6, according to Stephen P. Crosby, chairman of the commission. "This process gives everybody an opportunity to see what we are thinking about way in advance," Crosby said. The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) (3/25)

AC Revel, which owns the Revel casino resort in Atlantic City, N.J., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after it secured enough votes from its lenders. "Backed by overwhelming lender support, we remain on track to complete our financial restructuring ahead of the critical summer season. We will emerge from this recapitalization positioned for long-term success, with the financial capacity to pursue our amenity enhancement opportunities, and the ability to continue providing our guests with a signature Revel experience," said Jeffrey Hartmann, Revel's interim CEO. The Philadelphia Inquirer (3/25)

Mass Gaming & Entertainment has revealed the site for a slot machine parlor the company hopes to build in Worcester, Mass. The group, which is a subsidiary of Rush Street Gaming, looks to develop a $200 million gaming facility with a hotel at a site less than a mile from the center of downtown. "We are confident that our plan will create significant economic development for Worcester and we look forward to working closely with the city in bringing this project to reality," MGE Chairman Neil G. Bluhm said. Telegram & Gazette (Worcester, Mass.) (3/24)

A new slots salon at the Venetian hotel casino in Las Vegas is offering 118 high-limit slot machines. It includes four parlors, each with four machines, a sofa and a LED television. Guests can also order food and drinks at the Grazie Gold Club Lounge, which is at the back of the salon and served by butlers. VegasInc.com (Las Vegas) (3/25)

Adam Sacks, founder of research firm Tourism Economics, said couples and adults who don't bring their children when traveling are more attracted to New Jersey than its neighboring states. Sacks, who also suggested the state to consider investing in that segment, revealed his conclusion during a talk last week at the New Jersey Conference on Tourism in Atlantic City. "I wonder if the data tells us we should be highlighting that couples segment in marketing. ... New Jersey is a much more romantic place than some of your competitors," he said. The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (3/22)