AGA SmartBrief

The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, N.J., said that it will continue to offer eCasino, an in-room gaming system that allows guests to gamble in their rooms using the television sets. New Jersey gaming regulators cleared Borgata's application to extend the trial period of eCasino until Aug 1 to modify its software and include slot machine features. "We think it serves as a great foundation for moving forward with Internet gambling," said Joe Lupo, senior vice president of operations. The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (5/12)

According to an annual AGA survey, the slot machine consistently is named the public's favorite casino game. But, despite their popularity, there are a lot of misconceptions about how slot machines work. The main point to remember is that each spin or play is a completely random event independent of any spins that came before it. A lot of the myths about the machines fall apart when you consider this fact. Learn more about how slot machines operate by downloading "Taking the Mystery Out of the Machine: A Guide to Understanding Slot Machines."

Keep up with how G2E is preparing for 2013, including new exhibitor announcements, conference updates and networking opportunities. Plus find out the latest with what's going on in the gaming industry by connecting with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and the G2E Blog. Check out 2012 video highlights and interviews from the show floor on YouTube and www.globalgamingexpo.com. 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.

Miles Davis,American jazz musician

MGM Resorts International on Thursday submitted an $800 million casino resort proposal with the Maryland Video Lottery Facility Location Commission. The planned luxury casino resort would include 200 gaming tables, 4,000 slot machines, restaurants and entertainment space and would open in 2016 if it obtains a license. Reuters (5/9)

Revel casino in Atlantic City, N.J., is set today to open the $3 million Pearl Lounge, a venue that includes a VIP players' lounge and 67 slot machines. Revel will also open a restaurant by Memorial Day weekend and a beach club behind the casino soon. The Philadelphia Inquirer (5/9)

The National Park Service ruled against Rock Ohio Caesars' proposed construction of a skywalk that would connect the Horseshoe Casino Cleveland in the historic Higbee Building to a parking garage. The bridge would "negatively impact the historic character" of the Higbee Building and its Tower City Center surroundings, according to hearing officer John Burns. While the ruling doesn't prevent the construction of the pedestrian bridge, the property owner would have to repay tax credits given for renovation of the historic building. The Plain Dealer (Cleveland) (5/9)

Ellenville, N.Y., Mayor Jeffrey Kaplan said Gov. Andrew Cuomo's gaming plan, which puts the counties of Sullivan and Ulster under one region, increases competition for a license and puts the renovation of the Nevele Hotel at risk. Under the plan, Sullivan County's Monticello Casino and Raceway and Ulster County's Nevele Hotel casino project would compete for only one of three possible licenses. Some say more flexible boundaries would give both proposals a chance. YNN Hudson Valley (Albany, N.Y.) (5/9)

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has selected a team of researchers from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences to study the social and economic effects of gambling as the state prepares for gambling expansion. "[T]his is the first time to actually have the opportunity to document these impacts as they unfold over time," said Rachel A. Volberg, a UMass professor who has studied gambling and problem gambling for nearly three decades. The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) (5/9)

As part of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's latest gaming proposal, the state's thoroughbred and standardbred industries would receive support only from casinos at racino sites with live table games. "[Racinos have] completely revitalized our industry and created New York as a destination location for breeding and racing horses, which is a huge economic engine for the state," said Jeff Cannizzo, New York Thoroughbred Breeders executive director, on the possibility that not all casinos would support the industry. Daily Gazette (Schenectady, N.Y.) (5/9)

The delegates at the Southern Gaming Summit in Biloxi, Miss., reported that tribal gaming in the South has continued to expand. The addition of hotels, spas and family entertainment centers seek to lengthen visitors' stays. "When you add amenities you give gamblers more value for their dollar. ... It's just a more competitive option," said Brent Pinkston of PCI Gaming. Mississippi Business Journal (5/9)

N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is lobbying for three upstate casinos, said he would consider allowing other casinos in areas where tribal casinos now operate if those tribes are unable to come to an agreement with the state over revenue and other issues. "We respect the governor's comments today on the complexities of the issues, and we are engaged in a constructive dialogue with his administration," said Ray Halbritter, Oneida Nation Representative. The Wall Street Journal (5/9)

A subcommittee of New Hampshire's joint House gaming committee, which is reviewing research on the impact of a potential casino in the state, recommends increasing the state's share of video lottery machines from 30% to 33.3% daily net revenue if a proposed casino is permitted. The gaming panel on Wednesday will consider amendments to and vote on a Senate bill that would allow a casino to operate 5,000 slot machines and 150 gaming tables. SeacoastOnline (Portsmouth, N.H.) (tiered subscription model) (5/9)

Are you looking for 2012 national or state-by-state economic impact data for the commercial casino industry, including gaming revenue, tax contributions, employment and wages? Would you like to know more about the gambling habits and opinions of casino visitors, including young adult casino visitors? Is data about the growth of the gaming equipment manufacturing and technology sector of interest to you? If the answer to any of these questions is "yes," your first stop should be the 2013 State of the States: The AGA Survey of Casino Entertainment, which includes all of this information and more. Download the report for answers to your questions about the commercial casino industry.

If you are a new or mid-level casino manager, the Gaming Management Certificate Program at G2E Asia 2013 (May 21-23 at the Venetian Macao) is the best platform to gain career-advancing knowledge. At this daylong program, attendees will participate in thorough discussions with distinguished professors from University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) and the UNLV Singapore Campus along with the University of Macau. Don't forget to register for this dynamic program today.

Nicholas Murray Butler,American diplomat and educator

MGM Resorts International formally announced its intention to seek a license this week for a proposed resort casino at National Harbor, a 300-acre "mini-city" along the Potomac River in Prince George's County, Md. MGM Resorts follows Penn National Gaming in acknowledging plans to bid for a casino at nearby Rosecroft Raceway, which Penn National owns. "MGM envisions applying its decades of worldwide resort experience to design a fully appointed destination resort casino at National Harbor that respects the atmosphere of Prince George's County and meets the needs of Maryland’s marketplace," the company said. The Washington Post (5/9)

Penn National Gaming has sent a letter asking the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission to overturn its decision to give riverboat Argosy Sioux City's license to a Hard Rock casino. Penn argues that the IRGC violated its procedures by allowing Hard Rock developer Sioux City Entertainment to make changes to its land-based casino license application beyond the deadline and disregarded deficiencies in the submitted proposal. The commission has not commented on the request. Sioux City Journal (Iowa) (5/8)

James Ferrera, president of the Springfield, Mass., City Council, petitioned MGM Resorts International and Mayor Domenic Sarno to include in their agreement MGM's minimum investment level in its proposed Springfield casino. Springfield casino consultant Cezar Froelich said the agreement includes such safeguards as construction, building-use and square-footage requirements. "The agreement, as far as we are concerned is fully negotiated, finished and is frankly more protective than this sentence that is proposed," said Froelich. The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) (5/8)

The dismantling of a 17-year-old Harrah's Kanesville Queen riverboat casino and its relocation onto land in Council Bluffs, Iowa, will be more convenient for customers, according to Bo Guidry, senior vice president and general manager of the casino. Guidry said the 25,000-square-foot casino will include 600 slot machines and an updated ventilation system. Omaha World-Herald (Neb.) (5/9)