AGA SmartBrief

After three years of reorganization and strengthening of its internal structure, Hard Rock Hotels & Casino can now turn its eye toward growing its brand across the globe, says Executive Vice President Michael Shindler. The company is looking to sign five deals each year, with a focus on gateway markets such as Beijing, Hong Kong and New Delhi, Shindler said. Hard Rock's overall pipeline has about 60 deals in various stages of negotiation, with most of the projects outside the U.S. HotelNewsNow.com (3/18)

Greektown Superholdings, which owns Detroit's Greektown Casino, has signed a binding term sheet with Dan Gilbert's Athens Acquisitions to set the price for its remaining shares. Last month, Gilbert said he planned to acquire Greektown's remaining shares from its shareholders instead of gaining control through the board of directors. The Detroit News (3/19)

A project to convert the first floor of a parking garage in Atlantic City, N.J., into an art retail space took a step forward after the city's Casino Reinvestment Development Authority voted to award the L. Feriozzi Concrete Company Inc. a $1.3 million contract to build the interior of the facility. The 17,000-square-foot space, which will include art galleries and a museum, is expected to open in September. The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (3/19)

The Nevada Gaming Commission wants to consider public comments before drafting rules to implement legislation allowing interstate online poker. People may submit comments until April 12. "Regulatory language will be drafted after comments are submitted and will be considered at a regulatory workshop yet to be scheduled," the commission said. Las Vegas Review-Journal (3/19)

Work on the new 10-story hotel tower at the Cherokee Nation's Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa in Oklahoma is complete. The additional 100 suites brings the total number of hotel rooms at the resort to 454. The expansion also includes a new gaming space that has a poker room, 500 electronic games, 15 table games, a bar and a food court. Tulsa World (Okla.) (3/19)

The Mashpee Wampanoag's tribal council has approved a new casino agreement between the tribe and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. Under the revised compact, the tribe would give 17% of the revenues from its planned casino in Taunton to the state. However, if the state allows a commercial casino to open in the southeast, the tribe would not pay anything to the state. The Boston Globe (tiered subscription model) (3/19)

Learn more about the single most important topic in gaming with our G2E Online Webinar series. Listen to the first two archived sessions recorded live from iGaming North America on Feb. 20 for free. Then, check out the lineup we have for the rest of the year and you may purchase the entire series to ensure you stay at the forefront of iGaming news. More iGaming content will be on deck at G2E 2013 Sept. 24-26 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center Las Vegas. Mark your calendar.

Aristotle,Greek philosopher

Florida's Senate gaming committee unanimously approved a bill banning all Internet cafe casinos in the state. "Internet cafes are operating in a gray area which has created uncertainty and inconsistency in the application of existing laws," state Senate President Don Gaetz said. The Miami Herald (free registration) (3/18)

The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement has published temporary regulations allowing casinos in the state to offer fantasy sports betting. The new wagering option will not be considered gambling despite being thought of as such by some industry observers. "No state gaming regulatory agency has yet taken such a precedent-setting step to provide regulations that establish guidelines to casinos that wish to provide this product. This new product will allow our casino members to provide new and exciting entertainment opportunities," said Tony Rodio, president of the Casino Association of New Jersey. The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (3/19)

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed a bill Monday that will authorize Atlantic City's Revel and other casinos in the city's Tourism District that were built after Aug. 31, 2011, to include a beach bar. "Governor Christie's action will help newer casinos, such as Revel, compete. They will have the same opportunity as existing ones to open these amenities and increase tourism and entertainment revenue in an area specifically designed to boost tourism," said Assemblyman Chris A. Brown, a sponsor of the legislation. The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (3/18)

The Minnesota Gambling Control Board has approved the first electronic bingo games, which are expected to help fund a new stadium for the NFL's Minnesota Vikings along with electronic pull-tabs that are already available at establishments. "It's a good day. We're tickled pink that we now have a linked bingo provider with a game and three [electronic] pulltab providers. Charities look forward to having a full package of electronics," said Al Lund, Allied Charities of Minnesota's executive director. Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.) (3/18)

Casino visitors are spending more and more on entertainment amenities, according to the "Bring It On Home: An Overview of Gaming Behavior in New England" report from the UMass Dartmouth Center for Policy Analysis. "The availability of table games, numerous non-gambling amenities, the physical attractiveness of the facilities and the general atmosphere of the facilities continue to differentiate New England's resort casino market from the convenience gambling market," according to the report. Taunton Daily Gazette (Mass.) (3/18)

Officials of the River Spirit Casino in Tulsa, Okla., say a 500-room hotel tower will be part of the casino's expansion. The building will include a Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Casino and Restaurant. "I'm excited about our partnership with Margaritaville. This is a great future for both groups. Our history in Indian Gaming and the experience Margaritaville will offer those who visit will make this a premier destination resort," Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief George Tiger said. KJRH-TV (Tulsa, Okla.) (3/18)

The Snoqualmie Tribal Council is reassessing the tribe's plan to expand its casino, which calls for construction of a 20-story hotel. The initial proposal included a conference center, a 340-room hotel, expanded casino and theater and two parking facilities. The Seattle Times (3/17)

Cyprus will showcase new poker technology at this year's European Nations Cup, which will be held in April at the Annabelle hotel in Paphos. Instead of receiving actual cards, players will be dealt their cards on their smartphones. "We are making history in Cyprus through the use of technology. The smart phone and iPad are now integral part of our lives. Many people around the world come into contact with poker through their smartphones," International Federation of Poker founder member Patrick Nally said. Cyprus Mail (3/16)

The AGA used the data from its comprehensive study of the impact of the commercial casino industry to create an interactive map that allows users to explore state- and county-level economic impacts throughout the country. Visit the "Beyond the Casino Floor" section of the AGA website to check out the interactive map.

If you missed the interview with IGT's Staci Alonso at G2E 2012, then take a few minutes to watch the video on the G2E Blog. Staci discusses the new and exciting games that IGT will be releasing including such titles as Family Guy ® and Dolly Parton's 9 To 5®, which includes a state of the art "Interactive Jukebox" feature.

Margaret Thatcher,British prime minister

New Jersey's Division of Gaming Enforcement has informed Atlantic City casinos that it would allow them to offer fantasy sports betting. A pilot program on the new wagering option and the regulations for it will be laid out today. "This gives players the option to deposit money and then play daily fantasy games, where they pick three or five Major League Baseball or National Football League or National Basketball Association players and build an aggregate roster just for that one day," said Joe Brennan, president of the Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association. The Washington Times (3/16)