AGA SmartBrief

Caesars Entertainment is working with Gansevoort Hotel Group to redesign Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon in Las Vegas through a $185 million renovation. The casino hotel, which closed last month, will reopen as Gansevoort Las Vegas in January. "We wanted to bring a partner who had not just expertise, but a passion for creating something really unique," says Tariq Shaukat, Caesars Entertainment's chief marketing officer. USA Today (3/15)

MGM Resorts International said it has completed requirements to start an environmental review for an $800 million casino it is proposing to build in Springfield, Mass., as part of the casino license application process. Companies hoping to build large-scale projects in the state are required to distribute copies of the Environmental Notification Form to communities that are potentially affected by their projects. The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) (3/16)

The Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, N.J., has requested that layoff notices that were sent to more than 1,400 employees of the gaming property be removed from the website of the New Jersey Department of Labor. "This happens occasionally. Any one of a number of factors could be the reason, i.e., a premature WARN date, the number of employees impacted may have changed, the sale may happen later than originally expected, et cetera," agency spokeswoman Kerri Gatling said. The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (3/16)

A judge has rejected a motion filed by neighborhood residents and environmental activists last week to halt the construction of the Horseshoe Baltimore casino. "We are pleased the court agreed with our position on this matter and look forward to proceeding with the development of a world-class casino in Baltimore," said Dave Curley, a spokesman for CBAC Gaming. The Baltimore Sun (3/14)

A group led by former state Sen. John Montford, which has advocated legislation to expand gambling in Texas, is pushing for existing bills that would authorize video lottery terminals and slot machines at racetracks. Montford said support for slot machines at racetracks is increasing among Republicans in the state House. Austin American-Statesman (Texas) (free registration) (3/15)

This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features a discussion with Matt Sodl, the president of Innovation Capital, on the unique assistance his company provides to both sellers and buyers in the casino industry.

The Comanche Nation officially marked the beginning of the construction of a hotel at its Comanche Red River Casino in Devol, Okla., through a groundbreaking ceremony Friday. Work on the 87-room hotel is expected to be completed in about 10 months. Times Record News (Wichita Falls, Texas) (3/16)

The Philippine unit of Melco Crown Entertainment has formally signed a partnership with Belle Corp. to develop a $1.3 billion casino resort in Manila. The Belle Grande Manila Bay, which is expected to open in mid-2014, will be the second gambling resort to open at the Entertainment City next to the Solaire Resort and Casino, which opened last weekend. The Philippine Star (Manila) (3/18)

In recent years, thousands of unregulated Internet sweepstakes cafes have sprung up across the country, carefully designed to avoid state antigambling laws and gambling licensing restrictions with games that closely mimic the experience of traditional slot and video poker machines. To address this proliferation, the AGA has released a white paper, Internet Sweepstakes Cafes: Unregulated Storefront Gambling in the Neighborhood, which outlines legislation and legal activity that already has taken place related to the issue and examines legal arguments against sweepstakes cafes. Download the white paper to learn more.

Weike Gaming Technology has built an enviable reputation for cutting-edge technology and innovation over the past decade. For the third time in the history of the company, Weike Gaming received the "Best Asian Supplier 2012" award from Inside Asian Gaming magazine. Their new slimline Infinity X gaming machines, innovative electronic table games and comprehensive user-friendly gaming management and jackpot systems demonstrate how Weike has become a premier gaming company in Asia. For more information on Weike Gaming Technology, please visit www.weikegaming.com. Weike Gaming Technology will exhibit at G2E Asia 2013 May 21-23 at The Venetian Macao.

H.L. Mencken,American journalist and essayist

Billionaire Kirk Kerkorian's Tracinda Corp., which holds the largest stake in MGM Resorts International, said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it might explore acquiring additional shares of the casino company. Last year, Kerkorian sold 20 million shares of his MGM stock for $268 million. Las Vegas Review-Journal (3/14)

Penn National Gaming said it plans to hire 90% of its staff from Springfield, Mass., should the gaming company obtain a license to build a casino there. "We recognize that this is a lofty goal, but we believe it is important to set the bar high to try to maximize job opportunities for the residents of Springfield," Penn National spokesman Eric Schippers said. Meanwhile, MGM Resorts International, which is also hoping to build a casino there, said it aims to employ workers from Springfield and from its neighboring communities. The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) (3/14)

Gary Piontkowski, president of the Plainridge Racecourse in Plainville, Mass., is confident that his proposal to add 1,250 slot machines at the racetrack will come out on top in the competition to win Massachusetts' slots-only license. "We have everything in place except this agreement and the referendum. We pulled our first permits in Plainville for this [expansion] in 2009. The garage is built. I figure we are 24 to 30 months ahead of everyone," Piontkowski said. The Boston Globe (tiered subscription model) (3/13)

Endeka Entertainment, developer of the proposed Valley View Downs racetrack and casino in Mahoning Township, Pa., has obtained a 78-day extension to come up with at least $170 million in financing for the casino. Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission executive director George Crawford, who approved the extension, confirmed that the developer is in talks with Penn National Gaming to manage or acquire a stake in the racino in exchange for the company's financing. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (3/14)

The Genting Group is moving forward with plans to convert the site of the Miami Herald headquarters into a 500-room luxury hotel. The Malaysia-based firm's earlier plan for a $3.8 billion casino resort was abandoned after the Florida Legislature declined to amend its casino rules. The Miami Herald (free registration) (3/14)

The House of Delegates in Maryland passed a bill Thursday that would allow people with criminal records to apply for jobs at state casinos. Leaders in Baltimore, where a Horseshoe casino is scheduled to open next year with 1,700 employees, requested the change. "If a person hasn't committed a crime in seven years, has been clean for seven years, we've vetted that person well enough," state Del. Curtis S. Anderson said in support of the bill. The state Senate approved a similar bill last month. The Washington Post (3/14)

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick said he and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe have agreed on the terms of a revised casino compact to replace an earlier agreement turned down by the federal government. Patrick said he still needs to discuss the gaming compact, which he may sign in the "next few days," with state legislative leaders. The Herald News (Fall River, Mass.) (3/14)

The New Hampshire Senate has voted in favor of a casino bill supported by Gov. Maggie Hassan. "The Senate has sent a strong, bipartisan message today about how we can come together to fund our priorities, a message that echoes what I have heard from people and communities throughout New Hampshire," Hassan said. The legislation, which would allow one casino with up to 150 table games and 5,000 video slot machines, now goes to the state House for consideration. The Eagle-Tribune (North Andover, Mass.) (3/15)

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