AGA SmartBrief

George Eliot,British writer

Real ­estate and casino developer Neil Bluhm, who is also the chairman of Rush Street Gaming, has chosen Worcester, Mass., as the site for a slot machine parlor he is proposing to build in the state. However, Rush Street said the company does not yet plan to identify the specific property in the city on which it plans to build the gaming facility. Bluhm had applied for a casino license in the state earlier this year. The Boston Globe (tiered subscription model) (3/13)

Revel AC has appointed Jeffrey Hartmann as interim chief executive officer as the resort in Atlantic City undergoes reorganization. According to the company, Hartmann will replace Kevin DeSanctis once the bankruptcy reorganization plan gets approved. "I will continue to support Revel's management team and board of directors in an advisory capacity. Beyond that, I look forward to dedicating my efforts to the continued expansion of the Revel Group brand," DeSanctis said. Bloomberg Businessweek (3/13)

Caesars Entertainment said a man named Gordon has won more than $1.4 million after playing a Wizard of Oz -- Journey to Oz slot machine at the Margaritaville Casino and Restaurant at the Flamingo in Las Vegas. According to a spokesperson for the company, Gordon is the 703rd player to become a millionaire after gambling at a Caesars property. KTNV-TV (Las Vegas) (3/13)

The New Jersey Casino Control Commission has delayed a vote on whether to allow the American Gaming Association to have a say in PokerStars' effort to purchase the Atlantic Club Casino Hotel in Atlantic City. "Additional time is needed for the consideration of this matter," commission Chairman Matthew Levinson said. The association has filed a brief opposing PokerStars' acquisition of the gambling property. The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (3/13)

A majority of Salem, N.H., voters has approved a nonbinding referendum to support a casino at the state's Rockingham Park. State Sen. Chuck Morse has sponsored a bill that would expand gambling at the racetrack in Salem. "It's great — I think the citizens sent a pretty clear message. I think it's a strong message that we can compete with Massachusetts," Morse said. The Eagle-Tribune (North Andover, Mass.) (3/13)

Matthew W. Nayden and Daniel J. Sparaco, lawyers who represent Baltimore, said an injunction requested by residents of the Westport neighborhood to halt construction of the Horseshoe Baltimore casino is not warranted. "Whomever is behind this fictive group, the motivation for this expensive litigation can hardly be to have one more 'informational meeting' about the voluntary cleanup of the casino site. More likely these interests are served by derailing this complex, time-sensitive construction effort ..." Nayden and Sparaco wrote in a response filed Tuesday. The Baltimore Sun (3/13)

West Springfield, Mass., Mayor Gregory C. Neffinger and the Mayor's Casino Advisory Commission have hired Boston law firm Kopelman and Paige P.C. to guide the city in evaluating Hard Rock International's proposed casino project. "They have pulled together a great team," commission Chairman Edward C. Sullivan said of the firm. The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) (3/13)

A $1.2 billion casino, the first of four gambling resorts slated to open on the Philippines' Manila Bay, will open this weekend. Solaire Manila Resorts includes 500 hotel rooms, 300 gaming tables and 1,200 slot machines. "What Solaire brings is an entertainment and gaming experience that doesn't exist in the Philippines today. It will be like going to Las Vegas. This raises the scale, the excitement and the... glamour," said Michael French, Solaire's chief operating officer. Channel NewsAsia (3/13)

Global Gaming Women (GGW) has created a wealth of news, events and resources available on its website, but none of them are tailored to the busy gaming executive looking to get ahead quite as well as "Coffee Break: Gaming Leadership Strategies in 1 minute or Less." This video series showcases female industry leaders offering insight and advice on career and business that are useful to gaming professionals of both genders. Take a minute to check out the videos.

VSR Industries (Macau) Ltd. is a worldwide manufacturer headquartered in Las Vegas building and assembling high-security locks and slot bases. VSR products and services have assisted to open some of the largest properties in Macau and Singapore. For more information on VSR Industries (Macau) Ltd., please visit www.vsrindustries.com. VSR Industries (Macau) Ltd. will exhibit at G2E Asia 2013 May 21-23 at The Venetian Macao.

Bill Gates,American businessman

Scientific Games Corp.'s announced $1.5 billion acquisition of WMS Industries has been approved by the Federal Trade Commission. The deal must still meet with the approval of WMS stockholders and gaming regulators. According to the two companies, they received notification from the FTC regarding the "early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust improvements Act," which is part of the merger process. Las Vegas Review-Journal (3/12)

Bob McDevitt, president of Local 54 of UNITE-HERE union in Atlantic City, N.J., said a layoff notice filed for the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino is just a legal formality as part of the gambling property's sale to Meruelo Group. "I don't think it's any indication of closure," McDevitt said. "I think it's a function of fulfilling their obligations under the law." The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (3/13)

Pennsylvania Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati said state leaders, including Gov. Tom Corbett, are modifying a contract with management firm Camelot Global Services. The contract to manage the state lottery was rejected by state Attorney General Kathleen Kane last month. "They are working on language similar to ours in the contract that would address our concerns," Scarnati said. KYW-TV (Philadelphia) (3/12)

Community leaders and Warren County Citizens for Good Jobs, a group supporting the creation of a casino in Warren County, Iowa, plan to submit signatures to county officials today to have a casino referendum included on a May 7 ballot. "We are thrilled with the level of community support for the new casino, hotel and events center that will bring 600 new jobs to Warren County. Because of the high level of local support, we will be submitting more than enough signatures to get the referendum on the ballot for May 7," Warren County Supervisor Doug Shull said. KCCI-TV (Des Moines, Iowa) (3/13)

Glu Mobile, a developer of mobile games, introduced its first mobile casino game in the U.K. through betting game operator Probability. Glu said its casino games will also be offered through other companies, including Paddy Power and William Hill. Reuters (3/12)

A majority of a legislative committee in New Mexico has voted to support a casino compact between the state and the Navajo Nation. The gambling agreement would allow the state to obtain a higher percentage of casino earnings and the tribe to open five casinos in the state. The compact will now go to the state Senate and the House for a vote. Albuquerque Journal (N.M.) (subscription required) (3/12)

A man from Sacramento, Calif., won $1 million last week after playing a Wheel of Fortune slot machine at the Cache Creek Casino in Brooks, Calif. The player captured the $1,036,110 payout after less than 10 minutes of play. The Sacramento Bee (Calif.) (free registration) (3/12)

Casino resorts in Macau are putting an emphasis on weddings to lift their nongaming revenues. According to this report, a growing number of couples from mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand and India are selecting Macau as their wedding venue. MacauBusiness.com (3/12)