AGA SmartBrief

With more states working to legalize Internet gambling, Congress is once again trying to come up with a federal framework. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, who had introduced an online poker bill in 2011, said he intends to present a bill this spring. Meanwhile, Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., say they plan to reintroduce a federal Internet gambling bill. "Senator Heller believes federal legislation for online poker is crucial, and will continue to work with Senator Reid and like-minded colleagues to get a bill passed," said Chandler Smith, communications director for Heller. Reuters (3/8)

With the passage of Internet gambling legislation, Atlantic City, N.J., will likely bring in online gambling firms as well as some of the most popular social gaming companies once regulations overseeing the online gambling industry in the city are put in place. "The business is going to be big. Everybody wants to use New Jersey as trial and error," said Rich Roberts, chief executive of game developer Slingo. The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (3/9)

Ladbrokes is reportedly in advanced talks with Playtech about a partnership deal that would give the software supplier an expanded role in managing Ladbrokes' online casino and bingo games. According to the report, the two companies are expected to announce a partnership in the coming days. Reuters (3/10)

Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., has reintroduced a federal bill that could help advance the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's plan to open a casino in Taunton, Mass. The tribe is awaiting approval of its land trust application with the Interior Department as a requirement for the casino. "As the ranking member of the Natural Resources Committee that has responsibility for Native American issues, I've supported legislation to correct the flawed ruling, which held that the Secretary of the Interior may only take land into trust for Indian tribes under federal jurisdiction as of 1934," Markey said. Taunton Daily Gazette (Mass.) (3/8)

Assemblyman Harvey Munford has introduced legislation in Nevada that would relieve casinos of taxes on comped meals for employees. "This has been ping-ponging in court for years. An employer shouldn't have to pay to feed an employee," said state Sen. James Settelmeyer, who is a cosponsor of the bill. Las Vegas Sun (3/8)

When the AGA Code of Conduct for Responsible Gaming was adopted in 2003, the pledge to employees, patrons and the community was the first document to establish an industrywide standard for responsible gaming. The commercial gaming industry has changed in the last decade and in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of the code, the AGA has released an updated version of the document that acknowledges the evolution of how the industry communicates with employees and customers. Visit the AGA website to download a copy of the updated code and learn more about this industry standard.

Socrates,Greek philosopher

Pinnacle Entertainment said in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that it is selling its oceanfront property in Atlantic City, N.J., to an unidentified buyer. "During the fourth quarter of 2012, we entered into a definitive agreement to sell our land holdings in Atlantic City for total consideration of approximately $30.6 million, subject to a financing contingency. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2013," Pinnacle wrote in the filing. Las Vegas Sun (3/7)

International gaming test laboratory firm BMM Testlabs, which looks to hire 100 new employees in the next two years, celebrated its new home in Las Vegas with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday. "We need more room. Business is fantastic. We want to grow the pie in Southern Navada," said Mike Dreitzer, BMM Americas chief operating officer. The company has 200 workers around the world and manages 11 gaming labs. Las Vegas Review-Journal (3/7)

In a partnership with Early Childhood Centers of Greater Springfield in Massachusetts, Penn National Gaming said it is planning to offer a child care program for the future employees of a casino it hopes to build in Springfield. "We are very honored to be able to have a relationship with this organization so that we can have top-notch care for our employees' children on site," said Jay Snowden, senior vice president of regional operations with Penn National. The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) (3/7)

The five members of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission will visit four proposed sites for a land-based casino in Woodbury County on March 26 as part of the casino license granting process. "We do want to touch and feel those sites. There is something different about actually being there and seeing them, the access, the size, those kind of things, which do influence our decision making," commission chair Jeff Lamberti said. Sioux City Journal (Iowa) (3/7)

Ohio's gaming revenue increased 4.3% to $55.5 million in February from $53.2 million in January, according to the Casino Control Commission. The report contained adjusted gross revenue for the state's four casinos, including the Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati, which opened Monday. Horseshoe Casino in Cleveland took in $22 million last month, while the Hollywood Casino Columbus generated $18.5 million. The Hollywood Casino Toledo reported revenues of $14.8 million for the month. Dayton Daily News (Ohio) (3/7)

Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber's 60-day extension request to weigh in on the Coquille Indian Tribe's casino application was granted by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs. Tim Raphael, a spokesman for Kitzhaber, said the state first wants to examine the potential impact of the planned casino in Medford and see the business plan. The Oregonian (Portland) (3/7)

MGM Resorts International won't manage a casino resort under construction on the Ho Tram Strip in Vietnam, according to Asian Coast Development, the project's developer. ACDL said it was already in discussions with potential partners to replace MGM. "We thank MGM for its assistance in the hiring and training of our 2,000-strong team of Vietnamese hospitality professionals. We are delighted that we have completed the construction of the first phase of our first resort," ACDL Chief Executive Lloyd Nathan said. Reuters (3/7)

New South Wales Premier Barry O'Farrell reportedly said James Packer's plan for a casino hotel in Sydney doesn't need a casino license, giving a boost to the Australian billionaire's plan. "We're not talking about a casino license; that's what Echo [Entertainment's Star Casino] operates at Pyrmont. I've been very clear about this from day one. We will have to legislate when the exclusivity agreement with the current casino ends," O'Farrell said. Business Spectator (Australia) (3/8)

West Virginia lawmakers introduced a bill Wednesday that would trim the taxes and fees that racinos pay by about $28.3 million annually and authorize them to reduce the number of live racing days from 200 to 150. "If a racetrack is losing money on racing, it has to consider a reduction of racing days and the viability of live racing. It's purely an economical, business model concept of the operation," said John Cavacini, president of the state Racing Association. The Philadelphia Inquirer (3/7)

Beyond the Casino Floor: Economic Impacts of the Commercial Casino Industry, released by the AGA in 2012, is the largest and most comprehensive study of the total impact of the commercial casino industry in nearly 15 years. The report examines not only the direct economic impact on communities where casinos are located, but the indirect and induced impacts of the industry and its employees nationwide. The study also measures the impact of the non-gaming amenities that have become a crucial part of casinos' revenue streams. Download the full report here.

TransAct Technologies is the worldwide leader in the design, supply and manufacturing of slot-ticket and video lottery terminal printers under the Epic and Ithaca® brands. From impact and thermal to inkjet platforms, TransAct has pioneered several standard-setting technologies -- including Epicentral™, the casino software system that prints personalized promotions right at the slot machine. TransAct printers provide top-quality tickets, promotional coupons, receipts and vouchers to ever-expanding markets worldwide. For more information on Ideemaxe, please visit www.transact-tech.com. TransAct Technologies will exhibit at G2E Asia 2013 May 21-23, at The Venetian Macao.

George Weinberg,American psychologist, writer and activist

The Hollywood Casino Perryville in Cecil County, Md., introduced 12 tables games and a poker room Wednesday after Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency director Stephen Martino issued a license that authorizes the gaming facility to operate table games and poker. The casino is the first in the state to offer table games. "We are very excited to be competitive in the market, and have all the offerings of a full casino," said Jennifer Miglionico, the casino's director of marketing. American City Business Journals (3/6)