AGA SmartBrief

Anna Lappé,American writer, speaker and activist

Ohio's $400 million Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati welcomed its first patrons on Monday. The gaming facility, which is the last of four casinos approved by state voters to open, is expected to generate $227 million in gross revenue in its first year of operation. It includes a World Series of Poker room and a VIP players' lounge. "I think it's incredible. It's a Vegas casino," celebrity chef Bobby Flay said. The News-Times (Danbury, Conn.) (3/4)

Mohegan Sun has announced the brand and name for a casino it is proposing to build in Massachusetts. The casino operator told Palmer town officials and residents Monday that its casino project would bear the name "Mohegan Sun Massachusetts." "Mohegan Sun Massachusetts represents what we expect our project will come to represent: the premier New England gaming brand -- and one of the premier gaming brands worldwide -- delivering for Massachusetts," Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority CEO Mitchell Etess said. Boston Herald (3/4)

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has scheduled three days of public hearings that will give Philadelphia residents the chance to express their opinions on casinos proposed for the city. The board added a hearing on May 8. Previously announced hearings will take place April 11-12. "The board is committed to providing a hearing schedule that helps as many persons as possible attend these important meetings to present testimony," Gaming Control Board Chairman William H. Ryan Jr. said. American City Business Journals (3/4)

Affinity Gaming said Z Capital Partners has withdrawn its proposal to acquire all outstanding shares in Affinity. According to Affinity, a board committee reviewed the company's proposal and "tried to engage in meaningful dialogue, but could not successfully negotiate confidentiality and standstill agreements with Z Capital." Las Vegas Review-Journal (3/4)

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board said the overall slots take for the state's 11 casinos was $195.9 million in February, compared with revenues of $215.7 million in the same month last year. The board noted that last year was a leap year, so an additional day of operation was counted for the month. American City Business Journals (3/4)

Lawyers for the American Gaming Association said the group opposes PokerStars' effort to purchase the Atlantic Club Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, N.J., due to the company's alleged use of illegal tactics and violation of U.S. laws. "Any action allowing PokerStars to be licensed would send a damaging message to the world of gaming, and to the world beyond gaming, that companies that engage in chronic lawbreaking are welcome in the licensed gaming business," the AGA said in the brief. The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (3/5)

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has vetoed legislation that would have authorized casinos in the state and slot machines at state racetracks. "This is a bad bill for the people of Illinois. As I made clear when I vetoed Senate Bill 1849 last summer. I will not approve of any gaming expansion without strong ethical standards, comprehensive oversight and dedicated resources for education," Quinn said. Chicago Sun-Times (free registration) (3/5)

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says the state could double its gaming revenues with the legalization of online gambling, and many other experts say online gambling will benefit bricks-and-mortar casinos. Gene Johnson, a senior vice president of Spectrum Gaming Group, noted, "It will be much more connected to land-based gaming than we see in Europe. We strongly believe it will drive some incremental business to the physical casino." However, some casino industry veterans are worried that it will not live up to expectations. "It's so new and unproven that it's a flip of a coin," said Ed Spotts, a tourism instructor at Temple University in Philadelphia. The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (3/4)

The Gila River Indian Community's Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino, under construction in Laveen, Ariz., will hold a job fair on March 26. The resort is seeking 150 new workers. Officials of the gaming facility say the Vee Quiva will hire an additional 120 employees before it opens in summer. American City Business Journals (3/4)

The Macao Polytechnic Institute's Gaming Teaching and Research Centre will work toward responding effectively to the needs of the community. By increasing the number of casino management training courses, the institute will see to it that more qualified local staff will be promoted in management positions and that more quality training services are provided to related industry professionals. For more information on Macao Polytechnic Institute, please visit www.gtrc.ipm.edu.mo. Macao Polytechnic Institute will exhibit at G2E Asia 2013 May 21-23 at The Venetian Macao.

Alexander Graham Bell,Scottish-born American inventor

Genting Group says it is acquiring Echelon, an unfinished Las Vegas Strip project, from Boyd Gaming Corp. Genting plans a Resorts World complex for the site. "This is a game changer. ... People were expecting a big new casino in Las Vegas was still three to five years away," said Jeremy Aguero, a Las Vegas economist and consultant. The Wall Street Journal (3/4)

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said the state would appeal a federal judge's decision against New Jersey's attempt to allow sports betting. "We believe firmly in the principles of our position on sports betting and that the federal ban is inequitable, violates New Jersey's rights as a state and is unconstitutional. Even the trial judge has noted that he was not likely the final arbiter in the matter. We are confident that the federal court of appeals will conclude that New Jersey should be treated equally with other states," a spokesman for Christie said. The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (3/2)

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission and the state Division of Criminal Investigation will meet on Wednesday for a closed-door meeting to discuss the results of background checks on companies and people seeking a gaming license in the state to replace the Argosy riverboat casino with a land-based gaming facility. "In 20-plus years, we haven't had any major issues with licenses in the state. I think a big portion of that is due to the thoroughness that we conduct the backgrounds," DCI Assistant Director Dave Button said. Sioux City Journal (Iowa) (3/3)

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is working to come up with guidelines for a rule that requires companies seeking a license to build a casino in the state to have seperate agreements with all communities near the proposed casino site. The five-member panel has not yet determined what constitutes a "surrounding community." The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) (3/2)

As part of the casino selection process, one of the factors that the Massachusetts Gaming Commission will have to consider is whether to approve proposed casino projects in rural or in urban locations. Casino experts present the pros and cons of each choice, but Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby says the panel has no inclination toward either. "We would weigh each case on independent criteria. I can't see any intrinsic plus or minus for one model versus the other," Crosby said. The Boston Globe (tiered subscription model) (3/3)

The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board has granted the VictoryLand casino in Macon County, Ala., an expanded liquor license. Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange shut down the gaming facility last month, alleging that it is operating illegal gambling. Charlanna Spencer, a lawyer for the casino, said the board's ruling supports VictoryLand's contention that the gaming machines at the casino are legal. Montgomery Advertiser (Ala.) (3/2)

This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Ian Gosling, the chief operating officer of Royal Entertainment, based in Greece, on what his company is experiencing during the economic crisis that has gripped the country for the past several years.

William Hill said it would pay Playtech $643 million for all its shares in the bookmaker's online unit, William Hill Online. Playtech holds a 29% stake in subsidiary. "Today marks a major milestone for William Hill as we propose taking full control of William Hill Online. This move rounds off a successful 12 months, which have seen us take our first steps into the U.S.," William Hill CEO Ralph Topping said. Las Vegas Review-Journal (3/1)