AGA SmartBrief

G2E Asia is welcoming a long list of brand new exhibitors to the G2E Asia 2013 show floor. These companies bring vast experience from the construction, design, digital, entertainment, food & beverage, gaming equipment, software, video and iGaming industries. Check out the G2E Blog for more information on these exhibitors and register now for G2E Asia 2013, taking place May 21-23 at The Venetian Macao.

C.S. Lewis,Irish writer

MGM Resorts International has asked Springfield, Mass., to schedule on July 16 a citywide referendum for its proposed $800 million casino project. "MGM is grateful to have the confidence and enthusiasm of Mayor [Domenic] Sarno and now City Council members as we move into the next phase of this competition," said MGM Springfield President Bill Hornbuckle. The gaming company intends to kick off a marketing campaign called "Yes for Springfield" once the suggested referendum date is approved. The Hartford Courant (Conn.) (5/14)

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission said it would include casino plans for Davenport on its June 6 meeting agenda. The city plans to invest $33 million to move Rhythm City casino riverboat operations onto dry land. Developer Rodney Blackwell would purchase the casino, which is currently owned by Isle of Capri. "We'll wait and see if they have a recommendation. ... We want to keep the process moving," said Davenport Mayor Bill Gluba. Quad-City Times (Davenport, Iowa) (5/14)

U.K.-based bookmaker William Hill entered a deal to provide the upcoming Downtown Grand hotel in Las Vegas with its mobile sports wagering application and self-service betting kiosk. The casino hotel, expected to open in September, will also feature a storefront like William Hill's U.K. shops. "Downtown Las Vegas is undergoing an exciting transformation and Downtown Grand and other new businesses nearby will bring many new customers to the area," said William Hill CEO Joe Asher. VegasInc.com (Las Vegas) (5/14)

State-owned investment firm Dubai World said it would consider selling its 5.3% stake in MGM Resorts International despite turning down a purchase offer in 2012. According to Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai's Supreme Fiscal Committee, the firm has no timeline in mind for selling the shares. Whether it also plans to sell its 50% share in CityCenter, its joint venture with MGM Resorts, is uncertain. Las Vegas Review-Journal (5/14)

The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe on Tuesday presented architectural renderings of its proposed $550 million resort casino to the City Council of Taunton, Mass. The proposal for East Taunton includes the construction of two 15-story hotels with an S-shaped design connected to smaller buildings in the complex. Other features are an entertainment lounge, two restaurants, a 400-seat buffet, retail stores and a water park. The Herald News (Fall River, Mass.) (5/15)

On behalf of the state of Arizona and the Indian communities of Gila River and Salt River Prima-Maricopa, a legal team filed a motion to reconsider a decision favoring Tohono O'odham Nation's proposed casino in Glendale. The plaintiffs say state law bans casinos in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The decision handed down last week by U.S. District Court Judge David Campbell affirmed the legality of the Tohono O’odham Nation proposal on grounds that a 2002 state gambling compact had no provisions banning new casino construction. The Arizona Republic (Phoenix) (tiered subscription model) (5/14)

The Macau government has given its final approval to SJM Holdings to develop a five-star casino hotel with a renewable 25-year lease on the Cotai strip. "SJM is now formally entitled to develop that land. Its next step is getting the construction approval," said Union Gaming Group analyst Grant Govertsen. Bloomberg (5/14)

MGM Resorts International announced its new partnership with China State Construction Engineering Corp. in its bid to accelerate expansion efforts across the globe. MGM says China State will serve as the primary contractor for all of its global resort projects, including its planned Cotai Strip resort in Macau. "The MGM Cotai is a key project for our company. We intend to pursue projects with China State not only in Macau and China, but elsewhere around the world," said MGM Resorts CEO James Murren. Travel Weekly (5/14)

Hong Yen Technologies Inc. is a leading manufacturer of various high quality slot cabinets and casino equipment all over Asia. Slot cabinet products include a wide array of Upright, Slant Top, Bingo and Bar Top cabinets. Hong Yen Technologies Inc. is based in Taiwan and operates state-of-the-art factories in China for metal fabrication, welding, grinding, buffing, powder coating and plating. These enhancements shorten total lead time, lower overall costs and benefit well-known, global ODM and OEM customers. Hong Yen Technologies will exhibit at G2E Asia 2013 May 21-23 at The Venetian Macao. Check out Hong Yen Technologies Inc.'s listing at G2E Asia 2013 for more information.

L.E. Landon,British writer and poet

U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Judith Wizmur on Monday approved a plan to overhaul the finances and ownership of the $2.4 billion Revel casino resort in Atlantic City, N.J., before the end of May. Under the reorganization plan, Revel will exchange an ownership stake for $69 million and other financing from its main lenders along with cancellation of $1 billion in debt. "What we are looking for is reasonable probability of success," Wizmur said. "Here, I believe that showing has been made." The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (5/14)

Penn National Gaming clarified that its $700 million casino proposal for Prince George's County, Md., would include 3,000 slot machines. This figure contrasts with information released by the state, which indicated inclusion of just 500 slot machines. The state required that applicants submit $3 million for every 500 slots, and Penn included $3 million with its application. "We have made clear to the state in our submission that we are designing the facility for at least the full statutory allotment of (3,000 slot machines) and will submit the remaining fees upon licensing," Penn spokeswoman Karen Bailey said. The Washington Post (5/13)

The Golden Nugget opened its new baccarat pit in downtown Las Vegas with four gaming tables that can accommodate 32 players. The pit has three 60-inch televisions and a guest lounge near a restaurant. The casino will hold a $30,000 baccarat tournament Wednesday through Saturday as part of its grand opening. "This new baccarat pit has both the luxury feel that will appeal to our destination guests and the convenience factor that should bring in the local players," said Jason Sides, Golden Nugget director of casino operations. VegasInc.com (Las Vegas) (5/13)

A House subcommittee considering gambling expansion in New Hampshire has proposed reducing the amount of revenue a host community would receive from 3% to 1%. The subcommittee will vote Wednesday on the plan. Leaders in Salem, which is home to proposed casino site Rockingham Park, are concerned the town would not receive enough funding to offset the costs of infrastructure and services. The Eagle-Tribune (North Andover, Mass.) (5/14)

Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Executive Ed FitzGerald said the county is planning to fund developments of three downtown sites in Cleveland with grants and loans supported by the county's $7 million share of casino tax revenues. The developments include a makeover of the PlayhouseSquare district's public spaces, renovation of the East Ohio Building and building the second phase of the Flats East Bank project. The County Council will consider the grants and loans today. The Plain Dealer (Cleveland) (5/13)

Station Casinos has opened a bingo hall at former concert venue Green Valley Ranch in Las Vegas. The gaming hall has a glass wall to divide 312 seats for nonsmoking players and 88 seats for smokers. The venue will be included in Station's bingo tournaments, which can have $500,000 payouts. Las Vegas Sun (5/13)

Commercial developers will weigh the possibility of a tribal casino as they consider their prospects for success in bidding for the chance to build a casino in southeastern Massachusetts, said Clyde Barrow of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. "If you're skeptical of it, as a lot of people are, then it becomes an attractive opportunity, particularly for potential losers in the other regions," Barrow said. Even with moves that allow the bidding process to proceed, casinos in two other regions could arrive first and provide competition, Duff & Phelps' Carl Jenkins said. The Boston Globe (tiered subscription model) (5/13)

Nevada Gaming Control Board Chairman A.G. Burnett said that a team of gaming agents and officials from Ultimate Gaming are now investigating a connection between Ultimate Poker and Iovation, a service provider not authorized in Nevada. Ultimate Gaming stopped using the company's services last week. "This is in the category of where the ultimate responsibility rests upon the licensee (Ultimate Gaming), and I know that they are addressing the issue. We, in turn, will analyze what we received back from Ultimate, and then decide how to proceed from here," Burnett said. Las Vegas Review-Journal (5/13)