AGA SmartBrief

The Mississippi Gaming Commission will now require new casinos to have more expansive gaming spaces and more hotel rooms, among other conditions, in an effort to ensure the facilities attract new visitors. "With the competition and density of casinos in nearby drive-in markets, we no longer can just add a casino and expect visitorship to increase," said John Hairston, chairman of the commission. The Sun Herald (Biloxi-Gulfport, Miss.) (2/21)

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has set a March 21 meeting to hear from interested groups as it decides on whether to accept applications from developers of commercial casinos for the state's southeastern region. Gaming Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby said a vote may take place that day. "I think inviting people in to speak is a good idea. For the people involved, this is a pretty high-stakes question," Crosby said. Taunton Daily Gazette (Mass.) (2/21)

The Las Vegas Strip may be the iconic tourism image, but downtown Las Vegas is coming into its own, offering a more cultural persona. Downtown Project was created in 2011, with investments to drive real estate, tech startups, shops and education. Tony Hsieh, CEO of the online shoe and clothing shop Zappos.com, is one of the biggest investors; his company is looking to create its own campus in the area. The Mob Museum opened last year, and Container Park with stores and restaurants is slated to open in the spring. Travel Weekly (2/20)

Union Gaming Research analysts say the Asian slot machine market, where 23,600 slot machines are expected to be delivered through both expansion and replacement, offers SHFL Entertainment an opportunity to grow. According to the analysts, the gaming supplier's "Duo Fu Duo Cai -- Fu" slot game "is performing well above house average in Macau." MacauBusiness.com (2/21)

Indiana state Sen. Luke Kenley has amended a gambling bill to reduce revenue losses among casino host communities. When it was approved by a state Senate committee last week, the bill -- which would permit the state's riverboat casinos to move onto land, cut their taxes and allow some table games at horse tracks -- would have cost host communities $40 million. Kenley's change would spread the revenue loss among all Indiana counties. "We'll find out Monday if everybody will vote for it," Kenley said. The Indianapolis Star (tiered subscription model) (2/21)

Throughout its history, the AGA has conducted and published research on a wide variety of topics, including slot machines, taxation and the attitudes of casino employees and community leaders in gaming jurisdictions -- just to name a few. Consult the AGA's library of white papers to learn more about some of the most significant issues facing the gaming industry today.

W. Somerset Maugham,British writer

American Gaming Association president and CEO Frank Fahrenkopf said he believes Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, will revive a federal online poker bill in the House this year. "I wouldn't be surprised if a new bill was introduced in this session," Fahrenkopf said Wednesday at the iGaming North America Conference at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. He said online gaming companies must put consumer safety protections in place and develop programs to combat problem and underage gambling. Las Vegas Review-Journal (2/20)

MGM Resorts International Chairman Jim Murren said the company, which runs 10 casinos on the Strip, would consider selling some of its properties in Las Vegas if doing so proved to be profitable. "We have no plans, but I wouldn't rule it out. After a long and brutal recession that impacted Las Vegas, there are consistent signs of improvement and investor interest," Murren said. Las Vegas Review-Journal (2/20)

Centaur Holdings, owner of Hoosier Park in Indiana, finalized its purchase of the Indiana Grand and Downs in Shelbyville after the state Gaming and Horse Racing commissions gave final approval of the acquisition Wednesday. The company bought the racino for $500 million. "We're done; it's over. And we're really excited. This is the result of a lot of time and effort from our (Centaur) team, legislators, both communities and a lot of other people," Centaur Chairman and CEO Rod Ratcliff said. The Herald Bulletin (Anderson, Ind.) (2/20)

Caesars Entertainment has launched a hiring initiative Wednesday that is aimed at hiring U.S. military veterans. The company, which has approximately 10,000 job openings nationwide, hopes to offer positions for former military members through the Enlisting Heroes program. "This program is based on the experience we've had with veterans working for us. The initiative is not simply the right thing to do, it's the smart thing to do," Caesars Chairman Gary Loveman said. Las Vegas Review-Journal (2/20)

Ingenus Management and Consulting has submitted two new interstate casino designs, as requested by Davenport, Iowa, officials as part of an agreement to develop a land-based casino in the city. "We have to look at what makes the most sense from a site standpoint and attracts the most people off the highway. It is one of the many issues we have to look at. Nothing is cast in concrete," Mayor Bill Gluba said of the designs. Quad-City Times (Davenport, Iowa) (2/19)

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has unanimously approved a table games certificate for the Lady Luck Casino at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Fayette County. Isle of Capri Casinos will operate the casino, which will include 28 table games and 600 slot machines. "We are thrilled that the table games authorization has been completed and look forward to offering our guests, and the guests at Nemacolin, a full complement of slots and table games when we open in the summer," said Jill Alexander, an Isle of Capri spokeswoman. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (2/20)

Officials say work on an area of the refurbished casino at the Quad, formerly the Imperial Palace, is expected to be completed by March. Slot machines have already been installed at the new 65,000-square-foot gaming space. Las Vegas Sun (2/20)

Officials of Warren County, Iowa, have presented details of a $100 million entertainment and gaming center project, which would include a casino, an events center, a hotel and a bowling alley. Wild Rose Entertainment would manage the gaming facility. "[I]t's a new and exciting project which I think will be a tremendous benefit to the people of Warren County," said Doug Shull, Warren County supervisor. The Des Moines Register (Iowa) (tiered subscription model) (2/20)

Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange has shut down the VictoryLand casino in Shorter, Ala., alleging that the gaming facility is operating illegal gambling. Strange's office also filed a lawsuit against the Poarch Band of Creek Indians in an effort to close the tribe's three casinos in the state. "While we respect Mr. Strange's attempts to fulfill his duties as State Attorney General, he is not a federal official and therefore, has no jurisdiction or enforcement authority over tribal land or tribal gaming operations," the tribe said. AL.com (Alabama) (2/20)

Nevada Gold & Casinos launched its free-to-play online casino application Wednesday on Facebook. "Social gaming is one of the leading technology innovations in our industries," said Trevor Taylor, a vice president with Nevada Gold. Taylor said the Gold Star Slots application allows its customers to play at home while familiarizing new players with the company's South Dakota and Washington gaming properties. Las Vegas Review-Journal (2/20)

If you missed out on seeing Chuck Underwood, pioneer of the "Generational Marketing Strategy," at G2E 2012, then take a few minutes to watch the video on the G2E Blog. Underwood brings his consulting expertise and explains the impact of generational marketing within the gaming industry.

Maria Montessori,Italian physician and educator

Massachusetts Gaming Commission spokeswoman Elaine B. Driscoll said two additional companies have expressed their intentions to compete for the state's lone slots parlor license, doubling the number of the slot bidders. "Last week the Gaming Commission requested the two undeclared applicants inform them which license they intended to pursue by today. PPE Casino Resorts and Mass Gaming & Entertainment LLC both indicated to the commission they would pursue the slot parlor license," Driscoll said. Boston Herald (2/19)