AGA SmartBrief

Stephen P. Crosby, chairman of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, said the panel would award two casino licenses in February and March early next year and the single slots parlor license by September or October. "Everybody wants us to move faster. We want to move faster. We want the money to start rolling," Crosby said. The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) (2/14)

Meruelo Group, a company based in California, is purchasing the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, N.J., for $20 million. "Suffice to say, we are firmly committed to the property and we are firmly committed to the city. We are excited about making a mark and an investment in the property," said Xavier Gutierrez, president and chief investment officer of Meruelo. The company expects to close on the acquisition by May 31. The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (2/15)

MGM Resorts International has appointed Trevor Scherrer to replace Felix Rappaport as president of The Mirage. Scherrer, who has served as executive vice president of operations for The Mirage, will oversee improvements at the casino hotel this year. Las Vegas Review-Journal (2/14)

The Rocky Gap Lodge & Golf Resort near Cumberland, Md., is planning a job fair for Feb. 23 in an effort to fill 250 positions. The casino, which is expected to open in the spring, will house about 550 slot machines and 10 table games. The Baltimore Sun (2/14)

Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon in Las Vegas is a good example of how hotel developers are downsizing their projects in the city, this feature says. The site will be transformed into a boutique hotel and casino with a club and a rooftop pool. Downsizing is "making it easier for companies to capitalize on the emerging trend that has folks wanting more personalized, bespoke experiences," writes Glenn Haussman. Hotel Interactive (2/13)

The Santee Sioux Nation is holding a grand opening event today for its new Ohiya Casino in Niobrara, Neb. The tribe faced some legal hurdles in completing the casino project. "So, when we opened up these doors and opened up our grand entry Friday at 1 o'clock, it's going to be an emotional scene because of the struggles that we had to go through as a tribe," said Rick Thomas, the Santee Sioux Nation's tribal historic preservation officer. KTIV-TV (Sioux City, Iowa) (2/14)

Data from Macau government's tourist office shows that the number of visitors from mainland China to Macau grew 36% from the previous year on the third day of the holiday week, which began on Feb. 10. "As we've walked casino floors over the past 24 hours, it has been clear to us that casinos are experiencing record levels of customers," Union Gaming analyst Grant Govertsen said. Bloomberg Businessweek (2/14)

The Indiana Senate Appropriations Committee has voted to approve a bill that would permit the state's riverboat casinos to move onto land, cut their taxes and allow some table games at horse tracks. The state's gaming industry says the new regulations would help increase casino business and state revenues. WFPL-FM (Louisville, Ky.) (2/14)

New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan, who included gaming licensing fees in her two-year state budget, has called on state lawmakers to support the legalization of one casino in the state. "We must develop strategies for a long-term solution, for both operations and road construction, and we must do it together, working toward a consensus solution," Hassan said. Portland Press Herald (Maine) (2/14)

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The New Jersey Casino Control Commission will let MGM Resorts International file a new application to qualify for a casino license in the state. MGM's share in Atlantic City's Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa will be held in trust until a determination is made. MGM is pleased by the chance to return to the city, said Nicholas Casiello, an attorney for MGM. "Borgata fits nicely into the long-term marketing strategy of MGM," Casiello said. The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (2/13)

The Ohio Casino Control Commission has approved a license for the Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati, which is set to open on March 4. The $400 million casino, which was developed by Rock Ohio Caesars, plans to offer shuttle services to downtown hotels for patrons. "We will sell Cincinnati, and we will sell what makes Cincinnati unique and special," said Kevin Kline, the casino's general manager. The Plain Dealer (Cleveland) (2/13)

Golden Gaming, which operates more than 2,000 slot machines at grocery stores in Nevada, has begun upgrading 10 supermarket casinos in the state by installing more private and modern gaming salons. The company aims to renovate 70 additional locations in the next couple of years. "The local gamers tend to be more sophisticated in their playing. We're trying to reward them by giving them a better experience, a more comfortable place to play and more places to use their points," Golden Gaming Chief Operating Officer Steve Arcana said. VegasInc.com (Las Vegas) (2/13)

William Grounds, director and president of Infinity World Development Corp., will become a member of MGM Resorts International's board of directors. Grounds worked with MGM Resorts during the development of the company's CityCenter, which opened in 2009. "Bill has tremendous international development experience. He has demonstrated his strong business background serving as the Las Vegas representative of Infinity World," said MGM Resorts Chairman Jim Murren. Las Vegas Review-Journal (2/13)

Penn National Gaming's Hollywood Casino in Perryville, Md., expects to add 20 more tables, including eight poker tables, in March, according to spokeswoman Jennifer Miglionico. "It's going to be great for the casino. Now we are going to have a full casino package. Now we will have live action tables," Miglionico said. The Baltimore Sun (2/13)

A woman from Bensalem, Pa., won nearly $1 million Monday after playing a Wheel of Fortune slot machine at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City. The $924,231.89 payout was the third recorded jackpot in two months at the casino. The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (2/13)

Nevada lawmaker William Horne has introduced an online gambling bill that would double the license fee and allow the state to make interstate agreements for online gambling. Gov. Brian Sandoval would likely oppose the fee increase, according to spokesman Mac Bybee. "Gov. Sandoval does not support the increased fee and will work to resolve this issue before the legislation is passed into law," Bybee said. Las Vegas Sun (2/13)

Nevada Gaming Control Board Chairman A.G. Burnett presented a bill to a state Senate committee on Tuesday that would allow the state to tax the net profits of online poker tournaments. Burnett said the proposed tax would not cover prizes received by players from online competitions. Las Vegas Review-Journal (2/13)