AGA SmartBrief

Bill Gates,American businessman

Scientific Games Corp.'s announced $1.5 billion acquisition of WMS Industries has been approved by the Federal Trade Commission. The deal must still meet with the approval of WMS stockholders and gaming regulators. According to the two companies, they received notification from the FTC regarding the "early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust improvements Act," which is part of the merger process. Las Vegas Review-Journal (3/12)

Bob McDevitt, president of Local 54 of UNITE-HERE union in Atlantic City, N.J., said a layoff notice filed for the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino is just a legal formality as part of the gambling property's sale to Meruelo Group. "I don't think it's any indication of closure," McDevitt said. "I think it's a function of fulfilling their obligations under the law." The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (3/13)

Pennsylvania Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati said state leaders, including Gov. Tom Corbett, are modifying a contract with management firm Camelot Global Services. The contract to manage the state lottery was rejected by state Attorney General Kathleen Kane last month. "They are working on language similar to ours in the contract that would address our concerns," Scarnati said. KYW-TV (Philadelphia) (3/12)

Community leaders and Warren County Citizens for Good Jobs, a group supporting the creation of a casino in Warren County, Iowa, plan to submit signatures to county officials today to have a casino referendum included on a May 7 ballot. "We are thrilled with the level of community support for the new casino, hotel and events center that will bring 600 new jobs to Warren County. Because of the high level of local support, we will be submitting more than enough signatures to get the referendum on the ballot for May 7," Warren County Supervisor Doug Shull said. KCCI-TV (Des Moines, Iowa) (3/13)

Glu Mobile, a developer of mobile games, introduced its first mobile casino game in the U.K. through betting game operator Probability. Glu said its casino games will also be offered through other companies, including Paddy Power and William Hill. Reuters (3/12)

A majority of a legislative committee in New Mexico has voted to support a casino compact between the state and the Navajo Nation. The gambling agreement would allow the state to obtain a higher percentage of casino earnings and the tribe to open five casinos in the state. The compact will now go to the state Senate and the House for a vote. Albuquerque Journal (N.M.) (subscription required) (3/12)

A man from Sacramento, Calif., won $1 million last week after playing a Wheel of Fortune slot machine at the Cache Creek Casino in Brooks, Calif. The player captured the $1,036,110 payout after less than 10 minutes of play. The Sacramento Bee (Calif.) (free registration) (3/12)

Casino resorts in Macau are putting an emphasis on weddings to lift their nongaming revenues. According to this report, a growing number of couples from mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand and India are selecting Macau as their wedding venue. MacauBusiness.com (3/12)

During 2012, the AGA launched the "All In" campaign to showcase the positive impact gaming industry corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts are having on communities nationwide. The campaign focused on four specific areas -- philanthropy, responsible gaming, diversity and environmental sustainability -- and in conjunction with events throughout the year, the AGA coordinated industry activities, developed multimedia web resources and released white papers quantifying AGA member contributions in the areas of giving and volunteering and environmental sustainability. Visit the AGA website to learn more about this campaign that the AGA plans to reprise in 2013.

Attending G2E Asia 2013 (May 21-23 at the Venetian Macao)? If so, be sure to check out our newly designed floor plan. If you are still looking to exhibit at G2E Asia 2013, the show floor is selling out fast so contact us today! For companies in the Americas and Europe, contact Todd Sheahan at +1-203-840-5397, and for companies in the Asia Pacific region contact Sean Chen at +86 755 2383 4566.

Romain Gary,French diplomat, novelist, film director and aviator

Two gaming companies made public presentations Monday of the casinos they hope to build in Springfield, Mass. MGM Resorts International officials discussed their casino project for the South End of the city. "MGM Springfield, we hope, will bring millions of people to the city and cars back into the city," MGM CEO James J. Murren said. Meanwhile, Penn National Gaming executives presented details of a casino for the North End. "Simply put, we are the only company in the process who knows how to build a successful project in markets just like Springfield," Penn National CEO Peter M. Carlino said. The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) (3/11)

Las Vegas Sands, which is set to build a $9.8 billion billion casino-resort complex in Alcorcón, Spain, later this year, is currently focused on developing big resorts, according to Sands spokesman Ron Reese. The company is also working to sell its casino in Bethlehem, Pa. "It's safe to say that Las Vegas Sands is focused on large-scale integrated resorts, rather than smaller, regional sites. That said, we're very proud of our investment in Bethlehem," Reese said. The Morning Call (Allentown, Pa.) (3/11)

New Jersey's Division of Gaming Enforcement released figures Monday showing that casinos in Atlantic City took in $212.3 million in gambling revenues in February. Kevin DeSanctis, Revel's chief executive officer, said the gambling resort has seen an improvement in its leisure and group business. "Our numbers are starting to head in the right direction -- more than 44 groups held meetings at Revel in February, and we exceeded our leisure bookings forecast," DeSanctis said. The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (3/12)

A judge issued a temporary restraining order against the construction of the Horseshoe Baltimore casino Monday until a hearing on a lawsuit filed by Westport residents against the city, the Maryland Department of Environment and CBAC Gaming takes place Friday. Caesars Entertainment officials declined to comment on the issue. The Baltimore Sun (3/11)

The Rancho Cordova, Calif., City Council passed a 45-day moratorium that prohibits any Internet cafe casino from opening while they search for options to ban the establishments. The "mini-casinos" -- which operate sweepstakes and casino games on computers -- are considered illegal. "There's no licensing requirement, no background check and no regulation. Where's the integrity?" American Gaming Association executive director Judy Patterson said of the businesses. The Sacramento Bee (Calif.) (free registration) (3/11)

The Plain Dealer (Cleveland) (3/12)

Salem, N.H., voters are considering a nonbinding referendum today on whether the town should host a casino. Other efforts to expand gambling in the state have been put forward by some state leaders. State Sen. Chuck Morse has sponsored a bill that would expand gambling at Rockingham Park in Salem, and the state Senate Ways and Means Committee sent it to the full Senate last week. Gov. Maggie Hassan supports the bill. The Eagle-Tribune (North Andover, Mass.) (3/11)

888 Holdings has formed a joint venture with Avenue Capital Group as it prepares to launch its business in the U.S. The All American Poker Network will introduce the online betting firm's brands once it is licensed and state or federal regulations are finalized. "Working with a substantial financial partner provides the firepower that we need to take advantage of the significant opportunities that will be provided by a regulated U.S. gaming market," 888 CEO Brian Mattingley said. Reuters (3/11)