AGA SmartBrief

New Jersey Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver said the state Legislature will vote Feb. 26 on an amended online gambling bill that includes Gov. Chris Christie's recommendations. "We need to keep New Jersey's gaming industry modern and competitive, and that means allowing carefully regulated Internet gaming," Oliver said. The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (2/11)

Delaware Lottery Director Vernon Kirk said that while the expansion of football parlay betting and the formation of a Keno network in the state have delayed efforts to open the door to online gambling, the state is forging ahead with its plans. Last week, the state Lottery Office issued a request for proposals for potential operators of its online gambling system network, which could be ready by Sept. 30. The News Journal (Wilmington, Del.) (2/10)

Station Casinos has unveiled the design of the $800 million Graton Resort and Casino outside Rohnert Park, Calif. The resort is slated to open late this year. "I've worked hand in hand with Station and their architects to create something modern that would be timeless and reflect the local landscape and colors," Graton Rancheria Chairman Greg Sarris said. Station Casinos officials said a hotel would be built at a later date. The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, Calif.) (2/11)

When the AGA released its comprehensive study of the total impact of the commercial casino industry, "Beyond the Casino Floor: Economic Impacts of the Commercial Casino Industry," it made a number of other resources available that further tell the story of the industry's economic impact. The new Beyond the Casino Floor section of the AGA website includes a suite of resources: a copy of the report, an interactive map detailing state and local data, market data fact sheets and a section where casino employees talk about the impact the industry has had on their lives. Visit the Beyond the Casino Floor section of the AGA website to see all of the available tools.

If you missed the interview with Marcus Prater, executive director of the Association for Gaming Equipment Manufacturing (AGEM) at G2E 2012, then take a few minutes to watch the video on the G2E Blog. Marcus discusses all of the new initiatives being implemented to keep ahead of the technology curve and the revitalization that iGaming will bring to the industry.

John Steinbeck,American author

Nevada casinos took in revenues of $10.86 billion in 2012, compared with $10.7 billion in 2011. Gaming revenues on the Strip rose 2.3% to $6.2 billion in 2012 from $6 billion in the previous year. "We are slowly increasing revenues. We are still 15.5 percent below the peak in 2007, but we are gradually moving in the right direction," Nevada Gaming Control Board senior research analyst Michael Lawton said. Las Vegas Review-Journal (2/9)

Foxwoods Resort Casino has agreed to partner with developer David Nunes on a proposed casino project in Milford, Mass. "We feel strongly that we're the best option, in terms of our expertise in this area, the quality of our site and what we'll do," said Foxwoods CEO Scott Butera, who added that the company would serve as a stakeholder, "full partner" and operator of the casino resort should the project obtain a license. The Boston Globe (tiered subscription model) (2/10)

Stephen P. Crosby, chairman of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, said this year would be a critical period for casino companies competing to win a gaming license in the state. "It's going to be a busy year ... filled with aggressive competition," said Crosby. Eleven companies seeking to build three casinos and a slots-only facility in the state met the Jan. 15 deadline for submission of casino license applications with a $400,000 fee. The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) (2/10)

Tom Ballance, the new president of the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, said no major management changes are planned for the casino. However, Borgata plans to spend about $25 million this year to install an additional 400 slot machines and improve its hotel, nightclub and public restrooms. The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (2/10)

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority said last week that visits to Las Vegas were up 2.8% in December versus December 2011 and that 39.7 million people visited the city in 2012. "All in, December was a solid month on the Las Vegas Strip. That said, we think the mix shift of customers needs to change before we see a meaningful pickup in gaming and outside-the-room spending," said Bill Lerner, a Union Gaming analyst. VegasInc.com (Las Vegas) (2/8)

This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features a discussion with Matt Cullen, the president and chief operating officer of Rock Gaming, the company in partnership with Caesars Entertainment in Ohio and Maryland, on the purchase of Detroit's Greektown Hotel Casino.

Casino executives and some lawmakers in New Jersey have expressed optimism on the passage of a revised Internet gambling bill after Gov. Chris Christie conditionally vetoed legislation last week that would allow online gambling in the state. "We are confident that with the governor's recommended changes and New Jersey's longstanding commitment to the highest standards of integrity, this legislation will expand the ways in which customers can interact with us," Caesars Entertainment executive vice president Jan Jones said. The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (2/10)

Catawba Indian Nation Chief Bill Harris said the tribe's proposal to build a casino in South Carolina is still on the table. Harris says the proposed gaming facility could help lift the state's tax revenues and help pay for state and tribal initiatives. The Augusta Chronicle (Ga.) (2/9)

Las Vegas Sands has announced that it will build a planned $29.5 billion casino-resort complex in Alcorcón, Spain, near Madrid. The "EuroVegas" project could include up to six casinos, golf courses and theaters. The first phase of construction is expected to be completed in 2017. Bloomberg Businessweek (2/8)

The AGA used the data from its comprehensive study of the impact of the commercial casino industry to create an interactive map that allows users to explore state- and county-level economic impacts throughout the country. Visit the "Beyond the Casino Floor" section of the AGA website to check out the interactive map.

The International Masters of Gaming Law is a nonprofit association of gaming attorneys, regulators, educators, executives, compliance officers and consultants from around the world who are dedicated to education and the exchange of professional information concerning all aspects of gaming law. IMGL membership consists of more than 275 members in 36 countries as well as members in 33 states and territories in the United States. For more information on IMGL, please visit www.GamingLawMasters.com. International Masters of Gaming Law will exhibit at G2E Asia 2013 May 21-23 at The Venetian Macao.

George Bernard Shaw,Irish playwright

The Springfield, Mass., City Council's Casino Siting Committee has recommended that Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno move ahead with negotiating with MGM Resorts International and Penn National Gaming on their casino proposals. The committee also recommended that Sarno place both bids up for a citywide referendum. "I believe the advantages to that is it will increase competition between both companies, strengthens Springfield's chances of obtaining a license, and [e]nsures that the entire process is transparent by giving the Springfield voters a choice," Council President James J. Ferrera III said. The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) (2/7)

The Greektown Casino in Detroit has opened a new restaurant called Brizola. "We've heard that often times our guests don't want to leave the casino floor -- they want to stay on the casino floor, yet they want to have a good fine dining experience -- and that's why we built this restaurant for them," Casino Food and Beverage Director Hassan Yazbek said. The casino also introduced a new Market District that features different dining choices and has opened a new valet parking garage. WWJ-TV/WWJ-AM (Detroit) (2/7)