AGA SmartBrief

The casino at the Hialeah Park racetrack in Hialeah, Fla., may open in June or July, according to General Manager Steve Calabro. "We've been working on this a long time," Calabro said. The gaming facility, which is the first part of a three-phase plan to improve the park, will include 870 slot machines and 20 poker tables. Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) (2/6)

Maryland casinos generated $44.3 million in January. The Maryland Live! casino took in nearly $36 million last month, while the Hollywood Casino Perryville reported revenue of $5.45 million and the Casino at Ocean Downs pulled in $2.9 million. American City Business Journals (2/5)

The administration of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has released a statement dismissing reports of a casino development in the city's Willets Point, Queens, neighborhood. "There is no casino being built at Willets Point, period," said Julie Wood, a spokeswoman for the mayor. "The agreement with the Queens Development Group to clean up and transform this long-blighted area into a dynamic, mixed-use district expressly prohibits any gaming uses," added Nick Kelly, a spokesman with the city's Economic Development Corporation. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (2/5)

A proposed casino gambling amendment for Kentucky is stalled due to opposition from some racetracks in the state, Gov. Steve Beshear said. "The chances are still unknown and very uncertain because of the opposition of those racetracks. I feel that if those tracks were on board, we would have the votes in the Senate now to pass that type of amendment," Beshear said. Lexington Herald-Leader (Ky.) (2/5)

New Jersey Sen. Raymond Lesniak said state lawmakers may put online gambling up for a referendum should Gov. Chris Christie veto legislation that awaits his decision. "A referendum is very, very dangerous," Lesniak said. "It could preclude New Jersey from having Internet gaming even if the federal government allows it." Christie has until Thursday to sign or veto the bill. The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (2/5)

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval has requested that state lawmakers act within a month on an online gambling bill that would allow him to make interstate agreements on authorizing online poker. "Nevada has always been the gold standard of both gaming regulation and agreements, and I intend to see to it that our state will lead the world into this new frontier," Sandoval said. Las Vegas Sun (2/5)

Mashpee Wampanoag tribe Chairman Cedric Cromwell said he is optimistic about the tribe's land trust application, approval of which is a requirement for the tribe's plan to open a casino in Taunton, Mass. "The letter we got from the assistant secretary not too long ago is very important. It mapped out timelines. So we look forward to hearing some positive news very soon around our initial reservation exception, which includes Taunton and Mashpee land," Cromwell said. Taunton Daily Gazette (Mass.) (2/4)

The European Commission has proposed including online gambling in European Union legislation to counter fraud. The proposal could become law if it obtains approval from all 27 member countries. Reuters (2/5)

Global Gaming Women (GGW) announced today that it would launch the Global Gaming Network -- a first-of-its-kind online mentoring network designed to connect women professionals in the commercial casino industry -- in the first quarter of this year. Global Gaming Network will allow women from all levels of the gaming entertainment industry to identify and connect with potential mentors to share their advice, experience and best practices. Read more here.

The G2E Team will be at the 2013 ICE Gaming Show taking place Feb. 5-7 in London at Booth #S0-169. Stop by the booth to learn more about G2E and be sure to drop your business card to be entered into a drawing to win a five-day all-access conference pass to G2E 2013, Sept. 24-26 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas. If you want to connect with the G2E Team to discuss exhibiting at G2E and/or G2E Asia 2013, e-mail Todd Sheahan.

Maya Angelou,American author and poet

American Gaming Association Vice President Whitaker Askew told delegates at a symposium in Atlantic City's Resorts Casino Hotel on Monday that Congress should pass a federal online gambling bill that limits online betting to poker. "The federal solution is the best way of doing this," Askew said, because it will offer better protection for consumers. Meanwhile, New Jersey waits for Gov. Chris Christie's decision on an Internet gambling bill passed by the legislature. The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (2/4)

Caesars Entertainment has announced that may sell a stake in Caesars Interactive Entertainment, Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas and an ongoing casino project in Baltimore to boost its funds and credit rating. "We are pursuing this transaction because we believe it will improve our liquidity and credit profile, enhance our distribution network and provide additional support for potential new ventures," the company said. Bloomberg Businessweek (2/4)

Caesars Entertainment has informed the Securities and Exchange Commission that it plans to sell $1.5 billion in a debt offering. The company said it would use the proceeds to make payments on expenses and fees as well as other debt. Las Vegas Review-Journal (2/4)

The Nevada Gaming Control Board said gamblers wagered a record-setting $98.9 million on this year's Super Bowl, which outpaced the $93 million total bet in 2006. Sports books in the state won $7.2 million on the Baltimore Ravens 34-31 victory against the San Francisco 49ers. Las Vegas Sun (2/4)

The new Nobu Hotel Restaurant and Lounge at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas has opened its doors for business. "It's offering boutique services right in the middle of Caesars Palace, and that's really unique," said Gigi Vega, general manager of the Nobu Hotel. SeattlePI.com (2/5)

Michael Frawley, president of the Atlantic Club Casino Hotel, has called on New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to sign a bill that would legalize online gambling in the state. "I see this as an amazing opportunity for New Jersey, a defining moment for The Atlantic Club, for the city and for New Jersey. We have a potential purchaser willing to build its U.S. corporate headquarters in the city, and willing to build a call center elsewhere in New Jersey. This is much more than just someone sitting in their living room with a computer," Frawley said. The Philadelphia Inquirer (2/4)

Global Gaming Solutions, which is backed by the Chickasaw Nation tribe in Oklahoma, has called off a plan to buy Legends Gaming's DiamondJacks casinos in Bossier City, La., and Vicksburg, Miss. "In view of those actions, we believe that it is in the best interest of the [c]ompany to move forward with an alternative plan of reorganization, with the full support of our creditors," Legends President Raymond Cook said. The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, Tenn.) (free registration) (2/4)

Genting's new casino at the National Exhibition Centre site near Birmingham, England, is officially under construction. The Resorts World Birmingham, which will employ 1,100, should be ready to open in 2015. "We are genuinely proud to be officially starting the construction work on Resorts World Birmingham. Our partnership with Genting marks an important step in our wider vision to make the NEC site more of a destination and the place where people come to discover the future," said Paul Thandi, the NEC Group's chief executive. BBC (2/4)

Maryland state Del. Eric M. Bromwell has introduced a bill that would allow up to 2,500 slot machines at Baltimore–Washington International Airport. "I consider this to be the ultimate alternative to a gas tax. This is exactly how we pay for roads," Bromwell said. He added that the slots could be placed in an arcade-style setting that is set aside for gamblers and away from children and non-gamblers. The Baltimore Sun (2/4)