AGA SmartBrief

Douglas Adams,British writer, humorist and dramatist

PokerStars owner Rational Group said it still intends to push through with PokerStars' acquisition of the Atlantic Club, even after Atlantic Chief Operating Officer Michael Frawley announced on Wednesday that the deal had been terminated. "The Rational Group remains entirely committed to resolving this situation and to our investment in New Jersey," said PokerStars spokesman Eric Hollreiser. The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (5/2)

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board reported that fewer slot machines in operation brought down the state's April revenue for slot machines by 4%, compared with the same period last year. Total revenue from the state's 11 casinos declined from $214.1 million in April 2012 to $205.2 million last month. American City Business Journals (5/2)

The Baltimore Board of Estimates approved the hiring of a temporary recruitment coordinator to find 1,700 workers for the construction and operation of the Horseshoe Casino along Russell Street. The Caesars Entertainment subsidiary that will operate the casino will fund the position. The Baltimore Sun (5/2)

Las Vegas Sands founder and CEO Sheldon Adelson said the company's board of directors is discussing the option of selling bonds to raise funds for a dividend payment or stock buyback. The idea was taken into consideration after Apple Inc. executed a record bond sale worth $17 billion on April 30. Bloomberg (5/2)

MGM Resorts International cashed out a total of $10 million in campaigning to secure the $800 million casino project in western Massachusetts, according to MGM President Bill Hornbuckle. MGM will pay Springfield $15 million upon gaining a gaming license and a minimum of $25 million in annual payments once the operation of the resort starts. Bloomberg Businessweek (5/2)

The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska's Ho-Chunk is pitching its plan to open an estimated $40 million casino and events complex on its Atokad Downs property in Nebraska. The move comes after Ho-Chunk lost a casino bid in Sioux City, Iowa, to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The proposed Ho-Chunk Casino and Events Center would feature a function venue, restaurants and commercial establishments. Sioux City Journal (Iowa) (5/3)

The California Assembly on Thursday cleared a gaming compact in line with the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians' proposed casino project in Madera County. "This compact would put Californians back to work. Tribal gaming has replaced welfare with work. Tribal gaming has replaced despair with hope and dependency with self-reliance," said Assemblyman Isadore Hall. The Sacramento Bee (Calif.) (free registration) (5/2)

Gaming hubs in Macau generated revenue of $3.54 billion in April, the second highest this year next to a record $3.91 billion in March. Revenue, which rose 13.2% year over year -- driven by overwhelming demand from wealthy players from mainland China -- is expected to surge in May due to a weeklong local holiday. Reuters (5/2)

The Taiwan Cabinet cleared a draft bill that requires casino operators in outlying islands to ban underage players, people with gambling addiction and people employed in or involved with regulatory betting agencies. The legislation is in accordance with the Offshore Islands Development Act that allowed the construction of a casino in the Matsu Islands. The Taipei Times (Taiwan) (5/3)

Global Gaming Women is bringing together women from throughout the international gaming industry in a series of global events this month. It's not too late to sign up for GGW events in conjunction with Southern Gaming Summit on Tuesday, May 7, in Gulfport, Miss.; SAGSE Central America and Caribbean on May 9 in Panama; the IMGL Spring Conference on May 10 in Montreal; and G2E Asia on May 23 in Macau. Visit our website for more information and to register for these exciting opportunities!

Charles de Gaulle,French general and statesman

The Illinois Senate on Wednesday voted 32-20 to pass a bill that would add 1,200 slot games at horse tracks as well as five casinos in the state. The sites for the five proposed casinos would be Chicago, a suburb south of Chicago, Lake County, Rockford and Danville. Bill sponsor state Sen. Terry Link said the bill addressed concerns raised by Gov. Pat Quinn, such as planned use of revenue and ethical standards, to increase the chances of its enactment. The legislation now goes to the House. Reuters (5/1)

Pinnacle Entertainment said Wednesday that a $30.6 million deal to sell its oceanfront property in Atlantic City, N.J., is now expected to close before the fourth quarter. The agreement over the nearly 20-acre parcel has already been delayed, with closing initially expected by the end of 2012 and then postponed to the first quarter of this year. The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (5/2)

M1 Gaming has entered into a $7 million deal with Tropicana Entertainment to acquire the 1,001-room River Palms hotel-casino in Laughlin, Nev. "We plan to make a significant investment in the property and in the Laughlin market. We look forward to building a strong team and developing the River Palms to its fullest potential," M1 Gaming President Dean DiLullo said. Las Vegas Review-Journal (5/1)

New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said that the vote on a proposed constitutional amendment to permit up to seven non-tribal casinos to operate in the state could be postponed until next year amid concern that the measure might not get enough support across the state. The state legislature would still have to approve the seven-casino resolution this year, as the law on constitutional amendments requires two approvals in consecutive years followed by a successful statewide referendum. Newsday (Long Island, N.Y.) (subscription required) (5/1)

Lake George, N.Y., officials held a straw poll Tuesday at a forum on casino gambling and found that about twice as many people support gambling as oppose it. Of the 175 who voted, 105 favored casino gambling, 52 opposed it, and 18 were undecided. The Post-Star (Glens Falls, N.Y.) (5/1)

Foxwoods officials informed selectmen of Milford., Mass., that it has been reaching out to the community through meetings and working with consultants and engineers on the design of its $1 billion resort-casino proposal. Foxwoods hopes to have a host community agreement in place by August, with a townwide vote before Oct. 29. Milford Daily News (Mass.) (5/1)

Nevada's gaming regulators are set to conduct a public hearing to review findings on Station Casino's online wagering poker website after a 30-day trial. Gaming experts believe positive feedback from the gaming control board could lead to possible expansions and interstate compacts. VegasInc.com (Las Vegas) (5/1)

The Nevada Gaming Control Board tentatively cleared Pinnacle Entertainment's $2.8 billion purchase of Ameristar Casinos. Nevada Gaming Control Board Chairman A.G. Burnett said the board believes the acquisition deal "serves to benefit the market." The deal still must gain full antitrust approval and the Nevada Gaming Commission's consent. Las Vegas Review-Journal (5/1)