AGA SmartBrief

California state Sen. Roderick Wright on Tuesday introduced a bill that would permit sports betting at tribal casinos and race tracks in the state. The legislation, which bans betting on any game that involves a California college team or any collegiate games within the state, would be implemented only in the event that a federal law prohibiting sports wagering in all states except Nevada, Delaware, Montana and Oregon is reversed or amended. Sporting News (4/23)

Casino developers such as Las Vegas Sands and Genting Group are looking at the possibility of opening a casino in Japan as several Japanese lawmakers work to introduce a bill that they believe could put the country in the forefront of casino gambling. "One of the projects that would definitely bring investment into the country and create jobs is casino gaming," said Paul Bromberg, CEO of consulting firm Spectrum OSO Asia. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (tiered subscription model) (4/24)

Trends, laws and technologies are changing at a rapid pace in the gaming industry and AGA Vice President of Communications Holly Wetzel shares her leadership keys as she draws on insight passed to her from AGA President and CEO Frank Fahrenkopf. Check out the G2E Blog for more information and remember to save the date for G2E 2013, taking place Sept. 23-26 (Exhibits: Sept. 24-26) at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas.

Lord Chesterfield,British statesman

MGM Resorts International Chairman and CEO James Murren said MGM's proposed $850 million casino-resort in Springfield, Mass., will rejuvenate the South End neighborhood that was devastated by a tornado in 2011. MGM's project would include a pedestrian bridge to the MassMutual civic center and result in an "outward-facing" mixed-use resort that represents the historic city's recovery from "a variety of challenges," Murren said. The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) (4/22)

As Genting Group prepares to construct a resort at the formerly scrapped Echelon site, other construction in Las Vegas also is pointing to signs of hope for the city's economy. Up to $2 billion will go into hotel-casino refurbishment on the Strip, and another $2.5 billion is planned for the Las Vegas Global Business District, which will include renovating the city's convention center and other offerings. Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model) (4/21)

Hurley, N.Y., Councilman John Dittus has expressed support for a plan to reconstruct the former Nevele resort in Wawarsing into a casino, saying the project holds potential economic benefits for the town. Dittus previously opposed the project but says he was persuaded by presentations made by Michael Treanor, CEO of project developer Claremont, to support the project. Town Board members will soon vote on the proposal. Daily Freeman (Kingston, N.Y.) (4/22)

From hydrotherapy in the private spa penthouse at the Sahra Spa & Hammam at The Cosmopolitan to the detoxifying mud wrap at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, luxury spas in Las Vegas seek to help guests unwind and refresh from their high-octane visits to the city. Others include Caesars Palace's Qua Baths & Spa, known for its Asian bath and foot rituals, and the stress-busting Polynesian treatments at The Spa at Encore. USA Today (4/18)

Majestic Star President and CEO Peter Liguori asked Indiana lawmakers not to revive a provision that revokes local governments' casino tax funds to cover state casino tax credits as a legislative committee works to reach a compromise gaming bill. During a House-Senate committee hearing, Liguori also voiced support for a measure allowing casino boats to move onto land, adding that his company is "ready and prepared" to build a land-based casino that would create jobs in the construction and gaming industries should the provision become law. The Times (Munster-Hammond-Merrillville-Valparaiso, Ind.) (4/22)

Betting exchange operator Betfair turned down the $1.4 billion acquisition offer by CVC Capital Partners, saying the offer was too low and came with too many conditions. "CVC's opening gambit, while not a knockout bid, is not too far away from a valuation that would cause management and investors cause for serious consideration," Peel Hunt analyst Nick Batram said. Reuters (4/22)

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe in Connecticut announced its partnership with Internet gaming provider GameAccount Network in a deal that aims to penetrate the online gaming industry in the U.S. "The parties will initially focus on play-for-fun online gaming opportunities in the U.S., and in the event that legislation is enacted allowing real-money wagering, the parties will utilize GameAccount's cutting edge technology and platform to ensure a safe and fair game for all players," according to the tribe, which owns Foxwoods Resort Casino. The Hartford Courant (Conn.) (4/22)

Templeton Emerging Markets Group Executive Chairman Mark Mobius said that Macau can be "China's premier destination for leisure and entertainment" if casino companies invest more in family entertainment. "We see continued growth in view of the gradual transformation from an emphasis on only gaming to an emphasis on general entertainment for the family," Mobius said in an e-mail. Bloomberg Businessweek (4/23)

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Mignon McLaughlin,American author and journalist

MGM Resorts International and Penn National Gaming are competitively wooing locals of Springfield, Mass., in the hopes of securing a gaming license in the state's fourth-poorest city. Both companies are appealing to the city's economic interests by promising job creation through new entertainment centers in historic downtown buildings. Sponsorships and outreach campaigns by MGM and Penn National to get voter approval have reached "unprecedented" proportions, according to Clyde Barrow, director of the Center for Policy Analysis at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Bloomberg Businessweek (4/21)

New Jersey's Division of Gaming Enforcement will begin allowing casinos in the state to offer fantasy sports betting Monday, though no casino had filed internal controls for such operations as of Friday. Paul Charchian, president of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association, said some casinos are already in talks with fantasy sports organizations. "We know that there are Atlantic City casinos that are following up on the opportunity. Because it's still early, a lot of them are in the decision-making process," Charchian said. The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (4/20)

The Meruelo Group on Friday said that its $20 million purchase of the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City will be postponed after Trump Entertainment Resorts failed "to obtain a release of the mortgage held by their senior secured lender," investor Carl Icahn. Meruelo, which has acquired an option to buy the property from Trump Entertainment once the mortgage is satisfied, said it "remains fully committed to acquiring the Plaza, and [is] focused on becoming a part of the Atlantic City community." The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (4/21)

The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, N.J., is investing $50 million to enhance its retail business, which includes restaurants and shops. "We still have new visitors walking through the door for the first time. There are those who come so often that they've watched the building evolve over the years and are looking for new experiences. That's why we spend so much on our product and maintaining it," said Joe Lupo, Borgata's senior vice president of operations. Philly.com (Philadelphia) (4/21)

The opening of the Finger Lakes Casino and Racetrack in Farmington, N.Y., on April 27 will feature nine races and is expected to add more competition among jockeys. The return to the track of the five-year-old mare and 2012 Finger Lakes' Horse of the Year Clean Jean will be the highlight of the sixth race on Saturday. Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (N.Y.) (tiered subscription model) (4/19)

The Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati is on track to finish construction of an 80-foot sign off Interstate 71 that is intended to guide an expected 6 million visitors to the casino yearly. The casino has been open since March 4. Cincinnati.com (4/20)