Plans for “super-casinos” should be revived as controls are introduced to promote more responsible gambling, a senior figure in London’s gaming industry said today. Roy Ramm, governance and public affairs director at Caesars Entertainment, claimed casinos had improved their standards since the dispute over proposed super-casinos a decade ago. Plans for the giant gaming centres were scrapped by Gordon Brown. Mr Ramm called the current 2005 Gambling Act a “complete failure” that had not delivered casinos to communities that bid for them. The Act allowed new casinos to operate up to 150 slot machines when older ones were limited to…

Nevada has approved a bill to allow gaming equipment manufacturers to add a skill-based, arcade-style element to slot machines in the US state. Proposed by the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM), Senate Bill 9 had already received approval from both legislative houses in the state and has how been passed on to be signed by Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal newspaper, the bill will now enable manufacturers to create slot machines that have an element of skill and other features. The Nevada Gaming Commission will draft regulation to allow the development of technology into…

The Alabama Senate Marketing and Tourism Committee is to vote on a new bill that could lead to the legalisation of lottery and casino gambling in the US state. Put forward by Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, the amendment would create a state-wide lottery and bring casino gaming to the four dog racing tracks in Alabama. The bill would also issue the state’s Governor with the power to negotiate a gambling pact with the Parch Band of Creek Indians. Money from a lottery would be placed in a trust fund while gaming revenue would be taxed at a rate…

Fremont Street Experience Rock of Vegas concert series announces lineup for the summer that will turn the legendary downtown venue into summer’s alternative destination. Celebrating its seventh anniversary, the free concerts have become one of the most popular summertime events in Las Vegas. The free concert series in Downtown Las Vegas will kick off Memorial Day Weekend with KC and The Sunshine Band, and runs through Labor Day Weekend with performances by Kansas and Blue Oyster Cult. Rock of Vegas Summer Concert Series at Fremont Street Experience headliner concerts: May 23 – KC and The Sunshine Band – 3rd Street…

Genting has broken ground in Las Vegas on their Resorts World complex that is slated to cost anywhere from $4 billion to $7 billion and completed in 2018. The new resort which will sit on the site of the former Stardust casino on the strip will cover 88 acres and have 3,500 hotel rooms, a 4,000 seat outdoor amphitheater and shopping mall and possibly even a panda enclosure. KT Lim, chairman and CEO of Genting Group, said the new sprawling complex would showcase the best of China past and present. The CEO was at the ceremonial ground breaking event in…

US casino and racetrack operator Penn National Gaming has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Tropicana Las Vegas Casino and Hotel for $360 million (€323.5 million). Penn said that it intends to fund the acquisition of the Nevada land-based facility through an expansion of its existing credit facilities and cash in hand. Located on a 35-acre land parcel at the corner of Tropicana Boulevard and Las Vegas Boulevard, the Tropicana boasts a 50,000 square foot casino as well as more than 1,000 gaming positions and a sports book. The transaction and credit facility expansions remain subject to regulatory…

US operator Caesars Acquisition Company has said that its Caesars Interactive Entertainment business unit was able to achieve “impressive” results during the three months through to March 31. Net revenue generated by the Caesars Interactive division amounted to $176.6 million (€156.2 million) in the first quarter, which represents an increase of 42.2% on the $124.2 million posted in the same period last year. Income from operations rocketed by 666% to $40.6 million while net income from continuing operations also shot up by 992% to $27.3 million. In addition, adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) grew by 101.3%…

Japan has taken a step closer to introducing a legalised gambling market after a bill to allow the opening of casino-based Integrated Resorts was submitted to the country’s parliament. According to the PokerNews.com website, if approved the bill could lead to the creation of one of the world’s largest gambling markets, third only behind Macau and the US. The bill has gained support from a number of political parties in the country and is expected to be both discussed and passed by August – when the current parliament ends. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has also voiced his backing for…