On July 8th, just before the 2015 WSOP, it was reported in Las Vegas that last years Main Event World Series of Poker winner will not have the chance to defend his title this year, but there is no shortage of pro poker players and some celebrities that will be trying to win the $7.68 million top prize. There were 4,371 card players in total that were still in the no limit Texas Hold’em tournament at the beginning of the second session on Wednesday. The tournament officials declared that the prize pool of $60.3 million would be split between the…

Atlantic City’s efforts to recapture some of the tourism dollars it has lost to casino competition in recent years finally appear to be working. Nine years ago, the city’s casinos started realizing they needed to offer more than just gambling if they still wanted visitors. They doubled down on expensive investments like additional hotel towers, restaurants, swimming pools, spas, shopping, nightclubs and concert venues. Now, cash sales at non-gambling outlets within casinos represent 28.5 percent of revenue, up from 22.3 percent two years ago, and bars have increased their payrolls by nearly 39 percent in the past two years, according…

At first glance, it appeared the Greece financial crisis had dipped into the country’s lottery network. Instead, the Greek company that operates the nation’s lottery implemented what one analyst called “a hard-nosed negotiation tactic” to extract more favorable contract terms after Greece’s Hellenic Gaming Commission announced new lottery industry regulations. But the move hits the bottom lines of Nevada’s two largest slot machine manufacturers, costing Scientific Games Corp., and International Game Technology millions of dollars in revenue and cash flow. “These were sizable business opportunities for both IGT and Scientific Games,” said Eilers Research principal Todd Eilers. Ultimately, Eilers expects…

Casino operator MGM Resorts International wants to build a $1b gaming venue in Atlanta, but serious obstacles remain. On Wednesday, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported that MGM was scouting suitable locations in downtown Atlanta for a complex that would feature a casino, a luxury hotel, a live entertainment venue and other non-gaming amenities. MGM spokesman Clark Dumont cautioned that MGM’s plans were only in “the very preliminary stages” but the company viewed Atlanta as a “beautiful market.” The market may be beautiful but it’s also completely inhospitable, as Georgia is one of a handful of US states that have yet…

The Grosvenor Casino, located on Osborne Road in Southsea, is reportedly closing August 9, 2015. A post on Wednesday June 24, 2015 indicated  the Portsmouth casino may be shutting down. The news was confirmed on insidermedia Friday. When the casino closes 50 people will lose their jobs. These workers are encouraged to apply at other casinos the company owns, including the Gunwharf Quays location (pictured). A Rank Group  spokesman said: “We never take the decision to close a club lightly, but after careful consideration we have taken the decision to close our Osborne Road casino with effect from the 9th August. “We…

There apparently is nothing in Illinois’ gambling law that prohibits video gambling malls — a concept that may place as many as nine independently operated “casino cafes” in one location in the Southland. I mentioned in a previous column that the mayors of two suburbs are ready to welcome with open arms the idea of converting two strip malls in their towns. Crestwood Mayor Lou Presta and Hometown Mayor Kevin Casey have discussed the plans with developers, who want to lease the storefronts to multiple owners of gambling cafes. The businesses resemble coffee shops but serve liquor and are each…