California’s Tribes denounce Internet gambling cafes

From Daily News – The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department recently raided several illegal Internet gambling operations in the city of Carson that have created blight in the community and a public safety hazard for its residents. These unlawful enterprises are proliferating communities across the state. “Internet Sweepstakes Cafés” are criminal gambling operations that run computer casino games like video slots and video poker, which can only be legally played in California with a state license. Customers can win cash prizes and redeem their winnings at each facility. However, despite the fact the state has declared these organizations “illegal gambling…

Sands China Profit Triples

From Business Week – Sands China Ltd. (1928), the Macau casino operator controlled by billionaire Sheldon Adelson, said second-quarter profit more than tripled as it added gambling tables and hotel rooms to draw more visitors. Net income for the Hong Kong-listed unit of Las Vegas Sands Corp. increased to $487.6 million from $160.5 million a year earlier, according to its parent’s filing in U.S. GAAP standard today. Revenue climbed 40 percent to $2.07 billion from $1.48 billion. Sands China, Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd. (27) and Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd. (MPEL:US) have been expanding on the Cotai Strip, a piece of…

Fremont Street in Vegas

Fremont Street “SlotZilla” Zipline Open Pushed Back

The towering SlotZilla zipline project in downtown Las Vegas has been pushed back to a fall opening. According to Fremont Street Experience spokesperson Thomas Bruny, the project is taking longer to build than anticipated. SlotZilla was slated for a summer opening. An exact date for the opening was not yet determined. Plans for the zipline project calls for a 12-story, slot-machine-themed, two level thrill ride situated near Las Vegas Boulevard and Fremont Street. Riders on the upper Zoomline will take off 110 feet above the ground and, lying flat on a harness, zoom 1,700 feet through and under the Fremont…

Tribal leaders commend bipartisan vote

From Herald Online – The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Gila River Indian Community, the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation and the Pueblo of Zuni applaud the bipartisan action of the U.S. House National Resources Committee who, today, approved H.R. 1410, the Keep the Promise Act. By a vote of 35 to 5 the Committee acted swiftly to reaffirm the commitments made to Arizona residents who voted “yes” on Proposition 202 — the Indian Gaming Preservation and Self-Reliance Act of 2002. Importantly, the action of the Congressional committee clears the way for the legislation to be considered by the full body of…

Macau casinos should appeal to mass market

From Macau Daily Times – Despite the Macao Monetary Authority’s earlier revelation that the VIP segment is losing its share to the mass market, the Chief Executive Officer of SJM (Sociedade de Jogos de Macau) pointed out that the transition to the mass gaming market is a trend. Speaking on the sidelines of a graduation ceremony, veteran casino operator and SJM CEO Dr. Ambrose So said that local economic growth could not be judged based on the figures of the past few months alone. Instead, he is optimistic about development prospects in the long run. The Monetary Authority stated in…

Record revenues for US Indian gaming industry

From iGaming Business – Tracie Stevens, chairwoman of the National Indian Gaming Commission in the United States, has revealed that the Indian gaming industry generated record total turnover of $27.9bn (€21.1bn) in 2012. The figures represent the third consecutive year of growth for the industry. “In 2012, the Indian gaming industry saw its largest gross gaming revenues ever,” Stevens said. “For those who judge casino spending as an indicator of increased discretionary spending and economic recovery, 2012 revenues certainly display economic encouragement.” The gross gaming revenues of $27.9bn represented a 2.7% increase on $27.2bn in 2011. The organisation’s associate commissioner,…