Top of the Deck

• Nevada casinos report revenue increase for 2012
  Nevada casinos took in revenues of $10.86 billion in 2012, compared with $10.7 billion in 2011. Gaming revenues on the Strip rose 2.3% to $6.2 billion in 2012 from $6 billion in the previous year. "We are slowly increasing revenues. We are still 15.5 percent below the peak in 2007, but we are gradually moving in the right direction," Nevada Gaming Control Board senior research analyst Michael Lawton said. Las Vegas Review-Journal (2/9)     

Industry Update

• Foxwoods partners with developer on proposed Milford, Mass., casino
  Foxwoods Resort Casino has agreed to partner with developer David Nunes on a proposed casino project in Milford, Mass. "We feel strongly that we're the best option, in terms of our expertise in this area, the quality of our site and what we'll do," said Foxwoods CEO Scott Butera, who added that the company would serve as a stakeholder, "full partner" and operator of the casino resort should the project obtain a license. The Boston Globe (tiered subscription model) (2/10)     

• Mass. commission head expects busy year for casino companies
  Stephen P. Crosby, chairman of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, said this year would be a critical period for casino companies competing to win a gaming license in the state. "It's going to be a busy year ... filled with aggressive competition," said Crosby. Eleven companies seeking to build three casinos and a slots-only facility in the state met the Jan. 15 deadline for submission of casino license applications with a $400,000 fee. The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) (2/10)     

• Atlantic City's Borgata plans to spend $25 million for renovation
  Tom Ballance, the new president of the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, said no major management changes are planned for the casino. However, Borgata plans to spend about $25 million this year to install an additional 400 slot machines and improve its hotel, nightclub and public restrooms. The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (2/10)     

• Las Vegas welcomed 39.7 million visitors in 2012
  The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority said last week that visits to Las Vegas were up 2.8% in December versus December 2011 and that 39.7 million people visited the city in 2012. "All in, December was a solid month on the Las Vegas Strip. That said, we think the mix shift of customers needs to change before we see a meaningful pickup in gaming and outside-the-room spending," said Bill Lerner, a Union Gaming analyst. VegasInc.com (Las Vegas) (2/8)     

Industry Voices

iGaming

• Supporters express optimism on passage of N.J. online gambling bill
  Casino executives and some lawmakers in New Jersey have expressed optimism on the passage of a revised Internet gambling bill after Gov. Chris Christie conditionally vetoed legislation last week that would allow online gambling in the state. "We are confident that with the governor's recommended changes and New Jersey's longstanding commitment to the highest standards of integrity, this legislation will expand the ways in which customers can interact with us," Caesars Entertainment executive vice president Jan Jones said. The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (2/10)     

Tribal Gaming Spotlight

• Catawba tribe head continues push for casino in S.C.
  Catawba Indian Nation Chief Bill Harris said the tribe's proposal to build a casino in South Carolina is still on the table. Harris says the proposed gaming facility could help lift the state's tax revenues and help pay for state and tribal initiatives. The Augusta Chronicle (Ga.)/The Associated Press (2/9)     

International Focus

• Las Vegas Sands selects Alcorcón, Spain, as site of "EuroVegas"
  Las Vegas Sands has announced that it will build a planned $29.5 billion casino-resort complex in Alcorcón, Spain, near Madrid. The "EuroVegas" project could include up to six casinos, golf courses and theaters. The first phase of construction is expected to be completed in 2017. Bloomberg Businessweek (2/8)     

Hot Topics

Top five news stories selected by AGA SmartBrief a G2E production readers in the past week.

• Caesars says it may sell a stake in online business, 2 casinos (Bloomberg Businessweek)

• Nev. governor wants swift approval of interstate online gambling bill (Las Vegas Sun)

• N.J. governor conditionally vetoes online gambling bill (The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.))

• Navajo Nation to open new Ariz. casino in May (The Arizona Daily Sun (Flagstaff))

• Nobu Hotel Restaurant and Lounge makes its debut in Las Vegas (SeattlePI.com)

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

AGA & G2E News

• Find economic impact data on state and county levels
  The AGA used the data from its comprehensive study of the impact of the commercial casino industry to create an interactive map that allows users to explore state- and county-level economic impacts throughout the country. Visit the "Beyond the Casino Floor" section of the AGA website to check out the interactive map.     

• G2E Asia 2013 exhibitor spotlight: International Masters of Gaming Law
  The International Masters of Gaming Law is a nonprofit association of gaming attorneys, regulators, educators, executives, compliance officers and consultants from around the world who are dedicated to education and the exchange of professional information concerning all aspects of gaming law. IMGL membership consists of more than 275 members in 36 countries as well as members in 33 states and territories in the United States. For more information on IMGL, please visit www.GamingLawMasters.com. International Masters of Gaming Law will exhibit at G2E Asia 2013 May 21-23 at The Venetian Macao.     

SmartQuote

The only man I know who behaves sensibly is my tailor; he takes my measurements anew each time he sees me. ... The rest go on with their old measurements and expect me to fit them." --George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright