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December 7, 2012

Gaming News By the Industry, For the Industry

Top of the Deck

Maryland casinos authorized to operate 24 hours starting Dec. 27
Casinos in Maryland will be able to stay open 24 hours a day starting Dec. 27 as a result of the passage of a ballot initiative in support of expansion of gambling in the state. Stephen Martino, executive director of the Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, said the casinos' hours extension requests will be considered next week. The Washington Post (12/6)

Industry Update

Report: PokerStars is discussing deal to acquire Atlantic Club
PokerStars, which hopes to operate online poker games in New Jersey, should laws change to allow it, is in talks to buy the Atlantic Club Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, according to sources familiar with the deal. The transaction depends in part on whether the state legislature passes a bill legalizing online gambling, which could happen by year's end. The Wall Street Journal (12/6)

Penn National to reveal more details of Springfield, Mass., casino plan
Eric Schippers, senior vice president of public relations for Penn National Gaming, said the company would unveil additional details of its $807 million casino proposal for Springfield, Mass., during a public forum starting Tuesday. The site for the planned gaming facility includes the station of Peter A. Picknelly's Peter Pan Bus Lines, a building owned by a newspaper company and other pieces of land owned by Penn National and Picknelly. The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) (12/6)

Genting to wait for Florida legislature to legalize casinos
Genting, which hopes to build a gambling resort in Florida, plans to wait for the state to legalize Las Vegas-style casinos instead of winning approval from state voters for its plan during the 2014 election. "It just makes absolute sense to work with the House and Senate in a collaborative way," said Genting lobbyist Brian Ballard. Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) (12/6)

Z Capital initially deemed suitable to increase stake in Affinity Gaming
The Nevada Gaming Control Board has initially found Z Capital suitable to increase its ownership in Affinity Gaming. Last month, the Illinois-based firm, which is the largest shareholder of Affinity, announced a plan to increase its stake in the company to about 33%. Las Vegas Review-Journal (12/6)

Issues, Trends & Technology

N.J. ponders permanent casino gambling outside Atlantic City
Proponents of a plan to bring temporary casinos to New Jersey's Meadowlands Racetrack are favoring a new plan to allow permanent gambling at the site and in other areas outside Atlantic City. "If we're going to do a referendum, we want to have it be more comprehensive than just a pop-up casino," Assemblyman Ruben Ramos Jr. said. The Washington Post/The Associated Press (12/6)

Holyoke, Mass., officials to create separate casino committees
Holyoke, Mass., Mayor Alex B. Morse and the City Council are preparing to form separate committees to help officials review casino projects proposed for the city. "I think the community committee is going to be important no matter what happens. I want to give them a voice," Morse said. Holyoke has been informed of casino proposals from Charles J. Petitti, Paper City Development and local businessman Eric Suher. The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) (12/6)

Tribal Gaming Spotlight

Snoqualmie Tribe plans to add 20-story hotel to casino
The Snoqualmie Tribe of Washington state hopes to add a 20-story hotel to its casino as part of an expansion plan for the gaming facility. "As a local citizen, the Snoqualmie Tribe has contributed more than $3 million to (Snoqualmie) Valley communities since opening its casino in late 2008. ... Responsibly expanding the casino resort will allow the tribe to further invest in the Snoqualmie Valley communities, its citizens and the protection of its sacred places," the tribe said in a written statement. The Seattle Times (12/6)

AGA & G2E News

Advice for the New Year
In the most recent Global Gaming Women column in Global Gaming Business magazine, Eileen Moore, regional president and general manager for Caesars Entertainment Corporation, talks about the value of taking time during this season to reflect upon and celebrate the past year's successes and plan for the year to come. Read her entire column here.

Check out G2E 2012 highlights on YouTube and don't forget to follow G2E on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
Be sure to check out 2012 video highlights and interviews from the show floor on YouTube, and www.globalgamingexpo.com. You won't want to miss these videos -- they are one of a kind and will leave you smiling and informed! Then, see how G2E is preparing for 2013 and find out what's going on in the gaming industry today by connecting with G2E on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

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British brewer, philanthropist, writer and legislator

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