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February 15, 2013

Gaming News By the Industry, For the Industry

Top of the Deck

Mass. commission announces dates for awarding gaming licenses
Stephen P. Crosby, chairman of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, said the panel would award two casino licenses in February and March early next year and the single slots parlor license by September or October. "Everybody wants us to move faster. We want to move faster. We want the money to start rolling," Crosby said. The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) (2/14)

Industry Update

Calif. company is acquiring Atlantic City, N.J.'s, Trump Plaza
Meruelo Group, a company based in California, is purchasing the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, N.J., for $20 million. "Suffice to say, we are firmly committed to the property and we are firmly committed to the city. We are excited about making a mark and an investment in the property," said Xavier Gutierrez, president and chief investment officer of Meruelo. The company expects to close on the acquisition by May 31. The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (2/15)

Trevor Scherrer named new president of The Mirage
MGM Resorts International has appointed Trevor Scherrer to replace Felix Rappaport as president of The Mirage. Scherrer, who has served as executive vice president of operations for The Mirage, will oversee improvements at the casino hotel this year. Las Vegas Review-Journal (2/14)

Rocky Gap resort in Md. to hold job fair
The Rocky Gap Lodge & Golf Resort near Cumberland, Md., is planning a job fair for Feb. 23 in an effort to fill 250 positions. The casino, which is expected to open in the spring, will house about 550 slot machines and 10 table games. The Baltimore Sun/Follow the Money blog (2/14)

Issues, Trends & Technology

Some good hotels come in small packages in Las Vegas
Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon in Las Vegas is a good example of how hotel developers are downsizing their projects in the city, this feature says. The site will be transformed into a boutique hotel and casino with a club and a rooftop pool. Downsizing is "making it easier for companies to capitalize on the emerging trend that has folks wanting more personalized, bespoke experiences," writes Glenn Haussman. Hotel Interactive (2/13)

Tribal Gaming Spotlight

Santee Sioux to officially open new Ohiya Casino
The Santee Sioux Nation is holding a grand opening event today for its new Ohiya Casino in Niobrara, Neb. The tribe faced some legal hurdles in completing the casino project. "So, when we opened up these doors and opened up our grand entry Friday at 1 o'clock, it's going to be an emotional scene because of the struggles that we had to go through as a tribe," said Rick Thomas, the Santee Sioux Nation's tribal historic preservation officer. KTIV-TV (Sioux City, Iowa) (2/14)

International Focus

Macau sees increase in Chinese New Year visitors
Data from Macau government's tourist office shows that the number of visitors from mainland China to Macau grew 36% from the previous year on the third day of the holiday week, which began on Feb. 10. "As we've walked casino floors over the past 24 hours, it has been clear to us that casinos are experiencing record levels of customers," Union Gaming analyst Grant Govertsen said. Bloomberg Businessweek (2/14)

Finance & Policy

Indiana Senate committee advances casino legislation
The Indiana Senate Appropriations Committee has voted to approve a bill that would permit the state's riverboat casinos to move onto land, cut their taxes and allow some table games at horse tracks. The state's gaming industry says the new regulations would help increase casino business and state revenues. WFPL-FM (Louisville, Ky.) (2/14)

Governor calls for casino legalization in N.H.
New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan, who included gaming licensing fees in her two-year state budget, has called on state lawmakers to support the legalization of one casino in the state. "We must develop strategies for a long-term solution, for both operations and road construction, and we must do it together, working toward a consensus solution," Hassan said. Portland Press Herald (Maine)/The Associated Press (2/14)

AGA & G2E News

Responsible gaming training for gaming employees from the NCRG
Employee training is a key element of any successful responsible gaming program, and EMERGE, a groundbreaking online training program developed by scientists at Harvard Medical School, is the solution to all your training needs. EMERGE is ideal for all levels of employees, and its web-based design requires no special software or equipment. Learn more about how EMERGE can help your employees succeed.

G2E Asia 2013 exhibitor spotlight: Ideemaxe Creative Co.
Ideemaxe Creative Co. can assist in the design and production of 24kt gold-plated or silver-plated additions to any alloy, electroforming crafts for gift-item promotion with the same effect and appearance as traditional electroforming products. Ideemaxe can even help with crystal items. For more information on Ideemaxe, please visit www.ideemaxe.com. Ideemaxe Creative Co. will exhibit at G2E Asia 2013 May 21-23 at The Venetian Macao.

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If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal. Not to people or things."

--Albert Einstein,
German-born theoretical physicist

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