Top of the Deck

• 6 groups submit license applications for Philadelphia casino
  Six groups have submitted applications for the license to build Philadelphia's second casino, according to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. The six applications include bids from Wynn Resorts, developer Bart Blatstein and an unexpected one from PHL Local Gaming. KYW-TV (Philadelphia) (11/16)     

Industry Update

• Customers' demands drive some Pa. casinos to remodel
  Some casinos in Pennsylvania aiming to cater to customers' demands are being remodeled into destination resorts matching properties in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. "Customers in our industry want the culinary experience, the shopping, the nightlife, the entertainment -- the whole package," said Robert DeSalvio, president of Bethlehem's Sands Casino Resort. Sands has been expanded to include a hotel, an events center and a shopping complex. Meanwhile, the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs casino is building a new hotel tower, while the Mount Airy Casino plans to build a $5 million pool complex. The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) (11/18)     

• October revenue from Pa. table games increased 4.2%
  Table games revenue in Pennsylvania rose 4.2% to $55.3 million in October, compared with revenues in the same month last year, according to the state Gaming Control Board. Gaming board spokesman Richard McGarvey said a higher revenue from table games would have been recorded if not for Hurricane Sandy. Revenue from the Valley Forge Casino Resort, which opened in March, helped boost the state's gaming revenues. CNBC/The Associated Press (11/16)     

• Sands' Pa. casino plans table games expansion
  Pennsylvania's Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem has submitted an application to the state Gaming Control Board for its plan to install 31 additional game tables, reaching a total of 183. "Based on the exceptional demand for table games at the Sands, the Sands hereby requests this board to approve the instant gaming floor reconfiguration," Sands attorney Holly L. Eicher wrote in the casino's application. According to the application, the gaming facility would hire another 107 employees if the plan is approved. The Morning Call (Allentown, Pa.) (11/16)     

• Developer affirms commitment to build Pa. racino project
  Endeka Entertainment, developer of the proposed Valley View Downs racetrack and casino in Mahoning Township, Pa., does not consider missing an upcoming deadline for applying for a casino license to be a hurdle for the project. Endeka representative Anton Leppler said the company has no timeline for filing a casino license application, but that the company remains dedicated to building the casino project. Beaver County Times (Pa.) (11/19)     

Issues, Trends & Technology

• Las Vegas casino operators' environmental efforts commended
  Several casino operators in Las Vegas, including MGM Resorts International and Las Vegas Sands, have been ranked highly in recent corporate environmental responsibility reports. "Thanks to the hard work of our global teams, we implemented more than 140 sustainability initiatives and around 50 efficiency projects this year alone," said Katarina Tesarova, Las Vegas Sands' executive director of sustainability. In addition, several casino companies, including Wynn Resorts and Caesars Entertainment, were recognized by the Human Rights Campaign for their efforts in workplace diversity. VegasInc.com (Las Vegas) (11/17)     

Industry Voices

Tribal Gaming Spotlight

• Calif. governor signs new compact with Red Hawk Casino owners
  California Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a new casino agreement with the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, which owns the Red Hawk Casino in Shingle Springs, Calif. "The compact is designed to address fiscal challenges the tribe has faced and to meet the requirements of federal law that the tribe be the primary beneficiary of its gaming operation," according to an announcement from the governor's office. Under the agreement, the tribe must reorganize its debts with bondholders and Lakes Entertainment, which manages the casino. The Sacramento Bee (Calif.) (free registration) (11/17)     

Hot Topics

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

• 6 developers express interest in Philadelphia casino license (The Philadelphia Inquirer)

• Students learn casino management in depth at UNLV gaming lab (Las Vegas Sun)

• Bally makes changes to executive lineup (VegasInc.com (Las Vegas))

• Penn National discloses plan to establish casino REIT (Bloomberg)

• Station Casinos will acquire majority stake in Fertitta Interactive (VegasInc.com (Las Vegas))

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

Finance & Policy

• Supporters are optimistic about casino with N.H. governor's election
  Proponents of gambling expansion in New Hampshire are optimistic that casino legislation will have statehouse backing with the election of Democrat Maggie Hassan. "It's a new era. It's a new start. Hopefully it's time for a new idea on the concept," said Jerry Gappens, an executive with New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Laconia. Marc Goldberg, a spokesman for the governor-elect, said Hassan supports allowing a high-end casino in the state as a new source of revenue and for the creation of jobs. "She believes that New Hampshire can develop a casino plan that will protect our brand as a family friendly state with a great outdoor economy," Goldberg said. The Boston Globe/The Associated Press (tiered subscription model) (11/18)     

AGA & G2E News

• Use social media to keep up with the AGA
  If you are looking for up-to-the-minute information about AGA activities and news from the gaming industry across the country, look no further than the AGA's Twitter feed and Facebook page. Follow the AGA on Twitter or like the AGA on Facebook so that you don't miss the latest news. Connect with the AGA today!     

• Gain access to gaming's hottest markets: Exhibit space still available for G2E Asia 2013!
  With Asia now representing the industry's two highest grossing markets, Macau and Singapore, and with new projects under way in the Philippines, Vietnam, Korea and more, there's no better time or place to introduce your products and services than G2E Asia 2013. Taking place May 21-23 at the Venetian Macao, next year's show features a newly designed floor plan aimed at maximizing exposure for all companies, as well as many new advertising opportunities. For more information, contact Todd Sheahan in the United States at +1-203-840-5397 or by e-mail, or Lay Eng See in China at +86 21 2231 7028 or by e-mail.     

SmartQuote

Nothing is too small to know, and nothing is too big to attempt." --William Cornelius Van Horne, Canadian railway executive