Daily Archives: January 3, 2022

As CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc., I have been deeply involved in the Keep the Money in Nebraska campaign, which was successful in getting Nebraska voters to authorize expanded gaming at Nebraskas existing six horse tracks.

The existing tracks are located at Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, South Sioux City, Columbus and Hastings. A big part of the campaign messaging was that tying the expansion to the horse tracks was going to be a limited and rational approach to gaming expansion in Nebraska.

Our plan was simple: We would build a few strong casinos at the states existing tracks and use some of the gambling proceeds to support more horse races with stronger purses. This would be an economic and tax boost for the state and the cities where the tracks were located. The operations would also bring back to Nebraska some of the gaming revenue lost to surrounding states. In addition, the expanded horse racing would also be an added income source for rural Nebraska because the horses will need to be bred, fed and trained.

Casino gambling is legal in every state that touches Nebraska. Since we are very late to the gaming party, we are going to need to come out strong with large-scale, amenity-rich facilities to compete with the surrounding states. The Iowa casinos in Council Bluffs are certainly not going to just roll over. They are run by international gaming corporations with very deep pockets. Ho-Chunk Inc. intends to invest more than $500 million in Omaha and Lincoln alone. I believe the WarHorse Lincoln facility will be the largest single real estate project in Lincolns history.

There is a problem, though. Earlier this year, several new tracks were proposed. At some point, a few tracks might make sense in areas of the state that dont have any representation, but tracks proposed in Bellevue and York are problematic for several reasons.

The big three tracks are in Omaha, Lincoln and Grand Island. These are tracks that have kept the racing industry alive and are the tracks that will lead the revival of the industry. It is important to understand that these tracks are owned by benevolent horse associations, not individuals or large corporations.

Individually owned tracks proposed in Bellevue and York are just opportunists trying to get a free ride on the hard work of the existing tracks. If new horse tracks are built in those cities, it will greatly diminish the gaming revenue at the big three tracks. If the market is divided into small slices, the existing tracks will then have to scale back before they even have started construction. These smaller facilities will have trouble competing with the casinos in Iowa and other surrounding states, which will defeat one of the original premises of the Keep the Money in Nebraska campaign.

I realize I run a company with the rights to develop three of the largest markets in Nebraska, however, I think simple economics supports my approach. We need to be strategic when considering expansion. We need to allow the long-suffering existing tracks to build and stabilize their gaming operations. We should then examine what parts of the state might benefit from one or two more facilities without cannibalizing and weakening existing facilities.

Iowa has taken a very calculated approach to expansion. Iowa has conducted several economic studies over the years and the two primary factors in expansion are preventing cannibalization of existing facilities and whether the new facilities could attract customers from surrounding states, like Nebraska.

As a Husker fan, I have trouble writing this next part, but I believe Nebraska needs to follow a similar approach as Iowa, which limits unwise, unwarranted and unwanted gaming expansion. Casinos in Iowa almost killed horse racing in Nebraska. If we are not careful with gaming expansion, we might kill horse racing again before it even starts.

Lance Morgan is a member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and the CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc. He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Harvard Law School.

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OTHER VOICES: Nebraska must be smart about what casino operations it allows - Sioux City Journal

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. Atlantic Citys casinos are forging ahead with ambitious new projects in 2022, even as the coronavirus pandemic continues to make it harder to do business.

And noncasino projects involving family entertainment, education and the offshore wind industry will take flight in the new year.

But challenges lurk, as well.

In-person gambling revenue at seven of the nine casinos is down compared with 2019, before the pandemic hit. Sports betting and internet gambling revenue has filled some of the gap, but that money must be shared with third parties, including technology platforms and sports books, and is not solely for the casinos to keep.

A law passed signed by Gov. Phil Murphy in December gives the casinos some relief from big increases in payments they were due to pay to Atlantic City, Atlantic County and the schools system in lieu of property taxes.

A big unknown is how long and how seriously the COVID-19 pandemic, and particularly the fast-spreading omicron variant, will affect customers willingness to come out and gamble in person in 2022.

And a big challenge is right around the corner when New York begins allowing people to bet on phones or other mobile devices anywhere in the state, as soon as January but almost certainly in time for the Super Bowl in February.

Gambling industry executives and analysts expect New Jersey to lose at least 20 percent of its sports betting volume as New York residents who formerly had to cross over into New Jersey to bet will be able to do it at or close to home.

Mark Giannantonio, president of Resorts casino, said he is tremendously optimistic for a great year in 2022.

Starting in February, Resorts is renovating its rooftop pool, adding a retractable roof to enable it to be used year-round. Resorts also is investing $5 million into new table games and slot machines, remodeling its high-limit slots area, and creating a new VIP Asian-themed room.

The Ocean Casino Resort plans to begin a $75 million project in spring or summer to finish 12 floors of hotel rooms that were never completed when the casino first opened as Revel in 2012.

Caesars casino will start work in 2022 on a new theater and resident show due to open in the first quarter of 2023. The project will incorporate the facade of the former Warner Theatre from 1929, which is currently part of the casinos exterior facing the Boardwalk.

Also planned for Caesars in 2022 is a new restaurant opened by a hospitality company involving actor Robert De Niro that also will renovate hotel rooms there. Caesars Entertainment is partnering with Nobu Hospitality for a project to be called Nobu Hotel Atlantic City.

Ballys will unveil 750 renovated hotel rooms, a redone hotel lobby and bar, and an indoor-outdoor entertainment venue in 2022.

A $100 million indoor water park to be built next to the former Showboat casino, which now operates as a nongambling hotel, plans a ground breaking for early 2022.

Atlantic City will host a three-day country music concert on the beach in August headlined by Luke Bryan and Morgan Wallen.

Construction is to begin in 2022 on a new ShopRite supermarket in Atlantic City, designed to end the citys status as a food desert without a major supermarket. The project should open in 2023.

Stockton University hopes to complete a new student residence hall in the city in 2022.

Atlantic City will play a big role in the burgeoning offshore wind energy industry. Atlantic Cape Community College plans to open a wind energy workforce training center on its city campus in the fall, and wind developer Orsted hopes to start work in 2022 on a maintenance and operations center in Atlantic City to support its offshore wind projects in the area.

And a plan that has gotten little attention outside of Atlantic City but which will affect most visitors to the city is due to begin in 2022.

The city plans to reduce Atlantic Avenue, one of its two main north-south thoroughfares, from two lanes in each direction to one lane in each direction, in the name of pedestrian safety.

But many residents and businesses oppose the plan, predicting that traffic that is already difficult to navigate under current conditions will become even worse with only one lane in each direction.

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Atlantic City casinos betting new investments will pay off - Press Herald

The state law prevents entertainment venues ranging in size from 1,000 to 3,500 seats from being built in casinos. But Wynn plans to build the venue across the street from the Encore property and bring in a separate business, most likely Big Night Entertainment Group, to operate it. And Wynn says the venue will operate without a subsidy from the casino.

Mid-sized theater businesses still fret they will face unfair competition, particularly after Wynn held some shows in the casino ballroom before the pandemic began.

We thought we had addressed this early on when they passed the legislation, said Troy Siebels, president of the 2,300-seat Hanover Theatre in Worcester. Perhaps its not technically in the casino law but it still seems pretty clear that its not in the spirit of the legislation. It seems like a way to skirt the rules.

Siebels said he plans to write a letter to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission by January, to convey his concerns. Many major cities in the state such as Lynn, Lowell, and New Bedford have flagship theaters similar to his that could be affected, Siebels said.

Bill Blumenreich, a promoter who runs the 1,100-seat Wilbur in Boston and the 1,875-seat Chevalier in Medford, said he is consulting with an attorney about what steps he should take next. He attended a planning commission meeting in Everett earlier this month to raise his objections to city officials.

I dont think it will stand up in court, Blumenreich said. The city of Medford and myself are considering hiring a lawyer who is going to protect our rights and make sure the Encore is following the law.

Executives at Wynn and Big Night who are in final discussions about operating the new venue say the theater operators are overreacting. Michael Weaver, spokesman for Las Vegas-based Wynn Resorts, said the events center in Everett would be leased to Big Night, which would run it as a for-profit operation financially independent of the casino.

It is our expectation that Big Night will operate the venue based on the same financial metrics it uses to operate all of its local venues, Weaver said in a statement, and will make programming decisions according to what it believes will be both popular and profitable for itself.

In a separate statement, Big Night partner Ed Kane emphasized the proposed venues independence from Wynn.

The community of Everett has been deprived of an independent event space for decades, Kane said. This is an opportunity for Everett to enjoy a first-class, multi-use, independently managed facility of its own.

The prospect of new competition comes at a tough time for the live event industry, as venues try to recover from a year-plus-long shutdown due to COVID-19.

Coronavirus cases are surging, and shows are starting to be postponed again. And local operators received relatively little aid in the $4 billion stimulus package recently approved by state lawmakers. In particular, the theater industry sought to create a pilot program for new tax credits for big-budget theatrical productions but did not succeed.

There are several ... historic venues that already exist in a very competitive market, said Erica Lynn Schwartz, a vice president with Ambassador Theatre Group, which runs the Emerson Colonial Theatre in Boston. Especially coming out of the pandemic, it is very difficult to understand how another venue is needed when the already established venues who mean so much to their communities need to thrive.

Boch Center chief executive Joe Spaulding said hes also somewhat worried, and he already has a business relationship with Wynn the casino company is one of the Boch Centers lead sponsors and helps underwrite some of the centers community work. Spaulding said he has already conveyed his concerns to Wynn management. He also has reason to hope the new facility wont hurt the Boch Center, which runs the Wang and Shubert theaters in Boston: From what he can tell, the layout of the Everett venue will be geared more for trade shows than for concerts.

Im hopeful to work with Ed on some shows, Spaulding said, so rather than hurting each other, were helping each other.

Jon Chesto can be reached at jon.chesto@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @jonchesto.

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Could a concert venue across the street from the Encore Casino hurt Boston-area theaters? - BetaBoston

As 2021 comes to a close, The Starlooksback at stories that most interested readers.

By reviewing the number of pageviews at ShelbyStar.com, heres a look back of the good and the bad that happened in Cleveland County this year:

More: Get a glimpse of the Catawba Two Kings Casino

The Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain has been the talk of the regionfor years. As the opening of the temporary gambling spacesneared, readers couldnt wait to know more.

Ahead of the July 1 opening, The Star shared all there was to know to prepare people for their visit to the prelaunch site at538 Kings Mountain Blvd.

A second story with photos from inside the casino also tempted readers as they readied to try out the slots.The articles placed twice in our top 10 read of the year.

More: Chick-fil-A to be closed for about two months

The constant lineof carswrapped around the Chick-fil-A on East Dixon Boulevard in Shelby makes it clear that residents want their nuggets and waffle fries.And so does the number of readers who wanted all the details about the location closing for renovations.

The popular restaurant closed in January to make upgrades and reopened tohungry customers a couple of months later.

Shelbys other Chick-fil-A location in Cleveland Mall also closed for renovations in 2020.

More: Kings Mountain plant closing, 379 workers to lose jobs

In the spring,ABB-Baldor in Kings Mountainannounced it would be closing its doors.

ABB-Baldorattributed the closure to negative market conditions in oil, gas and mining industries, as well as overlap between the functions of the Kings Mountain plant and other company factories.

More than 350 employees were expected to lose their jobs.

Since 1983 ABB of Kings Mountain has manufactured large industrial electric motors. The plant was one of two ABB-Baldor locations in Cleveland County. The company closed its Shelby location in 2020.

More: "The most well-fed homeless cat" in Shelby: Uptown says goodbye to the coolest cat in town

When prominent members of the community pass away,friends and family find ways to remember them.

When a familiar feline died last summer in Shelby,AA United Cab Co. crematedhim and put a placard on a bench in uptown.

Blackie the cat made Shelby streets his home and the cab company his home base for 13 years.

He was pretty much the community cat, AA United Cab Co. dispatcher Tony Hamrick said in July.

More: Two bodies found inside car at Atrium Health Cleveland in Shelby

On May 10, Shelby Police and Atrium Health Security responded to the parking lot of Atrium Health-Clevelandwhen two men were found dead inside a car.

David Wade Cash of Shelby and Steven Curtis Campbell of North Myrtle Beach were discovered by someone passing by the vehicle.

Early on, investigators said they did not suspect foul play.It was later determined the two men died of an overdose.

More: Man charged with murder after his ex-girlfriend was found with a gunshot wound to the head

Investigators were called to the 500 block of Borders Road off of Oak Grove Road outside of Shelby around 2 a.m. on Aug. 31.

When they arrived, deputies found Jennie Kay Deal dead from a gunshot wound to the head.

Twenty-two-year-old Nicholas Eric Curtis was soon charged with felony murder, possession of a firearm by a felon and probation violation. He remains in Cleveland County jail on a $500,000 bond.

More: Sheriff: Inmate fails to lead investigators to Asha Degree

Cleveland County residents and beyond continue to question what happened to Asha Degree22 years ago.

Then 9 years old, Degree went missing on Feb. 14, 2000. Despite efforts by the Cleveland County Sheriffs Office and the FBI, her disappearance remains amystery.

In 2020, an inmate in custody of the N.C. Department of Corrections wrote The Star saying he had information about what happened to her.

Because of the COVID crisis and lockdown in correctional facilities, local investigators did not immediately go to interview Marcus Mellon, who wasconvictedof sex crimes against children in 2014.

Ultimately, Cleveland County Sheriff Alan Norman said interviews with Mellon were not fruitful and did not produce any new leads.

More: Shelby teen killed in spray of gunfire on Lenoir Drive

Investigators were called to Frederick Street in Shelby around 10 p.m. on April 6. Someone had fired into a party gathered outside and struck three people who were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Four hours later while they were still at that residence, investigators heard shots fired on Lenoir Drive about 100 feet away.

They ran over to find 18-year-oldDaquarriusRaquan Sanders suffering a single gunshot wound. He was taken to Atrium Health-Cleveland where he succumbed to his injuries. No arrest has been made in the case.

More: Mother of slain Shelby teen: 'I want to make sure they pay'

Gun violence erupted again on Nov. 9, when 16-year-oldSkyteriaEva Poston was shot in the back.

Fleeing the gunman outside of her house that afternoon, the Shelby High School student died on her front porch.

Arrest warrants have been issued for 20-year-old Santana Almont Eaves Jr. of Shelby, but so far, he has eluded capture.The U.S. Marshals Service has since offered a $5,000 reward leading to his arrest. He is considered armed and dangerous.

Diane Turbyfill can be reached at 704-669-3334 and dturbyfill@shelbystar.com.

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From Kings Casino to Chick-fil-A, here are the top 10 stories that caught readers' eyes in 2021 - Shelby Star

For Danville, a significant part of 2022 will be anticipating whats coming up in 2023.

Transformational projects expected for completion in 2023 include the Caesars Virginia casino at the former Dan River Inc. site in Schoolfield, redevelopment of the White Mill building and the planned Riverfront Park downtown.

2022, in a lot of ways, is preparing for what we know will happen in 2023, Danville City Manager Ken Larking said during an interview at his office Tuesday.

Construction, including removal of debris, has been underway at the Schoolfield site and architectural, engineering and environmental remediation plans are being finalized for the White Mill project.

Environmental work will be performed at the onset on construction toward the end of he first quarter of next year at the White Mill.

As for the Riverfront Park project, which was projected to cost more than $10 million, the money needed for the endeavor has been raised, Larking said. However, that estimate is from about two or three years ago and will likely increase.

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Were still receiving additional funds for additional costs, Larking said.

Plans for the park include a street-level entrance on its southeast side from Main Street and Memorial Drive with an artistic feature to lure visitors. Those entering the park would then step down to a water feature an interactive fountain and spray pad.

That area drops down about 10 feet and leads to a circular lawn. Open green space would make up a large portion of the park, which also would feature a staging area that could be used for small performance events. There would be an elevated walkway/viewing pier stretching about 20 to 25 feet above the park and part of the Dan River.

In the northern portion of the park close to the river, the Riverwalk Trail would snake across the park, bordered by green space. The trail would be 20 feet wide. A step-down terrace would lead to the rivers edge.

A small childrens play area would be at the western side of the park.

Other items for 2022 in the city include updating its comprehensive plan, which provides guidelines to help shape Danvilles approach to its physical development and formulating policy.

The comprehensive plan was last updated nearly a decade ago, Larking said. An outside firm, Detroit-based Smith Group, is currently working to determine the scope of the plan. Community input on the plan will be taken through town hall meetings, pop-up events, surveys and direct outreach, Larking said.

We want to make sure were engaging all parts of the community so well understand what Danville wants to see in the future, he said.

Also expected in 2022 is completion of improvements at Danville Regional Airport at the end of the year to meet the expected increase in use following completion of the casino project.

Plans include revamping the south ramp, which has 13 inches of concrete that needs rehabilitation, is 510 feet by 425 feet. Officials plan to rubbilize the concrete or break it up and overlay it with asphalt.

Officials plan to use the south ramp for business aviation development, aircraft maintenance facilities and for surplus aircraft parking from casino activity.

The city will seek construction money from the Federal Aviation Administration and the Virginia Department of Aviation in the spring or summer of 2022, construction to begin by summer 2022.

The project will go out for bid in spring 2022.

Plans also include widening of a taxiway and hangar site development, and a rehab project for the crosswind runway. The airport terminal is also getting a makeover.

A new headquarters at 2291 Memorial Drive for the Danville Police Department is also expected to be complete the middle of the year, Larking said.

Danville Parks and Recreation will also be examining its athletics program to see it can meet the needs of the community, he said.

Danville Mayor Alonzo Jones said the city needs to focus on improving public education to make sure Danville is attractive to potential industries and new residents.

Partnerships among the city, the school system, business leaders and parents are essential to finding ways to establish goals and get more parents involved, Jones said.

Its going to take those parents to find out what the kids needs are, Jones said.

2022 will especially bring progress for the casino and police station projects, which should generate some anticipation among residents, said Vice Mayor Gary Miller.

Theyll be able to see it [the casino] going up, being built, Miller said.

An important factor will be making sure the city and the region have the needed workforce for the casino and other industries coming to Danville, Miller added.

Local restaurants as well as industries including Morgan Olson which is expanding will need employees, he said. Averett University is working with Caesars and Danville Community College is partnering with Morgan Olson to train the workers those two companies need, Miller pointed out.

Our challenge is going to be able to successfully compete, he said.

Officials are also bullish on the 3,528-acre Southern Virginia Megasite at Berry Hill.

Its the biggest and best in Virginia and surrounding areas, Miller said. Were on the verge of attracting a big industry there.

Caesars Virginia revealed the architectural design for Danvilles upcoming casino. It will feature Three Sisters smokestacks, a nod to the textile roots of the city.

Caesars Virginia revealed plans to include a $500 million destination resort casino, which is $100 million more than initially anticipated in the development agreement, and 500 rooms inspired by local scenery, which is 200 more rooms than initially anticipated in the agreement. There will also be a spa, pool area and fitness center.

The casino will feature more than 1,400 slot machines and table games, Caesars Sportsbook and WSOP Poker Room, a live poker room named for and carrying the spirit of the legendary World Series of Poker with 25 tables.

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In Danville, 2022 will be a year of transformational projects with casino construction, White Mill renovation - GoDanRiver.com

State police gaming enforcement officers are asking for the publics help as they try to identify a man accused of taking an 85-year-old womans purse at Rivers Casino early Sunday.

The victim forgot her purse which contained her cellphone, an unspecified amount of cash and credit cards at a slot machine just after 1 a.m., according to police.

Video surveillance shows a white male finding the purse and wrapping his sweatshirt around it and leaving the casino on Pittsburghs North Shore, police said.

Police posted a report and photographs of the suspect on the Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers website Wednesday and said an unspecified reward is being offered for information leading to the mans arrest.

Anyone with information can contact crime stoppers at 1-800-4PA-TIPS (8477) or at pacrimestoppers.org.

Paul Peirce is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Paul at 724-850-2860, ppeirce@triblive.com or via Twitter .

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Police seek information on purse theft at Pittsburgh's Rivers Casino - TribLIVE

Troubled Indianapolis-based casino company Spectacle Entertainment was at the center of multiple controversies in 2021, from its top executive being forced out to losing stakes in two new casino projects.

In March, the Indiana Gaming Commission forced Spectacle CEO and Centaur Gaming CEO Rod Ratcliff to give up his ownership stake and state casino license. Ratcliff had been a heavyweight in Indianas gambling industry for more than a decade.

Ratcliff and the commission reached a settlement agreement that prevents him from having any involvement in Indianas gambling industry and requires him to sell his remaining casino ownership shares.

Officials began investigating Spectacle and Ratcliff in early 2020 after the filing of criminal charges in an alleged campaign contribution scheme involving a longtime business partner, former Spectacle Entertainment Vice President John Keeler. Ratcliff has not been charged with a crime.

The pending charges against Keeler threw a wrench in the companys projects for a Gary casino and a new casino in Terre Haute.

Rocksino rendering (Courtesy of Lucy Luck)

Centaur owned and operated the states two horse-track racing casinos until selling the Anderson and Shelbyville properties to Las Vegas-based Caesars Entertainment in 2018. Spectacle Entertainment operated until this year the Majestic Star I and Majestic Star II casinos on Lake Michigan and partnered with Florida-based Hard Rock International to construct a $300million land-based casino in Gary to replace those riverboats.

The $300million Hard Rock Casino North opened in Gary in May, but Spectacle had to give up 85% ownership to Hard Rock, which was already operating the casino, in August.

In Terre Haute, the Gaming Commission forced Spectacle last year to give up ownership of that project to Terre Haute businessman Greg Gibson. The commission then revoked the license from Gibsons holding company this June, saying the company had financing problems and had failed to establish an executive team to move forward with the project.

In November, the comission voted to give the license to Churchill Downs for a $240 million project known as the Queen of Terre Haute, to be built on nearly 21 acres of land on Honey Creek Drive west of the Haute City Shopping Mall,

Meanwhile, the commissions executive director, Sara Gonso Tait, who led the investigation into Spectacle and the petition to ban Ratcliff from the industry, said she would step down.

Greg Small, who served as general counsel for the commission, was chosen to replace Tait.

Check out more year-in-review stories from 2021.

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2021 Year in Review: Scandal rocks casino project - Indianapolis Business Journal

TUNICA, Miss. Tunicas casinos hope for a big night this New Years Eve.

But, indoor crowds are exactly what health experts including the CDC are warning against right now. FOX13 has worked to find out what precautions are being taken to keep you safe.

While casinos in Tunica County are not requiring patrons to wear masks, they are giving them away at the door. Matthew Rawls had just left the casino Friday when he stopped to talk to us.

They were offering everybody masks. I personally came in wearing one. They were doing the right thing, Rawls said.

Multiple casino employees, who wouldnt talk on camera, said that while guests are not required to wear masks, employees are. We were also told by those close to the gaming industry that cleaning schedules have been stepped up because of the omicron variants rapid spread.

It could be better. It could be better. They need more people wiping things down, Rawls said.

Some visitors still choose not to wear a mask.

Well, I think that is everybodys own decision, Comos Bobby Wilbun said.

Keeping the casinos going is essential for the community. Tunica County relies on gaming revenue for up to 60 percent of its budget.

The loss of revenue when the state closed down casinos early in the pandemic was a big hit.

We have reached out to the state gaming commission to find out what chance there might be for masks and social distancing to be required for guests.

I think it is pretty safe, the ones that dont wear their mask. The ones that want to wear their masks, they should wear them. The ones that dont want to wear their masks, its cool with me, Panola Countys Ricky Petty said.

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Tunica casinos handing out masks to patrons on New Years Eve - FOX13 Memphis