Daily Archives: January 13, 2022

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) The head of a state agency tasked with helping to redevelop Atlantic City using reinvested casino money is stepping down.

Matthew Doherty is leaving his post as executive director of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority at the end of January for a job in the private sector.

Doherty, the former mayor of Belmar, was tapped by Gov. Phil Murphy to head the reinvestment agency four years ago.

During the past four years we have made major investments in Atlantic City and its people, culminating in the groundbreaking this past November of a new ShopRite grocery store," he said Wednesday. I see remarkable potential in Atlantic City and I believe there will be a renaissance in the city over the next 5 to 10 years.

The agency runs on payments that casinos are required to make toward projects to benefit the city. Those payments used to be disbursed to projects across the state but have recently been targeted for Atlantic City.

The agency also shares some planning and zoning authority with the city, particularly on large projects.

Doherty received high marks for his handling of Belmar's recovery after Superstorm Sandy in 2012; the town was the first at the Jersey Shore to rebuild its boardwalk after the storm.

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Matt Doherty leaving as head of Casino Reinvestment agency - The Edwardsville Intelligencer

A man is in custody accused of having a homemade explosive device at the Hard Rock Casino, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Investigators say they have surveillance video of the bags with the device being left under a set of stairs at the casino. ATF agents say this could have been deadly if it wasn't for the quick work by the Cherokee Marshal and Security. They found the device, secured it, and within four hours the suspect, Zachary Shmidt, was arrested.

ATF agents say Zachary Schmidt told them he found the explosive device in a dumpster, then had it in his bag when he got a ride to the casino. Security at the Hard Rock saw the unattended bag and took it to a safe place and when they opened it, they found the explosive device.

"This could have been a catastrophic event, if it wasn't for the quick thinking of Cherokee Nation security, it could have been disastrous. It is a testament to the professionalism, Ashley Stephens with the Tulsa ATF Office.

Investigators say surveillance video at the casino helped them identify Schmidt as the suspect and hours later they arrested him at a convenience store down the street. They say Schmidt told them he thought the device was a firework. The ATF says they were able to keep people safe because of the teamwork of several agencies including OHP, Cherokee Marshals, Tulsa Police, Catoosa Police and Rogers County Deputies.

"Everybody just went out and did their job. Almost a one team one fight mantra and we were able to identify the gentleman really quickly and not just identify him but find him, said Stephens.

This is the second explosive device found in the last week in Green Country after one was found outside a Bartlesville Walgreens last week.

It is alarming. People take for granted the power and danger of explosives, said Stephens. We are always cautioning that these aren't fireworks. When you start manipulating even a consumer firework, you are putting yourself in danger, you are putting others in danger.

ATF agents are still looking for a suspect in the Bartlesville case. Schmidt is currently in the Rogers County jail for possession of an explosive device.

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Man Accused Of Having Explosive At Hard Rock Casino Arrested - News On 6

In the first nine months of 2021, the Catawba paid the D.C.-based law and lobbying firm Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker $30,000 to push for political action on its behalf, according to Senate lobbying disclosure documents.

The tribe also paid PACE, another D.C.-based lobbying firm, $90,000 over the same period. A disclosure from PACE lists gaming on newly acquired lands as its specific lobbying issue.

Among those at PACE listed on the disclosure forms are Devin Rhinerson, a former senior policy adviser to California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein; Kevin Eastman, a former legislative director for Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif.; and Scott Dacey, a former legislative liaison for the administrator of the Small Business Administration under President George H.W. Bush and the former chief of staff at the National Indian Gaming Commission, the federal governments lead regulatory agency of gambling conducted on tribal lands.

Another lobbyist, Rob Lehman of D.C.s WilmerHale firm, also received $90,000 from the Catawba Nation in the first nine months of 2021. Lehman is the former chief of staff to Ohio Republican Sen. Rob Portman.

Lobbying disclosures on behalf of the Catawba date as far back as 2003.

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The strange case of the casino, the Senate leader and the defense bill - Roll Call

The annual Casino Esports Conference will be taking place in Las Vegas once again this year. The events sixth edition is headed for the Alexis Park Resort on March 23 and March 24 and features a number of speakers, industry experts, lawyers, and more. The number of participants is already available on the official website, and there are many prominent guests who will seek to talk esports in the broader context of gaming.

Among those are Oddin.gg head of partnerships Marek Suchar, Take Two Interactive director Jon Moses, former PlayUp CEO Dr. Laila Mintas, Allied Esports CEO and director Frank Ng, Fifth Street Gaming chairman Seth Schorr and many others.

The convergence of so many experts will seek to broach important topics for the gaming and esports industries, including the rollout of esports betting products, finance, and the state of college esports, which has been rapidly developing across the United States.

States such as Connecticut, Nevada, and New Jersey are already exploring esports betting a little more seriously, and they want to introduce them or have done so in the case of Connecticut as part of their sports betting frameworks.

Meanwhile, states like Wyoming have pushed things further along, opening their betting legislation to cryptocurrencies and esports, inviting unique new products. As promoted by Unikrn, skill betting is already a hot topic for many in the United States, but its hardly the only platform to offer ground-breaking products.

As the pandemic has forced many sports to retreat, esports were finally brought to the frontlines. At the onset of the pandemic, Nevada had to pass exclusive betting permits for individual events. The Silver States accepted wagers on the ESL Pro League Season II: North America held in 2020, among others. The return of regular sports events has chilled Nevada regulators enthusiasm for esports though.

Esports have made a lasting impression on betting crowds and have long been touted as a gateway to younger generations. Rivalry, Pinnacle, and Luckbox are notably absent from the conference, even though these companies created an esports-first product and are now successfully transitioning into casino and sports betting.

The topics discussed by the conference will touch on virtually every important aspect that is currently debated in the industry but still remains up in the air for one reason or another. The conference will begin with a discussion of the state of esports in the casino, college, finance, and globally.

Speakers will take a look at the current state of regulation on a state-by-state basis and how esports can benefit from cryptocurrencies. College esports betting will be another topic of interest to participants.

The bulk of the esports betting discussion will remain focused on the first day of the conference for those of you who are specifically heading out to explore this aspect of the industry. The second day of discussions will be focused mostly on broader gaming and NFT implications for esports.

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Casino Esports Conference Returns for Sixth Edition on March 23-24 - GamblingNews.com

By Carol Evans and Glen D. Nenema

By Carol Evans and Glen D. Nenema

In 2020, the Washington State Legislature legalized sports betting on the premises of tribal casinos. That legislation passed with a bipartisan supermajority. Now, after nearly two years of careful planning and multiple layers of regulatory oversight, sports betting has begun at the Kalispel Tribes Northern Quest Casino. And sports betting will soon go live at the Spokane Tribe Casino and at 14 other tribal casinos across our state.

But even before most tribal sports betting has launched, one well-funded nontribal gambling company is pushing a huge expansion of sports betting and other gambling activities at neighborhood card rooms throughout our state. This week they filed a federal lawsuit that seeks to accomplish through the courts what our Legislature has repeatedly rejected. As the chairs of the Kalispel and Spokane tribes, we believe strongly that such an expansion would be a mistake. The Legislature carefully deliberated the pros and cons of sports betting and ultimately agreed on the right approach, one that is fully compliant with federal law.

Washingtons system of tribal gaming, in place for nearly three decades, has proven to be successful, safe, and responsible. Our states approach of limiting sports betting to tribal casinos protects public safety and reduces the risk of problem gambling. It keeps gambling out of the vast majority of our neighborhoods. Those who choose to place a sports bet at a tribal casino can feel safe in doing so, given the multiple layers of regulation and oversight that occur with tribal gaming. Sports betting at our respective casinos will be handled responsibly.

Contrary to the claims of advocates for sports betting in privately owned card rooms, our state and local governments do benefit from tribal gaming. So do our local and state economies. Tribal governments support nearly 60,000 jobs across Washington, with almost 70% of those jobs held by non-tribal members, accounting for $1.5 billion in wages and benefits. A 2017 analysis found that tribal gaming contributes $5.7 billion to the states economy. Dollars spent at tribal casinos stay in Washington State and generate over $722 million in state and local tax revenue.

The Spokane Tribe Casino opened in 2018 and recently completed a substantial expansion, with construction of a new hotel set to commence in early 2022. The recent expansion has added 300 new casino and construction jobs, and still more jobs will be created with the hotel construction and operation. The Spokane Tribe Casino makes significant charitable contributions annually, as well as annual payments to the city of Airway Heights. The Kalispel Tribes Northern Quest Casino generates $275 million in economic impact every year, has created 1,500 jobs in Spokane County, and generated $20 million in charitable contributions to community organizations and nonprofits.

Tribal gaming is governmental gaming: revenues are used to address the unmet needs of our members that have accumulated from generations of poverty and trauma.

Meanwhile, expanding sports betting to privately owned neighborhood card rooms would not produce significant new state and local government revenue. The states fiscal analysis shows that such activity would increase state revenues by less than $3 million annually. At the same time, tens of millions of dollars currently spent here in Washington for local benefit would be diverted to the wealthy out-of-state banks and investors backing the gambling company that owns nearly half of the states card rooms.

Tribes in Washington have built a strong partnership with local, state and federal governments. Our casinos provide fun, safe places for gaming, recreation, and other entertainment. The revenues stay in our state and improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians.

That is why tribal gaming enjoys strong public support. Public opinion research conducted by an independent pollster on behalf of the Washington Indian Gaming Association found that more than 70% of Washington State voters support gaming on tribal lands. Furthermore, by a two-to-one margin, the public supports the law that limits sports betting to tribal casinos, legalizing this activity but keeping it away from major population centers.

Our system of gaming in Washington state has been carefully crafted through intergovernmental cooperation between tribes and state and federal authorities. That proven system delivers much needed community and economic benefits, and limiting sports betting to the premises of our tribal casinos is a prudent approach. Our strong commitment is to handle sports betting safely and responsibly, and to make sure the revenues stay here at home and benefit us all.

Carol Evans is chairwoman of the Spokane Tribe. Glen D. Nenema is chairman of the Kalispel Tribe.

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Carol Evans and Glen D. Nenema: Sports betting will be handled responsibly at tribal casinos - The Spokesman-Review

Detroit's three casinos netted $1.294 billion in aggregate revenue in 2021, beating2020results that were significantly impacted by the pandemicbut falling short of 2019's record total.

The 2021 revenue total exceeds the nearly $639 million in aggregate revenue the three casinos MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino and Greektown Casino generated in 2020, when they were closed for much of the year due to COVID-19 restrictions. In 2019, the casinos generated a record $1.454 billion in revenue.

Slots, which generated $998.8 million,accounted for 77% of 2021 revenues. Table games, meanwhile, brought in $268 million and retail sports betting produced revenue of $26.95 million, according to numbers released Tuesday by the Michigan Gaming Control Board. The totals don't include revenue from online gambling, which is reported separately.

MGM Grand Detroit led with 43% market share last year. MotorCity Casino closed the year with 35% market share, while Greektown Casino had 22%.

Year-over-year, revenue tied to slots and table games rose 104.2% to $1.27 billion in 2021, the gaming control boardreported. All three casinos reported gaming revenues up nearly or more than 100% compared to 2020. MGM Grand Detroit reported $554 million in gaming revenue. MotorCity reported $438.3 million, and Greektown reported $274.5. million.

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The three casinos paid $102.6 million in wagering taxes on slots and table games revenue to the state of Michigan last year, up more than 100% from 2020's $50.3 million. They reported making $160.8 million in wagering taxes and development agreement payments on slots and table game revenue to the city in 2021.

Meanwhile, on the retail sports betting side, the casinos collectively reported qualified adjusted gross receipts (which don't include the monetary value of free play incentives) of $26.95 million last year. Greektown, home to the Barstool Sportsbook,led with $9.47 million. MGM brought in $8.79 million and MotorCity reported $8.69 million.

The Detroit casinos paid $1 million in taxes tied to retail sports betting to the state last year, up from $690,865 in 2020. They paid $1.26 million in retail sports betting taxes to the city.

For the fourth quarter of 2021, aggregate revenue at the casinos was up 99.3% year-over-year. In December, the three casinos reported $112.5 million in monthly aggregate revenue.

jgrzelewski@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @JGrzelewski

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Detroit casinos report $1.29 billion in revenue for 2021, up more than 100% from 2020 - The Detroit News

Cherokee Nation Businesses (CNB)s Legends Resort & Casino in Pope County, Arkansas, still remains on hold amid litigation. CNB has yet to schedule a groundbreaking for the $225 million property, expected to create more than 1,000 direct jobs.

According to Arkansas Business, CEO Chuck Garrett said that once work begins, it would take between 18 to 24 months to construct the venue. However, the proposed casino has been facing more than two years of local resistance to date.

Our legal team is working to quickly dismiss all pending litigation. It is important to note that many aspects of timing are out of our hands and ultimately controlled by the courts, Garrett said. We remain hopeful that all will be resolved in the coming weeks and months so that we can break ground on Legends Resort & Casino as soon as possible.

According to the cited news source, the CEO said CNB has had productive initial meetings with city planners and is currently awaiting the results of environmental traffic studies. Once hurdles are cleared, the business would be able to move forward with the planned buying of the land its had options on since 2019.

But in order to pursue its casino development, CNB must first resolve pending litigation. This includes a lawsuit filed by Pope County resident John Cliff Gooding, and a motion filed by rival Mississippi company Gulfside Casino Partnership.

Gulfside, which was initially awarded the Pope County casino license by the Arkansas Racing Commission, filed a lawsuit in the Pulaski County Circuit to issue a temporary restraining order halting any movement on the casino project. The company had lost the license after an Arkansas Supreme Court ruled in October its application was invalid because its letter of support was signed by the outgoing county judge, instead of the current one.

Both Goodin and Gulfside protest that while the applicant for the license was Legends Resort & Casino LLC, the license was awarded to Cherokee Nation Businesses LLC/Legends Resort and Casino LLC. They further claim Legends has no gaming experience, therefore making it an unqualified applicant for the Pope County license.

According to the opposing parties, these circumstances mean the states gaming commission has not satisfied constitutional requirements in its awarding of a license to operate the Pope County casino. Resolving the legal situation could take months and, should either lawsuit succeed, the entire licensing process could be reset.

But CNB is confident this will not be the case. According to Arkansas Business, Garrett said the casino is 100% owned and operated by Cherokee Nation Businesses, and its casino license application states that CNB is the sole member of the Legends LLC.

CNB has more than 30 years of experience, and operates 10 casinos through its hospitality division, Cherokee Nation Entertainment. Cherokee Nation Businesses calls Legends a strategic consultant, which has worked with professional sports teams, collegiate partners, live events and venues.

Garrett said CNB has not previously worked with Legends, but found partnering with the organization an attractive move because of the large size of the Pope County project. Legends was co-founded by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, and according to Garrett, teaming up with the business gives CNB access to a talented team with local knowledge.

A third source of conflict has been detected in the Fair Play for Arkansas committee, a group aiming to halt the casino project by working to put an initiative on the November ballot which would remove Pope County as a site allowed to have a casino following a constitutional amendment approved in 2018.

While a majority of Pope County voters are credited with opposing said amendment, CNB said it would not be deterred by that effort and that should the casino be built, it would have a positive economic impact of more than $5 billion during its first 10 years.

Moreover, an agreement with Pope County Judge Ben Cross is to be signed, under which CNB would make a $38.8 million upfront investment to be distributed to areas and agencies determined by local officials. Additionally, $2 million would be donated per year to local organizations.

To be located off Hob Nob Road, northeast of downtown Russellville, on 130 acres just north of Interstate 40 between the Weir Road exit to the west and Bradley Cove Road exit to the east, Legends Resort & Casino calls for about 50,000 square feet of gaming space.

The casino part of the resort would feature up to 1,200 slot machines, and 32 table games. The venue is set to have a 200-room luxury hotel, with a resort pool and spa, plus dining establishments with a total of 600 seats.

Moreover, the casino resort is expected to feature 15,000 square feet of multipurpose space. This part of the venue would have a separate entrance from the casino in an effort to attract family-style events, according to Garrett.

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Cherokees' Pope County casino still on hold as tribe works to dismiss lawsuits and break ground - Yogonet International